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

• La Carnita's new east side location is now open at 780 Queen St. East.
• The newest incarnation of Peter Pan Bistro, helmed by The Feasting Room chef Noah Goldberg, is now open at 373 Queen St. West.
• Soup du Jour, a chain based out of Bolton, is opening in Toronto at 1243 Islington Ave at Bloor. Expect the menu to feature soups, sandwiches, salads and snacks.
• Northern Belle, the new spot from the folks behind Northwood, opens this Friday at 913 Dundas St. West.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

• Chelo & Co.
• Salad Days (Yonge and Bloor)

OPENING SOON

• Scoop Shop, a new ice cream parlour from Sweet Sammies Ice Cream Sandwich Co., has announced its impending arrival at 808 Dundas St. West
• On A Bun, an Italian sandwich shop from Mississauga, is in the works at 841 Queen St.
• Wisey's Pies, the Leaside bake shop known for its sweet and savoury Kiwi-inspired pies, is opening a second location at 43 Roncesvalles Ave. on Saturday, March 28.
• The Olive Oil Emporium is opening a second location at 659 St. Clair West in the next couple weeks; the fine foods purveyor already operates a location on Bayview.

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

Photo from La Carnita

He's not telling east-end residents anything they don't already know, but a prominent American economist and food writer recently heaped praise on Scarborough, saying it just might be the best ethnic food suburb in the world.

Tyler Cowen, author of An Economist Gets Lunch: New Rules for Everyday Foodies, joined a U of T Scarborough food studies initiative for a tour around several legendary local eateries last week, spanning a variety of cultures. "I concluded Scarborough is the best ethnic food suburb I have seen in my life, ever, and by an order of magnitude," he wrote in a brief blog post.

The tour reportedly included visits to Canbe Foods, Bella's Lechon, Saravanaa Bhavan, Remely's and Xin Jiang Restaurant (though, as Cowen writes: "If you are wondering where I went, that is beside the point.")

With everything from Hakka and Uighur cuisine to South Asian eats and jerk shawarma available within a short drive, our easternmost borough truly deserves the praise - it's about time the world sat up and took notice.

Photo of Adonis by Jesse Milns.

This spot opened a year ago in Markham, bringing the dart lounge - a popular concept across Asia - to Canadian soil. (The games focus on soft-tipped darts, hurled against electronic boards - which is probably for the best, since steel-tipped darts, bottle service, and giant "towers" of draft beer don't mix.) If you've ever wanted a little more gamesmanship in your clubbing experience (along with a few plates of Asian nachos), this is the place to be.

Read my profile of iDarts Toronto in the bars section.

Weekend events in Toronto will give you a chance to dress up as any superhero ever combined with any Frozen character ever. If the rando Family Guy guy asks you what else is up in town, there's a comfort food fest, a dance festival, a crowdfunded Kpop concert (what), and a ton of live music and film screenings. Or, take him to the motorcycle show and have him impersonate motorcycles.

Here are my picks for the top events happening in Toronto March 20-22, 2015.

Comicon (March 20-22, Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
At one of the year's biggest fan events eager geeks will find entertainment, vendors, speakers, and more, while gawkers hang out on TTC feeling mild envy toward the youthful exuberance of the city's cosplayers. There's also film at the Bloor: 1986's Transformers movie will be followed by The Cybertronic Spree playing the classics live in costume. Read our full preview here.

PARTY & DANCE

Bassweek (March 20-29, various venues)
The fifth annual Bassweek returns to Toronto for five nights of drum'n'bass madness (and a sprinkling of other bass-related genres), with events at the Hoxton, the Phoenix, and Tota. The lineup is full of veterans and superstars of the genre, including Drumsound & Bassline Smith, DJ SS, Micki Finn, Metrik, Delta Heavy, and many more. BB

FOOD

Curryfest (March 22, 2nd Floor Events)
Toronto's first Curry Fest comes from the same folks behind Yum Cha. Find authentic dishes rooted in Southern and South East Asian cuisines, along with variations popularized in the UK - plus some modern interpretations from Toronto chefs experimenting outside of their comfort zones. If you're wary of food fests, we understand. LI

ART

All the Libraries (March 19-26, Autumn)
Bibliophiles can see a show of Daniel Rotsztain's "All the Libraries" drawing project on Roncesvalles Ave from now until next weekend.

