We asked Toronto’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day
MELINDA WAGNER
LEAD CONCIERGE, THE RITZ-CARLTON, TORONTO
+1 416 585 2500
www.ritzcarlton.com/toronto
Start your morning at St. Lawrence market and enjoy a famous peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery.
From there, head to the Art Gallery of Ontario, which has recently been wonderfully revamped by Frank Gehry. The gallery has some beautiful exhibits, especially works by Henry Moore. After visiting the gallery, stop for lunch at Crème Brasserie before spending the afternoon shopping in Yorkville, Toronto’s answer to Rodeo Drive. In the late afternoon, pamper yourself at the Ritz-Carlton Spa with one of the signature Proudly Canadian treatments, or take part in a yoga session at the Spa’s private studio. Before dinner, sip on a cocktail at TOCA Bar before heading to its sister restaurant TOCA by Tom Brodi, where diners can visit Canada’s only guest-accessible cheese cave and enjoy the affineur’s daily selections.
BEST RESTAURANTS
Ruby Watchco
Cuisine: Contemporary / Eclectic
730 Queen Street East, M4M 1H2
TOCA by Tom Brodi
Cuisine: Canadian
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The Ritz-Carlton, 181 Wellington Street West, M5V 3G7
Vaticano
Cuisine: Italian
25 Bellair Street, M5R 3L3
BEST SHOPPING
Holt Renfrew
For: Elite designer fashion
50 Bloor Street West, M4W 1A1; 25 The West Mall, M9C 1B8; Yorkdale, 3401 Dufferin Street, M6A 2T9
BEST TO DO
Distillery District
HANNA-LEENA SORRI
FAIRMONT GOLD SU PERVISOR & CONCIERGE, THE FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK
+1 416 368 2511
www.fairmont.com/royalyork
Begin the day with brunch at Joy Bistro on Queen Street East – the Eggs Florentine and Dutch Oven Pancakes are amazing.
Afterwards, take a walk in Leslieville and visit the cheese market and the local vintage, music and furniture stores. Be sure to stop at Ed’s Real Scoop for a sweet blood orange sorbet before heading to the Distillery District where you can spend time wandering through all the beautiful art galleries. Enjoy a late lunch at Pure Spirits Oyster House and Grill, followed by a trip to Balzac Coffee to get you ready for an exciting 60-minute Segway tour of the Distillery District. After, head back to the hotel to freshen up before dining at Carisma Restaurant. I recommend the grilled calamari for start, followed by the pumpkin ravioli for main. The Berber Lounge is the perfect after-dinner drinks spot, setting you up for a night of dancing at Reservoir Lounge, an impressive jazz venue.
BEST RESTAURANTS
EPIC
Cuisine: Contemporary fine dining
The Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front Street West, M5J 1E3
L.A.B.
Cuisine: Molecular Gastronomy
651 College Street, M6G 1B7
Trevor Kitchen and Bar
Cuisine: Fine dining
38 Wellington Street East, M5E 1C7
BEST SHOPPING
Bloor Street
For: Luxury and designer goods
BEST TO DO
Toronto Islands
LILOO ALIM
CHEF CONCIERGE, FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TORONTO
+1 416 964 0411
Breakfast at Carousel Bakery is a must for any visitor to Toronto, their world-famous ‘peameal bacon on a bun’ sandwich is delicious.
Afterwards, wander around St. Lawrence Market before heading to the Art Gallery of Ontario. Following a relaxed morning, rent one of the city’s BIXI bikes and enjoy a cycle along Toronto’s bike lanes to Bloor Street. In the afternoon take a ten minute drive to the Evergreen Brickworks, where there’s an open-air farmers’ market every Saturday. A food tour of the market with one of Toronto’s finest chefs, Brad Long, can be arranged by Four Seasons in advance. Following the tour, Brad Long will prepare a fresh meal for you on an open grill, a truly unique experience. Finish up your day with a romantic sunset helicopter tour of Toronto, complete with champagne and truffles, before heading to the Theater District to enjoy one of the fantastic shows on offer.”
BEST RESTAURANTS
OPUS
Cuisine: Fine dining
37 Prince Arthur Avenue, M5R 2J9
Mistura
Cuisine: Italian
265 Davenport Road, M5R 1J8
Nota Bene
Cuisine: Seasonal Canadian
180 Queen Street West, M5V 3X3
BEST SHOPPING
Holt Renfrew For
For: Elite designer fashion
50 Bloor Street West, M4W 1A1; 25 The West Mall, M9C 1B8; Yorkdale, 3401 Dufferin Street, M6A 2T9
BEST TO DO
Culinary Tour with ChowBella
LANFRANCO GUALANDI
CHEF CONCIERGE, THE SOHO METROPOLITAN HOTEL & RESIDENCES
+1 416 979 4501
In the morning, walk over to Sen5es Bakery on Wellington Street – they offer a fantastic breakfast, and it’s the perfect way to set you up for a tour of Toronto’s famous CN Tower.
After, take a town car to the Habourfront for a boat tour of the beautiful Toronto Islands, and then head up along Yonge Street to the Yorkville District for shopping and a tour of the Royal Ontario Museum. Start the afternoon with lunch at the Gardiner Café, home of celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy, before taking a walking tour of the University of Toronto grounds. Return to your hotel via Chinatown and Kensington Market, a lovely way to round off your day before enjoying a romantic dinner in the intimate courtyard of George Restaurant.
BEST RESTAURANTS
Canoe
Cuisine: Canadian
54th Floor, Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, 66 Wellington Street West, M5K 1H6
Sotto Sotto
Cuisine: Italian
116A Avenue Road, M5R 2H4
Lai Wah Heen
Cuisine: Chinese
108 Chestnut Street, M5G 1R3
BEST SHOPPING
Roots
For: Handcrafted designer leather goods
100 Bloor Street West,M5S 3L3;
Rosedale,1073 Yonge Street, M4W 2L2;
1485 Yonge Street Toronto, M4T 1Z2;
Toronto Eaton Centre, 220 Yonge Street,Unit C 32, Level 3, M5B 2H1;
181 Bay Street, Unit S – 112, M5J 2T3;
369 Queen Street, M5V 2A4;
2670 Yonge Street, M4P 2J5;
Yorkdale, 3401 Dufferin Street, M6A 2T9
BEST TO DO
CN Tower
