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Brand new bike shop a shrine for serious cyclists

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the 11Toronto has a brand new bike shop that's sure to make roadies drool. Located in the Shops at Don Mills, this 6,000 sq. ft. space is packed with bikes from peloton worthy bikes from Pinarello, BMC, and Bianchi. There's advanced fitting technology on site and lounge where customers and visiting cyclists can drink an espresso while watching Alberto Contador lock up this year's Giro D'Italia.

Read my review of The 11 Inc. in the services section.


Pussy Riot to lead Toronto Pride Parade for 2015

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Pussy RiotPussy Riot will lead this year's Pride Parade. The Russian feminist art collective made famous when its members were incarcerated in the wake of an anti-Putin performance will act as grand marshals for the main parade, which takes place June 28.

It's not yet clear whether the group will perform, but Nadezhda (Nadia) Tolokonnikova and Maria (Masha) Alyokhina will take the stage as Yonge-Dundas Square in some capacity as part of the celebrations. In fact, Yonge-Dundas is set to act as a new hub for a whole host of pride events, including concerts after both the Trans and Dyke marches.

If anyone thought that the year following World Pride would be a let down, organizers have done their best to defy that expectation with a host of other big names participating in the parade and the week of events leading up to it. Also on hand will be filmmaker John Waters, '80s pop icon Cyndi Lauper, and musician Chaz Bono.

In addition to Pussy Riot and Cyndi Lauper, other grand marshals for this year include Bollywood star and United Nations champion Celina Jaitly, David Furnish, and the parade's first youth ambassador in 14 year old social media star Brendan Jordan.

Photo by Greg Chow on Flickr

Revitalized Toronto park to show some love for dogs

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Berczy ParkBerczy Park is located in the shadow of the Gooderham Building (a.k.a. the Flat Iron), and is a very busy place at lunch time as office workers take respite in the small section of green space. It's also become an increasing popular spot for dog owners as condo developments pop up in the vicinity of the St. Lawrence Market.

Finding a way to make both of these groups happy (plus other stakeholders like children) was the challenge facing landscape architect Claude Cormier when he was commissioned to redesign the park a few years ago. After a lengthy community consultation process, the final plan reveals a design that works to divide the space for different users but also to foster interaction at the centre of the park.

Berczy ParkCormier divides the park into the three segments so as to insulate kids and those eating their lunch from dogs, but through the use of a large dog-themed fountain that includes a water trough for thirsty canines, he also offers a major endorsement for four-legged users of this most crucial green space.

Berczy ParkYes, that's right -- dog-themed. Along with the watering trough, the fountain will be outfit with a series of bronze-cast dogs at various heights and punctuated by a bone at the very top. It sounds like it could be tacky as hell, but the renderings suggest otherwise. This looks like one of those small pieces of architecture that make cities more enjoyable places to spend time.

Hookah smoking could be banned at Toronto bars

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hookah ban torontoIt might be the last days for hookah smoking in Toronto bars and restaurants. Toronto Public Health wants to ban shisha on account of what it characterizes as a risk to the public's wellbeing. The report cites health risks that are also affiliated with conventional tobacco smoking, which was recently banned on patios and in parks in addition to the interiors of establishments.

Naturally the proposed ban hasn't come without some controversy. A report from the CBC highlights the reactions of one local hookah bar operator who claims that the ban would not only hurt his business but is also unfair to his community, for whom smoking shisha is a cultural pastime.

Given the anti-smoking climate in this city and beyond, I suspect that argument won't fare too well against the sentiment that all forms of smoking -- including the e-cigarettes -- pose risk.

"Hookah use in public places undermines the success of the SFOA and other smoke-free laws because it contributes to the social acceptability of smoking in public," argues the city's medical offer of health David McKeown. "This change is an important step toward creating safer and healthier spaces for residents."

The report will be considered at a meeting on June 1st.

Toronto NIMBYs get thoroughly roasted

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density creepIt all started with an article in the Toronto Star about a midtown residents group fighting a proposal to replace eight homes on Keewatin Avenue with midsize town house development. Calling themselves the Density Creep Neighbourhood Alliance, the group has come under wide ranging fire for one of the most ridiculous NIMBY stances in recent memory.

This is the choice quote from the article: "I'm really concerned about my property value going down," Lisa Goodwin told the paper. "Right now all the houses are $1.1 million to, say, $2.2 million, but they are looking to put in condos that are only $500,000."

