For more information and to book please visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or let us arrange your whole trip, by calling +44 (0)20 8987 4312 or from the USA dial 1 866 610 3867.
As well as a sporting and entertainment calendar to rival most international capitals, the best thing is that everyone here is just so darned friendly. Get sophisticated shopping kicks in Hazelton Lanes, then steal a dose of culture from Midtown’s many world-class art museums. For more cutting-edge discoveries head west to the burgeoning Art & Design District, or swerve east and stroll the cobbled Distillery District for bygone-era charm. For fresh-air and a taste of outdoor living, head south and hit the shores of the lake. Then to put this mighty town in perspective hit the top of the CN Tower for an altitude-defying bird’s eye view of a place Peter Ustinov once described as 'New York, run by the Swiss.'
Even if you're not a baseball aficionado, it's fun to catch the Toronto Blue Jays in action at the Rogers Centre (www.bluejays.com; +1 416 341 1111) between April and September. And if it starts to rain – that only adds to the experience – as it means they close the domed roof which is quite a sight. Next door to the CN Tower, you may want to tick that tourist must-do at the same time.
Graze the food samples at St Lawrence Market, which in the 19th century was the city hall. The perfect place to pick up foodie souvenirs (maple syrup might transport better than bacon) and to pause for delicious fish and chips.
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and romantic boutique hotels in Toronto
The Hazelton Hotel is a sybarite’s paradise – there’s Mark McEwan’s restaurant, One, an upscale spa with pool, spacious rooms with pillow-top mattresses clad in 300 thread-count linen and huge green-granite Bvlgari-stocked bathrooms.
Boho rock star hipsters sit comfortably next to 40-something businesswomen in The Drake, a retro/industrial-chic-look little hotel with a big personality.
Planes, trains, automobiles and ferries – we tell you the best way to get from A to B.
July During the third week it’s Beaches International Jazz Festival, the largest free festival, in the Beaches part of town (www.beachesjazz.com). Late July/early August The continent’s biggest Caribbean festival adds colour and zest, particular when the parade rolls in (www.caribanatoronto.com). September Toronto International Film Festival a rival to Cannes (www.tiff09.ca).
Dodge the coffeeshop chains in favour of this cute deli – they do a delicious cappuccino best accompanied by a Nookie Cookie. Stop that sniggering.
152 Spadina Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3S6
The second outpost of this friendly local coffeeshop/deli – they do a mean cappuccino, and great toasted sandwiches served with a smile.
20 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3G7
This Yorkville see-and-be-seeny restaurant has a fabulous patio to sip champagne cocktails on; it can be too airkissy for some but fun if you want mingle with the fash pack, especially Wednesday to Saturday when it has DJs. Closed Sundays and Mondays; lounge open until 2am.
119 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1C4
East meets West at this Toronto dining stalwart; go hungry as the S-E Asian classics such as Pad Thai through to imaginative modern bistro fare involving quinoa or asparagus comes in huge helpings. For a relaxed lunch away, grab a table in the garden out back.
208 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5V 1Z2
Mark MacEwan's glamorous outpost in the Hazelton Hotel. All the ingredients employed by the acclaimed chef behind North 44 and Bymark are down-to-earth and mostly local, but his creations such as melt-in-the-mouth Alaskan black cod and pan-seared Erie perch are suited to the most sophisticated of international palates. We suggest you order dishes tapas style so as to sample as many of the fine flavours as possible. The sprawling patio is prime for people-watching.
116 Yorkville Ave. Toronto, Ontario M5R 1C2
High-ceilinged and impossibly chic, it’s perfect for a romantic supper picking up over tapas-sized servings of Med-accented fare.
1096 Queen Street West, Toronto Ontario M4S 3C2
Leather booths, red velvet banquettes and two huge Baroque-influenced murals by Toronto artist Joe Becker create a sexy setting for live music and inspired cocktails worth dressing up for. Try a Pegu Cocktail made with Tanqueray Ten, Cointreau, lime juice and their own secret-recipe bitters.
1150 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1J3
This Palm Springs-inspired roof deck is the perfect fair-weather choice for evening cocktails and DJ-fuelled favourites. After 9pm it gets really packed and the doormen can be picky. If you do manage to find a sofa under a palm tree to perch on, try a Polynesian Pepperpot made of Smirnoff Vodka, a touch of banana liqueur, fresh mango and pineapple juices and a pinch of exotic spices.
1150 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1J3
©2009 Mr & Mrs Smith
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