Photo by Jeremy Gilbert in the blogTO Flickr pool

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

• AwesTRUCK at Celebration Square in Mississauga kicks off tonight, Friday, September 5 at 5pm and continues Saturday, September 6 at 6pm. Admission to the food truck rally is free.
• The Veg Food Fest takes place at Harbourfront Centre this weekend (September 5-7). The free three-day event will feature food from 130 vendors, competition cook-offs, demos and guest speakers.
• Taste of the Kingsway takes over the stretch of Bloor West near Royal York station this weekend from September 5 to 7. The family-friendly fall street fest will feature local vendors, beer and wine gardens, entertainers, a midway, a dog show, a car show and more.
• 86'd Monday at The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. West) returns from summer vacation at 8pm on Monday, September 8 with the Devour! Food Film Festival Preview. Party with the crew from Nova Scotia's film fest devoted to food as well as celebrity guests Bob Blumer and Jason Priestley.

UPCOMING

• Registration is open now for the Ride 4 Real Food, a city to farm bike-a-thon happening Sunday, September 14 in support of Co-Op Credit food security program in Parkdale.
• Steam Whistle has announced details for its traditional Oktoberfest Party happening Saturday, September 20th from 2pm to 11pm at the brewery (255 Bremner Blvd.). The festivities will include authentic German food, folk music and entertainment, and of course, Steam Whistle pilsner. Tickets are $30 at the door and include a souvenir stein to take home.

Photo of Taste of the Kingsway by Elizabeth Martin.

The King East Design District is Toronto's gateway to some of the world's most interesting furniture and home decor designers. For those looking to kit out their places with cutting-edge design, it's a one-stop shop, with dozens of stores lining King and tucked into sidestreets. For those whose apartments are already overflowing (including yours truly), it's a crash course in what's modern and trending in the world of interiors.

On September 20, area stores are banding together to transform the face of King East as part of the KEDD 3d parti festival, which will feature installations by local and international artists running up and down the street, turning the area into a massive gallery.

As a precursor to the main event, we teamed up with King East stores and festival organizers to bring a little bit of King East design to St. James Park, one of the festival hot spots.

Here's a look at what we selected and the types of furniture you can find right now in these King East stores.

Chair and pillow: Calligaris. Wooden bench: DOM Toronto.

Sofa: Designer Inspired Interiors. Pillows: Calligaris, Designer Inspired Interiors and UpCountry.

Locker: UpCountry. Coat tree: Calligaris. Wooden sculptures: DOM Toronto. "YTZ" print: Alexander Interiors.

Side table: Designer Inspired Interiors.

Chair: UpCountry. Pillow: Designer Inspired Interiors. Clock: Alexander Interiors.

Coffee table: UpCountry. Indoor/outdoor rug and starburst: Alexander Interiors. Pitcher: DOM Toronto.

Silver lamp and black coat tree: Calligaris.

Photos by Jesse Milns.

Across from Ossington station, a convenience store has been taken over by a brand-new juice bar that serves more than juice. With a menu that includes espresso and healthy, hearty salads, they make for a perfect morning or midday pit stop.

Read about Fueled Fresh Bar in the restaurants section.

Who doesn't want to feel like a celebrity walking down the red carpet now and then? Well, if your TIFF journeys happen to find you watching a movie at Scotiabank Theatre during the festival, you'll get a glimpse of what it must feel like.

At the top of Scotiabank's famous escalators (are they famous? they feel fame worthy to me because, I mean, they go on forever), Cineplex has set up a special bit of advertising to boost your ego just a little bit. A giant screen waits there. At first you're not sure what it's supposed to do exactly. All it's showing is a video of photographers waiting around with their cameras for something to shoot--just as they would at a red carpet TIFF gala at Roy Thompson Hotel.

As you get closer to it, however, you realize what's going on. Those photographers are waiting for you. Not stars. Motion sensors activate as soon as you walk past, and the photographers' faces light up, their cameras come up, and they start snapping, treating you like the star you deserve to be. It's a pretty cool feeling.You can even engage further by tapping on the screen to - as the giant screen promises - put yourself on the cover of the Cineplex magazine.

No doubt as the hustle and bustle of TIFF takes hold our awareness of that big screen may fade. But for the first days? It's hard not to smile. Not just because it makes you want to puff out your chest a little with feelings of improtance, but because it's a welcome reminder: TIFF is finally here.

Photo by Jesse Milns

Toronto Beer Week is back. Running September 12th-20th, the nine day tribute to everyone's favourite adult beverage is now in its fifth year and will feature beer from over 30 different craft breweries pouring beer at 69 venues in over a hundred different events.

With so many opportunities to indulge, it can be difficult to decide which events are worthy of your precious beer-drinking time so, with a view to making the most of your Toronto Beer Week, here are my picks for TBW, sorted by day of the week, with the reason I think they're worth your while. All you have to do now is iron your drinking pants.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH

The Beer Experience
6pm-11pm
Because you love trying new beer.
This event offers a promise most craft beer events usually don't: Every single beer being served will have been brewed exclusively for the event or has otherwise never been available anywhere else. With a list of participating brewers that includes Amsterdam Brewery, Junction Craft Brewery, Kensington Brewing Company, Mill Street Brewery, Black Oak Brewery, Great Lakes Brewery, The Beer Academy, and more, that's nothing to sneeze at. But in case that's enough for you, there will also be food from Berkeley Church's onsite kitchen and live music by local bands.
Where: Berkeley Church, 315 Queen Street East
How much: $25 in advance and $35 at the door, includes five drink tokens and additional tokens are $1 each. There also seems to be no shortage of contests happening right now to win free admission.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12TH

C'est What 26th Annual Festival Of Craft Breweries
5pm (festival also runs Saturday September 13 at 12pm)
Because variety is the spice of life.
C'est What's commitment to craft beer hasn't changed much in 26 years, and even though not much else about the venue has changed either, any festival with that kind of longevity is surely worth mentioning . As usual, there will be a plethora of beer available, this year with a focus on harvest ales and seasonal beers from four dozen (!) breweries.
Where: C'est What, 67 Front Street East
How much: Free admission, beer samples are $1.00.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH

The Sacred Oak: A Night of Barrel-Aged Beers
Session one 1pm-4pm, Session two 5pm-8pm
Because wood makes it good.
One of the first events in the city to highlight the rapidly expanding trend toward barrel-aging in this province, the evening will feature not just beers from Indie Alehouse but a few other Ontario brewers, too. Find out the awesome things that barrel-aging can do to porters, stouts, sours, and more.
Where: Indie Alehouse's "Barrel Room," 165 Geary Avenue
How much: $25 and ticket includes a custom glass and two drink tickets.