Photopia (March 13-21, Gallery 44)
One of the most exciting photo shows in Toronto is back: at Gallery 44's yearly fundraiser is back see works by photographers including Tobi Asmoucha, Marc Audette, Sally Ayre, Marco Buonocore, Jamie Campbell, Alice Dixon, Pete Doherty, Brendan George Ko, Jennifer Long, and more.

FILM

Water Docs Film Festival (March 20-28, Jackman Hall)
Timed perfectly with the weather, from March 20-28 the AGO's Jackman Hall will screen documentary films about... all things water. DamNation will open the festival at 7pm on Friday.

The Triplets of Belleville (March 20, Innis Town Hall)
CINSSU's Free Friday Films series is screening wonderful French animated feature The Triplets of Belleville on Friday - for free, naturally.

Melody (March 21, Royal)
Kid Power!, Toronto's only cult screening series for kids and adults, is back with a screening of Melody, which inspired (that's a kind word) Moonrise Kingdom but is, I can assure you, one zillion times better. It's one of your heart's favourite movies, even if you don't know it yet.

I for Iran (TIFF, until April 3)
At TIFF, the I for Iran series, curated by Iranian filmmakers, is screening a can't-miss retrospective until until April 3rd. This weekend see Abbas Kiarostami's award winning 1987 film Where is the Friend's Home? on Sunday. Check out the full programming here.

LIVE MUSIC

Unite the Mic (March 20, Massey Hall)
Before May's Toronto Kpop Convention, 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 and then crowdfund Kpop concerts. Ailee, Jay Park, and San E will perform in Toronto. Read more here.

Father Murphy (March 20, Dance Cave)
Father Murphy are bringing the doom and gloom back to Toronto - did you miss out on that "two one-sided 10" containing two movements each, meant to be played simultaneously - or maybe not"? Pick it up at Dance Cave and experience the screams and minimalism of one of Italy's best goth duos. Alpha Strategy opens.

Torche (March 21, Lee's Palace)
Miami's spacey stoner gurus Torche returned to heavier roots on last month's Restarter, but still maintain that amazing ability to build massive layers of noise over addictive pop hooks. Their Lee's show will please those who love loudness, especially since they're bringing fellow Relapse Record-mates Nothing and Wrong. SK

MUSIC LABEL BIRTHS & DEATHS

BA Johnston (March 20, Johnny Jackson)
If Kpop and Euro-noise aren't your thing, maybe some kitschy Canadiana grime rock is. This show will be a funeral of sorts for Toronto label Mammoth Cave, whose last release will be B.A. Johnston's Shit Sucks LP.

The Holy Gasp (March 21, Silver Dollar)
Rules are as one DIY label dies, another rises, and NO LOVE will celebrate their second tape release with the official party for The Holy Gasp's The Last Generation of Love. The must-see local jazz-influenced outfit exploring territory as strange and original as BADBADNOTGOOD will be joined by Friendly Rich & The Lollipop People.

SHOPPING & LIFESTYLE

Midnight MRKT (2nd Floor Events, March 20)
One of Toronto's favourite shopping events is back with their spring spread. It's $5 at the door to shop, eat, and dance to the DJ from 9pm - 1am.

Bellwoods Flea Spring Edition (March 21)
The Bellwoods Flea is expanding from one venue to two. From 11am - 6pm, browse vendors at 801 Dundas (Hashtag) and 831 Dundas (Magpie). Then take a trip to the east end: the Leslieville Flea is also on Sunday.

Motorcycle Spring Show (March 21-22, International Centre)
Vroom vroom vroom.

Canada Blooms (March 13-22, Direct Energy Centre)
The Canada Blooms Flower & Garden Festival blooms at Exhibition just as you start to think about your garden (or that little box by the window that used to contain life). You have one weekend left to get your horticulture on.

BOOKS

Shelf Life (March 19-29, Ryerson Artspace at the Gladstone)
Carbon Paper is about to pull off a huge undertaking: this super cool pop up library will feature a huge collection of all-Canadian publications and magazines, with a stacked schedule of events.

For more events this weekend click on over to our Events section. Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit it for free using this form.

