Dark End Of The Street

Back in 2022, I wanted to visit the Leslie Spit on the last day of my sublet. It was a good thing that I didn't try in my jeans because Thursday morning proved that I wasn't up to it. Ontario has been experiencing a heat wave for weeks and Thursday was projected to hit 40 degrees. Since I was already up by 5:30 a.m., I donned jogging shorts and headed to this rewilded area.

It was already 2 km from my rental to the end of Leslie Street. Even in the morning darkness, this semi-industrial area (big-box stores and condos have made inroads) was filling up with cars and trucks. It would no doubt be unbearably noisy and hot later on. From the park entrance, I ran for another 2.5 km but was only at "The Neck" before turning around. The bulk of it including the Lighthouse and Pipit Point were still several kilometres away. So I suppose I still haven't seen Leslie Spit but the distance explains why I only saw riders on speed bikes (on my way back) in this 500-hectare "nature preserve". Still, sunrise over Lake Ontario on one side, the marina and the Toronto skyline on the other, and abundant greenery made this section a pleasant run compared to the DVP trails. I later found out from signage that, officially, I was trespassing because Leslie Spit is still considered a construction zone and not open to the public until 4 pm on a weekday.

For lunch, I jumped on the streetcar heading downtown to Yonge and College. I found out that my favourite Indian chef opened a "fast-food" place inside the College Park food court after closing Spice Indian Bistro. He remembered me from back in the day, and despite the humbler surroundings, still dressed himself and his assistants in formal chef attire. The main draw at BHK Roll was a paratha roll plus various sides. Mine was lamb ($13) and I observed how chef Debu carefully prepared each roll. The flavour profile was subtle: hints of ginger, beet, a slight spicy kick, and tender cubes of grilled meat. I saw that the evening menu was more extensive. I promised chef that I would be back to try dinner but it'll have to wait until my next trip to Toronto.