Filed under: Interesting | Tags: Alcohol, Cocktails, Drinks, LCBO, Life, Nightlife, Parties, Strongbow, toronto, Wine
Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. – Ernest Hemingway
There’s something I tend to forget. But this isn’t about my partying shenanigans, it’s about the drink! Nothing like a good drink to end your day or start your night.
People like having a favourite a drink—a signature beverage that each person enjoys and champions as the greatest thing ever. It’s their mark. You can learn a lot about a person from the drink that they associate themselves with.
I drink a lot of wine and I have a favourite wine, but my all time favourite drink has always been a gin and seven. Recentley I’ve shifted to an alternative from beer. I hate how it gets me bloated so a friend from work suggested this: a pint of Strongbow filled to the brim with ice. It’s an acquired taste, but it doesn’t get you bloated and burpy. Unfortunately it’s not a tactic that avoids a gruesome hangover.
The best part that comes with having a favourite drink is hearing the story of why someone chose it. Maybe it was a life defining moment or a tragic tale of romance lost—it’s all interesting.
I was at a house party in high school and a friend of mine asked me if I’d ever had a gin and seven. I said no. He said I was stupid and didn’t know what I was missing out on. I said that I didn’t care. I watched him pour out a generous glass of gin and then a weak amount of 7UP. I watched as the bubbles climbed to the top and as he squirted a carefully sliced lime in the drink. That was it. Purely accidental, and though not crazy, it was how it happened.
What’s your favourite drink?
Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: Caribana 2009, Centreville, Life, Long, Nightlife, Ontario Place, Sneaky Dee's, Toronto Islands, Tourism, Weekend
Waking up to a horrendous hangover from the debauchery that was Sneaky Dee’s the night before, I somehow managed to get my act together to see Joanna before she heads off to Aruba and make it to the Toronto Islands for an interesting excursion. We were looking for the annual Caribana festival—there was suppose to be a day of events to be held on the islands, but unknown to us, the festivities had been moved to Ontario Place. We found this part out toward the end of the day.
It didn’t really matter by that point because we had finished our water bottles and just annihilated three jumbo island hot dogs and fries. I won a Patrick toy and we managed to sneak in some rides at Centreville. I think by that point our hangovers had been cured.
Finished the night off with some ciders and ice before* inhaling some shawarma.
*I hate the way beer tends to bloat me and take forever to start a party with. A friend showed me that a pint of ice with cider does the same trick. Only problem is the hangover.
Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: Comedy, Festival, Jimmy Carr, John Cleese, Just For Laughs, Nightlife, The Second City, Theatre, toronto, Tourism, Yonge & Dundas Square
Summer brings about a lot of great things to Toronto, and the Just for Laughs comedy festival is one of them. There are a lot of great acts performing this year and it’s a shame that you can’t get to them all. In that case, I’ve highlighted some performers that I think are worth seeing and might also be easy on the wallet!
John Cleese
There are a few big names showing face at the festival this year, but the John Cleese is definitely the main draw. The guy is a legend and if you’re one of those people that love to quote Monty Python films, then this show will probably be great.
Being pretty popular, I’m sure this one will sell out fast. He’s hosting one of the main events, so I’d suggest getting on that.
Jimmy Carr
I’ve found Carr to be a great funny man. A Brit with some crazy one liner jokes that really make you think – point is, he’s good. I’d put him on my list for sure.
Dundas Square
The great thing about the festival is that they have free performances at Yonge & Dundas square. Easy on the wallet and a great venue in the heart of “Times Square Lite” to enjoy a summer evening. From past experiences, the place gets packed but there is plenty of room to find a good spot. A lot of people opt to stand across the street near the Sears for the best view – I guess you could get a good view of everything from there.
Second City Toronto
The popular improv troupe that has churned out stars like Michael Keaton and John Candy has a theatre in Toronto. The Toronto stage is playing host to a bunch of various acts, but the real gem here is the in house improv group. I’m not sure if it’s part of the Just for Laughs festival, but their current show, 0% Down, 100% Screwed is a great little sketch show poking fun at all sorts of current events. The prices here are favourable, and if you’re a student you can grab some sweet deals.
*Added bonus: I have two free passes to a Second City Toronto show up for grabs. If you’re interested, respond with your best joke and the winner gets the passes! The joke about the girl with no arms and no legs doesn’t count.
Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: Cuisine, Dining, Food, Nightlife, Persian, Restaurant, Sultan's Tent, toronto
My cousin, Ashwin was back in town for an impromptu visit a couple of weeks ago and it was suggested we go out for dinner the night before he was heading out. Elena’s friends had suggested the Sultan’s Tent down on Front Street, and we all figured why not?
