Mr. Toronto

Yes, you read that right…although most people come to Toronto for the excitement of a “City” vacation – blockbuster shows and events, world famous museums and attractions, more stores and restaurants than are imaginable – it’s important to know that we have some pretty awesome places to just lie down in the sand and soak up the sun as well. (Especially important since the temperatures have been in the ‘90s for the past 2 weeks!)

There are a number of beaches that are just a stone’s throw away from downtown…. three of the best can be found on the Toronto Islands, with (inexpensive and quick) ferry access available at the foot of Bay street:  Centre Island has a sandy, family-friendly beach with change rooms, washrooms and a nearby snack bar (also known as Chelsea Beach, with transportation available from the Delta Chelsea Hotel as well); Ward’s Island is a bit more “residential, bordered by trees and greenery: and Ward’s Island is the City’s only “clothing optional” spot! Other “City” beaches include:

• Cherry Beach – at the foot of Cherry Street, by the port lands
• HTO Park – a truly “urban” beach at 339 Queens Quay West (nice sand, but you can’t go into the water)
• Sunnyside Beach – 1775 Lakeshore W, with its long, historic boardwalk
• Woodbine Beach – at the foot of Woodbine, a great place to play – or watch volleyball, then stroll along nearby Queen St. for boutique gazing and ice cream eating…

If you’re feeling more adventurous – and have a little more time, you can also take a day trip (or overnighter) to one of the real/real lovely waterfronts outside of the City:

• Long Point Provincial Park in Port Rowan (519-586-2133)
• Beaches of the township of Tiny (705-526-7884)
• Sandbanks Provincial Park in Picton (613-393-3319)
• Sauble Beach in Owen Sound (519-422-1262)
• Wasaga Beach (705-429-2516)

All beautiful, and a heck of a lot closer than the Caribbean!

Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Mr. Toronto

We Torontonians are currently in the middle of our first “Summer Festival” of the season — Luminato (billed as the “Toronto Festival of Arts + Creativity”). Running til June 20, it’s a pretty eclectic mix of free and ticketed events incorporating dance, music, film and art. I went to see Rufus Wainwright last night, performing a very weird solo piano piece dressed in a long black gown with a feather collar…gives you some idea.

But there are LOTS of other (more accessible?) festivals coming up over the next couple months — here are some highlights:

• Pride Toronto – our epic Gay weekend and parade (June 24-July 4)
• Fringe Theatre Festival – 150 different shows! (June 30-July 11)
• Summerlicious – 150 of Toronto’s top restaurants offer special – and cheap! – menus (July 9-25)
• Festival of India – some of this food is actually free! (July 17-18)
• Caribana – our wild and crazy Caribbean extravaganza (July 28-August 1)
• Taste of the Danforth – if your taste buds are more Greek-centric (August 6-8)
• Festival of Beer – if you need something to wash all that food down with; great music, too – at Exhibition Place (August 5-7)
• Summerworks – more than 40 plays, concerts and workshops (August 5-15)
• And, of course, the good ol’ CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) closes down the summer festivities (August 20- September 6)

So pack your sunscreen and party hats and come on down – we’re waiting for you!

Mr. Toronto

The weather has been gorgeous these past few days in Toronto, and whoever hasn’t been glued to the hockey playoffs (this IS Canada, after all) has been hanging out at one of the City’s fantastic outdoor patios. Nothing like sitting in the sun (or shade – I’m an equal opportunity patio lounger) and quaffing one of our fine Canadian brews while watching the world go by.

Some of the best places to do that include:

• The Black Bull at 298 Queen Street (a hangout for everyone from bikers to punkers to jocks)
• The Madison at 14 Madison (with FIVE levels of patios!)
• The Wheat Sheaf Tavern at 667 King W (Toronto’s oldest, open since 1849)
• Polson Pier at 11 Polson (formerly known as “The Docks”, it is probably the largest patio in the City, with definitely the most awesome view)
• Café Diplomatico at 594 College (a Little Italy institution)
• Sweaty Betty’s at 13 Ossington (had to throw that is because I LOVE the name, and no list would be complete without mention of the hip Ossington strip)
• Hemingway’s at 142 Cumberland (in the heart of Yorkville – quite a different crowd than the Black Bull)

And my two very favourite out-of-the-way hideaways (worth the schlep):

• The Gem Bar & Grill at 1159 Davenport, a very hip neighbourhood hangout that usually has great free live music to boot
• The Rectory Café on Ward’s Island – this one you have to take a ferry to- catch it from the foot of Yonge St. next to the Westin Hotel; you’ll feel like you’re on an island retreat (wait a minute – you ARE!)

Wanted to tell you about these early in the season, so you’ll have time to try them ALL! And feel free to let me know about your favourites, too.

Cheers!

