Restroom style: Canada's best restroom contest

When it comes to handing out restaurant recommendations, the quality of the food and service, as well as the ambience and location, often rank high on my list of proffered details. Now I might need to add the washroom decor and cleanliness to my rankings, after learning about Canada's Best Restroom Contest.

“We like to think of this contest as a fun, light-hearted way of drawing the public’s attention to the very important issue of restroom hygiene,” says Cintas Canadian Marketing Manager Leslie Molin in a release. “People don’t think about such things until they walk into a poorly kept restroom, and then it matters. After that, the odds are they won’t be back.”

The five finalists, three in Toronto and two in Vancouver, were chosen for being "immaculate, inviting and, most of all, memorable." The winner will be chosen based on a public, online vote.

Toronto's finalists are:

Mildred's Temple Kitchen, shown above, for its "hand-painted murals, designer fixtures, slate floor and slate walls."

Spice Route Asian Bistro & Bar, shown above, for its "eclectic Asian decor, exposed stone walls and rich coloured tiles overlooking a private garden oasis."

And the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, which features "designer fixtures, mosaic tile" and is "100% hands-free."

The Shangri-La Hotel and the Cactus Club Cafe, both in Vancouver, also make the top five.