The best late night poutine in Toronto will satisfy your craving for Canadian comfort food in the wee hours of the morning. Potatoes, gravy, and cheesy—gooey goodness always tastes better when the sun goes down.

Here is the best late night poutine in Toronto.

Last year's outbreak of VR fever has been contained, it seems, prompting at least one major player in the entertainment industry to do an about-face midgame.

IMAX has confirmed that it will be shutting down its relatively new, state-of-the-art virtual reality arcade at Toronto's Scotiabank Theatre in early 2019, barely more than a year after opening it in the first place.

Launched in November of 2017, the IMAX VR Centre was the first of its kind in Canada and one of only four such venues worldwide (after New York, Los Angeles and Shanghai).

The Mississauga-based cinema tech giant has since launched three more centres... and shut down four.

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Now, with only three locations remaining—one in Toronto, one in Bangkok and one in L.A.—IMAX plans to kill off its VR program entirely.

"In connection with the company's previously-announced strategic review of its virtual reality pilot initiative, the company has decided to close its remaining VR locations and write-off certain VR content investments," reads an SEC filing uncovered by Variety earlier this week.

A spokesperson for IMAX confirmed in a statement that all three of its locations would be closing sometime before this spring.

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"With the launch of the IMAX VR centre pilot program our intention was to test a variety of different concepts and locations to determine which approaches work well," reads the statement.

"After a trial period with VR centres in multiplexes, we have decided to conclude the IMAX VR centre pilot program and close the remaining three locations in Q1 2019."

IMAX CEO Richard Gelford had alluded to the fact that this might be coming in an earnings call earlier this year, telling investors that "consumer reaction was extremely positive, but the numbers just weren’t there."

Now remains the question of what Cineplex plans to do with the recently-gutted first floor of its theatre on Richmond Street. Might I suggest a drug store? They're all the rage downtown.

Premier Doug Ford is certainly making good on his promise to "cut the fat," as they say, out of Ontario's budget as the province attempts to tackle its whopping $14.5 billion deficit.

Too bad for all of that muscle, bone, and cartilage getting in the way.

The government's cut of $2.25 million to the Indigenous Culture Fund at the Ontario Arts Council is a disturbing step back from the TRC's Calls to Action. This and the $5 million cut to @ONArtsCouncil's base funding is an alarming attack on arts and culture. #onpoli#Culturehttps://t.co/4mRfTm3qVZ

— Dr. Jill Andrew (@JILLSLASTWORD) December 14, 2018

It's been just shy of six months since Ford's PC government took office, and in that time they've pulled funds from youth pharmacare, the basic income pilot, French-language education, French in general, education in general, Toronto in general, and more environmental protection programs than you can shake a fist at.

Meanwhile, they've launched their own "North Korea-style" news channel and say they're expanding Toronto's subway line to Pickering.

None of this has gone over particularly well with everybody in the province, nor is it even working. Moody's just downgraded the province of Ontario's credit rating, saying that the Ford government's moves to "reduce revenue levels" will put even more of a strain on our budget in the future.

Absolutely disgusted to hear that the Ford government has cut off funding to the College of Midwives. Midwives are in high demand because they provide pregnant people with patient-centred care. They need more support from our government, not less. #onpolihttps://t.co/VXYzPvncMP

— Robyn E. Schwarz (@robynsch) December 13, 2018

This week, the government announced cuts to the Ontario College of Midwives and the Ontario Arts Council's Indigenous Culture Fund.

The Ontario College of Midwives is the regulatory body that oversees the province's nearly 1,000 registered midwives, who together deliver roughly 15 per cent of all babies in Ontario.

"The College has been advised that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will no longer provide operational grants to the College," reads a statement published by the organization earlier this week.

"We were also advised that this decision is retroactive to April 1, 2018," the statement continues. "This means that the funding we had anticipated for the current fiscal year [roughly $750,000] will not be received."

