Police are continuing their investigation in to a head-on collision between a cube van and a TTC bus on Steeles Avenue that killed one person and sent 12 others to the hospital. Cops say the bus was struck while paused at a bus stop near Middlefield Road. Moments earlier, the van had hit a pedestrian and knocked down a hydro pole. The CBC reports the van driver had been talking on a cellphone.

Doug Ford says journalists are "playing investigative reporter" by asking questions about his brother's alleged drinking in the hours before a controversial Danforth Avenue appearance last Friday. "He had a couple pops. Big deal," Ford told reporters yesterday. "I don't know where he drank and who gives a hoot? That's what I'm hearing on the street." Well, that clears that up.

Hours later, Doug Ford was singing a different tune to John Tory on Newstalk 1010, saying the mayor "made a mistake" by drinking at a public event. "Was it right? No. Does Rob know it wasn't right? He understands that."

Police chief Bill Blair met with the family of Sammy Yatim for the first time since the 18-year-old was shot dead by police on a Toronto streetcar, but wouldn't say what the group discussed. The meeting came shortly after a Toronto Police Services Board meeting where the death was recognized in a four-page statement. Chair Alok Mukherjee said there needs to be "a cultural change" in the way police use force.

Earlier in the day around 500 people marched from Yonge-Dundas Square to police headquarters on College Street to demand "Justice for Sammy." Some protestors jeered and heckled police who were posted to the event.

Finally, Rob Ford's world-renowned escapades have earned him a new Taiwanese animation, which, let's face it, is pretty liberal with the facts. The animated Ford isn't wearing any pants, for a start, but the video does show some familiarity with the story. Ford's surprise jail appearance earlier in the year makes the cut, for example.

IN BRIEF:

• New condos rise from historic Toronto façades [CBC]
• Police investigating sexual assault in Toronto's east end [CTV News]
• Blue Jays fall to Red Sox in extra innings [CBC]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Neil Ta/blogTO Flickr pool.

This Week in Home Video previews all the latest Blu-ray, DVD and on-demand titles hitting the street this week, plus lost gems, crazed Cancon, outrageous cult titles and the best places to rent or buy movies in Toronto.

NEW RELEASES

Olympus Has Fallen (VVS Films)

The other 'White House under siege' movie released this year before WHITE HOUSE DOWN tows a refreshing Hard R-rated line towards the subject matter and at least delivers grown up mayhem as opposed to the usual kid friendly PG-13 foisted upon the public by box office weary bean counters. Shame that the content doesn't approach the ferocity of the violence, as once you strip away the blood and guts it's yet another hollow exercise in grind house patriotism. Sadly a chance to relive the brainy rum punch of 1987's DIE HARD seems further away than ever. Extras include "Creating The Action: VFX and Design", "Ground Combat: Fighting The Terrorists", "The Epic Ensemble", "Under Surveillance: The Making Of Olympus Has Fallen", "Deconstructing The Black Hawk Sequence" and Bloopers.

Oblivion (Universal Home Entertainment)

After the failed pulp action of JACK REACHER Cruiser returns to Sci-Fi genre with an interesting variation on WALL*E, but with humans instead of robots. Extras include deleted scenes, an isolated score, and a truly surreal feature length commentary from a potty mouthed Cruiser.

To the Wonder (VVS Films)

Visual maestro Terrence Malick delivers yet another ponderous and slick meditation on the human condition, this time his emo ciphers are Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, and Javier Bardem. Utter genius or tedious snoozer, depending on your persuasion and tolerance for European style film making.

TV

Girls: Season 2 (HBO)

Lena Dunham's televisual quest to exploit her imperfect body continues with this second batch of meandering episodes which is amazingly even more pointless than the much-adored first series. Apologists decry that anyone who doesn't love the show just doesn't get it, and while that may be true at least SEX AND THE CITY didn't leave viewers reaching for eye bleach.

CULT CLASSICS

Swamp Thing (Scream Factory)

Wes Craven's southern fried adaptation of the popular DC Comic is crazy good sweaty summer fun, with a cast including such luminaries as Louis Jourdan, Adrienne Barbeau, and Ray Wise hamming it up beyond belief - fun for the whole family! Extras include an audio commentary from Craven and a fun interview with the lovely and talented Ms. Barbeau.

Seconds (Criterion Collection)

Rock Hudson delivers an electrifying turn in this sinister, science-fictiony thriller from the paranoid and turbulent Sixties. Directed by John Frankenheimer and featuring dazzling editing, cinematography and sound-effects, SECONDS arrives in the prestigious halls of the Criterion Collection restored with a new 4K scan, audio commentary featuring director John Frankenheimer, Alec Baldwin on Frankenheimer and the movie, a new program on the making of, an interview with Frankenheimer from 1971 and a new visual essay by film scholars R. Barton Palmer and Murray Pomerance.

The Muppet Movie (Walt Disney)

Timely Bluray re-release of Jim Henson's debut Muppet Movie which does just about everything right, and leaves you with an incredible sense of happiness as Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Animal embark on a very 70s road trip to follow their Hollywood dreams. Great extras include Doc Hopper's commercial, Jim Frawley's Extended Camera Test, original trailers and Frog-E-Oke Sing-Along.

A Boy And His Dog (Shout!Factory)

A dim witted youth and his hyper-intelligent dog scour the wastelands looking for food and things to do in the year 2024. Based on the Sci-Fi novel by noted author Harlan Ellison, this rarity presents an a-typical Post Apocalyptic vision, a kind of MAD MAX meets A CLOCKWORK ORANGE in drag. Hugo award winning, too. Feature length commentary from director L.Q Jones is as weird as the film itself.

Sword in the Stone (Walt Disney)

The 50th anniversary of Disney's retelling of the story of "Wart" and the mighty wizard Merlin. According to legend, only someone with the purest character and inner strength can pull the enchanted sword from the stone and claim the throne of England. Extras include a new alternative opening: "Where Wart Meets Merlin", "Music and Magic: The Sherman Brothers", "Sing-along with The Movie", "All About Magic" (excerpt), "A Knight for a Day" & "Brave Little Tailor".

