Radio Royal York

Radio Royal York – Episode 7: The Rooftop Garden

In this episode, host Melanie Coates visits the Fairmont Royal York’s rooftop garden to talk with gardener Marjorie Mason as she supervises the planting of this year’s herb and vegetable garden.  Marjorie knows her gardening, having grown-up on a market garden farm near Peterborough, Ontario. She shares a number of excellent tips on how to create and maintain a healthy and productive urban garden. We’ll also sit down with John Cordeaux, Director of Food and Beverage at The Fairmont Royal York, for a little history behind the hotel’s famed rooftop garden, and some fond childhood vegetable memories.

Listen to Episode 7

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Show Notes:

If you’re in the Toronto area this summer don’t forget to stop by for afternoon tea at Epic Restaurant followed by a complimentary tour of the rooftop garden. Tours take place every Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM and 4 PM and run until September 6, 2009.

Music for this low-fi podcast is from “Shaking Hands” by Robinson, Freitag & The Lonely Trumpet.
 

One of Toronto’s most remote collections of herb and flower beds are ready to be viewed by afternoon teetotallers.

Afternoon tea at EPIC Restaurant can once again be followed by a complimentary tour (weather permitting) of the hotel’s rooftop “herban” oasis at 2 PM and 4 PM each Saturday and Sunday.  Tea & Rooftop Garden Tours are offered at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel beginning Saturday, May 23, 2009 until September 6, 2009.

The herb garden and its neighbouring bee hives, situated 200 feet above ground and 14 stories high is normally closed to the public. This growing season marks its third year of public access to the garden, since its inception in 1997.

With a magnificent view of the CN Tower and the lakefront, the garden is starkly beautiful in contrast to its neighbouring office towers. The herb garden is the only one of its kind in Toronto and serves as an extension of the hotel’s environmental program. This unique garden provides the herbs and honey needed to flavour the dishes served in the hotel’s EPIC Restaurant.

Before the 30-minute rooftop tour, guests can enjoy a pot of tea and a variety of sweet and savory treats.

The teas available at EPIC are produced by The Metropolitan Tea Company Ltd., which is North America’s first member of the Ethical Tea Sourcing Partnership.

Metropolitan visits growers regularly to ensure employee well-being and environmental standards, practices highly respected by Fairmont. Teas available include the Kenmare Ceylon, Maple and Egyptian Chamomile. The tea menu is priced at $27.00 (exclusive of tax and gratuities) and features toasted crumpets with Grand Marnier butter; traditional finger sandwiches, including scones with Devonshire cream and jam; and a selection of pastries and English tea cakes.

Four afternoon garden tours are available each weekend. The meeting point for the half-hour herb garden tour is inside EPIC Restaurant at 2 PM and 4 PM, following the 12:30 p.m. tea service. The complimentary rooftop tours are reached by elevator and by climbing four flights of stairs. Tea and complimentary garden tours may be reserved by contacting EPIC Restaurant at (416) 860-6949 or by email at festive@fairmont.com

The Fairmont Royal York is sharing a luxury travel deal with all Ontario residents seeking to rediscover their home province. The hotel is now offering leisure travelers attractive room rates for the entire winter season. As an added bonus, guests who check in under the Ontario Resident’s Rate, by way of their hybrid car will receive complimentary parking throughout their stay. Ontario residents receive access to the Ontario Resident’s Rate and 15% off of all breakfasts, every Thursday through Sunday for two people, beginning at only $159, until March 31, 2009.

By offering the Ontario Resident’s Rate with free parking to guests with hybrid cars, The Fairmont Royal York joins several of its sister properties in their sustainability efforts. The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, The Fairmont Newport Beach, The Fairmont San Jose, The Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica, The Fairmont San Francisco, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel Seattle, The Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston, Fairmont Scottsdale, and Fairmont Le Château Frontenac are all proud to offer free parking to overnight guests with hybrid vehicles.

The Fairmont Royal York holds the Four Green Key ECOmmodation award from the Hotel Association of Canada. This designation recognizes hotels and resorts committed to improving their fiscal and environmental performances. The hotel has been honoured for its energy conservation initiatives, waste management, community involvement, and support and its rooftop herb garden. The dedication of the 1,200 employees to the green action plan continues to ensure its success.

For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit the Fairmont Royal York Website.
 

Canadians are toasting the Federal Election candidates at The Fairmont Royal York with customized drinks representing the four political parties. Voters are encouraged to drink to the contenders at the Library Bar, EPIC Restaurant, York Station Bar and Piper’s Gastropub. Partisan or not, guests can enjoy an election cocktail for the next two weeks before the polls open on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

“We thought it would be fun to give Torontonians and visitors to the city a taste of the Federal Election,” said Frank Pedicelli, Manager, Library Bar. “What better way to get into the voting spirit than by sipping on a cocktail and celebrating your favourite candidate?”

The drinks range from $10.50 – $14.00 each, and feature fresh fruit and homegrown mint picked from The Fairmont Royal York’s rooftop herb garden. Glued to the TV and can’t make it down to the hotel? Then follow our bar manager’s recipes below to whip-up your own election tipple.

Toast Stephen Harper’s leadership with a delicious Blue Hawaiian (Conservative blue, 1 oz)

Absolut Vodka, 1/2 oz
Blue Cuacao, 1/2 oz
Pineapple Juice, 3 1/2 oz
Piña Colada Mix, 3 1/2 oz
Pineapple Wedge
Cherry

Root for Stephane Dion with a Cosmopolitan (Fit for a Liberal, 3 oz)

Absolut Vodka Citrus, 2 oz
Cointreau, 1 oz
Lime Juice, 3/4 oz
Cranberry Juice, 1 oz
Simple Syrup, 1/2 oz
Fresh Raspberry
Flaming Orange Peel

Support Jack Layton’s initiatives with a Peach Thunderbolt (NDP orange, 2 oz)

Bacardi Light Rum, 2 oz
Fresh Lemon Juice, 1 oz
Simple Syrup, 3/4 oz
White Peach Purée, 1 oz
Angostura Bitters, 1/8 oz
Soda, 1/4 oz
Fresh Mint

Celebrate Elizabeth May’s environmental efforts with a Green Apple Martini (Green Party, 3 oz)

Absolut Vodka, 1 1/2 oz
Apple Sours, 1 1/2 oz
Lemon Juice, 3/4 oz
Simple Syrup, 1/2 oz
Maraschino Cherry

Radio Royal York – Episode 1: Urban Bee-Havior

In this episode, host Melanie Coates follows the arrival of the latest royals to check into the Fairmont Royal York and meets two members of the Toronto Beekeepers’ Cooperative and finds out what’s involved in setting-up an urban apiary. She also talks to the Fairmont Royal York’s Executive Chef David Garcelon about a honey of a plan he has for the hotel’s dining rooms.

Listen to Episode 1

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