This new Korean restaurant and bar has a host of playful dishes that build off of traditional ingredients. From tacos to old-school soups, the menu leans on bold combinations rather than convention. A case in point is their kimchi fries, which burst with heat and layers of fat-laden flavour. There some of the best the city has to offer.
Read my review of Han Ba Tang in the restaurants section.
Leaside, once farmland established by the Lea family (hence the name), really grew up during World War I, when it became the site of the Leaside Munitions Company and the Leaside Aerodrome. Accommodations were built for 1000 military personnel and the village was a major location of the war industry.
Once hoped to be the new Rosedale, it grew slowly over the years into a predominately single-family, upper-middle-class village with a suburban feel. Current Prime Minister Stephen Harper was born in Leaside and attended elementary school there. Not sure if that's good news or bad news for Leaside, but somehow it makes sense - both the village and the person are staid, yet deceptively influential.
Here's how to spend a day in Leaside, from morning until late night.
BREAKFAST AND COFFEE
Breakfast begins on the west of Leaside in the bustling stretch of South Bayview. It's here that sits the original location of Patisserie La Cigogne where I can indulge in one of their four types of quiches (the Alsatian classic, Provencale, garden fresh and smoked salmon) as well as one of their delectable pastries to finish things off.
For my caffeine kick, however, I take a pass on the street and head north to the intersection of Laird and Eglinton East. Here sits Wiseys, a New Zealand bakehouse and cafe, whose beans are supplied by the fellow Kiwis at Pilot Coffee Roasters. I''ll order a flat white.
MORNING ACTIVITY
There are lots of yoga options for some morning activity like Big Stretch and Leaside Yoga but I'm more into exploring the new FitWall Toronto site.
The newest fitness trend has you hanging off a ladder/bookshelf contraption, forcing you to support your body weight while you do a bunch of resistance band exercises and other such complicated stuff. Since I do most of my working out at the library, this bookshelf machine seems like the next best thing?
LUNCH
If I want something light and delicious I go to Nigiri-Ya or bust a gut at all-you-can-eat sushi joint Maki Sushi in the complex with the Home Depot on Laird. It's a bit more expensive than most AYCE places but the selection and quality is worth it. I skip some of the fried items like their takoyaki but always make sure to order some of their special rolls like the Oyster roll.
A little off the beaten path, the Millwood Melt is a good bet for gourmet twists on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention The Old Yorke, the go-to Leaside location for fish and chips and arguably the best fish and chips joint in town.
SHOPPING AND CULTURE
Three of my favourite stores in Toronto exist in this part of town, so when I'm in the area I try to stop into all of them. First, The Merchant of Tennis, where even Roger Federer gets his restringing done when he's in Toronto. The customer service is top-notch, and they really know their racquets. Now, if they could just help me with my backhand skills, I'd be set.
Then I head to The Elegant Garage Sale to see what's new in the world of antiques and consignment. Simon Gadke is always helpful; sometimes I go in just to see what exquisite sartorial choices he's made that day.
Finally, I sneak over to Sleuth of Baker Street to peruse their selection of detective fiction. As Toronto's only mystery bookstore, it's got everything you'd ever want in terms of crime, thriller, spy, detective and mystery novels, and of course, anything about the sleuth of Baker street himself, Sherlock Holmes.
MID-AFTERNOON SNACK
After shopping I get peckish, so I hit up one of the fabulous bakeries in the neighbourhood. Epi Breads is very convenient at the corner of Bayview and Millwood, and just north there are delicious French pastries to be found at Rahier. Both bakeries make wonderful croissants - the chocolate and almond are my favourite. For something less European I'd get my fill of cupcakes from Tori and Cate's.
What better to wash down bread products than beer? I whip over to the Amsterdam Brewery next to the Sky Zone and after a beer tasting, pick up a few of my favourite brews to take home.
DINNER
For dinner I like to go to Amaya The Indian Room for some delicious Indian food. The original spot has spawned a legion of Amaya Expresses and food court options around the city, but the original is the most impressive - and I tuck in there whenever I get the chance. A newer option is Tinto Bar de Tapas, with its Spanish inspired menu, full of ingredients from neighbourhood suppliers like Epi Breads and De La Mer fish market.
DRINKS AND ENTERTAINMENT
The best neighbourhood pub might just be McSorley's, opened back in 1991 by Simon Hamlon and John "The Bear" Anderson. They've got tons of beers on tap and 15 big screen TVs for catching games, but it's the most fun when you can take in some live music. There isn't much in the way of music venues in the area - after all, it is a primarily residential neighbourhood full of young families - but even those moms and dads need a break every once and while, and McSorley's is the place to do it.
If McSorley's is full or I'm looking for a change I'd go to the newly re-branded Leaside Pub. It has the feel of a classic neighbourhood pub - the games are on, the beer and nachos are being consumed, the good times are being had. Plus they have some live music events too.
LATE NIGHT EATS
The last stop for the day is at The Bagel House. There nothing like a real Montreal bagel, which is why the Bagel House is so good - the owners trained for years the best Montreal bakeries (Fairmount and St. Viateur) until moving to Toronto in 2000 to bring said delicious treats to us Ontarians. They are open 24 hours, so whether your bagel is a late night snack or a very early breakfast, it'll be fresh, hot and delicious.
What did I miss? Add your suggestions for how to spend a day in Leaside to the comments.
When hankering for a burger in Toronto, the best option is often the one in nearest proximity. Luckily in this city burgers are prevalent in every neighbourhood, so really it comes down to picking the perfect patty from a shortlist of nearby fast food outlets, bistros, steakhouses and pubs.
Broken down by 25 Toronto neighbourhoods, here are my picks for the best burger in each of them.
See also:the best burgers in Toronto
THE ANNEX
Skip the fast food options (ACME, Hero) in the neighbourhood and head to Insomnia. The burger is $8, which isn't much pricier that the $4.95 option offered at El Furniture Warehouse, but trust me, it's far superior. Built on a milk bun, expect a 6oz ground chuck patty that comes topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle and garlic aioli.
THE BEACHES
It's no contest which burger outfit rules the Beaches. The Burger's Priest on Queen East is the very one that spurred a citywide obsession and has since expanded to a veritable chain sprawling across the city.
BLOORDALE VILLAGE
When the a burger craving strikes in Bloordale, just bee-line to The Whippoorwill, where the house burger ($14) sees a prime beef patty stacked onto a buttered bun with lettuce, tomato, onions, cheese and Russian dressing. Make it a "banquet" by adding on smoked maple bacon for $2.50 more.
BLOOR WEST VILLAGE
As far as splurge-worthy burgers go, the eponymous $17 burger at The Kennedy Public House is really ultra-satisfying. Served with a choice of fries, salads, fingerling potatoes or market vegetables, the burger is composed of a Wellington County beef patty dressed up with garlic feta aioli, horseradish butter, tomato relish, lettuce and pickles.