STILL FRESH

• GI Joe: Retaliation
• Trance
• The Last Will & Testament of Rosalind Leigh
• The Fog
• The Incredible Melting Man
• Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 4
• 42
• Evil Dead
• Bullet to the Head
• Lord of the Flies
• Heavy Traffic
• Battle Creek Brawl/City Hunter

MISERY LOVES COMPANY

The Way We Were

Friday, August 23, 2013.
8:30 PM

David Pecaut Square

Free screening of the epic and tragically depressing love story starring Robert Redford and Barbra Steisand. Rather fittingly rained out of its original date but presented now to see out the final weeks of summer. Bring a sweetie, and some extra tissues.

The folks at this new gelato spot aren't scared to get creative. They make Asian-inspired flavours including jasmine tea and black sesame, and the results are delightful. The owners are friendly, too, in case you're looking for some new friends.

Read my review of Kekou Gelato House in the restaurants section.

Toronto's stacked summer music festival schedule continues later this month with the 2013 edition of Riot Fest. After a successful event in the city last summer, Riot Fest will take over Fort York on August 24-25. Want to win tickets? We can help you with that.

Check out our contest page for full details on how to enter.

As a big fan of movies and a frequenter of many of Toronto's film festivals, I've spent a significant amount of time sitting in movie theatres around the city. I've sat in nearly all of 'em which is why I'm designating myself an expert on the subject of the best and worst places to watch a film in Toronto. We've previously covered some of the top cinemas here, but for those who want to avoid the pitfalls of bad movie going experiences - even if it's avoiding a specific theatre during a certain time or day of the week - this list might help.

Here's my list of the worst places to watch a film in Toronto in descending order.

SEE ALSO:

Where to watch free movies in Toronto
Where to watch Bollywood movies in Toronto

Cineplex Yonge & Dundas and Scotiabank Theatre (weekends only)
I am not a movie theatre snob. I don't believe that only indie theatres are worth supporting. I too enjoy a big screen and a blockbuster title. Most days I have no issues with the Cineplex Yonge & Dundas and the Scotiabank Theatre but I avoid them like the plague during weekends. These two are the monsters in the downtown core and attract crowds like nobody's business. I'm willing to get to a theatre early to secure a choice spot during TIFF, but if I'm going to catch the latest action movie or trashy comedy I can't be bothered getting there half an hour before start time to make sure I can sit beside my date.
TIP: Avoid opening weekend and catch new releases Monday-Thursday, preferably a matinee.

The Varsity, Cinema #8
The Varsity is a great choice when you want to see a new release that probably won't be a blockbuster, but they still screen bigger titles at their largest theatre, Cinema 8, and this is the theatre to avoid. Despite its largess, the sight lines aren't great. It doesn't have enough of an incline for the amount of seats present and unless you sit toward the end of an aisle, you'll likely have to spend your screening tilting your head to get an unobstructed view. Being the largest and most popular theatre at the Varsity, it also shows its age. The upholstery is worn, the seat cushions are springy and some of the arm rests wobble or have fallen off entirely. It also has a slightly damp smell in the air (I can't quite figure that one out).
TIP: Choose a smaller theatre (with stadium seating!) at the Varsity or spring for the VIP for maximum comfort.

TIFF Bell Lightbox (Cinema 5) and the Al Green Theatre
It feels almost blasphemous to speak out against the mighty Lightbox, which is really a fantastic facility to see a film. UNLESS you are one of the unlucky few who sees a movie in the dreaded Cinema 5. Up on the third floor of the Lightbox, Cinema 5 sits nearly hidden and is mainly used for industry screenings. But on occasion they'll relegate smaller titles to its screen. The issue here is the seat construction. As a short gal, I'm a huge fan of stadium seating but in Cinema 5 you actually feel like you're at a stadium. The seats are rigged together much like sitting in the bleachers and every movement made by your neighbours is felt. They're also quite loud, with an aluminum quality that ensures every light step ends up being a stomp and every single person in the theatre will be disturbed if someone has to exit mid-film for a bathroom break. The Al Green Theatre at the Miles Nadal JCC is very similar in its seat construction, though larger, which almost makes it worse.
TIP: Avoid. Odds are it won't be difficult as I've seen dozens of films at the Lightbox and have only suffered through Cinema 5 twice and the Al Green Theatre tends to only be used by the JCC.

Metro Theatre
Allow me to make this clear: my issue with the Metro Theatre has nothing to do with the films they screen. My issue is with the theatre's overall condition. I love it when older theatres are operational, but only if they're maintained in such a manner that their age doesn't show. The Metro Theatre has one of the worst theatre interiors I've ever seen. There are parts of it that are literally falling apart. The seats aren't upholstered in fabric but vinyl and they get extremely hot after extended sitting. And while I understand that women don't make up the majority of the audience at most screenings, they still need to do something about the bathroom situation. Last time I was there I couldn't locate any kind of lock on the door and had to make an arrangement with a stranger to switch off on holding the door closed for each other.
TIP: Avoid. At the very least go to the bathroom at home first.

ROM Theatre
This is without a doubt my least favorite place to watch a movie in Toronto. And the reason it bested the Metro Theatre for the #1 spot is that I expect more from the ROM. To be fair, the ROM Theatre is mainly used to screen films for visiting students but it's also a venue for a few film festivals (Hot Docs, the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, et. al) so it isn't outside the realm of possibility that you may find yourself there for a screening. What you'll find is that it has unbearably awful sight lines. There are very few places you can position yourself in the theatre where you won't be staring directly into the back of the head of the person in front of you. Do I sound like a bitter short person? Well it won't be much better for you tall folk either as it has zero leg room. Unless you're on an aisle you will have a hard time folding yourself into your designated area. It also has poor sound quality, which doesn't help when subways pass by every few minutes. Unlike at the newly refurbished Bloor Cinema, you can hear every single one.
TIP: Avoid at all costs. I don't even bother unless I have no other option.

What did we miss? Where do you avoid watching films in Toronto?

