The best golf courses in and around Toronto, ranked

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3:04 pm

tpc-toronto-golf-club — @tpc_toronto/Instagram

Toronto is a city that has sports history embedded in its streets, as most boroughs in the city contain basketball courts, baseball diamonds and historical memorabilia. But some sports get more glory than others, and golf can often be relegated to the bottom of the list. However, within Toronto and the GTA lie some of the most prestigious, best kept golf courses that the world has to offer. Here’s a list of seven that you need to try, with a little twist at each turn.

1. The National Golf Course – Extreme difficulty

This members-only course is best known as Canada’s most prestigious golf course. TSN golf analyst Bob Weeks called The National “a tremendous course and almost always among the top picks of tour pros.” When the course was first conceived, their was only one mission in mind: to be Canada’s best.

The National is well-known for quick greens, its impeccably maintained natural environment and the brutal mental test that players go through each and every round. Every hole in unique, challenging and demanding, giving players the opportunity to play a distinctly new round each and every time out.

2. St. Georges Golf and Country Club – As seen on T.V.

Home to this years Canadian Open, St. Georges Golf and Country Club spent 2022 in the limelight as they hosted golf professionals on the PGA tour. The members-only club was designed by Stanley Thompson in 1929. Since then, the course has held up as a premier establishment, both on the course and in the clubhouse.

St. Georges is not only brutal to its members, but is a test for PGA members too. This years winner Rory McIlroy took home the championship shooting 8 below par. He said the course “had all the ingredients,” giving St. Georges its credit for having a high caliber course.

3. Oakdale Golf and Country Club- Good for those looking to play with some variety

Oakdale Golf and Country Club is located in Toronto and is well-known as a family-friendly golf course and club with amenities such as pools, gyms, tennis courts and clubhouse. The course itself, however, is known for having three distinct sets of nine-hole courses, each of which present their own challenges.

Set to host the Canadian Open in 2023 and 2026, Oakdale is loved and feared by golfers for its lack of forgiveness when it comes to shot selection. Each hole presents the opportunity to use a variety of shots which some lack the skill to perform. From long drives to difficult bunker shots, Oakdale has it all.

4. TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley – Best for beginners and seasoned veterans

One of the more forgiving golf courses on this list, TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is known for having three different 18-hole courses with each presenting different challenges for different levels of experience. The one guarantee for all is that the scenery is going to be gorgeous regardless of what course you decide to play.

TPC offers a variety of tee boxes which allows players of different calibres to play the same hole at the same level. The course is open for both members and visitors, with tee time bookings available online for those not looking to call a single course home for the summer.

5. Eagles Nest – Not for the faint of heart

Eagles Nest isn’t located in the city. However, their signature hole 8, which is a par 3, overlooks the Toronto skyline due to its topographical hill. The course itself is made up of 18 grueling holes with the opportunity to play extremely far back. We’re talking up to 7,400 yards in total!

The course has a ton of elevation changes and rolling hills, demanding high levels of precision from its players. Golfers deem the greens fairly fast with plenty of opportunity to lose focus and put a few balls in the trees. As well, the course penalizes shots into the waste bunkers, make it just that much harder for beginning golfers.

6. Magna Golf Club – Best hospitality

Magna Golf Club proudly hosts 270 paying members alongside those who hold a social membership to the course. Throughout the year, the club is known to host events catering the guests and their desires.

The course itself provides golfers with a generously sized fairways and forgiving greens. However, be weary of the undulating green complexes which makes it very easy to three putt on holes. So if your putting work needs help, don’t worry! You’ll fit right in. Magna Golf Club is members-only with the option to bring in guests.

7. Royal Woodbine Golf Club – Best view

Laid out along the banks of an old, winding creek, Royal Woodbine Golf Club boasts on old-fashioned course with water that comes into play in most holes. Holes 5 and 17 are considered their feature holes, both sharing the characteristic of water hazards. The course itself offers golfers one 18-hole adventure.

At Royal Woodbine, all guests are welcome to play their course, which spans 6,447 yards from the back tees. Ball placement is important at this course, with many golfers punished for being too ambitious with shot distance. One wrong play and you’ll end up swimming with the fish.

T.O.’s new French bistro will make you feel like you’re dining on the streets of Paris

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Julia Mastroianni

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3:00 pm

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lavenue-1 — Courtesy L'avenue Restaurant

Craving fine dining in the east end? Cabbagetown’s French spot, L’Avenue, has exactly what you’re looking for. From décor to menu, the 583 Parliament St. spot is just another reason to make the trek slightly east.

