What used to be a record store, art space and cafe is now all that plus a bar with a nice selection of Ontario craft brews. An improved food menu (now with Sunday brunch) and a pinball machine make the space all the more sweet. Vinyl, coffee, good eats and beer (did I mention pinball?) - what more could one want out of a shop?
Read my profile of Cabin Fever in the cafes section.
Hong Kong style waffles are those crispy, bubbly confections responsible for that delightful scent at the corner of Dundas and Spadina. That old school street hawker has been there for years, all the while, popularity for these treats has been spreading. Now you can find HK waffes on menus at ice cream shops, snack bars, and cafes citywide.
Here's a round-up of where to eat Hong Kong style waffles in Toronto.
Bang Bang
The sweet shop on Ossington has gained acclaim for its customizable combinations of ice cream and cookie sandwiches. The eggette makes an excellent alternative to cookies, the delicately sweetened waffles pair perfectly with a couple scoops of London Fog flavoured ice cream.
Toast Delight
A vendor in the same mall as the T&T Supermarket in Unionville, this Hong Kong style snack shop makes eight different varieties of bubble waffles to order. Grab a single waffle for $3, or two for $5 in sweet flavours like plain, matcha, sesame, and red bean or savoury styles like pork floss or seaweed.
Roll Play Cafe
Bubble waffles ($11) are the real winners at this board game bar near Yonge and Dundas. Enjoy crispy spheres of soft golden brown dough with fluffy steaming centres paired with toppings like Nutella whipped cream, or topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh fruit.
Tung Tung Dan Quen
The wafting aroma of gai daan jai will draw you in at locations in Markham Village and Pacific Mall. Once you've stuffed your face with fresh, eggy waffles, be sure to grab a pack of dan quen (egg rolls) to go.
Phoenix Restaurant
Get your fix of Hong Kong cafe foods at this restaurant in Markham. Here you can complete any meal with egg waffles ($7.5) slathered with butter and Jam, peanut butter, condensed milk or even just a sprinkling of sugar.
Wooffles and Cream
You could go savoury or sweet at this food stall located in the mall at Kennedy Rd and Highway 7 in Markham, and either way you'll surely leave satisfied. On the savoury side, try the Lap Cheung waffle ($4.50) inspired by dim sum and laced with Chinese sausage and seaweed.
R&D
Fried chicken and waffles might be a staple in the deep south, but this modern Chinese bistro makes them their own. Find platters of General Sanders' chicken ($25) on the menu featuring deep fried poultry glazed in kung pao sauce served along HK egg waffles with sweet and spicy, sichuan maple syrup.
Patois
Fried chicken and Hong Kong waffles ($13.50) are a brunch-time affair at this Dundas West restaurant that dishes out cultural mash-ups on each plate. Douse the whole lot in blonde butter syrup to enjoy sweet and savoury flavours in each bite.
What did I miss? Add you favourite spot for Hong Kong style waffles in the comments.
Brunch in Toronto is a favourite weekend ritual. But while many pockets of the city have a popular option for pancakes and eggs, only a few have such a bountiful selection of restaurants that the neighbourhood itself is a brunch destination in its own right.
Here are my picks for the top neighbourhoods for brunch in Toronto.
See also:The top 50 brunch restaurants in Toronto.
St. Clair West
Emma's Country Kitchen, an old staple, serves up deceivingly simple and impossibly delicious brunch favourites. Further east, Stockyards is considered legendary. If you're extra nice, they may agree to make you an off-the-menu chicken-fried breakfast burger. And don't forget about the ever popular Starving Artist, which specializes in brunch items that come with waffles instead of bread.
The Annex
You may not think of the Annex as much of a brunch mecca - but you just need to get off of Bloor. On Harbord, take your pick from Harvest Kitchen, Rasa and THR&Co. Get prepared to line-up on Dupont to get into perennially packed destinations Rose and Sons and Fanny Chadwick's. Don't let warm weather pass without trying the BBQ brunch at Big Crow's cottage-inspired back patio.
Roncesvalles
For dishes that incorporate crazy good barbecue head to Barque. The Ace serves up classic brunch staples with a few tex-mex dishes thrown in for good measure. If you'd rather have the real deal when it comes to Latin flavours, grab a seat at La Cubana. The Westerly is where to go to dig into a smoked brisket hash and further south Cardinal Rule offers up plenty of gluten-free and vegan fare.
