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The future of Yonge and Eglinton comes into focus

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toronto 1 eglinton eastThe future of Yonge and Eglinton is starting to come into focus. Detailed renderings of a planned 68-storey, mixed-use building planned for the southeast corner of the intersection have been released by the developer, giving a clearer picture of what one corner of the midtown intersection might look like in five years time.

Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, the firm behind One Bloor East, the Massey Tower, 5 St. Joseph, and the PJ Condos, 1 Eglinton East is in line to become the third major development at the increasingly development-heavy neighbourhood.

The site is currently occupied by an 8-storey office building that includes a CIBC branch at the corner. There's a 7-Eleven in there, too. Upstairs is a 30-suite office building.

The project is still in the planning phase and has yet to complete the necessary city council approval process.

Here's a look at what's being planned:

toronto 1 eglinton eastThe proposal
The 68-storey tower will contain 46,000 sq. m. of residential and 10,400 sq. m. of commercial space. Everything above the 13th floor will be solely for residential units--672 of them in total, split between 448 one-bedroom and 224 two-bedroom units. The underground connections to the subway (and later Crosstown LRT) will remain, though developers plan to add six levels of below grade parking to the increasingly crowded subterranean world.

The highlights
The design is certainly striking. Its looks a little as though there is one building inside of another, bursting to get out. Most if not all of the units will have a private balcony, and those facing south will have excellent views of the downtown core. A privately-owned public square is promised for the west flank of the building, along Yonge St.

The downsides
Though this project will more than likely wrap up after others in the immediate vicinity, construction noise from the LRT project and later redevelopment of the former TTC bus bay lands may be a factor. Because these condos will be in an up and coming area, expect to pay a premium.

Chances of getting built
Good. Developer Davpart has already had success at 481 University, a conversion of an existing office building, and the intersection is undergoing rapid intensification ahead of the expected arrival of the Eglinton-Crosstown LRT in 2020. Kitty corner, the Yonge Eglinton Centre is getting a $100 million makeover and expansion, and across the street the twin-tower E Condos project already under construction.

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

Image: Hariri Pontarini Architects


Toronto Restaurant Openings: Old School, Butcher Bar, The Battered Fish, Stelvio, On a Bun, Abokichi

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toronto restaurant openingsToronto 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

  • Old School, the new 24-hour joint from Brad Moore launches at brunch this Saturday, May 16.
  • Barque's Butcher Bar, the new butcher counter by day, meat-centric snack bar by night, is now open at 287 Roncesvalles Ave.
  • East Coast chain fish and chip company, The Battered Fish is open for business at 224 Queen St. West.
  • Oh My Lard is now open serving up BBQ like pulled pork sandwiches from a shipping container at Market 707
  • Stelvio, a North Italian restaurant, has just opened at 354 Queen St. West replacing BQM
  • Onigiri (Japanese rice balls), grilled Japanini sandwiches, roti and snacks are all on offer at the tiny, newly opened Abokichi store at 258 Dupont St.
  • On a Bun is now open, slinging Italian sandwiches from a storefront at 841 Queen St. West.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

OPENING SOON

  • Kasa Moto, a new upmarket Japanese restaurant from the folks behind The Chase opens next week.
  • Ottos Berlin Doners, a German misrule sandwich shop is in the works at 256 Augusta Ave. in Kensington Market.

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

Photo from the Battered Fish

Raptors to wear Drake basketball uniform next year

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drake raptors uniformYou know you're the big homey when an NBA team is set to wear a uniform you designed. Yup, Drake's ego just grew a little more as leaked images of the Toronto Raptors uniform redesign show an alternate Drake version in the signature colour scheme of OVO.

While the team hasn't confirmed the designs yet, it would appear that the Raps will be outfit in black and gold at least a few times next season (the Drake-themed getup is the second of two alternate uniforms).

Should this indeed come to pass, it will only serve to confirm just how seriously the Raptors take Drake's role as ambassador. Affiliated merch is one thing, but outfitting the team in a Drizzy-designed uniform is quite another. Now, let's just imagine what would happen if the Raps could get their defensive woes sorted.

