... i am not a writer ....: June 2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Monday, June 29, 2009

with the brand new Sobey's that opened this past Friday across the street from us. So much better than McEwan. The store is beautiful and geared towards busy young professional couples. It isn't the biggest but they sure stocked it well, with brands we love and many we haven't tried but are looking forward to. We also noticed considerable Asian influence... couldn't be happier love the food.

We visited on Friday, and had some lunch. A delicious sandwich of rotisserie chicken, Granny Smith Apple, brie cheese, spinach, and red pepper jelly, on an Ace bakery bun... yum... All washed down with some very interesting ice cold white tea infused with orange blossoms.

Friday was the first day of business, the store was overwhelmed with managers and staff. It was actually quite funny observing the frenzy of everyone trying to be the boss. We had some samples of cupcakes and cookies, and left with $70 worth of groceries and a a complimentary shopping bag.

Oh there is also a wine store within the supermarket. It is small but looks well stocked.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

we finally tasted it...

it was ok... we won't be spending our money on it...

tiny and delicious

Saturday, June 27, 2009

ROM is proud

Friday, June 26, 2009

scene from the park...

** This event occurred on Tuesday, June 23/09, at around 1:30pm. **

I took the girls to the Music Gardens for their afternoon walk before heading to work. It's beautiful by the water, plenty of very well landscaped greenery.

On one of the many benches a very unkempt looking man (Man #1) is ranting at the world and anyone who passes close by.

On another bench not so far away from the bench of Man#1, another man (Man #2) plops down his backpack, takes of his t-shirt hangs it over the bench, slaps his chest, sits down, starts clapping his hands while yelling

Man #2: "Yeah, that's right... alright... here we go!"

takes out a half-full 40 of Beefeater Dry (gin) from his backpack...

the eyes of Man #1 light up at the appearance of the bottle...

Man #1: "Hey man... are you drinking all that alone?! I could use one."

Man #2: "Hey brother... if you've got the courage to ask, you've got the courage to drink. You got a cup?"

Thursday, June 25, 2009

interesting...

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

omg look it's not a Chapters...

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

it's a gourmet grocery store not a supermarket...

this past Sunday, Jay and I trekked all the way to North York to check out Mark McEwan's newest venture, his grocery store McEwan. It is all the hype in the foodie circle. It was only the 3rd day of business... but my expectations were high.... so a few observations.

He has plenty of staff and I mean plenty, each cash register has a bagging person, there is a few on the floor stocking, restocking, and re-aligning products on the shelves constantly. It is very clean and welcoming.

The produce section needs more organics and I expected to see more exotic types of produce as well.

He definitely needs more variety in prepared meals, but it might be possible that the store didn't expect the turn out it received. I would like to see double baked potatoes and mac and cheese without blue cheese. The sandwiches in the open sandwich fridge need to be saran wrapped, the brown paper and twine is nice but people lean over them, pick them up, and generally breathe and shed their skin flakes all over them... gross... as well even if I wasn't so cheap I would never pay $9.95 for an eggplant sandwich...

I also didn't like his containers for aiolis... I prefer a squeeze bottle instead of a square dish... However all the containers look biodegradable, so a plus for you Mark McEwan.

There is a lot of products with McEwan brand stamped on it... his posh version of President's Choice :)

Nothing in his dessert section tempted me... not even the banana mousse cake, or the chocolates.

However if I ever have a craving for some red meat, this is the place I'll come to buy my steak. $34.95/lb.. I know whoa!... but trust me it will be totally worth it... that was one gorgeous cut of meat...

But at this time Jay and I don't see ourselves making a trip to McEwan's anytime soon again... the store is too expensive overall and too far away. It definitely has an elitist feel to it, and that in itself will appeal to some.

If you're going to visit and plan on taking the TTC, take the 162 bus from Lawrence East station, you'll pass through one of the richest, exclusive, and beautiful neighborhoods in Toronto... McEwan's store target consumer.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

I love a good quiche..

broccoli, caramelized onion, bacon, and cheddar cheese... yum

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

for the very first time...

instead of taking our empties down to the recycling bin in our building, we took them down to the Beer Store... and we got $2.90 back... totally worth the trip :)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Tacos...

package instructions were followed... but that didn't win me any brownie points

Jay said that mine looked like a pizza... and I agree it was a bit of a challenge to roll it up... however it was still very tasty...

he seems to be a pro at it...

Monday, June 15, 2009

Luminato

ended yesterday. It seems the main part that day was in our neighborhood: food tasting and a performance by Cirque de Soleil. I always promise myself to go out and enjoy more events like these. So yesterday I tried, but 10 min in, I decided to head back home… the general noise and mayhem was just too much, instant headache.
looking east...