It's Absolutely Balmy in Toronto!

Zero degrees and the locals are basking in the Spring weather.  I'm down to one layer, walking around in the sunshine!

Ethnic food is everywhere in TJD and BS's neighborhood.  Lots of neat local eateries serving authentic food at really decent prices.  I am amazed at the difference in prices compared to Vancouver.  In Chinatown, you can get a bowl of  really good congee for $3.50, gai lan choy for $0.79/lb, and live lobsters for $6.00/lb.......I won't tell you what the price of gas is here....that'll just really piss you off :-)


Here are some photos of our lunch today from Dumpling House.

328 Spadina Avenue
Toronto, ON M5T 2E7
(416) 596-8898

12 dumplings for $5.99......fresh and tasty.  The ladies wrap them and throw them into the pan as they are ordered.  Yummy!  Fun to eat, as they are all mixed up on the plate, so you really don't know what you're getting until you bit into them.

We had an order of what they called steamed dumplings, but they are actually boiled. Our choices were Spinach and Black wood-ear fungus, Pork and Fennel (these were amazing) and Pork with sour cabbage.

And Pan fried, they finish these with a crispy crepe once they are done cooking.  Our three varieties were Chicken with Cabbage, Pork and Shrimp and Pork and Chives.

Their dumpling skins were really nice and chewy....I asked for the recipe but they were not at all inclined to share.

We also had a bowl of Beef Noodle Soup.  Very tasty.

If you are out this way and craving dumplings.......you won't go wrong trying this place.

After lunch I took a stroll through the Kensington Market Area.  Very lively neighborhood with a beautiful blend of cultures.  Meat Shops, Cheese Shops, Caribbean Spice Markets, Portuguese Deli's and bakeries, Latin Markets, Artisan Markets and good ol' burgers.

I used to be one of those people who didn't think so much of Toronto.  This trip has given me quite a different perspective.  The people are great....maybe not as "cheery" as Vancouverites and the accessibility of food and entertainment is all within walking distance if you are living in the core of the city.......and the best part, the sun has been shining the entire time I have been here.  Cold and crisp....so different than the bone chilling wet we get in Vancouver.

OK....not quite ready to move east, but sure am glad to have had a chance to see Toronto through the eyes of my wonderful hosts.

Stay tuned for more on my Toronto adventure.....got to check something off the "bucket list" yesterday!