Where to get Amy Rosen’s addictive new chocolatey spread

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4:16 pm

“Many people tell me they eat it straight from the spoon. To be honest, that’s what I usually do,” Amy Rosen said, dishing on her latest spread to hit the shelves this year.

The journalist-turned-cookbook author recently released her third product, Rosen’s Babka Spread, a complementary spin-off of the decadent Rosen’s Cinnamon Bun Spread that’s been a hot topic at the breakfast table since it launched back in autumn 2016.

After several years of sweet success, Rosen sold her College St. storefront and came up with the idea of creating the concept of “bake-your-own Rosen’s Cinnamon Buns,” which launched September 2019. The cinnamon buns are sold frozen, allowing consumers to simply heat, serve, and enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.

Much like the cinnamon bun spread, Rosen’s Babka Spread is rich, caramely, and decadent, but now, there’s a hint of chocolate buried amid the cinnamon swirls.

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A post shared by Rosen’s Cinnamon Buns (@rosensbuns) on Sep 28, 2020 at 2:19pm PDT

“The chocolate-cinnamon combo fills the void I had been feeling with our chocolate-free cinnamon bun spread. I like cinnamon but I love chocolate, and everyone knows that chocolate babka is the best babka,” Rosen said. “So I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be cool to turn your toast into a slice of chocolate babka?’ Basically, I’m in the business of turning toast into pastries.

While sweet treats like waffles and pancakes are a no-brainer for a little dollop of chocolate cinnamon goodness in a jar, Rosen says she’s already seen the spread being used in a series of unconventional ways.

“People have used it in ways I hadn’t considered, like swirled into cookie batter and buttercream frosting, and made into macarons and palmiers,” Rosen shared. “It’s great warmed over ice cream too.”

Just like the original Rosen’s Cinnamon Bun Spread, the new chocolate babka spread is made from natural ingredients and is nut-free.

“I love coming up with new products that I’ve never seen before, and I think the babka spread is one such item,” Rosen shared. “It’s deeply chocolate-y with a cinnamon left hook; just really delicious and pretty enough to be gift-worthy too (also hoard-worthy). I also hope it piques people’s creativity. After all, peanut butter was once just schmeared into sandwiches, but look at it now!”

All of Rosen’s spreads are available at spots like Pusateri’s, Eataly, Summerhill Market, Lady York Foods, The Mercantile, Cumbrae’s, Brodflour, Prairie Boy Bread and others. While not all locations in the city have the babka spread just yet, Rosen promises that most should soon, as she continues to work with a Canadian broker to distribute the spreads nation-wide. Currently, Torontonians can also order the chocolate babka spread from Rosen’s distributor, saltgourmetfoods.ca.

By the end of October, Rosen’s Chocolate Babka Spread will be listed on Amazon, enabling her to expand her distribution into the U.S.

“During lockdown I signed on with a food broker down south — I suppose this was my pivot — and stuff is already starting to happen in both retail and food service,” Rosen shared. “They want me to come up with new products every year, so yes, more delicious spreads and baked goods to come. How do we feel about babka monkey bread?”

Rosen’s new spread is also stirring up excitement on a local level – Barocco x Nino, an Italian bakery and cafe on College St., just signed on with Rosen as a supplier, and is officially selling her chocolate babka and cinnamon bun spreads. The cafe will also serve cinnamon bun lattes, and bake Rosen’s Cinnamon Buns fresh in-store, just like Rosen’s storefront used to.

Chef Anthony Rose on the best places to order a turkey dinner in Toronto

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Nikki Gill

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2:07 pm

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Popular restaurant Pai is opening a second location

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Jessica Huras

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1:42 pm

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Nuit and Jeff Regular Pai — Owners Nuit and Jeff Regular

Much-loved Entertainment District restaurant Pai will soon be heading north with its northern Thai fare, with the restaurant set to open a second location at Yonge and Eglinton this autumn.

According to a press release, the new outpost of Pai will take over a two-storey, 12,000-square-foot space at 2335 Yonge St. The restaurant will have multiple “private dining coves” and a separate takeout entrance, features that seem to have been designed with pandemic-era dining in mind. The space will also include a stage for future live music performances.

