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FEATURES
LOCAL EATS
8 See It All and Save How a Toronto CityPASS works
29 The Elm Tree Restaurant
14 CN Tower
FAMILY OUTING
20 The Art Gallery of Ontario The first major Georgia O’Keeffe retrospective in Canada
34 Family friendly activities to try during your Toronto stay
25 Plan Your Stay A three-day city exploring vacation itinerary
IN EVERY ISSUE
May/June 2017 Vol. 1 | No. 1
8
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Contents
It’s Toronto
20
4 Letter from the Editor 6 Upcoming Toronto Events
Cover photo: Aqnus Febriyant/Shutterstock.com
25 MAY/JUNE 2017 • 3
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
It’s Toronto – It’s Here!
W
elcome to the inaugural edition of It’s Toronto magazine, a new publication dedicated to the travelers who prefer using shortterm rental properties for their vacation accommodations. This market is experiencing explosive growth and will continue to do so as technology disrupts more traditional accommodation experiences. We don’t want you to miss out on anything Toronto has to offer you during your stay, and so created this magazine exclusively for you. Based on market research data, we know a few things about you: ■■ You’re mainly looking for unique experiences during your vacation, as opposed to spending your money on material goods ■■ Half of you are in the Millennial age group, while the other half are Gen-X and Baby Boomers ■■ You’re savvy, as staying in a vacation rental costs you, on average, 40 per cent less than an equivalent stay at a hotel ■■ You’re interested in local entertainment, like festivals and sporting events ■■ While you want an insider look at the city, you still want to see the major attractions like the CN Tower or Casa Loma In our inaugural issue, we’ve covered some Toronto mainstay information for you, such as how a Toronto CityPASS works, visiting the CN Tower and letting you know about upcoming events in the city. We’ve also got a couple sample vacation itineraries for any travelers who need a little activity inspiration. I hope you enjoy your stay in the Big Smoke, and come back again this summer to celebrate Canada 150!
May/June 2017 | Issue 1 | No. 1 Published by
701 Henry Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 1T9 Toll-free Phone: 866-953-2189 Toll-free Fax: 877-565-8557 www.lestercommunications.ca President, Jeff Lester Publisher, Jill Harris EDITORIAL Editor, Andrew Harris ADVERTISING Quinn Bogusky, Brenda Ezinicki, Brian Saunders, Darryl Sawchuk, Mathew Torgerson DESIGN & LAYOUT Art Director, Myles O’Reilly Senior Graphic Designer, John Lyttle Graphic Designer, Jessica Landry DIGITAL MEDIA Digital Media Manager, Gayl Punzalan Online Media Designer, John Mark Aquino DISTRIBUTION Office Manager, Nikki Manalo © 2017 Lester Communications Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.
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Publication Mail Agreement #40606022. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 701 Henry Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 1T9
Jill Harris
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the authors and/or editorial sources contained in It’s Toronto magazine are those of the respective parties and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher. Printed in Canada. Please recycle where facilities exist. ISSN 2369-3886
4 • It’s Toronto
You’ll want to sit down for this. 2017 Playbill Me and My Girl, Saint Joan, Dracula, 1837: The Farmers’ Revolt, Androcles and the Lion, Wilde Tales, The Madness of George III, Dancing at Lughnasa, An Octoroon, Middletown and 1979.
Tom McCamus
The Madness of George III, plus 10 other plays to sweep you off your feet.
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At Toronto’s must-visit attraction, you can feast your eyes and feed your thrills with amazing views, award-winning food and EdgeWalk, the world’s highest hands-free outdoor walk on a building! Date: Apr 05, 2017 Filename_ Version#
MAY/JUNE 2017 • 5
UPCOMING
Toronto Events
Georgia O’Keeffe What: The AGO will be hosting the only North American stop of Georgia O’Keeffe, a career retrospective of American painter Georgia O’Keeffe. Come and view pieces spanning O’Keeffe’s entire career. Where: Art Gallery of Ontario When: April 22 to July 30, 2017
6 • It’s Toronto
Mississauga Marathon What: Take part in this year’s Marathon! The route starts from Mississauga Celebration Square. Where: Mississauga Celebration Square When: Friday, May 5, 2017
Street Food & Street Art Tour What: Walk down Graffiti Alley, Toronto’s richest site of street art, to see works from some of Toronto’s most well-known and talented street artists. Finish up your tour with some eats from some of the best street food in the city. When: Saturday, May 6, 2017 Where: 154 Spadina Ave.
Carassauga Festival Inc. What: Carassauga is the largest multicultural festival in Ontario. Visit pavilions showcasing more than 70 countries, taste exotic dishes and experience breathtaking performances. When: Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28, 2017 Where: Mississauga Hershey Centre
Woofstock What: Like dogs? Come to the largest outdoor festival for dogs in all of North America. When: Saturday, May 27 to Sunday, May 28, 2017 Where: Woodbine Park
ValeStock/Shutterstock.com, DayOwl/Shutterstock.com, Pavel1964/Shutterstock.com, mikecphoto/Shutterstock.com, Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com, Paul McKinnon/Shutterstock.com
Ontario Science Centre presents Canada 150 Discovery Way What: Come visit the Ontario Science Centre’s installation about the stories behind Canadian inventions and inventors. Where: Ontario Science Centre When: April 20 to November 12, 2017
UPCOMING TORONTO EVENTS
Mississauga Waterfront Festival What: Held every Father’s Day, the festival offers concerts, a kid’s stage, Family Fun Village, Heritage Stage, vendors, crafters, petting zoo and much more. When: Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18, 2017 Where: 20 Lakeshore Rd. E.