Liberty Village
Among the many condo buildings that have sprouted in Liberty Village are two restaurants very important to the brunch culture of Toronto: School and Mildred's Temple Kitchen. Go to Mildred's on a Sunday, have the impossibly fluffy, blueberry pancakes and be happy. At School, expect to clog your arteries with decadent hash brown poutine and 12-hour braised pork with eggs.
Little Italy
Aunties and Uncles comes with a wait given its reputation as one of Toronto's best brunch spots. Craving huevos rancheros? Try the offerings at Easy Restaurant. For a unique brunch Takht-e Tavoos serves up Persian inspired eats. Like great coffee and booze with your breakfast? Voodoo Child's got you covered. Bored of bacon and eggs? Me & Mine is always cooking up something different.
Dundas West
There's plenty to choose from along Dundas starting with Saving Grace's addictive brunch fare. Can't stomach the line-up? Head to Patois for Hong Kong style waffles and chicken. The Federal will serve you something boozy with your French toast. EL Ruddy does vegan, Essen a Jewish brunch, Old School killer pancakes and Gayley's Cafe will satisfy without breaking the bank.
West Queen West
West Queen West doesn't lack in much, least of all brunch spots. You can sip mimosas and have eggs benny on the patio of the Drake or head on over to The County General for something low-key. To cure your hangover, have the full English at the Bristol. Swan by Rose and Sons has brought the classic diner back to life.
The Junction Triangle
It might be small but the Junction Triangle's food scene comes to life on weekend mornings at such spots as Farmhouse Tavern which serving farm-to-table dishes. Its aptly named sister restaurant, The Farmer's Daughter, offers slightly lighter brunch fare. Wallace & Co serves indulgent all-day breakfast staples. For something sweet, try the chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream at Hello Darling.
Leslieveille and Riverside
These east side 'hoods are home to well loved brunch destinations. Prepare to wait in line at both Lady Marmalade and Bonjour Brioche. Edward's 1290 does a great brunch featuring local ingredients grown on the owner's farm. Okay Okay is the classic neighbourhood diner with pancakes the size of LPs. Ashdale, Brooklyn Tavern, Skin + Bones and Saturday Dinette are the newer kids on the block.
King West
Looking to splurge? You can do that at Colette's lavish Sunday buffet spread. At Portland Variety and Bar Buca there's refined offerings with great baked goods and coffee. For something less traditional, try the Spanish omelette at Patria. Beast will satisfy even the most hardcore carnivore while Gusto 101 will serve you brunch on a patio with a retractable glass roof.
What's your favourite neighbourhood for brunch? Let us know in the comments.
Photo of Aunties and Uncles by Jesse Milns.
The top free events in Toronto will offer you a chance to hit up more than just festivals. Though there's still many a summer street fest going on, that's not all thats on tap in the city. There's a roster of free comedy shows, live music, and more waiting for you.
Here's what to do if you've already lost all your money at the CNE Casino.
Selfoss, Bond Girls, Robot Eyes, and Kylo (August 25)
Head to the Horseshoe Tavern if you're down to take in some live music on Tuesday evening. Selfoss, Bond Girls, Robot Eyes, and Kylo will all be performing as part of INDIE88's Nu Music Night series. If you can't make it this week, no worries; it happens every Tuesday.
TIFF in the Park: The Triplets of Belleville (August 26)
David Peacaut Square will be filled with movie-lovers on Wednesday night for this week's installment of TIFF in the Park. Watch the Triplets of Belleville in the heart of downtown for one of the final events of the season.
That's How I Remember It Live (August 26)
If you're a podcast junkie, head to The Ossington on Wednesday night. That's How I Remember It will be putting on a live improv show. The shows regular cast will be there, plus special guests Chad Mallett, Matt Folliott and Ted Hallett.
Tamil Fest (August 29-30)
Tamil Fest is expected to bring 15,000 people to Morningside Ave over its two-day stint. You'll find the street celebration filled with Tamil culture, music, cuisine and traditions. There will also be a few midway rides on the scene, if you need a little adrenaline boost.
PS Kensington (August 30)
Head to Kensington Market for this month's installment of Pedestrian Sundays. After this there's only two left before they pack up until next year. You'll find a host of street performers, food on sticks, and the Kensington Art Fair.
Have a free event you'd like to plug? Submit it to our Toronto events calendar using this form.
