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CONTRIBUTORS
LYNN OGRYZLO Lynn is a food, wine and travel writer, author of three international award-winning cookbooks and regular contributor to REV Publications. Lynn specializes in culinary tourism covering regional cuisine destinations, slow food, culinary holidays, wine, spirits and “la dolca vita�. She can be reached for questions or comments at lynnogryzlo.com.
GABRIELLE TIEMAN Gabrielle is a writer with REV Publishing and holds a passion for covering travel and event pieces. She is always up for an adventure and loves meeting new people but also maintains close relationships with her Keurig and bicycle. Her favorite time of year is scarf season and she has easily watched the movie Armageddon 200 times. You should follow her @gabrielletieman
elcome to the winter edition of Today Magazine: Toronto. My favourite thing to do when I visit a new city, is to hit the ground running. Explore everything! Down alleyways, around corners, up stairs…if it looks intriguing, I’m investigating it. And Toronto is a great city for exploring. There’s always something new opening up, or somewhere old that I’ve only just heard of. If your idea of fun is the same as mine, check out some unique Toronto experiences (page 44) and (page 28). Another of my favourite things to do when I’m travelling is to try and live like the locals do (as much as you can do that in a city you don’t actually live in); eat where they eat, shop where they shop, go where they go. So with that in mind, check out the stories Toronto’s best shopping (page 32) and best live music venues (page 48). Winter is a pretty beautiful time of the year here, and sure, it’s cold, but don’t let that stop you from experiencing all that Toronto has to offer. Enjoy your vacation, and have a great winter season!
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Toronto by Today Magazine is published by Rev Publishing Inc. All opinions expressed in Toronto by Today Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of Toronto by Today Magazine, it’s employees or owners. Reasonable care is taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is as up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Toronto by Today Magazine for any errors, omissions or comments made by writers or interviewees that are contained herein. Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this magazine is not the responsibility of Toronto by Today Magazine. All unsolicited manuscripts and/or photographs submitted are assumed to be intended for publication or republication in whole or in part. The right to alter, edit or refuse photos and/or manuscripts intended for publication is assumed. All unsolicited material submitted to Toronto by Today Magazine are submitted at the author’s risk. Manuscripts and or photographs intended to be returned must be accompanied by sufficient postage. Toronto by Today Magazine does not assume any responsibility for any claims of our advertisers and reserves the right to refuse any advertising.
FOOD AND DRINK 10
THE MESSY BAKER
Lynn Ogryzlo spends an afternoon in the kitchen with Charmian Christie.
13
FIVE FABULOUS BEER PUBS
17
THE REAL MCCOY
The city boasts of many craft brew pubs but we’ve narrowed it down to our five favourites. A good croissant is light but not airy, buttery but not sugary, it takes practice to perfect.
20 THE MEAT OF THE MATTER
Rediscovering the near extinct art of butchery.
LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE 23 JUST IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Exploring Liberty Village, Distillery District, Kensington Market and The Junction
28 BEER, BACON, GRAFFITI & GHOSTS
Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, culture vulture, foodie, or simply love bacon, there are so many great ways to explore the streets and attractions of Toronto.
32 ELUSIVE. UNIQUE. DIVERSE.
Whether you are on the hunt for frugal shops offering more bang for your buck or looking to treat yourself on some designer buys, we have done the work for you and broken down the best shopping locations and hidden gems in Toronto.
38 TORONTO’S PATH
The quiet network of tunnels under the roaring frenzy of the city are lined with over 1,200 shops and services.
44
ESCAPE INTO HISTORY
Introducing Toronto to a whole new genre of interactive gaming, the Casa Loma Escape Series has taken the city by storm
48 TORONTO’S BEST MUSIC VENUES
The city’s vibrant live music scene is alive and well. Here’s a list of just some of our favourite venues.
HERE. SEE. DO 53 TORONTO CONCERT LISTINGS 54 TORONTO EVENT LISTINGS
Special Section 59 DESTINATION PROFILE
Things to see and do in Western New York TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 9
THE
MESSY
BAKER …is not so messy after all WRITTEN BY LYNN OGRYZLO | PHOTOS BY JON OGRYZLO Mason jars filled with baking supplies line the shelves. She pulls one filled with white powder laced with long slivers of black and shakes vigorously, spins off the top and dives in with as much glee as a banker fanning through a stack of thousand dollar bills. “It’s my vanilla sugar, it just tastes better,” says Charmian Christie, author of my favourite baking book, The Messy Baker. Charmian lives in a beautiful, 100-year old farmhouse in Guelph. Her kitchen is filled with yellow-pine cupboards, flooded with soft light from the multi-paned windows and infused with a sense of peace from giant trees shading the kitchen from glaring sunlight. It’s a kitchen that would inspire anyone to bake and here I am, invited to spend a day baking with the Messy Baker in her century-old, inspiring kitchen. If I were to write a cookbook about baking, I’d like to think I could write one as good as this. The recipes are simple enough to keep you relaxed in the kitchen with flavour combinations so creative they make your mouth water, seductive photographs that stir you into action and it’s crammed with so much of Charmian’s personality that it makes you feel like she’s with you baking in your kitchen.
Charmian pours some vanilla sugar over a twisted knot of dough; it’s her homemade pastry. She begins to roll it out. The chilled dough layered with cold, hard butter flattens easily beneath her rolling pin. It’s easy to see who’s in command. “I thought I’d make Palmiers,” she says as she feels the top of the sheet of pastry every so often, gauging the thickness like a medium studying her crystal ball. Like any other skill, “you have to practice to get good at it.” She’s making Vanilla-Scented Palmiers from her cookbook, the little ears of flaky, sweet pastry. She continues to sprinkle handfuls of vanilla sugar over the dough and roll. She shakes her foot as some of it falls to the floor. She laughs, talking about some of her baking disasters then shrugs her shoulders and says, “life is not perfect, baking is not perfect but they’re both pretty good.” When the pastry is ready, she pours more sugar over the top, running her hands over, ever so lightly to make sure it’s coated evenly. She flips the dough over and does it again until the raw dough is covered in coarse vanilla-scented sugar. Like any good baker, she’s anxious for the flavours that will materialize when the pastry and sugar bake together and she can’t wait, “I love the caramel flavour from all the baked sugar.”
“
LIFE IS NOT PERFECT, BAKING IS NOT PERFECT BUT THEY’RE BOTH pretty good.
“
She trims the edges to carve a perfect rectangle shape on her large pastry board. “It’s my lucky pastry board, it was my aunt Hilda’s and now it’s mine.” She folds the pastry into a long log shape, wraps it in plastic wrap and spins around to put it in the refrigerator. It needs to chill again. The little trimmed bits go into a sandwich bag, “these are the bakers treats,” she says with glee. The Messy Baker cookbook is filled with both sweet and savoury baking, it’s for people who cook and would like to bake if only someone made it easy enough or fearless enough. “I tried to remove as many barriers to baking as possible.” Inside the book are recipes for Chili Cheese Twists and Blueberry-Lime Muffins, Smoky Mushroom Crepes and Boozy Chocolate Torte. “It’s important to make food yourself, (that way) you control what’s in it.” She begins to clear away all the sugar and wipes down the board. Out of the refrigerator comes another knot of dough that she flattens with ease. She’s now making a leek and mushroom tart. “You can buy the puff pastry dough if you want, just make sure it’s an ‘all butter’ puff pastry. It cooks up with the best flavour,” she advises. Back to the board, Charmian is rolling the dough into another rectangular shape. She trims it to perfection, maneuvers the soft dough onto her rolling pin and maneuvers it to the centre of a parchment paper lined baking sheet. She scores the edge, about an inch all the way around. “This edge will puff up creating sides to the tart.” She pops it into the refrigerator to chill and she turns her attention to the stove. In a large skillet she melts a huge knob of butter and microplanes a garlic clove. The garlic pulp dissolves into the frothing butter and fills the air with the seductive aromas of butter and garlic. Now we’re getting hungry. As it bubbles away, in go the leeks and mushrooms and they cook until they’re both soft and firm. She seasons them with thyme, stirs one last time and tosses them into a large strainer that hovers inside an even larger bowl. She’s draining the mushrooms and leeks, “so they don’t turn the dough soggy.” “If you want to switch the vegetables up for others that you like better, go ahead,” Charmian talks while she wipes down the counters, “the toppings are up to your imagination, it’s the dough that you don’t want to mess with.” Charmian doesn’t remember when she first fell in love with baking, she thinks perhaps she was born with a wooden spoon in her mouth except for Charmian, the spoon was covered with cookie dough; “chocolate chip,” she declares. Some of her earliest memories were of her mom making cookies and giving her the wooden spoon to lick clean. Sadly her mom was such a good baker that the bowl was almost completely cleaned out by the time Charmian had finished the spoon and set her sights on the bowl. When she was old enough, Charmian would come home from school and bake up a batch of cookies almost every day. “I love chewy cookies, the kind that have a chewy bite. I think that’s why I love cookie dough so much,” she says, “food is memories and my fondest are of my mom and I in the kitchen baking.” The tart shell comes out of the refrigerator. She begins to top the dough with heaping spoonfuls of the mushroom and leek mixture, careful not to place any over the score line. “Think of it as colouring inside the lines,” she laughs, the edges will become the puffy sides to the tart. Lastly she grates a thick coating of Gruyere cheese over the tart before popping it back into the oven.
Now comes the best part of baking: the eating. We dig into the tart and the warm cheese strings as a piece is pulled away. I sink my teeth into it and the rich savoury flavours of the earthy cheese, meaty mushrooms, sweet leeks and crisp buttery dough fill my olfactory senses with divine satisfaction. I sip on my warm mint tea and set my sights on the vanilla-scented palmiers. They’re little, the perfect size for a sweet treat. The caramelized sugar has cooled and it crunches beneath my teeth as the fine, layered pastry crumbles into buttery shards. As I chew I get that big caramelly, sweet taste that creams across my tongue and works so seductively well with the buttery, flaky dough. This is simple food, good food, food to live by. As I bask in the aromas and daylight that is Charmian’s kitchen, it appears pretty neat and tidy, certainly very clean for the amount of activity that just went on. For the messy baker I imagined a face covered in streaks of flour, open jars and canisters of baking ingredients littering every counter and smears of food from the various stages of cooking across every counter, stovetop and cupboard door. But rather than being a messy baker, Charmian is really giving everyone who has ever hesitated to bake, permission to ‘get messy in the kitchen’. TM
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 11
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FABULOUS BEER PUBS BY LYNN OGRYZLO
It’s official, Toronto beer landscape is exploding with as many brew pubs as Ontario has artisan, craft breweries. To keep track of them all is a tough job but these are the joints du jour that everyone talks about, where the selections are exciting and that make you want go back to again and again and again. Check their websites for their in-house festivals where beer exploring reaches formidable heights. >>
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 13
THE BIER MARKET BRASSERIE thebiermarkt.com TWO LOCATIONS, 58 THE ESPLANADE & 600 KING STREET W HOURS DAILY, 11:30AM—12AM, 2AM THURSDAY TO SATURDAY Walk right in, The Bier Market has all the hallmarks of a great beer hall, but it’s what’s underneath in this small chain of beer gardens that makes all the difference. All of the staff undergo intensive training so they know what they’re talking about and it’s their job to share that passion by encouraging customers to explore more beer within their favourite style profile. And there’s lots to choose from. On average, The Bier Garden offers 46 taps, 128 bottles from over 30 countries and many others through their various programs. Corporate clout means they are able to bring in rare, seasonal, small craft beers from around the world and offer them exclusively. “It’s a real beer discovery zone with a huge culinary component,” says Nathan Cameron, National Beverage Manager. They have an OCB (Ontario Craft Brew) rotating tap that changes every few months with some brews offered for the very first time on tap in a bar, others never before offered in Canada and a Cameo Tap reserved for the irresistible finds that don’t meet the menu printing. The menu is organized by style of beer so it’s easy to expand your beer experiences without surprises, especially with food. Try the creative beer cocktails – they’re delicious! The Bier Market standards for their beer friendly dishes are just as high as their beer offerings. They just seem to have the beer magic going on here.