Pepsi North American Cup What: Come out to the track to enjoy the 34th edition of the Pepsi North American Cup. When: Saturday, June 17, 2017 Where: Woodbine Racetrack
Splash! – Canada 150 What: A five-part themed series designed to transport you into another world. When: Friday, June 23, 2017 Where: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Toronto Craft Beer Festival What: Celebrate independent craft breweries with craft beers/ciders, delicious food, music and other fun activities. Must be aged 19+. When: Friday, June 23 to Saturday, June 24, 2017 Where: Ontario Place
Breakin’ Convention Toronto 2017 What: The world’s biggest festival of hip hop dance theatre showcasing the best from around the world. When: Friday, June 23 to Saturday, June 24, 2017 Where: Mississauga Hershey Centre
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™ In Concert What: Enjoy a live symphony orchestra performing to the movie. You will be able to relive the magic of the movie while hearing the orchestra perform the iconic score. When: Tuesday, June 27 to Wednesday, June 28, 2017 Where: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
To have your event included in these listings in a future issue of It’s Toronto, please send your information to the publisher – jharris@lesterpublications.com
MAY/JUNE 2017 • 7
stockcreations/Shutterstock.com, Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com, Nikola Bilic/Shutterstock.com Day Owl/Shutterstock.com, Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com, conrado/Shutterstock.com, Stokkete/Shutterstock.com
Taste of Toronto What: Enjoy some of Toronto’s most celebrated chefs and rising stars. Taste of Toronto is back for its fourth year of foodie entertainment. When: Thursday, June 15 to Sunday, June 18, 2017 Where: Fort York
See It All and Save A Toronto CityPASS will take you where you want to go By Sarah B. Hood
8 • It’s Toronto
Dilk Feros/Shutterstock.com
C
anada marks its 150th birthday this year, but for Toronto visitors, there’s another anniversary worth celebrating. This year (March 1, 2017 to Feb. 28, 2018) is also the 20th anniversary for CityPASS, the unique North America-wide pass system that offers discounts on admissions to the most popular attractions in 12 destinations. CityPASS was founded in 1997 in Seattle and San Francisco by Mike Gallagher, who worked in destination marketing at Marine World/Africa USA (which became Six Flags), and Mike Morey, head of a research firm specializing in theme parks, museums, zoos and aquariums. “San Francisco completely bombed, and Seattle took off like hotcakes,” said CityPASS’ vice president of communications and public relations, Deborah Wakefield. “We went back and did some research. The number-one thing people want to do in San Francisco is ride a cable car, so one of our owners met with San Francisco’s public transit authority 25 times. He doesn’t take no for an answer!” As soon as the cable-car ride was added, “Sales for San Francisco took off, too,” she said. Since then, CityPASS has expanded to 12 destinations, including New York City, Boston and Chicago. Toronto has been part of CityPASS since 2004. “Our concept was designed around taking the stress out of planning a vacation,” said Gallagher. “People worry that travel is too expensive, so we made it more affordable. They worry
CITYPASS
“THE WHOLE IDEA WAS TO TAKE AWAY THE HASSLE, SO THAT TRAVELLERS AND THEIR FAMILIES COULD JUST FOCUS ON HAVING FUN.” – MIKE GALLAGHER, CITYPASS
MAY/JUNE 2017 • 9
CITYPASS
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that once they go on vacation, they’ll miss something incredible. So we made sure to include all the top attractions. They worry about spending their precious vacation time standing in line, which is why, whenever possible, CityPASS includes a line-skipping option. The whole idea was to take away the hassle, so that travellers and their families could just focus on having fun.” “We’ve seen a lot of change in the past 20 years,” said CityPASS president and CEO, Megan Allen. “We’ve seen sales go from primarily box office to largely online; we’ve gone from shipping every ticket booklet by post to sending a good portion of them via email; and, last year, we introduced our first entirely mobile pass, New York C3.” Most CityPASS booklets are designed to suit a typical stay of about a week, so they offer five or six admissions. The New York C3 mobile pass is tailored to shorter trips; it lets users in to any three of the top 10 New York attractions, like the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Also, instead of a ticket booklet, it takes the form of a mobile app.
