This week we interview William Morassutti, Editor-in-Chief of Toro – Canada’s leading go-to site for “what men need to know”.
What is your morning routine?
A long espresso; a short meditation. Not necessarily in that order.
What does happiness look like to you?
It looks like a stick of freshly baked bread.
What do you consider to be the one indulgence you can’t live without?
The silence and solitude necessary to read a good book.
What is your favourite restaurant in Toronto?
That’s like asking, “What’s your favorite color?” There are so many pleasant variations. If pressed, I’ll say Blowfish.
Tomorrow, you can fly anywhere for a two-week vacation – where are you going? Why?
Tahiti. Because I can’t think of anywhere farther away, or more resolutely aquamarine.
You have a friend visiting from Manhattan – what do you advise them to check out in Toronto?
I’d suggest that they hang out with me at my place. It’s incredibly exclusive, and everything is free.
When you are seeking quiet and serenity, where do you go?
A cottage on Georgian Bay. I’ve been going there since I was a child and the serenity is cumulative; the natural beauty rests upon a bedrock of memories.
What are the qualities you most admire in a man?
Drive. Tenacity. Vision. I admire a man who isn’t easily offended. I admire a man who will pick up a cheque. Style is good. Character is big. Loyalty too.
What are the qualities you most admire in a woman?
Empathy. Warmth. Intuition. I admire women who are self-possessed. I admire women unafraid to carve their own path. A beautiful woman with a great laugh is unbeatable.
The musicians that you love are…
Miles Davis. Jimi Hendrix. John Lee Hooker. Bix Beiderbecke. Tony Bennett. Ella Fitzgerald. Jack White. “E” of the Eels (Mark Oliver Everett). John Coltrane. Johnny Cash. Big Joe Williams. Elvis Costello. Joe Strummer. Buddy Holly. Frank Sinatra. Aretha Franklin…Sorry, too many to name just one!
If you could own any car, what would it be?
A 1961 Jaguar E-Type “616 AUF”.
What do you love most about Toro?
I love that it exists. I love that it has evolved with the spirit of the times, moving from a print magazine to a state-of-the-art multimedia publication. I love our tone: smart, irreverent, and yet reverent in a pinch. I love that we are relevant, timely, and poised for great things.
Tell us about three unsuspecting items that you cherish….
Michael, one year, 3 months. Sophia, 3 years, 5 months. And Mary (their mom) a timeless beauty.
In your opinion, what’s an example of excellent design?
The human hand.
A film you can watch over and over again…
Fellini’s “8½”. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a Mozart piano sonata.
If you were to switch careers- and be anything you want – what would you choose?
Cornerback, NFL.
What neighbourhood do you live in, and what’s the best thing about it?
I live on the Danforth, love the east end. The east end is to Toronto what Brooklyn is to New York. Great restaurants, galleries, schools, parks – all at a civilized remove from the downtown core.
Your drink of choice is…
A tumbler of Oban, an ambrosial single malt scotch – sweet and smoky, olive and gold hued.
What is a company or brand you admire?
Vladimir Nabokov was a hell of a literary brand. They just don’t build them like that anymore.
If you were an animal – what would you be?
A good-hearted tiger who nonetheless kills what it eats.
Men read Toro because…
It’s cool, funny, relevant, and features new original content (“what men need to know”) every day.
Women read Toro because…
It offers revealing insights into the mind of the modern man.
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