Places to go on Queen St. West

I was out for drinks with a friend who was visiting from Montreal last night, and I must have chosen my spots well, because I think he enjoyed.  So, I figured why not put together a list of just a few of the watering holes that stand out in my mind on Queen St. West. If you’re looking for a VERY chill, somewhat artsy atmosphere, where everyone fits in, with or without piercings, tats, hats and/or wayfarer shades, you might enjoy these spots.

The places we went:

Java House, 537 Queen Street West

If you’re looking for an über casual patio with plastic tables and chairs, this is the perfect spot.

Inside, you’ll find a small bar and two rooms with old wooden booths, tables and chairs. 

Java has a relaxed feel, awesome (and cheap) sangria, by the pint or the pitcher, some good sandwiches, okay breakfast (for those that are hungover from the previous night’s sangria), and great cappuccinos. 

My choices:

To drink: Sangria

To eat: Dinner: Pad Thai, Breakfast: Bacon, Eggs and Homefries with a side of fruit salad

Czehoski, 678 Queen Street West

This former Polish butcher shop and deli that has called this Queen Street West building home for over 75 years has a great contemporary ambiance. 

With two and a half floors of tables, a bar on each floor, a small menu, Czehoski caters to urban young professionals and trend-setting artists of the city. 

An old favourite of mine, the rooftop garden patio is a cozy spot for drinks with friends.  With an extensive list of cocktails, wines and beers (if they haven’t run out of your beer choice, which happened to my friend twice), the bar list can suit anyone’s taste buds, but depending on your drink of choice, it may not suit the starving artist’s wallet.    

My Choices:  

To drink: A pint of Pilsner Urquell

To eat: Frites       

http://www.czehoski.com/

Squirly’s, 807 Queen Street West

Squirly’s is the perfect spot for casual drinks.  They’ve got about six (maybe more) good beers on tap, a martini list that looked delectable, and food specials for different nights of the week…I’m going for fajitas next time.  

The vinyl siding and antique diner style in the front room almost makes me feel like I should be singing 'Grease Lightning' when I walk in; and I mean that in the best way – I love the styles of that era, (that style that, really, has never died - think guys in the classic white t-shirts, leather jackets and jeans...can you say 'hot'?)    

The back room has a different vibe, but is just as chill.  With some pink and black leopard print bench seats, straw detailing on the ceiling and upper walls to make it look like a darkened beach hut, it has doors that open completely to the cozy backyard patio.  It made me feel as though there should have been a BBQ, and my friends sitting around playing guitar.

The staff are very nonchalant, and seemed like “whatever” types, but are quite nice.

My choices:

To drink: Cameron's Cream Ale, or Amsterdam Blonde

To eat: Fajitas (Haven't had them yet, but I've heard good things)

 

Other places to try:

Terroni, 720 Queen Street West 

If you like pizza, pasta, carpaccio (yummy), nice wines, coffee, or anything from southern Italy, this is the place to go.  The Terroni's on Queen has been there for many years, and you almost feel as though you're at a big Italian dinner with family.

The food is fairly priced and absolutely incredible. They have the best, lightest Gnocchi I've ever had, and pizza that actually rivals those I had in Rome.

http://www.terroni.com/

The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West

If you're looking for a nice light lunch, a good morning coffee, or a strong weekend drink, the Gladstone has it.  Whether you’re in the Ballroom Café or the Melody Bar, you’re guaranteed good food, good drinks, and a sophisticated, antique atmosphere.

If you're stopping in, you should check out the hotel rooms - each one is different, designed/decorated by various artists.  They also have great spaces for holding events (meetings, seminars, gallery exhibits, shows, etc.)

http://www.gladstonehotel.com/

Cadillac Lounge, 1300 Queen Street West

Do you like karaoke?  If so, try and catch Karaoke here.  Otherwise, Cadillac Lounge hosts a range of different acts any given night of the week.  

The back room, which opens up along one side to an expansive patio, made me feel like I was in a friend's garage drinking beers.  

You'll see people from all walks of life.  Regardless how you're dressed, how old you are, or what “scene” you hail from, it's an easygoing space.

http://cadillaclounge.net/

Any place that makes me feel at home, is a place I will try to frequent.  There are plenty of great places to name on this strip, but these are my top choices, so far.

Life Changes...

Precious time is all we have. And we never know when our time will come. Like they always say, “Live life to the fullest”. I’ve been inspired this weekend to make some changes, to work at not holding back, to laugh in Fear's face and do the things I've always wanted to do, regardless of how terrified I am, and to try and spend as much precious time as I can with people that make me happy.

I’m going to tell people how I feel, when I’m feeling it. If I’m thinking about you, you’ll know because I’ll tell you so. If I want to hear your voice, you should expect a call. If I want to see you, I’ll find a way to see you, and hopefully you’ll want to see me too! If I suddenly pick everything up and move to Timbuktu, please understand, that I need to explore the world to find my happiness. Life can change in the blink of an eye, so why not be who, or what, you've always wanted to be?

In memory of K.J. and G.M.Q.

Birch

In the gardens of L'Oratoire Saint-Joseph

Montreal

The Goodbye Rounds

An incredibly well-written, impeccably directed, wonderfully acted production, The Goodbye Rounds delivered raw, relatable humour.  The play told the story of a young man making amends with five friends, and coming to terms with his past.

On his last night in the city, before embarking on a religious quest in Israel, Marty Hirsch (played by Toronto actor and storyteller, Omar Hady) contacts four of his high school friends to say goodbye.

Through monologues and interactive scenes, the play guides the audience through present day events, and flashbacks of the friends' memories of Hirsch in high school and in university. 

It opens with Hirsch's friends, Lainie Herbert (played by Eleanor Hewlings), Kevin Reid (Andy Cockburn), and Jeff Russel (Marc Richler), reminiscing individually about Hirsch’s antics.

