There's a fine line between eating and dining and all that know me know that I enjoy dining. I take my time and thoroughly finish all that's on my plate. Yes, I always make my momma proud and this is no exception. The 'Senator Restaurant' nestled in the popular 'Yonge-Dundas Square' (and coincidentally right next door to the new CHUMCITY building) has been serving up good food since 1948 and ever since I entered their doors I was hooked!
The simplicity behind the menu makes this the 'go to' place for good ol' comfort food. Such classics like 'Grilled Cheese', 'Homemade Meat Loaf' and 'Five Alarm Chili' make you feel mom had a hand in preparing each dish with TLC. Believe me I'm just skimming the surface cause that's just a fraction of what the Senator offers.
I am a huge fan (huge fan!) of the 'All Day Breakfast' (cause what else? it's served all day) which consists of eggs, challah toast, beans, home fries and your choice of coffee or tea for just under ten dollars. Did I mention the portions are huge? They're huge! So please pace yourself. And did I mention they also use the original plates and mugs which sport the Senator logo? Yup, they weigh a ton too!
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner covers everything from Pancakes made from scratch (and always served with 100% pure Maple Syrup - I mean really is there any other kind?) to Beer Battered Fish and Chips, Seasonal Homemade Pies and Cakes (all of which are made fresh daily) have their patrons coming back time and time again.
The atmosphere is warm, the staff is friendly, the service is great and the prices won't have your eyeballs falling out of their sockets when the bill comes. The last thing you need (or want) is to be fumbling for your baby blues rolling around under the booth. Yikes!
I love this place so much that my other half and and I have adopted it as our very own special place. Whenever he comes to town we make that our first stop to fuel up and start our day. It's a tasty tradition that we've both come to love!
Even before you entered the establishment the signage and building give it that old Toronto feel. Once inside the rich wood, diner stools, coffee machine and checkerboard tiles take you back in history. As do the classic menus posted at the entrance. Not much has changed except for the prices. I mean where can you get milkshakes for a dime these days?
Whether its soup, salads, burgers or whatever your craving, make this cozy little diner your 'go to' place. Hey, they even have take-out for your convenience. Just phone, fax or e-mail your order and you too can enjoy all these wonderful dishes in the comfort of your own home.
So are you hungry for the past with a present twist yet? Then why not try the 'Senator'? Where tradition meets taste!
SENATOR RESTAURANT
249 Victoria Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5B-1T8
416-364-7517
http://www.thesenator.com/
Read more on this article...
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
"AUTUMN'S ARRIVAL: THE RED LEAF DIARIES"
I watch in awe as others catch a lift on a cool breeze drifting aimlessly to the soft bed of grass far below. It's seems such a long way down but I know that once I get there I'll be reunited with many a familiar face. My siblings wait in angst, some hanging by the thread of life, for the very moment they too will join the rest of our extended family. By following in their footsteps they're finally able to fulfill their destiny.
My neighbours, the Oaks, Birches, Elms and Ashes have made a stunning impression on me. As their warm hues of bright yellows, deep oranges and blazing reds consume the landscape. Filling it with layers of colour amongst a green backdrop holding on as long as they can before the moment of truth occurs at 5:18 p.m.. Its significance marks the arrival of a new and exciting season and the departure of an old one.
Watching from high above I can't help but notice some of my family members landing in the clear stream adjacent to their home. The bubbling water trickles over the rocks exposing colourful leaves that have hitched a ride, flowing their way down through the trees as they disappear out of sight. One can only wonder what adventures they've embarked on as their ancestors have before them.
While others blanket themselves around the park bench below. They're huddled close together like a tightly knit sweater wrapping itself around the rickety old wood, keeping it warm during the long crisp autumn nights. The aging foot bridge is paved with leaves, some flattened by the rain, others by traffic. A leaf teeters on the edge of the rail until a gust of wind decides it is time to surrender to the rushing water below. Others follow with hopes of fulfilling their dream.
