Toronto Delivers

Asking some locals where the museums are is like watching a Jay Leno "Jaywalking" episode. So what's the opposite of MOMA? I met Ash at Lettieri and he pointed me AGO (apparently not pronounced 'ago' but A-G-O). Where's the MET version? It's ROM (I was told it was pronounced like the city not like walking-about aimlessly).

Let me tell you about this experience next time.

A visit to Toronto won't be complete without a visit to one of its landmarks-the CN Tower. What can one expect from such a landmark that is likened to the Empire State Buildingor what used to be World Trade Center? Well, for one thing, you need to have lots of activities for the whole family. There are revolving events, three restaurants, meeting space, arcade, movies, sky pod - highest man made observatory , glass floor where you can see the ground (see our friend Sue's legs?) - takes courage to walk through this (you have to do it especially if you have a fear of heights - takes it away real quick - at least that's what happened to us and now we just walk on it like it was concrete), and shopping!

The downside? Food court - not so good. 360 restaurant? Scrumptious! Price difference? Much! Unfortunately. So, does food quality and service tantamount to price? I hope not. Not in our idea of a world class establishment like the CN Tower. If only they could change this food court a bit, then it would be much more high quality. One idea is to outsource this to a name brand. Since Tim Hortons seems to be popping everywhere, try that. Or a Starbucks. This would then create a more global feel since people worldwide, when they travel to new environs and have no clue where to go, they go to familiar franchises - McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Wendy's, Starbucks.. Maybe hire the 15Group to assist.

Upside? Lots! Just taking photos at the large scale animal replicas at the gift shoppe is a treat. One way to get rid of that nasty ear clog after you land at Pearson? Take the high speed elevators to the observatory. That will clear up the clogs quickly. And if the reverse happens? Just hold your nose and blow with your mouth closed.

We'd love to come back here in the winter and watch the snow tapping the windows as you cruise the city view courtesy of the 360 revolving restaurant. Nice.

AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) - World class museum ... to be.

We've been to AGO 8 times now since we arrived here because one of the first things we do when we move to a new city is to become members of the local galleries, museums, professional associations, etc and try to integrate as quickly as possible. Last thing we want to do is not know where to go or not have friends seven (7) months from arrival.

Museum layout - simple box (for now) with two levels but hopefully much better when the Frank Gehry upgrades are completed. We've seen Andy Warhol's as well as Adams/Eisenstaedt collections. We've seen the Henry Moore collection and have compared their presentation to the major pieces in the States. Not sure who decided to have the pole dancing design in all four walls but we thought that was a bit tasteless considering that some of the pieces were clearly mother and child. Having the pole dancing interspersed with these pieces are a bit of a concern.

Now with the Kim Adams Swing Space, we love open spaces but the pieces here are quite sparse. Maybe contact the local artists to have a more revolving set of pieces? We've seen the same things over and over again. Enough already! The wall swing spaces are being utilized much better.

In your face - we love this second floor exhibit wherein would-be artists (mostly kids it seems) would draw on a postcard size medium what they look like. Normally done in crayons but it seems that this was a school project at one point and portrait like drawings and other mediums were used - hair, colored paper, paints... I was hoping what I've drawn and dropped in the box would be picked up months after but nope, went back today and nada! my drawing wasn't a winner. Then again, it makes me want to keep coming back to check - so maybe a ploy to get people to return eh? hmmm... i like it.

Podcast on the culture city - new buildings in Toronto - is informative though the podcast itself doesn't always run properly - what's up with that?

The Future Now Section can be moving. I especially liked the Praying Mother in Marble which always makes me sad. Edward enjoys the big hamburger made of foam that greets you when you arrive at this section's 2nd floor entrance.

The AGO Library has weird open hours. I love the idea of seeing the sketches of Rembrandt considering we've been to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam (which btw IS a World Class Museum - even their website is fabulous!). Wearing white gloves to see aged pieces is amazingly high-class but the attitude of the volunteers in that library needs to be a bit adjusted.

