While I often boast that I was born and bred in Toronto, that's not exactly true. Etobicoke, my childhood home, is a part of Toronto today but it wasn't pre-amalgamation in 1998. Living on the outskirts of a major metropolis, kids were raised a little bit city and a little bit suburban which combines to provide its own set of unique circumstances and memories.

Here are 10 signs you grew up in Etobicoke.

1. You get excited when you see Sherway Gardens in movies like Mean Girls.

2. You could give a tour of all of Rob Ford's favourite hangouts.

3. You know all the good ravines to have a park party and not get busted.

4. The Curves location beside Bowlerama West will always be the arcade where all the cool kids hung out.

5. You did something against your better judgement at Ribfest one summer.

6. You've taken the vomit comet (300 Bloor Danforth Bus) ALL THE WAY from downtown Toronto to Islington Subway station at 3AM, on more than one occasion, unfortunately.

7. Your high school alumni includes one of the following people: Stephen Harper, Kiefer Sutherland, Emily Haines, Alanis Morissette, Tom Cochrane, Dave Foley, Jeff Healey or Trish Stratus.

8. You feel a need to clarify that you grew up in Central Etobicoke.

9. You remember seeing a movie at The Westwood Theatre by Kipling Station, and were thrilled that it became the go to set for Zombie Apocalypse movies until it was finally torn down in 2013.

10. You spent your pre-teen Friday winter nights at the local Etobicoke Community outdoor skating rink drinking thick, syrup-laden hot chocolate that you loved to hate, but bought anyway.

What signs did I miss? Add your suggestions to the comments.

Writing by Sara Maginn Pacella / Photo by AshtonPal

Poutine is so ubiquitous on Toronto menus that there's seemingly not a category of cuisine that hasn't been adapted to showcase the dish.

This Italiano version ($6.75), for instance, hails from San Francesco Foods, where you can get traditional poutine or swap out the brown gravy for sugo. The sweet, meaty red sauce does just as good a job of melting the curds into gooey globs of cheesy goodness as any beef or chicken stock-based smothering.

It's a greasy dish that eats like true poutine but tastes as wholesome and familiar as a Sunday supper with the familiga - like two comfort foods colliding to become one ultra-satisfying mass of carbs, cheese and sauce.

Best of all, there are multiple locations where you can get your fix -- and some even deliver.

Thanks to IBM for sponsoring this post. IBM Watson's cognitive system helps chefs create new recipes and helps businesses cook up new ideas.

Know of any Toronto restaurants doing interesting takes on poutine? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Jesse Milns

Yum Cha, a celebration of dumplings, steamed buns and spring rolls presented by Spotlight City Events, took place this past Saturday at Daniel's Spectrum in Regent Park. Now in its second year, the festival brought together an unlikely roster of vendors who served up innovative, non-traditional takes on dim sum that ranged from cheesesteak steamed buns to green tea doughnuts.

See 25 delicious highlights from Yum Cha in our photo gallery.

Toronto's Kpop fans will be having a good year. While the Toronto Kpop Convention won't get started until May, fans here have won the year's first KrowdPop event, which isn't a tweenie bopper krautrock program but rather an international site that allows fans to vote for the Kpop bands they want to bring to their city.

Enough initial votes on krowdpop.com led the site to create a crowdfunding page where fans can purchase tickets to the democratically requested concert, and if enough tickets sell to support the band's performance, the show is officially booked and tickets go on sale to the general public. (If interest is too low, all donations are refunded.)

TLDR: Toronto's getting Ailee, Jay Park, and San E at Massey Hall March 20. Tickets run from $65 - $270.

The success of the campaign bodes well for Toronto's music scene in general, not to mention the thirst of our Kpop fans. At this time, Istanbul, a city with an official population almost seven times greater than ours, is currently running a similar campaign which has only four days left to complete over 90% funding.

It's a new era for live music, and as festivals and promoters focus less on acting as taste makers and more on following the tide of a (hopefully) more educated public's demand, crowdfunded concerts will likely become a more common phenomena in Toronto.

Would you donate to my Angels in America NoiseFund.com project? Let us know in the comments.

Lead image: Ailee

A Danish design collector has just built a shrine to all things stylish and sleek at Avenue and Davenport. There's furniture, art, and even jewelry from some of Denmark, Sweden and Norway's most legendary designers - but if you've got Eero Saarinen tastes on an IKEA budget, you can find something to take home for as little as $29.

Read my profile of TORP in the design section.

