Concierge
Gregory Flynn of the Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square Toronto, Canada
by Lawrence Ferber
Toronto's Hôtel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square (75 Bremner Blvd. Tel: 416-649-7575. www.germainmapleleafsquare.com) provides chic, glowing boutique luxury and a personable, in-the-know, openly gay concierge, Gregory Flynn. Born in British Columbia, raised in Ontario, and educated at University of Quebec, Flynn first fell in love with the tourism industry while working as a guide in Vancouver for two years. "Once I became a concierge I was able to help people plan their vacations from the start—this is my passion," he enthuses. He worked at several hotels prior to joining Hôtel Le Germain and helped open the Maple Leaf property last November alongside fellow concierge Susan McNaught. "A lot of hotels emphasize customer service, but Le Groupe Germain is one of the few hotels that gets it right. We've been empowered to do whatever it takes to make sure our guests' experience is memorable. Need help finding an ice rink in July? Want a helicopter tour around the city? Front row tickets to a sold-out concert? We're here to help."
Where are the coolest places in Toronto to go for cocktails?
I love to recommend Bar Chef (472 Queen St. West. Tel: 416-868-4800. www.barcheftotonto.com) for guests that want to be awestruck by their aperitif. This cozy lounge plays host to the most inventive, gourmet cocktails Toronto has to offer, including molecular concoctions. They're closed Mondays and Sundays and don't take reservations, so there might be a wait, but it's well worth it. Like Vodka? So does Pravda (44 Wellington St. East. Tel: 416-863-5244. www.pravdavodka.com). This place looks like Dr. Zhivago's rec room. It's super hip with friendly staff, a tasty bar menu, live music almost nightly, and, of course, the city's best vodka collection. Open nightly and only a ten-minute walk from Hôtel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square.
What are the best restaurants for a romantic dinner in the city?
I'm a sucker for a sunset and Canoe (66 Wellington St. East. Tel: 416-364-0054. www.oliverbonacini.com) is one of the best places to start your night with a loved one. A creative take on Canadian cuisine, excellent service, and a wonderful wine list all help make your dining experience a memorable one. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays, reservations definitely recommended. I'm also a sucker for a good lasagna, and Sotto Sotto (116A Avenue Rd. Tel: 416-962-0011. www.sottosotto.ca) has one of Toronto's best. The owner's mother, Momma Laura, makes all the sauces herself daily. Be sure to check her specials for the day. I also recommend her meatloaf and homemade cheesecake. The romantic, candlelit, and cavernous setting helps make this one of the most romantic spots.
Who serves the greatest weekend brunch in town?
The Gilead Café (4 Gilead Place. Tel: 647-288-0680. www.jamiekennedy.ca) and Aunties and Uncles (74 Lippincott St. Tel: 416-324-1375. www.auntiesanduncles.ca) have been voted the best brunch by locals for years. However, they don't take reservations and there's usually a wait—not something I'm fond of the morning after. I just discovered brunch at Origin restaurant (107 King St. East. Tel: 416-603-8009. www.origintoronto.com). They're open at 10 A.M. Saturday and Sunday and have healthy brunch items with a twist that will refresh and delight your morning palate. Reservations are recommended.
Which is the best way to get around the city of Toronto?
Our subway runs north and south through downtown's core then extends to the suburbs. The two lines are only four blocks apart, but to travel anywhere east or west of these four blocks requires a streetcar. The streetcar is a novelty for tourists but dreaded by locals. It's usually crowded and slow moving—I pass streetcars on foot during rush hour. Regular fare is $3 per ride and day passes are $10 during the week, so unless you plan on using transit more than four times, the day pass isn't worth it. On weekends, however, the $10 day pass can be shared by two people and children. For more public transit information, visit www.ttc.ca. A taxi to anywhere downtown will cost about $15 and take just as many minutes. However, Toronto is a pedestrian-friendly city. A walk from the Harbourfront to the edge of our downtown Bloor & Yonge Street will take under an hour. There's lots to see and it might be missed in a car, so I recommend walking or renting a bike if you have time to wander.
What are the hottest shows in town, and how do I get tickets?
Toronto is usually the first stop once a
show leaves Broadway for a North American tour. Tickets for these shows usually sell out
in advance, so it's best to plan ahead.
Check out the following websites for more information on popular theatre companies
in Toronto: www.mirvish.com; www.dancaptickets.com; www.canadianstage.com. One of my personal favorites is Second City (70 Peter St. Tel: 416-343-0011. www.secondcity.com). If you like Saturday Night Live, then you'll love this fast-paced, ultra-relevant, sketch-comedy revue. This is where Canadian favorites like John Candy, Mike Myers, and Catherine O'Hara got their start. A great night of laughter is guaranteed.
What museums/galleries are a must see for visitors? Any secrets or tips how to beat the crowds or get free or reduced admission?
The most popular attraction is the CN Tower (301 Front St. West. Tel: 416-868-6937. www.cntower.ca). Be warned that this is a very popular attraction so there will be wait times to go up and to come back down, usually an hour each way. The best way to avoid the crowds is to visit right when the tower opens at 9 A.M. I would also recommend a visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas Street West. Tel: 416-979-6648. www.ago.net). Here, you'll find inspiring contemporary works with traditional canvas paintings housed in a beautifully designed Frank Gehry building.