BAR VOLO barvolo.com 587 YONGE STREET HOURS DAILY, MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY, 2:00PM—2:00AM, THURSDAY TO SUNDAY OPENS AT 12:00PM In the heart of Toronto a little south of Bloor on Yonge Street is Bar Volo, an addictively delicious place to eat, meet and drink. Inside the original brick and dark wood décor hangs elegant Victorian lamps that are a contrast to the giant blackboard beer menu that hangs in the centre of the little bar. It works to set the upscale casual mood for sipping on suds. Pick from 36 to 100 beers on rotating taps, 24 drafts and casks. Owner Ralph Morana with his sons Julian and Tomas specialize in sour barrel aged, sacicones, farmhouse ales. Their latest favourite find is the Quebec Dieu du Ciel Solstice d’ été, Belgian Season Farmhouse Ale aged in Pinot Noir skins. The brew on draft rotates daily and their very own import company Keep6, brings in small batch brews from Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, England and across North America that you can’t get anywhere else. There’s even a secret beer menu reserved just for the ‘regular’ customers so they can get the really small batch brews. To wash it all down is one of Toronto’s most amazing charcuterie boards that is built to your liking on a Ballar Board. It’s Volo’s version of antipasto, the perfect nibbly for a brew enjoyed at the communal tables where everyone gets to know each other. Bar service only in this screen-free drinking zone. They just seem to have the beer camaraderie going on here.
IT’S A REAL BEER DISCOVERY ZONE WITH A HUGE CULINARY COMPONENT C’EST WHAT? cestwhat.com 67 FRONT STREET EAST HOURS DAILY, 11:30AM—1AM It’s been said before that C’est What is to beer what Rodney’s is to oysters. George Milbrandt and Tim Broughton are two local boys who opened a pub for their own neighbourhood. That was over 20-years ago. While they don’t like being referred to as a pub, the lower man cave is one of Toronto’s most unpretentious, warm, casual places to hug the bar, sip away and talk to your neighbours about the brew in your glass. If you’re not into bar hugging, perhaps a game of billiards or board games are what you want over a beer. All of the beers in house must meet their own Pledge of Quality. While the range of beers are all across the board, they are all first rate brews. They started out making their own house-brews and today they’ve contracted them out with their specific flavour profiles. At anytime there are roughly 42 beers on tap and 8 cask choices and a few bottle selections. Check their website for their own festivals where dozens of new beers are offered at tasting portions and irresistible prices. You’ll love the no kitchen hours here. No matter what time of day or night, if you’re hungry, they’ll cook up whatever you pick from the multi-cultural, pub grub menu – it’s the best! They just seem to have the local vibe for appreciating a great brew here.
BAR HOP barhopbar.com 391 KING STREET WEST HOURS DAILY 4PM—2AM Ok so get this. Beer fanatic and part owner, James McDonald spent a year pursuing his goal to drink 1,001 beers from around the world. One year later, 1,001 beers under his belt and he has a new bar to show
for it. His partner, Rob Pingitore is the brains behind the business and makes it possible to achieve what has become both their passions and the name? Well, beer is all about barley and hops, shorten those words and you’ve got Bar Hop. It’s a place that McDonald and Pingitore like to kick back, drink and hang out. It’s a super casual place where the 24 taps continually rotate and where you can get Nickel Brook Pissed Off Petes Pumpkin Porter or unique and small batch brews like Le Trou Du Diable L’Ours mixed-fermentation farmhouse ale. While casual may be the atmosphere, Chef Antoinette Sacco certainly doesn’t know it. She offers unique dishes like black olive spaghetti with black tiger shrimps or her signature dessert, ‘beeramisu’. Yes, they also have gourmet burgers, vegetarian options, mussels and beer themed sandwiches. This place has got the casual beer joint all sewn up!
PRENUP PUB prenuppub.com 191 COLLEGE STREET HOURS DAILY 11AM—2AM It feels more like an elegant Italian restaurant than a beer pub but that’s because Atef Mikhail Girgis likes diversity and with three other beer pubs (Sin & Redemption, The Town Crier and The Village Idiot) he’s, “doing my own crazy thing”. You can count on 70 beers on draft and 40 more choices in the bottle, many focusing on old world styles. Prenup is two floors servicing large groups in their 100 seat capacity (on each floor) bars and in the centre of each bar is a beautiful, horizontal, brass German beer tower that never lets you forget you’re really in a beer hall. Beer prices seem to be the best in town for beers like Xingu, a Brazilian dark lager and Thurn & Taxis, a German lager claimed to be the excellence in Bavarian brewing. The food is European with an emphasis on Belgian and German. The Duck Confit Salad goes well with the deep, dark Abby beer, Leffe Brun and the Steak and Frits must be savoured with the barrel aged Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge. This place puts the elegance in beer! TM
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 15
RESEARCH LESS.
â„¢
The
Real McCoy Writ ten by Lynn Ogr yzlo | Photos by Jon Ogr yzlo
Nadège Patisserie Some may think that croissant dough is like puff pastry because it has slabs of butter incorporated into the basic mixture and the dough is rolled, folded and rolled. Others subscribe to the theory that croissant dough actually belongs to the family of buttery, yeasted doughs, like brioche. >>
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But there is one woman who subscribes to the absolute fact that croissant dough stands alone, not confused with or theorized to be like anything else. Fourth-generation French pastry chef and acclaimed culinary talent, Chef Nadège Nourian says while other children were chewing on cookies, she had the tiny, hallmark greasy fingers of a croissant eater. Pain du chocolat to be exact. “It was my treat after school,” she says. “I’m French, croissant and macaroon are part of our tradition, our heritage,” she says of her passion. To celebrate her beloved croissant, Nadège started CroisSunday the day dedicated to the celebration of France’s gift to the world. I’ve travelled through France in search of the best croissants. They are getting more and more difficult to find. I look to fill my palate with the richest, softest, billowy butter-rich insides while my teeth are tickled with the crumbling shards of tissue thin, crispy outsides. Plain, almond or chocolate, my mood dictates but it has to be good; freshly made with high quality ingredients. A good croissant is light but not airy, buttery but not sugary, it takes practice to perfect. Oh, I am swooning at the mere thought of one right now. Even in Paris it is becoming difficult to indulge in something as delightful as a really good croissant. I remember one special time. My little apartment was in the 12th Arrondisement in the east end of Paris. It was out of the touristy area and in a fine residential neighbourhood where the really great croissants seemed to be living well and in abundance. The day I was to fly home, I ran to my favourite bakery (a mere two seconds walk) and bought six croissants. In an unusual fashion, I stuffed my face in the hopes the abundance of buttery pastry would stay with me longer. Unfortunately I was only successful in adding inches to my backside. So when I heard of CroisSunday, I headed off for what I was hoping would be a really good croissant. Anything, I thought, just please, don’t disappoint me! One bite and I knew Nadège had nailed it! The main bakery of Nadège Patisserie is at trendy 780 Queen St., West. Walk in and the little pink and white bakery reads like an upscale coffee shop with seductive Parisian treasures under a long glass case. There are canelle’s (caramel outsides, custardy innards), little choux pastry filled with lusciousness, playful macaroons and wow, over a dozen different croissants in all manner of unconventional colours, ingredients, flavours and styles – all lined up for the celebratory day. There were even scrumptious croissant sandwiches. The air was filled with aromas of butter and sugar while large trays of croissants poured out of the kitchens continually stocking the glass case for the hundreds who came. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one in Toronto who appreciates a really great croissant. Inhaling the aromas of fresh croissant baking is like awakening from a dream that’s good enough to eat. I’ve never attempted to make croissants at home because it just seems to be very difficult for a home cook. But it appears it’s no easier in a professional kitchen either. “(It’s) very hard to find people who can do the work,” explains Nadège alluding to the number of romanticized pastry chefs who have come to her kitchen only to go when they can’t handle the physical challenges. “We have different stations and the croissant station is the most difficult.” At the bakery the dough is carefully worked so it’s smooth and elastic, almost the consistency of soft butter. Then it’s left alone to give the glu-
ten a chance to relax before it goes into the refrigerator. Next is folding the butter into the dough. For this, the dough must be chilled and the butter pliable. They both need to be perfect or it just won’t work. Beyond the technical difficulties, the volume of croissants the bakery goes through in a single day is mind boggling. That means giant bowls of dough need to be lifted, when the butter is added it doubles the weight meaning it takes more than one person to manage it. “It’s hard work making croissants,” says Nadège. There aren’t always over a dozen different flavours of croissant in the bakery, but on this day, CroisSunday, there were lots to choose from. “We like to take the tradition of a great croissant and mix up modern flavours,” says Nadège. I scanned the case, shall I try a Matcha Green Tea croissant or Black Squid Ink? There was a Pink Praline and Praline and Lemon. I could go traditional with a butter croissant or classic with almond. There was Cassis and Violet, Apple Strudel, Pecan Pie, Carrot Cake, Rocky Road and a Maple Bacon and Egg croissant. Whoa! But my heart was longing for the comfort of a good croissant so I went traditional. I pull apart my butter croissant and it spirally unravels from the inside out. The billowy soft insides are kept moist and pillowy-like by the crisp exterior that was made up of millions of layers of tissue-thin dough separated only by melted butter. The first bite captured my attention, the second sent my eyes rolling to the back of my head, an involuntary swoon came with the third and by the fourth bite I found myself stamping my feet in anger because I never understand why this quality of food that evokes so much pleasure is so rare. I push the soft croissant up to the roof of my mouth with my tongue and press firmly. I never knew if you did this you could almost suck out the butter – yum! Chef Nadège prides herself in the ingredients she uses. Only good quality flour, a bit of honey and since sugar is now bad for you, she uses a good quality sugar that is better. The most important ingredient, the butter, is a special Ontario high fat butter. “My butter has a high fat content (for flavour), but I use less of it.” She’s right, I looked down at my fingers and they were not covered in buttery oil like other croissants. Unless you’ve had a homemade croissant handcrafted by a patient, gifted, strong baker, you may not recognize the real thing from the overblown confection you’re accustomed to. The difference is that dramatic. Most croissant from commercial bakeries and restaurants are more like cake than bread, more sweet than buttery, more shapely than flavourful. Making them right produces croissants of a quality rarely found in the world and rapidly disappearing in France. Savour a real croissant and you’ll know why they have been celebrated for more than three hundred years.
Nadège Locations 780 Queen St. West – 8:00 am to 9:00 pm 1099 Yonge St. – 9:00 am to 7:30 pm PATH 120 Adelaide St. West – 7:30 am to 6:30 pm Holt Renfrew Yorkdale – 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Holt Renfrew Bloor – 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Pricing: $2.30 each, 12 for $27.50, 16 for $38, 25 for $55 Visit nadege-patisserie.com for more information. TM
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A good croissant is light but not airy, buttery but not sugary, it takes practice to perfect.
