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What's filming in Toronto this summer

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Toronto has long been a hot place for studios to film in: it's cheaper than somewhere like NYC, but can easily be mistaken for a large American metropolis. 

Summer is the time when all the crews come out, so if you see a big white caravan of trailers you'll know what's up. 

Here's what's filming in Toronto this summer: 

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Earlier this year, Guillermo del Toro announced that his adaptation of the book series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark would be filming in Toronto this summer. del Toro won't be directing, however, Norwegian film director André Øvredal is — del Toro is producing and co-writing.

Run This Town 

When photos first surfaced in late April from the Rob Ford-inspired movie, people had a field day over British actor Damian Lewis' prosthetics that he had to wear to play former Toronto mayor, the late Rob Ford.

Titans

The superhero show Titans, an upcoming web TV series, has been filming in downtown Toronto. According to Screenrant, the series will launch on DC Comics' own streaming service, DC Universe, later this year.

IT: Chapter Two

The second instalment of the horror IT film series, IT: Chapter Two, started production in Toronto recently. Actors James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain took to social media to document their Toronto — I mean Derry — adventures. 

Sunny

According to ETalk, Sharon Stone may be seen walking the streets of Toronto as the filming of her upcoming dark thriller Sunny will be shot in the city. Sunny is a mob drama with Stone at the centre, playing the polished wife and doting single mother who also happens to be a drug kingpin and a mob mistress.

Secrets of the Russian Tea Room

This movie about four people who are all suffering through the lowest points of their lives has been filming on and off in Toronto since the spring. If you happen to catch a glimpse of Ontario -born Jay Baruchel, now you know why. 

The Umbrella Academy

Spot Ellen Page and Mary J. Blige all over Toronto this summer as they're here to film The Umbrella Academy in places like Little Portugal, along Queen West and the University of Toronto. The Umbrella Academy is a T.V. series about a disbanded group of superheroes who come together again after a close family member dies. 

An untitled horror film from Orion Pictures

No, this isn't the actual name of the movie, it just doesn't have a name. Catch OITNB star Taylor Schilling milling about Toronto as she's here to take part in the horror project. 

Shazam!

A DC Comics story about a boy who can turn into an adult superhero with just one word (wonder what it could possibly be?) is filming in Toronto, led by Zachary Levi. 

The Dogs of Babel

Funnyman Steve Carell won't be bringing the laughs with this film about a linguistics professor who tries to teach his dog to speak after the animal witness' the murder of Carell's wife. 


The top 10 summertime treats in Kensington Market

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The top summertime treats in Kensington Market should be on your hit list anytime you’re rolling through one of Toronto’s most eclectic neighbourhoods. Whether you’re there for Pedestrian Sundays or just because, there’s few better spots to be in the summer than the market.

Here are my picks for the top summertime treats in Kensington.

Soft serve from Kiss The Tiramisu

Get decadent with the different flavours of soft serve at this ice creamery, which serves their swirly desserts to you in gilded goblets which you can take with you as you walk down Baldwin.

Gold-covered ice cream at Eative Film Cafe

We all know Toronto loves its ice cream trends. The most recent to hit the city was ice cream covered in edible 24K gold. Kensington may not be known for glamorous eats, but this cone from Eative takes luxury to the next level.

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Taiyakis at Sukoshi Mart

These traditional fish-shaped Japanese cakes are almost too cute to eat. Filled with tasty flavours like custard, green tea, or red bean, you can get two of these adorable mini bites for just $3; well-worth a taste of Japan in the summertime.

Iced lattes from Little Pebbles

These aren’t your regular ice lattes: this sleek little cafe does Asian-inspired flavours like black sesame and matcha that are extra refreshing and make cooling down in the summer taste oh-so good.

Crepe cones at Millie Creperie

Fill them up with s’mores, ice cream, gelato — whatever: these handheld paper-wrapped treats from Millie’s are one of those summer traditions that impresses year after year.

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Churro cones at Pancho’s Bakery

It’s hard to pass by 214 Augusta and resist Pancho’s churros in the window. This classic Mexican treat has been transformed from its original stick form into churro cones stuffed with ice cream.

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Paletas at Wrestlers

Choose from tons of paleta flavours at this Mexican cafe, where you can get them dipped in chocolate and rolled around in peanuts or coconut flakes for extra pizzazz.

Froyo at Grk Ygrt

Grab some all-natural frozen yogurt for a cool treat that won’t give you the regular post-ice cream sugar high and ensuing crash.

Ice cream bars at Sweet Olenka’s

All the flavours at this narrow spot are so good it’ll be hard to choose. You can’t go wrong with these ice cream bars, just beware the sticky mess they might make on extra hot days. 

