Daily Toronto Photo

Bark & Fitz

2009-10-16T14:11:00.006-04:00

Okay, so after some flack I received about my brother's dog's outfit in my Thanksgiving Feast post, I thought I'd do a feature on "Bark and Fitz." (ps. If you thought my brother's dog's outfit was bad - you don't even want to see my dog! He's got boots n'all!)

As you can see on the sign out front the store, Bark & Fitz sells "back packs and life jackets." Not the human variety, however! Those are doggie back packs and life jackets. My dog has a life jacket for when he goes to the beach, but he doesn't have a back pack, because he only weighs 6 lbs, what is he going to carry? Really? But I can see where for bigger dogs, one could be beneficial. Think about it, he can carry his OWN poop bags back home.

Bark & Fitz is a chain of unique boutique pet stores in the Toronto area focused on pet owner's with chic, stylish lifestyles. Doesn't that sound pompous? It's a really fun store though. They have tonnes of items for the pampered pooch like special dog beds, custom leashes, posh dog bowls, and the best part - a dog bakery in the back! I wish I took a photo! Most of the stuff is uber-expensive, but every time I go to one of these I go right to the back and get my dog a delicious treat.

I'd love to open a franchise in my area! We don't have one! This photo was taken of the Beaches location on Queen Street West.

Thanksgiving Feast

2009-10-14T12:44:00.005-04:00

Okay, so this post is in response to my Happy Thanksgiving post comments. Everyone wanted to see the food on the table! Where here you are! It was all VERY yummy by the way! In fact, I've still got some in the fridge! The above is a plate of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and carrots smothered in gravy.

For fun, I posted a picture of my brother and his dog fooling around after dinner! Because this is what the holidays are about: good food and good company!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-10-12T15:07:00.002-04:00

At least to us Canadians here! Today we sit around with family, enjoy a nice harvest spread, and remind ourselves of the things in life we are thankful for. But more importantly, we enjoy a holiday monday off work. It is the last one until Christmas, and we still have to get through "Month Dread" (November).

So, cheers, and enjoy your holiday while it lasts!

The picture is of our holiday table before the feast is spread. I couldn't possible take one after food has been laid - it's utter carnage.

Green P

2009-10-11T11:57:00.002-04:00

One again, I apologize for the gray-ness in this photo. We are in probably our 21st day of consistent rain here, and it's the best I could do!

So, Green P. When you are in Toronto, and you are driving, you'll want to keep a lookout for Green P's. A Green P means there is a public pay parking space wherever the arrow is pointing. This is of most importance since parking in Toronto is at a premium.

If you are proactive before driving into Toronto, you'll have visited Green P's website and printed off a map of all parking areas. Although, I DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT recommend driving in Toronto. If you are driving in, then find your hotel, park there and forget your car for your stay! Toronto is NOT a driving city. You will only be wasting your time, and patience, and gas. Toronto isn't particularly a walking city either, although it's beautiful on foot, that's only for 3 months of the year, IMHO. Toronto is definitely a public transit city. We've got subways, streetcars, buses, taxis etc. You name it. You can get around it. BUT, if you're "one of those" and you must drive, then Green P will be of importance to you.

Green P is a municipally owned and operated parking authority. I know the rates will seem unreasonable ($25 a day parking), but trust me, if you go to a private parking area you'll be looking at paying twice as much as that, and see if if you can even get your car out at the end of the night!

Check out the history page on their website here, if you're interested. It's a mildly interesting history.

ps. Did anyone notice the baby bumblebee (Yellow Vespa) in the corner there? This little thing follows me around everywhere! I desperately want one of these and it's always popping up in my travels around the city! I wonder how many are out there, or if it's the same one? Remember this post?

Tor Star

2009-10-10T11:40:00.003-04:00

My apologizes for the terrible lighting in this photo. It's been VERY gray lately here in Toronto. Tis the season to be over-cast.

Moving on, I have decided to take a photo of this lonely (and unfulfilled) looking Toronto Star newspaper box. What has happened to newsprint these days? Thanks to online news the subscribership of this paper (and most I'm sure) has dramatically decreased. I mean, it's just better online. For one it's cheaper (read: free in most places with internet access), and it's environmentally friendly (no wasting paper), and more importantly - it's faster. News at the click of a mouse is faster than at your fingertips these days.

The Toronto Star is basically the premier newspaper in the Toronto area. When I want to look up a story of interest, I usually head over to the Toronto Star online. I do recall the days when my parents actually had a subscription, and the difference between the Saturday paper (the big one), and the Sunday paper (the small, artsier, community one), and then of course, the dailies. My parents used to subscribe every day, then only on weekends, then not at all.

What do we think of this? Do we miss newsprint? Or do we favour online news (for whatever reason)? Whereas I can appreciate the art-form that is newsprint I don't miss it at all. I prefer online news for all my reasons mentioned in the previous paragraph. I certainly don't miss the awkwardness of the big pages, the ink stained fingers, and that awful newsprint smell. Although, I do miss the funnies! I remember when I used to get birthday gifts wrapped in 'em. Tis no longer!