The scenes that follow introduce Hirsch's closest friend, Seth Spigelman (played by Ted Neal), and so begins a night of truth, anger, sadness, love, and laughter.

Hirsch, portrayed as the previously ever-changing, party-animal with a lack of direction, focus or ambition, had the entire theatre laughing and understanding his need for something secure and stable in the Torah and its teachings.

A heated scene between Hirsch, Seth, and Jeff left a quiet audience. Jeff expressed disappointment, distrust, and anger towards Hirsch, candidly revealing how much he had believed in him years ago and pushed Hirsch, but to no avail. 

In the monologue that follows, Jeff paints a picture of Hirsch's lack of direction, he explains Hirsh is bloated with potential, but unused "potential rots, it festers..."

This line, and the emotion it was delivered with, struck a chord in me.  We all know people with endless amounts of potential, but no drive or direction – people who are capable of doing great things, doing nothing.  I know I’ve been guilty of this in the past, and I may even have hints of potential still rotting in my stomach, but hope I’ll use my potential to accomplish meaningful things.

The writers, Joshua Saltzman and my dear friend Robert Shapiro, developed the play in such a way that every argument had some on the verge of tears but lightened every emotional moment with an anecdote or joke that caused an eruption of laughter.

The cast, writers, Stage Manager (Katarzyna Misztal), Executive Producer (Jeremy Shell), and Director (Michael Bien) ensured the entire production was flawless.

The story, loosely based on true-life events, is indicative of the trials, tribulations, frustrations, and happy memories only true friendship can provide.

July 1st and 4th – Music makes for a Happy Canada Day and a Happy Birthday

Please bear with me while I recount two great days I’ve had over the past week…

July 1:

On Canada Day I woke up early (well, kind of) and went for a run close to my house, up through the Don Valley Trail.  With the Don River running beside me, it was stunning, albeit kind of smelly at some points. The run was refreshing.  Other runners passed and smiled, or waved, or offered words of encouragement.  Oh the joys of being Canadian.

After my run, I spent most of the day cleaning the backyard for a little birthday gathering I had over the weekend.

My excitement for my evening on Canada Day built late in the afternoon, when I made my way to Toronto's Harbourfront.

I went early to people watch, before meeting friends to see a band that we used to watch play in people's basements.  They've worked hard over the years and it's definitely paid off.

As I wrote this, I was sitting on the "Splash Bar and Grill" patio, drinking a Canadian, with a full view of the stage.  I’ll describe the scene for you:

The patio was packed; there were families, couples, and people from every walk of life strolling along the boardwalk.

Most people were wearing red and white – it was so nice to see how proud Canadians are.

To my left, I had a perfect view of the stage, the CN Tower and bits of the Skydome (sorry, Rogers Centre) in between the condos that dot our city's skyline.

Behind me the lake was spotted with sailboats, a ferry making it's way to the island, and a tour boat.  I could smell the gas from a police boat docked on the water to my left.

There were clouds threatening rain, but the sun was still shining and it was a beautiful way to spend our nation's birthday.  I almost feel it would have been fitting to stand on my chair and yell, "My name is Corrinne.  And...I...AM...CANADIAN.". But, I didn't have the balls to do that...

I sat on the patio for about an hour by myself, saving seats for friends and awaiting the start of the concert.  It was almost surprising that I had an amazing time by myself.  Everything I saw in that hour made me smile.  That's what Canada is all about.  Well, that and good Canadian Music, like Chad VanGaalen and The Constantines.

Chad VanGaalen opened the Sirius stage for the Constantines.  His crooning swooned the ladies in the crowd and jokes had everyone laughing.  I had only heard one or two of the Calgary artist's songs, but I'll definitely be listening to more.

The Cons' opening song from their most recent album, Kensington Heights had the crowd going wild.  It was a flawless set, vocals and music knit so tightly together.  My friends and I had seen the Cons play in friend's basements (as I mentioned before), almost 10 years ago, so it was amazing to see them in this type of atmosphere.

July 4:

After a VERY late night celebrating my 25^th birthday (and one too many glasses of champagne), I wasn’t feeling so great, so wasn’t fussed when I didn’t have huge plans to celebrate on my actual day of birth. 

A couple of my friends mentioned that Femi Kuti was playing at Harbourfront, and after my great experience on Canada Day, I thought it only fitting that I check this one out.

Femi Kuti is an incredible Nigerian musician, whose Afrobeats from his most recent album Day by Day rang out with a jazzy undertone and made the entire place erupt.   His group Positive Force provided the incredible sound with a rocking horn section, keyboard, drums, and guitar. 

We began watching the show just inside the stadium, but after being pushed and shoved more than we could handle, and with no room to dance, a couple of us left the group to find a spot along the lake.  It turned out the entire boardwalk was just as full as the stadium, but we found a good spot and spent two hours dancing, singing, and clapping along to Femi Kuti’s tunes. 

After his amazing set, it was off to the Horseshoe Tavern to see another fantastic band, Jay Spectre.   It was great to see some old friends and hear even more good music. 

From the Horseshoe, I walked over to Ronnie’s in Kensington Market to meet some friends for a couple of drinks.  I definitely recommend checking this tiny little place out.  It sits on the South side of Nassau Street, with a front patio that rivals the size of the bar’s interior.  They have a great beer selection and a great atmosphere.  I ended the night perfectly with a ride on the back of a friend’s scooter to get a slice and go watch It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia at my buddy’s place.

I am blessed to have such amazing friends and to have access to such amazing music… So, thank you to all those who made Canada Day and my birthday so memorable.

Cheers,

C. 

Photo by Norma Warden.

I came across this image online last month and fell in love with it. Fathers and their children always make me smile.