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ARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO WALK ON THE EDGE? | GET AROUND WITH A TORONTO CITYPASS<br />

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Contents<br />

It’s <strong>Toronto</strong><br />

<strong>May</strong>/<strong>June</strong> <strong>2017</strong><br />

Vol. 1 | No. 1<br />

8<br />

Javen/Shutterstock.com<br />

FEATURES<br />

8 See It All and Save<br />

How a <strong>Toronto</strong> CityPASS works<br />

14 CN Tower<br />

20 The Art Gallery of Ontario<br />

The first major Georgia O’Keeffe<br />

retrospective in Canada<br />

25 Plan Your Stay<br />

A three-day city exploring<br />

vacation itinerary<br />

LOCAL EATS<br />

29 The Elm Tree Restaurant<br />

FAMILY OUTING<br />

34 Family friendly activities to try<br />

during your <strong>Toronto</strong> stay<br />

IN EVERY ISSUE<br />

4 Letter from the Editor<br />

6 Upcoming <strong>Toronto</strong> Events<br />

20<br />

Cover photo: Aqnus Febriyant/Shutterstock.com<br />

25<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 3


LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER<br />

It’s <strong>Toronto</strong><br />

– It’s Here!<br />

<strong>May</strong>/<strong>June</strong> <strong>2017</strong> | Issue 1 | No. 1<br />

Published by<br />

701 Henry Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 1T9<br />

Toll-free Phone: 866-953-2189<br />

Toll-free Fax: 877-565-8557<br />

www.lestercommunications.ca<br />

President, Jeff Lester<br />

Publisher, Jill Harris<br />

Welcome to the inaugural edition of It’s <strong>Toronto</strong> magazine, a new<br />

publication dedicated to the travelers who prefer using shortterm<br />

rental properties for their vacation accommodations.<br />

This market is experiencing explosive growth and will continue to do so as technology<br />

disrupts more traditional accommodation experiences. We don’t want you<br />

to miss out on anything <strong>Toronto</strong> has to offer you during your stay, and so created<br />

this magazine exclusively for you.<br />

Based on market research data, we know a few things about you:<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

You’re mainly looking for unique experiences during your vacation, as opposed<br />

to spending your money on material goods<br />

Half of you are in the Millennial age group, while the other half are Gen-X<br />

and Baby Boomers<br />

You’re savvy, as staying in a vacation rental costs you, on average, 40 per cent<br />

less than an equivalent stay at a hotel<br />

You’re interested in local entertainment, like festivals and sporting events<br />

While you want an insider look at the city, you still want to see the major<br />

attractions like the CN Tower or Casa Loma<br />

In our inaugural issue, we’ve covered some <strong>Toronto</strong> mainstay information for<br />

you, such as how a <strong>Toronto</strong> CityPASS works, visiting the CN Tower and letting<br />

you know about upcoming events in the city. We’ve also got a couple sample vacation<br />

itineraries for any travelers who need a little activity inspiration.<br />

I hope you enjoy your stay in the Big Smoke, and come back again this summer<br />

to celebrate Canada 150!<br />

Happy trails,<br />

Jill Harris<br />

EDITORIAL<br />

Editor, Andrew Harris<br />

ADVERTISING<br />

Quinn Bogusky, Brenda Ezinicki,<br />

Brian Saunders, Darryl Sawchuk,<br />

Mathew Torgerson<br />

DESIGN & LAYOUT<br />

Art Director, Myles O’Reilly<br />

Senior Graphic Designer, John Lyttle<br />

Graphic Designer, Jessica Landry<br />

DIGITAL MEDIA<br />

Digital Media Manager, Gayl Punzalan<br />

Online Media Designer, John Mark Aquino<br />

DISTRIBUTION<br />

Office Manager, Nikki Manalo<br />

© <strong>2017</strong> Lester Communications Inc.<br />

All rights reserved. The contents of this<br />

publication may not be reproduced by any<br />

means, in whole or in part, without the<br />

prior written consent of the publisher.<br />

Publication Mail Agreement #40606022.<br />

Return undeliverable Canadian<br />

addresses to:<br />

701 Henry Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 1T9<br />

Disclaimer:<br />

The opinions expressed by the authors<br />

and/or editorial sources contained in<br />

It’s <strong>Toronto</strong> magazine are those of the<br />

respective parties and do not necessarily<br />

represent the opinion of the publisher.<br />

Printed in Canada.<br />

Please recycle where<br />

facilities exist.<br />

ISSN 2369-3886<br />

4 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


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Filename_ Version#<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 5


UPCOMING<br />

<strong>Toronto</strong> Events<br />

Ontario Science Centre presents Canada<br />

150 Discovery Way<br />

What: Come visit the Ontario Science Centre’s<br />

installation about the stories behind Canadian<br />

inventions and inventors.<br />

Where: Ontario Science Centre<br />

When: April 20 to November 12, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Mississauga Marathon<br />

What: Take part in this year’s Marathon! The route<br />

starts from Mississauga Celebration Square.<br />

Where: Mississauga Celebration Square<br />

When: Friday, <strong>May</strong> 5, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Carassauga Festival Inc.<br />

What: Carassauga is the largest multicultural festival<br />

in Ontario. Visit pavilions showcasing more than<br />

70 countries, taste exotic dishes and experience<br />

breathtaking performances.<br />

When: Friday, <strong>May</strong> 26 to Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 28, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Where: Mississauga Hershey Centre<br />

Georgia O’Keeffe<br />

What: The AGO will be hosting the only North<br />

American stop of Georgia O’Keeffe, a career<br />

retrospective of American painter Georgia O’Keeffe.<br />

Come and view pieces spanning O’Keeffe’s<br />

entire career.<br />

Where: Art Gallery of Ontario<br />

When: April 22 to July 30, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Street Food & Street Art Tour<br />

What: Walk down Graffiti Alley, <strong>Toronto</strong>’s richest site<br />

of street art, to see works from some of <strong>Toronto</strong>’s most<br />

well-known and talented street artists. Finish up your<br />

tour with some eats from some of the best street food<br />

in the city.<br />

When: Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 6, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Where: 154 Spadina Ave.<br />

Woofstock<br />

What: Like dogs? Come to the largest outdoor<br />

festival for dogs in all of North America.<br />

When: Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 27 to Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 28, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Where: Woodbine Park<br />

ValeStock/Shutterstock.com, DayOwl/Shutterstock.com, Pavel1964/Shutterstock.com,<br />

mikecphoto/Shutterstock.com, Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com, Paul McKinnon/Shutterstock.com<br />

6 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


UPCOMING TORONTO EVENTS<br />

Taste of <strong>Toronto</strong><br />

What: Enjoy some of <strong>Toronto</strong>’s most celebrated chefs<br />

and rising stars. Taste of <strong>Toronto</strong> is back for its fourth<br />

year of foodie entertainment.<br />

When: Thursday, <strong>June</strong> 15 to Sunday, <strong>June</strong> 18, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Where: Fort York<br />

Splash! – Canada 150<br />

What: A five-part themed series designed to transport<br />

you into another world.<br />

When: Friday, <strong>June</strong> 23, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Where: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada<br />

Breakin’ Convention <strong>Toronto</strong> <strong>2017</strong><br />

What: The world’s biggest festival of hip hop dance<br />

theatre showcasing the best from around the world.<br />

When: Friday, <strong>June</strong> 23 to Saturday, <strong>June</strong> 24, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Where: Mississauga Hershey Centre<br />