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OF THE MATTER The Loss of Neighbourhood Butchers WRITTEN BY LYNN OGRYZLO
He sat across from me in a blood stained white jacket, his ball cap pulled down just above his eyes to shade his face. A man in a black leather jacket approaches and hands over a bundle of twentydollar bills, a few hundred dollars worth I’m guessing, maybe three-hundred, maybe even five. They talk chicken and bones then the man walks into the meat locker and closes the door behind him. >>
This is how business is done at Upper Cut Meats in the heart of the St. Lawrence Market. Bob Stoyanovski started working here to put himself through college. Then a change in circumstances put a butchers knife in his hand and he jumped in with a love for the business, the art of butchery and the neighbourhood appreciation for their butchers. Bob has been a butcher and now an owner of Upper Cut Meats for 36 years and the man in the black leather jacket is one of his trusted customers where business is based on a handshake. Bob is a natural butcher, he finds the sight of a well-aged steak as sexy as ever, the smell of fresh blood exciting and what he likes even more—his life, tightly intertwined into the fabric of the neighbourhood. Bob is the go-to meat guy in the St. Lawrence Market who has cultivated tight relationships with 38 restaurants, 57 caterers and countless regular customers; they get the best meat, Bob gets to be the best butcher. “About forty years ago you would find a butchers shop on almost every street corner in the city,” laments Bob. Back in the mid 1970s, your friendly neighbourhood butcher was as highly regarded as the doctor or lawyer. But with meat so easily available and seductively displayed at large grocery stores, most people have opted for one-stop shopping and have turned their backs on the relationship they once had with food, the people who grow it, raise it, harvest it and especially those that sell it. These are our greatest friends, our avenue to optimum health and our best access to food in its prime, in this case, meat. I ask Bob about the future of butchery. “There aren’t many butcher stores so not many jobs left,” explains Bob, but is quick to add, “no one wants to be a butcher anyway. No one knows what good meat is anymore.” Bob explains how everyone thinks it’s romantic, even nostalgic to be a butcher, but butchery is a really difficult job involving the strength to lift a 220-pound carcass, the patience to be splattered with blood, the tolerance to smell raw meat and the stamina to slice and saw large volumes of meat in cold conditions. The days are long, it’s stressful and not so glamorous. “I start out with a clean white jacket at 5 a.m. every morning,” says Bob pointing to his blood stained overcoat. But most of Bob’s customers know a little about meat, that’s why they come to a butcher, “they know we have the best. It’s the job of a butcher to know what he’s doing.” Bob spends some of his time at abattoirs selecting the best carcasses, and that often means with some aging. Then he hangs them in his cold storage where he ages them even longer. He makes sure his cuts are aged a minimum of three weeks, often more. Bob points to a few steaks that have a brownish ring near the outside edges. Like a fine wine, the brown ring eludes to aging. Bob sees the future going towards more Halal and Kosher meats. “It’s the same price so why not,” he says. There’s more demand because of the growing populations. But time has not been kind to butchers. With the expansion of supermarkets in the 1980s, huge hinds of meat were now starting to be cut at large packing facilities and distributed. This was the first departure away from butcher shops and away from butchers who were once as well compensated as plumbers and electricians. Throughout the next decade butchers grew less and less relevant
and the industry was no longer willing to pay well for a skill set that could be done more efficiently with general labourers at huge meat packing facilities. The devaluing of butchery as a trade coincided with people spending less and less time in the kitchen, consumers were losing their culinary skills and opting for one-stop shopping at grocery stores. Now, the neighbourhood butcher is almost extinct and consumers seldom understand the difference between a flank steak and a tenderloin. Today we see chefs and artisan farmers learning a few butchery skills to offer consumers ‘nose to tail’ cuisine, but unfortunately this new interest hasn’t revived the profession. Today, grocery chains have taken over a market that once belonged to independent butchers. Most grocery stores today have full service meat counters as well as ready-cut options available in large meat departments. The efficiencies of central cutting facilities means that meat can reach the consumer at a better price and for those who want a specific cut of meat, well, the full service counters have trained staff that will happily do it for you. Abe Van Melle is Resident Butcher and Technical Manager at the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence (CBCE), owned and operated by Canada Beef in Alberta. Abe is a butcher at the heart of butchery worldwide. Abe works with beef industries from all over the world from France to Argentina, China to Norway. “We’re all learning,” says Abe who goes on to give an example of French butchery. “The way they cut meat in France is different than Canada,” says Abe who explains they’ve learned that if they isolate a certain muscle in the shoulder of cattle, they can take an otherwise tough piece of meat and make it a tender piece just by the way it’s cut. As quickly as our meat industry discovers new ways to bring us delicious cuts of meat, consumers would rather buy a steak in a restaurant than venture into a meat counter surrounded with choices never available to their grandparents. Today, we have more types and grades of meat with dozens of different varieties of cuts, thickness levels, grades and degrees of marbelling. It’s all a bit confusing for consumers. To reacquaint consumers to the best way to enjoy meat, Canada Beef has developed a phone app called, Roundup (available for iPhone, Android and iPad). This simple app is geared to helping consumers buy, cook and get more enjoyment out of every mouthful of beef. If you’re like most consumers who wander the meat department of a grocery store until you’re inspired by a great looking cut of meat. Now you can instantaneously look up dozens of different ways to cook it complete with recipes. Then, while you’re still in the grocery store, you can pick up any other ingredients to make the recipe for dinner that night. It’s brilliant. Just search the Roundup app for your free download. While our meat industry has become global, stronger and increasingly efficient with more choice in more places for consumers, it has also become less personal. While consumers are excited to have industry wide advancements like never before, we still pine for our neighbourhood butchers who put a trusted face behind the food we feed our families. It is a new world meat lovers so embrace it. Now get out your iPhones for that’s now the new way to choose a great piece of meat. TM
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LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
Toronto is a city full of widely diverse neighbourhoods; many feel like their own cities within the big city. Each unique neighbourhood offers an array of places to go, things to see, and foods to eat. Read on, and discover the Toronto that exists beyond the beaten path. >>
WE WERE
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LIBERTY VILLAGE Nestled in the west end of Toronto, Liberty Village was once home to Toronto’s greatest industries and most infamous institutions. Now, the battle between gentrification and preservation has created a mix of industrial grit with contemporary designs to host some of Toronto’s most unique, bourgeoning companies. The revitalization of Liberty Village has made this the designer hot spot for locals and tourists who are looking for a taste of what’s next in Toronto.
SHOP SOMETHING DIFFERENT WEST ELM When it comes to home decor, West Elm is at the top of its game. With an incredible assortment of accessories and furnishings that range from modern to abstract, West Elm will surely inspire your inner designer. Make it an afternoon excursion and check out the competition at both Casalife and EQ3, both quickly becoming Liberty Village favourites.
BEAT THE WINTER WOES JOE ROCKHEAD’S For the summer sports enthusiast, try Joe Rockheads. As the first indoor rock climbing gym in Canada, Joe Rockhead’s delivers an unparalleled experience for both beginners and more advanced climbers. After their comprehensive three hour course for first time climbers, you’ll be hooked. More info at joerockheads.com
SATISFY THAT SWEET TOOTH FOR THE LOVE OF CAKE If you’re looking to try something sweet, For the Love of Cake Bakery on East Liberty St. will not disappoint. Specializing in custom cakes and cupcakes, they set themselves apart by
offering unique twists to the traditional cupcake. Proudly offering the only 4-Dimensional cupcake in Toronto, they use ingredients like bacon, Japanese ginger and even Guinness beer. More info at fortheloveofcake.ca
EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY THE BRAZEN HEAD The Brazen Head Irish Pub is the perfect place to seek warmth. This twostory establishment offers traditional Irish fare, an inviting atmosphere and live music every Thursday and Saturday. Located in the heart of Liberty Village, everything from the modern Irish décor to their extensive selection of locally and internationally crafted beers will give you a little taste of Ireland.
YOU CAN DANCE IF YOU WANT TO VOGUE SUPPERCLUB If you’re looking for some late night cocktails and dancing to finish off the night, Vogue supperclub has what you’re looking for. Situated at the corner of Liberty St. and Mowat Ave., the exposed brick walls and contemporary design sets the urban chic, yet casual tone that Liberty Village has to offer.
DISTILLERY DISTRICT If you’re looking for a genuine taste of culture in Toronto, you won’t want to miss the Distillery District. The Gooderham and Worts Whiskey Distillery landmarks this historic district set in Toronto’s east end. After its revitalization in the early 2000’s, the distillery now boasts a pedestrian-only building filled with one-ofa-kind boutiques, art galleries and restaurants heavily inspired by creative arts and entertainment. The perfect mix of European boulevard design with Toronto’s urban charm creates the perfect backdrop to host the hub of arts and culture in Toronto.
DRINK SAKE FROM JAPAN THE ONTARIO SPRING WATER SAKE CO. For a break from the beer tours that dominate the city of Toronto, try out the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company for a little taste of Japan. Using Ontario spring water, they offer fresh, unpasteurized, traditional Japanese Sake brewed directly in store. On weekends, they also offer incredibly informative brewery tours, which include four sake tastings.
HAVE LUNCH IN FRANCE CLUNY For a bit of haute cuisine in the distillery district, try Cluny. This classic French bistro boasts a unique menu of traditional French favourites with a few modern twists; the Ginger-Chili Fried Frog’s Legs might be the perfect example. The interior design fits in perfectly with the Victorian architecture of the building it resides in, setting the tone of an authentic Parisian bistro.
SHOP CANADIAN DISTILL GALLERY Specializing in a variety of goods including clothing, jewellery, glass and metalwork, Distill Gallery is 100% proudly Canadian. Showcasing some of Canada’s well-established designers and those still emerging, there is a myriad of unique, one-of-a-kind items that are worth seeing for men, women, children and even your furry friends.
DINE IN ITALY TAPPO WINE BAR AND RESTAURANT With their extensive and impressive wine list, and traditional Italian fare, Tappo Wine Bar offers an unforgettable dining experience. With a name that literally means “corked” in Italian, Tappo’s wine bar selection is clearly thoughtful and notable. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and fits perfectly amongst the vibrancy of the Distillery District. With menu items that aren’t afraid to cross any lines, it’s a place where you can feel free to be bold. >>
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KENSINGTON MARKET In addition to being designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, Kensington Market is the perfect place to hang out due to the eclectic mix of shops and cafes. It is one of Toronto’s most unique neighbourhoods. The houses that line that street at great examples of Victorian architecture row houses. The area remains one of Toronto’s most multicultural, with various goods from Europe, the Caribbean, Middle East, South America and Asia being available.
GO VEG URBAN HERBIVORE If you are vegan or vegetarian (or maybe you just like vegetables), you’ll want to try out this yummy restaurant. You will find loads of organic salads, soups and curries.
LET’S TACO BOUT IT SEVEN LIVES This cash only taco shop serves up Baja style tacos, and they are some of the best tacos this city has to offer. The owner originally came from Los Angeles, and there is no doubt he knows what he’s doing. This is not really a sit down restaurant though, more of a grab and go. It’s also very reasonably priced!
TASTE OF THE ISLANDS RASTA PASTA This Jamaican restaurant boasts some of the best jerk chicken in Toronto. It is a takeaway restaurant, so don’t expect to dine in, but do expect to be blown away by the food.
BEAT THE BURGER BLUES THE BURGERNATOR This is a fast food joint you’ll want to check out: every kind of burger you can imagine, you’ll be able to find it here (and fit in a game of Cards Against Humanity at the same time). This business is family owned and operated, and is definitely worth dropping by for a quick lunch or dinner.
VINTAGE FEVER COURAGE MY LOVE This shop is a Kensington Market fav, and has been open since the 1970s. It’s a great place to find vintage clothing, beads, trinkets and jewelry from around the world. It’s a pretty cool place to browse around.
GO WHERE IT’S ALL THE RAGE Here you’ll find deconstructed t-shirts, hand-painted items, jewelry and more. This place showcases the work of dozens of local street wear designers.
THE JUNCTION Vogue recently named Toronto’s Queen West district the world’s second coolest neighbourhood in the world. With that in mind, The Junction is widely considered to be Toronto’s next up-and-coming west-end neighbourhood, rivaling the development of Queen West. With its charm still intact avoiding the widespread gentrification of surrounding neighbourhoods, the Junction is where you’ll see Toronto at it’s most honest. Vintage boutiques, smaller scale breweries and restaurants of every kind line the streets, making this neighbourhood well worth the visit.
BEST IN THE WEST VESUVIO PIZZERIA
SHOP AROUND BLACK DAFFODIL
For arguably the best pizza in Toronto, Vesuvio Pizzeria has it made. As one of the oldest pizzerias in Toronto, they have mastered the craft offering New York style pizza to the patrons of Toronto. Each pizza is crafted using ingredients of the highest quality with the exact same recipe that was developed when they opened in 1957. In addition, Vesuvio also offers homemade pasta that is just as mouth-watering as their pizza.
The Junction is host to a number of vintage fashion boutiques and second-hand finds. Nestled amongst them is Black Daffodil created by designer Cynthia Rae, who also carries designs by other notable Canadian brands. With a strong retro fashion appeal, you can be sure to find a really great variety of clothing, jewellery, handbags and accessories.
SAY CHEESE CUT THE CHEESE
This small independent craft brewery exceeds all of the expectations that a good brewpub should offer: an incredible selection of beer, delicious food and a laid-back atmosphere. The Indie Ale House features a collection of their own craft beer to accompany your pub favourites. Taking each dish a creative step further has easily made this gastropub a Junction favourite. TM
While visiting the Junction, lovers of all things cheese should make it a point to check out Cut the Cheese. The highly anticipated opening of this takeout joint focuses on gourmet grilled cheese and mac n’ cheese that will keep you questioning how they even came up with these unique creations. They pride themselves on offering as many housemade ingredients as possible including their pickles, ketchup and hickory sticks. You will not leave disappointed.