A little bit about the Toronto Star:

- Canada's highest circulated newspaper.

- Originally known as the "Evening Star", then the "Toronto Daily Star."

- Created in 1892 by striking "Afternoon News" printers and writers.

- Did poorly at first, and then prospered with the help of editor Joseph "Holy Joe" Atkinson.

- Started as a socialist-sensationalism paper, then by the 1950's started to develop a more respectable standing. The Toronto Star was the first paper to become banned in Germany by it's government because of it's anti-Nazi regime viewpoints.

- Joe Shuster, one of the two creators of Superman, worked for the Star as a paperboy in the 1920's. Shuster named Clark Kent's paper The Daily Star in honour of the Toronto Daily Star. The paper's name was later changed to The Daily Planet, however.

Pippins!

2009-10-09T11:35:00.002-04:00

I thought I'd do a little showcase on our Pippin's store here in Toronto. This store is located on Queen Street East in the Beaches.

Pippins Tea Company is a quaint little tea and gift shop. They have an amazing selection of loose teas, well, any kind of teas. If you're a tea drinker, you'd be in heaven!

Plus, in addition to their main product, they also have a huge array of little gifts. Including Taintorette items, plus all sorts of little knick-knacks.

Last time I was here I found one of those purse-hangers. Well, I bought one, and that thing is bloody amazing and every time I make good use of it I think about Pippins!

End of a Season

2009-10-06T19:08:00.002-04:00

This was taken in a few days before this lovely "fall" chill has hit us here in Toronto. It's officially the end of bike season for many. Although, I do see a lot of cyclists grunting it out, plowing it out in the winter, trying to pull their bikes through the snow and sludge. Suckers.

Anyway, my bike's already in storage! See you next spring bikey!

Sharkey's!

2009-10-04T23:43:00.003-04:00

So, my friends and I are "ladies who brunch." We brunch every Sunday. Usually try to pick a new place each time.

Well, this morning we ate at Sharkey's Village Cafe! Sharkey's was pretty cool. It has a very "lounge-y" feel inside, but the menu is quite homely. Which is great for brunch!

I had the eggs benedict. It was more than tasty! Sorry I didn't take a photo though. One of my friends was late, and by time we ate I was STARVING. Those eggs didn't have a chance! Neither did we when we stepped outside and realized it was pouring rain! As it has been here for the longest time. I can't even remember summer anymore.

Sharkey's Village Cafe is on Bloor Street West, in the "Bloor Street West" village, a popular borough of Toronto.

Room With A View

2009-10-03T09:12:00.001-04:00

This photo was taken off of Lakeshore Boulevard West, facing the Toronto skyline not far from my new place. Prior to living here, I would have argued that the best view of Toronto's skyline was from Centre Island.

Not so sure that rings true anymore. Enjoy!

Back in the City

2009-10-02T08:57:00.004-04:00

This photo was taken at Wrightsville Beach, in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA.

Hello folks! I'm finally back in the city from my extended vacation down south! Here is proof above! Sorry for abandoning my post, it was a very last-minute holiday and I didn't have the frame of mind to (duh!) schedule blog postings!!!

I hope you can forgive me, loyal followers and friends a like! I really hope so actually, because Toronto is probably the most beautiful in the fall season, and alas, that's what we're looking at right now! It was a very (shockingly) cold reminder stepping out of the car into this cold from having been where I was for the last while!

Anyway, I'm back! If you missed me, thanks for your encouragement!

Book City!

2009-09-18T12:08:00.002-04:00

In the days of Amazon and other large big-box bookstore chains (Chapters, Indigo, Barnes & Nobles etc.) we have in their midst, Book City.

With six locations (this is the Beaches location) across the city, Book City is "Toronto's Leading Independent Bookstore." They're tag line is, "comfortable, classy and cheap." Wait, that's my tag-line. Just kidding, of course.

In a world of umbrella corporations, it's nice to see independent stores around, especially in the book sales market.

You know what Book City reminds me of? Has anyone ever seen that romantic comedy You've Got Mail? Where two business rivals, one the owner of an independent bookstore, and one an executive of a large bookstore chain who fall in love over email not knowing who one or the other is. Cute movie!

Dancing in the Gardens

2009-09-17T08:48:00.003-04:00

I came across some people dancing in Kew Gardens in the Beaches the other day. It looks as though someone was actually training a couple to dance. I assume for their wedding or something.

Either way, it was nice to watch! I love dance, me.

Has anyone started watching the new season of So You Think You Can Dance? It should be a good one!

Tim Horton's

2009-09-09T20:22:00.003-04:00

This photo was taken of Tim Horton's on Queen Street West.

Tim Horton's is a coffee shop. Tim Horton's isn't just a coffee shop. It's a Canadian institution.

I challenge you to come to Canada, drive 10kms any which way and NOT come upon a Tim Horton's. That's just how prevalent these coffee shops are.