Mississauga Waterfront Festival<br />

What: Held every Father’s Day, the festival offers<br />

concerts, a kid’s stage, Family Fun Village, Heritage<br />

Stage, vendors, crafters, petting zoo and much more.<br />

When: Friday, <strong>June</strong> 16 to Sunday, <strong>June</strong> 18, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Where: 20 Lakeshore Rd. E.<br />

Pepsi North American Cup<br />

What: Come out to the track to enjoy the 34th<br />

edition of the Pepsi North American Cup.<br />

When: Saturday, <strong>June</strong> 17, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Where: Woodbine Racetrack<br />

<strong>Toronto</strong> Craft Beer Festival<br />

What: Celebrate independent craft breweries with<br />

craft beers/ciders, delicious food, music and other fun<br />

activities. Must be aged 19+.<br />

When: Friday, <strong>June</strong> 23 to Saturday, <strong>June</strong> 24, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Where: Ontario Place<br />

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone<br />

In Concert<br />

What: Enjoy a live symphony orchestra performing<br />

to the movie. You will be able to relive the magic of<br />

the movie while hearing the orchestra perform the<br />

iconic score.<br />

When: Tuesday, <strong>June</strong> 27 to Wednesday,<br />

<strong>June</strong> 28, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Where: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts<br />

To have your event included in these listings in a future issue<br />

of It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>, please send your information to the publisher –<br />

jharris@lesterpublications.com<br />

stockcreations/Shutterstock.com, Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com, Nikola Bilic/Shutterstock.com<br />

Day Owl/Shutterstock.com, Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com, conrado/Shutterstock.com, Stokkete/Shutterstock.com<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 7


See It All<br />

and Save<br />

A <strong>Toronto</strong> CityPASS<br />

will take you where<br />

you want to go<br />

By Sarah B. Hood<br />

Canada marks its 150th birthday this year, but for<br />

<strong>Toronto</strong> visitors, there’s another anniversary worth<br />

celebrating. This year (March 1, <strong>2017</strong> to Feb. 28,<br />

2018) is also the 20th anniversary for CityPASS, the unique<br />

North America-wide pass system that offers discounts on admissions<br />

to the most popular attractions in 12 destinations.<br />

CityPASS was founded in 1997 in Seattle and San Francisco<br />

by Mike Gallagher, who worked in destination marketing at<br />

Marine World/Africa USA (which became Six Flags), and<br />

Mike Morey, head of a research firm specializing in theme<br />

parks, museums, zoos and aquariums.<br />

“San Francisco completely bombed, and Seattle took off like<br />

hotcakes,” said CityPASS’ vice president of communications<br />

and public relations, Deborah Wakefield. “We went back and<br />

did some research. The number-one thing people want to do in<br />

San Francisco is ride a cable car, so one of our owners met with<br />

San Francisco’s public transit authority 25 times. He doesn’t<br />

take no for an answer!”<br />

As soon as the cable-car ride was added, “Sales for San<br />

Francisco took off, too,” she said. Since then, CityPASS has<br />

expanded to 12 destinations, including New York City, Boston<br />

and Chicago. <strong>Toronto</strong> has been part of CityPASS since 2004.<br />

“Our concept was designed around taking the stress out of<br />

planning a vacation,” said Gallagher. “People worry that travel<br />

is too expensive, so we made it more affordable. They worry<br />

Dilk Feros/Shutterstock.com<br />

8 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


CITYPASS<br />

“THE WHOLE IDEA WAS TO TAKE AWAY<br />

THE HASSLE, SO THAT TRAVELLERS<br />

AND THEIR FAMILIES COULD JUST<br />

FOCUS ON HAVING FUN.”<br />

– MIKE GALLAGHER, CITYPASS<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 9


CITYPASS<br />

that once they go on vacation, they’ll miss<br />

something incredible. So we made sure to include<br />

all the top attractions. They worry about<br />

spending their precious vacation time standing<br />

in line, which is why, whenever possible,<br />

CityPASS includes a line-skipping option.<br />

The whole idea was to take away the hassle, so<br />

that travellers and their families could just focus<br />

on having fun.”<br />

“We’ve seen a lot of change in the past 20<br />

years,” said CityPASS president and CEO,<br />

Megan Allen. “We’ve seen sales go from primarily<br />

box office to largely online; we’ve gone<br />

from shipping every ticket booklet by post to<br />

sending a good portion of them via email; and,<br />

last year, we introduced our first entirely mobile<br />

pass, New York C3.”<br />

Most CityPASS booklets are designed to<br />

suit a typical stay of about a week, so they<br />

offer five or six admissions. The New York<br />

C3 mobile pass is tailored to shorter trips;<br />

it lets users in to any three of the top 10<br />

New York attractions, like the Empire State<br />

Building, the Metropolitan Museum and<br />

the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Also, instead<br />

of a ticket booklet, it takes the form of<br />

a mobile app.<br />

Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock.com<br />

10 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


CITYPASS<br />

CITYPASS TORONTO ATTRACTIONS<br />

In <strong>Toronto</strong>, CityPASS saves visitors about 40 per cent off the cost of admission to five of the<br />

city’s six most-visited attractions. These include:<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

CN Tower, one of the tallest structures in the world, with sensational views over Lake<br />

Ontario, a breezy LookOut level that’s 1,136 feet/346 m in the air, and a Glass Floor<br />

area for those who dare to step across it<br />

Casa Loma, an actual castle that has starred in numerous movies (it stood in for the<br />

X-Men Academy, for example!)<br />

Royal Ontario Museum (left), Canada’s most extensive collection of natural and<br />

human history exhibits. This year’s star is the brand-new exhibit of one of the world’s<br />

largest and most complete Blue Whale skeletons, painstakingly assembled from bones<br />

recovered in Newfoundland three years ago.<br />

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (opposite), the newest addition to the <strong>Toronto</strong> CityPASS<br />

and home to a magnificent array of live sea creatures<br />

Either the <strong>Toronto</strong> Zoo (home to giant panda cubs Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue) or the<br />

Ontario Science Centre (a fascinating interactive playground for inquiring minds)<br />

The <strong>Toronto</strong> CityPASS costs $76 plus tax for adults ($51 plus tax for children between<br />

the ages of 4 and 12). The full price for entry to the attractions is $127.15, so CityPASS<br />

represents savings of $51.15.<br />

CityPASS is sold at its partner attractions and online at citypass.com, where visitors will<br />

find insider tips (like when the CN Tower observation deck is least crowded). The tickets<br />

include public transit directions to each site.<br />

Booklets can be shipped to many international locations, or purchasers can print a<br />

voucher redeemable for the coupon booklet at whichever attraction they choose to visit first.<br />

Javen/Shutterstock.com<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 11


CITYPASS<br />

JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock.com<br />

“PEOPLE WORRY THAT TRAVEL<br />

IS TOO EXPENSIVE, SO WE<br />

MADE IT MORE AFFORDABLE.”<br />

– MIKE GALLAGHER, CITYPASS<br />

Dilk Feros/Shutterstock.com<br />

“We did a customer satisfaction survey at the end of 2016;<br />

we have a 98 per cent customer recommendation rating,” said<br />

Wakefield. That’s another excuse to celebrate this year.<br />

CityPASS users who share their experiences on social media<br />

with the hashtag #citypass are eligible to win four CityPASS<br />

booklets to any city. Also, during the anniversary year, those<br />

who post a review at citypass.com will be entered in a monthly<br />

draw for $2,020.<br />

12 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


The only magazine dedicated to travelers using short-term property rentals<br />

Staying at a short-term property rental costs<br />

a traveler 40 per cent less, on average, than<br />

the equivalent stay at a traditional hotel.<br />

That means these travelers have more<br />

money to spend at your business.<br />

Check out advertising opportunities on our media kit: www.lesterfiles.com/Its-<strong>Toronto</strong>-Kit


