The Great Upheaval: Masterpieces from the Guggenheim Collection, 1910-1918 opens at the AGO this weekend. While the idea of a collection of World War One era abstract artworks may seem a dour contrast to the flamboyant David Bowie exhibit that's closing upstairs, the bold and symbolic, often psychedelic avant-garde works exploring the emotional turmoil of the age actually carry on the torch of colourful stimulation surprisingly well.
Check out highlights from the exhibit here.
Authentic Indonesian cuisine is hard to find in our fair city outside of home kitchens, but this newcomer is a welcome exception to the rule. Well, mostly. It's still kind of hard to find, located, as it is, in a non-descript JD's Supermarket, but once you make your way to the food counter, deliciousness awaits.
Read my review of Warung Kampung in the restaurants section.
O&B gift cards are sure to satisfy! Catering to diverse tastes and styles, O&B gift cards are redeemable at all of the inspired Oliver & Bonacini restaurants, including Canoe, Auberge du Pommier, Biff's Bistro, Jump, Luma, Canteen, Bannock and O&B Cafe Grill. Win this $500 O&B gift card and choose which unique dining experiences you want to enjoy!
Get all the contest details here.
Despite the fact that the TTC still doesn't have a dedicated merch store (small efforts notwithstanding), the variety of transit-affiliated items available for independent designers never ceases to amaze. Near the top of the heap, in my humble opinion, is local designer Jonathan Guy's TTC font posters, which show off the unique Toronto Transit typeface in a minimalist series that features subway station names. There's not much to dislike about Guy's first designs, but his latest additions add a new element to the series that I suspect will appeal to folks whose relationship with the TTC has included its fair share of inconvenience.
To the same degree that the original posters were iconic in their simplicity, these new delay-oriented posters conjure up all those times when you've been kicked off a train that's going out of service (can't you just hear the operator's voice over the intercom delivering the news) or stranded on a platform waiting on a subway that seems like it will never arrive. The posters retail for $35.95. You can check out all of Jonathan Guy's TTC items here.
Competition is heating up amongst a new breed of barbecue restaurants. Once a novelty in barbecue-challenged Toronto, slow and low smoking has recently been embraced by reverential restaurateurs and ever discerning diners looking for an authentic taste of the South. Expect the trend to continue with new contenders like Greenwood Smokehouse and 420 Smokehouse entering the pit soon.
Here's a round-up, in no particular order, of newly opened barbecue restaurants in Toronto.
See also:The Best BBQ Restaurants in Toronto
Electric Mud BBQ
This Parkdale spot from cult restaurateurs Colin Tooke and Ian McGrenaghan (both of Grand Electric) puts a contemporary spin on Southern staples. Open since March, the menu boasts fried chicken alongside smoky selections like juicy sausage links and locally famous peanut dusted ribs.
Big Crow
This backyard BBQ joint from Anthony Rose opened this summer to much acclaim. Here the atmosphere radiates a casual cook-out vibe and the menu brings a taste of Southern gluttony straight to the picnic table. Now winterized, the plan is to keep serving slabs of baby back ribs, smoked cornish hens and rabbit all year round.
Aft
Opened this past spring, this Riverside kitchen and bar isn't exclusively a smokehouse though the weekday menu is heavily smoke infused. On weekends BBQ is the main event featuring platters of smoked country sausage, side ribs, Texas style brisket, pulled pork and chicken with all the traditional fixin's.
Holy Smokez
Opened just over a year ago, this no frills Mississauga takeaway shop does brisk business in slow and low smoked essentials. The menu boasts excellent value for a super satisfying roster of sandwiches piled high with brisket, pulled pork or sausage.
Hogtown Smoke
Now open in The Beaches, this food truck offshoot champions the time-honoured cooking traditions of the Southern U.S. barbecue belt. The menu excels at slow-smoked fare like brisket, chicken and pulled pork, served in all its natural glory, sauce on the side.
Hoosier Daddy's
This food court BBQ vendor relocated in June to the Village by the Grange from Yorkville's Cumberland Terrace. The menu is a pan-American rendition of slow-cooking turned fast food showcasing a line-up of smoked chicken, pork and beef sandwiches that are cooked off-site and then smothered in sauce to order.
Marky & Sparky's Smokehouse
Hobbyist turned pro pitmaster Marcus De Simone and butcher, Frank DiGenova (Butcher By Nature) opened this Junction smokehouse in May. The restaurant prides itself on offering choice cuts of meat expertly slow cooked over hickory and applewood in a Southern Pride smoker.
Smoke Bourbon Bar-B-Q
Situated on Harbord, this smokehouse opened early this year and was quickly embraced by the neighbourhood for its Southern hospitality (read: enormous portions). The menu features a tasty array of brisket, pulled pork, corned beef and ribs but, what really seals the deal are solid side-dishes like bacon-studded collard greens, mac 'n' cheese, cornbread and waffle fries.