Toronto is about to see a lot more of the new streetcar fleet on the rails in the coming months. For all the initial buzz generated by the arrival of the slick Bombardier streetcars in Toronto, it's been a bit underwhelming to have only three of the low-floor vehicles on the street since their launch at the end of August.

That's set to change as Bombardier has agreed to produce the vehicles at a significantly increased clip now that a labour dispute has been settle at the company's Thunder Bay plant. According to the Globe and Mail, the TTC anticipates "25 to 30 new streetcars by the end of the year."

The rate of production will begin as two vehicles a month for spring and summer and then ramp up to four vehicles come the fall. Should the roll-out stay on schedule, both the Spadina 510 and Bathurst 511 routes would be operated primarily with the new cars. That won't help you when the cold has decommissioned cars on the 501, but it should offer a little bit of hope.

Photo courtesy of the TTC

This Vancouver-based company made a major impact on the menswear scene in 2007 when it began offering self-measured suits online at a budget-friendly price. But, technological advances aside, the appeal of getting measured and custom-fitted for a suit by a seasoned pro never went away. The company's solution was to open a series of showrooms to offer dapper gents (and ladies) the best of both worlds.

Read my profile of Indochino in the fashion section.

Massey Hall is going to get a comprehensive $135 million renovation over the next seven years that will will see the venerable 2,700-seat auditorium significantly upgraded and expanded for just the second time in its lengthy history.

Originally announced in April 2013, the first phase of renovations will add a loading dock, backstage, and technical facilities to the rear of the 120-year old Shuter St. building using land made available by the developers of the Massey Tower, a 60-storey residential building currently under construction on Yonge St.

The Albert Building, a former janitor's residence turned backstage area, will be demolished to make way for the new facilities.

The second phase, which is due to begin in 2019 following completion of the Massey Tower, will see the exterior and interior extensively renovated. All 2,753 seats will be replaced, outdoor walkways will be added to improve the flow of people through the building, and the plaster ceiling will be restored with the original stained glass.

The hall could close for up to two years during this time, the owners say.

Massey Hall was built in 1894 with funds donated by Hart Massey, an agricultural equipment manufacturer. The building was a gift to the city in honour of his late son, Charles, who died from typhoid in 1884. Charles Massey, a partner in the family business, was a gifted organist and pianist and it was felt a venue for "musical entertainments of a moral and religious character, evangelical, educational, temperance, and benevolent work" would suit his legacy.

As a result of Massey's support of the temperance movement, alcohol wasn't served until 1994.

In 14 decades, Massey Hall has been hosted numerous important performances. In 1953, jazz legends Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie performed there as a group for the first and only time. Bob Dylan went electric for the first time in Canada with The Band in 1965. Neil Young recorded Live at Massey Hall in 1971 and Rush taped All The World's A Stage in 1976.

The venue became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981 and $16 million of the renovation funding will come from the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario. TD Bank Group and RBC are also donating to the project, which is due to be completed in 2021.

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

In addition to a surge in sports bar openings of late, Toronto is about to get its first e-sports bar, at least that's what three entrepreneurs from the University of Waterloo hope to brag about in the coming months. Got Game e-Sports Bar and Lounge has targeted a June opening date in the Ossignton area, where it plans to serve as a nightlife hub for Toronto's gaming community.

Think of it as an e-version of Snakes and Lagers. Using the Meltdown franchise model, the trio hopes to capitalize on the rising popularity of such establishments around the globe. The "venue is not a 'nerd' or 'geek' bar," according to c-founder Nikola Todic. "In order to deviate from this negative stigma, the bar offers booths and consoles for non-competitive gamers to play casual games whilst enjoying food and the company of their friends."

The concept has already met with some success in European cities like Paris and Berlin. And given Toronto's existing gaming community, there's a good chance something like this will catch on, especially if the food and drink offerings are decent. What do you think? Is Toronto ready for its first e-sports lounge?

Photo of Meltdown in Paris

A mysterious seven-metre tunnel containing tools, lights, and a generator was discovered in woodland near York University in January, CBC News is reporting. The underground passageway had reinforced walls and was tall enough for a person to stand up in.

According to the CBC, a Toronto and Region Conservation Authority employee found the entrance beneath a sheet of corrugated metal last month. It appeared to have been dug using a shovel over a number of weeks, possibly months, by persons unknown.

After a police investigation that ruled out possible use as a drug lab, the tunnel was filled in.

Right now, it's a mystery who built the tunnel, but the cops are not taking the matter lightly. National security officials have been notified due to its location close to the Rexall Centre, a Pan Am Games venue.

