The top restaurants for sausage in Toronto include places that serve up traditional options like Polish, Italian or Portuguese to those with more niche wieners like elk and kangaroo. Nevertheless, they all have one thing in common - great tasting house-made or locally sourced sausage that often doesn't require fancy toppings.

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

The Saint Tavern
Chef Jesse Vallins is a sausage making king - he's won the Sausage League several times. So, it's no surprise that at The Saint they take sausages seriously enough to dub the seventh day of the week sausage Sunday. On any day of the week though you can pick from a Ruben sausage sandwich or have your sausage as a main.

Barque
It's no surprise that one of the best smokehouses and barbeque joints in Toronto serves up amazing sausage. Current offerings include an Italian inspired basil and sun dried tomato sausage although sausages here change seasonally to mirror the chef's inspired creations.

Sorella Toronto
For juicy, spicy, fennel laced Italian sausage, this Junction spot has you covered. Here they specialize in traditional Italian sausages made from a century old Calabrese family recipe. You can order your dog mild, spicy or "Garisto Hot" and top it with caramelized onion, garlic oil and a variety of staple sauces like ketchup and mustard.

Fancy Franks
Franks deals in souped-up hot dogs, think deep fried, panko crusted dogs, kimchi toppings and buffalo wing sauce just to name a few. They source all of their ingredients locally and also offer up a selection of four sausages which includes mild farmer's sausage and turkey, or spicy andouille and chorizo.

Bairrada
This Portuguese joint has several locations in Toronto. Their take on chorizo is pretty spectacular and an excellent appetizer to start off a meal. Called Chouriço à Bombeiro, the wiener is a smoked variety that's doused in a moonshine-esque Portuguese spirit and set on fire before being served.

WVRST
This Munich-style beer hall on King West will make all of your Oktoberfest dreams come true year round. Pick from 26 different types ranging from Polish and Italian to heritage breeds and game. Try the venison with a side of duck fat fries and a pint of whatever Dieu du Ciel offering they have on tap.

La Saucisserie
Skip the cheese and meat appetizer board and head straight for one of their 15 different styles of sausage. Fan favourites include the spicy lamb merguez, succulent wild boar and delectably moist duck. Take advantage of the $12 special which consists of a sausage and pint.

Café Polonez
Traditional Polish sausage is on the menu at one of the last remaining Polish restaurants on Roncy. Here, traditional kielbasa is topped with sweet caramelized onion and served with an assortment of garnishes and fries on the side.

Smoque n' Bones
This West Queen West barbecue joint serves up addictive, house made, spicy sausage. Have it either by itself or as part of a large meat spread. It pairs well with collard greens, satisfyingly crisp onion rings and a pint of beer.

Otto's Berlin Doner
Though the doner at this Kensington restaurant is what's been drawing crowds, it's the currywvrst that keeps people coming back. This German street food consists of sausage - you get a choice of bratwurst or weisswurst - cut into round slices, slathered in a tomato-curry sauce and served with fries and a drop of house made aioli.

What sausage did I miss? Add it to the comments. Photo of La Saucisserie by Jesse Milns.

Today in Toronto you can get a dose of what's to come at Toronto Fashion Week at the Mani Jassal Fashion Show. If you don't have a passion for fashion, there's plenty more going on. Kaskade will be performing at UNIUN as part of his Automatic Tour. Unfortunately, if you want to snag a pair of tickets you'll have to turn to StubHub -- the good news is they're relatively cheap.

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

• Mani Jassal Fashion Show SS16 (99 Sudbury)
• Kaskade: Automatic Tour (UNIUN Nightclub)
• Little Brother Magazine No. 6 Launch (June Records)
• Mill Street At Indie Week Tap Take Over (Lou Dawg's)
• Reel Indie Film Fest: Opening Night Screening (The Royal Cinema)
• Quattro Fall 2015 Launch (Supermarket)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.

