Riding the high of a televised A&E series, the celebrity Wahlberg brothers' eponymous burger outfit is now open on Blue Jays Way. With a section of seats dedicated to quick service on top of a licensed, full-service sports bar, this high profile joint is good for a quick bite or a pre-game pint (or boozy milkshake).
Read my profile of Wahlburgers in the restaurant section.
If you live in Toronto, brunch has touched you. Even if you're not enamoured with the concept enough to join a regular group (professional or Sex and the City style), nor do you harshly judge those who regularly Instagram it or rely on the meal as a tent peg for a questionably assembled social life, you've skimmed a list or sipped mimosas celebrating the calorie laden meal that isn't quite breakfast, isn't quite lunch, but comes with a slice of cantaloupe (or donut disguised as a bagel) at the end.
Psychic Brunch caught my eye as a non-fan of brunch culture. Last spring I had more fun wandering as a tourist through the Psychic Fair than I ever could over artisan waffles; even as a skeptic in regard to contact with paranormal forces, I still found the lifestyle accompanying the subculture (touring psychics! Comedian numerologists!) fascinating. That a group of psychics have jumped on the brunch caravan is, perhaps, peak Toronto.
On the last Sunday of each month, Psychic Brunch sets up in the Flying Beaver Pubaret at Parliament and Carlton. An email chat with Ralph Hamelman had prepared me for a relaxed, low pressure affair. "Skepticism is a good thing, especially when seeing a psychic. It's not healthy to digest every message that every psychic shares as the gospel's truth," he wrote after I answered him honestly about my approach.
Psychic Brunch contains none of the pomp of the Psychic Fair - I never saw anyone twirling crystals at women's throats or waxing on about the end of the world as we know it. The pub's front tables and side room are for the brunchers, with the back half of the pub occupied by a handful of psychics set up with unique tablecloths, knick knacks, timers, and decks of cards. $29 buys a 15-minute reading at a table of your choice and a $5 meal voucher.
I get flack for even acknowledging the existence of psychics because "they're all scammers," so I'll point out that, according to Hamelman, the first Psychic Brunch event in 2003 was a fundraiser for the Toronto Humane Society. Now, all profits go to the Rainbow Association of Canadian Artists - Hamelman's "registered non-profit organization that celebrates diversity in musical expression."
On the name, Hamelman tells me over email: "I'm not a fan of the word "psychic" due to all the negative connotations associated with this word, but we call ourselves "psychics" and our event because these are terms most people are familiar with. Most members of our team identify as healers or spiritual counselors."
Foodwise, the brunch fare is basic and good (homestyle comfort food without a twist), with eggs benny as an obvious top seller. You can tell Heather Mackenzie and Maggie Cassella have put a lot of love into the Cabbagetown pub/venue (cabaret) and everyone on staff is friendly, accommodating, and open minded - an important attribute for a fringe group like psychics.
While the older psychics in the room seem to eye me suspiciously, I get readings from two younger tablers, Hamelman himself and Gillian Witter. My kitschy inner goth is overjoyed by the pentagram pattern on Hamelman's table as I admit I've never gotten a tarot reading before. He asks me what aspect of my life I want to explore, and names some basics: career, love life - nothing health related as that borders on dangerous territory. So much for finding out what's up with that rash.
I say career because I don't want to get too personal. As I make choices by pointing to cards or cutting the deck, Hamelman explains each card as well as his process. The cards are never wrong, he tells me - but he can be, so I have to take his readings with a grain of salt. No matter how spooky the card, he won't engage with any negativity. He's well spoken on topics like gender divides and interpersonal dynamics, and over the course of two tarot readings names a couple of specifics that are eerily accurate.
We switch topics for another hand and I get all the wish cards (a big enough deal that another psychic has to be consulted, apparently) and find myself getting a little worked up, if only because the reading is bringing up issues I generally don't make time to think about. For a Sunday afternoon in a pub it's gotten more intense than I'd anticipated, but I enjoy the challenge. However when Hamelman tells me I have to wait three years for something big, it's more specific (and random) than I expected.
Witter's reading style is more flamboyant. Her cards are decorated like dreamy covers of Harlequin fantasy novels (I love it). She really wants to talk about my love life, and while her reading doesn't resonate like Hamelman's, chatting with her is soothing.
I talk shop with Witter between readings and she dishes about psychic life. Witter herself got started after another psychic's reading inspired her buy a tarot deck to use on friends, who soon told her she was so skilled they felt bad not paying for the service, and began recommending her to others. If a reading is particularly intense, she has scented oils on hand to calm a client down before they go back to real life. I remember frazzled TTC rides home and mentally note that my therapist ought to try that same idea.
Witter tells me about the psychic equivalent of Tupperware parties (private readings hosted in someone's home), that people will see the same reader for years once they find a good one, and that you shouldn't chose a psychic based on their neon sign - it's all about word of mouth. "Everyone has [psychic] abilities, but people block them" Witter also tells me, a line I've heard appropriated on more than one TV drama. I'm enjoying myself and I'm not freaked out anymore, but I take a whiff of the oils anyway.
While to me the benefits of seeing a trained therapist far outweigh visiting a gifted card dealer, there's something to be said for gaining the intuition of both. Witter is clearly adept at forming a rapport with her clients that goes beyond charm-for-profit - in a lonely world, she's someone to talk to, trust, and be vulnerable with, with the cards as an ice breaker. In contrast, Hamelman's philosophical reading approach offers an undeniable platform from which to examine one's own life.
