Ruby Eats

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Although the food is nice (a bit pricey), one particular staff member is super rude. The larger lady who is often serving or at cash is sarcastic and makes me feel unwelcome every time I come in. I hope that if Lynn reads this, she will not hire her for Ruby Watch Co (since Ruby Eats is closing) it would create bad reviews in a great restaurant.

I sucked at cooking my whole life, until university and on forced me into self reliance. Now I spend a thousand hours a year researching recipes, ethical meat etc. I’m crazy about researching. I am, also, (lazy) a huge fan of asking people smarter/​more experienced than me for tips/​advice/​tricks so I can elevate my game and generally be very impressive. Sometimes I don’t have the time to research — damn you, Work. Critical to seeming like you are a minimum of one level ahead of where you are, culinarily speaking, is ingredients. You throw some truffle oil on there, people know you care. You can get that sheezee at Loblaws however. You really want to impress a first date/​judgey parents/​random epicurists? Head to Ruby Eats. Not only will angels sing to you as you take in the ready made treats, preserves (ain’t nobody got time for that — in their own house) spice mixes etc but there are two pretty awesome people who will ask you, ‘Have you tried… You know what works well with that meat/​recipe…’ You smile and nod and just make their know-​how your secret power.
Also, cake in a jar. Your eyes may permanently roll back in your head due to exponential bliss.
Not lying.

I really love this place. I love the décor. They have all kinds of stuff for your kitchen, like Le Creuset pots and ramekins as well as cookbooks. There are shelves of preserves! It’s really cool here, and they make a mean lunch. All the staff are super friendly.

This is a rustic little place that has a bunch of fun foodie things. Think preserves, jams, really expensive crackers, cooking utensils etc.
I ran in here quickly while looking for a host gift for a dinner party I was going to that night. After picking up some Herbes de Provences and some crackers that would have totalled over $ 20, I decided on some mulling spices and spice bags instead. not necessarily because I’m cheap, but because my friends would like the spices better.
The staff are VERY friendly and accomodating and can help you find anything you need. I’ll definitely be back to peruse a bit more cause I was rushed last time I was there… looking forward to checking out the rest of the stuff for sale.

3.5 Stars
VIBE
It feels like a modern country kitchen. You know those test kitchens that they have for magazines? It felt like I was in one of those. I felt like Elizabeth Baird (famous Canadian Living cook, editor and personality) was going to drop in. But no sighting. There is a little alcove where you can eat. I didn’t notice it until I was leaving then felt awkward to want to eat there. Next time.
The cashier was a bit eager. Let me get in the store first before you immediately greet me! Otherwise, he was really nice and helpful.
I ATE
Tuna Melt. At $ 8.50 for a sandwich I could have made at home, yes, its a bit pricey. But I was ravenous after a work out and this completely hit the spot. Having it pressed was a nice touch and the melted cheese really hit the spot.
They offer a little container of olives and sweet pickles for $ 1.50. Not worth it. Where are the dill pickles?! *Standing up for all dill pickle enthusiasts out there.
Then I got a croissant because they looked so damn good (and big). It was. I cannot resist a croissant. Mmm. And this one did NOT disappoint!
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
I will definitely be back for some «Eats.» I wouldn’t grocery shop here but as a pit stop for a sammie or croissant with a girlfriend is in order!

Chorizo meatballs with 5 minute pickles sub… OMG!
I love this shop, the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The prices are very reasonable and the selection is great. I got a pastry blender for $ 4.40!
I like the selection of cooking gadgets, preserved foods, and the little eating corner with the daily menu and café makes this place a food haven.
Such a great sampling of all things food. Hopefully more shops like this will pop up around the city.

Ruby has done a beautiful job at renovating the space that used to be Ring Audio. It’s an upscale gourmet boutique store that focuses mainly on prepared condiments, organic veggies, jams, dressings and that sort of thing. They do home made sandwiches for takeout or eat in with a few window seats.
They are now selling prepared salads for take home and a small selection of deserts like chocolate mousse, lemon curd and out of this world cherry cheesecake in mason jars. Again, slightly expensive but the taste is all there.
Unfortunately, they don’t have a good selection of fresh prepared or frozen food to take home, which is something the neighbourhood really needs. But, if you want to pick up some organic veggies, a baguette or olive loaf, some salad dressings and other light fixings gourmet style, this is the place.

