Out of Africa:

The world’s
most private castles

On tour:
Dog-sledding
in the Yukon
Alaskan cruising
Epicurean Montreal
Homefront entertains:
North Carolina Champagne toasts
driving tour & foie gras cappuccino

For the love of water:

Perfect pools

6hotspots to call home

Real estate:
 STYLE MEETS SUBSTANCE. THEY ELOPE.
© 2008 BSH Home Appliances Ltd.

The Professional Series is a beautiful blend of form and function. The flush-mountable design found across the entire collection creates
a seamless presentation. And the customizable columns in the series’ latest addition, the Freedom® Collection Refrigeration System,
take kitchen design flexibility to new heights. Style. Substance. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who’s opposed to this union.

WWW.THERMADOR.CA 1-800-735-4328
EDITOR’S MESSAGE
Expected
indulgences
W e seem to live in a world
of ever-increasing luxury.
The diamond market is
stronger than ever. Big stones are
scarce, and prices are going up by
the week. The age of the private
supersonic jet is inching forward for
the rich and ever so impatient. And
superyachts are quickly becoming
the vessel of choice. On the automo-
tive front, masterpieces are in the
making as high-end automakers focus
on creating enviro-friendly luxury
vehicles. And around the world grand
castles, estates and homes are return-
ing to the splendour of days gone by.
Yet there are some things that
money can’t buy and some experiences,
acts of kindness and daily comforts
that often wear no price tag.
So where does this take us in our
search for the best, most amazing
things from around the globe? To a
place, I think, where we find ourselves
looking beyond the large and obvious
trappings of living a privileged life.
Rather, we begin to cherish and are
seduced by products and places where
quality workmanship stands the test
Homefront Contest
To enter to win
and to read contest rules, visit
www.eatertainment.com/homefront
or www.homefrontmagazine.ca
of time. And, we value extraordinary
people who provide personalized service
that goes a step beyond.
For many of us, genuine indulgence
is as much about discovering and
enjoying those hard-to-find little
things. Does the maitre d’ remember
your name and your favourite cocktail?
Did the hotel valet put freshly baked
cookies from the chef in your car as
you left the hotel? Does your favourite
retailer deliver on time and service
what they sell? After five years, will a
furniture manufacturer honour a “life-
time warranty” with an apology and a
no-charge repair? Does your designer
occasionally introduce you to some-
thing truly unique?
It’s not always about the glitz or
the fashion statement or the over-the- Caroline Tapp-McDougall,
top lux, even when expensive products Editor-in-Chief
are on the shopping list. What’s
truly special is the peace of mind
found in discovering the products
and services I need from people
and places where real value and old-
fashioned personalized service are
hallmarks of daily business. After all,
less is sometimes more.
A Bosch
TM
Axxis stackable laundry system
or a private dinner hosted by
Eatertainment’s Executive Chef, Scott Connor.
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 3
You can sit in the passenger’s seat and watch the world go by. Or
you can sit in the driver’s seat and watch the world come to you.
Be an original.

cadillac.gm.ca
 favourite
things
Photo: Audi Canada

Photo: Betty Lou Phillips

Revise your list of dream cars Inspired
90 years of great ideas in one car. Inspired
Betty Lou Phillips’ new book,
by Audi’s LeMans dominating R8, this sleek
Inspirations from France and Italy,
machine is turning heads. It has been noted
tempts us with the rich, lush garden
as one of the most elegant high-performance
of fabrics, textures and styles that
cars ever built!
make up the latest design trends.
www.audi.ca
Perhaps you’ll be inspired too.
Love the pooch? According
to Betty Lou, the purebred
Original Sacher of the moment is still the Lab.
The most famous torte in the world. The www.gibbs-smith.com
hand-written recipe is a “state secret”
of Vienna’s Hotel Sacher. Packed in an
elegant wooden box, the original Sacher-
Torte is delivered worldwide. Best served
with unsweetened whipped cream
and original Sacher Café.
tel
www.sacher.com Ho
ch er
Photo: Sa
Photo: Escada Laurèl

Front runner
Is there an unexplained abbreviation
behind the name Escada? Truth is Germany’s
leading fashion brand was named after an Irish
thoroughbred on which the founders made a
winning bet. Still ahead of the field, Escada’s
new flagship store on Bloor is a favourite
place to find the Laurèl Collection.
www.escada.com
Lounging...
Photo: Manutti

...in style. A unique balance between

elegance and ergonomics from Manutti’s
Belgian outdoor furniture.
www.manutti.com
 ®
DeAR TE
I n t e r io r s

You have always appreciated beauty and artistry. Let
your home reflect your personal style with custom
furnishings by DeArte Interiors. DeArte is home to a large
selection of traditional and contemporary custom pieces
that embody exquisite design, harmony, strength, and
completion while giving first class attention to his
clientele. To book an appointment with Maurizio Pilato,
please call 905-264-0955.

www.dearte.ca
elegance. All elements of production are developed and
overseen by Maurizio Pilato, whose goal is to design
beautiful, friendly, inviting interiors from inception to Maurizio Pilato

643 Chrislea Road Unit 3 • Woodbridge ON • 905.264.0955

www.dearte.ca
This is the one!
Custom-crafted kitchens in modern and “old-world”
framed cabinetry. Designed to the highest level of
beauty and quality.

Perola
KITCHENS & INTERIORS LTD.
3151 Lenworth Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L4X 2G6
Telephone: 416-766-8202 www.perolakitchens.com
 Lustrous
Stunning Ulf Moritz Wall Coverings
are enchanting, formative and artfully
produced. Gothic, baroque and art
nouveau themes play splendidly with

Photo: Ulf Moritz

matte and shiny, beaded surfaces.
Anything but average.
www.marburg.com

Old Montreal
Join Homefront’s Dumas and Bergen
as they take us to some of this city’s
hot spots. One of their favourites is the recently
redesigned Aszú on Notre-Dame Ouest.
See pages 82-83.
Ph
oto
:F

ro
ar

w
&
Ba
ll

Perfect pools

Photo: Aszú
,tis the season to start planning your pool. We have plenty
of advice and a gallery of design ideas on pages 17–26.

Green
thinking
Looking for appliances
that care? Using 76%
A beacon
less water and up to of hope
72% less energy than Two notable lighthouses,
conventional models, Thomas Point Shoal
Bosch’s energy saving Lighthouse near
washers and dryers Annapolis, Maryland,
are really green! and Wind Point
www.boschappliances.com Lighthouse near
Photo: Jeld-Wen

Racine, Wisconsin,
are back on the map.
Hats off to Jeld-Wen
windows and doors who used their know-how to help restore
these historic landmarks that were in need of immediate
assistance due to years of wear and tear.
www.jeld-wen.ca

10 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
 features
Table Contents

OF
For the love of water 17
Your pool: a retreat,
an investment
or an outdoor
living space?
By Charles Johnston
Photo: Glass Idromassaggio

Bathroom lust 38
Is it a lounge or a “lav?”
Size and style do matter.

er
ild
Bu
By Alexa Carroll P oo
l s

ter
Mas
.
ON
Photo nto,
: Gib-San Pools, Toro
Much, much music 50
An insider’s guide to the latest
gizmos that’ll help you enjoy Welcome to adventure country
your digital 60
music collection. The great outdoors
By Marc Saltzman beckons in North Carolina.
Photo: Apple
By Helmut Dostal

Photo: The Swag Inn, Jumping Rocks

Falling in love yet again 67
Red Mountain Spa,
just as much fun a second time.
By Sheryl Lavine
Photo: Red Mountain Spa

South African luxury 69

Where to find world-class digs.
By Caroline Tapp-McDougall

All aboard! 74
Photo: Princess Cruises

Cruising to Alaska, land of towering

snow-capped mountains, endless
a
Sp

wildnerness and plenty of icebergs.

d
an

By Donna Carter
rt
so
Re
ula
az
:P
oto
Ph

Yukon Quest 76
One thousand miles.
Fourteen sled dogs. –480 Celsius.
By Caroline Tapp-McDougall
Photo: David Handschuh

12 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
F A I R F I E L D S
THE RESERVE: OUR FINAL PHASE
ONLY FIVE ARCHITECTURALLY CONTROLLED
TWO ACRE ESTATE LOTS AVAILABLE

20 FAIRFIELD DRIVE - $2.45 Million

25 EDEN VALE DRIVE - $4.1 Million

The Premier Estate Community
JUST NORTH OF THE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL IN KING CITY
Brokers Paul McDonald/Jayrene Thomson
RE/MAX York Group Realty Inc. Brokerage
Shown by Appointment
905-727-1941
www.fairfieldestates.com
 Photo: Manutti
Table Contents

OF
your magazine for design and quality living
a publication of BCS Communications Ltd.
Favourite things 6, 10

departments
Vol. XVI, No. IV
Inspired by design. You’re covered.
Editor-In-Chief Music to your eyes. Shining in the
Caroline Tapp-McDougall
distance. Kids are kings.
Publisher
Helmut Dostal
Art Director
Homefront picks

Photo: Grange Furniture Inc.

Joseph Finbow
Graphic Design
48, 56, 88
Craig Hanley Out of sight. Clean and
Linda Wheaton
purposeful. French revolution.
Assistant Editor
Chris Noone

Contributors
Robert Bergen
Alexa Carroll Bella cucina 28
Donna Carter
Sebastien Centner
Say goodbye to clutter,
Claudette Dumas and say hello to a
Charles Johnston sleek, new kitchen.
Sheryl Lavine
Wanda Love By Amélie Sabbagh

Photo: Mobalpa
Kylie McKenzie
Barbara D. Ritchie
Amélie Sabbagh Living in luxury 58
Marc Saltzman From Collingwood to
Lisa Van de Ven
Duane Wells
the Caribbean, given
half a chance you’d be proud to call these spots home.
Manager Business Development
Christine Newman By Lisa Van de Ven
Photo: Tourisme Montréal

Account Managers
Vivienne Crespi Dumas Bergen travel chronicles 82
Al Henderson
Enjoy the sites and scenes
Production Manager
Ken Eperon
of epicurean Montreal.
By Claudette Dumas and Robert Bergen
Covers Courtesy of
WS Bath Collections and
Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa Spa trends 84
Circulation Consultant From lifestyle coaching and stress management,
Publication Partners
spas help us stay on the path to health.
Newsstand Distribution
Transmedia Group Ltd. By Wanda Love
Published by
BCS Communications Ltd. Tasting notes 86
255 Duncan Mill Road,
Suite 803 How do you craft an exceptional wine?
Toronto, Ontario M3B 3H9 Combine French expertise with Chilean terroir.

Photo: Tourism Office of Spain

Tel. (416) 421- 7997 ext. 319
Fax (416) 421- 8418 By Barbara D. Ritchie
www.homefrontmagazine.ca
e-mail: homefront@bcsgroup.com
Living Wells 90
All rights reserved
©2007 BCS Communications Ltd. New Orleans rises. The best of the
Printed in Canada
Balearic Isles. London’s The Berkeley.
By Duane Wells
Homefront™, your Magazine for
Design and Quality Living, is published
Photo: Bruce Gibson

by BCS Communications Ltd. Contents

may not be reproduced without written
Homefront entertains 96
permission from the publisher. Snow drifts and champagne toasts mark the arrival
Homefront™ is a trademark of the winter season.
owned by BCS Communications Ltd. By Sebastien Centner
ISSN 1195-6828
Circulation audited by:
Weekender 98
Photo: Listel Hotel

Dubbed Vancouver’s
most artful hotel, the Listel
is a jazz lover’s heaven.
By Kylie McKenzie
14 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
 Contemporary
•
Sku# 23748
•
Tibetan wool and silk

146 Dupont Street (at Davenport Road) • Toronto, ON • WSTUDIO.CA • info@wstudio.ca • T: 416.929.9290
 OUTDOOR LIVING

For the love

of water By Charles Johnston

Goodbye commuting to the cottage every weekend.

Au revoir to a lifeless backyard! Just add fabulous
landscaping and a designer pool and you’ll
transform an ordinary garden into an
exquisite outdoor living space.

F
Photo: Patio Pools, Phoenix, AZ. Master Pools Builder

or many families looking for a
new home or wanting to reno-
vate, having a good size piece
of property for outside activities and
entertaining is high on the list of “desir-
able features.” In fact, as more and
more homeowners embrace the trend
of outdoor living with all the perks of
indoors, adding a pool or remodeling
an existing one into something more
elaborate is a logical next step.
Like a chameleon blending with its
natural surroundings, a pool design can
create a mood. For some it’s a more
stately formal estate where one would
expect tea to be served on the lawn
during a sunny summer afternoon. For
others there’s the yearning for a more
natural, woods-like setting among the
rocks or a family fun area that’s married
to an outdoor barbeque or kitchen
area. Regardless, when you’re dream-
ing and planning your home's outdoor
spaces, the pool should become a
dazzling focal point to be enjoyed from
both the inside and out.
continued on page 18

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 17
Photo: Alta Pools, Vancouver, BC. Master Pools Builder
Big ideas
Vacation travellers who stay at five star
resorts around the world come back
wanting many of the features they’ve
experienced right here at home. And
very often, it’s possible these days. In
your own fabulous custom-designed
garden today, master pool builders and
landscape designers can create those
unique water features, stylish floating
lights and dazzling water shows with
mood lighting. With a little imagination
you can think of yourself as the conduc-
tor of a “tour of effects” to entertain your
friends and family or set the tone for a
romantic dinner on the poolside terrace.
Imagine technology that gives you con-
trol right at your fingertips with pro-
grammable digital technology for ele-
18 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
ments like music, lighting and foun-
tains. After all, the only thing more
soothing than the bubbling sound of
water is being mesmerized by its
sparkle.
Tailor made
“Swimming pool design and technology
has changed dramatically over the last
decade,” says Ed Gibbs of Gib-San
Pools. “People are looking for ways to
integrate their pool into their living
space and create their own private
retreat. They want more than a place
to swim. Their goal is to create some-
thing visually pleasing and entertain-
ing with all kinds of extras. We’re
seeing more and more dancing water
jets, waterfalls and grottos built into
As beautiful as the vista is of this west
coast island with boats slowly passing
by on the water below, viewing it across
the reflective water of this vanishing
edge pool, with the mirrored image of the
clouds above, magnifies its beauty even
more and adds a sense of tranquility that
is hard to imagine. Thus is the mesmeriz-
ing magic of water.
the poolscape. Most of it is for the visuals
and the relaxing sounds but on occa-
sion, it’s simply to block out the sounds
of neighbours and traffic.”
While a pool area can take signifi-
cant space, in reality it adds value to
the landscaped area of the home and
gives more enjoyable use of the out-
door portion of your property. In some
continued on page 20
 Photo: Gib-San Pools, Toronto, ON. Master Pools Builder

20
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
 Water adds life to this garden! Imagine
spending an afternoon on the lounge listen-
ing to the water spill from the spa into the
pool as you watch the sun dance magically
across the water. Your eye is drawn along
the symmetrical lines of the patio to the
shimmering reflection of the bay window in
the pool. This is summer in the city!