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A post shared by Jeff Regular (@paitoronto) on Oct 4, 2020 at 6:18pm PDT

At our recent Restaurant Roundtable, Pai chef and co-owner Nuit Regular discussed how the shift to work-from-home at many companies has impacted sales at the restaurant’s downtown location, which is a long-time favourite of office workers on their lunch breaks. Pai’s Yonge and Eglinton spinoff offers the brand an opportunity to reach a new audience.

Like the original location, the new Pai will draw design inspiration from its namesake, a town in northern Thailand known for its laid-back, hippie culture. The menu, too, will take a cue from Pai 1.0, featuring crowd-pleasers like khao soi, pad gra prow and Thai chicken wings. The press release also promises the uptown location will introduce some new dishes, as well as an expanded wine and bar program.

“Our goal with PAI Uptown is to continue to serve the favourite dishes that everyone has come to know and love at our flagship location while making it accessible to even more of Toronto,” said Regular in the press release. “The new space is fun, inviting and a place where guests will feel like they have been transported to Thailand every time they visit.”

An opening date for the new location has yet to be announced, but it’s expected to open before the end of 2020.

Extend summer living by weatherproofing your outdoor space

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Nikki Gill

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12:39 pm

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Chris Palmer is a guest expert on the Global Morning Show and is the owner of Handcrafted by Chris Palmer.

Nothing beats Toronto in the summertime, especially if you have a backyard to kick back in and soak up the sun. But before you know it, summer turns to fall, and with fall comes the wind, rain and eventually the snow.

For homeowners who have invested a lot of time and money in their gardens and outdoor spaces, it is disheartening to watch the weather destroy them. With weather that changes rapidly in winter and summer, proper weatherproofing can make a huge difference in the lifespan of your projects.

I have some tips to help your outdoor oasis last longer this season and for years to come.

Wood

From deck to dock, pressure treated lumber gets the most wear and tear. Wood is a natural product and needs to be properly protected from the elements.

Many people make the mistake of buying a stained top coat to protect the wood, but this stain sits on top of the wood and inevitably flakes off. You need to use an oil- based wood sealer that really sinks into the wood and keeps it looking fresh. I like to build with MicroPro Sienna lumber because it’s the most environmentally friendly treated wood option and has a beautiful brown colour. I use a tung oil–based product a few dry days after I’m finished construction to protect the wood and seal in the colour, and I’ll reapply the oil every three to five years (depending on the directions on the label) to keep the wood looking great.

Concrete

Concrete is one of the most expensive materials to replace, and once the waterproof seal goes away, it wears out quite quickly.

If you use salt to de-ice your driveway or wash your vehicle in the driveway, the seal on the concrete will wear out faster. Your concrete will tell you when it needs some love, usually every two to five years. Also, don’t make the mistake of using a multi-surface waterproofer. Focus on getting a really good concrete sealer. You can find it in your local hardware store.

Fabric

If you want to leave your barbecue cover and canvas furniture outside year-round, find a fabric seal spray with a UV coating.

This coating will improve the colour and durability of your fabric. Umbrellas should be naturally waterproof, so check before you spray them. If you have water beading off the fabric, it’s already waterproof. If the water starts going through fabric, you need to treat it.

Stone

Another outdoor element to pay attention to is natural stone. Many homeowners have chosen to make the most of their outdoor space with an outdoor kitchen, and that can often include a marble countertop. Flagstone paving has also become a popular design feature for those classing up their yards. Both of these features use natural stone, and stone needs to be sealed, so make sure to hit it with a specialized treatment.

Finally, don’t forget your windows. Those wonderful glass panes that let all that sunlight into your home can also be the gateway for water seepage. Check the caulking around the glass every year, especially on your basement windows.

Once you’ve given your yard a bit of TLC, it’s time to enjoy every last minute before the snow forces you indoors.

A guide to 10 incredible cultural events in Toronto this fall

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lindsaylow

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12:01 pm

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arts-danceworks-CR-trudie-lee — Fall for Dance North by Trudie Lee

In a normal year, the arts and culture events in Toronto kick into overdrive in October. The theatre season gets underway, all the big concerts are announced, ballet, orchestra and festival after festival. It’s a scene, man. We all know where we’re at now. The live events industry in the city has been decimated. But the funny thing about artists, they gotta art. And to that end, there are still cultural happenings in new and unique ways, both virtually and live. Herewith, our fall arts guide.

