Photo by Steven Davies in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto will have you chowing down on delicious meals at some of Toronto's top eateries. Bring a bottle of wine and munch on picnic food at Middle Eastern haven Fat Pasha. Or, if you're down to sample some seafood, The Drake is hosting Oyster Boy's Spring Feast as part of their 86'd Mondays series.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Trivia Club (Hitch)
• Oyster Boy's Spring Feast (The Drake)
• SWISH Picnic (Fat Pasha)
• en. Morendo Sound Art Installations (Gladstone Hotel)
• A.R. Rahman - The Intimate Concert Tour (Sony Centre)
• Other Lives (Lee's Palace)

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

Toronto parents have something to get rather excited about with the opening of the city's first Children's Museum this weekend in Liberty Village. Even those who don't have kids will likely welcome this news, as the idea of ankle biters being sequestered in one place that can be conveniently avoided means kid-free streets and cafes (everyone wins!).

Dubbed the Children's Discovery Centre, it's a novel project that comes from a partnership with Garrison Point condos, which will eventually rise above the museum. The plan right now is to keep the 20,000 square foot space open until October before major development starts on the condo project.

The centre is divided into a series of zones, all of which focus on the idea of learning through play. There are separate spaces focused on art and reading, but also a mini city, a campground, and something called the "Boom Room" where children are encouraged to explore their musical tendencies without fear of being told that they're making too much noise.

The Children's Discovery Centre is located at 45 Strachan Ave. Admission is $13. Activities are best suited for children six and under.

Opened on the weekend, this new design shop fittingly calls Little Portugal home. A celebration of the "hidden gem" that Portugal is in the design world, the store is stock with bright and colourful objects that range from kitchen supplies to moisturizer to blankets and clothing. This little window to Portugal allows a brief escape from Toronto as you browse the immaculately displayed wares.

Read my review of Saudade in the design section.

First dates can make for some tricky planning. You want to get to know your potential new partner but it's also important to keep things casual and fun. While meeting for coffee or dessert is a reliable way to go, activities might be a better option if you want to take the focus off of table manners or the conversation.

Here's a roundup of fun activities for a first date in Toronto.

See also:

The top 10 restaurants for a first date in Toronto
The top 10 dessert spots for a first date in Toronto
The top 10 coffee shops for a first date in Toronto

Crash a gallery opening
Want to experience Toronto's art scene beyond the confines of the AGO? Plan your date for a third Thursday to scope out the art scene on Dundas West. The ambiguities inherent in contemporary art will provide plenty of fodder for conversation with the cheap or free beer and wine acting as ample lubricant.

Play shuffleboard at Track & Field Bar
Head to College St. to showcase your skills at Toronto's first lawn games themed bar. Be sure to show up early to stake a spot on their shuffleboard waitlist. Whether you know what you're doing or plan to just muddle through it's a low pressure affair to assess your date's coordination and sense of fun.

Get a coffee education
M Square Coffee and Pilot Coffee Roasters are just two of the many options to put a twist on the typical coffee date. Even if the chemistry between you fizzles you'll at least be better equipped to date baristas in your future.

Attend a Pocket Concert in a stranger's living room
A crowded and loud live music venue isn't ideal for first dates, so make it a bit more intimate and unique by heading to a Pocket Concert inside someone's home.

Try a twilight picnic at Casa Loma
The regal Toronto landmark is beautifully lit at night to enjoy a private picnic for two. Pack a basket, a cheeky bottle of wine and a blanket and find a cozy spot with Casa Loma in the background. If nothing else comes from the date, you'll at least have some pretty cool Instagram posts.

Build something together
There are several workshops and maker spaces around the city where you can head to build a memory and a craft. 3D printers, tool workshops and libraries are here to help ensure your date has a unique and constructive experience.

Catch an independent theatre production
Forego the song and dance of the theatre district for a more intimate experience at one of the many independent theatre spaces around the city. You'll spend less money and watch more challenging work.

Do a trivia night
Do you have a mutual interest in Dr. Who or are you both major pop culture buffs? Battle against other couples and teams at one of the many bar trivia nights around the city. A great way to get the conversation ball rolling on a first date.

Score a strike at a bowling alley
If you're gonna strike out, it may as well be at the bowling alley! Keep things casual and fun at Danforth Bowl (or your favourite Toronto bowling alley) and play some old school 5 pin bowling in a vintage-y basement alley. Plus everyone looks a-dork-able in bowling shoes.