Contest: Win playoff tickets to the Toronto Rock

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Toronto rock playoff ticketsWant to win tickets to see the ONLY playoff action in Toronto? It's Toronto Rock Lacrosse! Enter to win tickets to see them play in Game 2 of the National Lacrosse League East Division Finals on Saturday, May 23rd, 7:00 PM at Air Canada Centre.

Get all the contest details here.

Condo of the week: 22 St. Thomas Street

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22 St Thomas Street TorontoThis is what a $4.5 million one bedroom looks like in the Windsor Arms Residences. You read that correctly--the suite features only one bedroom, two bathrooms, and is directly attached to the neo-Gothic style hotel. In the owner's defence, it's one massive suite, over 2,800 square feet, and larger than most houses.

To solve the mystery (or to add to it), it appears the opulent space was originally two bedrooms and three bathrooms when listed back in 2011. It was later gutted and renovated by the new owners.

22 St Thomas Street TorontoUnits rarely go for sale in this boutique Yorkville condo with only 24 opulent suites (the largest unit around 7,000 square feet). With valet and 24-hour room service, the 17-storey building feels and looks more like a hotel than a modern-day condo.

22 St Thomas Street TorontoWhile the maintenance fees will cost you ($2,700/month), you can't complain about the five star amenities--tea room, Courtyard Cafe, spa, indoor pool and hair salon.

22 St Thomas Street TorontoIf you're still reeling over the average price of condos these days, you might want to skip over the photos.

22 St Thomas Street TorontoSPECS

  • Address: #18B - 22 St. Thomas Street
  • Price: $4,500,000
  • Square feet: 2,840
  • Bedrooms: 1
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Parking: 1
  • Taxes: $19,029.58
  • Maintenance fee: $2,712.31/monthly
  • Walk Score: 100

22 St Thomas Street TorontoNOTABLE FEATURES

  • 24 hour valet & concierge
  • Condo amenities
  • Gas fireplace
  • Library with built-in bookshelves
  • Terrace
  • Underground parking & locker

22 St Thomas Street TorontoGOOD FOR

A bungalow alternative. This suite is geared for a sophisticated buyer, no doubt, looking to forgo the stairs and enjoy the amenities. Located on a quiet street, don't mistake the Windsor Arms for a party building. Instead, walk the 30 steps to Bloor for a night out.

22 St Thomas Street TorontoMOVE ON IF

You need multiple bedrooms. Whoever buys this crown jewel is not likely to flitch at the cost, and not necessarily a buyer who lives permanently in the city. If one bedroom isn't enough, there's still plenty of space in the additional rooms.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

22 St Thomas Street Toronto22 St Thomas Street Toronto22 St Thomas Street TorontoThanks to Zoocasa for sponsoring our Condo of the Week. To find your dream condo visit Zoocasa.com

Victoria Day weekend events in Toronto 2015

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Victoria Day events TorontoThe Victoria Day long weekend in Toronto will have you enjoying the weekend even more than usual. Saturday night offers a grab bag of event options: David Sedaris is in town, World Cafe kicks off, and a number of funny men and women will be taking the stage at Comedy Bar. On Sunday, keep the party going at the Bloor Cinema. Hot Docs is throwing a good old-fashioned kegger and showing Dazed and Confused on the big screen.

Here are my picks for the top events happening in Toronto May 15-17, 2015.

MUSIC

Primal Scream (May 15)
Get your rocks off as the Scream return to Toronto for the first time since 2009 (due to last year's cancellation). If the set lists continue as they have of late, expect representation across most of Primal Scream's albums, from Screamdelica up to last year's More Light. MN

Cerebral Ballzy (May 15)
BK's finest punk band is in the city Saturday night. Head to the Horseshoe and grab a drink and get down to their latest and greatest.

Melt Banana (May 17)
Japanese grind innovators Melt-Banana are still touring strong off the strength of 2013's Fetch and are planning another stop at Toronto's Lee's Palace. If it's anything like their last visit, expect core duo Yasuko Onuki and Ichirou Agata to play a spastic, deafening set all on their own, save for the drum machine. SK

Kaiser Chiefs (May 17)
Celebrate Victoria Day weekend by giving some love to a band from across the pond. If you've got a hankering for some indie rock or just a soft spot for British accents, The Kaiser Chiefs show is where you should be come Sunday night.

