24 Hours With

January 2007

Patricia O'Callaghan

How the cabaret singer, who performs this month in The Threepenny Opera, would spend a single perfect day. Toronto on an unlimited budget By Amy Verner

I live in the Roncesvalles Village area, so I’d start my day by walking to Sukha Health Spa (294 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-207-9100) for an hour-long Swedish massage ($70). They also carry a hard-to-find line of Hungarian beauty products called Eminence Organic Skincare (Tomato Sun Cream, $60; Eight Greens Whip Moisturizer, $60). I’d stop at the Pantry Press (103 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-537‑9977) for custom-order cards, which I need because I still haven’t sent out thank-you notes for my wedding this past summer ($550 for 100). My husband, Callan Burgess, has gotten me hooked on really good coffee. So I’d get a small latte ($2.50) at Cherry Bomb (67 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-516-8212). He’d come meet me for breakfast at Easy (1645 Queen St. W., 416-537-4893), where we’d order the huevos divorciados—two eggs sunny side up, frijoles, toasted baguette, guacamole and ancho chili jam ($20 for two). While still in the west end, I’d sign up for a one-year membership at Downward Dog (735 Queen St. W., 416-703-8805, $1,350), where I take ashtanga yoga with Diane. Whenever I have money, I like to buy art. I will buy whatever gallery owner Jamie Angell recommends (890 Queen St. W., 416-530-0444), though I especially love Kim Dorland (at right, $10,000). Closing in on lunch, I’d head over to Japango (122 Elizabeth St., 416-599-5557), where I’d get Bruce to create a small omakase for my girlfriends Carol Devine and Lori Klassen ($195 for three). Then they’d come shopping with me. We’d head over to Holt’s (50 Bloor St. W., 416-922-2333) for a dress by Renata Morales ($575)—she’s a great Montreal designer. And while I’m at it, a Steinway grand piano (seven-foot Model B, $80,000) from Remenyi House of Music (210 Bloor St. W., 416-961‑3111) sounds pretty nice. Given the season, I’m due for a pair of skis, so I’d quickly head uptown to Sporting Life (2665 Yonge St., 416-485-1611) for the Rossignol Bandit B2Ws ($850). En route downtown, I’d poke my head into the Humane Society (11 River St., 416-392‑2273) and hang out with the animals. Before leaving, I’d pay for shots and blankets through a donation of $10,000. After freshening up at home, I’d have a group of 10 friends and family join Callan and me at Coca (783 Queen St. W., 416-703-0783), the new tapas-style restaurant from Czehoski’s Nathan Isberg. We’d order vodka martinis to start, a ton of small plates and six bottles of Charles Melton’s Nine Popes ($1,380). We would all return to my neighbourhood for a show at Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604), which is an intimate and fantastic music venue. Callan and I spent our wedding night in a suite at the Hôtel Le Germain (30 Mercer St., 416-345‑9500, $2,500), and I think we’d return there. Our friends would be more than welcome to come back for a while, but we’d kick them out by 2:30.

$107,612.50


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