A Jaunt To Toronto In Lincoln’s 2018 MKZ

It seems that we have less time to do anything these days. With information, entertainment, and shipping arriving faster than ever; patience has become almost an art form. This patience can be especially thin when it comes to flying. Not the mode of transportation itself, but the long security lines and the unexpected delays can damper your mood. Has this patience been lost on road trips too?

A road trip in the Lincoln MKZ is similar to flying in first class. The interior, much quieter than that of an airplane cabin, dulls the noise of the highway to a gentle hum with the help of the Active Noise Control emanating from the Revel sound system. Our passengers are relaxed and they are sitting comfortably on the plush Bridge of Weir leather-trimmed seats. Meanwhile, are our eyes are focused on the road ahead. The driver seat feels like a cockpit as the center stack sits high with enough space to empty out your phone, wallet, and anything that may distract your driving experience. The MKZ’s lane-keeping technology coupled with the adaptive cruise control keeps us on course. At the back, the wraparound tail lights look futuristic; a feature that when you look at it, you know it’s a Lincoln.

It feels as if we glided to Toronto, the six hour road trip in the MKZ was nothing short of comfortable. Its 188-horsepower, 2.0L hybrid engine is efficient and the engine ignites into gentle hull when it requires the use of gasoline. If you’re not an aggressive driver, you won’t mind its low output, but there’s a 400-horsepower option available.

As a whole, Toronto moves differently than Montreal. The people move at a much faster pace with no signs of slowing down. Jumping in and out of the MKZ was a nice break in the madness. Pair that with the quietness of the hybrid engine, we arrived at our destinations relaxed and refreshed.

Learn more about the 2019 Lincoln MKZ here.

Even though our time in Toronto was mostly for business, we put together a list of places we frequent and that we recommend you visit.

Where to stay: The Bisha Hotel

This Wallman Architects-designed building that stands 44 storeys high. A stark heritage frontage that welcomes guests into the Studio Munge designed lobby. The combination of the vaulted ceilings, deep colours, and textures makes for an extravagant entry. There is a lounge on the ground floor that is ready to serve delicious cocktails and food, but where you want to be is the rooftop terrace and restaurant. That’s where you’ll be able to bask in a sweeping panoramic views of Downtown Toronto, dip your feet into the shallow pool, or sit by the floor-to-sky windows and look down at the action below or admire the nearby CN Tower.

Where to Brunch: Lamesa Filipino Kitchen

Lamesa is a Filipino restaurant located in downtown Toronto and the head chef, Daniel Cancino, aims to introduce the cuisine to the mainstream. Mr. Cancino does this in such an approachable fashion by using seasonal ingredients to showcase the vibrancy of the Southeast Asian cuisine.

Where To Dine: The Chase

You’ll be delighted with the restaurant’s open kitchen concept, as well as the sweeping view of Toronto’s Financial District. The upscale interior is bright and keeps much of the building’s heritage. In terms of food, they describe it as “Modern American” offering hearty beef plates, fresh seafood, and classic desserts.

Where to Drink: Hoof Cocktail Bar

The owners of this establishment wanted to create a straightforward cocktail bar that did away with the flash and frills of mixology. That said, you can choose from a curated list of classic cocktails all made with care. The Hoof’s atmosphere is elegant but unassuming. We recommend their signature Hoof Manhattan, which is made with 10-year-old rye and house-made bitters.

Words: Jon Carlo Tapia
Photography: Jon Carlo Tapia & Chris Tapia