This home at 20 Taylorwood Drive brands itself as the "Hillside House" and certainly does make the most of a massive ravine lot. Sitting on a quiet street just northeast of the Humber River, the angular house is filled with light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and glass accents. Saddled with a Walk Score of just 47, you'll need to drive for your groceries and transit will be somewhat of a hike.

The house was newly built in 2013, so there shouldn't be any upgrades needed here. What used to be a basic 4-bedroom bungalow is now a 7,500 sq. ft. contemporary home designed around the existing landscape. The back of the house has two balconies overlooking the ravine, one accessible from the second storey. Inside you'll find radiant heated floors in every room, glass railings (bring your Windex) and 10' and 12' ceilings. The main floor is especially bright and spacious -- this is a house built for parties.

SPECS

• Address: 20 Taylorwood Drive
• Price: $3,600,000
• Lot Size: 105 x 315 ft.
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 7
• Parking: 2-car garage
• Taxes: NA
• Walk Score: 47

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Fully automated with CONTROL4 Smart Home
• Energy and water-efficient appliances
• Climate-controlled 'wine wall'
• Indoor and landscape sound systems
• Sauna room

GOOD FOR

Someone looking for a house in the Edenbridge-Humber Valley neighbourhood that is a little larger and more luxurious than the surrounding bungalows. Although the location might seem remote, this is a great spot for nature lovers -- the area surrounding North Drive is leafy and lush and the winding trail along the Humber River is within walking distance.

MOVE ON IF

Move on if this address is a little too car-oriented for comfort. You might also find that the large windows feel a bit too revealing, or that the fully automatic house controls are robotic and unnerving. This is a house that is fully done, and can do everything for you -- if you prefer to have a little more control over your living space, this might not be the one.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Read other posts in this series via our House of the Week Pinterest board.

The top luggage stores in Toronto will have you ready for takeoff, no matter how far away your destination or how long your stay. There's cute carry-ons you can throw in the backseat for a weekend road trip, giant backpacks perfect for touring the world's greatest hostels, or massive, death-proof suitcases that will hold up, even as you play chicken with the airline's weight limit.

Department stores like the Bay tend to be the first shop, but there are plenty of non-chain options that will either help you save some cash, invest your luggage budget wisely, or just let you stand out from the sea of black rectangles on the baggage carousel.

As you might have guessed, Yorkville (home of all things high-end and boutiquey) is the city's hot spot for specialty luggage boutiques. But for the bargain-hunters, there are a few mom-and-pop options scattered around the city that might offer a solid deal. (More cash for souvenir shopping!)

Here are the top luggage stores in Toronto.

The Travel Stop
This Yorkville boutique recently logged 30 years of selling all manner of luggage and travel goods. There's all sizes of suitcases and bags from companies like Briggs & Riley and LeSportsac; in case your needs are a little more unusual, also toilet seat covers, anti-motion-sickness wristbands and natural nausea remedies. (And international power converters. Seriously, don't forget those.)

Taschen
Not to be confused with the art-book publishers of the same name, Taschen is a small Canadian chain of luxury luggage shops with locations on Yorkville and Cumberland. True to the name (German for "bags"), they focus on well-crafted, mid-to-high-end pieces from the likes of BREE and Mandarina Duck.

Betty Hemmings Leathergoods
Another Yorkville travel-goods destination, Betty Hemmings' selection of briefcases, bags and suitcases includes some great pieces for vintage lovers with modern needs (because nobody wants to haul a huge, heavy suitcase through an airport by the handle, no matter how good it looks.) Brics' canvas-and-leather duffel bags come with wheels and a handle, and Globe-Trotter's leather-detail suitcases are made out of a durable vulcanized material.

Evex
Evex is a discount luggage business with stores in Thornhill and Mississauga, but their product offerings are anything but cut-rate; they're known for offering the kind of discounts you just won't find downtown on quality brands like Briggs & Riley and Samsonite. They're also licensed repair centres for the brands they carry, making fixes right on the premises.

K Jamson
There are a handful of K Jamson stores scattered around the GTA, including downtown locations in the St. Clair Centre and Brookfield Place. They offer one of the widest brand selections on this list, running from A (Aoking) to Z (uh ... Victorinox). If you find a better deal on one of their pieces online, K Jamson says they will "do their best" to match or beat the price.

Tumi
The New Jersey-based brand, known for their nigh-on-indestructible luggage, opened a boutique in Yorkville (where else?) last fall. When we say indestructible, we mean it: Their Tegra-Lite collection is made of an ultra-lightweight polymer used in race cars and protective NFL gear. None of this means a budget-friendly bag (carry-ons start at about $250), but if you're willing to make an investment, you'll look cool strutting down airport moving sidewalks for years.

WANT Passport
Got a little time to kill at Billy Bishop? Spend a few minutes ogling the glorious gifts and travel gear at this shop (fun fact: it's the only retail store on the Island). It bears the name (and the gloriously minimalist bags) of WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie, the award-winning Montreal accessory design duo, who guided the vision and stock selection for the store. The selection's rounded out by travel-ready luxury odds and ends like soy candles and cashmere socks.