Photos courtesy of the CN Tower<br />

14 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


CN TOWER<br />

Why the<br />

CN Tower<br />

is <strong>Toronto</strong>’s<br />

Must-See<br />

Attraction<br />

By Candice G. Ball<br />

Not only is the CN Tower one of<br />

Canada’s most iconic landmarks,<br />

it is also an excellent starting point<br />

to experience <strong>Toronto</strong>. Standing 553.33 metres<br />

(1,815 feet, 5 inches) tall, the CN Tower offers<br />

a breathtaking, panoramic view of <strong>Toronto</strong>.<br />

“It’s a wonderful way for visitors, especially<br />

those visiting <strong>Toronto</strong> for the first time, to get<br />

an overview of the city,” said Lisa Tompkins,<br />

director of sales, marketing and communications<br />

at the CN Tower. “We often say to people,<br />

‘Why not start your visit at CN Tower?’ You<br />

have a great overview of the city beneath you<br />

and you can plan your visit from that point.”<br />

Each year, more than 1.8 million people visit<br />

the architectural wonder, but it was originally<br />

constructed to be more than a tourist attraction.<br />

Built by Canadian National Railways in<br />

1976, the CN Tower served as a telecommunications<br />

hub and still transmits signals. Today,<br />

all major broadcast AM and FM radio stations<br />

and wireless service providers use the CN<br />

Tower for transmission.<br />

Construction on the $63-million tower began<br />

on Feb. 6, 1973. More than 1,537 workers<br />

laboured around the clock, five days a week<br />

to build the CN Tower, completing the tower<br />

on Feb. 22, 1974, and the antenna on April 2,<br />

1975. The Tower officially opened to the public<br />

on Oct. 1, 1976.<br />

On the Tower’s 40th birthday, it celebrated<br />

an illustrious history, including holding the<br />

Guinness World Record as world’s tallest tower<br />

for more than three decades. The Burj Khalifa,<br />

in Dubai, usurped the Tower’s title in 2010.<br />

But the CN Tower still has bragging rights<br />

with two other Guinness World Records for<br />

EdgeWalk, the world’s highest exterior walk<br />

on a building, and for the World’s Highest<br />

Wine Cellar.<br />

ONE TOWER, MANY VIEWS<br />

There are many ways to experience the CN<br />

Tower. If you choose a General Admission<br />

ticket, you will enjoy access to stunning views<br />

from two different observation levels.<br />

You will be able to take in <strong>Toronto</strong> from<br />

the LookOut level at 346 metres (1,136 feet)<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 15


CN TOWER<br />

THE CITYPASS,<br />

TORONTO’S<br />

TOTAL<br />

PACKAGE<br />

The CityPASS offers another way to experience the CN<br />

Tower as well as four other major <strong>Toronto</strong> attractions.<br />

The CityPASS bundles together five “best-of-<strong>Toronto</strong>”<br />

attractions so you save 40 per cent or more off<br />

admission. CityPASS also allows you to skip most ticket<br />

lines. The package includes the CN Tower; <strong>Toronto</strong>’s<br />

castle, Casa Loma; the Royal Ontario Museum; Ripley’s<br />

Aquarium of Canada; and <strong>Toronto</strong> Zoo or Ontario<br />

Science Centre. For more information about CityPASS,<br />

read the article on page 8.<br />

“It’s a wonderful product,” said Tompkins. “It brings<br />

together the best of <strong>Toronto</strong> and will give you an<br />

unforgettable experience of our wonderful city.”<br />

which includes viewing the thrillseekers<br />

doing EdgeWalk. (If you’re a<br />

daredevil, you may want to skip right to<br />

the EdgeWalk section of the article).<br />

While you’re on the LookOut level,<br />

you may want to enjoy a meal<br />

at Horizons Restaurant. The family-friendly<br />

restaurant celebrates the<br />

multicultural neighbourhoods of<br />

<strong>Toronto</strong> and offers breathtaking views<br />

overlooking Lake Ontario and <strong>Toronto</strong>.<br />

(If you just want a bite on the go, Le<br />

Café is another option located at the<br />

base of the CN Tower.)<br />

With your General Admission ticket,<br />

you will also be able to walk on the<br />

Glass Floor at 342 metres (1,122 feet)<br />

– the world’s first glass floor. Imagine<br />

yourself walking over 300 square feet of<br />

glass.<br />

If the thought makes you nervous,<br />

you’ll take comfort in the fact that the<br />

glass is strong enough to withstand<br />

the weight of 35 full-grown Canadian<br />

moose. Although the glass is just<br />

2.875-inches thick, it was engineered to<br />

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16 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


CN TOWER<br />

support a weight five times greater than<br />

the standard for commercial and institutional<br />

floors.<br />

After you have walked across the<br />

Glass Floor, you can take in an outdoor<br />

view from the SkyTerrace. On a warm<br />

night, it’s a lovely spot to watch the sunset<br />

while enjoying a gentle summer’s<br />

breeze.<br />

If you want to go even higher, you<br />

may purchase an additional ticket to go<br />

up to the SkyPod at 447 metres (1,475<br />

feet). When the sky is clear, the SkyPod<br />

offers you a 160-kilometre or 100-mile<br />

view of <strong>Toronto</strong>, Lake Ontario and beyond<br />

to Niagara Falls and Rochester,<br />

N.Y.<br />

EDGEWALK, A BUCKET-LIST<br />

EXPERIENCE FOR THRILL SEEKERS<br />

If you’re an adrenaline-junkie, you will<br />

not want to pass up the opportunity<br />

to experience EdgeWalk – the world’s<br />

highest, full circle hands-free walk on a<br />

1.5-metre (five-foot) wide ledge encircling<br />

the top of the CN Tower’s main<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 17