Tim Horton's was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, ON (just 30 mins west of Toronto) by Canadian hockey player Tim Horton and Jim Charade. Horton partnered with investor Ron Joyce in 1967 and together they expanded the chain into a multi-million dollar franchise. Tim Horton's eventually overtook McDonald's as Canada's largest food service operator. The chain also holds 62% of the Canadian coffee market. Starbucks is second at 7%. Tim Horton's is expanding globally starting with a large US presence (536 stores). There's even an outlet on a military base outside Kandahar, Afghanistan so our troops can get their fix!

I recall a time that I was in outside of Rochester, NY, USA, visiting my mother who lived there at the time and was in shock and awe when I came across a Tim Horton's outlet. Tim Horton's sells this peach juice that used to be my favorite a few years back, so I decided I'd go in and get one. Well, I asked the gentleman working at the counter for a peach juice, and he said they didn't have them in the US. I asked why not, and he told me because they were made from Cuban sugar, and they can't get Cuban sugar in the US. (Why? Click here). I thought that was strange. Not even sure if he was pulling my leg or not to this day!

Relic Hunter

2009-09-08T21:05:00.002-04:00

The pay phone. An ancient relic now, in a sense. Only really used by people without a cell phone. These days, that's really nobody. At least not in Toronto.

I can't recall the last time I used a cell phone, but I'm sure that I washed my hands after wards!!! Those phones are reported to have more germs on the receiver than a public toilet seat. Gross!

Dr. William D. Young Memorial

2009-09-06T21:25:00.006-04:00

The above photo was taken of the Dr. William D. Young Memorial in Kew Gardens, on Queen Street East in the Beaches. It's a drinking fountain, and memorial that was erected in 1920.

Dr. William D. Young (1874-1918) was a local physician that devoted himself to the welfare of the children in the neighborhood, before universal health care was instituted in Canada. Because of this devotion, he died penniless in the pocket, but rich in the heart.

Dr. William D. Young was a real local hero.

I think this memorial is one of the most beautiful pieces of outdoor art we have in the Toronto area.

On the day that I took this photograph, I was walking through the park and before I even noticed the statue itself, I noticed a young mother sitting a it's base with her baby in her arms enjoying some shade that it provided from the sun. I considered asking if I could take her photograph as-is, but I felt that my contrived attempt at a portrait would have ruined the moment's beauty. So, I took this after she left. Not everything has to be captured on photo, some are best captured by the mind.

Black Creek Pioneer Village Brewery

2009-09-05T16:04:00.003-04:00

(sorry for my delayed posting!)

The above is a photo of our excellent tour operator, Andrew, on the Black Creek Pioneer Village Brewery.

The Black Creek Pioneer Village is just that, a pioneer village in the heart of the city.

The visit to this brewery as very impromptu. We were bored one night, and I saw an advertisement online and we just decided to go. I've been to the Black Creek Pioneer Village several times throughout my life, but I've never been to the brewery tour, since they just opened it to the public recently.

For those of you not familiar with what a pioneer village is, it's essentially a recreation of a grouping of buildings that would have been utilized in a "village" or small town, per se, circa 1800's. The word pioneer refers to those peoples who first settled into life in North America, in this case, Canada.

If you ever visit Toronto, and are interested in Canada's settlement culture, this is a place that must be on your itinerary.

For more information, check out the website, or see my slide show below for more photos:

TRON

2009-09-02T20:32:00.002-04:00

I noticed that in yesterday's post, a lot of you mentioned that Marvel has been snatched up by Disney! Who'd ever thought...just one little mouse.

I've posted a picture of the booth that was showcasing the preview for TRON Legacy at FanExpo. I thought this thing was fantastic in person! Anyone looking forward to seeing this?

Print Artist

2009-09-01T14:34:00.004-04:00

From FanExpo, here is a photograph of Angel Medina busy at his booth.

Medina works for Marvel comics and illustrates The Incredible Hulk, Avengers, and The Amazing Spider-Man among many others.

For some information, on Angel, check out his website here.

Cosplay

2009-08-31T02:00:00.009-04:00

So I went to FanExpo yesterday, and it was good fun! Toronto is arguably the NERD capital of the world. There were a quite a few celebrities there, including Lou Ferrigno, Beau Bridges, Linda Hamilton, and Leonard Nimoy among others. I really wanted to take a photos of them, but it was near impossible for all the crowds (I'm not the tallest person). I could have gotten an autograph and a photo op had I paid the price for it, and I just wasn't going to do that! Maybe for Madonna, but not for The Hulk! Celebrities in person are very underwhelming though, for the most part.

The above pictures are of people dressed in "cosplay." The event was FULL of cosplay (costume roleplay). It's a really popular thing to do, to dress up as sci-fi, anime, comic or ANY kind of character I suppose. A few even were prize-winners!

The first is a guy dressed as a luchador. Lucha Libre is an comic book series also. Reminded me of Jack Black from Nacho Libre, so I had to take his photo!

The second, anyone who watches Family Guy will know immediately what it is. For those that don't - it'll only seem morbid if I explained it.

The others, I'm not sure what ANY of them are. They were explained to me by a few people I photographed, but when I tried to research it later, I couldn't find anything! So obscure, maybe? If anyone knows what these people are, let me know!

If you want to see the rest of the photos from the event, check out the rest of the photos I took on my flickr.