10 • It’s Toronto
CITYPASS
CITYPASS TORONTO ATTRACTIONS In Toronto, CityPASS saves visitors about 40 per cent off the cost of admission to five of the city’s six most-visited attractions. These include: ■■ CN Tower, one of the tallest structures in the world, with sensational views over Lake Ontario, a breezy LookOut level that’s 1,136 feet/346 m in the air, and a Glass Floor area for those who dare to step across it ■■ Casa Loma, an actual castle that has starred in numerous movies (it stood in for the X-Men Academy, for example!) ■■ Royal Ontario Museum (left), Canada’s most extensive collection of natural and human history exhibits. This year’s star is the brand-new exhibit of one of the world’s largest and most complete Blue Whale skeletons, painstakingly assembled from bones recovered in Newfoundland three years ago. ■■ Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (opposite), the newest addition to the Toronto CityPASS and home to a magnificent array of live sea creatures ■■ Either the Toronto Zoo (home to giant panda cubs Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue) or the Ontario Science Centre (a fascinating interactive playground for inquiring minds)
Javen/Shutterstock.com
The Toronto CityPASS costs $76 plus tax for adults ($51 plus tax for children between the ages of 4 and 12). The full price for entry to the attractions is $127.15, so CityPASS represents savings of $51.15. CityPASS is sold at its partner attractions and online at citypass.com, where visitors will find insider tips (like when the CN Tower observation deck is least crowded). The tickets include public transit directions to each site. Booklets can be shipped to many international locations, or purchasers can print a voucher redeemable for the coupon booklet at whichever attraction they choose to visit first.
MAY/JUNE 2017 • 11
“PEOPLE WORRY THAT TRAVEL IS TOO EXPENSIVE, SO WE MADE IT MORE AFFORDABLE.” – MIKE GALLAGHER, CITYPASS
“We did a customer satisfaction survey at the end of 2016; we have a 98 per cent customer recommendation rating,” said Wakefield. That’s another excuse to celebrate this year. CityPASS users who share their experiences on social media with the hashtag #citypass are eligible to win four CityPASS booklets to any city. Also, during the anniversary year, those who post a review at citypass.com will be entered in a monthly draw for $2,020. 12 • It’s Toronto
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CITYPASS
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14 • It’s Toronto
Photos courtesy of the CN Tower
CN TOWER
Why the CN Tower N is Toronto’s Must-See Attraction
By Candice G. Ball
ot only is the CN Tower one of Canada’s most iconic landmarks, it is also an excellent starting point to experience Toronto. Standing 553.33 metres (1,815 feet, 5 inches) tall, the CN Tower offers a breathtaking, panoramic view of Toronto. “It’s a wonderful way for visitors, especially those visiting Toronto for the first time, to get an overview of the city,” said Lisa Tompkins, director of sales, marketing and communications at the CN Tower. “We often say to people, ‘Why not start your visit at CN Tower?’ You have a great overview of the city beneath you and you can plan your visit from that point.” Each year, more than 1.8 million people visit the architectural wonder, but it was originally constructed to be more than a tourist attraction. Built by Canadian National Railways in 1976, the CN Tower served as a telecommunications hub and still transmits signals. Today, all major broadcast AM and FM radio stations and wireless service providers use the CN Tower for transmission. Construction on the $63-million tower began on Feb. 6, 1973. More than 1,537 workers laboured around the clock, five days a week to build the CN Tower, completing the tower on Feb. 22, 1974, and the antenna on April 2, 1975. The Tower officially opened to the public on Oct. 1, 1976. On the Tower’s 40th birthday, it celebrated an illustrious history, including holding the Guinness World Record as world’s tallest tower for more than three decades. The Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, usurped the Tower’s title in 2010. But the CN Tower still has bragging rights with two other Guinness World Records for EdgeWalk, the world’s highest exterior walk on a building, and for the World’s Highest Wine Cellar.
ONE TOWER, MANY VIEWS
There are many ways to experience the CN Tower. If you choose a General Admission ticket, you will enjoy access to stunning views from two different observation levels. You will be able to take in Toronto from the LookOut level at 346 metres (1,136 feet) MAY/JUNE 2017 • 15
CN TOWER
THE CITYPASS, TORONTO’S TOTAL PACKAGE The CityPASS offers another way to experience the CN Tower as well as four other major Toronto attractions. The CityPASS bundles together five “best-of-Toronto” attractions so you save 40 per cent or more off admission. CityPASS also allows you to skip most ticket lines. The package includes the CN Tower; Toronto’s castle, Casa Loma; the Royal Ontario Museum; Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada; and Toronto Zoo or Ontario Science Centre. For more information about CityPASS, read the article on page 8. “It’s a wonderful product,” said Tompkins. “It brings together the best of Toronto and will give you an unforgettable experience of our wonderful city.”
which includes viewing the thrillseekers doing EdgeWalk. (If you’re a daredevil, you may want to skip right to the EdgeWalk section of the article). While you’re on the LookOut level, you may want to enjoy a meal at Horizons Restaurant. The family-friendly restaurant celebrates the multicultural neighbourhoods of Toronto and offers breathtaking views overlooking Lake Ontario and Toronto. (If you just want a bite on the go, Le Café is another option located at the base of the CN Tower.) With your General Admission ticket, you will also be able to walk on the Glass Floor at 342 metres (1,122 feet) – the world’s first glass floor. Imagine yourself walking over 300 square feet of glass. If the thought makes you nervous, you’ll take comfort in the fact that the glass is strong enough to withstand the weight of 35 full-grown Canadian moose. Although the glass is just 2.875-inches thick, it was engineered to
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CN TOWER
support a weight five times greater than the standard for commercial and institutional floors. After you have walked across the Glass Floor, you can take in an outdoor view from the SkyTerrace. On a warm night, it’s a lovely spot to watch the sunset while enjoying a gentle summer’s breeze. If you want to go even higher, you may purchase an additional ticket to go up to the SkyPod at 447 metres (1,475 feet). When the sky is clear, the SkyPod offers you a 160-kilometre or 100-mile view of Toronto, Lake Ontario and beyond to Niagara Falls and Rochester, N.Y.