Photo of Pedestrian Sundays by Tom Ryaboi
Luxury car rental options in Toronto offer the chance to sport the hottest wheels in the city, if only temporarily. If you scoff at the idea of calling a cab and Uber black cars still don't meet your standards, try one of these rental companies. You can drive some of the finest street cars on the market, so long as you can cough up the security deposit.
Here's a round-up of luxury car rental options in Toronto.
See also:Car rental options in Toronto.
GTA Exotics
GTA Exotics may have you leaving the city to pick up your car, but you're sure to look ten times better when you roll back in. The fleet includes luxury and exotic cars as well as motorcycles. If you're looking for something even more impressive than a Beamer, this is your place. They have plenty to choose from, with Ferrari Spiders and Lamborghini Murcilagos rounding out their fleet.
Affinity
Affinity was the first car rental company to offer Torontonians 24/7 rental service inside the city. Their over 150 car fleet includes big names like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus. You can typically get the rental price upfront and, unlike other companies on this list, Affinity has multiple locations around the GTA.
Superior Exotics
The fleet at Superior Exotics may not be as bulked up as other companies, but what they lack in quantity of cars, they make up for in quality of service. You'll find significantly cheaper security deposit rates that make it worth the journey to Mississauga. The four exotic models on hand are: Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari F430, Bentley Continental GT and Porsche 911.
Toronto Luxury Car Rentals
Toronto Luxury Car Rentals offers competitive rates and a decent sized fleet of exotic and luxury vehicles to choose from. Located in Thornhill, it's one of the few luxury rental companies within city boundaries. On hand they have a number of Porsches, Bentleys, and Audis, as well as a few classic cars, including a 1966 Corvette.
Exotic Tours
As the name suggests, this company specializes in exotic car tours. However, they also offer test drives, full-day track days, and rentals. Unfortunately, some cars (like the Ariel Atom) were only meant for the track, but that doesn't mean there's not a good selection. The fleet includes a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Bentley GT, and a few other equally awseome rides.
What did I miss? Add more Toronto luxury car rental options in the comments.
Photo by Elan Shi in the blogTO Flickr pool.
Midtown Toronto's coffee scene is no longer dominated by the big chains. In recent years, third wave espresso bars have migrated north of St. Clair to meet the city's growing appetite for a more artisanal take to everyone's favourite morning pick-me-up.
Here are my picks for the top espresso bars in midtown Toronto.
de Mello Palheta Coffee Roasters
At rustic, industrial-chic de Mello, they take coffee very seriously. Here they roast their beans in-house and offer a number of custom blends and single origin beans.Their selection of treats is also next level, with the standard offerings of homemade croissants and muffins punctuated by more intricate creations.
Istanbul Cafe
At this Eglinton and Mount Pleasant spot coffee drinking is done with ceremony. Though they offer a good selection of espresso drinks, don't miss out on the Turkish coffee. Finely ground coffee is mixed with water, sugar and heated to just below boiling before being poured in an espresso sized cup and served on a silver tray with complimentary Turkish delight.
9 Bars
Outfitted with burgundy walls, exposed brick and a raw wood communal table, this Yonge and St. Clair spot is an oasis for coffee lovers in a neighbourhood otherwise devoid of much choice. They fire up a La Marzocco machine to make mean espresso-based drinks which you can pair with a homemade sandwich.
Crosstown Coffee Bar
The homey vibe of this cafe has won over locals looking for a spot to linger either indoors or out. They exclusively use Hale Beans for their espresso based and filter-brewed concoctions. Enjoy your brew with a La Bamboche croissant or a cookie from the Red Bench.
LIT Espresso
At the Leaside outpost of this popular Roncesvalles spot they roast their own beans under the Pig Iron brand. They serve standard espresso-based beverages as well as drip coffee from a rotating selection of single origin beans. Try the fresh pastries baked in-house with your drink of choice. The quirky opulence of the room welcomes anyone looking for a spot to work or just to dally a bit.
Did I miss anything? Add your favourite midtown espresso bar in the comments.
While abroad, nearly everyone who lives in Southern Ontario will say they're from Toronto. I've heard individuals exclaim they're from the Six when in reality they reside in London, St. Catharines and even Niagara Falls.
Since those outside of Canada probably haven't heard of the smaller towns, suburbs and municipalities within the Golden Horseshoe, it's usually acceptable to default to Toronto. Many 416-ers, however, would disagree.
