Hilton Toronto -How to get a Great Deal!

Every January since 2002 we have been attending the Toronto International Boat show. This helps us through the long winters when we are only dreaming of being back on the water.

Circraft was a cool little round boat/jet ski. Something new this year.

The Sheraton and Westin in Toronto would offer special boat show rates, so in 2004 we decided to take advantage of the $69. rates. It has become an annual tradition for us. The boat show special is now up to $99. a night and you have to make your reservation by mid-December. For a few years we stayed at the Westin or Sheraton, and even the Mariott, but now our hotel of choice is the Toronto Hilton.

Duma the Water-skiing dog is a big hit at the Boat Shows Indoor Lake.

The Hilton does not offer a special boat show rate, but with early reservations and my Hilton Honors points, I booked a weekend for only $57. a night. Can't beat that! If I had waited until the week prior to my arrival to book a room, that room would have cost me $289. per night.

The view from our room on the 25th floor. The little building on the left is the US Consulate.

This was the second year we have stayed at the Hilton and we love it. We live 30 miles east of Toronto, but to avoid parking and traffic we take the GO train into the city. The Toronto Hilton is easily accessible from Union Station in Toronto by the underground PATH system, the worlds largest underground shopping complex, so you don't have to go outside to access most of downtown Toronto.

The King bed was very comfortable. But room service could have done a better job of making the bed.

Nice sitting table/desk. Electric outlets where the lamp attaches to the table.

A full walk in shower, with hand held massager and a rain shower-head. Great water pressure too. The photo does not do it justice, the shower stall is the full length of the bathroom. The only problem, and we had this last year in a different room, was that the door does not close properly and you get a room flood:-) Oh and the best part is the soap. It was a full size bar, with massager nubs on it. But use it for a few showers and the nubs are gone.

The sink was really different looking also. But the same as last years room, we had to pull the drain plug out, as it wouldn't stay open.

Friends of ours stayed across from us at the Sheraton (pictured above). We didn't know what room they were in, or even if they were facing us. So we texted them Friday night and we both agreed to flash our lights off and on, and low and behold, they were in a left corner room 15 floors from the top.

You can see Nathan Phillips Square with Toronto's futuristic looking City Hall, behind the Sheraton. And there is a nice ice skating rink, that is missing from the photo.

The lounge chaise in the room is really cool and comfy.

There is a really neat air purifier in the room.

Ruths Chris steakhouse is located on the lower level of the Toronto Hilton. We ate there last year and had an enjoyable meal. A bit pricey, but you don't mind paying when the food is good!

Looking forward to next year. We love the Toronto Hilton!

Art of Transition - Tourism Summit

This past November I attended the Art of Transition Tourism Summit, a daylong celebration of Durham Region's creative economy, showcasing the rich culture and history, attractions and business commuinity held at Durham College.

Three reasons I wanted to attend, it was free, only a 10 minute drive from my home and the most important was that I wanted to hear the presentation by Rebecca LeHeup, (pictured below) the executive director of Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance (OCTA), on Ontario Culinary Tourism.

I first met Rebecca when I attended one of her presentations on Social Media, and then through my work with the Great Canadian Cheese Festival and all the help and good advice she gave us.

Not only do we share the name Rebecca, after enjoying her presentation, I realized we also share our love of all things Ontario.

Growing up in the states, I have always loved Ontario, as it was our annual family vacation destination, and now my home for the past 12 years. I looked forward to those trips to Canada and all the wonderful food we would find, such as butter tarts, curds, peameal bacon, whey butter and aged old cheddar that was to-die for!

One think I won't forget is that Rebecca asked, what do people remember most about their vacations? Answer: Their culinary experience. How true! Whether it be a fantastic dining experience or local produce or artisan food, you remember it! Think about it?

Rebecca stressed the importance to her audience of buying local and supporting your local economy and how it all ripples back.

My Dad was a big supporter of buying domestic, as he always said, if its not made in the US or Canada, don't buy it (he loved Canada just as much). And after my 20 years as a union leader in the garment industry, I too know the importance of supporting your community.

Rebecca also mentioned that if you don't see something local in your store, than ask them to carry it. I can't tell you how many times I have been asking our local LCBO stores to carry some of the great wines and cider from Prince Edward County. Granted we have a lot of local Niagara wines but I do love my PEC wines and cider:-)

The culinary students picture below with Rebecca, learned the importance of using local ingredients.

There was a culinary booth set up, but I didn't stay until 4pm when samplings from local Durham establishments were served.

The Royal Ashburn Golf Club was one of the many exhibitors showing all our region has to offer.

We are fortunate to have Mosport speedway, recognized as Canadas Home of Motorsports. Although my husband worked here in the past, its strange we have never visited it together, after all we met in a Nascar Chat room, and have drove many miles visiting our favorite tracks.

OK, its on my Ontario bucket list: Visit Mosport!!!

Dagmar Ski Resort is also close to home. Who needs to travel outside of Ontario, when we have everything here?

And a big Hello to our good friend Terry Johnston (below photo) the morning DJ from CKDO, Durham's Classic Hits!

Small for its first year, the Tourism Summit was very enjoyable. Hopefully next year there will be more participation. Its a great way to get out and see all that Durham Region and Ontario has to offer! Loved it!

Port Perry - Harp & Wylie's Canadian Grill House

Port Perry located on the shores of Lake Scugog, is always one of my favorite destinations for a local get-away.

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I'm always looking for a really good restaurant in the Port Perry area. Recently a friend and I decided to try Harp & Wylies for some lunch. They have a nice selection on their menu.

For an appetizer we shared the crab cakes (pictured below) served with chipotle and lemon aioli. They were ok, but I never had crab cakes with corn as an ingredient. I guess I am spoiled being raised near the Chesapeake Bay where restaurants served Maryland style crab cakes with no fillers!

Although I am always up to trying new sauces, I asked if they had tarter sauce, as its a must for me when eating fried seafood. Nope, none available. I have tasted some wonderful tarter sauces in restaurants that didn't have tarter sauce, but the chef would whip some up for me. After all how hard is it, just some mayo and relish and a bit of lemon.

For lunch my first choice was to have the caesar salad and some french onion soup, but decided against it because I was told that I couldn't substitute another cheese in the soup for the jalapeno havarti. Makes me wonder why a restaurant wouldn't have a swiss or mozzarella on hand.

I decided on the Panko chicken tenders served with chili/lime sauce for dipping with sweet yam fries. Even my friend commented that the chicken looked a bit over done. I thought maybe it was me, that I was not used to a Panko coating, but panko bread crumbs are supposed to be lighter than regular crumbs as they are not made with the crusts of the bread.

I did not care for the sauce, and was not offered a choice of anything else when I asked for a substitute. You would think the waitress would say, well we have this or that, but by this time I was tired of asking.

My friend had opted for the Wylies burger, which looked pretty good.

Harp & Wylies claims to be an upscale casual dining experience. The food was good and the establishment was clean. Good choices on the menu. I would recommend this place but next time, I'll take a bottle of tarter sauce, or dill sauce or a ranch dip:-)