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Canada’s Next Great Neighbourhoods1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Itinerary | Home 
Roncesvalles Village, Toronto Boho-chic Roncesvalles Village mixes an Eastern European vibe – picture moustaches and Polish grandmothers – with young parents, pampered dogs and local literati. By Jowita Bydlowska 9:00 Cherry Bomb offers a first taste of Roncy’s authenticity with a killer Americano, proudly served in an eco-friendly takeout cup. 12:00 Politically conscious pram pushers stop at the spacious red brick and wood eatery and gallery Tinto for a fair-trade snack. 14:00 The afternoon to-do list: Drop off junior at Cookerydoo, the brightly enthusiastic cooking and crafts school for children; shop with dog at the Kennel Cafe; pick up party dress at Frock, where Canadian designers take up much of the hanger space. 18:00 At Granowska’s, borscht is the word. Since there’s no menu, regulars like writer Michael Winter watch what the local grandfathers order for clues. Roncy’s Polish beat continues with fragrant, drool-worthy sausages, cheese and pastries at Benna’s Bakery & Deli and inventive salads, pickled wild mushrooms and cukes at Super Kolbasa & Deli. 21:00 The Inter Steer bar proudly boasts a jukebox that plays both contemporary and classics and a sign outside that reads, “The Romantic Place.” Plus where else would you drink Żywiec? The Local tavern hosts the best bluegrass musicians – Chris Quinn, Marc Roy, Tony Allen and Kristine Schmitt – in the city. Closing time is 11 p.m. or the people who live upstairs will have a cow. “Sometimes there’s the whiff of chocolate in the air from the big Nestlé factory, and everywhere there’s still that old Polish feeling to the place; it gives the ’hood a European postwar feel.” – Katerina Cizek, independent documentary maker
Hintonbourg, Ottawa Named after Joseph Hinton – the guy who secured the first post office here in the mid-1800s – this former down-market district has gotten an upmarket comb-over. By Fateema Sayani 7:00 With heirloom tomatoes, purple beans and micro-greens from the Bryson Farms stall at the Ottawa Parkdale Market in hand, early birds head north to Remic Rapids Park to watch the sun rise over John-Félice Ceprano’s freestanding rock sculptures. Mind the joggers and dog walkers. 10:00 Shoppers drop the best friend at Dogz, a place for pup pampering and daycare, then head over to Ravensara for collectible tin toys. A Fine Thing has antiques galore, including mid-century favourite Fiestaware. 12:00 The back of the Melrose Groceteria houses Helen’s Cuisine, a lunch counter serving shawarma, tabouli, delicious baklava – and pot roast. 15:00 Upstart galleries abound. Cube Gallery is home to locally established modern artists. The space – an old soda factory – is perfect for lingering. James Robinson, the owner of nearby Parkdale Gallery, paints on-site, while the one-room Pukka Gallery, housed inside artist co-op the Engine Room, changes exhibitions monthly. 17:00 While occasionally reclaimed as a hipster hovel for rock shows, the Carleton Tavern is a good old dive with decor to match. 18:00 Visiting cookbook authors teach the fundamentals of Slow Food or molecular gastronomy at the Urban Element, a retrofitted fire hall with an industrial kitchen. Bonus: Eat your work with your new pals and take recipes home. Don’t want to do the work? Sail over to Hino Restaurant for fine Asian-fusion cuisine. “If Hintonburg were a person, it would be someone who’s a lot of fun and a great laugh but goes to bed early.” – Don Monet, curator of Cube Gallery |
