Toronto’s hottest season is in full swing; after so much sightseeing, you’re no doubt in need of refreshment. Pull up a patio chair or stop by a swanky lounge for a sophisticated cocktail, local microbrew and a tempting taste of city life. Click the images below to discover our favourite patios, drinks and more. By Marisa Baratta
The Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival—the world’s largest festival dedicated to the display and discussion of the photographic arts—returns to Toronto this month. There are more than 225 exhibitions to see between May 1 and 31; each day Where Toronto offers a peek at one of them.
Today’s Pick:
Artist: Berend Strick
Title: The Radiant (courtesy of Stephane Simoens Contemporary Fine Art)
See It @ the Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042), as part of the group show, “You May Feel Something”, April 21 to June 19.
For more on this exhibition, click here.
Weekends are meant for leisurely pursuits, and a long, languid meal is an ideal way to spend time in Toronto. Relish comforting, familiar fare while soaking up the local ambience at these restaurants.
DRAKE CORNER CAFÉ
THE SCENE Located in the deservedly hyped West Queen West hotel where the city’s hipsters (artists, musicians, style makers) gather to exchange cutting-edge ideas, it’s as much about the cultural substance as the sustenance here.
ORDER UP Pastry chef David Chow’s hand-rolled blueberry scones have been declared the city’s best by foodies and critics alike. The curious combo of chicken and herb waffles may raise eyebrows, but it’s a surprisingly savoury selection. And for sheer amusement, order one of the vibrantly coloured smoothies with equally bright names, such as the “raspberry beret” or “famous blue raincoat.”
GO Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LE PAPILLON ON FRONT
THE SCENE Traditional Quebecois and French fare is the specialty at this Old Town staple. Bright, street-facing windows shed pools of light into a dining room with exposed brick, red leather-clad seats and pink floral banquettes.
ORDER UP Although the menu abounds with mains such as Atlantic salmon, steak frites and tourtière, Le Papillon was originally conceived as a creperie back in 1974. Choose from nine tantalizing concoctions, ranging from the regional crepe bourguignon (French beef ragout marinated in red wine from Burgundy) to veggie varietals like crepe aux asperges (asparagus and cheddar cheese in a béchamel sauce).
GO Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
FRANK
THE SCENE At the Art Gallery of Ontario, this Frank Gehry-designed resto boasts walls paneled with Douglas fir—one of the architect’s trademark materials—and is furnished with minimalist Danish tables and chairs. A zigzag bar and an installation by famed American painter and sculptor Frank Stella set the vibe for cultured comfort cuisine.
ORDER UP Highlighting locally sourced ingredients, executive chef Anne Yarymowich’s menu has many mouth-watering dishes, including the roasted buttercup squash and cheddar souffle served with caramelized russet apples and an apple cider reduction. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the chocolate-espresso bread pudding served with brandied sour cherries and vanilla whipped cream.
GO Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
BRASSAII BISTRO LOUNGE
THE SCENE Housed in a converted turn-of-the-century warehouse, the interior upholds an airy feel with minimal adornment. Imposing, factory-sized windows bathe the room with light, casting flecks of shimmer off the stainless steel communal table that faces the open kitchen.
ORDER UP Tuck into a croissant with nutella and banana or get your caffeine fix with fresh doughnuts served with chocolate-espresso dip. Fortifying yourself for a big day? Try the Kentucky hot brown: bourbon-glazed turkey, French toast, double-smoked bacon and tomatoes served with béchamel sauce.
GO Saturday 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
And if the lineups are too long at those restaurants, fret not! There are dozens more eateries in the city that are eager to appease your appetite. Among them:
BONJOUR BRIOCHE Drop by this Leslieville boîte for flaky Parisian pastries and chocolate croissants that are worth the calories. (Tuesday to Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
EDWARD LEVESQUE’S KITCHEN Be prepared to wait patiently at this Leslieville hot spot where locals line up early for the banana pancakes. (Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
JOY BISTRO Hungry hordes congregate at this yellow-fronted space for a gluttonous selection of eggy mains: Benedict, Benentine, Florentine, Norwegian and house-favourite Teddy (poached eggs, peameal bacon, grilled onions, spinach and tomatoes on an English muffin with hollandaise sauce). (Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
LE PETIT DÉJEUNER This small, bohemian bistro with sparkly green booths serves honest fare like light and crispy Brussels-style waffles and heavenly apple coleslaw. (Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
OKAY OKAY This retro diner with all the trimmings—TVs with dials and worn leather booths—serves generous portions of fluffy blueberry and banana pancakes or eggs Brunhilde, a poached-egg dish with asparagus, smoked salmon, hash brown patties and horseradish hollandaise sauce. (Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
SWAN Red-leather stools, Formica tables and a vintage Coca-Cola cooler nod to the nostalgic diner ambience, while the small menu offers comforting omelette specials. (Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
Whether you’re looking to take in a stage show, indulge in a culinary celebration, or dance into the wee hours—we’ve got plenty of party ideas to help you ring in 2010.