Music is back

The legendary Horseshoe Tavern, basically ground zero for the city’s indie rock scene, is hosting its first two live events since the pandemic on Oct. 16 and 17. These shows will be seated, physically distanced tables and all that jazz. The stage will even be Plexiglas, for gosh sakes. The Arc Sound (Oct. 16) and Tommy Youngsteen (Oct. 17) will each play three sets. The Danforth Music Hall and Velvet Underground are offering live-streamed concerts throughout the fall. These concerts provide viewers with a chance to choose the best viewing angle (multiple cameras) with proceeds from tickets going to artist-choice charities. The lineup includes Marianas Trench, Frazey Ford and others. Tickets are around $20 each with more details at livefrominside.ca.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra at CityView Drive-In

On Oct. 7, 16 and 17, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) will perform three live concerts at the CityView Drive-In. Orchestra members will perform on stage while music fills concert-goer cars. LED screens will provide attendees with a clear view of the musicians. The CityView Drive-In concerts will be the largest live TSO performance since the beginning of the pandemic. Contactless tickets are $80 to $200 per car and must be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster or through the TSO at 416-598-3375.

Fall for Dance North

The sixth edition of Fall for Dance North: The Flip Side will be a live + digital dance festival experience that runs at ffdnorth.com from Sept. 29 to Oct. 18. The reimagined festival has a “Netflix-style” website for accessing all the festival’s virtual content as well as a signature live stream performance featuring six world premieres from Canadian dancemakers. The ticketed event will live stream on Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. from the Fleck Dance Theatre at ffdnorth.com for $15.

Planet In Focus: International Environmental Film Festival

The 21st Planet In Focus International Environmental Film Festival (PIF) will take place virtually from Oct. 14 to 18. The films screened at this festival come from all over the world with one main focus: raising environmental awareness through film. The festival kicks off with Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan’s The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel and includes films by Andrew Niksler, Scott Resler and other filmmakers focused on environmental issues.

The Groundswell Festival

Nightwood Theatre’s Groundswell Festival features readings, interviews and more from the company’s Write From The Hip Playwrights unit, led by program director Donna-Michelle St. Bernard. Audiences are invited to explore new works from Bilal Baig, Shelley M. Hobbs, Erum Khan, Rachel Mutombo, Pesche Nepoose and Phoebe Tsang.

Dance in High Park

One of the city’s cherished cultural touchstones, Shakespeare in the Park, was cancelled this year, but live in-person performances will happen at the High Park amphitheatre from Sept. 16 to Oct. 11. The one-act, family-friendly performances will be physically distanced and will follow the city’s pandemic protocols. The three weekend performances will include Solo in High Park (Sept. 26–27 at 2 p.m.), Dusk Dances in High Park (Oct. 3–4 at 2 p.m.) and Red Sky In High Park (Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.). The High Park performances are “pay what you can,” but reservations are required (canadianstage.com). Canadian Stage SubscriberPlus pass holders can reserve tickets now with general public sales.

Royal Conservatory concerts

The Royal Conservatory of Music will host the dean of Toronto jazz piano, Hilario Durán, for a concert on Oct. 24, which will be a live performance with reduced capacity at Koerner Hall to allow for physically distanced seating and new pandemic protocols, and it will also be live-streamed. The concert will feature music Durán composed for the just-released film The Cuban, starring Oscar Award winners Louis Gossett Jr. and Shohreh Aghdashloo. Ticket purchasers will be provided with information and special instructions prior to the concert.

Toronto International Festival of Authors

The Toronto International Festival of Authors will offer 200 free and virtual author events “celebrating the stories of our city.” The festival will include lectures, discussions, readings and Q & A sessions held virtually with Canadian authors, including Margaret Atwood, Desmond Cole, Linwood Barclay, Harlan Coben and many others. The complete festival lineup is at Festivalofauthors.ca.