I’ll tell you now: it’s pricey. Every guest has to order the minimum $40 menu which includes a four course meal. The portions are huge but be careful when ordering. There are set items which amount to $40, and then there are items that say, “Please add $X”. Watch out for those dishes because they tend to add up pretty fast. The key thing to remember is that you’re “paying for an experience”.
The restaurant includes “authentic” tent like atmosphere and a belly dancer—it’s suppose to make you feel like you’re in the desert. I’m going to recommend it but also warn you that it’s one of those one time places to eat. Be careful when ordering drinks—those add up too.
Filed under: Food | Tags: Cuisine, Food, Gerrard Street, India Bazaar, Lahore Tikka House, Life, Little, Nightlife, Pakistani, toronto, Tourism
My parents love getting take out from Lahore Tikka House. It’s a restaurant that sits just on the edge of Gerrard Street and the Little India Bazaar. For years the owners have been renovating the property to create this massive, luxurious looking building that will hold the restaurant, but I don’t think they care too much where people will sit and eat. It’s a pretty dingy place but the food is excellent and spicy. The prices are reasonable too. Service is quick. If you plan on going out later, I suggest bringing a change of clothes—you’ll reek of curry all night.
Last night we all piled into the car and ate there. It’s a great atmosphere, and I’ve never seen that place empty. We ate on paper plates with plastic utensils. The servings are huge so you’ll probably end up taking a lot of it home. If you’re looking for authentic Pakistani cuisine, this is the place to go.
Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: 2009, Auberge du Pommier, Canoe, Food, Food Network, Life, Nightlife, North 44, Restaurants, Summerlicious, toronto
Food is awesome. Food at a better value trumps everything. I’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing Winterlicious, but when Elena passed me the 2009 Summerlicious list, I jumped at the chance of securing some reservations. You can’t go wrong with fixed menus and lower than usual prices at some of the classiest restaurants in town.
Reservations opened yesterday, but I’d suggest hopping to it if you want to get a good spot. Elena managed to get reservations at the three restaurants we had picked:
Canoe
Lunch at Canoe should be awesome. I’ve heard good things from people about this place and probably because of the regular prices, I haven’t bothered venturing in there for a bite. Best part is that we’ll be sitting high above Toronto and eating good food.
Auberge du Pommier
Everyone is always talking about how fancy this place is; Ted Rogers use to dine here a lot. It’s not situated in the most ideal location, but my dad has told me it’s a good place. Might as well try it out while it’s cheap.
North 44
I’ve eaten here before and I pretty much fell in love with the place. The prices not so much. Really good food. Although chef/owner McEwan can be a douche (this is based on countless hours of watching Food Network), he cooks good food. This is the last reservation and we managed to get a sweet time. Excited about this one.
Filed under: Good Times | Tags: Bell, Budget, Canada, Circa, Clubs, Life, Money, Nightclub, Nightlife, Phone, Promotion, toronto
If you really want to fail at keeping on budget, then go to CiRCA. I don’t know how it happened, but I managed to burn through a lot of money—even when we got in for free! Bell was doing some promotion at the club, and if you had a Bell phone, you and your friend could get in without having to dish out cover. Sweet. Finally Elena found something useful out of her lame Bell plan.
I also brought the Dad look to the club last night. Solid.
Filed under: Music | Tags: Buzzfeed, Concerts, Experiment, Music, Nightlife, Peggy Wang, Social Media, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, toronto, Web 2.0
Buzzfeed is a favourite site of mine. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are one of my many favourite bands, and probably have the best album of 2009, so far.
Buzzfeed editor, Peggy Wang plays keyboard in the band. I had read online that the group was coming to Toronto, but when the actual date came, I had forgotten all about the concert. I didn’t have tickets and it was a miserable day outside; any attempt to find tickets in the city would have me drenched.
Filed under: Food | Tags: Bargains, Cheap, Couples, Food, Free Date Night, Milestones Restaurant, Nightlife, Things To Do, toronto
Wednesday, April 29th was Milestones Restaurant’s free date night. I tacked up the promo here on the blog for everyone else. It was a pretty good deal—buy one appetizer, entree or both and your date eats free! They even had a secret promotion going on that they didn’t advertise: $5 off a bottle of wine!
Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: April 29th, Bargain, Canada, Cara, Cheap, Deals, Dinner, discount, Food, Frugal, Milestones, Nightlife, Relationship, Restaurant, Tips, toronto
I’ve been telling everyone I know about this. It’s a great deal and the food is great. I told my parents, Elena’s parents, and as many friends that I’ve seen in the past few days. Free meal guys! This is an ultimate cheap thrill!
For a menu and more, check out the Milestones Restaurant website.
Offer: Nationwide (Canada): Buy any entree, appetizer or both, and get the other one free!
Date: April 29th, 2009
Time: 4pm to close.
