Last night our city welcomed the world with style, and one of the best moments for me was Shane Koyczan’s slam poetry. He did an amazing job of capturing what truly makes us Canadian, and I felt that it deserved a shout out from all of us here at Vancouver Tours Guys. WELL DONE SHANE! Go Canada Go!

“We Are More” by Shane Koyczan
When defining Canada
you might list some statistics
you might mention our tallest building
or biggest lake
you might shake a tree in the fall
and call a red leaf Canada
you might rattle off some celebrities
might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie
might even mention the fact that we’ve got a few
Barenaked Ladies
or that we made these crazy things
like zippers
electric cars
and washing machines
when defining Canada
it seems the world’s anthem has been
” been there done that”
and maybe that’s where we used to be at
it’s true
we’ve done and we’ve been
we’ve seen
all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine
and turned into theme parks
but when defining Canada
don’t forget to mention that we have set sparks

we are not just fishing stories
about the one that got away
we do more than sit around and say “eh?”
and yes

we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One
who inspired little number nines
and little number ninety-nines
but we’re more than just hockey and fishing lines
off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes
and some say what defines us
is something as simple as please and thank you
and as for you’re welcome
well we say that too
but we are more
than genteel or civilized
we are an idea in the process
of being realized
we are young
we are cultures strung together
then woven into a tapestry
and the design
is what makes us more
than the sum total of our history
we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from a to zed
and yes we say zed instead of zee
we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy
we dream so big that there are those
who would call our ambition an industry
because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow
we do more than grow wheat and brew beer
we are vineyards of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear
because we believe in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us
have grown past what used to be
we can stand here today

filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like “someday”

someday we’ll be great
someday we’ll be this
or that
someday we’ll be at a point
when someday was yesterday
and all of our aspirations will pay the way
for those who on that day
look towards tomorrow
and still they say someday

we will reach the goals we set
and we will get interest on our inspiration
because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks
more than backpacks and hiking trails
we are hammers and nails building bridges
towards those who are willing to walk across
we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss
we are not the see-through gloss or glamour
of those who clamour for the failings of others
we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers
uncles and nephews aunts and nieces
we are cousins
we are found missing puzzle pieces
we are families with room at the table for newcomers
we are more than summers and winters
more than on and off seasons
we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay
because we are more than what we say or do
we live to get past what we go through

and learn who we are
we are students
students who study the studiousness of studying
so we know what as well as why
we don’t have all the answers
but we try
and the effort is what makes us more
we don’t all know what it is in life we’re looking for
so keep exploring
go far and wide
or go inside but go deep
go deep
as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss
and suddenly there was this location scout
trying to figure some way out
to get inside you
because you’ve been through hell and high water
and you went deep
keep exploring
because we are more
than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
we are more than hills to ski
or countryside ponds to skate
we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can’t wait
we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country that is all the ways you choose to live
a land that can give you variety
because we are choices
we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
” keep exploring… we are more”
we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it’s true

Canada is the “what” in “what’s new?”
so don’t say “been there done that”
unless you’ve sat on the sidewalk
while chalk artists draw still lifes
on the concrete of a kid in the street
beatboxing to Neil Young for fun
don’t say you’ve been there done that
unless you’ve been here doing it
let this country be your first-aid kit
for all the times you get sick of the same old same old
let us be the story told to your friends
and when that story ends
leave chapters for the next time you’ll come back
next time pack for all the things
you didn’t pack for the first time
but don’t let your luggage define your travels
each life unravels differently
and experiences are what make up
the colours of our tapestry
we are the true north
strong and free
and what’s more
is that we didn’t just say it
we made it be.

A Tour Guys’ guide to eating and drinking downtown Toronto

I’ve put together a list of my favourite downtown Toronto pubs and restaurants. Everyone has their favourites, and these are the ones I personally like the most. Therefore in my mind, they are the best and are the pubs and restaurants I patronize with my friends and where I take people who are visiting from out of town. They are  listed in no particular order by neighbourhood (some with a major attraction nearby) and all are considered “downtown”.

Old Toronto (St Lawrence Market, Hockey Hall of Fame area)

Old Spaghetti Factory – It’s kitschy, it’s busy, but the pasta is always fresh, delicious and the portions are great value. Popular with tourists and people celebrating birthdays (when your meal is free)! Great for kids!

C’est What? – This cosy basement pub is renowned for its craft beer selection and its menu reflects Canada’s cultural (and culinary) diversity. I really like their coffee and chocolate hazelnut beers. The antijitos are really good too. Lack of a patio is not good for summer business, but the comfy couches around the fireplace are the best seats during the colder months.

Betty’s on King – Originally opened as “BettyFord’s” after the clinic founded by the former American First Lady, it has since been renamed, and is a favourite watering hole for students from nearby George Brown College and reporters and media types from the nearby newspaper offices. Inexpensive food and a large selection of drafts keep bringing me back.

Queen St. West (MuchMusic, Entertainment District)

The Rivoli – Nice atmosphere, interesting (and delicious) menu, and live music or comedy in the back room. Try the “Wookie balls”, pad thai, burger or roti.

Trimurti – My favourite Indian restaurant in Toronto. It is the bar by which I measure all other butter chicken and channa masala dishes. The owners and staff are wonderful and their lunch buffet… out of this world.

Chez Cora – The smiling sun on the logo is to me the image of contentment, and its how I feel after breakfast here. The franchise started in Quebec and I squealed like a 12-year-old girl surprised with a new pet pony when I saw one open in Toronto.

