Hey Everyone!
Just in case you are patiently waiting for Week 21 and 22, they will come a little late this time around!
I'm really busy enjoying the city so it's been hard for me to find time to sit down and update you guys!
It will come soon though!! I've been really ticking off my list, you'll be impressed!
Talk soon,
Monica
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Ticking Off the Toronto Bucket List: Week #20
Wow guys...I've made it to Week #20! It's incredible! I have roughly 2 weeks left in Toronto, so just wait until you see the posts for weeks 21 and 22!! They will be jammed packed with Toronto goodness.
Now, this week I visited a lot of coffee shops. Hopefully you guys aren't sick of those posts. It's just a duty that I need to fulfill. My Dad says that "There is no life without coffee". Therefore, I need to respect his belief and continue to discover new places in order to live my life to the fullest :)
Anyway, I finally visited St. Lawrence Market so that was something different :)
So here it goes!
Now, this week I visited a lot of coffee shops. Hopefully you guys aren't sick of those posts. It's just a duty that I need to fulfill. My Dad says that "There is no life without coffee". Therefore, I need to respect his belief and continue to discover new places in order to live my life to the fullest :)
Anyway, I finally visited St. Lawrence Market so that was something different :)
So here it goes!
Bulldog Coffee
89 Granby Street
Oh Bulldog. I've been afraid to visit you!! I have heard that Bulldog Coffee is "the best coffee joint" in town, but I was very skeptical. I'm not sure if you have noticed... but I've been to many different coffee shops in Toronto, so I felt like it had a lot of hype to live up to. Now, I've also heard that the owner is a bit of a "meanie" and that the stuff aren't the greatest. So, I was a little nervous. But, I decided to face my fears and try it out.
Bulldog Coffee is located in the Gay District, near College and Yonge. Not a far walk from College station. It's just tucked away into a side street. It was alright. Not a terrible place, but not a place that I would want to visit again. The staff was pleasant. The menu was alright. No brewed coffee though, which is fine for me, but not fine for many that I witnessed coming to the shop. Not all coffee places offer brewed coffee, so I totally understand. Anywho, I had a latte. It was nice :) Just a standard latte. Good form, nice art ;)
There isn't any wi-fi. So it's not a "students go here to study place". It's more of a "professions" type place. I wouldn't recommend it for studying. It's more of a small chat, read the paper and go type vibe. I wouldn't come back here again, but if I'm in the neighbourhood I might.
Good For: Reading the paper while drinking a nice latte, meeting up with co-workers/family
Not Good For: Studying, students, etc.
3/5 Smiles!
St. Lawrence Market
Saturday Morning Market!
Opens at 5am! Though, I was not there for 5am. More like 7:30am.
I'll try to keep this one short.
More expensive than Kensington Market or Koreatown. However, the produce is from local farmers who are coming from outside of the city. So it's all fresh and lovely. Though, it's more expensive than St. Jacob's Market in St.Jacob's Ontario, and I blame this on the fact that it's in Toronto. There is no other reason. Plus, St. Lawrence is located in a more "posh" part of Toronto.
Great view of the city! Check out that Flat Iron building!
Look at all the Butter Tarts!!!!!
Lots of things to choose from, and the South Market (which is the building pictured above) has lots to see inside. The South Market is open throughout the week, whereas the North Market (with all the farmers) is only open Saturdays.
South Market
St. Lawrence is definitely a place to visit as a tourist and occasionally as a local. However, I'm more of a Kensington Market kind of girl...
Broadview Espresso
817 Broadview Ave
I decided to visit the Danforth once again, but this time to a little coffee place near Broadview Station. It's a cute place. Pretty homey feeling. Coffee was nice and the cookie satisfied my hunger. The people were very much Danforth residents, making it feel as though I wasn't really in Toronto. This place seems to attract the "older than 40 crowd", with a few 30 somethings here and there. It's located on the Danforth, so I'm not that surprised. It's not in the heart of downtown where all the "young people" are located.
Seating was really decent. Some window seats, a few tables and chairs, two comfy arm chairs. Not a place I would study or do work in though...
In all, it was nice.
Good For: Reading your favourite book, meeting up with the locals,
3.5/5 Smiles
Mitzi's Sister
1554 Queen Street West
I have finally visited one of the Mitzi locations!
This particular Mitzi is located in Parkdale, and has an interesting vibe to it... I'm not really sure what kind of vibe it had.. but it's something.
It's not exactly what I pictured it to be, but it was tasty nonetheless! The brunch menu looked really standard and nice. I got the fish cakes :) I didn't know fish cakes could be part of a brunch menu!
My friends had pretty yummy dishes as well!
The homefries are tasty and they offer fruit with each dish :) Nice touch.
Now, I do feel like it was a bit pricy for some items. I had this conversation with someone the next day who told me "You need to visit Saving Grace, it's WAY better". Guess where I'll be visiting Week 22?!? I'll be able to compare and let you know ;)
Mitzi's gets a 3/5 Smile rating today. Man, I'm pretty mean with the smile rating today!
