Perched atop one of Toronto’s main arteries, Leslieville is one of my new favorite neighborhoods; Leslieville did a wonderful job of capturing my heart and satisfying my palate – which are really one in the same.
I embarked on the adventure with my friend, Dan. Armed with City Walks: Toronto, we hopped on the streetcar for a 15 minute ride to Queen Street East.
Our first stop was a flower shop, wherein the universe coordinated a chance meeting of me and a gorgeous blog buddy named Brad. Hi, brad. He was humble about his career as a florist, one of life’s greatest professions.
Next, we found our way into a cheese shop wherein we ate away any of our so-called problems in the form of a smoked Gouda grilled cheese, sandwiched between two slices of thick rosemary bread. It was the best thing that I have ever eaten.
Meandering deeper into Leslieville, we soon discovered a curious playground wherein all the equipment and structures were made of wood. Dan noticed a massive stump nearby. Putting two and two together, we realized that the community built the entire playground from the one massive tree that once marked the block’s corner. How happy the tree must be to bring such great joy to so many children.
It reminded me of the story, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. If you’ve never heard the story of The Giving Tree, grab some tissues and click here.
Antique shops, coffee houses and cafes aplenty, we eventually found our way into a great little restaurant serving dishes whose descriptions escaped my culinary knowledge. I settled on a sandwich of unidentified goodness, topped with a fried egg and Gruyere cheese. Bon Appetite!
How fun it is to step into the unknown. Of course, you need not visit Leslieville to have an adventure of your own. Adventures are lurking all around you, even in the dusty corners of your apartment. Stop reading my blog, and start finding them!
But first, check out these pictures:
March 27, 2010 at 4:49 pm
I just wanna say, I absolutely love the mural-type painting you have at the top. It’s gorgeous. I also love that playground.
March 27, 2010 at 4:50 pm
It’s been a while since we’ve been in T.O. and we’ll have to get there again. Great pics of a great neighbourhood. Thanks Davey.
March 27, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Dear Davey
Today I did my own taxes. Not the most fun… seeing how much money I thought I lost this year. But living in canada, and reading your blog, we live in a grand country full of diversity. This makes me proud of every tax dollar that I give to help forge this country into something greater.
March 27, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Davey, it’s great to read about our city, Toronto, through your fresh pair of eyes! Very cool, thanks.
March 27, 2010 at 5:55 pm
That looks like Italian Ice cream (Gelato), which is the most delicious ice cream on earth. Made with less fat, sugar, air than American ice cream.
Aww to be back in Italy…America and Canada great places too.
March 27, 2010 at 5:58 pm
BTW its great to see you in clothes….handsome guy when clothed….clothes make the man
March 27, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Yes!, I was like: “oh, he’s wearing clothes (-:”
March 27, 2010 at 7:35 pm
I love my country, the only thing I wish we had was more amusement parks!
=]
March 27, 2010 at 7:36 pm
PS, we have the best humour, don’t we?
March 27, 2010 at 11:50 pm
Nop, british have.
March 28, 2010 at 12:02 am
What? The British? Are you kidding? It’s the Italians lol
March 28, 2010 at 12:28 am
If you want the BEST gelato in the city you have to go to Hollywood Gelato at 1640 Bayview Avenue. Made fresh on location daily. Plus its a really cute location.
March 28, 2010 at 12:31 am
Oh and if you’re down by Front street near St Lawrence Market and Union you HAVE to go to the Hot Spot Cafe – its expensive but TOTALLY worth it.
March 28, 2010 at 3:30 am
No wonder you liked the Gouda cheese so much: many great things are from Holland!
Greetings from Amsterdam
March 28, 2010 at 5:53 am
FASCINATING neighbourhood!! Davey, you look just as good IN clothes as you do out of them!!!!
March 28, 2010 at 6:42 am
Those hidden places are everywhere in any country. Now that I’ve been retired for several years and have the time to stop I’ll see a place and check it out. I’ve had some wonderful experiences finding things and meeting people at these places. Keep looking and searching it can be lots of fun anywhere you are.
March 28, 2010 at 7:31 am
yada, yada,yada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what ever dude,u r hung up on ur self!
March 28, 2010 at 9:47 am
any more than you?
March 28, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Larry, You are a cold turd on a frosty morning.
March 28, 2010 at 9:39 am
Toronto & environs are great! Be sure to checkout the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga and the Science Centre! Also, the museums, including one on fiber craft.
March 28, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Hello, Davey.
“The sandwich of unidentified goodness”, of which you spoke in your post, appears to me to be a croque-madame. A croque-madame is a hot ham and cheese (usually emmental or gruyère) with a poached or fried egg on the top. Iʻm glad you enjoyed the sandwich. It does indeed looks delectable.
~Peace and love~
March 28, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Well, Davey, Leslieville already is very pretty, but your handsome presence there made it all the more beautiful during you visit, no doubt! Now, do the same for Rouyn-Noranda (QC.) by visiting here, too!
Jerry Parker
March 28, 2010 at 2:21 pm
If you’re still in Toronto, I truly recommend you to come to the west end and have some european cakes and other sweets at Dimpflmeier bakery or Sweet Gallery. Their products are amazing and because of that my abs are floating away
March 28, 2010 at 2:24 pm
350 Bering Ave. and 32 Advance Rd.
March 28, 2010 at 5:57 pm
What happened to your big words on eat-like-a-caveman?
I may be wrong but those pics tell a completely different story.
March 29, 2010 at 1:35 am
I always have liked The Giving Tree. I think it should be read to every first grader and read by every high school senior. but thats my opinion, heh. In an age of disillusion and disbelief, it and Celestine Prophecy (and other books) are wonderful. I left out religious books as everyone has their own religious beliefs even if its no belief.
Last Christmas, a neighbor lady asked me if I might suggest a gift for a small child. Immediately I suggested The Giving Tree. Not only is it fun and has a good message, but it can bring family members together as they read it to a young one.
Knowing at least one other person likes Shel’s book brightens the flame of hope.
March 29, 2010 at 9:19 am
Queen St. West eh, I’ll have to head down there. Looks like a really cool neighborhood but I’ve never heard of it before! Thanks for the suggestion, that ice cream looks amazing.
March 31, 2010 at 10:20 am
Larry, more like a hot fart in a cold wind, a stinky relief.
April 1, 2010 at 7:31 am
Hi, This is test reply
April 1, 2010 at 8:53 am
Retail Slut,
Well, if you get an hot fart when you plug some guy’s butt, even in a cold wind, you know that he’s alive. If he breaks accumulated cold wind, you may be anally penetrating a corpse!
Pax, Jerry
April 7, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Sorry I’m not too interested with this post, but I gotta thank you anyway.
This is the first time I heard about The Giving Tree, it’s very touching. we often take things for granted without realizing how how much love we’re given. This is too good of a work to be children’s book, they should teach this book in high school…
April 7, 2010 at 5:49 pm
I do like the Canadian humor though
April 7, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Well, that little park is cute and charming, but the most drop-dead gorgeous thing in the picture of it is Davey Wavey, who is sexy even with so many clothes on his well formed body!
Jerry Parker