Blue Socks

2009-08-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

So, I thought I'd post this photo of a girl I took walking in front of a fire station on Queen Street East in the beaches.

I actually took this photo because I liked her socks. "Over the knee" is really "in" in fashion now and for the Fall season - boots, socks, etc. So, I thought I'd do a post. There are quite a bit of fashionable people in Toronto, and quite a bit of UNfashionable people.

I will be seeing plenty of the latter today since I'll be at FanExpo! FanExpo is a big nerd-fest, and there'll be tonnes of nerd-celebs there including Leonard Nimoy, who I hope to see! So stay tuned, cause I'm sure I'll have some more interesting photos soon!

The Old Mill

2009-08-29T00:00:00.002-04:00

The Old Mill is an Inn & Spa. It's also a very popular location in the Bloor West Village for weddings in Toronto. According to my friend whom just got married at The Old Mill's east end rival - Fantasy Farm - it's the "second cheapest place to get married in Toronto." I asked her what the first cheapest place was, and she replied, "Oh, Fantasy Farm."

So by that description alone, you can tell how popular this place is. However, when I took a stroll by it last week it was absolutely empty! It's not all about weddings and parties, however. You can go for dinner, tea, an overnight stay, a conference, or enjoy one of the many spa treatments available. I think they even have live jazz on certain nights.

Sorry that I do not have any pictures of the inside. It's a relatively fancy place and I was dressed for a jog! I can tell you that I know numerous people who have been married there and it's just as characteristic on the inside, as on the outside. If don't trust me, you can take a look at photos of the inside, here on their website.

A little bit of history. The Old Mill was originally Toronto's first sawmill and was built around 1793. It opened as the Old Mill Tea Garden in 1914. In the roaring 1920's it was a grand stage for dancing and big band music. In 1983, it was designated as a heritage property in 1983. It has been owned by the Kalmar family since 1991. In 2001, an addition was made for an inn and a spa.

Feastful Friday: Unionville Arms Pub

2009-08-28T00:00:00.005-04:00

The above image is of a fish & chip platter at the Unionville Arms Pub. The Unionville Arms Pub is in the town of Unionville, just north of Toronto. I ate where when I went to see the Jazz Festival last weekend. The fish & chips were mediocre, but the restaurant itself was nice! I was on the patio, so I didn't think to take any photos of the inside, but you can check it out here at their website, if you're interested. I've actually been to this restaurant a few times over the last 10 years or so, and I know they suffered a fire and had to re-build, but I didn't notice much of a difference.

I would give details about the restaurant, since it has some history, but the back of the menu (below) and the website (click here) does it better:

The Girl on the Bridge

2009-08-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken of my friend Kelita on a bridge in the Bloor West Village overlooking the Humber River when we were talking a walk.

I force my friends to pose for me! lol. I just like to show up with a camera, whether people like it or not, and I shoot them. I think there might be some friends who don't spend time with me anymore for that reason...maybe.

In any case, this photo turned out great!

Old Firehall Confectionery

2009-08-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

I gave you a building, plus I took you inside. Lucky I did this time, because there was lots of good stuff inside!

I went to Unionville recently because they had their jazz festival on. Unionville is a small town just north of Toronto. It's got a very quaint little Main Street with boutique shops. This isn't my first visit to Unionville, and I have seen this shop before, only it wasn't always a confectionery.

For years it it was Old Firehall Sports. It was a sporting good store. Years before that, it was an old firehall.

Don't those candied apples look amazing? Believe it or not, I entered this store, took some photos and left without indulging. Can you believe my will-power?

Bridezilla

2009-08-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

I saw this store at Bloor Street West, and it made me laugh! I thought this was fitting, especially since it's "wedding season" here in Toronto!

Bridge O'er Polluted Waters

2009-08-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

This looks pretty, doesn't it?

It was taken of Humber River, at I believe Old Mill Road. Nothing much to to say here, just that it's a pretty little spot. Humber River's probably not the cleanest, because I a lot of the bodies of water in Toronto are very polluted, you shouldn't really swim in them. I saw someone's dog taking a dip when I took this however! In addition to pollution, it really smelled VERY bad there. Toronto recently went through a grueling garbage strike that lasted a month. The parking lot where I took this shot from was a dump-site, and it had LONG since been cleaned, and there was no sign that garbage had ever been there, except for the stench!

Be glad you don't have smell-o-vision!

God's Tree

2009-08-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's his, really. Don't touch it.

No, just kidding. Well, kind of. This picture of this lovely tree with a great canopy was taken outside Humbercrest United Church on Baby Point Road in the Bloor West Village area of Toronto. I snapped it while on a walk with a friend who lives nearby.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with what a United Church of Canada is, I'll explain a little. It's an evangelical Protestant denomination, formed by the combination (or uniting) of Presbyterians, Methodists, Congregationals and Local Union Churches. I'm sure this coupling of many different Protestant denominations stemmed from the fact that there probably weren't enough followers of each specific denomination in each small-Canadian-town back at the turn of the last century, that they basically had to unite if they wanted church services at all. About 9% of Canadians attend a United Church of Canada. The United Church of Canada, as like many other churches, are seeing a decline in membership, so I think they've introduced some more modern tactics to get more followers. It's really a interesting church from a Canadian cultural stand point. Having grown up in the Catholic faith, I'm really not used to churches with nouveau things like websites and events like pet blessings. Whatever it takes, right?