Vegan donuts at Bunners

Yes, these are vegan. Everything at this bakery is the healthy version of the unhealthy thing you've been craving, like decked out donuts that are so good you won't believe its not killing you slowly. 

The 10 most popular rides at Canada's Wonderland right now

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Canada's Wonderland is a great way to spend the day, if you have the patience for waiting in lengthy lineups for a few seconds of absolute thrills. 

Because of this, you have to plan your day accordingly — especially if you want to get all the most popular coasters in. 

Judging by the lineups and the WOW-factor, here are the most popular rides at Canada's Wonderland right now. 

Leviathan 

Canada's tallest and fastest coaster earns a spot on this list purely because, well, the specs are impressive. Hold on to your life lunch as you're dropped from 306 feet at an 80-degree angle and travel at speeds reaching 148 km/hour. 

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Behemoth

This is the ride for big kids, or at least it's the ride that signified you had finally reached "big kid" status. Take in the sights as this coaster takes you up 230 feet and then promptly hold on for dear life as the ride drops you down at a 75-degree angle, at up to 125 km/hour. 

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Lumberjack

New this year is this dual swinging pendulum ride that takes you through full 360-degree loops, with inversions up to 75 feet high. If you don't like being upside down, this is not the ride for you. 

The Bat

A longstanding favourite of thrill seekers everywhere is this super fast coaster that takes you in all directions when you really, really don't expect it. You may only be travelling at 75 km/hour, but it's always jarring when the coaster operator drops you backwards before the countdown is complete. 

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Flight Deck

Formerly known as Top Gun, this was Canada's first inverted coaster when it opened in 1995 and continues to be a fan favourite today. Dangle your feet as the ride simulates the feeling of flying an F-14 fighter jet, just be sure to get rid of those flip flops before you hop on. 

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Backlot Stunt Coaster

You may be in this line for over an hour thinking, why am I waiting to pretend drive a Mini Cooper, but once you hop in the leathery and sweaty seats and are launched forward with a startling amount of power it'll all be worth it. This one is the only launch style coaster in the park and actually used to be called The Italian Job.

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Timberwolf Falls

While not a ride for the ultimate thrill seekers, this coaster that leaves you sopping wet is jam-packed on a hot summers' day: the entire park wants in. It first opened in 1989 and has been cooling off hot (and grumpy) customers since then. 

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Vortex

Ah, Wonder Mountain. Where else are you going to get a fantasy adventure and a coaster all in one without going to Florida? This is a suspended roller coaster where riders are taken through mountain, dropped at high speeds and barely missing the body of water below — perfect if you don't want to get soaked at Timberwolf. 

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Wild Beast

This wooden coaster may be old, but it's still got kick — and a consistent lineup to boot. Zoom along this rickety old beast as you fear for your life because, hey, you don't need to have all these fancy dips and loop-de-loops to actually fear for your health and safety. 

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Night Mares

This terrifying ride is especially not for the faint of heart: find all the teenage speedsters lined up here. There are no seat belts or restraint systems, so riders have to hold on tight while standing up and trust that they won't defy gravity while they're tilted 90-degrees and lifted 49 feet through endless loops. 

The top 5 bars for cider lovers in Toronto

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Cider bars in Toronto show off the bounty of our Ontario cideries, as well as foreign imports. These watering holes will change the way you think of this fermented apple beverage, so get out there and drink up.

Here are my picks for the top bars for cider lovers in Toronto.

Her Father's Cider

As Toronto's first all-cider bar, this spot knows its stuff. With 12 taps and more than 100 different bottles, there's lots to try at this spot on Harbord Street.

Cider House

For cider flights and pub grub, visit this restaurant and bar in Roncesvalles that's super cozy thanks to its refurbished barn wood wall.

Brickworks Ciderhouse

At the corner of Queen and Broadview sits this purveyor of all things cider. On draft here are the three popular Brickworks ciders also available in LCBOs: Batch 1904, Queen Street 501, and Stadium Island peach. They're not all about tradition, this place is also a major testing grounds for dozens of experimental new ciders.

Wvrst

There's way more than just sausage and duck fat fries at this beer hall on King West near Portland Street. They have lots of cider on offer both on tap and in bottles from both Ontario and around the world.

Tequila Bookworm

This super nice Queen Street spot has a high tin ceiling, chandeliers, exposed brick, vintage wooden window booths and furniture and super fast wifi — not to mention an impressive array of cider on tap. 