CABBAGETOWN
Fry Haus, home to German-Canadian street foods might seem like an unlikely place to score a great burger, but the Gehacktes Rindfleisch, a beef chop steak on a bun priced at $5, is actually really great. Top it yourself with fresh vegetables and pick from a myriad of house-made sauces to dress it.
THE DANFORTH
The best burger on the Danforth is easily Allen's, where they butcher and grind their own meat, a whole limousin steer from a farm in Blackstock where it was lovingly raised on a diet of grass, barley, alfalfa and hay. The hand-formed patties find their way into basic burgers ($13.95) or cheeseburgers ($14.95) topped with aged Ontario cheddar, swiss or Danish blue.
ETOBICOKE
Neon signage lights the way to Apache Burger in Etobicoke, where the kitsched-out institution is locally - and rightly famous for greasy old school-style cheeseburgers bursting with charbroiled flavour. A single will only run you only $4, while the double, priced at $6.29 is money well spent.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
The namesake burger at Bymark is the way to go when dining in the Financial District. Sure, it's $35, but it's also about as gourmet as burgers get. Comprising 8oz of P.E.I. grass fed beef and topped with brie de meaux and porcini mushrooms, it comes as a combo with a choice of crisp onion rings or frites.
JUNCTION TRIANGLE
The Dirty Burg ($11) at Wallace & Co. is a standout on the menu. Topped with cheddar, bacon, fried onions, coleslaw, BBQ aioli and yellow mustard, this burger makes a bit of a mess to eat, but what else could you want from a dirty, dirty burger?
KENSINGTON MARKET
The arsenal of burgers at The Burgernator found on Augusta Ave. run the gamut of classic to crazy - seriously, why would anyone want buffalo chicken as a topping? The eatery excels when it sticks to the classics, and you can't go wrong with the $6 Commander Burger with an all-beef patty and cheddar, topped with the house Burgernator sauce, lettuce, tomato and pickles.
KING WEST
There are a number of worthwhile burgers to be had in the vicinity of King West but John's Burger ($19) at Marben is easily among the best. The patty here is made from shredded braised rib, draped with cheddar slices - it's so popular, it has even outlasted a number of menu overhauls.
LEASIDE
Without a strong indie-operated alternative,Five Guys at Laird takes the top honour in this 'hood. Their flat-top seared burgers are greasy in all the right ways and the order of fries on the side is just oh-so generous.
LESLIEVILLE
Great Burger Kitchen is a dedicated burger shop on Gerrard where the menu opens with all-beef patties but also includes other proteins like chicken or lamb. Customize each order however you see fit, or select from compelling signature varieties like the Voodoo Burger ($7.25-$9.25) with salsa, guac and spicy mayo.
LITTLE ITALY
Little Italy might not be renowned for great burgers, but if you know where to look then there's actually some great versions to be had. The burger ball ($13) at Hey Meatball panders to Big Mac enthusiasts (it's topped with special sauce, cheese, lettuce and pickles), but technically it's not a burger. Bestellen's bistro-style burger ($18) with caramelized onions and raclette on a house-baked brioche bun is guaranteed to be made of top-notch beef. I also have to give a nod to the Caledonian burger with haggis ($15.50) - that thing is tasty.
NORTH YORK
Golden Star, despite technically being a nudge north of Steeles (so technically it's in Thornhill), is still my top pick when dining in North York. The place has been in business since 1964 and the charcoal grill has been perfectly seasoned throughout its many years. Despite being a total dive, it's truly a great place. Oh, and hey, they're licensed, so go ahead and wash that burger down with a beer.
OSSINGTON
The Saint on Ossington does one mouthwatering cheeseburger dressed with American cheese, bone marrow aioli and dill relish. Ordered as a combo with fries, it's steeply priced at $19 but well worth the indulgence.
PARKDALE
Parts & Labour only offers one burger, but it's the very same that beat out the Priest to take home last year's title at the CMT Burger Wars. Topped with bacon-onion jam, Monterrey Jack cheese and dill-mayo, it's the burger that spawned its own spin-off store.
QUEEN EAST AND CORKTOWN
Looking for a destination-worthy burger in Corktown? Opt for the TCB Burger at The Carbon Bar. It's an awesome feat of smokehouse prowess, stacked with oak-smoked bacon, smoked beef brisket, chili gouda, pickles and mustard.
QUEEN WEST
There are multiple solid contenders in this neighbourhood, so naming the best is challenging. Gangster Burger relies too heavily on gimmicks and BQM has never wowed me. While in most other neighbourhoods I'd be biased towards the thin griddled patties at Burger's Priest, I'm going to give this one to P&L, specifically the namesake burger with bacon, cheddar, onion jam, iceberg lettuce and dill pickle mayo.
RIVERSIDE
Dangerous Dan's might be most famous for its 24oz quadruple 'C' (the colossal colon-clogger combo) but if you value your life don't even inquire. A simple 8oz bacon and cheddar should suffice ($6.40) - or if you really want to get freaky there's options like The Elvis ($6.40) topped with bacon, peanut butter and fried banana, or the Big Kevorkian ($7.50) with fried onion, fried mushrooms, bacon, deep fried pickles and garlic dressing.
RONCESVALLES VILLAGE
Rude Boy on Roncy does its signature burger with classic flavours and artisanal, house made ingredients. Offered as a single ($11) or double ($14), this burger starts with fresh ground beef and is topped up with house cured peameal, maple whiskey double smoked bacon, a fried egg, pickled onions, garlic aioli and house-made Blanche de Chambly mustard. It's not cheap, but its worth it.
SCARBOROUGH
Sorry if my affinity for old-school burgers is showing, but Johnny's charbroiled cheeseburgers on smooshy white buns slapped with American cheese are worthy every cent of their $3.50 price tag.
ST. CLAIR WEST
The Stockyards on St. Clair can seemingly do no wrong - every item in its menu is among the best in class. The griddle-smashed burgers are deserving of all the praise, especially the butter burger ($11) stuffed with bone marrow and blue cheese, red wine butter and fried onion.
WEST QUEEN WEST
While I appreciate all the fine ingredients (truffle aioli and whatnot) at Toma, I always find their burgers just too rich. When on West Queen West my go-to is Frankie's, a fixture on this stretch for over 35 years, where the menu lists classic all-beef burgers and specialty variations like the Smokin' Hot Honey, a behemoth of a burger dressed up up with jalapeno havarti, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and smoked mayo.