Baldwin Village (Art Gallery of Ontario)

Sin and Redemption – opened just a couple of years ago across from a Catholic church, this Belgian style pub has a great selection of beers, nice ambiance, and great service. Try Fruli strawberry beer or Delirium beer.

Village Idiot – Across the street from the Art Gallery of Ontario, right next door to Sin and Redemption (mentioned above), this place is a cozy British style pub with a fine selection of beer from the Isles, including one of my Scottish favourites: Tennants.

Kuni Sushi-ya - Shortly after this spot opened on Baldwin Street, actor Samuel L. Jackson ate there, loved it, and has been back again. I like this place for its Japanese curry chicken katsu among other things. The food here is great value and you don’t pay tax on take-out orders over $20!

Margharitas – I once brought some Mexican teenagers here and they were impressed. They thought they were going to be having “Taco Bell” type food (the only Mexican food they thought we had) and were really impressed. My favourite dish here is the chicken burrito in the mole (cocoa) sauce washed down with their refreshing sangria… followed by a siesta.

Chinatown and Kensington Market

Dark Horse Espresso Bar – I’ve found the new location at 215 Spadina Ave (Chinatown) to be perfect for casual meetings and chitchat. The coffee is prepared perfectly and the baked good are great.

Pho Hung – I have to admit I have not sampled the pho (soup) here, but the “19A” is one of my all-time favourite lunches. Greens topped with vermicelli noodles, chopped chicken and a spring roll with all the hot sauce and dark sweet hoisin sauce you can squirt on top of it all. Finish with a strong Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk (hot or iced) and you’ve got a power lunch for less than $10.

Rol San – When it’s 3am and I crave late-night Chinese, this is where I go. HUGE portions served up with speed and efficiency until 4am make this Chinatown place popular. Try the sweet and sour pork, garlic baby bok-choy, and the Singapore style noodles. They also serve dim sum!

Grilled Cheese – Two guys closed up their restaurant in New York City and brought it to Kensington Market. Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches served with potato chips. They open late (lunch) and are open late (after the bars close).

The Blue Banana Market – It’s not a bar or restaurant, but this amazing gift store has a little coffee bar inside that serves up organic baked goods and Balzac’s coffee, which is awesome.

Yonge and Dundas Square (Eaton Centre)

Eggspectations – I was first introduced to this franchise in Ottawa, and was thrilled to see one open on Yonge St in the Eaton Centre. I do prefer the French name Cirque des Ouefs – “The Egg Circus”. How fun does that sound?

The Mansion Keg – If you like steak and are prepared to spend a nice sum of money one one you will remember for a very long time, then check out this restaurant in a swanky historical (and haunted) Victorian Mansion. At my most recent meal here at one point I felt the steak I was eating was too good for me. But I kept quiet and pretended otherwise.

Yorkville

Spuntini – This is where a lot of celebrities dine when they are in T.O. so if you want to treat yourself (or someone special) to a memorable Italian fine-dining experience, look no further than this Yorkville hotspot. It’s kind of fun to overhear snippets of conversation about riding cubs and indoor pool troubles at home. Best value is the penne in vodka cream sauce for $13. Bravo! Go early ( before 6pm) or make a reservation.

Hemingway’s – It’s a slice of New Zealand in Toronto. Although it’s in the trendy Yorkville ‘hood, it’s not expensive. This place has an amazing patio that gets packed after work, especially on Fridays. Try the butter chicken!

Eat A Pita – It’s a little lunch hole in the wall near Yonge and Bloor St and sets itself apart from others in the falafel department by frying them right there in front of you. Talk about fresh! The shawarma is excellently seasoned, made with care, and the sandwich/pop special is $5. Win! When I worked in the area, I used to eat there at least once a week.

Distillery District

Mill Street Brew Pub – In the Distillery District, when the shooting wrapped for the movie “Chicago” a few years back, the bar set was closed, Mill Street moved in. They make two of my all-time favourite beers – Mill Street Organic and Mill Street Coffee Porter (brewed with Balzac’s coffee). The food here is also exceptional – traditional pub fare with a gastro-twist.

Little Italy

Amato Pizza – My first delivery pizza from Amato was so incredible it almost prompted a thank-you call. The guy who made my pizza wrote “Thanks! Eat more Amato!” on the plain white pizza box and signed his name. Not the cheapest delivery pizza, but well worth the few extra bucks. They serve pizza by the slice, as well as delivery, and have several locations around Toronto.

Sneaky Dee’s – My friends and I lovingly called it “Sneaky Disease” when it was one of our regular haunts back in university. It’s sketchy looking as hell, covered in graffiti, plastered with old posters and junk on the walls and speakers pump out what amounts to my CD collection circa 1994 (grunge rock and brit-pop). It also serves up some of the best tex-mex food and beer at a bargain. Brunch is excellent, and I love their Hawaiian nacho platter with ham and pineapple. Upstairs is a great bar for live music!

The Annex

Insomnia – This internet cafe turned internet cafe/restaurant/bar turned restaurant/bar has been a long-time favourite, ever since I lived nearby as a student. Fun martinis, killer banana chocolate pancakes for brunch, and really nice servers are just a few of the many things this pace has going for it. And it’s open until 2am!

Sarah’s Shawarma and Falafel – For a very long time my favourite shawarma in the city, and still a place I just can’t seem to pass by without entering. Try the chicken shawarma in a pita with a bit of the hot sauce and wash it down with a mango nectar.

Boulevard Café – Many people list this as their favourite Latin American restaurant in the city, and you can count me among them. The delicious, aromatic Peruvian cuisine is unique, leans slightly towards seafood, and is served by outstanding staff. I can’t say enough about this place.