Saturday morning we were out the door by 7:00 AM. Arranged a quick breakfast mug up… Denny’s just around the corner! Comical visit… one of the waitresses was excellent, the other not! It was interesting to watch. Coffee got us moving in the right direction!
After breakfast we walked Dundas into a quiet Kensington Market early Saturday morning ahead of the day. Fun watching the owners/employees setting up for the day and arranging products. Tiny Bellevue Park, nestled near the market is home to an Al Waxman statue… good old King of Kensington! “When he walks down the street”… We hopped the TTC trolley on Spadina headed for the waterfront. Saved a bunch of steps.
Our first attraction stop for the day was Ripley’s Aquarium, believe it or not! This attraction wasn’t built our last trip to TO, so absolutely new to us. Tix are $30 bucks a pop, so we had great expectations. We arrived at opening to a relaxed entry (just a couple of patrons). Of note, this aquarium has one of the best designed viewing tunnels/tubes that I’ve seen… Complete with a slow turning pedway to keep things moving. Sharks, rays, and all manner of fish that are easily viewed. It was all totally relaxing… Complete with the ever present music in the background of the visit.
Then off to St Lawrence Market to see a Saturday morning there. Passed the “Legends Row” statues, outside of the Air Canada Centre, along the way. St Lawrence Market was bustling inside. Fruits and vegetables, meats, cheese, seafood, bakeries, spices… and so much more. We grabbed coffees and a snack and enjoyed the setting. Lots of “stuff” in a very small space! To complete the tour we walked to the Distillery District. Great utilization of the older brick buildings there… Reminded us of the refurbishing done with older architecture along the Halifax waterfront. We had booked a meal reservation but after a scan of the area opted out. We preferred the vibe at the Markets we visited, really a matter of comfort.
Thus, we decided to head back closer to home… And spent the next couple of hours making our way across the city and to the shops we saw earlier in Kensington Market. The warm sun of the afternoon, the colours of the market, and the sounds and smells of the many food offerings were ever present! Janie spent much of the time shopping… Me just looking. Regret #1 was not stopping at the shop with all the hardwood out front for cooking ribs, brisquit and other cuts. Maybe Sunday if we get lost up there!
At about 3:00 PM I hunkered down at the Doubletree to collect myself before the evening. Janie booked off for some time around Eaton Centre. At 4:30 we set out in search of supper. Our buddy Mike H had dropped several eat out suggestions and, after the success of his great pizza pie recommendation in New York, we went for it again. This time we settled on WVRST… Basically a little slice of Munich in downtown Toronto. Sausage and beer were the main fodder with communal bench seating and weighty beer steins. We experienced excellent service, wide choice of drink and solid meal. We were so pleased with the stop… Left with bellies full and focused on the evening main attraction.
As was the case Friday Night, we returned Saturday to the seats of Air Canada Centre, this time for NBA basketball and the Raptors vs Knicks. We stumbled into a retro event… The Raptors actually being referred to as the Huskies with new uniforms to prove it! Landed a couple of t-shirts for the kids too. Once again… We enjoyed the views from our section. NBA games are loud, flashy and energy filled… It’s a great stadium sport. The Raptors have a solid team, presently leading their division. The home team didn’t disappoint with a late surge and a 118-107 in the win column!
Oh… Almost forgot to mention I made a new friend. Goes by first name… “Shawarma”! Heavenly little middle eastern pita/wrap concoctions loaded with either chicken/beef/lamb and vegetables. Great alternative to the classic donair feeding frenzy after a night of carousing!