Mulled wine, chilly temperatures, and the Toronto Christmas Market definitely put us in the (slightly premature) Christmas spirit this weekend!
We took it easy on Saturday and rolled out of the apartment at 3pm, heading straight for the Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District. The Distillery District is a pedestrianized neighbourhood based around the Victorian buildings of the former Gooderham & Worts whiskey distillery near the waterfront in downtown Toronto. The area has been redeveloped and is now home to many designer shops, cafes, artisan boutiques and, of course, the Toronto Christmas Market.
Elizabeth had been warned that the market can get extremely busy on the weekends but the impending rain and new $5 weekend entrance fee played in our favour, and we had an enjoyable (and not jam-packed) afternoon at the market. The chilly temperatures meant that we were compelled to immediately pick up some mulled wine upon arrival. As we sat down at a table to drink our mulled wine, we couldn't help but start to get in the Christmas spirit as we heard Christmas music playing in the background and enjoyed the smell, and warmth, of nearby wood burning fire pits.
 |  Mmmm. Mulled wine |
Wandering through the market, we scoped out interesting vendors and food stalls, pausing every so often for a closer look. The tastefully-decorated industrial red brick buildings of the Distillery District added to the atmosphere, and we stopped to see a performance on the main stage by a musical, tap-dancing family. After a while we had to walk away from their choreographed smiling faces, but the performance was undoubtedly Christmassy.
All of the walking had worked up our appetites, so we spent the next half an hour picking up tasty food from various stalls. We started with the Tornado Potato, continued with a Grilled Cheese sandwich with Jalapenos and Chorizo, and then finished off with a Pork Schnitzel sandwich. Oh, and we also split a Rusty Nail Hot Apple Toddy.
All of the walking had worked up our appetites, so we spent the next half an hour picking up tasty food from various stalls. We started with the Tornado Potato, continued with a Grilled Cheese sandwich with Jalapenos and Chorizo, and then finished off with a Pork Schnitzel sandwich. Oh, and we also split a Rusty Nail Hot Apple Toddy.
 How are you supposed to eat a Tornado Potato?! |  ... someone's hungry |
On the way home in the evening, we saw a poster for the Ice, Wine, and Dine Festival on Elm Street so we decided to drop by. Let's just say that it was a good thing we had just eaten. Restaurants on the street had stalls set up, plus there were performers, more mulled wine, and ice sculptures. After wandering through the mini festival, we finished our evening out with drinks at Bar Volo, a bar featuring many local beers, wines, and ciders.
Then to cap off the night in the Christmas spirit, we watched Love Actually. We couldn't help it, we were feeling Christmassy! And that ended another successful Something Saturday in Toronto!
Then to cap off the night in the Christmas spirit, we watched Love Actually. We couldn't help it, we were feeling Christmassy! And that ended another successful Something Saturday in Toronto!
(SLIDESHOW)
Curious what we were doing this time last year? Well, we attended a talk by an awesome Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield. And two years ago, we were getting in the Christmas spirit early at the Downtown St. John's Santa Claus Parade and attended a talk by another famous Canadian, David Suzuki.
