Located in the heart of downtown and close by our Toronto B&B, Canada’s National Tower defines the city’s skyline.  Until 2007, the CN Tower was the world’s tallest building at 553.33 m.  The 160-story hotel, residential, and commercial structure Burj Dubai, under construction in the United Arab Emirates, will be more than 629 m tall.

 
In comparison, the CN Tower is 26 metres taller than the antenna of the Sears Tower in Chicago, 104 metres taller than the antenna of the Empire State building in New York City, and 229 metres taller than the antenna of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.   

• The tower weighs 117,910 metric tones, about the same as 23,214 elephants.
• The glass floor is five times stronger than the required weight-bearing standard for commercial floors and could hold 14 large hippos.
• It takes just 58 seconds for the elevator to reach the indoor observation deck at 346 m.
• The tower is struck by lightning an average of 40 – 50 times each year.
• In high winds, the SkyPod moves nearly one half of a metre from its center point.  This flexibility makes the tower wind resistant, allowing it to continue serving as the landmark in the Toronto skyline.

The Toronto tower has become a major tourist attraction for the guests at our bed and breakfast, but it serves a practical purpose as well.  A 1960’s construction boom left Toronto with lots of skyscrapers which blocked radio waves and caused serious communications problems.  Construction of the CN Tower in the 1970’s allowed the placement of microwave receivers both at 338 m and at 553.33 m.  The tower hosts communications equipment for 8 television stations, 11 radio stations, numerous cellular telephone companies, and other commercial ventures in downtown Toronto.

The CN Tower offers Banting House guests a great view of the city of Toronto, with four different observation points.  At 342 m, you will find the Glass Floor and Outdoor Observation Deck.  At 346 m, the Indoor Observation Deck is co-located with Horizons Café, a casual dining spot for downtown visitors.  360, the CN Tower’s award-winning premiere restaurant offers a 360-degree view of Toronto. 

One of the most spectacular features for the CN Tower, indeed for the whole downtown area, was the addition of LED lighting to the exterior in 2007.  Each of the 1,330 energy-efficient light fixtures is capable of producing 16.7 million different colours.  Central programming allows the lights to be controlled and directed to create special effects at the top of each hour.  The lights are traditionally set to honor Canada with red and white lights, but the colours are adjusted for special events, national holidays, and city or national events. 

Original plans for the obsolete railway switching yard where the CN Tower was built included a large development south of Front Street, which was to have been known as Metro Centre.  As our B & B guests quickly find out, the area has since been developed to include the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Rogers Centre, formerly known as the SkyDome.  With the 1989 addition of the SkyWalk to connect the Tower and SkyDome to the Union Station railway and subway station, the area has become a thriving tourist district. 

360 Restaurant

Our B&B staff’s favorite pick for an elegant evening on the town in Toronto?  The 360 restaurant, located 351 metres above the city in the CN Tower.  Toronto Sun readers gave the restaurant two first place wins in their 10^th anniversary reader’s choice awards – for Best Ontario Attraction and Best Restaurant with a View.  The restaurant makes a full revolution every 72 minutes, allowing diners an unobstructed view of the city.  Look closely; maybe you’ll even see Banting House!

The food is outstanding, featuring market-fresh cuisine made from only the finest regional ingredients.  The award-winning wine cellar boasts over 550 international, French, and Canadian wines.  Guinness World Records has designated the wine cellar as the World’s Highest, and Wine Spectator Magazine has given this Toronto landmark two goblets for its wine list.  The staff tours local wineries, participates in training programs, and attends seminars on food pairing to maintain their expertise.

The restaurant serves about 400 for lunch and 1000 for dinner each day.  Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 416-362-5411.  Our bed and breakfast staff will be happy to assist you in obtaining a reservation during your stay in Toronto.

The average entrée costs about $40.  Sample entrees from the 2008 menu include Potato and Roasted Walnut Gnocchi with basil Grilled Tiger Shrimp, Pan Seared East Coast Halibut Fillet and Quebec Escasrgot, or Braised Rabbit Bourguignon and Duck Let Confit.  Mouthwatering appetizers include Canadian Charcuterie Platter, Bruschetta Three Ways, and New Brunswick Acadian Gold Sturgeon Caviar Parfait.  Signature side dishes consist of Roasted Mushrooms with Rosemary and Shallots, Sweet Potato Fires with Lemon Aioli, and French Beans with Thyme Butter.  Make sure you leave room for the Toasted Hazelnut and Apricot Cheesecake or Dark Chocolate Marquis with Calvados Boulard Crème Fraiche.

Executive chef Peter George changes the menu seasonally to take advantage of the seasonal fare available in Toronto, not too far from our luxurious B & B accommodations.  George grew up in the farmlands of Southern Ontario, and he draws on that experience to find the best locally grown produce and fresh market food.  His creations often include custom grown herbs, produce and other ingredients from local farmers and vintners.  The CN Tower grounds even boasts an herb garden that produces edible flowers, vegetables, and over two dozen varieties of herbs.

Chef George is kind enough to share some of his recipes on the 360 tower website (you might want to hotlink this:  http://www.cntower.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?at=866).  You can re-create your Toronto experience by making the 360 Ceasar Vinaigrette, Mrs. George’s Butter Tarts, Venison Ragout, or Pickled Butternut Squash in your own home.

No matter what brings you to Toronto, we’re sure you’ll enjoy dinner at the 360 almost as much as you like our B & B accommodations.