CN TOWER<br />

WEBSITES<br />

AND APPS:<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

www.cntower.ca<br />

www.edgewalkcntower.ca<br />

There is also a downloadable app<br />

available through Apple’s App<br />

Store and through Google Play<br />

pod at 356 metres, or 116 storeys, above<br />

ground.<br />

After a detailed safety orientation,<br />

you will join a group of six fellow adventurers<br />

with an EdgeWalk guide and<br />

circle the pod while attached to an overhead<br />

safety rail via a trolley-and-harness<br />

system. You can literally lean off the<br />

building over <strong>Toronto</strong>.<br />

“It’s a bucket-list experience for<br />

many people,” said Tompkins. “We’ve<br />

had a lot of milestones, such as birthdays<br />

and even a wedding, on EdgeWalk.<br />

We’ve also seen many people push their<br />

personal limits and overcome their apprehensions<br />

about heights.”<br />

There are some restrictions. You must<br />

be at least 13 years old and fall within<br />

a weight range of 34 kilograms (75<br />

pounds) to 140 kilograms (310 pounds).<br />

The entire experience takes an hour and<br />

a half, with 30 minutes spent circling<br />

the CN Tower.<br />

You will get to relive the experience<br />

for years to come because the package<br />

includes a video, printed photos and<br />

certificate of achievement. You will also<br />

320 Queen Street West<br />

<strong>Toronto</strong>, ON M5V 2A4<br />

(416) 408-4287<br />

MONDAY to WEDNESDAY<br />

10am-7pm<br />

THURSDAY to SATURDAY<br />

10am-8pm<br />

SUNDAY 11am-7pm<br />

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@GOORINBROSQUEENST<br />

18 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


MORE THAN<br />

1,537 WORKERS<br />

LABOURED<br />

AROUND THE<br />

CLOCK, FIVE DAYS<br />

A WEEK TO BUILD<br />

THE CN TOWER,<br />

COMPLETING<br />

THE TOWER ON<br />

FEB. 22, 1974.<br />

receive a Tower Experience Ticket that<br />

includes access to the LookOut, Glass<br />

Floor and SkyPod levels.<br />

ELEVATED FINE-DINING EXPERIENCE<br />

AT 360<br />

If you don’t have an appetite for extreme<br />

adventures but you love fine dining, 360<br />

will give you the culinary experience you<br />

want. The fine-dining restaurant offers<br />

patrons one of Canada’s finest dining<br />

experiences by showcasing local cuisine.<br />

In addition to featuring market-fresh,<br />

regional cuisine, 360 offers an awardwining<br />

wine selection of more than 500<br />

international and Canadian wines from<br />

its “cellar in the sky.”<br />

The cuisine ranges from fresh seafood<br />

flown in from the Atlantic to bison from<br />

the prairies to vegetarian options made<br />

from locally grown vegetables. There<br />

is something to satisfy everyone’s palate.<br />

Because the cuisine features fresh,<br />

local ingredients, the 360 Restaurant<br />

menus change twice a year for summer<br />

and winter.<br />

You can expect to spend at least an<br />

hour and a half at 360. During that<br />

time, you will enjoy a panoramic view as<br />

the restaurant revolves around <strong>Toronto</strong><br />

once every 72 minutes.<br />

“360 is a special restaurant and we see<br />

many marriage proposals. We also see<br />

those couples coming back to celebrate<br />

their anniversaries,” said Tompkins. “It’s<br />

also a wonderful place for <strong>Toronto</strong>nians to<br />

host family and friends who come to visit.”<br />

After the dining experience, you<br />

may enjoy complimentary views from<br />

the LookOut and Glass Floor levels<br />

of the CN Tower. It is strongly recommended<br />

you make a reservation<br />

by calling 416-362-5411 or online at<br />

cntower.ca/360.<br />

FUN FACTS:<br />

CN TOWER<br />

■■<br />

The CN Tower has six high-speed, glass-fronted elevators that will blast you to the top of the Tower in only 58<br />

seconds<br />

■■<br />

The CN Tower’s sophisticated illumination system does more than light the Tower. Since it was launched in 2007,<br />

the CN Tower programmable-LED lighting has helped to raise awareness for hundreds of charities and special<br />

causes with different-coloured lighting themes.<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

When the CN Tower celebrated its 40th birthday in 2016, some of the employees who started at the Tower on<br />

day one were still there<br />

The CN Tower gets struck by lightning approximately 75 times a year<br />

DON’T WORRY.<br />

BE(ER) HAPPY.<br />

15 YORK STREET | TORONTO | REALSPORTS.CA<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 19


njene / Shutterstock.com<br />

20 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


ARTS & CULTURE<br />

The first major Georgia<br />

O’Keeffe retrospective in<br />

Canada<br />

By Kim Biggar<br />

While the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)<br />

opened more than 100 years ago, it remains<br />

a modern, vibrant space in the core<br />

of <strong>Toronto</strong>. Now one of the largest art museums in North<br />

America, the AGO has over 4,000 works from its enormous<br />

collection available to view in its 110 galleries. And, through<br />

the current Look:Forward project, it’s undertaking a gallerywide<br />

reinstallation of that collection, adding art to all of its<br />

public spaces to enable the display of more of its best pieces.<br />

(That process will be completed in 2018.)<br />

The Ontario Society of Artists opened its first gallery in<br />

1913 in The Grange, a Georgian manor house that is still<br />

part of the AGO, calling it the Art Museum of <strong>Toronto</strong>.<br />

Construction on a new building began in 1916. Numerous<br />

expansions and renovations – along with a couple of name<br />

changes – since then have created the current 583,000-squarefoot<br />

AGO facility.<br />

Home to works by such famous and diverse artists as<br />

Cornelius Krieghoff, Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven,<br />

Emily Carr, David Milne, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas,<br />

Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and General<br />

Idea, the gallery also features one of the largest Inuit art collections<br />

in the world, the world’s largest public collection of<br />

works by sculptor Henry Moore, a vast collection of photographs<br />

by 19th- and 20th-century photographers and African<br />

and Oceanic collections. Paintings, photos and sculpture share<br />

space with projection art, installation art, a collection of antique<br />

ship models, sacred Medieval and Renaissance objects,<br />

Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities and so much more.<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 21


ARTS & CULTURE<br />

AGO EXHIBITIONS<br />

Unless otherwise indicated, these exhibitions are free with general admission.<br />

On now and upcoming:<br />

• To <strong>June</strong> 4 – European Sculpture from the Collection of Murray Frum<br />

• To July 2 – Pets and Me: Explore, Imagine, Create (The Kids’ Gallery)<br />

• To July 9 – In/visible Bodies: Baroque Sculpture and Modern Painting<br />

• To July 23 – The Decades Project: 1930–1939<br />

• To October 15 – Manasie Akpaliapik<br />

• To November 12 – Idea Lab: Research at the AGO – Investigating the Works<br />

of Benjamin Cheverton<br />

• To December 10 – Mark Lewis: Canada<br />

• Ongoing – Singing Softly When No One’s Around<br />

• Starts April 29 – Free Black North<br />

• Starts <strong>June</strong> 29 – Rita Letendre: Fire & Light<br />

• Starts <strong>June</strong> 29 – Every. Now. Then: Reframing Nationhood (free for members)<br />

• Starts in September – Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters (free for<br />

members)<br />

njene / Shutterstock.com<br />

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22 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


ARTS & CULTURE<br />

Any visit to the AGO is an occasion to see what artistic<br />

mastery can produce and to marvel at human creativity.<br />

Exhibitions, like the current Georgia O’Keeffe retrospective,<br />

simply add to that experience, providing a deep and detailed<br />

look at the works of a particular artist or era.<br />

THE GEORGIA O’KEEFFE EXHIBITION<br />

Eighty Georgia O’Keeffe works created over six decades were<br />

pulled together from numerous galleries in the U.S. and the<br />

UK for a rare look at the long career of this early and influential<br />

American modernist. An interpretive planner for<br />

the AGO exhibition, Gillian McIntyre explains that galleries<br />

don’t generally lend their O’Keeffe pieces, as they are too<br />

popular to part with. That makes this exhibition an exciting<br />

feat and a not-to-be-missed event for fans of modern art.<br />

First exhibited in England’s Tate Gallery, the O’Keeffe<br />

works are supplemented in the show by photos of the artist<br />

taken by her husband, Alfred Stieglitz. Like O’Keeffe’s<br />

paintings, Stieglitz’s photos were leading edge; he was instrumental<br />

in promoting the concept of photography as art.<br />

His many photos of O’Keeffe often captured images of parts<br />

of her body in isolation, close-ups of her hands, torso and so<br />

on. When they were first exhibited, these photos were shocking,<br />

says McIntyre.<br />

“They created a bit of a stir,” she said.<br />

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MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 23