Contributions by Liora Ipsum, Ben Boles, Shazia Khan

Benefit Cosmetics and their retro, cheekily-named products are already a familiar sight at Toronto drugstores and department stores - there's hardly a makeup junkie in town who hasn't plunked down a healthy chunk of change for one of their mascaras, blushes or multi-use tints. (I can personally attest to the brand's magic powers: Erase Paste is pretty much the only thing keeping me from looking like an underslept zombie 99% of the time.)

But you know what's better than a Sephora counter full of Benefit products? I'll tell you: It's a whole damn store full of Benefit products. Retail Insider reports that the company's chain of free-standing locations is about to expand into Canada, with the first location set to open this April at 2614 Yonge St., halfway between Lawrence and Eglinton (formerly an Accessorize store).

In addition to all the Benefit classics you know and love, the freestanding boutiques offer salon and spa services, including brow grooming, fake tans and waxing, all in an environment that looks ripped from the set of Hairspray (think pastels, florals and giant hair dryers). Look for several more locations to open across Canada later this year.

Photo via Benefit on Facebook.

If you're itching to dress like a dapper '20s something, play croquet, and dance to live jazz, you are not alone. The Spadina Museum has received an unprecedented response to this year's Gatsby Garden Party invite. As of this week, 20,000 people have clicked attending on the events' Facebook page.

The literary party takes place each summer, and 2014 saw 1,000 or so costumed revelers attend. This year's massive response has been a bit of a curve pearl for the city, who now have to ready themselves for some disappointed Gatsby fans (the event has never sold out before), even if only a fraction of the online attendees will in fact show up.

So far as the museum knows, the response is genuine - they haven't noticed any out-of-city coverage that could have generated disingenuous clicks. Interest in the event has been gaining momentum each year thanks to word of mouth, a spokesperson from the museum tells me. (Leftover hype from the 2013 film, and the low $5 ticket price, are also likely at play.) The city was unsure of the capacity of the grounds when I spoke to them.

Due to masses hovering above the valley of ashes, the museum has announced they'll be attempting to sell tickets in advance for the first time ever, but can't be sure this will work out - meaning you may have to stand in line in full costume early on the morning of the party. "Just keep checking our website and the Facebook page," museum staff advise.

The Gatsby Garden Party is June 28th at the Spadina Museum.

Photo by Marcanadian in the blogTO Flickr pool

Toronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious events, festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.

THIS WEEK

• Celebrate the first day of spring tonight, Friday, March 20, at Fonda Lola (942 Queen St. West). The Mexican Spring Break party starts at 5pm.
• Curryfest is on this Sunday, March 22 at 2nd Floor Events (461 King St. West). The event from the same folks behind Yum Cha will showcase curry dishes from eight vendors, including Babi & Co., Pai, Nana, and The Gabardine.
• Food & Liquor (1610 Queen St. West) hosts round one of Dillon's Cocktail Cup on Tuesday, March 24 from 6pm to 9pm. Admission is $30 to see Erin Petty of El Caballito take on Jesse Borg of Home of the Brave (and taste the fruits of the competition).
• The next Drake One Fifty (150 York St.) pop-up guest chef series takes places on Wednesday, March 25 from 5pm. Space is still available for the one-night-only dinner from Brooklyn Mile End Deli co-founder Noah Bernamoff. Expect the a la carte menu to feature signature smoked meats, and twists on classics like matzo balls and latkes.

UPCOMING

• The 10th annual Washoku Matsuri: Japanese Food Festival organized by Japanese Restaurant Association of Canada (JRAC) will take place on Monday, April 20, starting with a demonstration and appetizers at 5:30pm, followed by a dinner at 7pm held at Kobayashi Hall at the Japanese Canadian Culture Centre (6 Garamond Ct.). Limited tickets are available for $180, and while some might still have a bad taste in their mouth from the recent Sushi Fest fiasco, this event boasts a drool worthy line-up featuring Toronto's most reputable Japanese restaurants, including Cafe Michi, Hiro Sushi and Sushi Kaji (to name just a few).
• Book your seats now for The Second Seder at Caplansky's (356 College St.) on Saturday, April 4. The seven-course Jewish Passover feast is priced at $55 for adults (or $25 for children) and promises to be "Matzoh fun".

Photo of Fonda Lola.

Spring has officially arrived in Toronto and with it the promise street festival season. While most of our fests are clustered in late May and June, this year we have a brand new March offering. It's also worth mentioning that Pedestrian Sundays get underway in May throughout Kensington Market, so that should also be on your list of things to do outdoors once the weather actually warms up. For now, you can start getting ready for all the food on sticks you're going to eat in the coming months.