Pho is one of those foods that Toronto really relishes as soon as the temperature dips. While the staple Vietnamese noodle soup has seemingly taken a back seat to the the big bold flavours of the ramen craze in recent years, these aromatic broths continue to endure. Every neighbourhood needs a go-to place for pho.

Here are my picks for the top pho in Toronto by neighbourhood.

BLOORDALE
For maximum beefiness, order the fully loaded , a delicate beef broth laced with rare beef, tripe, tendon and crispy beef at Pho Jade. Even meatless eaters can partake with pho rau cai, vermicelli in vegetarian broth.

CHINATOWN
The laughing cow at Pho Hung has long been a beacon for pho enthusiasts. The bustling Chinatown eatery is the place to enjoy deep bowls of bo vien a delicate beef noodle soup swimming with meatballs.

CORSO ITALIA
Pho Xua is the place to slurp up rice noodles from fragrant bowls of beef, chicken, or seafood soup. The usual combinations of sliced rare beef, meatballs, tendon and tripe are all present, but the thing to get here is the special ox tail.

DON MILLS
Wonderpho gets fancy with pho, offering any combination of sliced ribeye, veal brisket, beef balls, and tendon. You can even choose between rice noodles, Viet glass noodles, udon or soba.

DUNDAS WEST
Nuzzle into a big bowl of pho dac biet at Pho Phuong to sate cravings for deep and complex broth and a medley of meats including rare beef, beef ball, tendon, tripe, and brisket.

EAST CHINATOWN
Mi Mi Restaurant on Gerrard St. East does all the usual beef-based pho featuring assorted cuts of beef, but more unique is the ample selection of noodles in chicken soup loaded with things like BBQ pork or shrimp dumplings.

EAST YORK
Little Coxwell is a reliable source for soul soothing comfort foods, and while classic beef broths are on offer, it's the special chicken noodle soup that is the house favourite.

ETOBICOKE
Green Mango Boys on the East Mall offers a simplified menu that bills broad rice noodles drowned in a choice of beef, chicken, or vegetable broth. Customary handfuls of bean sprouts, fresh basil and chili finish it off.

THE JUNCTION
Pho Huong is a consistent spot for comforting bowls beef broth loaded with generous portions of protein. Steaming bowls of beef ball soup need just a squirt of sriracha and a squeeze of lime to achieve perfection.

KING WEST
Bac Ky is a canteen where the menu keeps things simple with just three varieties of pho on offer. Opt for the pho tái nam bo vien, which features rare beef, beef flank and beef balls in beef broth, pho ga, chicken in chicken soup, or pho vegetarian, which features a medley of vegetables in mushroom broth.

KOREATOWN
The menu at Pho Rex is a trusty spot to fill up on Vietnamese favourites. Aside from the classic beefy staples, find excellent versions done with chicken or veggie broth.

LESLIEVILLE
Northern Vietnamese cuisine is the specialty of Hanoi 3 Seasons where the beefy pho dac biet and lemon-scented pho ga are among the menu standouts.

LITTLE ITALY
Pho Linh makes a wonderfully deep and flavourful beef broth that boasts subtle hints of spice like anise and cinnamon. Get the pho dac biet; it literally has everything you could want in a great bowl of pho.

NORTH YORK
Pho Con Bo occupies a modest strip mall storefront on Wilson and is a popular lunch time spot to slurp up some noodles and fill up on steaming bowls of broth filled with meaty delicacies.

OSSINGTON
Golden Turtle or Pho Tien Thanh? Even pho snobs are divided on who makes the superior beef broth. I happen to like the special beef noodle soup at Pho Tien Thanh as of late, but the neighbourhood clearly has the appetite to sustain these rival pho shops, and you'll find both shops bustling at peak hours.

PARKDALE
Pho Asia 21 is the go-to in the west end on King St. to get big bowls of beef broth loaded with slippery noodles and handfuls of fresh herbs. In addition to the usual array of beefy soups, there's a seafood version that's well worthwhile.

