Taylor Newlands

Writer at Escapism (Toronto)

Digital Editor at Foodism (Toronto)

Featured in: Favicon

escapism.to Favicon

foodism.to

Articles

This transformational healing retreat goes way beyond "wellness"

3 weeks ago | escapism.to | Taylor Newlands

I’ve been stuck in a rut. Even when your job is as exciting as being a food and travel writer, the banality of everyday life can be taxing. So, when I get the chance to go on Jen Fabel’s Soulful Radiance Retreat, I jump at the opportunity. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve gone on spa weekends and wellness getaways that are all about escaping from life to carve out time for self-care in the form of healthy indulgence and pampering. This Ontario wellness retreat is entirely different.
My go-to Financial District spot just got a makeover, and I have thoughts

1 month ago | foodism.to | Taylor Newlands

Solid cocktails, a menu of tasty South American-inspired bites and one of the best bottomless brunches in the city made Marked Restaurant my go-to spot whenever I needed an easy, crowd-pleaser. I've been there with friends, dates and even my family. Now the downtown Toronto restaurant has transformed into Runway06. The sprawling space feels louder and flashier than before. On a Thursday evening after work, EDM is bumping out of the speakers, even though most diners don't arrive until much later.
Skip off work early for an afternoon affair at Cluny in The Distillery

1 month ago | foodism.to | Taylor Newlands

Tucked away in the quaint cobblestone-lined Distillery District, Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie is a beautiful, sprawling restaurant. Brick walls add a down-to-earth charm to the elegant French bistro, while the intricate details on the floor and ceiling pull the eye in every direction. In the warmer months, it's also got a beautiful garden patio.
The best Whistler restaurants and things to do

2 months ago | escapism.to | Taylor Newlands

Whistler is known for being one of the best ski slopes in the world in the winter and a top-notch biking destination in the summer. But the Canadian resort town deserves a lot more credit for its infrastructure. Between outdoor adventures, folks can explore the beautiful, walkable town at the base of the mountain and fuel up at the best Whistler restaurants.
I rediscovered my drive in the California dessert

Jan 6, 2025 | escapism.to | Taylor Newlands

I was stuck in a rut and feeling burnt out. Even when you're job is as exciting as being a food and travel writer, the banality and stress of everyday life can be taxing. So when Mazda invites me down to Palm Springs, California for a weekend getaway to test drive the new CX-70 hybrid SUV, I jump at the offer. The trip starts with a first-class flight, which is already a life-changing experience.
A winter RV camping road trip to snowboard Whistler

Dec 10, 2024 | escapism.to | Taylor Newlands

"That’s it?” I ask nervously as I’m handed the keys to a CanaDream Maxi Motorhome after a surprisingly speedy check-in. I almost want to turn back and just spend our vacation in Vancouver. I’ve long loved watching van-life romanticized in Instagram reels, but as a downtown dweller born and raised in Toronto, I never thought I would actually live in an RV — even for a week-long road trip.
Ultra is a glamorous spot for delicious pan-Asian fare in Midtown

Oct 23, 2024 | foodism.to | Taylor Newlands

A spacious, golden dining room at Yonge and St. Clair, Ultra is Midtown's answer to the best downtown Toronto restaurants and the seductive resto-lounges of King West, but with a much more comfortable atmosphere. It's not one of the newest Toronto restaurants, but since taking over the former Arthur space, Ultra has flown relatively under the radar, perhaps because the restaurant caters to a more mature crowd.
Tuck into a boujee seafood tower feast at Maxime's on King West

Sep 3, 2024 | foodism.to | Taylor Newlands

Last year, when we first visited Maxime's, the new Toronto restaurant drew us in with its glowing entranceway, seduced us with its alluring atmosphere and surprised us with its menu of succulent steaks. Now, we're revisiting Maxime's as a seafood restaurant to dive into the oceanic offerings and see what's changed. In a year, Maxime's has become one of the best restaurants in downtown Toronto, and has introduced Le Jardin, a seasonal sidewalk patio shrouded in greenery.
Rhapsody on Ossington serves cocktails meant for sipping and listening

Aug 30, 2024 | foodism.to | Taylor Newlands

"A playground for taste and sound.” The website description makes me smirk, but when I visit Rhapsody, it’s clear the statement is more than just a grabby tagline. Past the blacked-out façade on Ossington Avenue, eyes are pulled in every direction by the bar’s intricate décor — thought up by owner Dan Eyimina, who’s also behind Little Italy’s Mrs. Robinson.
Take your date to Wolfie for shareable snacks and cocktails

Aug 15, 2024 | foodism.to | Taylor Newlands

First date or tenth date — it's hard to constantly come up with romantic restaurants. And our wallets can only handle visiting the best restaurants in Toronto about once a year. Dating is no fun if you have to declare bankruptcy afterwards. There are a lot of great bars in the city, but (at the risk of sounding ancient) some of them are just too loud for the soft, lilting conversation that goes along with the early stages of dating.