Bulldog Coffee: best lattes in Toronto

This morning, Ray, Jeff and I visited gourmet coffee bar Bulldog Coffee (89 Granby, at Church and Carlton, 416-606-BARK). I had never heard of it, but both Ray and Jeff have been there before. Bulldog Coffee has gotten rave reviews in Toronto, include the Toronto Star and Now magazine. After our visit, I can definitely see why.

Barista/owner Stuart Allen Ross makes Toronto's best-tasting latte and expresso-based drinks for $3. The term "barista," by the way, refers to someone who has acquired some level of expertise in the preparation of espresso-based coffee drinks. From this Wikipedia entry: "Within certain circles, its meaning is expanding to include what might be called a coffee sommelier; a professional who is highly skilled in coffee preparation, with a comprehensive understanding of coffee, coffee blends, espresso, quality, coffee varieties, roast degree, espresso equipment, maintenance, latte art, etc."

Stuart Ross recently took first place at the Central Region Canadian Barista Championship, where his winning signature drink was Triple Chocolate Maple Passion, which is made with three different kinds of chocolate, maple syrup infused whip cream and a dash of chili, along with his espresso blend.

I wish I'd known about that signature drink before I went to Bulldog today! Yum, sounds heavenly.



The photo at the top of this page is of Ray's latte. Here's a bulldog that Stuart created in the foam of Jeff's latte:



Here's my hot chocolate:



Not surprisingly, bulldogs are a prominent motif throughout the shop. Stuart has a picture of his own bulldog prominently displayed; apparently the dog was found abandoned, tied to a telephone pole, so Stuart adopted him.

I love the atmosphere of this place, and Stuart Ross is a big part of that. He obviously takes huge pride in his work, and is also incredibly friendly. I have nothing against the big chain coffee shops, but they can't compare to a place like Bulldog Coffee.

Do visit Bulldog if you're in the Toronto area; you won't be disappointed. More info on the Web site.


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Pride Parade, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Thanks SO MUCH to Walter for helping Jeff empty out our last storage locker. Our house is full of boxes to unpack again, but at least these are the last set of boxes. :-)

I had fun at the Toronto Pride Parade this afternoon with Ray, Craig, Jen and Colleen this afternoon! I could only stay for part of the parade, but loved all the colours and joy in the floats and costumes (some costumes consisting mainly of just paint :-).



Lots of candy, buttons and necklaces were being tossed out into the crowd...I caught a blue bead necklace! When I got back home, I also discovered that Craig had fastened an "OUT & PROUD: AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE" button on my shoulder bag. :-D

Here's a photo that Jen took of Colleen, Craig and me:



Do see Allison's LJ entry for more parade photos. You can see more of the photos I took during Pride weekend here.

Jeff, Ray, Craig, JBR and I also went to the open house at the new opera house in downtown Toronto, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, where they were offering free self-guided and full guided tours that included a mini concert in an upstairs performing area:



A peek in the performers' changerooms:



A display of costumes from the National Ballet of Canada's "Sleeping Beauty" production in the ballet rehearsal hall:



Checking out the concert hall from the stage:



Loved the glass staircase:



All seats were computer tested for optimal sightlines so that every seat has a full view of the stage (no obstructed views). Two-thirds of the washrooms in the building are for women, with a ratio of 1 washroom for every 20 patrons (the usual is 1:30)...yay for smart designing!

I'm not a huge fan of opera music but do like the spectacle (lavish costumes, settings); the open house has half-convinced me to buy tickets for one of the productions. Or perhaps ballet!

You can find out more about the new Four Seasons Centre For The Performing Arts here.

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Flatmouse affection, ceramics, and male underwear

The photo above was taken by Jeff on Ray's camera at brunch at Easy restaurant (I think that's what it was called) a few weeks ago. You can see some of Ray's other photos here.

Yesterday, I spoke of Jeff's beloved Flatmouse and Flatmouse's impending fame. In response, I received the following photo and letter by e-mail:



"Dear Flatmouse,

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was when I saw you photograph on the internet this morning! As I was browsing journals over my coffee this morning. I saw you!

I am also a mouse of a flattish persuasion. I've attached my picture. I simply wanted to tell you that it does my heart good to know there are more flat mice in the world!

Sincerely,

Mousie
Vancouver, British Columbia"

:-)



Last night after dinner, Craig and I went to check out the newly revamped Gardiner Ceramics Museum (111 Queen's Park, Toronto, ON Canada M5S 2C7, 416-586-8080), which re-opened to the public yesterday. The renovations are still in progress, but I still enjoyed snooping around as well as browsing the Jean-Pierre Larocque clay sculpture and painting exhibit. The museum even has an open clay studio on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. I am soooo tempted to take a pottery class but am resisting. There are only so many things I can fit into my life, after all. :-)

It's been a while since I've been to the Bloor/Bay area of Toronto, so Craig took me for a mini-tour of some of the Royal Ontario Museum renovations since I last visited the ROM. Interesting to see the external renovations in progress, as well.



Around 8 pm, we went to the Bay on Bloor Street for the Bay's Male Underwear Fashion Show. As I expected, it was pretty fun. :-) I'm not really a male model ogling type (really! honest!); I was more interested in the people-watching aspect. I was also fascinated by the idea of a traditionally conservative department store like The Bay being involved in Pride activities, especially a very public Male Underwear Fashion Show.



Craig and I arrived about ten minutes before the fashion show. A pretty woman was doing a dance routine on stage, flirting a bit with one of the policemen; he let her take his hat and wear it during her performance. It was a fun, energetic routine, and I turned to Craig and commented that she was good.

"Um...I don't think she's a 'she'," he told me.

"Really?!"

Then the fashion show began. There were a couple hundred people gathered, from toddlers to seniors.

The male models were also interesting to watch in terms of their differing personalities. The most experienced was Francisco Randez, who is apparently "the face behind the Jean Paul Gautier ad campaign"...in the line-up above, he's the one at the far left. I have no idea what the Jean Paul Gautier ad campaign was. There were also one or two who seemed inexperienced, looked awkward and a bit nervous. And then there was this fellow, who the most fun to watch because he definitely had the over-the-top "brooding male model" attitude down pat. I assumed at the time it was tongue-in-cheek, but now I'm wondering.



Most of the show was remarkably conservative (for a male underwear fashion show, that is), though some the models began having a bit more fun partway through the show, flirting with the audience with mildly risqué gestures, such as the creative use of a small Pride flag. I kept watching the reactions of the two policemen, but they just smiled and didn't seem at all bothered; I guess the Rules are somewhat more relaxed during Pride activities? The policemen didn't even flinch when on the of the models (the guy with the attitude) pulled down the back of his underwear while walking away from the audience (!).

Everyone seemed to have fun, though I do admit to feeling a bit squeamy when a mother encouraged her toddler girl to undo the ties on one of the model's bathrobes as the announcer kept emphasizing how this was "a family event." Another woman volunteer was told she had to undo a model's bathrobe without using her hands. Both were given goody bags from The Bay afterward.

We met up with Craig's friend Waimin after the show and went to the Pride street fair on Church Street. Lots of different types of couples walking about, including women with women, men with men, men as women, etc. and a wide range of ages as well. What I liked the seeing the most: the fun everyone was having, wandering around with friends and loved ones, and the Pride rainbow colours everywhere...in shop windows, in glittering banners across restaurants, on t-shirts, painted on people's cheeks. At Lo'la, I had chocolate and banana martinis with Maltesers floating in them (Craig & Waimin each both kindly treated me) which were very good.

Looking forward to the Pride parade on Sunday!

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