Oh, the horror of it. If you're going to get your back up about development in your neighbourhood, no one's going to feel sorry for you if this is the project in question. You also won't find many friends who know a thing or two about urbanism or have read Jane Jacobs in their lives.

For a glimpse at all chiding, check out the #DensityCreep hashtag on Twitter.

Photo from @densitycreep

New Italian eatery brings a taste of the Alps to Toronto

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Stelvio TorontoA group of Italians from the Lombardia region of northern Italy took a liking to Toronto and have now opened a new restaurant that features dishes from Valtellina, a valley in the Eastern Alps. There ain't no pizza or red sauce here. Instead, items like pizzoccheri and zigeuner emphasize mountain-made cheeses, house-made buckwheat pasta and humongous wooden skewers of meat.

Read my profile of Stelvio in the restaurants section.

Soul Fire!

Today in Toronto: Wet Hot Canadian Summer, Terrace Film Festival, Low Cut Connie, Standing Tall

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today in torontoToday in Toronto will have you putting on your party clothes as events take over the city. The Smiling Buddha is recreating the summer camp experience (with the welcome edition of alcohol) at their Wet Hot Canadian Summer party. Or, if you're more prefer cowboy boots over craft-making, head to the Rock 'n' Horse Saloon to take part in their Ride A Bull, Educate An Island event.

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.

Photo from our review of Rock 'N' Horse Saloon


The top 10 lunch restaurants in Richmond Hill

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lunch richmond hillThe top lunch spots in Richmond Hill represent an eclectic array of delicious ethnic cuisine as well as some lunch classics. One can literally lunch at a different spot every day for more than a week without ever having the same type of food. Whether you work in the area or are a local, lunch in Richmond Hill is simply a delight.

Here are my picks for the top 10 lunch spots in Richmond Hill.

Hanna's Shawarma
Middle Eastern Food is always a popular option for lunch. Succulent shawarma, crispy falafel, and traditional mezze comprise the bulk of the menu. Pita Sandwiches provide the best value at around $7 while a substantially portioned shawarma plate is $14+.

Tomo Sushi
Tomo offers a wide variety of lunch specials. The sushi rolls here are seriously good and the sashimi is supremely fresh. For something a little more substantial, I recommend the Salmon teriyaki bento box.

Abruzzo Pizza
Any self-respecting Richmond Hill native will frequent Abruzzo on a regular basis. Whether it's fresh made pizza or massive Italian sandwiches, Abruzzo has you covered. With a fairly new dining room extension this becomes a great option to eat in or take out.

Sapporo Sushi
This tiny, unassuming hole in the wall serves up some of the best Sashimi around. Thick cut slices of fresh fish at reasonable prices make this one of the best sushi options for lunch in the area. Be sure to try the Salmon sashimi; it's to die for.

Fresh Burger
Who doesn't love a good burger? At Fresh burger the home made patties and fresh toppings make for a great lunch. Served on perfectly toasted buns with fresh cut fries this place makes for a great alternative to your favourite fast food joint.

BB Café
While BB café may be known for their desserts, this Persian bakery is making salads and sandwiches for a healthier lunch option. Once you've had your greens you will have earned a little dessert and the selection of Persian inspired dessert is the best around.

Joe's Hamburgers
Joe's is seriously old school. This fast food establishment does char-grilled burgers as well as Middle Eastern favourites like shawarma. The shawarma plate is a heaping portion of juicy meat, rice and salad that's sure to stifle the largest appetite.

Adrak
The dine-in lunch menu at Adrak is partly traditional Indian and partly fusion. Spicy Thali, fragrant Biryani, and Kathi rolls provide a taste of the traditional, while the veggie burger with masala fries showcases the fusion aspect of this beautiful restaurant.

Inatei
The lunch specials here are quite extensive; everything from bento boxes, teriyaki and donburi can be had. The portions here are a bit smaller and the prices a tad higher but the food is of the utmost quality and definitely worth the price tag.

Restoran Malaysia
Malaysian food showcases bold, exotic and interesting flavours. The lunch menu at Restoran Malaysia provides excellent options all for $8 or less. From a simple Pad Thai to Malaysian classics like Chicken Rice and Nasi Goring this place delivers big flavour.

Did we miss any? Leave your favourite favourite Richmond Hill lunch restaurant in the comments.