Rimowa
Those with big luggage budgets spend a day could do some killer comparison shopping near Bay and Bloor -- but Rimowa is a strong contender for that $500-plus you were planning to spend on a new suitcase. The German company sticks solely to hard-shell suitcases, engineered with their trademark grooves and painted in irresistible candy hues and metallics.

Te Koop
This Queen St. staple is low on heavy-duty luggage, but high on the trend factor -- here's where to grab a Barbour duffel bag, Herschel carry-on, or Fjällräven backpack. Prices aren't incredibly low, but the brands they offer have a rep for being well-made while still having plenty of cool cachet. In short, it's the perfect stop to gear up for a weekend getaway.

The Monocle Shop
This gents' lifestyle shop on College has everything you need to be a well-dressed man about town - including a stylish weekend bag. The selection is mostly made up of rugged-yet-refined nylon and twill messengers and duffels from Japanese brand Porter, in a range of sizes (to hold your raw denim and Barbour jackets).

BONUS

Europe Bound
Europe Bound is a little less 'jetting off to Paris', a little more 'roughing it with a tent and a miniature stove' or 'backpacking through Europe'. But the outdoorsy, rugged focus of this GTA chain (on Queen East, King West, Front, and another in Oakville) means you're getting something durable and functional for your cash, like their line of Eagle Creek wheeling suitcases. (Then stock it full of headlamps and tarps.)

Piquadro
If your brand of jet-set style skews more toward Milan, Piquadro's colourful, streamlined pieces will be right up your autostrada. The Italian brand's first-ever North American boutique, stocked with high-end, European-inspired bags, briefcases, backpacks, and other plane-ready gear, opened two years ago in -- shockingly -- Yorkville. (Fun fact: Piquadro is the official outfitter of Italy's Formula One racing team!) As with Tumi, though, bargain hunters need not apply.

What did I miss? Add your favourite luggage store to the comments below.

Some choice Rob Ford quotes are being reimagined as massive election posters in a new video that's sure to stir uncomfortable memories of the last four years.

"Those Oriental people work like dogs" is emblazoned on a Chinatown wall, "I'll make sure that motherfucker's dead" looms over College and University in the film, titled "How Do You See Toronto?"

The video, in which Ford's voice is also heard, was posted to YouTube this afternoon by film maker Kelly Manchester. "I've got no political affiliation, but I live in downtown Toronto and was spurred by the poll numbers that show he's still got a shot at re-election," he said in an email.

"Not that I think my video will do anything to prevent that, but I think blind rage is a good jumping off point for art."

It's certainly a powerful reminder of just how desensitized we've become to the Ford's countless horrendous gaffes during his time in office.

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

Photo by Francisco Silva in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto you can get in touch with your inner whatever at Videofag with Roar, Spencer Charles Smith's "campy quest for furry love." Feeling a bit less ferocious? Little Fiction Magazine, who publish "story singles" in digital format, will go live for the first time tonight at No One Writes To The Colonel with readings by Andrew F. Sullivan, Diana Davidson, Trevor Corkum, and Liz Windhorst Harmer. There's also a local-centric market for your to spend your dollas at, and pub games galore.

• Roar: A Solo Play About Beefy, Burly, Brawny Love
• CSI Pop Up Market - Love Local
• Stories Live
• Game Meets at Holy Oak

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

Photo by N Maxwell Lander

Robert E. Sherwood's 1936 play Idiot's Delight is a unique one to be sure. Part romantic comedy and part harbinger of war, the play's focuses often battle for top billing. Sherwood himself was aware of the duality, once confessing to his contemporary Lucius Beebe that, "The trouble with me is that I start with a big message and end up with nothing but good entertainment."

Soulpepper's production, directed by Albert Schultz, attempts to oscillate between the comedic narrative and the impending doom. Where the revival ultimately falters is in leaning on the lengthy hotel drama in the hopes that it will resonate with contemporary audiences. The dialogue heavy scenes drain the play of significant momentum, which ultimately undercuts the intended love story and the well-staged final plot pieces.

The guests at the Hotel Monte Gabriele are an odd collection of travelers from across the continent—a German scientist working to cure cancer, a young, newly-married British couple, an infamous arms dealer and his mistress, a communist revolutionary, and a troupe of performing 'Blondes' and their boisterous manager. As Europe begins to mobilize into international conflict, the effects of which are felt just outside the hotel, a past romance boils up from the surface.

The intended cross-section of European and American characters helps carry the themes of war into the social hall of the luxury hotel. In addition to the Italian officers, Quillery (Gregory Prest), the communist seeking peace, and war profiteer Achille Weber (Diego Matamoros) are the most overt realizations of those invested in the impending struggle. The other characters are drawn into an opinion on what may or may not come marching up the hill.

Aside from the charming characterization of an aloof British couple (Gordon Hecht, Mikaela Davies) and a sweet Austrian (Evan Buliung) turned Italian by rezoning after the first war, the banter and philosophizing, while full of interesting ideas, weighs down the scenes, making it difficult to enjoy the cat and mouse memory game between the affable Harry Van (Dan Chameroy) and mysterious Irene (Raquel Duffy).

The result is a drama that feels more like a time capsule reflecting the prevailing thoughts of the moment, rather than a fresh and still potent commentary on our response, or lack thereof, in the face of conflict. And because the underlying tension draws so much of our attention ("Pennies from Heaven" doesn't sound so right after a likable character is murdered off stage), it's difficult to really invest in the hint of loving reconciliation.

