Mr. Toronto

Unbelievable how Xmas (and the more politically correct “Holiday Season”) is in the air already – earlier than ¬ever….stores are already selling their holiday merchandise, decorations are up (even at the Delta Chelsea, where I work, we already have a huge snowman in the lobby, part of a campaign from Tourism Toronto, which is blanketing the City with these pieces of “art”). And the media is already posting and broadcasting their “Best of the Year” lists…

There are so many of these – covering so many areas, from stores to restaurants to galleries to barbers – that one can get overwhelmed with all this bestness…for one of the larger lists, go to NOW magazine’s on-line “Best of Toronto” list: http://www.nowtoronto.com/bestof/

But being the celebrity hound that I am, thought I’d share with you some favourites from some local celebrities, which appeared in the Toronto Star earlier this year (March 31, to be exact!). Please don’t feel bad if you haven’t heard of any of these folks, they are indeed pretty “local”!:

Raymond Ablack, actor on DeGrassi:The Next Generation, loves Johnny’s Hamburgers (2561 Victoria Park South), a place frequented by Mike Myers when he was growing up.

Jeanne Beker, fashion guru, loves Kensington Market for “vintage shopping and just to hang out and smell life…”

Trevor Boris, comedian, loves Spirit Bar and Grill (642 Church St.) for fun and entertainment. Jian Ghomeshi, CBC Radio host, loves Pomegranate, a little Persian restaurant at 420 College St. Danny Marks, local guitar legend and radio host, loves the fresh fish (smelts are his fave) at Buster’s Sea Cove, a tiny restaurant in the beautiful and historic St. Lawrence Market

Jim Cuddy, who makes MY “best of” list with his incredible band Blue Rodeo (see pic of us – sorry, couldn’t resist), loves the Rosedale Ravine: “10 kilometres of woods and soft path, with water beside you and mansions on top…all in the heart of the City. Beautiful”

Finally, I’ll add my 2 cents, as I just this week saw the best theatrical event I have witnessed all year – Love Lies Bleeding, the Alberta Ballet (though it’s more like Cirque du Soleil) performing to 14 Elton John songs in a story based on his life. Just fantastic. Unfortunately, it will be over by the time you read this – only here for 6 shows…but it may tour – and if it does, make sure to catch it somewhere!

All the Best, Mr. Toronto