15 Reasons to Love Toronto
By Edith Hall Friedheim
 They
say you can't go home again. They say nothing stays the same. Yet every time I
visit my Canadian hometown, I'm surprised to rediscover many of the same things
that made the city unique during the 1950's. Here are some of the reasons both
old and new why I keep coming back.
1. THE SOHO METROPOLITAN HOTEL. Five-star luxury and convenience within walking
distance of Toronto's business district, the CN Tower, theaters and nightclubs.
The neighborhood teems during the week but is blessedly quiet on weekend days.
318 Wellington St. West. Tel. (416) 599-8800. Website:
www.metropolitan.com.
2. 360 RESTAURANT AT THE CN TOWER, for lunch or dinner.
Nothing equals the city views from the revolving restaurant in Toronto's iconic
landmark. Clubby décor and top cuisine, especially seafood, complete the
picture. 301 Front St. West. Tel. (416) 362-5411. Website:
www.cntower.ca.
3. BRUCE BELL'S ST. LAWRENCE MARKET TOURS. As the market's
official tour guide and a personable, erudite guy, Bruce enthuses about every
aspect of the landmark market that once housed City Hall. Free food samples
enhance the experience! Tel. 647-393-8687. Website:
www.bruce@brucebelltours.com.
4. PEA-MEAL SANDWICHES, notably at the St. Lawrence
Market's Carousel Bakery (93 Front St. East). Carousel also bakes outrageously
gooey and delicious BUTTER TARTS, those quintessentially Canadian confections
similar to pecan tarts without the nuts. The BLUEBERRY BUNS at the Harbord
Bakery, the oldest Jewish bakery in Toronto, 115 Harbord St., south of Bloor,
off Spadina. (416) 922-5767. BAGELS anywhere; the Toronto water makes them
better.
5. THE BELTLINE. How many major cities can claim four miles
of country walking trails right in the metropolitan area? Following the route of
an 1890s commuter railway, the beltway meanders through valleys, ravines, and a
cemetery. I start at the Eglinton Ave.West Subway Station and finish at the St.
Clair Subway Station.
6. STREETCARS. San Francisco has its cable cars, but with
248 long, sleek and shiny red and cream colored streetcars cars serving 11
downtown routes, Toronto boasts the largest such system in North America.
 7.
KENSINGTON MARKET. Toronto is nothing if not culturally diverse. About 30 of the
city's 80 ethnic groups converge here at one of the city's most colorful outdoor
markets. Best time to visit: weekends, when Chinese foodstuffs and handicrafts
line Spadina Avenue north from Queen Street to St. Andrew. The best vintage
clothing in the city, dry goods, cheese, baked goods and plenty of cafes and
restaurants are hidden in the side streets just west of Chinatown. South of
College St., west of Spadina. Website:
www.kensington-market.ca.
8. THE DISTILLERY DISTRICT. The movies Chicago and X-Men
were filmed here. Once a thriving brewery, the distillery had fallen into
disrepair during the years of my childhood. Now completely restored, its
pedestrian-only cobblestone streets house Toronto's hottest galleries,
boutiques, artist studios and restaurants. 55 Mill St. (416) 364-1177. Website:
www.thedistillerydistrict.com.
 9.
BATA SHOE MUSEUM. What do John Lennon, John McEnroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn
Monroe, and Pablo Picasso have in common? Their shoes are part of a collection
celebrating 4500 years of history from ancient Egyptian sandals to 20th century
celebrity footwear. An absolute must-visit Toronto attraction. Great gift shop
too. 327 Bloor St. W. (416) 979-7799. Website:
batashoemuseum.ca.
10. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME. Canada invented hockey, or so it seems. This shrine to
Canada's national obsession is housed in an historic Bank of Montreal building.
The Broadcast Zone there has simulated games to play. BCE Place, 30 Yonge
Street. Tel. (416) 360-7765. Web site:
www.hhof.com.
11. ICE-SKATING AT CITY HALL. When the outdoor pool in
front is flooded for winter skating (you can rent ice skates here too) the
curvilinear buildings, already dramatic, seem almost magical. 100 Queen St. W.,
at Bay St. (416) 338-0338; Website:
www.toronto.ca.
12. THE BEACHES. A lakeside stroll or bike ride along the
boardwalk provides a hiatus right downtown in this new "old" neighborhood of
trendy shops and restaurants. The Queen Street East streetcar line stops nearby.
13. DRAPER STREET. This sliver of a block just off
Wellington Street west of Spadina houses important Georgian cottages built
between 1881 and 1889 now preserved as part of Toronto's past, before landfill
extended the shoreline of Lake Ontario.
14. PENROSE FISH & CHIPS. No visit to Toronto is complete
without a newspaper cone filled with fried halibut and potatoes and smothered in
vinegar the way the English eat them. Midtown, 600 Mount Pleasant Rd., at
Eglinton Ave. E. (416) 483-6800.
 15.
TORONTONIANS. It's true. Torontonians are famously and invariably polite.
Recently, while waiting for my coffee-to-go at a Second Cup franchise, I asked
the counterman about a certain street I was looking for. He excused himself, ran
downstairs and soon emerged with a map print-out showing the exact location of
my destination. Now THAT'S civilized!
Farther afield but high on my favorites list is THE INN AT MANITOU, a small but
superb family-owned Relais and Chateaux resort two hours north of Toronto (150
miles) on Lake Manitouwabing. I go there to unwind, to practice golf and tennis
and to take advantage of the excellent spa facilities and for its splendid
international cuisine. McKellar Centre Road, McKellar, ON. Summer Tel.
(705)389-2171. Winter: (416) 245-5606. E-mail
innatmanitou-online.com. |