There are a number of performances that elevate the drama. Chief among them is Buliung, as a sympathetic waiter who says very little but is instantly the most interesting character. Prest is captivating as the fiery intellectual and Chameroy and Duffy have warm moments as the couple at the centre of it all.

In the final scenes, Schultz attempts to leave us feeling the chill of war, through clever staging that emphasizes the tension between the comedic and dramatic, but its not enough to overcome the drawn-out digressions and contradictions that came before.

--

Idiot's Delight, written by Robert E. Sherwood and directed by Albert Schultz, runs at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts until March 1.

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, Hudson's Bay Company revealed their plans to open Canada's first two Saks Fifth Avenue stores. Despite whispers of the American retailer taking over The Bay on Bloor Street, Sak's 150,000 square foot Canadian flagship will be housed within the Queen and Yonge location - much like the existing multi-level Topshop/Topman boutique, but exponentially larger. Another Saks will replace Sears at Sherway Gardens - a logical move considering fellow U.S. heavyweight (and huge competitor) Nordstrom's intentions to open at the mall as well. The Queen & Yonge flagship is set to launch in the fall of 2015; the Sherway Gardens store in the spring of 2016.

Last Saturday (February 1st) marked the first-ever Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) ceremony, held at The Fairmont Royal York hotel to honour the top talents in Canadian fashion. While there were a total of ten awards for a diverse set of categories, the big winners of the night include womenswear designer Jeremy Laing and menswear designer Travis Taddeo - as well as DSQUARED2, who took home both the Outstanding Achievement and International Designer of the Year awards.

EVENTS/PARTIES

The Centre for Social Innovation is hosting Love Local, a pop-up market, today (February 5) in the Annex (720 Bathurst St). Stop in from 11 am until 7 pm to snag some locally handmade goods - to give to loved ones this Valentine's Day or keep as gifts to yourself - including jewellery, scarves, apothecary, artworks, and more.

This Friday (February 7), the Gardiner Museum Shop (111 Queen's Park) will be home to a one-day jewellery trunk show and sale featuring all sort of local gems. From 5 pm until 9 pm, shop bohemian necklaces by Armed, blinged out statement pieces by Cuchara, exquisite vintage costume jewels handpicked by Carole Tanenbaum, and more. Plus, there'll be a cash bar open so you can peruse with a pick-me-up!

OverThrow - a new name in Toronto-based menswear dedicated to marrying cultural elements and modern streetwear - is proud to announce the launch of their pop-up shop at 404 Adelaide Street West. To celebrate the opening this Sunday (February 9), they're offering free gifts to the first 100 guests in store. If you miss out, you have until March 15 to drop by and see what the label's all about. The store hours are as follows: Monday - Saturday 11 am - 8 pm, Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm.

SALES

Theodore 1922 is moving down the street to 374 Bloor Street West. The new location is expected to launch by March 1st, but until then, the current shop is having a moving sale. Visit the curated menswear boutique for a whole slew of great deals on quality suits, colourful shirts, and more.

Photo by Tullio M. Puglia (Getty Images)

Toronto is getting its first permanent ice house, bar and lounge. The Chill Ice House, from the same people behind Boston's Frost Ice Bar (plus about 20 other ice houses around the world), plans to open in the old Drake General Store space at 82 Bathurst this Spring. Expect minus 5 degree temperatures, ice furniture, ice cocktail glasses, ice plates, ice chandeliers, ice curtains, an ice bar and an ice DJ booth to be among the attractions. In fact, the entire 1300 square foot space will be made out of ice.

So how does that work exactly? From the outside, the Chill Ice House will look like any other building. But inside, once you get past the reception area and fit yourself with a loaned parka you'll enter a space built inside a giant freezer. The space will be open year round and cater to tourists, students (via ice carving classes) as well as those looking to chill out over cocktails and snacks.

Tickets to enter the space ring in at $20 for adults (see full price list here) and hours have tentatively been set as noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday and noon to 9pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. The rest of the week it'll be available to rent for special and corporate events.

Vegans rejoice, a new restaurant and takeout counter has opened near Allen and Lawrence that serves some seriously hearty fare. Focusing on organic, local and gluten free foods, Chef Doug McNish promises healthy food that is both hearty and delicious. I went in as a skeptical carnivore and left with a full stomach.

Read my review of Doug's Public Kitchen in the restaurants section.

It's sunny and warm in Toronto right now. The gentle sapphire lake is sparkling in the sun and the eucalyptus trees on Bay Street are making a whispering sound in the soft onshore breeze. No, it's not a dream (though it kind of is,) it's Toronto, New South Wales, a tiny suburban town tucked on the western shore of Australia's massive Lake Macquarie.

"We've got beaches on the Pacific Ocean, we've got the lake, we've got mountains, lots of bush walking, recreational facilities, and cycleways," says Mayor Jodie Harrison over the phone from her office at the city council building. "It's very similar to Toronto, Canada, having been there - not quite as large but it's got the water."

That water, the winding Lake Macquarie, is the largest saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere, larger even than Port Jackson in Sydney 150 kms south down the coast. A narrow inlet allows warm Pacific water to enter the lake on its eastern side and provides a convenient passage for vessels attending Toronto's main tourist attraction, Classic Boat Fest.

