enRoute's Top 25

Boutique Unicorn
What This Mile End fashion destination features one-of-a-kind Canadian women’s wear plus a vintage section for bargain treasures. Why Find recycled leather accessories by New York’s Ashley Watson or those funky colourful clogs by Swedish Hasbeens.
5135, boul. Saint-Laurent, 514-544-2828, boutiqueunicorn.com

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La Salle à manger
What Hipsterville (a.k.a. the Plateau) has a new restaurant. Why Don’t be fooled by the pared-down décor. The owners (also of Réservoir) take their food and drink seriously, installing an outstanding wine cellar and a glass-sided cold room to showcase their fine selection of meats.
1302, av. du Mont-Royal E., 514-522-0777

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Chesterfield
What Under the masterful hand of former Toqué! sommelier Éric Tomassen, Le Sofa has morphed into the more upscale Chesterfield without losing any of its hip cachet. Why Its selection of private imports are sure to please amateurs and connoisseurs alike. The wines are divided into categories, ranging from fresh and fruity to robust and structured.
451, rue Rachel E., 514-544-5316, chesterfieldmtl.com

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Au Chaud Lapin
What After nursing an aperitif (or two) at one of the Plateau’s many trendy bars, head to this stylish and elegant resto on Mont-Royal. Why It’s love at first bite. Many of the unusual menu items are made from local terroir products. The gratin of rabbit leg stuffed with mushrooms on a bed of leek and celery is out of this world.
1279, av. du Mont-Royal E., 514-522-2379, auchaudlapin.ca

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Madame de Pompadour
What This tiny home-decor boutique in Westmount has a first-rate collection of French Rococo-inspired items. Why Madame de Pompadour was an influential patron of the arts and advisor to Louis XV. The name evokes her legendary talent for interior design and speaks to the quality of the pieces you’ll find here.
4910, rue Sherbrooke O., 514-670-6632 

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Riz en Folie
What Dig into the ultimate comfort food ­– rice pudding – at this tasty “treatery.” Why Daren Bergeron, Decca 77’s executive chef, offers 19 fab flavours, including coffee, pistachio, chocolate-mint and that perennial favourite, strawberry-rhubarb.
2153, rue Mackay, 514-750-3415, rizenfolie.com

Harry Rosen
What Harry Rosen’s flagship Yorkville store has long been the clothier of choice for Toronto’s Bay Streeters, but a recent renovation has brought Harry some contemporary sartorial sophistication. Why The expansion has made room for Canada’s first and only Tom Ford boutique.
82 Bloor St. W., 416-972-0556, harryrosen.com

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A Taste of Quebec
What After leaving his mark on hot spots Le Select and the Fifth, chef J.P. Challet is bringing a quintessentially Gallic flair from his native Quebec to this new Mill Street resto. Why Located near the gates of the distillery district, A Taste of Quebec is pure Old Montreal.
55 Mill St., 416-364-4955

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Nonna’s Original Italian Sandwiches
What Authentic ingredients, subtle flavours and fresh-baked bread are what make the Italian sandwich such a beautiful thing. It’s a bit of a drive to get one, but Markham’s still closer than Italy. Why The veal sandwich with sweet peppers and crunchy rapini is one of a kind.
9275 Hwy. 48, #18, 905-205-0145, nonnas.ca

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Pizzeria Libretto
What It only just opened, and it’s already one of Hogtown’s most popular pizzerias, maybe because it makes the best Neapolitan ’za in the city. Why Owner Max Rimaldi, a self-proclaimed pizza maniac, sticks to the golden rules of Italian cuisine set by the Italian government, the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana and the EU.
221 Ossington Ave., 416-532-8000, pizzerialibretto.com

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Jonathan + Olivia
What To the delight of many fashionistas, the Vancouver-based men and women’s clothing store has just set up shop in Toronto. Why It’s the perfect spot to score garments by Acne Jeans and Opening Ceremony, not to mention New York’s Pamela Love and Sweden’s Whyred.
49 Ossington Ave., 416-849-5956, jonathanandolivia.com 

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MoRoCo Chocolat
What Following the customs of Parisian chocolate makers, this dessert oasis makes heavenly homemade chocolate and sinful macaroons. Why “Let them eat cocoa!” For an indulgence worthy of Marie Antoinette, complement the chocolate with their exclusive champagnes by the glass.
99 Yorkville Ave., 416-961-2202, morocochocolat.com