National Ballet of Canada

The National Ballet of Canada will be at the Harbourfront Centre for five weeks this fall. The ballet will be performing The Dreamers Ever Leave You from Oct. 9 to 17 in the Brigantine Room. To respect social distancing, seats are limited. Tickets will go on sale on Sept. 30 at 11 a.m. at national.ballet.ca.

imagineNATIVE Festival

The annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival will happen online this year starting on Oct. 20 and running until Oct. 25. The Art Crawl kicks off on the 22nd at 7 p.m. with a selection of visual artworks. Works that will be showcased during the festival include Sāmoan Hxstories, Screens, and Intimacies; Medicine and Magic; Constellations of Kin; and others. Night of the Indigenous Devs returns virtually on Oct. 23, featuring five reality and video games from native developers. The Art Crawl and Night of the Indigenous Devs are free with all-access festival passes starting at $60. Tickets can be purchased at festival.imaginenative.org.

Five pumpkin patches near Toronto to get into the Halloween spirit

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Ron Johnson

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3:16 pm

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downeys pumpkin patch — @DowneysFarm Facebook

If you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin for this year’s jack-o-lantern or the would-be filling for that Thanksgiving pie, a good plan is to visit one of the many farms surrounding the GTA. There’s no shortage of excellent pumpkin picking options in the province, so you’ll have your pick of the best spots. COVID-19 has made picking a bit different this year, though, so make sure to check out farm websites before you go as details change.

Brooks Farms

You can still pick your own pumpkin at Brooks Farms this year, but you’ll have to go early as admission is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Masks are suggested but not mandatory when at the patch. There’s a five-person limit this year so keep your picking pack small. There are no wagon rides due to COVID-19, but the farm still offers baked goods and play space. Pumpkins range in price (according to size) from $2 to $12, and the farm opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m.

Downey’s Farm

This Caledon farm is popular with Toronto residents because it offers a serene atmosphere with plenty of pumpkin picking fun. Pumpkin fest at Downey’s Farm is cancelled this year, but kids can still enjoy the play space. Families can purchase tickets in advance through the farm’s website. Downey’s is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Reesor’s Farm Market

Markham’s Reesor’s Farm Market opened on Oct. 1 for those looking to pick their own pumpkin. The farm has lots of ready-picked pumpkins available too. Reservations are not required Monday to Thursday, but you will have to book ahead to access the corn maze. If you plan to visit the farm during the weekend, it’s best to reserve a spot online — tickets can be purchased at the farm, but admissions are limited.

Forsythe Family Farms

Uxbridge’s Forsythe Family Farms is open for pumpkin picking from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You don’t need a reservation to visit this farm, but you will have to call ahead to see if there are available spots (905-985-6749). The farm’s COVID-19 health and safety measures and additional information can be found on the website.

Albion Orchards

Caledon’s Albion Orchards will open for pumpkin picking in October until the pumpkins are gone. Albion’s storefront is open during the week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but is only open for pumpkin picking on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traditional orange and white pumpkins are available.

COVID-19 cases cause Quetzal, Sotto Sotto and several other Toronto restaurants to temporarily close

By

Nikki Gill

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12:52 pm

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Quetzal temporarily close — Grant van Gameren in the Quetzal kitchen

As COVID-19 cases continue to climb in the city, several Toronto restaurants have made the difficult decision to temporarily close their establishment, after one or more of their employees have tested positive for the virus.

Sotto Sotto, a high-end Italian trattoria loved by celebrities like Drake and DJ Khaled, voluntarily closed its doors on Sept. 29, stating that there was a possibility that the restaurant had been exposed to COVID-19.

“We have been advised by Toronto Public Health that we may stay open, but we have decided to temporarily close our Toronto location to take every possible precaution to ensure your safety and peace of mind,” Sotto Sotto wrote via its Instagram account.

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A post shared by Sotto Sotto Toronto (@sottosotto) on Sep 29, 2020 at 10:31pm PDT

Sotto Sotto has one other location in Oakville that remains open. The full team at Sotto Sotto is currently in isolation, and the establishment will undergo a forensic sanitization to ensure no surface contamination is present upon reopening.

