A Birthday Staycation

We've been fortunate to be able to say, we get around.  After a handful of months of getting away at least once a month we've been idle over the holidays.  Okay, we did cancel a trip to DC, so there was a plan.  February is typically when we pick up again and get away for Julie's birthday / valentine's day.  It's been a tradition dating back to when we first met almost 10 years ago.

This year we decided on a staycation. "Wanting" a night sans-Owen we weren't ready to leave him for multiple nights this seemed like a reasonable compromise.

Gramma and Susie were kind enough to stay over and babysit so that we could head over to Uncle Ryan's party. Despite this advantage the day started early with Julie waking up Owen around 7.  She claims to have wanted to spend time with Owen on her birthday --  I think she just wanted the gift -- and Owen was ultimately less than impressed being awoken from his slumber. He did come around once he realized tissue paper would be involved.

Unimpressed Owen

Party time Owen

                            After a quick stop for a haircut we were on our way to downtown Toronto.  While Julie did her Master's downtown at U of T and I work downtown; we haven't spent much time recently enjoying the city. This should be a renewed visit.

With a complimentary night and suite upgrade about to expire at the end of February there wasn't much debating before booking at Toronto's old dame, the Fairmont Royal York.

Arriving at the hotel around 3 we were politely informed that our room wasn't ready (odd).  The hotel quickly offered a temporary room and to call us when our room was ready.  Since we had only traveled down the QEW to reach the hotel and our pre-dinner plans merely involved walking down Queen St W, we weren't put off.  Enjoying the sun we walked down Queen St W in search of the oft-funky shops we see while driving through. Intermingled with sex shops, consignment shops, comic shops,  and every other sort of shop imaginable were the independent clothing and baby shops (of course) that would be of interest to the birthday girl.

We hit up a few shops without any success on sizes as the seasons are changing and sales are abound. Julie did manage to find a book  for Owen at Kol Kid . She's been collecting this series of books for places we've been with Owen. Fortunately we stumbled upon Nadege patisserie for an energy boost.  If you're in the Trinity-Bellwoods area of Queen St W be sure to stop in -- you won't be sorry. Photos stolen from Sammy

After leaving Nadege we hopped over Ella and Elliot to pick up a magnet puzzle map I had been eyeing for some time.  Considering it's 5+ he might have a few years before it's a. not a chocking hazard and b. exciting to play with.  Either way, it's been out of stock and when we arrived they had one. If you're keeping count, Owen is +2 already.

Realizing it was getting late we hopped a cab back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. Swapping rooms was easy and we were now in suite on the 17th floor; courtesy of Fairmont's President's Club program.  First off, this is a massive hotel commanding a length of Front St.  The hallways on the lower floors are insanely long and conjure images of The Shining.

Longest hallways ever

In typical Fairmont fashion the hotel's common areas are grand and tell a story of days gone by.  The rest of the hotel tell that same story but it's difficult not to think that this is your grandmother's hotel.  The suite was a lock-off -- a bedroom with a connecting door to a parlour twice the size of our living room and second full bathroom.

 

Not something I would have paid extra for unless we were potentially hosting guests -- but why not when it's free.

And we're off.  Last minute reservations had us eating dinner at 730p at Salt Wine Bar in little Portugal.  Our cabbie wouldn't shut up and conveniently drove past the restaurant and onto the next block.  We decided to bail and walk back as we were already late.  Approaching the restaurant the line was already outside and inside would-be diners were being told to come back in no less than 2 hours.  Good call on the reservations. Photos stolen from blogto

We started off with the charcuterie (incl. jamon iberico).  Delish. We ordered up a solid mix of 6 tapas; oxtail, pulled pork tacos, grilled calamari, lobster and risotto, arugula salad and goat cheese on crostini. All winners with the exception of the calamari which didn't suit our taste.  We, ok I, closed out with the 20yr Tawny, two scoops of chocolate sorbet which received the "both, chocolate?" response from the server. It didn't take long to know why.  A more appropriate label would have been double chocolate fudge sorbet.  Julie opted for the lighter sorbet and a cappucino.  Since my sugar high needed to get me back to the hotel I went for the double espresso as the real closer.

Smells like an esporao

A short cab ride back to the hotel and our reservation at the Library bar was waiting. We peaked in
and with enough empty seats we headed up to drop our coats.

The birthday girl was extremely diligent in thanking the connected world for all the birthday wishes.

Returning to the Library bar, the space, while large, had gotten busier.  We snuck a seat in the corner and enjoyed a night-cap of champagne while enjoying the live music -- and watching the musician seemingly work the room in between sets.

We shut down the bar with the staff flipping all but our chairs on to the tables.  Making our way back up to the room was as bit foggier than when we had left for dinner.  My memory of it looks something like this ..

Although Julie claims it was more along these lines ..

At the end of it all a wonderful (local) birthday celebration for my beautiful wife.  Happy 22^nd my dear.