Sunday was such a beautiful day that Lil'foodiePrints and I took a walk along Preston Street. Walking in the sun, we noticed how much Preston Street has changed over the past few years

[Lil'foodiePrints was mostly interested in the assorted pastry shops and gelaterias.]

What is striking about Preston Street is how diverse it really is. One thinks of the street as a destination for an Italian meal. But really, there is so much more going on.

At the North end of the Street, you are greeted by carved obelisks and the revitalized Plant Bath. This part of the Street is greener, more residential, quieter…



As you head South, you pass corners stores and cafés, shops selling clothing, flooring, hair salons and the Modern barbershop, there are pubs and restaurants, bakeries and pastry shops.




Have your eyes checked at and pop next door to buy your glasses. Need a wedding gift? Stop by Bar's Touch of Elegance for some table linens. Need a wedding dress? Mia Bridal might have what you need.



You can pick up a hammer at Preston Hardware and get your grapes to make your wine or save the work and have a glass at DiVino Wine Bar.



If you come on a Saturday morning, drop off your car at Krishna Auto Body for an oil change while you pick up some local produce at the Preston Street Farmers Market; cross the street to buy some fresh burratta cheese at Casa Nicastro and some pasta at Home of Fresh Pasta. While you're there, have your hair styled at Ludy's Hair Design or sign up for a boxing class at N1 Thai Boxing Academy.



Take a break from your wanderings or end your day at one of the many Italian restaurants or enjoy Turkish at Topkapi, Korean at Le Kimchi, Vegetarian at Green Earth, or Seafood at Big Easy's; Preston Street is not just Italian anymore.




All along the street you can see the attractive new benches and lampposts that were installed as part of the revitalization of Preston Street, a project 25 years in the making. Every so often you will come across works of art, sculptures by C. J. Fleury representative of the street's past and present; stop and take a look at them.


Lil'foodiePrints was particularly keen on the one that told of Marco Polo's voyages: "I only told half of what I saw", with its golden dragon snaking up the column.

Public Art is something that enriches our lives and Preston Street has it in abundance, just walk under the Queensway and see the murals depicting the neighbourhood and its people. Not an ugly grey concrete wall for this vibrant street!

La Vendemmia is on from September 22nd to the 25th. There are so many events to attend; why not sign up for a C'est Bon Cooking Preston Street tour, or just schedule in some time to just wander?

[Regarding the C'est Bon Cooking tour, two will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2011: at 10:30am (in English) and at 2:00pm (in French).]







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