Come in for an elevated French dining experience with classics like St. Tropez crab cake, foie gras terrine, truffle pizza, lobster spaghetti and of course, oysters. The entrees are hearty and fresh, with options like grilled Chilean sea bass or a 32 oz USDA bone-in rib steak.

Sitting on the patio and sipping from their expansive wine menu will have you thinking you’re on vacation. The outdoor space is airy and ultra-Instagrammable, making it the perfect oasis right in the heart of the city’s vibrant east end neighbourhood. The interior is just as beautiful – a white and marble design coupled with elegant chandeliers makes the space feel like a true fine dining spot.

Looking for something a little lighter this summer? L’Avenue has got you covered with grilled salmon served on a bed of wild rice and seasonal vegetables or fresh salads like tomato burrata or mixed greens.

Make a reservation by calling 647-368-8008. L’Avenue is open Monday to Thursday from 5-10:30 p.m. and Friday to Saturday 5-11 p.m.

Bon Appétit!

These are the best food crawls in Toronto to get a taste of the city’s top cuisine

By

Megan Gallant

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1:03 pm

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food-crawls-secret-tour — @secretfoodtours/Instagram

Whether you’re touring the city for the first time or a local who is hoping to experience a bit more of Toronto’s best cuisine, a food crawl is definitely the way to do it.

When you only have a few days in Toronto, it’s hard to decide which of the city’s many neighbourhoods and plethora of one-of-a-kind restaurants are the best for spending the little amount of time you have. Food crawls are a great way to become familiar not just with Toronto’s bustling food and culture, but with some of the history that makes it so special with the help of a local. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow travellers or locals who are reacquainting themselves with the spaces they call home.

Check out some of these great food crawls in Toronto!

Explore the secret food history of Old Toronto

This two-and-a-half hour tour will take you through the heart of Old Toronto. You’ll get a taste of everything from sweet to savoury while exploring the St. Lawrence Market and seeing how the city’s history makes it what it is today. The five-stop Secret Food Tour: Toronto will not only have you trying some of the tastiest dishes, but will introduce you to fascinating architecture, giving you a rounded introduction to Toronto that extends beyond food.

But, of course, food crawls are mostly about the food, and this one gives tourists the best Canada has to offer, beginning with a Canadian Peameal BLT with the Canadian classic butter tart for dessert. Make a pit stop at the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame before seeing for yourself the difference made from real Canadian maple syrup. This tour runs five days a week for $79.

Taste of the best of Chinatown and Kensington Market

From Culinary Adventures Co., this food tour takes you through one of Canada’s National Historic Sites, Kensington Market, before giving you the chance to experience one of the largest Chinatownss in North America. With over 18 tastings and treats, this three-hour tour is one of the most jam-packed you’ll find in the city. Highlights include a traditional multi-course dim sum feast, Vietnamese street food, authentic Turkish hummus, deliciously sweet treats and plenty more.

Culinary Adventures Co. knows that nothing matters more than cheese, so they’re giving guests the chance to enjoy the Big Cheese Tasting Experience, providing them with a cheese tasting journal to record the tastes of a selection of artisanal Canadian cheese. This three-hour tour runs all weekend long at $86 for an adult ticket.

Eat your way through Little Italy

One of Toronto’s best neighbourhoods for small, family-owned restaurants is also one full of interesting history. Little Italy may have begun as an Italian immigrant settlement, but now you can find flavours from across the globe packed into this small neighbourhood.

Throughout the weekly Little Italy Food Tour from Tastes & Tales, guests will get an informative and fun introduction to the history, culture and, of course, food in the neighbourhood – one of Toronto’s favourites. The locations are left as a surprise, but come hungry because Tastes & Tales is promising some exceptional cuisine and will even supply some alcoholic drinks for a bit of extra fun! This tour runs every Wednesday with adult tickets going for $160.

The Best New Weekend Getaways From Toronto: Norfolk County

By

lindsaylow

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11:27 am

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There is so much sand in Norfolk County that it’s hard to tell where the beach ends and the wineries begin, and that’s just how they like it.

Located just a few hours southwest of Toronto, the other “county” is one of Ontario’s best-kept secrets. The former tobacco belt has transformed into a foodie wonderland with everything from lavender and ginseng farms to craft breweries and wineries.