This becomes even more frustrating considering the GTA boundaries aren't exactly concrete. The area's generally defined as being comprised of Toronto, York, Durham, Peel and Halton, but like the borders of east and west in Toronto and even the location of downtown, there just isn't much consensus.
So, how far is too far to say you're from Toronto? We polled our Twitter followers and here's what they had to say.
Photo of Mississauga skyline by Taku in the blogTO Flickr pool.
Want to drink in some locally made soda free of artificial colours and corn syrup? I'm not talking about stirring pre-made syrups into fizzy water - these soda fountains and snack shops pour effervescent bevies infused with flavours from roots, herbs, blossoms and fruits, and, they sweeten the stuff with natural ingredients.
Here are my picks for the top all natural sodas in Toronto.
Thomas Lavers
The cannery and deli in Kensington Market brews and bottles its signature ginger beer on site. Featuring the flavours of fresh ginger and lime juice, this stuff is ultra refreshing as is, but also happens to make a pretty mean Dark N' Stormy.
Bean & Baker
The retro malt shop on Harbord is stirring sodas ($3.50) to order with handcrafted syrups in flavours like Root'n'Cola, Lemon-Rickey, Gramp's Ginger, Cherry Cola, and Vanilla Cream. For something less traditional, try the hibiscus soda made with steeped hibiscus flowers.
The Federal
The restaurant on Dundas West forgoes big cola in lieu of carbonated concoctions made in house. While they've previously experimented with colas and root beer ($3.50) flavoured with sassafras, sarsaparilla, and birch, and a zingy "white pop" ($3.50) made with citrus and ginger.
Babbling Brooke's Root Beer
Nickel Brook Brewing might be best known for its other suds, but this non alcoholic brew is top notch. Find it on tap at Woody's Burgers and Home of The Brave. This drink is flavoured with roots (licorice sassafras, and burdock), sweetened with brown cane sugar and demerara sugar root, and boasts notes of cinnamon, star anise, vanilla, and orange peel.
Alchemy Pickle Co.
Small batches of naturally carbonated sodas in seasonal flavours are a specialty of this regular farmers' market vendor. Sodas available in 500ml bottles (and sometimes growlers) are made with a ginger starter, and flavoured with unique combinations of foraged or locally harvested herbs, fruits, and veggies.
What did I miss? Add your favourite all natural soda drinks to the comments.
There's a new board game cafe in Toronto - this one near the corner of Queen and John across the street from MuchMusic (er, make that Much now).
Read my profile of A-Game Cafe in the cafes section.
The top public golf courses in and around Toronto range from budget-friendly links to stadium style courses that host PGA Tour events. Depending on how much money you want to spend, you can have it all as a golfer in the GTA. This is one of the most golf-rich areas on the continent.
In keeping with the wide selection, my selection criteria is sub-divided by broad price points. Angus Glen, for instance, isn't a "top" destination if you're on a budget, just as Bushwood isn't the place to take clients when you have the freedom of a corporate credit card. As far as green fees go, I've listed the peak season range that will still allow 18 holes to be played (i.e. no twilight pricing is factored in).
These are my picks for the top public golf courses in and around Toronto.
ON A BUDGET
Don Valley
Don Vally is the best deal on this list, combining close proximity to the city core (you can walk from York Mills Station) with good rates and a solid Howard Watson-designed golf course that boasts a top notch front nine. The downfall? It's always jammed and round times are slow. Best bet: book a super early tee time. Green fees: $58-$65 (with massive discounts for juniors and seniors).