Here are my picks for the top spring street festivals in Toronto.

Pabst Street Jam 2015
Ring in spring with a last hurrah to winter. This block party is centre around a snowboard rail at Church and Shuter that will witness some of Ontario's best strut their stuff amidst plenty of PBR and food trucks (yes, multiple Toronto cliches are at work here). Music will be supplied by Thugli and Rich Kidd. The only catch is that this is a 19+ event, which might suck for a few Ryerson students looking to let off some steam before exams. March 28th.

Dundas West Fest
Now in its third year, Dundas West Fest continues to grow with more vendors and engagement along the eponymous street between Ossington and Lansdowne. If last year's event was any indication, it will be a busy festival with plenty of beer and cheap eats on offer from local restaurants and bars. Keep an eye out for deals on vintage clothing as well, and check the festival's Facebook page for updates about this year's vendors. Saturday, June 6th.

Annex Fest
The 19th annual Annex Fest will close down Bloor between Spadina and Bathurst on June 14th for a family friendly array of performances and activities. There will be live music on the Tranzac stage at Bloor and Brunswick, about 100 craft vendors, and busking performances courtesy of the Fringe Festival.

Taste of Little Italy
Taste of Italy will surely be the busiest spring festival of the bunch, with roughly 50 restaurants serving up a variety of Italian (and decidedly non-Italian) fare. College will be closed to traffic between Bathurst and Shaw as the roving masses devour food on sticks, gelato, and even whole-roasted pig. Live music will also be on offer. June 12-14th.

Waterfront Festival
This year's festival stretches along the lake from Spadina to Sugar Beach. Head down for crazy canines performing jumps, live music, and other entertainment. Bring sunscreen, and be prepared to be joined by lots and lots of kids (I hear sunstroke slows them down). June 19-21st.

Writing by Sarah Ratchford and Derek Flack

Photo from Taste of Little Italy

A huge piece of Toronto music history is now online. In the spirit of the DIY ethos of the punk documentary, Colin Brunton and Kire Paputt's 2013 film The Last Pogo Jumps Again has been released for VOD rental and download via Vimeo.

The three hour follow up to 1978's short film The Last Pogo (filmed, of course, at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern) digs deep into Toronto punk lore, with exhaustive coverage of the DIY scene in the 1970's including seminal bands Teenage Head, The Viletones, The Mods, The Scenics, The Cardboard Brains, The Secrets, and The Ugly - plus The Ramones, and the police.

The riot at the Horseshoe Tavern that erupted when the cops broke up Teenage Head's 1978 show is considered to be one of the defining moments of Toronto music, but there's a lot more to the story. Watch the trailer below, and watch on demand here.

Big changes are afoot for Sense Appeal, the cafe and coffee roaster that touted locations on Spadina and Lake Shore Blvd. in Etobicoke. Co-owners Peter Adamo and Roberto Rota are parting ways.

The long term future of the massive west end location (home to coffee roasting operations, as well as a bakery and catering kitchen) is unclear, but it's closed to the public for the foreseeable future, leaving only the downtown cafe open.

Meanwhile Adamo is happy to share his plans. He intends to open his own roasting facilities somewhere downtown as well as a sensory lab and test kitchen in the west end. There are no names or addresses currently attached to the projects, but the intent is to offer an exploratory coffee experience, with siphon, aero press, and pour overs, as well as an integrated food program.

On the surface it doesn't sound all that original, but when Adamo describes the finer points of exploring the local environment and gets into the food science aspects, it starts sounding like Toronto's own version of Noma or one of David Chang's kitchen labs. One current project in the works will see coffee brewed with water purified from maple and birch sap tapped in the Hockley Valley.

The closure of Sense Appeal Lake Shore will certainly be a loss for the neighbourhood (not just the coffee, but the club sandwiches), but it sounds like overall, Toronto's coffee scene is about to get a little more interesting.

Students and office workers on King East have a new lunch option: Ultrafast personal pizzas, topped with everything from eggs and chorizo to dates, falafel and bechamel. The best part: Every pizza is just one price, no matter which toppings you decide to add.

Read my review of One Pizza in the restaurants section.

