SJ.com Outing, er, GetTogether, Toronto, July 14-16

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

Mr R,

As a frequent guide for touring scribes and NHL types, I am saddened to report the decline and fall of Lolita's Lust. (Scene of Tom Barrasso episode.) Alas, new chef, terribly disappointing last time out.

For modestly priced fare but man-sized (sj-sized/) portions go no farther than Astoria beside Chester station. For better fare, Pan, which is where the Stones go when in town for rehearsals. For beer selection Allen's on Danforth. For ice cream, Hollywood Gelato on Bayview. My favorite pizza joint is Gerrard Pizza--which of course isn't on Gerrard but rather on Danf near Coxwell. The Madison is usually insane but a hang-out for agent Don Meehan, a scribe or two on his payroll and bar bill and visiting NHL execs.

I offer these up with no intention of attending. If you can advise me which nights you're there I'll go to lengths to avoid you. I prefer the cover of, cough, anonymity.

If it's Tuesday this must be East York, etc

 

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

Mr. M,

Good suggestions.

Know Allen's.

Are you a fan of Doras Keogh?

Used to work a block from Madison. Lunched there regularly. Too old for the more traditional nightime activities.

Mr. M, if I can convince the outing to jump on the GO Train and head two stops to Mimico for a night at the legendary Blue Goose (recently profiled on TSN along with Messieurs Bolland and Shanahan), would you make the trek?

(Cash only, no debit or credit cards). ATM on site.

 

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

Mr R,

Dora's sucks. Too young. Too loud. Too many faux Irish.

I was talking to Shanahan on Thursday. In his absence get his brothers to attend. I have a great story about him and them that will be featured in a soon-to-be-savaged tome, but I can't say anything more at this point.

I politely decline your offer for fear that it will be Risky Business-situation with everybody passed out around Chez Halfmiler.

YHS, etc

 

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

I'm really bad at finding this stuff on the net, so I'm wondering where the best shopping districts are where some good used bookstores are.
I'm unfamiliar with Toronto so any info would help.

 

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

We have some great used bookstores but not sure you'll find them all in one district.  My favourite is "Contact Editions" (www.contacteditions.ca) which is easily accessible by subway.  For more general info, try www.toronto.ca.  If you're looking for clothes, etc. you should check out Queen Street West and the Eatons Centre has a gazillion different clothing stores.  They're all downtown, walking distance from the Skydome (or whatever the heck we call it now). 

 

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

Depends how much dough you want to spend. If you want for basic mall fare then go to the Eaton's Centre in the heart of the city. If you want upscale stuff, go to the stretch of Bloor Street between Avenue Road and Yonge Street. That's where you'll find the Gucci, Hermes, Prada, Armani, etc. calibre of stores.

The McDonald's at Bloor and Avenue is famous for being the site of Ashlee Simpson's drunken tirade a few months back. I understand they give free Big Macs to anybody that will lyp synch their order.

 

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

As has been reported many times here by WNYers/Canadians living in Golden Horseshoe, that way you'll get to experience the thrill of the QEW, the Queen Elizabeth Way, one of the greatest roads in North America!

OTOH, you could also enjoy the Canadian Ballet in Fort Erie, stop at Niagara on the Lake, or take the Niagara River Parkway up to the Falls and then head on up to Toronto.

 

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

Since this is still six months away, is there any objection to unstickying this thread?

 

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

I know it's still more than four months away, but has the official hotel been decided? Anything else from our organizers?

Anybody else know they're going now that didn't a few months ago?

If I don't fight fires in Alaska all summer, I'll definitely still be in Toronto for the outing.

 

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

I know I'm reallllllly late on this, but ...

July 14-16 is really late in the summer. Jesus. We were trying to build our summer vac around this, but media days is like a week after the outing. Damn. There wasn't anything in late May or June? Is Toronto closed during those days?

 

Re: SportsJournalists.com Outing, Toronto, July 14-16

Well, it CAN snow in Toronto up until July 1.