ARTS & CULTURE<br />

Seen together, the photos create a composite portrait of<br />

O’Keeffe.<br />

O’Keeffe’s art is displayed in the exhibition in accordance<br />

with the modernist aesthetic she demanded when her work<br />

is shown. Because it’s a retrospective of her career, you’ll<br />

see her journey as an artist as you walk through the gallery<br />

rooms. One full room is devoted to her famous flower paintings.<br />

Others showcase her New York City cityscapes, her<br />

New Mexico landscapes and the skulls and bones she loved<br />

to collect.<br />

For McIntyre, what made O’Keeffe fascinating was “the<br />

dogged pursuit of her vision.” Her goal was to capture the essence<br />

of a thing, and if that meant she had to paint it over and<br />

over again, she would. Her many paintings of Cerro Pedernal,<br />

a mesa in New Mexico, point to this inclination.<br />

As O’Keeffe herself said, “It’s my private mountain. It belongs<br />

to me. God told me if I painted it enough, I could have<br />

it.”<br />

For visitors to the AGO, the exhibition is a means to see<br />

O’Keeffe through her own eyes. Her story is told not only<br />

through her art, but also through quotations, text panels, videos<br />

and other interactive elements.<br />

“Her work is still fresh,” said McIntyre, “and worth<br />

revisiting.”<br />

The O’Keeffe retrospective will be at the AGO until July<br />

30. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $21.50 for seniors and<br />

$16.50 for students and youth; children under five and members<br />

get in for free. The price for anyone on Wednesday nights<br />

after 6 p.m. is $12.50. All of these prices include general admission<br />

to the gallery.<br />

VISITING THE AGO<br />

The AGO is more than a place to see art. It hosts talks and<br />

lectures, art classes for children and adults, mindful movement<br />

and yoga classes, art and design camps, films and events<br />

for teachers. It has a store, with interesting finds in jewellery,<br />

toys, art books, prints and posters, home décor and gifts.<br />

And it has several restaurants, each different: FRANK, for<br />

downtown-style lunches and dinners; caféAGO, a relaxed,<br />

family-friendly diner; and an espresso bar, where you can rest<br />

with a pastry or Italian gelato and a beverage.<br />

While you could spend a whole day at the AGO, you might<br />

want to do something else as well. From the AGO, that’s<br />

easy. Chinatown and Kensington Market are close by, and the<br />

Eaton Centre isn’t far in the other direction. Baldwin Village,<br />

centred on Baldwin Avenue, just north of the AGO, is full of<br />

restaurants, cafés, stores and lots of multicultural character.<br />

See the AGO’s website, at www.ago.net, for information<br />

about its hours, how to get there, what’s on and what’s coming,<br />

membership and more. You can also buy tickets there for<br />

gallery admission, exhibitions, classes, lectures and all of the<br />

other offerings of this inspiring art centre.<br />

最 漀 琀 漀 甀 爀 猀 挀 愀 渀 愀 搀 愀 ⸀ 挀 漀 洀<br />

㐀 㘀 ⴀ 㘀 㐀 ㈀ⴀ<br />

㠀<br />

24 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


ITINERARY<br />

Plan Your<br />

Stay!<br />

A springtime vacation for<br />

travelling couples<br />

By Lisa Gordon<br />

You’ve landed in one of the<br />

most exciting and multicultural<br />

cities in the world. With<br />

a population of about 2.8 million,<br />

<strong>Toronto</strong>nians come from all walks of<br />

life and speak an astonishing 140-plus<br />

languages and dialects. Immigrants<br />

have strongly influenced the city’s development,<br />

leaving their permanent<br />

stamp on vibrant ethnic neighbourhoods<br />

such as Little Italy, Greektown,<br />

Little India, Chinatown, Roncesvalles<br />

Village and more.<br />

So many unforgettable experiences<br />

are waiting for you here in <strong>Toronto</strong>, the<br />

leading tourism destination in Canada.<br />

In 2015, the city welcomed more than<br />

40 million visitors!<br />

To make the most of your time and<br />

your vacation fund, visit citypass.com/<br />

toronto and order your TO CityPASS<br />

for $76 per person (you can find more<br />

information on CityPASS on page 8).<br />

The pass covers admission into five of<br />

the city’s most popular destinations, including<br />

the CN Tower, Casa Loma,<br />

the Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s<br />

Aquarium and the <strong>Toronto</strong> Zoo or the<br />

Ontario Science Centre. Alternatively,<br />

you can buy the pass – which is good<br />

for nine days and helps you skip ticket<br />

line-ups – at any of the participating<br />

attractions.<br />

Here, we’ve lined up a sample threeday<br />

couples itinerary that takes you to<br />

some of <strong>Toronto</strong>’s most iconic landmarks,<br />

while veering off the beaten path<br />

to sample some of “Hogtown’s” unique<br />

and unforgettable cultural offerings.<br />

Lissandra Melo/Shutterstock.com<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 25