THE GOOD OLE’ BREWPUB INDIE ALE HOUSE
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BEER
BACON GRAFFITI &
GHOSTS SEEING TORONTO IN A WHOLE NEW WAY BY GABRIELLE TIEMAN
TORONTO,CANADA-AUGUST 2,2015:Rooster or Cock graffiti in The new Pedestrian Sundays celebration in Kesington Market. Kensington Market is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in Downtown. rmnoa357 / Shutterstock.com
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hether you’re an architecture enthusiast, culture vulture, foodie, or simply love learning as much as you can about the city you are in, there are so many great ways to explore the streets and attractions of Toronto in a short period of time. But navigating Toronto’s city grid on your own can be overwhelming and sometimes, we all need a little guidance so we don’t overlook the little things. Enter, the Tour Guys. Guiding groups through the lesser traveled grooves of Canadian cities, the Tour Guys – along with their sister company Toronto Urban Adventures – have been hosting regularly scheduled diverse tours for over a decade in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver. Founded as a tour guide cooperative, the Tour Guys offer both free and paid walking tours as a way to have fun, get outside and meet people from around the world with the shared interest of experiencing the city. Together, Tour Guys and Toronto Urban Adventures have become two of the highest-rated activities in Toronto on TripAdvisor and the go-to tour company for many travelers, locals, businesses, schools, and other organizations. Hosted by engaging, knowledgeable tour guides affectionately known as experts in all things Toronto, groups are lead through a variety of niche tour experiences geared towards entertaining and delighting while supplying a healthy dose of educating history. Scheduled public tours include themed tours on craft beer, bacon, graffiti, ghosts, death and disasters; or you can stroll popular neighbourhoods like Kensington Market, the downtown core surrounding the Financial District and City Hall, the beautiful waterfront or historic Old Town Toronto. The free 90 minute public walking tours – celebrating its five year anniversary and fame in the region – are not only renowned for their lack of price tag, but for their diversity of sights and unique anecdotes on Toronto’s most famed neighbourhoods and districts. Choose from one of four free tours: Power, Politics and the PATH – a walking tour of Downtown Toronto with a focus on the financial district and the famous PATH Underground Pedestrian Walkway – which links >>
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The free 90 minute public walking tours – celebrating its five year anniversary and fame in the region – are not only renowned for their lack of price tag, but for their diversity of sights and unique anecdotes on Toronto’s most famed neighbourhoods and districts.
over 30 kilometers of shopping, services and entertainment underneath the city; Death, Disease and Destruction – a dark history tour through Old Town accompanied by a rich commentary on the catastrophes and murders that occurred in the district; Trains, Teams and the CN Tower – visit the newly renovated Union Station [Toronto’s primary railway station and intercity transportation facility], the Rogers Centre [home to Canada’s only Major League Baseball team the Blue Jays], stand at the base of the famous CN Tower and finish the tour off with a pint at craft brewery Steam Whistle; and Sails, Sand and Seagulls – a tour of Toronto’s expansive waterfront and an education on its importance to the city’s landscape. Tour Guys’ sister company, Toronto Urban Adventures, operates small group niche walking tours from March to November and private tours year round. The tours support local businesses and are intimate, consisting on average of six to eight people and never exceeding their maximum of 12, so participants are given lots of one on one attention while being encouraged to ask lots of questions throughout the walk. All tours cost between $30-$35 dollars per person for a three hour tour and include samples and perks at select destination stops.
Choose from one of three Toronto Urban Adventures tours: Beer Makes History Better – a booze infused off the beaten track walking tour on the history of beer and alcohol in Toronto. The tour features stops at a number of Toronto’s greatest hidden pubs, their newest distillery and ma and pa food trucks. When Pigs Fry – a foodie tour focusing on all things bacon from the butcher block to bistro boards. You will visit restaurants that specialize in bacon and pork on their menus, hear a history on domestic pig farming in the region and the development of the pork industry in Canada – you will be a pork aficionado before you know it. Kensington Market and China Town – Toronto’s most eclectic neighbourhoods will be a feast for your senses. Walk the sights, witness the sounds and enjoy the smells of the constantly evolving areas all while learning about the history of Toronto’s growing Chinese community. Other notable seasonal paid walking tours for you to choose from include: Graffiti in Toronto – a look at Toronto’s street art and a lively discussion over the famed controversial debate of whether graffiti should be considered vandalism or public art. The two hour tour has groups stroll through the lesser traveled alcoves of Toronto – from back alleys to crevices between streets – to witness what has been
deemed as the best graffiti in the city. Discussion and debate is highly encouraged. Fact or Fiction Ghost Tour – not only for the Halloween season, this after dark tour is known to be a gem from the Tour Guys’ repertoire. Gimmick and lantern free, the authentic and gritty ghost tour attempts to separate folklore from fact by looking at both sides of every ghost story: natural phenomenon’s that are continually mistaken for paranormal occurrences and reported hauntings and legends from actual history. Their only seasonal tour, Unwrapping Christmas: a Holiday Season Walking Tour is a revealing walk through the heart of downtown Toronto. Delving into the origins and the history of the Christmas season’s traditions celebrated throughout this city, the tour discusses folklore and religion alongside anecdotes on Toronto’s traditional holiday landscape – including city hall’s Christmas tree tradition, the origins of the Santa Claus Parade and what the real deal is with caroling. Guided tours are also available for schools interested in hosting student trips and educational excursion. Tour Guys are available for private rental ideal for groups looking for a custom tour of the city – perfect for special occasions, bachelorettes/bachelor parties, family holidays and corporate outings. TM
Graffiti in Kensington Market. TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 31
SEEKING OUT THE BEST SHOPPING IN TORONTO.
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BY G A B R I E L L E T I E M A N
ELLUSIVE. UNIQUE. DIVERSE.
n the ongoing battle for the title of Toronto’s best shopping spot, numerous up and coming neighbourhoods, classic shopping centers and famous boutique streets have battled it out for years. In such a diverse and multicultural city, the shopping districts have been posed with the challenge of attracting the attention of the drastically different assortment of local buyers and the broad tourist district simultaneously – a task that has spawned thousands of stores, boutiques and markets in the process. With this abundance of shopping options, it can be hard to find the best place to spend your time and hard earned money. But whether you are on the hunt for frugal shops offering more bang for your buck or looking to treat yourself on some designer buys, don’t loath routing through the city to find the perfect retail therapy hot spot. We have done the work for you and broken down the best shopping locations and hidden gems in Toronto.
YONGE & EGLINTON (MIDTOWN) Highlights: RioCan Centre, Indie Boutiques, High-End Kitchen Gear, Jewelry & Book Shops Known by locals as the “Young and Eligible” district due to its demographic of young business men and women, this shopping district is a mix between your mainstream big box shopping mall classics, hip indie boutique nooks and pricey home outwear stores. RioCan, a four-level mall and indoor shopping concourse, combines your typical Gap and Old Navy favourites with eclectic specialty stores. Looking to stay outside? Head down the street for an influx of stylish shopping. Canopy Blue is stocked to the brim with designer jeans, trendsetting statement jackets and complimentary cupcakes and tea. Degrees, a restaurant quality kitchen supplies and cookware hub holds everything from Japanese teapots to colourful oven mitts. Eko is the one stop shop for the perfect piece of statement jewelry. Contemporary designs will have you questioning whether you should purchase a piece or hang in on your wall as art. No matter what your shopping craving of the day, Midtown has a street to curb your shopping sweet tooth.
BLOOR STREET WEST | YORKVILLE Highlights: Big Designer Names & High-End Department Stores Throw on a pair of designer shades and grab your extra hot triple shot Starbucks latte, you have hit the Rodeo Drive of Toronto. Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Harry Rosen, Coach, Lacoste, Chanel, Michael Kors, Hermes – you name it and that designer has picked up a piece of real estate on one side of the street or the other. If this isn’t enough, luxury department store Holt Renfrew holds its flagship location just a block down boasting designer finds for both men and women looking to spend a little more for luxury. But even if your credit card is telling you to stay away, this Canadian fashion hotspot is a must see for the window-shopping alone.
QUEEN STREET EAST | LESLIEVILLE Highlights: Eclectic Home Décor, Flower Markets & Urban Accessories Hidden away down Queen Street is an established pocket of home furnishing shops you will fall for after that first scent of mahogany wood. Think of it like your Pinterest board coming to life before your very eyes – these are not your typical cookie-cutter furniture stores. The modern and rustic Zenporium gives new life to old wood with their handmade artsy furniture, adding an extra level of sophistication to living green. Now that you have new furniture, buy perfect pieces to accent your new home at Holy Cow – a plethora of coloured throw pillows, intricate paintings and bright fun patio furniture that takes your home’s warmth and comfort to the outside.
DUNDAS STREET WEST | JUNCTION Highlights: Organic Fair, Handmade Indie Gifts & Retro Classic Storefronts This shopping hot spot is a new up and comer to Toronto’s must see shopping district. With a new influx of homeowners in the area, retailers have flooded to the area to make the once quiet district noisy with Saturday shoppers. Although many of the older storefronts may look like they need some TLC, don’t judge a storefront by its cover – some of the greatest finds can be snatched up. Balloon King’s tiny exterior may be easily overlooked, but inside is the greatest party shop you can find with a large selection of party favours, novelty items and traditional supplies. Swayed by the exteriors? New modern shops have intermingled along the street. Check out local handmade products at Beadle – carrying gift ideas like homemade candles, jewelry, bath products and even pottery – or grab organic, fair-trade chocolate at Delight Chocolate. >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 33
QUEEN STREET WEST Highlights: Boutiques, Canadian Designers & All Things Stylish. There is no place better for finding great fashions and trying your feet at boutique hopping than Queen Street West. The epitome of cool for decades, Toronto’s Queen Street West is known for merging the hip and young with the classic and eclectic for ages and always being one step ahead of the trends. From the 200 broad retailer one-stop shop Eaton Centre at one end to the one of a kind stores that collect on each side of the street, the farther west you travel, you will need more than one day to sort through every piece of merchandise Queen Street has to offer. Looking for a really special statement piece? Try The Fashion District for exclusively Canadian merchandise from over 15 designers. For wearable art try Brodawka and Friends’ one-of-a-kind footwear for both men and women. Splattered in between you will find great cafes, trendy clubs and all of your Lululemons and Roots stores to fill any shoppers craving.
KENSINGTON AVENUE (KENSINGTON MARKET) Highlights: Vintage Clothing Stores, Great Restaurants, Organic & Ethnic Food Shops. Sometimes, you just really need to take a step out of the mall. The winding multicultural maze of Kensington Avenue makes for a refreshing alternative to any crowded mall on a Saturday. With one of the largest concentrations of retro vintage shops, unique bistros and cafes and diverse food shops, people tend to walk away with a broad combination of purchases. Collector pieces from the 40s to 60s find a home at Bungalow, a great retro shop selling everything from vintage cocktail dresses to furniture and dinner sets. Or try your hand at a new flavour of cooking and pick up cooking supplies, spices and produce from one of the many Caribbean, Middle East, South American or Asian shops.
CHINATOWN Highlights: Exotic Produce & Traditional Cuisine. Toronto’s Chinatown has the unique ability to transport you overseas without the cost of a plane ticket. As the second largest Chinatown in North America, there is no lack of sights to see and things to do. With plenty of Chinese culture to absorb, you could spend the whole weekend absorbing the plethora of jewelry shops, herb and produce markets, historic monuments and spas or make it a pit stop during your day for a great, authentic Chinese dinner. Overwhelmed by the number of stores? Sign up for one of the guided tours like Taste of the World, an interactive tour that combines cultural education with multiple restaurant tastings and shopping stops.
