Tuesday
Aug252009
McNally Robinson Booksellers in Toronto
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 6:19PM 
Jeff and I wanted to go to Cafe Pleiade for our anniversary (it's my favourite restaurant in Toronto) but sadly, it's closed on Mondays. We still plan a celebratory dinner there sometime soon, but we decided to instead go book browsing at the Shops At Don Mills, a new shopping area in Toronto.
McNally Robinson is is an independent bookseller with other stores in Winnipeg, New York City, Saskatoon. I love this store, and not just because they carry some of my Blush cards:
Nice layout and inviting atmosphere, not too cluttered but not warehouse-y, either. I love the alcove organization along the outside walls -- it reminded me of the University of Toronto upstairs bookstore, except friendlier. Great kids' and teen book sections! I picked up copies of my sister's newly released Chicken, Pig, Cow On The Move plus Skinned by Robin Wasserman.
I signed up for their Reader Reward, which costs $25 for the first year ($15 for renewals) and gets me a 10% discount on books as well as food in the second-floor Prairie Ink Restaurant. PLUS Jeff gets a card for free.
We had dinner in the restaurant. I opted for their whitefish sandwich, and it was excellent:
The menu had much more choice and better fare than the typical cafe you find in bookstores. I've heard that Toronto literati are already starting to meet here for meetings as well as pleasure. The walls are lined with pictures of famous Canadian authors and literary quotes. There's an outdoor patio, if you feel like eating outdoors.
My new Reader Reward card entitled me to a free hot beverage, but I forgot to use it. Ah well...all the more excuse for coming back. Like I -need- an excuse. :-)
McNally Robinson Booksellers
The Shops at Don Mills
Toronto, ON
(416)384-0085
Hours
Monday to Thursday
9 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
9 a.m.- 11 p.m.
Sundays
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
tagged Food, Toronto, bookstores in Admin
Food, Toronto, bookstores in Admin
Reader Comments (4)
How exciting!! Congrats. Well – I must go check out McNally Robinson, and buy copies of your cards! (And besides, I'm gonna be doing a book signing/presentation there October 18th!)
Very cool, Patricia. I've marked this date down in my calendar in hopes that I can make it.
Hey Debbie, Great to see your cards. As we have a MRB here in Saskatoon, I will have to see if your cards are here. Bonnie is doing a reading for her Talking To The Dead in November here as well.
For some reason I thought you were in the States somewhere - oops!
I loved the MRB in Calgary, but unfortunately it closed down just over a year ago. I was really impressed by the selection in several different genres, by the friendly staff, and by their support of local authors/poets and their events.