DESTINATION: TORONTO By Donna Kahwaty
STAY:
Pantages Hotel Suites and Spa
The lobby alone, a chic mix of leather and marble that’s
upscale but not stuffy, with its martini bar (which boasts a hopping happy hour), fireplace, water fall, weekend jazz and lots of comfy couches will make you feel right at home. When the bar’s closed, visit the full-service spa or hit the fitness room or diner, both open 24 hours.
The Drake Hotel
A former flophouse turned hip hangout, the Drake appeals to artsy locals and tourists (including the occasional celeb) at home in Toronto’s revived gallery district. Admire the on-site artwork and architecture between visits to the rooftop lounge and Underground, the live music bar.
Hotel Le Germain
Another jewel in the Group Germain crown, this hotel is all about good taste from its new signature restaurant, Chez Victor, to its down comforters and pillows. Begin your evening in elegance, then step out the door into the heart of the city’s entertainment district.
EAT:
Bymark
With dramatic lighting and subtle ambience created by award-winning design company Yabu Pushelberg, Bymark is certainly worth a look. But it’s the contemporary classic fare, extensive wine cellar, signature martinis and food available until two a.m. that make it worth a visit.
Marben
Marben has it all – an outdoor patio, drink specials (can you resist a name like Lost My Cherry Blossom?), a comfortable lounge atmosphere, and an after-dinner deejay. If it’s a party, many of the flavorful but not overcomplicated dishes work great as tapas.
Beerbistro
Forget about wine tasting. With more than 100 beers at the ready, Beerbistro encourages diners to sample and select those that best match their meals, which are chosen from a menu of brew-friendly fare like mussel bowls and beer-bread pizzas.
DRINK:
Madison Avenue Pub
If you want to party like you’re still in college, hit the Maddy, an old Victorian mansion that’s a fave for the post-grad crowd. Drinks aren’t fancy, but there are pool tables, dartboards and four floors of fun and flirting.
WEGZ Stadium Bar
Twenty-three thousand square feet. More than 90 TVs. Eleven huge projection screens. Virtual golf. Video games. Pool tables. Off-track betting. Hundreds of fans. And yeah, three fully-equipped bars. If there’s a game on, where else would you be?
The Foundation Room
It’s all atmosphere in this upscale Middle Eastern lounge with authentic décor and comfortable furnishings from Marrakech. Deejay music sets the mood but doesn’t distract from it, and when the incense is lit, you’ll forget you’re in Publand.
PARTY:
The Guvernment/Kool
Haus Entertainment Complex
This isn’t the place to be seen or drink imported beer, just seven rooms of dancing and pure partying as guest deejays pump out music from a computer-driven sound system; check out the Kool Haus for concerts. When you need a break, cool off on the rooftop patio and catch a view of the Toronto skyline.
Rockwood Nightclub and Grass Terrace
Three floors with three distinct personalities suit the trendsetter’s imbibing mood, whatever it is. Rock is all onyx and crystal, Wood is paneled and earthy, and Grass Terrace is a lush rooftop patio. Music runs from House to HipHop, and the club hosts weekly events on Monday, Friday and Saturday.
This Is London
Okay, this is the place to be seen, the elite club where visiting VIPs and glitterati go to get a buzz on. Lush décor, nightly shows, buffet, parting gifts and a spa ladies’ room to die for. Go to the ultra-cool web site and get on the guest list or you’ll never get in.
GO:
CN Tower
A virtual symbol of Toronto, the CN Tower measures 1815 feet, 5 inches. It was built in 1976 as a show of Canada’s strength and to improve
communication reception to the area. But dude, it’s the tallest building in the world; that’s why you need to go.
Toronto Kensington Market
The Market is a National Historic Site, a walking tour of one of Toronto’s oldest neighborhoods. Home to an open air bazaar, ethnic shops and restaurants, outdoor entertainment, street food, and even a cannabis café (the Hot Box), the Market is a multicultural must.
Hockey Hall
of Fame
Dedicated fans won’t want to miss the largest collection of hockey memorabilia anywhere. The rest of you can see the Stanley cup, take shots at goalies, call plays or even try to stop the shots of Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky.
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