Where can you go to get the best views of the city?
A few blocks south of Hôtel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square is the Toronto Island Ferry Terminal. Toronto Island is a unique, self-sustaining community that offers a quick escape from the busy city life. Bring a camera, because this is the best place to view the city skyline. The island takes at least three hours to visit—a great place for a picnic lunch. The ferries leave every 15 minutes and run from 9:00 A.M.-10:00 P.M.
Where are the best places to work out?
For your regular workout routine, our in-house fitness center is open 24 hours and our equipment is newer than what other Toronto fitness clubs have. All gyms in Toronto are gay-friendly, but the gym mostly populated by gays
and their friends is Yonge Street Fitness
(7 Isabella Street. Tel: 416-920-3157. www.ysfc.info). If you would like a different kind of physical challenge than we recommend renting a kayak or canoe for the afternoon at the Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre (283A Queen's Quay West. Tel: 800-960-8886. www.paddletoronto.com), and during the winter, try indoor rock climbing at Joe Rockhead's (29 Fraser Avenue. Tel: 416-538-7670. www.joerockheads.com).
If someone is looking for a full-service spa, where do you send them?
Our professional RMT offer a spectacular in-room massage. If you would like a day at the spa, then we would recommend visiting Yorkville. There are about ten day spas I recommend, but if I had to pick two, they would be Vika Spa (88 Avenue Road. Tel: +1 Tel: 416-929-5509. www.vikaspa.com) and Novo
Spa (66 Avenue Road. Tel: 416-926-9303. www.novospa.ca). For a quick fix me up before you hit the town, we recommend John Allen's Men's Spa (176 Queen St. West. Tel: 416-861-6307. www.johnallans.com). Their Full-Service Package includes scalp massage, shampoo, haircut, manicure, shoeshine, and a beverage. All in 30 minutes!
Designer labels for less—do you have any suggestions for the smart shopper?
The best shopping in Toronto is found in the Eaton Centre (220 Yonge Street. Tel: 416-598-8560. www.torontoeatoncentre.com), around the very posh Yorkville neighborhood, or along Queen Street West for vintage and bohemian goods. While on Queen Street, head south on Spadina Avenue then wander through the Fashion District on Richmond Street West. Search the studios and showrooms here for designer sample and pop-up sales.
What are the best gay and lesbian bars in the city?
Although Toronto's acceptance has allowed the gay community to socialize most anywhere, Church Street is and always will be the best place to enjoy a drag show and dance with your hands in the air. While on Church Street make sure to visit Woody's (467 Church Street. Tel: 416-972-0887. www.woodystoronto.com). You may recognize the scenery from the United States' version of Queer as Folk series (which was shot in Toronto). There are pool tables, a front and back patio, and nightly DJs or drag shows. For something more shiny and new, check out Smith (553 Church St. Tel: 416-926-2501. www.553church.com). This sophisticated lounge is located a few blocks north of the major action in the village. For our lesbian friends we would recommend Slack's (562 Church St. Tel: 416-928-2151. www.slacks.ca), they have live music and daily theme nights. This is a great place to go to experience Toronto's lesbian scene.
What are the most popular gay dance clubs?
Fly (8 Gloucester St. Tel: 416-410-5426. www.flynightclub.com) and Guvernment (132 Queens Quay East. Tel: 416-869-0045. www.theguvernment.com) are the circuit party clubs where you can dance until the sun comes up. Both are large adult funhouses with rooms to explore and lasers to reach for. There are a couple of dance clubs on Church Street, but they fill to capacity quickly on weekends and once you're inside there are even more lines to get anywhere: for bathrooms, bar service, the dance floor, etc. It's best to find something off the beaten path like the gay-friendly Mod Club (772 College St. West. Tel: 416-588-4663. www.themodclub.com). My favorite dance parties are hosted by DJ Baggie (www.doctorbaggie.com). Every month he hosts a theme party at a different venue across Toronto, and features one artist—Prince, Madonna, the Jacksons, etc.—with remixes and tribute performances.
Where can someone go at 3 A.M. for a good meal?
I love to recommend 7 West (7 Charles Street West. Tel: 416-928-9041. www.7west-cafe.com) for nocturnal noshers. An old Victorian, multi-level building with gothic décor complete with stained glass windows and cushioned church pews, it's open 24/7, and their menu features standard bistro fare, but their atmosphere is easy on the early morning brain.
What is the most iconic tourist souvenir, and where will we find it?
Love them or loath them, Toronto's sports franchises are a major part of the city's culture. You can pick up their gear at Real Sports Apparel (Maple Leaf Square, 15 York St. Unit A. Tel: 416-815-5746. www.realsports.ca/apparel), located in the same complex as our hotel. If sports aren't your thing, then I would leave enough room in your suitcase to bring back a comfy Roots (www.canada.roots.com) hoodie. It's like wearing a hug, and you can find Roots stores in many parts of Toronto.
Please finish this sentence: Don't leave Toronto without…
I would say don't leave without acceptance, trying something different, and a new appreciation for others.
[Published:
December, 2011]
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