A news conference on the matter is expected tomorrow.

Until then, feel free to speculate wildly. Maybe it has something to do with Drake. Or poutine. Or deadmau5.

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

If you've ever dreamed of living in a place where you can buy absolutely everything, Toronto must certainly be looking better and better. While In-N-Out Burger might still be the stuff of dreams, those with a sweet tooth and a conscience can now buy organic cotton candy.

Lola's Cloud is a Toronto company specializing in cotton candy made with cane and beet sugar as well as natural dyes (rather different from the electric blue and pink variety of candy floss you get at the CNE). While the organic angle might be an obvious selling point, it's the variety of flavours that really sets the brand apart.

Although the full list has yet to be disclosed, some of the early flavours mentioned on the website include peppermint floss, apple floss, lychee, lemon, Earl Grey and coconut. Those sound intriguing, and like they might be the highlight of a well-to-do kid's birthday party, which is probably a more lucrative market than you'd think.

Photo via Lola's Cloud

Today in Toronto you can attend a screening of Paris is Burning on Tuesday to celebrate the birthday of the monumental documentary on the queer scene in NYC of olde from voguing to HIV. A panel will follow. Or, watch a punk doc and get to know Finnish band Pertti Kurikan nimipäivät. Who? "The members of our band are four middle-aged, mentally handicapped men. The music is, of course, Finnish punk." - Sami Helle, Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät.

Douglas Coupland is throwing a cocktail party at the ROM. If you need stuff, Tequila Bookworm are clearing out some stuff. Un Blonde are Silver Dollar at with Yàocavé, Century Palm, Sexy Merlin and Zoo Owl. Then there's Cannibal Corpse. For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Film: Paris is Burning 25th Anniversary Screening and Panel (Northrop Frye Hall)
• Art: Cocktails & Helvetica with Douglas Coupland (ROM)
• Music: Un Blonde (Silver Dollar)
• Food: Indie Alehouse Kitchen Collab with Anthony Walsh (Indie Alehouse)
• Film: Nordic Nights presents: The Punk Syndrome (Ryerson University School of Image Arts)
• Comedy: Wheel of Improv gets Robbed (Comedy Bar)
• Hoarding: The Bookworm Bazaar (Tequila Bookworm)

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

Photo of Douglas Coupland exhibit by Natta Summerky

This week on DineSafe there are no closures to report, though Poonam Delite is back on the list with its second yellow card since October. Two West Queen West mainstays - Fresh and Chippy's - also got dinged, as did a Pizzaiolo location up the road.

Read about the rest of this week's lowlights on DineSafe.

Fresh on Crawford (894 Queen St. West)
Inspected on: February 17, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Poonam Delite (2658 Danforth Ave.)
Inspected on: February 17, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 1, Significant: 5, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter

Pizzaiolo (1172 Queen St. West)
Inspected on: February 18, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Ginger (695 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: February 18, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to wash hands when required. Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Commisso Bros. & Racco Italian Bakery (8 Kincort St.)
Inspected on: February 18, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 3, Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Wild Burger (709 Mount Pleasant Rd.)
Inspected on: February 19, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Chippy's (893 Queen St. West)
Inspected on: February 19, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

St. John's Bakery (153 Broadview Ave.)
Inspected on: February 20, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

There isn't much of an atmosphere to speak of at this Dupont CrossFit gym - but who needs fancy change rooms when you're sweating your way through a WoD? The workouts are gruelling (naturally), but the attentive training and strong sense of community makes this a perfect neighbourhood spot to beat your personal best.

Read my profile of Crossfit Leviathan in the fitness section.

Are you a high-earning professional who attends a lot of fancy gala luncheons? Probably not, you say? Well, if you are, odds are good you've run into issues finding a suitable date, one who can help you work the room while cutting a striking figure in a tux. You could get out there and meet someone the old-fashioned way - or, to save time, call on the services of this outfit.

The BFE (which stands for "boyfriend experience") is, according to their site, a "Date-Booking platform that brings you handpicked Men who fit your Lifestyle." (It's also a copy editor's nightmare.)

The invite-only platform matches eligible, rentable bachelors with women and men seeking dates for big events, with the lucky gentlemen reportedly pulling in $75 an hour for their time. (No, it's not an escort service. In fact, "Can I have sex with the Boyfriend?" is the first question answered on their FAQ.)

The platform is currently active in Toronto, Montreal, New York, L.A. and Miami. If you've got two tickets to the ballet / the opera / paradise burning a hole in your pocket, head over to their website to sign up.