Sandoozles Smokehouse & Pub
The menu at this newly opened smokehouse and sandwich shop does a little bit of deli along with liberally Southern-style pork and brisket, all prepped in an electric Cuisinart smoker. The meaty results are amiable but arguably not in the same league as some of these other big boys.
Big Bone BBQ & Wicked Wings
A fixture on the competitive BBQ circuit, these guys have won 20+ titles for superbly smoky fare. The family of restaurants boasts multiple locations across Southern Ontario but this Markham offshoot just opened at the end of April and has already become a local favourite for saucy sandwiches, wings and rib dinners.
What's your favourite new barbecue joint in Toronto? Give it props in the comments below.
The 519 Church Community Centre has submitted a report to the city today proposing the development of a new LGBTQ-focused sports and recreation centre. If approved, negotiations will begin with Infrastructure Ontario to build the centre on the Wheel and Foundry Complex, located near Underpass Park.
"The new community centre will be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, providing a welcoming, inclusive space for Torontonians, and particularly LGBT people to participate in sport." said Tyler Fleming, Chair of The 519 Board.
On the money side, the proposed community centre would come in $100 million. Two-thirds of the funds are to be collected through private donations, and the remaining one-third would come from the government. While the facility will focus on the LGBTQ communities, it will also provide recreation space for residents in the rapidly developing West Don Lands neighbourhood. It would also demonstrate global leadership when it comes to LGBTQ city building initiatives.
Once built, the centre will be owned by the City of Toronto and operated by The 519. Read the proposal to city council here.
Photo by Neal Jennings on Flickr
The best cafes in Toronto on the west side offer some respite from stresses like skyrocketing rents and dismal job prospects. When such concerns threaten to get us down, it's life's little pleasures we seek out, perhaps none more so than what we find in the independent coffee shops. Popping up like mushrooms in and across the city but with particular concentration on the west side, these beacons of hope are usually commandeered by young upstarts as riddled with enthusiasm as they are with caffeine.
And don't underestimate their contribution. Sure, these cafes offer coffee jolts and noshing fare with ever-increasing expertise, but they also provide jobs to the sea of overeducated and underemployed, respite for at-home moms and dads, and a warm refuge for the weary, the working, and those looking to connect.
Here are the best cafes in Toronto west of Yonge Street.
See also:
The best cafes in Toronto (East Side)
The best late night cafes in Toronto
The best cafes for free WiFi in Toronto
The best Americano in Toronto
The best cappuccino in Toronto
The best cafe patios in Toronto
The best coffee roasters in Toronto
Toronto events on November 20th, 2013
FILM | The 7th Annual Brazil Film Fest
The Brazil Film Fest's timing during the last dregs of autumn might seem like a tease, but the heart of the matter is nothing's better in nippy weather than hiding out in a theatre for a couple of hours to take in a film made somewhere much, much warmer. The magic of film might actually be the next best thing to actually flying to a sun kissed destination. The 2013 fest opens tonight at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, and this weekend 11 films from passionate love stories to understated dramas will be screened. Read our preview here. November 28 - December 1, TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West), various times and prices.
MUSIC | Weird Silence
Two of Canada's leading music blogs, Weird Canada and Silent Shout, are teaming up tonight at Sex Laser for an all Canadian dance party / listening party. Andrew Pulsifer (Silent Shout) and Jesse Locke (Weird Canada) will only DJ tracks covered on one of these two blogs. Expect everything from the noisy and experimental to the newest gems of electronic pop. You might just find a new favourite jam. Oh, and there's $3 PBR before 11pm. You know what to do. Sex Laser (1369 Dundas St W) 10PM, free.
BOOKS | Sarah Liss on Will Munro
On the heels of a wild book release show at Lee's Palace, Sarah Liss, author of Will Munro biography Army Of Lovers: A Community History of Will Munro (Coach House Books), will discusses the life of the Toronto artist, DJ, activist and impresario, and his important influence on Toronto's artistic and queer culture, as part of the Toronto Public Library's Live in the Stacks series. Will Munro tragically passed away from a brain tumour three years ago. Yorkville Branch (22 Yorkville Avenue), 7PM, free.
FASHION | Encircled Holiday Trunk Show & Sale
From 5pm until 8pm, Fashion Takes Action is teaming up with Encircled and Hintz Design to throw a trunk show at Artscape Distillery Building (15 Case Goods Ln, Studio #202). It's your chance to pick up the perfect ethical and environmentally sustainable gift for the holidays, like a modal cardigan that easily converts into a top, dress, and scarf, or a hand painted clock made of upcycled vinyl records. Artscape Distillery Building (15 Case Goods Lane, Studio 202), 5pm.
