Hey Everyone!
Well, this week was a busy week!!! Tons of eating and experiencing new things! I'm pretty sure I'm going to spend all my money on food this summer. Who needs money in Ireland right?!?
Anyway, here's what I did! Enjoy! Maybe it'll motivate you to get out there and try something fun this summer in Toronto!
Thor Espresso Bar
35 Bathurst Street
Thor is a fairly new espresso bar that opened up in an area which was in need of a cafe that wasn't Starbucks or Second Cup. Located near a bunch of condos, Thor is a nice change for all those condo dwellers. I assume this must be the case anyway... So, I walked to Thor after work one day and I was in need of a cold beverage! I decided I'd get their iced mocha, and it was pretty yummy!
Nice and refreshing! Not too bitter or anything. It was nice :)
If you're into grab and go type places, and aren't planning on sitting here for too long this is your place! If you enjoy more of a sit down place then I wouldn't recommend Thor. It has cool looking tables, and tons of interesting magazines laying around, but it's not a place to really people watch or catch up with friends!
3/5 Smiles!
The Grind House
281 Augusta Ave
The Grind House in Kensington Market! First of all, what an interesting name for a coffee shop eh? Almost creepy?
Anywho, I read on blogto that the Grind House served clover coffee, so I thought "why not finally try some clover coffee". It's sort of like a french press but different. I recommend just googling it if you want to find out more. Basically, each cup of coffee is freshly made with your choice of coffee bean! FYI, Clover Coffee was bought out by Starbucks...but lets not think about this fact. The barista was super nice at the Grind House. He helped me choose my coffee bean, and after I finished my coffee he recommended what I should try next! He even opened by the bean bags and let me smell the beans! He told me that the darker the bean the oiler it gets, but that I should try the "mexican" blend next time. It's one level lower than the darkest roast but not as oily! I had a medium roast (Guatemalan to be exact!). It was tasty! I drank it black!! I rarely, if ever, do that! It was yummy :)
I recommend coming here if you want to learn a bit about your coffee and need a place to chill after a morning of shopping in Kensington. Great people, lovely place, go here!
5/5 Smiles!
Doors Open Toronto
Elgin/Winter Garden Theatre
Last year I visited a lot of buildings during the Doors Open event in Toronto. This time around I had picked out a bunch to visit, but because I had invited my lovely parents, I decided not to make the schedule too intense. Our main attraction was the Elgin/Winter Garden theatre located on Yonge Street, across from the Eaton's Centre. What a fantastic theatre! Beautiful! I learned so much after my visit.
Here are some fun facts!
- Built in 1913
- The Elgin was used for vaudeville type shows which would play throughout the day, whereas the Winter Garden right above it would play the same show but only once a day. It cost 20 cents more to see a show up there.
- The 1920s began the demise of the Elgin Theatre. Talking pictures came so they started to play movies there and the Winter Garden was closed down for 60 years. The Elgin even became a porno house in the 1970s! Lovely eh?!
- The Elgin was basically destroyed and lots of things were gutted and ruined throughout the years. But thankfully, in the 1980s, Ontario Heritage bought the theatre and started to restore it!
- The restoration brought the theatre back to it's glory and gave it wonderful facelift!
- oh, and the ceiling in the Elgin is fake. It's a hanging ceiling since there's another theatre right above it! 7 stories to be more precise!
- The Winter Garden was eventually reopened and restored as well after 60 years! There was so much grime on the walls that the only way to clean the walls without ruining the original paint was to use bread dough! Who knew?!
- The Winter Garden is supposed to resemble a garden in the spring time! That way it's always the spring when you visit!
There is so much more I could keep going on about... but I'll leave it at that for now!
GUU
Japanese Restaurant
398 Church Street
YUM!
This place was amazing. It's expensive, but it's the experience you're paying for! Getting to Guu is a little strange. You don't really know how to get into it, but once you're in it's awesome! On the outside it looks like a strange grey rock with little windows in it, but inside it's the coolest place in town! Thankfully, I visited Guu with my Japanese friend and didn't have to put to much effort into picking what to eat! I would have been sitting there for ages trying to figure it all out if I were on my own!
But first, I should start with what happens upon entering Guu! Upon entering, you are greeted with a very loud Japanese welcoming by the entire staff. Now, I wish I remembered how to say it in Japanese, but all I know is that they yell "Welcome" and you instantly feel like you're part of some crazy cool Japanese community inside the restaurant. When you leave they yell "Arigato!".
The food was delicious. Again, I would explain what I ate, but all I remember is that it was tasty! Lots of chicken, and beek, and noodles and rice! So good!!
Favourite Japanese Children's soda! You have to push the top with something and than a marble drops and makes everything fizz! It's fun!
YUM!
My First Blue Jays Game
Roger's Centre (a.k.a Skydome!)
I never thought I'd have so much fun at a Blue Jays game! I know nothing about baseball, and used to think it was super boring to watch. However, I felt that as a citizen of Toronto, I needed to attend a game! I have friends who said it was fun, so we went! Low and behold, they were right!! I had so much fun! I even bought myself some expensive baseball peanuts and they were delicious!!!
I totally recommend attending a game. It's different watching baseball with friends and in person!
Loved it!
phew!!! What a week!!!
This coming week will not be as hectic with ticking off the list. But I'm slowly getting there eh!?
12 weeks to go!
Keep Smilin',
Monica
But first, I should start with what happens upon entering Guu! Upon entering, you are greeted with a very loud Japanese welcoming by the entire staff. Now, I wish I remembered how to say it in Japanese, but all I know is that they yell "Welcome" and you instantly feel like you're part of some crazy cool Japanese community inside the restaurant. When you leave they yell "Arigato!".
The food was delicious. Again, I would explain what I ate, but all I remember is that it was tasty! Lots of chicken, and beek, and noodles and rice! So good!!
YUM!
My First Blue Jays Game
Roger's Centre (a.k.a Skydome!)
I never thought I'd have so much fun at a Blue Jays game! I know nothing about baseball, and used to think it was super boring to watch. However, I felt that as a citizen of Toronto, I needed to attend a game! I have friends who said it was fun, so we went! Low and behold, they were right!! I had so much fun! I even bought myself some expensive baseball peanuts and they were delicious!!!
I totally recommend attending a game. It's different watching baseball with friends and in person!
Loved it!
phew!!! What a week!!!
This coming week will not be as hectic with ticking off the list. But I'm slowly getting there eh!?
12 weeks to go!
Keep Smilin',
Monica
That's quite the busy week. Thanks for the update! :)
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