Best of the City 2012

There’s this myth that Torontonians are polite and reserved, when the truth is we’re pushy, demanding perfectionists. We refuse a lamb chop until it arrives the right shade of pink. We badger clerks about the organic credentials of the cotton in a toddler’s T-shirt. We descend into interminable, friendship-ending Twitter feuds over which spa takes the most years off your face. And just when we think we’ve decided on our favourite places, the city breeds a new bumper crop of challengers to the title. Luckily for you, Toronto Life has put in the long hours of vetting and discernment, and chosen the absolute best options for eating, drinking, shopping, playing and age defying. It’s a list to satisfy this city of perfectionists. You’re welcome.

By Denise Balkissoon, Ariel Brewster, Andrew D’Cruz, Bronwen Jervis, Emily Landau, Signe Langford, Jason McBride, Mark Pupo, Peter Saltsman and Courtney Shea | Photograph by Eamon Mac Mahon