Get competitive with a game of pool or billiards
This the perfect excuse to get nice and close to your potential new partner when you teach them how it's done. If competition brings out the best in you, you'll be sinking this date into the corner pocket.

Thanks to Lavalife for sponsoring this post. Enter their contest for a chance to win a dinner and a movie night out for two.

Photo by Andrew Williamson.

There are plenty of options for weekend getaways from Toronto if you want to keep your driving time under the two hour mark. It's at this range that you can get yourself to wine country, up north to ski and mountain bike, and to the warm shores of Lake Erie for excellent swimming. If it's culinary adventure you're after, there's plenty of that on offer too.

Here are my picks for the top weekend getaways two hours from Toronto.

Get dramatic at the Stratford Festival
The Stratford Festival should be on every Ontarian's bucket list. The productions are top notch, the town is quaint, and there are plenty of reasonably priced accommodations. This year's take on Hamlet is reputed to be outstanding. The river that runs through the town is also a perfect picnicking spot, but beware of the swans (they take no sh*t but make lots of it).

Follow your taste buds down the Taste Trail in Prince Edward County
There are 26 restaurants and wineries along Prince Edward County's Taste Trail, all of them calling your name. Book off a few days and enjoy some of the best pinot noir in Ontario. For food, I suggest you start at The Hubb, owned by young siblings Alexandre and Melanie Fida, and spend the night in their adjoining inn, Angeline's.

Get romantic (and wasted) in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a perfect destination for a romantic weekend getaway. There are cosy accommodations for pretty much every budget and more than enough wineries and restaurants to keep soaking up earthly pleasures all vacation long. Looking of culture? The Shaw Festival remains one of the best modern theatre hubs in the world.

Explore your heart out at Blue Mountain
It's not actually blue, and it's not really a mountain, but if you're the kind of person who likes to soak in nature and party at the same time, this scenic spot should be a go-to. Stay somewhere in or near the Village (I recommend the Grand Georgian) for quick access to an array of activities, restaurants and entertainment. For the non-claustrophobic, the Scenic Caves are also worth checking out.

Be charmed by Port Stanley
Port Stanley is one of the best places to swim in Ontario, particularly in August. Lake Erie's at times bath-warm water and crazy waves are enough to lure vacationers to Port Stanley's world-class Main Beach, but visitors also come for the town's potent arts scene. Catch a play at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre, sit in on some musical performances or take a ride on the Port Stanley Terminal Trail.

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

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

Photo of Peller Estates by Lynn H. Armstrong

Toronto's newest park is an immaculately landscaped 6.8 plot of land located at the Aga Khan Museum and modelled after traditional Mughal gardens. Designed by Lebanon-based landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic, the idea was to fashion something that worked with the architecture and cultural focus of the site, but that also featured greenery able to withstand the harsh Toronto winter.

The park connects the Aga Khan Museum to the neighbouring Ismaili Centre, and features over a thousand trees, many more shrubs, and serene reflecting pools that highlight the architecture of the two buildings that bookend this space.

While this will be something of a destination park for downtown dwellers (a visit tacked onto a museum stop, no doubt), it's worth noting that in addition the presence of the museum and the Ismaili Centre there are many office buildings in the immediate vicinity, and scores of people who will likely revel in the opportunity to spend a lunch hour here.

There are also plans to use the space for events. Over the course of the next few months, watch out for culture programming like film screening, outdoor art shows, and theatrical performances. On tap first, is a visit from the Pan Am Games lantern on July 5. Better arrive early to stake out a good spot.

Photos by Moez Visram, Janet Kimran, and Tom Arban

Want to dine at ten of Toronto's top restaurants? We've teamed up with Taste of Toronto to give you that opportunity and are picking up the tab. Whether you like chowing down on a plate of ribs at Barque or celebrating Taco Tuesday in style at El Caballito, this prize includes eateries that will please even the most selective diner.

Get all the contest details here.

The CBC Music Festival returned to Toronto after a brief trip to Vancouver in 2014, bringing with it a line-up of Canadian artists pulled straight from the Radio 3 playlists. The largely laid-back acts dictated the relaxed, lounging-on-the-lawn vibe for the day.

