September 2014 - Delsuites' Blog
Monthly Archives

September 2014

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk

Top Bars in Toronto for Corporate Executives

September 25, 2014

In our work-obsessed era, office hours can go well into the night, especially for executives who tend to have meetings well after 5:00 p.m. Here are our top 5 bars in Toronto for that business drink or dinner.
Top 5 Bars in TorontoBar Buca
Savour over an impressive selection of Italian wines and offal-inspired small bites. The 38 seat snack bar on the ground level of a condo on Portland Street is ideal for that cinq à sept. No reservations.

The Roof Lounge
This storied bar, 18 floors on top of the Park Hyatt has bartenders as old as the space. Whether it’s a classic martini or a scotch on the rocks, this is the spot to have business discussions in a low-key yet old-world setting. It is a popular spot during the Toronto International Film Festival and loved by celebrities and locals alike.

Real Sports Bar Though the bar can be loud and raucous–it is North America’s largest sports bar, after all–Real Sports is a casual spot where you can kick back and Top 5 Bars in Torontorelax on a weeknight or a game night. The two-story location has a variety of options (e.g. Executive Suites, Gardens Room, and Players Lounge) if you’re looking for a private function for your company.

Canoe
On the 54th floor of the TD Tower, the restaurant that started Oliver Bonacini’s empire, is one of the most renowned dining experiences in Toronto, if not in Canada. The bar doesn’t disappoint with its views of the Toronto Islands, banquette seating in the corner, and inventive cocktail list like the Dill Pickle (gin, Grand Marnier, white cranberry, lime, and dill).

Most of our these top 5 bars in Toronto are located right near DelSuites furnished apartments. Ideal for corporate housing in Toronto. Cheers!

 

Downtown Toronto, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk

Cheap Eats under $15 in Toronto

September 16, 2014

Cheap Eats in TorontoToronto can be quite an expensive city for standard of living, especially when dining out. However, with its multitude of ethnic eats and takeaway spots, if you know where to go, you can get some cheap eats for under $15. As many of these places are popular, try to go in off-hours on weeknights to avoid line ups and bring cash just in case. Here are our top picks:

1. Banh Mi Boys – With two central locations (Queen and Spadina; Yonge and College), this Vietnamese inspired joint is a quick walk away from your short-term rental or your go-to spot during your extended stay in Toronto. Though they’re known for their delicious banh mi, they have Vietnamese style tacos, and their infamous fusion-filled kimchi fries, which is the closest you’ll get to a replica of a Korean-style poutine.

2. Panago Pizza – For the times when you just want to stay in and relax, Panago delivers a variety of options for your tastes. If you want to pick up, there are locations close to our Midtown rentals as well as the downtown furnished rentals (300 Front Street West).

3. Fresh – Since its inception in downtown Toronto in 1999, Fresh has blazed the trail for healthy-inspired fare without the cost. With locations across the city, Fresh is close to the Republic building and the 173 Duplex in Midtown; and downtown furnished condos Toronto with locations at Spadina and Richmond and Bloor and Spadina. Large salads could easily be two meals for under $15 but the best deal here is the soup, salad and cornbread combo for $10. Whether it’s a meal or a smoothie, eat-in or take-out, you can call in advance to pre-order, as this popular spot is frequently busy.

4. Aroma – With locations across the city, including Yonge and Eglinton and King and Spadina (close to the Icon and Element locations), Aroma is your best bet for a grab and go lunch with a coffee or hot chocolate. Best bets: the salmon sandwich and chicken salad are both under $10 each. Bonus: you get little chocolate with your meal or your hot chocolate.

5. Cheesewerks –  Stock up on the comfort food of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade sodas for under $10. Sandwiches have been named after different cities that are near and dear to the owners hearts. I’m a huge fan of the Los Angeles. Eat in or take out to your furnished condo at the Icon building located at 270 Wellington Street West.

6. Sense Appeal – Known as one of the best coffee shops in Toronto, Sense Appeal now has a gourmet-inspired lunch menu for those on the go.

7. Sushi InnCheap Eats in Toronto – You wouldn’t expect a meal for under $15 in Yorkville, but there’s a reason this joint is always packed. You can get 6 maki and a drink/tea will keep you satisfied. Quick service and turnaround so you can get back to your furnished suite at the James Cooper Mansion at Yonge and Bloor!

8. Feel Good Guru – Another option for the health conscious and located right across the street from Trinity Bellwoods Park, you could eat facing the park or take it to go for an outdoor picnic on a leisurely sunny day. Plant powered wraps and salads average around $12. Noodles and combos average around $15. Looking for a good juice? Those liquid substitutes will fill you up for about $8.

9. Seven Lives Tacos – This Kensington Market hot-spot is the closest you’ll get to So-Cal tacos for $5 each! Fill up on the famous Garbernardor (marlin and shrimp), or the grilled octopus. Cash only.

10. Pai – Chef Nuit Regular hasn’t slowed down since her departure from Thai restaurant, Khao San Road, over two years ago. Most mains average around $14, including her famous pad thai. A short walk from your furnished suite at the Qwest building located at Richmond and Simcoe.

11. Kanga –  Stock up on Australia’s national snack of miniature beef pies and its many variations at this new spot in the Entertainment district. The best part? You can buy frozen varieties of the Butter Chicken, Canadian (steak and bacon), and traditional pie to bring home to your furnished apartment in downtown Toronto, if you don’t feel like cooking!