Scottish Traditions
Step back in time on December 28 for an evening of Scottish food and music during Hogmanay (the Scots word for “new year”) celebrations at Mackenzie House . The decorated 19th-century row house will be illuminated with gaslight while traditional musical group Gin Lane performs popular tunes, including a musical rendition of Auld Lang Syne, the famed verse by Scottish poet Robbie Burns. 82 Bond St., 7 to 9 p.m. $20 per person; call 416-392-6915 to reserve.
On December 29, bring the family to Gibson House for a candlelit evening celebrating the Scottish New Year at the Hogmanay Party for Families. Visitors are greeted at the door by the legendary “First Footer” and are soon immersed in Hogmanay customs through hands-on crafts, stories and sing-alongs. On December 30, enjoy a scrumptious meal at a traditional Hogmanay dinner party. Wine and dine by the fireside while watching a dramatic re-creation of a New Year from a bygone time. 5172 Yonge St. Hogmanay family party 7 to 9 p.m. Adults $20, children $12.50. Hogmanay Dinner 7:30 to 10 p.m. $50; call 416-395-7432 to pre-register for either event.
Stage Performances
Stand up and cheer for some of the most passionate operatic music ever written as Bravissimo! Opera’s Greatest Hits returns to Toronto for a spectacular New Year’s Eve concert at Roy Thomson Hall. Delight in dazzling performances of beloved arias, duets and more from Carmen, Madama Butterfly, La bohème and other classics from opera’s golden age. 60 Simcoe St. 7 p.m., $75 to $155; call 416-872-4255 or click here to buy.
Laugh, cry, and kiss the New Year goodbye as Yuk Yuk’s founder Mark Breslin presents the annual New Year’s Eve Comedy Extravaganza at Massey Hall. Hilarious host Gerry Dee is joined on stage by the city’s funniest stand up and improv artists. Special guest performers include Nikki Payne and “That Canadian Guy” Glen Foster. 178 Victoria St.
7:30 p.m. $39.50 to $59.50; call 416-872-4255 or visit here to purchase tickets.
The Toronto Operetta Theatre‘s New Year’s Eve Gala features dinner, dancing and a rousing performance of Countess Maritza, an operetta known the world over for its combination of Viennese elegance and Hungarian passion. This fundraising event, which has sold out for 12 years in a row, includes a pre-performance sit-down dinner and a late-night reception and dance party to benefit the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. 27 Front St. E.
5:30 p.m., $145 and up; call 416-366-7723 or click here to buy.
1. In a historic building just north of the waterfront, Harbour Sixty has long been known for its opulent decor, high quality of service and, of course, culinary excellence. But the elite steakhouse isn’t resting on its laurels. To mark its 10th anniversary, the restaurant boasts a dramatically updated interior. Among the many design features: high, brocade-swathed chairs, suede wallpaper and mother of pearl in the bar area, plus graphic valances and contemporary art by Joshua Jensen-Nagle in the dining space; the two distinct rooms encircle a marble- and agate-lined gallery kitchen that serves up the finest USDA Prime and authentic Kobe beef, fresh seafood and sumptuous desserts. Or, descend to the formal, lower-level dining room, where dark woods and leather foster a clubhouse atmosphere and selections from the superior wine cellar are showcased in sleek glass cabinets.
