The amazing thing about Toronto is that everyone sees it through a different lens. Brittnee Blair has called Toronto her home for many years now, and between starring on a reality show, being a wife and a mother, and even modelling for Knix, she’s been around the block a few times.
I sat down with Blair to get her perspective on what she considers the best of the best in our amazing city. Not only did I learn about some new spots, but I also got to catch up with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. What’s better than that?
Q: Can you take me through your journey of getting to Toronto?
A: “I started modelling at seven. I was scouted when I was out eating chicken fingers with my mom,” Blair laughs. “Our server was a scout, she asked if I wanted to model, and it took off from there.”
“My first job in New York was actually with Ashley Graham; she taught me a lot that day,” Blair continues. “How to stand in the mirror, work my angles, it was a true ‘women looking out for women’ moment.”
“After modelling in New York for a while, I decided to try my hand at reality television and found myself on Big Brother Canada, where I locked myself in a house for 66 days. No regrets there, I came in fourth and I learned a lot about myself,” she shares. “I couldn’t get enough of TV and ended up going to the W Network, where I host W Movie Date Hallmark Countdown to Christmas.”
“I was also a reporter on ET Canada,” Blair says (this is where I met her, by the way). “It was so cool to meet people in front and behind the camera, and break insane news like the time Robert De Niro told me in an interview he had just had a new baby,” she laughs. “I didn’t know I would be getting a scoop that big that day!”
“I’m still modelling, too. Most recently, I did a campaign that ended up in Times Square, which was the most surreal moment of my life. Even though it was me in my underwear. Sorry, Grandma!”
Q: Now that you’ve been here all these years, what’s your perfect day in Toronto look like?
A: “Okay. So I’m waking up. I’m heading over to St. Lawrence Market. I’m getting myself a peameal bacon sandwich from Carousel Bakery with the spicy mustard,” says Blair.
“Then I am just going to take my time. I’m going to mosey on over to the market. I’m going to go to Chris’ Cheese-Mongers. I’m going to get some cheese. I always like to get adventurous with the cheese, too. I’m like, ooh, what’s that? Oh, does that have apricots? Oh, I get a spicy cheese. Then I’m going to head, probably down, and I’m going to get some chocolate truffles from the little bakery down there, get some pastries.”
“And then I’m going to head over to Toronto Island. And I’m just going to have like a little picnic, take in the sun, maybe have a little snooze, I don’t know, and then wake up and pedal on one of those four-person bikes. I just think it’s so fun. It’s quirky. The tourist and me has to do it. And then head back in and go to Conejo Negro for dinner with the girls.”
Q: I’m going to fire off topics, and you have to tell me the best in Toronto, okay?
Q: Best bakery?
A: “In my opinion, it is Forno Cultura. It’s one of the first bakeries I ever tried here, and it’s the best. It is my go-to, like fresh, delicious, creative, a little taste of Italian.”
Q: Best spot to get a coffee?
A: “Best spot to get a coffee, hmmm, I mean, I got to go with Forget Me Not. They have a matcha latte that’s to die for, okay? And just the vibe of it. Like, you can sit outside, take in the sun, chill with the pup, or you can go inside and keep it casual. It’s a good central location.”
Q: Best stop for after-work drinks?
A: “I’m going to just bring it over to Lulu Bar. It transports you to Hawaii. They’ve got a crazy good happy hour. And it’s cool, it’s at The Well. It’s like a new piece of Toronto that I think a lot of people need to see and experience. Oh, and they have flare cocktails. Flare cocktails are my jam.”
Q: Best place to go for a date night?
A: The best place, over all the rest, is Conejo Negro. It is delicious. The food is fresh and rich, and full of love is the best way I can explain it. And the whole vibe is very romantic and cool, and the lights are dim, and the service is incredible. I’m ordering the Brazilian cheese puffs, and I’m getting some of the braised beef with the cheese grits. It’s happening. Probably the jerk chicken. I’m really ordering probably half the menu. If I’m being honest, you can’t miss.”
Q: Best spot to go out with the girls.
A: “That would definitely have to be Patois. Like, I’m Jamaican, so I love plantain. I love jerk chicken. I love just spice, honestly. But you could find things on that menu that don’t have spice. And they also have this very cute rum punch pitcher that you can share with the table.”
Q: Best place to shop for a gift?
A: “Hands down, Kensington Market. It’s so cool. It’s just unique and full of these incredible artists. And, yeah, local goods. I go to a place called 6×8 Market, which has over 80 different local artists, and it’s just cool. You can find jewellery, hot sauce, mugs, blankets, candles, whatever you need, you can find it in that store. And you’re also supporting a local Canadian artist.”
Q: What has kept you in Toronto other than your career, and what is your favourite part about the city?
A: “You know, Toronto is a really incredible city. It is so rich in culture and experience. And I love how you can just stumble upon a festival or a carnival,” Blair explains.
“Everyone’s so welcoming and just warm. Like, it’s the people. When I really think about it, it’s the people, it’s the food, it’s the culture, and it’s just how Toronto embraces me. I feel like I can be myself here, and what more could you ask for?”
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Taylor Lucas
Associate Editor – Taylor is a Toronto-based journalist with a passion for storytelling. Whether chasing a story, writing, or editing, she brings a creative spin to the media world and has a blast doing it. Taylor brings years of journalism experience in sports, local/national news, and entertainment. In her spare time, you can typically find Taylor trying out a new restaurant or cocktail bar, cooking, golfing or binge-watching true crime documentaries.
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