FOOD

World Cafe (May 16-October 12)
This Saturday marks the beginning of World Café, an event that brings the GTA's busiest kitchen's together. Head down to the harbour front and indulge in some of the city's best eats while scoping out the view of Lake Ontario.

ENTERTAINMENT

Perfect 10 Comedy Presents: Long Weekend Special (May 16)
Want to spend your Saturday night laughing out loud? Mosey on over to comedy bar where five of comedy's best and brightest will be hitting the stage.

An Evening With David Sedaris (May 16)
If you've got a taste for sardonic humour, Sedaris is your guy. The author of Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls will be performing for crowds at the Sony Centre this Saturday.

May 2-4 Kegger: Dazed and Confused (May 17)
The May 2-4 weekend demands a couple drinks and Hot Docs has taken note. Head to the theatre to watch cult 90's flick Dazed and Confused and drink beers out of red solo cups.

Marczyk and Marichka Folking Wedding (May 17)
All dressed up and nowhere to go? There's a wedding at Dufferin Grove Park and everyone's invited. There will be maypole dancing, a potluck and Lemon Bucket Orchestra will be providing the tunes.

FLEA MARKETS

Bellwoods Flea (May 16)
This Saturday, the Bellwoods Flea is kicking off and promises a bevy of art, fashion, food and more from its vendors. Entry is free and you can bring your canine companion along while you shop.

FIREWORKS

The big show at Ashbridges Bay takes place on Monday, May 18, but Canada's Wonderland sets off their light show on Sunday. For more details, check out our roundup of Victoria Day fireworks shows.

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.

With contributions from M.K. Newton and Shazia Khan. Photo by Leo Li in the blogTO Flickr pool

Toronto's newest coffee shop already has plans to grow

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clockwork coffee torontoToronto's newest coffee shop isn't going to be a standalone location for long. With its sights already set on a second Toronto location (and more to come after that), this pour-over coffee specialist is going to take its coffee craftsmanship city-wide.

Read my profile of Clockwork Coffee in the cafes section.

Toronto gets another raw food eatery and juice bar

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smash juice bar torontoWhen Rose City Kitchen overhauled a corner space at Adelaide and Toronto this past winter, they decided to make a little extra room for some brand-new family members. The two franchises that now sub-divide that space - a classically-inspired cafe and a thoroughly modern raw vegan juice bar - couldn't be more different, but they've got your pick-me-up of choice.

Read my profile of Smash Juice Bar in the restaurants section.


The top 10 Tibetan restaurants in Toronto

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tibetan restaurants torontoTibetan restaurants in Toronto are for the most part found concentrated around the far end of Queen St. West, making Parkdate a veritable Little Tibet. For the uninitiated, Tibetan food takes many cues from Indian, Napalese, Chinese and Hakka cuisines, though there are distinct dishes - like momos - that are a must!

Here are are my picks for the top Tibetan restaurants in Toronto.

Tibet Kitchen
Himalayan and Nepalese cuisines are the specialty at this Parkdale spot with a glorious patio. Thali lunch sets are especially generous, while other not to be missed menu items include the impressive variety of dumplings like sha-bhaley (Tibetan style beef and cabbage patties) and shae-thuk noodle soups.

Loga's Corner
This family-run operation is primarily a takeout counter with cozy cafe seating located a couple of doors down. The menu here is delightfully cheap, specializing in Tibetan momos served 10 at a time for $6-$7, aloo momos (deep fried potato dumplings) for just $1, and freshly made parathas (two for $5) stuffed with curried potato and green onion and accompanied by yogurt.

Norling
Start with a cup of boe cha (butter tea) before moving on to Tibetan and Indian Hakka specialties at this casual eatery. On the menu you'll find delicacies like sesame-flecked chicken pakoras, dropa khatsa (curried beef tripe), and gyuma (spicy blood sausage in tomato sauce).

Himalayan Kitchen
Momos tossed in chili sauce, spicy laphing (mung bean noodles), and Nepalese thali lunch sets starring mutton, chicken or chickpeas are all on the menu at this vibrant restaurant.

Shangrila
Vegetarians and vegans will find ample selection at this Parkdale restaurant. The potato chili (kind of like chili-sauced fries) are a house favourite, as are the crescent shaped dumplings and tingmo (steamed buns).

