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Toronto's Entertainment DistrictTry the Foods of the World and be EntertainedBy Habeeb SalloumThe first time that I set foot in Toronto, more than half a century ago, for a young man like myself, there was hardly Anything entertaining to do. To have fun, one traveled to Buffalo, Detroit or Montreal. ‘Toronto the Good’ was a fine but a boring city. For a lonely newcomer arriving from western Canada, roaming the streets or going to movies was about the only entertainment to be had. Sunday was the worst - there were no restaurants open. If I did not buy food and take it illegally to my room on Saturday, Sunday would be a day of fasting.
The top spot where one can enjoy life in Canada’s largest metropolis is The Toronto Entertainment District, or as it is commonly called, The District, located within an eight square blocks area in the heart of the city. Bordered by York Street and the Financial District on the East, Queen Street on the North, Spadina and the Fashion sector on the west, and the Lakeshore on the south, the area is easily accessible, by all forms of transportation. It offers some of Toronto’s best theatres, bars and nightspots and, as well, The District encompasses many gourmet restaurants, fine shopping, the best of accommodations, sporting facilities, live theatres, movies, top-class luxury hotels and a good number of other attractions. The undisputed entertainment capital of Canada, The District is a heartland of good food and a lively concentration of entertainment spots, bursting with inspiration. It boasts the world’s largest and longest underground shopping complex with 1,200 shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Now, known as the ‘Trendy Area’, The District incorporates an incredible number of art galleries, boutiques, bistros, cafes, nightclubs, first class shopping and theatre life galore. . When I first roamed Toronto in the early 1950s, this neighborhood was an area of neglected warehouses and rundown homes. Yet, when the city was first established it was set aside for the homes of Toronto’s upper crust, which included such family names such as Baldwin, Campbell, Strachan and Boulton. As the city expanded, this original residential area was transformed into a neglected industrial and warehouse section of Toronto. In the ensuing years, after urban decay, there was growth and renewal. The neighborhood that was magnificently restored has now evolved into the premier center of Toronto and one of North America’s most diverse entertainment destinations.
Since the early 1980s, this physical resurgence has given the area an immense popularity. It has become a sought-after hot spot, known for its diverse and varied recreation possibilities - a place to enjoy a family overnight getaway. Here one can shop both above ground and below ground; drink in its innumerable pubs and patios; dine the best of Italian and French cuisine or the other fine foods of the world; catch a movie or a live performance in one of its theatres; attend an art exhibit or a sports event; and climb the highest tower in the world to get a birds’ eye view of Toronto in all its glory, then return to rest in one of The District’s six luxury hotels.
The good number of plush condominiums being built around The District is gradually, and on an ongoing basis, making it a popular high demand residential area, especially for the young. The energy of this neighborhood can be seen at its best during the night when the streets fill up with people dressed their best, ready for a night on the town. Numerous clubs host special events geared for enjoyment, creating for those who live in Toronto and visitors alike a friendly and pleasure-filled atmosphere. The saying that the ‘District really does have it all for those who are seeking entertainment’ is truly a valid statement. Every attraction, shop, eating-place or entertainment establishment is literally next door to the next. Considered a modern and fast paced neighborhood, it is constantly abuzz with entertainment and activities. Amazing, when one ponders that what was once a neglected area has become today a mecca of culture, excitement and diversity. For More Information On the Toronto Entertainment District, 157 Adelaide St. W., Box 414, Toronto, ON M5H 4E7, contact: tel: 416-397-0815. E-mail:mkeranen@hiok.com or visit www.toronto.com/teda or www.thedistrict.ca An Excellent Hotel in the District A Fine Eating Place350 Fahrenheit Restaurant - If after visiting the Entertainment District one has an Appetite for healthy living, to the north, on Bloor Street, this eating spot, is the place to dine. It is the first restaurant in Toronto to offer an entire menu designed to suit todays poplar diets and healthy eating lifestyle. For the dieter who appreciates the presentation and the art of fine cuisine, but also wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle, 350 Fahrenheit provides a comfortable dining experience. The nutritional breakdown including the calorie count and grams of fat, protein, carbohydrates and fiber are listed for each serving. The bill also includes the nutritional breakdown of all the foods ordered. Popular dishes include: a lime grilled white fish with spicy sweet potato and kale; Poulet a lorange, chicken in an orange sauce; sweet potato & green pea samosas; and for dessert, “uncheesecake”, cheesecake made from soy - dairy free. Appetizers and soups are under $6. and entrees are moderately priced - from $8 to $20. “Forget about restrictions” says Ion Nicolae, proprietor of the restaurant. “Meals can be as delicious tasting as dishes ordered on any other restaurant menu.” |
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How
things have changed! Toronto today has become a magnetic urban center for
young and old alike. Innumerable places of entertainment and the foods of
the world are to found in the hundreds of eating-places that dot every
corner of the city. Food buffs assert that one can eat in these
restaurants, mostly open seven days a week, 365 days a year and not have
the same ethnic food twice. 
Among
the historic landmarks that remain from the bygone era are: the Campbell
House, an example of Georgian architecture; St. Andrew’s Church, once the
leading church in the social reform movement of the Victorian era; the Black
Bull Tavern, dating back to the early 1800s; the train terminal, Union
Station, inspired by the basilicas of Ancient Rome featuring 22 limestone
columns weighing 75 tons each; the CPR John Street Roundhouse, a reminder of
the steam technology and the role of rail in Toronto; and the 1929 built
Royal York Hotel, today known as the Fairmont Royal York, renowned for its
physical presence and beauty and hailed when first constructed as the
largest hotel in the British Empire. 
The most well known landmarks that give The District
its renown are the Sky Dome, the home of Toronto’s baseball team the Blue
Jays and boasting the world’s first fully retractable roof; the CN Tower,
the world’s tallest free-standing structure, with its Convention Center; the
Canada Center, the home for Toronto’s hockey team the Toronto Maple Leafs;
the CHUM City Building, an innovative television station noted for its
unique Gothic architecture; and the CBC Building, edged by Simcoe Park,
designated the first park in Toronto in1827. 
Vying
with these giant attractions are the famous Princess of Wales, the first
privately built theatre in North America; the Royal Alexandra Theatre, an
architectural gem which has featured on its stage the most famous theatrical
stars of the 20th century; and the spectacular Roy Thompson Hall, renowned
in the world of entertainment. These three theatres have been largely
instrumental in making Toronto the third largest theatre-going city in the
English-speaking world. 