Looking for a place to stay that reflects the unique nature of Norfolk? Try the gorgeous glamping cabins (the hottest new way to enjoy the outdoors without being immersed in it a bit too much) at Long Point Eco-Adventures. Perched on the edge of a bona fide UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, this facility has the coolest new lodging in the area, including glamping tents complete with king-sized beds, outdoor shower and private firepits, to enjoy nature at its finest.

The buzziest new arrival on the Norfolk scene has to be Front Porch Southern Kitchen and Blues Joint. Front Porch serves up a delish barbecue with a side of live music that has the hordes beating a drool-splashed pathway to the door of this new and exciting roadside attraction.

A hot spot for Mexican brunch just arrived near Dundas West

By

Megan Gallant

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2:56 pm

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campechano.cafe-lead — Courtesy Campechano Cafe

Everybody loves brunch. That means you can never have too many brunch spots in town — a good thing since Toronto has no shortage of delicious hot spots. But, nobody quite does it the way Campechano’s new location does it: Mexican style.

Just last week, Campechano Café opened at 374 Bathurst St., where Good Hombres once stood pre-pandemic. The space still holds the massive tortilla machine where the chips and masa are made for all the Campechano restaurants, though now it’s more than a mill and taqueria.

When Good Hombre closed, owner Daniel Roe and his partner Raena Fisher (the team behind knew they wanted to get into brunch. “Brunch is something that’s always been in the back of our minds,” Roe says. “We tried to do it with Campechano the first year we opened, for a couple weeks. But when you already have a restaurant going, it’s really difficult to also do brunch. So, we always just wanted to do a specific brunch place.”

Everything served at Campechano is masa-based, which is a nixtamalized corn. Campechano cooks and processes Heirloom corn from Mexico to make dough, which then turns into the tortillas that all three Campechano locations use.

At the new cafe, Campechano is using that dough to make small masa snacks called antojitos, which is common to have topped with eggs, making them a great brunch option. The café offers all types of antiojitos with eggs and salsas, including the sope, topped with black beans and avocado, and the ranchero, with guacamole and salsa roja.

Other menu items include hotcakes, made — of course — with corn masa and rhubarb compote, and a quesadilla with house-made quesillo and house-made sour cream.

What Roe says makes the cafe so special is that the menu is full of share plates. “It’s designed for you to order two or three things. They’re all like eight or nine dollars, so it’s cool and you get to try a couple of things.”

And, obviously you can’t have brunch without a round of fruity mimosas. Alongside the traditional one, guests can try a mimosa made with roasted pineapple juice.

Campechano Café is currently open with approximately 40 seats inside and an additional 30 on the back patio space.

The Mission Eatery reopens on Queen West with a new French café concept

By

Megan Gallant

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12:14 pm

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mission-eatery-1 — @themissioneatery/Instagram

When the owners of Mission Eatery decided to close down for a few months, it wasn’t just to undergo a change in concept. It was to live out their dream to operate a business in the downtown core.

The Mission Eatery was operating on Airport Road in Mississauga as a catering company for corporate and office functions and private events. Now, The Mission Eatery is a café-style restaurant that brings, according to owner Lanny Liu, “healthy, local and interesting French foods to the mainstream.” And it’s become part of the Queen West family.

While running the Mission Eatery for the past eight years, Liu missed working downtown. After studying at George Brown College and working at the Hilton and Four Seasons Hotels, alongside other local French restaurants, she was drawn to the “atmosphere” of downtown and knew she’d be back again some day.

During the pandemic, Liu rethought her business plan and, with the help of a new business partner, Vivienne Wang, decided upon a new concept. With it, she relocated to the place she loved. They discussed the Queen West area and then stumbled upon the perfect location. One with a back patio which, for Liu, is the highlight.

“The first time I stepped in this restaurant, I fell in love with the back patio,” she says. The restaurant also has a large garage door at the storefront that opens all the way and creates a welcoming pull. “Once it’s open, it’s really nice. Fresh air can flow into the restaurant. And customers will walk by and then they can come in and go through the store and to the back patio. It’s really nice.”

But, no matter how adorable, a restaurant doesn’t stand on its appearance alone. Luckily, the Mission Eatery is all about preparing their ingredients in-house as much as possible, meaning their menu is full of healthy, filling options.