Every Easter, in the afterglow of a long summer, owners of steam, sail, motor and oared craft visit the little lakefront community to show off their lovingly maintained historic vessels. There's kayak races, period costume shows, and Devonshire Tea at the historic local railway station.

Out of season, Toronto is a typical small community in a picturesque location. "The town centre itself is getting a bit of a restaurant-cafe feel about it but there some industrial parts of Toronto on the edges," Harrison says. Most people work in residential care, hospitality, or medicine at the town's private hospital. The city's main courthouse is also located in town.

Toronto's antipodean cousin was named in honour of champion rower Ned Hanlan (of Hanlan's Point) who visited the area in 1884. His arrival coincided with the subdivision that created the community, which has since grown into a town of about 5,433 people. Toronto joined forces with several neighbouring communities in 1984 to form the broader City of Lake Macquarie.

Before being subdivided, Toronto was the site of an aboriginal mission founded by English reverend Lancelot Edward Threlkeld in 1829. When he wasn't indoctrinating the locals, Threlkeld spent his time translating his constituent's native Awabakal language to English.

The subsequent discovery of coal deposits in the hills around the town brought outsiders and tensions over land ownership. The fraught situation escalated dramatically in 1896 and an uprising led to the deaths of five aboriginals.

Because this is 2014 and no conversation about Toronto, no matter what hemisphere it's in, can avoid touching on Rob Ford, I asked about our wayward chief magistrate.

News of the world's most famous Toronto mayor reached Australia but no one, especially Mayor Jodie Harrison, seems to have paid much attention. "Most people in the town centre of Toronto wouldn't recognize the name Rob Ford," she says.

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

Images: City of Lake Macquarie; Wikimedia Commons; Cultural Collections, University of Newcastle.

Session beers are so named for their suitability to being enjoyed over long, extended drinking sessions. Accordingly, they're typically appropriately low in alcohol and don't feature excessively bold flavours that might overwhelm the palate after drinking one or two (or four or five).

They're beers ideally suited to post-game refreshment, afternoon drinking that stretches into the evening, or maybe even the responsible evening beverage option for an on-duty parent. Refer to them as whatever you want, but just don't call them "light" beers. We currently have an excellent selection of beers available to us from Ontario brewers that demonstrate one needn't sacrifice taste when making a beer that's also easy to drink.

Here are my 10 favourite local session beer options.

Muskoka Brewery's Detour
In case it's not clear from all my previous lists, I've officially adopted Muskoka Brewery in the name of Toronto as a local brewer. I do so in part to occasionally help me round out lists of local options like this, but also because their great beer is generally ubiquitous in Toronto's bars. Detour will certainly be no exception this year. Muskoka's newest offering is a dry-hopped and aromatic IPA that weighs in at a practically chuggable 4.3%. This is for sure the current contender for patio dominance this Summer. $13.65 for a sixpack, LCBOs and The Beer Store.

Bellwoods Brewery's Wizard Wolf
I've long been unabashedly enamored with this beer (even before Robert Plant, thank you very much) and it's perfect-for-an-afternoon-of-drinking-in-the-park-4.8% glory. All the big hoppy aromas that bitter beer lovers crave are here and the taste is all mango and citrus. Quite possibly my favourite beer -- session or otherwise. $4.50 in 500ml bottles at the brewery.

Mill Street's Cobblestone Stout
Usually when we hear about a local stout these days it's preceded by the words "barrel aged" or "imperial." And while that's all well and good and there's certainly a place for those great, boozy beers, there's something to be said for the humble, comforting Cobblestone Stout. It's just 4.2% ABV, but it delivers an excellent rich, smooth, creamy goodness that makes this something like the local beer version of comfort food. Available in 440 ml cans at the LCBO for $2.90.

Nickelbrook's Naughty Neighbour
This bloody great beer from Nickelbrook was arguably the first Ontario beer available in six packs that managed to pack all the hoppy, piny, aromatic goodness of an American Pale Ale into a low alcohol beer. It's just 4.9% ABV but manages all kinds of favour and its popularity at the LCBO might have helped usher in the current trend toward hoppy but low alcohol craft beer (ahem, Detour). The jury is out on whether the label art that's reminiscent of a porno DVD helps or hurts this beer, but at this price, who really cares? $11.95 per six pack at the LCBO or brewery.

Mill Street's Organic Lager
Craft beer drinkers like to pretend that there's no place for lager in anyone's beer lineup, but that's a little silly (namely because it dismisses a style of beer most enjoyed by roughly 80% of people who drink beer in North America). The truth is, from time to time there's something to be said for a refreshing, extremely easy to drink lager or pilsner and at 4.2%, Ontario's first certified organic lager fits that bill quite nicely. Haters are definitely going to hate this selection, but for a local, light, crisp beer with a clean finish, Organic is hard to beat.

Great Lakes Brewery's Miami Weiss
While it's not a regular offering from Great Lakes, it tends to pop up seasonally seemingly by virtue of beer nerds willing it to happen since this beer is so damn good.. A hop-forward, non-traditional wheat beer with great mango and floral aromas, this piney, bitter beer retains a soft and light-feeling body with ample carbonation and a nice big head and weighs in at 4.5% ABV. It's not currently on any store shelves but I imagine it will be back come summer. Or else there will be big trouble.