The Best Frozen Yogurt in Toronto

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The best frozen yogurt in Toronto is refreshing, light, and usually a healthier alternative to its fattier counterpart. Deck out your fro-yo in all varieties of fruits and candy for a sweet and tangy summer treat.

Here are the best spots to grab frozen yogurt in Toronto. 

9 - Summer's Ice Cream

This Yorkville spot has been serving homemade icey treats since 1984, so you can bet there fro-yo is good. They rotate through 10 simple, but creamy fruity flavours like key lime pie and banana, which you can get in a sugar cone.
10 - My Favourite Ice Cream Shop

This little Rosedale gem has been around for over 25 years. Cash only, you’ll find crowds of people during the summer lining up for ice cream and fruity yogurts made with frozen fruits — a certified Rosedale resident tradition.
5 - Yogurty's (Queen West)

One of the first DIY fro-yo chains to get popular in the city, this brand has three locations. You can serve yourself from over 150 flavours of yogurt, then top it off with a ridiculous selection of goods like Angry Bird gummies and lychee balls.
6 - Pinkberry

Everyone was excited for this American chain to hit the city, and since then they’ve expanded to three stores. Good news for lactose sufferers: they have a few dairy-free flavours, and you can also find their yogurt at certain Second Cup locations.
7 - Menchies (Little Italy)

Another popular DIY spot, there’s a variety of flavours to choose from in categories like nonfat, lowfat, tart, sorbet and no sugar added. Enjoy a delicious cake batter-flavoured yogurt covered in all your favourite toppings for a relatively guilt-free indulgence.
8 - Cosmic Treats

Known for all things vegan, the yogurt here is made of organic, non-GMO soy that’s completely gluten and nut-free. Blend it with your choice of blueberries, mangos, strawberries or pineapple for a super healthy and refreshing dessert.
11 - Village Chill

Open seasonally, this Forest Hill Village spot serves fro-yo in cups and cones. You’ll find flavours like oreo, lychee and mangosteen out of their tiny little space. Don’t be prepared to stay long, there’s no seating inside — though you might be able to nab one of five seats out front.
3 - Grk Ygrt

Everything at this Kensington fro-yo provider is all-natural. Fresh yogurt is made in-house using Ontario dairy, mixed with local honey and lemon juice. You can also add chia and delicious homemade granola oats on top.
4 - deKefir

Located in the PATH, this store specializes in Kefir — which is basically a yogurt with more healthy probiotics and more protein than regular yogurt. You can get it in smoothie, parfait or frozen soft serve form, lightly sweetened with cane sugar.

5 epic caves to visit near Toronto

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There's no shortage of caves to explore within a few hours drive of Toronto. The Canadian Shield north of the city has many dark gems to explore where you'll see fossils, hidden bodies of water, and rock formations that dazzle you as much as they might inspire the occasional bit of trepidation.

Here are my picks for epic caves to visit near Toronto.

Bonnechere Caves

Probably the most dramatic cave system in Southern Ontario, here you can can take in thousands of years of geological history, complete with ample fossils and water-hewn rock formations. You'll need to take a guided tour here, but remember to bring a camera with a solid flash because the visuals are stunning.

Eramosa Karst

One of the closest cave systems to Toronto, it'll take around an hour to get to this geological wonderland near Hamilton. There aren't really the deep caverns that you'll find elsewhere in the province here, but there are so many nooks and crannies that it's a great way to spend a day exploring the time-worn terrain that also features streams and waterfalls.

Scenic Caves Adventures

It's not just about the caves here at the top of Blue Mountain. You can also zip line and check out the gorgeous suspension bridge. But, on the hottest of days, it's the underground attraction that draws visitors here. The deepest cavern clocks in at 70 feet, but the general accessibility of the underground spaces is what makes this site so popular.

Hell Holes

Almost anyone who pulls off the 401 at Napanee grins at the sign for Hell Holes, which lie just north of the small town just to the west of Kingston. These aren't the deepest caves — the lowest comes in at under 30 feet — but they're nice and wide, which is ideal for anyone worried about the claustrophobia that comes with being surrounded by bedrock.

Warsaw Caves

Roughly two hours from Toronto, this cave system near Peterborough has seven distinct areas to spelunk, which are all the more alluring for the fact that you can explore them without a designated tour guide. These are what you might call family-friendly caves with no terrain that will pose a major challenge for modestly fit individuals.

Canada Day fireworks lit up the sky in Toronto this weekend

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On what might have been the hottest day ever, Torontonians commemorated the uniting of the provinces with some explosives in the sky. 

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Hundreds flocked to Ashbridges Bay to catch one of the biggest fiesta of lights in the city, accompanied by music and a waterfront view. 

