Toronto State of Mind

I have returned to some insanely good weather for the last few days of my vacation. Yesterday, Scott and I walked to Union for lunch and then sat in the park for an hour afterwards, watching the happiness that temperateness brings. While eating, we had the opportunity to listen to some truly hilarious-horrible guests at the table next to us who brought their own booze (you can do that for a corking fee here) and then proceeded to torture the server about the perfect glasses with which to serve it (which he simply didn't have). It was very Hollywood.

The meal was amazing: a no nonsense, pefectly-made burger on a home-made brioche bun topped with smoked bacon and frites. Union is one of the few places here that will serve burgers medium rare (that's how they come unless you request otherwise) - because they hand-grind organic, locally-sourced beef. It makes a huge difference to the taste.

That drink was a cocktail made with grapefruit, vodka and absinthe but I also had a glass of really terrific pinot noir. It was light but highly-acidic and it balanced the beef perfectly.

Dessert was awesome:

That's ginger cake coated in a salted-caramel sauce with home-made vanilla ice cream. It always arrives optimal-temp-hot and it's masterful.

The patio at Union is a private space, annexed from the outdoors with tall fences and lush trees:

It serves local food, primarily, so what you get is in season. It's not cheap but it's excellent and consistent and the service is great.

Since my goal is to rediscover a summer holiday state of mind, I'm trying to find the lovely in this landscape, hence a few shots the base of my street on the walk home:

These pics reminded me that I have returned to two rather overrun gardens and it's going to take a lot of the weekend to get them into shape. I've already put an hour into the front, but there's more to be done. Stay tuned for some photos when I've restored order.

Today's question: Do you ever take a vacation in your own town? You know, the kind where you imagine that you're in your fave holiday city only that city is also where you happen to live. Do tell...