My brunch experience affirmed my position that psychics are acceptable form of entertainment and even therapy (I agree to a point with Hamelman's "healers or spiritual counselors" phrasing), though I do worry about the over reliance some clients may have. I overhear an older psychic advise a woman to wear obsidian at work, which I can't judge as anything other than a well intentioned placebo at best. Yet maybe a simple, sturdy rock helps one navigate a difficult world, and is brunch not a placebo to make a doldrum week feel luxurious and fun?
The culture of clever sandwich boards and [insert exotic descriptor] takes on comfort food inspires divided takes. We have too much money, or not enough (thus we spend, rebelliously, on Caesars at noon to celebrate our week's one day off). We have too much creativity, or too little. Too many friends, or no real friends. In a barrage of quirky quips drawn in chalk, the board reading "Psychic Brunch" stands for something that probes reality, even if it doesn't lift the veil.
Aubrey Jax is decorating her veil for the long haul on Twitter.
You might have seen it at the bottom of the stairs from the westbound streetcar stop at Queen's Park station, a pedestrian tunnel guarded by an OPP Special Constable headed northeast towards the Frost Building.
The walkway was built in 1968, five years after the opening of the University line, and connects the concourse level of the station with the Frost Building, Macdonald Block, and the Ontario legislature. Post 9/11, access is only allowed with a valid pass or visitor badge.
The Macdonald Block, located at the centre of four office buildings named for former Ontario premiers Hepburn, Ferguson, Hearst, and Mowat, was announced by the province in 1962. At the time, it was to be the largest office complex built in Toronto, though TD Centre would soon snatch that title.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the $50 million International-style complex was held in 1965 and construction wrapped, slightly behind schedule, in Nov. 1968. Within its marble-lined interior were several underground walkways that linked the various parts of the government offices, keeping civil servants safe from the elements.
The basement levels of the Ontario Legislative Building, Frost Building, and Whitney Block are all linked in this way, although the public is often kept out of this subterranean world.
In other directions, Queen's Park station is also connected to 500 University Ave. and the MaRS Discovery District, but it isn't tied into the wider PATH network, yet.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Images: Vik Pahwa, Archives of Ontario, Apr. 12, 1962, Reference Code: RG 65-35-1-7-D-0262.
Signal problems affecting the entire Bloor-Danforth line and parts of the Yonge line caused lengthy delays at the height of rush hour this morning. The massive outage comes a little more than a month after an metal I-beam punctured the roof of a subway tunnel near Dundas West, necessitating a shut down of the western portion of the subway.
It started shortly before 6:30am this morning when a signal-related problem on the Spadina line north of Museum knocked out service between Union and St. Clair West. An hour later, another signal issue on the Bloor-Danforth line east of Broadview grew in size to encompass the entire line from Kipling to Kennedy.
On Twitter there were reports of packed trains bypassing crowded stations. Some trains were stopped for long periods or forced to move at a walking pace between stations.
Amid the crush, passengers activated emergency alarms at Main Street, Coxwell, Greenwood, Sherbourne, and Ossington stations.
On the surface, a stalled streetcar at Dundas West station blocked both the 504 King and 505 Dundas lines at the height of the morning rush hour. On St. Clair, a collision briefly delayed the line westbound at Avenue Rd.
TTC CEO Andy Byford said the subway outages were likely caused by a blown fuse or a faulty relay. The TTC is currently in the process of replacing its entire signal system, parts of which date from the opening of the Yonge line in 1954. The project is due to be completed in 2018.
As of 10:20am, the TTC is reporting no delays on the Bloor-Danforth or Yonge lines. The streetcar problems have also now cleared.
UPDATE
The TTC has posted an explanation of this morning's problems to its website. It says two failures, one at St. George and another near Broadview station, brought the subway to its knees this morning. The issue at Broadview, which had the biggest effect on service, was traced to an electronic circuit that detects the presence of trains on the line.
"The system believed there was a train occupying that space," says TTC spokesman Brad Ross, causing signals in the area to show red. TTC safety procedure dictates that trains can only pass a red signal at walking pace, and it was this slow-down that had a knock-on effect to the rest of the line.
"It causes that domino effect, right across the line ... you can get away with [traveling at a crawl] for maybe 15 minutes with some residual impact behind you, but (because the line is a loop) it basically becomes congestion."
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: @madina_mtm/Twitter.
Toronto has released an updated list of the worst intersections for cyclists and drivers in the city based on collision and accident data collected between 2009 and 2013. While there are problems with the statistics -- so many cycling related accidents go unreported -- the information remains useful if only as a warning to be extra cautious when navigating the intersections deemed most dangerous.
It's unsurprising that there's no crossover between the lists for cyclists and drivers. Cycling-related accidents tend to take place in denser parts of the city where more people ride bikes, whereas reported vehicular collisions are more common on roads with numerous lanes of traffic, typically outside of the downtown core. What isn't listed here, of course, is what intersections are most dangerous for pedestrians. You can find older stats related to this in our previous post on the worst intersections in Toronto.
The worst intersections for cyclists
The worst intersections for vehicles
Photo by gbalogh in the blogTO Flickr pool
It won't be long before the Prince concert (or Prince troll, as some on Twitter have taken to calling it) surpasses Grilled Cheese Fest for most incredible Toronto disappointments. There's a joke here about standing in line for goey, hot cheese, but this is serious - what happened in Toronto yesterday?
"Fuck you fans. I'm not feeling it." - Prince
— Mike A (@mikea71) November 4, 2014If you missed it, catch up on the purple drama here. While the dream died for most with Live Nation's tweets, it started, also on Twitter, with Prince's current band @3RDEYEGIRL. They've been nice enough to supply an explanation on their website as to why they, and Prince, left Toronto standing alone in a world that's so cold.
"We are thankful for the outpouring of love and support and apologize for any confusion surrounding the anticipated performance tonight," Billboard reports.