Most things look good at this slick, minimalist bakery, though it's the unique combination of French sensibilities and Chinese flavours that keeps bringing locals back. There's an attention to detail here that makes each product a little work of art.

Read my review of Duo Patisserie in the bakeries section.

Toronto police say they found a rosary, a Remembrance Day poppy, and a ladder inside the mystery tunnel (alright, "bunker") discovered near York University on January 14.

At a press conference this morning, cops said the chamber was 6 feet 4 inches from floor to ceiling, 2'10'' wide, and more than 30 ft. long. The walls and roof had been reinforced with wood and it appeared more than one person was involved in its creation, likely using shovels and a pulley system to remove the dirt.

There was even a sump pump to extract water and some sound suppression material.

It was "warm and comfortable" inside and likely used at some point during this winter.

Right now there's no evidence the bunker was the work of criminals (or a race of mole people.) The tunnel ran north-south before it was filled in and didn't appear to be heading in the direction of Pan Am Games venue, the Rexall Centre.

"There is no criminal offence for digging a hole," said Deputy Chief Mark Saunders.

Police are appealing to the public for more information.

The Hottest Club in TO is Mystery Tunnel. It has reinforced walls, a generator, & the DJ is a Catholic WW2 ghost. pic.twitter.com/smEOUSjjrH

— jodie simpson (@JodiesJumpsuit) February 24, 2015

MORE TUNNEL IMAGES:

Map of the area near where the crucifix-shaped tunnel was found.

Top secret entrance as it was discovered.

Inside the tunnel.

View of the tunnel showing the reinforced ceiling and walls.

Rosary and poppy found in tunnel.

The roof of a separate pit containing a generator.

Inside the generator pit.

The generator.

Wheelbarrow used to remove excavated dirt.

Pile of excavated tunnel material and a plastic gasoline can.

More dirt.

Looking into the tunnel after excavation by police.

Another view of the excavated tunnel.

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

Images: Toronto Police

The condo boom is as fierce as ever in Toronto. According to a report from the Bank of Montreal, a record 10,368 units were completed in the city last month, shattering previous totals. Analysts chalk the burst up to companies playing catch-up after construction delays in previous years, but the flood of finished units is expected to cause a ripple effect in the market.

Despite demand being high for new condos, there are now over 1,600 units on the market, a 21 year high. The saturation of available units should, BMO predicts, curtail the rise of condo prices in the city, at least for the time being. How long this will last,however, is harder to predict. Construction of new buildings isn't slowing down and other cities across the country are dealing with surpluses.

It seems like Toronto condo watchers are always waiting for the other shoe to drop, which has yet to happen even though words like "overbuilding" and "saturation" are thrown around with greater frequency. What do you think? Will construction of condos continue to outpace demand in this city?

Photo by Neil Ta in the blogTO Flickr pool

Today we're opening up voting in our latest Best Of poll. Now you can have your say in 10 categories including burritos, late night Chinese food, burgers, live theatre venues and more.

Take the best of poll here

Voting in the poll ends at 11:45pm this Thursday February 26th.

NXNE has been quietly waiting to destroy the increasingsummerfestivalcompetition with their lineup, which is kind of curious given that they've booked Action Bronson, Real Estate, the 2015 New Pornographers, and 2015 Best Coast. A Place to Bury Strangers playing in Toronto, imagine that.

Also playing are Tink, Ty Dolla $ign, Om, Zola Jesus, Betty Who, and Vince Staples. Predictable with a few intrigues - this is NXNE doing what NXNE does: bringing the Pitchfork blog roll to a wide (but decreased in 2015) range of Toronto stages from Yonge-Dundas Square to the Rivoli.

Blonde Redhead and Angel Olsen are always welcome along with familiar names from Majical Cloudz to Iceage, No Joy, and White Lung. Then there's Pentagram. To the credit of this year's roster, when I was promised loud I would have taken anything over Billy Talent. The Alice Glass DJ set promises a crowd of Toronto nu-goth insiders flaunting their stage access.

Aside from Glass, Toronto acts include Odonis Odonis again, Dilly Dally, Anamai, and, soon, a bunch of your friends who won't have any guest list spots allotted to them, sorry. It remains to be seen if this year's changes to the NXNE administration will lead to changes in the way they interact with the local scene, but at least there's no radius clause.

Check out the full lineup (as it stands now) below.

NXNE 2015 runs from June 17-21.

Photo of Blonde Redhead by Diego Figueroa