Fan Duel

Since the forecast called for balmy weather, I took a half-day off work. After my remote meeting wrapped up, I headed over to Momo Heart to get some dumplings to complement my leftover Jamaican rice and peas. With a small business, I'm always leery of seeing new faces. It usually means the regular staff has left. So I wasn't surprised when my spinach and paneer momos ($9.99) were tougher and more rubbery this time round. Also, I was expecting Indian-style creamy palak paneer, not bland chopped spinach filling. If I was still living in Toronto, I'd give Heart another chance. But as a traveller, there are too many other spots to visit.

I made a big circuit to Christie Pits park, then doubling back and down Dovercourt, to finally returning to my stay along College St. The walk started at my dentist who was once again both thorough but suspiciously expensive. There are always new storefronts but the most surprising were several new Ethiopian cafés and another outpost of Latin World. One, I thought the Ethiopian hub had moved to Greenwood and Danforth. Two, how can this bodega owner operate 3 storefronts: two of which are kitty corner to each other near Lansdowne?

Speaking of Lansdowne, with condo development imminent, Value Village has relocated to 772 Dovercourt Rd. I didn't need any thrifted items, but I was curious to see in the inside of the former Canada Post depot (then office for unscripted television producer Proper TV). It was mildly depressing: crammed with clothes, with no change rooms, and fully self-checkout.

For dinner, I came to ibet Sushi, the first of its kind in Bloordale. In contrast, Bloorcourt has had many sushi spots come and go. Its predecessor, Brock Sandwich, had a decent 8-year run. I wasn't a regular because deep-fried meat was too heavy for me. When I sat down, the place felt familiar: Korean chef and staff, easy-listening Jazz in the background, and a menu of sushi, udon, and other dishes. I later found out they were once a partner at Mazz Sushi (now taqueria) at Dovercourt. I had many lunches and dinner at that old spot.

I ordered Agedashi Tofu ($5) and a sushi combo ($18.50). The tofu appetizer came in a bowl of tempura sauce. This went nicely with the soft inside, but the outer shell was soaking up too much salty liquid. I had to remove them, also being careful not to spill the nori seaweed and bonito flakes.

I was initially disappointed when the 8-piece sushi had 4 pieces of salmon. But the salmon slices were generous and reasonably flavourful for a middling joint. It can be worse. The other fish selection were also tasty. The 8-piece dynamite roll wasn't particular a noteworthy example of its kind and simply served to fill me up. The place was full by the time I finished my meal. Clearly, the people of Bloordale has been waiting for a sushi joint, with Roll and Bowl not being a strong enough contender.