What makes Toronto so special in my opinion is this collection of ecclectic neighbourhoods, organically grown residential areas that have history, character and vibrant street life. One of these neighbourhoods is the Annex.
I started my discoveries of the Annex just south of Casa Loma, headed underneath the railway tracks on Howland Avenue and entered this popular area. One of the first sights that came into view was the Royal St. George's College, an Anglican private school for boys that is the choir school for the Cathedral Church of St. James.
Once arrived on Bloor I made my way to Bathurst Street past another Toronto landmark: Honest Ed's, the landmark discount store opened by Ed Mirvish all the way back in 1948. Another landmark, the Metro Theatre, is apparently the last porno movie theatre left in Toronto. Further west I moved into the Korean area west of Bathurst. It was time for a late lunch so I decided to sample a vegetarian platter at Lalibela Restaurant, a popular Ethiopian restaurant on Bloor Street West. A huge platter featuring a combination of split peas, lentils, chick peas, cabbage and collard greens combined with the typical Ethiopian bread really hit the spot.
After a very filling meal I walked back almost all the way to Spadina Avenue and admired the many boutiques and specialty stores. I discovered "hemp beer", all sorts of ethnic giftware, vegetable and fruit stores, futon stores, funky restaurants and delicatessens and a whole lot more. Entertainment institutions such as Sneaky Dees, the Montreal Delicatessen, Future Bakery and the Brunswick House are just a few of the dozens of eateries and entertainment places that thrive in the Annex.
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