Billing itself as a Korean restaurant and tapas bar, this new spot is positioned perfectly to offer late night eats as well as serve the post beach crowd looking for frosty drinks and nibbles. Highlights on the menu include bo ssam platters with kale and shiso leaves, as well as rice wine slush cocktails.

Read my profile of Nine in the restaurant section.

Spring has officially arrived in Toronto. And even if it still looks and feels rather wintry out there, a closer examination of the city reveals plenty of signs that we've put the worst of winter behind us. It was a beautiful but frigidly cold season, so it's understandable that we're all keen to make note of even the most cautious first signs that warmer weather is on the way. Not to fear, the ice is melting, the mist is rising, and our parks and ravines begin to awake from their winter slumber.

Get hopeful with these 10 photos of early spring in Toronto.

The best tattoo parlours in Toronto are a pack ahead of the competition in a passionate community where everyone's got an opinion. Loyal living canvases can get heated when a favourite shop has been seemingly neglected, and with so many established and up and coming artists in Toronto - not to mention tattooed citizens - competition is definitely not in short supply. However, some shops have indisputably gone above and beyond, establishing themselves as truly trustworthy stops for ink.

Here are the best tattoo parlours in Toronto.

See also:

The top 10 tattoo artists in Toronto
The top 10 up and coming tattoo artists in Toronto

It's the first day of spring and already we're getting excited about the warmer months ahead. To help us get ready for a busy festival, patio and food truck season we're expanding our Editorial team and looking for a full-time Associate Editor to join our ranks.

As an Associate Editor the successful candidate will be expected to have prior work experience with digital content creation and social media as well as be a keen observer of Toronto culture and the subjects that we normally write about.

That means an in-depth and of-the-moment knowledge of Toronto's restaurant, bar and food scene, food trucks, arts, music, fashion, tech and other news and culture.

As an Associate Editor for the site you'll be expected to:

• Take an active/leadership role with the site's community management initiatives across our social media channels, comments and emails.
• Make daily updates to our database with information regarding local businesses, patio information and food trucks.
• Monitor site and social media analytics, prepare reports and extrapolate insights.
• Write original and concise articles for the site often within a very tight deadline.
• Write and format the site's email newsletters.
• Copy edit articles submitted from our freelance team according to the site's style and formatting guidelines.
• Collaborate with the rest of the Editorial team on content planning and special initiatives.

Additional Requirements

• A Journalism education background or 2-4 year of online writing and/or community management experience.
• Solid research skills and the ability to write concise, punchy prose in article or list-based formats.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to consistently meet deadlines.
• Proficient knowledge of Photoshop and the ability to edit/format photos to site guidelines.
• Video editing and production capabilities is not essential but would be a definite asset.

While we appreciate the interest and fresh perspectives that new Toronto residents might contribute to the team this role is only suitable for someone who has lived in the city for at least 5 years. The Associate Editor must be able to prove themselves a Toronto expert and be able to display a solid grasp of the topics and neighbourhoods we write about.

Compensation and Term

As a full time member of our Editorial team you'll be expected to work from our office near Yonge and Richmond from Monday to Friday during typical business hours (8am to 5pm) with alternate shifts on evenings and weekends a regular occurrence. Payment is competitive with similar digital media jobs for someone with 2-4 years of experience.

As part of the evaluation process we'll be asking you to undertake a number of writing and/or editorial assignments that will help us better assess your capabilities. These will be compensated for.

How to Apply

Interested in applying for one of these roles? Just send an email to jobs [at] blogto [dotcom] with the following info:

• Send us a bit of information about yourself (how long you've lived in Toronto, what neighbourhoods you have lived in) and your education and work experience. A link to your Linked-In or CV and social media footprint (Instagram, Twitter) will be helpful here.
• Let us know why you're interested in this role and how soon you can start.
• Send us links to any relevant online content you've created that you think will wow us.
• Detail your technology prowess including what type of computer and O/S you use, your current smartphone model, photography and photo editing capabilities
• Tell us what famous, living Torontonian you'd most like to sit next to on a plane.

Thanks in advance to everyone interested in apply for this role. We aim to respond to all applicants who send us a complete application as per the instructions above.

Is the sports bar Toronto's latest restaurant trend? It sure seems that way ever since The Contender and the The Derby followed The Dock Ellis in setting up shop on Dundas West. The newest sports bar to join the ranks comes from the owners of Branca.

