enRoute's Top 25

Chez Schwartz’s à côté
What This 80-year-old Montreal landmark, justly famed for its artery-clogging smoked meat sandwiches, needs no introduction. Why Having set up shop next door to the original Schwartz’s, this second take-out-only location is intended to reduce the sometimes block-long queues of hungry diners.
3901 A, boul. Saint-Laurent, 514-845-9592, schwartzsdeli.com

Serafim
What Located across from Old Montreal’s Bonsecours Market, this Greek-style café also stocks a range of gourmet products. Why Souvlakis and pitas, Kalamata olive bread and organic, homemade smoothies: the selection of reasonably priced snack items is as wide as it is tempting.
393, rue Saint-Paul E., 514-861-8181

Les Chocolats de Chloé
What A cozy neighbourhood chocolate shop that creates such decadent treats as a milk chocolate-honey combo, or vanilla-flavoured caramel. Why Chloé Germain-Fredette, aka Mme Chocolat, makes all her creations with Valrhona, considered among the world’s best chocolate.
546, rue Duluth E., 514-849-5550, leschocolatsdechloe.com

Galerie Push
What A new Mile End gallery is home to some of the more daring visual arts houses in Montreal, from Galerie Simon Blais to the Centre Clark. Why The venue shows works by artists from across Canada and pushes the limits of all creative forms of expression, beyond the pieces found in more commercial galleries.
5264, boul. Saint-Laurent, 514-544-9079, galeriepush.com

Nacho Libre
What New restaurants are sprouting up all over Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. The latest is Nacho Libre, a colourful Mexican restaurant serving typical Central American dishes. Why Check out the photographs of traditional Mexican wrestlers while you sample the spot’s delicious tacos, burritos or enchiladas.
913, rue Beaubien E., 514-273-6222

Point G
What After cupcakes, the latest “it” dessert is macarons, a French delicacy from the Catherine de Medici era, made of ganache sandwiched between two dome-shaped meringues. Why Flavours like pear-ginger and maple-pecan are making women swoon at this provocatively named (tr. "G spot") café.
1266, avenue du Mont-Royal E., 514-750-7515

One 20 Modern
What Martin Myers, of Quasi Modo Modern Furniture (now the second highest of Toronto’s high-design furniture shops), offers an impressive array of exotic items seemingly torn from the pages of Wallpaper. Why For the daring and wealthy, there’s Fernando and Humberto Campana’s Vermelha armchair. It’s shockingly comfy and appears to be made out of fuchsia spaghetti.
120 Ossington Ave., 416-537-4400, onetwentymodern.com

Downsview Trail of Lights
What Dreary Downsview will be transformed by 400,000 twinkling LED lights this month, as the Trail of Lights, Canada’s biggest (and brightest) holiday light show switches on its 400-plus displays. Why Kids will love the animated scenes and the 44-foot walk-though Christmas tree.
Downsview Park, 416-952-2222, downsviewpark.ca

Z-Teca Gourmet Burritos
What Burrito-lovers now have a place to unburden themselves of Burrito Boyz break-up traumas while they savour their favourite cylindrical meal. Why This California-style chain is on the march, aiming to be the Starbucks of haute-Mexican. Just surrender now.
327 King Street W., 416-862-9200

Mildred's Temple Kitchen
What After 17 years, this stalwart comfort food fave has reinvented itself with a new location. A spare mod look with elegant walnut tables has replaced the old ostentatious decor, signaling an overall maturation that extends to the food and service. Why Sunday brunch with blueberry buttermilk pancakes is still this place’s raison d’être.
85 Hannah Ave., Suite 104, 416-588-5695

School Bakery and Café
What This new venture is setting sail in the location that sunk the troubled Warehouse Grill. The name is the theme: grade-school nostalgia. Why Brad Moore, a restless talent who spends as much time cooking at top restaurants as most of us do eating at them, is steering the ship with Sean D'Andrade of Harbord Room.
70 Fraser Ave., 416-588-0005

Petite Thuet
What Rosedale natives are not accustomed to change. Their little strip of Yonge Street is populated with perennials like The Rosedale Diner and Patachou. Now this upstart bakery/prepped food spot is shaking things up, and the Five Thieves aren’t pleased. Why Once you try the handmade cakes and truffles, you’ll understand how baked goods can be such a disruptive force.
416-924-2777, 1162 Yonge St., petitethuet.com

Loire Casual Gourmet
What This refined new French bistro brings another unpretentious-but-uncompromising dining experience to the burgeoning Harbord street scene. Why Authenticity and chemistry. Chef Jean-Charles Dupoire and sommelier Sylvain Brissonnet grew up eating, drinking and cooking together in France’s foodie-haven Loire Valley.
119 Harbord St., 416-850-8330, loirerestaurant.ca

