Before I get to where I am going, FN's remarks about the meteorologists being mostly wrong in Goa contrasts starkly with their counterparts in Canada where they are mostly right. That too weather forecasting in Canada can be a pretty tricky thing since we quite steep variations in temperature during even 24 hours. For example some days in winter, morning can start with plus 5 centigrade and then go suddenly to minus 25 that afternoon or night.
But this post is about prices of some common food and eatables in Toronto for those interested in making comparisons with their own cities. Canadian prices I may say are quite reasonable compared to those in Europe but a little more than in the USA. I was quite unpleasantly surprised when my son who is currently studying in Sweden told me of the prices of things there. Alphonso Mangoes. They are now in season and sell for $18 a box of 12. All good quality and delicious as only the Ratnagiri kind can be. The season started in May at $22 a box. The Mexican ones (closest to our Goa Fernandins) sell for as low as $7 a box. Very sweet and twice the size of the Alphonsos but not comparable. Fish Fresh Bombay silver pomfret large size are sold in the Chinese stores at $6/lb. Funny thing in Canada. They will quote prices in per pound but due to metric law, they will price at paying time, per kilo. Fresh flounder (lepp) large at $3/lb. Grouper (gobro) at $4, kingfish (surmai) $5, baby shark (pilo) at $3. Medium fresh shrimp $4, mussels (zob) $2, clams (tisreo) $4, lobster $7. You can get fresh fish and seafood at best prices in Chinese and Sri Lankan stores. Canadian supermarkets are higher priced and Portuguese fish shops are rip-offs. Meats and Cheeses Canadian beef and pork is of high quality and well priced. Depending on cut, it can be anything from $2/lb to $10/lb. For example pork chops can be had at $2 while AA grade best cut of veal roast is $10/lb. Cold cuts are best bought at Euro-style delis owned by Eastern Europeans and good cooked bacon stuffed with garlic, pistachio, olives and chives sell for $3/lb. A wide variety of salamis are available and so also cheeses for which Europeans are well known. Canadian Cheddar is of high quality and so also brie, roquefort, havarti, emmenthal, camembert and mozzarella are well made. Edam does not come in the Canadian variety and Dutch whole red ball (called ball cheese in Goa) sells for about $35. Processed Kraft tins made in Australia sell for $5, compared to the Rs75 I paid while in Margao in 2007. These are popular with ex-Gulf Goans. Beers, wine and spirits. Canadian beer is one of the best in the world. American beer is too watery and European beers too sharp. Canadian beer - pilsner, lager or draft - by the case sells for about $1.50 per can, foreign beer a little more and American beer for less than Canadian beer. Fladgate and Cockburns portuguese port for $15 a 750ml bottle, Black Label and Chivas Regal for about 48 and JW Red for about 30. The Blue Label retails at $285 for 750ml. The Govt operated Liquor Board is well maintained and has alcohol from all over the world. Indian Old Monk rum can be found and so also some Indian whiskies. The latter are priced the same as Scotch and I doubt they are sold much. LCBO stores are well stocked, good decor and have helpful staff. A great contrast with American Stores which have high security and all customers are watched suspiciously. The Americans make it up with lower prices on their spirits. Eating Out. Dining in the good franchise restaurants like Alice Fazoolis, Red Lobster, Shoeless Joe's, Kelsey's, Swiss Chalet and the like can cost about $120 for 4 inclusive of an alcoholic drink and tips. Fine dining in Italian and Portuguese restaurants can cost much more than that. Be ready to spend about $250 to 300 for wine, drinks, food and desserts for 4 people. Indian Restaurant costs can vary. A higher class downtown joint can set you back about $200. One in Mississauga, Richmond Hill or Scarborough can be as little as $130 with falooda, lassi and Indian beer. Kingfisher is popular in these establishments and so is Guru. Service in Indian restaurants mostly stinks. And so do some of their gentleman's facilities. Hope some of you coming to Toronto to visit friends and relatives this summer find this info useful. And for the others this might provide a perspective of sorts. -- Roland Francis http://roland-torontogoan.blogspot.com +1 (416) 453.3371
