I feel like going down memory lane. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I had my birthday last week. Who knows? I want to share with you some of my favorite childhood restaurants in Ottawa AND in Toronto (as I spend many weekends visiting friends when I was a teenager).

Here’s my list of fav childhood restaurants in Ottawa!

1. The Red Barn: This was a fast-food chain with over 300 locations throughout the States and Southern Ontario in the 1970’s. Lucky me – there was one in my neighbourhood!

2. The Green Valley Resort: I spent many happy occasions here and fondly remember their Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Dessert.

3. Bagel Bagel – this restaurant was opened 24 hours and my friends spent many Saturday nights here after a night of dancing in Hull. (Remember Tobasco’s?)

4. Golden Palace (2195 Carling Ave) – another hangout when I was a teenager. This restaurant is still around and I regularly drop by for their epic egg rolls! The decor is right out of the 1970’s….worth a visit.

5. The Revolving Restaurant:  I also remembering going to the revolving restaurant to celebrate my birthday. It closed after 38 years and is now an event space, operated by the Marriott.

6. Tramp’s and Yesterday’s – both restaurants were pretty popular spots when I was a teenager. Have no idea what we ATE but I can certainly remember groups of us going to these restaurants on a pretty regular basis.

Here’s My List of Childhood Favorite Restaurants  in Toronto

1. Pickle Barrel (in the Peanut Plaza). Again – no idea what we ate here but I remember groups of us (ie 20 or more) visiting this restaurant on weekends.

2. Inn on the Park – there was a cafe in the hotel that we use to hang out at.

3. Toby’s Good Eats – I fondly remember a brownie dish.

4. Mr. Greenjeans  (220 Yonge St) – I don’t think I’ve been back here since I was 16 but I should! Maybe one day.

What are your favourite childhood restaurants?

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Seeing as I was at Yorkdale last week to check out their expansion, I thought it would only be fair to visit the Eaton Centre. I hadn’t been there in years and it was time for a visit.

So I hopped on a subway at St. Clair and before you knew it, I was there.

I knew from Twitter (@toeatoncentre) that the mall had some new stores to check out as well as some decorations to see.

Well ..the decorations were hard to miss. They were SPECTACULAR!!  It was not the typical type of decorations one would normally expect to see plus the SCALE of these decorations were amazing.

Impressive Reindeer.

Worth Visiting.

As for the store mix: No complaints. Everything was there that I wanted. ..not to mention “new and improved’ stores as well. I visited: Ann Taylor, Forever 21 (even though I am no where near the age of 21) H & M, American Eagle, and Williams Sonoma (as I’m searching for this essence that’s only available on Bloor….GRRRR). I also had a great time  in the Sony store, reclining in an amazing chair while enjoying an 84” TV. OMG. What a treat.

Sadly I didn’t go to the Eaton Centre to eat, but did notice that Mr. Greenjeans is celebrating 30 years!! I have such memories of visiting this restaurant when I was 16. It was the cool-est spot to hang out with your friends . (next to the Pickle Barrel, Toby’s, and Inn on the Park). #memorylane.

I also happen to visit The Body Shop for a quick complimentary make up session. I’ve always been fond of their products and can’t seem to resist dropping in to check out their moisturizers. Not to mention that they are having a Black Friday event (Monday Nov 19 to Friday Nov 23)  that I think is a genius idea. Click here for more details.

Nothing like a quick make over while shopping

By the way…just told my mom (in Ottawa) that I went to the Eaton Centre and was blogging about it. She said “you know dear, I’ve only been there ONCE”. I’m not kidding, my mom has been visiting me regularly since I moved here in 1989. Looks like I will be visiting the Eaton Centre with her on her next trip!!
For more info:

Eaton Centre, 218 Yonge St. (416) 598 8560

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