Ruby Eats has this rustic country feel which I love!
Great places to shop for your Foodie friends or anyone that into gourmet cooking!
I just love all the jams, preserves and condiments Ruby Eats made in house. I couldn’t keep my eyes on that white jar of beef fat or the bacon jam…
The staff was really friendly and ready to help and answer any questions!

Thank god for Lynn Crawford.
She’s revived Riverside through opening not only her restaurant Ruby Watchco but also with the opening of her new gourmet food market Ruby Eats.
Popped in on Sunday, the space is beautiful. There is a large centre table piled high with fresh Ontario grown produce as well as jars of preserves made in house (such as pickled yellow beans, pickled beets & pickles).
They have a great selection of gourmet food items such as pastas, bread, oils, vinegars, preserves as well as a large selection of cookware (Le Creuset) and cookbooks.
Staff are super helpful and have a good knowledge of the store’s inventory. They even do in-​shop cooking demonstrations!
Check it out if you are in the area!

Glad to have this little gourmet grocery store in the neighbourhood. I like most of the contents and didn’t find it prohibitively expensive (save a few items like $ 16 pint of cherries, which seemed like anomalies).
What they sell:
ontario produce, sandwiches, bread, prepared salads, preserves, bulk spices, bagged coffee, vinegars and oils and miscellaneous things like that, honey, peanut butter, lentils and dried beans, pasta, canadian cheese… tonnes of stuff and you can definitely assemble a meal from soup to nuts here.
They also sell:
miscellaneous kitchen gadgets, le creuset cookware, wooden spoons, glasses etc… Honestly… I wish none of this was there and all of their space was used for food items. I totally get that it’s non perishable and fills the floor space etc… but I don’t want this (and I wouldn’t buy this here anyways).
The good:
— fresh local food, and mostly reasonable-​but-​more-​expensive-​than-​a-​regular-​grocery-​store prices (prepared salads $ 4, local garlic $ 1 per head, $ 8.5 sandwiches) — I’m not offended by the prices (like I am at rowe farms)
— incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, non-​pushy staff that were really welcoming… sometimes I do not feel welcome in places like this but I felt really happy here today — this was a huge selling feature for me
— broad selection of grocery items
— daily sandwich and salad selection is on a chalk board so I assume it rotates
The bad:
— I don’t really see any negatives here other than it’s pricey (but not out of line for what you would expect walking in — you can definitely still afford to shop here and be happy)
— the bread was slightly too expensive (~$ 6+) but I don’t really buy things like olive loafs anyways so I’m not really sure how much they normally cost
— I really want the «hard goods» to disappear and for them to sell more preserves and beans, but that could be just me
Overall, I am really excited about this store because there isn’t really anywhere to buy nice produce in the neighbourhood and I’m excited to use some of their ideas in my preserves.
F-​YEAH PRESERVES!

Ruby Eats is another addition to Leslieville’s foodie circuit. A high-​end grocery opened by Ruby Watcho owner Lynn Crawford, this shop distinguishes itself from neighbours by its 100-​mile-​centric produce and offerings of dinner-​party embellishments like dishware and fancy bamboo skewers. Prepared foods are also available to supplement your meals.
The space itself is clean and inviting, with that country-​style market feel. Dominating the centre of the room is a large table with neatly-​trimmed baskets and darkly-​stained crates artfully strewn about with its colourful contents on display. Above hangs a large iron tea-​light chandelier, elegantly austere.
Crawford and company can hold court in the rear of the shop where cooking demos take place, but space is a bit tight given the size store and customers milling about.
While prices aren’t necessarily cheap, you do have the benefit of knowing where your produce comes from. Most everything is labelled with the farm/​producer/​region it came from. A great place to shop if locality is of utmost importance.