Art Walk Through the Latest Neighborhoods

Today, Ann guided us through West Queen West, Toronto's trendsetting hub. While it's now recognized as one of the world's coolest neighborhoods, it was once known as an area with a large immigrant population. In 2005, an NPO began leasing buildings in the district to provide housing for artists who had difficulty finding spaces.

The area was also chosen because it had many independently owned restaurants and boutiques, making it suitable for artists seeking employment. As more artists moved in, unique shops proliferated, transforming it into the trendsetting district it is today.

This art stroll through West Queen West, hearing these stories, was filled with discoveries I wouldn't have made on my own – learning about charming shops, chatting with their owners, and experiencing things impossible for a solo tourist.

Featured Spots Handpicked by Betty Ann

The "Art Insight: Art + Architecture Tours of Toronto" offers tours curated by Betty Ann from her extensive research and interviews. In addition to West Queen West, they offer tours of Yorkville with its historic streetscapes, King West with its art studios and entertainment venues, and Harbourfront with its numerous art museums. They also accommodate custom requests. Highly recommended for those seeking a unique city experience.

"art insite：Art + Architecture Tours of Toronto"
http://artinsite.net

Let's dive into the notable spots in West Queen West that Betty Ann showed us.

What makes West Queen West interesting are its many small, original shops.

BYOB Cocktail Emporium
972 Queen Street, West Toronto
Tel. +1-416-858-2932
Hours: 11:00–19:00 (Sundays from 12:00)
http://byobto.com


Among the unique shops in West Queen West, "BYOB Cocktail Emporium," a雑貨 store themed around cocktails, truly stands out. The entrance, with its eye-catching pink walls, is lined with VHS tapes of Tom Cruise's movie "Cocktail." Inside, a treasure trove of glassware, bottles, and barware from around the world, from antique to contemporary, fills the space. You'll also find cocktail-themed accessories like wine bags, cocktail recipe books, and chandeliers made from wine glasses – perfect for finding a gift!

Citizenry
982 Queen Street, West Toronto
Tel. +1-647-458-6672
Hours: 11:00–19:00
Closed Mondays
https://www.facebook.com/citizenrytoronto


Step into "Citizenry" and feel as if you've time-traveled to the Middle Ages. This small boutique, run by a couple, offers artistic dresses and romantic, delicate accessories, all made in Portugal. The shop also features a charming cafe space, perfect for enjoying a leisurely cup of tea.

gravitypope
1010 Queen Street, West Toronto
Tel. +1-647-748-5155
Hours: Mon–Wed 11:00–20:00, Thu–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat 11:00–19:00, Sun 12:00–18:00
http://www.gravitypope.com


Betty Ann recommended "gravitypope" as the place to find the most stylish shoes in Toronto. This select shoe shop has four locations: Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto. The interior design is inspired by a cinema in Buenos Aires. They also have an excellent selection of charming children's shoes.

ACADEMY OF LIONS ATHLETICS
64 Ossington Avenue, Toronto
Tel. +1-416-538-4967
Hours: Weekdays 18:00–21:00, Saturdays 10:00–17:00, Sundays 9:00–16:00
http://www.academyoflions.com


"ACADEMY OF LIONS ATHLETICS" is a gym that is both cutting-edge and old-school. There are no modern machines here – only classic equipment like large tires (!), barbells, and jump ropes. Strangely, the simplicity of the training makes it look cool. The open entrance leads to a cafe space, so if you're tired from your walk, recharge with a vitamin boost from their original healthy drinks.

UNION restaurant
72 Ossington Avenue, Toronto
Tel. +1-416-850-0093
http://union72.ca


"UNION" is a hidden gem of a restaurant in West Queen West. Chef Theo, who trained in Paris, creates bistro-style dishes that emphasize fresh ingredients. The space is long and narrow, with a secret patio in the back garden.







Here, we present some special art spots discovered by our editorial team while exploring Toronto. These offer a different kind of art than what's found in galleries and museums – a more grounded, "street-level" art.

Dining Amidst Art: House of Moments

About a 15-minute taxi ride from downtown Toronto lies a spacious property housing an art gallery and "House of Moments," a restaurant that feels as if it were built within an art gallery.

We asked Hamid Koohachak, an artist himself who runs the restaurant, why he chose this location. "Toronto, bordering New York State and home to a diverse population from around the world, is a popular filming location for international movies. Securing large spaces within the city is difficult, so I thought this area, with its many film production studios, would have a need for art, and thus created the art gallery."



He later added the restaurant, transforming it into the current art gallery and dining space. That evening, a salsa event was underway, filling the air with a sophisticated, adult ambiance.

The restaurant area is adorned with antiques collected by Koohachak during his travels in Thailand, Bali, India, and beyond, creating an atmosphere that makes you forget you're in Toronto. The cuisine is a popular Japanese style in Toronto. The omakase course of about 8 dishes is reasonably priced at around $80 per person.

House of Moments
386 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto
Tel. +1-416-901-6003
Hours: Tue–Thu 18:00–23:00, Fri–Sat 18:00–2:00
Closed Sundays and Mondays
http://houseofmoments.com

A Must-Visit! The Restaurant by the Director of Ghostbusters

Here is "Montecito Restaurant," co-owned by Ivan Reitman, the Toronto-born director of the movie "Ghostbusters," and celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman.

The restaurant is named after Montecito, a place in California, and serves California cuisine made with fresh Canadian ingredients. They are meticulous about using the freshest ingredients, changing the menu daily based on what's available, such as Ontario fruits and vegetables, and organic chicken sourced from Mennonite farmers.



The interior, with its open kitchen on the first floor and dining areas on both levels, is adorned with photographs reminiscent of the era. The staff, too, are exceptionally good-looking, almost like actors! With a sophisticated clientele, it's a place to dress up for.

Montecito Restaurant
299 Adelaide Street West, Toronto
Tel. +1-416-599-0299
Hours: Mon–Wed 11:30–24:00, Thu–Fri 11:30–2:00, Sat 11:00–2:00, Sun 11:00–24:00
http://www.montecitorestaurant.ca

St. Lawrence Market: A Hub for Toronto Residents

If you're looking to purchase a small piece of art as a souvenir, "St. Lawrence Market" is highly recommended.

This market, bustling as Toronto's pantry for over 200 years, offers not only fresh local produce but also a wide array of goods perfect for souvenirs. On weekends, a farmers' market sets up across from the main market, showcasing vibrant produce, maple syrup, and sausages made by Mennonite vendors.

In the plaza, artists sell their creations, including postcards, illustrations, and pottery. Why not browse for your favorite piece of art while enjoying some delicious food?



St. Lawrence Market
92- 95 Front St East Toronto
South Market
Hours: Tue–Thu 8:00–18:00, Fri 8:00–19:00, Sat 5:00–17:00
Farmers' Market
Hours: Saturdays 5:00–15:00
Antique Market
Hours: Sundays 5:00–17:00
Closed Mondays
http://www.stlawrencemarket.com/


Inquiries
Tourism Toronto
http://seetorontonow.jp/