Coffee Grinds 16: the one where I eat my way through Toronto

mixing things up a little this week

I’ve been on a little mini holiday in Toronto, and I’m afraid I haven’t had much time to write. How is it vacations are always kind of chaotic and not at all relaxing? Even when they’re great, I always leave needing to sleep for the next week.

Because of that plus life, I’m changing things up a little this week. I’m adding pretty little graphics and keeping it more concise. Visuals, aesthetic etc. What do you think?

Things I’m obsessed with this week: Gorgeous weather, dessert, tacos, more dessert, walking until my legs are about to fall off, pasta, spontaneous comedy shows (it was so bad), more dessert, martinis, new experiences, beautiful memories. Dessert. So much dessert. 🖤

Read

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne —I don’t know why I ever disliked this book. I’ve just picked it back up, and I love it! I struggle with writing tension in my own work and this is a masterclass in it.

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan— my current audiobook. Super cute and enjoying the mix of academia, career, and romance.

Ate

Oh my god, what haven’t I eaten? I’ve been eating my way through Toronto, consuming loads of pasta, sweets, and drinks. My body is in chaos, but my heart is so so full.

Highlights: Thirteen-layer chocolate cake from Louis Louix, macarons from my favorite place in the world (including having eaten many in Paris!) Nadege, my favorite brownie from Dark Horse, sandwiches etc from Sud Forno, gorgonzola gnocchi (handmade) from Blue Blood Steakhouse, private tour of the wine cellar, pecan tart and pumpkin pie coffee from Filosophy, very very good potato taco from Campechano (I had two of these + a bean, cream, cojita, lettuce Sopa because what am I going to do, not eat until I’m about to burst when I’m on vacation?!

Mood

Ecstatic. Nostalgic. Tired. Happy. Very, very full, but in all the best ways.

Substacks I’ve loved this week

I am learning to be hungry by

Now that's a thought

Let's Make Things Tense (More thoughts on openings...) by

Rebecca Makkai

Reviews (Part 1) (is this going to be a problem?) by

Laura Leffler

Nobody Wants This, My Old Ass, and It Ends With Us. by

Consume-her Reports

Sunny Side Up #18: A Timeline of My Perfect Friday Night by

Ella

Looking ahead: Thanks for hanging in there while I essentially went radio silent for a week. Next week is already looking a lot calmer and I’m hoping to ease back into regular posting on here. Expect a new piece this Thursday! :)