Something inside of me had the urge to want to climb this tree, but I'm a little past the age of appropriateness to be climbing trees. Well, that and I was wearing a short skirt. Eventhough the United Church of Canada is one of the most socially liberal Protestant churches in teh world, I don't think the parishioners would have appreciated my attempt at displaying my inner child and inner thigh!

Toronto Fog

2009-08-22T00:00:00.005-04:00

Isn't this an incredibly foggy photo? No, there was no fire, just incredible fog. Another rainy summer day in Toronto, folks.

I took this photo of the CN Tower along Lakeshore. Sometimes I find it's too "obvious" to take photos of the CN Tower for a Toronto blog. So I'll take some rather "obscure" ones instead. It's less of a monument and more of an ominous presence that looms over the city almost visible everywhere you go.

I don't know if you can read that yellow flag sign on the pole, but it's an advertisement for the TIFF. That is the Toronto International Film Festival. It's coming up, this September 10-19, 2009.

Of the movies being shown there, I'm curious to see Jon Amiel's, Creation. Or even some celebrities. Guaranteed I'll be celeb spotting during the film festival, so you might see some familiar faces. Ironically I've never actually seen any celebrities (even Canadian ones) in Toronto before. The closest I've come to a celebrity spotting was once seeing "Spinner from Degrassi" at a family restaurant in Vaughan, ON, and in a bar in Lisbon, I once realized that I was sitting two people down from John Malkovich. That's it!

Back to the festival, every year I want to get tickets, but I never can! It's usually impossible to get tickets. But who knows, it's a bad year financially for a lot of people and companies. Maybe I can use my "clout" from my new blog to get me a press pass? Yeah right!

UPDATE: Multiple Tornadoes hit Toronto area

2009-08-21T00:02:00.004-04:00

This photo was not taken by me, it was taken by Sam Sciarrino and is property of CTV.ca at Rutherford Road and Highway 400, in the City of Vaughan, just 15 minutes north of Toronto.

There was a Tornado of this size down the street from me today, but there's no way I was going out there to take a photo! Besides, the power was out, so I wouldn't be able to see anything! 120 homes were destroyed and people evacuated in my area.

I thought I'd do a post on this, since it's quite newsworthy! This is the first time that tornadoes of this magnitude have hit Toronto and the GTA. Unfortunately, one person was killed in this storm. Actually, it's quite fortunate that there were no other casualties based on the severity of the damage done.

Check out more pictures and a post I did here at my personal blog.

In Tip Top Shape

2009-08-21T00:00:00.003-04:00

This photo was taken of the Tip Top Lofts on Lakeshore.

I want to first apologize for the weather, but that's just been the kind of summer we've been having here in Toronto!

Tip Top Tailor's is a Canadian menswear retail clothing chain. You will see a Tip Top Tailor's in just about every mall in Toronto, the GTA and even across Canada (except for Quebec). It sells to the average, budget-concious Canadian male consumer. I can recall my father shopping at Tip Top Tailor's for various items as a child. It's where my brother and I would go to get him that ubiquitous tie gift for father's day and Christmas!

Founded in 1909, and headquartered in Toronto, is regarded as one of the 5o best managed private companies in Canada. Tip Top Tailor's was purchased by Grafton-Fraser from Dylex in the early millenium, then in 2008 the Gordon Brothers Group purchased a majority stake.

I'm sure you're wondering what all this retail business has to do with these lofts? Well, as you may have guessed, the Tip Top Lofts is a former 1920's industrial building converted to condominium lofts located on 637 Lakeshore Boulevard West. It was the former headquarters and manufacturing facility of Tip Top Tailors Ltd.

For more information on the Tip Top Loft conversion, check out the Tip Top Lofts Community website.

Cafe Diplomatico

2009-08-20T00:00:00.003-04:00

The photo was taken of Cafe Diplomatico on College Street.

Cafe Diplomatico has been here for over 40 years and has been a popular place to come and sit and have a coffee, or a meal since.

Located in Little Italy, Cafe Diplomatico was opened i 1968 by Rocco Mastrangelo Sr. and his brother Paul. Little Italy, it goes without saying, is home to a very robust Italian-Canadian population. The ideal of Cafe Diplomatico was to have an old-world Italian style cafe where members of the community could come to feel a little bit at home.

Cafe Diplomatico at one time, and still today, has mostly Italian-Canadian customers from the community, but it has also become very trendy attracting many new young crowds.

Cafe Dipolomatico is still run by the Mastrangelo family.

I know, you want to see inside! Eventually, I'll have a photo of when I eat here next, and will post. I promise!

Oh melhor pasteis de nata!

2009-08-19T00:00:00.001-04:00

This photo was taken of the Riviera Bakery on College Street. The above shot is of the most delicious, best pasteis de nata I have ever had!