YONGE & BLOOR
Big Smoke Burger has got craft burger lovers covered at Yonge and Bloor. The menu offers the choice to build your own burger or select from 10 signature variations. I like the house-named Big Smoke Burger dressed with horseradish mayo, caramelized onions, smoked cheddar, tomato and lettuce.
YONGE & COLLEGE
Big Moe's original hails from Scarborough and finds its downtown location on Yonge St. in direct competition with neighbouring outfits like Jackson's Burger and big brand franchises. It's the Juicy Lucy ($6.79) here that sets it apart - that patty itself is stuffed with cheese so that it oozes out as it's eaten.
YONGE & DUNDAS
Barberian's 14oz steakburger is a super classy burger with a sense of humour. Order it a la carte and the burger costs $25.25. Order it with a $100 bottle of wine and get the burger for 99¢.
YONGE & EGLINTON
Burger Shack? Wild Burger? Gourmet Burger Co.? Fat Phill's? Honestly, I can't pick a real standout at Yonge & Eg - but Fat Phill's gets my money for the Swiss melt burger ($9.50), loaded with mild Canadian Swiss and freshly sautéed mushrooms.
YONGE & LAWRENCE
It's hard to ignore the Burger's Priest, but upmarket Burger Cellar at Yonge and Lawrence is a worthy contender. The namesake burger (The BCB) can be had with triple-A Angus beef ($12), prime ($14) or bison ($18) and comes topped with smoked cheddar, apple cider bacon, sauteed mushrooms and chipotle BBQ sauce before being finally crowned with a thick, golden onion ring. The burger at the Abbot pub is also worthy of a mention.
YONGE & ST. CLAIR
Visit Holy Chuck Burgers for burgers in this 'hood. The menu offers 30 different burgers like the house double cheeseburger ($10) that comes loaded with bacon and caramelized onions (adding on extra toppings is not advised). Want to go all out? Try the Holy Duck ($30), a single beef patty topped with seared foie gras, double smoked bacon, white truffle oil, maple syrup and Italian white truffles.
What did I miss? Disagree with my selections in the comments.
Top photo of Barberians by Jesse Milns
Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this Oct 24-26, 2014.
Night of Dread 2014
Join Clay & Paper Theatre on Saturday, October 25th for the15th annual Night of Dread, when people dressed in black, white, and dreadful masks parade their private and collective fears through the darkened streets of Toronto. Night of Dread is an evening of pageantry, music and masquerade, with towering puppets, stilt dancers, fire-spinners and fearful masks. The interactive parade begins in Dufferin Grove Park at 6pm. Dufferin Grove Park, Oct 25, 4pm, PWYC. JS
SPOOKY
Toronto Zombie Walk
Yup, they got their funding. On Saturday, join over 10,000 zombies, monsters and otherworldly beings for the 12th Annual Toronto Zombie Walk and Halloween Parade. Pre-parade festivities in Nathan Phillips Square include a Halloween Vendor Market, food, and live bands. This year there's an official after party being held at the Hard Rock Cafe. There's also a Thriller dance-off world record attempt. Nathan Phillips Square, Oct. 25, 12pm, free. JS
See also
Toronto Halloween party guide 2014
FOOD & DRINK
Cask Days
If you don't have a ticket to one of the season's biggest beer events, it's your last chance to add "Cask Days tix?" to your Tinder bio (with the pint emoticons, naturally). Evergreen Brick Works will house the 10th annual celebration of cask-conditioned craft beer October 24-25. Here are our rules for enjoying the festival (once you find tickets, and a date).
See also
ART FAIR WARS
Art Toronto
The Toronto International Art Fair, the city's biggest arts fair by a long shot, is a great chance to immerse yourself in some of the best contemporary and even traditional artwork Toronto has to offer via both established and young galleries, plus be exposed to art from around the world. It's also one of the year's best events for people watching (and Instagram). Brush shoulders with the art world October 24-27 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre - look out for our preview tomorrow.
Feature Art Fair
Newbie Feature Contemporary Art Fair doesn't seem interested in competing with Art Toronto - or at least they're playing it cool. Rather the curated booths of a modest 23 galleries at the Opera Centre complement the bigger, glitzier, ordeal at the Metro. Read our review of the fair here. Canadian Opera Company, Joey & Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre (227 Front Street East), until Sunday, October 26.
DANCE
Vatican Shadow
Get thee to Comfort Zone for the weekend's most spookerific dance party - no costume necessary. Seriously, what you're wearing is fine. You're wearing black, right? You and I are literally one shadow. Jokers of the Scene and Votive (Kotravoid and Kat Duma) provide support. Saturday, Oct 25, 10pm, Comfort Zone (480 Spadina Avenue).
See also
FILM
Kid Power book launch + Bad News Bears
Got kids? Miss being a kid? Kier-La Janisse (House of Psychotic Women) is launching new book Kid Power - a culty, "heavily-illustrated collection of film writing by a diverse array of some of genre criticism's most unique voices," plus a publishing co, and a retro film screening series all in one go this Saturday with a screening of the unbelievably fucked up Bad News Bears. Read more about the weird universe that is Kid Power here - no children necessary. Saturday, Oct 25, 4pm, Royal Cinema (608 College Street).
FESTIVAL
imagineNATIVE
imagineNATIVE is on now, celebrating its fifteenth year of aboriginal programming at TIFF, Hot Docs, Trinity Square Video, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, and many more. See the full list of films screening here, plus more art events are parties here. Until Sunday, Oct 26.
See also
GALLERIES
Bev Koski and Christian Chapman - Recast / Oct 24 - Nov 22 / Gallery44
Gallery44 is partnering with imagineNATIVE to show Bev Koski and Christian Chapman's provocative sculptures later this month, where the familiar will become uncanny as it's recast by the artist's nimble skills - I'm especially looking forward to Koski's bead enshrined dolls, pictured above. The opening is Friday, October 24, 6-8pm.
See also
MUSIC
"No fees, no radius clause, paid gigs." TWiMFeST runs at Rancho Relaxo, The Gladstone Hotel, The Horseshoe Tavern, Charlie's Gallery, Magpie Taproom, and Caplansky's October 23-26. Check out our preview of the indie music festival here.
See also
For more music listings, check out our October Concerts post.
BOOKS
IFOA
Got lit? You've got some on your upper lip, here use my sleeve. All gone. Button up your cardigans and pull out your thick framed glasses, the International Festival of Authors is in town. Harbourfront Centre is hosting readings, talks, interviews and panels with major Torontonian, Canadian, and international authors. Programming runs until November 2nd. Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West).
FASHION & LIFESTYLE
The Everything to Do with Sex Show
Got a burning desire? Looking for some sexy results? Want to play a wicked game? The Everything to Do with Sex Show October 24-26 at the Direct Energy Centre can probably help with that. Unless it involves a rash, then you need a doctor.
See also
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.