RONCESVALLES VILLAGE
Cafe Pho Nho is a Vietnamese joint with attentive service and cheap beer specials. The menu of pho isn't nearly as extensive as some on this list, but the classic pho tai will hit the spot.

SCARBOROUGH
Pho Vietnam is a standout in Scarborough for hearty bowls of soup. Delve into a bowl of pho nam gan sach, a nuanced broth loaded with brisket, tendon and tripe, accompanied by sides of fresh herbs and sprouts for DIY application.

YONGE & DUNDAS
The pho dac biet is the house specialty at Pho Orchid. The downtown eatery slings deep bowls of noodle soup loaded with thinly sliced beef, tendon, beef balls, tripe and brisket, then finished with fresh basil, bean sprouts, and lime.

YONGE & ST. CLAIR
Sprout is a solid spot to get your pho fix in Midtown. This is the place to get a restorative bowl of beef soup with rice noodles, bean sprouts, cilantro and scallions with optional rare beef, brisket, beef balls, chicken or tofu. Go traditional or spice up any soup with satay sauce for 75 cents.

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

Lead photo of Golden Turtle.

The Union Pearson Express (UPX) is shuffling 2,500 passengers per day between Union Station and Pearson Airport. That's only 10 per cent capacity on a railway line that came with a $456 million price tag as well as an additional $68 million annually in operating costs. Some say the $27.50 one-way fare is just too expensive.

According to the Toronto Star, however, a new draft city staff report addresses the fact that the UPX's business model may need to be altered.

"There may also be a future opportunity to address some of the objectives that a SmartTrack service between Union Station and Pearson airport might afford. City staff are monitoring this situation and are prepared to work closely with Metrolinx in the event that options arise to adjust the current UPX business model," reads the draft document, reports the Star.

The city isn't working with Metrolinx on this yet. But, the newspaper provides a compelling argument for how the UPX could be integrated into Mayor John Tory's SmartTrack plan.

By using the same rail corridor, the city would save tons of money while providing those in the west end with a rapid transit option. Yet, the existing stations (at Dundas West, Bloor West and Weston Road) aren't optimized for larger commuter trains.

Regardless of whether this moves forward or not, it provides food for thought when considering how to remedy the ailing UPX.

The best brewpubs in Toronto are where to enjoy ultra fresh beer, sessional releases, and rare and experimental concoctions. These brewpubs offer the ultimate beer-lovers experience, where tasting flights are encouraged and food and drink marry perfectly around the theme of ale.

Here are the best brewpubs in Toronto.

This new Bloordale hang hopes to be a community hub at night like its nearby espresso bar is during the day. Packing its calendar with DJ and live music nights along with other events, this craft beer-focused bar with its hodge-podge decor welcomes all types from all walks of life.

Read my profile of Orchard in the bars section.

If you've gone out to eat in Toronto, you've likely seen Ian Milne's work. From Sweet Jesus and La Carnita in King West to Buca Yorkville, Milne's custom restaurant signs beckon hungry diners into popular eateries across the city.

Milne, who's an industrial designer of sorts, makes outdoor signs, as well as other unique items including jewelry, lighting and clocks. Despite the ubiquity of his pieces, he says he fell into his current business almost by fluke.

"I had a friend who was opening a restaurant and he was looking for ideas for various things," he says. "I just sort of said, 'I can probably make you a really cool sign.' And the rest is history."

He created that first sign, for the St. Clair West bistro Rushton, back in 2007. Around the same time, he also made a sign for Rocco Agostino's Silver Spoon.

Now sign-making is Milne's full-time gig. Some restaurant owners come to Milne with ready-made logos; others give him free reign. While working with Poutini's House of Poutine, for instance, he came up with the poutine-emporium's slogan: om nom nom.

