The Stop’s Annual Night Market Was A Foodie’s Delight

The Stop Night Market’s third year started and finished with resounding success – another swift sellout, months in advance, plus massive anticipation leading up to the two-day edible extravaganza. And while it wasn’t all smooth sailing as the event kicked off, there was no complaining at the exit (except that we were all too full).

The clouds rolled in with fury on night one, soaking the crowd with a brief but torrential downpour. Night two saw a few showers as well, but a little rain couldn’t deter the assembly of eager eaters. It certainly didn’t slow down the production lines of some of Toronto’s most appreciated eateries (click here to view the gallery).

If nothing else, The Stop knows how to amass talented chefs, an engaged audience, and innovative artists in an awesome venue. What could be better? It’s in support of a good cause. Whether you knew it or not, your $65 entry fee didn’t just grant you access to an unlimited array of food and drink, it kicked back to The Stop’s community food programs.

Examples of their sustainable practices, like their greenhouse programs, were on full display as local artists like DBG and The Falco Collaboration incorporated herb gardens from The Stop’s organic greenhouse for Charlotte Langley and La Cubana’s booths. Better yet, the wealth was shared at the end, as patrons were encouraged to take plants home for themselves.

The eats were pushing the envelope as well – so much so they pushed the capacity of the crowd’s gullets. There wasn’t a soul I spoke to that wasn’t about to bust a button due to the amount of exceptional ingestibles.

There were a few offerings of lighter fare, only heavy on the whimsy, like Farmhouse Tavern’s smoked eggplant with cured trout and green emulsion, Shoto’s seafood ball with nori and kimchi, and the People’s Eatery’s compressed watermelon salad with feta, mint, avocado and chili. Those washed down well with Luxardo’s Maraschino Fizz or Tipicular Fixin’s slushie cocktails (click here to check out all the delicious food).

After consuming such star dishes as Table 17’s ham hock terrine with buttermilk biscuit, crispy shallot and homemade Branston style pickle, Hey Meatball’s rich and delicious Saigon sub, and Whippoorwhill’s mustard spaetzle with caraway, leek, lemon crème fraiche and Rold Gold, things were filling up. Pints of Junction Craft or Great Lakes Brewery beer and a couple shots of Still Waters’ whisky went along well with that selection. The only problem now is that after the other 35 or so dishes, it was a struggle to choke down the goodness – there was so much goodness!

But as one does at such events, we persist; we eat more, we drink much more, and we repeat again and again. Hopefully with the reconstruction of the Honest Ed’s building, The Stop Night Market will persist as well. This year proved that Toronto’s appetite for this event is not yet satiated.

Click here to view the gallery.

What was your favourite vendor at the Night Market this year? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.