Too Big For Your Bridges

On my Friday morning run, I changed my route to Lansdowne and Dupont. I haven't been in this area in years and noticed that numerous condos have gone up. So I returned on Saturday to walk around a bit before getting some lunch.

I liked the 5-story condos that were there since at least the mid-aughts (time travel courtesy of Google Streetview and not my failing memory). They felt more human-scaled with their lower height and brick and mortar solidity. The Fuse condos, in development around 2009 and finally built in 2016, were the ubiquitous glass and tiny balconies design that have sprung up everywhere. There were large chains such as Shoppers and Food Basics but a street-level neighbourhood didn't take shape until I passed the bridge just west of Lansdowne.

Bounded on 3 sides by rail, the aforementioned Lansdowne bridge, another one east of Dundas St. West, and a line just south of Geary, this area felt self-contained. There were a few long-time spots including some local bars. But the area has gentrified over the years, though not with total success as evidenced by empty storefronts. There were of course your hair salons, yoga studio, and trendy furniture and décor places. But usually it's the restaurants and cafés that are the markers. So here we had the one that started it all (Farmhouse Tavern), mid-range Italian (Lucia, Defina), quirky casual (Love Chix), and "international cuisine" (Piri Piri Grillhouse, Cocina de Dona Julia). A little strip mall housed additional restaurants (Thai Lime, Koji Sushi).

I stopped off at Koji and chose the Sushi Deluxe ($19). While waiting for my order, I wandered up Perth and found the quiet Symington Playground, a park that boasted a pair of tennis courts. I spent 15 minutes there as the thwack of balls echoed in the distance and a man nearby debated on his phone the philosophical consequences of God, free will, and human purpose.

After I picked up my lunch, I decided to head back east toward Lansdowne. I turned on Campbell where the foundation of a new condo was being dug out. It's not quite a glass monstrosity from the artist's sketch, though the jumbled blocks approach doesn't quite feel copacetic with the neighbours. I discovered Campbell Park and had my sushi meal under a shady tree.

Koji is described online as a high-end sushi in a casual setting but I wouldn't go that far. Yet the combination of dynamite roll and assorted sushi had good rice and nice flavour. This was decent food for the area and I certainly prefer it to the sushi options in my neighbourhood.