Toronto Christmas Market

Last night I was treated to a fabulous date night at the Toronto Christmas Market in Toronto's Distillery District.


Year after year, I've never been able to make it down to the market, so this year we decided that for our last date night before the family obligations start piling up, we would go together to eat, drink and be merry!

We were in for an absolutely beautiful evening.

Arriving just before the dinner rush, we promptly made our way to the restaurant to put our names on the list. Many restaurants don't take reservations during the market because it's so busy. We gave them our names and our numbers, and were told we had 45 minutes to enjoy the market while we waited for a table.

Naturally, we headed straight to the first beer garden we saw for a Hot Toddy. At this time of year, there is plenty of options to sit outside by a fire, or under a warming light, and enjoy a beverage. With everyone all wrapped up in their winter best, snow on the ground and the weather at a reasonable -2C, the beer gardens were incredibly popular.

We sipped our beverages and in no time our table was ready.

For dinner, we had chosen Cluny Bistro. Modern French food, in a restaurant with casual elegance. This place was very popular and it was easy to see why! 

Aside from the wall of wine, which I had the happy pleasure of staring at through dinner, the restaurant itself is gorgeous. Open rafters, nice lighting and big glass windows that look into the kitchen.

For dinner, Kris opted for the Steak Frites (or at least, I think there was Steak under the mountain of Frites). 

I went with the Veal Meatball Tomahawk. A tomato braised meatball, with a citrus gnocchi on the side. I was worried this might be a weird combination but I was pleasantly surprised.

After we were well fed, we went back out into the Christmas Market for a walk. Enjoying the sights, the adorable cabin-style shops, and all the Christmas Decor.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Canadian Christmas Market without a proper number of places to buy poutine!

To wrap up the night, we stopped by the Thirsty Elf in the Mill Street Beer Garden, to enjoy some mulled wine. Easily the most popular beer garden, it was full of happy revelers. 

Such a wonderful night with the mister. Walking back to Union Station, we agreed we'd formed a great new holiday tradition.

The Toronto Christmas Market runs until December 21st! With plenty of activities running all day and all night, be sure to make it out with your family, friends or your sweetheart!