i was just biking around on bloor and lansdowne today after visiting a friend out there. I was thinking there would be nothing around, but it is changing so fast. not long ago that neighborhood felt so vacant and seedy. it feels like gentrification is imminent, which is both good and bad i guess. i hope the little bangladesh grocery stores and random places dont vanish.

Among the new things i saw (besides the art galleries clustered around), there is a new vegan place at Brock place called Calico, a new bar closer to Dufferin called 3 Speed., and  a little cafe a few blocks east of Lansdowne called Holy Oak. this spot really caught my eye because of the beautiful stained glass in the window.

it's really nice and bright inside with plants everywhere and mismatched wooden furniture. modest and beautiful... i just had a coffee and a scone, but both were amazing. it seems like they use intelligentsia beans which are one of my favourites. the scones were cheddar, chive, spinich and seed - savoury and delicious. oh man i want another. looking at their menu, they have a few things like sandwiches and stuffed naan. looks like live music happens there too.

all in all, i will be back for certain. i wish something like this was in my neighborhood.