enRoute's Top 25

Lenoir Lacroix Degustarium
What Christian Lacroix wanted to create a place where people could savour the best imported coffees and teas, while sampling sophisticated snacks. Why The café holds monthly workshops on interesting food pairings like coffee and cheese or tea and tartare.
7085, boulevard Saint-Laurent, local 100, 514-904-0162, lenoirlacroix.ca

Harmony Code
What This clothing boutique’s decor features eye-catching lavender walls and stylized red flowers on a black background. Why It’s perfect for injecting a touch of exoticism into your winter wardrobe. In addition to lines by young local designers, the owner handpicks items from Greece, India and Turkey.
123, avenue du Mont-Royal Ouest, 514-286-2633

Mamie Clafoutis
What The heavenly smells wafting from the newly opened Outremont bakery are sure to win you over before you even step through its powder-blue façade. Why Head straight for the clafoutis, the delicious house specialty made with caramelized apples, cranberries or cherries.
1291, avenue Van Horne, 514-750-7245

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, boulevard Saint-Laurent, 514-544-2828, boutiqueunicorn.com

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, having installed an outstanding wine cellar and a glass-sided cold room to showcase their fine selection of meats.
1302, avenue du Mont-Royal Est, 514-522-0777

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 Est, 514-544-5316, chesterfieldmtl.com

Loïc Gourmet To Go
What Chef David Kokai’s new prepared food business offers classic French dishes, like an onion soup that gets consistent raves. It’s all freshly prepared for busy urbanites with little time to linger. Why With its refined, locally sourced products, Loïc is leading a new wave of poshification in Riverside, the next hot downtown 'hood.
722 Queen St. E., 416-850-8835, loicgourmet.ca

West Elm
What A limb of the sprawling Williams-Sonoma retail tree, this contemporary home furnishings chain has been solving the design dilemmas of chic, young stateside condo-dwellers for years. Its first Canadian store just opened in the heart of King West loft land. Why Who can say no to Studio B(ish) style on an Ikea(ish) budget? 
109 Atlantic Ave., 416-537-0110

Crush Wine Bar
What This King West temple to vinophilia didn’t need a makeover, but it got one anyway, courtesy of famed restaurant designers Giannone Associates. Now when you walk in, you find yourself in a 50-seat lounge space with a gorgeous cork and granite bar. Why Don’t miss the famous brown-bag blind tastings.
455 King St. W., 416-977-1234, crushwinebar.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

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

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

Kensington Wine Bar
What Owners of famed restaurant Muse have just opened a wine bar in the très chic Kensington district. Why Sophisticated gourmands will appreciate the stylized tapas, while savouring wine from their vast and interesting selection.
1131 Kensington Rd. N.W., Lower Level, 403-270-9403, winebarkensington.com

Éclair de Lune
What A former post-doc engineering student found that he favoured whipped cream over cement, so he opened his own bakery. Why Your efforts to locate this hard-to-find spot will be amply rewarded. Once you’ve tasted the aptly named “Conversation” brioche, boasting an almond cream and raspberry purée combo, you’ll gladly make the detour again.
1049 40th Ave. N.W., 403-398-8803

A Ladybug Bakery & Café
What Building on the success of her bakery stand at the Calgary Farmers’ Market, Marie Leclerq has finally opened a permanent location for her sought-after goodies. Why Fans of her baguettes, croissants and other French pastries can enjoy them in the intimate, 50-seat café area, while sipping freshly made coffee or tea.
2132 Aspen Stone Blvd. S.W., 403-249-5530

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.  
353 10th St. N.W., 403-283-3555, thenakedleaf.ca

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

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

Violet
What Genevieve Allen’s Parisian boutique on South Granville was inspired by designer Vanessa Bruno’s apartment. Why Restock your closet with hard-to-find French lines, like Bella Jones and Cotélac, Fiorentini + Baker boots (as seen on Mary-Kate Olsen) and heels by Cynthia Vincent’s Twelfth Street.
3012 Granville St., 604-569-1514, violetboutique.ca
 

ShuRaku Sake Bar & Bistro
What With dark woods accented by backlit washi paper walls, this subdued room on Granville’s lively entertainment strip is a great spot for izakaya-style small plates. Why Must-try dishes include the barbecue back ribs – succulent and fall-off-the-bone tender – and inventive sushi creations. Try the Roulette roll: spicy chopped scallop, avocado and cucumber topped with negitoro and lotus-root chips.
833 Granville St., 604-687-6622
 

Yoko’s Haute Coiffure & B-Yu Head Spa
What Canada’s only Japanese eco-head-spa gets a makeover. Why A $90,000 renovation gave this established West Van salon the green wash treatment; all the building materials are sustainable, as are the hair products. Treatments include Shinso body realignment therapy and scalp facials. These can repair damaged hair, prevent hair loss and provide a non-surgical facelift. They’re all the rage in Tokyo.
1352 Marine Dr., West Van, 604-926-0911, b-yu.com
 

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
 

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

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

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