Canada's Wonderland was the spot to go for families and folks in Vaughan for a nighttime show. 

Ribfest-goers were treated to a show after a full day of stuffing their faces with ribs at Centennial Park. 

Milliken Park in Scarborough had a nice show for the community that started at around 10 p.m.

People who chilled at Downsview Park all day got to see an epic showdown of lights after the sun went down. 

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And at Mel Lastman Square, a full day of performances and activities came to a dramatic end with a thrilling exhibition of pyrotechnics.

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And if you chose not to head into the masses of sweaty bodies this year, there's always next year. Plus, chances are you caught some of the action from your own window, if you were lucky. 

The top 5 new cafes in Toronto

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The top new cafes in Toronto have brought us new Aussie-style coffee shops and more options than ever for specialty third-wave coffee. Get your caffeine buzz on in these spots where the interior design is every bit as pretty as the latte art.

Here are my picks for the top new cafes in Toronto.

Lion Coffee

This St. Clair West coffee pocket is now home to Chocolat de Kat. They’ve long been retailed solely in De Mello Palheta shops, and a former manager there co-owns this place with the head chocolatier herself.

The Library Specialty Coffee

Pour over fans have already deemed the brew at this Baldwin Village adjacent cafe some of the best in the city, with a dedicated station where beans can be inspected.

Alcove Coffee

This coffee corner in an industrial area of the Junction Triangle is actually attached to a massive photography studio, but that doesn’t mean the cafe doesn’t stand out on its own with lovely design, cutesy Japanese marshmallow cats and soft serve affogato.

The Sydney Grind

Aussies missing the taste of home should head to Etobicoke to now find takes on treats like Lamingtons, Fairy Bread, Hummingbirds and Anzac cookies at this darling place.

Pop Coffee Works

Coffee that’s actually been roasted out in Mississauga at their own operation of the same name can be brewed using several different methods at this just-opened breezy cafe near Yonge and Dundas.


12 notable Toronto businesses that closed in June

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Toronto businesses that closed in June really hit close to home. From a beloved DIY performance space to a community hub for cookbook enthusiasts, these places will be mourned. Here's hoping some of them will manage to rise like a phoenix from the ashes (of the many fires restaurants have experienced lately).

Here are the most notable Toronto businesses that closed in June.

The Anne Boleyn

Like the queen it was named after, this British pub at Richmond and Peter didn't last long. Open for less than a year, this Tudor-style sports bar from The Social Group (Parts & Labour, Dog & Bear) closed permanently on June 26.

Double Double Land

This underground music venue and DIY performance art space in Kensington Market (although perhaps not exactly a business, per se) had an impressive nine-year run before finally getting shut down by its landlord last month. RIP, DDL. Here's hoping a new location will be found soon.

The Fish Store / Ghazale / Vivoli

Two-alarm fires in restaurants have been occurring quite frequently lately. A fire that started in Ghazale on College Street that spread to The Fish Store and Vivoli on either side of it during the Taste of Little Italy festival has (hopefully only temporarily) shut them down.

Fring's

Following a spate of controversy, the Drake-affiliated restaurant on King Street West by celebrity chef Susur Lee and sons closed for good last month.

Good Egg

Yet another Kensington Market gem that lasted almost a decade closed up shoplast month. This much-loved culinary book haven and gift store was a community hub for cooking enthusiasts and will be greatly missed.

Icy Spicy Fusion

Serving a quirky mix of all-day breakfast and cheap Chinese eats, this family-run Leslieville diner permanently closed its doors last month. It will soon be replaced by another all-day breakfast spot (minus the Chinese food) called Billy's Diner.

Jackpot Chicken Rice

After around two years in business, this Chinatown joint that featured chef Craig Wong's take on Hainanese chicken rice called it quits on June 24. Fans of Chef Wong's cooking can still check out his Jamaican-Chinese mash-ups at Patois.

Maison Mercer

Known for occasionally hosting celebrities like Drake, The Weeknd and Lebron James, this massive 12,000-square-foot nightclub in the Entertainment District threw its last party before being demolished to make way for the Nobu Residences.

Mascot Brewery/Odd Thomas

This Entertainment District brewery that boasted a fantastic rooftop patio and its downstairs nightclub sibling faced the same demolition fate as Maison Mercer, to be replaced with the aforementioned luxury condo and hotel development. However, Mascot promises it will relocate to a new space soon. Fingers crossed.

The Annex is getting two new hotels this summer

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It feels like hotels are popping up everywhere this year.