Bushwood
The place sounded a bit more respectable when it was called the John Evelyn Golf Centre, but despite Bushwood's unfortunate name, it's a reasonably well maintained course that's not too punishing off the tee but not a complete pushover either. If you're not threatening to break 90 on a regular basis or hosting corporate clients, this is a good bet. Green fees: $34-$47
Maples of Ballantrae
Maples of Ballantrae is a pretty course for the price, carved as it is out of an eponymous stand of maples in Stouffville. While it's not maintained in pristine condition, from a bang for your buck standpoint, it's one of the best. It's also a challenging course off the tee, particlarly for those who play from the tips (just shy of 6,500 yards). Green fees: $45-$66
VERY GOOD AND WON'T BREAK THE BANK
Osprey Valley
The original Heathlands links-style course, one of the GTA's first, is still a favourite, even as the club as expanded to 54 holes. All three courses are fine tests of golf, but for those who really want to see what links golf is about, stick to the classic. Green fees: $74-$104
St. Andrew's Valley
Occasionally people complain that the neighbouring subdivision cuts too close to the course, but it's never bothered me. St. Andrew's can be a remarkable test of golf, coming in at 7,300 yards from the tips (hint: no one needs to play these; the golds are fine at about 7,000). It plays very difficult when the wind is up, but you'll feel great if you can score here. Green fees: $69-$89
Redcrest
The newest course at the Cardinal complex, Redcrest is a semi-links-style layout that's clearly given some extra love compared to the east and west courses. Your best bet is to book a tee time just after 4pm to clean up on the under $50 rate and still get all 18 holes in. Green fees: $49-$89
Piper's Heath
This is a gorgeous course located ear Milton with an excellent practice facility. Designed in a links style, the course plays at just over 7,000 yards from the tips and a very manageable 5,200 from the front tees. The ample long grass eats balls like crazy, but the fairways give amateur enthusiasts some room to play with. Green fees: $60-$90
BIG SPENDER
Copper Creek
There's not much to dislike about Copper Creek, which is one of the best public golf courses in the country, let alone the GTA. The layout is naturally beautiful, very challenging, and the clubhouse and facilities are as nice as they come for public-access golf. Located in Kleinburg, it's also just a quick jaunt from Toronto. Green fees: $125-$180
Angus Glen
Angus Glen was the talk of the GTA golf community when it opened about 20 years ago, ranked as the top public golf course in the country. A second course was added in 2001, and things have rolled along nicely since then. Home to tons of corporate golf, both course are challenging and majestic. Green fees: $135-$180
Glen Abbey
Glen Abbey is still, in some sense, the most dramatic draw as far as public access golf goes around these parts (it's owned by ClubLink so not actually "public" per se). Where else can you try your luck at reproducing Tiger's famous 18th hole bunker shot across the water at the 2000 Canadian Open. The Jack Nicklaus-designed stadium course has stood the test of time. Green fees: $160-235
What did I miss? Let us know your favourite public golf course in the comments.
Writing by Jeff Davis and Derek Flack.
Photo via Osprey Valley's website
Today in Toronto you can listen to live music free of charge at the Horseshoe Tavern for Shoeless Mondays. If you'd rather indulge in some culinary entertainment, 86'd Mondays is on at The Drake as per usual, this week with a Peruvian Pisco Party. The weather forecast also looks good enough for TIFF's outdoor screening of Manufactured Landscapes.
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 section.
Photo from Manufactured Landscapes
Drone videos of Toronto rarely disappoint with their sweeping bird's eye views of the city, but when you throw in some very soft morning light and a bit of fancy editing, the results verge on the stunning. This short video posted to YouTube as a demo by Sky Rift Films has only one point: to show off how pretty Toronto looks from above.
Naturally the Scarborough Bluffs make an appearance, a location that's popular with drone photographers but that's also a natural fit when your goal is to highlight the city's ample aesthetic merits. Also seen here are the obligatory skyline shots and some fancy camera work at a racetrack near the city. There's not much you need to think about: just soak up the scenery.
This past Sunday marked MOCCA's final day on West Queen West. The gallery bid adieu to its home of 10 years with a champagne salute as it closed its final exhibition: Dean Baldwin's Queen West Yacht Club.
While MOCCA will get expansive new digs at the Tower Automotive building on Sterling Road, its current home will soon disappear thanks to the arrival of the West Queen West condos, a new development by Urbancorp.
The eight-storey building will span from 944-952 Queen St. West, meaning it'll seriously change the look and feel of Queen and Shaw. While the development won't be ready until 2017, units are currently on sale and start in the low $200,000s.
The courtyard/parking lot that defined the MOCCA site will naturally be eliminated in favour of more space for the development. In the meantime, MOCCA will appear from time to time with pop-up exhibits around the city.
What do you think of the development that's replacing MOCCA? Let us know in the comments.
For many, the highlight of the annual Toronto International Film Festival is celeb-spotting. Perhaps that's why TIFF decided to focus on the notion of star-gazing for its upcoming fall program. And what better star-gazer to celebrate than prolific pop artist Andy Warhol?
From October 30 until January 24, TIFF will host Andy Warhol: Stars of the Silver Screen, an exhibition organized in conjunction with the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, the artist's hometown.