NORTH END Highlights: Designer shopping malls and big box names. You may not be in the downtown core but the North end of the city has just as many exciting shopping spots to offer. Try Yorkdale Shopping Centre – a shopper’s haven with over 250 stores that range from the typical mall inhabitants (Old Navy, American Eagle, H&M and more) to exclusive name brands and designers. The mall holds one of Williams Sonoma’s nine Canadian locations, one of Crate and Barrel’s ten Canadian locations and one of internationally acclaimed designer Louis Vuitton’s mall locations. It has also been hinted that famous designers Versace and Jimmy Choo are slotted to be added to the roster during Yorkdale’s upcoming luxury expansion. If you do not have enough to do with all of the shopping, there are six restaurants, 13 specialty food and beverage spots and 20 food court favourites. TM
Anastasia Petrova
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TORONTO’S
“Are you alright ma’am? Can I help you?” As I stood in the middle of Toronto’s underground tunnel system with my map fully extended and squinting to read the ceiling signs, a woman stopped to offer assistance. It’s not uncommon; Toronto’s underground system called PATH takes some getting used to. Unlike the simplicity of Toronto’s subway system where your only decisions are North, South, East or West, downtown Toronto’s underground walkway system is a maze with a map resembling a plate of spaghetti. The maze links a whopping 30 kilometres of shopping, services, museums, theatre and businesses in a labyrinth that initially defies logical navigation. First time users like myself definitely need a map. The quiet network of tunnels under the roaring frenzy of the city are lined with over 1,200 shops and services, there’s literally no reason to ever go outside again! Don’t misunderstand, just because you don’t have to go outside doesn’t mean you don’t surface. Think of PATH as Toronto’s basement. The majority of PATH is concentrated in the basement of 50 of the cities business and office towers, all you have to do is take an escalator up to see the light of day through the glass walls of these skyscrapers. For example, Canoe, one of Toronto’s iconic restaurants is located on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower. It would be a shame to miss it. Likewise, Red Wine Tavern on street level in First Canadian Place offers Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels cooked in Sauvignon
Blanc to bring a memory of summer to a tired winter’s day. In between the fine dining possibilities, there’s shopping – oh yes! In fact, PATH hold the worlds record for the largest underground shopping complex in the world with four million square feet of retail space underneath the streets of the city. Toronto’s underground is so large it rivals the West Edmonton Mall in size and once a year they hold the worlds largest Sidewalk Sale in the world! Whoa! The Hudson Bay Company and Eaton’s Centre are linked through the maze of tunnels but along each corridor are a wide range of various possibilities. You’ll find a Winners under the Scotia Plaza Building, Teavana, Papyrus (best card shop in Canada!) and The Shoe Company. When you’ve done a bit of shopping, take an escalator up to Speakeasy Libations and Fare for a specialty cocktail. You’ll need the fortification to continue because it’s not far fetched to compare PATH to a pedestrian (Hwy) 401. In any given business day there could be more than 300,000 business-day commuters running around and they all have somewhere to go, fast! It’s easy to get run over. In addition to the sea of scurrying suits, PATH provides an important contribution to the economic viability of the city’s downtown core accommodating thousands of additional tourists and residents on route to sports and cultural events. Or like me, just shopping in the warmth of an inside world. There are other bubbles of underground activity throughout the city
BY: LYNN OGRYZLO
PATH A CITY WITHIN A CITY
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and PATH links everything together via a short subway ride. Just hop on a subway and get off at Bloor Street where the underground takes on a completely different mood. Less suits, less corporate and more pedestrian shopping with Holt Renfrew and lots of independent shops spilling their merchandise onto the pedestrian walkways. Go up a few floors of the Manulife Centre and Cineplex has a VIP Theatre or if the sun is just setting (and you’ll never really know underground) you need to go to the top of the Manulife Centre for a drink and take in the best view the Toronto skyline has to offer. Think about it. Because PATH also links to so many underground-parking garages, you could literally get into your car in the comfort of your own driveway or garage and never have to go outside for any number of activities. Forget those winter coats in a January freeze, just a light jacket will do. Now park in a garage linked to PATH and begin walking, shopping, dining and yes, even a sporting event or theatre. The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is linked through PATH as is Roy Thompson Hall; add to that the pre-theatre, fine dining possibilities that range from Jump in Commerce Court East to 360 Restaurant at the top of the CN Tower and Blowfish in the Bay Adelaide Centre. In the protection and warmth of PATH you’ve got a beautiful evening in the works. And if you want to indulge in a few drinks during dinner, did you know that PATH is also linked to Union Station and the bus terminal (Toronto Coach)? Wow, PATH opens up a whole new world of sunny possibilities in a frigid Canadian winter! Visitors to Toronto will be excited to know that six major hotels are linked to PATH. They are Hilton Toronto, Sheraton Centre, Fairmont Royal York, One King West, Marriott Downtown and Ritz-Carlton Hotels. You could just leave the comfort of your room and navigate the maze of fun in the worst winter storm, all with no clumsy winter gear. As I made my way through the maze of pristine tunnels it felt disorienting not being able to anchor myself to the world outside; no sky, no iconic landmarks, no triggers of the direction I’m walking in. “Lots of people feel adrift in the tunnels,” explains another good Samaritan who stopped to help. PATH doesn’t follow the street grid patterns of the city above but it does have a sign system that’s easy enough to figure out. Just look up at any of the 60 junction points and your guided with colour coded directional information. The P is red and represents south. The orange A directs pedestrians to the west, while the blue T directs them to the north. The H is yellow and points to the east. There is even a map with directions that correspond to the signage. If you’ve ever had an ant farm as a child and watched the tiny creatures scurry through their tunnels, PATH is kind of like that. But at the end of every workday, around 6 pm, the shops begin to close, one by one and the mazes and hubs of activity become lonely walkways to nowhere. It is literally a Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 underground city. There is no basement door to lock to close PATH, but it can become very quiet and lonely in non-business hours. Still, it’s a great way to get around. Some of my favourite places in the PATH include Prairie Girl Cupcakes, Nadege Patisserie for the greatest macaroons this side of Paris, the Soup Nutsy for a bowl of flavourful soup and the Brick Street Market for the best bread in Toronto (call ahead to reserve a chocolate brioche, it would be a crime to not taste this heavenly treat!). There is a Sam James Coffee Bar and Papyrus for the best every-occasion cards you’ll find anywhere! When I walked down the stairs into PATH from the King Street subway station, I had a list of destinations I wanted to explore along with a little strategic shopping. Every time I stopped to read the map a good Samaritans came to my aid. I think Toronto’s underground city is a much friendlier place than the world above, it certainly is warmer. PATH is literally a city within a city with a culture of its own that offers great shopping, facilities, entertainment and services. I may never feel the sting of winter on my face again. TM
…TORONTO’S UNDERGROUND CITY IS A MUCH FRIENDLIER PLACE THAN THE WORLD ABOVE, IT CERTAINLY IS WARMER.
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rt.com 00IslandsPhotoA (c) Ian Coristine/10
DISCOVER A WORLD OF LEARNING right on the banks of the St. Lawrence River!
Now Open! The Aquatarium is Eastern Ontario’s newest star attraction! It is a 27,000 square foot, interactive, learning and discovery centre located on the shore of the St Lawrence River in the City of Brockville. At the Aquatarium, learning can be as entertaining as it is educational. A variety of interactive adventures and experiences inspire critical thinking through storytelling and play while cultivating an appreciation of the unique history, culture and ecosystems of the 1000 Islands region. Visitors will discover the diverse wildlife of the islands, explore the area’s unique history and culture, learn about the economics of the St. Lawrence River, and get their bodies moving in one of many recreational experiences. The Aquatarium invites visitors to join a passionate conversation about the world around them while providing a uniquely educational and wholly entertaining experience.
THERE ARE OVER 17 INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES! HERE ARE JUST A FEW: Aquaria: Uncover a gateway to a world of underwater immersion and exploration. The St. Lawrence River is showcased in three distinct aquarium habitats. Each one has a unique ecosystem that you can explore from vastly different perspectives. Creation: Discover a world from more than 10,000 years ago, right in our own backyard! Creation is a hands-on experience that lets you trace your way through the ages including getting to know the ancient Champlain Sea in our salt water touch tank or digging up the past in a mini archaeological site.
Green Screen: Engage your imagination and pretend again; escape the day-to-day by participating in one of our awesome Green Screen experiences. Become a roving reporter and choose from many themes and props! The Otter Experience: Our furry little friends invite you to take a step out of the ordinary and explore the 1000 Islands from their point of view. They will keep you captivated as they swim and play throughout the massive glass-enclosed river habitat. SS Kingston: Our replica of the great paddle steamer SS Kingston will engage explorers with an interactive touchscreen to discover more about the 1000 Islands region. Ropes Course: Experience climbing through the rigging of a tall ship with our one-of-a-kind ropes course! Climb across the rigging of our two ships, the SS Kingston and the HMS Ontario, before walking to the edge of the deck—where a 4-storey vertical drop awaits! There’s even a mini ropes course and scramble net for the littlest explorers. The Power of Water: Discover some of the amazing things the waters of the St. Lawrence River can do, from generating electricity to providing transportation to changing the shape of the land itself! The Power of Water has an array of engaging and exciting activities for kids and grown-up adventurers.
RIVERQUEST™ A GATEWAY TO ALL THE INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES THE 1000 ISLANDS REGION HAS TO OFFER RiverQuest™ is a partnership made up of museums, castles, forts, theatres, art centres, environment reserves, boat tours and much more on both sides of the St. Lawrence River. From Cornwall to Kingston in Canada and from Massena to Sacket’s Harbor in the United States. There is so much to see and explore. The Aquatarium is 1000 Islands RiverQuest’s showcase. It offers visitors a taste of everything there is to do in the 1000 Islands. It will inspire visitors to venture out to explore the storied history, complex ecological systems, and abundant recreational activities found throughout the St. Lawrence River region. Visit 1000islandsriverquest.com to start your RiverQuest today!
The Aquatarium isn’t only a place for day trips in the Ontario region. We also host a variety of public and private special events, allowing you to experience our discovery centre in a whole new way. Our spectacular venue provides the perfect ambience for galas, monthly mingles and annual celebrations. We can also host birthday parties, weddings, receptions, dinners, sleepovers, meetings, conferences and more. Of the utmost importance is the Aquatarium’s commitment to lifelong learning. Open year-round, the Aquatarium will be a leader in curriculum-based learning for children utilizing experiential and interactive programming that will encourage critical thinking and a lifelong passion for continued learning. There is so much more to see and do at the Aquatarium. Check out www.aquatarium.ca to plan your visit today and we will see you soon!
aquatarium.ca
1000islandsriverquest.com TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 41
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WHERE DO YOU WANT TO EAT TONIGHT? Tough question for a city like Kingston. But the restaurants under the umbrella of Black Dog Hospitality Group – Le Chien Noir Bistro, Atomica Pizza & Wine Bar, Harper’s Burger Bar, Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse – make the decision easy. With an emphasis on local – local owners, sourcing local ingredients, a commitment to local organizations – these eateries show a dedication to craveable foods prepared from scratch. With 15 years of restaurant and catering experience, Black Dog has created a quartet of family-friendly Kingston restaurants each with its own décor, style and distinct menu. Together they share topshelf hospitality, with chef-driven menus that bend to capture the freshness of each season, showcasing the best from local producers of meats, veggies, craft beers and regional wines. Settle in to Le Chien Noir Bistro for gourmet French bistro-style recipes. The setting is reminiscent of a trip to Europe – exposed brick walls, pressed tin ceilings, Art Deco lighting and vintage French poster artwork. Le Chien’s kitchen follows a time-honoured process, taking care with the selection and preparation of ingredients for dishes like Steak Frites, Cassoulet or the Charcuterie & Artisan Cheese Board. When there’s a cool nip in the air, the main restaurant or the Zinc Bar are perfect spots to sip from wines by the glass or relax for a weekend brunch. Authenticity is on the menu at Atomica Pizza & Wine Bar. Upscale and modern, Atomica is styled after cafes tucked into the laneways of Italy. The restaurant’s success is in the details – handrolled, thin crust Neapolitan-style pizza, topped with authentic
Italian meats, cheeses and tomato sauce. Quality ingredients shine through on a menu rounded out with a ‘build your own’ antipasto board, fresh salads, pasta, entrées, Panini and house-made desserts. The chef shops the farmers’ market for cocktail ingredients: fresh blueberries muddled into the Blue Lavender Collins and organic produce in the Garden Caesar, the perfect drink companion during the weekend brunch service. Harper’s Burger Bar saves the day with those craving a gourmet burger fix. Striking a chord as a spin on the diner burger theme, Harper’s uses 100 per cent local beef sourced from a single, family farm. Patrons with an eye for health conscious choices can choose from turkey, salmon and veggie burgers, salads and gluten-free buns. The idea of supporting local family farms has always been at the heart of the Black Dog raison d’être. Good local food tastes better and provides vital support to the local farming community. Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse moves the freshness of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the tables of Kingston. It’s the local restaurant where East coast meets West coast, with a solid commitment to sustainable seafood choices. Ninety per cent of the seafood served meets the standards of the Ocean Wise conservation program for sustainability and ocean health. In a décor reminiscent of an authentic Down East seafood shack, Dianne’s menu stars seafood, but meat lovers can find in-house smoked meats and ‘Black Angus Reserve’ steak. Seafood specialities include lobster rolls, fish tacos, fish chowder and Pacific cod with crispy fries. The bar serves the city’s largest selection of tequila and bourbon as well as local wines-on-tap.