From the Ex's newly opened Hotel X to Blue Jay Way's much-anticipated Bisha Hotel and Markham's sprawling new Marriott, developers are building all sorts of options for tourists to stay while they check out all Toronto has to offer this summer.

annex hotels toronto

The new Kimpton Saint George boutique hotel is a pet-friendly hotel chain from San Francisco. 

Now it seems the Annex is heating up as the newest tourist hotspot, with two new boutique hotels newly arrived or in the works on this little stretch of Bloor West. 

To start off, Kimpton Saint George just opened to the public two weeks ago, transforming the old Holiday Inn by St. George station into the first Toronto outpost of the swanky San-Francisco-based hotel chain. 

annex hotels torontoThe lobby at Kimpton is called "the living room". 

The chic new lodging at 280 Bloor Street West features custom-made decor from Mason Studio and an ultra-comfy lounge where you can feel at home (if you lived in a really nice, expensive house). 

Kimpton is also pet-friendly, meaning you can bring your spoiled little pupper with you into the lobby (it's called the "living room") and up into your one-bedroom, which starts at around $300 a night. 

Meanwhile, just a ten minute walk west of Kimpton, another boutique hotel called Annex Hotel (makes sense) is in the works. 

annex hotels toronto

Annex Hotel has taken over the same building that once housed the arcade bar Tilt. 

While it's unclear exactly when this project will be complete, the pending hotel at 296 Brunswick has previously received tons of negative criticism against landlords who allegedly evicted the popular arcade bar Tilt from the property, along with 15 residents living in the building. 

The new landlord Andrew Peek, a former director at Shopify, issued a comprehensive rebuttal to those allegations. Judging by the permit signs and machinery outside the old Tilt building, construction is still underway. 

annex hotels toronto

Construction on Annex Hotel continues. 

When the building is done, the area can expect to have a new 24-room boutique hotel where guests will have walking access to brunch at Future Bistro, cheap dinner at El Furniture and a whole slew of other fun Annex-y things to do

15 things to do in Toronto this week

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Events in Toronto this week are set to get you in to the summertime groove with musical heavy hitters, a new burger festival, a night market, free outdoor movies and plenty of art. Plus there's tons of free stuff happening, too!

Events you might want to check out:

Chromeo (July 3 @ Danforth Music Hall)
Electro-funk duo Dave-1 and P-Thugg are here with their eclectic sound that pulls from multiple genres for a pop fusion experience.
The Wonder Show (July 3 @ Social Capital Theatre)
Sketch comedy gets a solo variety show for the ages as comedians use character pieces, physical comedy, puppets and whatever else for their set.
Bend It Like Beckham (July 4 @ Multiple Venues)
Movie Nights in the Beach kicks off with an outdoor screening of the classic Bend It Like Beckham, and includes free popcorn.
Tory Lanez (July 4 @ Rebel)
As Brampton's own Tory Lanez continues to blow up on the international stage, he makes his way back to where it all started.
Toronto Fringe Festival (July 4-15 @ Multiple Venues)
Theatres across the city play host to a variety of productions by upcoming and established playwrites on the fringe of the performing arts scene.
Logic (July 5 @ Budweiser Stage)
Rapper and singer Logic arrives for a one night stint in Toronto alongside NF and Kyle for the Bobby Tarantino vs. Everybody Tour.
Toronto Art Book Fair (July 5-8 @ Chinatown Centre)
Canadian and international artists come together for this huge art book fair with performances, talks, workshops, screenings and more.
Shania Twain (July 6 @ Scotiabank Arena)
She's still the one we run to, and Canada's own mega pop star Shania Twain is coming home as part of her NOW tour.
BurgerMania (July 6-8 @ Ontario Place)
It's the first ever BurgerMania where burger vendors from all over the city come together for a patty smackdown.
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (July 6-8 @ Nathan Phillips Square)
Nathan Phillips Square transforms into a huge marketplace with artists selling original works, plus a beer garden courtesy of Henderson Brewing Co.
Summerlicious (July 6-22 @ Multiple Venues)
Establishments from all over the city take part in this culinary experience, offering a diverse range of special items and menus at fixed prices.
La La Land (July 7 @ Aga Khan Park)
The Aga Khan Museum hosts one free outdoor movie screening a year with a PWYC option to explore inside the museum.
Beck (July 7 @ Budweiser Stage)
90s indie rock legend Beck is still going strong and bringing his new, Grammy-winning material to Toronto for the night.
Junction Night Market (July 7 @ The Junction)
Music, activities and food make up this yearly neighbourhood street festival with an environmentally-friendly focus.
Maker Extravaganza (July 7-8 @ Toronto Reference Library)
Makers from all over come to Toronto to show off the creative goods, products, gadgets and everything else they've been working hard on.