"Our technical crew is set up in Toronto to rehearse lighting and sound for possible future performances. As Live Nation and Massey Hall announced earlier today, there is not a scheduled performance tonight; there was never confirmation of a show.
"We love and thank our fans in Toronto. To all those who lined up and travelled in to the city for tickets, we hope to see you soon and are looking forward to bringing our show to Toronto in the future."
With talk of some industry insiders actually holding tickets yesterday, and many in-the-know who seemed sure that there would be two live appearances, it seems possible that something untoward is afoot with the statement. But much like that other great sexual icon Agent Mulder, we may never know the truth.
Photo via the blogTO Instagram.
Fall colours in Toronto have mostly faded to a tired brown hue, though there are still pockets of saturated yellows to been seen in various parts of the city. Even as we're well past peak when it comes to autumn foliage, there's still enough leaves clinging to branches to make a stroll through a ravine a worthwhile experience. As far as the height of fall goes, members of our Flickr group have that well covered. From High Park to the Don Valley to downtown streets, Toronto might just be at its prettiest in October.
Check out 10 photos of fall colours in Toronto this year.
Falafel shops in Toronto have proliferated to such a degree that there's very few neighbourhoods left without at least one trusty standby, if not a handful of solid contenders. The vegetarian street food is a favourite for being fast, cheap, and filling, accompanied by fresh vibrant ingredients.
Here are my top picks for 25 stellar falafel that rule their respective Toronto neighbourhoods.
See also:
The top 30 burgers in Toronto by neighbourhood
The top 30 pizza in Toronto by neighbourhood
THE ANNEX
Sarah's Shawarma & Falafel has been my go-to falafel joint in The Annex for years, even with Ghazale and Pita-Q in close proximity. I like the pita slathered with hummus and packed with falafel, pickled turnips and smothered in hot sauce and tahini - adding on extra fried eggplant is worthwhile too. Shout outs go to to Fat Pasha on Dupont too - though pricey, it's a great spot to sit down for a falafel dinner with drinks.
THE BEACHES
Delina is a local gem where falafel balls and shawarma are among the house specialties. Choose from the varied array of salads and fresh chopped vegetables to accompany your falafel balls and be sure to opt for the house garlic sauce if you like a little extra kick.
BLOOR WEST VILLAGE
Notably friendly and family-run, Falafel World is a stalwart in Bloor West Village that beats out Tasty Falafel for top honours in this neighbourhood. The Lebanese eatery makes big moist falafel browned to a crisp; wrapped in puffy pitas with salad, crunchy cabbage, tabouleh, hummus and hot sauce, or on plates to be swiped up with pita. The combination sandwich with hummus and shawarma is a thing of beauty that, inexplicably, hasn't caught on elsewhere.
THE DANFORTH
Sultan Shawarma & Falafel on The Danforth is home to hearty vegetarian meals served with a half dozen falafel, fattoush salad, cabbage, mixed pickles, hummus, and pita. Falafel wraps with hummus, minced garlic, turnips, chopped onions, tomatoes, lettuce and hot sauce are excellent value for just $4, but better still, you can have it all with eggplant and cauliflower for under $4.50.
DUNDAS WEST
Essen is a charming family style restaurant where the falafel plate, served with chopped salad, a dollop of paprika-dusted hummus, olives and house-pickled turnips, is among the house specialties. The first-rate falafel here are petite but plentiful, boasting a crunchy crust and soft, fluffy interior.
EGLINTON WEST
King Falafel is a popular joint on Eglinton West that packs puffy, chewy pita pockets with fried-to-order falafel and add-ons like tahini, chopped salad and spicy sauce.
ETOBICOKE
The closures of Etobicoke's long-standing Falafel Royal and the shorter-lived Mezza Lebanese Kitchen leaves a void that Middle Eastern fast food counters like Shawarma Grill Xpress and Ghazale (Lakeshore) can only hope to quell. In the absence of my former favourites, I'd eat at Ghazale for their reliably filling wraps that I like packed with tabouleh, fried eggplant and cauliflower, in addition the regular fixings.
HIGH PARK
Located on Bloor West, Mersin is a Mediterranean grill where Turkish specialties mingle on the menu with Middle Eastern staples. Crunchy-shelled falafel are available solo for $1 each or wrapped in pita with the usual toppings including chopped tomatoes, onions, tabouleh, crunchy cabbage slaw, tahini, hot sauce and the signature housemade garlic sauce.
KENSINGTON MARKET
Akram's Shoppe is a stalwart in Kensington Market that sells nuts and baklava, and serves authentic Middle Eastern staples made from scratch. Falafel here are a mix of mung beans and fava spiced with garlic, cumin and coriander. Fried to order for maximum crispness, they're assembled in to sandwiches or packed on to combo plates.
KING EAST& CORKTOWN
Shawarma House on the Esplanade might seem like the obvious choice in this neighbourhood, but Mystic Muffin is an unlikely winner. Don't be deterred by the grungy storefront; inside you'll find it's an inviting, warm space. Order falafel on top of salads, or packed with eggplant and fresh vegetables into hummus-smeared pitas.
KING WEST
Anoush Shawarma isn't especially remarkable, but its location in the vicinity of the Rogers Centre makes it a noteworthy spot for cheap and cheerful pre- or post-game grub. It beats out nearby Liberty Shawarma for sure, considering the recent string of DineSafe infractions.
LIBERTY VILLAGE
Liberty Shawarma in this 'hood is still a good bet, though the folks behind Paramount Fine Foods are soon to introduce a new contender. Fresh East, a Middle Eastern sandwich shop, is due to open on Lynn Williams in the very near future - we'll have to wait and see if this upsets local allegiances.