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 43
DIANNE’S FISH SHACK & SMOKEHOUSE
HARPER’S BURGER BAR
ATOMICA PIZZA & WINE BAR
LE CHIEN NOIR BISTRO
IT IS ONLY WITH THE RIGHT MEASURE OF WIT AND TEAMWORK THAT YOU CAN COMPLETE EACH PUZZLE AND WIN THIS GAME
History ESCAPE FROM BY GABRIELLE TIEMAN
Introducing Toronto to a whole new genre of interactive gaming, the Casa Loma Escape Series has taken the city by storm –engaging groups with mind-stretching puzzles and creating an all-encompassing entertainment experience. Recreating history and breathing life back into the rich gothic estate for a new generation, the historic castle has been transformed into the centre stage for the world class escape game and a desperate race against the clock. Reviving Toronto’s interest in history and adventure for audiences is gaming experts Company & Co. – the Toronto based company that introduced Canada to the Real Escape Game series in 2014. In today’s digital era of multimedia overload, Company and Co. has made it their goal to design, develop and deliver immersive experiences and promote more curiosity in the world. The immersive theatre set gaming experience focuses on challenging groups to channel their inner strengths and utilizes their guts while working as a unit to solve each floor’s set of puzzles – because it is only with the right measure of wit and teamwork that you can complete each puzzle and win this game. “We have created an immersive theatre set inside Casa Loma where players enter and play this game within history,” said Michael Keenan, head of Canada for Real Escape Game and one of their game designers. “We design all of the puzzles in the space, the flow of the game and added narrative.” >>
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 45
The estate is complete with 98 rooms, decorated suites, secret passages, stately towers, estate gardens and luxurious stables, all of which promise a demanding backdrop to accompany each mind boggling puzzle. Keenan says along with having access to the historically rich backdrop and unique architecture and design for each immersive game, their team also creates each interactive escape game’s plot line with the history of Casa Loma at the forefront. “There is quite a bit of actual history in the game,” said Keenan. “We used historical locations in the puzzles and we try to display things as accurately as possible - including using a variety of real historical props that are actual pieces direct from Casa Loma, like original authentic electrical components.” During World War Two, Casa Loma was home to the top-secret Allies Anti-Submarine Detection Investigation Committee (ASDIC) following the bombing of its headquarters in London, England. Today, that piece of history is the foundation for Casa Loma’s inaugural immersive game Escape from the Tower. In Escape from the Tower, players must find enemy U-boat coordinates and transmit the information back to the allied forces – before time runs out. Taking place within all four floors of the tower, each floor focuses on a different theme and within each theme its own set of puzzles that need to be solved before the hour is up. “Each floor is in itself its own mini game and then there is the larger puzzle in the background to be solved,” said Keenan. “We want people to work together to solve a puzzle as a unit. Every game requires different skillsets.” Unlike other escape rooms, this one is as much theatrical performance as it is a complex puzzle; featuring a cast of improvisation actors that gamers can speak to and interact with to further enhance the immersive quest and solve the puzzles. All actors are fully invested in their roles and remain constantly in character no matter the questions they are asked; committed to guiding and aiding you through the puzzles while remaining an intricate part of the historical basis of the story.
“What we are doing is trying to merge the escape game experience with that type of immersive theatre experience,” said Keenan. “With its design, one part of the players’ experience is the game element but the other is about an actually theatre experience.” “A play is going on in this space and [the actors] move in this space according to a script – but gamers can move among the space freely without a script,” said Keenan. “People can move through the space and experience a play so up close they can be right in front of the actor and the actor will continue to act.” Keenan said the Casa Loma Escape Series would never have been possible for Company and Co. without the help and vision of Liberty Entertainment Group and CEO Nick Di Donato who first approached them with the idea of using Casa Loma as an escape series location. “Without [Di Donato’s] visionary and his partnership we would not be able to accomplish something of this grandness and make this ideal genre exist,” said Keenan. “To be able to merge the theatre with an escape game is incredible; Nick has provided us with this ability and opportunity and it is super beneficial both to our audience and to us.” All ages are encouraged to take part in the game series, with children under the age of 12 requiring a waiver and parent or guardian. Company and Co. recommends each group be between eight to 12 people all able to contribute a different set of strengths to the game. Keenan said it is an ideal event for both corporate groups, families, couples and ideally everyone in between. Company and Co. plans to have four escape games in Casa Loma by spring 2016. Keenan said the second game, entitled King/ Queen of the Bootleggers, will be released in late November 2015 and be set in prohibition based 1920s. The game will move away from the towners and take place within the tunnels and secret passageways of the castle. Private rentals for corporate and group events will soon be available as well as dinner packages to create a fully rounded Casa Loma experience. TM
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YOUR GUIDE TO
TORONTO’S
BEST BY GABRIELLE TIEMAN
ome to some of the best live music venues in the country, Toronto music and art lovers don’t have to go far to have their pick of the hottest jazz, punk rock and indie stages any day of the week. Next time you’re looking to shell out big bucks to see a band, take a step back and train your ears towards one of the unique hotels, taverns and clubs scattered across the city hosting all styles of live music. THE REX HOTEL | 194 QUEEN STREET WEST Jazz & Blues Known as the bar where jazz musicians come to hear jazz, the Rex Hotel has put a roof over great live jazz and old school blues musicians for over 40 years. Hosting live music performances 19 times a week, the Rex Hotel has remained at the forefront of the Toronto music scene; known to host performances by both Juno award winners and university student bands in the same night. Incredibly inexpensive for such a renowned venue, the casual atmosphere is perfect for either a spontaneous dinner for two or a rowdy birthday celebration amongst friends looking to enjoy quality music and draft beers.
THE HORSESHOE TAVERN | 370 QUEEN STREET WEST Country, Rockabilly, Rock, Blues, Punk & everything in between Founded in 1947, the Horseshoe Tavern is a cultural music institution with deep roots in Toronto’s music past. Opening as one of the largest live music clubs in Toronto boasting 500 seats, the club began booking classic rockabilly and country groups. With a dedication to supporting Canadian and local artists, the club quickly evolved into the must stop location for some of the biggest names in music, with artists like Willie Nelson, Stompin’ Tom, the Police, the Ramones and many others gracing the stage over the years. In the late 90s the Shoe began treating their performances like concerts instead of live shows, encouraging people to purchase tickets in advance which helped to bring bigger names into the venue for more than a one time performance. Today, the Horseshoe Tavern continues to host some of the biggest names in music while maintaining their local bar feel and support for Toronto artists.
RIVOLI | 334 QUEEN STREET WEST Alternative live music and comedy A landmark music hotspot in downtown Toronto, the Rivoli boasts an eclectic blend of comfort food, current alternative live music and edgy comedy within the walls of their intimate night club meets pool hall lounge. What was once home to some of the first risqué burlesque shows in Toronto during the 1920s, today continues to maintain its roots in the underground scene – hosting shows for up and coming Canadian bands, comedians and musicians and giving many current celebs a jumpstart to their now successful careers. Adele, Barenaked Ladies, Blue Rodeo, comedian Robin Williams and so many others have been found in the lounge over the years, brought in by the always busy venue & liberal broad booking policy.
VIRGIN MOBILE MOD CLUB | 722 COLLEGE STREET Current hip hop and alternative indie rock A trendy venue in Little Italy, the Mod Club hosts concerts, DJ nights and special events with local musicians nearly on a daily basis. Though the club’s relatively small size – its capacity suits up to 700 people – may seem to be a hindrance to some, the intimate atmosphere contributes to the clear sound quality of live shows. Along with great sound comes the refusal to cookie cut themselves into one genre; people can watch rock, pop, electric and hip hop performances from either the main floor or the balcony lounge area, with each performance drawing equally as many viewers as the other. Art work from the 1960s mod subculture is featured on the walls, enhancing both the namesake and experience.
THE OPERA HOUSE | 735 QUEEN STREET EAST Modern rock, rap and DJs Step back in time to the early 1900s as you enter the landmark Opera House on Queen Street. This 12,000 square foot authentic century old vaudeville theatre has become a venue of choice for locals looking for great live music and some of the biggest, original concerts in the area. Though the venue has maintained its original cabaret stage, including a 35-foot proscenium arch and a few of the original projectors from its cinema days, the venue has since upgraded to include advanced modern lighting and sound systems. Having hosted platinum artists like Eminem, Rage Against the Machine and others, the theatre is known for attracting big name stars but keeping their prices low.
THE GREAT HALL | 1087 QUEEN STREET WEST Experimental music Built in 1889, the Great Hall is a revolutionary facility for both experimental music and the avant-garde arts. History radiates through the walls of the ornate facility; having originally been constructed as a gym facility, the Great Hall housed the first west end YMCA in Toronto before later being converted into a press centre for a Polish newspaper. It wasn’t until the mid1980s that the Toronto School of Art stepped in and established the building as a centre for the Toronto art community. Today the hall is used as a multi-purpose space for live performances and special events, hosting a number of important Toronto institutions including the experimental music group the Music Gallery and the Theatre Centre, used as a multi-purpose space for live performances and special events. >>
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CAMERON HOUSE | 408 QUEEN STREET WEST Indie Rock, Country & Little bit of everything else A quaint and unique venue tucked away on the corner of Queen and Cameron Street, this hip indie bar is a hot spot for great local talent and one man bands of every style. Long and narrow, the bar does not hold a lot of room for large crowds, but the lack of walking space bodes well for live music sound and adds to the unique, rustic, everything has a space but nothing has a place feel. Featuring two small stages, usually hosting bands simultaneously, each room is sound proof and allows patrons to travel back and forth between the rooms with ease without the other band’s music filtering through. The Cameron House also features their own record label Cameron House Records, releasing the music to outside their walls in support of local and Canadian talent.
THE PAINTED LADY | 218 OSSINGTON AVENUE Classic rock, Jazz, Hip Hop & More Toronto’s original rock and roll, funk and soul burlesque bar, the Painted Lady is unlike any other musical venue. Established in 2008, this diverse bar is always evolving, shifting and catering to the latest trends and fan favourites. From classic rock to 90s hip hop, the floor is always packed with fans of all ages crowding together to eat sexy finger food, dance to great music and add to the overall electric bar vibe. A frequent venue for Toronto Jazz Fest and Canadian Music Week, the Painted Lady also hosts weekly special events for its faithful patrons – including their Open Mic Mondays for both electrified and acoustic musicians looking to take the brave jump into live performances.
JAZZ BISTRO | 251 VICTORIA STREET Jazz & Pianists Jazz musicians find their home at the Jazz Bistro on Victoria Street. This warm and welcoming space serves as an intimate setting for authentic, live jazz performances by both world renowned jazz musicians and up and coming Toronto jazz artists. Recently renovated in 2011, the multi-level space includes performance and dining areas, a wine bar and an expansive rooftop patio that overlooks the performance area – setting a new standard for indoor and outdoor music listening. But stealing the spotlight is their one-of-a-kind Steinway B piano nicknamed Red Pop for its unique lacquered pop of colour. The Jazz Bistro invites all Toronto pianists to drop by and play the rare instrument.
GLADSTONE HOTEL | 1214 QUEEN STREET WEST DJ Dance Parties, CD Launch Parties & all styles of live music Branded the gallery that never sleeps, the Gladstone Hotel is a visual arts gallery meets special events boutique hotel catering to both local art enthusiast and international travelers looking to eat, sleep and breathe the arts. The Gladstone continually strives to create a genuinely diverse experience like no other, showcasing locally-made artwork and sculptures 365 days a year, 37 artist designed rooms and the Melody Bar – a modern venue known for hosting live music, CD launches, burlesque shows and DJ dance parties on an almost constant basis.
THE DRAKE | 1150 QUEEN STREET WEST DJ Booths, indie dance parties and local live music A self-proclaimed hot bed for culture, this modern boutique hotel and venue has become the unofficial hub for edgy performances and live music, making it a one stop shop for night owls. Appealing to a wide range of clientele, tourists and locals alike have been found to mingle and coexist amongst the many rooms of the Drake. Rooms include the Underground, a multifaceted indie music and DJ performance venue with a rave party reputation and the Lounge, a foodies dream getaway featuring great food, a DJ booth and live music.
DAKOTA TAVERN | 249 OSSINGTON AVENUE
3030 | 3030 DUNDAS STREET WEST
Bluegrass, Country & Piano Bar
Punk, DJs, Rock & Eclectic Alternative
Warmly revered as the local basement honky-tonk with outrageously authentic and heartwarming southern eats, the Dakota Tavern is known to be the home of some of the best bluegrass and country music in Toronto. Featuring daily performances, this throwback to an old southern saloon is an authentic country music bar and a must for those looking to get back to their southern roots. And for those who love to enjoy Sunday Funday with friends and family, their all you can eat Bluegrass Brunch is a must, with genuine bluegrass bands, bottomless plates, spicy caesars and an at home feel that says kick back, relax and stay awhile.
