Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader
SATURDAY
It was disappointing to see overcast skies this morning as I had plans to sit outside for a while.
I did some blog linkups which always lead to rabbit holes! I got a few posts prepared.
John tried to book another lunch this week, at a place that has been on my bucket list! Pai, a Michelin Guide restaurant, impossible to get a reservation in the near future! We'll try again.
John made French toast for lunch.
Evening cocktail - sample given last week. Coffee flavoured with a hint of cayenne.
Getting around town this weekend will be a nightmare with road closures along with GO trains and subway shut downs while there are major street festivals and a triathlon!!
SUNDAY
One Word Sunday Water
Gardiner closed eastbound as the 13th annual Supertri Toronto returns to the city.
Formerly known as the Toronto Triathlon Festival, the event will see thousands of athletes take part in a 1.5-kilometre swim, 40-kilometre bike ride and 10-kilometre run centered around Exhibition Place and portions of Lake Shore Boulevard West.
We took the subway to Bay St. and walked over to the Toronto Reference Library and were surprised that people were already lining up for Candlelight Tribute to Leonard Cohen, The audience was a mosaic of young and old Canadians.
I have posted many, many photos of the Reference Library, just click on Reference Library in the tags/links below this post.
Program - Listeso String Quartet
Sisters of Mercy
So Long, Marianne
Suzanne
Tower of Love
I’m Your Man
Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye
Anthem
Take This Waltz
Everybody Knows
Master Song
Treaty
Hallelujah
Encore - Dance Me to the End of Love
We watched a 60 Minutes segment on Black female American artist Amy Sherarld and now we want to see an exhibit! There are no scheduled Canadian events.
MONDAY
It is my birthday week so I can treat myself!!
After my haircut I walked up to the Eaton Centre. Some new dining options for us.
Another Japanese chain in the Eaton Centre.
Would you believed those large and medium "stuffed toys" are $400 each???
I decided to change up my lunch time eating and try something different.
Meh, crepe was undercooked and gluey, I forgot to ask where the strawberries were from, judging by the lack of flavour, they certainly weren't local, in season berries.
I went to Simon's, Canadian department store, and treated myself to a good black zip up hoodie, more expensive than I would usually pay, yes, I'm cheap. I usually just get whatever from Winners (T J Maxx).
Walking back down Yonge St. There is a row of old bank buildings.
Looking south towards a couple of banks, one is now the entrance to a condo, Massey Tower.
The neighboring historic branch at 205 Yonge Street was also built in 1905, functioning as a direct rival to the Canadian Bank of Commerce branch at 197 Yonge Street. Commissioned by the Bank of Toronto (which later merged to become TD Bank), this four-story neoclassical landmark stands directly across from the Toronto Eaton Centre.
It was designed by E.J. Lennox, the legendary Toronto architect behind iconic city landmarks like Old City Hall and Casa Loma.
I no sooner stepped into the elevator when the fire alarm sounded.
Another sample and hand towels I picked up at Simon's, not exactly the colour I wanted but they were on sale!
John had golf at 1 PM.
TUESDAY
Tuesday Treasures Analogue - Jinjer, check it out!
I got the fridge cleaned out properly. I froze some tomato paste, coconut milk and ganache.
I ordered some more reusable medium sized freezer bags.
In this morning's Toronto BlogTO, Lobster rolls are having a moment... Blue Claw are the worst! We go to Buster's in the financial district with plenty of seating unlike the crowded market location. And also a fellow blogger mentioned lobster rolls this morning!!!
I caught the 11:20 shuttle and met my BFF for lunch. I was hoping she would say lobster rolls! And she did!
So we headed to Buster's for lunch, it is our favourite go-to lunch spot. OMG this was sooooo good, huge chunks of lobster!
I did pick up tomatoes (for tonight's dinner), strawberries (Ontario) and wraps. We also encountered the most unpleasant self-serve employee at Longo's!
WEDNESDAY
Signs - Chinatown
I took the streetcar after lunch, on a mission for several murals, to be featured at a later time!
I also took this photo in the 2020 post!
Parkdale Public Library globe is a prominent public art installation known as the World Peace Monument, featuring a large metal sphere designed to symbolize the multicultural diversity of the Parkdale neighborhood. Erected in the mid-2005 era in collaboration with the Parkdale BIA and artist Peter Dykhuis.
It is placed right at the front entrance area of the library, which occupies the historic site of Parkdale's old town square.
I stepped inside. It is recognized for being Canada's very first branch to launch a musical instrument lending library, alongside its rich community history and specialized advocacy programming.
As well, the branch was long led by Dr. Rita Cox, a legendary Caribbean-Canadian storyteller, literacy pioneer, and community activist. She founded the Parkdale Project Read program here to support adult literacy.
I love the heritage buildings along this trendy stretch of Queen St. W.
I treated myself to a couple of new plants.