Om Restaurant
Another restaurant in the heart of Parkdale, this one with a liquor license and vast menu that boasts nearly 80 a la carte options. Find Indian and Tibetan dishes on the menu including curries, rice dishes, dumplings and fresh hand-pulled noodle stir fries.

Tsampa Cafe
There's no menu at this tiny Parkdale takeout counter, just a whiteboard billing momos, sha-balay, chow mein and various curries that come with a choice of rice, puri (fried bread) or tingmo.

Lhasa Kitchen
Get your momo fix at this newest addition to Parkdale's thriving Tibetan dining scene . Aside from dumplings, find the kitchen cooking up laphing, chowmein, curried beef and chili chicken.

Tibet Cafe
This Kensington Market cafe and juice bar offers an eclectic menu of sandwiches, burgers, pad thai, and best of all momos. Try the Thukpa special soup featuring house-made momos with spinach and tomato in a steaming bowl of broth.

Kathmandu
With locations in Yorkville and on Yonge St. (at College), this restaurant serves up Nepalese and Indian specialties including curries, tandoori dishes and an AYCE buffet at lunch. Momos stuffed with chicken, fresh coriander and ginger are steamed and come with a tangy house-made achar for dipping.

What did I miss? Add your favourite Tibetan restaurant in Toronto via the comments.

Photo from Loga's Corner by Jesse Milns

Toronto's newest butcher shop is also a bar

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barque bbq torontoToronto has a new butcher shop and bar rolled into one thanks to the folks behind Barque Smokehouse. Butcher Bar has just opened its doors in the space previously occupied by Smock Cafe at 287 Roncesvalles. The business will function as a full service butcher by day and a bar with an intriguing selection of wine and beer on tap by night.

There's food too, of course. Think of Barque's menu but pared down into smaller plates, snack-focused plates. Some menu highlights include chorizo ribs ($12), a poutine waffle ($9), and a jerk fried Cornish hen ($11). The menu is a bit more playful than up the street, which pairs well with the hybrid concept on offer.

This is what you've been waiting for, meat lovers.

Cloud District

Contest: Win a Growers Cider summer getaway pack

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growers cider summer getaway packTo celebrate the return of long summer nights, weekend getaways and barbecuing with friends, Canada's favourite Cider, Growers is giving you the chance to win one of four long weekend getaway packs.

Get all the contest details here.

Road closures in Toronto: Victoria Day long weekend 2015

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toronto road closuresRoad closures in Toronto for the Victoria Day long weekend (May 16, 17, and 18) rounds up the key transportation shut-downs affecting the city, including street and TTC closures.

KEY ROAD CLOSURES IN TORONTO

Thankfully, there are no major road closures planned for the Victoria Day long weekend. Enjoy!

TTC CLOSURES

Line 2: St. George--Pape.All trains on Line 2 will turn back westbound at St. George and eastbound at Pape on Sunday, May 17, 2015. Replacement buses will stop at all stations.

ONGOING CLOSURES

506 Carlton: Coxwell--Main Street. The streetcar tracks will be closed on Main Street, just north of Gerrard Street East, May 9-18, 2015. 506/306 Carlton streetcars will turn back west at Queen/Coxwell loop. 506/306 Carlton replacement buses will provide service on Gerrard Street East and Main Street, between Coxwell Avenue and Main Street Station. Customers must transfer between streetcars and replacement buses at Coxwell Avenue and Gerrard Street East.

Minor construction projects across Toronto result in numerous other road restrictions across the city. For a comprehensive list of such closures, you can consult the official map maintained by the City of Toronto (also available as a PDF.)