Contributions by Julia Stead
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
UPCOMING
OTHER NEWS
If Toronto's music and/or nightlife scenes are important to you, take note: Thump has released a handy guide to Toronto's mayoral election. Vice may not be on music's side every time, but this shareable infographic might be what you need to decide between Chow-ing down on chance, living a safe story with Tory, or being the kind of person who votes Ford. Excuse the terrible wordplay, I have election anxiety.
The chart runs down where each of the three leading candidates stand on four issues: extended last call, balancing nightlife with residential issues, drug related deaths at music events, and "cementing Toronto's place as an international destination for music." Check out the guide here, and we'll see you at the polls on Monday.
Cabbagetown has had a rollercoaster ride of poverty and gentrification over its near-200-year existence. Pre-1900 Cabbagetown was one of the poorest neighbourhoods of Toronto - the name Cabbagetown was coined because of the cabbages growing in the front yards of the poverty-stricken Irish immigrants who lived there.
It reached a peak of prosperity just before World War 1, when new grand homes were built. The area now boasts the "largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in all of North America", and yet, post-WWI, it fell back into ill repute and again became one of Toronto's largest slums.
It was this hard-knocks version of the neighbourhood that The Band songwriter Robbie Robertson experienced growing up, and helped inform the iconic characters that populate his lyrics. Cabbagetown has become polished yet again, but is still home to the kind of colourful characters that Robertson so wonderfully canonized.
Here's how I like to spend a day in Cabbagetown, from morning until late night.
BREAKFAST AND COFFEE
There are two greasy breakfast joints to start the day in Cabbagetown, both serving up their version of the family-friendly or hungover student diner breakfast. It's often a toss up between Johnny G's and Chew Chew's Diner - Johnny G's is cheaper but Chew Chew's menu has a touch more finesse, plus there is the train theme to marvel over.
For some eye-opening caffeine, I head to Jet Fuel. Love it or hate it, Jet Fuel is a stalwart of the indie coffee scene in Toronto, the prices are right and the coffee is straight up, consistent and good. Relative newcomer Cafe Olya is another good option thanks to the rotating bean selection and alluring baked goods.
MORNING ACTIVITY
Since 1972, Cabbagetown kids have been learning legit fisticuffs at the Cabbagetown Boxing Club, teaching them to keep their heads up in, and out, of the ring. If I have the time I'd take my shots at the co-ed boxing/boxercise classes from 9 until 10:30am. For a most wholesome morning, I take a walk through Riverdale farm.
LUNCH
Mr. Jerk has been a Cabbagetown favourite for years for a heady lunch of their spicy jerk chicken, and it's the first place I head when I'm thinking about lunch in the area. Merryberry Cafe is an alternative to my jerk chicken fix, with all their soup and sandwich combinations, or Fry Haus, for fries and German-style schnitzel sandwiches.
SHOPPING AND CULTURE
You wouldn't necessarily think it but Cabbagetown is a centre point for the Toronto dance community. The Toronto Dance Theatre, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, Fujiwara Dance Inventions and the Canadian Children's Dance Theatre all call Cabbagetown home, and any given day you can watch a evening performance or come in the afternoon and take a tour.
Otherwise there are a number of great design stores I like to pop into and see what's new - Spruce, Lampcage and Sourced & Salvaged.
MID-AFTERNOON SNACK
Watching other people sweat really builds up my appetite. After exploring the dance scene I I stop in at the Absolute Bakery and pick up one of their $2 vegetarian rotis, or a satisfy my sweet tooth with a gelato at Grinning Face.
DINNER
I have three top spots for dinner in Cabbagetown, each highlighting the best cuisine of a particular nation. First F'Amelia, a beautiful Italian restaurant with a lovely front porch for the warm weather. Its risotto, ravioli and pizza from the wood-fired oven will please any family member, even the youngest ones. More into wine and snacks? Its sibling Extended F'Amelia is right next-door.
Next, Retsina, a truly wonderful Greek restaurant that has a number of great small dishes like spanakopita, keftedakia, dononis feta as well as the larger dishes like mousaka and souvlaki.
Finally, Zakkushi, the wildly popular izakaya. The yakitori is grilled over real Japanese white charcoal, and the atmosphere here is always lively. With its more refined competitor Kingyo just down the street doing just as bang-up a job on the izakaya front, Cabbagetowners can now pick and chose their favourite spot.
DRINKS
For drinks I settle into Stout Irish Pub, with its impressive list of craft beers, or to local institution The House on Parliament. It's a great place to gather folks and have a few pints, and their Sunday roast and pub classics are legendary, hearkening back to when the English pub was the centre of village life.
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
For music I'd venture over to Sherbourne to check out who's playing at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. One of the better mid-size concert venues in Toronto, it's the place to see those up-and-coming bands before they explode and tickets triple in price. For something more intimate but no less fun, I'd hit up The Flying Beaver Pubaret, a 50-seat bawdy joint that puts on live entertainment from comedy to music and everything in between.
LATE NIGHT EATS
For a final late night bite, I go all out at Ronnie B's Southern Kitchen and Taps, getting both the fried chicken and waffles and the deep fried pickles. It's like dinner and breakfast in one, and helps prep me for another great day wandering Cabbagetown. They close a little earlier Monday through Thursday (1am instead of the weekend 2am last call) and those nights I might stop into Bahara (a favourite among Toronto cabbies) for a curry since it stays open right until 5 am.
What did I miss? Add your suggestions for how to spend a day in Cabbagetown to the comments.
Doug Ford's campaign team hasn't exactly played by the rules when it comes to the placement of election signs. A report from the Toronto Star reveals that Toronto by-law officers have removed 336 illegally placed "Ford for Mayor" signs since October 2nd when candidates were authorized to distribute and post their campaign materials in designated areas. That might not seem like an enormous number, but considering that both Olivia Chow and John Tory have had 25 and 21 signs removed respectively, it's difficult to be particularly sympathetic.
Signs are allowed on private property so long as permission is granted by the property owner or renter, while city property and the TTC is off limits. According to the Star, the Ford team blames the discrepancy on "untrained supporters," but one wonders how difficult it is to communicate to anyone requesting signs what the very basic rules are governing their placement. In fairness to the campaign team, however, it would be difficult to prevent overzealous fans from doing whatever it is that they want.
It's still an optics nightmare, though.
The long-awaited third location of Buca is now open in Yorkville. The menu of ingredient-driven Italian fare features its signature pizzas and pastas along with an expanded selection of premium seafood preparations.
Read my profile of Buca (Yorkville) in the restaurants section.
During the enormous rise of independent coffee shops in the last few years, one name has risen very quickly to the top of the heap: Sam James. After opening his first shop along Harbord (after several years being a barista at places like Manic Coffee and Dark Horse), James' high-quality coffee quickly saw him flooded with enough success to expand. Rapidly. The Coffee Pocket on Bloor, the spot in The PATH, and most recently, a place on Ossington.