FILM | Little Terrors Vol. 22
Tonight at Carlton Cinema, Rue Morgue & Unstable Ground present Little Terrors, a monthly showcase of the most brutal and bloody shorts - from 3 minutes long to 15 minute long - they can get their hands on. The night boasts "two full hours of the craziest, goriest, most-disturbing and off-the-wall short films the genre has to offer," plus prizes, and Q&As with some of the filmmakers. Tonight's films will partially focus on the theme of horror in real life. You can read the full line up here. Carlton Cinema (20 Carlton Street), 9PM.
MUSIC | Wu Tang Clan's 20th Anniversary Tour
On a tour celebrating 20 years since the release of their classic album Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers), the promoters swear the whole group will reunite on stage at Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay E) - all 8 members of Wu Tang from Rza and Gza to Ghostface Killah will be there, plus special guests Peter Jackson & G5ive. One can only assume that they will perform 36 Chambers in its entirety, plus an endless arsenal of rugged bangers beyond that. The show is sold out, so good luck finding a ticket if you haven't gripped one yet. Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay E), 8pm.
Continuing
THEATRE | Needles and Opium
A Robert Lepage production is once again on offer and that's reason enough to celebrate. What's more is that the Canadian Stage production is a contemporary retake on Needles and Opium, which originally premiered in 1991. Lepage revisits the journey of Parisian filmmaker Jean Cocteau who is en route to spend time with jazzman Miles Davis. In true visual brilliance, no doubt, Lepage traces the creative genius' struggle with displacement and drug addiction. Until December 1st, Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front St E,) 8:00pm/2:00pm, $24-$79.
Also Of Note
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.
Still From Neighboring Sounds at the Brazil Film Fest
A Superior Court judge has ruled a stack of blacked-out police documents related to the investigation into Rob Ford should be made public in the coming weeks. Justice Ian Nordheimer said the remaining information, which includes wiretap details, will not be available immediately pending an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Star says the information could be released by early December. Can Ford weather more revelations?
Porter Airlines could be about to hit trouble on its quest to fly jets out of Toronto's island airport, the Globe and Mail reports. City staff will recommend council defer a decision until 2015, until after next year's municipal election, to gather more information on noise and the impact of expanding the current runway. Porter was hoping for a quick answer.
Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly is taking more flack from Doug Ford over the 2014 budget. Ford, the vice-chair of the budget committee, says he has "zero respect" for the Toronto's de facto leader after Kelly refused to budge on a 2 per cent property tax increase and a 0.5 per cent levy to fund the Ford-backed Scarborough subway.
Ford also had choice words about the TTC, prompting a response from CEO Andy Byford. "Is your TTC cleaner? Is your TTC faster? Is your TTC cheaper?" he asked. "I pay more attention to what TTC riders say and to what my customers say. They're the people that matter to me and they are saying it's cleaner," Byford said.
The CBC reports a new cache of top secret documents released by United States whistleblower Edward Snowden shows the U.S. spied during the G8 and G20 events in Canada with the approval of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government. The documents do not clearly spell out the target of the spying but reveal the U.S. turned its Ottawa embassy into a command post for NSA agents during the events.
Looks like the Broadview Hotel is here to stay a little while longer. According to the National Post, Jilly's - the strip club currently occupying the Romanesque building at Queen and Broadview - is not making way for a Gladstone-like refit. A temporary closure that stirred a flurry of excitement appears to have been for minor renovations.
Black cats are on sale at Toronto animal shelters. The city has decided to waive the $75 adoption fee in the hope of finding good homes for its backlog of black cats - typically the last to be adopted - in honour of Black Friday. All moggies are spayed/neutered, microchipped, dewormed, vet-checked, and vaccinated.
Drivers of electrics cars will soon be able to plug in at GO stations. A three-year, $500,000 pilot program unveiled yesterday will put special charging stations in many stops outside the City of Toronto. The first month will be free after which each charge will cost $2.50.
Finally, say goodbye to the Dufferin Street bridge - the crumbling structure is being torn down on Friday and pedestrians will not be able to cross the rail tracks until a temporary structure is built on Dec. 7. A temporary vehicle structure will arrive in Feb. 2014.
IN BRIEF:
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: Dominic Bugatto/blogTO Flickr pool.
Bit Bazaar is returning to Toronto just in time for your holiday shopping. Ever wished you could cross names off your gift list and play video games at the same time? This might be the closest you'll get beyond surfing Amazon while thumbing around in Grand Theft Auto. Then again from the looks of Bit Bazaar's vendor list of over 30 exhibitors hustling comics, zines, games, clothing, posters, mixtapes, toys and grub, it might be hard for the nerdy-at-heart (aren't we all) not to spoil themselves.
