enRoute’s Top 25

Bixi
What A few weeks ago, Montreal introduced a self-serve bike rental service with 24/7 access. Why Stations can be found on streets throughout the island and subscriptions are available by the day or the year.
May to November bixi.com

Tiger of Sweden
What The Swedish ready-to-wear label just opened its first North American outlet in Montreal. Why Tiger of Sweden’s men’s and women’s collections are all about classic shapes, clean lines and pastel colours. For spring, the men’s Black Label is inspired by a Dylan-esque beatnik style, while the women’s is a nod to Greta Garbo’s enigmatic allure.
1130, boul. de Maisonneuve O., 514-845-0583, tigerofsweden.com

Salute
What Laurier Avenue is well known destination for hip dining, but this new restaurant manages to stand out with simple and delicious Italian/French inspired cuisine. Why A few impressive dishes (like the smoked salmon risotto flavoured with lime) wouldn’t be out of place on the menus of the city’s more established fine-dining spots.
234, ave. Laurier O., 514-273-9378

Victoria Park
What Located in the heart of Westmount, the concept behind this gym is an English-style health club like those in the poshest London spas. Why Start your workout in the training room with a view of the mountain, then cool down with a relaxing visit to the spa or grab a bite at the bistro. 
376, avenue Victoria, 514-488-7722, vicpark.com 

Grange vin + bouffe
What The Café des Éclusiers owners have transformed a somewhat unconventional space into a wine bar, creating the perfect place for an after-work drink. Why In a break away from the trend of microscopic tapas on oversized platters, the kitchen serves simple yet substantial fare. The sommelier’s expert advice will help you select the ideal wine pairing. We highly recommend the tender, full-bodied Cognac beef.
120, rue McGill, 514-394-9463, grangeresto.ca 

Scandinave Les Bains

What A new spa, designed by Québecois starchitects Saucier + Perrotte, has just opened in the heart of Old Montreal. Why From the eucalyptus steam bath to the Finnish sauna, it’s the ideal place to relax and detox, it’s the ideal place to relax and detox, especially when you add a post-workout fruit fix from the juice bar. Try the cranberry, apple, raspberry, echinacea, vitamin C and açaí concoction.
71, rue de la Commune O., 514-288-2009, scandinavemontreal.com 

Sweet Flour Bake Shop  
What This new cake shop recently opened its doors in Bloor West Village, and it’s the first custom bakery where you can create your own cookies within a few minutes. Why You choose the type of dough and one of the 20 mix-ins (including dried cranberries and white chocolate) and they’ll bake your customized cookie while you wait. Pair your pastry with a glass of organic milk or a mug of Ideal Coffee.
2352 Bloor St. W., 416-763-2253, sweetflour.ca

Ed’s Real Scoop
What The Beaches’ favourite all-natural homemade ice cream shop has set up its second location in the slightly more westerly Leslieville area. Why You have more than forty flavours to choose from, including Guinness, blood orange, chili chocolate or seasonal pumpkin. The waffle cones are also made in-house using only natural ingredients.
920 Queen St. E., 416-406-2525

Vocado
What A new fashionista-owned clothing boutique in Liberty Village, whose compelling line-up includes brands like Teenflo, J Brand, lily + jae and Mackage. Why Hanging lights, vintage crates and faux birch trees stand as centerpiece elements that complement the high-ceilinged space and the beautiful selection of clothing and accessories.
920 Queen St. E., 416-406-2525

Reggie’s Old-Fashioned Sandwiches
What This 24-hour sandwich shop is the lone cheap and casual option in the King West after-eight slate of clubs, lounges and fine dining. Why The wide selection of fresh ingredients, including locally sourced sandwich meats. Black and white photos, wooden chairs and tables and exposed brick give the space an antique vibe.
571 King St. W., 416-979-9992

Black Pug DMK
What At Parkdale’s latest treasure trove you’ll find pieces (old and new) handpicked by owner Daisuke Ito, whose passion for antiques recently spilled over the confines of his apartment. Why Black Pug is set apart by its cohesion – you don’t enter a shop overwhelmed with clutter to be sifted, but instead a modern space where you’re invited to view Ito’s well-loved selection.
1712 Queen St. W., 416-516-6496, blackpugdmk.com

The Black Hoof
What Dundas West has been home to this authentic charcuterie since October and already it seems like an old favourite. The menu is spare and celebrates a straightforward approach to meat. Why Carnivores will revel in the array of fauna ranging from horse sausage to fois-gras mousse, while their herbivore loved-ones can enjoy a glass of wine in the casual atmosphere.
928 Dundas St. W., 416-551-8854