The Mission Eatery offers complete brunch, lunch and dinner menus including tapas and cocktails. On the brunch menu, specials include the signature blueberry oatmeal pancakes, fried chicken and waffles and a beet cured trout gravlax eggs benedict.

“We cure the trout gravlax in house,” says Lui. “Most restaurants serve retail-bought smoked salmon, so we thought we could do it in a more interesting, healthy way. So we use a beet juice and a whole bunch of citrus and herbs and spices to cure the trout to make it into a French-style cured fish.”

The Mission Eatery also serves up a huge 6oz meatball that’s braised in zesty tomato sauce for two hours and sits overnight before being served with spaghetti. “It’s huge but it’s juicy,” says the owner.

Everything from the dressings to the jams and ketchup are made in-house using seasonal fruits and fresh herbs.

The Mission Eatery is now open at 676 Queen St. W.

New brewery on St. Clair is an unpretentious spot for beer lovers

By

Julia Mastroianni

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11:19 am

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Matthew Tompkins and Adam Shier were looking to switch things up. The high school friends were in their mid-twenties, working in film and finance when they realized they wanted more. After returning home from a documentary shoot in Belgium about brew masters, Tompkins decided he wanted to start a brewery in Toronto. Serendipitously, Shier had just quit his job in finance and was home brewing between shifts at Bar Volo. The two met to chat and the rest is, well, (True) History.

The duo started True History Brewing as a contract brewery in 2019, and on July 1, opened a brewery and taproom at 1154 St. Clair Ave.

“The process and the drinkability of beer is really important to us so we try to honour that as much as possible,” says Shier and Tompkins. The main goal of True History is to cultivate a space that’s comfortable and unpretentious. “We wanted to create a warm space where you could ‘put in a shift,’ a phrase we used when you sit down at a bar, blink, and suddenly six hours have passed.”

At True History, you’re walking into a space that feels truly lived in, inspired by European taverns, where a rustic-and-homey farmhouse aesthetic meets your grandma’s house. The space features a ton of warm woods, exposed brick, and eclectic décor.

Try one of True History’s best-selling pints, the lagers, which also happens to be the focus of the brewery. Shier and Tompkins are heavily influenced by traditional lager styles and other classics, like Bavarian Weissbier and Kolsch so they’ve tried to create beers that emulate that richness and drinkability.

The new spot also has a full food menu, complete with all the classic pub food favourites which pair effortlessly with a lager or an easy drinking pale ale. And soon you’ll be able to enjoy your food and drinks in the sun. True History is set to open their patio and bottle shop in the next few weeks. With space for 45 people outdoors and up to 54 inside, the spot strikes the balance of energetic and bustling with its cozy, intimate vibe.

When we asked the duo what sets True History apart from other breweries in the city, Shier and Tompkins are matter-of-fact.

“We’re not totally sure. We’re lucky in that we have a lot of amazing breweries in our city,” the pair says. “Our main focus is just building a space where everyone feels welcomed and like they don’t have to know a lot (or anything at all) about beer to come by.”

For this duo, its process and how their beer is served to their customers that matters most.

Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to try a True History beer at one of the local bars and restaurants around the city. Since that list is ever-changing, head down to the brewery to be sure you can get your hands on one. The 1154 St. Clair Ave. spot is open Fridays 4 p.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. – 12 p.m. and Sundays 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The Best New Weekend Getaways From Toronto: South Algonquin

By

lindsaylow

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9:01 am

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South Algonquin has everything you would hope to find in an unspoiled four-season wilderness destination: an abundance of lakes, hundreds of kilometres of recreational trails, cotton candy sunsets and a spectacular Dark Sky Preserve where stargazing adventurers can ponder the mysteries of the universe.

Joining a number of unique accommodations in Haliburton County, Nomi Resort is a 40,000-square-foot lodge that bills itself as a wellness community. Carved out of the forests of the Canadian Shield, the main lodge includes a number of guest rooms, as well as year-round indoor and outdoor wellness programs where you’ll find a hot tub and sauna, a full spa, steam room and an espresso lounge. But the biggest “wow” at Nomi is Lands 8FIFTY restaurant and bar, which includes a menu of upscale comforts, including tapas, fine dining and a chef’s table.

If a night spent gazing at the cosmos is on your bucket list, Four Corners Algonquin, in the nearby community of Whitney, offers transparent dome bubble tents to sleep in. For a more private glamping experience, safari tents, tiny homes and pole tents are also available, and gear like pots and pans, sleeping bags, campfire games and even musical instruments can be rented.