The zine-fair meets arcade took over Bento Miso last spring, and this edition will be much of the same - though the vendor list has swelled considerably. Presented in part by TCAF, Bit Bazaar unites indie games and arcades, comic and zine artists, photographers, and chefs - oh yes, friends, there will be pie, and pot pie (and cider - oh my). If the promise of DIY culture, delicious munchables, and the free admission isn't enough, head over to their website to check out the list of games, vendors, and etcetera. All in all, this might be the coolest holiday craft event of the season (and the competition is stiff). Be there or be square.
Bit Bizaar takes over Bento Miso (862 Richmond St W) on Friday, December 6, at 7pm for their opening party (RSVP) then the main event is Saturday, December 7, from 11am - 7pm (admission is free).
Photo via Bit Bazaar's flickr.
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
OPENING SOON
RECENTLY REVIEWED
CLOSING
OTHER NEWS
Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to liora@blogto.com
Winter is coming.
It's the time of year when the Canada Goose jackets come out and we snuggle that portly stranger on the streetcar just a little closer to stay warm. It's also a time when, out of necessity, our taste in beer migrates from that which might refresh us to the heavier, boozier brews that might help us hibernate until the patio furniture comes out again.
Here's a list of some serious local offerings that will help you get through the colder months. As an added service, I've chosen 10 beers that are available to buy in the bottle so that you might drink them from the comfort of your warm bed, a cozy fireside, or in line at the mall to sit on Santa's lap.
Muskoka Brewery's Winter Beard
As I am wont to do when it comes to Muskoka Brewery, I've again extended the concept of local for the purposes of including one of their great seasonal beers on this list. That's because our neighbours in Gravenhurst have brought Winter Beard back this season in an interesting way. This year the 8% stout made with dark chocolate and local cranberries that's being released to the LCBO is actually a Vintage Brew, i.e. it's last year's Winter Beard that's been cellar-aged one year. You can pick up your gift-boxed 750 mL bottle for $13.95 and, if you really want to try the 2013 vintage, you can head to Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, Alberta or British Columbia--or visit the brewery's retail store in Gravenhurst.
Bellwoods Brewery's Lost River Baltic Porter
For some reason the sturdy porter is oft overlooked in favour of its less potent offspring, stout, and it's a shame, because a good porter in the dead of winter is a thing of beauty. Case in point, Bellwoods Brewery's Lost River Baltic Porter. Named in honour of the now-buried Garrison Creek, this creamy porter offers enticing roasted coffee and malt, dark chocolate notes and hints of dark fruit. Most importantly, it packs a healthy 8.5% ABV capable of keeping you warm outside--like perhaps on an evening when you're waiting in line to get into at trendy Ossington hotspot. $6.50 per 500mL bottle (taxes included).
Great Lakes Brewery's Winter Ale
A simple winter warmer from Toronto's oldest craft brewery, Great Lakes' Winter Ale might conjure up memories of a time when the beer was a bit too "cinnamony"--a memory that kept me a way from this beer for a while. As of late however, they seem to have toned down the spice and now the beer is a reasonable, 6.2% ABV ale with honey, ginger, orange peel, and yes cinnamon, but all included pretty subtly so that the 759mL, $6.95 beer acts as a nice break from the other darker boozier offerings on this list.
Nickelbrook's Bolshevik Bastard Imperial Stout
The Bolshevik Bastard is something like a beer nerd's best kept secret. It's popular with those in the know for it's exceptional, dark, boozy, fruit, and molasses profile and excellent balance, but it's a bit of a secret since it's kind of hard to get your hands on some outside of Burlington. You can pick it up for $13.50 per six pack at the Nickel Brook retail store, but if you can't make it out to Burlington, you'll have to pick up the Ontario Craft Brewers OCB Discovery Pack (this year re-christened the "Brewmaster's Choice Discovery Pack") at the LCBO. You'll pay $13.50 for that six pack too and along with your Bolshevik Bastard you'll get one each of Cameron's Auburn Ale, Amsterdam Natural Blonde Lager, Lake of Bays 10 Point India Pale Ale, Muskoka Twice as Mad Tom IPA, and Wellington County Dark Ale. Not a bad selection of brews for a winter's eve.
Bellwood's Brewery's Hellwoods Russian Imperial Stout
Seemingly brewed for days when it's just too effing cold for subtlety, Bellwoods' Hellwoods is a black-as-7pm-in-November Imperial Stout with big roasted flavours of malt and chocolate, with some dark fruit and a dry finish. With its boozy 10% ABV it's well suited to fighting Seasonal Affective Disorder, another Leafs loss, or even a visit from your family. $8 for a 500mL bottle (taxes included). Available at the brewery.
