Radio Royal York

At 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2009 all of Toronto will join over 1000 cities worldwide in darkness for sixty minutes in honour of Earth Hour.  Guests of The Fairmont Royal York hotel will have a chance to “green” it up by checking in by candlelight while enjoying a Greater Toronto Area (GTA) resident’s rate of $99 (exclusive of taxes, based on single or double occupancy).  This great Toronto hotel deal is being offered to any guest with valid GTA identification for all available Fairmont Rooms on Friday, March 27 through to Sunday, March 29,2009.

The Fairmont Royal York has one of the Toronto skyline’s most prominent neon signs. It will be turned off for this global event created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).  Inside, members of the hotel’s “Green Team” will dim the lobby lights and light the grand candelabras and tea lights that will be on display throughout the hotel. Hotel guests are also encouraged to visit the candlelit pool and join in by turning the lights out in their guest rooms.

Throughout the Earth Hour evening, The Fairmont Royal York’s Library Bar welcomes lounging guests to candlelight service and a special Earth Hour drink menu created just for this year’s cause: the Polar Cap, a cool drink in a highball glass; the Organic Globe, an icewine martini; and the controversial Carbon Footprint.

On Saturday March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m., The Fairmont Royal York joins all 56 other Fairmont world-class hotels and resorts from Dallas to Dubai will go dark by turning off their lights for one hour – EARTH HOUR– and in doing so will reinforce the company’s pioneering commitment to operational sustainability and help draw further attention to one of the world’s single largest environmental issues: climate change.

For more information on the GTA resident’s rate call 1 (866) 540-4489.

Valentine’s Day is a time to romance and pursue passion. The Fairmont Royal York offers both, with an evening of delicious dining and a special Valentine’s Stay Over Rate of $99, from Wednesday, February 11 through Sunday, February 15, 2009.

For 80 years, The Fairmont Royal York hotel has wooed couples with its wealth of experience in romantic dining.

“The seductive quality of a thoughtfully prepared experience is what makes Valentine’s Day special,” says Fairmont Royal York’s Director of Food and Beverage, John Cordeaux. The Fairmont Royal York’s EPIC Restaurant and Benihana’s Japanese Steakhouse are the perfect dining getaways for a prelude or an interlude on Valentine’s Day.

EPIC, located on the lobby level of The Fairmont Royal York, offers fine dining to both hotel guests and visitors who appreciate fine cuisine. EPIC’s Chef Ryan Gustafson’s focus on sustainable cuisine is highlighted on the menu through the use of local organic products and the restaurant’s Oceanwise membership.

Benihana’s Japanese Steakhouse, located on the Avenue’s level of The Fairmont Royal York, brings the best of teppanyaki-style culture and cuisine to the Fairmont Royal York with tabletop cooking methods that allow guests to be part of the cooking experience. Benihana’s highly skilled Teppan chefs present and prepare all entrées at a ‘hibachi’ table, where a fast-paced performance of chopping and juggling creates an exciting dining experience and conversation sparks.

Diners wishing to book Valentine’s dinner or dinner and the $99 Valentine’s Stay Over Rate should call (416) 860-5050 or e-mail festive@fairmont.com.

Valentine’s Day Menu – EPIC Restaurant
Wednesday, February 11 – Sunday, February 15, 2009

Hamachi Sashimi
Oranges, Olives, Fennel, Mache, Jalapeno Emulsion
Wine Pairing: 2004 13th Street, Premiere Cuvée – Niagara, Ontario
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Foie Gras
Seared Quebec Foie Gras, Truffled French Toast, Port Glazed Figs, Cippolini Onions
Wine Pairing: 2005 Villa Saletta, Chiave, – Toscana, Italy
~
Rowe Farms Lamb Rack
“Sous Vide” of Heirloom Carrots, Turnips, Dupuy Lentils, Medjool Date Purée

OR

Black Angus Striploin Steak
Caramelized Onion Mashed Potato, Braised King Mushroom, Espresso-Kozlik’s Mustard Jus

OR

Ontario Arctic Char
Cauliflower Puree, Autumn Beets, Fine Beans, Raisin Brown Butter Sauce
Wine Pairing: 2003 Bellingham, SMV “Maverick” – Costal Region,
South Africa, (Syrah, Mourvedre, Viogner)
~

Double Chocolate, Raspberry Pave, Spiced Strawberry Reduction
Wine Pairing: 1979 Villa di Ventice, Vin Santo – Tuscana, Italy

Price: $65 or $100 per person with wine pairings

Valentine’s Day Menu – Benihana’s Japanese Steakhouse
Saturday, February 14, 2009

Sushi Sampler or Shrimp Tempura Appetizer
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Benihana Onion Soup
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Valentine Salad with a Citrus Vinaigrette
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Choice of: Teriyaki Chicken, Hibachi Steak, Shrimp & Scallop or Hibachi Tuna
served with Hibachi Grilled Vegetables and Steamed Japanese Rice
~
Lindt Chocolate Valentine Delicacy

Price: $70 per person

Celebrate the start of 2009 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel where we’ve been ringing in the New Year since 1929.

New Year’s Eve at Benihana
Enjoy a teppan dinner in Benihana Japanese Steakhouse, a sparkling glass of wine and the excitement and artistry of teppan cooking right at your table.
DATE: Wednesday, December 31, 2008
PRICES: $89 per person, excluding beverages, plus taxes and gratuities; $45 for children ages 6-12

New Years Eve at EPIC
EPIC offers a romantic evening with a gourmet six-course dinner, dancing to Kinga Jazz and a toast of champagne at midnight.
DATE: Wednesday, December 31, 2008
PRICES: $195 per person, excluding beverages, plus taxes and gratuities for dinner, dancing and toast of champagne at midnight.

New Year’s Day at EPIC
EPIC features an extensive buffet of hot and cold items, as well as Benihana sushi and seafood.  Leave the resolutions until tomorrow and celebrate the New Year with the sounds of a Flamenco Guitarist.
DATE: Thursday, January 1, 2008
PRICES: $69 per person, excluding taxes and gratuities; $32.50 for children ages 6-12

For New Year’s dining reservations and further information, please call 416-860-5050 or e-mail festive@fairmont.com.

One cocktail just isn’t enough at The Fairmont Royal York. Frank Pedicelli, Manager, Library Bar, has been busy creating seven festive drinks for guests and city residents to choose from over the upcoming holiday season. Whatever your pleasure, there’s something for everyone amongst this year’s list of festive libations.

“For many, the holidays are a time to reconnect with friends and family,” says Pedicelli. “The Fairmont Royal York invites guests to take a break from all of the hustle and bustle and enjoy a selection of drinks created especially for the season.”

The cocktails feature flavours that any Scrooge would find hard to resist, including peppermint, cinnamon, eggnog and Godiva chocolate liqueur. These decadent treats are $14.00 each and are available at The Fairmont Royal York in EPIC Restaurant, the Library Bar, Piper’s Gastropub and York Station Bar during the month of December.

If you can’t make it downtown, then you can still download the recipes for the cocktails to make and enjoy at home (PDF file; requires Adobe Acrobat).