Now Sam James' coffee is widely considered to be one of the best--if not the best--java in all of Toronto. (Just ask Matt Galloway). I decided to speak with the barista, coffee maker, and entrepreneur about what a perfect day for him in Toronto might look like.
Perhaps not surprisingly, his answers proved to offer a vast treasure trove and laundry list of great Toronto food spots he likes to frequent. It makes sense. A deep appreciation for the taste of coffee, has to result in the same appreciation for the taste of other things - like food. Here's his impressive list of spots to check out and emulate a perfect Sam James day. Which, quite wonderfully, is his everyday.
How do you start out your morning?
I wake up early, hit my Harbord store first. It's nice to chill there and have a cap in the space while my drink lasts, say "Hi" to some people. Then I get outta there and hit my Bloor store just a block up after that and have a quick espresso there for like one minute. It's really small, so I just get take out coffee in the winter there and espresso when it's not winter.
No breakfast?
I don't eat breakfast. I usually just eat whatever pastry we have at the shop. I do like that fruit market at Bloor and Manning though. I'll get an apple or a pear if they're open in the morning. I just go there if I'm running late.
What about on the weekend? Do you have breakfast then? Brunch maybe?
I'm a late brunch guy. It's quieter then. I like La Cubana on Roncesvalles. They use my coffee and they do it really well. Food is good. I like Beast too on Tecumseth. They make really delicious food, and also do a really unique and solid coffee menu with my coffee. Basically, it sounds like I only go to places where I can have my coffee, but wouldn't you? I like to check in and see how my coffee tastes outside of my shops.
Any spots that maybe don't use your coffee?
Sometimes I go to Rustic Cosmo for a bagel sandwich. This place has been there forever. It feels like all locals, simple tasty menu, and they don't gouge you. Plus it's 30 seconds from my office. The staff are all really nice too. I like nice. Genuine nice is key.
Okay, moving towards lunch. Where do you go for your mid-day meal?
I love sandwiches and pizza. I usually take out. I don't have any one place I hit, but here's my complete sandwich list that I rotate all week: Any Banh Mi spot. It's always good and like $3 all over Chinatown. Feelgreat, the falafel spot across from The Common, is the truth. It's actually called Arabesque, but it got nicknamed. Chito's at Bloor and Lansdowne. You gotta be in the mood for it, but it is next level. For $3 you get a pizza slice covered in shawarma chicken, tahini and hot sauce. Very devastating, but it's the most delicious food you can eat for $3 that I know of.
California Sandwiches is a staple. I only ever get the Patty sandwich with cheese and medium peppers. They told me it's what old people order because it's cheap and easy to chew. Lastly, and this deserves its own category, as I think it's truly Torontos finest: Bitondo's Pizza. Best friggin slice in the business. Don't care what anyone thinks. I've eaten more Bitondo's than anything I think. I never get sick of it. I've been a regular there for eight years.
Since you have a location in The PATH, any spots in that area you like?
If I'm downtown/financial I hit Cafe Plenty. They're also genuine nice people, space looks great, and I like the chicken club there. I hit up Manpuku in The Grange food court sometimes too. It's a fall/winter spot for me. The owners are cool and there's a curry pork rice bowl I like there. Oh, and ice cream mochi!
Okay, so moving on to dinner. Where do you go or recommend others should go?
I mostly hit El Asador. It's close by and the chicken soup is great. Smokey is the man. If you know who I'm talking about, you're family. I like steaks. That's my fantasy dinner. We have some banging steakhouses in Toronto. Barberians is my #1. It's the coolest. They have Liberace's signature on display!
Ruth's Chris gets no love. People don't even go there. It's kind of boring, but that's a mean steak. Same with Morton's in Yorkville. I really like Le Paradis. It's a legit, long game player. Well priced. Witty service. Classic French stuff. Can't miss. Black Hoof, obviously. Jen is my friend, so I get spoiled, but I'm pretty sure it's awesome for everyone else too.
What if you're not feeling super hungry at dinner time?
I'll often sub out dinner for some oversized ice cream thing. Bang Bang is so good. I'm psyched it's winter now so I don't have to wait behind 40 people.
ESSENTIAL SPOTS
Restaurant to take someone out of town:Richmond Station. Took my mom last time she visited.
Museum or Gallery:Cooper Cole.
Bookstore:She Said Boom. Randy is the coolest.
Clothing Store:Stussy.
Secret Toronto place you wish more people knew about:Wieners Home Hardware is Toronto's best kept secret. Best staff ever. I'll walk 20 blocks further than I have to, to get my keys cut because I like that place. They have everything and know all.
Previously: An insider's guide to Toronto with Cameron Bailey.
Toronto's Iranian community has been coming to this bakery for years to stock up on exquisitely-made Persian cookies and baklava along with French-style pastries and cakes. What began as a wildly successful pastry house in pre-Islamic Revolution Tehran - where Persian royalty used to place special orders for sweet treats - has continued to flourish and evolve in its Canadian home.
Read my profile of Shirini Sara Pastry House in the bakeries section.
Yesterday marked 21 years since Joe Carter touched 'em all in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series, giving the Blue Jays the longest absence from the postseason in, not just baseball, but all of North American pro sports. Naturally, it was also the perfect day for the team, who again failed to achieve a playoff berth despite a winning 2014 season, to announce a sizeable ticket price hike for 2015.
The Star reports that in 2015, game prices at the Rogers Centre will increase between five and 50%, depending on the section. The hardest-hit are those who faithfully camp out in the nosebleeds; a 15-game flex package in the 500 section will be 50% more expensive. Single-game tickets aren't on sale yet, but those are also scheduled to go up in price.
The club's management points out that it's the first ticket price hike since 2010 - perhaps not coincidentally, that was also the Jays' last winning season. A positive record might translate into a boost in early sales next season, but with the Jays already just staying out of the bottom third of overall league attendance numbers, a price hike might just neutralize any leftover excitement.
Photo by Colin in the blogTO Flickr pool.
Art Toronto is back at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. If you've never attended an art fair, this is the one to start with: Canada's only international art fair for modern and contemporary art is an overwhelming, full glitz ordeal with over 100 galleries participating, so there's little chance that you'll be bored walking down the aisles and bumping shoulders with art's dapper riff raff. Whether you're pursuing inspiration or snark (I like to be versatile and go both ways) you'll find it at TIAF.
Approximately 20,000 people are expected to attend this weekend, so read on to be ahead of the game. Then don't forget to stop by Montreal-based Feature Contemporary Art Fair at Joey & Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre (or at least read our review here).