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 21
Photos: Gib-San Pools, Toronto, ON. Master Pools Builder

This backyard has it all! As soon as you step

out the back door, you see this incredible,
natural, park-like poolscape setting with its
wooded ravine backdrop. You have a multi-
tude of places on the multi-level deck and
stone patios to relax and enjoy its beauty.
cases, you can even reclaim wasted or
difficult areas to create more useable
recreational space.
The art of poolscaping
Why not create your own waterfront
property in the city and enjoy it
every day by simply walking out your
back door and into the garden? A well
done poolscape—one that integrates
the home with its outdoor living patio,
the property with its natural assets,
continued on page 24
Making the impossible a reality
Brian and Lisa Burlacoff wanted more from their home but they didn’t want to move
to get it. “We back onto a beautiful ravine. While we have a large backyard, our
dilemma was it sloped away from the house and was awkward to access.
“Our dream was to have easy access out our back door to a large socializing
deck and pool. Given the terrain, we didn’t know if this was viable.
“The more we researched, we knew we had to hire a company experienced in
pool construction and capable of dealing with other challenges, such as meeting
environmental concerns.
“In the end, we achieved our dream. This incredible natural-looking pool with
its waterfall over the swim-in grotto, a vanishing edge that makes the ravine look even
closer, and the surrounding stonework and flower beds complements the
natural ravine setting.”

22 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
my world has no bottles
Kinetico...the most environmentally responsible water treatment systems
on the planet.

Kinetico drinking water systems do things others don’t. Like deliver

consistently high water flow to the tap. And use only clean water to
clean the reverse osmosis membrane, prolonging the life of the system.
Take comfort in knowing Kinetico removes virtually everything from
water that isn’t water, ounce after ounce straight from the tap.
The Kinetico Whole Naturally, better water flows from better thinking.
Home Water Solution:
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your home.

866.351.8722
View the “Kinetico in your Life”
video @ thinkclearblue.ca
 Photo: Gib-San Pools, Toronto, ON. Master Pools Builder

24
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
 Photo: Gib-San Pools, Toronto, ON. Master Pools Builder
Photo: Memphis Pools, Memphis, TN. Master Pools Builder
26
and the pool—will provide you with an
enriching environment to enjoy all year.
It will add value to your property... to
your life and that of your family.
To create the look and functionality
you want, all of the backyard poolscape
elements must work together and in
concert with the family’s lifestyle
and creative tastes. The flow for activity
around the pool should integrate the
patio and outdoor kitchen areas.
Decking materials should be carefully
selected to blend with the natural sur-
roundings and create harmony.
Too often, lifestyle is one of the
last points a homeowner thinks about
when “building” a pool, but it is a
primary one for the pool builder and
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
landscaper. “First time pool owners are
concerned about the pool look, the
size, the shape and even the materials,”
says Carla Sovernigo-Pawella of Alka
Pools in Vancouver. “A good builder
knows how to guide the buyers through
these choices, but what really makes the
difference in a poolscape is understand-
ing what will suit them as a family and
make the most in complementing their
home’s architecture and the terrain of
their property.”
Everybody into the pool
What kind of pool is best for you? Think
about the size of your family: your chil-
dren, grandchildren, aging relatives and
yourself. Do you plan to use the pool pri-
Photo: Deck and Dock
marily for swimming laps or just cooling
off and sunbathing? Do you want a focal
point for entertaining—a real wow fac-
tor—or are you looking for a quiet restful
space with fountains and running water?
Would you enjoy an outdoor spa or mas-
sage area? How about a cabana with an
outdoor kitchen? All these things are an
important part of the planning process
of your pool and should be discussed
with your design professional.
You have few hours of pure relaxation
these days with so many activities and
demands on their time, so plan ahead
now for when the weather is fine and
think about all of the glorious ways you
can create your own valuable water-
front property right here in the city.
KITCHENS HOMEFRONT KITCHENS HOMEFRONT KITCHENS HOMEFRONT KITCHENS HOMEFRONT KITC

Bella
Photo: Mobalpa

Say goodbye to your old kitchen with

cucina
its fussy and cluttered look. Forget about
knick-knacks, awkward nooks and wasted
space. Those days are over. Welcome to the
next generation of kitchens where less is more. Welcome to a hypermodern,
ultrapractical and definitively aesthetic world where you can enjoy European-style
goes sleek
ergonomics that champion a sleek and fitted look.
1. Devote just one drawer to clutter.
5 tips Countertops should be clear of any mess or Discover multi-functional, minimalist, space-saving
to get objects that might interfere with the intended
design where stainless steel is king. It’s all about making
the look simplicity. 2. Stick with cool colour schemes:
blacks, greys, and whites. Avoid patterns. 3.
your life easier, healthier, more productive and fun.
Add beauty with an orchid or a vase of tulips. 4. Create atmosphere and freshen
the air with a savoury scent: my favourite is basil from Dyptique. 5. Don’t use
magnets, counter-collectibles or notice boards. Less is more.

28 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
H E N S H O M E F R O N T. K I T C H E N S H O M E F R O N T K I T C H E N S H O M E F R O N T K I T C H E N S H O M E F R O N T K I T C H E N S

Fatal attraction
at dinner time
Catch the evening news,
cook along with Giada
or Rachel, watch a movie,
or have your gumbo
with a side of jazz.
Siemens avant-garde™
multimedia hood
combines in-kitchen
entertainment with the

Photo: Siemens
best in Euro design and
German engineering.
U.S. $3,499.
Photo: Ligne Roset

An instant
eye-catcher
Bring warmth
and ambiance
to your kitchen,
with Ligne Roset’s
Josephine 5D
twist on an
old sconce.

Photo: Fagor America Inc.

Photo: Thermador

Cooking with style

Finally, an induction cooktop that has style but is not
Photo: Peugeot

black. The silver mirror surface stays relatively cool

to the touch. Cleanup is a cinch, and cooking becomes
safer. This is almost perfection. Thank you Thermador. Space saver
This 24”, no-frost
Poivre plus refrigerator from Fagor
Peugeot Elis’s grinding system is sleek and slim. Ideal
has precise settings and a LED light for small spaces, it’s fast-
that comes on when grinding. cooling, super-freezing
Add an experimental feel to your and vacation-setting
cooking at the press of a button. capabilities are very cool.

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 29
K I T C H E N S HOMEFRONT K I T C H E N S HOMEFRONT K I T C H E N S HOMEFRONT K I T C H E N S HOMEFRONT K I T C H E N S
Photo: Mobalpa

From the Himalayas

Formed 200 million
years ago, these pink
salt rocks are 100%
Photo: Himalania

natural, unrefined and

unpolluted. Sprinkle
some on your
food and enjoy
absolute purity.
Grater included.

Ice rocks
Those who prefer
their water bottled
will enjoy pre-packed
ice cubes without
freezer odours or tap
Photo: Krups

water impurities.
Just pop these
conveniently pack-
aged ice cube trays
Photo: Gaggenau, Dominos

Blending in
Konstantin Grcic, known made with French
for the minimalist simplicity spring mineral water
of his designs, has created in your freezer. Four
the Krups KB720 for in-home trays of 12 cubes.
Photo: Icerocks

use. His reinvention of this

classic features professional-
grade, continuous-speed
performance and easy Mix and match
control navigation. Be creative with Dominos. Design your cooktop as you wish
with Gaggenau’s flexible cooking modules.

30 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
&1/</1"C 1O\OQ9WbQVS\aQ][
K I T C H E N S HOMEFRONT K I T C H E N S HOMEFRONT K I T C H E N S HOMEFRONT K I T C H E N S HOMEFRONT K I T C H E N S
Photo: Mobalpa

Photo: Baccarat
Breakfast with
Louis Ghost?
Enjoy spending time
in your kitchen?
Incorporate a seating
arrangement that
has style like Phillipe
Starck’s polycarbon-
ate chairs from
Kartell. Louis Ghost Cheers
is stable, durable Mixing poetic provocation with tradition,
Photo: Kartell

and shock-, scratch- Philippe Starck revisits the Harcourt Water is art
and weather- glass. Black, hand-cut crystal brings For a twist
resistant. $470. a touch of impertinence. on the plastic
water bottle
and arguably
a cleaner
taste, pick up
Seletti’s designer
glass bottle,
a guaranteed
Some like it hot conversation
Here comes Magic, an L-shaped starter. $38.
mobile fire solution that requires
no installation or chimney and
can be set anywhere in any
desired space. The secret to this
smoke-free technology lies in
Photo: Planika

the ecological, liquid Fanola® fuel

Photo: Seletti

and the patented Glassfire®.

Enjoy the warmth during those
long winter evenings.

32 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
HOMEFRONT KITCHENS HOMEFRONT KITCHENS HOMEFRONT KITCHENS HOMEFRONT KITCHENS HOMEFRONT

From
my travels
Somewhere sleek in the world
Make a late dinner reservation to
admire the glittering Eiffel Tower at the
Georges Restaurant (Tel. 01-44-78-47-99)
in Paris. With its heavenly location on
the top floor of the Centre Georges
Pompidou, famous for its modern art
collection, the George has an unbeatable,
panoramic view of the whole city through
its fabulous floor-to-ceiling windows.
The outdoor wrap-around terrace is a
romantic spot to enjoy a summer martini
Photo: Arya Kitchens

or après dinner Cointreau.

The landmark of restaurant gurus
the Costes brothers, the restaurant
itself is considered a work of art.
Add some warmth Designed by Paris-based architects
Wood and stainless steel come together to create a modern, clean look. continued on page 36

34 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
inspired
GE Monogram professional products become the center of your kitchen and cooking experience. To learn more, visit monogram.com.

GE Monogram
HOMEFRONT K I T C H E N S HOMEFRONT KITCHENS HOMEFRONT KITCHENS HOMEFRONT KITCHENS HOMEFRONT

continued from page 34 Each of the Costes’ blobs is coated with

Dominique Jacob and Brendan
McFarlane, the Georges stunningly
modern dining room boasts 30-foot
high ceilings and has four unique
bubble-like spaces called “bobular
shells.” The atmosphere is magical,
minimalist and offers a feel that
critics have called “Kubrick-esque.”
Photos: Georges
an aluminum sheet and lined in
coloured rubber to distinguish it from
the others. The lime green blob houses
the coat-check and the rest rooms;
The yellow is a multimedia room; The
gray one holds the kitchen; Last but
not least, the red blob hosts the VIP
lounge. The white tables and chairs
(you guessed it, from Philippe Starck)
leave the space airy and bright.
Lest we forget, the food is nothing
short of spectacular. I recommend the
Sole Meunière, perfectly orchestrated.
Or, for something a little more robust,
the Tigre qui Pleure, a tender beef stew

that you can cut with your spoon. After all, it is the spot where Carrie
Thinking of celebrating something Bradshaw hung out during the filming
special in style? Rent the Georges. of the last episode of “Sex in the City.”
Shopping information
(Page 29) Siemens hood www.siemens-home.com • Ligne Roset lighting www.ligne-roset-usa.com • Thermador cooktop www.thermador.ca • Peugeot peppermill www.williams-
sonoma.com • Fagor refrigerator www.fagor.com • (Page 30) Krups blender www.krups.ca • Spring water ice cubes www.icerocks.com • Himalania pink salt www.surlatable.com
• Gaggenau Dominos www.gaggenau.com • (Page 32) Planika fireplace at Bergo Designs, Toronto 416-861-1821 • Kartell Louis Ghost chair at HorseFeathersHome, Toronto
416 934 1771 • Philippe Starck “Un Parfait” glasses www.baccarat.com • Seletti glass bottle www.seletti.com.

36 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID

Bathroom
From mere necessity
lust
to sheer indulgence
By Alexa Carroll
Photo: WS Bath Collections

38 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
HO M E F R O N T L I Q U I D A S S E T S H O M E F R O N T L I Q U I D ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID

“Is it a bathroom? Is it a lounge? Is there a difference?” asks one

fixture designer. The modern bathroom is not just about eyeing
pretty colours, settling for a salubrious soak in
the tub, or warming up with radiant-heat floors.
Since a typical day begins and ends in the bathroom,
today’s homeowners have much greater expectations.
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 39
HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID
Photo: WS Bath Collections

40 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
HO M E F R O N T L I Q U I D A S S E T S H O M E F R O N T L I Q U I D ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID

L avatories aren’t just lavish;

they’re lush and large. For many
of us, especially those who live
in the city, space is the ultimate luxury.
So the opportunity to upsize a bath-
room can prove valuable from both a
daily lifestyle and long-term invest-
ment perspective. After all, how can
we achieve the desired bucolic effect
without giving our designers some
room to play? Yes, in the world of
master bathrooms, bigger is now better
when you want to reel in buyers and
encourage a bidding war with a space
that’s in move-in condition.

Great expectations
Rooms with a view are also in demand.

Photo: Franz Kaldewei, Gmbh & Co.

