About The Neighbourhood
Prestige, culture, and beauty.
When it comes to utmost living, Ave. & Dav. is undoubtedly the place to experience all of the benefits the city has to offer. This booming hub adds sophistication to daily life — from dining and unique art galleries to shopping around Yorkville and Bloor Street — this is where prestige, culture and beauty meet exquisite architecture, lush nature and established communities. The location of The Perry provides a perfect lifestyle for urban city-dwellers as it balances an ever-present culture with an unassuming peaceful bustle.
Culture
Royal Ontario Museum
Yorkville is certainly not the main stage theatre district of Toronto, but where it lacks in its dose of Broadway, it makes up for in its proximity to museums, music and cinema. Take a tour of the Gardiner Museum, one of few museums of its kind in the world that specializes in ceramics, or cross the street to witness one of the Royal Ontario Museum’s magnificent exhibits (and for architecture enthusiasts, gaze up at the crystal addition designed by Daniel Libeskind) The University of Toronto’s Trinity, University and Victoria colleges contain some of the oldest buildings in the city and are worth a picture or two. For the musically inclined, a walk by The Royal Conservatory of Music could mean hearing the strum of a harp from an open window. Cinemas abound in the Yorkville area, such as classic Cumberland and Varsity Cinemas, while a show at Carlton Cinemas is worth a visit for its heritage aesthetic alone.
Dining
Sotto Sotto
Yorkville is known for its phenomenal dining options, from the quality seafood offerings at Joso’s, to traditional Italian cuisine at celebrity chef Massimo Capra’s Mistura to the always-busy Sotto Sotto. Catch up with friends over delectable lobster spoons and cocktails at the Hazelton Hotel’s One Restaurant, whose patio is a place to see and be seen by local and international celebrities throughout the summer months. Those looking for high quality sushi would be wise to stop by Asuka, boasted as one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city; and no foodie can resist the charm and sophistication of one of Toronto’s longest-standing bistros Le Paradis. But most importantly, from Caren’s Wine and Cheese Bar to Malena, L’Unita, Opus and Morton’s Steakhouse, Yorkville restaurants have a great reputation for wine selection, and you won’t be disappointed with any of the offerings.
Casual Fare
Seven Grams
Comfort food is an exceedingly popular trend in Toronto and the Yorkville community offers some of the best options in the city: Moroco Chocolat will satisfy any sweet tooth with its breakfast fondue, featuring warm silky chocolate and Canadian maple syrup, waffles, French toast, fruit, and breakfast sausage; Seven Grams, Zaza and Havana Coffee Bar serve up beautiful cups of coffee to rival any of the big chains (and don’t forget to try any one of their delicious desserts); Avenue Diner provides a nostalgic experience with its original décor and greasy spoon offerings; and Cantine’s bistro fare, including calamari, pressed sandwiches and salads are enough to keep any afternoon shopper sated.
Food
Whole Foods
Make no mistake, Yorkville is the best place to do your grocery shopping: Pusateri’s is renowned for its curated selection of gourmet pastas, antipasto, fine charcuterie and desserts; and those hoping for something larger in scale, Hazelton Lanes is home to Toronto’s Whole Foods, complete with organic produce, a selection of recognizable brands and a panoply of ready-made dinner items for those working late or too busy to cook.
Parks
Ramsden Park
Steps away from The Perry is Ramsden Park, a beautiful retreat and popular destination point for fitness and nature enthusiasts. The park is equipped with two sets of tennis courts and a baseball diamond for outdoor activities throughout the summer. Come winter, the courts are converted into two skating rinks – one for hockey, the other for pleasure skating. For pet lovers, the park contains a fenced-in, off-leash area for leisurely after-work and weekend play-dates. And of course there is the intriguing Yorkville Park, designed to celebrate the history of the Village of Yorkville, reflecting the diversity of the Canadian landscape. A perfect spot for an afternoon rendez-vous,”The Rock” is a 600-ton fragment of Canada’s glacial shield, removed piece by piece from the Lake Region, north of Toronto, and reassembled in the park.
Shopping
Mink Mile
A quick ramble through Yorkville reveals a wide array of shopping, from the stately Holt Renfrew’s exclusive seasonal designer goods including Marni, Victoria Beckham, Givenchy and more to the bespoke glassmaking services at Cutler and Gross (a favourite of Madonna, Elton John and Kate Moss). Stepping out onto Bloor Street, you’ll find Toronto’s ever-growing Mink Mile, complete with luxury brands Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Tiffany and Co., Prada, Burberry and Chanel, and although some days are too cold for a leisurely stroll, Manulife Center provides the perfect outlet for warmth, whether it’s purchasing drinks at the LCBO for tonight’s dinner party, taking in an afternoon lunch at Bloor Street Diner, or chatting over lattes at the Starbucks inside Indigo.
Beauty and Wellness
Gee Beauty
Working hard requires some occasional pampering, which means a stop at the Hyatt Stillwater Spa for a milk and honey wrap and a soothing essential massage is a must. Once you have relaxed and your senses are awakened, walk over to Gee Beauty to peruse their well-curated assortment of skin care products and makeup, from Dermalogica, Malin + Goetz, Nude Skincare, St. Tropez Tan and Rodin Olio Lusso. Of course, it isn’t always a spa day, but get back into a challenging yoga routine at 889 Yonge or see a trainer at the upscale Yorkville Club to keep fit-and when working out seems like a chore, treat yourself to a new haircut or blowout from Greg May, Marc Anthony Salon, or Hair on the Avenue.
Party
La societe
There aren’t many neighbourhoods in Toronto where you can escape to South Beach, New York and decades past, all in one night, but that’s what you get when strolling from Amber to Avenue at the Four Seasons to Mistura’s upper lounge Sopra (someone can often be heard tickling the ivories of a grand piano). Whether it is for post-work imbibing with clients at One or toasting a friend’s birthday at the Hyatt’s rooftop bar (try the elevated bar snacks), each one of Yorkville’s upscale party destinations are stocked with top shelf spirits, champagne and prosecco, signature cocktails, and most importantly, a crowd that loves to get dressed to the nines and have a good time.