The Roti Less Traveled

On Wednesday, I covered some new grounds in the Mount Dennis area. My morning run took me to the Scarlett Road and Eglinton intersection. I was looking for the east-side trail of the Humber river but only found one leading through a golf course. So I doubled back and took the west-side trail until I reached the Emmett Waterfall. Geese were wandering around the top (it wasn't a strong flow) looking for food. I ran through Raymore Park, over a wooden bridge, and exited the Lower Humber trail at Hickory Street. The trail itself would continue north all the way to Steeles and south to the lake for a total of 13 km. You could take the Upper Humber for another 20 km. For several blocks around Lawrence and Weston, businesses in older buildings could have "downtown-friendly" vibes if traffic was lighter. Heading south to Jane, I passed by newer condos and townhouses but also the huge Irving Tissue paper mill which has been around since 1929.

Around lunch time, I walked along Ray Ave and the aptly-named Industry Street. But when I arrived at Todd Baylis and Black Creek Drive, I encountered something I've never seen in Toronto: no sidewalks. Making my way along the grass and paved curbs, I finally came to the No Frills at Eglinton and Black Creek and bought needed supplies.

I headed back along Eglinton because it actually had sidewalks. The Mount Dennis station for the Eglinton Crosstown was still waiting to open. Once this light rail is completed, there will be an influx of new-comers to the area. I stopped off at V's Caribbean Restaurant for some vegan fare and chose a roti ($8). Some regulars were expounding anti-vaccine conspiracies regarding Covid but the server making my order seemed skeptical of their rants.

It was a good roti with a mixture of chickpeas, green beans, potatoes, zucchini, and TVP chunks that looked like goat. It wasn't quite as tasty as the veggie roties at Caribbean Queen or defunct Vena's Roti. The former had interesting filling like yam and plaintain while the latter had a more aromatic shell and a richer curry sauce.