Amsterdam Double Tempest Imperial Stout
Available as of November 30th, Amsterdam Brewery is this year releasing a special version of their Tempest Imperial Stout that features double the malt bill and double the hops. The Double Tempest is also aged for nine months in Four Roses Bourbon barrels and the result is a candied bourbon, oak, and chocolate beast of a beer that weighs in at a cockle-warming 15% ABV. It will be retailing for $15 per 650mL bottle and, to kick off the release, Amsterdam will be hosting a tasting at their brewhouse where you can sampel the last three vintages of their Tempest Stout.
Black Oak Brewery's Nutcracker Porter
For those who don't want to get punch-Santa-and-wake-up-in-a-snow-bank drunk this holiday season, the reasonable folks at Black Oak Brewery are again offering their highly-acclaimed and responsibly-weighted 5.8% ABV Nutcracker Porter. With coffee, cinnamon, figs, and spice rounding out the flavour of this dark porter, you might not even feel weird cracking one on Christmas morning. Available this year in 650mL bottles for $7.95 at the brewery in Etobicoke, details of an LCBO release are still pending.
Indie Alehouse's Wit'ner Toque
Because no one said wit beers are only for summer, why not pick up a bottle of Indie Alehouse's Wit'ner Toque from their retail space when it becomes available in December? Brewed for just two months a year, Indie's wintry take on a Belgian Wit beer is made with dark winter wheat and spice and the result is something like Belgian Wit beer with an uncharacteristic warm finish. This beer won't be available until mid December.
Beer Academy's Belgian Maple
I feel vaguely obligated to include this beer, brewed with Quebec Maple Syrup, among my list of winter beers because Canada. However, the heart of this beer is a Belgian brown--but that ain't a bad thing. It's got a rich mohagony colour and big clove, spice, and fruit notes balancing out the malty sweetness and, yes, maple syrup flavours. Available for a limited time starting Friday November 29th, you can pick up a growler ($18) or a quart ($6.75) of this 6.4% ABV beer directly from the Beer Academy's retail space.
Mill Street Brewery's Vanilla Porter
Long a seasonal, draught-only favourite, in October Mill Street Announced that their vanilla porter was coming to the LCBO in 440mL cans for $2.90. An English-style porter made with caramel malt and featuring natural vanilla extract, this is a remarkably rich and sweet beer. Importantly, the cans are Nitrogen-charged, meaning you'll get a thick, creamy pour whether you're perched on the seat of a snowmobile or a cold December toilet.
Two bonus draught-only offerings that are totally worth leaving the house for
Indie Alehouse's Christmas Spiced Porter
Arguably the closest you'll ever get to cramming actual gingerbreadd into a pint glass--unless for some reason you like to cram gingerbread into pint glasses--Indie Alehouse's stellar Christmas Spiced Porter will be back on tap this holiday season. It's got dark spices and coffee notes but this one is so predominantly gingerbread-y it's like Christmas in a glass. It won't be on tap until mid-December but since rumour has it that Indie might be doing a stout night on December 22, you now have two reasons to get out of the house.
Great Lakes Brewery's Grandpa's White Eggnog Stout
The first example of this style in Ontario, GLB released this eggnog based beer to just two bars last Christmas and are bringing back for a limited release. It's a 5% ABV stout aged three months in Four Roses Bourbon barrels. It's got nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla and, here's the important/weird part: it's white. On draught in nitrogen form, GLB says it's creamy, oily, slick, and tastes just like eggnog so, depending on how much you like eggnog that last sentence either had you drooling or dry-heaving. It'll be released the week of December 16 and sources say Sauce on the Danforth and Bryden's will be among a select few to tap a keg of it.
Ben Johnson also writes about beer over on Ben's Beer Blog. You can follow him on twitter @Ben_T_Johnson. He's aware that there are 12 beers listed in this post even though the title says 10 and the image shows only six, so you can save that comment.
Ten93 Condos, a new addition to the West Queen West condo stock, wants to remind you just how great this area can be - love it or hate it, WQW is home to some of the city's most vibrant and exciting institutions, restaurants, hotels, bars, and public spaces. There's been a lot of concern over the amount of new condos in the area. Will the influx of high rent housing push what is great about this area out, or encourage more growth?
Soon to rise at the corner of Queen and Dovercourt, this nine storey condo will bring 134 residential suites to this busy intersection along with some new street level retail. This mostly metal clad building happens to contain a few interesting suite options for future residents. One is the addition of a number of live/work loft style units geared towards artists - although if you plan on forking up the down payment maybe "successful" should preface "artists." The other noteworthy addition is the seven two-storey units on the eighth floor which promise a little break from the glass box heavy condo selection in the area as well as providing some indoor stairs to keep you fit (or exhausted).
