Every Decent Neighbourhood Needs a Good...

Will. Or a Goodwill. Ideally, every decent neighbourhood needs a Goodwill where the staff are not very knowledgeable about current labels and so conviently leave them underpriced(and if I was to design my dream thrift store: like to colour coordinate the used clothes.)In fact, any used clothing store will do, but on the East side of Coxwell at Gerrard, just above the No Frills, the residents of Gerrard India Bazaar have been gifted a Goodwill.

I dropped in for a browse, and to get a sense of what was on offer, and found six tops: two Banana Republic, a Tristain and America, a Mexx, and an Angora Sweater - none of which fit properly, sadly. There was also a plentiful supply of good condition Children's toys, and nice Girl's Clothes (said a little wistfully from the mother of a small Boy). I noted in particular a good many nice Leather Coats. But I was a little disappointed that I didn't find what I had dropped in for: Sari's. Considering our neighbourhood, I was hoping to find a few which would yield some nice material.

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The Jerk Pork Pizza at Ghali Kitchen, located on the corner of Greenwood and Queen won "Best Pizza". From experience I can reccomend the "Burroti", which was wonderful and big enough that (when I picked one up for take out late one night) I could save a third of it for my husband to sample - but I couldn't resist finishing it off on the bus ride home!

Also recommended: the Pollo en Mole at El Sole at Danforth and Monarch Park. Just take a shortcut up through the park, (accessable through the tunnel at the top of Woodfield, and it's an eight minute walk to "an obscenely slow-simmered sauce that contains over 65 ingredients...to dazzle the tongue."

Heeeeey Neat (take 2)

Being a consummate pedestrian, I tend to refer to my neighbourhood as anywhere that is reachable in a fifteen minute walk. So, as I strolled along the Danforth past Greenwood and on past Coxwell, I made a mental note of any shop or restaurant of interest. Though I realise it is a stretch to include it in "Gerrard India Bazaar", the warm weather will soon arrive (if only by sheer force of communal will, it seems) and for all those who may find themselves further afield, I found these gems for when, frankly, you just don't feel like eating Indian food.

At Danforth and Monarch Park: Sarah's (which I have visited in the past, mainly because they boasted a variety of unique brew on tap) made a good impression both in ambiance, food and drink, and though not what I would call "Family Friendly", where very accommodating with my not always perfectly behaved toddler, and wide stroller. Today, however, I stopped for lunch at the Sunset Grill, just East of Coxwell on the North side of Danforth, and made a mental note that there was a reason it was famous for its breakfasts, but I am certain to return when the yen for bacon and eggs strikes. Unfortunately, stuffed full of mediocre burger and side salad I happened across the Bus Terminal Family Restaurant, only a few doors further East.

The Bus Terminal Family Restaurant (1604 Danforth Avenue at Coxwell) appeals immediately from the outside with its multi hued benches lined up along the side as if expecting impending waiting hoards, strange 70's style pendant lanterns, and menacing human sized "Chicken Run" figurine staring ominously through the white blinds. A quick glance inside shows a typical Family style diner with booths and Formica, but tarted up with LP album covers of the '50s, '60s and '70s covering the wall and ceiling. The bright purple exterior paint gives way to an orange, white and brown interior that warms the nostalgic cockles of my 70's and 80's reared heart. This is a location that, whatever the value of their food, I will be visiting numerous times.

And LOOK It's for sale!

And a quick non-food related sighting that made my day - also at Danforth and Coxwell - Ages and Stages, a used children's clothing and toy store yielded a book based on my son's favourite singing rhyme! And while a little skinny on cool Boys clothes, had a number of label quality girl's sun dresses, that made me stop and look for something for my neices.

Every Decent Neighbourhood needs a good...

Grocery Store

I was delighted to find a No Frills in Gerrard India Bazaar. This is my store of choice when taking into consideration the cost of groceries but sometimes, let's face it, we trade affordability for quality of produce. I was hugely impressed, therefore, by Dave's No Frills at 289 Coxwell Avenue - my first (and second) impression has been excellent - both because of the quality of the fruits and veg, and because of the overall cleanliness of the store. The layout is standard "No Frills" (it was therefore very easy for me to find exactly what I was looking for) and the service has been (in my limited experience) very swift, with the number of cashiers sufficient to meet demand.

Click http://www.shopnofrills.ca/ontario/oneStop.aspx to find your store hours and your most recent store flyer.

Heeeeeeey Neat!

This prolonged winter, with its cold temperatures, grey weather, and mountains of snow, can dampen even the most jubilant spirit. One treatment to combat these seasonal blues, is to get outside and get some sunlight onto your face, and what better way to find out more about my new neighbourhood than a destination-less twenty minute jaunt? Actually, I did have some idea of what I wanted to go see; on one of the many redirected streetcar journeys I had passed a most unusual house on Coxwell street just south of Gerrard, and I wanted to get a better view.

157 Coxwell street is a three story, two bedroom house designed by Rohan Walters. To call it unique in its surroundings would be an understatement; it's exterior is resin impregnated plywood in contrasting primary colours, red, blue, yellow. It towers above its neighbours (but not imposingly) on improbable conical stilts, with a drawbridge-like walkway leading to its front door. To this sci-fi geek, its spaceship meets castle look, channels The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in humour, cheerfulness, and imagination - made all the more bright by its contrast to the drabness of its immediate surroundings. The green space (or soon to be green space if Spring ever arrives) around the house is prominently displayed underneath and all around the structure itself; making the home seem even more like a temporary alien visitor, ready for take-off.

If you would like to know more about this building, or the artist responsible for it visit http://www.spacesbyrohan.com/.