On average, each outdoor sign runs between $3,000-$6,000. Milne relies heavily on durable materials - such as steel and glass -- thanks to Toronto's erratic climate. "My biggest enemy is salt on streets like Queen Street," he says.

While signs might be Milne's bread-and-butter, he looks indoors for opportunities too. "Every restaurant wants a cool conversation piece, be it a light or a piece on the wall," he says, noting he can get more creative here because he's not limited by certain materials.

Lately, he's also been getting commissions from individuals who want pieces for their homes. And, he wants to leverage his word-of-mouth popularity in the food industry to continue selling products beyond his custom signs, including his lighting fixtures and clocks -- or as he refers to them, his time machines.

For now though, you can spot some of his most recent work at Bobbie Sue's on Ossignton and at the John Street La Carnita/Sweet Jesus complex.

Photos via Ian Milne's website and the blogTO archives.

The Blue Jays rallied to win the ALDS against the Texas Rangers tonight. With clutch plays, such as Kevin Pillar's Superman catch and a three-run homer by Jose Bautista, the Blue Jays defeated the Rangers 6-3. That was drama at its best.

Now, as Blue Jays fans take to the streets in celebration, it's time to gear up for the ALCS. As the bird/blue flu continues to sweep through our city, we rounded out some of the top reactions to today's nail-biter of a game. From beer-throwing fans to questionable calls behind home plate, here's how fans reacted during game five.

Photo by Henry Chan in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The Blue Jays nearly broke our hearts in the ALDS before storming back like clutch warriors, led by the most bad-ass bat-throwing Jose Bautista (please make a GIF so I can watch this all night). If you've yet to recover like me, the BizMedia will take you back to the turning point when the Jays wrested the series back from the Rangers, all in the span of 90 seconds.

Let's not over-celebrate, but wow did that feel good.

Photo by Greg's Southern Ontario

Today in Toronto it's time to embrace your inner warrior at TKTO, the city's new knife throwing range. If you've already tried axe throwing, table flipping, and bubble soccer, this may be your new favourite destination for unique sports. Rather steer clear of sharp objects? Understandable. There are a few perfectly safe events on tap for today, from the X Avant X music fest kick off to Toronto After Dark.

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

• X AVANT X: MG40 (The Music Gallery)
• Toronto Knife Throwing Open House (TKTO)
• Toronto After Dark (Scotiabank Theatre)
• Drake Biergarten: Bier Bash (The Drake Hotel)
• Indie Week (Silver Dollar)
• Love Food Fest (99 Sudbury)
• Pretty & Flawed (Analogue Gallery)
• ImagineNATIVE Festival (Various Locations)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.

Photo of David Bowie by Myriam Santos

Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

OPEN NOW

• PO Box 1192 is now serving up provolone smoked bacon burgers and chicken and shrimp club sandwiches at 1192 Queen St. East, taking over the address that was until very recently Rock Lobster.
• New dive bar, Wolf Like Me is now open and selling $6 GLB Beers and $7 cocktails at 834 Bloor St West.
• The Walton, a new source for coffee and pastries by day, and cocktails later on is now open at 607 College St.
• Siddhartha Indian Cuisine has opened a compact take-out spot at 734 Queen St. East and is serving up kebab wraps, samosa, and mango lassi to go.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

• North Haven
• Mi Taco
• Pizza Thick / Milky Way
• Mean Bao (Leslieville)

OPENING SOON

• The Saucy Pierogi, not to be confused with the Loaded Pierogi (also opening a new location), is opening at 1282 Dundas St. West, formerly Essen.
• Simit & Chai, a tea room and sandwich shop is in the works at 787 King Street West.
• Pizzeria Via Mercanti is aiming to open a fine food shop across the street from its Kensington location this December. The retail outlet at 209 Augusta Ave. is expected to carry pastas and pizza doughs, sauces, cured meats and more.

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

Photo from The Saucy Pierogi facebook page.