For more weekend getaways to check out, click here.

Bank of Canada’s 1% interest rate hike doesn’t guarantee a recession, expert says

By

Julia Mastroianni

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2:32 pm

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The Bank of Canada is set to make decision on June interest rates

Canadians are going to feel the pinch from the Bank of Canada’s largest interest rate hike of the century, but concerns of a recession may be overblown, at least one expert suggests.

On Wednesday, the country’s central bank raised its overnight rate — which influences lending rates for things like mortgages and lines of credit — by a full percentage point to 2.5 per cent. That’s the sharpest surge since 1998 and the fourth rate increase this year from the Bank of Canada, which is trying to combat inflation that’s running at a clip of 7.7 per cent.

“Basically, the hope is to pump the breaks on the economy,” explains Edgard Navarrete, Central 1 Credit Union’s regional economist for Ontario. “People who have debt and people who are borrowers are people who are going to feel it — debt’s going to become more expensive, the ability to borrow is going to become more expensive,” he adds, noting that ideally, inflation would be between 1 and 3 per cent.

By raising its overnight rate, the Bank of Canada hopes to encourage saving over borrowing and spending, thus reducing demand for goods and services and, ultimately, triggering lower prices. If the bank acts with too heavy a hand, though, it runs the risk of causing a recession, with households potentially defaulting on loans and bankruptcies rising.

The main takeaway from Wednesday’s move, says Navarrete, is that the central bank “is serious about fighting the inflation that we’re seeing right now” — and that more hikes are likely on the way. In a news release, the Bank of Canada stated, “interest rates will need to rise further.”

While the housing sector sees immediate impacts from the central bank’s decision — mortgage rates are already rising — investment and the labour market are also expected to take hits. “If the rates are going up, you’re going to be thinking more closely about investments — and that can include expanding your labour force as well,” Navarrete notes.

Although an increase to the overnight rate was widely expected, the size of Wednesday’s hike took many by surprise, including Navarrete.

Nonetheless, the Canadian economy should be able to weather the storm.

“The recession risk is not zero, but it’s not as high as a lot of people are scared of at the moment,” Navarrete says. He says the country’s labour market, although due to face headwinds, remains tight and that some challenges, like supply-chain disruptions, are lingering effects from the pandemic rather than signs of fundamental issues. Being resource rich, Canada is also insulated from some impacts of the war in Ukraine, a major exporter of wheat.

If there is a recession, Navarrete doesn’t think it will be anything like the Great Recession between 2007 and 2009. “Even if it comes, I do feel it might be a mild recession,” he says. “It might be technical recession — a slowdown for two consecutive quarters — but I think the economy can probably come out of that fairly quickly.”

The Bank of Canada’s next interest rate announcement is scheduled for September 7.

Le Select’s Hanif Harji is remaking Toronto one restaurant at a time

By

Julia Mastroianni

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12:41 pm

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Before a wall of bottles and opposite an army of vintage shoes, Hanif Harji sits behind his massive desk as his phone lights up like a Canada Day sky. Harji, who owns 20 restaurants and 20 more Miss Jones cannabis dispensaries, has 1,240 staff, and if he isn’t the city’s premier restaurateur, he could still sabre a champagne bottle from his Scale Hospitality headquarters on Wellington Street and have its cork hit four hot spots he owns.

“The city has matured. We have the Michelin Guide coming in and restaurants in Toronto can compete with anywhere in the world—New York, Miami, L.A., anywhere,” says Harji, ignoring his phone, which is a true sign of confidence. “This summer, I’m working harder than I ever have and balancing price increases with consumer appetite to spend, but diners are also in a really good mood and there’s a positivity, almost an appreciation, that we’re seeing in all of our restaurants.”

His restaurants include such buzzy staples as Patria, Byblos, Lapinou, Pink Sky, the Miller Tavern and more, but one of the main reasons behind all of his phone fireworks on a summer Friday is the reopening of Le Sélect Bistro, the buzziest reservation in town. Le Sélect, which was opened by Frederic Geisweiller and Jean-Jacques Quinsac in 1977, was equal parts Algonquin round table, local watering hotel and New York City’s Pastis. However, when the original owners found their rent no longer tenable, a huge void was created where gossip and intelligent French food could be found. New owner David Aisenstat, former CEO of the Keg, approached Harji, and together they helped reinstate a Toronto touchstone—judging by Harji’s cellphone, the response has already been deafening.

