Uncommon People

Friday was a gorgeous day, bright sunshine with just a slight nippiness. I took advantage to do a bit of strolling through Bloorcourt, Brockton, and Little Portugal. Wise Bar at Dovercourt Rd has pivoted to Wise Bagel with a soft opening on Thursday. Same owner but now that the business was stocked with traditional Jewish bagels (Bagel Oven), arctic char lox (First Fish), jams, mustards, and other offerings, it was a place to cure your hangover rather than cause one (though craft brews were still available). The new look seemed to be a success. I ordered a bagel with cream cheese ($4) and returned on Saturday to get a half-dozen ($7). It was a great bagel, almost Montréal style but not quite as sweet. They even had vegan ones (no eggs, no honey). However, at 4 times the cost of the bulk buy, I was hoping for more cream cheese on my bagel.

Near Dufferin St., Komi Banh Mi Bar was also new to the neighbourhood. The welcome gift by the counter suggested that a young Vietnamese couple were the owner. It was pricier banh mi than in Chinatown or at Galaxy T & T near Lansdowne but they offered fancier choices (a la Banh Mi Boys): grilled pork, lemongrass chicken, etc. I chose Calvin's Style Beef ($9.89) and it turned out to be tasty BBQ, freshly grilled when you order. I wish them luck but they have stiff competition including Tim Hortons, A&W, Popeye's, and (the mediocre yet immensively busy) Jerk King.

After passing through Dufferin Mall, I reflected that this mall was like Brockton Village. Given its current bougieness, who'd believe that it was a lot sketchier back in the day. As to the latter, from Lansdowne to Ossington, Dundas St. West has totally transformed into blocks of trendy shops and restaurants. There were a few hold-outs and its' stock of storefronts and low-rise were mostly intact. Only a handful of condos have arrived, and like the one at Sheridan that replaced a gas station, did not destroy anything of historical interest. Looking over a number of For Rent signs in upper windows, I realized that I've never lived over a shop or in a walk-up.

As I approached Ossington, I stepped inside Geste Croissanterie. This business was also new and seemed to be owned by young folks. They showcased a selection of bread and baked goods. I wanted to try the basics first and chose a simple butter croissant ($3.25). It was flakey and rich. This was a good and yummy mouthful but it didn't quite have the crisp, dense layers of an expertly made croissant.