24 Hours With

August 2006

Lisa Ray

How the star of Water and Quarter Life Crisis would spend a single perfect day. Toronto on an unlimited budget By Denise Balkissoon

I’m really fanatical about ashtanga, and would start the day with a class at Breathe Yoga (2253 Bloor St. W., 416- 926-9642, $16). It’s one of the nicest studios around. Afterward, I’d grab a breakfast of tapenade, Sante Fe breads and organic kielbasa ($10) at Max’s Market (2299 Bloor St. W., 416-766-6362), which has an incredible variety of prepared food. I’d replace my old bike, which has been sitting in my parents’ garage for eight years, with a Rocky Mountain Trailhead bike ($1,049) from Brown’s Sports and Cycle (2447 Bloor St. W., 416-763-4176), then take a nice ride through High Park with my boyfriend, Paolo Zambaldi. He’s a fashion photographer based in Paris—we normally meet in New York. We’d double back through James Gardens and bike all the way to Royal York Road to Magoo’s (4242 Dundas St. W., 416-234-1148) for one of their super Magoo burgers with the works, plus onion rings and fries ($10.95). I could probably afford a little pampering, so I’d head down to Body Blitz (471 Adelaide St. W., 416-364-0400) and partake of the hot-cold water circuit ($45). I went there recently and it’s fabulous. Then Paolo and I would go to Holt Renfrew (50 Bloor St. W., 416-922-2333) so I could stock up on my Kiehl’s; I love the Cryste Marine face cream ($60) and the anti-wrinkle serum ($75), which is vitamin C to the max. I’m researching a role right now, and the character is a real trophy wife, so a stroll on Bloor would help me get in the mood. My current obsession is dogs. I was in Dharamsala recently, and there were a lot of Lhasa Apsos running around; I just fell in love with them. I’d go to PJ’s Pet Centre (Yorkdale Mall, 3401 Dufferin St., 416-785-9991) and get a Lhasa Apso ($1,500) for Paolo and a pug ($2,300) for me. We’d head to The Big Carrot (348 Danforth Ave., 416-466-2129) to get my potions: flaxseed oil ($13), Greens Plus ($21.79) and soy protein powder ($24.99). I travel with them so I know I’m getting some essential nutrients. Then I’d have a long, leisurely dinner with my parents and Paolo at Christina’s (492 Danforth Ave., 416-463-4418), which was my teenage haunt. We’d order a huge meal of hummus, pita, spanakopita and all the hearty main courses ($140), and everyone would just dig in. Paolo and I would end the night at the bar at the Windsor Arms Hotel (18 St. Thomas St., 416- 971-9666), where we’d have bellinis ($24). It’s a great place for people-watching.

$5,289.73


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