April 1998

• I'm making good my Escape From Toronto.
  (23-29 April 98)

• Centro Grill & Wine Bar has a reputation as one of Toronto's best restaurants, but I think that's overstating the case a bit. Certainly the food is fine, but there are many other places (see previous entry) that do as good a job for less money. A jazz trio (nice voice) makes for a pleasant ambience in the downstairs wine bar.

  Centro Grill & Wine Bar, Yonge four blocks north of Eglinton
  (22 April 98)

• The Boulevard Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants in Toronto. Its Peruvian fare is consistently excellent and reasonably priced (about $40 for drink, appetizer, entree, tax and tip). They serve brunch on weekends, and in the summer months, their patio is most pleasant.

  The Boulevard Cafe, Harbord Street two blocks east of Bathurst.

  Next door, Things Japanese has opened a new location, more convenient to some than their store out in Scarborough. If you're looking for, well, things Japanese as gifts or for yourself, this is the place to find them!
  (21 April 98)

  

• This afternoon I went to the second annual hana-mi (cherry blossom viewing) picnic in High Park with some other TJLS students. The trees were in full bloom (man kai) and beautiful, but the weather had turned cold, so we were the only ones to sit and admire them at length.
  (19 April 98)
  

• This evening I took a break from packing and went to meet friends from the Toronto NAJC and from the Canada-Japan Society of Toronto at a regular haunt, the Madison Avenue Pub. While enjoying the Maddie's great food and drink I got some advice about what route to take on my upcoming trip. After a couple of rounds, a select few from the Young JCs were sufficiently emboldened to form a Web Group that will take over maintaining the Toronto NAJC homepage. They even agreed to adopt the Toronto Japanese Canadian Community Event Calendar (Ibento Joho)! Unlike me, these guys are real techno-whizzes, so you can expect some interesting developments from them in the coming months. Thanks and good luck, fellas!

  Madison Avenue Pub, Madison Avenue just north of Bloor Street, one block east of Spadina. The entire third floor is a welcome non-smoking oasis. The already big deck has been expanded for this summer. Pool tables, dartboards, piano bar also available.
  (16 April 98)

• I was behind the 8-ball for time because of my unexpected trip to Japan, and had to get rid of some large furniture items in a hurry. In the past, I would have been faced with a dilemma, but through the use of technology, everything got sold! My E-mail pricelist found its way to people I had never even met before. Thanks to everyone who made the Great Electronic Kagu (Furniture) Sale such a success.
  (13-14 April 98)

• Since I'm leaving Toronto for my new career pursuits, this will be the last month I will be compiling the Ibento Joho Calendar. I hope it has been of use to you and others. Does anyone out there care to take it over?

  I'll be busy moving, so there won't be any updates to this website for the next few weeks -- sorry!
  (10 April 98)

• I'm just back from my Sakura Tour of Japan
  (01-09 April 98)

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