Toronto Life reports that the popular Argentinian spot is branching out with a new outpost called Bronco that will take over the space formerly occupied by Politica. Don't expect to find a South American-inspired menu here, though.

Word is that owner James Bateman and chef Kanida Chey want to bring the slider back into the spotlight with over 20 varieties in store. Yes, that's right: sliders. Apparently the rebirth cycle on food trends is less than five years these days. In any case, a sports bar at Adelaide and Strachan will be a very nice addition to the neighbourhood.

Slider pictured not from Bronco.

Photo by Frank Lemire in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The Canada Malting and Victory Mills silos are like two great concrete bookends on the downtown waterfront. Located at the bottoms of Bathurst and Parliament streets, the former soya and grain storage facilities are relics of a time when the port of Toronto was a place of heavy industry, not entertainment.

But while Lake Shore Blvd. and latterly Queens Quay E. have been the focus of extensive improvements since the 1980s, the silos have remained derelict.

The Canada Malting silos at Bathurst were built in 1928 as a place to store barley before being transformed into malt, which is used in beer and other products. Canada Malting Co. shut down in November 1987 and the City of Toronto has been looking for an "adaptive reuse" project to take over the designated heritage buildings since 1993. Ideas ranged from a hotel complex to a new storage facility for the Archives of Ontario to a giant mausoleum with space for 6,500 coffin crypts and 5,000 niches for urns.

Several potentially viable plans have surfaced since then, most recently the 1996 Metronome plan that would have turned the concrete building and surrounding area into a music themed cultural centre, complete with an 800-seat auditorium, museum, retail, and restaurants.

According to Lynda Macdonald with community planning at the City of Toronto, that plan fell apart when the project's backers couldn't produce the necessary funding (the website is still up, if you feel like exploring a little.)

Macdonald says the city is developing a plan for the Bathurst Quay neighbourhood with a view to once again finding a purpose for the silos, among other things. Build Toronto, the city's real estate arm, is seeking expressions of interest that will play well with the nearby school and Ireland Park. "Creative ideas" for "quite extraordinary" buildings, she says. The process is due to wrap up next month.

Things are happening at the Victory Mills site, albeit much more slowly. The privately owned, heritage listed silos, built between 1944 and 1948 as part of a larger complex by Sunsoy Products Limited, were the subject of a pair of development proposals in 2007. Two options were presented to the city: one that incorporated the silos, another that cleared them out the way.

City council decided both ideas were premature considering the ongoing plans to improve the Port Lands and Don River mouth, and the project went no further.

In 2011, the silos were selected as the future site of the Pan Am Games Award Pavilion. The winning design, created by students in Switzerland, envisioned covering the silo and surrounding lands with hundreds of illuminated PVC helium balloons, but it appears the idea has since been dropped.

Still the site refuses to stay quiet. Insurance company Manulife acquired the property earlier this year, according to the city.

Watch this space.

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

Images: Imagenius 3D Studios; City of Toronto Archives; Manuel Gross, Yannick Vorberg, Patrik Staub, Stefan Vetsch.

Toronto restaurants don't often count weddings among their usual business - so if you decide to go this route for your ceremony, you can experience a very different planning process. Regardless, they are often wonderful and unique spaces that will give your big day a unique charm - and will definitely make any post-wedding meal one to remember.

Here are my picks for the top restaurants for a wedding in Toronto.

See also:

The top 15 small wedding venues in Toronto
The top 30 large wedding venues in Toronto

George
George is housed in a former 1850s chocolate factory on Queen East, combining a vintage feel with gilt details, chandeliers and wrought iron window treatments. The restaurant is divided into several rooms, each with a different capacity from 16 to 110 for a seated event or up to 150 for cocktails. The whole restaurant is available only on Saturday afternoons and Sunday and Monday evenings. There is no room rental fee, and minimums range from $250 to $6,500.

Union
Union features exposed brick, bold patterned prints on the chairs, and warm lighting that helps to cultivate a slightly European feel. Menus are typically created on a daily basis at Union so the team works with couples to create a signature menu for their event. The restaurant can host up to about 50 for dinner, but is optimal for about 35. The minimum spends for the space varies based on season and day of the week and ranges from $3,500 to $6,000.

