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!


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! 



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

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