The Holy Oak Cafe
1241 Bloor Street West
I love this place!
It's located on Bloor Street West near Landsdowne Station. Great vibe, open really late (it doubles as a bar), and has plenty of seating. Latte was great. I had a decaf latte, and it was just as tasty at the real thing! I would definitely come back here to relax with a good book, or study (if I were a student), chat with friends, etc. etc.. You can feel comfortable doing anything here :) Loved it.
I want to come back here before I leave for sure!!!!
Good For: Everyone.
5/5 Smiles and then some!
__________
ALRIGHT! Done Week #20!! Holy Crap.
Only 2 weeks left to explore Toronto!
This next little bit is going to be very exciting!
Can't wait! ;)
Keep Smiling,
- Moni
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date #19. [Cafe 260] - King West, Downtown
Indie Coffee Shop #19
Cafe 260
Drink Ordered: Banana Chocolate Latte
Now, when I had this drink it was pretty yummy. I recommended it to a friend and she hated it. She wouldn't recommend it to anyone. So, beware folks! To each his own!
I also purchased some lunch! They offer a range of paninis and soups! I had a taste of their chili. It was a cold day, so I decided chili would be a perfect fit! And it was tasty :)
Size: Small but cozy. It's perfect for those students in the area looking for a comfortable and cozy place to study. I sat at a little table, but there were some comfy couches.
Menu: Lots of food items to choose from... I feel like they are known amongst the student crowd as the place to visit for breakfast and lunch. After having their chili, I'm not surprised!
Atmosphere: Colourful. I just remember it being a busy place. It's a "quiet" place for students just doing some casual studying, but really it's a place where a lot of people are coming and going. It's great for meeting up with friends and study groups. It does have quite the cozy feel for small study sessions.
Overall, Cafe 260 was alright. The service was nice, but it was alright. I wouldn't go back here, even though the food was nice. If I were a student in the area, yes I would go back. But I'm not, so I won't make the trek down there again.
Date Potential: None. 0/10 Hearts
Great For: Students. Study groups. Meet-ups
2/5 Smiles
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
My Summer Music Festival Adventures: Part Two - Mariposa Folk Festival
For those just joining this particular "music festival" themed post, let me explain!
I've attended four music fests this summer, and now it's time for me to reflect on them, and share my experiences. Hopefully it'll make you want to attend them yourself! Or perhaps attend a music festival near you! I found that all music festivals have their own little personalities, so I'm also going to share some "tips" on how to survive, and an analysis to see if that festival is for you!
Enjoy!
PS. In case you missed it... here's Part One: NxNE
Mariposa
Where do I begin?
This year was my second time attending Mariposa. Before last year I didn't even know it existsed. Mind you, last year was when I first discovered a lot of things. I was quite the naive young girl when I first arrived to Toronto! I thought I knew it all! Anyway, my friend won passes to Mariposa, and another friend was attending the festival, so we thought it was a great excuse to get out of the city! We had a wonderful and life changing time. Therefore, we decided to attend this year!
The Mariposa Folk Festival is located in Orillia, Ontario, just 90 mins north of Toronto. It takes place in Tudhope Park, along the shores of Lake Couchiching. The park is quite large, and close to the water (perfect for afternoon swims). Now, Mariposa started back in 1961, but not always in Orillia! It originated in Orillia, but if you read up on it's history, you'll see that it has been moved around quite a bit in the last 50 years! The festival was forced out of Orillia in 1964, and didn't come back until 2000! Crazy eh!? I'm happy that it's back in Orillia, beautiful setting for a folk festival :)
For those who know a thing or two about Canadian music, or music in general, you'll know that Gordon Lightfoot is quite a huge name when it comes to folk music. Well, Orillia is his home town. He is no stranger to the festival. However, here's a fun tidbit: during the festival's first year, they deemed Lightfoot, "not high enough caliber". Silly eh!? He has played there since, and is now a renowned folk musician. Fun fact eh?
The line up for this year's festival was quite special! Unlike NxNE which is busting through the roof with artists, Mariposa is smaller and more intimate. They'll book "bigger" musicians to play the main stage, but you're able to see these musicians a few times throughout the course of the weekend in workshops and playing their set at smaller stages. It's perfect for those who might not be able to catch the entire weekend. If you miss a band Friday night, you'll most likely get to see them Saturday night or Sunday afternoon!
The musician we were most looking forward to this year was Jim Bryson, who brought The Weakerthans as his backing band. It was brilliant! Not only did we catch the main stage show on Friday night with the full band, but on Saturday afternoon as well! We had some more Bryson action later Saturday evening. It was amazing! Throughout the weekend we saw Yukon Blonde, The Beauties, a surprise guest appearance by Danny Michel, and much more!