Writing by Katharine MacNevin

There are plenty of reasons to like the new 200-seat Italian joint that recently opened in the former Alimento Fine Foods space on King West, and homemade pasta and wood oven pizza are just two of them.

Read my profile of Cibo Wine Bar in the restaurants section.

This Week in Fashion rounds up the week's style news, store openings and closings, pop-up shops, sales and upcoming fashion and design events in Toronto. Find it here every Wednesday morning.

NEWS

Last week, Mulberry - an English brand of finely crafted leather goods - opened two locations in Toronto: one on Bloor Street (131 Bloor St W) and the other in Yorkdale's new luxury wing. Now, Canadians have easy access to the label's iconic accessories and womenswear, and can shop the styles in an intricately designed space mirroring the flawless artistry of the products.

According to Hudson's Bay Company CEO Richard Baker, Saks Fifth Avenue's discount retail concept Off 5th will open up to 25 locations in Canada within the next 18 months. A few weeks ago, HBC bought the American company in a $2.9 billion deal, and is likely to convert its own real estate - including some Home Outfitters and former Zellers locations - into Saks stores.

Bloor Street is the city's premier destination for luxury retail, but Hazelton Lanes will soon be fighting for the title with an upcoming renovation and complete overhaul of the shopping centre. In addition to a south-side expansion, they'll be construction a new central atrium and more noticeable entrances - changes that can be viewed via 3D rendition video released by First Capital Realty.

This Saturday (August 17) marks the launch of Draw Me a Sheep's first retail and nursery design boutique. The store - located at 414 Dupont Street - will offer everything an expectant couple will need for a baby's arrival, including clothing, organic care products, and unique handmade furniture.

EVENTS/PARTIES

African Fashion Week is hitting Toronto starting tomorrow (August 15) and stretching until Sunday (August 18). Runway shows, design competitions, workshops, exhibits, and meet-and-greets will occur all weekend long at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (6 Garamond Ct) to celebrate and share African culture through fashion. Tickets for each event are available online from $30 - $60.

This Sunday (August 18), Cove Thirtyone (31 Mercer St) will be home to The Vanity Events' I'm So Vain Pop-Up Shop -- a dazzling evening filled to the brim with complimentary beauty services and takeaways. Capucci Salon, MarieNatie Cosmetics, and Pelle Imports are the main attraction for the night, but The Vanity Events is also launching their VAIN branded nail polishes. The $20 admission tickets are available online.

SALES

Abel Muñoz is having a 70% off summer sale next Wednesday (August 21). Get your Italian luxury high heel fix from 6 pm until 9 pm on the 2nd floor of 205 Frederick Street, but don't forget to first RSVP to info@abelmunozaccessories.com.

Rending of Hazelton Lanes renovation.

Toronto vintage shopping is an ever-expanding, ever-evolving treasure hunt, and more people are opening shops and expanding the game all the time. It seems like there are new vintage shops cropping up each month, and the west end attracts some of the best of them. Think Fendi mules stacked next to vintage rock tees and $5 belts.

Here are five new shops to explore, all of which have opened their doors within the last few months.

Black Flower Vintage
Montreal import Sacha Laberge is giving a little love to men's fashion at Dundas and Ossington. Nestled in beside Churchill sits Black Flower Vintage, catering to men with adventurous sartorial spirits. Laberge just opened two weeks ago, and his stock is fantastic. There are brightly coloured scarf-print man blouses (and shirts), corduroys in '70s hues like rich brown and burgundy, and chunky silver jewelry. Laberge inspires dudes to take a risk and embrace an edge not often seen in men's fashion in Toronto, and his approach is a welcome change.

DuWest Vintage
On the still-tumbleweedy stretch of Dundas West, where the dust billows and lovely old Portuguese men come out to play, a new vintage shop has just bloomed. DuWest Vintage opened along the stretch three months ago. I get to chatting with co-owner Jose Paulino as he chills outside with an espresso, and he says their major focus isn't on a particular decade, but on keeping everything affordable. He's not lying: I spot a vintage Pink Floyd shirt for $12, and '90s mum bum shorts in floral denim for $10.

I Miss You Vintage
Previously, I Miss You was an Ossington staple. It's still on Ossington, but it moved its vintage collection a little further west to this outpost on Dundas West about five months ago. The collection focuses on garments from the '50s through to the '90s. My favourite pieces in the shop hail from those two eras, actually: a Pepto Bismol pink beaded sheath top ($49) and a black velvet halter dress that would be dearly beloved by Carrie Bradshaw.

Monarch Vintage
Bloorcourt may be somewhat newly-minted/under development when it comes to being a trendy neighbourhood, but Monarch is bringing some timeless style to the yard. They opened in mid-March, and the shop is bursting with polished gems. Journey blasts (ironically?) in the background when I pop in to explore, and I find the love of my life in an electric blue, suede, backless mini-dress. There's also a cropped denim jacket with floral trim and puffed sleeves ($30) that screams "Cher Horowitz."

Rosie the Rebel Boutique and Loveless
Rosie the Rebel and Loveless are two vintage-inspired boutiques in one space at Bloor and Dovercourt. While most of the stuff is new and inspired by the '50s and '60s, there is a rack of incredible vintage finds in the back. Highlights include a hot pink floral swimsuit from the '60s with a pointy bra, and a breezy sundress with a teensy floral pattern and a ruffle around the top ($30). If you're down with the newer items, Loveless is more rockabilly, while Rosie the Rebel is modern pinup. Top picks include trouser jeans with an authentically '50s shape (high waist, slightly baggy through the leg, $120) and a classic polka dot pinup dress in yellow ($69).

MAP

Photo from Monarch Vintage

Back in March when the brand new party collective Foundry launched a month-long music series at Black Box Theatre (now BLK BOX), Toronto was listening. Spread out over several weekends, it played out like a music festival that wasn't confined by the constraints of everything being crammed into a single day. Production value was high, and with elaborate custom visuals and decorations specific to the artists playing, it felt like you could've been at a wrap party for a Michael Bay film. Then there were the artists themselves, a diverse selection spanning techno, dubstep and house, united by the common ground of being the biggest, 100% 'EDM' free, names in dance music currently making people move.

