Prevue May/June 2012 - (Page 74)

“THE CITY’S 17-MILE UNDERGROUND PEDESTRIAN NETWORK IS THE LONGEST IN THE WORLD CONNECTING TO OVER 1,200 SHOPS.” MUSEUM MEETINGS Celebrated architect Frank Gehry has upended the architectural world with his “wrinkled paper” designs from L.A. to Bilbao. Born in Toronto, Gehry redesigned the magnificent Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in 2008 with a wave of local brotherly love. One of the continent’s most underrated museums, AGO is great because the focus is on 20th century art that you actually relate to. One gallery showcases Abel Boulineau, a Parisian photographer in the early 1900s who focused on rural craftsmen, children and markets from Aquitaine to the Rhone-Alps. The painting exhibit titled “History & Her Story: The Roles of Model, Muse, Mistress & Mother” discusses the evolution of women in society. The artwork ranges from Picasso’s sombre “Crouching Women” to Renoir’s colorful “The Concert.” There’s Monet and van Gogh in the French Impressionism gallery; a look at how Lenin equated progress with belching factory chimneys in the “Soviet Poster” exhibit; and a gorgeous black and white photo collection of iron workers who built Canada’s transportation and urban infrastructure. For group events, AGO offers two private spaces. The largest is the 3rd floor Baillie Court with 7,200 sf of uninterrupted space and panoramic views of the city. The modernist Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) was designed by another celebrity architect, Daniel Libeskind, who also drafted Manhattan’s original rebuild of the twin towers and the Jewish Museum in Berlin. The jagged crystal-like entrance is a dramatic entrance for groups up to 2,000. Exhibits focus on natural history and world culture, highlighted by a globally respected collection of Chinese art and sculpture. CULTURE FOOD It’s often reported that Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world. That’s a bit of an urban myth because there’s no actual data to support it, but a case might easily be made. Toronto is home to over 140 cultures from around the world. That variety plays a strong role in the city’s food scene. Stepping into the 3-level Kultura the first time, you’re not sure what to make of it. Is it a hipster Asian-themed nightclub or organic restaurant serving hippie haute cuisine? “Basically it can be a club or a restaurant,” says Ari, who delivers the miso black cod on a bed of radish salad and mushroom orecchiette served in a French onion soup bowl. The 1st/2nd floors are public with long farmer tables, Asian temple art, Buddha paintings and candles. The semi-private back room on the 2nd floor with a fireplace and tall ceilings is popular for groups. There’s an overall industrial feel with brick walls, wide plank floors and red iron beams, softened by the driftwood art. The 3rd floor is for private groups for 35 dining; 80 standing. Tourism Toronto kicked off this fam trip with a henna tattoo-making reception at The Sultan’s Tent downtown. We then made our way to the semi-private Aladdin-themed dining space seating 100 for the belly dancer performances. The three dancers interacted with the group, and let me just say, belly dancing is a lot harder than it looks even with expert guidance. Dancing performances and impromptu lessons run seven nights a week, two and three times nightly. The Moroccan menu: hummus and zaalouk, warm chevre and pear salad, braised lamb and some delicious beef short ribs doused with a nice red wine/prune juice demi. 66 | prevue magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue May/June 2012

Sheraton China + Macau
The Peppermill, Reno
Charleston + Denver
CSR with Caesars
Hong Kong's Kai Tak Terminal
Special Section: Europe
Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf
Affordable Luxury
Frenchman's Reef, USVI
Australia
Toronto
Taiwan
U.S. Gaming Hotels
Caesars/Paris Las Vegas
Grand Lucayan, Bahamas
Iberostar Cancun

Prevue May/June 2012