Here are five reasons that Art Toronto is worth the ticket price for those who are, at least for now, content collecting stamps on their coffee cards.
Art Toronto is one of the season's best dates
Blind date? Much postponed platonic bonding session? You learn a lot from taking in hundreds upon hundreds of art works (and price tags) with another human being. Much like the first time people go on vacation together, if you survive a large scale art fair and still want to breathe the same air, your relationship is solid. For those attending alone, TIAF's sprawling wonders offer a great chance to build an intellectual rapport with yourself. I know you two barely talk.
The rich opportunity for people watching
Some people can drop six figures on art. There's no zoo for people like this, or at least not one that doesn't cost about that many figures to sign up for, so TIAF performs a double public service beyond dazzling the eyes of the masses with expensive visual stimulants from around the world. Tweet your #overheards from the fair at me this weekend, maybe I'll make a list.
You won't hate everything
Tons of stuff at Art Toronto is terrible, but if it were all appalling I'd tell you to stay home re-watching election debates. There's great work no matter what your tastes and while it's on show to sell, you can catch glimpses of worlds where meaning exists beyond the listicle economy. Look for Ted Barker's breathtaking illustrative work at Actual, and for fans of smart pop Le Gallery stands out again. Anita Beckers (Frankfurt)'s delightful and messy set up of projections over comic inspired works by The Old Boys' Club made up one booth I kept coming back to.
The fair successfully mixes the silly and serious
Blessed is he who sits down, or so goes the Roy Andersson quote, and when you're exhausted (I'm a mess by the time I get past the escalators), find ample benches at TIAF plus this year's precious, haphazardly constructed and graffitied break room including a faux-outhouse and softcore paste-ups. You'll need a lighthearted place to rest after works like Karine Giboulo's What is My Name? / Quel est Mon Nom?. (Find it.)
Check in with Toronto's art community
Toronto's visual arts and gallery scenes could stand a lot more bolstering, but we're doing alright, and that's clear at TIAF this year. Almost every Toronto gallery of interest is set up (aside from a few notables who chose not to show at local fairs), and from painters to photographers to new media, artists including Edward Burtynsky, Annie MacDonell, Xiaojing Yan, Sarah Farndon (Rob is terrifying), Scott Waters, Jeremy Bailey, Jen Mann, and Xiao Guo Hui should make even the most cynical local proud.
Art Toronto is on until Monday, Oct 27 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, Exhibit Hall A & B, 255 Front Street West. Adult admission is $18. Find hours and more info here. You can find most of the art works on TIAF's Artsy.net page - including works under $1000.
An earlier version of this article sited Tasman Richardson's work, which appears to be an error. I just got excited.
Aubrey Jax is sharing the weird things you say to her in the bathroom on Twitter.
The best Korean restaurants in Toronto are a varied bunch, specializing in everything from stone pot soups and rice bowls to tabletop BBQ and crispy fried bar snacks. That diversity applies equally to geography within the GTA, with establishments spread out from K-Town to Thornhill, Scarborough and beyond.
Here are the best Korean restaurants in Toronto.
See also
The best Korean BBQ in Toronto
The best bibimbap in Toronto
The best late night Korean restaurants in Toronto
The best Korean and Japanese fried chicken in Toronto
Toronto's goth scene an undead creature: no matter how many times it's pronounced over, a new wave of dark music will rise in one way or another. Our city's spooky subculture first came to the fore in the early 80s with a handful of post-punk and alt-rockers creating their own morbidly obsessed community - though they didn't use the "G" word at the time. That scene flourished as the decade progressed, with clubs like Silver Crown and Velvet Undergound giving bands the spotlight (er... black light? Ominously flickering candlelight?).
Things began to die down in the nineties, and death knell seemed to be at the turn of the millenium (some blamed the Columbine tragedy; I blame mall emo), but the recent emergence of sects like darkwave and witch house has made goth chic once again. Newbie label Deth Records stands at the head of the local modern-day variant with acts like Sarin, Sins and Vierance making danceable gloom. The locus of the scene has moved away from Queen West to Kensington Market, a more welcoming/less expensive home for the gutter-goth lifestyle.
In honour of Halloween season, here are ten of the best and freakiest goth bands to ever come out of Toronto.
Vital Sines
Initially a straight-up punk band, Vital Sines sensed the shift that was coming in Toronto's early-eighties alternative scene. Giving in to the moodier, more experimental influences of post punk and new wave, the band wound up producing their massive career-defining single, "Collage," which gave the masses a cursory taste of goth: mournful vocals, ethereal guitars and a black-and-white music video full of studded belts and esoteric images. With that, Vital Sines helped sow the seeds of a darker counterculture.
Masochistic Religion
Masochistic Religion was one of the first goth bands to come out of the "Freaks" era, and they embodied everything the culture stood for. Raspy lyrics about death, kinky sex, vampires, and Satan were wrapped in a sludgy dirge ornamented with moaning guitars and Gregorian chant. Live shows were even more theatrical than the lyrical content; singer Mitch Krol entered the stage from a coffin sometimes. They were an Anne Rice novel come to life, and Toronto's seediest disciples loved them for it.
The Furies
Proudly descended from the "Batcavers," The Furies were heavily influenced by the original UK strain of goth. Throughout the latter half of the eighties, they were a staple of the goth nightclub circuit, regularly showing up at Sanctuary, Savage Garden as well as Lee's Palace and El Mocambo. Though they achieved less mainstream recognition than some other names on this list, The Furies were essential to fostering the goth movement and setting the tone for style, sound and subversion.
National Velvet
Unlike its European counterparts, Toronto's goth scene didn't shun societal acceptance. That's why National Velvet, with their catchy hard-rock hooks with dark and subversive content, could achieve mainstream acclaim while holding onto their street cred. Frontwoman Maria Del Mar was a criminally underrated rockstar - commanding attention with powerful pipes and confident swagger while never taking herself too seriously. If you're lucky, you can still catch a local show every once a while.
Vegasphere
As goth took on a more industrial sound in the nineties, bands like Vegasphere were at the forefront, taking the opportunity to incorporate more electronic elements into their work. The trio's intricate studio tinkerings were executed just as well in live format - Vegasphere wanted to ensure their shows were always memorable, with extensive light shows and a constantly shaking dance floor.
Rhea's Obsession
In a way, Rhea's Obsession was a complete 180 from the increasingly electronic trend of the nineties, championing a much more organic and earthy sound. Led by partners Sue Hutton and Jim Field, the band meshed two totally different styles together - Hutton's world and Celtic music background against Field's hard rock guitars. The inventive alloy enjoyed praise not only from the goth community but from the film and TV world: Hutton and Field were recruited to do scores on multiple occasions.