LITTLE ITALY
Skip Ghazale in Little Italy and head further west where better options include College Falafel and District Oven - keep going further still to the very edge of the neighbourhood to find my top pick, Arabesque, a quaint unassuming Middle Eastern cafe where crisp falafel are nestled into pitas with lemony hummus, chopped veggies and deliciously zippy hot sauce.
NORTH YORK
Concentrated around Bathurst in North York are a number of top-notch falafel spots, including King David, Tov-Li, Orly and Jerusalem. The winner for me is Dr. Laffa with its fresh-made flatbreads slathered with hummus and packed with crispy fried falafel, fresh veggies, tahini and fiery zhoug (hot sauce).
PARKDALE
Get your falafel fix at Alexandria Falafel in Parkdale where a rainbow of fresh toppings, including tabouleh, chopped onions, pink pickled turnips, shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes are available to customize deep fried chickpea balls nestled into flat bread.
QUEEN WEST
Queen West is bookended by Me Va Me and Rose City Kitchen. Admittedly, I frequent both spots because they bake bread fresh on-site (laffa at the former, pita at the latter), a huge perk in my eyes. While the laffa wraps at Me Va Me satisfy seriously big appetites, I'm going to give this one to RCK for original snack-sized variations including the signature with tabouleh, carrots, lettuce, garlic oil, cherry harissa and home fries, (OMG I love fries in my falafel). Also noteworthy: you can get a falafel-topped poutine or salad.
RIVERSIDE
Liberty Shawarma on Queen East has also been troubled by recent DineSafe issues. Tabule, a vibrant sit-down eatery, is the better alternative. Here, falafel can be ordered among an array of dips and salads, to be shared around the table with cocktails in hand.
SCARBOROUGH
Scarborough is a big place where great falafel abound - among them are Aldar Shawarma, Mr. Shawarma, Amazing Shawarma, and Shawarma Empire. The winner for me is Armenian Kitchen on Victoria Park north of Eglinton. The casual Middle Eastern eatery makes an excellent hummus which perfectly complements its crispy, fresh falafel, either wrapped in pita or served atop a collection of dips like the aforementioned hummus, labeneh and babaganoush.
ST. CLAIR WEST
Mezzetta Restaurant & Tapas Bar is a unique restaurant on St. Clair where the menu comprises various small plates like salads, dips, stewed or fried vegetables and grilled meats. Each dish is priced at $3.75, and guests are advised to consume a spread of five selections at a time. Not to be missed are the tahini-dressed falafel, best paired with goodies like fried eggplant, tabouleh, hummus, harissa and mixed pickles.
THORNHILL
Thornhill and the surrounding area is rich with good falafel - shoutouts to Me Va Me, Sofra Grill and Yehudale. My No. 1 is unquestionably Sababa, part restaurant, part Middle Eastern grocer - I like to order at the take-out counter where falafel are fried fresh to order and then packed into exceptionally fresh pitas that are wood-fired on-site daily. The standard dressings include hummus, tabouleh, pickled turnips, tahini and hot sauce, but the counter packed with salads and dips always beckons me to add in the fiery Turkish salad (a garlicky tomato paste-like dip) and creamy babaganoush.
YONGE & BLOOR
Falafel House is not fancy, but still gets an A+ for frying its falafel to order. Opt for the "super falafel" all dressed and with the deliciousness of roasted eggplant tossed into the mix.
YONGE & COLLEGE
Lebanon Express and Pita Way are solid picks for standard pita-wrapped falafel sandwiches, though newcomer, Just Falafel is offering an interesting non-traditional take on its falafel-focused menu. As an arm of an international chain of vegetarian fast food eateries that originated in Abu Dhabi, Just Falafel serves classic flatbread wraps as well as cross-cultural variations like the Italiano, Indian masala, or el picante Mexican.
YONGE & DUNDAS
Paramount Fine Foods, located across from the Eaton Centre, is by no means my favourite falafel in the city, but it's one of the fastest, freshest and most affordable foods in the hood. The pita wraps here are packed with the classics; crispy falafel, fresh parsley, onions, pickles, turnips and tahini. While the sandwiches are solid, for me the main attraction here is the fresh baked manakeesh, which I like slathered with labneh and za'tar, then paired with tabouleh and a couple a la carte falafel.
YONGE & EGLINTON
Flaming Stove is a hidden gem at the corner of Yonge and Davisville that's tucked into back of a Hasty Mart. The lunch counter stocks ready-made delicacies like a crispy, puck-shaped falafel that comes paired with roasted eggplant, zucchini, red pepper and cauliflower and tightly wrapped in sheets of markouk bread with tabouleh, turnips, tahini and amba, a tangy pickled mango condiment.
YONGE & WELLESLEY
Vegetarian platters at M'Zaar on Yonge St. come loaded with half a dozen freshly fried falafel composed of mashed chickpeas, parsley and onions. Served with hummus, chopped salad and mixed pickles, the platter makes for a hearty meal, while the handheld pita wrap is a satisfying option to go.
What did I miss? Disagree with my selections in the comments.
Top photo of Dr. Laffa.
Today in Toronto it would have been your very last chance to see a show at the El Mocambo, however with the El Mo it seems nothing is ever final (phew). The El Mocambo might be saved from redevelopment and continue as a live music venue, according to a report in the National Post. A new buyer has entered the picture at the very last minute, one who is apparently interested in continuing the legacy of the iconic venue. Read more here.
The Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival and the environmentally themed Planet in Focus also kick off today, joining several ongoing film fests around the city. 2014's Polaris Prize winner Tanya Tagaq is sold out, so I hope a nice pal with an extra ticket will take you. If that fails, fellow nominee Mac DeMarco is playing in town as well. Buddies in Bad Times' ArtAttack charity auction is also tonight. For more events, click on over to our events section.