The Jami Symons Salon
What Perched above Anne Patterson’s Flowers on busy 17th Ave. is the first AG Hair Cosmetics concept salon to open in North America. Why The French boudoir meets clean contemporary-chic aesthetic makes for a glamourous environment. Plus, you can trust both the stylists and AG products to deliver.
924 17th Ave. S.W., Suite 300, 403-290-1999, jamisymonssalon.com

Shaun Ford Design
What Designer/renovator Shaun Ford has recently opened a spectacular showroom featuring one of Calgary’s best collections of contemporary home products.” Why His portfolio now includes European designers and furnishings, like Italian kitchen and bathroom cabinetry from Meson’s, Moldunova and Effeti.
7058 Farrell Road S.E., 403-255-0333 shaunforddesign.com

Cork Fine Wine Liquor and Ale
What Located at the far end of Sarcee Trail in Beacon Hill, the recently opened Cork cashes in on the latest trend in wine tasting: the Eurocave machine. Why From syrah to California Chardonnay, you get sixteen pours to pick the perfect bottle. All selections are available for purchase in-house.
11668 Sarcee Trail N.W., 403-730-8430

Skivvies For Her
What If you’re looking to get in touch with your inner pinup girl, this new lingerie shop is where you’ll find her. Why There’s a delicious assortment of European designs, including Peige and Pleasure State.
820 49th Ave. S.W., 403-201-0510, skivviesforher.ca

Om
What Kensington’s newest yoga apparel and accessories shop carries exclusively Canadian product. Why A must-have is designer Skyler’s Veronica Pant, an ultra-comfortable drawstring terry pant that hugs in all the right places.  
1130 Kensington Rd., 403-283-9642

Oshima Fine Japanese Cuisine
What The latest restaurant to grace the corner of 17th Ave and 14th St. is an unpretentious sushi bar with delicious food and equally delicious prices. Why Choice entrées include udon soup and a variety of rice bowls as well as an array of sushi, sashimi and rolls.
1448A 17th Ave. S.W., 403-457-5577

Dino Rosa’s Italian Market
What Once a grocery store, this popular Italian market now serves dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Why In addition to pizza, try the house special, the Casalinga with salami and sausages. The main courses are reassuringly familiar and exceptionally good: linguine with clams, veal al limone and tortellini with Alfredo sauce hit the spot.
315 8th Ave. S.W., 403-265-3280

Ingenue
What This Kitsilano boutique, favouring home-grown, eco-chic labels, hits all the right notes. Why It’s a wonderfully edited mix of our favourite Vancouver indie designers including Nicole Bridger, Erin Templeton, Elroy Apparel and Dace. 
2821 W. Broadway, 604-716-5733

Brooks Brothers
What Canada’s first Brooks Brothers store, purveyor of all things crisp, pressed, and buttoned-down, opens on May 12. Why The 11,000-square-foot space, awash in seersucker and paisley, carries the company’s complete collection for men, women, and boys.
1026 Alberni St., 778-331-3394, brooksbrothers.com

Wink Beauty Lounge
What A new location for this one-stop beauty shop offers traditional aesthetic services (manis, pedis, facials, waxing) and tons of niche hair and makeup brands. Owner Vivian Ko Gooch’s signature lash-extension jobs are now the city’s most talked about beauty treatment. Why Vogue said it best: “Lashes are the new breasts. Women are obsessed with getting a bigger, better pair.”
67 E. Cordova (Koret Loft Building), 604-696-9465, winkbeautylounge.com

Bandidas Taqueria
What Vegetarian (and vegan) friendly Mexican food so rich and flavourful you’ll never miss the meat. Why The dangerous addictive Jamie’s Benny (perfectly poached free-range eggs, caramelized pineapple, and tomatillo nestled atop cornbread muffins) and other brunch treats are now served every day.
2781 Commercial Dr., 604-568-8224, bandidastaqueria.com

P&A Furniture
What Eco-savvy interior designer Shelley Penner hawks her firm’s ultra-modern furniture pieces at a new space that doubles as a working studio. Why The store provides a window on the design process and also features small luxuries like soaps and hand towels chosen for their green cred.
159 W Hastings St., Vancouver, 604-255-2089, pafurniture.ca

Au Petit Chavignol
What A new wine bar from the owners of Les Amis du Fromage with a fine selection of cow, goat and sheep cheeses organized into tasting flights, as well as a short list of cold and hot plates (croque monsieur, mac & cheese). Why Behind the concrete-slab bar sits a fire-engine red, old-fashioned slicer where charcuterie (like smoky, three-year-old jamón Iberico) is shaved to order. 
845 E. Hastings St., 604-255-4218, aupetitchavignol.com