The Toronto Craft Brew Cruise
11am (3:30pm and 8pm cruises are sold out)
Because drinking on a boat.
Twelve Ontario breweries, including Beau's, Barnstormer, Left Field, and Oast House, will be participating in this jaunt around the harbour so you can sample craft beer while finally putting those deck shoes to their intended use. Given that this is a three hour tour, the only question is whether you'll reference Gilligan, head to the bow to do your best Kate Winslet impression, or go with a more subtle reference simply by wearing a nautical themed pashmina afghan. Ahoy, polloi.
Where: The River Gambler, boards at 33 Lake Shore Boulevard East
How much: $39.95, includes five sample tickets and a commemorative mug.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH

The Home Brew Tap Takeover
1pm-4pm
Because you'll see the brewing stars of tomorrow, today.
The second annual Home Brew Tap Takeover features 21 homebrewers whom the Indie Alehouse allowed to brew their own recipe on the brewpub's pilot system. Find out what beer can taste like before a fledgling brewer's dreams of being a successful brewmaster are crushed by the harsh realities of the economy, red tape, and our province's archaic liquor legislation. Yum!
Where: Indie Alehouse's "Barrel Room," 165 Geary Avenue
How much: $10, includes two drink tickets and a commemorative glass.

Drinkin' The Danforth...Dry!!
2pm
Because you always say you we should get to the Danforth more, honey.
Join a bunch of rowdy functioning alcoholics--er, I mean, brewers, sales and marketing staff, and owners of four terrific breweries--as they tear up the East end one pint at a time. Folks from Great Lakes Brewery, Sawdust City Brewery, Left Field Brewery, and Beau's All Natural Brewery will giving away prizes, sampling one-offs and, naturally, putting a few back at The Wren (2pm), Sauce (3pm), Morgans on the Danforth (4pm), The Only Cafe (5pm), Court Jester (6pm), Brass Taps (7pm), and The Auld Spot (8pm).
Where: See venues listed above...
How much: Free, but you'll pay for pints along the way.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH

Shock & Awe... A GLB Beer Dinner at Morgans on Danforth
6:30pm
Because for a beer dinner, this price is right.
A good beer dinner where attention is paid to food and beer pairing is sadly a pretty rare thing, and one that you can attend for $50 is even more rare. That's why on Monday you should probably head to the Danforth for a four course dinner with Canadian Brewery of the Year, Great Lakes Brewery, and Morgans. Among the beers being offered will be GLB's delicious 25th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Robust Porter.
Where: Morgans on the Danforth, 1282 Danforth Avenue
How much: $49.99 Limited tickets. Call Morgans on the Danforth at 416-461-3020 to reserve your spot.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH

The Queen Street East Beer Hike
6pm
Because it almost sounds like exercise.
Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. and Left Field Brewery will lead an "urban beer hike" (don't call it a pub crawl!) along Queen Street East, to hit up some of the better venues for drinking in Riverside and Leslieville. There will be prizes, presumably a few pints along the way, and, when you're tired at work the next morning, you can tell people it's because you went for a hike.
Where: Starts at Hi-Lo Bar, 753 Queen Street East, then on to Brooklyn Tavern (7pm), Hitch (8pm), and Céilí Cottage (9pm).
How much: Walkin' is free, man. Pints will cost you.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH

The Golden Tap Awards
Doors at 5pm, awards at 8pm
Because you look amazing today.
Celebrate all the beery goodness Ontario has to offer at the awards gala for the province's only voter-chosen beer awards. Have I, Ben Johnson, mentioned that this year you can even vote for your favourite beer writer? Ahem.
Along with announcing the winners in a handful of categories, the event will feature beer (and cider) from an all-Ontario lineup of brewers including Black Oak, Amsterdam, Great Lakes, Indie Alehouse, Steam Whistle, Junction Craft, Spearhead, Left Field, Kensington, Beer Academy, Bellwoods, and more. Cast your vote for your favourites by September 9th! And seriously though, have you lost weight?
Where: beerbistro, 18 King Street East
How much: Free admission, beer tickets available pre-awards, and full pints for sale after the winners are announced.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH

Great Lakes Brewery's "Hey We're Awesome" Party
5pm
Simply because they like to party.
As of the time I wrote this, there's no official name for this party, but Great Lakes Brewery tells me that they wanted to throw a shindig just because they are happy to be Canadian Brewery of The Year for the second year in a row (and they sure don't miss a chance to tell us that, do they?). Featuring food stations with grub from Food and Liquor, Pie Commission, and Ceili Cottage, the event will see GLB pouring a plethora of their award-winning beer including a station dedicated solely to their pale ales and--wait for it--the triumphant return of Thrust! An IPA, the gold medal winning IPA from the 2014 Canadian Brewing Awards--a beer that sold out so fast last time it was here that GLB has opted to brew twice as much as they ever have before.
Where: 918 Bathurst Street
How much: Price TBD.

Books & Brews
7pm-8pm
Because when's the last time you were in a library for a beer related event?
Take a break from your week of debauchery to engage your intellectual side--by talking about beer. Authors Stephen Beaumont ("The World Atlas of Beer"), David Ort ("The Canadian Craft Beer Cookbook") and Jordan St. John ("Ontario Beer") will lead a discussion about why craft beer matters, the history of beer in Toronto, pairing beer and food, and what the future may hold for craft beer in Ontario. There won't be any beer there (because it's a library) but surely the one hour you're dry and learning about beer will make that post-chat beer even better.
Where: Toronto Public Library - Sanderson Branch, 327 Bathurst Street
How much: Free, but they will charge you $0.40 for every minute that you're late.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH

A Night With Great Lakes & Amsterdam
5pm
Because holy shit look at that beer lineup!
My pick for the can't miss event of Toronto Beer Week, this tap takeover at Bar Hop looks like it will be one for the ages. Featuring beers selected by two beermakers brewing some of Canada's most interesting beer, GLB's Mike Lackey and Amsterdam's Iain MacOustra, there will be no shortage of unique one-offs plucked from each brewery's respective cellars, a slew of beers that these two Beer BFFs have collaborated on over the years and Life Sentence, a triple IPA the two brewers collaborated on to be debuted at this event. Do I need to say more?
Where: Bar Hop, 391 King Street West
How much: Free admission, pints will cost you.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH

Steam Whistle's Ultimate Oktoberfest Party
2pm-11pm
Because Lederhosen.
Arguably Toronto's best Oktoberfest party, Steam Whistle does this stein-hoisting, sausage-eating shindig just right, with traditional costumes and entertainment and, importantly, big honkin' steins of brewery-fresh pilsner that you can take home at the end of the night. End your Toronto Beer Week by preparing your liver for the Oktoberfest drinking you'll need to do to taper off.
Where: Steam Whistle Brewery, The Roundhouse, 255 Bremner Blvd
How much: $30

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21ST

Toronto Beer Run
11am
Because you really should get some exercise at this point.
After a week of hard drinking, there's nothing better than...running 11km? WTF? Oh, there's drinking involved. Phew! Tour four breweries along your run and suport a good cause. You'll start at Mill Street's Beer Hall, hit up Steamwhistle, the Amsterdam Brewhouse, and The 3 Brewers, then had back to Mill Street for an after party. That's my kind of running.
Where: Starts at Mill Street Beer Hall, 21 Tank House Lane
How much: $60, gets you a long-sleeved Toronto Beer Run shirt, a race bib, "Brewery Party Favors," Beer Run Finishers Medals that are also bottle openers, and most importantly some of the money goes toward Plan, a charity that supports social justice for children in developing countries.