“There’s a trueness to it. Everything about that place is designed with love,” says Harji, who adds that he kept the bones of the original and much of its menu, including classic French bistro fare like escargot, duck l’orange and cassoulet. “Who are we to come in and think we can do better? We wanted to stay true to what it represents to so many people, and David believes in the same thing we do: building things that will last.”

Building things, however, has become so fraught in our post-COVID era of discontent that not only does Harji have to deal with inflation, where price increases on everything from gasoline to fish have made profit margins tight, but also a shrinking labour force. To combat the crisis, he’s started the Scale Learning Lab, which enlists previously inexperienced workers and teaches them how to work in upscale hospitality, with a guaranteed job after class. True to form, he’s creating a solution to a problem he couldn’t have predicted but needs to solve to keep restaurants running all over town.

“A good restaurant will make 12 per cent profit, and a really well-run restaurant might do 15 per cent — if they have the right volume and rent. Most restaurants, however, run a five to eight per cent margin,” Harji explains. “When costs go up, that downward compression is taxing on restaurants, not just us, but everyone, and this is all over the world. I just hope consumers see it at the grocery store and understand this is a product of the world we live in today.”

Despite this challenging environment, Harji can’t stop expanding. He has a luxe sushi restaurant with Antonio Park opening on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre this fall and a Caribbean restaurant called Miss Likklemore’s in the works. All this, and weed.

He says his business partner Terry Tsianos introduced him to the notion of selling cannabis and that industry, where huge Canadian public cannabis companies keep finding new stock market bottoms and the rash of dispensaries has become absurd, needs time to mature.

“Cannabis is here to stay, and I feel good about the business. We just need to ride it out for a couple of years and hope the market adjusts itself,” says Harji, whose upscale Miss Jones shops aim to recreate the Starbucks environment for soccer moms and not only sell dime bags and eights (quantities of cannabis) but also yoga mats and hoodies.

Longevity again is the common theme around Harji, who got his start in restaurants opening a Second Cup while he was still in university, and he says his drive to make something unique and authentic in the city is real. Born in Tanzania, he was raised by a homemaker and a TTC cleaner, and his household was loving with brilliant food, but he never had a silver spoon.

At 48, and this could be part of his passion for Le Sélect, he sometimes sounds as if he’s thinking about his legacy.

“I’m not interested in of-the-moment. Lasting power is the only thing that interests me,” he says. “My commitment to doing things right has gotten more intense as I’ve gotten older, but when it all comes together at a moment in time in a restaurant, it breathes life into me. I’m fortunate to be in the place that I am.”

The most Instagrammable lighthouses in Ontario to add to your road trip

By

Julia Mastroianni

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3:11 pm

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One might think that you need to travel many miles east to enjoy the rustic charm of lighthouses, but they’d be wrong. With over 100 lighthouses dotted across Ontario, there’s plenty to see right here — and these nine are perfect for getting started. These lighthouses can be the destinations or just stops along the way on your next road trip, but one thing’s for sure – you won’t be able to resist taking a whole bunch of photos!

Point Abino Lighthouse

On the shores of Lake Erie, not far from Crystal beach, stands the remarkable Point Abino Lighthouse, named (and misspelled) after 18th century Jesuit missionary Father Claude Aveneau.

In response to a tragic storm that took many lives, the structure was built in 1917 and guided ships through the rocky waters for nearly 80 years.

Explore the grounds and marvel at its Greek Revival architecture and its stately presence or book a tour and see the inside.

Kincardine Lighthouse

Charming Kincardine Lighthouse will make you feel like you’re on the east coast. Located on the Penetangore River in the picturesque town of Kincardine, this classic red and white structure (circa 1881) is a town treasure.

Between Canada Day and Labour Day, visit the marine museum situated in the lightkeeper’s house or check out the fantastic Lighthouse Blues Festival held every July.

Windmill Point Lighthouse

As its name suggests, the towering limestone base of this 200-year-old St. Lawrence River lighthouse was once a windmill and the site of a gruesome uprising in 1838.

Transformed into a lighthouse in 1873, this 62-foot-tall beacon proudly kept watch over passing boats for the next hundred years and is now a favourite spot among ghost hunters and tourists who pass through Prescott.

