Exceptional Distillery District Hospitality Locations

I want to highlight for you one of this cities most talked about regions, The Distillery District. It has a lot of history for the city; filled with Victorian Industrial Architecture its past is very much present in the local businesses that currently occupy it. It is a chic location perfect for having fun among friends.

Many places in this city do Italian food but, Archeo Trattoria does it well.  The spacious environment lends itself well to hosting events; it can fit up to 200 people. Archeo also has a patio perfect for the summer. If you find yourself in the Distillery District don’t hesitate to try it out.

If you’ve ever had to choose between a great environment and great food you can appreciate Tappo Wine Bar and Restaurant as it has both. With their extensive menu and culinary skill it has a lot going for it. Specializing in classic Mediterranean and Italian food and extensive wine list; Tappo knows how to create an enjoyable meal. Its patio features two stainless steel fire pits.

The Pure Spirits Oyster House and Grill has a comfortable, dare I say cozy environment. The menu is where the real fun begins which includes oyster, but also fish, pork, duck and steak frites.

For those of you that are more adventurous there is the Stirling Room.  It is a progressive and sophisticated lounge and bar for the young urban professional.  With weekly events this lounge is a great place to meet new people or connect with friends.  The décor is impressive with quartz counter tops and a baby grand piano that has been converted into a DJ booth.

The Distillery District is extensive so I have only highlighted a few locations that I think stand out, but I want to know what in the Distillery District you enjoyed so please leave a comment in the section below.  These are just some of the restaurants and lounges in the Distillery there is also a number of event venues to be found at: www.fermentingcellar.ca

Four Things You Never Thought of for your Valentine

It happens every year. You and your sweetheart are basking in the post-holiday glow. All of the chaos of Christmas, Hanukah, New Years and oh-so many family get-togethers has passed and its back to just the two of you when suddenly you see it: that first pink and red shiny teddy bear in the drug store window.

Valentine’s day is a great fun day to show your partner how much you care about them, but the pressure to create a lasting romantic memory strikes fear in the hearts of even the most assured couples. So whether you’re old flames or a new romance check out these fabulous ideas to sweep even the hardest to surprise valentine off his or her feet.

Make it Unique
A box of chocolates and flowers are Valentine’s Day staples, but think outside the box to really knock the socks off your date. The perfect gift starts in knowing your date’s interests. At the same time picking a hobby related item when you don’t know much about the subject is a minefield. The safest route is to pick something fun, luxurious, and that they would never treat themselves to (forget practical gifts for this day). A great resource for strange gift ideas is http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/. Updated daily, here you can find gift ideas ranging from suit-jamas (silk suit pajamas), Ninja Star coat hooks, to remote control sharks. Prices range from the $55,000 working Tron motorcycle to the $6.87 glow in the dark toiler paper. It’s everything you never thought of, but always want.
Transformers USB Flash Drive $14.00

Make it Homemade
Not every Romeo and Juliet has the old-family money to throw around. There are hundreds of things you can make or do, even if your pocket book is on the lighter side. Homemade cookies, brownies, or other sweet treats always show your care and effort (which is always better than throwing a lot of money around). Can’t cook? Try a homemade craft or card. Everyone at CityEvents is in love with this neat idea guaranteed to impress: “Rainbow Roses”. Pick up 6 white roses and with a sharp X-acto knife, slice a 3 inch strip in the stem at the end, then quarter it so the end of the stem breaks into 4 prongs. Get four cups, and add 30 drops (super saturated) of food colouring of yellow red, blue and green in each cup (one colour per cup). Dip one piece of the stem in each for each rose, then gently tie the roses together so they don’t fall over (they tend to do that once the stems are split). Leave for 3-4 days and the roses will soak up the colours and the petals will begin to turn. Once they are coloured, cut off the split ends and be prepared to stun your date.

A Night on the Town
Now that you’ve picked out something to give your Valentine, it still leaves the question about what to do? We live in an amazing city. Any night of the week there is something interesting going on, the problem is narrowing it down to find the perfect event to take your Valentine to. Any savvy-Torontonian knows to do their research before hitting the streets. The City of Toronto lists all festivals and larger events: http://wx.toronto.ca/festevents.nsf/. Here you can find everything from the fantastic Winterlicious meal-deals to Valentine’s Day parties. As always http://torontocityevents.ca/site/ has featured events if your date enjoys touring the city.

Hiberdating
Not every Valentine is the type to dance till dawn. Knowing your date’s style social style will dictate if you paint the town red or curl up inside in front of a roaring fire. Staying in and “Hiber-Dating” as it’s affectionately known can be better than spending your money and time outside. Make it a perfect cozy evening for two with a bottle of wine (check the LCBO’s blog for hot deals) and a home cooked meal. Making the night a personal party for two does take some planning however, so stock up on snacks, treats, and movies and your evening is sure to be sizzling.

There are many different routes to take when planning the perfect Valentine’s Day but when in doubt keep it simple, keep it thoughtful, and just remember: make it unique to your unique couple style!

Have Fun This Valentine’s Day With Special Events Happening Around The City

Valentine’s Day is here again and there are plenty of fun and romantic specials for those interested. There is a diversity of events happening in Toronto for couples, families and, singles this Valentine’s Day, take part with the following events.