ALL WEEK LONG

• Have an eye out for the official beer of Toronto Beer Week 2014, a Farmhouse style ale with Galaxy hops, brewed by Amsterdam Brewery.
• And Speaking of Amsterdam, they'll be tapping a keg from their Brewer's Reserve at the Amsterdam BrewHouse every night for the entirety of Toronto Beer Week 2014.
• You can tour Mill Street Brewery for free all week if you want to learn about that sweet nectar you so readily pour down your suckhole.
• While I hesitate to name drop an American brewery in reference to Toronto Beer Week, if you're in the mood for lobster during TBW, you can check out the "Samuel Adams & Rock Lobster Experience" a $20 prix fix dinner and beer pairing available at both the Rock Lobster Queen or Ossington locations.
• Lastly, please take the The STACK Challenge. Simply because I'm a big fan of gluttony and needless competition, I really think you should try to finish two Big Stack burgers (for the record, each weighing one pound), four servings of fries (yes four) and a pint of either either Great Lakes Canuck Pale Ale or Beau's LugTread Lagered Ale. Oh and you have to consume it all within 30 minutes. If you do, not only will you win widespread acclaim and renown, you'll also dine gratis. Do it for me, champ!

Ben Johnson also writes about beer over on Ben's Beer Blog. Follow him on twitter @Ben_T_Johnson.

It's a sad day for local lovers of fish and chips. One of Toronto's finest (and oldest) chipperies is closing at the end of October after 65 years in business at its location on Mount Pleasant. For those unfamiliar, Penrose Fish and Chips is a classic throwback fish and chips spot where the fried goodness is still served in the traditional newspaper and line-ups are the norm on Good Fridays.

According to the South Bayview Bulldog, the reason for the closure is simply that the owners are retiring. Here's hoping that someone has the good sense to step in and continue running the business.

Share your memories of Penrose Fish and Chips in the comments.

The 2014 Toronto International Film Festival kicked off on Thursday, sweeping the city with the festival's first wave of premieres and parties. The stars were out, with luminaries like Robert Downey Jr. hitting the red carpet - but for those who didn't wait in line to spy their favourite actors, there was still plenty of fun to be had. TIFF's first-ever street fest took over King West with roaring musical performances and tons of fun activities, and if you knew where to go afterward, there were some killer parties happening at Studio Event Theatre and the Drake.

See all the star-studded action in our photo gallery of day one at TIFF.

Thanks to the Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington, for sponsoring our coverage of TIFF 2014.

Bill Murray is a hard man to pin down. He has no agent or manager. When a filmmaker wants to explore the possibility of working with him, they have to call a 1-800 number that Murray doesn't necessarily always check regularly. Even then filmmakers have been known to say they didn't know whether Bill Murray would do a part until he'd just show up on the first day of shooting on a new movie.

Even when TIFF decided to dedicate an entire day (today, in fact) to the man, they had trouble initially even getting a hold of him so he could attend his own day.

The only places Bill Murray is known to appear with regularly is exactly where you least expect him to - engagement shoots, karaoke bars.

Thankfully at TIFF this year you don't have to jump through quite so many elaborate hoops to see Hollywood's most famous white elephant. Murray will be appearing at two screenings today as part of the Toronto International Film Festival.

The first will see him take part in a Q&A after this afternoon's 3:30 screening of Ghostbusters at the TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre. His second appearance will be at this evening's premiere of St. Vincent where he'll also stick around to answer any questions from audiences. Which, frankly, is the Holy Grail of Q&A opportunities. Because who doesn't want to be the source of Murray's famous sarcastic wit?

Thanks to the Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington, for sponsoring our coverage of TIFF 2014.

St. Andrew Poultry in Kensington Market looks almost unrecognizable from its former self to those who haven't been by in recent months. Officially opening with its new look last week, the long-time chicken shop has moved on from bag it yourself and blow torched chickens and now sports a modern grocery, shawarma and plenty of prepared food items.

See the new look of St. Andrew Poultry in the grocery section.

Welcome back, students! Has OSAP come through yet? Have you already blown your budget on frosh week drinking? Did you rent a bachelor with no stove? Did your mom not send you off with a freezer's worth of home cooking? I feel for you. This is not a cheap city.

While our definition of cheap eats keeps pace with rising food, labour and property costs, we know that the $10 bar is pretty high in relation to the average student budget. This list is devoted to ultra-cheap options, listed on menus for $5 or less (sorry, you'll have to scrounge some change for tax and tip). While some campuses are flush with hearty, affordable fare (I'm looking at you lucky OCAD students) others are somewhat more barren (UofT students, you might just want walk down to OCAD).

Here are my top picks for $5 lunch options, listed by university and college campus.

RYERSON

99¢ Sushi
At the corner of Church and Carlton, this no-frills sushi spot can be an AYCE opportunity for $10. Those feeling a little lighter in the pocket can opt for 99-cent a la carte options, which equates to something like 30-40 rolls for under 5 bucks.

Patties Express
This tiny little Jamaican pastry shop on Elm St. is home to a second-generation patty-purveyor who slings beef, chicken and veggie stuffed pockets two at a time with a can of soda for $4.39. Equally delicious and cheaper still you can have a single patty of your choice nestled into a puffy, sweet coco bun for just $3.39.

Big Moe's and Jackson's Burger
I'm going to lump these two burger outfits together because they're situated side by side. Plain burgers at both spots come in at under $5, though Moe's is 20 cents cheaper, though it's the daily specials that might make the decision for you. At Jackson's, you'll find some fancy daily BOGO deals (read: go halfsies with a friend). At Moe's, two can dine for $7.99 on Mondays, cheeseburgers are $2.50 on Tuesdays and chicken burgers go for $2.99 on Thursdays.

Ginger
If $5 is truly your budget then even the pho might be too rich for your blood at the Yonge St. outpost of this local chain of Vietnamese eateries. Opt instead for a banh mi ($3.50) built on a puffy baguette and layered with tangy carrot daikon slaw and a choice of beef, chicken, pork, tofu or cold cuts.

Love at First Bite
This little pizza parlour at the base of the Neill-Wycik residence offers an indie alternative to the big chains nearby (Pizza Pizza on Yonge advertises a whole plain pizza walk-in special for $4.99). The better alternative at this joint is a slice and a soda for $4.25-$4.75, or have yourself a mini 9" pizza with one topping for $4.80, splurge on 2 toppings for $5.10.

OCAD

Karine's
The all-vegetarian vendor in the food court offers an extensive menu of meat free options and while all of it is reasonably priced, the flat $5 specials can't be beat. Fill up before class on all day breakfasts, vegan pancakes and veggie wraps.