The Birthday Massacre
Goth music seemed to pretty much be on its way out at the end of the nineties, but that's precisely when The Birthday Massacre, arguably one of the biggest Canadian goth bands today, came into being. The six-piece originated in London, Ontario under the name Imagica, but quickly relocated to Toronto for its still-thriving gothic nightlife. They continue to fill clubs with fans of their cute-horror style and macabre synthrock narrations of dark fairytales and heartbreaking stories.
Johnny Hollow
Vincent Marcone, aka My Pet Skeleton, is a graphic artist whose best-known work may be the creepy image he helped cultivate for Jakalope. Yet far more interesting is this multimedia project he co-founded with Janine White. For over a decade the group has forged a sinister blend of darkwave electronics and baroque instrumentation that's attracted a solid fanbase, recently demonstrated with the successful campaign to fund their new album. Side note: their 2003 teaser website was the coolest - I definitely spent a university semester trying to figure the freaky riddles out.
Amy's Arms
Not many bands are currently repping the OG goth sound as hard as Amy's Arms. The songwriting duo of Karen O'Keeffe and Justin David Minister has grown into a six-piece band that puts on shows of retro-gothy splendor, pinning O'Keeffe and fellow vocalist Tyla Thea Bolt's sorrow-filled harmonies against a post-punk backdrop with many a nod to Joy Division. If you want to relive the good ol' days of the Freaks era, the next Amy's Arms gig is your best bet.
Trust
A certain set of contemporary artists are embracing the dark side and indulging the theatrical, and TRST (Trust) certainly fits the bill, with Robert Alfonse infusing a bleak (/sometimes sparkly) synth brew with traces of new wave and his dissonant, octave hopping voice. He and his crew often don all-black, streetwear inspired attire for shows, and they're unapologetically beholden to the Batcavers of yesteryear (and Toronto electronic darklings Crystal Castles (RIP) but not as much as some might say).
Photo of The Furies at the El Mocambo via Facebook
The Beaches and its counterpart, the Upper Beaches, encompass a wide swath of the easternmost part of the old city of Toronto, bordering Lake Ontario from Coxwell to Victoria Park and North to Kingston Road and include Woodbine, Kew, and Balmy beaches.
After the beaches were artificially enhanced in the early 1900s, the area became an increasing touristy destination, and remain today a popular spot, drawing many to the Kew Gardens or events like the Beaches Jazz Festival, and yet The Beaches maintains its village feel.
Here's how to spend a day in the Beaches and Upper Beaches, from morning until late at night.
BREAKFAST AND COFFEE
I start my day at the first Sunset Grill, a now Ontario-wide institution of all day breakfasts that once had humble origins back in 1985 when founder Angelo Christou opened his first location in the Beaches on Queen East. The original spot still remains, and serves up a fine classic grill - eggs, bacon and home fries with toast. I might go in for the Sunset Waffle Supreme, a tower of waffles with fresh strawberries, strawberry compote and whipped cream.
I then make my way to Bud's Coffee Bar. Owner Ken Galbraith has put in his time at many of the indie coffee shops in the city, and knows his way around a La Marzocco. Bud's is the new kid in torn, having just opened this past summer, so I still pay visits to my old haunt and standby Remarkable Bean, with its truly wonderful selection of baked goods and loving attention to their coffee.
MORNING ACTIVITY
Once I get said coffee, I pop into the Beaches Public Library, one of the most charming libraries in the city with its high windowed reading room, and grab something to read down along the boardwalk. Sometimes I take a seat on the Alex Christie gazebo in Kew Gardens, or if I'm out with a friend we may book a court at the Kew Garden tennis club. Otherwise I go straight to the waterfront, head west to Woodbine, and find myself a bench. It's such a lovely walk that even when it gets chilly I just bundle up and watch the waves.
LUNCH
The fresh air of the Beaches always makes me hungry, and I've been known to stop into the original Burger's Priest and eat one of the cheeseburgers in about three minutes flat - or I might grab a sandwich at Tori's Bakeshop and eat it on the bench. If I can actually manage sitting down I stop in at Ackroyd's Fish and Chips for the halibut or Hogtown Smoke for some of the best barbeque on the east side - and next time, I'm excited to try the new location of Gourmet Gringos Mexican Kitchen, which just opened recently.
AFTERNOON ACTIVITY
After all food I am in need of another walk. I take the Glen Stewart ravine to get to the Upper Beaches. This revitalized walking trail is simply gorgeous, with it's elevated boardwalk amongst the rich Carolinian forest and the wetlands of Ames Creek. The Toronto park department developed an interpretive nature trail and even a pocketsize guidebook to go with it, so you can better identify all of the splendor around you. It's a really cool place to watch for birds like the brown creeper, white-breasted nuthatch, the pileated woodpecker and Donna Tartt's favourite, the goldfinch.
I can't visit a neighbourhood without stopping into whatever second hand bookshop is around and the Upper Beaches is no exception. I browse around Great Escape Books. The owners are knowledgeable and passionate about literature and always have something interesting to suggest. It's hard to leave empty handed.
MID-AFTERNOON SNACK
Once I'm in the upper Beaches I stop into the Beaches Bake Shop on Kingston Road for a snack, or a 'Fika' as they say in Swedish. Those classic cinnamon buns are so good, and while I'm there I can stock up on Scandinavian candy like the salty black liquorice. Otherwise Courage Foods is a tasty alternative, the chocolate brownie being a highly addictive and delicious afternoon snack.
DINNER
I make sure to go to the Beech Tree for dinner when I'm in the neighbourhood. They build their menu from scratch using local ingredients and purveyors whenever possible - its inspiration comes from sophisticated British comfort food, but takes cues from French, Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine and rarely disappoints. The cocktails are sublime and the staff, kind and attentive without being smothering. The Beech tree is exactly what you'd wish for in an otherwise sleepy little community, good food and service without necessary pretensions.
DRINKS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Being of some Scottish blood, and a born East Coaster, I love a good single malt. The Feathers Pub is the place to indulge, having one of the best single malt scotch collections in all of North America. I suggest taking an evening with some friends and doing one of their whisky tours, sampling Single Malts through various regions and learning a bit about each distillery, or you can do a flight of some of their finest. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. Be warned, that much whisky usually comes with a wicked headache the next day, which is why I like to finish the night with a final bite of food to soak it all up.
LATE NIGHT EATS
Late night eats come courtesy of the Green Dragon and The Loop. Both serve classic pub food past midnight, so I can satisfy my late night nacho and chicken wing cravings like the classy broad I am. I find going to sleep on a full stomach of spicy food magical for my lucid dreaming trips - so I don't call it the munchies, I call it research and preparation, OK?
What did I miss? Add your suggestions for how to spend a day in the Beaches and Upper Beaches to the comments.