At home, we want to duplicate what
we’ve seen in our travels: a decadent
soaker tub looking out over a calm lake
at sunset, all-glass super showers built
into a forest clearing, or floor-to-ceiling
windows that boast a panoramic view
of a lit-up night cityscape while we sip continued on nest page
continued on page 42
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 41

7979 WEST
TON ROAD VA
AUGHAN
N, ON
905.8
856.7
7979
9 in
nfo
o@c
canarom
ma.com
m

www.canaroma.com

SIMPLY FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE

visit canaroma and discover a new
kind of shopping experience
HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID
Photo: Glass Idromassaggio

champagne in the bath. It’s all about the
view, and about seeing but not being seen.
Have nothing to look out at? Trump
that deficit by creating a stunning
mural painted on glass or by installing
a door with a spectacular glass inset as
a focal point.
Beyond the walls
More open, more spacious and more bold
than ever before, big bathrooms demand
careful attention to details. (Experts tell
us that about one-quarter of the cost of
remodeling a bathroom goes into build-
ing the space. The other three-quarters is
in the finishing features.) To get it right,
there’ll be much planning and discussion
to spare. Think of a $5,000 toilet with a
seat that plays music while it warms,
sprays and blow-dries you. A single sink
doesn’t cut it anymore; larger or two-
sided vanities now provide each partner
with their own territory. And brushed
copper, brass or nickel fixtures are
eagerly desired alternates to traditional
polished chrome. Dramatically coloured
fixtures and beautifully patterned ves-
sels, with sexy names like Congo,
Ipanema or Zanzibar, are also tempting,
if they’ll stand your test of time.
Singing in the rain
Even technology plays a much larger
role for homeowners. Whether you’re
working with a vintage bathroom or
designing a brand new space, every-
continued on page 44
Photo: WS Bath Collections

around quintessential architectural

Photo: Franz Kaldewei

features and interior design details.

Beethoven’s Fifth
A surprising amount of choices are wait-
ing for those with imagination and cash

42 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID

Photo: WS Bath Collections

Photo: WS Bath Collections

Photo: Stonetile

Photo: Kohler
Photo: Kludi

44 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT LIQUID ASSETS HOMEFRONT

thing from flat screen TVs to surround

Photo: Kohler Margaux faucet

sound stereos can be integrated in
some exciting and innovative ways.
Think of a waterproof widescreen with
a heated glass that keeps the picture
clear of condensation. Or imagine a
splashproof, waterproof speaker system
that hangs on to the showerhead
while playing songs from your nearby
(and dry) iPod.

A personal touch
Expect your decorator to recommend
different textures and to combine
Indian and Mexican sun-drenched
colour palettes. Handcrafted ceramic or
aquamarine glass tiles will make a
statement as wall decor pieces, coun- That peaceful, easy feeling natural. Hues are subtler, and the
tertops and floors. If you’ve got the Want to play it safe? You can still get focus is definitely on pieces that are
inclination, you can find artistically away with not-so-quiet whites with tastefully simple.
framed ornate mirrors, large vases and names such as Sunlight, Skylight or Soft lighting on dimmers, toe kick
urns, and unusual combinations of Tea Green. A Zen minimalist look that lights mounted underneath cabinets,
stone and tile. Look for pieces of furni- marries design with eco-consciousness and a few downloaded spa tunes on
ture with tastefully hidden storage can offer you a clean vibe. Here, the your iPod will help complete the
capacity to accessorize. materials and accents are earthy and mood.

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 45
 out of sight!
hantom Screens are so subtle, you
P won’t even know they’re there. They
can be custom fit for doors, windows and
larger openings. Phantom Screens pull into
place when needed and retract out of sight
when they’re not, making your living spaces

clean and larger, airier and more comfortable.

www.phantomscreens.com
purposeful
french
revolution
enturies ago, French
C cabinetmakers began
to create furniture that
captured the essence
he Plinto collection by architect Pinuccio Borgonovo of Louis XVI, while
T incorporates a series of modular elements to create
unique entertainment units and wall compositions.
introducing entirely
new decorative elements: legs without fluting, sheathed feet, lozenge
Borgonovo’s clean aesthetic is seen in his designs, and motifs, and ebony borders. Mahogany was abandoned in favour of light,
everything has a purpose and is designed to function well. clear-toned cherry wood. Crafted in this centuries-old style, this bed sports
This Italian-made line extends to tables, chairs and beds. a sleek ebony finish and is available in a variety of hand-applied finishes.
www.palazzetti.com www.grange.fr

48 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007

* Sudis Choice Package

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a
Pedicure
a
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S PA & S A L O N
a 1 hour Body Massage

416 . 922 . 0813 * Hammam Package

Turkish Bath (Hammam) Body treatment that includes a deep
Laser Hair Removal soak with plant extracts, light steam,
Threading Persian Body Scrub, and Turkish Body Sopping.
French Facials
Guinot Facials All under a Vichy Shower!
Dermalogica Facials
* For Him
Manicures
Pedicures
Paraffin Treatments a French Facial
Body Treatments a Manicure (with Buffing)
Body Massages (RMT) a Pedicure (with Paraffin)
Hair Removal a 1 hour Body Massage
Eyelash & Eyebrow Tinting

For Her
Hair Stylists
*
*Personal Packages available
Spa packages to suit you! *Present Packages may change

Sudis Spa & Salon For Men & Woman

aFrench Facial
a Manicure a Pedicure
Upper Level of Hazelton Lanes Shopping Centre a 1/2 hour Body Massage
I I I I 416.922.0813
www.sudis.com
87 Avenue Road Unit 271 Toronto, ON M5R 3R9 a Eyebrow Threading
 H O M E E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Much, much
music A look at the
latest gizmos to help
you enjoy your digital
By Marc Saltzman
music collection

T he term “revolution” is thrown

around quite a bit, especially
in the technology space, but
this word couldn’t be more appropriate
when talking about digital music.
and listened to our music: today, record
stores are aging relics (remember driv-
ing, parking and waiting in line to buy
music?); that hulking home stereo is an
eyesore (the one you took a second
Rewind 10 years and you might mortgage out to buy); and how about
Photo: Palazzetti

chuckle at how we acquired, organized that bookshelf jammed with cracked

50 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
CD jewel cases (ah, paying $20 for 10
songs, three of which you liked).
OK, forgive the drama, but the con-
venience of downloading music and
storing more than 25,000 tracks on
something the size of a bar of soap—
and then being able to access this
collection anywhere in or outside of the
home with a push of a button—should
make the “old” way of enjoying music
seem archaic in retrospect.
And so the following are a half-dozen
high-tech gadgets to help you get the
continued on page 52 The new Sound Dock Portable from Bose.
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 51
 A sound choice
Ditch those tin cans your computer
manufacturer calls speakers. Instead,
pick up a multichannel audio solution
for your computer—not unlike a 5.1
surround sound setup for your home
theatre—which is comprised of five
independent satellite speakers and a
booming subwoofer to sit under your
Photo: Bose

desk. While a surround sound setup

most of your digital audio collection
today. Instead of traditional audio/
video receivers and loudspeakers, we’ll
concentrate on the smaller stuff that’s
still big on sound.
Hot dock
Now you can listen to your Zeppelin on
a Zeppelin. Britain’s Bowers & Wilkins
has just launched a unique blimp-shaped
iPod speaker system aptly named the
Zeppelin ($649.99; www.bowers-wilkins.
com), easily the best-sounding iPod
might be more ideal for 5.1-supported
computer games and DVD movies,
woofer (for the low frequencies, or keep in mind next year we’ll be down-
bass) and 25 watts for each of the two loading MP3s recorded or remastered
speakers (featuring aluminum-dome in beautiful 5.1 surround audio. The
tweeters for the highs and glass-fibre Creative’s GigaWorks ProGamer G55W
midrange cones). Your iPod fits snug on continued on page 54
a small cradle that extends outward so
it appears your music player is floating
in midair; the Zeppelin also recharges
the device at the same time. Control
your tunes with the black pebble-
like mini-remote. Also included is
an onboard equalizer and S-Video
and composite outputs to connect

Photo: Creative
docking station on the market (Bose a video iPod to a television.
SoundDock included) thanks to its 50
watts for the integrated five-inch Creative’s GigaWorks ProGamer G55W sound system.

52 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007

seehearTOUCH
Serving you since 1986, Audio One is Canada’s leading specialty audio/video provider. What makes us special? How about a staff with a combined 135 years
experience and the know-how and passion for music and movies that translates into a great home system every time. A state-of-the-art showroom with six dedicated
listening rooms full of top notch audio/video equipment for you to experience and audition. Audio One’s Installation division provides audio/video systems that astound
with sound and vision. Hundreds of completed projects demonstrate our ability to get it done right.

home
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SEE the latest televisions from Pioneer and Hitachi. LEARN about the latest television technologies and SAVE
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©2007 Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

Go beyond sight as you know it. Go beyond sound as you’ve

ever imagined it could be. Enter a world where you don’t

just watch, you experience. Introducing the

seeingandhearing.ca

($479.99; www.us.creative.com) is a
dream system that delivers 310 watts of
total power to your PC (including a 130-
watt subwoofer for under your desk).
This THX-certified system is also a breeze
to setup with its wireless rear receiver;
you can place the bookshelf speakers
behind you and have no cables to trip
you when you (even-
tually) get up from
your chair.
Photo: Oxx
The Oxx Digital Wireless Internet Tube Radio.
Internet radio on demand
Consider it shortwave radio for the
21st century. The Oxx Digital Wireless
Internet Tube Radio ($299.99; www.
oxxdigital.com) can receive more than
7,500 stations from countries around
the world—from Afghanistan to
Zimbabwe—by hopping on your “Wi-Fi”
network (no PC necessary). Unlike the
square-shaped design found in the
54 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
Photo: Apple
original Oxx Internet Radio ($199.99)
with mono sound, this new “tube”
version has a flatter, cylindrical shape
and includes stereo speakers and a sub-
woofer. Without requiring a subscrip-
tion, you can scan and stream from the
world’s radio stations either by country
or by genre (such as classical, country,
rock, pop, and so forth). If you hear a
station you like, such as an easy listen-
ing station from Sydney, Australia, or
iPod’s new touch with more features.
a 24-hour old time radio station (with
old Jack Benny and Lux Radio Theater there’s no longer any competition.
shows), you can add it to one of Similar to the iPhone, you can use your
your 10 presets. Or you can wake up to fingertip to glide through all your
your favourite station via the built-in albums on the stunning 3.5-inch screen,
alarm clock. A backlit blue LCD screen then tap the cover art to read the track
lets you see the station information listing on the back and start a song. Tilt
clearly. Bonus: this radio can also play the iPod touch to switch from portrait
MP3 and AAC songs stored on a near- to landscape view to begin a high-resolu-
by computer, wirelessly. tion photo slideshow or video. Built-in
Wi-Fi and a Safari browser lets you surf
iMazing around your home (wireless network
It’s no secret there are better MP3 play- required), play an online game of
ers than the iPod—with more features, Bejeweled or access the iTunes Wi-Fi
clearer sound and half the price—but store to download songs and podcasts
once you get your hands on the new directly to the device. Available in 8GB
iPod touch (from $329; www.apple.ca) (1,750 songs) or 16GB (3,500 songs),
the whole home : bedroom
garage
home office
family room
media room
utility area
Up to $350 in FREE storage accessories*
Call today for a free in-home consultation
905.669.1599 | californiaclosets.com
*Present at consultation. Up to $350 in free accessories with your purchase. NOT TO EXCEED 10% OF SYSTEM VALUE. Not valid with other offers. Expires 01/18/08
© 2007 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Each franchise independently owned and operated.
 the iPod touch is also no slouch in the
battery department with up to 22 hours
for audio (or five hours for video).
Heavenly headphones
Whether using them at home or on the
go, try on a pair of the soft-as-butter
Bose noise-cancelling QuietComfort 3s
($449.99; www.bose.com). Smaller
than its predecessors, these black and
silver headphones offer a very com-
fortable on-ear fit, yet they feature
similar noise-cancelling technology
Also consider the Sennheiser PXC300
($299.95; www.sennheiserusa.com), a
small, foldable and lightweight model
that employs Seinheiser’s newly-
refined NoiseGard Advance system,
which significantly reduces ambient
noise so you can enjoy peace and quiet
or your favourite songs, audiobooks
or movies.
Stream away
In a previous issue of Homefront we
examined all the different ways to couch. Both ana-

Photo: Apple
developed by Bose for commercial access your PC-based media—such as log and optical
Photo: Bose

pilots and military applications. A
rechargeable battery pack
snaps onto the top of
the right earpiece,
which saves you
money in the
long run com-
pared to other
noise-cancelling
headphones that take AA or AAA bat-
teries. Included in the travel pouch is
an audio cord (for use with iPods,
portable DVD players or laptops) and
an airplane adapter for in-flight audio.
downloaded music, photos and videos
—on your big-screen television in
another room.
Though it didn’t generate a fraction
of the buzz compared to the iPhone,
the new-and-improved Apple TV
($449 for 160GB model; www.apple.ca)
is a beautifully elegant solution for
wirelessly accessing your favourite
music on your PC’s iTunes library.
About the size of a hardcover book,
this silver unit can also display online
content—such as viral videos from
YouTube—while you recline on the
audio outputs are
also offered, so
you’ve got some choices whether to
connect it directly to your TV or an
audio/video receiver. Because of the
built-in hard drive you can also take
this music collection offline to, say,
the cottage, but be forewarned Apple
TV doesn’t look good on a standard-
definition television.
Marc Saltzman is a recognized expert in
consumer electronics, computers, video-
gaming and Internet trends.

