Some people have a thing for chips and salty food. Some people have sweet tooth and prefer to eat chocolate or cake. Some people are ambivores and have alternate cravings. For me, I have a severe case of sweet tooth - be it in the form of candy, ice cream or pastries. As you can tell, one of my favorite things to do every weekend is to scour bakeshops and pastry shops in the neighborhood to get my fix. Lucky for me, I live near the Guildwood area in Scarborough and have easy access to a quaint and lovely café! The Guildwood Tearoom and Café is one of those hidden gems nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood. Just a few metres from the bluffs, you wouldn’t expect a low-key plaza to house such an extraordinary albeit obscure teahouse. How come I've never heard of this place before? Has this been a well-guarded secret by the Guilders all these years? The Guildwood area, after all, is one of the priciest postal codes in Toronto. It's totally understandable that the residents would want to preserve their area and keep away the notorious "hood" reputation that has been infamously associated with the rest of Scarborough. Or quite possibly, the proprietors neither advertised nor promoted on social media. One of the things I love most about this place is how they were able to skillfully mix and match their china! They certainly give off a quaint as opposed to overly stuffy vibe that most high tea places are known for. They also have an excellent menu of savoury quiches and crepes - making it an ideal spot to have brunch with family and friends. The most charming quality about this place is the customer service. As soon as you enter, you're greeted by warm and friendly hosts - making you feel as if you're walking in to your aunt's or grandma's place instead of a café. Unfortunately, the Guildwood Tearoom and Café is only open weekends - Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. So if you're thinking of going for high tea, you might want to call them ahead for reservations.
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If you're a high-fashion shopper, you'll be severely disappointed with what Canada has to offer. Sure we have Holt Renfrew and The Bay, but they don't come close to the shops in New York, Paris or London. The small strip along Bay and Bloor only have a couple of luxury stores. The only options available to you when you're desperately crushing on a YSL purse is to either cross the border or shop online and face astronomical duty fees. Thankfully, the fashion gods have heard our prayers - Saks Fifth Avenue is finally in Canada! Think swanky, suave, sophisticated, Saks established their flagship Canadian store on Bay and Queen late February this year. When I visited the store in April for the first time, it was a mildly insane experience! I'm talking about $1000 shirts, $300 perfume and an even outrageous haute couture selection. They definitely cater to the who's who and extra elite in Toronto with their VIP private lounges and personal shopping suites. I scoped out the entire 25,000-square foot space and took some photos of their displays! I must admit, this is merchandising at its best. You can go to AGO or the ROM to appreciate art, or you can also drop by Saks Fifth Avenue and purchase a pair of Louboutins! Those red soles are exquisite. Of course at the end of the day, I wasn't able to hold back. Swoon! Check out the gallery below for more photos or visit the store for yourself. They're on 176 Yonge Street, south of the Eaton Centre. You can also download their app for free!
Spring is finally here in Toronto! And although some days may not feel like it, there's no stopping the inevitable bloom of tulips and cherry blossoms. I find that I really get to appreciate nature right after winter when all the snow has thawed. The best way to celebrate spring and welcome the coming warmer months is to visit botanical gardens in Toronto. You don’t have to travel far to visit a botanical garden as there are a few right in the middle of the city. Edwards Gardens Located at Lawrence and Leslie, Edwards Gardens feature an array of 17 award-winning themed gardens spanning nearly 4 acres. The public park sits on top of a ravine which is connected to hiking and cycling trails. The best part about Edwards Gardens is its absolutely free to the public! Allan Gardens The Allan Gardens Conservatory is a beautiful respite in the heart of downtown. It's cast iron and glass-domed greenhouse is a major landmark and tourist attraction in Toronto. Allan Gardens is open every day and also has free admission! My favorite part of their collection is the Arid House where they showcase a large display of unusual cacti and succulents. Rosetta McClain Gardens
If you want a garden that also provides a fantastic view of Lake Ontario, then you should visit Rosetta McClain Gardens just off Kingston Road. Although this garden is fairly small in size, it still provides a zen environment for those who are eager to meditate and breathe in some fresh air. This garden is also an ideal setting to watch migrating birds in autumn. Zara, the Spanish fashion clothing and accessories giant is now in Scarborough Town Centre! Finally, the fashionistas of Scarborough don't have to go downtown or Fairview Mall just to get their retail fix.
It's easy to understand why people love Zara. Assortment-wise, they offer a great range of men's and women's clothes. They have a line of trendy outfits geared towards teenagers (Trafaluc), a more sophisticated line and office wear (Zara Woman), as well as clothes for men and kids. Just recently, they started offering swimwear and sportswear! Yayayay! The quality of Zara's clothes, shoes and bags are way better than H&M, Forever 21 and Dynamite. Price-wise, they're not as ridiculous as Club Monaco and Aritzia. Zara is really attainable to those who are not looking for disposable fashion. I've had blazers, shoes, trousers and cardigans from five years ago that are still part of my capsule wardrobe! Best part about Zara is their super easy-to-navigate website! Whenever there's a sale, I just buy stuff online and have them delivered to work. This is way more convenient than lining up at the store. If the clothes don’t fit me or if I have a change of heart, their return process is also hassle-free! Oh and speaking of capsule wardrobes, below are my faves from this season: Spring 2016. Happy shopping! So you've had a sumptuous dinner and the night is still young. If you've got nowhere else to go, try the ultra-chic lounge at Barchef. Located in the eclectic Queen West neighborhood, Barchef lounge attracts a discerning crowd looking for exotic libations. If you're in the mood for screwdrivers and cosmos, you won't find those here. Barchef's cocktails are artisanal and one-of-a-kind. The bartenders and cocktail chefs may take a few minutes preparing your poison. Have patience; you can't hurry art. If you fancy something whimsical, try the Rocket from their Sweet & Sour menu. For a cocktail extravaganza, anything under the Modernist menu delivers drama and superb craftsmanship. Below is the daiquiri adaptation served in a coconut shell with floating wisps of dry ice. More photos from BarchefToronto.com taken by Leanne Neufeld: Next time you're in the area and looking for mind-blowing digestifs, drop by at Barchef and prepare to be mesmerized!
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AuthorThe Toronto Traipser aims to explore the vibrant city by indulging in its many sights, sounds and flavours. Archives
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