ITINERARY<br />

TRphotos/Shutterstock.com<br />

DAY ONE<br />

Kick off the day with breakfast at The<br />

Senator Restaurant, located at 249<br />

Victoria Street in downtown <strong>Toronto</strong>.<br />

Accessible by TTC subway (Dundas<br />

Station), The Senator dates back to<br />

1929 and is one of the city’s first restaurants.<br />

This 1940s-style diner is an<br />

institution in downtown <strong>Toronto</strong> – go<br />

early on weekends to avoid the line!<br />

Men’s Casual, Social, Business Clothing,<br />

Accessories & Footwear<br />

Tailoring & Bespoke Services<br />

Barbershop<br />

Voted <strong>Toronto</strong>’s Top Menswear Store<br />

2006–<strong>2017</strong> by Now Magazine Readers<br />

Gotstyle Menswear<br />

62 Bathurst St.<br />

Gotstyle Distillery<br />

21 Trinity St.<br />

416-260-9696<br />

info@gotstyle.com | gotstyle.com<br />

From there, it’s a short walk to<br />

the <strong>Toronto</strong> Eaton Centre at Yonge<br />

and Dundas Streets for some of the<br />

best shopping in the city. Don’t know<br />

where to start? There’s an app for that!<br />

Download the <strong>Toronto</strong> Eaton Centre<br />

app and navigate your way through more<br />

than 250 fine shops, eateries and services.<br />

Located in the heart of downtown,<br />

this is the city’s premier urban shopping<br />

destination.<br />

Next, hop on the subway and head<br />

south to King Station. Continue walking<br />

south to 30 Yonge Street, where you<br />

can pay your respects to the Stanley<br />

Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame.<br />

The $18-per-person entry fee is a bargain<br />

considering the Hall offers 65,000<br />

square feet filled with the finest collection<br />

of hockey artifacts from around the<br />

world. There are also multimedia stations,<br />

theatres, games to test your hockey<br />

skills and the one and only Stanley Cup!<br />

The Hockey Hall of Fame has also developed<br />

a personalized tour app that lets<br />

you customize your visit.<br />

After being on your feet for most of<br />

the day, chances are good that you will<br />

be ready for some upscale R&R. Retrace<br />

your steps to King Station and head<br />

north once again to Dundas Street.<br />

Walk north on Yonge and turn left<br />

(west) on Elm Street. Your destination<br />

is a real treat: the popular Elmwood<br />

Spa at 18 Elm Street. This historic fivestorey<br />

brick building is a quiet refuge<br />

from the hustle and bustle of the downtown<br />

core. With four spacious floors of<br />

treatment rooms, a juice bar, water therapies<br />

and more, prepare to be renewed!<br />

26 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


ITINERARY<br />

Try the “Exotic Escape for Two”<br />

package, priced at $350 for 3.5 hours.<br />

It’s well worth reserving the luxurious<br />

Sapphire or Royal Couples Suite<br />

for a nominal additional fee when<br />

booking in advance. The package<br />

includes water therapies (pool, whirlpool,<br />

steam room) and a 50-minute<br />

couple’s Swedish massage, as well as<br />

a four-course dinner for two at the<br />

onsite Bangkok Garden restaurant –<br />

billed as the best Thai in town! Make<br />

your spa reservation well in advance to<br />

avoid disappointment.<br />

We’re pretty sure you’ll be ready to<br />

call it a day after dinner – but if you’ve<br />

got energy to spare, the Yonge Street<br />

nightlife is just steps away!<br />

From the diner, it’s less than a kilometre<br />

walk south on Avenue Road to<br />

Bloor Street West, where you’ll find<br />

one of the world’s largest collections of<br />

natural history and world culture, the<br />

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Just<br />

show your CityPASS and you’re in.<br />

One could probably browse the ROM<br />

all day, lost among its five floors of galleries<br />

and displays. Special exhibitions<br />

include dinosaurs, Egyptian galleries,<br />

blue whales and family photography,<br />

although these are cycled periodically<br />

and may not be available during your<br />

visit. To check current offerings, visit<br />

www.rom.on.ca.<br />

When you emerge from the ROM, it<br />

may take a while to re-adjust to modern<br />

times. Luckily, a visit to Yorkville<br />

– just steps away – should reset your<br />

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DAY TWO<br />

To fortify yourselves for your second<br />

busy day, start off with breakfast at<br />

another one of <strong>Toronto</strong>’s last original<br />

diners, Avenue Diner at 222 Davenport<br />

Road (corner of Avenue Road). Since<br />

1944, this small, old school diner has<br />

been serving up reasonably priced bacon<br />

and eggs while the trendy “Ave<br />

and Dav” neighbourhood has grown up<br />

around it. It’s not unusual to see movie<br />

stars or famous athletes in the Avenue<br />

Diner.<br />

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MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 27


ITINERARY<br />

inner clock! <strong>Toronto</strong>’s trendy mid-town fashion district is located<br />

along Bloor Street West between Avenue Road and<br />

Yonge Street. Explore Yorkville and Cumberland Streets, too,<br />

where you will find Lululemon, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton,<br />

Holt Renfrew and more. Looking for lunch? There is no shortage<br />

of excellent cafes and restaurants in Yorkville. Try trendy<br />

Trattoria Nervosa or the rooftop patio at Hemingway’s.<br />

After shopping with the stars, it’s time to feel like royalty<br />

during a visit to <strong>Toronto</strong>’s only castle, Casa Loma, open from<br />

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Hop in a cab for a quick three-kilometre<br />

ride to the “house on the hill” at 1 Austin Terrace. Built<br />

between 1911 and 1914 for <strong>Toronto</strong> financier Sir Henry Mill<br />

Pellatt, it took 300 men and $3.5 million to build Casa Loma<br />

– an unprecedented amount at that time.<br />

Pellatt lived in the house for less than a decade before turning<br />

it over to the City of <strong>Toronto</strong> in the face of insurmountable<br />

debt. Today, the impressive structure is one of the city’s top attractions<br />

(admission is covered by your CityPASS), with more<br />

than 350,000 visitors annually.<br />

For a fun twist on the castle experience, try the Casa Loma<br />

Escape Series, a unique theatrical escape game set in the castle<br />

with live actors and a full set. Choose from one of three separate<br />

games, scheduled from Wednesday to Sunday at 6 p.m., 8<br />

p.m. and 10 p.m. Book online in advance.<br />

If you’re looking for a quiet, intimate fine dining experience<br />

near Casa Loma, look no further than Flor de Sal at 501<br />

Davenport Road. Steps from the castle, this establishment serves<br />

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up authentic Southern European dishes featuring local ingredients,<br />

delivered by attentive and welcoming staff.<br />

To cap off a memorable day – either after dinner or after<br />

you’ve escaped from Casa Loma – take another quick cab ride to<br />

one of <strong>Toronto</strong>’s most popular and impressive night spots, The<br />

One Eighty at 55 Bloor Street West. Perched high above the<br />

city on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre at Bloor and Bay,<br />

this upscale retreat’s excellent drink menu is complemented by<br />

the stunning panoramic vista of downtown <strong>Toronto</strong>. Advance<br />

reservations recommended.<br />

DAY THREE<br />

On your last day, sample some of the wonderful diversity characteristic<br />

of <strong>Toronto</strong>. Often referred to as “the most multicultural<br />

city in the world,” <strong>Toronto</strong> is home to 200 ethnic groups and<br />

dozens of ethnic neighbourhoods including the aforementioned<br />

Chinatown, and wonderfully unique pockets such as Kensington<br />

Market. Lace up some comfortable shoes and grab a backpack<br />

as we hit the vibrant downtown streets.<br />

To fuel up for the day, head over to Average Joe’s Café at 161<br />

Baldwin Street in Kensington Market. This tiny place may not<br />

look like much, but it gets rave reviews for its delicious breakfast<br />

eats – including the house favourite, baked eggs. Although they<br />

serve breakfast all day long, it’s recommended to get there early<br />

because it’s a small space and seats are limited. Otherwise, take<br />

a coffee and bagel sandwich to go and stroll along busy Baldwin<br />

Street, home to countless unique stores and markets.<br />

You’ll find yourself in the middle of Kensington Market,<br />

which is bordered by Spadina Avenue, Dundas Street, Bathurst<br />

Street and College Street. Known for its eclectic taste and a<br />

wide selection of vintage clothing, you could spend all day mining<br />

the one-of-a-kind treasures buried in this neighbourhood.<br />

Adjacent to Kensington Market is <strong>Toronto</strong>’s bustling<br />

Chinatown. Explore the shops and perhaps grab some authentic<br />

Vietnamese noodles at family-run Pho Hung, 350 Spadina<br />

Ave., just north of Dundas. It’s a hearty meal that will be light<br />

on the wallet!<br />

From Chinatown, head south to <strong>Toronto</strong>’s signature attraction,<br />