EDGEWALK, A BUCKET-LIST EXPERIENCE FOR THRILL SEEKERS
If you’re an adrenaline-junkie, you will not want to pass up the opportunity to experience EdgeWalk – the world’s highest, full circle hands-free walk on a 1.5-metre (five-foot) wide ledge encircling the top of the CN Tower’s main
MAY/JUNE 2017 • 17
CN TOWER
WEBSITES AND APPS:
www.cntower.ca www.edgewalkcntower.ca There is also a downloadable app available through Apple’s App Store and through Google Play ■■ ■■
pod at 356 metres, or 116 storeys, above ground. After a detailed safety orientation, you will join a group of six fellow adventurers with an EdgeWalk guide and circle the pod while attached to an overhead safety rail via a trolley-and-harness system. You can literally lean off the building over Toronto. “It’s a bucket-list experience for many people,” said Tompkins. “We’ve had a lot of milestones, such as birthdays and even a wedding, on EdgeWalk. We’ve also seen many people push their personal limits and overcome their apprehensions about heights.” There are some restrictions. You must be at least 13 years old and fall within a weight range of 34 kilograms (75 pounds) to 140 kilograms (310 pounds). The entire experience takes an hour and a half, with 30 minutes spent circling the CN Tower. You will get to relive the experience for years to come because the package includes a video, printed photos and certificate of achievement. You will also
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18 • It’s Toronto
MORE THAN 1,537 WORKERS LABOURED AROUND THE CLOCK, FIVE DAYS A WEEK TO BUILD THE CN TOWER, COMPLETING THE TOWER ON FEB. 22, 1974.
CN TOWER
FUN FACTS: ■■
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receive a Tower Experience Ticket that includes access to the LookOut, Glass Floor and SkyPod levels.
ELEVATED FINE-DINING EXPERIENCE AT 360
If you don’t have an appetite for extreme adventures but you love fine dining, 360 will give you the culinary experience you want. The fine-dining restaurant offers patrons one of Canada’s finest dining experiences by showcasing local cuisine. In addition to featuring market-fresh, regional cuisine, 360 offers an awardwining wine selection of more than 500 international and Canadian wines from its “cellar in the sky.” The cuisine ranges from fresh seafood flown in from the Atlantic to bison from the prairies to vegetarian options made from locally grown vegetables. There is something to satisfy everyone’s palate. Because the cuisine features fresh, local ingredients, the 360 Restaurant menus change twice a year for summer and winter. You can expect to spend at least an hour and a half at 360. During that time, you will enjoy a panoramic view as the restaurant revolves around Toronto once every 72 minutes. “360 is a special restaurant and we see many marriage proposals. We also see those couples coming back to celebrate their anniversaries,” said Tompkins. “It’s also a wonderful place for Torontonians to host family and friends who come to visit.” After the dining experience, you may enjoy complimentary views from the LookOut and Glass Floor levels of the CN Tower. It is strongly recommended you make a reservation by calling 416-362-5411 or online at cntower.ca/360.
The CN Tower has six high-speed, glass-fronted elevators that will blast you to the top of the Tower in only 58 seconds The CN Tower’s sophisticated illumination system does more than light the Tower. Since it was launched in 2007, the CN Tower programmable-LED lighting has helped to raise awareness for hundreds of charities and special causes with different-coloured lighting themes. When the CN Tower celebrated its 40th birthday in 2016, some of the employees who started at the Tower on day one were still there The CN Tower gets struck by lightning approximately 75 times a year
DON’T WORRY. BE(ER) HAPPY.
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MAY/JUNE 2017 • 19
20 • It’s Toronto
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ARTS & CULTURE
The first major Georgia O’Keeffe retrospective in Canada By Kim Biggar
W
hile the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) opened more than 100 years ago, it remains a modern, vibrant space in the core of Toronto. Now one of the largest art museums in North America, the AGO has over 4,000 works from its enormous collection available to view in its 110 galleries. And, through the current Look:Forward project, it’s undertaking a gallerywide reinstallation of that collection, adding art to all of its public spaces to enable the display of more of its best pieces. (That process will be completed in 2018.) The Ontario Society of Artists opened its first gallery in 1913 in The Grange, a Georgian manor house that is still part of the AGO, calling it the Art Museum of Toronto. Construction on a new building began in 1916. Numerous expansions and renovations – along with a couple of name changes – since then have created the current 583,000-squarefoot AGO facility. Home to works by such famous and diverse artists as Cornelius Krieghoff, Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, David Milne, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and General Idea, the gallery also features one of the largest Inuit art collections in the world, the world’s largest public collection of works by sculptor Henry Moore, a vast collection of photographs by 19th- and 20th-century photographers and African and Oceanic collections. Paintings, photos and sculpture share space with projection art, installation art, a collection of antique ship models, sacred Medieval and Renaissance objects, Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities and so much more. MAY/JUNE 2017 • 21
ARTS & CULTURE
AGO EXHIBITIONS
Unless otherwise indicated, these exhibitions are free with general admission.