Now, the type of crowd you'll see at Mariposa is the laid back hippies that love their lawn chairs and blankets. The festival even needed to put a rule in place that requires patrons to take their lawn chairs and blankets with them at the end of the night. You see, patrons basically "set up camp" by the main stage, and leave their chairs in order to be prepared for the evening show. Mariposa patrons LOVE sitting. They love sitting there, watching their music, basking in the sun, feeling the breeze off the lake...very relaxing experience. There is dancing, but not much. I believe I saw a sign at the "Mariposa Pub Tent" that designated an area at the back of the tent for "dancing". This is a very different sight at the Hillside Music Festival, I'll explain more in part four! Anyway, it's a very "sit" down type of festival.
On to food. Food at Mariposa is quite yummy! You can live off corn on the cob (dipped in flavoured butter like dill pickle and maple chipotle), and the always delicious samosas. The samosas are cheap and filling. It's all you will ever need at Mariposa. Trust me!
As for the bugs...well it's expected. I mean, we are by a lake after all! However, this year the bugs were horrible. You literally had to swat mosquitoes out of your face the entire time once Saturday night rolled around. It was so horrible that my friends and I called it an early night. So, just be warmed, you are in a park by water, so don't be surprised if there are tons of bugs flying around!
How to Survive Mariposa:
I've attended four music fests this summer, and now it's time for me to reflect on them, and share my experiences. Hopefully it'll make you want to attend them yourself! Or perhaps attend a music festival near you! I found that all music festivals have their own little personalities, so I'm also going to share some "tips" on how to survive, and an analysis to see if that festival is for you!
Enjoy!
PS. In case you missed it... here's Part One: NxNE
Mariposa
Where do I begin?
This year was my second time attending Mariposa. Before last year I didn't even know it existsed. Mind you, last year was when I first discovered a lot of things. I was quite the naive young girl when I first arrived to Toronto! I thought I knew it all! Anyway, my friend won passes to Mariposa, and another friend was attending the festival, so we thought it was a great excuse to get out of the city! We had a wonderful and life changing time. Therefore, we decided to attend this year!
The Mariposa Folk Festival is located in Orillia, Ontario, just 90 mins north of Toronto. It takes place in Tudhope Park, along the shores of Lake Couchiching. The park is quite large, and close to the water (perfect for afternoon swims). Now, Mariposa started back in 1961, but not always in Orillia! It originated in Orillia, but if you read up on it's history, you'll see that it has been moved around quite a bit in the last 50 years! The festival was forced out of Orillia in 1964, and didn't come back until 2000! Crazy eh!? I'm happy that it's back in Orillia, beautiful setting for a folk festival :)
For those who know a thing or two about Canadian music, or music in general, you'll know that Gordon Lightfoot is quite a huge name when it comes to folk music. Well, Orillia is his home town. He is no stranger to the festival. However, here's a fun tidbit: during the festival's first year, they deemed Lightfoot, "not high enough caliber". Silly eh!? He has played there since, and is now a renowned folk musician. Fun fact eh?
The line up for this year's festival was quite special! Unlike NxNE which is busting through the roof with artists, Mariposa is smaller and more intimate. They'll book "bigger" musicians to play the main stage, but you're able to see these musicians a few times throughout the course of the weekend in workshops and playing their set at smaller stages. It's perfect for those who might not be able to catch the entire weekend. If you miss a band Friday night, you'll most likely get to see them Saturday night or Sunday afternoon!
The musician we were most looking forward to this year was Jim Bryson, who brought The Weakerthans as his backing band. It was brilliant! Not only did we catch the main stage show on Friday night with the full band, but on Saturday afternoon as well! We had some more Bryson action later Saturday evening. It was amazing! Throughout the weekend we saw Yukon Blonde, The Beauties, a surprise guest appearance by Danny Michel, and much more!
Now, the type of crowd you'll see at Mariposa is the laid back hippies that love their lawn chairs and blankets. The festival even needed to put a rule in place that requires patrons to take their lawn chairs and blankets with them at the end of the night. You see, patrons basically "set up camp" by the main stage, and leave their chairs in order to be prepared for the evening show. Mariposa patrons LOVE sitting. They love sitting there, watching their music, basking in the sun, feeling the breeze off the lake...very relaxing experience. There is dancing, but not much. I believe I saw a sign at the "Mariposa Pub Tent" that designated an area at the back of the tent for "dancing". This is a very different sight at the Hillside Music Festival, I'll explain more in part four! Anyway, it's a very "sit" down type of festival.
On to food. Food at Mariposa is quite yummy! You can live off corn on the cob (dipped in flavoured butter like dill pickle and maple chipotle), and the always delicious samosas. The samosas are cheap and filling. It's all you will ever need at Mariposa. Trust me!