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 55
 Photo: Calphalon Culinary Center
hot stuff! what’s
cooking?
he Calphalon Culinary Center, located at 425 King St. West, is Toronto’s ultimate
T culinary destination. With cooking classes for the home cook, gift certificates for
classes and product, and a full line-up of Calphalon kitchenwares in the fabulous
shop, we promise you’ll find something that makes you want to cook!
Photo: Multi-Cast Design Inc.

www.calphalonculinarycenter.com

vanities on-line?
andcasted fireplace mantles are ike Tuk presents a unique experience in
H light in weight, easily installed and
costs less than carved stone. Offered
M home shopping: Just browse, click and buy
a beautifully crafted vanity online. And you can
Photo: Mike Tuk

in a variety of colour shades, mantles have it shipped to wherever you want it! Choose
are flexible and can be custom made to from a vast selection of colours and finishes with
complement a wide range of interiors. a sensational range of matching glass vessels.
www.multicastdesign.com www.miketuk.com (click on “Online Store.”)

passionately
inspired

RIVERBEND; a secluded country inn

nestled in its own vineyards along the
Niagara River Parkway in the historic
town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Recently restored, all will enjoy the
countryside from our bar and restau-
Photo: Art Boulle

rant, vineyard patio or settle into one

of our indiv i d u a l l y appointed
rooms reflecting our commitment
to the finer things in life.
xceptional beauty and supreme
E craftsmanship are the hallmarks
of Art Boulle. Whether classical or
“Summer in the Country” Packages
(Starting at $217.00 per person)
contemporary, ornate or avant-garde, Call for more information.
each custom-made piece of furniture is a
collectible work of art. This meticulously 16104 Niagara River Parkway
handcrafted collection is inspired by Niagara-on-the-Lake • Ontario
André-Charles Boulle, artist to the tel: 905-468-8866 • toll free: 888-955-5553
crown of Louis XIV. Art Boulle's www.riverbendinn.ca
recently opened showroom is open to
an exclusive clientele by appointment.
www.artboulle.com

56 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
HOMEFRONT REAL ESTATE HOMEFRONT REAL ESTATE HOMEFRONT REAL ESTATE HOMEFRONT REAL ESTATE

Living in luxury By Lisa Van de Ven

RESIDENTIAL

New at Blue
For the skiers out there, Intrawest is
trying something new at its Village at
Blue Mountain site in Town of The Blue
Mountains outside of Collingwood.
Photo: Village of Blue Mountain
Veering away from the condo-hotel
model that has been popular in the
project, the developer recently intro-
duced Second Nature, with 33 lots avail-
able in the first phase, all one-quarter
and one-third of an acre in size. Buyers
will purchase the lot and then have The new site is located along
homes built to their own specifications, the 16th fairway of the Monterra CONDO

keeping to architectural guidelines for Golf Course, with all of the amenities
the project, with a choice of selected of the Village close by. Lots range Festival fever
architects, designers and builders avail- from the mid $100,000s to the
able through Intrawest Placemaking, a $300,000s. Call 1-888-OWN-BLUE or While the Toronto International
subsidiary of Intrawest. visit www.secondnatureliving.com. Film Festival (TIFF) may be
over for another year, The
Daniels Corporation and the

Rendering: The Daniels Corporation

RESIDENTIAL
Reitman Family (that would
Photo: Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited

Parkside living be director Ivan Reitman of

Ghostbusters fame) are all set
The only house in Rosedale to complete- to make the glam year-round.
ly face Chorley Park is the home at 233 Construction is already
Douglas Drive, now on the market for an underway for 2010 occupancy.
asking price of $5.995 million. Originally The home for the TIFF Group will be
built in the 1920s, the three-storey house located in the six-storey podium at
features a stucco exterior with landscap- The home—featuring over 5,000 the building’s base along with a ground
ing reminiscent of its current owners’ square feet of interior space—has floor Oliver & Bonacini restaurant
English roots. In fact, the owners six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a with catering and room service menus
restored the interior completely in an library, a gym, a nanny suite, and a for residents. The residential tower
English style, hiring an English architect wine cellar. “It really is extraordinary,” itself will rise 37 storeys with 378 suites
for the job and importing all of the inte- says listing agent Fran Bennett of in total. Residents will enjoy special
rior hardware, wallpapers and draperies Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited. screenings and Film Festival privileges.
from their home country. Call 416-925-9191. Visit www.festivaltower.com.

RESIDENTIAL

Slopeside Farm
Close to the ski hills, Slopeside Farm is exterior and a renovated interior.
Photo: Re/Max Four Seasons Realty

in Clearview Township, near Collingwood.
The 100-acre property is a perfect hobby
farm. Located on 10th Line, it has views
of Georgian Bay and the Escarpment.
The 2,300-square-foot, two-bedroom,
century stone home has a modest
The real appeal is the property with
its separate four-bedroom coach house,
a restored barn, and a long private
driveway. Listed at $1.375 million.
Call Judy Crompton at Re/Max Four
Seasons Realty at 705-445-8500.

58 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
HOMEFRONT REAL ESTATE HOMEFRONT REAL ESTATE HOMEFRONT REAL ESTATE HOMEFRONT REAL ESTATE

CONDO HOTEL

Ritzy real estate

In the world of architecture—
Canadian architecture, that is—Arthur
Erickson is well known, having
designed the Canadian Embassy in
Washington DC and been awarded the
Order of Canada. In the world of

Rendering: The Ritz-Carlton Company

hotels, the Ritz-Carlton is just as well
known. Now, in Vancouver, the two
names are coming together in the
Ritz-Carlton Hotel, a new 60-storey
condominium-hotel currently under
construction on West Georgia Street
in downtown Vancouver.
The building was designed by Erickson most of the buildings that surround it, is under construction and is scheduled
—in collaboration with Musson Cattell but also it will feature a twisting glass for a 2011 completion. Residences range
Mackey Partnership and DYSarchitecture design that promises to provide a from 926 to 4,145 square feet and are
—to stand out on the Vancouver sky- unique vision for city residents. priced from $1.4 million to $12.8 million.
line. Not only will it be taller than The site, by Holburn Developments, Visit www.vancouversturn.com.

RECREATIONAL REAL ESTATE

Dominican dreams
Nicklaus Signature courses). There
will be 1,000 boat slips (ready to
accommodate yachts of up to 150 feet),
500 hotel rooms, and 5,000 residential
units from single-family homes to
condominium product. When they’re
Photos: The Ritz-Carlton Company

not in use, units can be rented out to

recreational visitors through on-site
rental management programs for an
added return on investment.
The site’s original residential offer-
ing was released for sale in 2001, and
Take 30,000 acres of land with 3.4 miles The ongoing recreational real estate since then property values have been
of beachfront alongside the Caribbean development by The Abrisa Group is increasing approximately 30 per cent
Sea. Add a master plan scheduled to massive in scale and has a setting to per year, making the project a sound
span 12 to 15 years, and featuring match. Turquoise water and sandy investment in addition to an appealing
partnerships with the likes of Donald beaches create a natural backdrop, recreational destination. Current prod-
Trump, Jack Nicklaus and The Ritz- with preserved ecological land built uct ranges from 1,640 to 4,000 square
Carlton Hotel Company. The result? into the master plan, as well as five feet and is priced from U.S. $465,000
Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic. golf courses (three of them Jack to $12 million. Visit www.capcana.com.

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 59
 NORTH CAROLINA, ASHEVILLE

Welcome to
adventure country By Helmut Dostal
Photo: Bob Lee
Photo: Bob Lee

Get up and away in a hot air balloon over North Carolina’s Imagine being in the driver’s seat of a 600-horsepower NASCAR-
Great Smoky Mountains. style race car.

60 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
 Stunning countryside, magical hotels and a
seemingly endless choice of activities were
on the agenda for our weeklong tour of
North Carolina in a brand new BMW X5.
Photo: Bob Lee

Photo: Bob Lee

Play a few rounds with a partner on the links of Asheville’s Take a ride off the beaten path at the Land Rover Experience
Grove Park Inn. Driving School.

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 61
 Biltmore Estate
Dine in luxury at the
elegant Biltmore Estate.

O ur first destination is the

historic Biltmore Estate,
located in the charming city
of Asheville, just a couple of hours
northwest from Charlotte, North
Carolina. Built by George and Edith
Vanderbilt in the late 1800s as a grand
summer retreat on 125,000 acres, the
Biltmore is still considered the largest
privately held residence in America.
We discover that, at the time of its
completion, the 250-room home was
at the leading edge. Imagine electric
lights that used some of Edison’s first
light bulbs, ornate elevators, an indoor
swimming pool and the most innova-
tive invention of all: the telephone.
Today we find the home is open to
the public and boasts a rich collection
of antiquities, artwork from European
masters, a 10,000-volume library and
a most interesting chess set once
owned by Napoleon. Our favourite
architectural feature is the stair tower,
inspired by the 16th-century Chateau
de Blois in the Loire Valley.
The more recently added Inn on
Biltmore Estate is where we’re bedding
down for the night. It’s a lovely spot set
among the ancient oaks, manicured
lawns and traditional gardens that
remind us of the grandeur of days gone
by. Here our stay is all about the great
outdoors and includes fly-fishing, river
rafting and golfing.
William Cecil Jr., the great grandson
of George Washington Vanderbilt, is at
the helm of the company, and we’re
excited to discover his thriving vine-
yard and private label wines. Now the
most visited in the entire United States,
the winery adds yet another dimension
to this already storied property.
www.biltmore.com

62 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
 Grove Park Inn

N o visit to Asheville would be complete without a stay at the beautiful Grove

Park Inn. Located on a 161-acre property, the Inn feels remarkably like
being at a resort in the country while staying right in town.
Built over 100 years ago by E.W. Grove, the owner of a pharmaceutical company,
the Inn has a rich history of hosting North Carolina society, the Hollywood elite,
and U.S. presidents. We are impressed with Grove Park’s mix of traditional style
and modern luxuries, the world-class spa, and the Donald Ross-designed, par-70,
championship golf course that offers a stunning view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The 40,000-square-foot spa with 20 different water features throughout warrants
a stay at the inn all on its own. With a seemingly endless list of specialized treat-
Explore the incredible rock formations of
Chimney Rock Park, a destination 25 miles ments—such as a colour and light bath with aura imaging; the mountain view
southeast of Asheville. massage; the fire, rock, water and light treatment; and, above all, a choice from the
Heaven Series like the Carolina Mud Pie Wrap—this spa has it all.
On top of old Smoky!
We enjoy one last breakfast on the sun-filled terrace overlooking the fairways
Just outside Asheville, we decide to try
and then Bob and I are off to our next destination.
something new. We figure what better
www.groveparkinn.com continued on page 64
way to see the majesty of the Great
Smoky Mountains than by hot air
balloon. Bob and I look cautiously at
each other before leaving our BMW
behind and entering the rather tiny
basket that will take us and our pilot up
to about 3,000 feet. It’s an extraordi-
nary thing to witness these giant
spheres of glorious colour expand with
carefully controlled bursts of hot air.
Once airborne, our pilot expertly rides
the currents, takes us over the stunning
vistas, and keeps in touch with a
ground crew that has been following
our flight path. After setting down in a
farmer’s field, we are taken back to our
car. What a great experience!
Swim a few laps at Grove Park Inn’s
stunning indoor pool.

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 63
Photo: The Swag Inn, Jumping Rocks
The Swag
T o reach our next stop, we test
our BMW X5 on a mountain
road, along winding hairpin
turns, climbing 5,000 feet to our
breathtaking, unspoiled Great Smoky
Mountain destination, The Swag. This
luxury inn is run by owner Deener
Matthews, who supervises the entire
operation with the same flare and
passion that went into building this
special place 30 years ago. Magically,
the Swag combines the easy life of
endless views, rustic exteriors and
warm hospitality with every comfort,
including custom bathrooms, sound
systems, and wireless Internet in their
guest chalets.
On our first afternoon, Deener, who
is keen to show us the breathtaking
landscape that surround the luxury
inn, teams us up with a local expert
Say goodbye to stress
by visiting the intimate Swag Inn.
Photo: Bob Lee
64 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
Photo: Bob Lee
and researcher on the bear population
in the area. Thousands of acres of the
national forest that borders the Swag
property are the backdrop of our
mountain hike during which our guide
demonstrates the building of bear
traps for tagging animals in support of
his research. This is truly an unforget-
table and educational afternoon.
www.theswag.com
The drive of our lives
Bob and I felt the need for speed, so
when we heard that Concord, North
Carolina, is home to the Lowe’s Motor
Speedway, one of the best professional
NASCAR race tracks in the country,
we could not resist the thrill of visiting
the track and experiencing stock car
racing first-hand.
In 1990, the seven-time NASCAR
champion Richard Petty started the
Richard Petty Driving Experience
(RPDE) in a small shop in Concord,
North Carolina. Today, the organiza-
tion that bears his name operates at
24 tracks nationwide.
The RPDE is for those who are
passionate about racing. You can
drive or ride shotgun in a 600-horse-
power NASCAR-style stock car for
an authentic on-track experience! At
well over 200 km/h, and with steep,
made-for-speed banking, the pulse-
quickening drive gave us a serious
appreciation for the skills needed
to make it as a NASCAR driver.
www.1800bepetty.com
Ballantyne Resort

O ur last stop on our North

Carolina tour before heading
back to Canada is the luxuri-
ous Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte.
With its 214 richly appointed guest
rooms and suites, grand marble
entrance way, and high ceilings, the
Ballantyne is world-class. During our
stay, Resort staff tempt us with a full
program, ranging from an adrenaline-
pumping whitewater adventure pack-
age, to a few sets of tennis with the
resident pro, a swim in the continuous-
wave lap pools, and a few rounds on
the five-star, 18-hole golf course.
The award-winning spa, with its 18
treatment rooms and more than 60 spa
experiences on the menu, has been
named one of the top three spas in
North America by Condé Nast. Bob and
I spend a couple of hours relaxing by
the indoor grotto pool after our mas-
sages. This Resort is well worth a visit!
www.ballantyneresort.com

Photos: Ballantyne Resort

The car:
BMW’s Sports
Activity Vehicle

T he story about our road trip

through North Carolina would
not be complete without some
details about the car, provided by
BMW North America.
Our X5 was equipped with a host
of safety and performance features
such as xDrive, Active Steering, Runflat
tires, Xenon headlights and an excel-
lent navigation system that saved us
from getting lost more than once.
Overall we rate the driving experi-
ence with the X5 among the best
to date.

BMW X5 4.8i Specifications

Engine 4.8 l, V8
Max. output 355 bhp
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/hr
6.5 sec.
Top speed 240 km/hr
Our Homefront team enjoyed the road trip through North Carolina in the BMW X5.