Bar Isabel
If food is a top priority for your wedding, you'll want to consider Bar Isabel in Little Italy. The unassuming storefront sets the feel for a romantic ambiance in a space that features mismatched furniture, ornate floors and dim lighting. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are not available for a buyout and everything larger than 10 guests needs to be discussed with the restaurant.

Caffino
Located in a heritage building in Liberty Village, Caffino boasts an elegant feel with exposed brick, large windows, understated decor and polished wood finishes. The venue can fit 150 for a sit down dinne or up to 250 for a cocktail style event. Venue fees are determined by the size of the group. Menus are $55 per person and can be customized with the team. The bar is based on consumption with a minimum of $35 per person.

Canoe
Found on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower, Canoe features stunning views of the city and the island. The restaurant's private rooms are perfect for smaller parties of up to 64 seated or 100 for a reception, while the whole restaurant capacity is up to 140 seated or 250 for a reception. The minimum spend requirement is $18,000 on Saturdays and $12,000 on Sundays. Packages start at $67 per person for food and bar is charged on consumption.

Sassafraz
This Yorkville stalwart is a remarkably diverse event space offering a variety of rooms. The décor is simple and modern with light hardwood floors, white leather furniture, glass details and greenery. Meals are available from $50 to $100 and the bar is based on consumption. There is no set rental rate, but there are minimums depending on which space you choose to use, which range from $1,875 to $12,000. Capacity is up to 150 seated or 300 for a cocktail reception.

Mildred's Temple Kitchen
Mildred's Temple Kitchen is no stranger to hosting private parties and events. The warm and inviting environment features unique lighting fixtures, clean-lined seating and simple wood tables. The dining room can accommodate up to 130 guests for a sit-down dinner, or up to 180 guests for a cocktail reception; the patio is also licensed for up to 45 guests. The event cost is based on a minimum spend for food and drink that ranges from $4,000 to $15,000.

Bymark
Located in the atrium of the TD Towers, Bymark is a space defined by leather, wood and modern finishes. It has several private dining spaces that can accommodate groups of up to 48 for a seated dinner or 100 for a cocktail party, or a buyout of the restaurant is available where you can seat up to 126 or host about 250 guests for a cocktail party. Menus begin at $66 per person and can be customized.

Splendido
Simple décor and a unique arch define the Splendido dining room, while the remainder of the space features modern finishes and warm lighting. There are three spaces available for events - the bar, the dining room and the cellar - accommodating groups of up to 100. Packages range from $8,000 to $17,000 and the venue will work with you to create a package that best suites your needs.

Rosewater
The Rosewater Room is a stunning, traditional space with a ballroom feel. It features an open concept design, cornice molding, chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows, with a built-in bar at one end of the dining room. The space can accommodate up to 200 people seated, or 400 people for a reception. Packages are available and start at $100 per person, including a multi-course meal and a host bar.

The Fifth Social Club
If you're looking for a somewhat rustic feel in the heart of an urban space then the recently-overhauled Fifth complex is a great choice for you. The main event space contains beautiful wood details as well as chandeliers and a fireplace, with the rooftop Fifth Grill and Cabin Five also available. Sit-down menus start at $55 and continue to $90 per person. Rental fees vary based on date and time of year and are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Church Aperitivo
With dim lighting and a mix of marble, wood and metal the vibe at Church Aperitivo is upscale and urban. The bar spans a significant length of the space and is a beautiful focal point for the room. Menus start around $50 per person and can be customized based on the preferences of every couple. The space can handle an intimately seated reception of 100 guests or 150 to 180 standing guests. There is a minimum spend for the space that ranges from $3,500 to $25,000.

Jump
This Financial District spot pairs modern light features and finishes with dark wood details. The private rooms can accommodate from 36 and 54 seated or 40 and 80 for a reception respectively. The entire restaurant can handle 165 seated or 300 for a reception. Packages start at $53 per person for a luncheon and increase from there; beverages are charged based on consumption. There is no rental fee for the space so long as minimums are met, they range, but start at $1,500 for a private room and $5,000 for a full buyout.

The Westerly
The Roncesvalles restaurant features large windows, a spacious bar, restored hardwood flooring, chandeliers, and exposed air ducts. Family-style or fixed-price menus are available and are customized for each couple. Weddings can be held 7 days a week in the private room for groups of up to 36 for a seated dinner or 60 for a cocktail reception without a rental fee. If a couple requires the entire restaurant the buyout cost is $5,000 from Sunday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday are not available for buyouts.