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.
Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.
OPEN NOW
RECENTLY REVIEWED
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Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to liora@blogto.com
Photo of Queen Margherita Pizza
The El Mocambo might be saved from redevelopment and continue as a live music venue, according to a report in the National Post. A new buyer has entered the picture at the very last minute, one who is apparently interested in continuing the legacy of the iconic venue.
Update: CBC has confirmed that Dragons' Den newbie Michael Wekerle is the buyer of the El Mo. CBC has described him as "a rock star in the world of Canadian finance" and appears to self identify as "Mick Jagger meets Warren Buffett." Wekerle has a long history of donating "millions" to charities and arts organizations, so sustaining the venue might be in his plans. Light of Day plans to officially reveal the new owner's name at their benefit concert at the El Mo tonight.
We just got a call on @Indie88Toronto. Looks like the new Dragon from Dragons Den bought @ElMocamboTavern . http://t.co/6G3Z9sTlXS
— Candice Knihnitski (@Candice_Indie88) November 6, 2014.@siomo We'll be announcing the new celebrity owner and handing over the key tonight at #LOD8 ! #LOD8LIVE
— Light Of Day Canada (@LODCanada) November 6, 2014Dragons' Den cast member Michael Wekerle confirms he put deposit on iconic El Mocambo. Purchase set to close mid-January 2015. #cbcto
— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) November 6, 2014There may be an El Mo show in the works as soon as this weekend - November 8th - which comes as some surprise.
Prior to this morning the venue was still slated to close -- at least temporarily -- after tonight's show. According to the Post, the new buyer submitted a deposit cheque for the building, which means that the deal isn't officially closed. We'll keep you posted as we learn more.
The exact future of the venue is still up in the air, but fans of this city's music history can breathe a little easier knowing that the gears are in motion to preserve one of our most storied stages.
It won't be easy to make the El Mocambo a successful music business when it reopens. Current owners Sam Grosso and Marco Petrucci tried to keep a steady stream of bookings, but for all the apparent nostalgia, the interest just wasn't there. Perhaps a new owner can foster some appeal that goes beyond the sign outside the venue.
Photo by lori whelan in the blogTO Flickr pool.
With the recent groundswell of small and independent brewers in Ontario, social media has proven an increasingly popular (and affordable) tool with which to promote one's brewery. Accordingly, so too have the resources available to beer fans to track all that news.
At the risk of giving away roughly 90% of most beer writer's resources, here are the 10 best twitter accounts for keeping up to date with all things beer in Toronto.
Bellwoods Brewery
While it may seem like a stretch to include a brewery's twitter account on a list of the best Toronto beer Twitter accounts, when you consider that a) Bellwoods is currently making some of the best beer in the province, b) that beer frequently sells out in one or two days, and c) their twitter account is usually the first place to drop news of their beer's release, it's definitely worth paying attention to Bellwoods' tweets. Add to that the fact that they frequently tweet links to their informative, well-written, and visually interesting website and following @bellwoodsbeer is a no brainer.
Your patience has been rewarded! Our 2014 version of Bring Out Your Dead, an imperial stout aged in... http://t.co/6jkbNG2DjO
— Bellwoods Brewery (@bellwoodsbeer) November 4, 2014barVolo
More than simply the promotional twitter account for one of Toronto's best craft beer bars (which this is), the barVolo Twitter account features daily updates about the venue's rotating regional taps and cask ales selection and frequent retweeted news about exciting new imports to Ontario via the bar owners' import business Keep 6 Imports and the Volo owners other beer-related enterprises, including the always-epic Cask Days.
We're tapping an annual favourite @houseales Matts Marathon Mild 2014 #ONcask today! pic.twitter.com/sc6xPhvZoo
— barVolo (@barVolo) October 31, 2014Nickel Brook (@NickelBrookBeer) & Sawdust City (@sawdustcitybeer) Announce 2nd Annual 11.05 Collaborative Release: http://t.co/lCbsB9Pi14
— Canadian Beer News (@cdnbeernews) October 31, 2014Cass Enright
Beer guy Cass Enright has his finger in a lot of beer pies (mmm, beer pie). He's the creator of the gossip-y message board The Bar Towel (like the TMZ of beer except with less drug-addled former teen stars and more snarky reference to diacetyl), the founder of the Golden Tap Awards, the Brewery Market, the Brewer's Backyard and both the Toronto and Ottawa Bourbon Week. Accordingly, his Twitter account is chock full of local beer goodies (and also the occasional photographic sojourn to foreign beer destinations)
Ever curious what the lineup was at the first-ever @CaskDays? I dug it up on the forum: http://t.co/MaoiQa7kmT
— Cass Enright (@bartowel) October 3, 2014The Indie Alehouse
Given that Jason Fisher, the owner of Indie Alehouse and the voice behind the twitter account, doesn't sell his beer in the LCBO or The Beer Store and isn't a member of any trade organization, he sort of has free reign to say whatever he wants on social media--and he usually does. A handy source for news about new beer and events a Indie, Fisher's Twitter account is just as likely to serve up tirades against the province as it is to trade barbs with trolls.
Your Move @OntLiberal.
Ontario's foreign-owned beer monopoly holds back growth at home http://t.co/Ud8YwqCiqJ
— The Indie Alehouse (@indiealehouse) November 4, 2014Jordan St.John
Easily the Twitter feed on this list most likely to drop references you won't understand, St. John, a published author and nationally syndicated beer columnist, often crams more historical content into 140 characters than seems humanly possible. If you like lengthy and philosophical conversations on beer and extended arguments with Beer Store employees, follow Jordan.