Mr. Toronto

I have a file full of ideas that I want to blog about, but they keep on getting bumped because of stuff I’ve done recently that I just have to share with you. Specifically this past week, did three really cool things that you might want to know about:

1. Had one of those fantastic and unexpected Toronto experiences that just “happen” sometimes…was coming out of the Art Gallery of Ontario (which I believe I have gone on about previously – it really is a fantastic place), and remembered that nearby was the home — and studio — of one of Canada’s most well-known, respected and prolific artists, Charles Pachter. Articles have been written about the place — called The Moose Factory (he uses the iconic Canadian Moose in many of his works) — it is an architectural gem. Anyway, the studio/gallery is open to the public, but by appointment only. So I called on a whim, and Charlie himself answered the phone, told me to come by, and spent an hour with me giving me a fantastic personal tour. I’m sure he’d do the same for you, especially if you were a prospective client! Much of his artwork is actually very reasonable/undervalued, and a great investment. Check out http://www.cpachter.com/moose_factory/moose_factory.html
2. Went to the opening of Young Frankenstein, the latest Mirvish Production at the gorgeous Princess of Wales Theatre. I have to say, I am a little tired of movies being made into plays, especially movies that were fantastic and hold great memories. This Mel Brooks’ classic is one of those, and like most adaptations, I’d watch the movie (again) rather than see the play (again). But it had its moments, and is still a fun night out.
3. Went to an announcement for the big blockbuster exhibit coming to the Royal Ontario Museum starting end of June (and running through the fall) — The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army. Most people have heard something about the Terracotta Warriors, but the story is spellbinding — straight out of a Spielberg movie — and the exhibit of artifacts should be outstanding. Stay tuned…

Finally, as I’m mentioning the end of June, a warning: The G-20, a meeting of twenty of the world’s leaders, is coming to Toronto the weekend of June 25-27. While it’s an exciting and high profile event for our City, it will be a bit of a logistical nightmare (security, traffic, etc.). So if you can, I’d stay away then and book your summer visit for another time! Could be the best tip I’ve given you yet!

Mr. Toronto

Yes, it’s true – Toronto has just gone through a month long City Worker’s strike. City run day camps and swimming pools were closed, the Island Ferry wasn’t running, and garbage wasn’t being picked up. But the media played it up much worse than it actually was (surprise, surprise…) – tourists hardly noticed a thing. There were alternate ways to get to the Island (water taxis), and independent trash collectors made sure the streets were clean. But if you WERE waiting for the strike to be over before visiting, it just ended – so come on down! Personally, I am pretty grateful, cuz I had some pretty old garbage stored in my garage…gotta air that puppy out real good…

If you’re coming to visit with the kiddies, I thought I would pass along five kid-friendly eateries to satisfy grumbling tummies, as noted in the most recent issue of WHERE magazine (very handy to pick up when you hit town, FYI). They are:

1. The Pickle Barrel, casual with a huge menu (a few locations, but easiest is at Atrium on Bay, between the Eaton Centre and delta Chelsea Hotel)
2. The Rainforest Café (you know this, right? Jungle animals, thunder/lightening – kinda tacky but the kids go wild) at Yorkdale Mall (great mall, by the way. Car is easiest, but also serviced by the subway
3. The Old Spaghetti Factory – Fun, Cheap and Casual – on the Esplanade way downtown
4. Alice Fazoolis – Like above, only a little more classy – and a great patio!
5. Richtree Market Restaurant - individual cooking stations, self serve – lotsa fun and interesting to watch…on Yonge, right downtown

And just for the adults, thought I’d throw in a little tip for when the kiddies are tucked in bed – there’s a gem of a local pub I just went to over the weekend, called – The Gem.

One of those rare neighbourhood hangouts that’s tucked away, cozy , warm and friendly – with great food and a great patio (and live music some nights). Davenport St. near Christie.

Cheers!

Mr. Toronto

Had to go into Buffalo this past week for a couple of meetings…people make such a big deal about crossing the border, but it’s really nothing. No line-ups, no hassle. Sure hope it stays that way when the passport law comes into affect June 1 (you’ll need one; right now basically any photo ID is OK). You’d think everyone crossing would have heard about it by now, and will have what they need to keep things running smoothly. I’ll do my part and direct everyone to Terrific Toronto’s tips and information for crossing into Canada.

On the other hand, road construction on the Highways is INSANE. Can never tell when you’re gonna hit a bottleneck that delays you for half an hour. If you learn anything at all from this blog, it’s AVOID RUSH HOUR traffic on the roads leading to T.O. – which is basically 7:30-9:30am and 4-7pm…

On a totally non-related note: discovered a great little Toronto “museum” this week- Toronto’s First Post Office, a tiny brownstone downtown at 260 Adelaide St. East (right near the historical Distillery District). Besides having some cool things to look at and do (write a letter with a quill pen and seal it with a wax stamp), it’s still a fully functioning post office – dating back to 1834…

That’s it for now – TTYL

Mr. Toronto