The AGO restaurant has to be upgraded... and the service? inconsistent. Sometimes they are nice and quick - when there's more than 3 tables being serviced, but sometimes they are slooooow - when you're the only occupied table . The food? Bordering on experimental. They need to have a revolving menu if they want us to keep coming back until they determine which are the more popular ones to keep. The MOMA has Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 (The Carroll and Milton Petrie Café) - with a menu that includes artisinal chocolate (always have something chocolaty especially when there are kids around - 'coz you just want them to roam around some more in your museum right? actually grown ups love 'em too - the chocolate... oh and some like the kids too!).

The AGO Store has some nice pieces but need to have a more helpful cashier. I asked about cufflinks and the guy said "what you see is what we have" and moved on to the next client (there were only two clients in the whole store!). Now how about a good working online store? And while the AGO website designers are at it - how about creating e-cards? Don't you want your museum to be promoted without you doing anything? I would. I shop at the MOMA online store often and I could very well just walk to the store but being used to living in a deliver-to-me city, why not just get the nice art pieces delivered to your doorstep as well so you can concentrate on more important matters? Like talking about the museum itself to your friends?

Not in Toronto? Before you visit, check the AGO construction by clicking here for the live cam.

Ok, so is AGO of World Class rating in presentation? service? food? exhibits? floor plan? color schemes? that 'x' factor? With some changes, we think it will be. And we think they're going in the right direction - don't wait until it's done, be a part of it now or become a member while the rates are still low! If I know anything about marketing and fundraising, someone has to pay for all these changes, it will be YOU so entrance fees and costs will go up when its all nice and pretty (much like the MOMA) so become a member now.. because ART MATTERS!

We'll keep an eye on AGO and we will let you know if they are ready for the WCR rating upgrade!

The Casa Loma Museum, a historic beauty, needs some reno...fast! When their website says to "Step back in time as you explore the former estate of Sir Henry Pellatt, a prominent Toronto financier, industrialist and military man." They really meant for you to step back and forget that there are cracks on the wall, there are haggard looking workers, if you don't look where you're walking you will break your high heels, you have to ignore the smelly washrooms, the Gift shop is dated and the cashier is equally dated as well in personality. When we were there, an event meant to close off the conservatory. We heard they have "good" (we'll see about that) brunches but you have to reserve in advance because of limited seating.

The way to the stable is a boring and a waste of our time - where are the adverts along the way? no closed circuit tv? may add some form of attraction while you're walking through the bare walled tunnel to what appears to be nothing in the end. The smell of horses maybe? Where are the horses? Did they also leave because of boredom? Maybe they joined Cirque de Soleil instead? [btw, the http://www.casaloma.org/Tour/MainFloor/official website is not fully functional]

What's good? The garden has beauty that is reminiscent of the Cloisters in New York City. The museum pieces are a rare form that is a must see. The views from the top floor were magnificent especially if you're there on a clear day. The mementos of the Girl Guides [Canadian version of the US Girl Scouts] as well as the Pellat Film are quite educational (although the viewing area had folding chairs which was not really reflective of grandeur that Casa Loma is supposed to stand for).

So a shout out to the Kiwanis Club of Toronto - maybe you need to take another check of your investment at Casa Loma. It has a rich history that needs to be updated for tourists to start revisiting. Having a pretty flyer (pictured) is not enough.

Overall rating? Not World Class. Need to Upgrade Something... fast!

Queen West has a great gallery and shop that offers designer toys, apparel, books, art and more. Magic Pony at 694 Queen Street West is chock-full of vinyl toys from some of the best designers, plush, clothing (t-shirts made from bamboo—now that’s comfy!), and other odds and ends. The shop is a toy store for adults. In the back, a small gallery serves as an exhibit space for quirky and fun artists. Currently showing is the Mittenfists show, made up of works by Melinda Josie , Jacob Whitley and Andrew Wilson.

The store clerk was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the artists in the gallery and about the products on sale in the store. She was also warm and approachable, which is not something you always find in a gallery/shop.

Magic Pony is a fun place to spend an hour or so checking out the art in the gallery and browsing through the items for sale (it’s almost a second gallery in itself). They rate a World Class for the sense of fun they inspire in their patrons. ~ robis