Visit the lighthouse’s Facebook page for opening dates, and when you go, check out the Windmill Brewery nearby.

Big Tub Lighthouse

A Tobermaury icon and historic site, Big Tub Lighthouse (circa 1885) still actively guides vessels through this often treacherous harbour.

Although the tower isn’t open to the public, the gorgeous scenery surrounding this white and red clapboard lighthouse makes it a popular destination for tourists and also divers looking to explore the many shipwrecks nearby.

Battle Island Lighthouse

Surrounded by tall evergreens and perched atop a rugged cliff high above the waters of Lake Superior is the impressive Battle Island Lighthouse.

Accessible only by boat from the Northern Ontario town of Rossport, this solitary lighthouse post has dutifully lit the way for ships for generations.

Although the tower is closed, guided zodiac tours and kayak adventures to the island make for memorable adventures.

Gibraltar Point Lighthouse

Believed to be the oldest lighthouse in Ontario, Toronto Island’s infamous Gibraltar Point Lighthouse (circa 1808) is full of lore — and great views.

Best known for the mysterious demise of its first lightkeeper, J.P. Radelmüller, who disappeared in 1815 in an assumed murder, the lighthouse is listed as one of the most haunted places in Canada.

Although the tower is closed, it’s still well worth exploring. Rent a bike (or quadricycle) and see the lighthouse up close.

Point Clark Lighthouse

In the town of Huron-Kinloss, the impressive 87-feet tall Point Clark Lighthouse offers visitors the quintessential lighthouse experience.

One of six identical white stone lighthouses that once made up the imperial towers of Lake Huron, the beacon has stood tall since the 1850s.

With a small museum and excursions that ascend 114 steps to the top of the tower for spectacular views and sunsets, the lighthouse welcomes visitors during the summer months.

Mohawk Island Lighthouse

For a haunting experience, there’s nothing quite like the abandoned Mohawk Island Lighthouse, whose barren structure juts out of Lake Erie’s blue horizon.

Situated near Dunnville, this former lighthouse (circa 1848) was abandoned in 1968 and has since become a nature reserve for migratory birds.

Visiting the island is difficult unless you’re an experienced kayaker, but a boat ride past the island will give you some outstanding photos.

Port Dalhousie Lighthouses

Built at the turn of the last century, the white and green of Port Dalhousie’s lighthouses have become a cherished regional landmark, with the octagonal one replacing an older model destroyed by lightning.

A favourite spot for weekend strolls, the Dalhousie pier offers delightful views of the boat-dotted lake and picture-perfect lighthouses. What’s more, it’s a great spot to capture some atmospheric photos.

Don Alfonso’s new lakeside space is officially open and it’s stunning

By

Erica Commisso

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12:15 pm

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Toronto Italian restaurant Don Alfonso 1890 is officially back, having opened up its internationally-acclaimed restaurant inside the Westin Harbour Castle, complete with a stunning 360-view of the city and lake.

Nick Di Donato and the Liberty Entertainment Group team were looking for a permanent solution following a pop-up at Casa Loma. The team found it inside the iconic Westin Harbour Castle, in the space formerly occupied by the restaurant Toula, and it is quite the breathtaking space.

“Location and ambiance are critical to our success. We were very fortunate to find the 38th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle,” Di Donato says. “It’s a 360 view of the city and the lake. So it’s got spectacular views. It’s a beautiful space in terms of the bones that we have.”

For the new eatery, the team wanted the kitchen to stand out in the city’s restaurant scene while maintaining the same level of luxury guests have come to expect from Don Alfonso.

“We want to keep it consistent with the brand that people have become accustomed to in Toronto. So it’s a very contemporary style because it is a very contemporary cuisine style for Italian cuisine. So, you know, those elements will stay the same. Part of our design work at Liberty Entertainment Group is always to bring art into our restaurants. And the artwork that we’re bringing in is by Damien Hirst, who’s a renowned artist from abroad,” Di Donato says. They’ve also added jaw-dropping chandeliers that hang between rosette ceilings inside the space.

“And the interesting thing is we were able to take a space and really create a kitchen where people can actually walk through and see our culinary team in action. And I think it’s going to be one of the most extraordinary kitchens in the world because our kitchen is actually within the restaurant that has a view of the entire city.”

The new space, which just opened its doors and reservations to the public, accommodates 80 people, and the restaurant features the tasting menu that has won many awards in Italy and beyond. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.