As for the bugs...well it's expected. I mean, we are by a lake after all! However, this year the bugs were horrible. You literally had to swat mosquitoes out of your face the entire time once Saturday night rolled around. It was so horrible that my friends and I called it an early night. So, just be warmed, you are in a park by water, so don't be surprised if there are tons of bugs flying around!
How to Survive Mariposa:
- If you love sitting, bring a lawn chair or blanket. If you're more of sit and go type of festival goers, than just wear something comfortable to sit in!
- Bring a water bottle. They have a free water re-fill station. Stay hydrated!
- Bring a hat and sunscreen. There isn't always a lot of shade at certain stages. You don't want a burnt red nose!
- Don't carry to much around if you are planning on hopping from one stage to the next.
- Do bring your schedule and map with you. You'll need to in order to figure out the grounds and the distance between things.
- If you want a space up at the front for shows at the Mariposa Pub Tent, make sure to get there before it starts and scope out the space. You'll probably be able to squeeze in once the act beforehand finishes up!
Musical Discoveries/Highlights
- Jim Bryson and the Weakerthans
- Yukon Blonde w/ The Beauties
- Surprise appearance by Danny Michel
Mariposa is Good For:
- Those who love sit down festivals
- Laid back atmosphere
- Samosa and corn lovers
- Folk and Rock lovers
- young at heart.
That's the end of Part Two!
Part Three will be about the Home County Folk Festival in London Ontario!
Keep Smilin' Gang!
- Monica
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date #18. [Tampered Press - Trinity Bellwoods]
Indie Coffee Shop #18: Tampered Press
256 Crawford Street Unit B
Neighbourhood: Dundas West (across from Trinity Bellwoods)
Drink Ordered: Latte
Nice foam. I added some honey and it was perfect :) Great size for the cost as well!
Size: It's a pretty ideal space for the atmosphere that it provides. There were a few 'two person' tables, but the majority of the room is taken up by a large table in the middle. A nice big communal table. This seems to be a popular 'thing' in coffee shops. I personally don't mind, but I could see this being uncomfortable for some. I had to sit on a bench though, which made sitting there for a long time a bit uncomfortable. In all, good use of space.
Menu: All your cafe classics. Lots of teas to choose from. I came here in the winter to have a latte, but in the summer time, when I was having a picnic across the street, my friends picked up an iced tea for me and it was delicious!! So they definitely do iced drinks well :) I also noticed they do sandwiches and offer light snacks and baked goods :) What more could you ask for?
Atmosphere: Quiet and relaxed. Artsy. Social. Comfortable. I enjoyed reading the newspaper here, and others seemed to enjoy studying there.
Overall, nice spot. Great location. Right across the street from the north end of Trinity Bellwoods. The latte was good, and next time I'm in the area I'd totally go back!
Date Potential: 8/10. Maybe! I see this more as a 'meetings' and 'catching up' type place.
Great For: Students, young artsy professionals.
Tampered Press gets 4/5 Smiles from me!
Keep Smiling!
- Monica
Monday, August 8, 2011
Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date #17. [Te Aro Roasted] - Leslieville
Hey Everyone!
So, since I've been concentrating so much on my Toronto Bucket List, I have completely let go on blogging about all the coffee shops I visited to complete my Indie Coffee Passport which ended in March 2011! For those of you who are new to the "Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date" posts, then please refer back to this blog post to give you all the details!
Now, I'll stop wasting time and get right back into it!!
So, since I've been concentrating so much on my Toronto Bucket List, I have completely let go on blogging about all the coffee shops I visited to complete my Indie Coffee Passport which ended in March 2011! For those of you who are new to the "Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date" posts, then please refer back to this blog post to give you all the details!
Now, I'll stop wasting time and get right back into it!!
Indie Coffee Shop: #17
Te Aro Roasted
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
Drink Ordered: Mocha! (They use REAL yummy melted chocolate]
I also purchased a cranberry oatmeal cookie. Can't remember the exact name now since it was so long ago! But I remember it being VERY delicious!
Size: Perfect. Just perfect!! Lots of seating, and in the summer time they have a patio with benches out front. Lots to choose from. The space is located in, what looks like, an old auto shop. It has tall ceilings, and lots of natural lighting, thus seating is not an issue. Everywhere is a great spot!
Menu: Lots of different coffee blends to choose from since they roast their own coffee beans! I have visited on another occasion and had a French press. Also very good. They have everything espresso based, plus teas, etc. They have everything your little caffeine heart desires! I totally recommend trying out their cookies and mocha. Especially the mocha since it's made with real fancy chocolate and many places just use powders!
Atmosphere: Chill. Laid back. I'm sure I've mentioned Leslieville before in other posts. It's a very community based neighbourhood, and very laid back. It's artsy and family friendly. I felt really comfortable here!
Overall: Te Aro Roasted is a fantastic coffee shop. It has everything a coffee shop needs and they do it perfectly. They know everything about coffee beans, they roast their own, the space is great, service awesome. I love this place!