njene / Shutterstock.com
On now and upcoming: • To June 4 – European Sculpture from the Collection of Murray Frum • To July 2 – Pets and Me: Explore, Imagine, Create (The Kids’ Gallery) • To July 9 – In/visible Bodies: Baroque Sculpture and Modern Painting • To July 23 – The Decades Project: 1930–1939 • To October 15 – Manasie Akpaliapik • To November 12 – Idea Lab: Research at the AGO – Investigating the Works of Benjamin Cheverton • To December 10 – Mark Lewis: Canada • Ongoing – Singing Softly When No One’s Around • Starts April 29 – Free Black North • Starts June 29 – Rita Letendre: Fire & Light • Starts June 29 – Every. Now. Then: Reframing Nationhood (free for members) • Starts in September – Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters (free for members)
150 YEARS IN THE MAKING, 1867-2017
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ARTS & CULTURE
Any visit to the AGO is an occasion to see what artistic mastery can produce and to marvel at human creativity. Exhibitions, like the current Georgia O’Keeffe retrospective, simply add to that experience, providing a deep and detailed look at the works of a particular artist or era.
THE GEORGIA O’KEEFFE EXHIBITION
Pete Spiro / Shutterstock.com
Eighty Georgia O’Keeffe works created over six decades were pulled together from numerous galleries in the U.S. and the UK for a rare look at the long career of this early and influential American modernist. An interpretive planner for the AGO exhibition, Gillian McIntyre explains that galleries don’t generally lend their O’Keeffe pieces, as they are too popular to part with. That makes this exhibition an exciting feat and a not-to-be-missed event for fans of modern art. First exhibited in England’s Tate Gallery, the O’Keeffe works are supplemented in the show by photos of the artist taken by her husband, Alfred Stieglitz. Like O’Keeffe’s paintings, Stieglitz’s photos were leading edge; he was instrumental in promoting the concept of photography as art. His many photos of O’Keeffe often captured images of parts of her body in isolation, close-ups of her hands, torso and so on. When they were first exhibited, these photos were shocking, says McIntyre. “They created a bit of a stir,” she said.
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MAY/JUNE 2017 • 23
ARTS & CULTURE
Seen together, the photos create a composite portrait of O’Keeffe. O’Keeffe’s art is displayed in the exhibition in accordance with the modernist aesthetic she demanded when her work is shown. Because it’s a retrospective of her career, you’ll see her journey as an artist as you walk through the gallery rooms. One full room is devoted to her famous flower paintings. Others showcase her New York City cityscapes, her New Mexico landscapes and the skulls and bones she loved to collect. For McIntyre, what made O’Keeffe fascinating was “the dogged pursuit of her vision.” Her goal was to capture the essence of a thing, and if that meant she had to paint it over and over again, she would. Her many paintings of Cerro Pedernal, a mesa in New Mexico, point to this inclination. As O’Keeffe herself said, “It’s my private mountain. It belongs to me. God told me if I painted it enough, I could have it.” For visitors to the AGO, the exhibition is a means to see O’Keeffe through her own eyes. Her story is told not only through her art, but also through quotations, text panels, videos and other interactive elements. “Her work is still fresh,” said McIntyre, “and worth revisiting.” The O’Keeffe retrospective will be at the AGO until July 30. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $21.50 for seniors and
$16.50 for students and youth; children under five and members get in for free. The price for anyone on Wednesday nights after 6 p.m. is $12.50. All of these prices include general admission to the gallery.
VISITING THE AGO
The AGO is more than a place to see art. It hosts talks and lectures, art classes for children and adults, mindful movement and yoga classes, art and design camps, films and events for teachers. It has a store, with interesting finds in jewellery, toys, art books, prints and posters, home décor and gifts. And it has several restaurants, each different: FRANK, for downtown-style lunches and dinners; caféAGO, a relaxed, family-friendly diner; and an espresso bar, where you can rest with a pastry or Italian gelato and a beverage. While you could spend a whole day at the AGO, you might want to do something else as well. From the AGO, that’s easy. Chinatown and Kensington Market are close by, and the Eaton Centre isn’t far in the other direction. Baldwin Village, centred on Baldwin Avenue, just north of the AGO, is full of restaurants, cafés, stores and lots of multicultural character. See the AGO’s website, at www.ago.net, for information about its hours, how to get there, what’s on and what’s coming, membership and more. You can also buy tickets there for gallery admission, exhibitions, classes, lectures and all of the other offerings of this inspiring art centre.
最漀琀漀甀爀猀挀愀渀愀搀愀⸀挀漀洀 㐀㘀ⴀ㘀㐀㈀ⴀ 㠀 24 • It’s Toronto
ITINERARY
Plan Your Stay!
A springtime vacation for travelling couples
Y
ou’ve landed in one of the most exciting and multicultural cities in the world. With a population of about 2.8 million, Torontonians come from all walks of life and speak an astonishing 140-plus languages and dialects. Immigrants have strongly influenced the city’s development, leaving their permanent stamp on vibrant ethnic neighbourhoods such as Little Italy, Greektown, Little India, Chinatown, Roncesvalles Village and more.
