Monichrome is a founding member of the Toronto Roller Derby League and team captain for the Bay Street Bruisers. Founded in 2006, Toronto Roller Derby has grown to become the largest roller derby league in North America boasting 6 teams and over 75 skaters. The league is currently promoting their first gaming season this summer and are already attracting crowds of over 500 people.

Monichrome plays pivot and blocker positions on the track, moderates the league website and email, takes part in several committees to promote roller derby in Canada and has appeared on The National and Breakfast Television as a spokesperson for the Toronto league. By day, Monichrome is a store manager and a freelance photographer with a special interest in food photography and styling.

You’ve got $10 to buy lunch where do you go?

I have a soft spot for the Red Room (444 Spadina Avenue). The place reminds me of my first apartment in college. With all the mismatched furniture, dim lighting, random xmas decorations and indie music, it always feels very comfortable to be there for hours at a time. (Which is good because the service isn’t super fast)

They have a soup and sandwich combo that is only $5 - half what it would cost you if you ordered each item on its own. My favourite combo is the tomato chickpea soup with beef on a French stick. Most of the items on their menu are under $10, so even if soup/sammys aren’t your thing, there is a lot to eat there on a tight budget.

The budget’s unlimited, someone else is paying and the choice is yours, where do you pick for dinner?

I’m a cheap date, so I don’t like to let anyone spend a lot on a dinner out. If we do have something to celebrate, my guy and I head toward cozy bistros like Romagna Mia (106 Front Street East), Bodega (30 Baldwin Street) or Bistro Tournesol (406 Dupont Street) where the staff are pleasant and unpretentious and the food is still classy without being so expensive that you can’t afford dessert and coffee.

I’m also a big fan of brunch, so my favourite lazy weekend foodie treat is a trip to Bonjour Brioche (812 Queen Street East). Everyone at my table gets their own brekkie, fresh OJ and coffee, but it’s not unusual to order a thick slice of warm brioche French toast to share for “dessert”. It’s made from layers of day old brioche and brown sugar, filled with an egg custard, baked, and then drizzled with maple syrup. Heaven!

Tell us some of the food shops you frequent when buying groceries to cook for yourself.

I am a big fan of Global Cheese (76 Kensington Avenue) in Kensington. The guys and gals there are the nicest people you’ll ever meet and will let you try anything. I’ve walked in there with the vaguest description of what I like and they’ve introduced me to dozens of cheeses I’ve never known about before. They are the reason I have two monthly food budgets - one for groceries and another for cheese.

I also end up at Scheffler’s every time I’m in St. Lawrence Market (95 Front Street East, upper level). They’re not as generous as Global with the handouts, but they must have 20 different varieties of prosciutto alone, nevermind gorgeous antipasti and a wide selection of other cool foodstuffs. The owner once gave my Mom a bottle of truffle oil for being a nice lady, so my loyalty with them runs pretty deep.

For everything else, it doesn’t matter who I buy it from so long as they consistently refuse to sell grey tomatoes.

When ordering in for a quiet night at home, what’s your favourite place for take-out or delivery?

I used to live down the block from Simon Sushi (409 Spadina Avenue), and it quickly became my favourite place for carry out. If you ever have to wait a second, even for the change, you can expect the staff to offer you a chair, an orange to snack on, and some green tea free of charge.

I recently discovered the joy that is “gas station Indian”, known to everyone else as King’s Palace (105 Sherbourne Street). I usually just point at what looks good that day and have yet to be disappointed by my choice. Because everything is stored cold, their food doesn’t have that weird buffet steam sliminess to it and doesn’t need a reheat by the time I get home. I usually just take it home cold and heat only what I plan to eat (a typical “meal” usually lasts me a few days).

Oh, no, relatives are coming to Toronto from out of town where do you take them?

I don’t go out often, so I generally try something new when my family are in town. I grew up in a suburb of Detroit, so eating “out” during a Harbourfront (235 Queen’s Quay West) festival (the vegetarian fest is my favourite) or while out for a walk always seems to illustrate to the family why I picked up and moved to Toronto. The trouble with (and joy of) having so many great restaurants within walking distance from downtown is it’s easier to just pick one on a whim than to pick one to list here.

Your favourite place to grab a couple of drinks and hang out where everybody knows your name?

I’m torn between Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen Street West) or Rhino (1249 Queen Street West). Caddy’s tends to be loud but the bands are usually great and their back patio makes all my smoker friends happy. Rhino on the other hand has a beer list longer than their menu and their food is delicious without being expensive.

Of course, I can’t get away without mentioning the Annex Wreck Room (794 Bathurst Street) as the official bar of Toronto Roller Derby! They’re super great to us, the space is huge for hanging out or dancing, and there’s even a stripper pole on stage… what more do you want in a local hangout!?

What’s coming up for you?

Bay Street Bruisers are skating against the Chicks Ahoy! on July 14th at George Bell Arena. Doors are at 7pm, and the game starts promptly at 8pm. Tickets are $10 in advance through Rotate This, Soundscapes, Hells Belles, Adrift, online at rollerbug.com or for $15 at the door on game day.

For more details on Toronto Roller Derby and future games, visit the website.