Fresh Italian Eatery
Sandwiches at this Italian luncheonette range between $4.25 and $4.50 though the rotating daily specials offer the most tempting value. Mondays you'll find veal or chicken parm on for $5; Tuesdays feature pulled chicken and Wednesdays feature porchetta for $3.50; Thursdays are roast beef for $3.75; and on Fridays, the eggplant parm goes for $4. Specials are served up on a plate with any one side or on a bun. Now mangia!

Tasty Chinese Food
I subsisted on take-away from this spot throughout my undergrad and can attest that it really is tasty. What's best about the menu is the ample affordable selection; combos complete with rice or noodles and a choice of szechaun chicken, seasame chicken or buddha delight are each priced at $4.43, sweet and sour chicken with veggies sells for $3.99, and a BBQ chicken leg with veggies goes for $4.99.

Souvlaki House
This Greek hot counter is family-run and those that frequent the place are treated like part of the clan. It's been around longer than most of its neighbours and owes its longevity to generous portions. Choose between an 8" meatball sub ($5), veggie moussaka ($4.43), greek veggie burger ($3.80), lamb gyro burger ($4.85), XL lentil soup ($4.43) or daily veggie plate ($4.99). You can add garlic bread for another 80 cents.

Helena's Magic Kitchen
Another long-standing Grange resident, Helena's is beloved for hearty, wholesome comfort foods that are probably better than homemade. Dine on combos like a cabbage roll with perogies sold for $4.65, or order a slice from the daily selection of quiche and savoury pies that are on for $4.43.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Veda
On-campus options at U of T are sparse, and quite frankly not all that cheap. This Indian chain offers only limited options for the budget conscious, though if you can live on baked samosa ($4.49 for 3), pakoras ($2.49 for 6), or empanadas stuffed with chicken or beef ($3.49), then you're in luck.

Tasty's Caribbean Restaurant
On College, directly across from the Student Life building, this Caribbean take-away offers patties and coco buns for $1.25 each, add on a side of channa ($3/small) and you've got yourself a hearty meal. On Thursdays and Fridays you'll find Trinidadian doubles, aloo pie and palourie on special for just $2.

Papa Ceo and Cora
Sitting side by side on Spadina, these two pizza parlours a great meal source when your wallet is feeling light. At Papa Ceo, you can get a king slice and pop for $4.50, while next door at Cora, you'll find all slices priced at $3.99 and you can add-on a tropical juice for 75¢.

River Tai
The Cantonese restaurant on Harbord might look a little worn-out, but it's merely a sign of its longevity. A specials board poised at the entrance might just be the thing that draws you inside, where you'll find options like fried noodles with beef, satay chicken on vermicelli, bbq pork on rice, szechuan beef on rice, or bean curd with mixed veggies on rice all priced at $3.99.

El Furniture Warehouse
In the Annex, just a short jaunt from campus, this eatery is worth a lunchtime detour. The entire menu is a student's saviour with an abundance of complete meals (including sides) priced at a steady $4.95. Get yourself a burger and fries or fill up with a hearty bowl of mac and cheese - the options here could have you coming back again and again without growing bored of the same thing.

YORK UNIVERSITY

The Islands Caribbean Restaurant
Lunch specials are offered weekdays from 10am to 3pm at this York Lanes establishment. Choices include jerk, BBQ or fried chicken with rice for $4.99, patty and coco bread $2.21, a 3-piece chicken with festival combo for $3.99 and a hearty vegetarian meal offered for $4.99.

Berries and Blooms
Also in York Lanes, this destination for sandwiches and salads accommodates student budgets with a varied list of sammies all priced under 5 bucks. Basic meat or veggie options range from $2.25 to $4.99 while premium versions like the grilled brie ($4.75) or the turkey club ($4.99) are affordable too. Also noteworthy are the 2-egg breakfasts offered with bacon and coffee for $3.49.

Sofra Istanbul
While Falafel Hut Village in York Lanes offers a similar menu, if you want to venture off campus you'll find sandwiches made with fresh pita bread at this Middle Eastern eatery. Falafels packed full of vegetables and protein are on sale for $4.87 and veggie wraps for $4.42.

Big Al's Diner
Slide up to the counter at this classic diner for all day breakfasts starting at $3.99 and breakfast sandwiches like the BLT ($2.99) and signature 'Big Al' with a fried egg, bacon and cheese between bread sold for $4.29. Standards like the naked beef patty or veggie burger sell for $4.49, and you'll find all-beef hotdog combos for $4.29.

Tin Tin Congee Chinese Restaurant
Hearty bowls of rice porridge are an awesomely filling option at this off-campus restaurant. Order any of the congee price between $2.50 and $5 -- options include pork and preserved egg congee ($4.50) or minced beef ($4.50). Noodle soups hover around the $5 mark too and are offered with wontons, dumpling or pork hock in steaming bowls of broth and noodles.

GEORGE BROWN (St. James campus)

Patrician Grill
This old school diner is a reliable source for cheap toasted sandwiches. A grilled cheese or fried egg sandwich should tide you over through classes and sells for an affordable $4.10.

Bolets Burrito
Found on Lower Sherbourne, you can't get a burrito for less than $5, so those on tight budgets should opt instead for the veggie quesadilla. It comes packed with at least three food groups for an even $5.

Nari Sushi
Located at King and Sherbourne, this cheery take-out counter offers well-priced, pre-packaged rolls for convenient and cheap eating. The Salmon and Avocado Roll ($4.95) is a local favourite, featuring 8 large pieces than are more fish than rice.

Paddington's Pump
Take advantage of campus' near proximity to the historic St. Lawrence Market and order Toronto's most famous peameal on a bun ($4.85) - the sandwich comes stacked with a pile of filling porky goodness. The corned beef, too, comes in at under $5.

European Delight
While there are a wealth of options in St. Lawrence market, I happen to be a big fan of this Ukrainian deli found on the lower level. Here, the specialty is home-style prepared foods like perogies offered by the dozen for $4 or massive cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and meat or vegetables are offer for $3.75 apiece.

HUMBER (Lakeshore campus)

Super Burger
A toasted chicken, cheese or tuna sub goes for $4.50 or less, while a 4 oz. burger on its own is $3.25 (if you can scrounge up some change you can make it a combo for $5.31). If that's not enough choice, you can also get pork ($3.45) or chicken ($4.05) souvlaki or sausage ($3.29) on a bun.

Melt Grilled Cheese
The classic with cheddar and mozza sells for $4.39 but the best thing about this grilled cheese is you can customize it with additional, fresh toppings. A breakfast option dubbed the Good Morning Melt ($4.79) is good value, too, layered with cheddar, mozzarella, a fried egg, tater tots and mayo, while health conscious eaters on a budget can add chicken for $1.99 to any of the salads priced at about $3.50.

Ducky's Roti
A top choice for hearty cheap eats in the neighbourhood, this roti house on Lakeshore West offers roti packed with potatoes and curry in choices like stewed beef ($4.99) or channa ($3.50-$4.75). Also affordable: rice dishes served with dhal (split peas) or red beans and curry chicken or veggie delight for $4.99. Aloo pies a la carte sell for $1.75, doubles cost only $1.50 and on Saturdays there's a breakfast menu with plenty of options for under $5.