I've been eating pasteis nata all my life (I am first generation Canadian from Portuguese ancestry), and I have never tasted anything so good as these ones they sell at Riviera! And I have been to the number one place in Portugal for pasteis de nata: Pasteis de Belem, in Belem, and trust, this one is just as good! Like a bite of heaven.

For those who are unfamiliar, pasteis de nata is a Portuguese custard dessert. It's essentially a mille-feuille type pastry cup filled with a lovely egg custard. It is believed to have been created before the 18th century by Catholic Monks at the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem (beautiful place) in Lisbon.

If you ever come to Toronto, and plan to visit Little Italy, come down first thing in the morning to Riviera Bakery and enjoy a pasteis nata. You will not be disappointed!

Lucky for me, unlucky for my waistline, this bakery is just steps from my home!!!

A Streetcar Named College

2009-08-18T00:00:00.002-04:00

This photo was taken of the College Street streetcar, on College Street, Toronto, ON.

Toronto is alive and well with streetcars south of Bloor Street.

In Toronto, there are 11 streetcar routes. Streetcar lanes are shared with cars in traditional fashion. The Toronto Streetcar operation began in 1861 (electric lines since 1891). Some of the routes today are the same as they were back in the 19th century. A streetcar is essentially an electric bus. Only a lot more narrow!!! People were thinner back in the 19th century I think too!

In the days of energy-efficiency, it pays to take public transit!

Aside: Did anyone notice the Mad Men banner on the side of the streetcar? Did anyone watch? I did, and it was fantastic!

Moving on, I found some older photos of Toronto streetcars, thanks to Toronto Before:

King Street East Streetcar circa 1970's, although I think it looks more like the 1960's. My mother worked at Simpson's department store in the credit dept, back in the seventies and probably would have taken this route!

Here's another image of a Toronto Streetcar, circa 1923.

Bin it!

2009-08-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken of a recycling waste container on Queen Street East in the Beaches.

What the container says: "You walk it to the curb. It saves us 800 km's. Thanks for saving us a trip to the Michigan landfill."

What does that mean? Well, a "Green Bin", is essentially the box households use to get rid of compost (biodegradable) waste, instead of throwing it in with their regular (un-biodegradable) waste. This in short, means that Green Bin waste goes to an industrial composting facility somewhere here in Canada, and not with all our other garbage off to Michigan. That's right, we send out garage off to pollute another country. It's still our world though.

How well do Torontonians recycle? I'd say we do a good job. Although, we still produce a LOT of garbage, as evidenced by the amount of trash people could accumulate within a matter of days to fill an arena during the recent garbage strike. Which is, thank god, over. Although, I think it really gave a face to the amount of garbage we REALLY create. Sometimes we think we're doing our part but we're, perhaps unknowingly, waste mongers!

Hot Child in the City

2009-08-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken outside Bikram Yoga Beaches, on Queen Street East, in the Beaches.

Hot Yoga, aka "Fire Yoga" or, Bikram Yoga officially. Bikram Yoga was developed by Bikram Choudhury. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 40.5 degrees celcius with a humidity of 40%. Classes are guided by specific dialogue including 26 postures and two breathing exercises. Yoga at this temperature promotes profuse sweating, which is believed to help rid the body of toxins. It also keeps the body very warm, and therefore more flexible.

I know what you're thinking, but it's common for beginners to experience dizziness and nausea. Don't worry, breaks are allowed.

I saw many a young slender thing hanging out around the entrance of this place, so it must be a good joint for getting your zen on.

Hometown Proud

2009-08-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken in front of Beach IGA on Queen Street East in the Beaches.

IGA, Independent Grocers Alliance, is a name used by many independent grocery stores throughout the world. Is is the world's largest voluntary supermarket chain. IGA was started in the United States in 1926 when a group of 100 retailers in Poughkeepsie, New York and Sharon, Connecticut, led by J. Frank Grimes. The company uses the "Hometown Proud Supermarkets" slogan even to this day. The United States of America has a considerable influence on business in Canada, and this is just one many connections we've taken from our neighboring sister country.

I have a personal connection to this photograph. When I was in highschool, I was a cashier manager at my local IGA. I have some fond memories from working there, and in many ways it was the most fun job I've ever had. I'll never forget the terribly lame uniform we were made to wear. That big, black smock, and had "Hometown Proud" written on the front above my personal name tag! The IGA I worked at has long since shut down.

In Ontario (and select other regions of Canada), a grocery chain Sobey's now owns all the IGA's. IGA operates primarily in Quebec these days. In Atlantic Canada, all IGA operations were sold to Loblaw Companies Limited.

You don't see too many IGA's these days in the city, thanks to the dominance of Loblaw chains. You really have to get right out of the city and into smaller towns before you start seeing many, but there are still some little gems around including the one in the beaches as photographed above.

Toronto Parking Authority goes...Greener!

2009-08-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken of a Toronto Parking Authority "meter" (pay kiosk) on Queen Street West, in the Beaches.