Now Foundry is returning to take the experience beyond the club for an all day and night event spread across two locations that will determine how long you can hold your liquor (the Queen West noodle haven A-Ok and Vietnamese sandwich pop up Heo Yeah will be manning food stands to combat the day drinking exhaustion). While the later portion of the event takes place at 99 Sudbury, where you'll say goodbye to your tomorrow with LA's Nosaj Thing and the melodic late night sway of John Roberts, things get started with a BBQ dance party in the MOCCA courtyard, the first all day jam of it's kind to be thrown in the space.

Original A/V installations will complement the music as Toronto's most talented after party goers Colin Bergh, Members Only, Dave Patterson, Kevin McPhee, Michael Krochak and more will be joined by the legendary hair and immaculate selections of NYC DJ, former DFA collaborator and radio host Tim Sweeney.

As Sweeney slowly ascended from the AM to FM dial on WNYU, his now essential show Beats in Space became a galactic melding of dance music genres, where listeners were invited to discover the best sounds from any place in time, whether it was an obscure dusty old kraut record pressed on a hubcap or the latest Golf Channel release. If it sounds good, it gets played.

As his following grew so did the show, and each week Tim is joined by a guest in the studio to chat, share their favourite tracks, and transport you to a planet where no one complains about the music and the only requests made are for the names of songs. With his irrefutable taste and international acclaim it made sense that BIS became more than a radio show, and Tim launched it as a record label for his own releases alongside the boundary pushing artists working in dance music today.

With such an encyclopedic knowledge of music, Tim's DJ sets have the capacity to make Shazam explode, but that's what makes them so compelling: it's not just a DJ your listening too, but the history of dance music itself. While he's home in NY every Tuesday to broadcast his show, I caught him in between sets and flights in Helsinki to talk about his inspirations, radio waves versus club raves, and having a stalker.

BIS has become a place for dj's and music enthusiasts to find new music, did you grow up learning about music from the radio?

I grew up in Baltimore and listening to Baltimore Club mix shows on the radio was definitely an influence for me. It was a genre that didn't really make it outside of Baltimore until recently. I loved that feeling of being able to find something special on the radio like that. I think the other big thing for me was listening to cassette tapes of pirate radio shows from London that I would get from my older brother. Those were a big influence on me. I remember the first time I went to London and finally got to hear these shows live on the radio and it just felt like I had opened some magic door that only a few people knew about.

What influenced you to start the show?

It was a combination of those tapes and playing on college radio shows when I was in high school and seeing how much I enjoyed playing on those shows. It was just like when I was practicing Djing at home. No one else there. Just me and my records.

How do you find a balance between your radio sets and club gigs? Do you prefer trying to make people dance or make them listen and discover?

I really enjoy having the two different outlets. Sometimes DJing in front of a crowd can be the best experience in the world. You can connect with the dance floor and create something really special with the music, lights, sound system and people. But there are a lot of times where club or festival gigs can feel miserable. Where there's no connection with people, no one looks happy and no one dances. It's definitely at those moments where I appreciate going back to my little bubble of the radio show and not having to worry about any dance floor or people. The radio show is just playing music I love.

You've had some shows that turn into extended interviews, particularly with big personalities like DJ Harvey. Have there been any guests that surprised you with their candidness? Has there ever been something you had to cut out of a show?

I think that last interview with Harvey was pretty enlightening. He really opened up about going sober, why he did that and how that's effected his DJ sets. I appreciate it when the guests don't hold back.

I know its like asking to choose between children, but do you have a favourite guest or episode?

After 14 years of doing a weekly radio show, it's a lot of children to choose from. It was fun finally speaking with my stalker, Victor From Washington Heights, earlier this year though. We did a 40 minuted interview on the air and I now feel there's only a 50% chance he will kill me one day.

The nature of your show is the exact opposite of mainstream radio, but are there any commercial hits out there right now that are a guilty pleasure and make you kind of want to dj a wedding?

I love Kendrick Lamar's "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe." That's my jam!

Now that BIS is also a record label, how do you curate what artists will have releases on it?

It's similar to how I choose guests for the radio show. If I love the music, then I'll put it out. I don't care if one release is disco, another is house and the next is rock. It's about putting quality music out there.

Having worked with DFA during it's prime, how do you feel about the label now? Do you get the sense that times have changed with it?

The label has definitely changed a lot since I was there. I mean, there's a lawsuit happening right now between the two founders, so you know things are not like they used to be!

A standard question I'm sure, but if you could have any guest living or dead, from past present or future come on the show, who would it be?
Has to be the godfather of it all: David Mancuso! I've been trying to get him on the show for years, but haven't had any luck. I hope it'll happen one day, but who knows.

Producers and DJs are taking over the MOCCA courtyard Saturday afternoon for Foundry's barbecue, then 99 Sudbury will host two rooms of forward thinking music and art. Passes are available for both day and night at $20, or separately for $15. Full schedule.

Writing by Aidan Johnston / Photos of Foundry by Conrad McGee-Stocks. Photos of Tim Sweeney by Camilo Fuentealba and Jesse O'Brien.

On August 12, 2003, at precisely 4:11 p.m., Toronto was unwillingly thrust back to the dark ages as a rolling blackout, triggered in the United States, swept through the city and large parts of the province.

It was 10 years ago this afternoon that Toronto walked home from work, salvaged some food from the refrigerator or shopped for canned goods by candlelight, and joined friends and neighbours in the street for a talk about the worrying developments over a warm beer.

The blame for the gigantic outage was initially leveled at a fault in Ontario, but subsequent inquiries would trace the source to a stretch of road in suburban Ohio and underscore troubling frailties in the U.S. and Canada's electricity grid.

August 2003 had been a scorcher. Hot weather and heavy demand for electricity had put the local grid in Ohio under unusual strain, causing power lines to sag into overgrown trees and short out.

When the Eastlake coal-fired station near Cleveland went offline it was like knocking over the first in a line of 50 million dominoes.