@fordnation@MichaelTibollo I ask you to immediately restore funding for the Indigenous Culture Fund at OAC. As a beneficiary of the fund, I can attest to the enormous impact that a small amount of funding had on a group of us in Ont. The Ont. gov't has #TRC obligations. #ONpoli

— Danis Goulet (@danisgoulet) December 14, 2018

The government also just cut base funding to the Ontario Arts Council by $5 million, with an additional $2.25 worth of cuts to the council's Indigenous Culture Fund.

That fund, set up in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action, was established in 2017 "to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, culture and way of life."

The Ford government cut base funding to the Ontario Arts Council by $5 million, as well as a $2.25 million cut to the Indigenous Culture Fund (ICF), which commissions projects that "support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, culture and way of life."

So when @fordnation cut the Indigenous Culture Fund, he hurt the Canadian economy. He is actually saying that Canadian businesses don’t matter and that he doesn’t want to see Indigenous people Independent, thriving or healthy. And perhaps that’s the point.

— Christi Belcourt (@christibelcourt) December 14, 2018

"Indigenous youth need every opportunity to learn about and embrace their proud heritage and cultural traditions — opportunities robbed from many of their parents and grandparents through the residential school system," reads a description of the program on the province's own website.

"The Fund will support cultural activities in Ontario's Indigenous communities, including on-reserve and in urban centres, with the goals of revitalizing cultural practices, raising awareness of the vitality of Indigenous cultures in Ontario and promoting reconciliation."

Not anymore, I guess.

The best gifts are the ones you make yourself and events in Toronto today give you the chance to make a playlist for that special someone at the Holiday Mixtape Exchange. Elsewhere, DJ Skate Nights kicks off with a night of hot Latin hits and Rupi Kaur is here.

Winter weekend escapes from Toronto can provide the brief respite required to endure the long, hard season. Not all of us have the time or money to head to the tropics each winter, which is why it's so useful that Ontario is dotted with year round resorts, inns, and cabins that allow weary city folk to take a load off for a few days.

Here are my picks for the top winter weekend escapes from Toronto.

Try out a yurt or cabin at a provincial park

Winter doesn't mean that our provincial parks shut down. One of your best bets for winter camping is a renting a yurt or heated cabin. They're cheap, warm, and there are more of them than you might think. Rustic living doesn't get any more romantic than this.

Hit up a snow-friendly resort

Some cottage country resorts close up shop after Thanksgiving, but those with indoor pools, spa services, and great dining options remain sanctuaries of calm throughout the winter months, when you can focus on pure relaxation beside a fire or over an amazing meal.

Strap on your skis

The ultimate winter pastime still serves as one of the best getaways from Toronto, with many resorts offering full-service ski experiences from mid-December through March. Blue Mountain is the biggest, but Hockley Valley, Horseshoe, and Hidden Valley also make great weekend destinations.

Stay at a country inn

I don't know about you, but my favourite winter getaways involve plenty of time curled up reading with a glass bottle of wine. Let the weather outside howl while enjoying the comforts of a historic or nouveaux inn outside of the city in small-town-Ontario.

Warm up at a spa

Hitting the spa is relaxing any time of year, but steam rooms and hot tubs take on an otherworldly quality in the dead of winter. The most alluring near Toronto is probably the indoor-outdoor experience at Scandinave, but others like Ste. Anne's are also prime unwinding zones.

Head to the Falls

Niagara tourism thins out a bit in the winter, which lets you soak up the kitsch of the place without all the tourists. Hotel rooms are cheaper, it's easier to get reservations at the few decent restaurants, and wine tastings even run year-round at major producers. Bonus: the falls actually look even more majestic when surrounded by ice.

Sequester yourself in a log cabin

Two words: wood fire. Nothing matches the ambiance of a constantly-lit fireplace or wood burning oven at the centre of a secluded cabin in the northern wilderness. You can snowshoe and cross country ski by day, and lounge by the fire at night. Winter perfection.

Escape to a winter wonderland near the city

The quaint lakeside town of Cobourg gets all dressed up for the holidays each year, but even when the hard months of winter set in, places like the Breakers and the Woodlawn Inn offer romantic cold weather getaways that won't break the bank.

