Each bar is crafted by hand, using ethically produced natural olive, coconut, palm and castor oils.
Amarais Artisan brings a breath of fresh sea air to wine country. Opening in the heart of pastoral Prince Edward County, the white-washed studio space calls to mind a chic, beachside boutique in St. Barth. Its specialty is luscious, eco-friendly soaps that are made on site by owner Jenn Hardenne. Each bar is crafted by hand, using ethically produced natural olive, coconut, palm and castor oils. They're 100-per-cent biodegradable and come in soft scents such as bergamot and mandarin, and pink grapefruit. A selection of bath-friendly accoutrements (Hammam towels from Tunisia, cosmetic bags by Amy Butler, natural sea sponges) and Amarais's own anise lip balm are also available. Get a sneak peak at the launch party on June 26 (after 5 p.m.). The store officially opens on June 30. 324 Main St.; Bloomfield, Ont. www.amaraisartisan.com
Hotel goats ... hotel goat cheese
Farm-to-table menus are all the rage, but the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in Montreal has taken the concept one step further. The hotel has officially adopted two pedigree goats (both are named Blanche Neige) and will use the animals' milk to produce cheese for the Beaver Club restaurant. The dessert list in particular pays homage to the adopted goats with dishes like Snow White Iced Nougat and Snow White Cheesecake with Red Berries. While the goats don't get a room, they do reside nearby at La Fromagerie du Vieux St -François in Laval. If you don't get a chance to sample the menu at the Beaver Club, stop in at the Fairmont Store where some of the cheeses are on sale. www.fairmont.com/queenelizabeth; www.beaverclub.ca.
Late nights, early mornings at the Counter
Toronto's dowdy diner scene has finally gotten spit and polish with the June 21 opening of The Counter. The 24-hour eatery - part of the Thompson Toronto hotel - has been stylishly outfitted by Brenda Bent (chef Susur Lee's wife) and Karen Gable. The design duo's signature rich textiles, flocked wallpaper and pretty tiles have given the old-style restaurant a more contemporary feel (don't expect to see kitschy, chipped linoleum tables in this space). The menu offers a similarly up-market twist on classic round-the-clock diner fare. On offer are all-day breakfasts, artisanal beers and burgers, mac 'n' cheese, poutine and Montreal smoked-meat sandwiches. 51 Bathurst St., Toronto. 416-640-7778 x4008.
Warhol's balloon art blowout
Float away with Andy Warhol's Silver Clouds at the Illinois Institute of Technology's S. R. Crown Hall. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's iconic transparent building is a fitting summer home for the ethereal collection of 350 floating, helium-filled silver balloons. Originally created by Warhol and Swedish engineer Billy Kluver, Silver Clouds had its first showing at New York's Leo Castelli Gallery in 1966. This installation is more family-friendly (kids are encouraged to interact with the balloons) and the biggest to date. In its last week on show, the display will swell to 1,000 balloons. Open Wednesdays through Sundays until Aug. 1 at S.R. Crown Hall; $5 per person; free for children 10 and under. 3360 S. State St., Chicago. www.iit.edu/giving/mies.
Special to The Globe and Mail