Readers and admirers paid tribute to NOW food editor Steven Davey after his unexpected death last week. Here are a few of the letters and Facebook and Twitter postings we received.
Steven Davey was a true original. No other food critic wrote about a pho place with the same deference as a five-star restaurant. No pretension. He obviously loved to discover new foods and trends. He was always professional. I just spoke with him last week! I am saddened and still shocked by the news. I will always remember him.
Susur Lee
Toronto
We at Hoof&Cycle [Active Transport Workers Guild] send our deepest condolences to all of Steven’s friends and co-workers at NOW. Steven was one of our first charter members in 1996. A bunch of us worked for United Messengers for years before that he started in 1991. He was a decidedly atypical 40-year-old rookie, eh?
Steven used to wear a huge helmet, and in winter he put a windproof cover over it. It looked like an upside down toilet bowl on his head, and the added wind resistance made him slower, but he did the work in all weathers for years.
The happiest I ever saw him was the day told me he got the NOW food writing gig. Toronto has lost a unique voice. R.I.P., #119.
Wayne Scott
Toronto
Condolences on the loss of Steven Davey. I met him a few times way back in his drumming days, and followed his very witty decades-long patter on Toronto and food. A funny, dear man and a true cultural adventurer.
Debbie O’Rourke
Toronto
The restaurant reviews were always the first thing I turned to in NOW.
Anil Srivastava
Toronto
Big Steve and I probably go back further than most. His bands worshipped at the hem of Bryan Ferry, but that was okay. He was a gent and a big supporter of everybody on Queen West. Hands up if you saw the Everglades at the Horseshoe? A misspent youth was mine, but gloriously so thanks to guys like Steve.
Jonathan Gross
From nowtoronto.com
Every awesome hole-in-the-wall resto I’ve trekked out of the way to get to, I can attribute to Steven Davey’s column. He was a wonderful writer friend to all of us foodie groupies, and his integrity, passion and humour shone through his work.
Patricia Garcia
Toronto
Sadness. I owe some of my best meals to his reviews. His sharp wit and impeccable taste will be missed. 🙁
Isabelle Boucher
@Izzbell
Incredibly sad news. He was a great guy and food writer. He gave me a Lisa-Marie/Elvis mashup CD when we first opened.
Fidel Gastros
@fidelgastros
This breaks our poutine heart. Steven Davey made a poutine shop out of us.
Poutini’s
@Poutini
We are incredibly sad to hear of Steven Davey’s passing. Such a genuinely lovely guy.
The Gabardine
@TheGabardine
R.I.P. Mr. Davey. We remember you fondly.
Salad King
@SaladKingTO
Toronto will miss you.
The Drake Hotel
@thedrakehotel
Can’t believe I’m just finding this out now. One of the nicest and weirdest dudes. An original. The end of an era.
John Semley
@johnsemley3000
Steven was the first to review my former restaurant. Everyone else was too afraid to venture into what folks called Lower Riverdale way back when. He was a true gentleman.
Michael
via Facebook
An original who always had an opinion about everything, and could be counted on to give an impromptu lecture about it. R.I.P., Steven.
Terri Monture
via Facebook
Always great reviews, with a focus on independent, smaller Toronto restaurants and eateries.
Elizabeth Ryerson
via Facebook
Great, enigmatic reviewer!
Tofanatik
via Facebook
Totally not sure what happens after we go, but I hope for Steven it involves an amazing meal. R.I.P.
Don Mitchell
via Facebook
I love that man. I’m so fucking heartbroken.
Amy Mech
via Facebook
A private funeral service will be held for family only, as per Steven’s wishes. There will be a memorial service at a later date.