Toronto Food Events: Cyndi's Day Off, Halal Food Fest, Northern BBQ, The Stop Night Market, Toronto Taste

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Toronto food events may 2015Toronto 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

  • Soos Restaurant (94 Ossington Ave.) is doing a traditional Malaysian Nasi Kandar style dinner on Thursday May 21st. Priced at $38 per person, expect 10+ family style dishes centred around Nasi Lemak (coconut rice).
  • It's Cyndi's Day Off at Cold Tea (60 Kensington Ave.) on Sunday, May 17 from 3pm onwards. This week Adrian Forte (The Dirty Bird) is on the grill, and the menu is billing oolong ribs, cold crab salad, and Dirty Sanchez grilled chicken. eat it all for $15.
  • Weekly dinner series, Sunday Gravy at THR&Co. (97 Harbord St.) is Tex-Mex themed this week featuring three courses for 30. The menu on Sunday, May 17 will spotlight flank steak fajitas.
  • Burger Brawl in support of Action Against Hunger takes place on Wednesday May, 20 at La Palette (492 Queen St. West). The kitchen showdown will see Chefs Dennis Tay face off against Eric Wood. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

UPCOMING

  • Ki Modern Japanese + Bar presents a Sake Master Dinner with the Japan Prestige Sake Association on Tuesday, May 26. The five course menu with sake pairings is priced at $150 and kicks off at 6:30pm with cocktails, then dinner at 7pm.
  • Halal Food Festival Toronto returns to the city for two full days of sampling and events beginning Saturday, May 30. Look forward to vendors like The Holy Grill food truck slinging dishes like The Holy Poutine (Spanish fries made with scratch-made halal chorizo and olives.
  • Tickets ($10) are available now for Spotlight City Northern BBQ presented by Kensington Brewery on Saturday, May 30. This Canadiana-style afternoon BBQ takes place in the courtyard at the Dynamic Funds Tower (1 Adelaide St. East) over two ticketed sessions.
  • Toronto Taste, in support of Second Harvest food rescue programs, celebrates 25 years as the city's premier culinary event on Sunday, June 7. The fundraiser event takes place lakeside at Corus Quay and will feature a startling array of things to eat and drink. Tickets are $250 each (all inclusive with a tax receipt issued for $125).
  • Tickets for The Stop's Night Market are on sale now for the AYCE event featuring 50+ food and drink vendors. The al fresco evening soirée will transform the empty lot at 181 Sterling Road into a vibrant street hawker marketplace for two nights only on Tuesday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 17. Tickets are $111.30 all in.

SUMMER GETAWAYS

  • Burl's Creek Event Grounds is partnering with The Karma Project for the OK Friday Barn Fair, a recurring art and farmers market running most Fridays from 2pm to 8pm from June 12 to October 9. Cottage-goers can shop local vendors and top eateries (think oysters and lobster rolls) while listening to live music curated by Arts & Crafts.

Photo of the Stop Night Market by Natta Summerky

The top 5 weekend getaways one hour from Toronto

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weekend getaway torontoLooking for a getaway from Toronto that won't bust your budget or take too long to get to? There are tons of places just outside the city where you can find that much-needed R and R - whether it's in the form of wine tastings, spa treatments, antique-buying, or waterfall hunting.

Here are my picks for the top weekend getaways one hour from Toronto.

Gawk at the Hamilton Falls
The Hammer is gaining more and more love from Torontonians these days, not only for its growing culinary and arts scenes, but also for its breathtaking waterfalls. A perfect way to escape the Toronto bustle for a weekend is a quick drive out to Hamilton for a self-guided waterfall tour. Totally Instagram-worthy.

Step back in time in Aberfoyle
An antiquer's dream getaway is a weekend in Aberfoyle. Famous for its Antique Market, this is a great place to stock up on one-of-a-kind finds for your home while enjoying the old-timey feel of the town itself. After your vintage hunt, refuel at the Aberfoyle Mill Restaurant (the building was built in 1859), check out the farmers' market and crash at a hotel in nearby Guelph.

Find out if Elora really is "Ontario's most beautiful village"
It might just be. Perched on the edge of a gorge and settled next to the Grand & Irvine River is Elora, this village looks like something out of an L.M. Montgomery novel. As quaint as it is, this tiny town is pretty extreme, offering tourists crazy adventures like ziplining, tree hopping, rock climbing, ice climbing, tubing, caving and hot air balloon rides.

Get some R and R in Port Hope
Just 100 km from Toronto lies this historic little gem. For those staycationers who just want a serene place to unwind for a weekend, Port Hope provides a scenic spot to do just that. The Carlyle Inn & Bistro is just one place worth a visit in this quaint town with a nice waterfront. The Scottish-inspired building and its in-house spa and eatery are basically an incubator of calm.