Someone BASE jumped off the CN Tower yesterday

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CN Tower BASE JumpCommuters driving past the CN Tower were treated to a surprise show yesterday morning as someone BASE jumped off the CN Tower as part of a promotional video for the upcoming Pan Am Games. A flurry of activity was recorded on Twitter and Instagram as excited witnesses tried to capture the parachuted jumped from the country's tallest structure.

The last sanctioned jump off of the CN Tower was all the way back in 1979, when stuntman extraordinaire Dar Robinson took the plunge in a bright red Adidas track suit attached to a cable. Yesterday's jumper seems to have a smooth go of it, catapulting off the observation deck before deploying his parachute and gliding across the skyline in a controlled arc that made the whole exercise look like the safest thing in the world.

Pan Am Games officials are staying tight-lipped about the video for which the jump was undertaken, but I'll give them points for arranging something a bit daring like this. The last promotional video was good, but the event could use a little added excitement as the opening ceremonies loom just over a month away.

Lead photo by a1please

Monthly pop-up market coming to Toronto's eastside

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popup marketThe Eastside Pop-up Market is headed to Leslieville for the opener of its summer series this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday independent artisans, designers and musicians will come together in the former Stop N'Go space at 1383 Queen St. East. If you're a huge fan of Etsy but not a huge fan of extra shipping costs, this event is the answer to all your prayers.

Sustenance will be provided via pizza and cocktails from neighbourhood favourite QMP. If you're not down to spend your hard earned cash, there will also be live music performed by local indie, soul and funk musicians.

The event will be held on weekends throughout the summer in a number of eastside neighbourhoods. The second event in the series will take place the weekend of June 20th at Jimmie Simpson Park in Riverside. Dates and locations have yet to be announced for the monthly pop-ups in The Beach, Cabbagetown and the Danforth.

Photo by Ashton Pal in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The top 30 ice cream and gelato in Toronto by neighbourhood

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ice cream torontoSummer is the time to visit your local ice cream parlour, gelateria, and frozen yogurt purveyor. Satisfy your cravings for scoops, ice cream sandwiches, and chocolate dipped swirls with this handy guide to frozen treats in the city.

Here are my picks for the top ice cream and gelato shops in Toronto by neighbourhood.

See also:

The best ice cream in Toronto

10 under the radar ice cream shops in Toronto
The best ice cream sandwich in Toronto
The best gelato in Toronto
The top 10 under the radar gelato in Toronto
The best frozen yogurt in Toronto

ANNEX
Greg's Ice Cream on Bloor has been a Toronto institution for three decades and counting. Signature flavours include sweet cream, toasted marshmallow and coffee toffee.

BALDWIN VILLAGE
Traditionally made gelato in Asian-inspired flavours like chocolate-ginger, pandan, and Hong Kong milk tea are the specialty at Kekou Gelato House. Price range from $3.75 for a small cup to $5 for a large.

ice cream torontoTHE BEACHES
Ed's Real Scoop has expanded to three Toronto locations, but the original outpost in The Beaches is a local gem. The sweet shop sells ice cream, gelati and froyo in 100-plus flavours.

BLOORCOURT
Part bakeshop, part ice cream parlour, Bakerbots churns out house-made ice cream in unique flavours ranging from bourbon bacon to beer.

BLOORDALE
Home Baking Co. is another source for ice cream sandwiches. Try house-baked cookies with ice cream flavours like roasted marshmallow, soy latte, and chocolate mint.

CABBAGETOWN
Grinning Face is all about non dairy gelato made from seasonal farm-fresh ingredients. Look forward to inventive flavours like apple cider caramel, wildflower honey and beets, and wild blueberry with Hawaiian basil.

CORSO ITALIA
La Paloma is an old school gelateria where the freezer case is filled with dozens of flavours.

ice cream torontoTHE DANFORTH
Maple Leaf Dairy will satisfy craving for classic like rocky road and chocolate peanut butter. The creamery is known for especially generous scoops.

DISTILLERY DISTRICT
Sweet Escape Patisserie makes its ice creams from scratch in a rotating assortment of flavours including birthday cake, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and a vegan soy latte. Two scoops sell for $3.81, while a pint for take home is $10.

DUNDAS WEST
Everything Scoop Shop offers is made in small batches from scratch and ice creams are no exception. Look forward to flavours not seen anywhere else including salted caramel brownie cheesecake and vegan cashew milk. They also sell ice cream sandwiches, affagatos, and sundaes in addition to cups and cones.

