Happy Wednesday, everyone! I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful warm (if a tad humid) day we’re having here in Southern Ontario. It’s funny; just yesterday I was talking to some colleagues about how this is the coolest summer I remember having in years. But this morning, as soon as I opened my front door at 7:30am, the heat and humidity hit me like a ton of bricks. As they say, be careful what you wish for!
In my last post, I talked about how I celebrated a special milestone: my 30th birthday. And before I get into today’s post, I wanted to share another exciting announcement from the last month: I graduated from college! Back in 2021, I decided to enroll at Fanshawe College and earn my Graduate Certificate in Marketing Management. I graduated with a B.A. from the University of Toronto back in 2015, but had been considering going back to school for some time, as I wanted to get some more practical education that was more directly related to my marketing career. The great thing about Fanshawe’s Marketing Management program is its flexibility: you can complete it in-class or online, full-time or part-time. I opted to study online and part-time, which means you take three courses each semester for two years (if you do full-time, it’s six courses each semester for one year.) Honestly, going back to school while working full-time was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I definitely had a lot of “what was I thinking” moments and there were many times I wanted to quit, but I persevered and I’m so glad I did! While I learned a lot about marketing and business, the most important lessons I learned are 1) it’s never too late to go after your goals and 2) it’ll never be “the right time” – so if you’ve got something you’ve been meaning to do, do it now! I promise you’ll thank yourself when all is said and done. Fanshawe offers online programs in a variety of subjects and they’re open to students from all over the world, so if you’re interested in taking some courses and have any questions about my student experience, feel free to email me!
Okay, now back to regularly scheduled programming! In my last post about my 30th birthday, I’d mentioned how my parents took Tania and I to Casa Loma Gardens to celebrate. This restaurant has been on my must-visit list for the longest time, and I’m so glad I finally got the chance to go! If you’re looking for a unique restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, I highly recommend checking it out.
Casa Loma is one of Toronto’s most celebrated historic museums. Built by architect E.J. Lennox from 1911-1914, the Gothic Revival-style mansion was the home of financier and soldier Sir Henry Pellatt from 1914 until only 1923 – it was the Great Depression and Pellatt, who was struggling financially, was no longer able to afford the home. The castle had a brief stint as a luxury hotel and nightclub in the late 1920s, but ever since 1937, it’s been in operation as a museum and tourist attraction. I hadn’t been to Casa Loma since I was a kid, so it was fun to go back and see it through adult eyes. I’m often disappointed when I return to places I haven’t seen since childhood (as a small kid, everything seems so much bigger and grander) but I’m happy to report that Casa Loma is just as big and grand as I remember!
Out in front of the castle is a vintage Rolls Royce once owned by Princess Diana’s stepmother Countess Raine Spencer, an artifact from last year’s Princess Diana exhibit.
Casa Loma has been operating their high-end steakhouse – BlueBlood – since 2017, but in the summer of 2021 they decided to add a new dining experience, and opened Casa Loma Gardens to great success. Casa Loma Gardens reopens every summer from June to August, and while I wouldn’t classify it under ‘cheap eats’, it’s definitely a more affordable, mid-range option when compared to BlueBlood. Entrees range anywhere from $25 to $48, but most are in the $30-$35 range.
If you – like me – are all about a restaurant’s atmosphere, you will love Casa Loma Gardens! With tables surrounded by lush greenery, beautiful sculptures, a majestic fountain, and of course, the castle itself, the atmosphere couldn’t be more picturesque. The staff (who were all so lovely) invited us to walk around and explore the gardens at our leisure, both before and after our meal. Unlike some other restaurants I’ve been to recently, which have strict dining time limits in place, we didn’t feel rushed at all!
We snapped some photos by the fountain, and took in the amazing views of the city.
Now onto the food and drinks! My mom and I each ordered the Insolito cocktail, made with Tanqueray gin, Lillet Blanc and (my favourite) Aperol.
My mom and I also ‘twinned’ when it came to food orders: we each got the grilled Atlantic salmon, which comes served with cherry tomatoes, asparagus, lemon aioli and a side salad. My dad and Tania ‘twinned’ also, each ordering the brisket and chuck burger. The burger comes topped with Brie, caramelized onion and truffle aioli, and is served with a side of fries. Everyone enjoyed their dishes: the salmon was cooked beautifully, and the portions are hefty. I also really liked the fries (because of course I just had to steal some from Tania’s plate!)
If you’re interested in trying the Casa Loma Gardens restaurant for yourself, here are some important things to know:
- The restaurant is only open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5-10pm, so plan accordingly!
- This is a popular spot, and reservations are strongly recommended. You can secure your table in advance on Open Table. A credit card is required for booking and cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are subject to a $40 per person charge, so if you can no longer make your reservation, be sure to let them know well in advance.
- The restaurant is outdoors only. While the tables are covered by tents and umbrellas, an especially hot or stormy day may not provide the most comfortable dining experience. In the case of inclement weather, you can ask for your bill and take your food to-go, but there are no indoor tables to switch to, so check the forecast before visiting.
- You’ll need to pay to park at Casa Loma. The cost is $15 per vehicle.
- A reservation at Casa Loma Gardens includes (obviously) access to the gardens, but not to the castle itself. If you’re interested in touring the interior, you can book tickets here.
I should mention that Casa Loma is also running a Symphony In The Gardens concert series every Monday evening until September 4. It takes place in the stunning Glass Pavilion (located in the same area as the restaurant) and features live music from the Casa Loma Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paolo Busato. And every Tuesday evening until August 29, Casa Loma hosts Soul In The City in the same location, featuring live music from Juno Award-winning artist Sean Jones, accompanied by seven–piece band The Righteous Echo and special guests.
I had such a great time at Casa Loma Gardens, and hope to return sometime this summer to take in an outdoor concert or two. Plus, I would love to take a tour of the castle’s interior at some point – the last time I saw the inside was as a child, so I remember virtually nothing!
What are some of your favourite special occasion restaurants in Toronto?
Leave a Reply