The show will feature more than 800 pieces of artwork and memorabilia as well as short films and episodes from Warhol's television series. While Warhol focused on numerous celebrities, this exhibition will highlight his work with Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo, Kim Novak and Elizabeth Taylor.
Fittingly, from November 7-January 16, TIFF will run Liz and Marilyn: Black and White in Colour, a retrospective series on these two iconic movie stars. The Festival will also showcase Warhol's filmic work in the Nothing Special: Andy Warhol's Star System series. It'll feature 20 films, which Warhol made between 1963 and 1968.
Earlier this summer, LA's Revolver Gallery brought Andy Warhol: Revisited to Yorkville. This show runs until December 31, meaning both exhibitions will run simultaneously.
Will you visit both Warhol exhibitions? Let us know in the comments.
The condo boom happening in King West is far from over. In fact, it seems to be getting even more interesting thanks to detailed new renderings for a massive, mixed-use development set to crop up on King near Portland.
The King Portland Centre is a joint project by RioCan and Allied Properties REIT. With a total of 400,000 square-feet, it'll feature 12 storeys for offices and 15 for residential units. The renderings also show a huge restaurant facing King Street West -- a space reminiscent of Wilbur Mexicana and Her Majesty's Pleasure, which lie at the base of the Fashion House condo a few blocks away.
The most unique part of this project, as Urban Toronto notes, are its dedicated pedestrian spaces and laneways. The renderings, which feature designs by award-winning architectural firm Hariri Pontarini, show sweeping arches and paths that seem to reflect the neighbourhood's industrial past.
Like many existing developments in the neighbourhood, the first few storeys will match the street's heritage aesthetic while the upper floors will be housed in a glass tower. This project is still in its initial stages and isn't expected to be completed until 2019.
What do you think of this development at King and Portland? Let us know in the comments.
Organizing a bachelor party in Toronto doesn't mean you need to default to strip clubs or getting hammered on $3 drink specials. There are plenty of other things to do that are entertaining, exciting and out of the ordinary. Whether the groom is into playing games, has an appreciation for whisky or an appetite for extreme adventure, Toronto has great options for a truly unforgettable time.
Here are my picks for the top places for a bachelor party in Toronto.
Play an escape room game
What better way to introduce a groom to the confines of marriage than an escape room? This is the perfect option for the husband-to-be who wants an exciting mental workout before the exhausting emotional workout of a wedding. There are a growing number of venues for these games in Toronto but my top pick is the one at Casa Loma.
Take a cocktail workshop
Learning about cocktails is a great way to have some highbrow fun before the messy party gets started. While there are plenty of places in Toronto where you can learn to be a better bartender, plan a visit to Bartender One which puts together customized workshops where you and your buddies can learn to impress the bridesmaids with your newly learned mojito and martini making skills.
Get a room at a local restaurant .
If you're looking to have a first-class meal complete with a private space and a customizable menu, treat yo' self (and, I guess, the groom) with some private dining. There are lots of great restaurants that offer this in Toronto. My top picks include the basement wine cellars at Gusto 101 and Enoteca Sociale.
Wage an epic archery tag battle.
Archery Tag is the perfect activity for the potential-husband who wants to have some physical fun before the wedding night. With large arenas that accommodate lots of players, this is ideal for a large scale bachelor party with lots of participants. At Battle Sports, you can also pair the experience with some smashing fun at their rage room.
Go on a bar crawl
There's no better way to welcome a gentleman into the institution of marriage than by making him consume ridiculous amounts of alcohol. Since you won't have time to visit a bar near every Toronto subway stop I recommend starting the evening at Bellwoods Brewery (craft beer), followed by Get Well (pinball) and finally Track and Field (lawn games). Or, you could do a tour of Toronto's top theme bars.
Attend a whisky tasting
Whisky tasting is relaxed, refined and ideal for the groom-to-be who is more Don Draper than Donnie Wahlberg. While there are plenty of whisky bars in Toronto, I recommend a visit to the Toronto Distillery Co. for their Whisky Grain Exploration Experience. You and your friends will learn the finer points of distillation and get to taste a variety of whisky fresh off the still.
Throw some axes
Toronto's original axe throwing venue, BATL, is a seasoned veteran of bachelor parties, and for good reason: it combines throwing axes and booze. If your groom is a lumberjack or just likes drinking and sharp objects, BATL is a good choice. Can't get into BATL? Bad Axe Throwing does this too.
