Toronto Public Transport - A Great Way to Get Around

 

During a recent stay in Toronto, I frequently used the Toronto Transit Commission – TTC - public transport system to travel all over the city. I found it extremely easy and economical to use. I rode a total of twenty-nine subways, streetcars, and buses. I found that the transport vehicles came frequently and were clean. On the two occasions when all seats were taken, other passengers saw that I was a senior and offered me their seats.

 

The streetcars, like the one above, and buses have highly visible route number and destination signs. In this case, the lighting when I took the picture obscured the sign.

At each bus and street car stop, there is a sign which identifies which buses and streetcars stop there. Many stops also have a weather shelter. Google Maps also identifies where the stations and stops are located.

Typically, a clear announcement is made twice before each stop. There are also overhead lighted signs displaying the next stop. The busses may not stop at a given bus stop if no one is waiting at the stop and if no passenger requests a stop. It’s very easy to request a stop. You can either press a large red square button near your seat or pull a yellow wire near a window.

There are a variety of ways to pay, including a phone app. I chose to use a transit system Presto card because if offered a discount rate for seniors. The per trip cost was C$2.50, which was US$1.85 at my credit card’s exchange rate. The card is extremely easy to use. When entering a subway station gate or getting on a bus or streetcar, you simply tap the card on a card reader. Once you’ve tapped the card, you can take as many rides as you wish during a two-hour period. I have taken as many as two subways and two buses during the two hour period - a subway and bus to get to my destination, and a bus and subway to return to my starting point.

I purchased the Presto card at a Shoppers Drug Mart for C$4. I had C$50 loaded onto the card when I purchased it. When I left Toronto after the twenty-nine rides, I still had C$5 left on the card. You can easily check how much is left on a card by slipping the card into a card purchase machine at a subway station. An employee at a station showed me how to use the machine to check the remaining $ on the card. You can also add money to the card at the station.

I did discover that I could not set up an on-line Presto account because I did not have an Ontario address. 

 

 

 

A Terrific Non-sushi Japanese Meal at Zōtō Sushi😊

 Twice in a couple of weeks, I’ve had a terrific meal at Zōtō Sushi. 

 at UTC – University Town Center Mall – in Lakewood Ranch. Having lived in Japan for four years, I have certain high hopes when I dine at a Japanese restaurant. Zōtō Sushi exceeded my hopes.

 I had miso soup, shrimp tempura, and maitake tempura. Maitake is a type of large mushroom.

 The shrimp tempura was so terrific the first time I was there that I had to return and have it again. It was equally delightful. It’s the most delicious I’ve ever had. It comes with a wonderful, mouth-watering sauce. The three shrimp were huge. I’d guess they were six to seven inches long. (There are only two in the pic because I had to devour one right away.) $18

 

 There were five very large maitake mushrooms. They came with three spice toppings that one could sprinkle on the mushrooms. I used two. The third was probably a bit fiery. (I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t remember the spice specifics.) I’ve never had maitake. They were incredibly scrumptious. The texture was such that I might have thought they were seafood if I’d been served them without being told what they were. (You will also notice that one mushroom is missing from the pic. Yum!) $16

  

 I normally enjoy miso soup, but I don’t get excited about it. This was WOW! It’s also the best I’ve ever had. $6

The first time I dined there, I had a fruit-flavored sake. It was nice, but I’m not a sake fan. This time, I had an Italian white wine – Allegrini Oasi Mantellini, Lugana DOC, made from Cortese and Turbiana grapes. It’s from the shores of Lake Garda on the Veneto side. It went very nicely with the dishes. (I not only recommend this one, but I love Allegrini’s red wines, such as their Palazzo della Torre Veronese red, which I’ve found at Total Wine, Costco & Norman’s.) $15

 My server was Ty. He was super professional.

While  Zōtō's main focus is sushi, it does offer a number of other dishes. Its menu can be found on its web site - https://www.zotosushi.com/

 I plan to return.

 The only things that could have improved the experience would have been if it had been in Japan with family and/or friends.

 ご馳走様でした (GOCHISÕ SAMA DESHITA = Thanks for the feast – what one says when leaving a Japanese restaurant after a nice meal.)

 I think “Zōtō” is probably “贈答,” which means, “exchange of gifts.”