Cheshire Valley's Mildly Amusing
Another seasonal offering, Mildly Amusing is easily the best local English Mild around. Yes, there's a ridiculously small amount of competition for that title, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a damn good beer. It's 3.7% ABV with just a hint of bitterness balanced with chocolate and roast malt flavours and is something like an exercise in subtlety, which is an increasingly rare feat in craft brewing and one well worth seeking out when this beer pops up in select bars around Christmas and New Year's.

Left Field Brewery's Maris*
Much like its namesake, Left Field Brewery's Maris* is something like a no frills pale ale. It delivers a grassy hoppiness and a cereal malt backbone but no really big flavours stand out. It weighs in at just 4.5% so it's not made for those Mickey Mantle-esque benders, but it's a perfectly respectable beer that gets the job done -- and presumably it will stand as such for 37 years until a beer called McGuire shows up and does it better. Maris* is available sporadically on tap in better beer bars, but will show up in cans sometime next year.

Bellwoods Brewery's Stay Classy
With an ABV of 2.3%, Bellwoods half jokingly claims that Stay Classy is the lightest beer in Canada. Whether or not that's actually true, this beer definitely stands in stark contrast to most of Bellwoods' heavy-hitting lineup of boozy beers but it still manages to deliver on flavour. Stay Classy is an impressively aromatic and flavourful "India Session Ale" that's tart and refreshing but not overly astringent. $4.00 in 500ml bottles at the brewery.

Amsterdam's Calm Before the Storm
Perhaps an overlooked beer in brewer Iain McOustra's killer lineup of "Adventure Brews," Calm Before the Storm was a perfectly drinkable English Mild that deserved your attention. The beer used the same malt bill as Amsterdam's 10% Tempest Imperial Stout so it had all the richness and interesting espresso and dark chocolate flavours you'd expect from a good dark beer, but it delivered it all with 3.2% ABV, amped up carbonation, and a frothy rather than creamy head making it a rare dark beer you could drink a dozen of. This one isn't currently available at Amsterdam but maybe if you send them a tweet saying you want to try it, they'll bring it back...

Ben Johnson also writes about beer over on Ben's Beer Blog. All the cool kids are following him on twitter @Ben_T_Johnson

The best cheeseburgers in Toronto are in a somewhat philosophically distinct category from the purebred burger. The cheeseburger is, in essence, from a grimier universe where patties are thinner, grease is king, and buns are soft and floury. Most of these sandwiches involve the smash method of pressing the patty on a flat-top grill to produce a thin burger, though a couple opt for a conventional grill more reminiscent of a barbecue-style beef burger.

The type of cheese doesn't necessarily matter, though those who grew up loving Big Macs will probably appreciate the flavour nuances of processed varietals like Velveeta.

Here are the best cheeseburgers in Toronto.

See also:

The best burger in Toronto
The best restaurants burgers in Toronto
The best late night burgers in Toronto
The best old school burgers in Toronto
The best turkey burgers in Toronto
The best veggie burgers in Toronto
The top 10 new burger joints in Toronto

Waterfront Toronto and staff from the City of Toronto shed more light on the future of the eastern Gardiner Expressway this afternoon, revealing the results of an environmental assessment into four possible options: maintain, improve, replace, or remove.

There's no official recommendation yet - that will come at the March Public Works and Infrastructure committee meeting - but evidence presented today suggests the best way to deal with the dilapidated 2.4 km stretch of Gardiner Expressway east of Jarvis Street is to knock it down.

That said, it's really not that simple, and any decision will take decades to realize.

Demolishing the road is the cheapest and quickest option, according to the EA, but it would require drastically altering Lake Shore Blvd. and would ultimately lead to the steepest increase in travel times - somewhere in the region of 15 minutes in each direction - in and out of downtown.

In fact, every scenario forecasts an increase in travel times, on average 5 to 10 minutes per trip, by 2031 even with a Yonge relief line, East Bayfront LRT, and improvements to GO services. Waterfront Toronto and the city assume all three of these features will be in place or close to completion by the time Gardiner work finishes.

The chart below shows the traffic light system staff used to compare the various options. Green represents the best result and red the worst.

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, chair of the public works committee, spoke out against demolition, saying it would lead to worse commute times and more inconvenience for drivers. "You are removing one barrier and replacing it with another," he said.

Councillor Paula Fletcher, whose ward neighbours the east Gardiner, said she's open to removal for the long-term health of the waterfront and the economy. "Everybody in Toronto has to have a good think," she said. "Let's just say it's not easy. This not an easy decision, it's not an easy discussion."

The elevated highway has shown its age in recent years, dropping substantial chunks of concrete onto Lake Shore Blvd., one of which hit a car in June 2012. The issue stems from water seeping into the support structure, rusting the rebar and expanding when it freezes.

Rob Ford said yesterday he expects a fight to keep the Gardiner standing. "I think staff and I are on a different page. I think staff want to tear it down and I want to maintain it just like most Torontonians do," CP24 reported. "It moves 4,500 people every hour, so that's a lot. We have to keep it."

In 2001, the elevated section of Gardiner between the Don Valley Parkway and Leslie St., a section of road built in anticipation of a highway through Scarborough to the 401, was demolished in order to save on a potentially costly repair bill.