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 65
 U TA H , S T. G E O R G E
Falling in
love yet again!
By Sheryl Lavine
Breathtaking Red Mountain sunsets bring
closure to days of self discovery and relaxation.
I ’ve been to Red Mountain Spa
before, and on my return visit I
fell in love all over again with the
spectacular red rock mountain views.
,
Up and at em
My stepdaughter Dana and I began
our days with an early morning hike
after a healthy breakfast. Hiking is a
highlight at Red Mountain Spa, and we
had the option of three hiking levels.
Although a more experienced hiker,
Dana joined me in the more novice
Trekker 1 group. The hike changed
every day, each area more beautiful
than the last.
With over 50 weekly fitness classes,
Photos: Red Mountain Spa
from über challenging workouts to
spiritual stretching, Dana and I quickly
figured out our favourites. At the top
of our list were daily aquafit workouts
in the outdoor pool, inspired by the
backdrop of those gorgeous red rock
mountains. We also enthusiastically
discovered NIA classes, an excellent
workout combining the concepts of
yoga, Tai Chi, tae kwon do, jazz and
modern dance.
We love to eat, and it was easy to
enjoy both healthy and tasty meals.
We could select food based on calorie,
fibre, protein, fat or carbohydrate
content, although we usually chose
simply what tempted our taste buds.
Thai Yoga.
Spa-licious
Spa treatments were very welcome
after our activity-filled days. Red
Mountain’s Sagestone Spa recently
underwent a multi-million dollar
re-design and now boasts over 50
delightful treatment options. As a
mother-to-be, Dana’s spa selections
included a couple of pregnancy mas-
sages while I tried Sagestone’s signature
Desert Gem Hydrating Body Facial.
After a smoothing exfoliation followed
by a rich moisturizing body mask, I
felt totally relaxed, and my skin
thanked me for choosing such a deeply
hydrating treatment. We both enjoyed
our Resurrection Botanical Facials
and were amazed at how our skin
glowed for days. We left Red Mountain
Spa feeling rejuvenated, fit and
healthy, yet slightly regretting that
we didn’t have time to relax in the
fabulous hammocks that were calling
our names. Maybe next time?
Red Mountain Spa is located in St. George,
Utah, near the entrance of Snow Canyon
State Park, just a two-hour drive from
Las Vegas.
www.redmountainspa.com
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 67
 SOUTH AFRICA, CAPE TOWN
Touring
South Africa
Photos: Cape Grace Hotel
Cape Grace Hotel
It’s long been a dream of mine to visit
South Africa, so I’m truly excited when
the day of my trip arrives. Granted,
Toronto to Johannesburg via New York
seems like a long haul, but I am treated
well by the South African Airlines’ in-
flight crew, and the travel time flies by.
The only glitch occurs when, upon my
arrival, all of my luggage goes missing.
Luggageless, I venture off to the
first stop of my South African jaunt, the
Cape Grace Hotel in historic Cape
Town. Grandly located between the
dazzling marina and a working
harbour on the west quay of
Cape Town’s vibrant Victoria
and Albert Waterfront, the
Cape Grace Hotel has a
good reputation. Since it
opened in December 1996,
the hotel, independently
owned and operated by Meikles
Africa Hotels, is recognized as one of
the finest in the world. And Conde Naste
Traveler rated it the number one hotel
in the world in 2000.
It doesn’t take me long to see why
the place has earned such top billing.
When I arrive, the Cape Grace Hotel
68 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
in style
By Caroline Tapp-McDougall
team, led by General Manager Nigel
Pace, helps me replace my necessities
and tries their very best to track down
my bags. (Something tells me they’ve
done this before.)
All is not lost
In short order, I am outfitted and can
once again relax, thank goodness. My
spacious guest room, with its elegant
furnishings, fragrant flowers and French
doors that offer a private view of the
world-famous Table Mountain, is truly
welcoming. And everyone it seems,
from chef to chauffeur, delivers nothing
but the absolute best personal service,
as Bill Clinton and other celebrities have
discovered during their many visits.
(Rumor has it the penthouse suite is
a “must stay” for a romantic getaway.
It’s a private loft that has an elegant
and spacious lounge, a private terrace
with an outdoor Jacuzzi, separate bed-
rooms, a chef’s kitchen and a private
dining area.)
Some like it hot!
Cape Town was the mid-way point of
the spice trade route between Europe
and the East in the early part of the
15th century, and The Spa at Cape
Grace celebrates this theme with its
bold, warm feel. Interiors, inspired by
the flavours of paprika, saffron and
vanilla, are a warm orange, deep
brown and romantic gold. Here, I find
a charming, private space open only
for guests’ convenience and a unique
spa menu that’s a treat to read and a
joy to sample.
Little extras
The tour guide recommended by the
hotel is excellent and extremely valu-
able given the short amount of time I
have to look and learn in this storied
city. I also love the hotel’s favourite
personal shopper, who takes me on a
whirlwind tour of a local craft market
and to meet some of South Africa’s
internationally recognized fashion
designers. Back in my hotel room, I
find a specially designed robe and a
note from the spa; my therapist then
arrives right on time for my massage.
The Bascule whisky bar, home to over
460 whiskies from around the world, is
equally impressive. I doubt I can find a
finer one in the country.

What a treat
So much here is above and beyond
my expectations. But I am not sur-
prised. True to what I’d heard about
founder Charles Brant’s vision, the
hotel is delightfully five-star without
the airs.
www.capegrace.com

5 fabulous treats to share as

Cape Grace celebrates its 10th birthday
1. Build your own picnic basket filled with treats, and let the
chauffeurs whisk you off to Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches.
2. Join Cape Grace’s whisky sommelier for a private malt tasting.
Select from an exclusive collection of over 400 whiskies from
around the world.
3. Watch the sunset aboard one of Cape Town’s historic yachts before
enjoying fresh Walvis Bay oysters and bubbly in the hotel’s Bascule bar.
4. Head for the clouds aboard a helicopter and experience the scenic
beauty of the Cape Peninsula before returning to Cape Town via
majestic Table Mountain.
5. Experience the rush of a Harley Davidson motorcycle
ride to the wine lands where lunch is served just for you.

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 69
 SOUTH AFRICA, GARDEN ROUTE, KNYSNA
Photos: Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa

Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa The estate awaits views of the Indian Ocean, the Kynsna
My South African journey takes me I soon find myself on the eastern head Lagoon, and thousands of acres of re-
from Cape Town along the world- of the up-market town of Knysna, home planted forest, Pezula Resort Hotel and
famous Garden Route, so named for its of the renowned Pezula private estate. Spa is the culmination of the long-time
temperate Mediterranean climate and Hugging the dramatic southern cape vision of unswerving Chairman Keith
unspoiled miles of vegetation, lush coastline, Pezula lies at the foot of the Stewart. Born in the U.K. and raised in
forests, shimmering lakes and rivers, Outeniqua Mountains, along the banks Zimbabwe, Stewart is said to have made
and natural fynbos. This area is herald- of a vast estuary. With its breathtaking his fortune as the inventor of the photo-
ed by travellers and guide book writers
as having some of the most beautiful
scenery in the world.
Travelling along the rugged coast-
line, I learn that the sleepy route
extends from Heidelberg to the
Tsitsikamma Forest and the Storms
River. In the coastal waters, humpback
and southern right whales frolic from
May to September and the dolphins
are year-round residents. The route is
a comfortable few hours by coach that
has me gently winding my way
through picturesque small towns with
secluded beaches, quaint restaurants
and fabulous little shops.

70 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
copier sorter. While in Africa in the late
1990s, he fell in love with the Pezula
land, and he finally purchased it in the
year 2000.
With restoration as his goal, Stewart
began clearing over 400 hectares of
vegetation and trees to rehabilitate an
area that had been seriously exploited
by lumber barons for over 100 years.
His subsequent development of the eco-
friendly, ultra-lux Pezula Resort Hotel
and Spa and Pezula private residences is
on land that, to this day, he refers to as
“the most perfect place on earth.”

A unique tour
My introduction to Pezula is by way of a
“helicopter flip,” a dubious term for a
private tour in a six-seater Eurocopter
EC130. As his boss is away, Stewarts’
personal heli-pilot has time to spare, so
I’m treated to an exhilarating flight over
of the entire estate and along the breath-
taking coastline. Thankfully, nothing
flips. (With a bit of luck, perhaps I can
commandeer their Raytheon Hawker
800 for my flight home. According to the
continued on page 72

H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 71
 concierge, it can travel at a height of
41,000 feet at a speed of up to 863 kilo-
metres per hour, and it sits at the ready
for guests to charter from almost any
airport in the world.)
Safely on the ground, I can see that
the award-winning hotel has clearly
been built to Stewart’s specs and
reflects his own taste. Personal touches
abound. Pezula sets the standard for
eco-friendliness, and no detail has been
overlooked.
Privileges abound
My oversized villa, beautifully designed
and decorated, even comes with a fire-
place to warm me up on those cold
African nights. And the Pezula Spa and
Gym offers a unique treatment menu
built around the use of indigenous
72 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
ingredients and a family-friendly
nature/education centre where kids
love the animals. On a tour, I’m fortu-
nate enough to meet a friendly pig
(named Babe of course) and enjoy a
memorable private trail-ride through
the forest on a unique breed called
the South African cape horse.
At Zachary’s Restaurant, one of
many places to dine at Pezula, the
cuisine is exceptional. Executive Chef,
New York-born Geoffrey Murray, com-
bines his experience with local organic
products and a global twist to craft his
“modern ethnic” menu. The extensive
wine cellar offers many complements
to the fare; a nice touch is Pezula’s
house wine, Zachary, which, like the
restaurant, is named after a much
loved family pet.
A secluded spot
Perhaps the most awe-inspiring spot on
the estate is the recently restored pair of
castles on a Noetiie Beach. Situated on
one of the most beautiful and secluded
spots in the world, the castles are nestled
into the coastal cliff-face overlooking the
Indian Ocean. Though there is a road, I
decided to travel by kayak with a nature
guide. As I expect, the interiors are noth-
ing short of spectacular and the service
is fit for a king. Castle guests have a
handpicked housekeeper and a butler
and enjoy access to full hotel service.
Suffice it to say, Pezula is a South
African gem and an extraordinary place.
It truly is a privilege to have the oppor-
tunity to visit. I find the estate nothing
short of perfect!
www.pezula.com
 A L A S K A , INSIDE PASSAGE
All aboard!
Alaska cruising:
nature’s way
Photos: Princess Cruises
Flanked by towering snow-capped mountains and endless wilderness,
it was hard to imagine any place on the planet more visually striking.
L ate this past summer, my hus-
band John and I, along with
2,000 other passengers, board-
ed the Coral Princess (a Princess
Cruises ship) at Whittier, a small
Alaskan community on the edge of
Prince William Sound, a protected
body of water that opens into the
Gulf of Alaska. For the next seven
days, we sailed in deep finger-like
fjords, were awestruck by the sight of
massive glaciers, and cruised along
jagged, rock-rimmed coastlines.
The scenery was one thing but
topping off the humbling beauty of
this remote northern land was the
wildlife. Many passengers had their
cameras poised to capture images of
moose, deer, bear, sea otters, whales,
seals and bald eagles.
Our Princess itinerary began with
flying into Fairbanks for a three-day
land tour prior to boarding the ship
and cruising along the Inside Passage,
an arm of the Pacific Ocean sand-
wiched between the main land and a
series of large and small islands.
Because these barrier islands provide
protection from the open sea, these
waters generally make for smooth
74 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
cruising as land is always within sight.
The initial land portion of our
itinerary included stays at two proper-
ties that were the epitome of rustic
luxury: the Denali Princess Wilderness
Lodge and the Mt. McKinley Wilderness
Lodge. Modern glass-domed rail cars
transported us between Fairbanks and
the lodges, and provided spectacular
sightseeing, including clear views of
Mt. McKinley, North America’s highest
mountain. Our days on land offered
By Donna Carter
great opportunities in this “land of the
midnight sun” for unique excursions:
hikes, fly fishing, jet boat safaris,
airplane tours of Mt. McKinley, white
water rafting, heli-hiking, glacier-
landing helicopter rides and visits to
former gold rush villages.
Once on-board, our excitement
mounted in anticipation of the first
sightings of glaciers. Overall, there
are an estimated 100,000 glaciers in
Alaska, and a sea day never passed
without us seeing a few. The most
impressive were in Glacier Bay, where
we witnessed and heard the thundering,
cracking noises of several tidewater
glaciers, some measuring 250 feet
high, calving off giant icebergs into
the sea. This was a highlight of the
cruise, and there wasn’t a passenger
on-board who wasn’t blown away by
the experience.
Our Alaska cruise also featured
three port stops that included Skagway,
Juneau and Ketchikan. Once the gate-
way to the Alaska Klondike, Skagway is
a charming town whose main streets
are lined with colourfully painted
wooden buildings housing eateries,
saloons and shops selling jewellery,
clothing, original art and souvenirs.
While the three port stops did not
differ dramatically from one another,
in each case it was easy to conjure up
images of their 19th-century gold rush
days. The shore excursions offered
something for everyone ranging from
low impact to high energy. We took
two separate golf tours (yes, there
are golf courses in Alaska) in addition
to an underground goldmine tour that
gave us a chance to do some actual
gold panning. There were an assortment
of other tours like sightseeing adven-
tures in small airplanes, helicopters,
trains, buses and horse-drawn carriages.
The best loved were fishing expedi-
tions and a visit to an Alaskan sled
dog camp with an outdoor salmon
bake. We also heard stories of bear-
sighting tours and sea kayaking from
fellow travellers.
Obviously food is a prime attraction
on any voyage! (Cruise lines say the
average passenger consumes 5,000
calories a day.) Consequently, the food
had better be good and there’d better
be plenty of it. The Coral Princess
rose to the occasion with everything
on-board from soups to desserts made
from scratch. And the ship had several
eating spots, including a 24-hour buffet
restaurant and two main dining rooms
that offered five-course, personal choice
dining. (Show up anytime between 5:30
p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and sit with
whomever you please.) Alternatively,
we could have chosen prescribed seat-
ing at one of two evening sittings or
dine at Sabatini’s for Italian cuisine or
The Bayou Cafè & Steakhouse for
Cajun-inspired food. There was also a
pizzeria, a pool-side grill and 24-hour
room service. What a selection!
Beyond ogling ever present scenery,
there was no shortage of ways for us
to amuse ourselves. Options included
line dancing, trivia contests, putting
competitions, card playing, exercise
classes, art auctions, spa treatments,
pottery making, movies and nightly Las
Vegas-type shows featuring dancers,
singers, jugglers and comedians.
Overall, we found the Alaska cruise
was largely about the legendary scenery
which is undoubtedly why it’s one of
Princess Cruise lines most popular sail-
ings. However, this is not to minimize
the ship experience itself. Although all
staterooms are decidedly upmarket
and the great majority have balconies,
for an added degree of luxury guests
can upgrade to a suite where amenities
include chilled champagne to enjoy
during sail away plus other premium
extras such as daily deluxe canapés,
fresh flowers and other decadent
details. Moreover, when it comes to
setting the mood for matters of the
heart, the Coral offers a number of
options with the pinnacle being a
romantic, multi-course dinner served
on your own private balcony under
the stars. After all, this is the cruise
line made famous by The Love Boat
television series aired in the 1970s in
which two of its ships, the Island
Princess and the Pacific Princess were
featured. In a competitive market
burgeoning with numerous cruise lines
and worldwide sailing itineraries to
choose from, Princess Cruises has been
operating since the 1960s and sustaining
a well established reputation and a
strong following of repeat patrons. We
can personally speak to the prevailing
opinion of passengers aboard our Coral
Princess Alaska cruise who deemed it
to be the trip of a lifetime.
www.princesscruises.com
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 75
 YUKON, WHITEHORSE