2. At long last, Torontonians and visitors can see for themselves the state of Union, one of the newest restaurants to open on the increasingly hip Ossington Street strip. Thanks to a Toronto Life–backed blog—on which chef Teo Paul documented the many months of successes and setbacks between concept and first service—the farm-to-fork eatery had one of the more hotly anticipated openings in recent memory. It’s quickly become a fixture in an emerging neighbourhood, where dedicated locavores can nosh on fare that uniformly utilizes Ontario-fresh ingredients including grain-fed elk, artisan cheeses and seasonal organic vegetables straight from farmers’ fields.
Grace restaurant
3. As the cold weather begins to bite, warm your belly with timely takes on comfort-food classics at these welcoming restaurants.
>> The swank dining room of the Drake Hotel belies its carte of toothsome classics like mac ‘n’ cheese ($19) and a po’ boy sandwich with fried cod ($15). Or, try one of executive chef Anthony Rose’s daily blue-plate specials.
>> Modern farmhouse fare dominates the menu at Grace, where dishes such as lamb pot pie ($20) draw inspiration from traditional family dinners. Milk and cookies ($7) bring your meal to a simple yet memorable conclusion.
>> Though its hipster quotient can be intimidating, the food at OddFellows is anything but. The meaty combo of Jack Daniels–braised pork belly and spiced short rib ($16) is enough to make a slow-food lover swoon.
Too old for trick or treating? Try out some of these spooky Halloween-themed activities. . . if you dare!
Friday: Enter a pumpkin carving competition (photo by Plutor).
Friday, October 30th
Go on a frighteningly cool auditory treasure hunt at Sounds Scary, a Halloween-themed multimedia installation at the Artscape Wychwood Barns.
Show off your pumpkin carving skills or cheer on your favourite team in the third annual Church Street Jack-O-Lantern competition, part of Halloweek celebrations in the Church-Wellesley Village.
Forget candlelight, try dining in the dark at O’Noir—for daring dinner patrons, the pitch-black surroundings can help to enhance the senses of taste, smell and touch.
Saturday: Kids get to be animals at the annual Boo at the Zoo.
Saturday, October 31
Throw on your favourite pair of animal ears and head to Boo at the Zoo, where critters and costumed humans will be on parade along with lots more spooktacular kid-friendly entertainment.
Listen to the large scale sound of twenty classical pianists simultaneously performing on ten grand pianos at the annual Halloween Monster Concert at Massey Hall.
Dress to impress in Casino Royale–style costume garb at the Distillery District’s Halloween Howl, a devilishly chic Monte Carlo-themed fundraiser to support Canadian Opera Students.
Sunday: Cheer for a mutant superhero in The Toxic Avenger (photo by Carol Rosegg).
Sunday, November 1
Snack while you shop at the Drake Hotel’s first urban market, a combination of yard sale and bake sale featuring handmade crafts, vintage clothing and an assortment of Halloween-related goodies.
Get grossed out at new musical The Toxic Avenger. Louise Pitre (of Mamma Mia fame) stars in this hilarious tale of an unlikely mutant superhero from New Jersey.
Take a photographic journey back in time at the Stephen Bulger gallery’s new exhibit, Lieux Mêmes, featuring hauntingly beautiful images by Bertrand Carrier.
Craft, cringe, carve and cheer with our lineup of autumn events taking place this weekend.
Friday: Get acquainted with The Boys in the Photograph.
Friday, October 16th
Get crafty at the Creativ Festival, a three-day show dedicated to do-it-yourself creations. Whether you’re a novice knitter or a seasoned scrapbooker you’ll find plenty of crafting supplies and workshops to help you with your next creative project.
Scare yourself silly and fight off ghoulish creatures at Screamers, the annual Halloween-themed park at Exhibition Place.
Applaud a performance of The Boys in the Photograph, a coming-of-age story of love and conflict in Northern Ireland during the civil war, written by Ben Elton and brought to musical life by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s powerful score.
Saturday: Cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Saturday, October 17th
Support our beloved hometown hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they take to the Air Canada Centre ice in a battle against the New York Rangers.
Join Drake Hotel art concierge Betty Ann Jordan on an exploration of galleries and project spaces along the Queen West strip. After the tour, art aficionados congregate at the Drake’s Corner Cafe for coffee, treats and conversation.
Celebrate the evolution of Indigenous cinema at the 10th annual imagineNATIVE film festival, showcasing more than 125 works by Native filmmakers and media artists.