EAST YORK
Lickadee Split is a mom-and-pop operation that brings in its ice cream from Maypole. Find a rainbow of flavours on offer including highlights like confetti-speckled birthday cake and s'mores.

ETOBICOKE
Tom's Dairy Freeze is a retro roadside attraction where soft serve cones and malt milkshakes are the major draw.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT
Momofuku Milk Bar sells swirls of cereal milk and double double (coffee) soft serve in a cup decorated with cornflake crunch.

THE JUNCTION
Delight Chocolate creates all natural ice creams in small batches. Look forward to seasonal flavours like Ontario rhubarb, plus the signature Junction Junk Yard studded with crushed up chocolates and confections from around the shop.

KENSINGTON MARKET
Dolce Gelato in Kensington Market offers a multitude of flavours outnumbering nearby competitors like Hibiscus Cafe and Sweet Olenka's by a long shot.

KING EAST
G For Gelato carries icy treats in 36 flavours at a time. Select from house flavours like salted chocolate peanut butter, coconut basil, and a boozy smoked whiskey vanilla caramel. By the cup or cone, a single scoop sells for $4, while two scoops go for $5.50.

KING WEST
Soma Chocolate stocks a dozen or so house-spun gelati and sorbetti in rotating flavours like lemon sour cream, blood orange and mascarpone. Of course, chocolate is the house specialty and dark or milk chocolate flavours should not be overlooked. A single scoop sells for $4.55, while a pint goes for $12. Shout out to Sweet Jesus soft serve available at Home of The Brave.

LEASIDE
Hollywood Gelato carries 22 fun house-spun gelati at a time cycling through a repertoire of 200+ flavours. Highlights include cake batter, key lime pie and roasted marshmallow - available in a cup or cone, two scoops at a time for $4.

LESLIEVILLE
Ed's Real Scoop has ice cream and gelato cravings covered in Leslieville too. In addition to scoops, enjoy milkshakes, floats, and affogatos.

LITTLE INDIA
Bombay Chowpatty is a fast food counter on Gerrard where frozen treats like mango shakes and royal falooda are menu favourites.

LITTLE ITALY
Manic Coffee, Dolce and Creme all compete for the same gelato-loving sweet tooths in this neighbourhood but The Big Chill is the perfect nostalgic setting, and ample seating outside is a magnet for locals on hot days.

OSSINGTON
Join the queue at Bang Bang to mix and match fresh baked cookies with house made ice cream for the ultimate ice cream sandwich., like cinnamon toast, halva or burnt toffee.

PARKDALE
Find 16 flavours of gelati on display at Boreal Gelato as they cycle through a roster of 65 recipes. Standout flavours include candied bacon, root beer and dairy-free lemon-olive oil and sweet clementine. Single servings start at $3.40 for a single scoop.

RONCESVALLES VILLAGE
Ed's Real Scoop is your best bet on Roncy where the shop offers an ever changing selection of ice creams, sorbets, and gelato. Skip the cone and opt for a cup if you plan on walking down to Sunnyside Beach to enjoy.

ST. CLAIR WEST
Move over Dutch Dreams because there's a new kid on the block. Booyah stocks Kawartha dairy ice creams and pairs scoops with house-baked cookies and waffle cones.

SCARBOROUGH
Lingan Cream House is a Sri Lankan snack shop where ultra creamy house-made ice creams and sherbets come in flavours like mango, pineapple and vanilla. Try a mango milkshake for $3.50 or a cream sherbert sundae for $2.50.

WEST QUEEN WEST
Sweet Olenka's is home to ice cream in inventive flavours including brandied fig with goat cheese, and, maple bacon. Not to be missed are the decadent ice cream bars, featuring combinations like sour cream-lemon, banana brownie, and salted caramel coconut.

YONGE & EGLINTON
Check in at Hotel Gelato to satisfy cravings for frosty treats. Traditionalist are well looked after with choices like chocolate, vanilla and lemon, while adventurous eaters can opt for flavoured like spicy Mayan chocolate, sponge toffee, and avocado.

YONGE & WELLESLEY
Technically a froyo shop, The Red Bench sells soft serve swirls in six rotating flavours including cake batter, green tea, and taro. Top it with fresh fruit and candy toppings or have it sandwiched between chewy, fresh baked cookies.