So many unforgettable experiences are waiting for you here in Toronto, the leading tourism destination in Canada. In 2015, the city welcomed more than 40 million visitors! To make the most of your time and your vacation fund, visit citypass.com/ toronto and order your TO CityPASS for $76 per person (you can find more information on CityPASS on page 8). The pass covers admission into five of the city’s most popular destinations, including the CN Tower, Casa Loma,
the Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium and the Toronto Zoo or the Ontario Science Centre. Alternatively, you can buy the pass – which is good for nine days and helps you skip ticket line-ups – at any of the participating attractions. Here, we’ve lined up a sample threeday couples itinerary that takes you to some of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks, while veering off the beaten path to sample some of “Hogtown’s” unique and unforgettable cultural offerings. MAY/JUNE 2017 • 25
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By Lisa Gordon
ITINERARY
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DAY ONE
Kick off the day with breakfast at The Senator Restaurant, located at 249 Victoria Street in downtown Toronto. Accessible by TTC subway (Dundas Station), The Senator dates back to 1929 and is one of the city’s first restaurants. This 1940s-style diner is an institution in downtown Toronto – go early on weekends to avoid the line!
From there, it’s a short walk to the Toronto Eaton Centre at Yonge and Dundas Streets for some of the best shopping in the city. Don’t know where to start? There’s an app for that! Download the Toronto Eaton Centre app and navigate your way through more than 250 fine shops, eateries and services. Located in the heart of downtown,
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26 • It’s Toronto
this is the city’s premier urban shopping destination. Next, hop on the subway and head south to King Station. Continue walking south to 30 Yonge Street, where you can pay your respects to the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame. The $18-per-person entry fee is a bargain considering the Hall offers 65,000 square feet filled with the finest collection of hockey artifacts from around the world. There are also multimedia stations, theatres, games to test your hockey skills and the one and only Stanley Cup! The Hockey Hall of Fame has also developed a personalized tour app that lets you customize your visit. After being on your feet for most of the day, chances are good that you will be ready for some upscale R&R. Retrace your steps to King Station and head north once again to Dundas Street. Walk north on Yonge and turn left (west) on Elm Street. Your destination is a real treat: the popular Elmwood Spa at 18 Elm Street. This historic fivestorey brick building is a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of the downtown core. With four spacious floors of treatment rooms, a juice bar, water therapies and more, prepare to be renewed!
Try the “Exotic Escape for Two” package, priced at $350 for 3.5 hours. It’s well worth reserving the luxurious Sapphire or Royal Couples Suite for a nominal additional fee when booking in advance. The package includes water therapies (pool, whirlpool, steam room) and a 50-minute couple’s Swedish massage, as well as a four-course dinner for two at the onsite Bangkok Garden restaurant – billed as the best Thai in town! Make your spa reservation well in advance to avoid disappointment. We’re pretty sure you’ll be ready to call it a day after dinner – but if you’ve got energy to spare, the Yonge Street nightlife is just steps away!
DAY TWO
To fortify yourselves for your second busy day, start off with breakfast at another one of Toronto’s last original diners, Avenue Diner at 222 Davenport Road (corner of Avenue Road). Since 1944, this small, old school diner has been serving up reasonably priced bacon and eggs while the trendy “Ave and Dav” neighbourhood has grown up around it. It’s not unusual to see movie stars or famous athletes in the Avenue Diner.
From the diner, it’s less than a kilometre walk south on Avenue Road to Bloor Street West, where you’ll find one of the world’s largest collections of natural history and world culture, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Just show your CityPASS and you’re in. One could probably browse the ROM all day, lost among its five floors of galleries and displays. Special exhibitions
include dinosaurs, Egyptian galleries, blue whales and family photography, although these are cycled periodically and may not be available during your visit. To check current offerings, visit www.rom.on.ca. When you emerge from the ROM, it may take a while to re-adjust to modern times. Luckily, a visit to Yorkville – just steps away – should reset your
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ITINERARY
ITINERARY
inner clock! Toronto’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 Toronto’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 Toronto 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 Toronto 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
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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 Toronto’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 Toronto. Advance reservations recommended.
DAY THREE
On your last day, sample some of the wonderful diversity characteristic of Toronto. Often referred to as “the most multicultural city in the world,” Toronto 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 Toronto’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 Toronto’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 Toronto vacation.
TORONTO EATS
The Elm Tree Restaurant:
A Family Affair Brother-run restaurant a hit in the downtown core By Heather Hudson
L
ike 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 2017 • 29
TORONTO EATS
“WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON HAVING A COMFORTABLE AND RELAXED AMBIANCE WHILE SERVING GREAT COMFORTING FOOD. WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT WE’RE A FAMILY-RUN RESTAURANT WHERE YOU CAN RELAX. THE SERVICE IS CASUAL AND FRIENDLY, NOT ROBOTIC OR PRETENTIOUS.” – JONATHAN MISHAEV, GENERAL MANAGER, THE ELM TREE
In just over three years, the successful The Elm Tree restaurant (43 Elm St.) has become an homage to their Mediterranean roots and the longstanding tradition of hospitality, but with a metropolitan take on food and service. “Having grown up in a family where food was a centralized affair, my passion was present from very early on. Food was all around me, all the time;
from the intoxicating aromas of my grandmother’s home-baked breads to the infatuating smells of my father’s weekly barbecues. It was fundamental,” said Ben. Although Ben is passionate about food, it was younger brother Jonathan who first conceived of a restaurant with a different flair than the ones he grew up working in.