Couples

Singles needn’t worry about lack of events to attend on a day geared towards couples; Toronto is filled with opportunities for singles to have fun. No Sweetheart Required, is a festival presented by Cabbagetown Theatre Company from February 9 to the 14, the festival includes performances, music and more.  There is also the humorously named Toronto’s Largest Singles Anti-Valentine’s Day Party hosted by C-Lounge on the February 11.  and our recommended event:  Among the numerable things happening in the city this Valentine’s Day a few stand out among them is Shanny in the City and Gary Wilson’s Eligible Inc. Social Club present Valentine’s Masquerade Event, it is an exclusive and mysterious event happening in downtown Toronto on February 10. The event includes appetizers, drinks and door prizes.

image from freeimageslive.co.uk

8 Tips on Planning and Hosting Winter Events

The days are shorter, the night are longer but don’t let old man winter stop you from hosting your most fabulous event yet! Follow these CityEvents tips to create a Winter Wonderland on any budget

1. Pick a Theme and Stick to it!

For a winter event let the season inspire you and all your décor, theme, activities, and food options. A fun festive tip to try is pick one winter item, anything from a crystal icicle, a snowy forest, or a roaring fire and from that item recreate the feel, smell, taste, touch and sound that object brings you in all your event’s details.

2. Stay Warm!

The temperature may be dropping but your parties are heating up!  Make sure your guests stay warm, and bundle up coming and leaving your event. It can be anything from having a heated area when lining up to enter the venue to as simple as offering extra mittens and scarves to your guests when they leave (bonus points for having your event logo on the accessories!). For smaller parties have your guests brave the cold with a cup of Goodnight Hot Chocolate!

3. Make Outside Inside

Why let the seven feet of snow outside your door limit your options. Make outside inside with different heating setups. Try installing a tent area to take advantage of a larger lawn. Small budgets are no problem, as decorating a yard with fairy lights and having folded blankets on chairs creates a winter wonderland while giving your guests a chance for a breath of frosty fresh air.

4. Safety First

Safety should be a concern for all savvy planners year round but winter presents its own unique challenges. As much as possible check the weather reports for the day of your event and shovel, salt, and snow-blow all walkways! Always do a run-through of your whole floor-plan to make sure there are no slipping and sliding risks. Have enough coat racks (or coat check) as well as mats for wet boots and shoes. As always, for any guests who were feeling the festive winter spirit and consumed have alcohol, insist on a taxi or have alternative transportation on standby. Two numbers for the Toronto area are: Beck 416-751-5555, and City Taxi 416-740-2222

5. Use the Season to Your Advantage

Winter is the best time to match your décor to the season. Ice sculptures, and ice luges (for beverages) are beautiful, reasonably priced, and an impressive visual for your guests. The lower light of the afternoon sets any candles and lighting aglow. Rich colours: crimson, snow white, pine greens pop against the drab background of the urban winter. The crisp air makes savoury smells more noticeable, and any warmth always draws people in off the street. Counterpoint the heat and energy of your party with the frosty outside and all your event choices will be that much more of a standout.

6. Try Something Different

As beautiful as the winter season is there is something to be said with doing the exact opposite! Vacation sales spike in the New Year for a reason – people want an escape! This is the perfect time to juxtapose a wacky or different theme to shake your guests out of their winter hibernation. Who wouldn’t want to try a January Hawaiian Luau or a Murder Mystery Dinner instead of a traditional February Valentine’s day party?  Get creative and try something no one else is doing! It’s sure to be noticed.

7. Timing is Everything

They’re called the “Winter Blahs” for a reason. Holiday season is very busy with Christmas, Chanukah, New Years and reunions. Guests may be worn out by January 1st, but there is a large empty period from Jan – March. This is the perfect time to plan your winter party and give your guests something to look forward to! Half the trick in creating a good buzz is standing out from the competition, and with little else going on even the smallest party will shine.

8. Make it Fun!

This is the most important thing to remember! As planners we can get caught up in the detail and forget to see the big picture. People come to events to have fun, so think critically. Is this something I would have fun at? Spontaneity is the key to fun; why not whip up a snowball fight at midnight? Drop snowflake confetti? Keep your guests guessing and keep it fun! Happy Planning!!

A midtown event venue popular for social events

A midtown event venue popular for social events Rosehill Venue Lounge offers a casual ambiance in the Rosedale and Summerhill area of Toronto, just south of Yonge Street & St. Clair Avenue. This venue is the “hidden gem” of special event venues in Toronto, with the ability to transform itself to suit almost any event need. Think of it as a Swiss knife for a venue and its versatility to convert for any event.

The space is great for a group around 100 and has a great kitchen for the chef’s to work out of but can grow to over 350. You can fit a dance floor with seated dinner if you have this size group, the space doesn’t feel overwhelmingly large or small-just comfortable. The ambiance is really nice with the exposed ceilings, brick walls, laminate/brick floor, and sofas in the lounge area and looks beautiful at night lit up by candles. Rosehill is perfect to have a dance floor, stage or focal point but also a casual lounge area.

The venue offers its clients the personalized service each distinct event requires. The staff is always on-the-ball and very friendly. From your first meeting, through the planning process, to the date of your event Rosehill can offer as much support as you require. It is steps from the subway and located next to a Green P parking lot. If you’re looking for a space that’s a little different, easy to get to from downtown, and not a banquet hall, check it out www.rosehillevents.ca

6 Rosehill Avenue, Toronto
ON M4T 2B7
(416) 923-2232

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