OUR ART DIRECTOR TELLS US WHERE TO GO
As told to Odessa Paloma Parker
Barbara Ann Solomon joined Team Plaid after graduating from the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD). Her fresh perspective on magazine culture and graphic design gives life to our print issues, and each time we work on a new edition, it’s always exciting to see what she comes up with to complement our amazing editorial and written content. Here, Barbara shares her favourite destinations within (and just outside) Toronto.
SHOPPING
As a designer, I spend a lot of my time shopping online. I am able to find inspiration and sweet deals on the trends usually a season before they hit the stores. Some of my favourite shopping sites are: Asos – with great brands and an affordable house line of everything from shoes to dresses, beauty and accessories. Dealuxe.ca is a new find of mine, an online destination for those in the Great White North. We have waited too long for a site to get our high-end fixes without paying the unexpected shipping fees and duties. Etsy is the well-known handmade marketplace. I can spend hours finding artist across the globe with amazing pieces I’m dying for. Spike The Punch is one of the shops I’m loving right now; the designer, Elizabeth, makes the most amazing painted necklaces. They are currently out of stock, so I’m patiently waiting.
FOOD
Nothing makes my weekends better than Aroma Espresso Bar. The Israeli company has delicious caffeinated and caffeine-free drinks, and the most amazing salads and pastries. I highly recommend an Iced Aroma and a Bureka Treat. If you’re a Toronto local and haven’t tried Black Camel, located right outside of Rosedale Subway Station, you must. The café and sandwich bar is a true hidden gem; the pulled pork sandwich is my favourite, but please be prepared to get a bit messy. My go-to meal is ramen from Ajisen Ramen in Chinatown. The soups are amazing, and there are great lunch combos with sides like giant California Rolls, and cucumber and crab salad.
WEEKENDS
My weekends are typically filled with family and friends, but there are a few rare days when I get to explore my favourite parts of this diverse city. Growing up a little north of the city I’ve found places that are quite picturesque; like “Main Street Unionville” in Markham. This street is filled with shops and boutiques with history and small-town culture. Jakes On Main is a sweet spot in the summer, with a huge patio, live music, and delicious pub food. My boyfriend and I spend our free time exploring parts of Toronto we haven’t been to since we moved to the city. Recently we’ve done Leslieville, Liberty Village, and the Beaches. Our next stops are Chinatown, and to see what’s changed in Kensington Market after almost a year of not being there.
BOOKS
As an OCAD Alumni, I used to spend my hours in between classes at Pages on Queen. Unfortunately, they are no longer around, so I grab most of my magazines and books from the Indigo around the corner from my apartment at Yonge and Eglinton. For many of the rare magazines that I like to read, I head over to Type Books on Spadina Road – always leaving with more than just magazines.
