Bringing some of the Homeland to Dundas Street West

One of my favourite things to do on a weekend morning is go grocery shopping... I know, most people dread it, but I absolutely love it. I basically count down the days starting Monday night, for when I can embark on my journey of deliciousness once again. And why, you ask? I have discovered the best grocery store ever, which is about a three minute drive from my house.

The newest location of Starsky Finest European Foods is located at 3115 Dundas Street West, just west of Winston Churchill. Now I am definitely bias as I am of eastern European descent, so every trip to Starsky is like a quick getaway to my home country (sans family reunion). I just don't want to leave the store! Starsky provides an overwhelming assortment of dairy, frozen and grocery products, it also features an in store galleria including a coffee shop, book store, flower shop and optical store. You can also purchase European cosmetics, shampoos, face creams, etc.

Not only can I pick up my weekly dose of European deli, cheeses and water (yes, I even enjoy European water), I can also grab the latest issues of European lifestyle and home decor magazines. The fact that Starsky has about six isles devoted to desserts, overflowing with chocolate, cookies, cakes and other deliciousness definitely does not help my diet that I seem to start every Monday (no, next week, I swear...).

My weekly Starsky must-haves include:

• smoked cheese
  
• turkey slices
  
• salami
  
• fresh bread
  
• Zywiec water (non carbonated)
  
• fruit
  
• vegetables (sometimes)
  
• grapefruit, berry and orange juices

I have personally never tackled the deli counter, it scares me. The counter takes up the entire back of the store and you need to take a number before you are served. Then you are helped by a nice, bilingual lady who will fetch all the deli your heart desires. There are usually about 45 people at the deli counter each time I go, so I just opt for the pre-packaged lunch meat. Actually, I'm not sure I'd even know how to order meat using proper terminology... 'ummm, can I just have enough turkey for like, five sandwiches?"

There is another Starsky location just east of Dixie Rd. on Dundas St., but it's not as large. But don't believe me, you need to check out this European heaven for yourself!