One by one, power stations across the northeast U.S. became overloaded trying to compensate for those down in neighbouring areas and automatically powered off. The blackout rolled northeast from Ohio, round Lake Eerie into Ontario, knocking out power to cities and towns as it went.

Systematic faults meant tools used to track and monitor blackouts either failed or didn't work as intended. Ontario was left 8,000 megawatts short - 500 megawatts usually spells trouble - as nuclear plants in Bruce, Pickering, and Darlington became hopelessly hobbled.

50 million people were left without power in the United States and Canada when the blackout finally stabilized.

Here in Toronto, traffic lights stopped working, streetcars were marooned where they stood and the subway ground to a halt, forcing passengers to take to the tunnels. Office towers went black and streetlights blinked out, forcing drivers to rely on their headlights to navigate around the city.

The power started to come back on the next day but it would take much longer for all of the 12 million customers in Ontario to get their electricity service back.

Do you remember what you were doing when the power went out? Did you have a blackout party? We asked our Twitter for stories this morning but it's not too late to contribute. Let us know where you were and what you did in the comments section below.

Here are some of the best responses so far:

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Images: Wikimedia Commons.

The best Indian buffets in Toronto offer a chance to eat your way through the varied flavours and regional specialties of this diverse subcontinent. From pakoras and papadums, curries and tandooris, the best buffets have it all. And all for a reasonable price. Yup, ACYE Indian food is a chance to eat yourself into pure unadulterated ghee..er, glee.

Here are the restaurants with the best Indian buffet in Toronto.

See also:

The Best Indian Restaurants in Toronto
The Best Indian Restaurants in Mississauga
The Best Dosa in Toronto
The Best Butter Chicken in Toronto
The Best Samosa in Toronto
The Best Roti in Toronto

Top photo by JP Sebastien in the blogTO Flickr pool

Photo by Michael Herrera in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Toronto events on August 15th, 2013

FILM | Sail-In Cinema
Sail-In Cinema, Toronto's largest outdoor movie-watching event, returns to the Toronto Harbour. Don't let the name fool you, this is an awesome outdoor event whether you're on water or on land. This is the event's third year running, and it is very popular - watching movies outdoor by the water is different kind of scenario, but it seems to work well! Films are shown on a two-sided screen that floats on a barge in the Toronto Harbour, and it is free to watch the films from the lake or Sugar Beach. Tonight's feature is Ghostbusters, the hilarious 1984 supernatural comedy starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Sigourney Weaver.
Sugar Beach (25 Dockside Drive) 6PM admission, film starts at dusk (approx 8:45)

ART | The Way Out
A group exhibition, The Way Out, has its opening reception tonight at The Gladstone Hotel. This show is made up of the work of three female visual artists: Kat Gomboc, Megan Hunter, and Hannah Pertsovsky. The Way Out deals with the individual's relationship with their environment from the perspective of socialization, the impact of various media on our self-image and world view, and most importantly, the possibilities of escaping these forces (hence the title). These three artists each take a distinct approach to this theme through the use of various media: Pertsovsky employs a modern take on sculpture with "found objects", Hunter's work is rooted in the more traditional medium of oil paint, and Gomboc's paintings focus specifically on the influence of "mass media", and freely contrasts disturbing imagery with satiric content. The Way Out runs until August 18th.
Gladstone Hotel Art Bar (1214 Queen Street West) 7PM

MUSIC | Kae Sun - Tasty Thursdays
Tasty Thursdays is a great way to spend your Thursday lunch hour at Nathan Phillips Square this Summer. A variety of outdoor vendors are set up there with international dishes that will completely 'upgrade' your definition of "street food" in a big way, for $7 or less per meal. There is also a free concert at 12:30 every week, also featuring a variety of international musical flavours, and this week, reggae artist Kae Sun will perform. Sun is a Ghanaian-Canadian singer and songwriter, whose music could be referred to as "reggae fusion", incorporating elements of soul, hip hop and folk into a very accessible and musical mix.
Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen Street West) 11AM - 2PM

MUSIC | Honey Jam Canada Concert
Honey Jam is an all-female showcase of Canadian female musical talent spanning across several musical genres, and tonight marks the 18th anniversary of this event. Twenty artists from across Canada will perform for an enthusiastic audience, and all participants will be featured on a CD compilation, and receive vocal coaching and an A&R consultation to further their careers. One chosen performer will receive a major prize pack including Yamaha gear, an opportunity to perform at Canada's Walk of Fame, and more. If you're curious about emerging Canadian female vocal talent, this might be the place for you tonight.
The Mod Club (722 College Street) 7PM $25

Also Of Note

• The Bicycles + John Southworth @ Blk Box
• Chelsea McBride Band

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

After a brief foray into contriteness over his brother's drinking at Taste of the Danforth, Doug Ford is back to maintaining there were "no issues." Speaking with CP24's Stephen LeDrew, Ford said he the media twisted his word of the use "mistake," and continued to complain how "every person now is a reporter." Stop the accountability!

This July's flood was the worst natural disaster (in financial terms) ever to hit Ontario. An early estimate released yesterday by the Insurance Bureau of Canada puts the total cost of the damaging rain and wind storm in excess of $850 million, and that figure could climb. The figure factors in damage to power equipment, subway shut-downs, and road closures. Previous storms have cost between $228 and $670 million, IBC says.

A bomb threat closed the Sheppard line and part of the Yonge line yesterday but the TTC was unable to find anything. A call came from Crime Stoppers that said someone had placed something under one of the seats. Police cleared and searched all of the trains as a precaution.

Get ready to lose your lunch at the CNE - the cronut burger has landed. Yep, continuing the awful and endless "epic" food trend, the cronut - a cross between a croissant and a donut - is now seeing use as a bun, sandwiching a beef patty and a slice of processed cheese for your culinary enjoyment. This Frankenfood also comes with dollop of brown maple-bacon jam on top. Yikes.

Also in digestion, food trucks have been a tough swallow for the neighbours of Woodbine Park. Complaints of exhaust fumes and noise has forced the city to pull the park from its list of locations participating in a trial program to gauge public reaction. Fear not, foodies. New parks will be added soon.