Jumbo Burrito
The main attraction at this burrito joint is the student special, featuring a burger burrito dressed with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, chipotle mayo and BBQ sauce. Sold for $4.99, the combo includes a pop and a a twirly fried potato stick.

Ghazale
While combo plates start at $7, you'll find almost every a la carte item priced at $4.99 or less at the newest location of this Middle Eastern chain located in New Toronto. A falafel wrap costs only $3.79 or there's chicken or beef shawarama wraps on offer for $4.99. A small rice for $1.99 plus a choice from veggie dishes like cauliflower stew, okra or bazela (potatoes, carrot and peas) priced at $2.79 adds up to a pretty decent meal too.

Did I miss any? Leave your favourite $5 meals on campus in the comments.

The best fish and chips in Toronto uphold Britain's most famous culinary export and offer that authentic Anglophile experience. Diverging ever so slightly from tradition, Toronto chippies have, in recent years, started to embrace more than just the typical fry fishes (halibut, haddock and cod) and have been dipping into a new pool of sea fare, including perch, trout, salmon and sole.

Regardless of the type of fish, these eateries excel at the essentials; crisp, golden batter enveloping delicate, flaky fish served alongside deep-fried spuds. The requisite accoutrements are here too, but above and beyond creamy tartar sauce and tangy malt vinegar, purists can even find the occasional side of mushy peas or pickled beets.

Here is the best fish and chips in Toronto.

See also:

The Best Fries in Toronto
The Best Seafood Restaurants in Toronto
The Best Lobster Roll in Toronto
The Best Oysters in Toronto

Some photos by Rick McGinnis

Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this Sept 5-7, 2014.

Riot Fest
How does a band come to define one's sense of self - is it because we form our identities during the moments of greatest turmoil - moments when we also relied on the emotional support of Robert Smith and Ben Gibbard? Pop music is perhaps our generation's most beloved crutch and illusionary cloak, yet it also acts as an adhesive between us wandering and lonesome generation-whatevers, a rare glue in a craft cabinet containing rows upon rows of decorative ornaments but very little instruments of support. The Cure, Metric, and The National headline. Saturday-Sunday, Sept 6-7, Downsview Park.

FILM

TIFF
"I'm trying to show what it's like to be human and to be alive" Roy Andersson told The Guardian. The Toronto International Film Festival will be the second fest to show Andersson's A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence, nearly a decade in the making. He claims this will not be his last film, and we expect this will not be our last TIFF whirlwind, but who can say? Life quivers before an uncertain future - even these lives. One of the most prestigious film fests in the world, TIFF was named by Time as fall's most influential festival, period. Tip: don't spend the whole fest in the dark and miss the street festival. Sept 4-14.

Check out some of our picks:

The top 10 movies to watch at TIFF 2014
The top 10 foreign films to see at TIFF 2014
15 must see films at TIFF according to its programmers
10 movies getting the biggest advance buzz at TIFF 2014
The top 10 documentaries to watch at TIFF 2014
The top 10 Canadian films to look out for at TIFF 2014

See also

• Goethe Film Talk: Christian Petzold & Nina Hoss (Friday, Goethe-Institut)

PARTY

Dirtybird BBQ
Any new project entails risk. A San Francisco barbecue among friends. A record label. A tour. Suddenly you're a chef on the road with DJs like Claude Von Stroke, Justin Martin, J. Phlip, and Christian Martin, and Canadians unknown to you are complaining that they have to pay $25 to enter a park you've never seen where you plan to cook them free BBQ all day until supplies run out. And supplies will run out, but you believe people will have a good time. A friend from SF will text "how's Canada?" and you'll reply, "Awesome." Sunday, September 7, Sherbourne Common.

See also

• Art Department (Friday, Maison Mercer)
• Otherland (Friday, Tattoo)
• Bruce LaBruce presents THUMPER (Friday, Bambi's)
• Fool's Gold (Saturday, Muzik)
• ENDhatelaws: Dance Party (Saturday, Steady)
• Shit Fun (Saturday, Round)

For more dance listings, check out our Top Dance Parties in Toronto in September post.

ART

Art Spin
The final art spin of summer. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I hold my handlebars tightly, trying not to let on to my dearest companion that I am frightened. That soon things will change for us. Learn more about the bicycle art tour's plans for this evening here. Friday, Sept 5, meeting at 6:30pm in Sorauren Park.

See also

• Fall Exhibition Openings (Friday, Mercer Union)
• TBD (opening Friday, MOCCA)
• The 38th annual Cabbagetown Festival of the Arts (Saturday)
• Lauchie Reid (Saturday, Narwhal)
• Artscape Youngplace Celebrates 100 Years (Sunday)
• End of Summer Block Party (Sunday, Clay & Paper)

For more art listings, check out our Top 10 Must-See Art Shows This Summer post.

FOOD

AwesTRUCK 2014
Even though the rain made last year's annual food truck extravaganza a bit of a bust, we can't resist wishing food truck events the best. Coming in at the tail end of the summer, the food truck rally has moved west from Fort York to new digs just outside the city at Celebration Square in Mississauga (yes, I know that's not technically in Toronto). Admission is free and the award ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 6th. Expect many tacos and other gourmet food truck fare to be consumed. Sept 5-6. LI

See also

• Vegetarian Food Festival (Friday-Sunday, Harbourfront)

For more food events, check out our Toronto Food Events, Summer Food Events, and Summer Beer Events post.

COMMUNITY

Taste of the Kingsway
Each year, on the weekend after Labour Day, the Kingsway comes alive with midway rides, beer and wine gardens, live performance and samples upon samples of local food. This year, it falls between September 5 to 7 The street festival will run from Prince Edward Dr. to Montgomery Rd., and in case you missed Woofstock in May, it also features a dog show. SR

MUSIC

Wavelength's Island Show
Can't afford Riot Fest? This one is free - and instead of nostalgia it's up-and-comers, as is Wavelength's general deal. Weaves headline with Fresh Snow, Most People, MATROX, and more (look out for special guests). Sunday Sept 7, Artscape Gibraltar Point, Toronto Islands.

See also

• Loving in the Name Of (Friday, Mod Club)
• Battle Trance (Friday, Array)
• Blood Ceremony (Saturday, Silver Dollar)
• Jad Fair (Saturday, The Cave)
• BA Johnston (Saturday, Smiling Buddha)
• IMSTA FESTA (Saturday, Ryerson)

For more music listings, check out our September Concerts, Summer Concerts, and Summer Music Festivals posts.

FASHION

Inland
This two-day shopping experience featuring 80 Canadian designers has nothing to do with David Lynch's Inland Empire. Check out our mini-preview of September's biggest fashion event here, and get ready to shop Canadian vintage, hand-mades, and designer til you drop. Off the face of reality. September 6-7, 99 Sudbury.