Suddenly warmth begins to fill my veins gradually making its way around the outer edges displaying the first sign that my moment to shine is drawing near. I don't even recognize myself anymore. What was once a subtle change has consumed my entire body. I have served my purpose and the time has come to move on.
I feel myself letting go, breaking free from my branch. It's been my source of nourishment and protection for the last six months. And just like an overprotective parent my family tree has come to the realization that it too must set me free. I slowly flutter to the ground gently swaying back and forth as if executing the most graceful Viennese Waltz. Many branches are almost barren indicating more of us have taken the plunge. I can't help but smile to myself as I continue to drift at the mercy of the wind. I notice my friends. Some of which are making the same journey alongside me while others await their turn. The delay is but a short one for the time will come when each of us must fall.
Hundreds of leaves in various shapes, sizes and colours cascading from the trees are suspended in mid-air for a brief moment. In slow motion they appear to twist, turn, spiral and curl as they're carried off by a gust of wind all too eager to whisk them into a new world.
It's time to turn over a new leaf (a maple leaf that is!) for autumn has finally arrived. Now it's my time to shine! Read more on this article...
My neighbours, the Oaks, Birches, Elms and Ashes have made a stunning impression on me. As their warm hues of bright yellows, deep oranges and blazing reds consume the landscape. Filling it with layers of colour amongst a green backdrop holding on as long as they can before the moment of truth occurs at 5:18 p.m.. Its significance marks the arrival of a new and exciting season and the departure of an old one.
Watching from high above I can't help but notice some of my family members landing in the clear stream adjacent to their home. The bubbling water trickles over the rocks exposing colourful leaves that have hitched a ride, flowing their way down through the trees as they disappear out of sight. One can only wonder what adventures they've embarked on as their ancestors have before them.
While others blanket themselves around the park bench below. They're huddled close together like a tightly knit sweater wrapping itself around the rickety old wood, keeping it warm during the long crisp autumn nights. The aging foot bridge is paved with leaves, some flattened by the rain, others by traffic. A leaf teeters on the edge of the rail until a gust of wind decides it is time to surrender to the rushing water below. Others follow with hopes of fulfilling their dream.
Suddenly warmth begins to fill my veins gradually making its way around the outer edges displaying the first sign that my moment to shine is drawing near. I don't even recognize myself anymore. What was once a subtle change has consumed my entire body. I have served my purpose and the time has come to move on.
I feel myself letting go, breaking free from my branch. It's been my source of nourishment and protection for the last six months. And just like an overprotective parent my family tree has come to the realization that it too must set me free. I slowly flutter to the ground gently swaying back and forth as if executing the most graceful Viennese Waltz. Many branches are almost barren indicating more of us have taken the plunge. I can't help but smile to myself as I continue to drift at the mercy of the wind. I notice my friends. Some of which are making the same journey alongside me while others await their turn. The delay is but a short one for the time will come when each of us must fall.
Hundreds of leaves in various shapes, sizes and colours cascading from the trees are suspended in mid-air for a brief moment. In slow motion they appear to twist, turn, spiral and curl as they're carried off by a gust of wind all too eager to whisk them into a new world.
It's time to turn over a new leaf (a maple leaf that is!) for autumn has finally arrived. Now it's my time to shine! Read more on this article...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
"THE SCHOOL OF PARENTING: AHHHH A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!"
It's time to put away those flip-flops, checkered shorts and bathing suits for another nine months. The Daily Grind's hitting the books for another year, soon to be filled with its fair share of adventure, gossip and (dare I say it?) detention. Yikes! Yes, the wait is finally over for thousands of students big and small (and their parents) across this fair city. Oh it won't be long till you hear, 'my dog ate my homework!', 'he's dating who?' and 'I can't believe she's wearing that!' all the way till June.
But back to school isn't just for kids it's for grown ups too. With driving the little ones to and from class, piano lessons, soccer practice, making dinner, loads of laundry and playing referee, they've got multitasking down to an art form. Even though many struggle to keep themselves (and their sanity) in check. Translation: Don't put cheese slices in the blue-ray player please! So then why shouldn't it be considered a program that most if not all parents enrol in year after year? Being graded on perseverance, an enormous amount of patience (and I do mean enormous!), understanding (even though you always don't) and all the while it's service with a smile (even though you feel like your head is about to explode) these too can be successfully achieved. I smell a scholarship coming on!