Try your hand at ice climbing

The Elora Gorge and Hamilton's waterfalls are some of the most popular summer day trips and weekend getaways from Toronto, but adventurous spirits know that the fun continues through winter with ice climbing at Tiffany Falls and Elora from the folks behind One Axe Pursuits.

Plan the ultimate skating trip

The Rideau Canal is the premier skating destination in this country, so head to Ottawa for a winter-themed weekend. While there, make sure to soak up the rest of the sights in Canada's gorgeous capital city as well.

Vintage postcards in Toronto offer a glimpse of how the city saw itself at moments of time. 

Some of the buildings will look familiar despite a change in occupant or use— like, for instance, the former Toronto General Hospital, which is now part of the MaRs Discovery District on College at University or the former Toronto Normal school, whose facade has been preserved as the entrance to Ryerson's Recreation and Athletics centre.

As they offer a vignette of history in the city, postcards can also preserve an image of Toronto, frozen in time.

Here are some vintage postcards from Toronto's past. 

The Armouries, in 1905. 

Boats docked at Toronto's Harbourfront, 1905.

A view east on Carlton, with the streetcar in view, 1907.

A skyline shot of Old City Hall, 1907.

The intersection of Broadview and Gerrard, 1908.

A boat arriving at the Harbourfront from Niagara, 1908.

Houses along Jarvis, 1909.

A shot of Knox College, now part of U of T, 1909.

The Normal School, now part of Ryerson, 1909.

The Asylum, now CAMH, 1910.

A very different Yonge and Bloor, 1910.

A view of Adelaide Street, 1910.

The Grand Union Hotel on Front, 1911.

A very different looking Union Station in 1913.

Spadina Avenue in 1914.

A view of City Hall and the Eaton Centre, 1920.

University of Toronto, 1920.

Another glimpse at the old streetcars, 1923.

Toronto General Hospital, 1924.

The CNE featuring a livestock competition, 1925.

An old nightclub/dance hall, 1926.

The Maple Leafs at the beginning of a game, 1929.

A skyline showing a Toronto without the CN Tower, 1943.

The best places to buy unique gifts in Toronto carry items you won't find anywhere else in the city. From quirky sweaters to delightful homeware imported from Portugal, these thoughtful gifts will trump any present bought from a big box store. 

Here are the best places to buy unique gifts in Toronto.

Restaurant and retails chains that came to Toronto in 2018 made their first foray into the city to much fanfare. Whether it was bringing the hottest food trend to the city or new locations for giant fashion brands, there was no shortage of firsts in TDot this year. 

Here's a roundup of restaurant and retail chains that came to Toronto in 2018.

Jollibee

The Filipino version of McDs finally landed with its first ever Toronto location in August. Massive lines of Jolli Chicken devotees formed outside the Scarborough store on opening day. Same goes for their second spot in Seafood City. 

Cinnaholic

Putting all Cinnabons to shame, this vegan cinnamon bun chain hit Toronto in late summer with a triple whammy. The first opened in Promenade Mall, and other stores on the Danforth and Steeles followed suite. 

Cauldron Ice Cream

This ice cream parlour from California is the source of all those rose shaped ice cream egg waffles you’ve seen on Instagram. They opened their location on Queen West in August. 

Milkcow

Watermelon stuffed with soft serve was all the rage this summer when the Korean dessert chain opened its second-ever Canadian location at Yonge and Eglinton. 

Papparoti

Originally hailing from Vancouver, this Chinatown cafe gave Toronto a taste of its famous Malaysian caramel coffee buns, with buns shipped straight from Malaysia.

The popular Indian chain Bawarchi Biryanis opened its first Toronto location on Warden. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Dal Moro's

Italian in a to go box: it seems so simple, but apparently no one has really done it before, or at least not like this popular chain from Venice. Their location at Yonge and Wellesley serves up gnocchi and rigatoni in Chinese-style takeout boxes.

Meet Fresh

This Taiwanese dessert chain opened up over 600 locations worldwide before finally venturing to Toronto. Taro balls and grassy jelly can now be found by Yonge and Sheppard.