The top 5 new sushi in Toronto

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The top new sushi in Toronto brings a lot of freshness and variety to the Toronto raw seafood scene. Flame-torched, omakase, all-you-can-eat or some combination thereof — whatever type of sushi you’re craving you can now get even more of it in the city.

Here are my picks for the top new sushi places in Toronto.

Shunoko

Fish gets imported from Japan’s Tsukiji Fish Market for the sushi at this St. Clair West restaurant, so there’s always exciting new seafood like opal eye, black grouper and rock porgy to try. Order a chef’s choice omakase meal and sit at the bar to watch all your sushi being masterfully prepared to order before your very eyes.

Kaka AYCE on Bay

Downtowners can now get all they can stomach of sushi topped with foie gras, kimchi mayo, serrano peppers, Hokkaido scallop and more for a set AYCE price at the new Bay and Dundas location of this popular restaurant.

Aburi Room

As the name suggests, this North York place near Yonge and Park Home Avenue specializes in omakase tasting menus of torched and pressed sushi that you can order for dining in or to go. This is also the home of a sensational and much-Instagrammed smoked chirashi tart.

Tachi

Have the ultimate power lunch at this discreet corner sushi stall in the newly opened Assembly Chef’s Hall in the Financial District, where a menu of 11 ever-changing pieces of sushi and a hand roll is served over a strict half-hour limit.

August 8

Another new downtown location for AYCE sushi, this one in Chinatown combines sushi and dim sum with dumplings, buns and spring rolls served alongside nigiri and sashimi. Order it all efficiently from an iPad.

House of the week: 23 Beechwood Avenue

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This unique bungalow about a two minute drive from York Mills Station is on the market for $10 million, which seems insane until you realize it’s on almost an acre of land.23 beechwood avenue torontoThe home itself is stunning and very unique. The sitting room, living room, and family room are all open-concept. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide ample light and the tiered ceiling reminds me of the floors in Roy Thompson Hall.

23 beechwood avenue torontoThe kitchen is sleek and minimalist with top-of-the-line appliances.

23 beechwood avenue torontoThe dining room, which is just off the kitchen, looks so European with the gold walls and I love the arched window.

23 beechwood avenue torontoThe home boasts five bedrooms and five bathrooms. I have to admit that some of the decor is a bit gaudy for my taste, but that can be transformed.

23 beechwood avenue torontoThe master bedroom is spacious and has an enormous en suite bathroom, as well as his and hers walk-in closets.

23 beechwood avenue torontoOn the lower level, there’s plenty of extra space for entertaining or living. There’s a massive great room with a built-in bar area. The home has been host to a number of galas and charity events and I imagine this is where people would mingle.

23 beechwood avenue torontoThere’s also a library, rec room, and a second service kitchen.

23 beechwood avenue torontoBut while the house is beautiful, it’s nothing compared to the grounds. The home sits atop nearly an acre of lush, manicured grounds which gives the owners unparalleled privacy in a picturesque setting. It's like something out of a Jane Austen novel.

23 beechwood avenue torontoSpecs
23 beechwood avenue torontoGood For

A high-powered philanthropic family who’s going to host all their charity functions at their home. The current owners are major philanthropists and the place was designed for entertaining, so might as well host a wedding or two here.  

23 beechwood avenue torontoMove On If

You don’t need that much land. Nature is lovely, but you can buy a house and a cottage for $10 million — easy. So if you’re not fussed about having a huge property in the city, maybe invest in a getaway where you won’t be able to hear the sound of traffic.23 beechwood avenue toronto

Someone wedged their SUV between a pole and streetcar in Toronto

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How does an SUV get lodged between a moving streetcar and a traffic signal pole, with its rear-end raised at least three feet in the air?

TTC officials aren't sure, exactly, but we do now know that it's possible thanks to a motorist who proved so over the weekend.

Toronto police reported around 11 a.m. on Saturday that a car had become "squished between" a pole and a streetcar on St. Clair West near Spadina Road.

Service on the 512 line was suspended for about two hours as paramedics, police and fire crews worked to free the vehicle's occupants.

Neither TTC sources nor police could immediately confirm how the Mercedes SUV got lodged where it did, but witnesses — and there were a lot of them, judging by all the photos — shared some of what they saw on Twitter.

"The SUV tried to make a right from Spadina onto St. Clair at the last minute and didn't make it in time," wrote one. "The streetcar hit him full throttle as he had the [r]ight of way... so the guy got dragged with the streetcar right through the intersection where he wedged in."

Ouch.