Bar Reyna, a happy-hour haven for shareable Mediterranean snacks and cocktails has closed both its Yorkville and King Street locations after confirming an employee tested positive for COVID-19. Bar Reyna Yorkville shut its doors on Sept. 30 and will not reopen until Oct. 8. Bar Reyna on King reopened today at noon once all Reyna staff members’ COVID-19 test results were returned.

“Due to the raised concerns from our guests, and because our best interest is to protect both you and our Reyna family, and can never be too careful, we prefer to be extra cautious and close Bar Reyna earlier than expected for renovations (as we were already planning to do so this Sunday),” Bar Reyna wrote via Instagram on Sept. 30.

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A post shared by Reyna on King (@reynaonking) on Oct 2, 2020 at 7:16am PDT

Both locations will be professionally sanitized, and all reservations are being cancelled until Oct. 8.

Lee Restaurant, chef Susur Lee’s upscale, Asian fusion establishment, is also temporarily closed, after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The employee’s last shift was on Sept. 23, and they are currently in self-isolation at home.

While there is no set reopening date for Lee, takeout and delivery will be available starting Oct. 7.

Quetzal, a staple on College Street serving up high-end Mexican cuisine, announced on Sept. 29 that it would shut down for several days due to a positive COVID-19 test result from a staff member. Quetzal only recently re-opened in August after being closed since March during the onset of the pandemic.

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A post shared by Quetzal (@quetzaltoronto) on Sep 29, 2020 at 1:11pm PDT

“The entirety of our staff are undergoing tests/awaiting results as we speak and will not return to the restaurant until they have received a negative result,” Quetzal shared via Instagram.

While the staff is in self-isolation, Quetzal will use this time to sanitize the restaurant.

Warehouse on Yonge, a bustling spot for young people given its sprawling menu of light-bites priced under $6, has been linked to at least seven active COVID-19 cases. Although it remains open, Toronto Public Health estimates that approximately 1,700 guests could have been exposed to the virus between Sept. 10 and Sept. 17.

Richard and Cathy Nurse on falling in love and bringing the Nurse name to pro sports

By

Erin Neilly

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12:04 pm

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richard and cathy nurse — L-R: Kia, Darnell, Cathy, Richard and Tamika Nurse

If you’re a sports fan in Canada, you’ve likely heard of the Nurse family. Richard Nurse is a former CFL player for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and his wife Cathy is a former varsity basketball player for McMaster University.

Athletics clearly runs in the family as their children have become stars in hockey and basketball, playing in the NHL and WNBA.

Now, Uninterrupted Canada is following the family to create a feature biopic on the Nurse family and their emergence as one of the country’s top sports families. The documentary, which has yet to be titled, will debut this fall on TSN.

Here we caught up with Cathy to find out the story of how the Nurse family came to be — starting with how she met Richard.

How they met

Richard and I met at an all-ages dance when I was 14 and he was 16. Another guy was talking to me, and a friend of mine asked him to help me out. He saved me by cutting in and acting like we knew each other already. We went out just once or twice back then. Later when I was 16 and he was 18, we met up again at another dance and we have been together ever since.

Richard Cathy Nurse — Cathy and Richard Nurse

The proposal

The proposal was pretty uneventful. We had been dating for almost 10 years at that time, so it wasn’t a surprise when it happened. It was Christmas morning, and we were opening gifts with my family when he kind of put me in a headlock — hisideaofahug—andgaveme the ring.

It wasn’t like it happens in the movies, but that’s not really our style anyhow.

The wedding

We were married on April 8, 1994. It was a Friday night, and we had a church wedding and a cocktail party at a hall with family and friends. It was a great time, but we ran out of food and had to order pizza at midnight! We had our honeymoon in Las Vegas.

The kids

We have three kids. Tamika, 32, played Division 1 basketball for Oregon and Bowling Green State; Darnell, 25, is an Edmonton Oilers defenceman; and Kia, 24, plays in the WNBA for the New York Liberty. We are new grandparents to Jaxon as well.

Balancing careers and marriage

Things used to be pretty hectic with marriage, our jobs and the kids when they were younger. After work, one of us was at the rink and the other was at the gym or the soccer field, so it was like we saw each other in passing for a few years. At that time, we made it a priority to have dinner together as a family whenever possible, and once in a blue moon we would get out for dinner on our own. Being empty nesters now and having flexible workouts, we eat dinner together almost every day and spend the weekends getting out to local restaurants, wineries and music venues.