A thousand miles,
14 sled dogs and
-480C temperatures

Yukon
Quest
Photo: David Handschuh

By Caroline Tapp-McDougall

O ne has to wonder what drives

a person to participate in a
long distance endurance dog-
sled race from Whitehorse to Fairbanks
in the middle of February. Maybe they
don’t feel the cold like we do? Or perhaps
it’s the tenacious sense of adventure
that drove the early explorers married
with a modern day determination to
keep history alive. One has to wonder
even more why I would accept an
invitation from Jim Kemshead, the

Public Relations Officer for Tourism
Yukon, to experience the Yukon
Quest. As I stepped off the plane in
the great white north luggage-less and
cold-fearing, the question hit me: Why
did I come here? (My friends at Air
Canada had seen fit to send my bag to
Shanghai instead. Should I have taken
the hint and gone with it?)
Testing your mettle
At the top of the world in the Yukon-
Alaska Interior, the Yukon Quest, an
epic event that takes place every year,
is something that few of us from
“down south” will ever experience—or
perhaps even understand. Covering
1,000 pristine miles of man-made
trails between Whitehorse, Yukon, and
Fairbanks, Alaska, the race, held in
the depths of the winter, is known as
the “toughest sled dog race in the
world.” (The American version, the
Both dog teams and their mushers prove their mettle by racing 1,000 miles over incredibly
rugged terrain in unforgiving weather.
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, is run
each March and has more marketing
and financial clout, yet according to
the mushers I asked, it is not nearly
as challenging.).
During their quest on the Yukon
trail, teams of one human musher and
14 canine athletes race for two grueling
weeks on trails that follow the historic
Gold Rush and Mail Delivery routes, the
only travel highways that the Northern
frontier had at the turn of the century.
Fearless and frumpy
There are eight of us city slicker
journalists that Jim, who is incredibly
Photo: carstenthies.com
good-natured and has a wealth of race
trivia, has the onerous job of shepherd-
ing us through race week. His first task
is fitting each of us with red abom-
inable snowman suits with furry hoods
and matching big leather motorcycle-
style gloves and snow boots. (It turns
out my luggage wasn’t really neces-
sary.) I can’t walk in this get-up, and
I look like an overweight kid ready
to go tobogganing. But I’m finally
warm enough to brave the elements.
Next stop is off to meet the mushers,
an interesting group of tenacious men
and women who have been training
continued on page 78

76 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
AMAZING EXPERIENCE
■
A M A Z I N G FA S H I O N
■
A M A Z I N G R E TA I L E R S

To r o n t o Oakville
Furs By Leonard Barrington's
1 4 1 7 Yo n g e S t r e e t • 4 1 6 - 9 2 3 - 7 8 4 2 209 Lakeshore Rd. East • 905-845-2031
w w w. f u r s b y l e o n a r d . c o m w w w. b a r r i n g t o n s . c a
 for months and who, it seems, are
more worried about how their dogs
will fare over the next few days than
they are about themselves. It doesn’t
take long for us journalists to get into
the spirit, pick our favourites, and learn
the race rules, which focus heavily on
canine care.
Survival of the fittest
Photo: David Handschuh
Yukon Quest mushers are coaches,
cooks, cheerleaders and loyal compan-
ions to their dogs, who have become
78 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
almost like family. Jim tells us that
the dogs are actually considered and
treated like elite marathon athletes.
Bred by respected local kennels from
stock that survived and thrived during
the Klondike Gold Rush, no animal on
earth can match these incredible dogs
for their endurance, dedication and
ability to perform in the extreme con-
ditions of the North. It’s all about the
team’s toughness, skill, commitment
and, sometimes, a lot of luck. Yes,
mushers get lost, miss checkpoints
and have to give up. And yes, humans
get hurt, and dogs do get injured and
die along the trail.
The rules of the race are steeped in
tradition and require the lone mushers to
be truly on their own in the wild. Each is
required to carry mandatory equipment
and their own food and supplies at all
times. They cannot replace their sleds
and are not permitted any help at all
except at the Quest’s half-way stop in
Dawson City. And a team must have no
less than six dogs to cross the finish line.

Away to the races
The start of the race is one of the most
incredible scenes I’ve ever witnessed.
Hours before, mushers and dogs, along
with their handlers, vets, families and
friends, have assembled like gypsies on
the main streets of Whitehorse. Odd-
looking custom-built kennels sit on the
backs of trucks that line the side of the
road, six or seven dogs’ heads stick out
of small round holes on each side.
Sleds with long double harnesses
attached are being readied. Mushers are
packing provisions into canvas bags and
fussing with layers of clothes while
their dogs wait. There’s a tunnel-like
starting ramp with colourful flags set up
at the end of the road where Jim takes
us to see the teams assembling in start-
ing order. The noise from the excited
dogs is deafening.
Suddenly they’re off; We’re in hot
pursuit to follow their tracks, by road of
course where possible and on foot
where there’s a chance, to get closer to
the trail and cheer them on.
Regina Wycoff and her team start their
more than 13-day journey to the finish line.
Wycoff of Healey, Alaska, finished 18th.
Over the next few days we’re thrilled
to watch their progress. The teams
spread out quickly. As the race contin-
ues, Arctic warriors must expertly navi-
gate frozen rivers, climb four mountain
ranges, and try to stick to the trails that
will carry their sled dogs through deep
woods and over silent, open patches of
nothing but snow and ice for miles.
Often as the sleds pass close to civiliza-
tion on bridges or in isolated, northern
villages, race watchers and now us curi-
ous journalists gather to catch a glimpse
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 79
 of these local heroes. (Yes, that means
that we have to walk carefully down
snow banks, into forests and across
frozen waters in our fabulously fash-
ionable snow gear. And, trust me, it
involves plenty of waiting in –30 to –400C
temperatures, sometimes for several
hours, for a lone team to come speed-
ing by.)
Checking in
There are 10 remote checkpoints along
the trail which race officials claim are
sometimes more than 200 miles apart.
Each team must find and pass through
every checkpoint for a mandatory
veterinary inspection. (There were 12
vets plus 3 vet techs listed as part of
the race’s staffing complement and not
a single human-care doctor in site. It
definitely is all about the dogs!) It is at
these far-flung checkpoints that we wit-
ness what’s called a dog drop. Here, the
howling team runs in for a pit-stop, and
injured or tired dogs are de-harnessed
and left behind for care—an often heart-
breaking necessity for the team who is
forced to tear on fearlessly through the
day or night with even less “dog power.”
And so it goes for nearly two weeks
for the intrepid racers and organizers
who religiously keep us posted live and
electronically on the Yukon Quest web-
site. It’s a historic, magical journey, and
Photo: David Handschuh
as predicted, this year’s race was, for
the third year in a row, won by Lance
Mackey of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Mackey ran a near perfect race,
gauging the abilities of his dogs and
skillfully adjusting to the frequent
Photo: David Handschuh
changes in the trail conditions and
sub-zero temperatures. His winning
run time of 10 days, two hours and
37 minutes made Yukon Quest history
established an impressive new record
for the running of the 1,000 mile trail
between Whitehorse and Fairbanks.
Hobo Jim and Libby
Its hard to imagine but despite his
challenges, Mackey managed to knock
five hours off his previous record time
from the year before and become only
the second person in Yukon Quest
history to win three races in a row.
Also for the second year, Lance’s lead
dog, Hobo Jim, claimed the Golden
Harness Award with his new run-
ning mate, Lippy. Of note: Mackey’s
Comeback Kennel finished with a stag-
gering lead of almost four days and 20
hours over the back of the pack team,
led by Bob McAlpin, who spent much
more time in the cold and earned the
Red Lantern award for hanging in there.
Amazingly, 21 teams finished but
some, like the teams led by J.T.
Hessert and Catherine Pinard, weren’t
so fortunate and had to give up their
quest along the way.
C
The spirit lives on
It was a race of thrills, chills, heart- M
break and cheers. Nonetheless, they’ll Y
be back on the trail again this February CM
9. As we’ve now been infused with the MY
spirit of the Yukon Quest, we just need CY
to call our buddy Jim again and see if
CMY
we can get a line on some big winter
K
boots and a couple of really warm
snowsuits.
www.yukonquest.com
A team rolls into the halfway point of
the race in Dawson City, Yukon, where
they will rest for a mandatory 36 hours.
 NOTES FROM MONTREAL

the
DUMAS BERGEN
travel chronicles
Photo: Tourisme Montréal

Epicurean Montreal
Food in full flight
Television shows, food magazines, media
chefs, cookbooks, food sections in
dailies, specialty stores for food
and cookware, foodie cruises
and excursions, it is no
wonder that Montreal
restaurant start-ups are
also mushrooming. Quebec’s
star chefs have spawned a
new generation of exciting,
young, creative “cooks” who
open their own restaurants
or become sous chefs at
the best restaurants in town.
Chef Normand Laprise
Note: in the industry it is and Christine of Toqué.
necessary to lead a complete
brigade before utilizing the title “chef.”
We have chosen not to include the
dozens of new neighbourhood restaurants
but rather focus on easy to find food
havens for visitors, where the clientele
may be local but very much
“in the know.”
TOQUÉ, at Place
Jean-Paul Riopelle,
gateway to Old Montreal,
was selected as a Relais &
Châteaux Relais Gourmand
in 2006. Chef Normand
Laprise continues to perform
his magic in a demure setting
where his creations with local
products are the star attraction.
For example: duck ravioli,
matsutake mushroom soup
with a terrine of foie gras, princess scallops
marinated in cranberry water and cilantro
oil, piglet lacquered with curry, Quebec
cheese board (unique), squash and curry cake
with white chocolate ganache. Or, for the
most special of evenings, we recommend
the seven-course tasting menu that will most
certainly demonstrate how Normand is at
the top of his game.
Heading three blocks
west and one uphill
north, you arrive at the
brand new bistro Beaver
Hall (1073 Beaver Hall
Hill,Tel. 514-866-1331,
www.beaverhall.ca).
Recently launched by very
successful owner-chef Beaver Hall Bistro.
Jérôme Ferrer, this busy,
lively brasserie was an instant success. Chef
Ugo Vincent-Mariotti has created a menu
of classic bistro fare served in the most

New fun dining in Old Montreal

Aszù Wine Bar and Restaurant at 212 Notre-
Dame St. (Tel. 514-845-5436) offers a unique
wine-tasting experience with its wine flights—
three different whites or reds to accompany
your meal. Check out the gorgeous
fireplace at the entrance near the
wine bar, where there are many
tastings throughout the year. Call
ahead to inquire what’s happening
on your next Montreal visit. Very good
food, very creative.The old historic stone
walls combine with the warmth of the fire-
place for a very cozy ambience.
Garde-Manger at 408 St-François-Xavier in Old
Montreal (Tél. 514-678-5044) is a year old and swinging!
Reservations are a must. Bring your party mood: it’s loud and
crowded with young beautiful people, models and a few grey
heads mixed in. Packed since day one, the restaurant with no
exterior signage has created an enviable buzz. After 11:00 p.m.
it is an aftershift bar where waiters and chefs meet.This small
cozy seafood emporium is headed by Chef Chuk Hughes,
Kyle Marshall Nares and television heartthrob Tim Rozon.
Go there for the huge seafood platters of oysters, crab, shrimps
and clams served with wicked sauces.
Vauvert in the St-Paul Hotel, (Tel. 514-876-2823) is at
355 McGill Street, the new trendy street in Old Montreal.
This reincarnation of restaurant Cube features a delightful
menu by chef Pascal Leblond (ex-
Cube) for grazing and enjoying the
sophisticated ambiance provided
by television people from nearby
TQS, a local independent
and trendy broadcaster.
The tasting dishes are
called fricots and are
ideal for sharing.Try the
accras and sweetbreads.
Modern and trendy décor.

