A day by the pool and some dining options in downtown Toronto
It is almost impossible to be bored in Toronto. With its array of permanent and temporary attractions, live performances, major league sports and the fantastic food scene, you will never run out of things to do.
Last summer, I spent a month in downtown Toronto, which was chock-full of entertainment, including a visit to an outdoor pool, some excellent dinners, a concert at Rogers Centre, a play at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, a trip to Toronto Island and much more.
The Radisson Blu
While I did not stay at a hotel while visiting Toronto, I did have the chance to visit the Radisson Blu Downtown. With the weather being so warm during my stay, I looked into options for swimming in the city, and came across Radisson’s rooftop pool, which is open to visitors who purchase day passes. The hotel is conveniently located at 249 Queens Quay West, which is just steps away from the Toronto Harbour and around a five-minute drive from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The pool day passes can be booked via OpenTable. They are $65 per person plus taxes and fees, and includes in/out privileges, towels and service right at your seat. It is open from noon until 10 pm. (For hotel guests, of course, there are no fees associated with going to the pool.)
My day at the pool was incredibly relaxing. The water was warm, and I was treated to views of the harbour on one side and a picturesque view of the CN Tower on the other. The pool menu features a variety of cocktails and cold beer, as well as snacks and meals that you can enjoy poolside. The hotel has an elevator that leads to the pool and is wheelchair accessible for parking, the restaurant, and the registration and concierge desks.
Dining out
Looking for some fresh, delicious sushi? JaBistro is a con- temporary take on traditional Japanese fine dining, where the dishes are treated like works of art. The restaurant opened its doors in November 2012 in Toronto’s Entertainment District, welcoming guests into its warm and chic space on Richmond St. Located mere blocks away from the popular Nathan Phillips Square, the modern and sleek restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
During our visit, my travel partner and I sat on their lovely outdoor patio, which had a nice aesthetic and a dedicated bar. The nigiri platter offered us a taste of the chef ’s top recommended fish of the day. Other high- lights included the salmon oshizushi, the Jabistroll (the one true maki on the menu) and the Gindara, which is grilled black cod with saikyo miso. Indeed, the restaurant is probably best known for their aburi sushi, with a multitude of different options on the menu, including ebi (shrimp), saba (cured mackerel), hotate (scallop), and wagyu (beef).
While we went with an à-la-carte option for our meal, guests can also choose from various prix fixe options, both at lunchtime and dinnertime. From the perspective of wheelchair accessibility, please note that the rooftop patio is only accessible via stairs. The restaurant entrance is wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs or mobility de- vices. There are standardized washrooms, minus accessibility features like grab bars or accessible sinks.
Meanwhile, there are three Cibo Wine Bar locations in Toronto: 522 King St. W., 2472 Yonge St. and 133 Yorkville Ave. We were lucky enough to enjoy a delicious meal on the patio on King St. This Italian restaurant and wine bar, created by the Liberty Entertainment Group, offers traditional Italian fare in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The menu offers guests a true taste of Italian cuisine, featuring both traditional classics and modern staples. Like the food, the space itself is warm and inviting with stone and glass walls, rustic wood finishes, exposed brick and butcher block tabletop. During our visit, we were treated to small portions of all of the menu highlights. Cibo King has an accessibility ramp and an accessible restroom, therefore making the patio and main floor options for people with mobility issues.
