It began by a chance meeting in the virtual world of Blogging….and so the journey continues…
We booked passage on Uncommon Journeys Canadian Panorama cross country Train Excursion……..two weeks…yikers I thought….
Our Second Day was to be spent in Toronto….not caring for Large Cities….I saw her looming before us…construction cranes everywhere..
You see, in Canada, there are two seasons: Winter and Construction
Virginia of BEL OCCHIO’S BLOG had already told us of Queen’s Street and Clafouti…home of the BEST croissants outside of Paris…….off we went
Pure Victorian Delight……….peace, tranquility and not one construction crane in sight…..only the rumble of quaint street cars going by….
Then we turned the corner and there it was…………Clafouti….mecca of the Croissant and the Crookie………….more about that later…….
We came to the well worn steps leading to her front door….
Inside………the aroma of fresh baked goods and coffee….
Clafouti reaches out and throws a Parisian Wrap around us….
Just look at the Delectable Delights……….
We grab the table next to the window……….Virginia’s favorite, so we could look out at the beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park across the street….
Our Croissants so flaky and delicious………the coffee, rich and fragrant…..
We did not try the Crookie……a Croissant with an Oreo Cookie baked inside…..Clafouti created this masterpiece…
The Bell on the Door was always a-tinkle with customers coming and going…..
The Bohemian Interior of Clafouti so enchanting….
Alas, time to go explore the Park and seek out those mysterious albino squirrels, Good Husband of Virginia has spoken of…..
We look back at our Clafouti……..and think of all the times our friend Virginia sat here gathering strength…..
The Park is full of Flowers………but not one albino squirrel to be seen…..
Time to hop the streetcar and head back for dinner…….What a treat is was to escape to Paris for a couple of hours……..
Until next time…………
Tales and Travels of the Tinman 
Welcome, Virginia……..we saved the table by the window for you. I have your croissant and they are preparing your coffee. Sit……let’s visit a while. Augustine and Lar went to the park to see if the squirrels are out. We can nibble while we wait for them……Give me your hand and let’s just enjoy each other’s company.
Oh joy! Here am I back in the city that is my second home. AND I am sharing this moment with my wonderful Tinny. A few brief lines and I am away in this other world. The worn marble tables and creaking floors never looked so wonderful. Never were the croissants so float-in-the-air flaky. Never was the coffee so fragrant as when I shared this Toronto moment with my handsome Tin Man. Merci Beaucoup. Merci Beaucoup!
Most enjoyable. It left me wanting a cookie. LBS
Yes, I do see you and Virginia through the window! I had to go and make a cup of coffee to enjoy as I finished reading your post. What a treasure you found in Toronto on your second day! And you will always have Paris!
Dearest Jo Nell. I thought I saw you peeking through the window with that lovely hat on! You should have joined us. What fun we had. This place is very special to Virginia and it was important to us to visit it……in many ways it is a mecca.
Reblogged this on Bel' Occhio's Blog and commented:
Toronto
So hungry now! Time to make some tea and have a treat.
janet
Clafouti’s is the place to have a treat.
I’m with Janet! I’ve now got a strong hankering for coffee and sweets! Monsieur Tin Man, from top to bottom, your photographs are beautiful. I really love the sequence. Including the self portrait! And the thread of blue! Very pretty. What time of day were you there? The sky is so blue. AH, I just spied the little tables (along with Virginia’s bike!). A Croissant with an Oreo Cookie baked inside? Wow. That would have topped my ticket order, I’m afraid. I also love the guy behind the counter, decked out in the blue and white shirt.
What fabulous tip from Virginia! She knows. T.
Dearest Theadora, we were there in the morning. Thank you so for your wonderful words. This place was so Paris, so Virginia, so perfect. Would that we could all meet there for coffee some morning. It is just delightful.
These photos are delicious. This cafe has charm plus!
This café was the most perfect place we have been in for years. We just loved every aspect of the place.
I’ve been in Toronto, but it’s been a long time. I’ll hit you up for deets when I go back!
Left me hungry for croissants and Paris and Toronto (and I’ve never even been to Toronto!). What a marvelous adventure in a succession of adventures.
This was quite a delicious adventure. We so enjoyed our morning there. The people, the food, the coffee……….all was perfect.
Pingback: St. Lawrence Market – Toronto – Canada | Tales and Travels of the Tinman