A visit to the temple

It's probably a safe bet that most folks in Toronto have tried a Portuguese custard tart at some point in their lives, and for the most part they're pretty darn good. What's not to like about a sweet custard filling swaddled in a tender pastry embrace? Well, since you asked, let's be honest: sometimes the custard is a little cloying and the crust...well, not so crusty. There can be a tendency to over- shorten (or over- age!) the pastry, and who wants to exercise their jawbone on a what's supposed to be a flaky treat?

OK, thanks for putting up with that! 

And thanks for indulging us as we share with you that we have recently traveled (on your behalf, of course!) to the Mecca of Portuguese custard tarts, the home in Belem of the famous *pasteis*. 

The place is a mad house...In one door if you want table service, in another if you just want counter service. Place your order, hand over your euros and move to the next line. Hand over your receipt, receive your order, and find a place to stand at the counter while you try to savour both the experience and the pastries before feeling obliged to relinquish your space to the Japanese lady hovering behind you. 

But BAM, these babies give you a smack up the side of the head that'll make you forget that there's anyone else in the place! Custard that tastes more of egg than sugar, and a crust that makes you swoon (and makes a mess of everything below your chin) Nirvana! 

Enough chatter! Here are a few images of  our research (including a couple of discreet shots of what lay below the counter). On our return we promise to sample some of the elixirs stashed in the cubbies of the historic walls. 

Tuesday Travels...Lisbon reds

Lots of colour here in Lisbon...

here are a few reds from our first few days:

The Pleasures of Vintage

Recently a certain expensive tie brand has come to the attention of the blaggerocracy offering the novelty of new ties made out of vintage tie fabrics Unfortunately, the vintage tie patterns involved appear to be the ones we would have flipped through and left hanging in our fathers’ closets years ago. I can understand that in classic clothing, the old has a cachet that can’t easily be explained rationally. Things made in the old manner, such as with ancient madder dyeing or hand block printing, or with old-style materials, like Geelong lambswool, strike a chord with those of us who still half-believe in some lost Arcadia of quality. However, rather than pay a top-drawer new tie price for the supposed glories of the old, I suggest investing, judiciously, in the pleasures of vintage.

Read the full article from the fine folks at :A Suitable Wardrobe

http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/2013/09/the-pleasures-of-vintage.html

Friday Frequencies

Everybody, Take Five!

Red Green

Baldwin Street

Looking Up...

Augusta Ave

Seen...

Welcome!

Looking Up...

 

...on College Street

Seen...50 shades of red

Henry Street, Toronto

Seen...rear window

Baldwin Village

Seen...Toronto Hydro

Toronto Hydro streetworks in progress

Beverley Street

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

We were in Winnipeg last weekend, so of course we had to go check on the progress of the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights building. As the photos below will attest, the exterior is essentially complete, with landscaping work proceeding at full tilt. According to the museum's website, inauguration is slated to happen sometime next year.



Here's a link to the museum's official webpage explaining the symbolism of the building's forms. It's design is by noted American architect Antoine Predock, winner of a 2003 competition for the facility's design.

 

This building is not yet universally loved by the fine folks of Winnipeg...what's your opinion?

 

 

Seen...tastes a little burnt

Yesterday, on our Tumblr

Bobofeed on Tumblr, Saturday August 17, 2013

Seen...snake crossing?

Grafittisto

Passage

Put on Some Clothes... and Go for a Ride!

Cycle Couture, our new favourite shop. Fab bikes, awesome accessories, and great cycling clothes that don't make you look like a road warrior! (Hipster, maybe) 926 College Street near Dovercourt.

Gosh, That's a Pretty House!

College St W, Toronto

Pizzeria Via Mercanti...forno and football!

We can't really explain why it took us so long to discover Via Mercanti. I guess we tend to be prisoners to our own routines much of the time, and because we always have pizza on Friday nights we are not inclined to have it again for Saturday lunch. Fortunately, though, we recently found ourselves in Kensington Market at lunchtime for the second day in a row one recent weekend, and it happened to be a Sunday. Via Mercanti's windows were wide open and Confederations Cup soccer from Brazil was on all the screens- Italy vs. Uruguay to determine third place- and the boisterous and infectious atmosphere just drew us in. Being liberated from our Saturday pizza embargo, we didn't hesitate!

Once inside we could appreciate the authenticity of the place: A great beehive forno behind the prep area, pizzaioli who were right off the last Alitalia flight, barely a word of English in earshot. We were in heaven!

And the pizza certainly didn't disappoint! Thin crust, slightly blistered chewy rim, molten toppings, spicy oil on the table- perfetto!

Finally, of course, a great espresso macchiato to send us back out into the Kensington crowds!  Arrivederci, Via Mercanti!

Molto buono!!

*******

Pizzeria Via Mercanti

188 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 1M1 

(647) 343-6647

Looking up...Tower of MaRS

almost completed

Parking in Perspective

"This is a rented spot. Do not park here"

Time for a Trim

Winona Gold

Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church

on Winona Drive just north of St. Clair W.