Vaughan Ontario - A place to visit and enjoy.
Depending on when you are in Vaughan, there are so many things to do and places to visit. Ribfests, the Bindertwine Festival, concerts, year round activities are available.
Vaughan has grown to become the 17th largest city in Canada with a population of about 340,000 residents of a variety of backgrounds; a community of many cultures although the Italian contingent is quite impressive in size. It all started with about 2000 Huron in the sixteenth century who roamed and hunted in the area until the 1700’s when the beginnings of settlements were first seen. Mainly Pennsylvania Germans and English began to settle here. The Township of Vaughan was named after Benjamin Vaughan, a British commissioner who signed a peace treaty with the United States in 1783 where the population was just under 60 people, later growing to 4,300 by 1840.
In the early days Vaughan birthed Hamlets in their own right that amalgamated as villages, eventually becoming the Township of Vaughan. One such Hamlet, Thornhill, was populated by approximately 350 people by 1840 driven by three geographical factors, its proximity to booming Toronto, its location as a conduit to the northern transportation route, and its proximity to the Don River for manufacture and mills.
Kleinburg was first housing residents in 1848 as John Nicholas Kline bought 83 acres of land now known as Kleinburg. As a sawmill and a gristmill went up, Mr. Kline arranged for the area to be divided into ¼ acre lots started the beginnings of attracting settlers to grow the area. Maple was settled as a hamlet by the Rupert and Noble families. Originally called Noble’s corners in 1850, the name was changed a few years later to Rupertsville (after a respected and renowned doctor), didn’t blossom until the CN Railway came through. It was the railway that changed the name of the village to Maple (probably after the lines of maples on Keele St.).
Towns emerge where running water is abundant for power and grist mills. The Humber River provided this and the community of Woodbridge was born. First known as Burwick, after Rowland Burr, who is considered to be the first to develop a flour mill, sawmill and a textile mill, the Humber River made transportation and a strong power source. Economic growth led to the population growth of approximately 1,000 residents. After ups and downs World War I brought the beginnings of a resurgence in the area; and after interventions like the removal of toll roads and village toll gates, the building of new paved roads, a metal bridge over the Humber River paid and constructed by the Ontario Government and the completion of the construction of Highway #7 during 1930 and 1931.
Vaughan attractions – No wonder people flock to Vaughan summer or winter. Canada’s Wonderland rises out from the Major MacKenzie Highway 400 area and sprawls from Major Mac to Rutherford. The McMichael Art Gallery, historical Kleinburg, Kortright Center, Vaughan Mills Mall, Legoland and some of the most beautiful trails and conservation areas around do not disappoint.
Vaughan has grown to become the 17th largest city in Canada with a population of about 340,000 residents of a variety of backgrounds; a community of many cultures although the Italian contingent is quite impressive in size. It all started with about 2000 Huron in the sixteenth century who roamed and hunted in the area until the 1700’s when the beginnings of settlements were first seen. Mainly Pennsylvania Germans and English began to settle here. The Township of Vaughan was named after Benjamin Vaughan, a British commissioner who signed a peace treaty with the United States in 1783 where the population was just under 60 people, later growing to 4,300 by 1840.
In the early days Vaughan birthed Hamlets in their own right that amalgamated as villages, eventually becoming the Township of Vaughan. One such Hamlet, Thornhill, was populated by approximately 350 people by 1840 driven by three geographical factors, its proximity to booming Toronto, its location as a conduit to the northern transportation route, and its proximity to the Don River for manufacture and mills.
Kleinburg was first housing residents in 1848 as John Nicholas Kline bought 83 acres of land now known as Kleinburg. As a sawmill and a gristmill went up, Mr. Kline arranged for the area to be divided into ¼ acre lots started the beginnings of attracting settlers to grow the area. Maple was settled as a hamlet by the Rupert and Noble families. Originally called Noble’s corners in 1850, the name was changed a few years later to Rupertsville (after a respected and renowned doctor), didn’t blossom until the CN Railway came through. It was the railway that changed the name of the village to Maple (probably after the lines of maples on Keele St.).
Towns emerge where running water is abundant for power and grist mills. The Humber River provided this and the community of Woodbridge was born. First known as Burwick, after Rowland Burr, who is considered to be the first to develop a flour mill, sawmill and a textile mill, the Humber River made transportation and a strong power source. Economic growth led to the population growth of approximately 1,000 residents. After ups and downs World War I brought the beginnings of a resurgence in the area; and after interventions like the removal of toll roads and village toll gates, the building of new paved roads, a metal bridge over the Humber River paid and constructed by the Ontario Government and the completion of the construction of Highway #7 during 1930 and 1931.
Vaughan attractions – No wonder people flock to Vaughan summer or winter. Canada’s Wonderland rises out from the Major MacKenzie Highway 400 area and sprawls from Major Mac to Rutherford. The McMichael Art Gallery, historical Kleinburg, Kortright Center, Vaughan Mills Mall, Legoland and some of the most beautiful trails and conservation areas around do not disappoint.
The restaurants in Vaughan include some of the best Italian fare in the southern Ontario region. It’s what you would expect in Vaughan but the cuisine is much broader and boasts fusion, prime steakhouses and food from the far east.
Aragvi Restaurant
Aragvi is the only restaurant in Vaughan to offer authentic Georgian fare; this upscale establishment and its chef, Boris Pasternak, have been highly praised in bringing a little-known variety of food to the greater public in Vaughan. The Toronto Star has praised the umpteen varieties of dough and skewered meat, pointing to how Vaughan’s Georgian and larger Russian population have made a beeline for the restaurant in search of home-cooked food.