Very few publicly-funded Toronto mega projects get built without cash from the federal government, so that makes the outcome of next week's election especially important. The future of John Tory's SmartTrack, the relief subway line, and jet air travel out of the Island airport will all be affected by the outcome of Monday's vote in one way or tanother.

Here's a look at 5 Toronto mega projects that hinge on the 2015 election.

Island airport expansion
The current agreement between the City of Toronto, Ontario, and the federal government prohibits the use of commercial jet aircraft at the Island airport. That means if Porter Airlines is to be granted permission to extend the runway and offer longer-range flights, the next federal government will need to give its blessing.

Olivia Chow, Adam Vaughan and Sharon Danley, the NDP, Liberal, and Green candidates for the downtown riding that includes the airport, say they'll oppose expansion and jets. Conservative candidate Sabrina Zuniga has not committed either way.

Scarborough subway
Despite all the furor over Toronto city council's decision to reject a fully-funded LRT in favour of a costly subway in Scarborough, it looks like all of the major parties are willing to pony up some of the cost rather than scrap the current plan. The Conservatives say they will stick to their pre-election pledge to cover $660 million of the cost and the Liberals and NDP say they won't change that decision either, if elected.

SmartTrack
John Tory's election promise to build a surface rapid transit line mostly on existing track between the Airport Corporate Centre in the west and Markham in the east via Union Station more or less mirrors a longstanding plan by the province to electrify and increase service on parts of the GO network.

There are still questions about how SmartTrack would work with the Relief Line and Scarborough subway, but, nevertheless, Stephen Harper's Conservatives pledged $2.6 billion for the line in June and Justin Trudeau vowed to match that amount in October, along with additional funds for the wider GO rail network. Thomas Mulcair has pledged more money for public transit that could be used on SmartTrack.

Federal money will certainly make SmartTrack more likely to be built. During the election, Tory's pledge to fund the line without raising property taxes was called "vague" by the Toronto Star.

Relief Line
Without funds from the federal government, there's no way the desperately needed relief line is getting built. So far, all of the major parties have promised a substantial amount of money for Toronto transit projects, but few have mentioned the east-west subway specifically.

The NDP have pledged $1.6 billion a year for Toronto region transit in general, while the Liberals have promised a whopping $20 billion for public transit in Canada. The Conservatives are offering up to a billion a year for new transit by 2019.

Port Lands revitalization
Converting the Port Lands from a dusty industrial area into a lush residential neighbourhood will cost Waterfront Toronto, a partnership between the city, province, billions of dollars.

Apart from laying down streets and throwing up buildings, the current plan calls for the Don River mouth to be extensively remodelled and construction of critical new flood protection landforms. Now that WT has completed its first phase of construction, the new government will be expected to come back to the table to get the rest of the work done.

Follow Chris Bateman on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Loops666 (Scarborough RT,) tapesonthefloor (subway,) Frank Lemire (Island airport)/blogTO Flickr pool.

It looks like three more major Toronto cultural events will have to start searching for a new title sponsor because Scotiabank is pulling funding from BuskerFest, the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival and the Scotiabank CHIN International Picnic, reports the Globe and Mail.

Recently, the bank announced it would end its 10 year run with Nuit Blanche because the all-night art party no longer fits with Scotiabank's "sponsorship strategy."

According to the Globe, Scotiabank put more than $25 million towards community and cultural events in the GTA last year. That number includes the four it dropped. It remains to be seen what each of the events that have lost funding will do to make up for the gap in 2016.

Photo by Jen Tse

After John Tory became mayor of Toronto last year, Rob Ford-related drama largely retreated to the sidelines. Although, now that the two Ford brothers are publicly supporting Stephen Harper's election campaign, it seems they're stirring up controversy again.

It doesn't help that there are two new Rob Ford books set to be released soon. One of them is by Ford' former chief-of-staff Mark Towhey; Ward 23 councillor John Filion penned the other.