Shared interests

We share a love of sports, music, travel and a good party!We enjoy spending time with family and friends whenever possible. Richard recently got us some bikes, so the plan is to explore the trails in our area.

Secret of success

We have very different personalities, but they complement each other. Neither of us is perfect — though Richard thinks he is — and we are OK with that. We have never been afraid to have tough and colourful conversations about anything, and we both appreciate how hard we have worked for each other and for our family over the years. After all this time, we still enjoy each other’s company, love a good laugh and share a great history, and we are excited about what comes next.

Condo of the Week: $3 million for a sophisticated penthouse with an elaborate staircase downtown

By

Samantha Peksa

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9:30 am

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A custom designed penthouse has hit the market for $2.998 million. Residence three at 1 Scott St. is a corner unit and provides a generous amount of living space across two levels. It has two bedrooms, three bathrooms and two terraces.

The building is a short walk away from Union Station and the St. Lawrence Market. Some of the amenities it offers residents include an exercise centre and outdoor pool.

Upon entering the penthouse, you’re met with a grand staircase leading to the second level.

Right behind it is an office area that provides access to the terrace.

A triple-sided fireplace acts as a divider between the entryway and living room.

The combined living and dining room has tons of natural light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Tucked into another corner of the penthouse is the family room.

It shares an open space with the kitchen.

The kitchen is neatly designed with white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and plenty of counter space.

Here’s a look at the posh powder room.

At the top of the staircase, there are lots of built-in bookshelves.

There’s another office nook in the corner.

A second fireplace can be found in the master bedroom, with doors opening to the second terrace.

It comes with a nice walk-in closet.

A soaker bathtub sits in the middle of the five-piece ensuite bathroom.

The second bedroom is quite spacious.

It comes with its own three-piece bathroom.

The laundry room has lots of counter and storage space.

Both of the terraces boast unobstructed views of the city.

Residence three at 1 Scott St. is listed with Nadine Robbins of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada.

Chef Susur Lee closes his restaurant after an employee tests positive for COVID-19

By

Marlene Mendonca

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4:35 pm

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Over the last couple of days, a number of bars and restaurants in Toronto have had to shut shop for reported exposures to COVID-19 within their premises. The latest to join the list is Lee Restaurant on King West, owned by celebrity Canadian chef Susur Lee.

The popular hangout declared its temporary closure on Thursday afternoon in a notice to patrons.

“Here, at the Lee Restaurant, we take the current climate very seriously. Despite taking every reasonable precaution, one of our employees has tested positive for COVID-19,” the restaurant announced in a statement.

The employee’s last shift was on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and the individual has been in quarantine since, the statement confirmed.

“Following the news, we have decided to close our dining rooms and patio to allow our staff the opportunity to get tested. We have decided to focus on takeout and delivery, considering the safety and wellbeing of our staff and guests.”

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A post shared by Lee Restaurant (@lee_restaurant) on Oct 1, 2020 at 10:00am PDT

For those who made a reservation in the upcoming month, Lee Restaurant has reached out for a possible postponement. However, takeout and delivery options are still open and available on Ritual, DoorDash, Skip The Dishes, Tock, by phone or by email.

Given the present circumstances, transparency has been key in letting everyone know who has been to places lined with potential exposure. In the past week, King Taps, MARBL and Casa Mezcal were forced to terminate business for violation of Toronto Public Health rules.

While many businesses are choosing to temporarily close their doors in order to implement a deep sanitization of the establishment, others have been ordered to close by Toronto Public Health for failing to implement protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Inside Dova Restaurant, Toronto’s latest Sicilian outpost from the group behind Ardo

By

Samantha Peksa

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3:40 pm

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Pandemic chronicles: Inside the Fairmont Royal York from the COVID-19 lockdown to the NHL bubble

By

Samantha Peksa

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2:50 pm

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royal york hotel — The Clockwork bar inside the Royal York Hotel

Stepping off the plane on New Year’s Day 1987, Joy Dandal looked out at a snow-dusted Toronto. This was her new home: cold, grey and flurrying. “It was the complete opposite of where I came from,” she says.

