Ticking Off the Toronto Bucket List: Week #4

This week was a doozy!!

Naturally, it revolved around eating and drinking. There's still nothing wrong with that right? When I first started my list, a co-worker of mine suggested I go out for proper dim sum with them before I left Toronto, so what did I do this week?! I went out for dim sum! I recommend googling it if you don't know what I'm talking about. It's a type of Asian cuisine, and it was yummy. Very yummy! I also headed out to yet another coffee shop, this time down to Trinity Bellwoods to check out the famous White Squirrel.

Ding Tai Fung Shanghai Dim Sum 

Markham, Ontario (35 mins drive outside of Toronto)

This place was AMAZING. Simply the best. Everything tasted so fresh and lovely. I wish I could have eaten much much more, but sadly my stomach was incapable of filling itself any further. This place is simple, clean, efficient, fresh and everything in between. I came here with about 6 others, so we were seated at a large round table with a "lazy susan" in the middle. This lazy susan would come in handy during dinner since we shared all the dishes. It's a perfect place to come and discover new flavours and hang out with friends. 

Here are some photos! I wish I could tell you what I ate... but I don't. I didn't order, I just ate and it was amazing. 

For more info, here's a link! --> http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/Ding-Tai-Fung

The White Squirrel 

907 Queen Street West 

This place is adorable. It even has a little take out window out front :) Perfect for the summer time! White Squirrel is located right across the street from the beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park, and I hope to visit here again in the summer time. I can only imagine how wonderful it might be on a lovely sunny day! 

I had myself something called a "Flat White" which is popular amongst the folks "down under". It's similar to a latte. It uses micro foam to top off a shot of espresso or two. Apparently the only difference is the kind of cup it's served in, or the amount that's poured in, I'm not to sure. I'm just going off from what wiki says. All I know is that it was delicious :) I also had a ginger cookie. The cookies are a steal at $1 a piece! 

There was also a huge map fo Toronto on one of the walls. It was HUGE. It was an older looking map, and my friend and I were even able to find our neighbourhoods! 

I'm giving this place 5/5 smiles because it was the perfect. The price and atmosphere were great, and the 

general look of the White Squirrel was fantastic! 

You can even buy a cute squirrel pin to help out the Toronto Parks and Tree Foundation! 

Alright folks, so that's the end of week 4!

I have 18 more to go! 

(give or take... I might be leaving Toronto sooner!) 

- Monica

Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date #16. [Crema Coffee Co.] - Junction

Indie Coffee Shop #16: Crema Coffee Co. 

3079 Dundas Street W

http://cremacoffee.ca/

Neightbourhood: The Junction

Drink Ordered: Mocha! Very tasty :) 

I also purchased a lovely cookie :) It was delicious :) Went very well with my heavenly drink! They get their treats from Circles and Squares. This bakery seems to be a standard for loads of coffee joints in the city, and I'm okay with that!! So good! 

Size: Great size! Lots of places for people to pull up a chair to join groups, or smaller tables for more intimate conversations. Really bright and pretty. Great art work on the walls. Upon my second visit I noticed they had changed their art! Looks like it's always rotating! 

Lots of Crema merch on sale as well! You can even get a t-shirt! 

Menu: Lots of your classic coffee favourite. The daily drip I had on my second visit was tasty! I actually really enjoyed it!  Also, their pastries are to die for thanks to Circles and Squares like I had previously mentioned :) 

Atmosphere: Great atmosphere!! Lots of "professionals". But the cool kind :) The artsy kind. Really hip and laid back people! The staff are also really nice and helpful. Also, they are all super cute! Make sure to stop in even if it's just to check out the staff! 

Overall, Crema Coffee Co. (the Junction location) is a must for coffee lovers who are wandering around this lovely neighbourhood :) I'd go back, and I have gone back :) I love it :) ... I should probably stop using the smiley face. I'm that happy about this place! Lots of positive vibes! 

Date Potential: 9/10 Hearts! 

Great For: Everyone. It's a very welcoming environment for all walks of life :) 

5/5 Smiles from Me!

Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin' - Cafe Pamenar

Cafe Pamenar 

307 Augusta Ave 

http://cafepamenar.ca/

Awesome place! It only opened up a few months ago, but it looks great inside and their product it spot on! I had a yummy iced americano and my friend enjoyed a one shot iced mocha. Both drinks were tasty, and the service was nice. Everything about this place was really positive! We sat on their patio which is still in the process of being renovated. It's looking good though. I'm sure it'll be ready by the summer time! 

I'd recommend this place for anyone looking for something different in Kensington Market than their usual Moonbean coffee or i Deal Coffee stops! Also they have lots of seating! 

5/5 Smiles! 

Ticking Off the Toronto Bucket List: Week #3

Hello there Everyone!

So, if you've been following my blog, you've noticed that I have been ticking off my "things to do in Toronto" bucket list because I leave for Ireland in September. There's so much to do and see, and especially drink and eat. So far, I've been drinking many caffeinated beverages and eating brunch. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. Once the summer hits though.... watch out! I'll be ticking things off left, right and centre! This week was a strange one in Toronto. It was sunny at the beginning of the week and has now turned into a rainy cold mess. I can't complain though, at least it's not snow!

Without further adieu... here's what I did!