Yesterday, Maclean's magazine released an excerpt from Towhey's book on its website. In "Mayor Rob Ford: Uncontrollable: How I Tried to Help the World's Most Notorious Mayor," Towhey recounts his experience working for the youngest Ford brother before he was fired back in 2013, right after the crack scandal broke.

The exclusive excerpt details an explosive fight between an apparently intoxicated Ford and his wife Renata. Towhey is on the phone with Ford during it and contemplates calling 9-1-1 multiple times throughout the nearly two hour call.

John Filion's book "The Only Average Guy: Inside the Uncommon World of Rob Ford," gives readers yet another glimpse into the Ford family. But this time, it's from the perspective of a friend.

In a National Post piece (also published yesterday), Filion sets the tone for his book, exploring Ford's fraught relationship with his late father Doug Sr.

It seems like the Filion book is already available on Amazon. Towhey's, however, won't be out until next month. These are just two tomes in a growing cannon of Ford-related work. Of course there's Robyn Doolitte's "Crazy Town," as well as Edward Keenan's "Some Great Idea" and Ivor Tossell's ebook "The Gift of Ford."

Will you pick up both new Ford books? Let us know in the comments.

Aburi-style sushi by way of the west coast is now available in Toronto, and while I've had imitations before (I'm looking at you Ja Bistro), I've never been convinced that this stuff is all that special. Maybe it's the sake talking, but this newly opened restaurant has me changing my tune.

Read my profile of Miku in the restaurant section.

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon returns this weekend. After months of intensive training, some 26,000 runners from around the world are preparing to take part. The sheer scale of the event means much of the downtown core and parts of the waterfront from roughly High Park to Victoria Park Avenue will be affected by road closures or transit diversions.

Here's a guide to getting around during the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

HOW TO WATCH12 "cheer sites" will be set up at various points along the marathon course for friends, relatives, and supporters. Marked with stars on the map above (full size version,) each one will have unique features, such as live music, dancing, DJs, snacks, and coffee. They are as follows:

• The Annex, Bloor St. (after 2k)
• Alexandra Park, Bathurst St. & Dundas (at 5k)
• Liberty Village -- King West, Lakeshore & Princes' Gates (at 7.5k & 17k)
• High Park, Ellis Ave. & Lakeshore Blvd. (after 12k)
• Parkdale-Roncesvalles, Boulevard Club & Lakeshore (at 14k)
• Harbourfront, Queen's Quay & Sherbourne Common Pk (at 21k)
• Corktown, Corktown Common Park (at 23k)
• Cabbagetown, Bayview at River St. turnaround (between 24k and 25k)
• Greek Town, Broadview & Eastern (at 26.5k and 39k)
• Leslieville Farmers Market, Lakeshore at Coxwell (at 30k and 36k)
• The Beach, Kew Gardens Park (between 31 and 32k and between 33k and 34k)
• St. Lawrence Market, Front St. & Church St., in front of Berczy Park (before 41k)

Wheelchair users will be able to make use of an accessible seating platform at the finish line on the west side of Bay, north of Queen.

Download this PDF for the full Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon spectator's guide. The race will also be shown live on YouTube.

ROAD CLOSURES

As the name suggests, the route of the marathon generally stays close to the downtown waterfront. From noon on Saturday, October 17 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, Bay will be closed from Queen to Dundas to accommodate the start/finish line activities for the race.

The race itself will require a more complex series of road closures in the area bounded by Bloor, Victoria Park, Windermere, and the waterfront from 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. This interactive map has every road closure and diversion on the day of the event.

To access the downtown core before 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, organizers recommend using the Gardiner or east/west streets north of Queen and north/south streets west of University. After 8:00 until 11:00 a.m., east/west streets north of King St and north/south streets west of Bay St. should be serviceable.

