AZARIAS
In an old, affluent district about a half
hour's drive from Woodbine Racetrack,
Azarias is frequented by some horse peo-
ple because owner Mark Azaria worked as a
waiter serving in the dining rooms at Wood-
bine 30 years ago and later became a horse
owner.
Azarias, which specializes in small food
dishes, often called tapas, is fascinating
from the moment you enter the door and
are greeted by Mark. It's almost like you
are a guest in his house. The walls include
a galaxy of family photos, notably of Mark's
father, Joseph. He was an aspiring jour-
nalist in the '50s but was turned down for
a reporter's job by a mainstream Montreal
newspaper, so he created Midnight, which
became The Globe, one of the forerunners
of supermarket tabloids. Included among
the many photos in the restaurant are ones
with Joseph and Hollywood stars of yes-
teryear such as Jimmy Durante, Ed Sulli-
van, and Eartha Kitt.
There is also a photo of the walking ring
from Gulfstream Park, likely from the '30s
or '40s judging by the tote board. Joseph
liked to go to Thoroughbred tracks in the
United States.
