The Fisher King

Saturday morning, I headed over to the Bloorcourt area to visit a friend. We caught up over brunch at Eggsmart. As a cook, she was initially impressed with my Loaded Veggies omelette ($12.99) until she realized that the skillet, being plastic, was only for show.

We talked about changes to the neighbourhood. I remarked that though it's only been 6 weeks, several new stores have opened. Some I have kept an eye on during their renovation: Indian restobar Mumbaikar and Hogtown Vegan's Hunny were up and running, Orote turned out to be fine-dining Korean, and Gladrags Atelier (Atlantis Restaurant) has settled in. Others were unexpected: Rebecca Gallery now housed Lilith's Garden, Wise Bagel (which I knew was closing) has become an expresso/wine/dj spot called Now and Later, and bar/chicken joint Open House morphed into Royal Comedy Theatre (the bro-like tagline of "uncensored comedy" has me eyeing them skeptically). The buildings at the corner of Bloor and Dovercourt (including defunct Nova Era and a number of new, but short-term, businesses) now carried a discrete logo from condo developer Sierra.

My friend knew of Lilith as she had bought a custom "jean jacket" from them. She heard that the previous buyers of those buildings had off-loaded them since they couldn't develop high-rise condos over the subway line. Well, on their website Sierra still envisioned a tall condo here. On a more personal note, her eye problems haven't improved. A burst blood vessel back in October has now become serious enough to require specialist intervention. And her knees were finally receiving MRI examination. Depending how things go, she may not be able to run her restaurant. So she was talking to some folks about selling her business.

I bid her farewell to do some local shopping for Christmas gifts (Jill and the Beanstalk, Ziggy's at home, Red Pegasus) as well as food (Daily Dumpling Wonton, Bonne Nouvelle) to bring back to Ottawa. I kept to small items because of luggage requirements but I couldn't resist some larger toys for my nieces.

After dropping off my purchases in my room, I headed over to nearby Barbara Hall Park for Chanukah In The Village. Hora Machine was playing klezmer music while volunteers gave out sufganyot (Hanukkah doughnuts). I couldn't stay for the candle-lighting because I wanted to try Si Lom Thai Bistro. That was a bust because the restaurant was full so I ended up at Sehzade Kebab House. I brought back to my room a spinach and cheese pide ($13.99).

Apparently this spot has been savaged on Yelp for its pricey but terrible kebab, doner, and other questionable versions of Turkish food. My reaction to the pide wasn't as bad but yes, this was rather bland fare. Not even close to the good stuff or even the mediocre ones. I would certainly prefer a cheap ($8) but tasty panzerotti from 241 Pizza.

As I finished up, I realized this was my second dinner in a tiny room in what was likely a rooming house before becoming a boutique inn. I did live at one at College and Dufferin when I first moved to the Big Smoke. Perhaps in old age, I will eventually end up in another one again? If any such places might still exists in Toronto in a few decades, it would have to be in the East End.