The day dawned grey and misty, the city a hazy monochrome as we two discerning ladies headed out for a day on the town. Wearing colourful autumn frocks, tights and scarfs, and practical walking shoes, Toronto was ours for the day!
So what is a pair of dapper damsels to do to while away the hours? Toronto has too much to offer for a short trip. Kensington market? One of the three Chinatowns? A stop in Little Italy/Korea/Brazil/Portugal/Jamaica/the other Little Italy? Faced with such a dilemma, we decided to order the degustation menu instead, and have lots of little bites, leaving the bulk for another time.
First stop: Yorkville, chi-chi home to the renovated Royal Ontario Museum and its crazy crystal addition, high end stores and the Shoe Museum. N. debated buying some Jimmy Choos in Holt Renfrew; I debated buying a wonderful dragonfly brooch at the Ontario Craft Council's guild shop (until N. swept over and grabbed it to buy it on my behalf. Cheeky thing!) We browsed the Bata Shoe Museum and deemed it less enthralling than its name would suggest. One level is devoted to the history and construction of shoes, one level to 'superstar' shoes, and another to... the history and construction of shoes. Hmmm. Perhaps they missed something? Like the art, vanity, pain and devotion these objects can often inspire (or inflict)? We left a little disappointed.
1930s Perugias, I covet thee
From there we jumped on the subway and headed to the Distillery District. Apparently it used to be home to Gooderham and Worts Distillery, which indeed sounds like a tasty beverage. Apparently the remaining nook of Victorian Industrial buildings is the largest such stand in North America. Impressive, perhaps, if Europe weren't full of entire towns like this. These days the place is a tourist and arts haven, its cobblestone streets regularly hosting music festivals and art shows like the one we stumbled upon.
Intending to go to Balzacs for a glass of wine and a snack before browsing (it's the upstairs cafe used in the television show Being Erica, for those who watch it), we instead found a big line-up and darted around the corner to the Mill Street Brew Pub. Yep, the distillery district now only makes beer. We opted for a tasting plate of house brews each, and a quesadilla to share. Our tasting notes are below, and can also be found on N.'s blog, which incidentally is a rollicking good read of her classic American adventure. Check it out.
Mmmm. Beery beer. Full review HERE.
Slightly happy, we devoured some artisanal chocolates containing balsamic vinegar truffle (delicious!) and fir truffle (piney!), went shopping and then trundled back to downtown for a spot of Brazil Day festivities at Yonge-Dundas Square, and a quiet cocktail and highbrow chat at legendary Peter Pan's on Queen West, safe in the knowledge that T. was at hope cooking up a delicious feast for our return. Beautiful!
Next day was Niagara Falls and Niagara-On-The-Lake, and sadly, the last day of the visit. We thought we had one last city day up our sleeve, but a belated check of the itinerary ruled that out. Instead of slurping coffee in the local cafe, we were instead heading to the airport at an ungodly hour.
My little heart sank as I watched N's white trilby disappear into the maw of Pearson International. Tis wonderful to have time with old friends on new turf. Until next time, my lovely!
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