The Naked Leaf
What This trendy new shop specializes in organic tea and offers a wide array of tea accessories from around the world.  Why Owner Jonathan Kane called upon regional and international artists to create unique teapots out of tin. These delightful handcrafted containers keep tea fresh for a surprisingly long time.  
103-305 10th St. NW, 403-283-3555, thenakedleaf.ca

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Parker House Grill & Wine Bar
What Chef Andrew Keen (of Tribune) and owner Ron Salverda have joined forces yet again, this time to offer inspired New England cuisine. Why Enjoy the wide selection of seafood or choice Alberta beef cuts with vino from the temperature-controlled 1,000-bottle cellar.
131 6th Ave. S.W., 403-237-9585

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Rossabella
What The perpetual hunt for stylish, original accessories ends at this store, where you can find everything from oversize handbags to imported leather boots. Why Cervato’s exotic shoes from South America embody this fall’s bright, bold styles.
1108 11th St. S.W., 403-455-3654

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Fergus & Bix Restaurant and Beer Market
What This great little bistro serves jazzed-up versions of North American classics. Why It also offers 17 different kinds of beer, most of them from local microbreweries. The Wild Rose Wraspberry is especially worth a taste.
873 85th St. S.W., #2000, 403-457-3344, fergusandbix.com  

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Mango Shiva
What A year after the first Mango Shiva closed its doors, the restaurant has just reopened in a brand new space. Why The owners are still delighting fans with updated versions of curry classics, but their focus has shifted to Northern Indian cuisine.
218 8th Ave. S.W., 403-290-1644  

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Vero Bistro Moderne
What This pleasant late-night spot is perfect for a quick drink or a tasty meal. Why The European menu consists primarily of French and Italian dishes, while boasting a wide selection of tapas. The food provides a sophisticated and multilayered experience.
209 10th St. N.W., 403-283-8988

CBC Radio Orchestra
What The CBC Radio Orchestra delivers its final concert on November 16. Why This performance marks the end of both a beloved 70-year-old institution and the traditional North American radio orchestra. The program consists of a Canada-inspired musical suite, culminating in a fortissimo climax.
Chan Centre for Performing Arts, 604-280-4444, ticketmaster.ca
 

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Jeff Wall
What This is Wall’s first solo show in his hometown since 1990. Why Since the late-1970s, Wall’s large-scale, meticulously produced photographs have had a massive impact on the contemporary art world. The exhibit showcases the gallery’s four new acquisitions.
750 Hornby St., 604-662-4719, vanartgallery.bc.ca

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Licious Living
What Healthy grab-and-go lunches, complete with printed nutritional information, are on the agenda in the downtown business district. Why Harried execs can forgo fast food or brown bags for delicious, wholesome dishes, such as the sunshine chicken salad with roast chicken breast, cranberries, chickpeas, goat cheese, and veggies on a bed of spinach.
1055 Dunsmuir St., 604-685-7054, liciousliving.com

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One of a Kind Show
What The long-running Toronto-based contemporary craft fair debuts in Vancouver this month. Why It’s the one-stop holiday shopping event! Head straight for luxe leather-and-wood bags by Tannis Hegan, slick ceramics by Amy Wood and gourmet edibles and preserves from Heather Nichol.
BC Place Stadium, 604-730-2062, oneofakindvancouver.com

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Blubird
What This new boutique parades the latest fashions from Paris, Milan and New York. Why If you’re into contemporary chic, the Tibi or Alice + Olivia items are just the ticket. Add a crack team of sales assistants to the equation.
1055 Alberni St., 604-257-0700, blubird.ca 

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Barefoot Kitchen
What How’s this for an audacious new take on fusion cuisine? “Japanized” versions of North American dishes. Why Though Vancouver has no shortage of sushi, it’s only now that can you enjoy a good spaghetti tarako, an intriguing dish made with cod eggs.
1725 Davie St., 604-681-9722

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Crime Lab
What This casual Coal Harbour hideout is the resurrection of an old West End favourite (originally located in a former police crime lab) that was tragically bulldozed in 2005. Why The menu is fun and innovative. Try the scrumptious lamb lollipop.
550 Denman St., #100, 604-568-4606