In fictional-academic standards parents continuously excel in four subjects throughout their children's entire education without even realizing it. Psychology, english, physical education and mathematics all of which are incorporated into our daily routines and I'll tell you how.
Psychology is the study of human behaviour. No means yes, yes means no and nothing you say or do is considered 'cool' to them. The fact of the matter is you really don't know where the idea of purple hair came from or why tongue piercing is the 'in' thing to do. Doesn't everyone want a metal ball stabbed straight into the center of their tongue anyway? Oh goodie! Not! It's just a faze I'm sure and one that you pray they'll grow out of even before they leave the house even though you know that's not going to happen any time soon. So grin and bear it and just know that you too had your need to conform when you were their age. But at least you'd like to think you didn't look that ridiculous. Remember the mullet and acid jeans? What were you thinking? Eek! You should call the Fashion Police pronto and ban them from leaving the house till their 21!
English is the study of literature, structure and communication in language which lately seems has opened the door to a plethora of new words and phrases that can make things frustrating for those who fall into the IM illiterate category. So if trying to decipher what language your teenager is speaking has you wanting to pull your hair out then look no further than this, which is a clear indication it's the hardest subject to master yet. Yes, it's more mind boggling than the 'DaVinci Code'. Words like 'whack', 'owned', and the latest 'frenemy' have become part of the next generation of graduates vocabulary. Surprising there aren't any programs offered to us for this techno-gibberish. I've just mastered the science of 'LOL's', 'BRB's', and 'BFF's' texting (sorry SMS! But please don't get me started on that!) enough to get by and now this? But enough smack talk, let's move onto our next subject.
Between the complaints (leftovers for lunch again?), 'I'm late for practice!' and 'you're still on the phone!' comes the dreaded mathematics. The study of quantity, structure, space and change that coincidentally fits into our daily lives right down to the tinest detail. Questions like, 'what time will you be home after the movie?', 'how many piercings do you need in one ear?' and 'how much will those new jeans end up costing me?' are perfect examples of this. What it all boils down to is ca-ching. Time, distance, money it all translates to one thing, 'dollars and cents' or 'common-sense' as I like to call it. Be firm and stand your ground (when called for) but remember to be fair too. You don't want your kids to label you a reject from Lost nor do you want them think you're Bill Nye the Science Guy either. If you find that happy medium then you'll be well on your way to passing this subject with flying colours.
Our last class provides us with strength, endurance and sanity we thought we never had in a '24' hour period. Yup, move over Jack Bauer! It's physical education specifically designed to get us moving (after a strong espresso) to get the kids (and us) off to a good start (and finish) to the day. The 'if I close my eyes for just a moment' while waiting in the car idea never ends up happening. Because suddenly your mini-van door slides open and the small glimmer of hope for catching a few z's you had earlier is squashed with a child's voice uttering the words, 'Timmy put gum in my hair!' Great! Just great!
Whatever challenges ahead we face we know we're not alone in the world. And even though our decisions might not always be met with enthusiasm by our children which means we've finally turned into our own parents overnight. Not that there's anything wrong with that either! It's a good thing. So by the time the kids are off to college you've earned a well deserved, much needed time-out. After all you've breezed your way through runny noses, skinned knees, and detention, why shouldn't you be educationally compensated for it? Say a Masters Degree in parenting?
But for many there's still plenty of time between now and graduation day when you'll probably do cartwheels on your front lawn. Until then you can always throw yourself in detention from time to time. Translation: hide out in the attic, bedroom or garage with a cup of coffee and good book. A definite step up from staying after school isn't it? Ahhhh...let the games begin! Read more on this article...
