The Past Is A Different Country

For my run on Monday, I decided to check out Cardinal Heights in summer. It wasn't as leafy as its well-off northern neighbour because it was mostly lawns. The parks were more appealing and this was a nice area of mature houses sandwiched between industrial streets. I kept running eastward past the Elmridge Tennis Club into Beacon Hill South. The pretty houses gave way to densely packed garden homes. Decades ago, my extended family lived in this area as new immigrants. They look tiny today and it's astonishing that for the first few years, we somehow found room for more than 10 people in a 3-bedroom unit. Ridge Park, so huge in my memories, wasn't so expansive in reality. Yet it retained its charm thanks to the numerous grown trees providing pleasant shade.

On Tuesday, I visited Pilos for lunch. Yesterday's run reminded me that this Greek restaurant was one of the first "fancy" places I went to. We were too poor to go out for meals (or even order take-out) growing up. But when I finally had a bit of my own money, what started as dinners with friends at chain restaurants like Eastside Mario's and Olive Garden eventually led to nicer options. After 30 years in business, Pilos was still the only option for fine dining around here.

They have finally built a patio due to the pandemic restrictions. It didn't have much of a view, but it was still enjoyable to sit outside. I ordered the vegetarian moussaka plate ($21.95). The table next to me, probably workers from nearby Montfort Hospital, raved en français about their souvlaki lunches. Pilos has always been popular with francophones from Vanier. As for me, this was reminiscent of most of the Greek restaurants along the Danforth in Toronto. You eat for the nostalgia but with the too-dry rice and the barely-trying Greek salad, this was merely edible. The roasted potatoes and the moussaka were good but not $30 (with tax + tip) good. But in any case, I fully expect Pilos to last another 30 years.