Toronto Day 2: Guided By Vices

[muckefuck]

I really only had one proper meal today, but it was a doozy: smoked meat poutine at Caplansky's. Once again, this was not the restaurant we originally aimed to end up at, and once again there was not a thing to regret about that. (Plan A was Prague Deli on Queen St, closed for the holiday weekend.)

Breakfast was a l'allemande (assuming dulce de leche has reached Deutschland). Our Turkish host came in to tidy, and a simple question about his town of origin ended up in an hour-long disquisition on Turkish politics. monshu had to nudge me to remind me we were due to meet up with power couple danthered and bitterlawngnome in less than an hour.

Fortunately getting to Moonbean at Kensington Market was as simple as hopping a streetcar at the next corner and then walking two blocks. (The neighbourhood's greatest asset is how easy it is to escape.) After much strategising over a quiet table in the back, the boys settled on giving us a grand tour of the market and then taking us down to Queen St for an early dinner.

It's yuppifying around the edges ("Indian Tapas", anyone?) but the countercultural feel of the place is unmistakable. I deliberately took a heartburn pill before we set out so I wouldn't be tempted to buy anything I couldn't wait to devour later (so no feijoada from Segovia's or chorizo papusas for me). And a good thing, too, as not matter what I was admiring, B--- was always at my elbow urging me, "You should get it."

I finally gave in to his serpentine whispers at Caplansky's and I don't regret it. To my surprise, the "large" was actually a completely reasonable amount of gravy-smothered curds and fries instead of the monstrous portion I was expecting. I washed it down with a disappointingly mild pint of Denison's Dunkel, a local brew. (I could've had a manhattan--first deli I've ever been to with a full bar!)

By this time, the spitting rain of midday had long since vanished completely and the day was the equal of Saturday in gorgeousness (only less hot) so we decided to stroll down College to Dolce in Little Italy. Satan had strewn Balfour Books in our path and I was indulged once again. "More books for the pile in you bedroom," said the Bearded Satan. Pretty much!

It's always fascinating meeting people in person you've only ever communicated with before virtually. They were reversed from what I had imagined based on the perceptions I've formed of them on LJ. Dan is even cuter in real life and B---, even taller (if that can be believed). I won't jinx the shoot by telling you what we talked about it, but it was an exciting moment when the muse struck in the middle of the pavement.

I could've hung out with them for days more, but I could tell the Old Man was getting worn out. danthered graciously ferried us back to our house in the slums and an assortment from the Cheese House became our supper, chased by ginger and butterscotch-bacon cookies from Cora's as we sat out in the shade of the deck and I watched the contentment pool in monshu's eyes.

Comments

[niemandsrose.livejournal.com]

I am really excited about that photoshoot, just so you know.

[danthered.livejournal.com]

power couple danthered and bitterlawngnome

Power couples are just so much more convenient than those old-fashioned manual couples.

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

All that cranking up is so damned inconvenient!