Date Potential: 10/10 Hearts:
Great For: Families, Friends, Studying (they have wifi)
5/5 Smiles
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Ticking Off the Toronto Bucket List: Week #19
WOW!
What an incredibly packed week!! I mean REALLY PACKED.
I didn't think I'd be able to cram so many bucket list activities into one week!! But it's getting close to crunch time so I'm trying to do as much as I can!
So here we go! Hope you enjoy this extremely long blog post!
Summerworks Theatre Festival
http://www.summerworks.ca/2011/home.php
Last year I attended the Summerworks Festival to see The Haunted Hillbilly, and thoroughly enjoyed myself! The music was written by the one and only Matthew Barber, so I couldn't resist!
Summerworks is a Toronto indie theatre and arts festival. So, not only do they put on great live theatre but live music as well! Tons to see and do!
Anyway, this year I didn't want to miss the festival, and luckily enough, a co-worker of mine had submitted a play! Actually, it was a musical! Even better!
Written and directed by Kevin Michael Shea, Hero & Leander: A New Musical Comedy is based on an ancient tragedy of the same name. Years ago, Mr. Shea was introduced to this story and became so attached to the story that he created his own modern day version and put it to music! Brilliant! The cast is extremely talented. Great singers, great actors, just perfect! The set and lighting were so professional as well. It was a great piece of indie theatre! I highly recommend seeing it if you are in Toronto during the festival!
Summerworks runs until Aug 14!
Taste of the Danforth
Aug 5 - 7 2011
Greek Festival in Greektown!
http://www.tasteofthedanforth.com/tasteofthedanforth.php
Greek food! Greek music! Greek Everything!
Taste of the Danforth is an annual festival of everything Greek. It takes place on, you guessed it, The Danforth, more specifically 'Greektown'. Now, I have visited Greektown once or twice in the past, but not enough to actually become familiar with the culture within it. Therefore, Taste of the Danforth was the perfect time to visit and taste some Greek goodness!
I decided to head over on Friday evening. It all started around 6pm on Friday, so I wanted to beat the lines and get there early! When I arrived everything had already begun. People were chowing down on chicken pitas, and baklava. I wasn't sure which vendor to choose to buy some chicken sovlaki. There were so many options and places to choose from! I decided on the one with a) a line b) older Greek men who looked like they've been making Greek food for 50 years. It was tasty! Just your regular chicken and pita combo. Nothing too fancy, but it was the experience that counts :)
I went to the festival alone. I have a feeling that if I had had a partner in Greek crime, I would have stuck around longer. I may have treated myself to more Greek cuisine. Alas, I did not. I had fun, but could have had more fun *sigh*.
Lots of people though. Lots and lots of people. So, if you aren't a crowd person, I wouldn't recommend it. If you are, and if you love all things Greek, go for it!
____
Alright, so that's a wrap on Week #19!! Sure makes up for Week #17 eh?!?
So, I'd say I have approximately 3 real weeks left in Toronto.
Will I make it through my Bucket List?!?
Time will tell!!
Keep Smilin,
Monica
What an incredibly packed week!! I mean REALLY PACKED.
I didn't think I'd be able to cram so many bucket list activities into one week!! But it's getting close to crunch time so I'm trying to do as much as I can!
So here we go! Hope you enjoy this extremely long blog post!
Tango Palace Coffee Company
1156 Queen Street East (Leslieville)
This place is open late! That's one of the reasons why I decided to trek all the way down to Leslieville for coffee. I figured why not hang out at a coffee shop till 11 o'clock at night!
This place is super neat. It has a funky interior that reminds me of the 1920s with an 2011 twist. I'm not sure if that's accurate, or if that makes sense, but it's a pretty interesting place! The barista knows everyone by name, and it didn't take too long before we also became acquainted. There were tons and tons of treats to choose from, but I ended up going for the Skor brownie. A regular recommended it.
I decided to use the "check in" feature on Facebook to tell all my friends where I was... it was only my second time using this app. It turned out that a friend of mine lived just a short walk away! Thank god for social media! We ended up bonding and chatting. It was a lovely evening, and we stayed till the place closed at 11pm! Success!
I'd recommend Tango Palace for anyone. It's a great place for meetings, chatting with friends, studying, reading, etc. It's basically a living room. But a living room with many friends, and one that is equipped with an espresso machine. Who could ask for anything more?
5/5 Smily Smiles!
I'd recommend Tango Palace for anyone. It's a great place for meetings, chatting with friends, studying, reading, etc. It's basically a living room. But a living room with many friends, and one that is equipped with an espresso machine. Who could ask for anything more?
5/5 Smily Smiles!
Summerworks Theatre Festival
http://www.summerworks.ca/2011/home.php
Last year I attended the Summerworks Festival to see The Haunted Hillbilly, and thoroughly enjoyed myself! The music was written by the one and only Matthew Barber, so I couldn't resist!