In March, Waterfront Toronto and city staff will present their formal recommendation to the public works committee. The item will then head to city council, possibly in the spring, for final approval on the preferred course of action.

If council votes in favour of the recommendation, the idea will be fully fleshed out and presented for approval during the next term of council. It could be 2019 or 2020 before shovels enter the ground and closer to 2031 before work is complete.

Here are the options as outlined today:

MAINTAIN

Status quo. Keep fixing the Gardiner per the existing schedule using money set aside in the 10-year capital plan. The road configuration above and below the highway would remain largely unchanged, though Lake Shore Blvd. would be re-routed at Cherry St.

TIME: 6 years of lane closures on the Gardiner and Lake Shore Blvd.
COST: $535 million (2013)

IMPROVE:

Work in phases to reshape and improve the existing structure. The number of highway lanes would be reduced to four to make way for an emergency shoulder. Down below, Lake Shore would get public realm improvements and a new cycling trail, plus other tweaks.

TIME: 6 years of lane closures on the Gardiner and Lake Shore Blvd.
COST: $865 million (2013)

REPLACE:

Demolish the Gardiner and build a brand new, taller elevated highway, most likely with a central support that improves visibility and sunlight below. Lake Shore Blvd. would see a series of improvements, including a bike trail and new parks.

TIME: 8 years of no Gardiner or Lake Shore Blvd. access.
COST: $1.3 billion (2013)

REMOVE:

Demolish the Gardiner in favour of a new 8-lane, tree-lined Lake Shore Blvd. There would be dedicated turning lanes, new sidewalks, and a cycling trail on the south side but traffic would be required to stop at traffic lights at all major intersections. A ramp at Jarvis St. would lead up to the remaining portion of highway.

TIME: 3 years of lane closures on both roads.
COST: $470 million (2013)

What do you think of the options? Is knocking down the Gardiner really the best choice? Can Toronto build the transit infrastructure it needs to make the Gardiner viable?

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

Image: Waterfront Toronto

Photo by Nicolai Grut in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Tonight in Toronto Boy Pussy, named on our list of Toronto's best queer bands and artists, will party at The Beaver with Distraksjon and a late night performance by Snap Boys. This Thursday will also see the usual overwhelming amound of new art exhibits opening up, including internet inspired "Pics or it didn't happen" at Pari Nadimi Gallery, psychedelic "Another Dark Day Passes" at OCAD U, and Israeli artist Sigalit Landau at Koffler Gallery (Artscape Youngplace). If you wanna catch some DJs, hustle to Henhouse or Round.

• Pussy Party X: Boy Pussy & Distraksjon
• Exhibit opening: Another Dark Day Passes
• Exhibit opening: Pics or it didn't happen
• Exhibit opening: Sigalit Landau: Moving to Stand Still
• Heidy.P & Chanteclair
• Archi-textures: Light w/ Mike Lambert / Nuner / LeeLee Mishi / Hans Ohm / Jaxamuse
• Laugh Sabbath presents LAYIN DOWN with Tim Gilbert!
• Firebrand

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

Photo of Boy Pussy from Facebook

Rob Ford will once again skip the Pride Parade in Toronto. Asked about the event during a debate last night, the Mayor made his intentions clear, and notably without reference to his customary excuse that he makes a family trip on the weekend of the parade. "I'm not going to go to the Pride parade," Ford said in response to a direct question. "I've never gone to a Pride parade. So I'm not going to change the way I am."

There's a lot to learn about Ford's identity politics in that last statement. The more obvious response, of course, would have been to say "I'm not going to change what I do" -- but for Ford, attendance at the parade would seem to represent both a political and existential crisis of some kind. In fairness, his attendance might actually change who Rob Ford is, but only insofar as it would reveal an individual who is less stubborn and more open to representing his diverse constituency.

While it should be noted that Ford has attended PFLAG ceremonies at city hall in both 2012 and 2013, his unwillingness to show up at such a crucial event as World Pride represents a failure of leadership, one which cautions against any notion that a year of scandal has worn away at his notorious inflexibility.

Photo by Richard Gottardo

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

• CopaCabana Brazilian grillhouse has opened another location at 230 Adelaide Street West.
• El Caballito, a new antojitos and tequila bar is now open at 220 King Street West.
• Grasshopper Restaurant, a casual new vegetarian eatery is now open at 310 College Street (formerly Mexi-Can Market).
• Wildfire Steakhouse & Wine Bar has opened a second location in the Cosmopolitan Hotel (8 Colborne Street). [Post City]
• College Street Diner is set to reopen in place of Maggie's at 400 College Street. The brunch spot is long overdue for a makeover and is set to reopen by week's end.