the CN Tower. Get out your CityPASS again, because no<br />

visit to the city is complete without ascending the 553.33-metre<br />

high landmark. Jump on the glass floor, have a drink high above<br />

the city or go on the $225 outdoor EdgeWalk around the circumference<br />

of the roof. Advance bookings for EdgeWalk are a<br />

must. Read more about the CN Tower on page 14.<br />

If time permits, consider visiting Ripley’s Aquarium at the<br />

base of the CN Tower, also accessible with your CityPASS.<br />

If you’re looking to glam it up on your last evening, eat a delicious<br />

dinner in the incomparably elegant Harbour Sixty<br />

Steakhouse at 60 Harbour Street. If a casual setting is more in<br />

order, there is no shortage of restaurants around the CN Tower,<br />

including the fun and lively Scaddabush Italian Kitchen, where<br />

Italian comfort food reigns supreme.<br />

If you’re still not quite done, grab a nightcap at Red’s Wine<br />

Tavern at First Canadian Place. Sip and savour a delicious red<br />

while contemplating your whirlwind <strong>Toronto</strong> vacation.<br />

28 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


TORONTO EATS<br />

The Elm Tree<br />

Restaurant:<br />

A Family<br />

Affair<br />

Brother-run restaurant a hit<br />

in the downtown core<br />

By Heather Hudson<br />

Like most people following in<br />

their family’s footsteps, brothers<br />

Jonathan and Ben Mishaev<br />

wanted to chart their own path in the<br />

restaurant industry. But the lessons<br />

they learned in the kitchens of their<br />

father’s and uncle’s restaurants were<br />

hard-wired – and helped them create a<br />

restaurant as familiar to their roots as it<br />

is fresh and modern.<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 29


TORONTO EATS<br />

“WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON HAVING<br />

A COMFORTABLE AND RELAXED<br />

AMBIANCE WHILE SERVING GREAT<br />

COMFORTING FOOD. WE WANT PEOPLE<br />

TO KNOW THAT WE’RE A FAMILY-RUN<br />

RESTAURANT WHERE YOU CAN RELAX.<br />

THE SERVICE IS CASUAL AND FRIENDLY,<br />

NOT ROBOTIC OR PRETENTIOUS.”<br />

– JONATHAN MISHAEV, GENERAL MANAGER, THE ELM TREE<br />

In just over three years, the successful<br />

The Elm Tree restaurant (43 Elm<br />

St.) has become an homage to their<br />

Mediterranean roots and the longstanding<br />

tradition of hospitality, but with a<br />

metropolitan take on food and service.<br />

“Having grown up in a family where<br />

food was a centralized affair, my passion<br />

was present from very early on.<br />

Food was all around me, all the time;<br />

from the intoxicating aromas of my<br />

grandmother’s home-baked breads to<br />

the infatuating smells of my father’s<br />

weekly barbecues. It was fundamental,”<br />

said Ben.<br />

Although Ben is passionate about<br />

food, it was younger brother Jonathan<br />

who first conceived of a restaurant with<br />

a different flair than the ones he grew<br />

up working in.<br />

“My brother and I had dreams of<br />

operating a full service dining establishment.<br />

I’m interested in beverage<br />

programs. [At Elm Tree], we have a<br />

fully stocked bar, eight craft beers,<br />

unique wineries on our list and great,<br />

creative cocktails,” said Jonathan.<br />

Though the brothers are partners<br />

today – Jonathan is general manager,<br />

Ben is the chef – it was Jonathan<br />

CHEF BEN MISHAEV SHARES THE INSPIRATION FOR<br />

HIS COOKING:<br />

“One food that gives me a nostalgic sensation…is my<br />

mother’s braised stew. This is not one’s conventional idea<br />

of stew; it is a combination of stuffed baby eggplants,<br />

tomatoes and sweet peppers. The stuffing is a mixture<br />

ground beef, onions, and garlic that has been sautéed<br />

slowly with various spices. Then this oversized pot is finally<br />

put in the oven to finish braising for at least two hours.<br />

This dish reminds me of home. Whenever I have a dish<br />

with similar textures, flavours or aromas, it brings me back<br />

to this memory. Certain flavours and aromas can take one<br />

back in time for just a moment to remember and cherish<br />

the flavours he or she loves.<br />

My inspiration boils down to creating food that represents<br />

my background in a way that can be enjoyed by<br />

everyone. I build menus that take into consideration<br />

various preferences, likes and dislikes while staying true<br />

to what I enjoy eating and what portrays who I am as a<br />

young cook.”<br />

30 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


TORONTO EATS<br />

who initially opened Elm Tree in 2014<br />

when he was only 21.<br />

“I didn’t have any managing experience.<br />

The first year I learned<br />

from the people I worked with,” he<br />

said. “I had a really good staff working<br />

with me when we opened. They<br />

helped me understand what <strong>Toronto</strong><br />

is all about – what the food culture<br />

is like.”<br />

Working seven days a week, he absorbed<br />

as much as he could from his<br />

experienced employees while finding<br />

time to research wine and beer to<br />

offer interesting selections that complemented<br />

the food and vibe he was<br />

cultivating. Three months after opening,<br />

Ben headed off to study at The<br />

Culinary Institute of America (CIA)<br />

in New York City.<br />

Meanwhile, Jonathan found the perfect<br />

location and got started without<br />

him.<br />

“I was alone for the first two years,<br />

with my uncle and father’s help.<br />

[During that time,] I tried to figure out<br />

who we are and what we wanted to do<br />

with the restaurant.”<br />

Since its inception, the menu has undergone<br />

an evolution of its own. Their<br />

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MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 31


TORONTO EATS<br />

first chef was Greek and brought with<br />

him a Mediterranean flavour. A French<br />

chef followed, who put his own twist<br />

on the menu. A third chef was Spanish<br />

and ushered in a different palate.<br />

“When my brother got back from<br />

New York, we looked at the menu and<br />

saw what was working and what wasn’t.<br />

Today, we identify as a Mediterranean<br />

kitchen. The Greek, French and<br />

Spanish chefs each brought something<br />

to this journey. My brother is trained<br />

in classic French, but growing up in<br />

the restaurant industry with Middle<br />

Eastern roots, we’ve decided to reproduce<br />

that flavour,” said Jonathan.<br />

Some of their signature dishes include<br />

the Cornish hen that is brined<br />

and pan roasted and served with sautéed<br />

Brussels sprouts, crispy shitake,<br />

pancetta and celeriac puree. The lamb<br />

shank is braised in a rich aromatic<br />

jus made from an array of spices and<br />

seasonings indigenous to the Middle<br />

East and served with a classic pomme<br />

puree, crispy quinoa and pine nuts.<br />

Among the other top sellers are scallops,<br />

herb crusted rack of lamb and<br />

wild mushroom risotto.<br />

“We like to change our menu seasonally,<br />

at least four times a year. We<br />

keep the same idea with the lamb<br />

shank, Cornish hen and salmon dishes,<br />

but we change up the sides seasonally<br />

using local vegetables,” said Jonathan.<br />

With 18 people on staff and a prime<br />

location for locals and tourists alike,<br />

The Elm Tree has developed a reputation<br />

for high-quality food and<br />

exceptional customer service. It’s<br />

ranked among the top 10 restaurants<br />

in <strong>Toronto</strong> on Trip Advisor and enjoys<br />

a Certificate of Excellence from<br />

the review site.<br />

Jonathan attributes their success<br />

partly to their early education in<br />

hospitality.<br />

“My dad cared very much about the<br />

guests who came into his restaurant.<br />

It wasn’t just about making a profit;<br />

it was about making people happy. I<br />

think of our guests as coming into our<br />

home, treating them well and making<br />

sure they leave satisfied.”<br />

This doting approach means they’re<br />

open to tweaking their menu based on<br />

customer feedback.<br />

“We try to learn from employees<br />

and guests about menu items, portion<br />

sizes and anything else we can do<br />

to make dining a perfect experience,”<br />

said Jonathan. “We pride ourselves on<br />

having a comfortable and relaxed ambiance<br />

while serving great comforting<br />

food. We want people to know that<br />

we’re a family-run restaurant where<br />

you can relax. The service is casual and<br />

friendly, not robotic or pretentious.”<br />

Now that they’ve hit a sweet spot,<br />

the brothers expect The Elm Tree to<br />

continue to provide the food and service<br />

their guests are responding to<br />

while keeping things fresh and current.<br />

After all, it’s a family tradition.<br />

32 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


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Hello, <strong>Toronto</strong><br />