There were no serious injuries as a result of the collision, according to police, but the streetcar itself was damaged and had to be taken out of service.

The people of Toronto continue to be mystified as to how such an incident could ever occur, but what else is new?

This Week on DineSafe: King Slice, South St. Burger, Biryani, The Good Son, Chimac

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This week on DineSafe popular burger chains landed in some hot water with Toronto health inspectors. Both South St. Burger and Hero Certified Burgers landed conditional passes last week for a number of infractions.

Learn what other Toronto restaurants got in trouble with health inspectors this week on DineSafe.

Biryani (300 Borough Drive)
  • Inspected on: June 25, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3, Crucial: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter and employee failed to wash hands when required.
Hero Certified Burgers (646 Yonge Street)
  • Inspected on: June 25, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 4)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Nord Bistro (406 Dupont Street)
  • Inspected on: June 26, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 3, Significant: 3)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
South St. Burger (2383 Yonge Street)
  • Inspected on: June 27, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Aroma Espresso Bar (250 King Street East)
  • Inspected on: June 28, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder.
Chimac (500 Queen Street West)
  • Inspected on: June 28, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Crafty Coyote (511 Bloor Street West)
  • Inspected on: June 28, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 3, Significant: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
The Good Son (1096 Queen Street West)
  • Inspected on: June 28, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 3, Significant: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Gourmet Malaysia (4466 Sheppard Avenue East)
  • Inspected on: June 28, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
King Slice (1130 King Street West)
  • Inspected on: June 28, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.


Toronto is in for another week of scorching temperatures

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If you thought that the Canada day long weekend ended the heat wave in Toronto, you most definitely thought wrong.

As of this morning, Environment Canada has issued yet another heat warning for the city: Humidex values are expected to reach 43 and the "extreme heat event" is said to continue through Thursday.

"This will be the most significant heat event in the past few years," reads the notice

Today, humidex values will be in the mid to high thirties, but will climb to those "stay-inside-and-don't-even-think-of-leaving" low forties for Wednesday and Thursday.

The operating hours for some Toronto pools have been extended to help residents "beat the heat." 

Even overnight temperatures are still high, "providing little or no relief from the heat."

But relief is coming! 

Friday is expected to bring a cold front, and a welcome cool down for Torontonians. 

The Environment Canada alert lists the symptoms for heat-related illnesses such as swelling, rash, cramps and fainting, and warns that "extreme heat affects everyone."

Scotiabank Arena officially replaces the ACC

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Toronto saw the birth of a new(ly branded) major sports and entertainment complex this Canada Day long weekend, and locals have some thoughts about it.

Scotiabank Arena became a legitimate thing on Sunday, July 1, when Air Canada's naming rights for the stadium at Maple Leaf Square expired after almost 20 years.

The ACC, as it was known colloquially, is gone — and the new venue's namesake bank wasted no time in making sure its signage reflects that fact.

The stadium doesn't appear to have changed all that much, at least not yet, in terms of its function. It will still host Maple Leafs and Raptors games, as well as concerts. The K-Pop band GOT 7 is playing there tonight.

Aesthetically, things do look a bit different outside.

Torontonians are once again getting angry about the venue's name change on Twitter.

Some are vowing never to call Scotiabank Arena anything but The ACC ever again, likening it to the whole Rogers Centre / Skydome situation.

Many are decrying the fact that another huge corporation has plastered its name all over a piece Toronto history.

It's almost as if they didn't realize that Air Canada is, you know, a publicly traded company that pulled in $16,252 million last year.

Sports fans noticed over the weekend that their location tags from the ACC had automatically changed to read "Scotiabank Arena" on Instagram.

"All of my Air Canada Centre tags on Instagram changed to Scotiabank Arena," wrote one local. "I feel VERY attacked right now."

Like, every geotag in the history of one's account.

Those who are displeased with the venue's longer, harder-to-pronounce name are suggesting such nicknames for it as "The Vault" and "The Bank."

Love it or hate it, they'd better get used to it.

When Scotiabank signed its $800 million deal with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment last August it secured naming rights to the facility for 20 years.

That agreement between Scotiabank and Maple Leaf Sports was said at the time of its signing to be the highest valued sponsorship agreement of its kind in North America.

Maybe this name change will lift the Raptors' playoff curse? Maybe?

Silver linings.

Eleven people were shot in Toronto this weekend

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Gun violence remains top of mind for the people of Toronto this week after yet another particularly violent weekend in the city.

Two men were killed and one woman was seriously injured in what police called a "brazen" triple shooting near Queen Street West and Peter Street on Saturday afternoon. Both victims had ties to the local music scene and one of them, 21-year-old Jahvante Smart, toured Europe with Drake last summer.

