Neighbourhood #14 - The Beaches (West)

And now time for one of the most recognizable neighbourhoods in Toronto, the Beaches!  I remember when I was younger the Beaches felt like they were at the edge of the universe.  One time when I was really young my family was docked at Ashbridge's Bay on my parents' boat.  I had forgot one of my bags of luggage for our vacation.  My dad rode our fold up bike into what felt like oblivion to me at the time, but was really just across to the Coxwell and Lakeshore where he caught some sort of transportation back into Mississauga.  I should thank him again for that, see if he actually remembers.

But down to business.  Sim and I knocked off another neighbourhood.  Once we do Parkdale, Beaches (East end) and I guess West Queen West (almost forgot about that one) we'll be done Queen Street!  So we headed down around lunch time, and the first stop was at Hogtown Smoke.  I think I speak for both Sim and I when I said, "Omg, omg, omg."  That food was some of the best in the city.  Holy smokes!!  I ordered the Brisket Ends, Sim ordered the Pork Belly salad, and we shared a start serving of jalapeno bacon wrapped ricotta (+4 cheese) stuffed poppers.  With a most delicious dipping sauce which I sadly only discovered for my second popper half.  The serving was three, and it was $13, and it was worth every single pennnnyyyy.

Next we stopped into the Nutty Chocolatier.  They have one in Port Credit as well but I've never been inside.  It was a very tempting story.  I laughed when I saw the Cadbury imports from the UK, as they have changed their chocolate recipe and the Canadian/American factories now produce the superior chocolate.  Good luck unloading that inventory now.  I spotted a candy wrapper that made me laugh (below).  Squiiiidgy Goodness. Next we ducked into the Brick Street Bakery.  I picked up some croissants for my mom and I to have on Monday morning.  She had been planning on staying over the following Sunday night.  I exhibited magnificent self control by not eating both of them immediately after arriving home.

We walked for a while with nothing really catching our fancy.  Got some keys cut at the hardware store, which all ended up being busts.  None of the four worked.  What a scam.  Not knowing what lay even further we cut our walk in half and turned back towards Woodbine.   We made a stop at a cute cottagey type store called Seagull.  Did a quick browse around.  They had some nice wood type things.  You know, the things.  We had a cafe in mind to end at, but by the time we got there it was all full (6 window bar seats) and nowhere to play backgammon so we scooted off.  We crossed over Woodbine and carried on for a bit.  Just as we were about to quit I saw a place across the street, "What's Wonderland?" I said.  A cafe!!!  A cafe that was closed though.  The operator was sitting in the window working on his laptop but the cafe was closed.  Tease.  We settled on Dufflets, which although it's a chain they are an awesome chain.  I pounded an orange soda and Sim had a...latte probably.  And she picked up some sweet toffee that fit into her carb regiment.  I kind of regret not taking a bite and I'm quite partial to that kind of candy.  But I was all sweeted out at the moment.

That was it, back to the car and home to the pups.  Another neighbourhood under our belt.  And really something that's turning into a feeling of great accomplishment.  I've been to most neighbourhoods once or twice before.  But Toronto is starting to feel a bit more like home now.  Even if I don't live there.  I should really start doing this in Mississauga as well.

Neighbourhood #13 - The Junction

Once upon a time, when I used to update regularly....

Sim and I have been hard at work, fitting in as many neighbourhoods as possible before Pippa is born.  We have three more under our belt to review and one more coming up tomorrow afternoon.  On the 13th I drove downtown after work and grabbed some street parking and met up with Sim after an afternoon meeting.  Then we scooted across Lakeshore and up Parkside until we entered the magical realm of The Junction.  I've been several times before.  Sonia used to live out that way, and I went there with Adam once or twice.  Went to A Hole In the Wall with his roommate, and met for lunch at the Purple Onion the day my car got towed.  But I digress.

Our first stop was this cute design store called Mjölk.  The name was subtitled with "Nordic Designs & Japenese Handcrafts" and that pretty much describes it to a tee.  Super cute, clean geometric designs.  A few things that looked rather attractive but if I remember correctly was on the pricier side.  On we went to the Beet Cafe where I ordered a chicken wrap, and Sim ordered a "seasonal latte" which turned out to be a regular latte.  We sat and chatted for a while, and then kept it moving.  I think we both agreed the Cafe was definitely worth another visit next time either of us found ourselves in the hood.

