Exploring.
Look ma, no snow..
My to do list on the other hand, is getting mildly overwhelming. Four years is a long time to have been gone and when I left I was a just a pup really, with a lot less experience. Travelling around made an explorer out of me and suddenly Toronto seems like a completely different city than I remembered it. And as far as exploration goes, this is one city that is going to take some time.
I've always lived on the East side of Toronto, and only now after living in a series of relatively compact cities do I realize how massive Toronto actually is. Those friends and family that live on the East side are easy to meet up with on the spur of the moment, while it takes a lot more planning and organization to hook up with those on the West side.
And so now maybe you understand why my list of places to explore is getting a bit hard to manage. After just 3 weeks back in town I have barely even made it out of my own neighbourhood.
On the weekend an old friend of ours came by at a crazy early hour (a luxury only good friends can indulge in) before he had to go to work. I thought I had it well planned out: brunch at the Globe Bistro while we catch up. After a mad flurry of hats, scarves, mitts, boots and chapstick, we finally trekked over to the Globe Bistro only to find that they don't do brunch before 11am. With the snow and wind blowing in our faces we hightailed it to the nearest greasy spoon, otherwise known as the New York Café. We did manage to snag a table, but I think it was stroke of luck. The place was packed and I soon realized it may have something to do with the super cheap prices and the smiley staff. Our server was so darn friendly I wanted to put him in my pocket and take him home with me.
So listen: 2 eggs, bacon, toast, homefries and endless cups of coffee for $3.75.
That's Canadian dollars, people. I'm still in shock. I even kept the receipt as a souvenir and it now sits snuggly in a box next to the one from our first day in Paris when the 2 glasses of beer we ordered at a sidewalk café cost us 34 euros.
Merde, right? I know.
Anyway, it was no gourmet breakfast, but for $3.75 we were all pretty satisfied.
Aside from that, I still find myself strangely intrigued by that whole phenomenon that is the Big Carrot -that magical place where vegetarians, vegans and even meat-eaters with a conscience like to shop. I am neither vegan nor gluten intolerant but I can't help but be curious. G has been shaking his head at me as I come home with yet another gluten free muffin or cookie, and my most recent acquisition of vegan chocolate made with rice milk.
Me and my curiosity. Vegan chocolate and a gluten-free muffin.
I think he's afraid I'll start enforcing a new lifestyle and he doesn't seem to believe me when I tell him how surprisingly tasty all of these things have been.
But don't worry, I'm not reinventing myself here by any means. Maybe a girl just needs a reason to regularly indulge in muffins and cookies? It feels much less sinful when it's in the name of research, you know?
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New York Café
757 Broadview Avenue
Toronto, ON
But don't worry, I'm not reinventing myself here by any means. Maybe a girl just needs a reason to regularly indulge in muffins and cookies? It feels much less sinful when it's in the name of research, you know?
***********
New York Café
757 Broadview Avenue
Toronto, ON
Labels: toronto, Toronto food shops, Toronto restaurants
posted by Michèle at 9:32 AM
11 Comments:
Goodness, three weeks already - and you've already got a whole new lists of haunts! Brava on braving the cold, I must say I've been rather closely tethered to my fireplace as of late.
And you know, that muffin looks so tasty, one might totally overlook the fact that it is healthy!
I would so love to understand why a grownup would resist trying something that someone he loves says is good. I mean, where is the resistance coming from? Why NOT taste something? Where is all the fear coming from? Chocolate, right? Muffin, right? Not even something most people would normally resist like cow tongue or sheep's belly or goat testicles. How does chocolate with rice milk, sound bad? Sheesh.
Could you ask him to comment on this on your blog? Come on, G! Just a little guest post on trying new things, especially things your beloved thinks are good (why wouldn't you trust her?, you married her!) because I truely need to know. I would love it if you tried it with an open mind and then told us why you resisted it so hard and also what you think of it after you tasted it. I double dare ya! Thank you!
Tara, I'm not actually sure it is healthy--I mean it has brown rice flour instead of wheat flour, but Im sure there is still plenty of butter and sugar in there! It was divine though, I have to admit.
Jungle girl, ha! Well G is a smart fella--he has come to realize that him and I have a very different palate so just because I like something it doesn't mean he will! And I think he is just used to my ever changing whims and obsessions and the eye-rolling is all in good fun. But I definitely appreciate your vote of confidence in my tastes. And I'll definitely be bringing home more of those gluten free treats in the near future!
glad to hear you are easing into things. $3.75 for breakfast sounds like my kind of eats :)
okay...michele...I can't believe it. You're in my 'hood baby. So if you're in the mood for Greek food, which I'm not very often - since it's so often greek fast food, then I suggest you give Avli a try (danforth, south side, just east of Chester) - and the place next door, which is new and owned by the same person and is getting strong reviews. so here we are - now obviously within walking distance of each other...have you managed to get to the globe bistro? it used to be a belgian restaurant and where steve and i ate the night we got engaged. ahhh...new york cafe - yup cheap and basic, but fine. bundle up...here comes february.
In the name of research...the noble name of research, one could buy 8 different types of corn nuts, and 3 different tins of Pimenton, for example, and find this totally reasonable. I will always support the explorer in you, heck in anyone, and I love living your explorations with you vicariously. By the way, purchases based solely on packaging.....another highly supported endeavor.
I was thinking that after checking out the bistro and market links, that I want to see Toronto! But then it hit me. Like a ton of bricks. I just like exploring with you.
Dear Michele,
Let me tell you, your blog is fab!!! I'm totally hooked on it!
I can't help but fancying to find the rice milk chocolate here in Moscow. Might be a challenge though. *sigh* What does it taste like??
Thanks!
Kat, shocking isn't it? I'm not even sure you can get a full meal at McDonald's for less than $3.75..
Nicola, Riverdale girls rule! Thanks for the Avli recommendation, I will definitely check it out. Haven't made it to the Globe yet but we may try for brunch again this weekend. And I know the belgian restaurant you are referring to very well--Cafe Brussel! We were so disappointed to find that it had closed--as I'm sure you were since it holds some sweet memories.
Do you mean February is going to be worse? Please don't tell me that ;)
Alisa, well we did make a good exploring team, didn't we? Especially with a good supply of corn nuts at hand. But we'll always have Paris darling.
Oh, and London too.
Anya, thank you for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear you are enjoying my blog. As for the chocolate, it tastes a lot like regular chocolate actually--with a slight tang in the bite which I assume is due to the rice milk. But it's actually quite good. And I think there were a bunch of other flavours that I'm going to have to check out. For research purposes of course ;)
i *love* shopping at the big carrot. such a fun place to get lost in! :)
that vegan chocolate with the rice milk does sound really good. what brand is it?
Well, my quest for rice milk chocolate hasn't been crowned with success yet, although today I chanced upon an amaranth chocolate bar. Not bad at all. The problem is the bar was pretty small, so I didn't catch its taste properly. :) Must buy another one to savour it truly! *smiles*
Cheers!
Chris, it is definitely a fun place to shop and it is much bigger than it was when I lived in the area more than 4 years ago! The brand of chocolate is Terra Nostra--I found them on a display near the cash registers. I just bought another flavour too: Robust Dark and Roasted Almond. I'll give a report when I get around to the taste test!
Anya, Amaranth chocolate sounds very interesting--get yourself a few of those tiny things to make sure you get the full effect. Remember, its all in the name of research!
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