Growing up in sunny Iloilo, a Philippine province dotted with Spanish Colonial Era churches, Dandal dreamed of one day visiting not just Spain, but all of Europe and the Americas. (And more of Asia, too.)

“I wanted to be a flight attendant because I love people and I wanted to travel,” she says. “But, at five-foot-two they wouldn’t have me because I’m two inches too short,” she says.

Dandal’s parents couldn’t have given their daughter Joy a more apt name if they tried — she’s one of those perennially positive types that bubbles with joie de vivre. She’s the embodiment of a people person, which is what a Canadian career counsellor saw in Dandal when they met 33 years ago.

“She directed me towards hotel and restaurant management — it was totally out of the blue for me — I’d never considered that as a path before,” says Dandal, who’s now spent three decades welcoming guests at the Royal York Hotel.

Dandal has greeted European royals, sports legends, world leaders and A-listers aplenty, but when I beg her to namedrop a few she politely declines.

“We have to make sure their privacy is respected,” she says with an empathetic lilt to her voice. I can tell she’d relish sating my curiosity, but the hotel comes first.

Joy Dandal in front of the hotel’s dramatic new clock

She speaks about the 1,300-room heritage property with reverence.

“The Royal York is part of the history of the city,” she says. It’s not just the prestige of the hotel that has romanced Dandal, but the hotel’s management has earned her unfettered loyalty.

The hotel runs friendly competitions among the front desk agents, which Dandal often wins. Her prizes have included VIP trips to Paris, Florence, Rome, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C.

“I’m finally travelling the world. It took a while, but slowly I’m getting there and staying in nice hotels along the way,” she says before adding that Spain’s her next destination once travel recommences.

As one of the Royal York Hotel’s most senior front desk agents, Dandal has been around for a third of the hotel’s 91-year existence. During her tenure, she’s changed jobs three times (she was the executive chef’s executive assistant and then a lobby ambassador prior to her current role). Since her first day on July 3, 1990, she’s seen the ownership change twice, and she’s seen the hotel weather SARS and host the G20, as well as countless galas, conventions, weddings and epic fêtes.

Her to-do-day is non-stop. Most mornings Dandal’s checked out 200 guests before lunch, which is when the deluge of new arrivals begins their descent upon the hotel. The week before the city went into lockdown, the hotel was even more chaotic than usual: PDAC—the country’s biggest mining convention (known for its raucous parties) — was swarming the hotel’s conference rooms, bars and restaurants.

“It was mayhem, people were waiting an hour just to order a drink at the bar,” she says. “When we came back on Monday I was shocked — it was surreal.”

By late March, the hotel dropped down to five per cent occupancy. “Everything was just so quiet,” says Dandal. It was the first time she had ever seen the hotel this still: The restaurants, bars and even most of the entrances were closed.

“In a way, that time during the pandemic was beautiful,” says Dandal. Before the pandemic, she had never had a chance to soak in the Royal York’s architecture. “When I looked at the murals, ceilings and chandeliers: It brought me to a different place,” she says. “When the hotel is busy, you don’t have time to appreciate things like wood panelled ceilings and murals from 1929.”

After a few weeks, the novelty of a peaceful Royal York waned — Dandal missed the energy guest-filled hotel. Then, the Royal York began its frontline worker’s initiative, gifting 100,000 room nights to the healthcare professionals.

“They would come in early in the morning, after they finished their shift. You can see how tired they are and the marks on their faces from the masks,” she says. “You just want to be quick and give them their keys because you can tell they’re exhausted.”

With the pandemic in check right now, everyone’s spirits have lifted. “Even though we’re sanitizing everything, things feel normal again: The restaurants are open and there’s a lot of positive energy — people are cheerful again,” says Dandal, who has spent the last few weeks inside one of Toronto’s two NHL bubbles. Although 600 hockey players, coaches and staff occupying one hotel sounds like fodder for a zany Netflix special, Dandal says the Royal York still only feels “half full,” but she’ll happily take a cheerful half full during these grim times.