How architect Bruce Kuwabara would spend a perfect Saturday in the Annex

“I’ve been an Annex man for decades, ever since I was a student at U of T. I’ve lived on Lowther, Huron, Elgin, Boswell and Admiral. Right now, I live on the 17th floor of One Bedford, a building I designed. When I look at the area, I see diversity: the neighbourhood is full of fascinating personalities. I love revisiting my favourite Annex locations with my daughter, Vita, who’s eight, and my son, Thomas, who’s nine. After a pancake breakfast at the Intercontinental Hotel (220 Bloor St. W., 416-960-5200), we’ll stroll along Philosopher’s Walk and head to the ROM (100 Queen’s Park, 416-586-8000). They flip for the bat cave and the dinosaurs, and I like the art in the Institute for Contemporary Culture—it’s a trade-off. I love the food at L’Espresso Bar Mercurio (321 Bloor St. W., 416-585-2233). I usually order the salade niçoise and the kids will get burgers with sweet potato fries. For dessert, ice cream at Greg’s (750 Spadina Ave., 416-961-4734) is a treat. Thomas is a chocolate guy all the way, Vita likes the dulce de leche and I get the pistachio. Later, we might attend a concert at The Royal Conservatory (273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208). For dinner, we’ll order butter chicken at The Host (14 Prince Arthur Ave., 416-962-4678). It’s not the trendiest, but it’s a good place to take the kids.”