Taiyaki NYC

Taiyaki (the fish-shaped cakes from Japan) were all the rage this year, so it was no better time for this New York ice cream spot to arrive by Yonge and Dundas last month.

Farm Boy

From a tiny market in Cornwall to a massive grocery chain with over 20 locations, it was a big deal when this 20,000 square-foot wonderland of produce and food opened on Brown's Line. 

Miniso

The number of Miniso's range in the thousands worldwide. Finally this explosion of the world's best known Chinese dollar store brand has hit the Eaton Centre, and apparently there's hundreds more planned across the country.

All the desserts are made of purple yams at this Korean cafe in Yorkville. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Laline

Based in Tel Aviv, this beauty store chain opened its first Toronto location at CF Sherway Gardens in the summer, adding yet another store to its list of over 120 stores in Istrael, the States and Japan.

Nordstrom Rack

This epic monster of a store is the largest location of the retail giant in all of Canada. The discount Nordstrom offshoot at Yonge and Bloor is a whopping 38,600 square feet.

Kenneth Cole

Replacing the Rudsak on Queen West, this is the first standalone store of the longtime men's and women's wear brand based in New York City.

Asics

You can now buy a pair of Onitsuka Tigers at the massive standalone store of this iconic Japanese footwear brand, located near Queen and Spadina.

Chicken in the Kitchen

Never before has this popular Korean fried chicken chain ventured outside of Korea—that is, until now. Its first international location is now open right at Finch station. 

After opening thousands of locations worldwide, Chinese dollar store Miniso has finally opened a store in the Eaton Centre. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Cafe Bora

It's all purple everything at Care Bora, a Korean dessert chain that specializes in all-natural treats made from fleshy purple yams. Find the store in Yorkville.

Wu Jian Dao

Head to McNicoll Avenue for the first newly opened international location of this Chinese brand that doles out juicy Shanghai-style dumplings. 

Amausaan Uji Matcha

If you love matcha, you'll love this sleek cafe in Chinatown, where the entire menu consists of matcha treats. This the largest cafe of the entire brand, though it's most popular location might still be in Indonesia.

Za Pizza Bistro

You can build your own pizza before it goes straight into the wood-fired oven at this new restaurant in the Entertainment District. Giving Blaze and Pi Co a run for its money, this chain hails from Winnipeg.

Call A Chicken

There's plenty of fried chicken in the city, but none serving entire chickens as their main offering. That's where this Chinese chain comes in, with its first international location now open on Queen West.

Halifax donair pizzas come by way of East Coast chain Jessy's Pizza. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Jessy's Pizza 

The Maritimes has arrived in the 6ix in all its East Coast glory. This Nova Scotian chain brings its amazing donair pizza and eggs rolls to the Roncy Village.

Hey Sugar

Bubble tea lovers rejoiced when this Chinese chain boasting health-focused boba opened its first Toronto location on Yonge just south of Finch. Tapioca balls are all handmade and all the fruit is fresh.

Cuppa Tea

North America now has its first location of this global cafe chain, which specializes in Hong Kong-style milk tea. Find the cafe at on Carlton.

Bawarachi Biryanis

Forty American locations later, this Indian chain has opened a restaurant in a massive space on Warden Avenue, where it offers over 30 biryani options on its menu. 

Ramen Misoya 

Torontonians can officially dine at this restaurant, which offers ramen with miso soup bases for a healthier, tastier meal. The new store is located on West Queen West. 

Dessert Kitchen

Soft serve, waffles, and Taiwanese-style shaved ice are all for sale at this Hong Kong-based chain's first Toronto location, which you can find in Harbord Village.
 

Bars in Leslieville and Riverside offer those east of the river somewhere to wet their whistles. Boasting live music, taxidermy, all-Ontario wines and even spaces hidden behind church-themed gift shops, each bar in this neighbourhood has something special of its own.

Here are my picks for the top bars in Leslieville and Riverside.

Jasper Dandy 

Live music and late night comforts like spaghetti and wings are what you’ll find at this new unfussy bar at Broadview and Queen.