mikecphoto/Shutterstock.com<br />

34 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


FAMILY OUTING<br />

It’s time to explore the city and experience all that <strong>Toronto</strong><br />

can offer a young family like yours<br />

By Jess Campbell<br />

Welcome to <strong>Toronto</strong>! Whether you’re visiting for the first time<br />

or excited to be back, there are loads of things to see and do<br />

to keep your young family entertained for a full weekend.<br />

Lace up your sneakers, throw on your sunglasses and let’s go!<br />

ITINERARY:<br />

DATE & TIME ACTIVITY & PRICING LOCATION DESCRIPTION<br />

FRIDAY<br />

5 p.m Arrival Your vacation rental You’ve arrived at your home away from home in the<br />

heart of downtown <strong>Toronto</strong>. Unload the car, look<br />

around and get settled before heading out to your first<br />

activity.<br />

5:45 p.m. Exploring <strong>Toronto</strong> Downtown Head out the door to walk around the neighbourhood<br />

and get familiar with your surroundings. Now is a<br />

great time for a quick snack at one of the local shops.<br />

Try some ice cream, fresh baked cookies, or street<br />

meat from a vendor.<br />

6:45 p.m. Medieval Times<br />

Adults: $65.95<br />

Kids under 12: $45.95<br />

<strong>Toronto</strong> Castle, 10 Dufferin<br />

Street<br />

You’ll be transported back a few hundred years to<br />

dine with the King while watching a live jousting<br />

match with real horses and knights! Browse around<br />

the castle and take it all in before the show begins.<br />

7:30 p.m. Medieval Times <strong>Toronto</strong> Castle Dinner and jousting begins. In other words, a typical<br />

Friday night for the family.<br />

9:30 p.m. Home time! Downtown The show was fantastic, but now it’s time to head<br />

back to your rental and hit the hay. There’s lots more to<br />

explore tomorrow!<br />

10 p.m. Bedtime Your vacation rental Have a great sleep!<br />

SATURDAY<br />

9 a.m. Up and at ‘em! Your vacation rental After sleeping in a little, everyone is up, dressed and<br />

ready for the day. It’s time to head out in search of<br />

breakfast at one of the many local bistros. Scrambled<br />

eggs, pastries, fruit and coffee sounds delicious!<br />

10:30 a.m. Ripley’s Aquarium of<br />

Canada<br />

Adults: $27.98<br />

Kids 3 to 5: $6.98<br />

288 Bremner Blvd. Explore life under the sea at Ripley’s Aquarium of<br />

Canada. Step onto the moving sidewalk and cruise<br />

underneath the Dangerous Lagoon – don’t forget<br />

to wave to the sharks as they float by overhead!<br />

Experience Sting Ray Bay, the jellyfish tank and loads<br />

of other amazing exhibits.<br />

MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 35


FAMILY OUTING<br />

Inga Locmele/Shutterstock.com<br />

12:30 p.m. Ferry ride to <strong>Toronto</strong> Island<br />

Adults: $7.50<br />

Kids under 14: $3.65<br />

12:45 p.m. Lunch at <strong>Toronto</strong> Island<br />

BBQ & Beer Company<br />

1:30 p.m. Centreville Theme Park<br />

All Day Family Ride Pass:<br />

$108.50<br />

Pass, over 4 feet:<br />

$33.50 ea.<br />

Pass, under 4 feet:<br />

$24.50 ea.<br />

Jack Layton Ferry Terminal,<br />

between Bay and Yonge<br />

Streets on Queens Quay<br />

Centre Island<br />

Centre Island<br />

Take a short, leisurely ride on the Centre Island ferry<br />

across to your next destination, Centre Island.<br />

Sit down to a scrumptious lunch while enjoying<br />

waterfront views. Serving BBQ, burgers, fries and<br />

more.<br />

With over 30 rides and attractions, you’ll have an<br />

amazing day at Centreville. Check out the bumper<br />

boats, antique carousel, ferris wheel, animal farm,<br />

and more.<br />

5:30 p.m. Return ferry ride Centre Island Ferry Docks Time to return to the mainland!<br />

5:45 p.m. TTC subway ride<br />

Minimum token purchase<br />

of 3 tokens for $9.<br />

Purchase at kiosk.<br />

Kids ride free.<br />

5:55 p.m. Dinnertime at the Hard<br />

Rock Café<br />

Union Station<br />

279 Yonge Street<br />

Yonge & Dundas Square<br />

Walk a few short blocks to Union Station, where you’ll<br />

grab some tokens and get on the Yonge line to zoom<br />

Northward underneath the city. Be sure to get off at<br />

Dundas Station!<br />

Enjoy a fantastic dinner in the famed, rock-n’-roll<br />

themed Hard Rock Café.<br />

7:30 p.m. Leisurely stroll Yonge & Dundas Square Walk off your delicious dinner around the bustling<br />

Yonge and Dundas Square before heading back to<br />

your home away from home – because let’s face it:<br />

the kids are exhausted, and so are you!<br />

8:30 p.m. Bedtime Your vacation rental The kids have had a bath and are snuggled in their<br />

beds for the night. Now it’s your turn to zonk out on<br />

the couch to catch up on your favourite Netflix show<br />

before going to bed.<br />

SUNDAY<br />

8:30 a.m. At-home breakfast Your vacation rental After a jam-packed Saturday, Sunday morning is easy.<br />

Dad went out to get pastries and fruit from one of the<br />

many breakfast places in the immediate area. So,<br />

it’s a coffee-sipping, Netflix cartoon-watching kind of<br />

morning while everyone takes their turn getting ready<br />

for your last day in <strong>Toronto</strong>.<br />

10:15 a.m. Hockey Hall of Fame<br />

Adults: $18.00<br />

Kids: $12.00<br />

3 and Under: free<br />

12 p.m. Lunch at the Old Spaghetti<br />

Factory<br />

1:30 p.m. CN Tower<br />

General Admission plus<br />

SkyPod<br />

Adults: $47<br />

Kids: $37<br />

2:30 p.m. Horizons Restaurant, CN<br />

Tower<br />

Corner of Yonge and Front<br />

streets, in Brookfield Place,<br />

lower concourse level<br />

After packing up the car and double-checking with<br />

your host that a late check-out is still okay, you’re off<br />

to your first destination of the day, the Hockey Hall<br />

of Fame. Experience what it’s like to have a shootout<br />

against a famed goalie, browse memorabilia and<br />

stand beside the Stanley Cup!<br />

54 The Esplanade Walk the three-ish blocks to the Old Spaghetti Factory<br />

for a yummy lunch.<br />

301 Front Street West Your second adventure of the day is taking you WAY<br />

up – up the CN Tower. After taking a quick ride in a<br />

taxi, you’ll purchase tickets and ride the elevator all<br />

the way up to each of the three observation decks,<br />

including the SkyPod – that’s 1,465 feet up!<br />

301 Front Street West It’s a great time to stop for delightful dessert at the CN<br />

Tower’s Horizons Restaurant, on the LookOut Level.<br />

3:30 p.m. Home time! The open road After your snack, it’s time to hit the dusty trail. You’ve<br />

had an amazing time in <strong>Toronto</strong>, but it’ll be great<br />

to get home. With a quick check of the traffic,<br />

everybody hops in the car, and you’re off. Thanks,<br />

<strong>Toronto</strong>!<br />

36 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>


A world class<br />

culinary experience<br />

in the heart of <strong>Toronto</strong>.<br />

stlawrencemarket.com

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