Toronto-based musician Doug Paisley has a truly robust music resume complete with recognitions that many acts can only hope for.
His 2010 album Constant Companion garnered attention from notable publications including the iconic Rolling Stone magazine which dubbed his work a “nearly perfect singer-songwriter record”. In 2018, Paisley’s record, Starter Home landed in The New Yorker’s top 10 albums of the year, further proving that much like a fine wine, the talented musician continued to get better with age.
Paisley recently announced that his latest album Say What You Like would be released on March 17, 2023. He's already released the album's title track as well as "Say What You Like", both of which helping to build eager anticipation from fans for the impending record's release.
Building anticipation is not unlike building up an appetite, so we thought we'd ask Doug Paisley about his favourite places for eats and drinks. From a famous live music venue for drinks to lunching at a delicious Indian eatery, here are four must-try places in Toronto according to the talented Canadian artist.
Breakfast
[I love] Ari's Place. When I was a kid in Toronto there were many restaurants like this around the city and it's a comfort that this one remains intact and good as ever. I think it's incredible that this family business has retained its quality and its friendly atmosphere for almost 50 years.
Lunch
Moti Mahal couldn't be farther from my home in the city, but I used to go here two or three times a week.
I get a vegetarian thali with channa, potatoes and mattar paneer. The naan is amazing. The dosas and the desserts are great too.
Dinner
The menu at Café Polonez is a scrapbook of memories for me. All the things I would always order and who I was there with back then.
I was hung up on the white Borscht for a long time, but I've pretty much settled on the Hungarian pancake with goulash and pint of Zywiec.
Drinks
The Cameron House is a beautiful miniature ballroom on Queen West. It's part of a very cool building that's been home to a lot of Toronto cultural history and many artists are still living there today. It's been run with great care by the same family for two generations.
There's lots of music and an unpretentious, warm atmosphere.
