Toronto is most famous for the CN Tower, a sports stadium right in the city centre, and its friendly inhabitants. However, the city can be busy, and some travellers may prefer a less frenetic location for accommodation and sightseeing. While downtown Toronto is a beehive of activity, some bees pollinate flowers in North York at the expansive Toronto Botanic Garden, a lovely place for summer walks amid fragrant blooms and abundant greenery.
Ismaili Centre exterior.
North York is one of Toronto’s wealthiest suburbs, and its infrastructure reflects this; several shopping malls and restaurants cater to the needs of the affluent locals. Though a car helps get around, it is by no means a requirement thanks to the extensive public transport network covering Toronto’s vast distances above ground in buses and below ground on the very user-friendly subway system.
One of Toronto’s hidden gems is the beautiful Aga Khan Museum in North York. The very wealthy Aga Khan was an aesthete of the highest order, appreciating beauty during his lifetime in amassing a splendid collection of works reflecting excellence in Islamic art. Those priceless objects are now found in an impressive building showcasing the collection.
Much more than a staid institution, the Aga Khan Museum is a community centre for people seeking to enjoy the sublime pieces on display in subtly dramatic architectural spaces where even the ramp to the carpark is used as exhibition space. Incorporating graceful elements of traditional Islamic architecture, the Aga Khan Museum building is a work of art complemented by reflecting pools and surrounding parkland to create a truly peaceful place for mindful contemplation.
The Aga Khan Museum, North York.
Adjacent to the Aga Khan Museum is the Ismaili Centre, a private facility for Toronto’s Ismaili community that opens its doors to visitors several times per month. The intentionally minimalist design is meant to focus on prayer and meditation while allowing the selected artworks on display (as well as the building itself) to be the focus of attention of those in attendance. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Ismaili Centre is virtually unknown even to many Torontonians. Still, it is well worth a visit for an insightful experience amid the awe-inspiring craftsmanship found in even the smallest detail here.
Suppose the hours spent at the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Museum create an appetite for something more than art and knowledge. In that case, the friendly staff in the beautiful Diwan restaurant await to serve delicious food and drinks in this exceptional dining venue. Esteemed celebrity chef Mark McEwan supervises several restaurants in Toronto, Diwan being unique in location, decor, and culinary offerings.
The restaurant’s menu offers the opportunity to sample the fragrant dishes of the Middle East and North Africa in a space decorated with wood panels from a centuries-old Damascene house (artworks in their own right that are part of the Aga Khan Museum’s collection). Damascus is (was) famous for its brilliant interiors. The space at Diwan captures the essence of Old Damascus just as the menu captures the attention and imagination of the restaurant’s patrons. Come hungry, leave amazed.
