About Town: Toronto
By Ceri Mobley, PGATOUR.COM Associate Site Producer
Editor's note: If you happened to read last week's About Town: Southport, you'll know that we were waiting to see whether PGATOUR.COM's Mark Spoor and T.J. Auclair were up to the challenge of trying a battered sausage during one of their many fish 'n chip meals. It turns out, they were not. Too scared. Maybe next year, boys.
After a wet and windy week on the northwest coast of England, the PGA TOUR heads back across the Atlantic for the third oldest national open -- the RBC Canadian Open just outside Toronto, Canada.
It's a far cry from Southport, England, but the weather's been pretty rough here, too, lately. So don't put away that rain coat just yet if you plan to spend any time outside of your hotel room this week.
SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE
Pamper your tired bones: Maybe you're jetlagged and chilled to the core from the British Open. Maybe you didn't go, but hey, a nice hotel never hurt anyone, right? Toronto's five-star Hazelton Hotel is the perfect spot to rejuvenate yourself (whether you need it or not). Think sophistication and style and, yes, a little bit of pretentiousness. This resort hotel will make you feel like royalty, and it's only 30 minutes from the golf course. Rates start around $450 a night, though. Ouch.
Other options:
• For something a little less jarring under your door the morning of your departure, go with the Fairmont Royal York. A four-star hotel in the heart of Toronto, it's also about 30 minutes from the tournament. Rates start around $150 a night.
• Rather stay a little closer to the course? Most of the Oakville hotels are all booked up -- it's a small suburb -- but you can still get a room at the two-and-a-half-star Fairfield Inn by Marriott. Only 10 minutes from Glen Abbey, rates start just under $150 a night.
SOMEWHERE TO SNACK
The great thing about tournaments held close by big cities is the seemingly never-ending dining options. Toronto is no exception. Here are a couple of suggestions to get you started:
• For luscious food and a lovely view, plan an evening at 360 Restaurant at the CN Tower. The revolving restaurant sits two thirds of the way up the CN Tower about 1,150 feet from the ground. The menu is spectacular, and 360 boasts an award-winning wine list, too. Hope you're not afraid of heights.
• Head back down to earth for a night at Bistro 990. This French-Canadian inspired spot has a darling exterior reminiscent of Parisian cafés and a to-die-for menu. From foie gras and escargot to poulet rôti (roast chicken) and filet mignon, you'll be saying "ohh-la-la" by the time the dessert arrives.
• If French food's not your thing, try North 44 Restaurant. An upscale location popular with out-of-towners for its style and elegance, North 44 has the kind of menu that will satisfy you just reading it. May we suggest the seared "day boat" scallops to start followed up with the duckling "three ways" for your main course?
• Feeling fancy enough yet? If you'd like to go a little more low key for a night -- or would just like to wear jeans once this week -- then don't miss Wayne Gretzky's. Decorated on the inside with The Great One's personal collection of hockey memorabilia and refreshing outside on the rooftop patio, this restaurant is a must-eat for your list this week.
SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT
You really should enjoy yourself this week because Toronto is such a cool city. If you're looking for things to do off the course, you won't have to look far. But in case you don't know where to begin, consider any of the following ideas:
• In 1911, Sir Henry Pellatt of Kingston, Ontario, began plans to build Canada's majestic castle -- a feat that only took three years to complete. Pellatt's love and fascination for the military inspired the high walls and hidden passageways of the castle that were a call back to the castles and bastilles of Europe's glorious past. Today, you can visit Casa Loma and take a guided tour in a number of different languages. You can also view a documentary narrated by Colin Mochrie on the man who built the castle.
• You might already have plans to visit the CN Tower for dinner (see above), but don't make 360 Restaurant the only thing you see there. Among the attractions in the tower, the "Sky Pod" stands the highest man-made observatory in the world at almost 1,500 feet. It's quite a view from up there.
• If you're more the outdoorsy type, and castles and towers don't really appeal to you, then stop by Wakestock this week. A wakeboarding competition, Wakestock lasts four days and is in its 11th year of operation. Wakeboarding challenges are obviously the main attraction, but there's also live music, food and more.
• Like you can get away with coming to Toronto and not visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame. Learn about the history of and passion for the Stanley Cup. After all, it must be one heck of a prize to make players want to step into an icy ring with all those angry, padded, stick-wielding men.
STICKING AROUND?
If you have some extra time in the area, there are so many things within easy driving distance of Toronto that you can put on your list. For example:
• Niagara Falls: Just an hour and a half away, the great waterfall calls your name. There's no way you're not blown away by this natural beauty. Plus, there are casinos and more to keep you busy once you get tired of getting wet.
• Collingwood and Wasaga Beach: About two hours northwest of Toronto, you'll find Collingwood, which is situated on Georgian Bay -- a pocket of Lake Huron. It has everything you'd expect from a lakeside town, and Wasaga Beach -- the world's longest freshwater beach -- is close by.
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