The driver who was at the wheel of a cube van that fatally struck an idling TTC bus yesterday was properly licensed, according to the company that owns the vehicle. Police are still piecing together the moments before the crash at Steeles and Middlefield that killed bus rider Ranjana Kanagasabapathy. Witnesses say the driver of the van may have been talking on a cellphone. If you're having a hard time picturing the details, the CBC has a graphic.

As we recalled yesterday, the August 14 was the 10th anniversary of the great North American blackout. CTV News has uploaded video of the Lloyd Robertson evening newscast very few people in Toronto actually saw and the channel was barely able to produce. Hooray for batteries.

Looks like some nutcase is going vigilante over cyclists locking bikes to trees. Reddit user w4nderlusty reports this morning that someone sliced her helmet straps and left a note inside at Bathurst and Lake Shore after locking up to a thin tree.

Finally, Toronto taxi cab #666 is safe to ride once more. Police issued a warning that the Co-Op vehicle had been stolen early yesterday morning in Etobicoke and that passengers should avoiding getting inside. The car, painted red and orange like the fires of Hades, was recovered yesterday and will be returned to the owner.

IN BRIEF:

• Toronto data reveals hundreds of discarded syringes [Toronto Star]
• Police investigating after gunshots fired in northwest Toronto [CTV News]
• Blue Jays trade Emilio Bonifacio to Royals [CBC]
• Rajai Davis leads Blue Jays over Red Sox in extra innings [CBC]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Vik/blogTO Flickr pool.

This Week in Film rounds up noteworthy new releases in theatres, rep cinema and avant-garde screenings, festivals, and other special cinema-related events happening in Toronto.

NEW RELEASES

A Hijacking (TIFF Bell Lightbox)

One of my wild card picks at TIFF last year, there's not too much that should be, or needs to be, said about this wonderful, intense thriller from Danish filmmaker Tobias Lindholm. The film details the corporate negotiations that take place after a freighter is hijacked by some Somali pirates, who demand a $15M ransom or else they'll kill the crew. Despite the fact that the bargaining of this ransom takes up about 90% percent of the running time, it almost feels like a MacGuffin when a late development in the plot re-routes the film away from its critique of capitalism, toward a profoundly moving portrayal of insurmountable guilt; a lightning-quick turn on par with the mid-film rift in last year's The Loneliest Planet. Don't miss this unassuming gem.

Everyday is Like Sunday (Carlton)

Directed and co-written by Pavan Moondi (one of the producers of The Seventh Art, the popular Toronto-based video magazine and programmers of the Live Directors Series), Everyday is Like Sunday is a debut feature shot in Toronto's Parkdale and Little Portugal neighbourhoods. The film contrasts a scrappy, lo-fi, documentary aesthetic with dramatically composed cinematic montages swiftly incorporating music and imagery of the streets of Toronto, taking a look at post-collegiate characters stuck between their dwindling youth and impending adulthood. For those who can't get enough, an extended version of the film will eventually be available online as a ten-episode series.

Also opening in theatres this week:

• A Band Called Death (TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• Call Me Kuchu (Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)
• Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp (Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)
• jOBS (Varsity; Cineplex Yonge & Dundas)
• Kick Ass 2 (Carlton; Scotiabank)
• Lee Daniels' The Butler (Varsity; Cineplex Yonge & Dundas)
• Paranoia (Carlton)
• The Pirogue (TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• The Spectacular Now (Varsity)
• Tiny Times 2 (Cineplex Yonge & Dundas)

REP CINEMA

The Book Revue: The Godfather (Tuesday, August 20 at 6:45PM; Revue Cinema)

The Book Revue takes place every two months at the Revue, and each event includes fun stuff like book giveaways, short introductions, and a discussion after the screening. There is always a guest expert on hand at each screening to talk about the book and the film, and this edition sees Geoff Pevere, who now writes The Globe's Film Geek column, introducing one of Francis Ford Coppola's canonical masterpieces, The Godfather, often considered one of the best American films ever made. The idea of the series, of course, is that you read the book before seeing the movie, so there's only a bit more time to plow through Mario Puzo's 441-page novel and immerse yourself in the world of the Corleone family.

More rep cinema this week:

• The Blue Angel (Friday, August 16 at 6:30PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• Private Parts (Friday, August 16 at 9PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• Johnny Guitar (Saturday, August 17 at 5PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• Wet Hot American Summer (Saturday, August 17 at 10PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• Dave (Sunday, August 18 at 1PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• Rushmore (Sunday, August 18 at 7PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• The Golden Coach (Tuesday, August 20 at 6:30PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• There's Something About Mary (Tuesday, August 20 at 9PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

Early Monthly Segments: Deborah Stratman's O'er the Land (Monday, August 19 at 8PM; Gladstone Art Bar)

The 54th edition of Early Monthly Segments presents American artist Deborah Stratman's 2009 reflection on the state of her nation, O'er the Land. The 52-minute film "hinges on the account of 48,000 foot decent of pilot Col. William Rankin who was forced to eject himself from his F8U fighter jet during a 1959 test flight. Storm buffeted, without a pressurized flight suit, held aloft in the air currents for a seeming eternity, Rankin miraculously survived to tell the tale." The screening of Stratman's film - on 16mm, as always, will be accompanied by an as-yet-unnamed short film. $5-10 donations accepted at the door. Arrive thirsty for beer and awesome door prizes.

August BLACKOUT! (Wednesday, August 21 at 8PM; The Cameron House)

For one night only, The 8 Fest Small-Gauge Film Festival invites you to go analogue and experience the 10th anniversary of August BLACKOUT! The film slate will comprise rare and iconic rolls of Super 8 film courtesy of Jonathan Culp, Tanya Read, Andrew James Paterson, and a few surprise guests, while the three bands performing, all local, are Ethel and The Mermen, Good Conduct, and Suitcase Sam and The Suits. $10 at the door, in The Cameron House's back room.

Lead still from A Hijacking.

