STAYCATION

THE STAYCATION With panoramic views, retro-styled rooms and a sophisticated dining programme, the Broadview Hotel convinces Taylor Newlands it’s the beast of the east.

Address: 106 Broadview Ave. Rooms: 58 Restaurants: 3

WHAT’S THE DRAW The east end often gets a bad rap, but there’s plenty to love on this side of the city – with some spots even cooler than their counterparts in the west. At the Broadview Hotel you’ll find the combination of modern luxury and eclectic charm that Torontonians are all about, minus that cooler-than-thou attitude we’re tired of in the west. Built in the 1890’s, this historic building has been a local haunt for decades, evolving and changing with the neighbourhood. Now nestled between watering holes like Prohibition, the Comrade and Brickworks Ciderhouse, and beloved eateries like White Lily Diner, the boutique hotel is the ideal home base for exploring the Riverside and Leslieville area.

WHAT TO EAT Right in the hotel, guests have three distinct dining options to choose from. Expect classic breakfast hits in the bright and airy Broadview Bistro and Bar, followed by a concise menu of snacks, sips and French fare later in the day. Offering fine-dining flavour in an elegant space outfitted with flirty floral prints and exposed brick, dinner at chef Richard Singh’s the Civic is the main attraction. Start with gin-cured arctic char or scallops, lightly seared in brown butter and served in a creamy sauce with leeks, lardo and dill. Then tuck into one of their mouth-watering mains like honey-andlavender-glazed duck or grass-fed ribeye with beef-cheek-and-marrow jus.

WHAT ELSE Just until April, the Rooftop bar is decked out in full chalet decor with rustic wooden chairs, fur throws, plush pillows and split firewood for ambiance. But all year it’s home to unobstructed views of the city’s skyline and Don River, and in the summer the glass façade opens up onto a sprawling terrace. Head here for sippable cocktails, elevated bar snacks and DJ beats. The music theme continues with a record player in each of the 58 boutique rooms and vinyl on hand. Rooms also feature king-size, pillow-top beds that will give you a dreamy sleep, while blackout curtains and reading lights will motivate you to maximize your time in bed. Rooms from $247, thebroadviewhotel.ca

REC-ING THE HALLS For our annual holiday party, we ate, drank and made (very) merry at The Rec Room.

SEASONS EATINGS For the second annual Twenty Two Media holiday party, we ‘rec’ed the halls at food and entertainment mecca, the Rec Room.

The Dress to Empress, a bubbly mixture of Empress 1908 Gin and FIOL Prosecco, was the drink of the day, along with an Ocean Organic Vodka Collins. Brew enthusiasts sipped on Goose Island IPA, while Viña Casablanca Reserva Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon rounded out the offerings.

A festive take on the classic drink, dubbed a Noel’d Fashioned, was stirred up with Black Bottle Scotch Whisky. Meanwhile, a cozy tasting lounge with Deanston Scotch doubled the whisky fun.

At the Amarula sensory station, the fruit liqueur was served in an edible chocolate shot glass – talk about a sweet treat.

After all the eating and imbibing we could muster, it was time for a photo shoot with 6ix Photobooths and a dance-off to DJ Lucie Tic’s beats.