I lived in London while I was going to school, and can attest to the attachment one develops to their particular brands and snack choices. I loved a Branston pickle sandwich with thick cuts of white Wiltshire cheese, eating Galaxy Mistrels by the handfuls at the Curzon movie theatre, and perfectly dusty and currant-studded scones with real clotted cream and strawberry jam. While we can't yet transport the dishes of St. John, Ottolenghi, Moro, River Café, Heston Blumenthal, or Hawksmoor to Toronto, we can be reminded of the wonderful culinary experiences of Britain, one Hobnob and a cuppa at a time.
I had half a mind to write this all in Cockney rhyming slang, but I'll just do a little: Here are my picks for the cock-and-hen (ten) Mae West (best) drum-and-bass (places) to find British products in Toronto.
The Chocolate Box
Pull the lid off The Chocolate Box on The Donlands and you'll find a host of British sweets and products to buy. The focus is on Brit chocolates like the Flake, Yorkie, Twirl and Fry Orange Cream, but they also carry a lot of flavours of Walker Crisps and Border's biscuits.
Empire by Bullet
A number of years ago home decor mavens Bullet launched Empire, their whole shebang British shop in Riverside. Looking for a Doctor Who snow globe? Emma Bridgewater mugs? Marmite aprons? Dog head in heraldic dress on throw pillows? Gardner's Butter Scotch in a tin? Glengoyne Whiskey Fudge? All the Cadbury, Walkers and McVitie's you can handle? Pop into Empire, chum, and you'll find it all.
Nutty Chocolatier
The Nutty Chocolatier, with several locations around Ontario, has been a longtime go-to for British products. They've got most of the British chocolate bars, Turkish Delight, and those wild Walker's crisp flavours like Steak and Onion, Curry, Pickled Onion and Lamb and Mint, as well as Scottish shortbread, tea sets - even Marks and Spencer's Cream of Tomato soup.
Sweet Thrills
Sweet Thrills on Roncesvalles has been charming the neighbourhood for quite some time with its selection of British products - including wacky Walker's crisps flavours and Cadbury chocolate - and friendly service, courtesy of owner Michael.
Uncle John's Candy Shack
Uncle John must have some fondness for the British Isles, because his Candy Shack is filled with overseas treats. Items from Marks and Spencer's, McVitie's, Cadbury and Walker are all available - as well as a cooler filled with a selection of meat pies and Brit sodas like Irn Bru.
Candy Bar
Imagine the candy store scene at the beginning of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. The Candy Bar is something like that. They have a big selection of British sweets alongside their other treats: Squirrel Brand Floral Gums from Blackpool, Caramac Bars, Blackcurrant fruit pastilles, Kit Kat bars, chocolates, toffees, Walkers Crisps, McVitie's biscuits, and the delectable Irn Bru. Plus, owner Paola is a real gem.
McCormick Imports
The mother daughter team behind McCormick's Imports sure knows a thing or two about British whimsy: Polka dot teapots, Beatles memorabilia, Paddington Bears, beautiful bound copies of English favourites like Dickens' Great Expectations, along with linens, tea towels and pillows and more. It's a perfect spot to pick up a gift for an Anglophile.
A Bit of Home
Stop into the Tomken Shopping Centre in Mississauga to find A Bit of Home, a shop filled with 'the best of Ireland and Britain'. Home goods include Arsenal bar towels and Coronation Street wall calendars; pantry items include Bisto White Sauce Granules, Lyons Jaffa Cakes, Rose's Lime Marmalade, both the big and small chunk Branston pickle, and Heinz Ploughman's Pickle. They've even got Burtons Jammie Dodgers!
London Calling
A newer addition to this list, I think this Cabbagetown store has a while before it finds it real British sea legs. Find a selection of English sweets, Dandelion and Burdock soda, wack and crack toffee, mushy peas and real Heinz beans next to a lot of Union Jack pillows, tissues, oven mitts and more. Also fond of anything of the "Keep Calm" variety.
Mrs. Bridges British Bakery
Mrs. Bridges British Bakery in the Eglinton Square Shopping Centre is both a bakery (specializing in sausage rolls, meat pies, and Albert Cakes, a type of tray bake with currants named after Prince Albert) and a British food emporium. They carry Marks and Spencer, Cadbury, Bisto, McVitie's, Colman's, Tunnock's, Bird's, Walkers (and Walkers' - for those that know the difference), Heinz and Fox's, among many others.
Did I miss any? Leave your favourite stores that sell British products in the comments.
Photo of McCormick Imports by Kat Rizza.
by Erinn Beth Langille via blogTO
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