It's Toronto - May/June 2017

ITINERARY
inner clock! Toronto’s trendy mid-town fashion district is located
along Bloor Street West between Avenue Road and
Yonge Street. Explore Yorkville and Cumberland Streets, too,
where you will find Lululemon, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton,
Holt Renfrew and more. Looking for lunch? There is no shortage
of excellent cafes and restaurants in Yorkville. Try trendy
Trattoria Nervosa or the rooftop patio at Hemingway’s.
After shopping with the stars, it’s time to feel like royalty
during a visit to Toronto’s only castle, Casa Loma, open from
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Hop in a cab for a quick three-kilometre
ride to the “house on the hill” at 1 Austin Terrace. Built
between 1911 and 1914 for Toronto financier Sir Henry Mill
Pellatt, it took 300 men and $3.5 million to build Casa Loma
– an unprecedented amount at that time.
Pellatt lived in the house for less than a decade before turning
it over to the City of Toronto in the face of insurmountable
debt. Today, the impressive structure is one of the city’s top attractions
(admission is covered by your CityPASS), with more
than 350,000 visitors annually.
For a fun twist on the castle experience, try the Casa Loma
Escape Series, a unique theatrical escape game set in the castle
with live actors and a full set. Choose from one of three separate
games, scheduled from Wednesday to Sunday at 6 p.m., 8
p.m. and 10 p.m. Book online in advance.
If you’re looking for a quiet, intimate fine dining experience
near Casa Loma, look no further than Flor de Sal at 501
Davenport Road. Steps from the castle, this establishment serves
www.lula.ca 416-588-0307 1585 dundas w
up authentic Southern European dishes featuring local ingredients,
delivered by attentive and welcoming staff.
To cap off a memorable day – either after dinner or after
you’ve escaped from Casa Loma – take another quick cab ride to
one of Toronto’s most popular and impressive night spots, The
One Eighty at 55 Bloor Street West. Perched high above the
city on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre at Bloor and Bay,
this upscale retreat’s excellent drink menu is complemented by
the stunning panoramic vista of downtown Toronto. Advance
reservations recommended.
DAY THREE
On your last day, sample some of the wonderful diversity characteristic
of Toronto. Often referred to as “the most multicultural
city in the world,” Toronto is home to 200 ethnic groups and
dozens of ethnic neighbourhoods including the aforementioned
Chinatown, and wonderfully unique pockets such as Kensington
Market. Lace up some comfortable shoes and grab a backpack
as we hit the vibrant downtown streets.
To fuel up for the day, head over to Average Joe’s Café at 161
Baldwin Street in Kensington Market. This tiny place may not
look like much, but it gets rave reviews for its delicious breakfast
eats – including the house favourite, baked eggs. Although they
serve breakfast all day long, it’s recommended to get there early
because it’s a small space and seats are limited. Otherwise, take
a coffee and bagel sandwich to go and stroll along busy Baldwin
Street, home to countless unique stores and markets.
You’ll find yourself in the middle of Kensington Market,
which is bordered by Spadina Avenue, Dundas Street, Bathurst
Street and College Street. Known for its eclectic taste and a
wide selection of vintage clothing, you could spend all day mining
the one-of-a-kind treasures buried in this neighbourhood.
Adjacent to Kensington Market is Toronto’s bustling
Chinatown. Explore the shops and perhaps grab some authentic
Vietnamese noodles at family-run Pho Hung, 350 Spadina
Ave., just north of Dundas. It’s a hearty meal that will be light
on the wallet!
From Chinatown, head south to Toronto’s signature attraction,
the CN Tower. Get out your CityPASS again, because no
visit to the city is complete without ascending the 553.33-metre
high landmark. Jump on the glass floor, have a drink high above
the city or go on the $225 outdoor EdgeWalk around the circumference
of the roof. Advance bookings for EdgeWalk are a
must. Read more about the CN Tower on page 14.
If time permits, consider visiting Ripley’s Aquarium at the
base of the CN Tower, also accessible with your CityPASS.
If you’re looking to glam it up on your last evening, eat a delicious
dinner in the incomparably elegant Harbour Sixty
Steakhouse at 60 Harbour Street. If a casual setting is more in
order, there is no shortage of restaurants around the CN Tower,
including the fun and lively Scaddabush Italian Kitchen, where
Italian comfort food reigns supreme.
If you’re still not quite done, grab a nightcap at Red’s Wine
Tavern at First Canadian Place. Sip and savour a delicious red
while contemplating your whirlwind Toronto vacation.
28 • It’s Toronto