I finished Little Disasters, I kind of knew where it was going, but didn't see the complete conclusion coming!!!!
We're all caught up on Silo.
We Tried watching Severance and couldn't make it through the first episode, so boring!
The series follows employees at Lumon Industries, a sinister biotechnology corporation, that have undergone "severance"—a procedure that splits a person's memories between work and their personal life. This creates two separate identities for employees: the "innie", who has no knowledge of the outside world, and the "outie", who lives their life outside without any knowledge of their job. Sounds good, doesn't it, and has great review ratings.
Now, Hijack (stylised as H/JACK) is a thriller television series with Idris Elba starring in the lead role, had us from the first minute!!! Sam, a talented business negotiator, must use his skills to broker a peaceful end to a hijacking of a seven-hour flight from Dubai to London.
THURSDAY
Our plans (mattress, McGrath, beavers) sifted completely! John chose burgers and I thought we should check out the Osgoode Hall free tour, since it is only offered in July and August.
Once we placed our order, John waited and I found us a shaded spot in the square.
Oklahoma Fried onion burgers was on my list to try so ✅.
I posted about this Gillie and Marc sculpture last February when it was unveiled.
How was the burger? It was okay, smash burger, sweet fried onions, cheese and their "special" sauce. As John says, if I don't finish it, it doesn't make the mark. It was fine, nothing to write home about. It wouldn't be a go-to burger, not compared to Cabano's or Burger Priest.
We strolled up to Queen St. W. to Osgoode Hall. The tour was great, the police at the security check were great! I have too many photos for a weekly recap, the visit deserves its own post.
FRIDAY
My birthday!!! This is what we did last year.
I got flowers!!
We had reservations at Black and Blue, which we had tried during Winterlicious and really enjoyed it. We had decided that we won't order steak out as we really enjoy our steaks at home as well as prefer our own portion sizes, much smaller than restaurants!!
It is in the heart of the financial district, in fact, within the historic Design Exchange building (the city's historic Old Stock Exchange).
We shared the calamari, having learned that it is huge!
John - King Salmon roasted leeks, spinach, coconut cream sauce, herb oil - he had a choice of it being soft in the middle or more cooked, he took more cooked.
Me - Nigiri (with rice) Omakase (Omakase (ăä»»ă) is a Japanese dining style meaning "I'll leave it up to you")
(8 pieces) king salmon, bluefin tuna, hamachi, scallop, BBQ eel, sea bream, shrimp
John had mentioned it was my birthday! Black + Blue Buttercake salted caramel sauce, white chocolate cream, fresh berries.
A great meal!
John had suggested having a cocktail and I had the perfect spot so we got on the subway to Avenue Rd and Bloor. I know, seriously, Avenue Road?? to the Park Hyatt. I had only been in the lobby for the spring Fleurs de Ville 2026.
John had suggested having a cocktail and I had the perfect spot so we got on the subway to Avenue Rd and Bloor. I know, seriously, Avenue Road?? to the Park Hyatt. I had only been in the lobby for the spring Fleurs de Ville 2026.
Continuing with the book theme, The Writers' Room ✅
Writers Room is a reimagined interpretation of the revered rooftop bar's 50 years storied past, paying homage to the history of literary legends who shared moments in the space.
I'll save the drinks menu for another post!
John's cocktail
We decided to walk back to the shuttle. Considering we weren't out for very long we got in 10,000 steps.
Queen's Park - more books! Word on the Street 2014 took place at Queen's Park.
Queen's Park is a historic 40-acre urban park and political center in downtown Toronto. Opened in 1860 by the Prince of Wales and named for Queen Victoria, it houses the Ontario Legislative Building and serves as a metonym for the Government of Ontario.
Interesting plaque, referring to the government's treatment of Indigenous children in residential schools.
The children's shoes at Queen's Park in Toronto were placed by the public at the base of the Sir John A. Macdonald Statue. Mourners left the tiny shoes to honor the children who died in Canada's residential school system, which Macdonald helped establish. The statue was kept inside a wooden box for five years after being vandalized in 2020, during which time the shoes accumulated as a silent memorial.
COOKING
I used the roast pork bones to make a small stock.
Saturday - roast pork, roast potatoes, carrots and Brussel sprouts
Sunday - leftover hot pork, gravy, fries and peas
Monday - chicken curry with fries
Tuesday - Thai basil pork lettuce wraps
Wednesday - pasta salad garlic toast
Thursday - Caesar salad and garlic toast (giant croutons)
Friday - out for lunch
READING
I started a second Ruth Dugdall book, I am again intrigued by the strong female characters. The Sacrificial Man is the second in the Cate Austin, parole officer, series. This was a very interesting, disturbing story with a very intriguing ending!
One thing that bothers me in her books - proofreading! She refers to her daughter's new sibling as stepsister, she is her half-sister as they share a father!!
Constant referrals to her parent's house when it is her mother and father's house = parents' house!