Channel your inner maker in Headwaters
Caledon, Dufferin County and Erin all make up Headwaters, a rural area northwest of Toronto. Soon to be famous for hosting the equestrian element of the Pan-Am Games this summer, Headwaters offs tourists quirky activities to keep them endlessly occupied. After dropping off your bags at the Top of the Hill Bed & Breakfast, go horseback riding, take a plane ride, see a play or take a glass-blowing class.

Subaru 2015 XV CrosstrekThanks to the Subaru 2015 XV Crosstrek for sponsoring our weekend getaway adventures.

What did I miss? Add your favourite one hour weekend getaway ideas to the comments.

Photo of Port Hope by Jeremy Nathan in the blogTO Flickr pool.


What's open and closed on Victoria Day 2015 in Toronto

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Open closed Victoria Day TorontoWhat's open and closed on Victoria Day 2015 in Toronto.

GENERAL

Closed

  • Government offices and banks
  • Libraries
  • No mail delivery

TRANSIT

  • The TTC will operate on holiday service schedules with a start time of 6am.

FOOD

Closed

  • Major chains like No Frills, Fresh Co., Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro, T&T, Galleria Supermarket, and Whole Foods will be closed with few confirmed exceptions listed below.

Open

  • Arz Fine Foods (1909 Lawrence Avenue East) - 10am to 6pm
  • Metro (444 Yonge Street) - open 24 hours
  • Loblaws (60 Carlton Street) - 10am to 6pm
  • Pusateri's (57 Yorkville Avenue) - 7:30am to 6pm; (1539 Avenue Road and Bayview Village) - 9am to 6pm;
  • Sobey's Urban Fresh (777 Bay Street, Suite 427) - 7am to 11pm
  • T&T Supermarket (7070 Warden Avenue) - 8am to 12am; (9255 Woodbine Avenue) 9am to 9pm
  • Whole Foods Yorkville (87 Avenue Road) - 10am to 6pm
  • Fresh & Wild (69 Spadina Ave.) - 10am to 8pm; (2294 Bloor St. West) - 9am to 6pm

DRINK

Closed

  • LCBO stores will be closed, though select cottage-area outlets that normally close at 6pm may launch extended hours on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • The Beer Store will be closed.

Open

  • Steam Whistle (255 Bremner Blvd.) - retail store and tours from 11am to 6pm
  • Mill St. retail store (21 Tankhouse Ln.) - retail store from 11am to 9pm; brewery tours at 3pm and 5pm
  • Amsterdam Brewery (45 Esandar Dr.) - retail store 11am to 9pm; (245 Queens Quay) - 11am to 11pm
  • Bellwoods Brewery Bottle Shop (124 Ossington Ave.) - 11am to 11pm

MALLS

Open

  • Eaton Centre (220 Yonge Street) - 10am to 6pm
  • Square One Shopping Centre (100 City Centre Drive) - 11am to 6pm
  • Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan) - 10am to 7pm
  • Pacific Mall (4300 Steeles Avenue East) - 11am to 8pm

Closed

  • Yorkdale
  • Sherway Gardens
  • Fairview Mall
  • Scarborough Town Centre
  • Bayview Village (with the exception of some restaurants)

ATTRACTIONS

Closed

  • The Art Gallery of Ontario

Open

FIREWORKS

For info about fireworks happenings check this post out.

Did I miss anything? Add it to the comments below. Photo by dtstuff9 in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The Best Ribs in Toronto

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Ribs TorontoThe best ribs in Toronto can seduce potential patrons in from the street with wafting scents of smoke and slow cooked meat. Whether pork or beef, these ribs are pit master-worthy creations ready to be enjoyed with a pile of wet naps near by.

Here are the best ribs in Toronto.

See Also:The best BBQ restaurants in Toronto

New Korean fried chicken joint will kill your hangover

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McRamyunKorean ramyun doesn't get much love in this city, but this new place in Baldwin Village is making up for the oversight. You might think stoners concocted these dishes, but in reality an adorable Korean couple came up with kimchi ramyun poutine, Korean fried chicken wings coated in dried crushed noodles and Italian-style pasta that uses ramyun instead. If that's not creativity, I don't know what is.