For those of you considering the Fin du Monde Methuselah, understand you can get the same amount of that beer for 105 dollars less everyday.
— Jordan St.John (@saints_gambit) November 3, 2014LCBO Beer Watch
Tracking beer and cider releases as well as price updates, this not-affiliated-with-the-LCBO Twitter account lets you know when something new arrives on shelves [NEW], when something is no longer available [DISCONTINUED], when the price of a beer changes [PRICE INCREASE] and even if a certain beer comes out in a new bottle [NEW FORMAT]. Plus, it includes aggregate ratings from Untappd, BeerAdvocate, and RateBeer. Exceedingly handy if you want to know the minute your fave Corona product goes on sale, bro.
[COMEBACK] Muskoka Winter Beard Stout: http://t.co/40ZswyMcNn $13.95 (750 mL bottle) has returned. Rated: 3.75/5 #beer#lcbo@MuskokaBrewery
— LCBO Beer Watch (@LCBOWatch) November 5, 2014Mom 'n Hops Ontario
The Twitter account of beer news aggregate site Mom n' Hops, publisher Chris Burek frequently tweets not just his own content but also links to articles about beer industry news and retweets of comments made by Ontario's craft breweries.
Kilannan Brewing wins funding from Meaford Dragon's Den http://t.co/4cMZmoQSPz via @MomnHops
— Mom 'n Hops Ontario (@MomnHops) November 4, 2014OntCraftBrewers
Valuable not so much for their original tweets as their retweeted content, the social media arm of the Ontario Craft Brewers trade organization shares content not just from their member breweries but a plethora of beer writers, Ontario beer bars, events, and organizations. The tone is fairly "markety" but if you want the scoop on new beers and Ontario events, this feed is gold.
Pouring @ontcraftbrewers finest @octa_licious#feaston#queensparkpic.twitter.com/Gvr8iwfZGG
— OntCraftBrewers (@OntCraftBrewers) November 3, 2014Ben Johnson
Johnson is the beer writer for blogTO and maintains the popular website Ben's Beer Blog. He is also the recipient of the 2014 Golden Tap Award for the Best Beer Writer in Ontario. His Twitter account is equal parts beer news, political outrage, and jokes made in poor taste. No stranger to shamless self promotion, he may or may not have devised the concept for the entire article you just read in order to get more Twitter followers.
Proposed new concept for @CBCRadioQ: I'm the host and I still interview celebs, except now everyone is just hammered drunk. Call me, CBC.
— Ben Johnson (@Ben_T_Johnson) November 3, 2014Ben Johnson also writes about beer over on Ben's Beer Blog. Follow him on twitter @Ben_T_Johnson.
Buying things from Amazon just got even more difficult to resist, with the announcement that the company will offer same day shipping to both Toronto and Vancouver. About a million products that the company carries -- ranging from books to electronics -- will be offered as part of the program, which promises that items ordered before noon on a given day will arrive at one's address by 9pm. That'll come in handy for those of us with a penchant online shopping and last minute gifts, a combination that was previously not so hot.
There are some exclusions, of course. You can check the Amazon site for which postal codes are eligible for the service. And, naturally, there's a significant cost associated with these rush deliveries. Same delivery is slated to come in at $11.99 per shipment, plus an additional $1.99 per item purchased. That could add up, depending on what you're buying.
As much as late gift-givers will likely welcome this news, one suspects Toronto's remaining independent bookstores won't exactly be thrilled. And, given that the service isn't limited to books, other local shops might feel the pinch. What do you think? Will this make life even more difficult for Toronto's independent retailers?
The top Toronto folk and roots bands of all time emerge from a rich history. At the height of Toronto's folk scene in the 1960's there were over 40 coffeehouses and clubs featuring folk music. The Riverboat Cafe (now the location of the Hazelton Hotel), open from 1964-1978, was the most famous: Canadian greats including Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Cockburn, and Neil Young were gracing Toronto stages regularly.
The Penny Farthing was also on Yorkville, where Joni Mitchell both waitressed and played. Further through Yorkville was the Village Corner where Ian and Sylvia Tyson had played, and Gordon Lightfoot recorded his first album. At the Purple Onion on Avenue Road, Buffy Saint-Marie wrote "Universal Soldier," and while the scene has died down, the city continues to be the home of many top Canadian folk and roots acts old and new, with a wide variety of venues hosting live performances throughout the city.
While the city has a rich history of singer-songwriters, I've chosen to focus on bands in the proper sense of the word - let me know your nominees for folk and roots solo artists and singer-songwriters in the comments.
Here are 10 of the top Toronto folk and roots bands of all time.
The Travellers
Jerry Gray, Sid Dolgay, Helen Gray, Jerry Goodis, and Oscar Ross formed the Travellers in 1954 at Camp Neivelt outside of Brampton. From early CBC appearances they would go on to play at Mariposa 1961, tour the USSR in 1962, open at Expo 70 in Osaka, and a royal command performance 1964. They remain best known for their version of "This Land Is Your Land." Jerry Gray said of The Travellers, "at that time a Canadian folk group traveling across the country wasn't even a rarity, it was a first."
The Stormy Clovers
Around only three years, 1965-1968, the Stormy Clovers were very much a part of the Yorkville scene, and were influential for Canadian electrified folk-rock. Originally the Stacatto's from Galt, Ontario, they moved to Toronto where Susan Jains joined the band. With Susan's connection through Mary Martin, they were introduced to Leonard Cohen (then only a poet) and would be the first to perform Cohen's "Suzanne" (they later backed him for his first singing performances). Apparently Neil Young visited their rehearsal space and nearly joined the band.
