Yesterday was an entertaining day, as a Blue Jays game often is. Paul, Mike, and I started off at Yorkdale where we hopped the TTC to Long & McQuade at Ossington. It was my first time getting to sample the Martin and Taylor guitars, as my previous jaunts have always been to Steve’s, and they don’t like it when you play the expensive guitars. Preferred the Taylor I tried in that price range, but realized I don’t think I’d trade my MUCH cheaper Garrison in for either, which is saying something.
Met up with Rob and Rodimus Mark (don’t ask) for lunch at the Elephant & Castle, where I enjoyed the Stuffed Yorkshire Pudding on recommendation of my hosts. Very nice, although the music and poor beer selection would make it a difficult place to return to. As appetizing as Biz Markie and “fresh” Blue tapped in 1987 sounded.
Off to Sunrise where I found Glenn Kotche’s “Mobile” – I’m loving this album. All percussion based, probably not for everyone, but an interesting listen in that “Conet Project” kind of way. World’s Biggest Bookstore, then MEC, and off to Big Daddy’s for happy hour. I tried the Escargot and a Brick Honey Red this time, both were good. Finally over to the Silver Snail and finishing at the Jays game.
So, of course, the Jays game always comes with a story. We were about seven rows up from the Orioles dugout, and took it upon ourselves to be the resident hecklers for the night. The key to heckling is not only being funny, but picking your moments so as not to become obnoxious to those around you. A good heckler makes the game a better experience for those around him, not worse. I like to think our efforts were part of the reason the Orioles did so poorly as we were somewhat merciless to at least a few of the opposing players. This man simply became “BRIIIIII-ANNNNN”, and grew quite angry and disoriented because of it. This man was dubbed Tony the Tiger due to his black and orange striped gloves, and was greeted with “THAT PITCH WAS GRRRRRRR-EAT!” any time he took a first strike. Finally, the man to meet the brunt of our evils, Kevin Millar was redubbed Goldilocks and appeared to get so angry at one point that he stopped throwing free baseballs to the children around us AND kicked his bat. Fun.
We totally need to go to more Jays games. Although I was sad that they no longer cared what I’d do for a Klondike bar, because I was willing to do a lot.
Have you ever gone to Smokeless Joe’s or C’est What? Two great Toronto institutions with excellent beer. There’s also an Arrow Pub in Toronto (similar to the Woolwich Arms). http://www.arrowpubs.com
Shaz
Everytime I go to Smokeless I think Mark’s with me, and he refuses to go in because it’s a “sausage fest”. One day I shall drag him in.
if you’re looking for advice on good beer in toronto, there’s a great book called “notes on a beermat” by nicholas pashley. it’s truly laugh-out-loud funny and it’s got some fantastic info on where to get the best variety of beer, best bargain in beer, best tasting beer, or most surly service for beer in the entire city. even at twice the cover price, i’d still buy the book, it’s so good.
Actually its the Beir Market that I refer to as the sausagefest. I’ve never been to Smokeless Joes. The Beir Market is a sausagefest. The one and only time I was there I didn’t see a single woman in the bar. We lasted all of 3 mins there. I’ve been told by many people that its normally like that.