Rideau Club

First things first. It’s a private club and all that entails: by invitation only, strict jacket and tie dress code, no cell phones. Not everybody’s cup of tea but if you’ve ever wondered about the ‘special elevator’ in the Sun Life Building, here’s the deal.
Legend has it that the original venerable Rideau Club burnt down shortly after they admitted women (Ha!), so they moved it to the swanky (and fire-​resistant) top floor of the Sun Life Building at 99 Bank.
Once you get up top, there are lots of portraits of PMs (Poor Kim Campbell sticks out like a lamb among the goats). Also, there a big chunk of sculpted stone from the original Rideau mounted on the wall. You enter the main lobby and are greeted by the most gracious and professional concierge ever. After discreetly giving you the dress-​code once-​over, the concierge will direct you to the mens’ or ladies’ dressing rooms. The dressing rooms encompass a coat room, little lounge (to make forbidden cell phone calls) and a super-​deluxe washroom.
The «club» is divided into various private dining and function rooms, the members’ dining room, a bar and other little nooks and crannies. Décor is plush — like a swankier and slightly more modern Château Laurier.
The coolest part — if you find this kind of thing cool — is that the place is full of (mostly retired) politicos, journalists, etc. It’s a bit like your grade 10 social studies text book has come to life.
The second best part is the food and the service. The food is excellent — full meals, appetizers at receptions — all are very very good. I had a crème brule with shortbread the other night that made me faint with delight. I have never seen anything too experimental or fusion in their repertoire. This is your grandfather’s food (if grandpa was a governor general).
The service is also excellent. These folks are pros. Despite the strict entry and deportment requirements, once you clear the door, every guest is treated with equal warmth and attentiveness.
Yup, private clubs are anachronistic and elitist but if you get a chance, polish your shoes, borrow a necktie and check it out — if only for the crème brule.