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It's only fitting to visit a Greek bakery on the opening day of the Olympics. Aside from giving us a once-every-four-years spectacle, the Greeks also invented loukomades! These are fried dough balls soaked in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. And they serve them fresh every half-hour at the Athens bakery on the Danforth. I find that the best beverage to enjoy them with is unsweetened tea, otherwise the sweetness could be cloying. Athens bakery also serves spanakopita, or Greek pastries with cheese or spinach filling, as well as a choice of coffees.
A friend of mine was raving about Caffe Demetre: "You just have to go there! Whenever they serve my order, I feel like crying because I'm so happy!". I've never seen anyone so passionate about their desserts before, so I thought I'd give Caffe Demetre a shot. It's just a few steps away from the Chester station, right in the heart of Greektown. If you''ve never been there before, it might take a while to swim through the menu. But, if you want to make it simple, all you need to decide is: do you want 1, 2 or 3 scoops of ice cream? Next, do you want it in a waffle, a crepe or a split? On a hot summer day, dessert shouldn't be too complicated. And it isn't at Caffe Demetre. They also have a cake selection if you're not into frozen calories. Once you've given your order, the next best thing to do is to lay back and enjoy the funky decor and do what people do in Greektown: watch people go by on the sidewalk.
I was there at the beginning, around 2006, when Mercury Organic Espresso Bar had just opened on Queen st. East at Morse (near Carlaw). I had just returned from vacation in Italy and was missing the coffee. For me, the best cappuccino I've ever had was at the termini in Rome, and I was resigned to the fact that it would be an unrepeatable experience. I walked into Mercury because I was impressed by their serious-looking cappuccino machine, exactly the kind I saw around Italy, and was hopeful that at last, I can have a real cup of cappuccino here in Toronto. The barista was gracious and he knew his beans. And the cappuccino was great, as expected. A few months later, a Starbucks opened nearby at Queen and Logan and I was worried that Mercury might get muscled out. It did not only survive the competition with Starbucks, it flourished. It's no surprise if you consider that money you spend at Mercury goes into buying organic fair-trade coffee instead of marketing. Now, Mercury has it's own blog, a My Space site and a loyal crowd of coffee-lovers from around the world.
The 501 streetcar is the longest street car route in Toronto and the most interesting. It passes by The Beach area, Leslieville, Eaton Centre, City Hall, the old CHUM building, the new Canadian Opera Company, the fashionable shops on Queen West and goes all the way to the edge of Mississauga. It's almost always packed and can be uncomfortable in the summer because it has no air conditioning. But it's a great way for a first-timer, or even an old-timer, to see the some interesting city landmarks.
A friend of mine came in from The Beach
one day and breathlessly reported that there was a woman in a thong. I said, "You're not referring to flip-flops, I assume". And she motioned to her rear and said "No, she was wearing a thong! That's not right, there were kids around".
At which point there ensued a discussion regarding proper beach attire in Toronto. Granted this isn't the Cannes or even Copacabana, but it is legal for women to go topless here. Not that many do outside of the Pride Parade.
For the most part, most women wear regular bikinis and mean wear beach shorts. And everyone has a good time.
It's only fitting to visit a Greek bakery on the opening day of the Olympics. Aside from giving us a once-every-four-years spectacle, the Greeks also invented loukomades! These are fried dough balls soaked in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. And they serve them fresh every half-hour at the Athens bakery on the Danforth. I find that the best beverage to enjoy them with is unsweetened tea, otherwise the sweetness could be cloying. Athens bakery also serves spanakopita, or Greek pastries with cheese or spinach filling, as well as a choice of coffees.