This place doesn't seem to be piling it on too high with the amenities. Only a fitness centre, party room, and terrace occupy the amenity space. It looks like there's only a concierge during business hours, so if you're not interested in opening the door for yourself you should get home before five. The streetcar stop outside your door will make for a fairly simple commute. If you have your own wheels, a few parking spaces will be available if you spring for a unit bigger than 600 sq ft.
SPECS
Address: 1093 Queen West
Storeys: 9
Number of Units: 134
Types of Units: studio, one bedroom + den, 2 bedroom + den, live/work spaces
Ceiling Height: 9 ft
Unit sizes in Square Feet: 460 - 1160
Starting Price: mid $200,000s
Amenities: fitness centre, landscaped terrace with bbqs, party room with catering kitchen, concierge (sometimes)
Walkscore: 92
Architect: RAW
Developer: Pemberton Group
Interior Designer: Andrea Kantelberg
Completion Date: Spring 2016
The Good
The live/work spaces are a nice addition to this art centric neighbourhood. Maybe some local artists who have saved enough grant money to afford what will surely be a pricey down payment will find this a nice place to work after their current home is bulldozed for another condo (maybe this one). This is also not a bad looking building, and the height seems fairly appropriate for the area. I dare say it actually looks like it belongs on this strip. There are some pretty small units here, but this is an area focused on vibrant street life so you won't need to spend too much time at home. Only having a few amenities should not only encourage residents to frequent local businesses but also hopefully help keep maintenance fees at a reasonable level.
The Bad
This neighbourhood no matter how it's future turns out has all the elements for success, with fairly decent transit, good walkability and excellent street life. But it's important to remember that it hasn't always been that way, and as quickly gentrifying neighbourhoods tend to do, it may not remain that way. There is certainly the danger of it losing some of it special character if condos go unchecked and prices continue to rise - the hood will probably always be fun but the more inexpensive options are disappearing quickly.
Our Take
This is really an excellent neighbourhood, and this modestly proportioned condo doesn't seem to be overdoing it. This isn't the condo project you should be worried about ruining the neighbourhood. If you already know and love the area, this should be a pretty nice place to live.
MORE PHOTOS
Read other posts in this series via our Toronto Condos and Lofts Pinterest board.
The top bars and restaurants to drink tequila in Toronto are, unsurprisingly, Mexican spots. With Toronto set to hold the world record for the largest tequila tasting, it's no wonder that tequila's image has been rejuvenated of late. When putting together this list, the first criteria I looked for was, naturally, a large selection of tequila (and their smokier cousin, mezcal). I also took note of the quality of food available as well as the ambiance, of course.
Here are my top picks for tequila bars and restaurants in Toronto.
El Catrin
Opening this year in the Distillery District, El Catrin immediately put itself on the radar in Toronto with an eye-watering range of almost 90 tequilas and mezcals, including the ballers-only Clase Azul Ultra Extra Anejo for $200 an ounce. Surprisingly, the rest of the list is amazingly well priced (at least for the Distillery District). The margaritas are great, the food is delicious (if a little pricier than you'll be paying elsewhere), and the decor is exceptionally vibrant. It's also the biggest spot on the list, with almost 200 seats, in case the tequila craze gets out of hand.
Reposado
With around 70 tequilas behind the bar, Reposado is a popular spot for any tequila and mezcal aficionado. On ever-packed Ossington, this place gets predictably busy on the weekends, with house band The Reposadists setting the mood and the excellent margaritas flowing out quickly over the bar. They have an amazing patio in the back and some of the best cocktail bartenders in the city. Food is more tapas than tacos, but you'll be heading here for other reasons.
La Carnita
The La Carnita / Grand Electric divide has split this city into a veritable collection of fanboys, each staunchly defending the merits of one over the other. I like both, but where the boys in Parkdale opted to pair their tacos with bourbon (and a lengthy wait for a table), College Street's La Carnita has heavily invested in quality tequila and mezcal. It's not the biggest list in the city, but everything's carefully selected, and the bar is a great spot to knock some back. Soak it up with some fantastic tacos, and make sure you finish up with the legendary key lime paleta.
Playa Cabana Hacienda
Realistically, I could have picked any of the Playa Cabana spots, but I opted for the newest one at Avenue and Dupont as the ideal place of the three to imbibe. The food uses local meat and veg, and has over 50 tequilas and mezcals on hand.The decor here is vibrant and suitably garish, with neon signs, rusty highway paraphernalia, and plenty of exposed brickwork. Just don't mind the inconsistent service.
Milagro / La Perla
La Perla is the upstairs bar situated directly above the ever-popular Mexican eatery Milagro. It has a smaller list than the rest, but owner Arturo Anhalt is keen to replicate the authentic cantina (hangout) experience, and has established a great night spot. They serve a number of snacks, but if you're peckish, it's worth trying to snag a table at Milagro beforehand.