Grill some meat at a BBQ class
Nothing says boys night out like some grilled meat. For the carnivore bachelor parties, classes at the Weber Grill Academy include three hours of instruction that conclude with the consumption of your hopefully delicious creation. Combine this with the cocktail workshop and you've just acquired all the hosting skills you'll ever need.
Live your GI Joe fantasies
Axe throwing and archery tag not manly enough for you? The Stryke target range in Brampton offers these as well as knife throwing in an environment suitable for large parties complete with snacks and drinks. If you want to pretend you're in Texas there's also Target Sports where you and your unlicensed friends will be fully supervised while shooting the firearms of your choice.
Go skydiving
For something even more extreme, skydiving is guaranteed to excite, thrill, and determine whether the groom is actually ready to make a life-long commitment as his life flashes before his eyes. There are many places to jump out of a plane in the Toronto area including this popular spot in Cookstown. For the risk-averse bachelors, simulated skydiving is also a good option.
Thanks to Target Sports for sponsoring this post.
What did I miss? Suggest more bachelor party ideas in the comments or connect with me on Twitter.
Toronto's biggest Filipino festival returned to Bathurst and Wilson this past weekend. Its second year saw some improvements from last year's inaugural edition - like a slightly more organized lineup of vendors, making festival navigation a bit easier - but overall, it was the same bustling scene that made visitors and locals alike feel like they'd stepped into the streets of Manila itself.
Finding parking was like Mission Impossible 6, but the sights, sounds and flavours of the festival were worth it. There was bad karaoke and colourful traditional dance performances. There was free nail art and sparkly jewellery booths.
There was Kathleen Wynne posing for pictures with the Consulate General of the Philippines for Toronto. There were oodles of "chances to win" - various gift cards, round trips to the Philippines, iPad minis, and more.
As far as food went, the array of culinary booths were, for the most part, dishing out the same menu items. One of the most popular picks was the "Halo-Halo," a dessert concoction of shaved ice, milk, fruit and other things that make it look like a rainbow in a cup.
Festival-goers were also seen munching on the likes of quail eggs, pig intestine, "kwek-kwek" (a tempura-like Filipino street eat), and adobo, the Philippines' unofficial-official national food, which is basically sauced-up pork.
The similarity of offerings from vendor to vendor speaks to the authenticity of Taste of Manila. So many cultural festivals across the city lack culinary focus, offering up all manner of street foods regardless of the theme of the festival. In general, that's totally fine, but it was a nice change to see the focus so squarely on Filipino cuisine.
Little Manila is perhaps one of the lesser-known ethnic enclaves in Toronto. Unlike better known events like Taste of the Danforth or Taste of Little Italy that celebrate the former makeup of their given streets, Taste of Manila proves a showcase for a burgeoning community that's in the early stages of leaving its mark on the streetscape.
And that's exciting, particularly if you've tired of the predictability of so many of Toronto's street festivals.
Photos by Hector Vasquez
By the mid 1990s Toronto had one of the biggest rave scenes in North America. On most weekends there were a variety of underground events taking place in warehouses, lofts and more well known venues like the Ontario Science Centre. If you were there then this is what you may remember now.
Here are 10 signs you were a Toronto raver in the 1990s.
1. You still talk about the first rave at Ontario Science Centre in 1993.
2. You had fake $3 bills with Shaggy on them by X-Static in your wallet or taped to your wall.
3. You tested out some of Dr. Trance's gadgets at his laboratory.
4. You went to Mark Oliver's set at 23 Hop before he got mainstream.
5. You lost your friends inside a 300+ packed Atlantis and or Nitrous warehouse party because they didn't own a cellphone.
6. You took a ride on the Pleasure Force "magic school bus" to a rave in the middle of a nowhere.
7. You remember 100 riot police standing outside Cherry Beach studios, and "Ballroom Blitz" playing before cops literally pulled the plug.
8. You shopped at "Bi-Way" for dancing shoes.
9. You got CD and LP recommendations from Eugene at Play de Record, Paul at The Pit and Lou at Fresh.
10. You were upset over Allan Ho's death and protested City Hall's Rave Ban in 1999.
What signs did I miss? Add them to the comments.
See also:10 signs you were a Toronto raver in the 2000s
Writing by Trent Lee.
