Tuesday, May 5, 2020

FEBRUARY VACATION


 I'm well into week 8 of working from home, physically distancing and what everyone generally calls the "lock-down". I've been thinking a lot about the "stay-cation" Rob and I had in February. We decided to take a week off in February to break up the winter, even though we weren't  going anywhere. We did do something on this week off to make it feel very "vacationy" for me. We ate out at a restaurant almost daily. It was a way to give me a break from meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking.

I'm not lost on the irony of this. Grocery shopping 3 months ago was a breeze compared to the anxiety inducing, I need a drink after I get back from the freak show it is now. I'm meal planning and cooking more then ever, as at the moment, Rob and I have lunch together daily before he goes to work. I sometimes find myself daydreaming about that magical week off back in February, where people brought me food and drink of my choice that I didn't have to shop for, cook or do dishes!

I started that vacation week by meeting up after work on the Friday with a girlfriend at a favorite local spot, "Toast on Bloor". They make a lovely Taffy Apple Martini, and that's how I wanted to kick off vacation!

Taffy Apple Martini at Toast on Bloor

Below are a few pics of the food and drink we enjoyed that wonderful week off......

Pierogies
Pork Schnitzel Dinner
 V's Schnitzel House is another favorite place of ours, and we enjoyed this meal there while on vacation. We shared both entrees. They have remained open for take-out and we have taken advantage of that during this time. Rob and I are both still working, so we get take-out once or twice a week from local places, we both feel it's the right thing to do. 

We joined some friends for brunch on a Sunday at Milestones. Remember how lovely it was to meet up with friends for a meal? I can't wait to do that again.

I enjoyed the Mushroom Soup and Crab Sliders at Milestones.
Winterlicious was going on the week we were off, so we visited The Chop House for the first time. I don't remember what I ate, but I know they made a wicked Martini, and I'd go back just for that!

My delicious Martini and Rob's Moscow Mule.
Rob got to pick a restaurant too! He picked a place in Rexdale he like's, Jolly II. They have been in business for over 30 years, and the food is good. We had a very enjoyable evening there.

Wine and a Lemmy!
We shared Calamari. 
Chicken Parmigiana for Rob. 
Spaghetti and Meatballs for me!
I'd been wanting to go to an old time diner type place, so we checked out Wimpy's. It was ok, but it didn't have that diner feel, and they weren't playing oldies music. We did enjoy our Root-beer Floats though.

Root-beer floats.
Toast on Bloor is one of our favorite places to go for breakfast, and when we are off during the week, we always go at least once. They offer a great week-day breakfast special, so we each get that and an order of their delicious French Toast to share. We look forward to returning.


Love the breakfast at Toast On Bloor.

I miss this French Toast. 
We also enjoyed a meal at Red Lobster one night, and I do love their Mango Mai Tai's!

Mango Mai Tai
My dinner at Red Lobster. 
Valentine's Day happened to be the Friday we were on vacation and that was the day we visited a new restaurant for both of us. We had never been to a Ruth Chris Steakhouse before, and I was really looking forward to it.

My Valentine themed Martini.
6oz steak with 2 lobster tails.
We also had starters and shared dessert. I was impressed with the food and the service. I made up my mind while enjoying my second drink, that this is where I wanted to go for my birthday. My birthday is a little over a month away, I'm hoping that birthday wish comes true.

Valentine's Day Cake
We picked up a cake from Bake Sale to enjoy for dessert over the Family Day long weekend. They haven't been opened during the lock-down, and I've actually baked a couple cakes, but I prefer theirs.

Rob and I are on vacation next week, we were suppose to be flying to Las Vegas for 5 days on Sunday. Though I am disappointed that our trip isn't happening now, we are still looking forward to the week off. This stay-cation is going to be very different then the last one, but we'll do what we always do, make the best of it.