Mr. Toronto

Just had our first GORGEOUS weekend here in T.O., so my mind has turned to summer activities…this City really is at it’s finest when the sun comes out…a couple of my favourite things to do here in nice weather:

1) Take the ferry over to Toronto Islands – better yet, taking my bike over on the ferry (you can also rent over there) and walking/cycling around all the islands…Centre Island is the most well known – complete with petting zoo and Centreville amusement park – but I love Ward’s Island, where people actually live…and there is a beautiful little restaurant there, the Rectory Café…

2) Hang out in one of our great parks – you can get lost in High Park for hours, but my favourite is Allen Gardens, on Lawrence Ave. – beautiful foliage, nature walks…and close to the Bridal Path, Toronto’s ritziest neighbourhood (incredible homes – Prince had one until his recent divorce from a Toronto girl…)

3) Choose a patio, order a bevvie, and watch the world go by…this city has a crazy number of fantastic patios – streetside, rooftop, courtyard – rather than try and list them, I’d rather refer you to EYE Magazine’s Bar and Patio Guide 2009, which just came out last week (EYE and NOW are the two weekly magazines that tell you everything you need to know about what’s happening in the city):

Finally, let me point you to a really cool article about Toronto that just appeared in the New York Times – full of interesting tips, from a visitor’s perspective: 36 Hours in Toronto.

Later,

Mr. Toronto

Sorry it’s been a while, but it’s been a VERY busy couple of weeks in Hogtown (still not 100% sure why we call it that…). On the sports front, went to my first Toronto FC soccer game of the season, which is always a hoot. Great crowd/vibe, and beautiful new stadium (down at Exhibition Place), complete with unique and yummy food options – not your usual pizza and dog fare (though they have that too), but options reflecting the multicultural diversity of the crowd – British, Indian, South American….we even ended up winning the game, and are actually doing well this season! As are those Blue Jays! Going to my first Jays game of the season on Sunday, so will report on that next week…

On the entertainment front, finally- after trying for 2 years, since it opened – got to ride on the Behemoth, Canada’s Wonderland’s GIANT new rollercoaster. The park just opened last week for the season, and I raced to the front of the line as soon as the gates opened. Front of the line, front of the coaster – OMG!!! It really did live up to it’s hype- totally outrageous. Do it!!

Also got to see Bruce Springsteen at the Air Canada Centre last week – 5th row (sorry to rub it in). Have seen the Boss many times (the first being at Princeton University gym back in ’78), and he has lost very little of his energy and magic. AWESOME three-hour show.

Finally, went to opening of “Tuesdays with Morrie” – play based on best selling book (and movie with Jack Lemmon). Just started at Winter Garden Theatre, and running til end of May (get Tuesdays with Morrie tickets at Ticketmaster.ca). Regardless of whether or not play was good (and it was), worth it just to see the magnificent theatre* and the star of the show, Hal Linden, who was Barney Miller for those of you who remember one of the best sitcoms ever!!

Man, I’m exhausted just thinking about my last couple weeks! (Yeah, I know, cry me a river…)

Til next time,

Mr. Toronto

*Designated a national historic site in 1982, the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre is the last “double-decker” or stacked Edwardian theatre facility in the world. Built in 1913 as the flagship of the famous Loews chain of vaudeville theatres, the 1,500-seat Elgin theatre (downstairs) is a sumptuous affair with royal boxes and exquisite gilded plaster details. Upstairs, however, is the magical Winter Garden, named for the trompe l’oeil paintings of vines and pastoral, and the fabulous simulated fire-proof garden that hangs from the roof, including thousands of beech boughs. Multi-million dollar renovations mean that for all the ambiance, these two theatres are state-of-the-art.