82 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
 Montreal lights up at night.
Photo: © Old Port of Montréal Corporation Inc., Denis Farley

Photo: © A.P.E.S., Anotn Fercher

Skating on the river in Old Montreal.

or as gifts to family and friends.These staff’s attitude of friendly hospitality and

little wonders are as good as those a desire to please the clientele. As soon
at Ladurée, a favourite tea room as you sit down, a nice plate of amuse-
in Paris at 75 Champs-Élysées bouché is brought to the
with its Napoléon III decor table.You immediately feel
created by über interior welcome. Be sure to try the
designer Jacques Garcia. lobster cream cappuccino with

Photo: Montreal Highlights Festival

Europea is the first restau-
rant that Jérôme Ferrer,
named chef of the year in
2007 for the Montreal region,
opened four years ago. You’ll
find his cozy and romantic
restaurant nestled at 1227
Mountain St. ( Tel. 514-398-
9229) in downtown Montreal,
near Ogilvy department store
and a series of boutiques of
Quebec designers just up the
Photo: Europea
truffle oil.This will set the tone.
Gourmet tasting menu is nine
servings, but the portions are
small, so go ahead and enjoy!
Toronto culinary prowess will
be front and centre at the
Ninth Annual Montreal
Highlights Festival from
Susur Lee
will be featured February 21 to March 3, 2008.
at the Montreal Susur Lee has been named
Highlights Festival. Honorary Chair at the Air
France Wine & Dine Experience

street. Be sure to reserve and ask presented by AMEX. Lee will be joined in
for Cyril Duport, the charming Maître Montreal by dozens of leading Toronto-based
d’Hôtel.The success of this restaurant is culinary artists. Info and table reservations
Europea’s Jérôme Ferrer. not only in the superb food but also in the are available at Montrealhighlights.com.

attractive and large white plates, bowls, and

individual casseroles which create an awe-
some setting for the equally awesome food.
But it’s open only at noon, so plan
for a light evening dinner and fully savour
the scrumptious foie gras with porcini
and morel cream or share a board of
cochonnailles, delectable salamis, hams,
and pickles served with that real French
baguette. Mains include choices of tartares,
blanquettes, duck, braised lamb, a good
size grilled beefsteak with béarnaise, and
delectable real fries. Sweets are classic
with the lemon tart or chocolate mousse.
And then there’s Quebec cheeses. Most
restaurants now serve only Quebec cheeses
that have earned an unparalleled reputation
with more than 300 local cheese makers.
Also, don’t miss the homemade macarons
that are available in Jérôme’s third establish-
ment called Europea Espace Boutique
(33 Notre-Dame St. in Old Montreal) where
you can buy the most tender and flavourful
macarons this side of Paris. Bring some home
Casino de Montreal
Nuances is at the Casino de Montréal
(Tel. 514-864-4950) on Ile Notre-Dame
next to the Saint Lawrence River. Easily
accessible by taxi, it’s a five minute drive
from the city centre past the world-
renowned Habitat 67 complex.The
Casino is in the former French Pavilion
of Expo 67. Magnificently renovated, the
Five Diamond restaurant Nuances is an
ideal setting for chef Jean-Pierre Curtat,
who offers exquisite, innovative cuisine in this
splendid contemporary decor. You can enjoy spec-
tacular vistas of Montreal while
sampling the extensive à la carte and gourmet menus. On
a recent visit we experienced the chef’s creativity with
the five-course “L’éveil des sens” menu.We recommend
it highly. Reservations are a must. Check for upcoming
entertainment at the cabaret where you can wine and
dine while watching an entertaining stage show.
By Claudette Dumas and Robert Bergen rbergen@videotron.ca
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 83
Spa Trends By Wanda Love
Detox at the spa?
Detox centres are now on par with luxury resorts it seems.
Look for spas that offer positive lifestyle support and treat-
ment programs, ranging from weight control, stress manage-
ment and rehab for poor sleeping habits to counselling for
career changes and recovery from failed rela-

Photo: Hillcrest Victorian Inn & Valenova Spa

tionships. The plain Jane version might be
lectures on the simple desire to bring about
positive change in a mid-’50s lifestyle.
Destination spas, such as the Hillcrest
Victorian Inn & Valenova Spa in Port Hope,
Ontario, have introduced holistic detoxification
programs, featuring healthy, organic meals,
detoxifying baths, reflexology and even colour
therapy. Our spa in Calgary offers a one month
“Life Balancing” program which includes medical testing, a con-
sultation with a physiotherapist, nutritional counselling, personal
training and life coaching. Detox has never been so decadent.

Teeth to toes
With the increase in “wellnessitis” around the globe, the con-
cept of spa has morphed into other areas. Not only do we covet
soothing spa elements integrated into our homes and office
décors, but now pampering is headed to the dentist’s chair.
According to the American Dental Association, about half of all
dental practices are now offering some form of spa amenities
to help patients relax. The most common inclusions are head-
phones, neck rests, warm towels and complimentary beverages
and snacks. Some dentists have even expanded the concept a
few steps further by offering spa treatments such as massage,
facials, pedicures and manicures. I’ll take my root canal with
a side of massage or a foot rub with my cleaning!

Spa on every corner

According to SpaFinder, there are now more spas in the U.S.
than Starbucks locations worldwide. However recent research
released by the International Spa Association (ISPA) indicates
a perceptible change is afoot, with the growth of the industry
slowing to a healthy, steady pace. ISPA Chairman Jim Root
explains this deceleration by saying, “The previous exponential
growth allowed a spot for anyone who wanted to add spa to
their sign. Today’s consumers are more savvy, and they won’t
accept anything that is not a true spa experience.” It’s a trend
welcomed by companies who have invested in providing a
true spa experience for their guests. It is still “buyer beware”
however, as many people have been lured by a sign indicating
a “spa,” only to discover it translated to nothing more than a hot
tub or a single manicure table tucked in an obscure corner. My
advice: Watch for higher standards and check with industry
associations and other satisfied spa-ites before you book.

Wanda Love is with the Calgary-based Santé Spa, Canada’s

first medical spa.

84 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
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 TA S T I N G N O T E S

Hot off
the vine
By Barbara D. Ritchie

Casa Lapostolle, one of Chile’s in the north, Pacific Ocean to the west and tasting staged at Toronto’s Pangea
pre-eminent wineries and Antarctic Ocean to the south create Restaurant, with agent Charles Jewett
Grand Marnier, the famed orange microclimates that are highly conducive of Trilogy Wines and Toronto-based
liqueur, and Chile’s Casa Lapostolle to winegrowing. Casa Lapostolle now Jean-Philippe Gerault, International
winery have a common lineage in produces over 200,000 cases per year Director of France’s Grand Marnier
France’s Marnier-Lapostolle family. from grapes grown Lapostolle. Well respect-
Jean Baptiste Lapostolle launched a on their 300 hectares, ed Chef Martin Kouprie
distillery in France in 1827. Fifty years supplemented by prepared a superb
later, his son-in-law Louis-Alexandre purchased fruit. Most menu to match her
Marnier came up with the idea of marry- of the vines are young, featured wines.
ing Cognac with a unique Caribbean with the exception of Cuvée Alexandre
Revolutionary winery Casa Lapostolle.
orange, which led to the creation of their original Apalta Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Grand Marnier. Subsequent family vineyard in the Colchagua Valley, which from the Rapel Valley is pale lemon,
generations branched out into wine, has 60- to 100-year-old vines. Yields are with engaging scents of orange blos-
with France remaining their focus. intentionally kept low to achieve concen- soms, lemon zest, starfruit and hints of
Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle, great trated flavours in the wine. golden pineapple that follow through
granddaughter of Louis-Alexandre, set Casa Lapostolle makes Chardonnay on the palate. More tropical than zippy
her winemaking roots down in Chile exclusively from purchased grapes in character, it still has the appealing
in 1994, partnering with the Rabat sourced from Chile’s Casablanca Valley. undertones of grass and gooseberry
family in founding Casa They also grow Cabernet that make it an ideal aperitif and
Lapostolle. Their goal Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah seafood wine.
was to combine their and Sauvignon Blanc in Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre
French expertise with their vineyards in the Chardonnay 2005 is brimming with
Chile’s superb terroir. In Requinoa region and ripe apple, pear, fig, and melon flavours
just over a decade, it Carmenere in their Apalta that are complemented by toasty oak
has become one of the vineyard, and are experi- from aging in French barrels. Extended
leading wineries in the menting with other vari- stirring on the lees gives it a creamy
country. The recruitment etals including Cabernet character. Elegant and refined, it leans
of renowned wine con- Franc, Pinot Noir and towards a fine Burgundy in style, with
sultant Michel Rolland, Viognier. Their revolu- delicate notes of smoke and vanilla in
now exclusive to Casa Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle tionary winery, dedicat- the long finish.
Lapostolle, was an integral ed to the production of Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre
step in this process. their flagship Clos Apalta, is a five- Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 from the
Chile attracted Alexandra because storey, gravity-fed structure built into Apalta vineyard in the Colchagua Valley,
of its idyllic winegrowing conditions. It the hillside granite. The wines are is made from 60-year-old vines. Deeply
escaped phylloxera, the aphid-like insect fermented in small French wooden coloured, with forward dark chocolate,
that devastated much of the winegrowing vats and the wine is aged in two differ- cassis, sweet forest berries and spicy
regions of the world in the 19th century. ent barrel cellars before release. oak flavours, and touched with a hint
The Andes Mountains in the east, desert Alexandra co-hosted a press luncheon of mocha, it is elegant yet powerful,

86 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
with enough tannins to indicate further
aging potential over the next decade.
Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre
Merlot 2005, also from their Apalta
vineyard, has 15% Carmenere added
to give it more structure and spice.
Dense and concentrated, it has a
bouquet of plums, black cherries and
dark chocolate. Aging for 12 months
in 20% new and 80% one-year-old
French oak barrels gives it soft tannins
and leaves it with a rich, mellow taste
that lingers on the palate.
Their flagship super-premium
wine, Clos Apalta, was launched in
1997 and has won accolades world-
wide as one of Chile’s finest. The new
state-of-the-art $20 million Clos Apalta
winery and visitor facilities, located
high above the valley floor in the
Apalta district of the Colchagua Valley,
was officially opened in early 2006.
Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2004 is
still holding its characteristic red-
purple hue. Intense blackberry, plum
and cedar fill the palate. Soft, refined
tannins are complemented by a good
acidic backbone. As Alexandra explained,
Laurentide... it’s not only about cooking!
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the blend changes slightly each year
according to the harvest and condi-
tions of the grapes. This vintage is a
combination of 40% Carmenere, 40%
Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Carmenere (which closely resembles
the Merlot grape in style) was widely
cultivated in France’s Bordeaux region
and was subsequently replanted in
Chile. It is now recognized as one of
the country’s signature red grapes.
Fermentation in small French wooden vats.
Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandra
single-vineyard Las Kuras Syrah 2005
comes from the Requinoa district of
the Cachapoal Valley. Inky in colour, it
exudes a rich bouquet of dark currants,
blackberries, pepper and spice. Vanilla,
toasty oak, leather and gamey notes,
touched with a streak of tar, are
already apparent in the complex taste,
which is a clear sign of the depth of
flavours this wine will continue to
Visit our showroom or ask about our free in-home consultation.
2700 Dufferin Street
Toronto, ON Canada M6B 4J3
Telephone: (416) 736-7300
deliver with further bottle age.
Alexandra presented a special wine,
Borobo 2002, that is still in its experi-
mental stages of development. A
blend of Merlot, Carmenere, Cabernet
Sauvignon and Syrah, with a touch
of Pinot Noir to add elegance and
intrique, the percentage of each vari-
etal changes from year to year. Rich
in colour, it has layers of flavours that
encompass Bing cherries, Damson
plums, wild blueberries, cedar and
pepper. Yet another carefully chosen
blend from Alexandra’s Casa Lapostolle
repertoire, this remarkable wine
leaves a lingering gustative memory
that begs for a repeat taste.
As Canada represents one of
Casa Lapostolle major export markets,
following only the United States and
England, we can expect to see more
of these fine wines on our shelves in
the near future.
Barbara D. Ritchie is a Toronto-based
wine, food and travel consultant and
journalist, and an internationally
accredited wine judge.
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 87
111 Brockley Drive
Hamilton, ON Canada L8E 3C4
Telephone: (416) 429-4900

