The Kingsway is a bustling little strip in the Bloor and Royal York area of Etobicoke. While rich with culture and creatively diverse are not descriptors that typically come to mind when I think of Etobicoke (sorry, is my central/downtown prejudice showing?) a long subway ride and a little saunter through this area helped to quickly change my mind.

The Kingsway is one of those areas that expresses its pride through its names, with Kingsway Variety, Kingsway Custom Dry Cleaners, and of course, Kingsway Theatre proudly toting the line. The sidewalks are remarkably wide, the street is divided by a line of trees, and the businesses offer a great selection of international cuisines, specialty shops, and spaces to kick back with friends. Here are just a few places worth checking out on the Kingsway.

Bake Sale
Bake Sale is the Kingsway destination for baked goodies you'd find...uh...at a bake sale. This appropriately named bakery sells fresh cupcakes, cookies, squares, tarts and more, all made from scratch in its open onsite bakery. Here you'll also find Kawartha ice cream and a selection of candy from your recess days including Ring Pops, Nerds, and Bubble Tape.

Artisan Cheese and Food Gallery
Just off of Bloor, Artisan Cheese and Food Gallery looks more like a deli than a gallery, unless of course you consider its collection of fine Canadian and International cheeses "art." The selection at Artisan Cheese includes 90 different pasteurized and unpasteurized specialty cheeses in varieties such as Ciel de Charlevoix blue cheese and Goat Camembert. The shop also carries a gourmet selection of chocolates, jams, honeys, and crackers.

Kingsway Theatre
The Kingsway Theatre is that vintage old school movie theatre with potentially paralyzing blinking exterior lights and a classic marquee sign. Originally built in 1939, the theatre was restored to its former glory (and updated with a new sound system, screen, and seats) a few years ago and now shows classic and new-release movies.

Organic Fine Foods
Organic Fine Foods offers a little bit of everything under the organic and health-conscious umbrella. At the front of the store you'll find fresh produce, followed by refrigerators of jarred soups, sauces, and frozen foods. There's a small selection of bulk products, and a whole wall of Red Mill mixes, oats, seeds, grains, and more.

Momiji Sushi
Momiji Sushi has an absolutely gorgeous dining room. High brick walls reach up to a ceiling mounted with wood planks, enclosing a dim and elegant space with dark furniture and hanging lamps. The menu consists of Japanese favourites, including tempura, sushi, and sashimi, as well as beef and chicken entrees.

Hot Oven Bakery
Toronto's famous Hot Oven Bakery opened this location on the Kingsway about two years ago to the delight of resident bread-enthusiasts. Hot Oven is famous for its cinnamon buns and freshly baked breads, and this location is usually swarmed with lunch-goers devouring Hot Oven's quiches, soups, and sandwiches.

The Old Sod
The Old Sod pub looked a little sad when I dropped by, though few pubs are typically booming at two in the afternoon. In any case, The Old Sod's sign declared it "Etobicoke's oldest and friendliest pub," and its totally open front let the breeze and light come in. Lots of beers on tap, live music, and typical pub fare.

White House Meats
White House Meats is the resident Kingsway butcher shop (with another location in the St. Lawrence Market). It specializes in game meats including caribou, venison, rabbit, and wild boar, as well as game birds such as ducks, geese, and guinea hens. Of course, white house also offers the regulation, beef, lamb, chicken, and pork, along with sauces, spices, and other condiments on the side.

Chutney's
Chutney's is apparently swarming at that on-the-way-home-from-work time. No surprise--the restaurant smells fantastic. The dining room is cozy and elegant, and guests are served traditional Indian fare including Tandoori Chicken, Beef Bhuna, and Lamb Korma. Chutney's also offers take-out and delivery.

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blogTO iphone app to discover more places on The Kingsway. Here are some screenshots:

Previously in this series:

Overlea Boulevard
Coxwell Avenue
Kingston Road
Carlaw Avenue
Donlands Avenue
Marlee Avenue

Do you have any suggestions for overlooked streets you think we should feature on this site? Please send suggestions to streets [at] blogto [dotcom].