The Irish Rovers
Story has it that in 1963 Northern Irish emigrants George Millar and Jim Ferguson grabbed Joe Millar as soon as his plane landed in Toronto to join them in singing traditional Irish folk ballads. Claiming to be a "part-time" band at first they played coffee houses and Hootenanys throughout the city, but The Irish Rovers later went on to Calgary, then California, signed with Decca, had a 1969 Grammy nomination, starred in three network series including the CBC's The Irish Rovers, produced 25 albums, and performed at five world expos.
Crash Vegas
The band that would "Crash Into the 90's" first started out in 1988 with shows at the Cameron House, Horseshoe Tavern, and the Rivoli. Michelle McAdorey, Greg Keelor, Jocelyn Lanois, and Colin Cripp were Crash Vegas until Keelor left the band (or was agreeably fired) for Blue Rodeo in 1989. They would go on to release the gold-selling album Red Earth. While the band broke up in 1996, they remain an important part of Queen St. West's folk-rock/country history.
Leslie Spit Treeo
During the late '80s through early '90s, Laura Hubert, Pat Langer, and Jack Nicholsen put themselves and several Toronto locales on the Canadian music map. The Leslie Spit Treeo band was named after a landfill site at the Harbourfront, and their third album Hell's Kitchen was named after a Kensington Market restaurant. After years of busking, Bruce McDonald cast them in his film Road Kill, and on the film's soundtrack. A Juno Award, an unpleasant EMI contract, another McDonald film, conflict with Nabisco, packaging bonfire, and band breakup followed.
Stringband
If there's a story about a truly independent Canadian folk band, it belongs to Stringband. Marie-Lynn along with Bob Bossin were its main members from 1971-1986. The band's songs were and remain a "Canadian Sound." Semi-hits like "Dief Will Be the Chief Again," and "The Maple Leaf Dog" proved not commercial enough for a label deal and the band felt they could make more income selling on their own, going on to be one of the first to entirely finance an album (Thanks To the Following) through advance sales orders from fans.
The Flying Bulgars
Under the leadership of David Buchbinder, The Flying Bulgars (previously The Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band) have played their original dance-twist on Jewish and Eastern European folk music in Toronto and abroad since 1987. Credited with being a key part of the '80s Klezmer Revival (Klezmer translates to Jewish musician), they have three Juno nominations, five albums, and had video play on MuchMusic. Their 2007 name change reflects not being a Klezmer band, with Bulgar referring to dance, not ethnic group.
Skydiggers
Childhood friends Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson formed the duo West Montrose in 1984. Looking to move away from the loud, rock 'n roll noise of previous bands, they would play Andrew Cash's Acoustic Meltdown show at the Spadina Hotel regularly. With the addition of Peter Cash (Andrew's brother), Wayne Stokes, and Ron Macy, and Andrew's departure from the Spadina Hotel, they became the Skydiggers. From their folk-based sound they've become one of Canada's most recognized roots-rock bands.
Bobby Kris & the Imperials
Bobby Kris & the Imperials' move to a more folk-rock was one of the many changes the band went through in their varied history. Starting as The Imperials with a jazzy sound, they became Bobby Kris & the Imperials after Bob Burrows (Bobby Kris) joined. The band successfully charted on CHUM in January 1966 with an R&B version of "Walk On By." They went on to record their (non-charting) folk-rock version of Bob Dylan's "She Belongs To Me," and capitalize on their popularity playing the local circuit. At their peak they opened for Wilson Picket (with Hendrix on guitar) at the Masonic Temple.
The Folklords
The original vinyl pressing of the acid folk band The Folklords "Release the Sunshine" remains a rarity among Toronto collectors, selling for upwards of $400. Tom Martin (Tom Waschkowski), Paul Seip, and Martha Johnson signed to Allied Records in 1968. Johnson's autoharp on the LP (their only one) was also a rarity to psychedelic music at the time. The 2007 Lion Productions vinyl re-release was a 700 copy print, selling out within a week.
Skydiggers photo by Kevin Lamb via Facebook
This new lunch spot near Queen and Spadina is devoted to seasonal, made-from-scratch foods that hope to have the same effect as a grandma's hug. The menu features familiar favourites like soups, salads and sandwiches, including a notably-delicious comfy duck sammie topped with fried egg.
Read my profile of Buna's Kitchen in the restaurants section.
As sexual assault allegations continue to swirl around disgraced CBC host Jian Ghomeshi - including allegations that he harassed female staffers - a secret document drafted by staff at Q, published by the Globe and Mail, sheds more light on the internal culture at the show that made Ghomeshi a household name.
Though the doc, compiled to air employees' complaints about the show with program bosses, doesn't touch on any inappropriate sexual conduct, staff write that they feel they're at "the whim of the host ... if we don't do what he says, we will be punished in some way."
Employees wrote they could not "honestly express criticism or speak up for themselves without being blamed," adding "staff members do not feel like they have the power to ever say no to requests from show leaders."
The six staff presented the memo to Q producers at a meeting in June; though sources say managers were sympathetic, Ghomeshi's conduct - which reportedly included calling employees late at night, showing up late for meetings, and verbally berating employees or giving them the silent treatment - remained largely unchanged.
Read the full text of the memo, code-named "Red Sky" by the employees, below:
Photo by Benson Kua via the blogTO Flickr pool.
Sure, Tuck Shop Trading Co. already popularized the Toronto neighbourhood-pride toque. But what if, like many Torontonians, you basically spend all your time on the TTC? Spacing has the answer - they've teamed up with the local designers to create a new line of hats that show your love of, or general sense of resignation toward, our transit system.
