About Ashleigh McKenna
After first subscribing to sweetspot.ca to get to know her new city, Ashleigh McKenna now gets to help find the sweet stuff worth sharing as Editor and General Manager. Go behind the scenes from favourite manicure spots to product sneak peeks and more.
Sitting in the SkyLounge
girl about t.o. Toronto
(May.28.09)
"OK, but where do we access the roof?"
That was me last week, because after all of these years in Toronto, I still was picturing the SkyLounge at the InterContinental Yorkville as being on the roof (no wonder I hadn't been there before).
Nope; this ground-floor oasis is tucked just off the bar, with a fenced-in perimetre of green that really makes you feel far away from the city. Last week, it held an opening event for the launch of the season (and its new menu offerings) and since I've made so secret of my love of eating and drinking al fresco, I made sure to stop by.
The weather was perfect (I'll miss my sunglasses after work come February) and the food and 
drink was flowing. While I stuck with wine (chilled glasses were waiting by the door and I'm a path-of-least-resistence type of girl), friends were raving about Ernestine’s Elixir ($13), a cocktail of cranberry and lychee with $1 benefitting Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter.
Then it was onto the food. Plates were constantly circulating to celebrate the myriad of new menu options available this season. A tapas menu makes sharing small plates after work an easy plan while Grill Thursdays will definitely be calling me back. From a wild boar burger ($4.50) to vegetable brochette ($3), it made not having my own backyard not seem like such a big deal. (Not to mention students from the Royal Conservatory wouldn't be providing my background music at home.)
See you there.
Just don't try to get there on the elevator.
Thought that was sweet? You'll enjoy:
- Don't worry if the SkyLounge is not nearby; our Patio Season guide will be out June 9 with eight top patio picks in each city!