So I started Twittering this week, and came across this stream of people who tweet little haikus through the day ... totally sucked me in. Here's a roundup of my own haikus from this week. I'm sure it's very telling that they all involve food and booze. Hm.
half full or empty?
bourbon in the belly: smile.
optimist pours more.
dreams of macarons,
bistro coffee and croissant,
chablis bordeaux cote du rhone
(two extra syllables in my haiku ... that's french excess for you!)
martini in hand / frighteningly delicious / friday night dinner
counting syllables.
make it sound easy, artful.
five, seven, five -- gah!
08 March 2009
06 March 2009
TO175: Mercury Espresso is something to celebrate
Today is the city of Toronto's 175 anniversary, so in honour of that milestone, I'm celebrating one of my favourite Toronto places: Mercury Organic Espresso Bar.
Located at 915 Queen Street East, smack between Logan and Carlaw Avenues, the Mercury is a haven for true coffee lovers. If you're in it for the cuppa joe, rather than plush sofas, pseudo-hipster CDs or marked-up coffee accessories, then the Merc is for you. They've truly laid down a rock and roll ethos -- and I'm not talking about the posery slacker rock and roll posture that's all about the look. I'm talking about the real rock and roll that's about knowing your history, honing your craft in private, then rockin out and making it look easy.
You'll find me sitting in the window most mornings for my daily single americano. An amazing roster of baristas rock the Synesso, each with their unique approach to coffee, but all of a piece with the Mercury vibe. Some love to wax poetic about the science behind the perfect shot, others will distract you with unrelated patter while the magic happens right under your nose. Some will put on a show and make the entertainment value of the transaction part of the game, while others will disappear into the priestly barista role, putting the ritual of the preparation ahead of personality. Regardless of who's behind the bar, you're sure to get an amazing cup of coffee, prepared with skill and care.
My first coffee from the Mercury was one of those rare experiences that takes a common noun and completely redefines it. Having grown up on the warm brown liquid that is Tim Horton's, and having dabbled with the Starbucks menu (tall two-thirds-full americano for me) the product at the Mercury revolutionized my idea of what coffee could be. Since then, I've become a sort of Flying Dutchman of coffee, sailing the seven seas in search of a cup as good. Visits to Chicago (including every one of the Intelligentsia locations), NYC and Paris have all included coffee-related research and pilgrimages, but I haven't yet found anywhere that surpasses the level of quality and consistency found at the Merc.
So if you're in Toronto, make your way across to Leslieville and pay a visit to Mercury Espresso ... you could find it becomes a habit!
Located at 915 Queen Street East, smack between Logan and Carlaw Avenues, the Mercury is a haven for true coffee lovers. If you're in it for the cuppa joe, rather than plush sofas, pseudo-hipster CDs or marked-up coffee accessories, then the Merc is for you. They've truly laid down a rock and roll ethos -- and I'm not talking about the posery slacker rock and roll posture that's all about the look. I'm talking about the real rock and roll that's about knowing your history, honing your craft in private, then rockin out and making it look easy.
You'll find me sitting in the window most mornings for my daily single americano. An amazing roster of baristas rock the Synesso, each with their unique approach to coffee, but all of a piece with the Mercury vibe. Some love to wax poetic about the science behind the perfect shot, others will distract you with unrelated patter while the magic happens right under your nose. Some will put on a show and make the entertainment value of the transaction part of the game, while others will disappear into the priestly barista role, putting the ritual of the preparation ahead of personality. Regardless of who's behind the bar, you're sure to get an amazing cup of coffee, prepared with skill and care.
My first coffee from the Mercury was one of those rare experiences that takes a common noun and completely redefines it. Having grown up on the warm brown liquid that is Tim Horton's, and having dabbled with the Starbucks menu (tall two-thirds-full americano for me) the product at the Mercury revolutionized my idea of what coffee could be. Since then, I've become a sort of Flying Dutchman of coffee, sailing the seven seas in search of a cup as good. Visits to Chicago (including every one of the Intelligentsia locations), NYC and Paris have all included coffee-related research and pilgrimages, but I haven't yet found anywhere that surpasses the level of quality and consistency found at the Merc.
So if you're in Toronto, make your way across to Leslieville and pay a visit to Mercury Espresso ... you could find it becomes a habit!
03 March 2009
Wine under $20
Here's a wine recommended by Beppi Crosariol in last weekend's Globe and Mail. (Article here.) Château de Fontenelles Cuvée Notre Dame 2006. It's about $17 bucks at the LCBO.
I made a point of trying it this week, since I've been on such a French wine kick. This was a revelation, being from the south of France, a real contrast to the Bordeaux I've been drinking so much of lately.
You could really taste the easy life in this one, but still a nice grippy structure backing it all up. Sweet.
The real reason I picked this up was Beppi's reference to it being a good match with stews or braised meats. We were planning pulled pork for dinner, and leftover italian pot roast for lunch. The wine was a fantastic match for both. Thanks Beppi!
28 February 2009
graffiti
This graffiti isn't in the park any more, which makes me all the more glad that we got this photo.
25 January 2006
my pic
This picture is from a photoshoot Craig and I did compliments of Toronto Life magazine. We were supposed to be part of an article on same-sex marriage, but we were pulled from the article at the last minute when a couple of lesbians backed out ... we ruined the gender balance of the piece, and our views were too domesticated I think to sell magazines. The photo was a quickie polaroid proof on old old old film ... that's why the colour is so wonky. Unfortunately, I don't have any excuse for why my hair is so wonky.
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