MAP
Photo of El Catrin by Jesse Milns
News out of the Rob Ford camp might be temporarily dormant but U.S. comics are still finding new ways to poke fun at our embattled mayor. Last night on David Letterman, celebrities Jennifer Lawrence, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Martha Stewart took turns reciting lines from Rob Ford's greatest press interactions.
The inspiration for the bit came from a new Ken Burns documentary in which all five living presidents read lines from the Gettysburg Address. Sadly, the Rob Ford version is more like a celebrity supercut of Toronto's most famous political scandal.
"Four score and seven years ago" it ain't.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Ever wondered what a future version of the TTC might look like? Fantasy transit maps are a particularly popular past time in Toronto, I suspect, because there's just so much to hope for. So as our politicians dither on what route a Scarborough subway extension might take, transit and design geeks forge ahead in fantasy land to present idealized versions of TTC to make us cry and drool in equal measure. The latest of these maps that I've seen comes courtesy of Bryan Bonnici, who imagines what the TTC might look like 2054, a century after the opening of the Yonge Subway Line.
You'll not that it's not actually that ambitious given the 40 year timeline. In addition to infrastructure additions that are already approved, this map adds a Downtown Relief Line (or the Adelaide Don line, as it appears here) and further subway expansion of north of the city. What prompted me to do this was how bad the official one has historically been," Bonnici explained in an email to us. "It's bad... because it doesn't show very important streetcar connections, nor GO connections, and with lots of new lines coming online in roughly a decade, this design will not be able to scale to show these lines. The TTC's been trying hard to rebrand themselves as a transit system worth being proud of, and I believe a well designed map is an important step in that direction.
Let us know what you think in the comments. And check out a huge version of the map here.
Places to buy affordable art inToronto are rarities amongst the vast sea of galleries showing work by mid-career and established artists. But don't worry, they do exist! While you can always hit up sales and fairs like the upcoming Photorama or the Artist project, there are also places that sell reasonably-priced art objects on a regular basis. Without the cash to support a fine art addiction, it can be hard to decorate your abode in the way that most speaks to your inner-artiste. Let's leave the heavy-spending to the experts, and find art we can fall in love with, that won't make us instantly broke. At these 10 shops and galleries, you can avoid dropping more than $300 (and in most cases much, much less) when it comes to artwork, prints, posters, and all sorts of hand-crafted designs.
Telegramme Prints
Telegramme Prints have two locations, the original in Leslieville and the new addition on Ossington. They're a one-stop shop for art, framing, posters and printing. Their posters are nothing like the ones you tacked on your dorm room walls in university. On the contrary, they're beautiful screen prints or lithographs that each come with a certificate of authenticity. Their entire collection is viewable online, or use their handy in-store catalogue to choose the perfect piece for your home.
Kid Icarus
Kid Icarus is is a community-oriented shop with a wide array of handmade items crafted by local artists. They also undertake custom work, incorporating their designs or yours into posters, cards, rubber stamps, or wedding invitations. While the items on offer here tend to be on a smaller scale or accessory-like, there's a huge array of posters ($20 and $40), including Dave Murray's neighbourhood word maps.
Circuit Gallery
Circuit Gallery is a web-based company that uses the affordability of digital reproduction to offer editions of contemporary artwork at wonderfully low prices. The art comes in standard sizes, like 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20, and in limited but large editions (usually around 500). The smaller the size and the larger the edition, the less expensive the work is, and vice versa. With prices that start at $30 (for an 8x10), there's little reason to resist starting your own art collection.
Art Metropole
This long-established artist-run retailer has an eclectic collection of artist-created books, periodicals, posters, clothing, audio, video, and multiples. Their storefront on Dundas West is great for casual browsing, or use their online shop to discover unique and affordable finds.
Gallery44
Gallery 44, located at Richmond and Spadina, is a non-profit artist-run centre focused on photo-based art. They hold sales throughout the year, providing collectable photography artwork at accessible prices. Plus their online shop has growing selection of exhibition catalogues available for only $5.
Magic Pony
Magic Pony is the quirky and colourful West Queen West wonderland that sells art, design accessories, comics, and DIY materials. Their gallery cross-exhibits with Narwhal Gallery, and therefore you can buy multiples of the art from Narwhal exhibitions in-store at Magic Pony. Plus their website has a wide selection of fun and magical art that won't break the bank.
OCAD U Student Gallery
The OCAD U Student Gallery's art shows display works by up-and-coming OCAD artists. Just so you know, the work at these exhibitions is for sale, despite not have the prices displayed. Their shop is also open 12pm - 6pm Wednesday through Saturday, where you can buy prints, jewellery, pottery, zines, cards and the like. It's a great place to spend your money, because not only are you supporting starving artists, but they're also starving students.