12. Ghandi’s –  Gorge on the hefty portion of the Butter Chicken Roti for about $13. A true hole in the wall at Queen and Bathurst. Call ahead to order.

13. Caplansky’s – Zane Caplansky serves up some of the best smoked meat in the city. A traditional sandwich will set you back $8. If not at College and Spadina, check Twitter for the whereabouts for tCheap Eats in Torontoheir food truck, Thundering Thelma.

14. Swatow – Choose from over 28 varieties of noodle soups at this Chinatown institution. Recommended: shrimp dumpling soup and deep-fried salt-and-spice duck (which they call roast duck), and General Tao chicken. No dish is more than $10 each and if you come in a group, you can share among the different dishes.

Toronto truly is a great city to eat on the cheap and with this list, you now know where to go to satisfy your tastes! Enjoy a night out during short term stay in Toronto. Now tell us, what are your top cheap eats in the city?

Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Events, Family Vacations in Toronto

Upcoming Toronto Events

September 11, 2014

Toronto EventsA roster of activities in Autumn make Toronto an exciting place to visit and all just steps away from your furnished apartment. Here’s a list of a few of our favourite Toronto events to do this fall:

1. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) There’s a buzz of excitement in the air when TIFF takes place for the first two weeks of September every year. Whether you’re a film buff or a stargazer, there are plenty of opportunities to spot some of the world’s biggest stars when they touch down to premiere their movies at the world’s second biggest film festival. Make sure to check out the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Roy Thompson Hall, and Yorkville for those opportunities. Not only are these spots steps away from your furnished rental, a celebrity could be staying in your building (like our newest location at 300 Front Street West!).

2. JFL42 – Toronto Comedy Festival
Also known as Just for Laughs, this festival now takes place from September 18-27, 2014. Headliners this year include: Seth Myers, Lena Dunham, Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, Joe Rogan, and Nick Offerman. There is the option to see one show or multiple shows with a pass.

3. International Festival of Authors
The IFOA celebrates its 35th anniversary of bringing together the world’s best writers of contemporary literature from October 23 to November 2, 2014. There are a multitude of interviews, lectures, readings, and book signings with your favourite writers. Special events include readings by the finalists of the The Governor General’s Literary Award and Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize. The event is located at the Harbourfront, just a short distance away from your furnished condo in Toronto.Toronto Events

4. Nuite Blanche
Toronto’s “all-night art thing” is a sure bet for art lovers and urban explorers. Discover interactive contemporary and abstract pieces throughout downtown Toronto. Don’t forget to make a pit-stop at your furnished rental to refuel for a long night out!

5. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Hosted at the Exhibition grounds, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest indoor agricultural and equestrian competition. Fun for the whole family, pet the animals, feast around the food competitions and check out the entertaining horse and dog shows. November 7-16, 2014.

If you are in Toronto for an short term rentals Toronto, these are just a few of the highlights of the entertaining events happening here. Enjoy the culture in this vibrant metropolis!

 

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel

Art Galleries in Toronto

September 5, 2014

Art Galleries in TorontoIn recent years, Toronto has become a major center for culture. Centres funded by corporations such as the Four Seasons Center for Performing Arts or the Rogers Center, have been renovated or erected in recent years. However, you can experience culture, especially art, on a smaller scale in Toronto while on your extended stay. It is the smaller art galleries that may have some of the best and most local art out there. Here are some of our top picks of Art Galleries in Toronto:

1. Art Gallery of Ontario – Located in central downtown, the AGO is a nice walk from your downtown toronto apartments. In addition to one of the largest and most coveted Canadian collections (featuring the artwork of the members of the Group of Seven) as well as interesting and provocative exhibitions, the AGO holds interactive events every month such as First Thursdays and AGO Next (for members under 40). The AGO is also a regular venue for yearly festivals like Nuit Blanche. You can visit the gallery for free, after 5pm every Wednesday.

2. MOCCA, also known as the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art. Here you will find it tucked away just west of Shaw St. in the heart of the Queen West Art and Design District with the large mural in the parking lot as a signpost. The murals are created for the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography festival every year. Inside, find thought-provoking exhibitions in its minimalist space. It is a must-stop on your Queen West art gallery crawl.Art Galleries in Toronto

3. Angell Art Gallery – Jamie Angell was one of the pioneers in Queen West’s art gallery development. His gallery is one of the most eponymous and sets the standard for daring and original artwork by risky artists locally. Check out the video installation in the back as you continue along Ossington and Queen Street West for art gallery, restaurant and bar pitstops.

4. Koffler Centre of the Arts is a dynamic contemporary art gallery providing exciting exhibitions, and programs (educational and beyond). The gallery fosters new work by Canadian and international artists and for those who reside in a short term rental in Downtown Toronto. The Qwest, Element, Icon, 300 Front and James Cooper Mansion buildings are a short drive away.

5. Dadashi Gallery – Check out original oil and acrylic paintings in addition to sculptures in North York. You can buy paintings as well as furniture and rugs at this hybrid retail space. If you’re truly feeling inspired, art classes are available.

If you are staying in Toronto for an extended stay, art galleries in Toronto are a great way to check out the local culture and maybe even give you inspiration to decorate your temporary residence.