“My brother and I had dreams of operating a full service dining establishment. I’m interested in beverage programs. [At Elm Tree], we have a fully stocked bar, eight craft beers, unique wineries on our list and great, creative cocktails,” said Jonathan. Though the brothers are partners today – Jonathan is general manager, Ben is the chef – it was Jonathan
CHEF BEN MISHAEV SHARES THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS COOKING: “One food that gives me a nostalgic sensation…is my mother’s braised stew. This is not one’s conventional idea of stew; it is a combination of stuffed baby eggplants, tomatoes and sweet peppers. The stuffing is a mixture ground beef, onions, and garlic that has been sautéed slowly with various spices. Then this oversized pot is finally put in the oven to finish braising for at least two hours. This dish reminds me of home. Whenever I have a dish with similar textures, flavours or aromas, it brings me back to this memory. Certain flavours and aromas can take one back in time for just a moment to remember and cherish the flavours he or she loves. My inspiration boils down to creating food that represents my background in a way that can be enjoyed by everyone. I build menus that take into consideration various preferences, likes and dislikes while staying true to what I enjoy eating and what portrays who I am as a young cook.”
30 • It’s Toronto
TORONTO EATS
who initially opened Elm Tree in 2014 when he was only 21. “I didn’t have any managing experience. The first year I learned from the people I worked with,” he said. “I had a really good staff working with me when we opened. They helped me understand what Toronto is all about – what the food culture is like.”
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Working seven days a week, he absorbed as much as he could from his experienced employees while finding time to research wine and beer to offer interesting selections that complemented the food and vibe he was cultivating. Three months after opening, Ben headed off to study at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York City.
Meanwhile, Jonathan found the perfect location and got started without him. “I was alone for the first two years, with my uncle and father’s help. [During that time,] I tried to figure out who we are and what we wanted to do with the restaurant.” Since its inception, the menu has undergone an evolution of its own. Their
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TORONTO EATS
first chef was Greek and brought with him a Mediterranean flavour. A French chef followed, who put his own twist on the menu. A third chef was Spanish and ushered in a different palate. “When my brother got back from New York, we looked at the menu and saw what was working and what wasn’t. Today, we identify as a Mediterranean kitchen. The Greek, French and Spanish chefs each brought something to this journey. My brother is trained in classic French, but growing up in the restaurant industry with Middle Eastern roots, we’ve decided to reproduce that flavour,” said Jonathan. Some of their signature dishes include the Cornish hen that is brined and pan roasted and served with sautéed Brussels sprouts, crispy shitake, pancetta and celeriac puree. The lamb shank is braised in a rich aromatic jus made from an array of spices and seasonings indigenous to the Middle East and served with a classic pomme
32 • It’s Toronto
puree, crispy quinoa and pine nuts. Among the other top sellers are scallops, herb crusted rack of lamb and wild mushroom risotto. “We like to change our menu seasonally, at least four times a year. We keep the same idea with the lamb shank, Cornish hen and salmon dishes, but we change up the sides seasonally using local vegetables,” said Jonathan. With 18 people on staff and a prime location for locals and tourists alike, The Elm Tree has developed a reputation for high-quality food and exceptional customer service. It’s ranked among the top 10 restaurants in Toronto on Trip Advisor and enjoys a Certificate of Excellence from the review site. Jonathan attributes their success partly to their early education in hospitality. “My dad cared very much about the guests who came into his restaurant. It wasn’t just about making a profit;
it was about making people happy. I think of our guests as coming into our home, treating them well and making sure they leave satisfied.” This doting approach means they’re open to tweaking their menu based on customer feedback. “We try to learn from employees and guests about menu items, portion sizes and anything else we can do to make dining a perfect experience,” said Jonathan. “We pride ourselves on having a comfortable and relaxed ambiance while serving great comforting food. We want people to know that we’re a family-run restaurant where you can relax. The service is casual and friendly, not robotic or pretentious.” Now that they’ve hit a sweet spot, the brothers expect The Elm Tree to continue to provide the food and service their guests are responding to while keeping things fresh and current. After all, it’s a family tradition.
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Hello, Toronto
34 • It’s Toronto
FAMILY OUTING
It’s time to explore the city and experience all that Toronto can offer a young family like yours By Jess Campbell
W
elcome to Toronto! Whether you’re visiting for the first time or excited to be back, there are loads of things to see and do to keep your young family entertained for a full weekend. Lace up your sneakers, throw on your sunglasses and let’s go!
ITINERARY: DATE & TIME
ACTIVITY & PRICING
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
5 p.m
Arrival
Your vacation rental
You’ve arrived at your home away from home in the heart of downtown Toronto. Unload the car, look around and get settled before heading out to your first activity.
5:45 p.m.
