1) enter if you dare

I’ve been in Toronto this week and met up with the cousins last night to try what EnRoute Magazine deemed one of Canada’s Top 10 New Restaurants for 2012 – Hopgoods Foodliner. You can read the glowing reviews of this place here. Hopgoods’ is rated as number 6. But if this has been deemed the sixth best new restaurant in Canada, oh my gawd, the culinary scene in Canada is in a sorry state. 

The bottom line measure of any restaurant is whether or not you’ll return. Period. But why would one return to this locale on Roncy Ave? Can I find one reason? For the far-too-loud music? No. For the fact they open at 6pm and do not permit the convenience of sitting at the tiny bar if you happen to arrive early and want a drink? No. For the fact they do not take American Express (incidentally the only card I use)? No. For the umpteen waiters who attend our table with varying degrees of disdain? No. For the food maybe then? Hmmmm … Chef Geoff Hopgood serves up ‘down East comfort food’. But do I want hand plucked Gaspe shrimp buried under a forest of accoutrement that tastes muddy (at best)? Or perhaps his crispy squid (which isn’t) served with potato puffs in a sauce reminiscent of standard Chinese restaurant fare? Or a wee ramekin of his grandma’s hot crab dip with (wait for it) Triscuits at $15 that was (sadly) the highlight in a series of mediocre dishes. 

2) the cousins at coffee before dinner; 3) the restaurant

4) cocktail time; foreground my bourbon/St Germain, background Blee’s “Penicillin” (tasted like medicine); 5) the (in)famous Gaspe shrimp

But I digress. Back to the point, would I return? Hell no. Would I recommend it? Hell no.

‘nuf said.

We skipped dessert and headed, rather, to my Toronto home-away-from-home (even when I lived there) the King Edward Hotel to recline in the ever-so-lovely Consort Bar for nightcaps and desserts. The Consort Bar remains one of my most favourite places in the City of Toronto. Whiling away an afternoon there as the streetcars trundle by on King Street East with the dutiful staff attending to your needs with discretion and professionalism is perfection personified.

6) my summer scone with fruit and Chantilly cream at Consort Bar; 7) the cousins pose

1) a panoramic view of the Squamish River that I walk each morning

Okay, I have to admit I thoroughly enjoy driving the Sea to Sky Highway from West Vancouver to Squamish. It’s hair-thin ribbon of highway that weaves along the coastline with the mountains on one side and the sheer drop of what, at times, must be near a kilometre to Howe Sound on the other is exhilarating and terrifying simultaneously.  On this visit, my annual trek to volunteer, I also enjoyed a visit to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, which was actually (surprisingly!) a lot of fun. Walking along the Squamish River early this morning I even saw a bald eagle trying to fish for salmon. I have got to remember to bring my good camera up with me when I do this romp.

2) interesting that the count seems to be falling year over year with some spikes; 3) oh my, memories of my rock climbing days (daze) on weekends in Milton at Rattlesnake Point and Wednesday nights at Gravity in Hamilton!

4) camp; 5) the flowers were well up

6) more of camp; 7) I want a hat like this!

8) the old Squamish Station (now a tea house and gift shop)

9) the roundhouse; 10) you can take a mini rail journey around the park … twice even if you want!

11) “Spans the World? hmmmm how did these old steam locomotives do that me wonders?; 12) these wheels were nearly as high as I am 192cm

13) hey! I didn’t get service ware like this on the Canadian!; 14) they served afternoon tea to me complete with Welsh cakes that were SO good!