Comrade 

One of the city’s best burgers and happy hour deals on cocktails and oysters reign at this quirky bar filled with taxidermy near Broadview on Queen.

Vatican Gift Shop 

Pizza and drinks can be sought out behind a storefront masquerading as a church gift shop at Gerrard and Jones.

Hitch

Right at Queen and Leslie, trivia and movies are the two major activities at this fun bar.

Lloyd’s 

This simple hangout near Queen and Leslie is named for the bartender from The Shining, and serves simple late night snacks like patty sandwiches.

The Rooftop at the Broadview Hotel

The hotel at Broadview and Queen that famously transformed a strip club is now one of the city’s classiest places to pop bottles, with a ground floor restaurant and cafe bar, plus a bar on the roof as well.

Hi-Lo

Near Broadview on Queen, a chill atmosphere with twinkly lights and a good craft beer selection make this a great place to unwind in the neighbourhood.

I’ll Be Seeing You 

Broadview and Queen has this colourful hang space with Caesars, soft pretzels, and Connect Four.

Pinkerton’s

Asian snacks dominate at this bar with a name influenced by a Weezer album, just west of Gerrard and Jones.

Poor Romeo

Beefy American bar fare like shrimp cocktail, oysters and burgers are what’s on the menu at this Gerrard and Jones spot.

Michelle Obama is coming to Toronto, but unless you’re Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, you might have a slim chance of ever catching a glimpse of her.

Tickets went on sale this morning for the Toronto chapter of Michelle Obama’s tour supporting her new book, Becoming.

somehow right at 10AM there are 2,000+ people ahead of me trying to get tickets to Michelle Obama's Toronto appearance #BecomingMichelleObama

— dai in revolt 🇨🇦🇨🇴 (@daibyday) December 14, 2018

Unfortunately it was a familiar story as with most big events in town, prospective ticket buyers frustrated by long wait times, glitches and an overall mobbed system.

Things I’ve learned today: getting tickets to see @MichelleObama is much harder than most concerts. She sold out the @ScotiabankArena in Toronto in less than an hour! #IAmBecoming#Becoming

— Mark Churaman (@MarkChuraman) December 15, 2018

Michelle Obama fans in Toronto are already practically begging her to add another date in addition to her May 4 appearance at Scotiabank Arena. 

@MichelleObama Tried really hard to get tickets to your Toronto talk for Becoming... Spent a whack of time in “queues”, both presale and open sale, but missed out. Any chance you’ll be adding another Toronto date?

— Ruth Kent (@ruth_rkent) December 15, 2018

Tickets that went on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday apparently sold out in seconds. Advance text codes and special fan verification processes seemed to do no good, bogged down with technical issues.

@Ticketmaster trying to buy tickets for Michelle Obama in Toronto and it keeps saying my request can’t be processed 😭😭

— Eunice Chow (@eunicecchow) December 14, 2018

Another obstacle in the way of those wishing to be enlightened by Michelle Obama’s illustrious presence is sheer cost. Toronto is no stranger to sky-high ticket prices in the hundreds or thousands of dollars, but tickets to this event are wildly expensive.

after waiting for over an hour on a Saturday morning and find out I can't afford $500 tickets to see @MichelleObama in Toronto. Sad Face. pic.twitter.com/YcCtQTINxs

— Charles Shao (@charlesshao) December 15, 2018

please lower $$$$$ of tickets ... Toronto $391 CDN $. Really ? not right... not fair

— Therese (@theresemarie22) December 13, 2018

Some fans that can’t see the former first lady in person are consoling themselves with the fact that at least if they can’t go, others can...and of course, that there’s always YouTube.

Michelle Obama will be in Toronto next year and I was looking at the ticket prices... I’ll catch it on YouTube, it’s okay.

— M. (@oluwamaya) December 15, 2018

Oh, you thought it was gonna be a chill Sunday? Not with EDM duo DVBBS throwing it down as part of Winter Rush. Venus Fest is hosting its first women and non-binary arts market and Creed Bratton from The Office is here to perform.