Exploring Toronto
Downtown
Head out the door to walk around the neighbourhood and get familiar with your surroundings. Now is a great time for a quick snack at one of the local shops. Try some ice cream, fresh baked cookies, or street meat from a vendor.
6:45 p.m.
Medieval Times Adults: $65.95 Kids under 12: $45.95
Toronto Castle, 10 Dufferin Street
You’ll be transported back a few hundred years to dine with the King while watching a live jousting match with real horses and knights! Browse around the castle and take it all in before the show begins.
7:30 p.m.
Medieval Times
Toronto Castle
Dinner and jousting begins. In other words, a typical Friday night for the family.
9:30 p.m.
Home time!
Downtown
The show was fantastic, but now it’s time to head back to your rental and hit the hay. There’s lots more to explore tomorrow!
10 p.m.
Bedtime
Your vacation rental
Have a great sleep!
9 a.m.
Up and at ‘em!
Your vacation rental
After sleeping in a little, everyone is up, dressed and ready for the day. It’s time to head out in search of breakfast at one of the many local bistros. Scrambled eggs, pastries, fruit and coffee sounds delicious!
10:30 a.m.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada Adults: $27.98 Kids 3 to 5: $6.98
288 Bremner Blvd.
Explore life under the sea at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Step onto the moving sidewalk and cruise underneath the Dangerous Lagoon – don’t forget to wave to the sharks as they float by overhead! Experience Sting Ray Bay, the jellyfish tank and loads of other amazing exhibits.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
MAY/JUNE 2017 • 35
FAMILY OUTING
12:30 p.m.
Ferry ride to Toronto Island Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, Adults: $7.50 between Bay and Yonge Kids under 14: $3.65 Streets on Queens Quay
Take a short, leisurely ride on the Centre Island ferry across to your next destination, Centre Island.
12:45 p.m.
Lunch at Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Company
Centre Island
Sit down to a scrumptious lunch while enjoying waterfront views. Serving BBQ, burgers, fries and more.
1:30 p.m.
Centreville Theme Park All Day Family Ride Pass: $108.50 Pass, over 4 feet: $33.50 ea. Pass, under 4 feet: $24.50 ea.
Centre Island
With over 30 rides and attractions, you’ll have an amazing day at Centreville. Check out the bumper boats, antique carousel, ferris wheel, animal farm, and more.
5:30 p.m.
Return ferry ride
Centre Island Ferry Docks
Time to return to the mainland!
5:45 p.m.
TTC subway ride Minimum token purchase of 3 tokens for $9. Purchase at kiosk. Kids ride free.
Union Station
Walk a few short blocks to Union Station, where you’ll grab some tokens and get on the Yonge line to zoom Northward underneath the city. Be sure to get off at Dundas Station!
5:55 p.m.
Dinnertime at the Hard Rock Café
279 Yonge Street Yonge & Dundas Square
Enjoy a fantastic dinner in the famed, rock-n’-roll themed Hard Rock Café.
7:30 p.m.
Leisurely stroll
Yonge & Dundas Square
Walk off your delicious dinner around the bustling Yonge and Dundas Square before heading back to your home away from home – because let’s face it: the kids are exhausted, and so are you!
8:30 p.m.
Bedtime
Your vacation rental
The kids have had a bath and are snuggled in their beds for the night. Now it’s your turn to zonk out on the couch to catch up on your favourite Netflix show before going to bed.
8:30 a.m.
At-home breakfast
Your vacation rental
After a jam-packed Saturday, Sunday morning is easy. Dad went out to get pastries and fruit from one of the many breakfast places in the immediate area. So, it’s a coffee-sipping, Netflix cartoon-watching kind of morning while everyone takes their turn getting ready for your last day in Toronto.
10:15 a.m.
Hockey Hall of Fame Adults: $18.00 Kids: $12.00 3 and Under: free
Corner of Yonge and Front streets, in Brookfield Place, lower concourse level
After packing up the car and double-checking with your host that a late check-out is still okay, you’re off to your first destination of the day, the Hockey Hall of Fame. Experience what it’s like to have a shootout against a famed goalie, browse memorabilia and stand beside the Stanley Cup!
12 p.m.
Lunch at the Old Spaghetti 54 The Esplanade Factory
Walk the three-ish blocks to the Old Spaghetti Factory for a yummy lunch.
1:30 p.m.
CN Tower General Admission plus SkyPod Adults: $47 Kids: $37
301 Front Street West
Your second adventure of the day is taking you WAY up – up the CN Tower. After taking a quick ride in a taxi, you’ll purchase tickets and ride the elevator all the way up to each of the three observation decks, including the SkyPod – that’s 1,465 feet up!
2:30 p.m.
Horizons Restaurant, CN Tower
301 Front Street West
It’s a great time to stop for delightful dessert at the CN Tower’s Horizons Restaurant, on the LookOut Level.
3:30 p.m.
Home time!
The open road
After your snack, it’s time to hit the dusty trail. You’ve had an amazing time in Toronto, but it’ll be great to get home. With a quick check of the traffic, everybody hops in the car, and you’re off. Thanks, Toronto!
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SUNDAY
36 • It’s Toronto
A world class culinary experience
in the heart of Toronto.
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