Photos by Jesse Milns, Natta Summerky and Evidence in the blogTO Flickr pool.
After months of campaigning, a seemingly endless series of debates, and countless hours of canvassing, the 2014 Toronto municipal election is finally at hand. On Monday, voters will finally elect a replacement for Rob Ford. Prior to entering the race, Olivia Chow was widely tipped to be a shoo-in for mayor. Even without expressing a formal interest in the role, the Trinity-Spadina MP was polling even with Rob Ford.
At the time of writing, however, momentum appears to be firmly with John Tory. The latest Ipsos Reid poll of decided voters, released yesterday, gave the former Greater Toronto CivicAction chair a commanding eleven-point lead over his nearest rival, Doug Ford. In addition, all four of the city's major daily newspapers have officially endorsed Tory. Olivia Chow, it appears, will have to deliver an epic election night upset in order to return to city hall.
On the eve of the election, I connected with Chow to discuss how she'd improve Toronto and a number of other election issues that haven't received much play. Requests were also made to speak with her main competitors -- John Tory and Doug Ford -- but neither made the time to chat with us.
Grassroots business are crucial to the livelihood of a city, both economically and culturally. What are some businesses you feel make Toronto special?
Urbane Cyclist. I shop there a lot. It's a worker's co-op, it's a very good bike fixing place. Fiesta Farms. Fiesta is the only independent grocery store that's not a chain and there's a wonderful garden opposite to the grocery store, so while you go and buy a loaf of bread and some nachos, or whatever it is you're buying, you can go and buy a plant or something.
King's Cafe is really nice. It's a vegetarian restaurant in Kensington Market. Snakes and Lattes--you can go and play board games there ... I was there a few weeks ago. I wish I had time to play a game. I would like to settle in for a game with some friends. [I ask what she would play.]
Pictionary is fun. Scruples is fun, so you can tell I haven't played board games in a while. Scruples is really old, but it's still fun. Monopoly I play. [Someone in the background suggests Chow should play with John Tory, and she laughs.] Scruples with Doug Ford... or John Tory for that matter.
Are there any ideas that another city is doing that you'd like to introduce to Toronto?
Absolutely, there are two. One is in Chicago. The longer you close a lane, the more they charge you. This is for construction. Right now in the city we have a flat rate, which means you can close a lane for six months, one year, it's still the same rate, which doesn't make sense. Then there's no financial incentive for the developer, the construction company to get the work done faster and thereby opening the lane. So it should be a rate that increases steeply the longer you close the lane. I will borrow that and adapt that policy right here in the city.
The second one [from New York] is called target zero. Target zero is about zero pedestrian deaths. Right now 40 people per year die from traffic accidents and we can lower that number by doing two things: number one to fix the 100 most dangerous intersections, and number two by allowing neighbourhoods to come together.
Let's say if Leaside wants to lower the speed limits of their residential streets, we should allow them to do so collectively through the entire neighbourhood. Currently you can only do one street at a time, which is very cumbersome.
You've come out in support of using ranked ballots in future elections. If they were in place today, who would get your second and third votes?
I'm likely going to support the young lady, Morgan [Baskin] because I just want to encourage her ... I like her style. As for the third, I haven't really thought it through yet. Let's just say I would vote for her second.
If you're elected, will you push for permanent resident voting?
Yes I would. They pay property taxes just as the citizens, and municipal services are available to them since they pay for them through their rents or property tax, so there's no reason why they should not be allowed to vote.
Also, immigration and citizenship is a federal responsibility. The City of Toronto deals with day-to-day services. Whether you're a landed immigrant or a citizen, if you need the police or the fire fighters, you're paying for it, so why shouldn't you be allowed to vote to comment on whether the service is good or who can be your best elected representative.
Ari Goldkind has proposed an aggressive transit expansion plan that includes major infrastructure projects funded through increased property taxes and tolls on the DVP and Gardiner. Is this type of bold funding plan what Toronto needs?
I think it's important that we do have a clear plan. Let me just use the downtown subway relief line as an example, because I think that's also in [Goldkind's] plan... The downtown relief line, the way I'm funding it, during the initial few years as we start the engineering studies we can find the funds, at least dealing with the carrying cost of the project, through the land transfer tax by increasing 1 percentage point on the people that are buying houses that are more than $2 million.
So he and I have different way of getting new revenue. My way I believe is more progressive. When you have more money, you just pay a bit more. Tolls, whether you have money or not, you pay the same rate. I prefer a more progressive form of taxation.
I'd like to ask you about a few topics that haven't been major election issues, but that remain important. The Union-Pearson Express is reportedly going to be one of the most expensive major airport connections in the world. How would you use your influence as mayor to address that?
$30 is way too much. I will go to Metrolinx and say that it's not acceptable. The people that work in this city or live in this city and take the transit out there every day, it should be below $20 or less. I would prefer to see it the same rate as the GO train. $7, $8, or even $10 is OK, but once you get to more than $20 it's way too much. It's not fair for the people that work there, for people that don't necessarily have that kind of income, it's too much.
The by-law changes for Toronto food trucks this year have not been successful, what would you do to make conditions more favourable for Toronto food trucks and to have food trucks more widely available on city streets?
I think the rules are okay but the registration fees may be too high. We need to understand why so few people are applying. The question of whether its 50 metres vs. 25 metres, I supported 50 metres, which was a compromise. 25 metres might be too close to a restaurant. I don't mind reviewing it, but one of the problems could be the registration fees.
Would you consider extending last call in Toronto?
No. I think the existing rule works fine. The only thing is that if there are big festivals, TIFF or some big event, Pride, for example, extending the hours is fine.
Given that you're polling behind John Tory and Doug Ford, if you could start the campaign over, what would you do differently? Would you alter your message?
No, I wouldn't. People are still making up their minds on the weekend, so we shall see. I don't want to speculate about what's going to happen.
Ok, how about a curve ball? Where would you take John Tory to dinner?
I would take him to... hmm... [There's laughter in the background, Chow's team appears to be chipping in suggestions, but I can't hear them clearly.]
The people around me are laughing. A steak house? That's a bit boring. We can do better than that. Who's paying by the way? [I say John Tory.]
I don't go to restaurants that are in his league. Free Times Cafe is pretty good. Free Times Cafe over at College and Spadina. It's a Jewish place. It does a good Jewish brunch on Sunday morning. I like Judy [the owner.] She and I go way back.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Photo from Olivia Chow's Facebook page
People want to know where their food is coming from these days, and this new gastropub on the East Danforth is more than happy to share its sources. It's not just the beautifully presented (and delicious) British comfort food here that makes full use of locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, but also the libations, from Ontario craft beers and wines to cocktails made with small-batch spirits and bitters.
Read my profile of The Borough in the restaurants section.