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 LIVING “WELLS”
From the playgrounds of the European jet set to historic cities in the full bloom of renewal,
what a glam itinerary I’ve had these past few months. So much so in fact,
I hardly know where to begin. Let’s just take it from the top, shall we?
Like cream, New Orleans rises
By Duane Wells
back to the top
Until this past August, I hadn’t visited
New Orleans since before Hurricane
Katrina, which was particularly on my
mind as I arrived in the city on the
very anniversary of the horrific natural
disaster that stole too many lives and
left too many without hope or shelter.
To be quite truthful, I wasn’t sure
what to expect of post-Katrina New
Orleans. In fact I was a little afraid
because, though I am embarrassed to
admit it, I had been so shaken by the
images of New Orleans directly follow-
ing Hurricane Katrina that I had not
been able to watch any of the television
coverage or any of the documentaries
about the city that had aired since that
time. Would there still be devastation?
Would there be a lingering sense of a
city that had been nearly strangled to
death by the hand of Mother Nature?
Would that ebullient energy that had
Photo: Harrahs Casino
90 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
always defined N’awlins still fill the
air with electricity? All these questions
and more rolled through my head as
my plane headed east from Los Angeles
on a perfectly sunny and pleasant
Thursday morning.
On Friday morning, some 24 hours
later, following an airline experience so
harrowing that I shall not relive it here,
I finally got to New Orleans, wearily
picked up my luggage and proceeded
to a stand nearby where I purchased a
ticket for the shuttle that would take me
to downtown New Orleans. Strangely it
all felt very Las Vegas. In fact the set-up
was very Las Vegas, but the people were
much friendlier. There’s just something
about southern charm.
On this trip, I was booked at the
sparkling Harrah’s Hotel (www.harrahs
neworleans.com), a year-old property
more reminiscent of the new face
of New Orleans than the
original one. Again I was
reminded of Las Vegas upon
arrival at the boxy modern
structure, but that’s not nec-
essarily a bad thing as the
juxtaposition of the historic
architecture of the French
Quarter and the modern
sleekness of Harrah’s and
the neighbouring W Hotel
provided an interesting
contrast. A gleaming marble
lobby, friendly staff at
reception, and generously
sized rooms with stellar air
conditioning systems that
completely blotted out the
thick humidity that hugs New Orleans
so tightly provided just the kind of
welcome to which I was desperately
in need.
Once out of the hotel I quickly
became convinced that the spirit of
New Orleans was indeed still in tact, as
was the vibrant energy that had defined
it pre-Katrina. Wounded, but never
fatally so, New Orleans has risen again
to dazzle another day. And I for one
couldn’t be more thankful.
Still one of the most amazing things
to do in New Orleans is eat, which I
did amply. Beignets and iced coffee at
Café du Monde in the French Quarter;
30-day aged sirloin steak at Best
Steakhouse, the Harrah’s based outpost
of southern celebrity chef John Besh;
flaming Bananas Foster to cap off a
ungodly rich brunch at Big Easy insti-
tution Brennan’s; and a completely
locally sourced meal at the historic
Ralph’s On The Park that included
an arresting rendition of Red Fish, a
New Orleans menu staple. I could go on
and on, but you get the point. Needless
to say, I have been dieting ever since.
Food aside, it was a testament to the
human spirit to meet so many New
Orleans natives who had been displaced
from a place they loved, and who were
finally able to return home and thrive.
Best of all they brought all the joie de
vivre back to the city that some might
have thought was lost forever. Things
may not be quite what they used to
be in New Orleans, but they are well
on their way and that is a very, very
good thing.
The best of the Balearic Isles
My most recent travels began in
Spain’s beatific Balearic Isles—Palma
de Mallorca to be precise. A favoured
mooring place for the mega yachts of
the fabulously rich (like Microsoft
honcho Bill Gates and über fashion
designer Valentino), and the preferred
getaway of the fabulously famous (like
Michael Douglas and the late Diana,
Princess of Wales), Mallorca is a city
whose charm surprisingly lies in its
subtle sophistication and lack of pre-
tense rather than in its showiness.
Even the luxurious La Residencia in
Deia, which has played host to royalty
and high profile celebrities alike and
was formerly owned by British billion-
aire Richard Branson, has a certain
unassuming elegance that can only be
associated with the utmost in good
taste. Sure La Residencia has a tri-
level, four bedroom villa with a private
pool overlooking the Mediterranean
that can cost as much as 8,000 per
week, but even that is sublimely
tucked away in a nook just a few min-
utes walk from the main property.
Positively exquisite.
Cultural visits to the Palma Cathedral
Prêt à Portea at London’s The Berkeley Hotel
There’s something about The Berkeley.
It’s quite posh, and I do mean that
both literally and figuratively. Not only
does the elegantly discreet hotel play
host to major British
bold-faced names like
Kylie Minogue, George
Michael and Victoria
“Posh” Beckham, it also
entertains fashionable
ladies who lunch and
even wannabe Brit
celebs like Madonna
who famously took up
residence in the hotel’s Pavillion Suite
at a cost of some £3,800 per night prior
to becoming the lady of her own
English manor.
While in London, I popped by The
Berkeley to take in their darling daily
event called Prêt à Portea, which is
most appropriately billed as a fashion-
and the Es Baluard Contemporary
Museum aside, one of my most memo-
rable moments in Mallorca took place at
Restaurant Flannigan’s in Puerto
Portals, which I later found out was a
favourite of King Juan Carlos of Spain.
Now how’s that for a recommendation?
With a dockside terrace peering out
onto a marina filled with multi-million-
dollar seafaring vessels, a paella so fresh
that one can taste the Mediterranean in
each bite, and a well heeled crowd of
regulars, Flannigan’s is one of Mallorca’s
unparalleled treasures bar none.
Speaking of treasures, while in the
Balearics I also ventured over to Ibiza
where one morning I boarded a ferry to
the shockingly unspoiled isle of
Formentera located just 11 miles off the
coast of the clubby island. Legendary
architect and interior designer Philippe
Starck has maintained a residence on
the island of Formentera for over four
decades and supermodels, including
Elle MacPherson and Kate Moss, have
also developed an affinity for the island
in recent years. An hour or so after hav-
ing arrived, I can honestly say I shared
their enthusiasm for the place. After a
ista’s afternoon tea. Served between
2:00 and 6:00 p.m., the traditional
tea service (highlighted by a range of
specialty teas like Pear Caramel,
African Amber and White
Peony) is stylishly com-
plemented by a variety
of “cakes and fancies”
in the colours of the
Photo: The Berkley Hotel
current fashion season
and inspired by the style
of the world’s leading
designers. There’s an
Emanuel Ungaro peach
and blackberry mousse topped with a
Champagne jelly and served with
Manolo Blahnik shoe-shaped treat; a
Valentino brilliant yellow exotic fruit
mousse with coconut jelly and mango
tulle, and Michael Kors pale pink
chocolate bow biscuit just to name a
few. All are divine to look at and even
Photo: Tourism Office of Spain
little snorkeling expedition, the boat
transporting me and my party pulled up
to Es Moli De Sal, a restaurant with
breathtaking ocean views situated in a
converted windmill high atop a jagged
corner of the island. Not only was the
experience surreal, but Es Moli De Sal’s
signature dish Fideau, a paella made
with noodles and fish stock, was life
altering. I could have sworn that for an
hour or so I had been transported back
to a simpler time.
more satisfying to digest, especially
with a glass of chilled couture cham-
pagne like Laurent Perrier Rose or
Bollinger.
If you really want to make it a deca-
dent day, visit the rooftop spa at
The Berkeley which, in addition to
having some of the most luxurious and
cutting edge beauty treatments in
le tout London, also happens to have
a spectacular view of the city and an
open air pool that is positively to die
for. (Don’t worry, it’s covered on rainy
days so you can still have a proper
swim no matter what the weather).
How swell is that?
Duane Wells is a Los Angeles-based
fashion and entertainment wunderkind
who has his eye on Toronto as his next
place to stir things up. He can be reached
at duane.wells@gmail.com.
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 91
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 H O M E F R O N T E N T E R TA I N S

Snow white
and
sparkling!
By Sebastien Centner

Snow drifts and champagne toasts

usher in the season

W inter is one of our favourite menus and more formal dinners, my

Photography: Bruce Gibson. Production Assistant: Lance Merritt.

times of year. With the excitement this season revolves around

arrival of the cold weather
and the blanket of crisp snow that
covers the ground until spring, it’s the
best season to spend time indoors
celebrating special occasions with
family and friends.
In the world of entertaining we have
many other reasons to get excited
when the temperature drops, and
although these normally include richer
the introduction of Executive Catering
Chef Scott Connor.
Scott joins us just in time for the
winter issue of Homefront, where our
concept of a “champagne and snowdrift”
dinner party brings together contempo-
rary decor ideas with the opportunity
to raise the culinary bar to new heights.
To welcome Scott, we challenged him to
develop a menu matched to five world-

96 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
class champagnes and sparkling wines,
where the food and the wine would not
only complement each other but also
accentuate each other. He responded
with a menu that embraced our concept
and startled our tastebuds.
Scott’s time spent in Hong Kong at
the renowned ToTT’s restaurant, his
experience in Bermuda with Mandarin
Oriental Hotels, and of course his appear-
ance at the world-famous James Beard
Foundation in New York (where such
notable chefs as Susur Lee, Mario Batali,
Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver have
also cooked) has clearly served him well!
His dishes, which when sampled
alone stood out as spectacular, reached
new heights when combined with the
champagnes to which they were matched.
My personal favourite was the combina-
tion of sweetness and spice from the
caramel mousse and sparkling ice wine
with the maple ginger.
Interesting to note was the fact that
although ice wines are indigenous to
Canada, the Inniskillin sparkling ice
wine we feature here is truly unique,
since no other Canadian winery creates
an actual “sparkling” ice wine.
In the spirit of elegance and in keeping
with the season, we matched our meal
with a table setting that featured snow-
white table linens with eyelash fringes,
crystal hanging centrepieces with icicle
accents, and inverted tealight holders set
in a cleverly arranged blanket of fresh fall-
en snow in the centre of the table.
The right combination of a perfect
setting, elegant décor set to the season,
and an innovative menu will create an
evening to remember for those of you
who would like to try this at home.
Fortunately for us, there will be
many more opportunities for us to try
Scott’s menus. So until the snow melts,
when we turn our attention to creating
another memorable experience for the
spring issue of Homefront magazine...
Santé.
Tablewares: Exclusive Affair Rentals
Linens: Around the Table
Sparkling centrepieces and acrylic chivari chairs: FOS Decor
Menu: Scott Connor, Executive Chef, Eatertainment Catering
HOMEFRONT CONTEST
Enter to win a
romantic dinner!
A private evening for two with dinner
especially prepared by Eatertainment’s
Executive Chef, Scott Connor. Hosted in the
executive dining room at Panorama.
To enter and for contest rules, visit
www.eatertainment.com/homefront or
www.homefrontmagazine.ca
Details,
details
A complete list of wine and menu suggestions
is available at www.eatertainment.com/homefront
Put together the perfect portfolio
Bringing together the right selection of cham-
pagnes and sparkling wines was no easy feat,
but we were up for the task of tasting the best.
My personal selection included Mumms Cordon
Rouge and Perrier Jouet in the traditional
champagnes, Mumms Napa Brut Prestige
and Inniskillin Sparkling Ice Wine for the
sparkling wines and Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque
for a luxury champagne.
Surprise the season with an exotic alternative
Executive Catering Chef Scott Connor begins
with an interesting creation for this time of year.
His lobster and mango layered salad is served in
a modern martini glass with chili vanilla dressing
and finished with baby greens. Part salad, part
fruit, part shellfish...all original.
Seared wasabi
tuna tenderloin
With tuna becoming increasingly popular both
for its flavour and health benefits, we decided
it would be the perfect main course for this
exclusive dinner. Served in an oversized risotto
bowl for effect, the seared tuna is cooked perfectly,
presented over poppyseed mash, and finished
with a lager truffle dressing.
Switch over to the sweeter side
Believing that extremes are sometimes the perfect
approach when it comes to cuisine, we created a
dessert which ran the gamut from sweet to spicy.
A caramel mousse with dark chocolate chips and
ice wine was served in conjunction with a baked
maple ginger. Guests are encouraged to first
sample the sweet dessert, and then place the
ginger on their tongue, whereby the spice of the
ginger would “cut” the sweetness of the dessert.
Skeptical? Well I’ve tried it and it works beautifully.
Sebastien Centner is the Director of Eatertainment Special Events & Catering, one
of Canada’s leading event and catering companies. A regular contributor to
Homefront Magazine, Sebastien can also be seen on ET Canada providing enter-
taining ideas and inspiration to Canadians across the country. He can reached by
email at sebcentner@eatertainment.com or by visiting www.eatertainment.com
H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007 97
 resource guide
Amati Infiniti of Yorkville
WEEKENDER www.amaticanada.com 45-47 www.dfcinfinitiofyorkville.com 92

This hotel Art Boulle

www.artboulle.com

Audi Uptown Markham

56, 89
ITA
www.shearlings.com

Kinetico
77

has good karma www.audiuptownmarkham.com

Audio One
81 www.kinetico.com

Kingsmill
23

By Kylie McKenzie www.audio-one.ca/hf 52 www.kingsmillkitchens.com 93

Balderson Cheese Kitchen Designers Plus
www.cheese.ca 95 www.kitchendesignersplus.com 33

N ext time you’re in Vancouver on business, why

not stay for a few extra days to enjoy the city?
My advice is to spend a weekend at the elegant
Listel Hotel, a cultural hot
spot in the heart of the city.
Bennett Design Associates Inc.
www.bennettdesignassociates.com

Cadillac
www.cadillac.gm.ca 4-5
88
Kohler
www.kohler.com

Komandor
www.komandorclosets.com
43

88
California Closets Laurentide Kitchens
Dubbed Vancouver’s “most www.californiaclosets.com 54, 88 416-736-7300 87
art-full hotel” because of its
Calphalon Culinary Centre Le Boeuf Properties
commitment to showcasing www.calphalonculinarycenter.com 56, 94 www.leboeufproperties.com 66
art, the Listel is a small bou-
Canac Mercedes-Benz
tique hotel on Robson Street. www.canackitchens.com 31 www.mbtoronto.ca 85
Opened in the early 1970s
Canadian Wood Design Mike Tuk
as The Capri Motor Inn, its 416-742-7522 94 www.miketuk.com 34, 56
current owners, the Suzuki The Listel Hotel foyer. Canaroma MintoMidtown
family of Tokyo, bought the place in 1992. In the late 1990s, www.canaroma.com 41 www.mintomidtown.com 11
while renovating about half of the Hotel’s rooms, a decision Chair Source Multi-Cast
was made to focus on the arts and artists. Soon jazz became a www.chairsource.ca 93 www.multicastdesign.com 56, 93
nightly event, original and limited artwork was hung in rooms, DeArte Interiors Natphil
poetry was etched in windows, and books were published and www.dearte.ca 7 www.natphil.com 37
CDs were produced. Designer Glass Company Palazzetti
Curated by the Buschlen www.designerglasscompany.com 94 www.palazzetti.com 48
Mowatt Gallery, one of the Designers Walk Pars Moulding
most important interna- www.designerswalk.com 93 www.parsmoulding.com 94
tional galleries in town, Downtown Porsche Perola Kitchens
and the UBC Museum of www.dfcporsche.com 16, 73 www.perolakitchens.com 8-9
Anthropology, the hotel’s Eatertainment/Carlu Pioneer
art collection is valued at www.eatertainment.com 84 www.seeingandhearing.ca 53
Gallery floor suite. over $2 million dollars. Elegant Sofa Riverbend Inn
The Listel offers accommodations for every taste www.elegantsofa.com 55 www.riverbendinn.ca 56
and inclination. Featuring more than 30 artists and 250 Ensuite Premier Kohler Showroom Sony/Appliance Canada
pieces, there’s always a treat in store at check in. On the www.emcoltd.com 49 www.sony.ca www.appliancecanada.com 100

Gallery Floors, each room showcases a single artist. The Fairfield Estates Sudis Spa & Salon
Museum Floors offer a tribute to all things British www.fairfieldestates.com 13 www.sudis.com 48
Columbian. From cedar headboards and armoires carved using General Electric Thermador
traditional native tech- www.monogram.com 35 www.thermador.ca 2
niques, to the textured Gib •San Pools 3-D Exteriors
shoji screen-esque window www.gibsanpools.com 19 threeD@telus.blackberry.net 27
dressings and forest floor Grand Touring Automobile Watermaid Canada
colourings, these rooms www.bentleymotors.com/bentleytoronto 99 www.watermaid.ca 25
showcase the work of Grange W Studio
www.grange.fr 48 www.wstudio.ca 15
many of the province’s
finest Northwest Coast Hawthorne Kitchens Yamaha Canada
www.hawthornekitchens.ca 36, 88 www.yamaha.ca 57
artists.
Once your visual senses Vintage Gallery private dining room.
are satisfied, move down-
stairs to the hotel restaurant and bar, O’Doul’s, one of the best Throughout the hotel, service is delivered by people who,
places to enjoy dinner and a carafe of wine from their award- led by General Manager Jim Mockford, really love their
winning wine list while listening to some jazz. Dining is a jobs and who take pride in being a little bit more original.
pleasure here, as the restaurant and room service menu Call it what you like—feng shui, karma, a happy spirit–
focuses on the Pacific Northwest harvest and offers a respect- The Listel has it.
ful nod to Mediterranean flavours. www.thelistelhotel.com

98 H O M E F R O N T WINTER 2007
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