Now, I hope you didn’t actually think with a title like “Toronto Triathlon” that meant I actually did a triathlon?! …

1) Team M&M; 2) Ironwoman Judy (aka My Hero)

For those of you living in Toronto, don’t you think it’s bizarre the Toronto Port Authority continues to litter the road down to the Docks with these signs? I mean, isn’t this little misadventure kaput?

Regent Park Revival
More interesting, I think, are these images of an infamous Toronto neighbourhood, looking a little Dresden-circa-1940s-like granted, being demolished as part of the Regent Park Revitalization Plan.

For those of you not familiar with Toronto, Regent Park was supposed to be an ideal “garden city” when construction started back in 1948. Sadly, what emerged was Canada’s largest (and oldest) publicly-funded housing community project | slum | ghetto | tenement (take your pick). The hope is 12 years down the road and some $450 million dollars later, that Regent Park will be revitalized. I, for one, hope it can. The 69 acres bordered by
Parliament, Shuter, Gerrard and River Streets in the east end of
Toronto deserves a new lease on life … as do the residents calling the area ‘home’.

Sunday’s fun: Antiquing at St. Lawrence North Market
After the triathlon, G and I visited here to antique. I found – but didn’t buy – a 1950s ice crusher. Yes, I like ice crushers (and truth be told, fans as well). We all need our little collecting obsessions. G found an absolutely dropdead gorgeous circa 1920s mounted cigarette stand. Loved it! However, $200 is a little steep we thought, even if it’s the ‘last of its kind’.

St. Lawrence North Market

Sunday’s food: Saturday’s Summerlicious offerings
Two stops yesterday for Summerlicious: my usual haunt, the Windsor Arms Hotel’s “Courtyard Cafe” (for lunch) and EDO (for dinner).

I had swore off the Courtyard Cafe after our disastrous outing there in January. However, both French Onion Soup and a Croque Madame et Frites were on the menu … so, I swallowed my pride and gave in. Now, you’d all agree the Cafe, while still one of the grandest places to eat in Toronto, has suffered since it lost Chef David Adjay to Food TV stardom. However, I have to say, the frites and Croque Madame made the venture worth every penny. The frites were primo, almost on par with the best frites in Ontario (visit: Chez Piggy in Kingston). Lightly fried, light of taste, crispy and oh-so-salty. And the Croque (swoon) (sigh) oh la la … the gruyere melting; the egg poached to perfection; the bread divine; the bechamel sauce a work of art.

After a respite from the unbearable heat seeing Pirates of the Caribbean it was on to EDO on Eglinton Ave West. I must say, in all honesty, my meal at EDO was THE BEST meal I’ve ever had with any Summer or Winterlicious. Hands down, THE BEST. We enjoyed it so much, we shall return this week and give it another go just in case we were dreaming or too exhausted from the trials and tribulations of Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom’s endless chatter and sword play searching for the Dead Man’s Chest.

1)
Kushi-Age Ebi: Flour-dusted flash fried shrimp skewer with tomato salad “bouquet” and
2)
Kobe Beef Burger: Chef Ryo’s special recipe, Black Sesame Sauce and EDO Wasabi Mayo

The amuse that started this wonderful journey into Japanese cuisine was a Beef Tataki Ponzu (thinly sliced seared striploin with ponzu aspic): Heaven. The dessert,
Kuro Goma Preen Azuki Rennyu (black sesame mousse with red azuki bean and sweet milk).

Run, don’t walk to try this $25 piece of heaven while it lasts.

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