We all know every September the big movie stars roll into Toronto for TIFF and the city is filled with paparazzi and excitement. Some of the greatest films of the year will have their premiere here and it's always a huge success. But if you've had your fill of TIFF and want something a bit different to look towards or you simply want to carry on the film festival indulgence, then here are five that should definitely be on your radar this fall.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival
This week long festival is every genre fans dream. Starting October 17 and running to October 25, Toronto After Dark will showcase this year's most exciting horror, science fiction and just plain strange films. They've already announced a venue change to Scotiabank Theatre, but are yet to announce their line-up. However, last year's festival screened some of the biggest genre films of the year including V/H/S, American Mary and Rec 3. Keep an eye on their web site for announcements.

Eastern Breeze International Film Festival
The Eastern Breeze International Film Festival showcases short and mid-length films of all genres from around the world containing an eastern taste or philosophy. Playing from October 18- 29, their second festival helps filmmakers just starting out and to supply films that wouldn't normally be seen in theatres for avid fans. A full line-up has not been announced but successful Iranian filmmaker Hamid Jebeli will be in attendance after a screening of his films for a Q&A at the Carlton Cinema.

Planet in Focus
If you want to try something completely different, Planet in Focus might be for you. This particular festival seeks to raise awareness of the state of the planet through the mighty power of film. This will be its 14th year and will begin November 21-24 showing films at TIFF Bell Lightbox. The full announcement of films screening at Planet in Focus will be posted on their website in October so check it out for updates.

Toronto Independent Film Festival
If you're anti-TIFF then everything about the Toronto Independent Film Festival would work for you. Not only does it play during the exact dates of the Toronto International Film Festival, it also uses an identical acronym. But choosing the Toronto Independent Film Festival is supporting the underdogs of filmmaking and that's what makes it an exciting alternative. Playing from September 5 to 15 at the Carlton Cinema, this festival will show everything from the micro budget to the non-budget, but it is all for the love of film and to support indie filmmakers out there.

Rendezvous With Madness
Lastly, Rendezvous With Madness is a thought provoking festival exploring issues concerning mental health and addiction and can boast the world's first and longest running film festival showcasing films addressing these issues. Presented by the arts and mental health company, Workman Arts, each screening will be followed by a Q&A to give the movies perspective. There are a number of screening venues including TIFF Bell Lightbox, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and also the Workman Arts office, which will take place this November.

Photo by Sam Javanrouh

Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

OPEN NOW

• Libertine is officially open now at 1307 Dundas Street West. The unmarked speakeasy can be located via the tarot reader sign.
• Saffron Spice Kitchen is now open at 459 Queen Street West serving up Sri Larkin tandoori chicken wraps and kothu rotis.
• The Home of the Brave, the new restaurant from the team begin La Carnita opens Saturday, August 17th at 589 King Street West.
• David's Tea opens its newest location this Saturday, August 17th at Dundas-Square.
• The Living Room Restaurant is opened quietly a couple months ago at The Windsor Arms (18 St Thomas Street) from 7am to 2am each day. The restaurant and lounge boasts over 60 local craft drafts and beers plus a menu full of comfort foods.

OPENING SOON

• Teppan Kenta, an authentic Japaneese Teppan-Yaki is opening this September at 24 Wellseley Street West.
• Trambusto and new pizza and pasta restaurant is slated to open at 9001 Dufferin Street south of Rutherford road in Vaughan.

OTHER NEWS

• Kim Hernandez has been announced as the new Executive Chef at Skin + Bones (980 Queen Street East) after the departure of Matthew Sullivan this spring.
• Two Guys And A Grill is opening soon at 4646 Dufferin Street.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to liora@blogto.com

Photo of the Living Room at the Windsor Arms

Enigma Lofts is bringing something truly different to the aging industrial area in which it's slated to open. Located on a quiet side street adjacent to a sizeable playground, this 86 unit, 9 storey structure, will easily be one of the largest buildings in the area. The eye-catching Z shaped pseudo-industrial building was designed by local firm Quadrangle Architects. You might recognize them from their "edgy" work on other soon to arrive mid-sized projects around the city including 2221 Yonge and Cube Lofts.

Besides the enigmatic exterior, the interiors of these lofts will at least be a bit more familiar to those used to condo living. That is except for these the interestingly shaped windows, which might make shopping for blinds a bit of an adventure. The sheer amount of different style units is easily one of the biggest assets here; with options for everything from small studios to massive 3 bedroom townhomes. Enigma is certainly filling a much needed hole in a neighbourhood pilled high with primarily low-rise homes, where people looking for something less than an entire house are usually left with few too many options.

SPECS

• Address: 138 St. Helens Ave
• Developer: Aragon
• Architect: Quadrangle
• Floors: 9
• Number of Units: 86
• Unit Sizes in Square Feet (Approx): 400 to 1,500
• Types of Units: Studio, 1 Bedroom, 1+Den, 2 Bedroom, 3 Bedroom, Single Storey Lofts, 2 Storey Lofts, and 3 Bedroom Townhomes
• Completion Date: 2016

THE GOOD

You're really investing in the growth potential of this area. As neighbourhoods further east become over saturated with new development, higher priced homes and ever more crowded streets, this area will soon become a destination as vitality gets pushed further west (maybe one day even to Etobicoke!). Even though this condo building has 86 units, the privacy factor here is a lot better than a great deal of new projects, where many share their halls with hundreds of neighbours. Also, if you can snag a unit on one of the higher floors, you can expect some expansive views for quite a few years to come. Although subtlety wasn't high on the list of design principles used, you will never have trouble finding this place when things are looking a bit hazy after a late night out (See: crazy loud rendering).

THE BAD

Although investing early in this area is a great opportunity, you're still going to have to live with some of Blansddowne's more shabby aspects for a few years to come. Whether it be that strip club parked oddly enough next to the Christian fellowship at Lansdowne Station or the remain industry around the development, this hood still needs a good hose down before it's ready for primetime.

OUR TAKE

Regardless of any current downsides associated with the neighbourhood, this area is strategically placed to become a real hotspot. If you're patient over the next few years, the enclaves of great restaurants and shops will continue to grow. And besides, this building's avant-garde design won't go out of style by then, right?