Farm
What Occupying the niche between fine dining and cheap, cheerful family restaurants, "cheese lady" Janice Beaton’s recently opened Farm restaurant offers a refined take on comfort food. Why The mostly organic menu favours local producers, with dishes like the custom cheese and charcuterie plates.
1006 17th Ave. S.W., 403-245-2276, farm-restaurant.com

Rarified
What This newest addition to Okotoks’ Olde Towne offers a lineup of collections that reads like a who’s who list of the Nordic design world. Why Among the impressive array of houseware, furniture and accessories are beautiful Swedish wool throws from Klippan and Stelton’s stainless teapots by Arne Jacobsen.
21 North Railway Street, 403-939-4042, rarified.ca

Flavours of the World
What Richard Desnoyers’ recently opened international deli provides the convenience of takeaway from a premier chef. Why Desnoyers offers world-class cheeses, sauces and oils, as well as complete meals like duck confit, prime rib and poached salmon, all expertly prepared and vacuum-packed for home preparation.  
380 Canyon Meadows Drive S.E., 403-278-6670

Merlo Vinoteca
What This chic new Mediterranean-style wine shop is complete with a separate tasting room and an Enomatic sampling system that allows you to try before you buy. Why Their smartly chosen list includes the requisite Super Tuscans, like Sassicaia and Tignanello, as well as some interesting varietals from small production wineries.
10 Aspen Stone Boulevard S.W., Unit 1000, 403-269-1338

Green Bee Boutique
What This environmentally responsible boutique is the latest addition to the trendy Mission district. Why They carry only sustainable items, like eco-chic clothing and home decor, and green pet accessories.
2015 4th Street S.W., 403-457-2130, greenbeeboutique.ca

V Ultra Lounge
What Great news for vodka lovers: the popular Earl’s restaurant chain has just inaugurated Calgary’s first vodka bar. Why Featuring rare vodka brands from France, Holland, Sweden, Poland and Canada, V can shake or stir the perfect martini any time.
315 8th Ave. S.W., 403-265-3280

Parker House Grill
What Located in the historic Lougheed building, the new restaurant serves its classic cuisine from a stunning location. Why If the sugar-baked ham doesn’t lure you in from the street, the bison osso buco might do it. We also enjoyed the homemade pork and beans.
131 6th Ave. S.W., 403-237-9585

WACK! at the VAG
What A major show of early feminist work (1965 to 1980) organized by the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. Textbook heroes like Louise Bourgeois and Miriam Schapiro are exhibited with lesser-known artists. Why Discover why many critics argue that postmodern art is rooted in feminism.
750 Hornby Street, 604-662-4719, vanartgallery.bc.ca

La Brasserie
What A new West End room serving European comfort-food classics. We recommend the roast suckling pig with potato gnocchi and the spectacular onion tart. Why Plenty of German and Belgian craft beers on tap and very reasonable prices.
1091 Davie Street, 604-688-0459

Jules and Eve
What This newly unveiled Kerrisdale boutique stocks plenty of party dresses (’tis the season) from local and international designers. Why Jason Matlo’s sultry, form-hugging pieces stand up to famed brands like Sienna Miller’s Twenty8Twelve and Tibi (a contemporary British label favoured by ScarJo and Liv Tyler).
2009 41st Ave. W., 604-569-0844, julesandeve.com

Froyo Explosion
What A bevvy of recently opened froyo joints, including Froyo Swirl in Downtown (820 Homer St., 604-682-6116), Scoop in Kitsilano (2050 4th Ave. W., 604-569-3339), and Blueberry World in South Granville (1517 Broadway W., 604-715-9654) Why The recent L.A. frozen yogurt craze finally catches on… in December. Then again, it might be the healthiest thing you eat all month.

Mandula
What Hungarian designer Hajnalka Mandula’s new Gastown boutique. Why Complete with crumbling tiles and original hardwood floor and mouldings, the 1899-built heritage building is the perfect backdrop for Mandula’s darkly romantic pieces. We noted a sheer, cream-coloured tunic splattered with blood-red vegetable dye.
214 Abbott Street, 604-568-9211, mandula.com

Miku
What Vancouver’s first Aburi-style sushi restaurant serves nigiri sushi, lightly seared and infused with savoury French-style sauces. Why Formerly The Spotted Prawn, the bright, ultra-modern space is as aesthetically pleasing as the artful otsumami dish.
2–1055 Hastings Street W., 604-568-3900, mikurestaurant.com

Gastown Days
What A mere 25 years after opening her eponymous gallery, Diane Farris gathers a posse of established local artists that she discovered early in her career. Why Work by Graham Gilmore, Angela Grossman, and Attila Richard Lukacs supports Farris’ international reputation for unearthing new talent, even when she was a budding talent herself.
1590 7th Ave. W., 604-737-2629, dianefarrisgallery.com