Free events in Toronto this week mark the opening of The Bentway's signature figure-eight skating trail under the Gardiner. The Kensington Winter Solstice looks to celebrate the longest day of the year and there's free axe throwing, films and skating parties to be had.

Unusual indoor activities in Toronto will take you out of your comfort zone. Instead of spending your day scrolling through the 'New Releases' section on Netflix, head to one of these facilities to try something a little more engaging than a 10-hour Stranger Things marathon.

Here's a round-up of unusual indoor activities you can do in Toronto.

Knife throwing

If you're preparing for a zombie apocalypse, knife throwing is a skill you'll want to hone. The TKTO facility will test your precision skills, as the goal is to have your dagger hit a tiny target. You can also BYOB.

Indoor skydiving

So, you don't have the guts to free-fall from an actual airplane? Completely understandable—me either. But iFLY Toronto has got you covered. The facility has a 45-foot tall tube where you can experience the thrills of plummeting from the sky, minus all the potential hazards.

Preparing for battle at Archery District. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Archery tag

Toronto is home to a surprising number of archery tag facilities like Archery District, Archers Arena and Battle Sports. Many of these are reminiscent of the Hunger Games, with massive playing spaces where you can engage in some face-to-face combat.

Fly a jumbo jet

Chances are, you won't be taking the pilot's seat anytime soon, but Threshold Aviation offers the next best thing. If you want to try totally different, head over and test your skills in a simulator inside a real cockpit from a scrapped Boeing 737-500.

Surfing

Ditch the elliptical and check out Surfset. Surf boards are placed on stability balls, making balancing the primary task of this exercise. There's a number of classes you can take at the facility, none of which involve donning a neoprene wetsuit.

#Toronto just got a huge new indoor go-kart track pic.twitter.com/F8cy4lzmC9

— blogTO (@blogTO) March 11, 2018

Go Karting

Taking to the track against your friends with a go-kart is one of the most classic competitive activities. Dominate the competition, and even celebrate with a real racing podium at K1 Speed, with a huge track that can accommodate you and your best frienemies.

Dragon Boat indoor paddling

Want to gain a some upper body strength but find weights intimidating? Try indoor dragon boat racing. Afterburn Fitness flaunts a specially designed pool outfitted with built-in boats where you can practice paddling against a current.

Real archery

If you consider archery tag to be amateur hour, swap in your padded arrows for the real deal. Hart House and Shawn's Archery will help you master the art of the sport through target practice and lessons. If you fall in love, memberships and monthly sessions are available.

BATL brought axe throwing to the masses in Toronto. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Axe throwing

Nothing says stereotypical Canadian like drinking a tall can in your finest plaid flannel and wielding an axe. Embrace your inner lumberjack and head to Bad Axe or BATL for some target practice.

Mountain biking

You won't find anything like the Joyride 150 course in your average fitness centre. The facility offers jumps and a hilly terrain for you to practice on (think skatepark, but for bikes). There are even foam pits that offer safe landing sites while practicing new stunts.

Medieval martial arts

Live your childhood dream of being a Medieval Times knight at Fighting Arts Collective instead of signing up for Muay Thai. Classes here will give you the chance to sample armed, unarmed, armoured and unarmoured combat.

AT Bubble Soccer is a good place to feel like a kid again. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Bubble Soccer

Bubble soccer is the epitome of a low-risk sport. Players slide into giant plastic bubbles before engaging in a hilarious combination of human bumper cars and a soccer match. If you want to get in on the action, check out AT Bubble Scoccer facility just outside of Toronto.

Target range

In case axes or knife throwing don't do it, maybe firing off an automatic air-gun rifle might. Stryke in Brampton offers all three options, plus archery and snack bar; all of which would make for a memorable time. There is also a smaller location in Regent Park.

You can snowboard without the snow at Axis Freestyle. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Not everyone can make it out to Blue Mountain, so Axis Freestyle Academy has set up the next best thing. The park lets you experience the thrill of skiing and snowboarding in a warm, dry setting. Best of all, it even has a massive trampoline zone for some added fun.