Autostrada
Restaurant, pizzeria and bar all rolled in to one, A1 Autostrada competes with the abundance of Italian restaurants in Vaughan, which poses tough competition, but they remain at the top of their game. Their regional specialties have been praised time and time again. The interior is an inviting spot to dine with family and friends.
Avlyn Gardens
This is a small and quaint restaurant serving food inside an old Victorian mansion, which was also a tea-room in a past life. The owner has a passion for authentic, rustic, regional Italian food which shines through in Avlyn’s reviews. Locally sourced ingredients are found but the classic Italian ingredients like ‘cheeses, oils, black and white truffles’ are imported directly from Italy.
Burgers
The best burgers around are available ,throughout Vaughan from places like The Burger’s Priest which has been famous among residents of Toronto for years for their succulent, tasty burgers. World famous thanks to Daniel Radcliffe, who has repeatedly recommended the restaurant as his favorite place to eat in Toronto. Holy Chow is another great burger joint that delivers a top sandwhich along with Five Guys who have been held in high esteem throughout North America. Another great spot is Hole-E-Burger which focuses on Angus burgers and inventive toppings making them well worth a visit in the village of Bolton. Competitive prices and the wait-staff that have frequently been praised by reviewers for their friendliness and knowledge make the experience exceptional.
Farro
Farro promises casual Italian dining in an upscale environment and its refined bare-brick interior lives up to the promise and Farro doesn’t disappoint in its food either. Experienced restaurateurs Roberto DeLuca and Carmine Biasi have come together to offer innovative food that does not lose sight of the past. Pizza and the delicious bisque are recommended
Oca Nera
An authentic Italian restaurant, Oca Nera specializes in rustic, regional specialties but is also takes aim at fusion dishes. Reviewers have praised a thoroughly excellent menu, with every part of the meal up to scratch, from the antipasti to the dessert. The wine menu is also international, well-stocked and well-chosen. Modern, spacious design is the order of the day.
Vincentina
Vincentina meats is more a deli and butcher but wait til you taste their sandwiches. Eat in or take out, these delicious specimens will leave you wanting more. Steak and porchetta filling s as juicy as you can imagine. When you are finished you can shop in the deli with awe inspiring products for the oven or bar-b-que.
Vinsanto
Two antique chandeliers and beautiful wooden benches await you in the Florentine-inspired Vinsanto. All recipes are first generation Italian recipes, thus preserving the rusticity searched for by many restaurants. Authenticity is indeed the order of the day – there’ll be no greasy American-style pizzas here – only the simplest recipes with the best ingredients and the food is all the better for it.
Aragvi Restaurant
Aragvi is the only restaurant in Vaughan to offer authentic Georgian fare; this upscale establishment and its chef, Boris Pasternak, have been highly praised in bringing a little-known variety of food to the greater public in Vaughan. The Toronto Star has praised the umpteen varieties of dough and skewered meat, pointing to how Vaughan’s Georgian and larger Russian population have made a beeline for the restaurant in search of home-cooked food.
Autostrada
Restaurant, pizzeria and bar all rolled in to one, A1 Autostrada competes with the abundance of Italian restaurants in Vaughan, which poses tough competition, but they remain at the top of their game. Their regional specialties have been praised time and time again. The interior is an inviting spot to dine with family and friends.
Avlyn Gardens
This is a small and quaint restaurant serving food inside an old Victorian mansion, which was also a tea-room in a past life. The owner has a passion for authentic, rustic, regional Italian food which shines through in Avlyn’s reviews. Locally sourced ingredients are found but the classic Italian ingredients like ‘cheeses, oils, black and white truffles’ are imported directly from Italy.
Burgers
The best burgers around are available ,throughout Vaughan from places like The Burger’s Priest which has been famous among residents of Toronto for years for their succulent, tasty burgers. World famous thanks to Daniel Radcliffe, who has repeatedly recommended the restaurant as his favorite place to eat in Toronto. Holy Chow is another great burger joint that delivers a top sandwhich along with Five Guys who have been held in high esteem throughout North America. Another great spot is Hole-E-Burger which focuses on Angus burgers and inventive toppings making them well worth a visit in the village of Bolton. Competitive prices and the wait-staff that have frequently been praised by reviewers for their friendliness and knowledge make the experience exceptional.
Farro
Farro promises casual Italian dining in an upscale environment and its refined bare-brick interior lives up to the promise and Farro doesn’t disappoint in its food either. Experienced restaurateurs Roberto DeLuca and Carmine Biasi have come together to offer innovative food that does not lose sight of the past. Pizza and the delicious bisque are recommended
Oca Nera
An authentic Italian restaurant, Oca Nera specializes in rustic, regional specialties but is also takes aim at fusion dishes. Reviewers have praised a thoroughly excellent menu, with every part of the meal up to scratch, from the antipasti to the dessert. The wine menu is also international, well-stocked and well-chosen. Modern, spacious design is the order of the day.
Vincentina
Vincentina meats is more a deli and butcher but wait til you taste their sandwiches. Eat in or take out, these delicious specimens will leave you wanting more. Steak and porchetta filling s as juicy as you can imagine. When you are finished you can shop in the deli with awe inspiring products for the oven or bar-b-que.
Vinsanto
Two antique chandeliers and beautiful wooden benches await you in the Florentine-inspired Vinsanto. All recipes are first generation Italian recipes, thus preserving the rusticity searched for by many restaurants. Authenticity is indeed the order of the day – there’ll be no greasy American-style pizzas here – only the simplest recipes with the best ingredients and the food is all the better for it.
When you visit Vaughan the points of interest and history are fascinating. You need to visit Kleinburg and the McMichael Art Gallery where the Group Of Seven artists are predominant. Trails and paths are abundant and the amount of pizza and pastas will surely keep you busy