6-0

It has been a while since I went to Chinatown so I did my groceries there on Saturday. A few restaurants had set up makeshift patios. I rarely see Asian restaurants with outdoor seating, except for Pho Hung at St. Andrews and Spadina. And that was more of an extension. The novelty of having dim sum at Rol San outside would have to be balanced with interacting with homeless people talking to themselves. But obviously some folks thought it was worth the potential hassle.

I wanted to get some empanadas at Jumbo Empanada in Kensington Market but the shop still had no indoor dining (and they have closed their patio). Numerous restaurants did install sidewalk patios. But with the already narrow lanes, along with the frequent passer-bys, and the freely imbibing "locals", these outdoor seating didn't feel relaxing.

Since I've been enjoying weekly bagel purchases from Wise Bagel, I decided to get a half-dozen ($9) from NU Bügel. This was a mistake. I remembered when they first opened and the novelty of a Jewish-adjacent business returning to a former Jewish neighbourhood. I have visited them a few times though not within the last 5-6 years. Well, the novelty of eating a fresh bagel still warm from the oven quickly palled. The sea salt on the everything bagel killed off any flavour from the poppy, sesame, and caraway seeds. Over the next few days, they didn't store well with a heavy doughiness and a sticky outer layer. I guess I've wised up now (haha).

That one bagel was enough for me. I still needed more food so I headed over to Fresca for some pizza. I chatted with the owners about their current situation. Business was still good with frequent customers but their daughter has stopped helping out. It's hard to live at home and work for your immigrant parents, too. The 24-7 interaction was probably challenging. So they were surprisingly on the fence when I told them I was contemplating a return to Ottawa to be closer to family.

I finished off my eclectic lunch with a croissant from Bonne Nouvelle. Disappointingly, it has been a slowly diminishing return from this bakery. I was initially enthused but I am now noticing that their butter croissants have a slightly sweet coating. I prefer a richer, more savoury mouth-feel. It feels like a recent change and not a welcome one.