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

Groovin’ on a sunny afternoon here in Toronto. And the festivals continue….

Just coming off of Indy weekend, where I actually got to ride around in the pre-race parade with other sponsors, VIPs and drivers, and wave like the Queen to the stands surrounding the track. Also got to meet Gene Simmons, who was the parade Grand Marshall. Was never a huge Kiss fan, but you gotta admire the guy for what he has accomplished musically and as a marketing genius….

And now we’re heading into the Just for Laughs festival…had to turn down tickets to see Sarah Silverman, one of my faves, but there is plenty of other stuff on tap – including John Cleese and a huge free outdoor gig by Russell Peters, a native son who has just been listed as one of the top 10 wealthiest stand-up comics (guess he’s having the last laugh…)

Yesterday also marked the kick-off of ten days of Caribana festivities, always a wild and crazy time in the City…good time to be opening a new reggae musical, which Mirvish Productions is doing next week – The Harder They Come. Not sure how this 70’s cult movie is gonna translate to a play, but will let you know! (or better yet, come find out for yourself!)

Last blog I mentioned our city’s great outdoor patios…this time I want to mention that there are some dynamite gelato places (seems like everyone wants gelato nowadays – ice cream ain’t good enough any more…) in some very cool areas of the City. Check out one of the two “Little Italys” we have here – at College St. or St. Clair Ave.; La Paloma on St. Clair is one of the oldest and well know gelaterias in Toronto…or head over to Hollywood Gelato, located on a cool strip packed with great restaurants and bars, on Bayview Ave. just south of Eglinton.

And come catch a Jays game before we all lose hope for yet another season! I’ll be there Sunday against the Red Sox…

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

Let’s talk comedy for a minute. Makes sense, since Canada – and Toronto- is the epicentre of humour. Really. John Candy, Martin Short, SCTV…all home-grown. And Second City is still keeping the SCTV spirit alive with nightly sketch comedy shows (just started their newest one called “0% Down, 100% Screwed”…). Just for Laughs festival, hugely popular in Montreal, just branched out into Toronto last year for the first time, and has another A-list roster coming to Toronto for this summer’s festival in June. And my main man, Jerry Seinfeld, is coming to T.O. for 2 shows in a couple weeks at Massey Hall – can’t wait!!!

Speaking of Massey Hall (my favourite place for ANY kind of show), if you want to grab a dynamite bite beforehand, a new little Italian joint has just opened up down the street (106 Victoria St., to be exact…) .Osteria Ciceri E Tria. Doesn’t get more authentic than this outside of Italy…owned and operated by the same folks who run Terroni on Adelaide Street- still one of the best and most happening Italian restaurants in the city (the wood burning is to die for….)

That’s it for now – TTYL

Mr. Toronto