Daily Haiku

criss crossing the street

no time to wait for the light

always in a rush

What's in a name?

This is a picture of me and my tennis partner Sam, eating mini burgers at a martini bar called Match in Boston.  Aside from playing tennis together, Sam and I enjoy pointing out clever names for stores and restaurants.  

Match, for example, is a martini bar where singles hope to meet their match.  The bar also features fire places which were started by a match.  

Other examples in Boston include "Blade" for the name of a barber shop, and "Injeanius" for the name of a store that sells jeans.  

I've noticed quite a few store names in Toronto that also use puns to grab consumer's attention about the products being sold in the store.  Here are pictures of a few of my favourites:

Prints Charming = a picture frame store

Pho Pa = a clothing store (fashion faux pas)

Heel Boy = a shoe store

Spectacle = a glasses store

Write Impressions = a paper/stationary store

Your Clothes Friend = a clothing boutique

Daily Haiku

Clinton's almost done

Obama's losing hope fast

McCain shines ahead

Daily Haiku

drinking from the keg

it tastes better upside down

put me down now please

A Summertime Treat

To celebrate the first month of summer, try a "chocolate ice" if you'd like to tastefully cool down from the heat.  This dark chocolate ice has less fat than regular gelato as it's made without cream, giving it more of an intense chocolatey flavour.  It's a refreshing treat that can be found when strolling down Roncesvalles Avenue in the West end of Toronto.  

Bravo Gelato is the name of the cute little purple and green store selling this delicious dessert.  A small scoop ($3.50) allows you to savour two different flavours which can make for a tough decision as some of the flavours are quite unique such as the Earl Grey Tea and Smore's flavour, as shown in the picture above.  Bravo Gelato also sells delicious chocolate bars and "haute chocolate" making it a chocolate lovers sweet spot.

If you find yourself closer to the east part of Toronto, be sure to try Solferino, arguably the best gelato cafe in the city.  Their belgian chocolate, oreo and coffee flavours are my favourite.

For non-traditional flavours, be sure to try Hollywood Gelato. Though the names may be cheesy, the gelato is definitely authentic with the owners bringing their Italian trade secrets with them to Toronto.  Located in Leaside, this family joint is always packed with little kids who are super excited to savour the peanut butter chocolate wafer or Ferrero Rocher flavours.