Sunday: Brunch at the Boiler House.
Sunday, October 18th
Get into the Halloween spirit early and enjoy a devilish day of family fun at Black Creek Pioneer Village. This year’s Howling Hootenanny features a haunted maze, creepy creatures, pumpkin carving and much more.
Don’t be shy to dig in at the Boiler House’s lavish brunch buffet—savour award-winning eggs Benedict to the tune of live jazz at this chic, refurbished industrial building in the heart of the Distillery Historic District.
Suit up at Theory’s Get Suited event happening at Holt Renfrew. With in-store sartorial specialists and designer discounts aplenty, you’ll have no problem revamping your work wardrobe this season.
Friday, July 31
Treat your tastebuds to the Drake Hotel‘s “Gone Fishing” prix fixe menu ($40) – a three-course meal that features, among other things, smoked Georgian Bay white fish and house smoked BBQ ribs.
It’s your last chance to catch the quirky and yet profoundly thoughtful “Common Wealth” exhibition at contemporary gallery MKG127.
Saturday, August 1
Be dazzled by the colourful costumes and music of the Caribana parade, starting at 10 a.m., then head to Harbourfront Centre and dance to more calypso, soca, salsa and reggae at the Island Soul festival.
Let the beautiful sound of Anton Kuerti’s piano playing at the Summer Music Festival remind you why classical piano is best experienced live.
Sunday, August 2
Plan your day over delectable blueberry pancakes and coffee at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, the coolest Brunch spot in Liberty Village.
Walk through the SculptArt Maze, a 250-foot painting in the shape of a Celtic knot created by Canadian artist Grace Loney and presented by Prime Gallery at the Royal Botanical Gardens (on 680 Plains Rd. W., Burlington, 905-527-1158), a short drive west of Toronto.
1. Opera and ballet lovers have a new option for a pre- or post-show bite. Just steps from the Four Seasons Centre, Forte recently opened in an equally theatrical and surprisingly large space, highlighted by walnut trim in the front-of-house, mirrored red glass and a three-dimensional accent wall in the central dining area, plus a sleek lounge at the rear. Artfully plated bistro fare by chef Greg Argent (formerly of fusion institution Rain) suits the surroundings with such dishes as coq au vin with honey mushrooms ($25) and slow-cooked rabbit with pappardelle ($25). The pre-preformance prix fixe menu offers a streamlined selection for $30—though you’ll want to take time to savour these tastes, efficient servers ensure you’re satiated before the curtain rises across the street.
The weekend arrives once again. Enjoy it!
Friday: Embrujo Flamenco's paella festival
Friday, May 29
Explore how the shape of a garment communicates cultural beliefs and outlooks in The Cutting Edge, a feature exhibition at the Textile Museum of Canada.
Savour the exotic flavours of Embrujo Flamenco’s paella festival, featuring various takes on the filling, authentically Spanish dish. A gazpacho starter, one of four daily paellas like the arroz negro—black rice and seafood cooked in squid ink—and dessert are just $49.
Sing along to the roots-rock hits of eclectic British band Gomez as they storm the Pheonix Concert Theatre stage.
Saturday: Sommelier Taylor Thompson offers wine expertise at Reds (photo by Daniel Shipp).
Saturday, May 30
Spend the day discovering the art of food-and-wine pairing by participating in historic Campbell House Museum’s Global Wine Tour: Fundamentals of Food and Wine course.
Combine food and fashion while celebrating South-Asian music and culture at DesiFest.
Marvel at the poise of performers from the Canadian Children’s Opera Company as they stage Hansel and Gretel Go Into the Woods: A Fairy Tale.
Choose your favourite tipple from more than 90 wines available by the glass at Reds Bistro & Wine Bar—or, seek the advice of Taylor Thompson, the restaurant’s expert sommelier.
Sunday: Tuck into brunch at the Drake Hotel's eclectic Corner Café
Sunday, May 31
Relax at The Rex with enough jazz, blues and beer to keep you occupied between lunch and dinner.
Take in the Drake Hotel’s trendy ambience as you chomp down on a hearty breakfast burrito from its lauded brunch menu.
Catch the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox—or perhaps even a foul ball—as these Major League Baseball rivals do battle at Rogers Centre.
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Stay, Dine, Do