See also

• Geek Swap (Saturday, Back Space Toronto)
• The Leslieville Flea (Sunday, Harbourfront Centre)

THEATRE

True
Celebrated playwright Rosa Labordé explores the confining qualities of memory in the Fringe-lauded True, about three sisters who must confront the past when their estranged father unexpectedly re-enters their lives. Boasting a talented cast, Layne Coleman, Shannon Taylor, Ingrid Doucet, Sabrina Grdevich and Scott McCord, and some of the city's best designers, Thomas Ryder-Payne, Trevor Schwellnus and Lindsay Walker, there's a reason this one returns for a remount. Citizenry, September 3-13, $24. KB

For more events on stage, check out our The top theatre productions in Toronto September 2014 post.

GETTING LIT IN THE PARK

High Park Reading Festival
Get litery in the park tomorrow with over 50 live readings and an after party at Inter Steer in Roncesvalles Village. Bring snacks, picnic blanket, and your prose-loving pooches. Saturday, Sept 6, High Park, rain or shine.

See also

• Marijuana Scavenger Hunt (Sunday, High Park)

PROCLAMATIONS

Bill Murray Day
Celebrate Bill Murray Day during TIFF's first weekend by looking in the mirror with a perplexed yet resigned face while sucking in and pushing out your gut. Who you gonna call? Friday, September 5.

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

Contributions by Sarah Ratchford, Liora Ipsum, Keith Bennie.

Photo by Being Photograph in the blogTO Flickr pool

Anna Kendrick is the best. It's pretty much a universally acknowledged fact at this point. We're at the stage where basically in order to pass as a fully functioning human being you have to prove that you too are helpless to her infinite charms and talents. She's a hilarious tweeter, great actress, recently revealed singer extraordinaire, and somehow best friends with Aubrey Plaza.

Basically, the more Anna Kendrick movies we can get the better. Especially if she's singing it. Which is the case with one of her films in TIFF this year, The Last Five Years, where she sings. For the whole film. It's a big part of why it's one of the best movies I've seen at TIFF so far.

It also happens to be one of her best dramatic performances to date, one worthy of getting her more attention for being not just a good singer or cool person, but genuinely fantastic actor. Which is why a recent bit of industry news is good news for everyone.

The Last Five Years was recently picked up by a distributor and is now officially making its way to theatres Valentine's Day 2015. So not only TIFF audiences will be able to see what is arguably Kendrick's best work to date in the next few days. Soon all of you will be able to.

Thanks to the Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington, for sponsoring our coverage of TIFF 2014.

The top live albums recorded in Toronto trace a century of music history from jazz to '60s rock to punk. As far as catching live music in Toronto goes today, it's almost tempting stay at home, get to bed early, and comb the web for choice cuts the next morning from the comfort of your breakfast nook, hoping someone, somewhere was laying down the entertainment for later enjoyment. Music fans of even the fairly recent past enjoyed no such luxuries - though they did sometimes get lucky thanks to the art of the live LP.

Though I'm sure nostalgia plays a good role in appreciating these performances after the fact, I've compiled a list of live albums recorded in Toronto that are notable for more than the fact that they took place on home turf. As the city shows no sign of slowing down in making music history - see Massey Hall's new Live at Massey Hall film series, let's look back on the best live albums recorded in Toronto (so far).

Elvis Costello - Live At The El Mocambo
Passing through on his 1978 My Aim Is True tour, Costello and the Attractions dial up the energy, releasing sweat that is probably still soaked into the walls at the palm-treed Spadina venue (which also saw Keith Richards' arrest on drug charges a year prior). Declaring he'll retake Canada for the Crown, Elvis and band rip through their set, knocking out songs much faster than their studio versions. Here he's all swagger and spittle, leaving the Sun to title their review "Prince Charmless Fashions an Event."

The Quintet (Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Max Roach) - Jazz At Massey Hall
Though this Massey show would be the only time this baffling lineup would play together (and the last recorded collab of Gillespie and Parker), the crowd was quite small: the performance unfortunately coincided with a boxing match between Rocky Marciano and Jersey Joe Walcott. Reportedly only Parker (billed as Charlie Chan due to contractual dispute) was able to cash his NSF cheque afterwards. Hailed by some as "the greatest jazz concert ever," the band work through standards with finesse and ease, building the lucky few present (and future) to a state of euphoria.

The Plastic Ono Band - Live Peace In Toronto 1969
Despite having only a day's notice, John, Yoko and band knock their set out of the Varsity Stadium during the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival Festival. The first live album by any Beatles member, Lennon reportedly agreed on the condition he could try out his new band, including Eric Clapton (George Harrison turned it down). Barely-rehearsed, the band grooves heavy over new originals (most notably, the first performance of "Cold Turkey") and the odd Beatles tune for good measure. This album does have an unfortunate side note: Lennon later revealed this performance gave him the confidence to quit the Beatles.

Ween - Live In Toronto Canada
Ween have always been manic and unpredictable, but I'm not sure what could be more delightfully surprising than a set full country-styled songs (from 12 Golden Country Greats) and fan favourites by the eclectic duo. Dropping in at the Phoenix on October 23, 1996 during their tour with Bobby Ogdin and the Shit Creek Boys, Ween's set is depraved and often drunk, slurring through an 11-minute version of "Buenos Tardy Amigos." Other choice cuts include "The HIV Song" and "Waving My Dick In The Wind."

Psychic TV - Live In Toronto
Though the post-Throbbing Gristle project of Genesis P-Orridge and Peter Christopherson were at times more palatable than their earlier, horrifying incarnation, Psychic TV still have the power to batter their way through classics like "L.A. Angel (For Jim Morrison)" and "D-Pravity." It's hard to make out in the decidedly 80's quality of their video recordings, but you can just barely recognize the late Diamond Club through the mist. Limited to an edition of 5000, the liner notes proudly proclaim "recorded on a Sony Walkman."

Thin Lizzy - Live and Dangerous
"Is there anyone here who has a little Irish in them?" Phil Lynott muses from the stage during their 1977 performance at Seneca College Field House in Don Mills. "Are there any girls who'd like a little more Irish in them?" OK, so the LP was only partially recorded in Toronto (other recordings take place in London and Philadelphia), and many tracks, including producer Tony Visconti, hint at considerable studio overdubs. That being said, when the Liz' rips seamlessly between "Cowboy Song" and "The Boys Are Back In Town," the crowd's screams seem not the least bit staged.

The Tragically Hip - That Night In Toronto
It seems remiss to not include Ontario's unfashionable favourites of Cana-Dad rock in this list. That Night In Toronto was released in 2005 as a film directed by the brothers Pierre and Francois Lamoureux. Despite being a visual testament to The Hip, you can't really ask for a higher order of a rock and roll concert, as the dense and delighted crowd makes even the Air Canada Centre seem homey. The true test of its quality, however, came when I bought this DVD for my uncle's Christmas present when I was 15. He seemed stoked.

Lenny Breau - Live at Bourbon St.
Lenny Breau was a fascinating figure of Canadian music, playing an entrancing fusion of flamenco, gypsy and jazz on 7-string guitar (though his death is perhaps more notorious). On June 14, 1983, Breau was joined by bassist Dave Young at Bourbon Street Bar for an intimate set of originals and standards, with Breau's unique solo styling echoing among the clinking glasses and hushed crowd. Released posthumously and produced by longtime friend Randy Bachmann, it's our good fortune the master tape was by happenstance recorded and eventually brought to light.