Sure, Shad had people puttin' their palms to the ceilin', and The Strumbellas had everyone stomping (although lost slightly on the sandy ground), but Bahamas sweet crooning and Patrick Watson's piano magic were more the order of the day as people chilled out with food truck snacks and took in the summery scene.

Check out all the action from the day in this photo gallery.

Writing and photos by Matt Forsythe

The Union Pearson Express opens to the public on June 6, but the service is pretty much ready to go into operation today, which allowed us to get peek at what the new lounge and terminal look like as well as the trains themselves.

While the UP Express doesn't boast the most attractive colour scheme, the interior of the trains is an example of practical comfort. This isn't luxury travel, but it's comfortable and practical in the way that you'd expect of an air-rail link. The understated terminal at Union Station wins points for its modern and minimal design that will likely age well.

Take an advance tour of the Union Pearson Express in this photo gallery.

Celline Garden, Leslieville's oldest Chinese restaurant, will be ending its two decade run at the end of this month, making way for a new pub from the owners of East Side Social. It's the latest sign of change along this stretch of Queen East. Just last month, dive bar Queen's Bar and Grill transformed into the Milky Way Ice Cream Parlour almost overnight.

Now, another of the area's sources for cheap beer ($3.25 Labatt Blue) is bidding adieu and taking with it its popular egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken balls, chop suey and other Canadian Chinese eats.

The new owners of the corner spot at Queen and Carlaw will no doubt spoil patrons with the prime view of the Shoppers Drug Mart along with suds and high end pub food. Spring Realty reports the menu will have an East Coast bent with Donairs being among the main attractions.

Are you sad to see Celline Garden go? Let us know in the comments.

This new beaches shop is part design store, part apothecary, and part local market. Inspired by the artisans and producers of the Niagara region, owner Dominique Del Col's goal is to bring the best of the place where she grew up to the city in which she now resides.

Read my review of Rowan Homespun in the design section.

Doors Open Toronto is in the books for another season, having shed more light on some of the city's most interesting and typically hard to access buildings. The crop of photos from this year's event is spectacular. We've whittled down the submissions to our 10 favourites and now ask that you vote for your favourite of the finalists.

Show some love to your favourite Doors Open Toronto photo by voting in the poll below. See all the submitted photos in our Doors Open Toronto stream.

1. Lead photo by Photo by bora.vs.bora at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre.

2. Photo by niccahh at BMO Field.

3. Photo by anothertourist at Commerce Court.

4. Photo by erinhex at the TTC's Greenwood Yard.

5. Photo by mikecleggphoto at the Hospital for Sick Children.

6. Photo by vikpahwa at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library.

7. Photo by Joel Torrens at the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant.

8. Photo by jasonfitzzz at Artscape Youngplace.

9. Photo by calledesign at Redpath Sugar.

10. Photo by dsd_photography at the Aga Khan Museum.

Prizes include:

• 1st place: $300 gift certificate to Henry's Canada.
• 2nd place: $150 gift certificate to Henry's Canada.
• 3rd place: $50 gift certificate to Henry's Canada.

Voting closes end of day June 1st.

Photo by Lisa D in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto will have you showing off your skills with a ping pong paddle at SPiN's Classic Ping Pong Night. If you'd rather get down to some indie tunes, there's plenty of live music on offer this Tuesday. The Rivoli, Handlebar, Mod Club and Horseshoe Tavern will all be packed with performers.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Crown Larks, No Sweat & Slime (Handlebar)
• Maybe May, Even the Trees, Vickie Vale & At Dawns Edge (The Rivoli)
• INDIE88 Nu Music Night w/ Autumn Still, Shore Thing, The Howll & The Cashews (Horseshoe Tavern)
• Butch Walker (Mod Club)
• Classic Ping Pong Night (SPiN)
• Generations: Writing History Through Photography (The ROM)

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

Photo from our review of SPiN

Whether it's a dinner out with that special someone, a quick lunch break or drinks with friends, SIR Corp's restaurants at Yonge and Gerrard have what you're craving.

Swagger meets sociability at Reds Midtown Tavern with chef inspired food and cocktail menus, specially crafted for you to unwind and stay a while. SCADDABUSH Italian Kitchen & Bar is a little of this, a little of that and a whole new take on Italian. Dukes Refresher and Bar is your local midtown hangout with over 40 beers on tap.

We're giving away a $500 gift card to the SIR Corp family of restaurants to one lucky winner.

Get all the contest details here.

