There's something so satisfying about #20 - the beef noodle soup. Have been told i should try the rare beef version, and I will. Whenever I order the pho, I also order a meat skewer (because I'm gluttonous). The chicken meat skewer is choice.

These are regular folk who love to eat well. The photography makes me drool, the recipes make me squirmy and the overall experience makes me ignoring of the work things I should otherwise get to.

More than five, preferably. We had 10. And the dishes were tiny, so we ordered many different sorts. And the atmosphere became festive. And there were many yummies. The combination of tastes and textures is pretty incredible. All hail the slaw.

I wouldn't have paired kir with Blanche de Chamblis, but I decided to play it dangerously and order the Kalendar Kir. You should also order the Kalendar Kir. For to have a delishus bevvie.

I mean, hot damn. This is actually favourite fusion 2, cause Kultura is ultra good and I went there first. Tomi-Kro. Well, the space is hep, the food is divine and I had a nice little mnahattan to boot (curiously smoky - it reminded me of sipping on a rec room). Fois Gras creme brulee? Yea. That's all i need to say.

I went to a great brainstorm course there a couple weeks ago conducted by one Jason Theodor. They have programming for digital professionals here, and elsewhere too. The Toronto chapter is run out of a fahbulous design0 bookstore to boot: http://element156.com/

Ok. Well. It's good - a good manhattan, made with Maker's Mark as I like - good full proportions. BUT WAIT! What's that? $26 for a double? Yes, I'm not kidding. Bewarey, manhattanites. I'll remember that bill for a while.

It's a side project with a bunch of brilliant folks, and well worth a bag of sugar or two. Bake locally, think globally.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart. Why? Because it makes my hands feel soft and supple. It makes them smell like lemon merangue pie. It makes me want to eat and cuddle my hands at the same time.

It's one of my favourites, perhaps not my ULTIMATE favourite. But how can you argue with chotchkas lining the walls and local, organic sausage? How can you argue with SEVERAL takes on huevos rancheros? How can you, indeed?

I'm thinking about it now because it's cold and ne'ery a cicada in sight. But I love that sound - almost electrical wire-y - that just spells summer in stereo.

I tried it at the new Terroni (also a new fave) for the first time, and was taken to smelly cheese heaven. I found it at Pusateri's. You should too. Small bites. I advise small bites.

I didn't know that it existed, but it's a lovely cul de sac for morning wanderings. Many of the houses have a charming cottagey feeling which just makes you want to pinch their cheeks.

How else could I afford it? Let's face it, Ilikea the dresses and jackets and such.

Of its most peculiar location, size and use of olive oils. This the kind of Middle Eastern that you envision yourself eating on Berber hand woven rugs under the sprawling Tunisian night sky. Certainly not the kind you envision wrapped in napkins as you wander out from the Bloor Cinema. But thank the Tunisian heavens it's near my new apartment. Now I can feast and flee this wintery weather at once.

When I was in 6th grade, we went on a class trip to Casa Loma. In the main bedroom, there is a secret closet, where the ne'er do well tax evader who built Casa Loma used to hide. I pressed on the wall, and there it was. And that was a good Toronto moment.

It's not my absolutely favourite, but someone requested that I begin to compile my list here. So here's an off the cuff addition. Wish makes a good Manhattan. It's a little pricey, and a tad heavy on sweet, but in the scheme of city wide Manhattans Charlie, it takes the edge off.

More boots for your dollar. Today I'm sporting a $30 pair of green kicky items. You have to be in the mood to poke around. But if you're into it, you can go heel happy, and walk out...yes...A WINNER.

It is a chunky affair, and I'll be damned if I can get enough of that breaded chicken affair they splash around on the top. Additionally, and perhaps more deliciously, this establishment offers up deep friend macaroni squares. Yes friend, you heard me correct. Deep. Fried. Macaroni.

This is delightful - a waterfall and a hidden greenhouse flanked by the urban jungle of the financial district. It's quiet here at night. And a nice stopover to the labyrinth behind the Eaton Centre.

Have you had Arugula pesto? Heck.

The perfect mix of sweet vermouth and bourbon (I do the bourbon variety). Trust me, I keep a running tab of decent Manhattans in the city. Offhand, this is one of the best.

How can you walk past Pages and not go inside? I want everything. I'll have to settle for some things. On frequent occasions.

If you head from the Riverdale park footbridge, down the steps to the Don, and head north towards Pottery Road, it's amazing how you lose the city (and, the DVP). I saw a muskrat swimming.

I have a full set of the weirdest 19th century Scottish lithographs from this place. They feature giants, and demons, and weeping lassies. It is a cabinet of curiosities. And worth exploring.