A retro junction bar tucked away along Dundas, 3030, like its name, is refreshingly simple, open and uncomplicated. A dedicated gallery space and supporter of local craft beer, this family run operation is reminiscent of your best friend’s basement in high school – warm, welcoming and scattered with board game pieces, retro beer posters and loud music. Both their small Front Room and open concept Back Room play host to a variety of live music, cover bands and DJ’s every Thursday through Saturday, operating simultaneously as an easy listening atmosphere for both those who like to be right in the action and those who prefer to listen from a quieter corner in the back. TM
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FEBRUARY 10
Emilie-Claire Barlow | Massey Hall
FEBRUARY 16
Josh Ritter | Phoenix Concert Hall
FEBRUARY 18–19 MARCH 1
Blue Rodeo | Massey Hall The Who | Air Canada Centre
MARCH 10
Dr. Dog | Phoenix Concert Hall Leon Bridges | Massey Hall
MARCH 15
Bonnie Raitt | Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
MARCH 16
David Gilmour | Air Canada Centre
APRIL 3 APRIL 21
Iron Maiden | Air Canada Centre Randy Bachman | Massey Hall
MAY 22
Selena Gomez | Air Canada Centre
MAY 28
Carrie Underwood | Air Canada Centre
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BY GABRIELL E
TIEMAN
VENT CALEND A
TORONTO
N A D I5 5 5
THE TORONTO CHRISTMAS MARKET THE DISTILLERY HISTORIC DISTRICT | NOVEMBER 20– DECEMBER 20, 2015 torontochristmasmarket.com Celebrate the love and magic of Christmas at the Toronto Christmas Market. This annual street festival that captures the charm of a traditional European Christmas market will put anyone into the holiday spirit; featuring over 320 musical performances, midway activities for children, countless vendors, Segway walking tours and, of course, visits from Santa Claus. The not-for-profit market offers free admission Tuesdays to Thursdays; Saturday and Sunday a five dollar ticket is required to enter the Christmas dream land. All funds raised are to be reinvested back into the festival as a way of furthering the festival’s infrastructure and growth. Other proceeds will go towards three partner charities: the Daily Bread Food Bank – which provides nutritious food to people struggling with hunger; Plan Canada – which helps break the cycle of poverty in developing countries; and the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund – a program that provides gifts to underprivileged children. Immerse yourself in the sights, snap a photo under the giant Christmas tree and finish your holiday shopping while embracing the true spirit of the magical holiday season.
TORONTO TANGO MARATHON LITHUANIAN HALL | JANUARY 8–10, 2016 torontotangomarathon.com A weekend of non-stop Tango! The fifth annual Toronto Tango Marathon features 30 hours of world-class dancing and outstanding DJs from around the world that will have you dancing until the sun illuminates the floor. Focusing on the Argentinian tango, this three day and three night event welcomes all levels of dancer to participate. The marathon team will also host a weekend for beginners inviting all individuals interested in learning the fundamentals of the tango to join and get a crash course. This six hour intense workshop, held January 9-10, will cover all of the material needed to enjoy and conquer the intricate and fast paced dance. Marathon attendance is limited to 250 dancers and registration is $100 dollars.
LA POUTINE WEEK
M IR O V R L IK P H OTO GR
APHY
VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF TORONTO | FEBRUARY 1–7, 2016 lapoutineweek.com Canada’s favourite indulgence, poutine has become an integral part of our culinary make up. The classic Canadian dish will be taking on a global flare and kicking it up a notch during Toronto’s La Poutine Week. The new annual event takes over 23 Toronto restaurants that will be offering their own special twists on the Canadian classic for Poutine Week. Past unique twists have included the likes of butter chicken and perogie poutines, lobster bisque gravies and vegetarian routes with mushroom fries – all which became instant favourites throughout the city. For only $10 dollars, try a unique poutine dish from any participating restaurant and vote for your favourites on Poutine Week’s website. >>
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WINTERLICIOUS VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF TORONTO | JANUARY 29–FEBRUARY 11, 2016 toronto.ca/special_events/winterlicious Indulge in creative cuisine and culinary feats from across the globe at Toronto’s premiere cold weather foodie celebration. Winterlicious Toronto brings a series of mouth-watering food centric events to over 200 of the city’s more savoury restaurants and gives you a chance to indulge without breaking the bank. The event’s popular prix fixe menu program offers three course menu options at participating restaurants; so you can sample, sip and enjoy each restaurant’s chosen pairings orchestrated by world-class chefs.
CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AUTOSHOW METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE | FEBRUARY 12–21, 2016 autoshow.ca Glimpse into the future of transportation at the Canadian International Auto Show. Celebrating over 40 years in the city of Toronto, the event provides a jaw dropping, all-encompassing total automotive experience; featuring over 60,000 square feet of engaging displays and incredible vehicles by leading manufacturers and designers. Dancing a fine line between art and automobile, world class car exhibitors showcase the latest and greatest in their fleets. New to the show this year is the AutoConnect Showcase, a brand new feature illustrating the many advanced connectivity and safety technologies already available on the roads. This showcase as well will explore the future of driving with a look at fully independent vehicles and the progress that is being made towards making self-driving cars a reality. For ticket pricing, special coupons and group packages, visit their website or box office.
memory are the musical scores of each film. Sony Centre for Performing Arts will be presenting a collection of music and video clips from a number of Pixar’s feature films performed by a full symphony orchestra; with hits including “You’ve Got a Friend In Me”, “When She Loved Me” and the Oscar-winning “If I Didn’t Have You”. Two performances will be held with tickets ranging from $40-$110.
TORONTO SPORTSMEN’S SHOW
WORLD MASTERCARD FASHION WEEK
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE | MARCH 16–20, 2016 tss.sportshows.ca
DAVID PECAUT SQUARE | SPRING 2016 (DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED) worldmastercardfashionweek.com
Canada’s premiere outdoor supershow, the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show unites all outdoorsmen and enthusiasts with the common ground of sharing the latest tips and techniques on how to conquer the great wilderness. The event is known to have introduced countless generations to the immense heritage behind Canada’s outdoors and many have said to have purchased their first fishing, archery and camping gear at this annual event. Event features and entertainment include demonstrations from the WoofJocks Canine All Stars, chainsaw carving demos, axe throwing demonstrations and more. Held over March Break, this is an ideal event for kids interested in getting outside, learning a new skill and exploring the outdoors safely. Listen to the pros and observe the latest in new hunting, fishing, and outdoor products from hundreds of leading suppliers all under one roof.
PIXAR IN CONCERT SONY CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS | MARCH 18, 2016 blogto.com/events/pixar-in-concert Since its inaugural launch in 1986, Pixar Animation Studios has warmed the hearts of adults and children alike. With over 15 feature films, including cult favourites Toy Story and Finding Nemo, Pixar has found a place in every Canadian home. But it is not only the story and characters that are noteworthy; equally capable of striking up an instant
Celebrating the biggest names in Canadian and global fashion, the World MasterCard Fashion Week gathers leading designers, world recognized brands and famed fashionistas for a week of runway shows, exclusive parties and the latest in 2016 fashion trends. Toronto runways will be graced by designs from chic womenswear brand Pink Tartan, eclectic luxury streetwear designer Hayley Elsaesser, creative professional designs by Rachel Sin and many more. Ticket information is available on the website.
TORONTO FOOD AND DRINK MARKET ENERCARE CENTRE - EXHIBITION PLACE, HALL D | APRIL 8–10, 2016 www.tofoodanddrinkmarket.com Devour, learn and shop at the Toronto Food and Drink Market – the weekend that revolves around eating, drinking and enjoying the best culinary feats in the area. Featured events include Food Truck Alley showcasing the latest and hottest food trucks and All You Need is Cheese which has participants join Dairy Farmers of Canada to taste recipes made from 100 per cent Canadian cheeses and learn about the foodie favourite by renowned cheese experts. Seminars will be held throughout the weekend and hosted by an array of Master Class Chefs and health and wellness speakers.
DIMITRY MORGAN
HOT DOCS INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF TORONTO | APRIL 28–MAY 8, 2016 hotdocs.ca North America’s largest documentary festival and conference, the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival showcases a selection of more than 200 cutting-edge documentaries from Canada and around the globe. Renowned for being outspoken, edgy and outstanding, the festival is known to bring in audiences of over 200 thousand strong who wish to enjoy film and voice their opinions on popular topics in the film industry. Showcased f ilms will be announced in late winter 2016 and will include a variety of topics, themes and indie exhibitors. Independent cinemas and non-traditional screening venues are utilized for both screenings and forums. Hot Docs also hosts a full roster of conference sessions, market events and services for documentary practitioners, including the renowned Hot Docs Forum and The Doc Shop. Individual tickets and packages are available on their website.
TORONTO BRIDAL SHOW ENERCARE CENTRE - EXHIBITION PLACE, HALL C | APRIL 8–10, 2016 blogto.com/events/torontos-bridal-show-3 Joining the latest trends and fashions from the bridal industry all under one roof, the Toronto Bridal Show is known as the trendiest show in the city. The weekend is filled with a one-of-a-kind runway shows, hundreds of vendors, prizes and more that will have all brides checking wedding day to-dos off of their lists at record speed. Exhibitors include industry experts, gown retailers, venues, florists, bachelorette planners and more. Tickets are $20 and available at the door and online.
CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF TORONTO | MAY 4–14, 2016 seetorontonow.com/annual-events/#sthash.1whxfSuk.dpuf Revered as one of the premier entertainment events in North America, the 33rd annual Canadian Music Week is five nights of world-class performances. The event features over one thousand bands and performers at more than 60 live music venues in downtown Toronto and covers every genre and style of music. Enjoy extended bar hours, live outdoor performances, local immerging bands, intimate acoustic sets at Toronto restaurants and a city’s environment that vibrates with music. Past performers have included Death Cab for Cutie, Monster Truck, Billy Talent, Lights and hundreds of local bands and up and coming stars. Ticket prices vary according to event.
DOORS OPEN TORONTO VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF TORONTO | MAY 28–29, 2016 toronto.ca/doorsopentoronto This free annual event held on the last weekend of May each year celebrates 200 years of buildings in Toronto. This Doors Open event, the largest in Canada, gives tourist and residents alike a backstage pass behind the scenes of over 150 instrumental buildings to Toronto. Since its inception in 2000, over 600 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the city have opened their doors to the community and over two million visitors. Past Doors Open Toronto events have featured unique themes to commemorate special events [the 2015 event revolved around the theme Sports, Recreation & Leisure in honour of Toronto’s Pan Am and Parapan Am Games]. Past buildings presented include the Archives of Ontario, BMO Field, Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, Jing Yin Temple and many more. TM TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 57
SAVE-A-BUCK. A CITY GUIDE IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND.
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THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF THINGS TO DO, EXPERIENCE AND SEE DURING YOUR VISIT TO WESTERN NEW YORK; WHATEVER KIND OF ACTIVITY YOU SEEK, INDOOR OR OUTDOOR, ACTION PACKED OR CALM AND RELAXED, THERE IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING FOR YOU. FROM THE EXCITEMENT OF THE SENECA CASINO PROPERTIES TO EXPLORING THE SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS OF ELLICOTTVILLE TO THE ADVENTURES AWAITING YOU IN THE ALLEGANY MOUNTAINS, WESTERN NEW YORK REALLY DOES HAVE IT ALL.
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 59
GET OUTSIDE
&
GET ACTIVE WINTERTIME IN WESTERN NEW YORK
Western New York is a great place to get outside during the wintertime. Sure, it’s cold, but bundle up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and start reveling in the wintertime! (It only comes once a year after all).
DOWNHILL SKIING
Located in Glenwood, New York (just about half an hour outside of Buffalo), Kissing Bridge is a great place to head for a day of skiing. Kissing Bridge is home to numerous runs, a couple of terrain parks, and is suitable for all levels of skiers. More information is available at kbski.com. Both day and night skiing is available. If you don’t have your own equipment, Kissing Bridge has a rental shop on site. There are a couple other options for great downhill skiing and they are only about a ten-minute drive from the Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino. Holiday Valley is a large ski resort located in Ellicottville, and has 58 day slopes and 37 night trails. Both day and night skiing are available. There are slopes for all levels of skiers, as well as instructional classes for all ages. Rates vary on weekdays and weekends, and passes can be purchased for different time increments (four hours, eight hours, night, weekend) There are 13 chair lifts, and several lodges with food and drink options. Ski rentals are available right at Holiday Valley if you don’t have your own equipment. More information at holidayvalley.com Holimont is also located in Ellicottville and is North America’s largest private resort offering 52 runs and eight lifts. During the week, non-members are allowed, and rentals are available on location. More information at holimont.com.
