5 GEMS OF TORONTO'S HISTORIC DISTILLERY DISTRICTToronto, Ontario, Canada
“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” So said American author and humorist Mark Twain. This sentiment was clearly upheld by Twain’s contemporaries - distilling giants and brothers-in-law - William Gooderham and James Worts. In 1837 they started distilling whiskey in what is now known as Toronto’s Distillery District, and by 1871 collective international thirst had grown Gooderham and Worts into the largest distillery in the world.
Now thanks to the worlds thirsty citizens of the past, this giant of an industry has left an architectural and historic legacy that includes the best preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America. Step through the pedestrian entrance to this historic enclave and absorb the history as you follow the path taken by many a rattling barrel-laden cart and clopping hooves. Meander down the bricked and tree-lined Distillery Lane. Where you now walk, train cars once steamed and hissed and rattled with their precious load of ‘golden nectar’. Take care as you step back a little further in time to the days of James Worts first arrival - portions of this thirteen acre tract of highly industrialized land were once submerged. Massive land reclamation which started in the 19th century is responsible for much of the distillery area we enjoy today. As you return your focus to current times, note the blend of historic and modern. Note restoration that preserves the harmony of forty-four Victorian era buildings and melds them with a splash of riotous modern artistic flare. A fourteen foot crouching and flame-headed figure greets visitors entering through the Parliament Street gate, and a ten thousand pound steel ‘spider’ greets arachnophobes with towering limbs that will haunt many a nightmare. Somehow this world of old and new blends in exciting contrast. Now direct your focus from historic observation, to that of day-tripping tourist. Whether your quest is for an eclectic cultural mix of entertainment and art, shopping at boutiques perfumed in lavender and rose, or whether you’re just out for delicious food and refreshment on a starlit summer night, these car-free and cobbled streets will not disappoint. Here are a few of my day trip favorites - a hard list to narrow down when each turn of a corner and each cobbled doorway leads to a new gem! Brick Street Bakery This Victorian style bakery offers the best in simple gastronomic pleasures. As you stroll along Trinity, let your nose and your taste-buds guide you. You will, without a doubt, end up before Brick Streets’ mouth-watering selection of home-baked pies and artisan breads. Whether breakfast or lunch is imminent, or whether any other excuse for a hearty morsel comes to mind, I strongly advise - succumb to the temptation! Brick Street Bakery fare is as delicious as the aromas that draw you in. (http://www.brickstreetbakery.ca/) Sweet Escape Patisserie Swing a left off Tank House Lane into the bricked and flour-bag adorned Sweet Escape Patisserie - and leave your resolve at the door. Multiple reviews of this decadent dessert destination had already indicated that resistance would be futile. If your weakness is cupcakes, try such original options as ‘Chocolate Monkey’, ‘Lavender’ or ‘Lemon Meringue Pie’. Here’s a concept I’ve never heard of though - filled cupcakes - this has got to be the ultimate in cupcake decadence! On this trip my ice-cream weakness was well satisfied with a scoop of creamy Creme Brule, and filled cupcakes would just have to wait til another day. (http://thesweetescapedistillery.com/) The Boiler House Over a century ago this expansive room held coal-fired boilers exhaling blackened air and funneling energy to the far corners of a vast distillation complex. Now the Boiler House hosts an upscale restaurant and bar with a style its creators call ‘cool industrial chic’. It’s industrial roots are apparent everywhere - note the soaring twenty-two foot high wine rack fashioned from original wooden beams, the old plank floors, and two ancient pasteurizing tanks that have clearly seen better days. If the night is warm and the stars are out, you can’t beat a few hours on the Boiler Room patio - big comfortable couches, drapes, and lanterns make this a fantastic place to hang-out. This is also a great spot to channel the spirit of one of the worlds most renowned distilleries and sample some of the Boiler Houses' many single malt offerings. (http://www.boilerhouse.ca/) Cubeworks Gallery The Cubeworks has a truly original collection. All pieces are created in-house by a very talented group of artists who I was delighted to discover also working in the store-front - easily accessible and most willing to talk with customers about the stunning work on display. My favorite, and the majority of the work, was a series of over-sized covers of famous works of art all done with Rubiks cubes. See cubist versions of Mona Lisa, Elvis, and even Spongebob. With a backdrop of industrial architecture - all beige and red mottled brick, filtered sunlight streaming through Victorian frames, these bright and massive pieces formed a strikingly modern contrast. (http://www.cubeworks.ca/) The Potting Shed This hole-in-the-wall shop is a most beautiful replica of a Victorian lady’s potting shed. Esthetics and practicality merge in a picture-postcard vision of vibrant greens and violet blossoms, heavy-headed hydrangea, and mini-potted herbs. Aromatic basil fills the air as I breeze past herbs, but loose the battle to heavenly lavender that overflows at the window and wafts through the air. Chalk-board shutters declare “We’re small but mighty” in bold letters and a smiling modern-day Victorian lady in cowboy boots and mini-dress confirms that appearances are misleading - this tiny nook brings Victorian gardening to a wide audience. In addition to the shop, The Potting Shed also caters to weddings and special events, and runs regular workshops. (http://www.fromthepottingshed.com/) Now for the ultimate in modern meets historic, take a tour of these gems of the Distillery District on a smooth-riding and incredibly maneuverable Segway with Segway of Ontario. Their self-described space-age technology will give you a perspective of this historic area in a way that Gooderham and Worts could not have imagined 150 years ago. (http://www.segwayofontario.com/distillerytours.htm) |
TRAVEL DIY BRICK STREET BAKERY Email | Website | TripAdvisor 27 Trinity St Toronto, Ontario M5A 3C4, Canada 1 416-214-4949 SWEET ESCAPE PATISSERIE Email | Website | TripAdvisor Building 47 55 Mill St Suite 102, Toronto, Ontario M5A 3 1 416-214-CAKE THE BOILER HOUSE Email | Website | TripAdvisor 55 Mill St, Toronto, Ontario M5A 3C4, Canada 1 416-203-2121 CUBEWORKS GALLERY Email | Website | TripAdvisor Mill Street, ON, Canada 1.555.555.5555 THE POTTING SHED Email | Website | TripAdvisor Mill Street, ON, Canada 1.555.555.5555 |
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