Toronto Parking Authority goes green with solar-powered parking meters! Isn't that nifty? I know what you're thinking: Does this mean you don't have to pay for parking on shady days? No! Because these meters operate on solar-powered batteries, so even if it's not sunny on a particular day, the meters still have enough power stored up from those sunny days. Sounds a lot like myself!!!

Shady days aren't a real issue. These solar-powered parking meters have bigger fish to fry in the form of winter freezes. Last winter it was SO cold on certain days that the solar-powered batteries were struggling to operate. Well, think of it this way, it's free parking on those days, as long as you can get your car to start to even be able to park!

Lick's!

2009-08-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken in front of Lick's Homeburgers & Ice Cream, on Queen Street East in the Beaches.

Lick's, in my humble opinion is the best hamburger you will find in Toronto. And I've tried a LOT of other hamburgers, trust me you. If you like garlic, you're in luck. They even have this special mayo with relish and garlic called "Guk" also. I'm getting hungry just writing this! Lick's has an old-type soda-pop-shop feel, and when you place your order, the line cooks and staff behind the counter sing old-fashioned songs together in unison. The entire restaurant has a soundtrack full of popular tracks from the 50's and the 60's. And yes, they have great milkshakes!

Lick's Homeburgers & Ice Cream (Lick's Concepts, Inc.) is a privately-owned Canadian restaurant chain founded in 1980 with a $5000 loan by Denise Meehan, the president and sole shareholder. Denise Meehan was born and raised in the small town of Sturgeon Falls, Ontario (about 400 kms north of Toronto). In 2002, she was named to the Sales Hall of Fame by the Canadian Professional Sales Association.

Since it's grand-opening, the chain has accumulated 24 stores. The store you see in the above photo is the very first one! I can recall my parents taking me to this exact restaurant as a kid in the 80's and you could hardly get a seat and most of the time had to eat your burger in Kew Gardens. I could never understand why my mother's hamburgers never tasted as good as these ones! Real piece of Canadian entrepreneurial history!

Lion on the Beach

2009-08-12T01:08:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken outside Lion on the Beach, on Queen Street East, in the Beaches.

What is any great neighborhood without a great neighborhood pub? I ask you. Well, the Beaches his home to a couple pubs, but none quite as special as the Lion on the Beach.

Flanked by two (yes, two) patios, this quaint pub with Tudor-style interior fits the bill for a neighborhood pub. If you know anything about Canada, and Toronto in particular, you'll know that we have two seasons: Winter, and Patio Season. Patios are very important to us Canadians. They are places where we can: eat, drink, smoke, converse, and enjoy nice weather when we get it!

I had the wings here last time, and they were super-good, and for sauce-lovers, they really overdo it on the sauce, so you'll love it! For a pub, however, they have quite a varied menu, included non-traditional pub items such as Tex-Mex, Thai, and Italian fare. So it's a little something for everyone.

Okay. Blue Jays. Let's. Play. Ball.

2009-08-11T03:00:00.000-04:00

So, last Sunday I went to a Blue Jay's game. Yes, I did! It was the first time I had been to see a Blue Jays game (or any baseball game for that matter) since they won the world series back in 1993! I noticed they changed the uniforms now too. They used to wear these snug pants and long socks. Now the pants they wear are so baggy, it's like they're playing in bell-bottoms! Wasn't too happy about that, but what can you do?

The Blue Jays play at the "Rogers Centre", which was formerly known as "The Sky Dome." It will always be The Sky Dome to me. A friend of mine that happens to be a big exec at

Rogers (the company that owns the "Rogers Centre") told me she had some tickets if I was interested. Well, to be honest, I wasn't. BUT, I wasn't doing anything else, so I thought "what the heck?"

Well, it turned out to be a good day as The Blue Jays actually won, and I got to see the Sky Dome open for the first time ever! It turned out to be a really great day. Best of all, I love people watching at these kinds of things!

Now to my photos:

The first is of our tickets and the field. It was "giveaway day." Which means the first 10,000 guests get a bobble-head of one of the players. We weren't included because we were late! Oh well! And to be honest, I was SHOCKED that more than 10,000 people were there.

The second is a photo of my friend who invited me and her husband happily cheering on our team. My friend was dressed preparing to get a sun tan and was happy they opened the dome!

The third is a view of the CN Tower as the Sky Dome opened. This is arguably the best view of the CN Tower you will get in Toronto! You really get the feel of the sheer magnitude of the largest-phallic-symbol-in-the-world at this view especially in contrast to the great size of the stadium, and then all the tiny people sitting in their seats.

Dufflet Pastries

2009-08-10T11:00:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken in front of Dufflet Pastries on Queen Street East in the Beaches.

Dufflet is known by any serious sweet tooth as one of the best bakers in town. Dufflet Pastries was started by Dufflet Rosenberg, aka "The Queen of Cakes." Dufflet was born and raised in Toronto and is a self-taught baker and cook. In 1975, she opened the first Dufflet Pastries location on Queen Street West. The rest my friends, is history.

They win hands-down with the triple-layer chocolate banana cake, which incidentally also happens to be shelved on almost every Toronto restaurant's dessert tray. The bakery also does a great coffee!