TUBING
Just down the street from the Holiday Valley ski area is the Holiday Valley Tubing Company. The tubing area has 12 different lanes and a towrope to get you up the hill. During open hours at Holiday Valley, there is a free shuttle service that runs to and from the tubing area. Winter time hours are Thursday and Friday from 4:30 to 9pm, Saturdays 11am to 9pm and Sundays from 11am to 6pm. Make sure to dress warm and dress in appropriate snow clothing (no cotton). Prices vary depending on how long you want to slide for. More info at holidayvalley.com /explore-our-mountain/other-winter-activities-tubing.
Kissing Bridge also has a tubing park, and it is actually Western New York’s largest downhill tubing park. This tubing park is not suitable for children under the age of seven.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING
If you are not up for the fast speeds of downhill skiing, why not try cross-country? It’s definitely a great workout and when you are in Western New York, it will be scenic as well. The Allegany State Park is full of different trails that can be used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or when the weather gets warmer, hiking. The park has 18 trails that span over 20 miles, most of which are used year round. Stop by the visitor center and grab a map so you can see an outline of all the trails and how to access them. A good reference is also enchantedmountains.com. Holiday Valley also offers cross-country course area. To get to the hills on top, you need to buy a two ride cross-country ticket. If you are closer to Buffalo, don’t fear, there are still tons of options for great cross country skiing, check out Akron Falls, Chestnut Ridge Park, Como Lake, Ellicott Creek, Elma Meadows, Emery Park or Sprague Brook. They are all free to access and are generally open from morning until dusk.
SK ATING
Even in the wintertime, the newly revitalized canalside in Buffalo has tons of stuff going on. In addition to a huge skating rink, they offer curling, pond hockey and broomball leagues. Ice skate rental is available for only $4, and admission to the rink is $6 for those over 13 and $4 for ages six to 12. There are also ice bikes available for rent (a fun combo of ice skating and bike riding) at a cost of $10 per half an hour. The Harborcenter in downtown Buffalo offers public skating every Sunday evening, if you like the idea of staying inside while you skate. TM TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 61
Mansion on Delaware Avenue
Royal Treatment Girlfriends get the
Y
ou know it’s going to be a great girlfriend getaway when your weekend starts with an eager-to-please butler jogging out to your car to unload your bags even before you’ve popped the trunk.
“James” (yes, that’s really his name) is one of a half dozen butlers on staff at the elegant 28-room Mansion on Delaware in downtown Buffalo that dates back to 1869. The butlers are happy to drive you around town, pour you a complimentary drink in the drawing room at cocktail hour — even run you a hot bath in your whirlpool tub. Their white glove treatment sets the stage for a couple of days of being spoiled rotten in Buffalo.
BY ANNE BOKMA
in BUFFALO
StAr trEAtMENt At GrOOM SErvicE The pampering continues when we head to Groom Service Beauty & Dry Bar, an upscale beauty bar on the ground floor of the elegantly restored Hotel Lafayette. Here, positive feminine energy abounds, and not just because this grand neoclassical hotel was designed in the early 1900s by Louise Blanchard Bethune, the first American woman who worked as a professional architect. Katie Ambrose, a New York makeup artist to the stars who recently moved back to Buffalo to open the salon, gives her clients the kind of luxurious beauty experiences usually Groom Service Beauty & Dry Bar
reserved for celebrities. My girlfriend Donna and I spend a couple of glorious hours with Katie that begins with a mini meditation session involving crystals and “angelic spray” to help balance our chakras and continues with a facial, “intuitive make-up lesson” and hair styling. A final application of feathery false eyelashes has us coquettishly batting our eyes over our lunch menus when we pop in next door to the Pan-American Grill & Brewery to fortify ourselves for an afternoon of shopping with scallop cakes and sugar beet salad.
EMPOriuMS ON ELMwOOD It’s no secret that Canadians love to power shop Buffalo’s outlet stores, but we opt to bypass the mega malls for some good old fashioned street shopping. We spend a few hours strolling the mile-long Elmwood Avenue, checking out the eclectic range of dozens of retail offerings. We peruse furnishings made by local craftspeople at rÓ, float in the aroma of hundreds of exotic seasonings at the elaborately stocked Penzeys Spices, ooh and ahh over the unique gift selections (dragonfly salad tongs anyone?) at the charming Everything Elmwood, browse best-
sellers at talking Leaves, the city’s oldest bookstore, and try on flowing summer dresses in a range of boutiques, from Anna Grace to Blush and Second chic, an upcycle consignment shop where I pick up a vintage halter dress for a bargain basement $22. When we stop to fuel up on caffeine, even the SPot coffee shop is
Second Chic
a delight with its powder blue Victorian settee and tempting display of red velvet donuts, a local specialty that proves irresistible.
Out ON tHE tOwN Our extended shopping trip means there’s little time for dinner so once again the butlers at the Mansion accommodate us by preparing plates of pizza and fresh fruit before driving us to the opening night of the raucous musical, The Book of Mormon, at Shea’s Performing Arts center. The restored theatre, which features a full season of blockbuster Broadway musicals, boosts eight-foot tall crystal chandeliers and intricately painted ceilings in the lobby, recalling its glory days as an elaborate movie house dating from 1926.
Mansion on Delaware by KC Kratt. Groom Service and Second Chic by Katie Ambrose. Shea’s by Jim Bush. Buffalo Proper by Lisa Lubin.
After the show, we aren’t quite ready to call it a night. Fortunately, another theatregoer recommends a stop at Buffalo Proper, a restaurant and bar that tips its hat to the prohibition era when wealthy Buffalonians found a way to sneak a drink in defiance of the 18th amendment. Here, master barman and cocktail curator Jon Karel regales us with further theatrical Shea’s Performing Arts Center antics, displaying his frenetic energy while concocting fancifully named drinks such as Bare Knuckle Boxer, Snake Charmer and Killer Bee’s. It’s the perfect end to a perfect day. Tomorrow, we have a couple more stops to finish our Buffalo getaway – including an afternoon outing to canalside, a beautiful new waterfront area with free events from pilates classes to classical concerts, and what will prove to be a very memorable five-course prix fixe menu with wine pairings at Martin cooks, the city’s first example of chef’s counter dining where guests look on while the chef prepares his signature dishes in an open kitchen. But right now, as the clock hits midnight, we’re ready to head back to our fluffy beds at the Mansion. We ring our butler who arrives in minutes. As I climb into the backseat I utter words I’ve been looking forward to saying all day: “Home, James.” Buffalo Proper
toPERF
ROASTED By Lynn Ogryzlo
ECTION BUFFALO’S NICK PITELLO TALKS HIS FAVOURITE WINTER DISH
It’s one of the most comforting aromas known to mankind, one of the most succulent feelings to nosh between your teeth and one of the most soothing meals you can have on a cold winters day. Mothers knew this well, that’s where the tradition of Sunday roasts came from. But the traditional Sunday roast began a little differently than our roasts today. Today we’re more inclined to buy a premium prime rib or a tenderloin for a Sunday roast. But it wasn’t always like that. “We were poor, we had to buy the cheaper cuts and roast them low and slow,” laughs restaurateur, Nick Pitello. Nick owns Osteria 166 in downtown Buffalo, Villaggio in Ellicottville and his newest venture, Mercato also in downtown Buffalo. All are known for their creative and modern approach to cooking but ask Nick the best way to cook a roast and in one, long, drawn-out word he says, "slowly." Nick remembers the scrumptious, fork tender roasts his mother would pull from the oven. The kitchen would be filled with the savoury aromas of meat and spices and he can still taste the lip-smacking juiciness of the sweet meat as it literally melted between his teeth. Now when he smells the roasting pork laced with fennel or veal shanks simmering in tomatoes and oregano it takes him right back to his childhood. Roasting is cooking with love. So why is the low and slow method so magical? Roasts are about 75 percent moisture with the water bound up in the cells. As the heat increases, the proteins shrink and the moisture is forced out either into the pan or evaporates completely. Too much heat and it has the effect of squeezing a sponge resulting in a dense, dry roast. However, understanding this process, we can use this knowledge to manage the heat and evaporation during cooking to produce a tender, juicy roast. This is what low and slow is all about. >>
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These kinds of roasts are not traditional from an American sense but from an Italian sense, they’re EVERYTHING. If you’re not a convert yet, try Nick’s famous Porchetta. A traditional Italian roast made from the shoulder of the pig and tied with the fat-rich belly. It’s butterflied, lathered with a pesto-like concoction, bound together and roasted for 8 to 12 hours or more. In Nick’s case he uses a mixture of herbs and spices, most notable, ground fennel. “Most don’t even notice the fennel, they just love it,” says Nick. He goes through almost one thousand roasted Porchetta every season. That’s a lot of roasts considering they’re only made in the coldest months of the year. “We go through so much Porchetta we thought of a food truck,” he laughs as he finishes his thoughts in silence. At Osteria 166, each Porchetta is tied tightly and roasted at low temperatures throughout the night, then they’re removed from the ovens in the early morning. The restaurant is filled with the savoury, warm flavours of love from the ovens. Nick describes it as, “waking from a dream so good you could eat it!” At the restaurants they serve Porchetta traditional style, sliced thin and piled over a fresh bun. Theoretically, it’s like an Italian pulled pork, but without the barbecue part. They’re served with the restaurant’s house made potato chips. It’s a quintessential, casual winter dish. It’s easy to make a Porchetta at home if you have your butcher trim, butterfly and tie your roast. When you get it home, untie it and fill it with your favourite mixture of savoury spices and tie it back up. Traditional Italian Porchetta will have a final layer of pigskin wrapped around it, so the slow roasting is also self basting. The great part about this style is it produces loads of crackling,
pigskin. “No, we don’t do the crackling (at the restaurant),” laments Nick. “There just wouldn’t be enough for everyone and we don’t want to start a war now do we?” Nick stresses that picking a cut of meat suitable for the low and slow method isn’t difficult if you’re familiar with the bone structure of pigs. You’ll know that the least tender cuts of meat lie where there is the most movement and therefore the connective tissue will be tougher and demand very slow cooking with moisture. That’s why Nick insists the shoulder is laced with the fat forward belly so it creates plenty of succulent, moistness during baking. Roasting Porchetta the low and slow method doesn’t use liquid, but ask him about his popular Osso Bucco? Well, that’s another story. The Osso Bucco at Osteria 166 is braised low and slow – and braising is a cooking method that uses liquid. When cooking with liquid, the liquid should never boil, but only simmer lightly for best results. Unlike traditional veal shanks in the classic Italian dish, Nick uses pork shanks. “We love pig around here,” says Nick. The 3-finger thick shanks are slowly braised in a thick tomato and herb sauce that bubbles lightly over the stove. He pulls one from the pot and lays it on the plate. He digs into the pork shank with a spoon and it literally falls apart under the pressure, while the juices run in every direction. He offers me a taste. The rich flavours comfort me while the velvety, soft meat succumbs to the pressure of my teeth into sublime deliciousness – yum. Nick takes the tip of his knife and digs some marrow out of the centre of the bone. He spreads it across a piece of bread he just
tore from a loaf. “It’s one of the benefits of Osso Bucco,” he smiles and savours the little moment. Osso Bucco is the most popular dish in his restaurants, served with a rich, creamy risotto, “it’s the quintessential cold weather dish.” Maybe that’s why they go through almost 200 Osso Bucco dishes in a week! When you do it right, low and slow roasting or low and slow braising melts the collagen, turning it into a rich liquid – gelatin. This gives meat a lot of flavour and a wonderful silky texture. It also retains the nutrients, vitamins and flavour making it not only delicious but good for you too. “These kinds of roasts are not traditional from an American sense but from an Italian sense, they’re everything,” says Nick. So what temperature is low anyway? In the restaurant, the special ovens can be set at the same temperature as the desired internal doneness: 125 to 130 degrees Farenheight for rare, 130 to 135 for medium-rare, 140 for medium. Most home ovens cannot be set that low. Most can be set at 170 or 200 degrees Farenheight. However, a perfect roast can most certainly be produced at that temperature. “Just put it in and forget about it,” says Nick, “anyone who works at roasting ruins the roast. Leave it alone and the roast will do the rest.” We all like our meat tender and juicy and roasting slowly with an inexpensive cut of meat is where all the good stuff happens. A roast is the consummate comfort food for supper. Thinking of his mother Nick says, “what could be a better way of making people feel that someone in the kitchen has been thinking and caring about you?” TM
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