Toronto!

Josh and I just got back from a long weekend in Toronto with our friends, Kate and Dylan. This was the first time I've been to Toronto since I was a teenager and the years between my visits made it feel all new. We left our kids at home for this trip and had a really fun, really relaxing weekend in the city. I booked my first ever Airbnb and we stayed in a gorgeous town home in Leslieville. 

We got in late evening on Friday and after checking out our new digs for the next few days, we headed down to the Distillery District for a delicious dinner at Cluny with a couple of Kate's friends, Josh and Jane, who are long time Toronto residents. I ordered the lobster bisque covered in puff pastry because I am smart. I also tried my first oyster while we were there! (thanks to Kate's guidance). Friends don't let friends eat briny oysters.

^^^^ five years of love, Romeo + Juliet style ^^^^

This little neighborhood is nothing if not charming. Think cobblestone streets and red brick buildings by lamplight. And ALSO a restaurant that serves nothing but chocolate. How have I never experienced the joy that is chocolate fondue before? We started checking into Toronto real estate prices immediately after that experience ;)

After dinner, Kate's friend Josh was kind enough to swing us through his architecture studio nearby and gave us a little tour of the place and we talked shop about his current (amazing) projects. Later, he and Jane invited us back to their home for some good conversation and relaxation. 

The night was a perfect introduction to Toronto and just when we thought it couldn't get any better we noticed this grocery list on Josh and Jane's kitchen chalkboard...

It was like a little gift from all the Canadian stereotypes, put there just for our amusement. You can't even make this stuff up, guys.

The next morning we woke up AT OUR LEISURE (I cannot emphasize this point enough) and grabbed chicken and waffles at a little place in Kensington Market before checking out more of the city. 

graffiti alley + the CN Tower

Now, I don't love heights, but I try not to let my nervousness get in the way of me experiencing anything that I wouldn't want to miss. But seriously?! This glass floor business is going TOO far. I stayed a couple arms lengths away fanning my sweaty armpits and deep breathing while these two crazies hopped around on top of it without a care in the world.

nope.

moving on to the Toronto treat scene...

Roselle has an earl grey, cream filled cookie that I'm going to be dreaming about for the rest of my life. I must find out a way to reverse engineer it now that we're home.  

also, this.

And then one more dinner out with Josh and Jane followed by our first Escape Room experience -which, we slayed - I might add. But then again, it's kind of what we do here in Cleveland. #champions

The next day we kept it super chill and just brunched (The House on Parliament) and shopped (for all of the things) and ate more treats (Nugateau and Nadege).

Canada is #withher

We also drove over to Casa Loma and walked the grounds a bit just before closing time. It's kind of unbelievable to round a corner and find your self face to face with a real life castle smack dab in the middle of a city. Toronto is full of these kind of delightful surprises and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. We ended our last night with bacon sandwiches from Rashers and movies under blankets back at the house. All and all, a perfect trip.