But back to school isn't just for kids it's for grown ups too. With driving the little ones to and from class, piano lessons, soccer practice, making dinner, loads of laundry and playing referee, they've got multitasking down to an art form. Even though many struggle to keep themselves (and their sanity) in check. Translation: Don't put cheese slices in the blue-ray player please! So then why shouldn't it be considered a program that most if not all parents enrol in year after year? Being graded on perseverance, an enormous amount of patience (and I do mean enormous!), understanding (even though you always don't) and all the while it's service with a smile (even though you feel like your head is about to explode) these too can be successfully achieved. I smell a scholarship coming on!
In fictional-academic standards parents continuously excel in four subjects throughout their children's entire education without even realizing it. Psychology, english, physical education and mathematics all of which are incorporated into our daily routines and I'll tell you how.
Psychology is the study of human behaviour. No means yes, yes means no and nothing you say or do is considered 'cool' to them. The fact of the matter is you really don't know where the idea of purple hair came from or why tongue piercing is the 'in' thing to do. Doesn't everyone want a metal ball stabbed straight into the center of their tongue anyway? Oh goodie! Not! It's just a faze I'm sure and one that you pray they'll grow out of even before they leave the house even though you know that's not going to happen any time soon. So grin and bear it and just know that you too had your need to conform when you were their age. But at least you'd like to think you didn't look that ridiculous. Remember the mullet and acid jeans? What were you thinking? Eek! You should call the Fashion Police pronto and ban them from leaving the house till their 21!
English is the study of literature, structure and communication in language which lately seems has opened the door to a plethora of new words and phrases that can make things frustrating for those who fall into the IM illiterate category. So if trying to decipher what language your teenager is speaking has you wanting to pull your hair out then look no further than this, which is a clear indication it's the hardest subject to master yet. Yes, it's more mind boggling than the 'DaVinci Code'. Words like 'whack', 'owned', and the latest 'frenemy' have become part of the next generation of graduates vocabulary. Surprising there aren't any programs offered to us for this techno-gibberish. I've just mastered the science of 'LOL's', 'BRB's', and 'BFF's' texting (sorry SMS! But please don't get me started on that!) enough to get by and now this? But enough smack talk, let's move onto our next subject.
Between the complaints (leftovers for lunch again?), 'I'm late for practice!' and 'you're still on the phone!' comes the dreaded mathematics. The study of quantity, structure, space and change that coincidentally fits into our daily lives right down to the tinest detail. Questions like, 'what time will you be home after the movie?', 'how many piercings do you need in one ear?' and 'how much will those new jeans end up costing me?' are perfect examples of this. What it all boils down to is ca-ching. Time, distance, money it all translates to one thing, 'dollars and cents' or 'common-sense' as I like to call it. Be firm and stand your ground (when called for) but remember to be fair too. You don't want your kids to label you a reject from Lost nor do you want them think you're Bill Nye the Science Guy either. If you find that happy medium then you'll be well on your way to passing this subject with flying colours.
Our last class provides us with strength, endurance and sanity we thought we never had in a '24' hour period. Yup, move over Jack Bauer! It's physical education specifically designed to get us moving (after a strong espresso) to get the kids (and us) off to a good start (and finish) to the day. The 'if I close my eyes for just a moment' while waiting in the car idea never ends up happening. Because suddenly your mini-van door slides open and the small glimmer of hope for catching a few z's you had earlier is squashed with a child's voice uttering the words, 'Timmy put gum in my hair!' Great! Just great!
Whatever challenges ahead we face we know we're not alone in the world. And even though our decisions might not always be met with enthusiasm by our children which means we've finally turned into our own parents overnight. Not that there's anything wrong with that either! It's a good thing. So by the time the kids are off to college you've earned a well deserved, much needed time-out. After all you've breezed your way through runny noses, skinned knees, and detention, why shouldn't you be educationally compensated for it? Say a Masters Degree in parenting?
But for many there's still plenty of time between now and graduation day when you'll probably do cartwheels on your front lawn. Until then you can always throw yourself in detention from time to time. Translation: hide out in the attic, bedroom or garage with a cup of coffee and good book. A definite step up from staying after school isn't it? Ahhhh...let the games begin! Read more on this article...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
