iQliving, Vincent Menchella’s stylish homewares emporium on the Danforth, is a culinary geek’s dream. This shop's shelves groan under colourful gadgetry that ranges from popcorn poppers to potato ricers to popsicle molds. Plus, egg cups and martini glasses, pizza stones and pork shredders, spring-form pans and Dutch ovens are stacked throughout the store in a dazzling array of colour and style.
As an example of the variety of things in store at iQliving, if you ask for a garlic press you’ll find yourself looking at six. “Not all garlic presses are created equal,” intones Vincent. He’s right. One scrapes; another squashes. One is sleek stainless steel; two are garish bright plastic.
Vincent isn’t into faddish gizmos though. He seeks out objects that look good and work. “Overall we’re selling utilitarian products," he says. "If it functions well, then you can’t improve on it. People are still buying the same chef’s knife they bought 50, even 200, years ago. There’s really not much you can do to make it better.”
I love the store for its quality items AND the people who run it will bend backward to help and find the suitable item. I have told my friends about the store, and they loved it as soon as they tried it.
For kitchen gadgets that are both handy and stylish, head up to the Danforth where you’re sure to find something unique for the chef in your life, whether it’s a cheap can opener or a teak cutting board. Hot tip: the Amco Moo frother, aluminum hand juicer and mini storage jars will make excellent stocking stuffers.
If you’ve got a few expert chefs on your holiday shopping list, this east-end emporium of all things kitchen-related should be one of your first stops. This is the spot to find everything from high-end knife sets to novelty ice cube trays, and they’ll take 20% off your whole purchase during #ShopTheHood when you spend $50.
If the big box spots can’t fulfill your kitchen, bathroom and entertaining needs, head to this Greektown homewares depot for a browse through the aisles of affordable upgrades. Hard-to-finds like glass ice buckets for chilling wine, stainless steel cheese knives, and show-stopping walnut cutting boards are on offer and seductively priced. That’s really the only tough thing about the east-end spot: controlling your inclination to buy up the entire store. Get ready for a lot of inner urges passionately proclaiming, “I need this.”