OPENING SOON

• NODO, a new Italian restaurant and wine bar is opening soon on Dundas Street West in the Junction [via @junctionTO]
• Patois Restaurant inspired by chef Craig Wong's Jamaican-Chinese heritage is opening at 794 Dundas Street West (the floral storefront with the pink cursive mom sign).
• Banh Mi Boys is opening new spot called Lucky Red, a bao shop at 318 Spadina Avenue. [Toronto Life]
• New barbecue and bourbon destination, Smoque N' Bones is opening at 869 Queen Street West (formerly Gino's Pizza). [Post City]
• Muchos Latin Cuisine is slated to open in Mississauga at 1971 Lakeshore Road West.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

• Doug's Public Kitchen
• Noodle Face Co.
• Greenhouse Juice Co.
• The Greek

CLOSED

• Chai Healthy Choices, the Leaside brunch spot at 1575 Bayview Avenue is dunzo.
• The Artisan Baker at 1423 Yonge Street joins the deadpool.
• Comebuy Bubble Tea at 238 Queen Street West is closed.
• Mt Everest (469 Bloor Street) closed at the beginning of the month. (via Chowhound)
• Phil's Original BBQ at 838 College Street on College at Ossington has smoked its last brisket.
• Not even a year old, Dyne Restaurant at 120 Avenue Road is now closed. [Post City]

OTHER NEWS

• The Happy Hooker (887 Dundas Street West) is now licensed to serve booze and is doing pints, tall cans and cocktails.
• The Home of the Brave (589 King Street West) now does take-out.

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

Is there a thoroughfare as historically important as King Street in Toronto? It would face stiff competition from Yonge and Queen (formerly Lot) streets, to be sure, but it's not for nothing that it bears the name of King George III, who ruled during the time that the Town of York was founded. The economic heart of the city (and now the country) through its central portion between University and Church Street, King was the first street to feature a bonafide office block, in the form of the Chewett Building.

Once home to the mighty Massey Ferguson buildings (stretching west from Massey St.), the Otto Higel Building (at Bathurst), Upper Canada College (at John), the Rossin House Hotel (at York), and the Toronto Star Building (near Bay), the street has lost some remarkable structures over time. On the flip side, landmarks like the Royal Alex Theatre, Commerce Court North, The King Edward Hotel, and St. James Cathedral ensure that the it's not bereft of historical reference points, even its manufacturing legacy west of Bathurst has been lost.

In general, buildings knocked down through the central portion of King Street were at least replaced with grand structures of their own (i.e. Toronto Star Building for First Canadian Place), a tradition that would continue should the Mirvish-Gehry proposal ever get approved. King Street is about as marquee as you get in Toronto, and a rather fitting place for showpiece structures.

PHOTOS

Chewett Building, King & York streets, 1834

Former Upper Canada College grounds and King West via Goad's Atlas

King & Yonge, 1896

Looking east along King towards Church, 1856

Looking west along King toward Yonge, 1856

Looking west along King from York, 1856

King St. East to Victoria, 1910

King West subway, 1915

Near King & Bay, 1930

Yonge Subway construction at King St, 1950

Yonge & King, late 1950s

Royal Alex Theatre, 1955

Sword Restaurant at Yonge & King, 1967

King St., 1970s

Junction of King & Queen streets, 1973

Northwest corner of Bathurst & King, 1977

King St. near St. Lawrence Hall, 1978

Ditto, but 1980

Northwest corner of King & Bathurst, 1981

King West, 1980s

King & Strachan, 1980s

King West, 1980s

King & Frederick, 1994

Photos from the Toronto Archives

Having started as a a Latin American grocery store near Bloor and Lansdowne, this spot has morphed into a hybrid space that also does a small menu of freshly prepared foods each day. I had high hopes walking into the place based on the long history of the grocery store taqueria combo, but I left wondering if I should have bought groceries instead.

Read my review of Latin World in the restaurants section.

Valentine's Day in Toronto is fast approaching and restaurant reservation books are filling up fast. Still looking to book a table? Find the perfect gift? Ignore the whole love-fest altogether and get drunk at a bar? Restaurants, bars, florists and sweet shops are ready to spread the love.

Here is a roundup of Valentine's Day ideas in Toronto for 2014.

FOR COUPLES

Restaurants citywide will be offering special menus or are sweetening the deal with complimentary desserts or bubbly. Some restaurants have been booked up for months and even with over a week to go limited seatings are filling up fast. As of "press" time, the restaurants listed below had some availability remaining on the big day.

Drake One Fifty (150 York Street)
Chef Ted Corrado is offering a luscious $75 prix fixe menu that starts with oysters on the half shell and then offers choices like testina with cherries, seared duck breast, lamb loin and belly.

The Shore Club (155 Wellington Street West)
The steakhouse is offering a special a la carte menu featuring tuna carpaccio, scallops in the shell 3-ways and boneless braised short ribs.

Ki (181 Bay Street)
The modern Japanese restaurant is doing a special 6-course Otoshi menu for $65 per person.

Quinta (1282 Dundas Street West)
The elegant restaurant is doing a three course prix fixe menu including bubbly libations for $65 per person.

La Societe (131 Bloor Street West)
The Yorkville restaurant celebrated L'amour Paris Style with a three course menu priced at $75 per person.

Momofuku Shoto (190 University Avenue)
A 12-course tasting menu from chef Mitchell Bates served with a glass of sparkling wine is being offered for $200 per person.

Le Select Bistro (432 Wellington Street West)
The intimate French bistro is doing a $55 prix fixe that offers a choice of three courses, oysters and champagne.

Osteria dei Ganzi (504 Jarvis Street)
Cozy up in a historic mansion with a 3-course menu for $40 including a glass of Prosecco. The Italian restaurant celebrated love all weekend until the 16th.

