Abbey Sharp: What I love about Toronto

Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), an avid food writer and blogger, a TV and radio personality, a food brand ambassador, a passionate home cook, a food event hostess, and the founder of Abbey’s Kitchen Inc. She’s a regular contributor to The Marilyn Denis Show (CTV), Dr. Marla & Friends (CTV), Eat St (Food Network), the Toronto Standard Magazine, On the Go Magazine, AOL’s Kitchen Daily, and her popular blog webisode series at AbbeysKitchen.com.Renters Guide:Why do you call Toronto ‘home’?Abbey Sharp: I call Toronto home because I feel comfortable and yet still so intrigued by all of its special pockets and unique neighbourhoods. I was technically born here (East General) but my parents had already moved to Durham right before I was born. However, all of my best memories as a child were in the city. After moving around, my family all moved back to Riverdale when I was 17, and I’ve been here ever since.RG: Favourite nature escape?AS: Withrow park in Riverdale. When I lived with my parents for about seven years or so, I spent every day walking through that park to get to The Danforth. Whether it’s young families in the playground, puppies running about in the dog run (including our family’s dog Hank, and our late, Sandy) or new moms jogging in sync with their carriages, it’s got such a fantastic community feel.RG: Favourite attraction?AS:I love the Toronto Exhibition. When I lived in Durham (before I moved back to the city), I used to dance competitively in the Highland Games and they always had a big event at The Ex. Sure, dancing on swords and wearing a kilt was a good time, but the most memorable aspect was always the food. Aside from the usual UK treats (curly whirly chocolate bars are my all-time-faves), I loved the fun food at The Ex. My dance fuel would likely include: an ice cream sandwich on a stick, Tiny Toms doughnuts (with powdered sugar, obv), corn on the cob, and a funnel cake. Hey, I was a growing girl!RG: Favourite restaurant?AS: Always the hardest question, I work in food media! I’ve been everywhere, so my favourite restaurant changes by the day, week, month, moment. Right now in Toronto, I love Colette Grand Café in the Thompson. The room is Parisian elegance with an easy-breezy nautical flair – you would have a good time even if you didn’t eat anything! But you would be silly not to, of course. Try the gorgeous trio of Foie gras with a bruleed parfait, and don’t miss the grand raspberry soufflé for dessert. For a more casual meal, I am loving the new Dailo on College St. Chef Nick Liu has put together a really cheeky Asian inspired menu with snacks like a bao bun filled with big mac flavours, and spring rolls stuffed with smoked meat- hello! And then recently, I tried and loved the new Rasa bar on Harbord St. The farmhouse space is super cozy and the food is creative, beautiful and playful. Do yourself a favour and try the lamb belly ribs with chimichurri and Greek yogurt, and do not miss the Chopped Salad with quinoa, feta, chickpeas and sumac. I know a salad doesn’t sound exciting, but its ridiculously good.RG:Favourite indulgence?AS: I’m kind of a blow-out addict. I’m actually at the salon getting a blow out as I type this! I have a tab at Blo in Yorkville and go through them faster than I should. I also try to keep my nails nice because I do a lot of photoshoots and TV and my hands are always in the shots. Because I’m always cooking and washing my hands, I skip regular polish which inevitably will chip in a day and go with a longer lasting gel or shellac – at least I can be sure they’ll get me through a shoot.RG: Favourite distraction?AS:Exercise is my greatest distraction. I run in the morning and run mid-day as my ‘reset’ button to keep me focused throughout the day. On the weekends, however, my partner and I take the morning or afternoon, pick a Toronto neighbourhood and walk there. We’ve walked to the Distillery, Beaches, King West, Queen West, Dupont, Rosedale, Harbourfront – even all the way to Bayview and York Mills! My legs were sore that day but it’s always fun to explore a new area of the city from a pedestrian’s perspective – you always miss so much when you’re in a car.RG: Favourite memory of Toronto?AS: In the summer when I was a young child, my parents would take my sister and I to The Beaches for the day to fly our kite and walk along the board walk. This, in general, is one of my favourite memories because I can draw reference from all my senses – the warmth of the sun on my skin, the Jazz music playing in the background, listening to Bob Dylan all the way in the car, the aroma of fresh (or maybe not-so-fresh) lake water, and of course, a soft serve chocolate dipped ice cream cone as my treat. One day, my sister (three years younger) walked up to the big lighthouse and gave it a big hug, pressing her ear right up against the side. It just so happens that in that same moment, it blew a horn so loud you could feel the pressure 20 feet away. I’m surprised it didn’t blow an eardrum (in which case I guess it wouldn’t have been so funny), but I’ll never forget how much we laughed at the scared look on her face and her instinctual leap away from the lighthouse.RG: What do you consider Toronto’s best kept secret?AS:This is going to sound crazy-pants, but there’s this little food counter called Esther’s Soup Kitchen tucked away in the Cumberland Terrace Mall. Most people have never noticed this little plaza, which isn’t surprising because it disappears amidst the glamour of Yorkville, but I urge you to seek it out just for this soup. Esther makes about seven-or-so soups each day, two of which are always vegan, but they’re all cooked without dairy, cornstarch, sugar, flour, cream or oil. So this is my go-to lunch or solo supper when I want something healthy and low in fat, but still comforting and hearty in this cool weather. My go-to is the Mulligatawny. It’s definitely Esther’s best, and its only about $4.50 for soup and bread.RG: Favourite entertainment?AS:I love going to Second City for their main stage shows. If you love comedy (and aren’t offended too easily), then you’ll absolutely love the improve-style comedy sets. I loved them so much that I started taking improv lessons several months back at Second City’s training centre and I’m now in my fourth semester. It’s basically my excuse to be super silly and offensive for 2 ½ hours every week.For more ideas and insight from Abbey’s Kitchen, visit abbeyskitchen.com and follow her on Twitter @AbbeysKitchen.