Turf Lounge
In the heart of the Financial District, Turf Lounge features contemporary design with dark finishes, dark wood and plenty of televisions. High ceilings and large light fixtures are highlights of the space. Smaller parties of 8 to 80 can be hosted or receptions of up to 250. Unique features are the additional services which can incorporated into each event including a wine tasting, scotch tasting or betting tutorial. There are no rental fees as long as minimum expenditures are made and those range from $600 to over $13,000.

Le Select
This unique Wellington St. space exudes the feel of a French bistro. Ornate details define the location including a beautiful bar, a number of different types of seating, patterned tiles and vibrant artwork. Private rooms can be combined to seat up to 70. Minimum expenditures begin at $1,000 and go up to $3,400 depending on date and time.

Brassaii
Brassai combines architectural history with modern design. Weddings that require the entire space can only be hosted there on Sundays for up to 150 seated guests. There is no rental fee, but the restaurant does require a minimum food and beverage spend of either $10,000 for lunch or $20,000 for dinner. If couples want use of the patio the fee is an additional $5,000. Taxes and gratuities are also charged beyond the minimum spends.

Wvrst
Wvrst is definitely a space for a laid back and relaxed event. The venue offers long tables with benches. A red tiled wall is the highlight of one side of the space, while a long bar is featured on the other side. The bar houses an extensive selection of beers on tap and by the bottle. The space has a capacity of 135 and the minimum spend begins as low as $3,000.

Auberge Du Pommier
This York Mills destination has a seated capacity of 145 or a reception capacity of 200. Private rooms are available or you can use the entire restaurant on Saturdays for lunch or all day Sundays. Packages are available for guests and can be customized with lunches beginning at $15 per person and dinners beginning at $75. Drinks are charged based on consumption. There is no charge to use the space, but minimums are enforced for food and beverages and start at $500 for the private rooms or $6,000 for a buy-out.

Tappo
This Distillery District spot provides seating for up to 90 people or a standing reception for up to 150. During the warmer months the patio lounge is also licensed. The space is a mix of industrial and romantic with 35-foot ceilings and a candlelit dining room. Stone walls, wooden window frames and historical artifacts scattered throughout the space help to create a comfortable ambiance. Lunch minimums begin at $2,500, while cocktail or sit-down dinner receptions have a minimum spend that starts at $5,000.

Merchants of Green Coffee
With a distinctly rustic feel, this Riverside space has a simple elegance about it that makes it a great option for a wedding. With a capacity of up to 120 people and 3,000 square feet of space, there are plenty of options for event configuration. There's a quality sound system as well as a projector with a white screen available. The rental rate is generally $250 to $300 an hour, and the space is available for ceremonies and receptions.

Archeo
Another Distillery District option, Archeo features an open plan, high ceilings, concrete floors, exposed brick walls and contemporary furniture. Capacity ranges from 100 to 150. Rental of the facility includes staffing and a coordinator as well as A/V capabilities. Minimum spends range from $3,000 to $13,000 pending day of week and time of year. Dinner packages start at $35 per person for a brunch and increase for dinners.

Balzac's (Distillery District)
Located in a stand-alone building in the Distillery District, Balzac's defines quirky and cozy. Raised ceilings and chandeliers all help provide character to the event space. 40 to 45 people can be accommodated for a seated dinner on each floor, while up to 100 can be held for a cocktail reception. A Special Occasion Permit must be purchased, but there is no corkage fee. The rental rate is $2,800 for exclusive use of the space.

Scaramouche
Scaramouche on Avenue Road immediately provides an Intimate and sophisticated feel with its lower ceilings, surrounding windows and simple lighting. Large cushioned chairs draw up to tables covered in white linens helping to set the mood for a more upmarket dining experience. The space is available on Sundays for groups of 60 to 100.

Buca
The original Buca has a minimalist feel with little decor but plenty of open space. Highlights of the space include Edison-bulb chandeliers, high ceilings, and leather-backed chairs at dark wood tables. A unique and awesome feature of the space is the open view of the kitchen.

Did I miss any? Leave your picks for restaurants for weddings in the comments.

Photo via Brassaii.