walking downtown, part two

Continuing with our downtown neighbourhood walk... Jazz wanted to see some of my favourite hangouts.

We could start with my gym, my place of fitness. yes, it is a favourite. really.

It is small, but that is precisely what I like about it. And it is next door to this pub with its very nice wrap around patio. Well, the patio itself is average, but it is on a quiet side street so there is not much traffic whizzing past. And there is a nice view over to the domes of the Ukrainian church. For some reason, it pleases me to watch the light on these domes and crosses. I was inside the pub once and found it not very pleasant, so it is only during patio season that I give them my custom. Plus, the server has been there since forever and when I went back after a long winter away during my second year of living here, she remembered me and my order, so ever since, I could truly say "the usual, please". I really like that.
Though, I do have to be careful where I sit now that I am going to the gym (because, shhhh, they can see me!) 

We have an independent bookstore that is wonderful for knowing just what you are looking for. 




They also host authors and monthly book signings and readings, mostly for free or maybe a small price of $10.

There is also the library for those books that I don't want to actually buy, but still want to read...

I tried to get a good shot of the main street, but it didn't work, so here is one block with a Belgian chocolate shop truffles! and a fun consignment shop with a mixture of vintage and new. The Rude Native is a good restaurant with 'global fusion' food. they had a banana lime chicken curry that was to die for, but they don't make that anymore so I stopped going.There is also another dress shop that I realize has moved from across the street. It is a strange phenomenon here that many shops move around from one location to another... rents must be rather steep I am imagining, but it is encouraging that owners want to stay in the area.

Then there is Village Square, a place that was apparently the place to shop in the 1980s. By the time I moved here it had lost its caché. Most of the shops are empty and anyone who has moved in usually moves out again within a year. 

I haven't found out much about it, but it is apparently owned by a curmudgeonly old man who is using it as a tax writeoff. It is such a shame as it is really rather quaint with its old buildings and cobbled streets. 

I'm not sure if some buildings are original and others were built to blend in or if this really was a village square. I see there is a new restaurant that has opened this month - Persian - which looks very interesting. I've never had Persian food before.

For coffee, my new favourite is this place 

that is actually a bike rental establishment with a bistro attached. 

The food is exquisite. All home made when you order and if heating is required, an oven is used - not a microwave. They have the best quinoa salad I have ever tasted, even when it is toasted in a panini.

Just in case you are getting glassy eyed and bored, this is probably a good place for another rest...