Jimmy's Coffee 

107 Portland Street

This place is a cute change from the more trendy and expensive vibe of King Street West. It's funny how you can be in one part of Toronto one second, and the moment you turn a corner you've stepped into whole new area. Toronto is fantastic this way. However, that's not to say Jimmy's coffee isn't also a pretty trendy place. I'd like to think of it on the more "upper" scale of indie coffee joints. It's very well decorated, and attracts professionals working in the area. It almost felt like a place to be seen and meet up with others in order to be seen. Does that make sense? People seemed to know each other. Which was fantastic, it means they have a little community that they attract. 

What I found really awesome were the photos decorating the walls. They were all photos of famous Jimmy's! When I saw Jimmy Stewart I thought "awww I love Jimmy!". Then I looked over and saw James Dean and Jimi Hendricks, and soon realized their little theme. It was perfect. 

Oh, and my drink was swell :) You pay by the shoot of espresso which is nice! Also, you can buy Jimmy's ground coffee as well :) 

The Good Neighbour 

238 Annette Street  [The Junction]

I decided to venture out a into the Junction in order to visit a cute little cafe I had read about on blog T.O. It was a great adventure. Located in and around the Junction and High Park, the Good Neighbour is a pretty happenin' place! It's nestled within a little neighbourhood which no doubt is filled with tons of young families and artsy people. When I arrived this place was packed and that was around 10:30am. They have a communal table, as well as window seating and some two seaters. Thankfully the barista was super nice and offered to make room for me at the communal table! I sat sandwiched between a writer/film maker/producer/etc... etc... and a gentleman on his lap top making business calls. I quickly pulled out my journal and iPhone in order to look just as "busy". 

I noticed many women with babies meeting up with other women with babies. This seems to be a tread with coffee shops in the High Park area. But just like the name suggests, this place is filled with "good neighbours" and happy people. I decided to be simple and just have a coffee and raspberry scones. I wasn't disappointed :) 

Oh, and you know what was also really neat? Their lighting fixtures AND the cute black and white photos that surrounded the borders of their large mirror! So adorable. 

I will definitely come back here! 

Grapefruit Moon 

968 Bathurst Street

How on earth have I never been here before for brunch?! I honestly lived down the street from Grapefruit for 4 months and now only a 10 min walk max. Strange how that happens! You never realize what you have until you've leaving and you try to experience as much as you can! Well my friends, this lovely brunch/dinner/late night drinking hang out is located in the Annex. My part of town! It's down the street a bit from the ever so popular corner of Bloor and Bathurst. Why that corner is so popular I'm not to sure, but it's most likely because of the giant lights of Honest Eds. 

Anyway, this place has my kind of "artsy" vibe, and is a pretty happenin' place! Filled with art and fun decorations throughout, Grapefruit Moon is a perfect place for those into a more "down to earth, relaxing" vibe. It's in the same vain as Aunties and Uncles on College. 

Our food came promptly and the service was good. They made sure we were taken care of throughout our meal. The portions were great, and I enjoyed my cheddar and peameal omelet very much :) 

My friend had a classic breakfast. Looks yummy too! 

It's even served with a slice of grapefruit!! So cute! 

The outside of Grapefruit is also fun to look at. I've sat in the patio before, late at night, and I remember people thinking that the bikes hanging were customers bikes. I was sure they weren't, and here's proof! Unless those customers have never left... 

Great place! I'll go back for sure! 

19 more weeks to go! 

Keep Smilin'

- Monica

Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date #15. [Bisogno Espresso Bar] - Downtown

Indie Coffee Shop #15: Bisogno Espresso Bar

Neighbourhood: Downtown [61 Sherbourne Street]

Drink Ordered: Nutella Latte 

I needed to try this drink. I read some reviews about it, mainly "so-so" type reviews, but I needed to try it on my own in order to really know! I love nutella, but really, who doesn't?! It's good for you... right? I heard that they even leave the nutella filled spoon in the cup, so this drink was a must! I wasn't "over the moon" about it. I was hoping for more of a hazelnut nutella flavour, but it fell flat and didn't really feel any different from a regular latte. However, I did really enjoy licking the spoon!! 

Food Ordered: Triple Chocolate Muffin. (Very good!)

Size: Very good size. I sat at a large long table. Nice and communal. Communal tables seem to be very popular among independent coffee shops around the city. Probably because so many people come alone to coffee shops in order to work.. etc. The table was an old dining room table. Sort of felt like a home I suppose :) 

Menu: Regular favs, plus that interesting Nutella Latte. Standard treats as well :) Pretty yummy muffins! 

Atmosphere: It has a "Downtown Toronto on the go feel". Professionals and students mainly hang out here. Felt like someones home in a way with the large dining room table and love seats with side tables. Interesting vibe. 

Overall, I had a nice time at Bisogno. I'm not sure if I'd ever come back here unless I were in the neighbourhood. But I suppose I would suggest stopping in if you're in and around King street and George Brown College. It seemed pretty popular and a nice change to the Starbucks and Second Cups that litter the downtown core. 

Date Potencial: 7/10 Hearts. It's a "Lets relax, chat a little as we people watch & discuss our futures" kinda place :) 

Great For: Meetings, young professionals, students in the area, 

Bisogno Espresso Bar gets 3/5 Smiles from me! 

- Monica