March 2017

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Vacation Travel

How to Spend a Day of Spring in Toronto

March 31, 2017

Spring in Toronto is a welcome ray of sunshine after a long, cold and snowy Canadian winter. When those days start to get longer and the temperature starts to rise, everyone puts away their winter coats and breathes a sigh of relief. It just feels so good to be able to walk around without trudging through ice and snow (except for yesterday).

How should you spend spring in Toronto? Here are some ideas for ushering in the season which are close to your furnished apartments in downtown toronto apartments!

Spring in Toronto with Cherry Blossoms in High Park

In late April to early May, High Park will come alive in a flurry of pale pink blossoms. It is truly a gorgeous sight to see and you’ll probably get some gorgeous photos. The trees are located all around Hillside Gardens, as well as surrounding the duck pond. You can check back with the High Park website for updates on when the flowers are blooming. Even better – pack a picnic with you so that you can relax in High Park and enjoy the view while feasting.

Take a Coffee Break at a Cafe With a Patio

Chill out in a sunlight-flooded cafe patio while fueling up on caffeine. There are many great spots that will awaken in springtime, such as Fika Cafe – a green oasis that even has a hammock! Or, try Jimmy’s Coffee in Kensington Market, right in the heart of one of the coolest areas of the city. Or, pull up a seat at one of the long communal tables at Full Stop, an independent coffee shop in The Junction.

Oogle Adorable Baby Animals

Spring in Toronto is the season when adorable baby animals are born, so if you can handle the cuteness then consider visiting the Toronto Zoo. It was recently reported that they are experiencing a “baby animal boom” which has lead to a spike in attendance (I’m not surprised.) What could be better than ooing and ahhing at ridiculously cute creatures? If you need more of a baby animal fix you could also check out some of Toronto’s farms and petting zoos, including Round the Bend Farm, High Park Zoo, Riverdale Farm, Far Enough Farm and Springridge Farm.

Watch Some Thought-Provoking Documentaries

Melt any icicles that may have gathered on your mind throughout the winter by checking out some of Toronto’s great spring documentary film festivals. There is the Hot Docs Film Festival which runs from April 27th to May 7th. You’ll be able to check out an outstanding selection of hundreds of films from around the world. You are sure to find some interesting food for thought that will give you something to talk about with your friends.

Why not also check out some of the new restaurants in Toronto too? What are your favourite things to do when spring starts to bloom in Toronto? Let us know about them in the comments below.

Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Markham, Relocation, Vacation Travel

Markham Things to Do

March 24, 2017

The city of Markham, located in the Greater Toronto Area, is a vibrant municipality that is alive with culture, theatre, history and art. It is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in Canada and there is always something happening there – from world class theatre to art gallery openings to museum exhibits. It’s only 25 minutes from downtown, but if your accommodation is based in Markham (such as at DelSuites Circa location) then there is plenty you can do in this area.

Markham Attractions and Activities

Here are a few fun things that you can do in during your stay in Markham:

Check out the great exhibits and the fascinating historic village at the Markham Museum. This is an excellent place to go with kids, as there are a lot of interactive things to discover.
Visit the Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery. There are always some intriguing art exhibitions at the gallery, plus a great calendar of camps, art classes, workshops and more.
You can also check out some fantastic art by local contributors at the McKay Art Centre.
In the winter, go skating at the Markham Civic Centre Outdoor Skating Rink, located on Town Centre Blvd. Don’t worry if you haven’t brought your skates, you can rent them there.
Play a few games at Markham Bowl, a bowling alley with 8 lanes of 10 pin and 12 lanes of 5 pin. It also has a snack bar and a full bar, so that you can refresh yourself with a beer.
Every Saturday from 8am until 1pm you can check out the Main Street Markham Farmer’s Market on Robinson Street. You will be able to find delicious fresh produce straight from the farm, as well as handmade artisan crafts and much more. There is also live music to entertain you while you shop.
Take a walk through the Milne Dam Conservation Area, which is the largest park in Markham with 123 hectares of area. There are many lovely trails through the lush forests and this area is a stop off point for many species of migratory birds.
Test your smarts with an escape room experienced at Trapped. You will be locked in a room in a realistic scenario and you will need to solve puzzles and mysteries to escape while the clock is counting down!

There is plenty to see and do in Markham, so whether you are visiting for business or pleasure you won’t be bored. If you know of any other interesting things to do in this Greater Toronto destination, let us know in the comments!

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Food & Recipes, Vacation Travel

The Best New Restaurants in Toronto to Try

March 1, 2017

Fantastic new restaurants in Toronto are popping up so quickly that you would have to dedicate yourself to eating out several times per day just to see them all. (Sounds pretty fun, to be honest…) With so many great eateries to choose from, you’ll never go hungry when you are exploring this vibrant Canadian city.

Let’s take a look at some of the restaurants that have opened in recent months and should be on your foodie bucket list for 2017.

New Restaurants in Toronto : La Banane

This sophisticated French restaurant, run by Chef Brandon Olsen, opened its doors on January 3rd, 2017. It is pricey, but if you want to treat yourself to a date night the cuisine is superb. Olsen gives a modern twist to traditional French dishes such as liver and onions and fluffy omelettes. Try the mussels marinated in an espelette pepper vinaigrette or the duck breast with charred endive and jus. Make sure that you make your reservation in advance and dress your finest, this is a swanky spot!

Calii Love

Start your morning off with a bit of healthy nourishment at this Hawaiian inspired cafe. The new restaurants in Toronto focuses on superfood smoothies, healthy snacks and poke bowls that are heaped with nutritious ingredients such as shredded coconut, blueberries, strawberries, chia seeds and more. It is a breakfast that will give you the energy to conquer anything.

Imanishi

This Japanese gastropub hasn’t been around for very long, but it’s garnered a lot of interest due to its top notch food. It features homestyle Japanese cooking made with fresh high quality ingredients. They have excellent dishes such as sticky, smoky short ribs, spring rolls filled with curry chicken, squid tentacles with soy sauce and butter and seared beef tataki. The Japanese soul music sets the scene in this Dundas Street spot and the staff wear vintage sweatshirts, salvaged denim and Toronto Blue Jays caps.

Charidise

This new gourmet Taiwanese restaurant opened in January and is already well known for its authentic cuisine and friendly staff. The food is steeped in Taiwanese tradition and includes classic dishes such as Basil Chicken Rice, Hot & Sour Sweet Potato Noodle and Golden Squid Balls. Charidise also has a great selection of bubble tea flavours such as Honeydew, Mango and Taro. It’s a great place to stop for a drink or a snack if you are walking around downtown Toronto.

El Local Loco

This new Mexican restaurant on Church Street is work checking out. It’s laid back and welcoming, with heavy wooden tables and brightly coloured Mexican-inspired murals on the walls. How about braised beef rib with roasted corn and a cerveza chipotle reduction? Or maybe cod ceviche with jalapeno, cucumber, sweet peppers, citrus, avocado and honey? They even serve up a whole lobster tail taco that sounds muy deliciosa.

These are just a few of the exciting new restaurants in Toronto that you can check out this year. However, there are many others that we don’t have room to list here. Toronto is paradise for a foodie, as there is always something new and exciting on the menu. Dont forget to check out our picks for healthy restaurants and cafes!