My "Toronto Bucket" List

Alright folks,

So I'm leaving Toronto Ont! Why? Because I'm moving to Ireland! Belfast, N.Ireland to be exact! I'll be sure to continue my chronicles, but instead it'll be on the other side of the pond!

Since I'll be leaving Toronto I've decided to create a "Things to do in Toronto before I leave" Bucket List. I have roughly 5 months left here, so I want to experience and do everything I can! Who knows when I'll be able to experience this city so thoroughly in the future! I love Toronto so much and I want to get the most out of it!

Here's a list of what I have thought of so far, if you have any suggestions of places to see, do, eat, drink, etc, please comment below and let me know! I've done quite a bit already, but there is always more, so please suggest something!

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UPDATED AS OF APRIL 1 2011! Please let me know what you think and if I should add anything! Thanks a billion!

Also, if it's crossed out, that means I've finally experienced it!

See & Do

• Stroll along Roncesvalles
• Saturday morning in St. Lawrence Market
• Summer weekday on Toronto island. Rent a bike. 
• Taste of Italy Street Festival - June 17-19
• Visit the AGO 
• Picnic on Toronto Island 
• One of a Kind show (April)
• Canoe and Kayak at Harbourfront
• Run through High Park 
• Eat corn on the sidewalk in Little India
• Visit Casa Loma, read in the garden
• Explore the Bata Shoe Museum 
• Wander through the Gardiner Museum 
• See a Blue Jays Game! 
• Stop by the Toronto Zoo
• take a photo at Museum & St. Patrick's Station. My two favourite stations. 
• See the Cherry Blossoms at High Park
• See a show at Second City [ I will be seeing a show Tuesday April 10th!]
• Visit Riverdale Farm in Cabbagetown
• Ride the entire Subway line 
• Pacific Mall/J Town
• Picnic in Trinity Bellwoods 
• Climb the stairs of the CN Tower

Eat & Drink

• Edward Levesque's Kitchen
• Lady Marmalade
• Mitzi's Cafe 
• Swan Restaurant 
• Saving Grace
• Le Petit Dejeuner
• Sadie's Diner
• Easy Breakfast 
• White Squirrel Coffee Shop 
• The Remarkable Bean
• Bulldog Coffee 
• SOMA Chocolate Maker 
• Grapefruit Moon
• Dark Horse (Spadina)
• Mercury Espresso 
• Lit Espresso
• The Common
• Saving Gigi
• The Communal Mule
• Tango Palace Coffee Company
• Ella's Uncle 
• Cafe Bernate
• Capital Espresso 
• The Good Neighbour 
• Sense Appeal Coffee Roasters 
• Hula Girl 
• Thor Espresso Bar
• Broadview Espresso 
• Zoots Cafe
• The Holy Oak Cafe 
• Aroma Espresso Bar 

Thanks for your help! 

Moni

Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin' - The White Squirrel

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! 

Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin'- Dark Horse Espresso Bar Spadina - (Downtown)

Dark Horse Espresso Bar 

215 Spadina Ave Suite 102

http://www.darkhorseespresso.com/

Latte was lovely! Beautiful art. Great space. Lots of light coming through their big windows which face Spadina ave! I'd for sure go back :) It's more of a "business professional" type place because it is located in an office building, but it's still great! There are other locations around in the city which I'm sure are lovely too! 

Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin' - Sense Appeal Coffee Roasters- (Downtown)

Sense Appeal Coffee Roosters 

96 Spadina Ave 

http://senseappeal.ca/

A few months ago, I remember walking by this Spadina location and not seeing anything here, but then I walked by another day and BAM! there was a new coffee joint! I'm not surprised. I mean, Toronto seems to have a new coffee shop opening every month, if not every week. Toronto loves their coffee. I ended up placing Sense Appeal on my list after seeing an article about it on blog.to. I thought "hey, I guess it's not a chain coffee shop, I'll have to try it out!". When I first saw it, it looked for "put together" that I thought it had to be a chain. But nope! I was wrong. 

It's an interesting coffee joint. It's pretty hip, and clean. When I say clean I mean "put together", "smooth lines", like the Ikea of coffee shops. It has a cool look. Now, if you're a fan of drip coffee, this isn't your place, but if you're a fan of anything espresso based, this is your place. They have different types of espressos to choose from, meaning Americanos are their 'thing'. I chose the "V" Americano. Not to bad, but I'm not a huge Americano fan, so it was a bit strong for me. It was supposed to have a hint of "pineapple" but I just couldn't taste it! 

I did enjoy this place though!

Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date #12. [i deal coffee] - Ossington

Indie Coffee Shop #12 - i deal coffee - Ossington 

http://www.idealcoffees.com/

Neighbourhood: Ossington
Drink Ordered: Latte

Very watery. Didn't taste very nice. No latte art.... disappointed :(

Size: Pretty decent size. There is space by the window, which is where I situated myself. There were multiple places for people who were in pairs, or if you were by yourself with a lap top.

Menu: I couldn't find it at first! It's not at the counter, but when you reach the counter just turn around, it'll be right there! The pastries didn't look that appetizing. I passed.  The basics are available.

Atmosphere: Laid back I suppose. But nothing too special. I didn't really feel like spending tons of time there...enough said I suppose?

Overall, I would take a pass on i deal coffee on Ossington. I'm so sorry to say it, but I just have to! I really didn't like my latte, maybe that spoiled the mood?

Date Potencial: 5/10 I'm sure some people would enjoy a date here, but I wouldn't really recommend it.

Great For: People looking to get some work done.

i deal coffee [Ossington] gets 2/5 smiles from me!

Keep Smiling!

Monica

Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin'- Full of Beans - (Dundas West)

Full of Beans 

1348 Dundas Street West 

http://www.fullofbeans.ca/

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!

Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin'- The Common - (Dufferin Grove)

The Common 

1071 College Street 

http://www.blogto.com/cafes/thecommon

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!

Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin'- Saving Gigi - (Bloor West)

Saving Gigi 

859 Bloor Street West 

What a cool place!! I absolutely loved this place! The atmosphere was comfortable and "hip", the staff were super nice and helpful! Saving Gigi is located near Ossington Station, so it's definitely convenient for those who like sticking close to the subway station or just want to hop on and off in order to visit this place! I tried something called a "Happy Birthday Ruby" which is a double espresso, with honey and vanilla extract! It was yummy! I was for sure wired after having this drink!! 

I will totally be coming back here because it just felt like my kind of place. My kind of people. It was awesome :)