Obstacle course

Sometimes finding the motivation to exercise is hard, which is why obstacle courses make for a great fitness option. Pursuit OCR has a big course that consists of almost two dozen different obstacles to keep things interesting and make for the ultimate gym experience.

Although the decade does pre-date the rise of the Toronto's first modern skyscrapers (the TD Centre wasn't built until the late 1960s) and the building and population booms of the 1970s, the 50s will be forever remembered in Toronto as the decade when we finally got the subway.

As a result of this massive construction project, there's actually a wealth of photographs from the period available via the Toronto Archives.

While many of these feature subway building as their main subject matter, there's plenty else going on in the photos. One thing of note, everything looks so clean!

Here's how Toronto looked in the 1950s.

1950

Construction on King Street.

Building the subway.

1952

The Davisville Yards. 

1953

Subway cars being offloaded from a shipment.

A subway car with an engineer. 

The Flame restaurant and old car.

1954

A collection booth at Dundas Station.

The interior of an old subway car.

A crowd attending the official opening of the subway line.

1955

The Letros Tavern.

1956

A police car. Photo by pjs_deceased.

1957

A boat with a very different-looking skyline. Photo by pjs_deceased.

Cars lining the streets in the Annex.

1958

Red Path Sugar factory being built. Photo from the Red Path archives. 

Davenport Road, looking west. 

The Maple Leafs versus the Blackhawks. Photo by pjs_deceased.

1959

Another very different-looking skyline.

The Gardiner streaking across the city.

An old postcard of the Beaches.

New restaurants in the Financial District offer a chance to splash out on the go. On York, Richmond, and even in the PATH itself, it’s still possible to find gourmet options like vegan tostadas, Roman-style pizza, gnocchi, fried chicken, margaritas and beer in this high-powered Toronto neighbourhood.

Here are my picks for the top new restaurants in the Financial District. 

Fabbrica in the PATH

Grab-and-go options plus quick takeout specials like meaty sandwiches and vegan pasta from this commuter-friendly outpost of Mark McEwan’s Italian restaurant bring gourmet flair to picking up quick lunches and dinners. 

Rosalinda

Vegan Mexican is now available on Richmond from this sophisticated restaurant from Grant van Gameren and others doing tostadas, veggie burgers and mocktails. 

Assembly Chef’s Hall

This year Toronto welcomed this sprawling upscale food court to the Richmond-Adelaide Centre that gathers some of the city’s favourites, including stalls from Cherry Street Bar-B-Que, Love Chix, Khao San Road and Dailo. Plus, there’s coffee and booze. 

Walrus Pub

Beer, oysters and salads are on the menu at this newly opened tavern that brings some lightness to the typical after-work spot with pretty decor. Bonus: there’s a ping pong bar in the basement. 

Drake Mini Bar

Mocktails and creative small plates set apart yet another expansion of the Drake empire, this location within an office tower on York.

The best consignment stores in Toronto are where to exchange, resell, and hunt for pre-loved pieces. If you’re on the hunt for designer brands, chances are you’ll find some fashionable items at marked down prices.

Here are the best consignment stores in Toronto.

Events in Toronto this week aren't ready to slow down for the holidays just yet as a big beer festival, Harry Potter party and performance by Mumford & Sons are all on. Fashion Santa is throwing a big Christmas party and there's lots of free stuff happening, as well.

We're now just eight days out from what some people consider the most important holiday of the year, and—unlike the actual most important holiday of the year, Halloween—a lot is riding on what the ground will look like come Christmas morning.

If the weather plays out as forecast right now, we'll likely see a lot of brown around these parts.

Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Dough Gillham warned Canadians in a blog post this morning that "millions are in jeopardy" when it comes to getting a white Christmas this year.

Southern Ontario currently has little to no snow on the ground thanks to mild temperatures hovering across the region and, aside from the potential of "a few flurries" on December 24, Toronto isn't expected to see any white stuff until at least New Year's eve.

Rain is expected on Friday, but with a high of 5C, it's more likely to wash out any existing snow than add more millimetres to what's already there.