Read other posts in this series via our Toronto Condos and Lofts Pinterest board.

Toronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious events, festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.

THIS WEEK

• CraveTO takes over the Honest Ed's alley on Saturday, August 17th with day time and night editions of the food fair featuring a delicious roster of vendors. Tickets are $14.50-$17.50 and were still available at last glance.
• The Leslieville Farmers' Market at Jonathan Ashbridge Park, presents Bacon Fest 2013, on Sunday, August 18th from 9am to 2pm. Local vendors including Le Papillon On The Park, Skin + Bones Wine Bar, Rashers, This Little Pig, Be Good Gelato, and many more will offer pork, wild boar and tofu bacon dishes.
• The Black Hoof is BBQing Hoof Happy Meals complete with mini blood macs at Cold Tea (60 Kensington Avenue) on Sunday, August 18th starting at 3pm.
• The Depanneur (1033 College Street) and Japanese trained, Daniel Henderson offer an Intro to Sushi Maki that is fit for the whole family. The hands-on, make and take workshop starts at 6:30pm on Monday, August 19th. Reserve a spot for $40 (half price for kids under 12)
• The Summer Craft Beer Fest is on from 4pm to 10pm on Thursday, August 22nd at the Liberty Market Building Galleria (171 East Liberty Street). The festival features over 20 craft brewers and food from local vendors. Tickets are $29 in advance or $35 at the door; sample vouchers will go for $1.

UPCOMING

• Bar Volo (587 Yonge Street) hosts the Bellwoods Sunsplash on Saturday, August 24th. The tap takeover starts at noon and is being billed as a day of soul, reggae and Bellwoods beer. If you don't already have a ticket you can still go after 9pm for $5 cover (beer tokens extra).
• The Kensington Market Backyard Beer Garden is back in Sunday, August 25th to coincide with Pedestrian Sunday. The licensed outdoor patio will feature live music and food from the El Gordo Latin Food Court.
• Tickets are on sale now for the 9th annual, What's on The Table fundraiser happening Wednesday, November 6th at 7pm in support of The Stop Community Food Centre's anti-hunger programs. The benefit will feature food from a top notch line-up of local restaurants including Beast, Café Belong, Cava, Parts & Labour, Richmond Station and more.

Photo from the first CraveTO

While I'm sure there are probably people who go to the CNE for the rides, or the concerts, or the cat show, there is a growing group of Ex fans whose main destination after walking through the Dufferin or Princes' Gates is the Food Building, where they can spend a delirious hour or two indulging in the guilty pleasure of eating food that both their doctor and their common sense would urge them to avoid on any other day of the year.

Epic Burger regained the pole position they took two years ago with their Krispy Kreme Burger by duplicating the idea - marrying a trendy snack pastry with the reliable beef patty. The result is the Cronut Burger, which is an improvement on the Krispy Kreme version in much the same way that being punched in the stomach is only slightly better than being kicked after you've been punched the stomach.

A food fad that began in New York City, the cronut is a donut made by shaping and deep-frying croissant pastry. Partnering with Dundas West bakery Le Dolci to produce the bun for their patty, Epic has pared down the toppings on this year's burger from the Krispy Kreme burger, topping it with just cheese and a bacon maple jam.

For that I was grateful - the most jarring thing about the KK burger I tasted two years ago was the lettuce and tomato, which in terms of both taste and mouth feel felt somehow wrong on the high calorie, sweet-and-savoury combo. They were, in a phrase, simply too organic tasting. The Cronut Burger is simpler and less off-putting, even if the dusting of cinnamon sugar on the cronut pushes the sweet component of the burger a bit too far forward.

To be frank, I would have been happy with just Le Dolci's cronut as a dessert - it had a lovely, crunchy flakiness that I'll remember long after I forget about the Cronut Burger.

The other CNE food trend this year is Nutella On Everything. The media preview didn't offer a huge taste test to sample, summing up the craze with just one item - Spread Nutellerie chef Tony Vastis' sweet potato fries with Nutella and dusted with icing sugar. If you like to keep your sweet and savoury on different plates it might sound terrible, but it actually worked - Vastis kept the Nutella to a sparing drizzle, and the choice to use sweet potato was inspired; there's already enough sugar in the fry that it comes up to meet the Nutella and sugar.

The other jarring food juxtaposition was Just Cone It's Spice Cream Cone - a serving of vanilla soft serve ice cream topped with crumbled bacon and hot red pepper. It was confusing - the bacon added more texture than flavour to the ice cream, while the hot pepper asserted itself after you'd tasted the ice cream. The result was, at least until you'd eaten through the toppings and hit the very nice soft serve ice cream, the taste buds were sending confused signals that summed up every mouthful with "what the hell?"

The confusion continued - Sweet Escapes offers hazelnut chocolate gelato in a brioche bun, which might actually be a convenient way to eat gelato without a spoon or a cone, but still begs the question: What's wrong with a spoon or a cone?

After all of this brow-furrowing grazing, I was grateful to find food that was familiar, even comforting. Bacon Nation's Canuck Burger was an old friend - a bacon patty topped with both back bacon and regular bacon strips. Gluttonous, to be sure, but really nothing more than a variation on a theme.

Thyme & Olives had their usual selection of very tasty Lebanese pastries, and Corrado's offered samples of their arancini, or rice ball - a baseball-sized ball of deep fried Arborio rice filled with meat, peas and cheese, topped with spaghetti sauce and a dusting of parmesan. If you grew up with this stuff - or live on St. Clair West or in Woodbridge - it was like a homing beacon for your mouth.

Gator BBQ serves a lasagna made with smoked beef brisket that was outstanding, and Wild Child's Kitchen has vegan nachos whose fresh taste - fresh tomatoes, lemon and cilantro - was refreshing after everything I'd eaten. After an orgy of stunt food, my palpable relief at the taste of simple, even healthy, food is a signal that once a year is probably the most we should allow ourselves to drift away from the shores of culinary common sense.

Photos by Tom Ryaboi