Cafe Belong (550 Bayview Avenue)
Set park-side in the Evergreen Brick Works, the scenic spot is doing a 3-course Vegan Valentine's Menu for $40 and a special 5-course Valentine's Day Dinner for Two for $55 (beverage pairings additional).

Home of the Brave (589 King Street West)
The HOTB is doing an Italian American Valentines Day complete with red and white checkered tablecloths and a $50 three course prix fixe menu featuring Chicago deep dish pizza, meatballs and creamy polenta, cheeseburger fazzoletti, plus Negroni slushies on special from the bar.

Rock Lobster (538 Queen Street West)
The seafood-centric restaurant is taking reservations before 7:30pm for this one night only. No menu specials, but free roses and sweets will be on offer.

Brassaii (461 King Street West)
Celebrate with complimentary bubbly, a five-course menu specialty cocktails, candy bar, dancing and photo booth with romantic props.

The Bristol Yard (146 Christie Street)
Celebrate Valentine's Day the Welsh Way with a set menu offer for $60 per couple.

El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane)
Dia Del Amor at this Distillery District restaurant is celebrated with a $60 prix fixe including courses of ceviche, tacos, main plates and desserts. A glass of Cava comes included.

Momofuku (190 University Avenue)
The noodle bar is offering 4 and 5 course prix fixe menus plus a la carte or large formats options.

The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West)
The Drake kicks off a week of 10-year birthday celebrations in addition to V-Day on the 14th. Dining couples can ask their server for a "naughty" or "original colouring sheet" created by artist Mallory Diaczun.

The Steady (1051 Bloor St W)
Queer spot The Steady knows you might not fit the Hallmark paradigm, and encourages bringing "friends, hookups, your mom, your boyfriend and his boyfriend or his girlfriend and your girlfriend and her girlfriend..." The prix fixe menu is $50 per person plus $15 for cold tea-infused cocktails for two.

NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Procrastinators take note, it will business as usual (okay maybe busier) at these fine establishments with strict first-come, first-served policies.

• Snakes & Lagers
• Guu SakaBar
• Pizzeria Libretto (Ossington)
• Khao San Road

FOR SINGLES

Don't worry singles, you won't be left out in the cold -- if anything falling on a Friday night might prove an advantage. Here's a roundup of anti-Valentine's Day events that celebrate group love, mixing and mingling, and drinking... lots of drinking.

Luma (330 King Street West)
The O&B restaurant isn't booking tables for two. Group Love is the theme of the evening and available for tables of 3+. The $50 menu will feature sharing plates and a gift from O&B Artisan. Singles can dine at the harvest table for $25 each and share in large format help-yourself platters.

La Carnita (501 College Street)
The College Street taqueria hosts singles night featuring $2 pilsners cans plus menu specials TBD.

The Beaver (1192 Queen Street West)
The West Queen West bar hosts an anti-valentine, single ladies valentine dinner featuring nachos and red wine on special and DJ's spinning all female artists. No PDA allowed.

Harlem Restaurant (67 Richmond Street East)
Stuff your face with soul foods then stay for the Valentine's Day Soirée. Tickets are $21.50 in advance or $16.50 with a dinner reservation.

Pour Girl (191 College Street)
The pub hosts singles mixers by age group (19-34 and 35+) on each floor. The evening will feature candy, ice breakers, Twister, and Cards Against Humanity.

Tranzac (292 Brunswick Avenue)
Puppy Love at this Annex club will be a sugary sweet avec spin the bottle, arts & crafts table, and sex positive speed dating.

Royal Ontario Museum (100 Bloor Street)
Meet You Match, a singles-only murder mystery hosted by Urban Capers Scavenger Hunt will lead sleuths through the museum to solve a murder via series of clues and trivia questions. Tickets are $36.

Parts & Labour(1566 Queen Street West)
The Parkdale spot calls bullshit on the whole day and hosts a Damaged Goods dance party. Doors open at 10pm, cover is $5.

Boots & Bourbon (725 Queen Street East)
The country saloon presents free line-dancing from 7pm to 10pm for singles or couples.

GIFTS

Glory Hole Doughnuts (1596 Queen Street West)
Order a doughnut-o-gram from this Parkdale bakeshop up until Wednesday, February 12th for pick-up only on the 14th. Heart-shaped doughnut specials include the My Bloody Valentine with rhubarb raspberry cranberry jam (from Stasis), dark chocolate glaze and fake blood splatters.

Coriander Girl (1604 Queen Street West)
Order a large $75 mason jar bouquet and get a free doughnut from Glory Hole included with delivery. Delivery is available throughout the GTA.

Nadege (780 Queen Street West)
The French patisserie is well stocked with a Valentine's Day collection featuring bon bons and chocolate tablets that spell out love.

Scotty Naughty
Rob Ford-themed Valentine's cards that read endearments like, You're like a subway, I can't afford you but I want you anyway.

Carnivore Club
If your SO isn't into sweets, consider saying I love you with deliveries of cured meats. Valentine's orders are due in by February 9th.

Drake General Store
Super cute, cookie cards from Lindsey Bakes are selling for $5 in stores and online.

See also:
The Best Florists in Toronto
The Best Chocolate in Toronto
The Best Macarons in Toronto

Photo by Kim Yokota in the blogTO Flickr pool