Summerworks is a Toronto indie theatre and arts festival. So, not only do they put on great live theatre but live music as well! Tons to see and do!
Anyway, this year I didn't want to miss the festival, and luckily enough, a co-worker of mine had submitted a play! Actually, it was a musical! Even better!
Written and directed by Kevin Michael Shea, Hero & Leander: A New Musical Comedy is based on an ancient tragedy of the same name. Years ago, Mr. Shea was introduced to this story and became so attached to the story that he created his own modern day version and put it to music! Brilliant! The cast is extremely talented. Great singers, great actors, just perfect! The set and lighting were so professional as well. It was a great piece of indie theatre! I highly recommend seeing it if you are in Toronto during the festival!
Summerworks runs until Aug 14!
The Remarkable Bean
2242 Queen Street East (The Beaches)
I went to The Beach (that's what the neighbourhood is called actually... most residents and Torontonains still call it The Beaches). Apparently there was a vote to officially change the name to "The Beach". However, everyone knows it as The Beaches. There's more than one! Anyway...
I visited a friend who has relocated to The Beaches, and she lives just a few doors down from The Remarkable Bean! You know what that means right? A coffee shop date!
The Remarkable Bean is located on a hip and laid back stretch of Queen Street East. This neighbourhood is filled with unique shops, baby stores, coffee shops, pet stores, anything your little heart desires. It's also quite close to the beach! Perfect!
I opted for just a simple coffee. I chose their medium roast, and it was quite lovely. The roast their own beans there! My friend had an iced decaf Americano and a quiche! Yum! She let me try a piece, and it was quite heavenly. I really really wanted to try their savory scones. As we chatted I could see them pulling the fresh scones out from the oven and the smell was so tempting! Maybe next time?!
I really enjoyed this place. There were benches outside, and the seating inside was pretty roomy. They offer free wi-fi but for some reason I wasn't able to connect to it very well.... but that may just have been my own technological glitch.
Overall, I'd give this place 5/5 Smiles!!! They have fresh pastries baked onsite, and their coffee is great stuff! I'd recommend visiting when you visit The Beaches! Oh, and it's open late! Till 10pm! Perfect!
5/5 Smiles
Taste of the Danforth
Aug 5 - 7 2011
Greek Festival in Greektown!
http://www.tasteofthedanforth.com/tasteofthedanforth.php
Greek food! Greek music! Greek Everything!
Taste of the Danforth is an annual festival of everything Greek. It takes place on, you guessed it, The Danforth, more specifically 'Greektown'. Now, I have visited Greektown once or twice in the past, but not enough to actually become familiar with the culture within it. Therefore, Taste of the Danforth was the perfect time to visit and taste some Greek goodness!
I decided to head over on Friday evening. It all started around 6pm on Friday, so I wanted to beat the lines and get there early! When I arrived everything had already begun. People were chowing down on chicken pitas, and baklava. I wasn't sure which vendor to choose to buy some chicken sovlaki. There were so many options and places to choose from! I decided on the one with a) a line b) older Greek men who looked like they've been making Greek food for 50 years. It was tasty! Just your regular chicken and pita combo. Nothing too fancy, but it was the experience that counts :)
I went to the festival alone. I have a feeling that if I had had a partner in Greek crime, I would have stuck around longer. I may have treated myself to more Greek cuisine. Alas, I did not. I had fun, but could have had more fun *sigh*.
Lots of people though. Lots and lots of people. So, if you aren't a crowd person, I wouldn't recommend it. If you are, and if you love all things Greek, go for it!
____
Alright, so that's a wrap on Week #19!! Sure makes up for Week #17 eh?!?
So, I'd say I have approximately 3 real weeks left in Toronto.
Will I make it through my Bucket List?!?
Time will tell!!
Keep Smilin,
Monica
Monday, August 1, 2011
Ticking Off the Toronto Bucket List: Week #18
This week was PACKED with adventures! I had three coffee shop visits and a trip to an art gallery!
I'm getting closer and closer to my departure date. It's getting harder to come to terms with the fact that I will be leaving Toronto. It's such an amazing city. If you currently live in Toronto, I strongly suggest you take advantage of this wonderful city. There is so much to discover, see and be inspired by. If you aren't from Toronto, I recommend you visit. Anyway, before I start gushing about Toronto to the point of tears, I'll get started with updating you on my Week #18 adventures!
The Common is a pretty interesting coffee shop. Tucked away near Dufferin and College, you can easily miss it because of it's low key appearance. It's a simple looking place. It doesn't try to be anything more than just a place where people chill out, drink some coffee and chat with their friends and locals. Everyone there seemed to be in the "indie" scene, and everything about the place felt that way as well. I felt pretty at home. A room filled with artists types. Perfect. I pulled out my journal and let my thoughts flow. It was nice.