NO Foundation
Located beside the Katharine Mulherin Gallery on Queen West, this store is a so-called "museum" that focuses on experimental and underexposed art. Their shop sells sculptures, jewellery, gifts and other artsy items at price points that won't cause sticker shock. Even better, the the profits are used to support the exhibitions and the artists involved.
Open Studio
Open Studio is a non-profit, artist-run printmaking centre dedicated to the production and preservation of original fine art prints. Aside from offering affordable facilities for printmaking, they have print sales that run Tuesday to Saturday 12pm - 5pm, or you can make an appointment outside these hours. Keep up to date on their latest sales by visiting their website.
#Hashtag Gallery
Since April 2012, this little Dundas West gal has been exhibiting work from a wide scope of emerging artists. Hashtag aims to represent the online revolution, so if you're into a more virtual aesthetic, this might be the best place to spend your cash. Art can be bought during their exhibitions, or you can check out the online shop for prints and original work. #art #affordable
BONUS
EYE BUY ART
This online-only shop connects art collectors with affordable fine art photography. Artists displayed on this site are winners of international photography competitions. You can browse through the website by price, size, artist, or colour to find the perfect piece that fits your budget.
MAP
Photo of Magic Pony
Shuttling along the QEW towards Toronto and the newly opened Gardiner Expressway in the late 1950s, one would get his first good view of the skyline at around Park Lawn Avenue. As you took in the positively Buffalo-esque vista, marked by sepia-toned banks and hotels hovering over still prominent church steeples, the foreground would be dotted with a series of picturesque motels spread across Lake Shore Boulevard. Clinging to Humber Bay, this strip of lakeside properties brimmed with confidence, promising the transitional comforts of television, in-ground (but naturally unheated) pools, and stunning views of a city that had yet to embrace fun. Sunnyside had been razed, but you could still vacation in sight of the city.
This was middle class paradise, and it would last for another two decades before the suburban building boom, the ubiquity of the backyard pool, and cheap air travel snuffed out the novelty of inexpensive lakeside accommodation. From the mid 1980s on, Toronto's motel strips on Lake Shore Blvd. and Kingston Rd. progressively ceased to offer resort-like charm, offering in its place cautious shelter for the down on their luck and, later, newcomers to the city. The history of these places is as complicated as their floor plans are simple. Only a handful of the Scarborough motels remain, living relics that are bound to run out the string before development renders them extinct.
It's not surprising that the Toronto Archives digital holdings pay little due to the humble motel. Where the hotel is urban, the motel is necessarily located on the periphery, nearer to nature, never central, and always defined by a certain impermanence. Where the hotel is luxurious, the motel is leisurely. The genealogy of these low rise structures is pastoral to the core.
These were and are places that warn against staying inside for too long (you must visit the pool) and discourage long stays (you get a TV but not a kitchenette). No, the motel offers cautious refuge and utter simplicity. "All I need is a bed, a bathroom, a telephone, and sometimes a television in the unlikely event that one day I'll get a chance to knock off early," Agent Cooper tells Sheriff Truman in the Twin Peaks pilot, summing up perfectly what these transitional spaces offer.
Closer to home, this impermanence is captured in the names of old motels. Unlike the stately titles of iconic hotels like The Queen's Hotel, The Royal York, The Dominion or even Sutton Place, with motels you're more likely to encounter temporary and situational monikers like Have-A-Nap, The Rainbow, The Hillcrest, The Beach, and The Shore Breeze, to offer only a few local examples of this nomenclature. It's as if a certain ephemeral quality is the very condition of possibility for these places.
Which is why it makes sense that they're dying out. The growth of the city - prefigured all the way back when the Gardiner was built - has consumed these little enclaves of recreation. Now our escapes take us further away from home, Lake Ontario lacks the allure it once had, and vacancy signs are met with matching looks.
PHOTOS
Lake Shore Blvd. motel strip, 1960s
Lido Motel, Kingston Rd. (still open)
Rainbow Motel (Lake Shore Blvd.)
Hillcrest Motel, Lake Shore Blvd.
Ditto
Seaway Motel, Lake Shore Blvd.
Ditto
Park Motel, Kingston Rd. (still open)
Sunnyside Motor Hotel, Lake Shore Blvd.
Ditto
Avon Motel, Kingston Rd. (still open)
Andrews Motel, Kingston Rd.
In 1983, Toronto photographer Patrick Cummins captured the Lake Shore motel strip, which was already in a state of decline. The photos below are selections from his valuable work documenting this lost bits of Toronto history.
Beach Motel
Westpoint Motor Hotel & Restaurant
Alternate angle
Eagle's Nest Motel
Cumberland Motel
Shady Beach Motel
Alternate Angle
Palace Motel
Alternate angle
Silver Moon Motel