YORKVILLE
Summer's Ice Cream is so good it's now distributed by the pint in select grocery store freezer aisle. The original location in Yorkville is home to two dozen flavours including almond butter toffee and espresso fudge mud pie. Also find frozen yogurts, sorbets and soft-serve.

What did I miss? Disagree with my selections in the comments.

Lit Espresso Bar opens a location in Leaside

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Lit Espresso BarThis popular coffee shop that began on Roncesvalles has opened and closed a couple of other locations around the city, but its owners have always wanted to have a spot in Leaside. There's a lot of DIY going on in this shop: they roast their own beans, have their own in-house baker and they even make their own cold-pressed juices. They've also got an unofficial mascot - say hello to Decaf Wolf when you stop by.

Read my review of the Leaside location of Lit Espresso Bar in the cafes section.

NXNE under pressure to cancel Action Bronson concert

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NXNE Action BronsonAn online petition calling for NXNE to cancel one of its top-billed concerts has gained significant traction since being posted yesterday. So much so, in fact, that the music festival has issued a statement about the matter.

The petition calls out NXNE, NOW Magazine, sponsor Vans Footwear, and the City of Toronto for hosting an artist who "glorifies gang-raping and murdering women." It's not the first time that the rapper has stirred controversy, but the call for his removal is probably not something the festival was expecting.

NXNE's response to the petition is underwhelming, highlighted by PR-speak and a polite refusal to drop the show. "NXNE believes each and every one of these artists have the right to express their views through music, but those views belong to them and them alone," a press release issued today reads.

"Those who are offended by an artist are invited to check out other festival showcases, as NXNE will present hundreds of artists this June - some may be considered controversial, but most are just plain fun."

I don't know about you, but that last sentence reads as mighty passive aggressive for a statement that putatively aims to quell the controversy that's ensued since the petition was launched. What do you think? Should NXNE drop this concert from its lineup?

Photo by Eric Brisson

Free outdoor concert series returns to Toronto Music Garden this summer

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toronto music gardenOne of Toronto's most serene settings for live music is also one of the city's cheapest. Harbourfront has just announced that its free outdoor concert series will return to the Toronto Music Garden for the 16th year. The lineup will feature 17 concerts between July 2 and September 13.

As far as what to expect goes, the shows are typically an eclectic mix of classical and world music, with the occasional indie musician thrown into the mix. Highlights this year include First Nations composer Barbara Croall, finger-picking virtuoso Calum Graham, and countertenor Michael Taylor.

Bring a lawn chair, some bug spray, and an open mind.

Photo by Ross G. Strachan


Full moon parties planned for the Islands this summer

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full moon party torontoFull moon parties are coming to Toronto this summer. Inspired by Burning Man and the wildly popular events of the same name in Thailand, Hanlan's Point will play host to four lunar-inspired events on June 5th, July 3rd, July 31st, and August 29th.

There will be barbecue, badminton and bonfires. "People dress up, bring music, make art, share art, interact and play together...participation is key to having the best time," the Facebook event page reads.

If that sounds a little New Agey for you, bear in mind that the Islands are one of the nicest places in the city to have a fire, and that inclusivity isn't a bad thing at all. Just make sure to be discrete when partying under the moon. Too much rowdiness and mess could ruin it for everyone else.

Free outdoor movies coming to a Toronto park near you

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tiff in your parkFree outdoor movies are coming to a park near you as TIFF and Park People have teamed up to create TIFF in Your Park.

Clearly embracing the warmer weather, this ongoing screening series brings will be taking place in various green spaces across the city from July to September. Included is everything from award winning animated features like Song of the Sea to all time favourites such as Ghostbusters.

Check out the full screening schedule below.

Photo via Sonia Recchia / Pimentel Studio / TIFF on Facebook

A familiar furniture shop opens massive new showroom

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design district torontoFormerly located on King West, this gorgeous furniture and design store recently relocated east for far bigger digs and better proximity to similarly focused shops. Here you'll find everything from couches and beds to modern bookcases and kitchen accessories.

Read my review of Design Within Reach in the design section.

Batmobile on Yonge St.

Today in Toronto: Dance Mix 416, Charlotte Cornfield & Matthew Bailey, Festival of Sake, Liive Thursdays

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today in torontoToday in Toronto will have you downing some drinks in style at the Festival of Sake event at Kampai. Head there to sample mouthwatering Japanese cuisine and sip some of the finest sake the world has to offer. If beer is more your thing, try the Tap Takeover by Goose Island Beer Company at Banknote Bar.

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.

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