Various - And Now Live From Toronto...The Last Pogo
Although proven wrong each week at venues such as Soybomb, Sneaky Dee's and the Bovine, this legendary show at the Horseshoe Tavern (also "Legendary") was billed as Toronto's "the last punk show." Descending like tattered and pierced vultures, the audience was treated to violent performances by The Viletones, Teenage Head, The Cardboard Brains and others. Captured on film by Colin Brunton for his 1978 film of the same name, the violence continued later when a riot developed among the exuberant fans.

Neil Young - Live At Massey Hall
Finally, (no surprise here), Neil Young's homecoming performance following the Journey Through The Past tour takes the cake for legendary Toronto live albums. Alone, Young basks in the celebration of his career, switching from guitar and harmonica to piano while repeatedly pontificating on the purchase of his ranch. It's arresting to listen to Young introduce the yet-unreleased suite of "Man Needs A Maid" and "Heart Of Gold" as "a song about a... about, uh... a Broadway musical." Classics like "Cowgirl In The Sand" and "Tell Me Why" are as beautiful as solo pieces as they are bridging between the albums Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere and After The Goldrush, respectively. An integral piece of of Toronto's live performance history, luckily laid to tape for those who missed out.

Writing by Colin Gillespie

Last Pogo photo: Edie Steiner

Until now, the Toronto of the 1980s fell into something of a blind spot among the City of Toronto Archives' digital offerings. Street photos that had been digitized tended to stop in the 1950s and 60s, leaving a tantalizing multi-decade gap to the present day. But now, thanks to a recent dump of photographs from the late 1970s and early '80s, it's possible to fill in some of the blanks and recall a city that is at once familiar and alien (I mean, where is everybody?)

The early 1980s were a time of transition for streetcars and transit in general in Toronto. The old Presidents' Conference Committee streetcars (above) were gradually being replaced by the incoming CLRVs. Trolley buses - electric vehicles that drew power from overhead wires - were entering their final decade on the streets of the city. All three are visible in these photos, which are arranged in order from Queen and Roncesvalles in the west to Queen and Leslie in the east.

Spot anything interesting? Leave a comment.

See also:

• What Queen Street East used to look like in Toronto
• What Queen West used to look like in Toronto
• Behind the scenes at Lower Queen Station

Lead photo: Queen and Yonge outside Simpsons. August 31, 1983.

Queen and Roncesvalles, July 18, 1983.

Two types of streetcar and a trolley bus on Queen just west of Shaw, July 13, 1983.

Queen and Shaw, looking east, June 6, 1981.

Queen and Gore Vale, July 13, 1983.

Queen and Bathurst, looking east, July 13, 1983.

Queen and Beverley, looking west, June 7, 1981.

Dead quiet Queen and Spadina in late summer. September 27, 1981.

Queen and Bay, June 7, 1981.

A harsh and modern-looking Queen and Bay during a snowstorm. March 13, 1980.

Overhead view of Queen near City Hall, July 8, 1980

Bay Street trolley buses, July 18, 1983.

Looking east on Queen across Church, May 31, 1981.

Drummer's Paradise on Church Street at Queen, July 21, 1982.

Richmond's Trading Post on Church just north of Queen, July 21, 1982.

Streetcar turning south onto Church past a Sears delivery van, February 13, 1980.

Queen and Sherbourne with St. Paul's Basilica in the background. June 2, 1981.

An ice cold Queen and Parliament, looking east, February 6, 1981.

Queen and Sackville, looking east, June 6, 1981.

The Dominion on Queen during the bad old days. June 6, 1981.

Intersection of Queen and King at the Don River, looking west. No Scotia Plaza, yet. Exchange Tower is under construction behind First Canadian Place. June 2, 1981.

Looking east from the bridge over the Don River, June 2, 1981.

The New Broadview Hotel, a.k.a. Jilly's, as "Kicker's," August 31, 1983.

Queen and Broadview, looking east at the stores on the north side of Queen, April 2, 1982.

Streetcars continue to operate at Queen and Broadview despite track work (Broadview Hotel is "Maxi's,") March 25, 1981.

Queen and Broadview, looking west, August 25, 1983.

Queen and Saulter, looking toward the rail bridge, June 6, 1981.

Looking east from Queen and De Grassi under the rail tracks, June 6, 1981.

Queen and McGee near the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, June 6, 1981.

Looking west from Queen and Carlaw in Leslieville, August 31, 1981.

Looking west through Leslieville near Queen and Carlaw, August 31, 1983.

The many gas stations of Queen and Jones, June 6, 1981.

Looking east at Queen and Leslie, June 6, 1981.

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

Images: City of Toronto Archives

Spread over two floors, this converted house divides itself neatly to offer a DJ'd party vibe on the first floor and large-format, communal feasting on the second floor. The lineup of refined bar snacks pairs perfectly with quaffable cocktails - and the party goes on until last call.

Read my profile of Thoroughbred in the restaurants section.

Reports of the death of the Trinity-Bellwoods white squirrel were greatly exaggerated. Last month, a photo of the famous critter, electrocuted and hanging limp from a power line, circulated on social media, leading some to suggest the rodent who inspired the name of a cafe and a city laneway was no more. Luckily, there's more than one white squirrel in Toronto.

Jess Hogge works at Wildhagen Hats at Queen and Portland. She says a white squirrel has been visiting the store's rooftop for months.

"We had a black squirrel that would come on the roof," she says. "And then all of a sudden I saw a long white thing. I thought it was a ferret at first, so I called my boss over and opened the door and it was a white squirrel.

"We figured out it was a girl because it showed up looking quite large in the spring, and then quite thin the next time it came," she says. "This is the weird thing: I know there's not that many in the city, but we've been considering there is two visiting. One will come right to your hand and is very bold - it's actually come in the shop before. One is a bit more standoffish.

"There might two, there might be even more, or it might just be one that's just really moody."

One way to be certain there is more than one squirrel is to look in their eyes. Albinism, a congenital disorder that causes a lack of pigment in the skin or fur, also tends also to lead to red or pink eyes in animals. The Trinity-Bellwoods white squirrel in this photo has red eyes, but the one that visits Wildhagen Hats has light blue eyes, Hogge says, though her photo (above) doesn't show it.

Rob Nelson is an American scientist and wildlife expert who runs a website that tracks white squirrel sightings in the United States. He says albinism isn't the only reason a squirrel may appear white.

Some of the tree-dwelling rodents may have white fur as a result of leucism, a separate genetic condition from albinism that also causes reduced pigmentation. Nelson calls these squirrels "white morphs." Like the visitor to Wildhagen Hats, these squirrels tend to have normal eye and other colouring.

"We're not sure if it's a leucistic thing, kind of like how you get white boa constrictors or other animals that are white ... [contemporary sightings] might be 50/50 albino to white morphs, it's hard to tell the actual percentage."