Now, when arriving to The Common you'll notice there is no menu hanging anywhere. Usually I would found this disconcerting. However, for whatever reason, I didn't mind this time. Obviously, when you see an espresso machine you know they can whip up any espresso based drink, and with tea tins neatly stacked on a shelf you know they have tea. Therefore, it's not that hard to think of what to order! I decided on a latte. Simple order. Also, a great way to see the barista's skills. Personally, I feel that if a barista can make a good latte, then I can trust that coffee shop. Am I being a coffee shop snob? Probably, but hey, I paid for a latte, I want a good one! The latte turned out to be pretty good! Foam was nice, espresso was tasty. They use an Elecktra espresso machine, no wonder it was good! The price of the latte was also a reasonable! I decided not to go for any sweets on the counter, though it did look like they had some cookies.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere in this place. Really low key, and non-judgemental. Just relaxing. There was enough seating at the time, but I can imagine this place really packed with people in the evenings or on a Saturday morning/afternoons. They also provide free wifi, so that always makes it a hot spot for lap top lovers!
I would recommend The Common for those looking for a low key environment where they can feel comfortable, and let loose. Interesting people are constantly walking in, and it's a great place to eavesdrop on conversations. I may or may not have listened to various people talk about their lives... it's quite fun actually! You never know who is listening, just sayin...
One day, after work, I felt the need to to get out and visit a coffee shop. I was looking for something that would be opened later in the evening, and decided to head down to Dundas West. As I was walking towards the coffee shop I had picked out, I passed by Full of Beans and thought "maybe I'll go here instead!", so I did! It's in an interesting part of town. Full of Beans sits on the edge of Little Portugal. The street is lined with little Portugese shops, older Portugese men yelling at one another, and little odds and ends boutiques. Felt like I was in a small town for a moment.
There was a sign on their window advertising that they roast coffee beans, so I thought it must be a pretty legit coffee place. To my delight, it was ;) Upon entering I saw an array of beans to choose from, however I was feeling more like a tea. Strange right? I should have gone for coffee, but I wasn't feeling it. I went for a tea latte. A rooibus tea latte to be exact! It was even served in a Christmas mug!
This place has lots of seating. There were couches, cute tables and chairs, etc. It felt like I was coming into someone's living room with the bookshelves and art work hanging up on the walls. The barista was really nice, and made some lovely foam for my tea latte. I should also mention that they offer free wifi!
In all, if I found myself on the Dundas West strip again, I'd probably pop in for some coffee! I enjoyed the warm and welcoming feeling I got from this place. Perfect for those wanting to meet up with friends, or get some work done.
Part One
I'm getting closer and closer to my departure date. It's getting harder to come to terms with the fact that I will be leaving Toronto. It's such an amazing city. If you currently live in Toronto, I strongly suggest you take advantage of this wonderful city. There is so much to discover, see and be inspired by. If you aren't from Toronto, I recommend you visit. Anyway, before I start gushing about Toronto to the point of tears, I'll get started with updating you on my Week #18 adventures!
The Common
1071 College Street
The Common is a pretty interesting coffee shop. Tucked away near Dufferin and College, you can easily miss it because of it's low key appearance. It's a simple looking place. It doesn't try to be anything more than just a place where people chill out, drink some coffee and chat with their friends and locals. Everyone there seemed to be in the "indie" scene, and everything about the place felt that way as well. I felt pretty at home. A room filled with artists types. Perfect. I pulled out my journal and let my thoughts flow. It was nice.
Now, when arriving to The Common you'll notice there is no menu hanging anywhere. Usually I would found this disconcerting. However, for whatever reason, I didn't mind this time. Obviously, when you see an espresso machine you know they can whip up any espresso based drink, and with tea tins neatly stacked on a shelf you know they have tea. Therefore, it's not that hard to think of what to order! I decided on a latte. Simple order. Also, a great way to see the barista's skills. Personally, I feel that if a barista can make a good latte, then I can trust that coffee shop. Am I being a coffee shop snob? Probably, but hey, I paid for a latte, I want a good one! The latte turned out to be pretty good! Foam was nice, espresso was tasty. They use an Elecktra espresso machine, no wonder it was good! The price of the latte was also a reasonable! I decided not to go for any sweets on the counter, though it did look like they had some cookies.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere in this place. Really low key, and non-judgemental. Just relaxing. There was enough seating at the time, but I can imagine this place really packed with people in the evenings or on a Saturday morning/afternoons. They also provide free wifi, so that always makes it a hot spot for lap top lovers!
I would recommend The Common for those looking for a low key environment where they can feel comfortable, and let loose. Interesting people are constantly walking in, and it's a great place to eavesdrop on conversations. I may or may not have listened to various people talk about their lives... it's quite fun actually! You never know who is listening, just sayin...
5/5 Smiles!
