Terrific Toronto
I was in Toronto last week and had the chance to experience some of the great food and art venues offered in the city, which is undergoing a bit of a cultural renaissance.
First off, the city does have a lot to offer on the cultural scene. The Gardiner Museum is dedicated to ceramics and has a top-notch restaurant owned by Jamie Kennedy, a popular Toronto chef. The Royal Ontario Museum, which recently opened the Lee-Chin Crystal, an addition added to the existing structure and designed by Daniel Libeskind, features all kinds of exhibits - from dinosaurs to Canadian history to diamonds and textiles. I attended the press launch of the Art Gallery of Ontario, which reopened November 14 after a major redesign by famed architect Frank Gehry. If you are a shoe lover (like myself), the Bata Shoe Museum is a quirky place to check out. I was a bit disappointed with the lack of contemporary shoes on display, but it is a fun place to wander around for an hour. And the Four Seasons Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Canadian Opera Company and the ballet. I caught a free jazz concert there featuring Adi Braun and pianist Jordan Klapman. If you are into the arts, Queen Street West is the spot for you - almost thirty blocks of art galleries and other funky stores and hotels. If you are looking for somewhere different to stay, try the Drake or Gladstone.
There are a ton of other things to do in the city as well. You can stroll through St. Lawrence Market, Kensington Market or the Distillery District. The city prides itself on its rich ethnic diversity, so check out tons of different neighborhoods and eateries all throughout the city.
With quick service on Porter Airlines, getting to Toronto from the New York and Chicago areas has never been easier. The airline is the only one that takes you directly into Toronto City Centre Airport! Look for a comprehensive review of the service in an upcoming eFlyer.
I was on a quest for a bagel, as I hear Canada is renowned for them, but alas I never had a chance to grab one. But I hear Montreal is really the spot for the world’s tastiest bagels, so maybe next time!
Stay tuned for more about Toronto and all the great spots to visit in the February issue of Global Traveler!
-Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive
November 21st, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Of course, I have to interject sports. Toronto has one of the original 6 NHL teams as well as the hockey Hall of Fame.
It also had one of the greatest restaurants, although I cannot remember the name. While I was talking to the host to discuss the wait (there was a line of about 200), somehow my friend Jim had procured the best table in the place.