Saturday July 20th. We’re back at #1’s house for the afternoon, this time to celebrate the upcoming union of their friends Ashleen and Nate. Our acquaintance with Ashleen dates back almost as far as our relationship with our daughter-in-law … all the way back to the “kids” grade 9 year in Milton. Ashleen (second from right below) is the vocalist for a Celtic rock band called The Devil’s Drink, and we have fond memories of hosting her as an accompanied solo act way back in 2010 when we ran a house concert series. Just Milton Folks Season 6
I realized today how much I under-appreciated these amazing people when they were hanging out in our basement during their high school years. Ted and I are privileged and grateful to know them (and the partners and spouses they’ve collected), and the hugs and reminiscences today were truly priceless.
Our youngest grandson sent his octopus stuffy with us, because it had never been to Ontario. We’ve been sending pictures to him – when I remember and when I’m carrying a purse large enough for it to fit into. Today the octopus rode the TTC and attended a wedding shower where it made friends with a couple of cats and a huge papier maché relative.
Sunday July 21st. We’re so happy to be here and getting quality time with #1’s clan. Today coincided with the last day of SUMMERLICIOUS, so we’d suggested a couple of weeks before that they choose a restaurant to try. Our treat, because that’s what parents do, no matter how successful and self-sufficient their adult kids are, right? It makes us feel as if we still have something to give.
Before meeting for dinner, Ted and I walked around downtown for a bit. It’s summer in Toronto, so the pool in Nathan Philips Square in front of city hall was filled with waders (in winter it’s a skating rink), and there was a Pan-American music and food festival going on.
A few blocks away at Yonge-Dundas Square we caught part of a vocal performance by Kiki Rose from PEI, and a fashion show – both part of a Youth Day festival. Ted got to be a fashion photographer!
Toronto’s downtown isn’t perhaps as clean as it once had a reputation for being (it can’t compare to Berlin in that regard), but it makes up in vibrancy for what it sometimes lacks in cleanliness. Ted disagreed that the streets were dirty, so maybe I just forgot my “rose-coloured” glasses!
A portion of Yonge Street was closed for food trucks, vendors, and even a Canadian Forces recruitment display complete with photo ops.
On to dinner, via a distraction on Adelaide Street: a temporary art installation called Evanescent by Atelier Sisu, presented by Luminato Festival Toronto.
We ate at Mother Tongue, a Filipino/Pan-Asian restaurant located in the downtown Sonder Hotel on Adelaide Street, and the food and company were both terrific.
(ruby mango, green papaya, honey sunflower seeds, bagoong vinaigrette, calamansi), WAGYU BEEF DIP BAO (roast picanha, bistek beef jus, calamansi mayo) GRILLED LIEMPO SKEWER (pork belly, pickled mustard seeds, house hoisin), SMOKED BUTTERFISH CROSTINI (on spiced wonton chip, with lime creme fraiche, caviar)
TOCINO PORK SECRETO FRIED RICE pampanga marinade, pickled papaya & pea shoots, crispy garlic; FILIPINO-STYLE FRIED CHICKEN with atchara fennel salad, inasal (lemon) chicken gravy; GINATAANG BUTTERNUT SQUASH lemongrass coconut stew, asparagus, jasmine rice; KOREAN BEEF SHORT RIB bulgogi braise, king oyster mushroom, kimchi slaw
Bottom left: JACKFRUIT & MANGO PEARLS coconut tapioca, compote, amaranth
Bottom right: MISO STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING
butterscotch sauce, sesame tuile, white chocolate ganache
Walking back to the subway in the twilight gave us the opportunity for a couple of Toronto skyline pictures.
Monday July 22nd. Ted’s eldest nephew, Jon, is an absolute delight and we see him and his partner Sean far too rarely. They now live in Barrie, but still work in the city. We had hoped to meet for lunch, but unfortunately Jon was unable to make the trip into the city, leaving us with an unscheduled day. Oh, no!!
Upon hearing that we were free, our wonderful kids immediately invited us to join them on their lunch breaks, and suggested Oak Park Deli near their home. It made for a very short visit,but given that it will likely be another year before we see each other, I’m taking every opportunity for hugs.
After lunch, Ted and I walked through the Glen Stewart Ravine trails, from Kingston Road all the way to Ivan Forrest Gardens at the corner of Queen Street and Glen Manor.
While Toronto may not have soaring 200-year-old red cedars, or mountain vistas, it is a remarkably treed city with a number of gorgeous wooded green spaces and parks for everyone to enjoy right in the urban centre.
Having accomplished 10,000 steps in 30°C/87°F weather, we were desperate for a cool treat. Iced coffees and a strawberry cheesecake parfait hit the spot.
We headed back to our Airbnb via a combination of TTC bus and subway, and settled in for a lazy evening in front of the television.
Tomorrow we begin a series of long awaited reunions with friends.
Rose and Ted’s Excellent Adventure 
I don’t think you’ve ever profiled a meal I’d more like to experience for myself! Was it all as delicious and interesting as it looks? Thanks….I think!
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It actually was! We all tasted each other’s, and except perhaps for the Uber milk (purple) drink, which was surprisingly tart, and the pork fried rice (good, but not memorable), I’d order it all again!
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