Full of Beans
1348 Dundas Street West
One day, after work, I felt the need to to get out and visit a coffee shop. I was looking for something that would be opened later in the evening, and decided to head down to Dundas West. As I was walking towards the coffee shop I had picked out, I passed by Full of Beans and thought "maybe I'll go here instead!", so I did! It's in an interesting part of town. Full of Beans sits on the edge of Little Portugal. The street is lined with little Portugese shops, older Portugese men yelling at one another, and little odds and ends boutiques. Felt like I was in a small town for a moment.
There was a sign on their window advertising that they roast coffee beans, so I thought it must be a pretty legit coffee place. To my delight, it was ;) Upon entering I saw an array of beans to choose from, however I was feeling more like a tea. Strange right? I should have gone for coffee, but I wasn't feeling it. I went for a tea latte. A rooibus tea latte to be exact! It was even served in a Christmas mug!
This place has lots of seating. There were couches, cute tables and chairs, etc. It felt like I was coming into someone's living room with the bookshelves and art work hanging up on the walls. The barista was really nice, and made some lovely foam for my tea latte. I should also mention that they offer free wifi!
In all, if I found myself on the Dundas West strip again, I'd probably pop in for some coffee! I enjoyed the warm and welcoming feeling I got from this place. Perfect for those wanting to meet up with friends, or get some work done.
4/5 Smiles!
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Part One
317 Dundas Street West
You know what's pretty awesome? Art galleries and museums that offer free admission once a week. How can you NOT go?!?
Wednesday evenings from 6pm - 8:30pm, you are free to roam the AGO. That is, only the permanent exhibits. You can't sneak into the cool "visiting" exhibitions. However, I did notice that it was only $10 to get into the MoMA exhibit Wednesday evenings! This is much cheaper than the regular price! I think I'll have to go back to see it!
Now, I'm not sure if I told you folks before, but I'm dating an architecture student. Therefore, visiting the AGO was also an excuse to take photos and show him how it looked from the inside. The newly renovated AGO was designed by Toronto native and world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. He has designed many famous buildings: Walt Disney Concert Hall and Guggenheim Museum in Spain, among others. He's known for making pretty funky and fun designs. I'm not an expert, so I'll just stop there. But, the AGO is an interesting building. It's glass "body" bellows out onto Dundas street and the wooden beams inside make it appear to be scales of a fish, or perhaps even resemble a canoe. Inside the staircase is also this wooden structure that looks really grandeur and funky. Fun Fact: Frank Gehry grew up in a house just around the corner of the AGO! They couldn't have chosen a better architect for the job!
Inside there was lots to see. Even a beautiful painting by Group of Seven artist, Tom Thomson. I don't know much about art, but what I do know is that it's beautiful. I love wandering around and just looking at all the paintings and photos, etc. Art has this funny way of taking you into another world and letting your mind run wild. If you're feeling uninspired I'd suggest wandering into an art gallery, you never know what ideas you'll come up with!
I'll be visiting the AGO one more time before I leave Toronto, so I'll share more at a later date!
Capital Espresso
1348 Queen Street West
Parkdale! Who doesn't like Parkdale?! Alright, many Torontonians don't like Parkdale, but it's not that terrible... at least during the day. For those who aren't from Toronto, let me explain. Parkdale is kind of the ugly brother of the Queen Street neighbourhoods. Now, I've been trying to find the proper names of all the neighbourhoods along Queen Street (which stretches from Roncesvalles to The Beaches). However, if you were to go from about Yonge Street to Corktown, you'll see that Parkdale has an even uglier twin sister. Anyway, Parkdale has this reputation for not being the nicest part of Toronto. But, it does have a lot of character. The personalities you'll meet down there are pretty awesome. There are lots of little coffee shops, fabric stores, unique places to eat, etc. Lots of artist types and immigrants live down there. Rent is cheaper, but the area isn't the most up and coming.
Alright, now onto the topic at hand, Capital Espresso. I wasn't sure what to think of this place when I walked inside. Menu was standard. People stared as you walked in... it was interesting. I did notice that there was a girl whipping up fresh batches of muffins, so this made me pretty excited! I guess they bake their own baked goods on site! Nice! I ordered a coffee and chocolate muffin, which also happened to be a banana muffin. It was fresh and fluffy. Just perfect. The coffee was alright, nothing to write home about.
I enjoyed watching the unique people walk in and out of the shop. I wouldn't say it's the most comfortable place to come and do work in. It felt more like a place that you get your coffee, read your morning paper and then go about your day. Not a "study" friendly place. However, maybe I'm wrong. To each his own!
Anyway, it was a nice place, though I don't think I would visit it again. Maybe? Maybe if I found myself in the Parkdale area and in need of a muffin?
3.5/5 Smiles [the half smile is for the fact that they bake their own muffins!]
____
Alright, I'm not sure how many more weeks I have left in Toronto. Maybe 3? Maybe 4?
I still have 6 weeks left in Canada, so I'll just start that countdown instead!
6 weeks!
ah!
- Monica
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