I think the Junction is the next up and coming hipster central.  Even more than St Clair West.  Two of the stores we walked into their was a late 20s bearded guy sitting on a laptop 3/4 of the way through the store.  Stopping what he was doing to welcome us to the store, ask if we had been before, and let us know that everything in the store is made from reclaimed local wood, or was Canadian handcrafted wares.  And there were so many awesome gift type items.  Or even items I could see for myself, and for my brother too.  First was Forever Interiors.  Awesomely awesome handcrafted furniture.  We walked passed a delicious looking restaurant called Cut The Cheese.  It would appear all of the menu items are heavy on the cheese.  And even heavier on the deliciousness.  Not on our list of stops this time, but definitely on the list for next time.

We crossed to the North side of Dundas.  I noted to Sim that Keele and Dundas is one of my least favourite driving intersections in Toronto.  Woof it's a dousy, especially if you're turning East onto Dundas coming south on Keele.  I like to sneak down to Annette whenever possible to avoid that situation.  We stopped into a small Antique store that's going out of business, Mr. Antico.  Weird to think that it thrived as a business for so long and is being edged out for whatever reason.  On we went, to one of my new favourite stores, Pandemonium.  A used bookstore, used vinyl, and some other extra little cool gifts.  I picked up a book for my mom I was meant to get at the library for her the next day.  The cost of convenience.

At this point we were in search of a cafe so we could get some BG time in.  We crossed back to the South side and breezed passed Agora Cafe but it was closed.  Then we hit up the absolute coolest store in the neighbourhood Pekota. I actually think all items in that store were handcrafted with my brother in mind.  I might go back at some point to pick up some prezzies.  Having given up on finding another place for coffee Sim and I resigned to the original end point, Gourmeats.  The plan was to get a fine selection of high end beef cuts for Sim Spence and I to feast on.  We didn't find quite what we were looking for, but landed on a combination of hot sausages and sauerkraut.  Yum yum.  We stood in front of this plain store front as we decided how much time was left before our ticket ran out.  How much time, how much time do we have, hmmmm.  And then I looked down at the sandwich board next to us and we were outside a cafe!!  Full Stop!  We both grabbed a decaf and settled down for a match of BG.  Sim finished up one of the games by forfeiting, and when I refused her forfeit she rolled 66 and then 55 and won the game, figures.

I would say this was one of the more successful adventures.  One of the top few for me, for sure.  Two more to go to get caught up, but I'll make sure it happens.

Neighbourhood #12 - Riverside

Here we are, nearing the execution of a new neighbourhood and I have failed to fulfill my blogging obligations for the most recent one.  Yes, Sim and I have still been up to no good.  Lurking around Toronto, being faux tourists.  Snapping photos by famous street signs (Queen & De Grassi).  Generally getting up to no good.  Walking on the wrong side of the side walk, occasionally loitering.  The works.

I have to mention that this neighbourhood was reco'd by Sim, and it was actually quite thrilling for me.  We started the afternoon off w
ith a mad rush for me to find a mail box and a bank for my work deposit.  As soon as we exited the parking lot behind Dangerous Dan's we were confronted with both.  Et voila!

You'll have to forgive me (or not Sim, I'm really sorry), but my memories of this afternoon are slightly foggy.  We stopped into a wicked wares shop called Studio Pazo that had some cute dishes and the like.  We took a pass on a cool looking Chocolate shop called Ambiance Chocolat.  But if we were in the sweet mood it would have been worth a stop for sure.  We hit up this cool design interior store and perused some really fancy looking fabrics.

Then we snapped our De Grassi shots.  I tried using my new phone to get us in the same shot but it was a big time fail.  Then la pièce de résistance, Bonjour Brioche Bakery.  The reason for our visit to Riverside!  Unfortunately, the reason we went was to eat their most delicious croissants which Sim found rated online as the best in Toronto.  And then who goes ahead and can't feast with me??  I won't name names.  We set up shop and played some BG, but they closed at 4pm??  So we were booted out.  This guy came in and ordered a sit down soup at like 3:55.  "Sir, we close in 5 minutes."  "I know, I'll still take the soup, thank you."  Lol ok buddy.

The walk back to the car involved stepping into the Irish Design House, a teeny tiny gallery (framing store) called Dimensions Framing.  Where we met a very-cute-I-can't-remember-the-breed dog.  A store called Empire which I cannot ascertain from the photo what it is.  A little person's store with cute little people things.  A record shop with other little delightful stuffy stuffs up front, and a record section we ignored at the back.  And possible one or two others?? (ducks and hides in shame).

And then it was back to Sim's to cuddle with the pups and probably save the world with Spence.  A Friday well spent.