ITINERARY inner clock! <strong>Toronto</strong>’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 <strong>Toronto</strong>’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 <strong>Toronto</strong> 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 <strong>Toronto</strong> 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 <strong>Toronto</strong>’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 <strong>Toronto</strong>. Advance reservations recommended. DAY THREE On your last day, sample some of the wonderful diversity characteristic of <strong>Toronto</strong>. Often referred to as “the most multicultural city in the world,” <strong>Toronto</strong> 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 <strong>Toronto</strong>’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 <strong>Toronto</strong>’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 <strong>Toronto</strong> vacation. 28 • It’s <strong>Toronto</strong>
TORONTO EATS The Elm Tree Restaurant: A Family Affair Brother-run restaurant a hit in the downtown core By Heather Hudson Like most people following in their family’s footsteps, brothers Jonathan and Ben Mishaev wanted to chart their own path in the restaurant industry. But the lessons they learned in the kitchens of their father’s and uncle’s restaurants were hard-wired – and helped them create a restaurant as familiar to their roots as it is fresh and modern. MAY/JUNE <strong>2017</strong> • 29
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