The last half of December is shaping up to be quite mild in Toronto, unlike the atypically dark and cold November the city just experienced. Image via the Weather Network.

"Even the Ottawa area is in jeopardy of losing their snow at the end of the week," notes Gilham. But not all hope is lost, for those who really care about whether or not it snows on Christmas.

"Colder weather (near seasonal) is expected for the final days leading up to Christmas," Gilham continues. "Leaving the door open to the potential for a well-timed system that could deliver a coating of snow to parts of this region just in time for Christmas."

Historically speaking, Toronto has a roughly 50 per cent chance of seeing snow on Christmas Day.

Should we get any of it this year, it won't be very much—less than a centimetre, according to the Weather Network—but anything's better than rain, am I right?

Santa isn't known for his muddy duds.

This week on DineSafe we learn that, not one, but two Toronto spots were closed down by health inspectors. A popular Chinese bakery and a pho restaurant each got red carded. 

See what other Toronto spots got busted by city health inspectors this week on DineSafe.

Ding Dong Pastries and Cafe (321 Spadina Ave.)

• Inspected on: December 10, 2018
• Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Food premise maintained in manner permitting health hazard.

Mabel's (323 Roncesvalles Ave.)

• Inspected on: December 10, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Starbucks (1 Queen St. East)

• Inspected on: December 10, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Batl (1245 Dupont St.)

• Inspected on: December 11, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Osmow's (790 Military Rd.)

• Inspected on: December 11, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Failed to ensure food handler in food premise washes hands as necessary to prevent contamination of food.

Pamier Kabob (119 Spadina Ave.)

• Inspected on: December 11, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Cibo (522 King St. West)

• Inspected on: December 12, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 2, Significant: 5, Crucial: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: Stored potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4°C and 60°C and failed to ensure food handler in food premise refrains from conduct that could result in contamination of food.

The Emmet Ray (924 College St.)

• Inspected on: December 12, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Lakeview Restaurant (1132 Dundas St. West)

• Inspected on: December 12, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 3, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

McDonald's (4808 Yonge St.)

• Inspected on: December 12, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Pho Orchid (124 Chesnut St.)

• Inspected on: December 12, 2018
• Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
• Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 3, Significant: 4, Crucial: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: Stored potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4°C and 60°C and food premise maintained in manner permitting health hazard

Universal Grill (1071 Shaw St.)

• Inspected on: December 12, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Failed to ensure food handler in food premise washes hands as necessary to prevent contamination of food.

The Fry (524 Bloor St. East)

• Inspected on: December 13, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 1, Significant: 6, Crucial: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: Failed to protect food from contamination or adulteration and stored potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4°C and 60°C.

Nord Bistro (406 Dupont St.)

• Inspected on: December 13, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 3, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Failed to protect food from contamination or adulteration.

Tim Hortons (1681 Lake Shore Blvd. East)

• Inspected on: December 13, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Food premise maintained in manner to permit contamination of single-service containers.

The Mod Club (722 College St.)

• Inspected on: December 15, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

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.

New pizzas in Toronto seem to be topped with just about anything these days, from vegan buffalo wings to chili jelly, donair meat to squash, pesto to...dare I say it...pineapple! There are no rules when it comes to pizza in Toronto so you might as well have fun with it at these newly-opened spots.

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

Big Trouble

Pizzas from this tiny spot in Chinatown have imaginative toppings like truffle-infused ricotta, butter, jam, a variety of fancy mushrooms and lemon zest. 

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Virtuous Pie

Pizzas at this 100% vegan joint in Little Italy come on three-day dough with toppings like buffalo cauliflower, squash, and vegan versions of cheddar and white sauces.

Jessy’s

Halifax-style pizza has a new home in Toronto on Dundas West for pies topped with donair meat.

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Blondies

Food Dudes came out with this pizza concept housed in a little pink building in Leslieville this year, made-to-order pies topped with scratch “red” (tomato) or “blonde” sauce.

Rosina

Calabrian-style pizzas topped with honey and olives are now available on Queen West from this restaurant.