I drooled walking past here the other day. I'm trying to be a "good girl" lately and cut out the sugar, but places like this make my goals SO hard!!!

Bay and Gable

2009-08-09T11:00:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken of an older Bay-and-Gable style home on Queen Street East, in the Beaches.

Toronto has a great mix of different types of residential architecture. You'll see many different styles of homes, but the main styles would be Georgian, Victorian, Victorian Revival (especially Gothic Revival), and Bay-and-Gable.

During the Victorian era, Toronto developed it's own unique style of housing. This was the "Bay and Gable" style, which was basically a cost-effective design that attempted to mimic the elegance of Victorian mansions. These Bay-and-Gable homes were made of red brick, and suited narrow lots in Toronto mainly in lower and middle-class areas. The most prominent features are a large bay window, surmounted by a gabled roof. Bay-and-Gable homes were often built as semi-detached, but can also be seen as town-homes, and of course, detached like our sample above.

After WWII, the style faded as modernism pushed it's way through, but the Bay-and-Gable style still remains popular to this day among Toronto residents. I myself, in fact, live in a Bay-and-Gable style home.

Heaven is a Feeling I Get in Your Arms

2009-08-08T01:17:00.001-04:00

Best place in Toronto on a nice day? Relaxing on your patio with your best friend. That's all I was up to yesterday.

Have a great weekend!

Are you afraid of the dentist?

2009-08-07T11:00:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken of Beach Dental on Queen Street East in The Beaches.

No one likes going to the dentist, but this dental office looks so cute an unassuming, it just might be a perfect compromise!

On Fire

2009-08-06T11:00:00.000-04:00

This photo is of a Toronto Fire Services station on Queen Street East in The Beaches. There are many fire stations around the city, of course, but they aren't all as pretty as this one. I just love the clock-tower on top, don't you?

Toronto Fire Services began in 1874 and consisted of volunteer fire companies. After the Great Toronto Fire in 1904, the Fire Department in Toronto became a critical city service and has evolved into the professional service that exists today.

Sign of the Times

2009-08-05T11:00:00.000-04:00

Aren't these new build condos so cute? They really fit in with the old feel of the neighborhood. I can't stand when you have a nice established neighborhood full of character and these new big ugly shiny buildings come in and spoil it all.

When these new places were pre-build, I recall them starting somewhere at $800,000. Now, they must be worth $1M plus.

However, just like you'll see all around the city, there are plenty of "For Sale" signs. It's not easy to see "For Sale" signs a plenty in pricey well-established neighborhoods. It feels like foreshadowing.

Donald Dean Summerville

2009-08-04T11:00:00.000-04:00

This photo is of the outside of the Donald Summerville Pool in The Beaches.

Donald Dean Summerville (1915-1963) was an east-end municipal politician in Toronto and served as Mayor of Toronto. Summerville served as a pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII. He was first elected to the city council in 1955 as an alderman for an east-end Toronto ward in the Beaches neighbourhood. He was then elected mayor in 1963.

Unfortunately, Mayor Summerville suffered a fatal heart attack when playing a charity hocky tournament in the west end. He died waiting for aid, since the nearest City of Toronto ambulance was dispatched from over ten miles away. There was a York Township region fire department only a mile away. Had he been able to call that department, who knows how his story would have ended. Fortunately for the rest of us, his death led to the creation of the Department of Emergency Services and the amalgamation of Metropolitan Toronto's various local ambulance services.

Baby Bumblebee!

2009-08-03T11:00:00.001-04:00

Don't you love this cute little yellow Yespa! Oh, it was love at first sight! It made me seriously consider getting one. Although, in Toronto, you can really only drive this lovely little thing for less than half the year because of all the snow in the winter!

Don't you love this? And it even has a little thatch basket on the back!

Corner Lot

2009-08-03T11:00:00.000-04:00

Isn't this a pretty house? This photo was taken in The Beaches area of Toronto. There are so many pretty houses in The Beaches. What I'd give to have a home there! If I only had millions of dollars! This one is a corner-lot facing Kew Beach.

The Big Smoke

2009-08-02T20:48:00.000-04:00

Toronto has many nicknames, but among one of them is "The Big Smoke." This nickname was originally for London, England but Toronto had adopted it and I still hear my city referred to as 'The Big Smoke." This photograph taken from Kew Beach, in The Beaches area, doesn't leave you with much a reason to wonder why we've gotten that nickname.

Ironically, this photograph showcases one of the best and worst features of the City of Toronto.

Just for fun, here are a few other nicknames that the City of Toronto has generated over the years. Mind you, some are more used than others, and some are extremely outdated:

- TO, or T.O., T-dot-O
- The Megacity
- The Centre of the Universe (mainly used by other Canadians)
- Hogtown (Toronto processed and packs a lot of pork and other livestock)
- Toronto The Good
- Queen City (en francais, "La Ville-Reine")
- Methodist Rome (city is the centre of methodist Canada)
- City of Churches
- Hollywood North
- The 416 (our area code)
- Muddy York
- Dirty Little York