The fur of squirrels naturally ranges from a light sandy colour to jet black, leading some to mistake blonde squirrels for white squirrels. The city's dark critters are an example of adaptive melanism, a condition that causes animals to have higher than normal amounts of melanin, the opposite to albinism. Despite the range of appearances, almost all squirrels in Toronto are Eastern Greys, a name that belies diversity of species.

Nelson thinks white squirrels might be more common in urban areas like Toronto due to the lack of natural predators. In their natural habitat, having bright white fur is a potentially fatal disadvantage. Albino animals tend to have vision problems, too. In places like Trinity-Bellwoods Park, where food is abundant, it's relatively safe to stand out.

As part of his research, Nelson has also tracked some of the strange cultural phenomena around white squirrels. He says he's heard of towns in the U.S. trapping or killing non-white squirrels in an attempt to artificially boost the numbers for tourists.

"There was one town in Missouri where not only were they trapping the other squirrels and taking the other squirrels out, they were bringing in extra white squirrels to their little town centre to make sure they had a fair number of them," he says. "There's weird people out in the country."

Albinism is a recessive genetic trait that can be present in humans without causing a lack of pigment. According to the U.S. National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation, both parents must carry the necessary defective gene to have a child with albinism, a fact that bodes well for areas with an established population white squirrels.

Nelson thinks Toronto's small population of white squirrels, which appears to be clustered around Queen West and High Park, could increase over time, especially if people are feeding and caring for them over their differently coloured brothers and sisters.

"Squirrels breed fast," Nelson says.

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

Image: Aaron Forster/blogTO Flickr pool, Jess Hogge.

The top 10 brunch restaurants in North Toronto don't quite compare with the options downtowners have, but when you are stumbling out of bed on a Sunday morning, proximity to the hair of the dog is key. While some of these locations might look familiar to those living south of Bloor, their sister restaurants sometimes retool things slightly based on the local eating habits.

Here are my picks for the top 10 brunch restaurants in North Toronto.

Origin North
The latest in Claudio Aprile's restaurant collection skirts on the turf of the swanky Bayview Village parking lot. With a wraparound patio flanking Sheppard Avenue, diners can expect some of the same menu options as his King Street location, with slight variations on fan favourites, like the Brisket Benedict ($18), with 1000 island hollandaise, or the addition of the Crushed Potato ($9) with crème fraiche. Drinks are all but mandatory here, with juicy boozy concoctions designed to to speed up your recovery.

Miller Tavern
Just south of York Mills is one of North York's best patios, the Miller Tavern has a cedar lined multi-level patio, with a cottage like atmosphere using lush greenery to provide a screen between you and busy Yonge St. With a three course ($27) prix fixe menu that includes a cocktail; this no brainer brunch has the predictable plates like Benedicts and French toasts but gets amped up with truffle poached Eggs or the lavish lobster and shrimp frittata.

Uncle Betty's
A slam dunk with kids and adults alike, this playful spot just north of Eglinton has a sure cure for sugar junkies. Guilty pleasures like Betty's Benedict ($13) get outrageously upgraded, here with the substitution of English muffins for Dressen's donuts. If your donut quotient doesn't stop at two, make sure to grab a dozen donuts ($14 made onsite) for the ride home. Cocktails get in on the sugary fun with the impressive adult root beer Float ($9) or the Creamsicle ($9), made with Greg's Orange ice cream and vanilla vodka. After being featured on You Gotta Eat Here, you now gotta line up most weekends as there's a steady lineup out the door.

BOOM Breakfast & Co. (Eglinton)
The massive menu and family friendly atmosphere keeps the crowds coming back to the BOOM chain's Eglinton location. Boasting one of the best huevos rancheros ($10.99) in the city, the original menu features some reliable choices like omelettes (starting at $8.99), here reimagined with gourmet ingredients like fior di latte cheese, prosciutto or chorizo.

The Homeway
Open for a mind-blowing 66 years, The Homeway has been shuffling more than just eggs out of their Mount Pleasant kitchen, with stellar brunch options like the cheekily named Hangover Helper ($12), or the enticing challah french toast ($8.50). Add some pizzazz to those pancakes with caramelized bananas ($2.50).

Safari
Safari has been open since 1995 at the corner of St Germain and Avenue Rd., boasting a massive heated patio, second floor billiards room and a bar menu that surely stocks whatever caused your current state of misery. The brunch's best bet is the Pfannkuchen Bavarian-style pancakes, inspired by the owner's Mother, which come loaded with your choice of sweet (Ontario apples and cinnamon) or savoury (sausage and onion). Equally popular is the breakfast burrito, stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, salsa and bacon. Safari generously doesn't bombard your hung-over brain with numbers or math, all brunch menu items come in at a rather affordable $9.99.

Abbot Pub
The Abbot Pub has two locations, one on Eglinton and one just north on Yonge St. Pub grub here gets the gourmet treatment, with their Eggs Benedict ($14) upgraded with your choice of the classic peameal, smoked salmon or veggie heavy spinach and crispy tomato. If bennies have become boring, mix it up with a Welsh classic like Buck Rarebits ($14), which are similar to bennies, but instead feature a cheddar beer sauce. Their skillets make for tasty creations, and the bubble and squeak ($13) comes with smoked bacon, potatoes and cabbage cake. Bring the kids out for this one - the family-friendly spot is crammed with kids, particularly the Yonge and Lawrence location.

Jay's Diner
A relative newcomer to the Avenue Rd. stretch, Jay's Diner scores points for their fresh-squeezed OJ, swift service and generous portions. While you won't be able to chase the hair of the dog here, you could opt for a fresh start with their berry bowl ($6.25) or their quinoa parfait ($6.50) with healthy layers of fruit, yogurt and honey. We all know grease has its own proven restorative properties, and here it shines with Jay's Poutine ($6.50), slathered in sauteed shiitake mushrooms, aged cheddar and a balsamic glaze. Breakfast sliders ($10.50) are another curious creation; served on brioche buns, these three sandwiches come in smoked salmon, peameal, and avocado variations.

Soho Bistro
While Soho Bistro has mixed reviews for dinner, their brunches are pretty reliable. Eggs Benedict comes runny and with simple sides of tasty home fries and a pile of mixed greens. With a whopping five variations of the classic dish including Eggs Neptune ($10.99) with black tiger shrimp, or aptly named Eggs C Scallops ($12.99), stick to one of these classic dishes and don't look back. Fresh squeezed orange juice is the real deal, or turn it into a Morning Glory and seize the day.

ViVetha
ViVetha is a well-known bistro located in the Beach(es), and their Yonge and Lawrence location shares more than just a menu, but a similar approach to accessible, homemade dishes. Five glorious types of Benedicts (starting at $9) are tempting, as is the Grand Marnier-infused french toast ($8). With a dedicated kids' brunch menu, even the pickiest tot can ketchup their way through this meal.

Did I miss any? Leave your favourite North Toronto brunch spots in the comments.

Photo of Soho Bistro.