TORONTO

I've been dying to tell you about so many things going on around here. I can't believe my last post was Telluride! In January! My heart longs for travel recapping. Why!? Lately I've been firing off recommendation emails like crazy - a girlfriend headed to Palm Springs, soo many requests for my Bali posts, an old colleague needing my Savannah advice! If someone were to ask me for all my Toronto recs - and there are many - they would certainly feel slighted without a post to reference. 

So, where to begin again? My BACHELORETTE Party! We traveled to Toronto in mid April and it was the best. I'm sure every bride thinks her own bachelorette party is but mine truly was. My MOH (sister) and bridesmaids planned the most kick-ass / comprehensive itinerary in the history of bachelorette trips. Coupled with all our amazing reservations and must hit spots was a spontaneous weekend full of dive bars and dance parties. The weather was messy - snow, sleet, pellets, rain, hail, slush, whipping wind - (The weather app actually reported pellets one morning!) But, we're a group of tough ladies. The weekend was perfect!

A recent text from one of the gals: "Hi Ladies. Was at a work dinner tonight with several of my Canadian counterparts and they were VERY impressed with our Toronto bar and restaurant selection." Nailed it! If you are going to Toronto you should pretty much copy everything we did. 

The majority of us flew Porter Airlines from BOS to YTZ (Billy Bishop Airport). Gals that flew in from SFO and DEN flew into YYZ - Pearson Intl. 

We stayed at the super nice and conveniently located Sheraton Centre Hotel. This was one of those bustling hotels where if you are an early riser but some of the crew is sleeping in, you can grab coffee downstairs and chill in the well appointed lobby, which is a good spot to people watch. (Or hit the gym, or the pool.) I was very happy with the accommodations, 11 of us in three rooms. The Sheraton is connected to the underground shopping tunnels (so COOL!) and our rooms overlooked the T-O-R-O-N-T-O sign which was fun, too!

Friday Night 

Dinner @ Miss Things - a tropical Pan Asian Restaurant + Cocktail Bar located in a funky hipster neighborhood: West Queen West. The interior was so pretty with its Hawaiian tiki culture meets mid- century modern vibes. We shared appetizers like the Hoke Poke and Tempura Corn Fritters. For dinner I had the Pineapple Fried Rice with sweet and sour jackfruit - you could also get it with braised pork belly which many of the girls did. Inspired cocktails are playful yet decadent - my margarita w Tromba Tequila, contreau, red chili, lime, mint and pineapple juice called Maggie Made Me Do It came in an art deco pineapple with a sparkler. Others were served in real coconuts or ceramic parakeets...

Drinks @ Pretty Ugly Bar - two blocks from Miss Things this cocktail den was our next stop and we ended up imbibing here rest of the night! My drink of choice was Sup Wit Dat made with Mezcal, dry vermouth, lime, cucumber, pretty fir lq and pine salt. There is a funky cocktail on the menu to please everyone. 

Saturday Day. We meandered through the maze of underground tunnels and then through the rain to St Lawrence Market. (This place reminded me of Westside Market in Cleveland, Ohio.) With an array of food stalls everyone could grab what they wanted to eat from smoothies to lobster rolls. Most of us opted for Breakfast on a Bun - a delicious egg sandwich with Peameal Bacon from Carousel Bakery.

Since it was bitter cold and the city streets were a slippery mess, we ubered across town to check out Bar Raval. This tapas bar had a good crowd, a kind and attentive bar and waitstaff, a Gaudi inspired interior, and an unparalleled cocktail and sherry menu. It totally reminded me of Barcelona. 

I was so content here. We tucked into the idyllic corner section of the bar by the windows sipping well made drink, after drink and noshing on pinxtos. 

We meandered through the snow and did a little shopping. (I believe the neighborhood we were in is Little Italy, even though we were just at a very Spanish restaurant....) 

Some girls went back to the Sheraton to rest up for the night while others came across this gem of a dive bar: Ronnies Local 069. 

This gritty hole in the wall was right up our alley. They had a deck of cards featuring 80's Lingerie models which we got the biggest kick out of. We played card games while drinking from a solid draft beer selection, snuggled in a tiny wood booth.

Toronto treated us to a ridiculously fun Friday night and Saturday day.

Lots more in store for Saturday night and Sunday day....

Thankful

I am grateful everyday for this life! There is so much in it to be thankful for.

In this space I want to thank you guys, my dear readers. Another year and Indulge Inspire Imbibe remains a steadfast hobby that brings me so much joy and opportunity.  

P.S. Pumpkin Spice Mules - Bulleit Bourbon, homemade pumpkin simple syrup, Goslings Ginger Beer / Fill a copper mug with crushed ice, add 2 parts Bourbon to 1 part simple syrup and stir. Fill remainder of mug with ginger beer. 

I realize mules are traditionally made with vodka, but we're all big bourbon fans in this house. Use whatever type of booze strikes your mood. The simple syrup is made by reducing equal parts (1 cup) brown sugar + water, 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, and 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spices: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg + ginger; strain through a fine mesh sieve and store in an airtight container.

outtakes, charleston

That's a wrap on Charleston and another girls trip for the books! 

We LOVED the quaint and cozy five seat bar at Zero George Hotel. (Which is most of these photos) but, really, all are excellent places to linger over cocktails. 

1 & 12 | Proof | intimate craft cocktail bar, extensive wines by the glass | 437 King Street
2 | globe lights @ C4B | Jever Pilsner @ Proof
3 | Closed for Business  |  Burger w/ a fried egg 

4 | Rainbow Row charms and delights
5 | CfB | draught beer emporium | 453 King Street
6 | buildings and blue sky on King Street
7, 8, 9, 10 | Zero George Hotel | 0 George Street
7 | Sun, Moon, and Truth: Hangar 1 Buddhas Hand Vodka, strawberry, lemon, lime, basil
11 | happy girls after our meal at FIG

13 - 16 | South of Broad + Rainbow Row

Not pictured but equally worthy cocktail / fun night out destinations:
The Belmont | 511 King Street
Blind Tiger Pub | 36 - 38 Broad Street
The Vendue Rooftop | 19 Vendue Range

I have so many good memories of our time here. Thank you, Charleston!