Four more people were wounded during a shooting in Kensington Market on Sunday evening and, early Tuesday morning, another man was shot in the Entertainment District.

According to a TPS release issued today, a 21-year-old woman grabbed a shotgun from the trunk of her car and started firing at a pedestrian over the weekend. 

Fortunately, she missed.

Both Toronto Mayor John Tory and Police Chief Mark Saunders weighed in on the recent uptick in shootings — which have resulted in 22 deaths this year so far— Tuesday morning.

Both agree that the problem is serious, but say that citizens should still feel safe outdoors — despite the fact that eleven people were shot this weekend alone.

"The vast majority of the gun play in the city can be associated somehow with a street gang," said Saunders on CP24 earlier today.

"This is pointed to specific people. A random person walking down the street, it is highly unlikely that they are going to be in harm's way."

Tory said similarly on a CFRB radio program Tuesday morning that the shootings can be attributed "a very complicated network of gangs in the city."

The mayor said that statistics show at least 75 per cent of shootings in Toronto this year are gang-related. Saunders, on the other hand, put that number as high as 90 per cent.

The number of shootings in downtown Toronto (as in those that took place in the police divisions 14, 51 and 52) has risen by 100 per cent over the same time frame last year, as CP24 pointed out. The number of shooting victims has in turn risen by 133 per cent.

"The unacceptable gun violence we've seen in the last few weeks has left me incredibly angry but resolved to work with the police to stamp it out," said Tory in a statement on Monday.

"That's why we're hiring 200 police officers this year, why I've always advocated for tougher gun control and tougher bail conditions for gun crime, and why we're modernizing the police service to ensure there are more officers patrolling the streets.

"I expect police will do everything possible to root out the thugs responsible for this violence and send a message that we will not tolerate this reckless disregard for life in our city," continued the statement.

"I understand there will be those in the coming days who think they have a magic wand to fix this situation. The answers are easy if we work together to deploy more police and support the police to actually get these thugs behind bars and keep them there."

Stuffed polar bear goes on a wild ride around Toronto

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If you liked Ossington Bae, you're going to looove Ossington Bear. Maybe. I guess it depends on how much you're into photos of the same thing taken over and over again in various locations, à la Flat Stanley, versus how much you root for love at first sight.

Local transit rider Rhonda Riche stumbled upon a lonely stuffed polar bear on the subway this holiday weekend while she was out and about.

Determined to reunite the bear with its rightful owner, she posted a message and some photos to the popular OG Facebook bartering network Bunz Trading Zone.

Ossington Bear Toronto"We found this bear riding the rails solo," wrote Richie on Monday evening.

"We were afraid that they might get pitched in the trash if left on the subway, so we named it Ossington Bear and went out for a night on the town before coming back to our place."

The polar bear's owner has yet to be found, but Richie's message has spread fast and far. Even the TTC is getting involved at this point.

The stuffed animal has been having a grand old time in Richie's care, either way, seeing the sights and doing as Torontonians do.

Here he is riding a Bike Share bike!

And drinking!

Ossington Bear TorontoAnd worshipping Drake!

Ossington Bear TorontoA bear after after my own heart, I tell you what. Fingers crossed he gets to stay with Richie and live the high life forever.

John Tavares turned down a lifetime of free bagels for Toronto

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When news broke that John Tavares had signed a $77-million, seven-year deal that ends his time with the New York Islanders, Torontonians were overjoyed. Others, not so much.

Tavares was born in Mississauga and posted a sweet message to his new team and his new(ish) city. 

But Tavares was not so quick to forget his old city. He gave an emotional goodbye to the Islanders.

This sudden move by Tavares, despite the heartfelt goodbye, left a lot of Islanders fans pretty upset and angry.

A bagel chain in New York state is using their product to acknowledge the fanbase's heartache, and also to keep them from burning old Tavares jerseys.

Two Bagel Boss locations in the state are running a deal where customers can trade in their Tavares Islanders jersey for a dozen bagels.

The hashtag used in the tweet, #bagelsFor91, was actually started by David Rosner and his cousin Donald Rosner — owners of Bagel Boss locations — as part of the campaign to offer Tavares an unlimited supply of bagels for life if he signed with the Islanders again.

The offer didn't change the outcome and the Rosners told Newsday that any Tavares items returned to them would be donated to charity.

"This was a difficult decision by him and we have to respect his decision and appreciate what he’s done for Long Island," said David, co-owner of the Bagel Boss in Hicksville, to Newsday. "And it’s straight up disrespectful to burn his apparel."

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