The streak of no closures is over after Toronto DineSafe inspectors found cause to close Fong On Foods in Kensington Market for a pest and rodent infestation. Better get your soybean milk and tofu pudding somewhere else this week.

See which other establishments landed on DineSafe hit list.

Blue Fig Mediterranean (555 University Ave.)
Inspected on: May 19, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Fail to reheat cooked hazardous food for hot holding for at least 15 seconds during the reheating process that is at least as high as the required minimum internal temperature for that particular food.

Fong On Foods (46 Kensington Ave. )
Inspected on: May 20, 2015
Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 4, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to prevent an insect infestation.

Cake House Bakery (2300 Lawrence Ave. East)
Inspected on: May 21, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter.

Made In China Hot Pot (3280 Midland Ave.)
Inspected on: May 20, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 3, Significant: 4, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated. Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Hermes Bakery (2885 Bathurst St. )
Inspected on: May 20, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to wash hands when required.

Caribbean Queen (300 Borough Dr.)
Inspected on: May 20, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to wash hands when required.

Ka Chi Korean Restaurant (585 Bloor St. West)
Inspected on: May 20, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3, Crucial: 4)
Crucial infractions include: Employee fail to wash hands when required. Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated. Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder. Operator fail to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter.

Celebrity Hot Pot (254 Spadina Ave.)
Inspected on: May 21, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.

While Suicide Squad has been busy blowing stuff up on the streets of Toronto, sightings of the Joker have been few and far between. That changed last night when the production showed off the villain's slick new ride in a scene filmed at Yonge and Gerrard streets.

Jared Leto fans will be disappointed to learn that the green-haired driver is a stunt double, as is the passenger who stands in as Harley Quinn for Margot Robbie, but that's one hell of a slick car.

Perhaps the best part is the licence plate, which reads simply HAHAHA. We appear to be in store for a more campy Joker than the one who graced the screen in the Dark Knight. And, as I've said before, this movie is going to have Toronto written all over it when it finally hits theatres.

Just Jared has more photos of the scene here.

Lead photo by Nick Kernick in the blogTO Flickr pool.

This converted semi at 110 Benson Avenue in the Wychwood neighbourhood looks nothing like its former self. In 2008, the former red brick dwelling was configured into a modern two-storey by the owner/designer with an open concept footprint and an extension on the main and second levels.

The first floor is light and minimalist with expansive walls and a partition to close off the open layout. The white kitchen is a sticky toddler's playground, and the back wall was replaced with floor-to-ceiling windows, revealing a cozy and private backyard.

There's a glass wall staircase to the second floor, a skylight, and a master bedroom with a horizontal privacy window. Wychwood has undoubtedly become one of the city's most family-friendly neighbourhoods with the cultural space and farmers' market around the corner.

So what's the asking price? This St. Clair West abode is asking $1,170,000. See the specs below.

SPECS

• Address: 110 Benson Avenue
• Price: $1,170,000
• Lot Size: 20 x 110 FT
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 3
• Parking: 2
• Taxes: $5,411
• Walk Score: 94

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Open-concept layout
• Custom built-ins
• Skylight
• Backyard patio
• Detached garage

GOOD FOR

A main floor bathroom. With many narrow row houses or semis, two bathrooms are a common configuration, one in the basement and the other on the second floor. Some houses, even the renovated ones, can't always accommodate a first floor bathroom. This one scores points for its main floor relief.

MOVE ON IF

You want a formal dining room. This dining area is awkwardly situated right at the front entrance, but nowadays, no one really needs a formal place to eat. The layout might have worked better if the front room was a living space and the kitchen had a custom 10-seater and bench.
Read other posts in this series via our House of the Week Pinterest board.

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd, Brokerage for sponsoring our House of the Week. All content and editorial selected and written by blogTO.

Where the Joker is, Batman is soon to follow. That was the story last night, as the the villain's pimped out car was spotted cruising down Yonge St. as part of filming for Suicide Squad. Shortly after, onlookers were treated to something even more spectacular, though: the new Batmobile in all its badass glory tearing up Yonge St.

As much as the producers might want to keep the filming of this blockbuster under wraps, the minute the Batmobile heads onto Yonge St. you know that social media is going to light up with photos and videos. In this case, it's really the latter that do the car the most justice. The sound of the engine is remarkable even as recorded on a phone.

Have a look at the Batmobile flying through Toronto.

Lead photo by terenceyip