What about breakfast at Eggcetra?
Aug. 22nd, 2003 10:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vaneramosLast night I wandered down to the river at dusk, my favourite time of day. I moved aimlessly, letting the breeze make love to me. It was a gentle, fragrant warmth I could drift in for hours without ever losing strength.
One section of Eramosa River Park, where the bicycle trail runs, consists of a wide gallery paved with lawn. It is a striking vista, nearly one kilometre long, walled on either side mostly by vast black willows and one giant, elegant elm. To my eyes, this place is most beautiful when the sky turns dark purple, and the vast space between the trees sinks ever deeper into gentle gloom. Then, one by one, little bats appear, wheeling soundlessly across the softly glowing dome of the evening cathedral.
It's a shame superstition maligns the bat. People mistrust creatures of the dark. Bats are a highly specialized and fascinating group of mammals. We have several indigenous species in Ontario, but they're all small and innocuous. I regret I never see them except as busy shadows on the edge of night. Unlike birds, which always seem intent on going from one point to another, bats have nothing to do except catch insects, so they keep circling and circling overhead.
I shot a few frames, thinking I might capture a blurred shadow whispering past, but all my camera saw was dreamlight and the watchful trees.
I left the park and ambled through the shopping plaza beside Tim Hortons. Something caught my attention: a music store I hadn't noticed before. Sometimes I wonder at my powers of observation. This is less than three blocks from where I live. How long has it been here? In the middle of the show room sat something that made me drool: a lovely Yamaha grand piano. It was not yet 9 p.m. The store was still open. I wanted to go in, sit down, and start playing my favourite piece, Rachmaninoff's Prelude in D Major, but didn't quite have the audacity. I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Maybe one of these days.
Next door is a new restaurant and deli, Eggcetra. The space used to house a generic eatery that never drew me in. I noticed the new establishment several days ago and wanted to investigate. I love dining out, and it's nice to have another affordable place nearby where I can treat myself once in a while. Nothing could ever compete with The Greek Garden, a block away, but choice is nice. Eggcetra has a range of steaks, souvlaki and evening specials at reasonable prices, but egg dishes appear to be their specialty. Last night I found their menu posted in the window. It listed an egg breakfast for $3.99, plus a couple pages of more elaborate choices like crepes and benedicts. Finally, a cheap and convenient place to go for brunch!
So this morning I got dressed early and headed through the park to Eggcetra for breakfast. On the way I stopped to photograph some flowers blooming along an alley.
This morning Eggcetra offered a breakfast special: $3.49 for two eggs, hash browns, toast, baked beans and a choice of bacon, ham or sausage. They also offered freshly squeezed orange juice, which I ordered carelessly. Turns out it cost $2.99. With coffee and a tip, I ended up paying $10 for breakfast. Might have saved a few cents on the tip, but parsimony never pays when you're close to home. Next time I'll pass on the OJ and have some fruit when I get home.
My fondness for this neighbourhood just rose a notch.
One section of Eramosa River Park, where the bicycle trail runs, consists of a wide gallery paved with lawn. It is a striking vista, nearly one kilometre long, walled on either side mostly by vast black willows and one giant, elegant elm. To my eyes, this place is most beautiful when the sky turns dark purple, and the vast space between the trees sinks ever deeper into gentle gloom. Then, one by one, little bats appear, wheeling soundlessly across the softly glowing dome of the evening cathedral.
It's a shame superstition maligns the bat. People mistrust creatures of the dark. Bats are a highly specialized and fascinating group of mammals. We have several indigenous species in Ontario, but they're all small and innocuous. I regret I never see them except as busy shadows on the edge of night. Unlike birds, which always seem intent on going from one point to another, bats have nothing to do except catch insects, so they keep circling and circling overhead.
I shot a few frames, thinking I might capture a blurred shadow whispering past, but all my camera saw was dreamlight and the watchful trees.
I left the park and ambled through the shopping plaza beside Tim Hortons. Something caught my attention: a music store I hadn't noticed before. Sometimes I wonder at my powers of observation. This is less than three blocks from where I live. How long has it been here? In the middle of the show room sat something that made me drool: a lovely Yamaha grand piano. It was not yet 9 p.m. The store was still open. I wanted to go in, sit down, and start playing my favourite piece, Rachmaninoff's Prelude in D Major, but didn't quite have the audacity. I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Maybe one of these days.
Next door is a new restaurant and deli, Eggcetra. The space used to house a generic eatery that never drew me in. I noticed the new establishment several days ago and wanted to investigate. I love dining out, and it's nice to have another affordable place nearby where I can treat myself once in a while. Nothing could ever compete with The Greek Garden, a block away, but choice is nice. Eggcetra has a range of steaks, souvlaki and evening specials at reasonable prices, but egg dishes appear to be their specialty. Last night I found their menu posted in the window. It listed an egg breakfast for $3.99, plus a couple pages of more elaborate choices like crepes and benedicts. Finally, a cheap and convenient place to go for brunch!
So this morning I got dressed early and headed through the park to Eggcetra for breakfast. On the way I stopped to photograph some flowers blooming along an alley.
This morning Eggcetra offered a breakfast special: $3.49 for two eggs, hash browns, toast, baked beans and a choice of bacon, ham or sausage. They also offered freshly squeezed orange juice, which I ordered carelessly. Turns out it cost $2.99. With coffee and a tip, I ended up paying $10 for breakfast. Might have saved a few cents on the tip, but parsimony never pays when you're close to home. Next time I'll pass on the OJ and have some fruit when I get home.
My fondness for this neighbourhood just rose a notch.