Read my profile of McRamyun in the restaurants section.

Sprawling new sushi lounge flies its fish in from Japan

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Kabuki Sushi TorontoThis new restaurant joins the roster of food options at the Shops at Don Mills. It's a big spot that feels a bit like a sports bar, but which offers premium sushi as well as a host of other Japanese dishes. The fish here is flown in from Japan every Thursday and is plated on ice.

Read my review of Kabuki Sushi Lounge in the restaurants section.

10 ways to escape the city without leaving Toronto

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toronto escapesToronto is home to a host of natural settings that make it easy to escape city life without actually stepping outside of its limits. Lucky for us, because when living and working in the the city, it's hard not to feel out of touch with nature at times. These places are the perfect antidote to a case of the concrete blues.

Here are my picks for where to go to escape the city without leaving Toronto.

Crothers' Woods
Crothers' Woods is an easily accessible reserve of green space nestled in the Don River area. Still unknown to many Torontonians, Crothers' Woods is a hidden gem where mountain bikers, joggers, picnickers and wanderers can revel in 52 hectares of mature maple-beech-oak woodland.

Rouge Park
Rouge Park sprawls across 40 square kilometres of adventure-worthy nature (making it Toronto's largest park and 13 times bigger than Central Park in NYC). Here you can walk, jog, set up camp, fish or chill out on a sandy beach. There's also overnight camping for a weekend escape.

Leslie Street Spit
The Leslie Street Spit -- officially named the Outer Harbour East Headland -- is a human-made extension of Leslie Street that juts out five kilometers into the waters of Lake Ontario. Although it was fabricated, the space has evolved into a haven for animal and plant life, housing over 300 species of birds and 400 species of plants, including stands of cottonwood and poplar trees.

David A. Balfour Park
It's easy to forget the city while exploring this ravine-based park, through which a walking trail weaves, following a ravine that eventually leads to the Evergreen Brick Works via Moore Park Ravine. There's also a kids playground, pretty fountains, a gated garden and a picnic site, making this a dreamy space for cyclists, joggers, families and romantics alike.

Ward's Island Beach
This beach is the perfect excuse to take the ferry out to the islands. It doesn't have a terrible track record when it comes to water cleanliness and safety, so chances are you can actually take a dip during when the lake warms up. There are many beaches on the Islands, but Ward's is often the quietest (particularly if you go during the week).

Sunnybrook Park
Formerly a 62-hectare farm property, Sunnybrook Park is steeped in equestrian heritage -- it even houses the Sunnybrook Stables and hosts cricket matches. With many bike and hiking trails, it's a quiet space to let off steam, and, being located just south of the Bridle Path area, it's also an ideal place to dress your best and pretend you're a one-percenter.

South Humber Park
Wildlife lovers, you've just found your Cloud Nine: nestled in the west end of Toronto, South Humber Park boasts a marsh that's home to a ton of birds like hawks, great blue herons and swans. Following a paved trail that leads north, you can also make your way to a lush forest that's worth exploring. Want to keeping going? The entire Humber Valley is beautiful.

Allan Gardens Conservatory
It may be a tourist hotspot, but Allan Gardens Conservatory is still a serene place to spend an afternoon. It's free, it's right in the heart of the city, and it's beautiful inside and out: enjoy the cast-iron and glass architecture before stepping inside to gawk at the botanical wonderland's collection of exotic plants and seasonal flower shows.

Glen Stewart Ravine
After a recent $1-million revamp, the Glen Stewart Ravine in the Beaches is a favourite amongst Toronto's nature lovers. An elevated path leads visitors through the 11-hectare area, making it a lot easier for visitors in wheelchairs (or visitors with rowdy kids) to explore the ravine and its red oak and red maple forest.

Cherry Beach
Hidden in the middle of the super-industrial Port Lands area is Cherry Beach, which is so naturally beautiful it almost seems like the Toronto skyline is out of place in the background. It's a huge spot for sports like windsurfing, kitesurfing and swimming, and with its barbecue-friendly zone and off-leash area for dog walkers, Cherry Beach feels miles away from urban life.

What did I miss? Add your suggestions in the comments.

Photo of the Leslie Street Spit by James Gonneau

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