The marled-wool toques, available in black or red, feature your choice of subway or streetcar icons. As a lead-up to the Spacing brick-and-mortar store, set to open later this month with all manner of civic-minded merch, the made-in-Toronto toques are available as a limited presale for $35 each. More proof that, for the TTC, leaving the merch-making to other people truly was the better way.
Toronto has a reputation for being conformist as compared with Montreal or even Vancouver, and to an extent the characterization is true: there are unwritten rules here that, if broken, can result in pain, embarrassment, or at least some serious eye rolling.
Here are 10 things you just don't do in Toronto.
Mix it up with streetcar tracks on a bike
Every frequent cyclist has a story, usually a painful one, about have a tire chomped by the streetcar tracks. Pro tip: cross the rails at 90 degrees, or as close to it as possible.
Go up the CN Tower
The tower might be an icon of the city, but everyone knows it's not meant for Torontonians to enjoy. There's a restaurant up there but don't get sucked in. $45 for a main course? Forget about it.
Expect the TTC to deliver you anywhere within the estimated time
Google says 30 minutes by transit? Better give it an hour, or two.
Drink Coffee from Second Cup
There are plenty of coffee drinking types in Toronto, from rabid Tim Hortons fans to those who refuse to go anywhere but indie cafes. Finding someone who sings the praises of Second Cup, on the other hand, is worthy of a medal.
Say "world class city"
We are one, but those three words are enough to make anyone's eyes roll.
Hang out anywhere around CityPlace
No one goes to CityPlace as a destination unless they're returning home or too tired not to leave the condo compound. Even as new places have offered a glimmer of hope, there are still unwritten "do not enter" signs here for non-residents.
Get your hopes up about the Leafs
47 years of hurt. The last time the Leafs won the cup the Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team was still pitching and hitting at the foot of Bathurst Street. Playoff losses like this one do little to inspire future confidence.
Claim Montreal bagels are better than Gryfe's
"...It just tastes better!" Likewise, poutine is ours now.
Step off the streetcar without looking
Not a ride goes by without a car blowing past the open doors. Every close call gives me a little heart attack.
Bring wine to dinner and avoid paying corkage
Yeah, you can do it at some places on some nights, but it's just not part of our dining culture, and don't expect the wait staff not to make a face.
Bonus
Hang out at Yonge-Dundas square
With the exception of loitering high school students and the occasional event, Yonge-Dundas Square remains a wasteland on inactivity even as the adjacent sidewalks brim with activity. Even the free screenings in the summer are killed by light pollution from the wannabe Times Square ad towers.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: Neil Ta/blogTO Flickr pool.
Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this Nov 7-9, 2014.
Royal Winter Fair
Can't escape the city this fall? Let the country come to you. The largest indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world takes over Exhibition Place from November 7-16 for 10 days of horse shows, petting zoos, livestock competitions, fudge eating, butter sculpting, sweater-buying fun. The event has become increasingly food-focused over the years, which just makes sense. Get to know your farmer, guys. It makes dinner taste better. LI
FOOD & CULTURE
Gluten Free Garage
The forth Gluten Free Garage is Sunday, November 9 at Artscape Wychwood Barns. Since starting in 2012 the event has grown in popularity, and not just among celiacs. Scores of vendors will be on hand to showcase the best gluten free products found in the GTA, plus you can learn all about doing gluten-free the tasty way from presenters like Bunner's Bakery.
See also
MUSIC
Kevin Drumm & Jason Lescalleet, Knurl, Advice
Noise pick of the month is this dream collab between scene lords Kevin Drumm and Jason Lescalleet. Read Tad's description, he knows what he's talking about. Sunday, November 9, Double Double Land.
See also
For more music listings, check out our November Concerts post.
ART
Introducing Suzy Lake
Toronto's Suzy Lake doesn't have much in common with Michelangelo (or does she? Draw your own conclusions). Lake's photography, video work and more on body, gender and identity will be on display, with a catalogue to accompany the show penned by Allyson Mitchell, Robert Longo, Elizabeth Smith, Michelle Jacques, Sara Angel, and Tavi Gevinson. Nov 5 - March 22, AGO.
See also
PARTY
A Tribe Called Red
The Ottawa DJ collective have come a long way since they first started mixing club beats with pow wow music: they've won a Juno, been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, and now headline increasingly big venues all over the world. Expect their full audio/visual production for this show. Friday, November 7, Danforth Music Hall. BB
For more dance listings, check out our Top Dance Parties in Toronto this month post.
FILM
November film festival mania!
While TIFF is long over already and Hot Docs is a long way off, Toronto goes bananas for film festivals in the November. It must be weather related. Just this weekend alone you can catch:
THEATRE
Spoon River
What may get lost among solid adaptations of seminal dramatists and the presentation of Canadian classics at Soulpepper are their more experimental performances gleaned from great poetry, such as (re)Birth: E.E. Cummings in Song and Alligator Pie. Their latest poetic foray, in an adaptation from Mike Ross and Albert Schultz, explores Edgar Lee Masters' poems of the dead featuring stories of love, loss, and personal truth. In Spoon River, residents of the town generously share stories from their lives weaving together a patchwork portrait of rural America. Soulpepper - Young Centre, November 4-15. KB
For more events on stage, check out our The top theatre productions in Toronto this month post.
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.
BOOKS
The Toronto International Antiquarian Book Fair
Love the smell and feel of old books? Kind of endeared to the smell and demeanor of the sellers of said books? My old boss at the antiquarian bookstore told me a joke once. It goes like this: "two antiquarian booksellers are stranded on a deserted island. After one year, they're both millionaires." That's the whole joke. Head to the AGO to find vendors from all over the world. Nov 7-9, Art Gallery of Ontario.
Contributions by Benjamin Boles, Liora Ipsum, Keith Bennie
Photo byJesse Milns