TTC DIVERSIONS AND RESTRICTIONS

Due to the lengthy route of the marathon, TTC service on a total of 21 routes will be on diversion at various times on Sunday, October 18. Affected routes will include:

• 5 Avenue Rd
• 6 Bay
• 22A Coxwell
• 64 Main
• 65 Parliament
• 75 Sherbourne
• 83 Jones
• 92 Woodbine South
• 94 Wellesley
• 300 Bloor-Danforth
• 310 Bathurst
• 320 Yonge
• 501 Queen
• 504 King
• 505 Dundas
• 506 Carlton
• 509 Harbourfront
• 510 Spadina
• 511 Bathurst
• 512 St Clair
• 172 Cherry Street

In addition, the 501 Queen and 505 streetcars will be diverted on Saturday and Sunday due to scheduled track work. The 501 Queen will divert via Broadview Ave., Gerrard St. and Cowell Ave. and the 505 Dundas will divert via Broadview Ave, Gerrard St. E. and Parliament St.

On Sunday only from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., the 506 Carlton will be on diversion via McCaul St., Dundas St. and Parliament St.

Unrelated to the marathon, Line 1 will be closed between Bloor-Yonge and Lawrence stations on October 17 and 18 due to scheduled signal work. Replacement buses will stop at all stations. Wheel-Trans buses will operate between York Mills and Bloor-Yonge stations on request.

Follow Chris Bateman on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Photo by asianz in the blogTO Flickr pool.

This three bedroom penthouse at 47 Lower River Street is one of the latest condos to hit the West Don Lands. This suite, listed for $949,000, and featuring concrete ceilings and seven Juliette balconies is part of a massive three phase development transforming the former industrial wasteland into an upscale residential community.

River City Condos by developer Urban Capital is an architecturally bold design for a city inundated by uniform glass towers. With black panels and textured angular cubes, the development has already earned a few accolades including the Toronto Urban Design Award and each tower is more ambitious than the last.

This suite in Phase 1 was completed in 2013, in time for the Pan Am Games. The development is made up of two buildings connected by a three storey enclosed bridge. The 1,600 square foot space spread over two levels feels like a loft, designed to look like the interior of a chic industrial warehouse.

The monthly fees are lower for the large penthouse at $858.21, and condo amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, fitness studio and lounge area. If you desire a pet cleaning station or private butler service, Phase 3 or RC3 promises to have both and more, but you'll have to wait a couple years for construction to be completed.

SPECS

• Address: #Ph39 - 47 Lower River Street
• Price: $949,000
• Square feet: 1,600
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 3
• Parking: 2
• Taxes: $3,072
• Maintenance fee: $858.21/monthly
• Walk Score: 92

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Two-level penthouse
• Renovated kitchen with glass backsplash
• Concrete ceilings
• 7 Juliette balconies
• Two underground parking spots
• Outdoor swimming pool and fitness studio

GOOD FOR

A neighbourhood on the rise. The city has spent millions on developing this once desolate waterfront community in preparation for hosting the Pan Am Games. The revitalized area is like a residential rebirth with unused parcels of land transformed into new housing, retail and public green space.

MOVE ON IF

You don't want to see (or hear) the Don Valley Parkway. While it's convenient to live adjacent to the highway, no one really loves the constant hum of vehicles whizzing by 24/7. This penthouse overlooks the exit-ramp, not ideal for a picturesque view even from all the Juliette balconies.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Photos by Birdhousemedia.

The top weekend events in Toronto will get you in the Halloween spirit early. The After Dark Film Festival is underway and will be screening a ton of scary and sci-fi movies to get you in a festive mood. If that's not enough, HORROR-RAMA is also in town, showcasing ghoulish delights and bringing in a few celeb guests out for the convention.

For more events this weekend click on over to our Events section.

MUSIC

X Avant X (October 15-18)
While there are more than enough killer concerts happening this fall, X Avant X is where to go if you're looking for a music festival this October. Head to The Music Gallery this weekend to catch the MG Encore, Town Hall: The Music Gallery at 40, Tyondai Braxton, and Absolutely Free.

Dream Serenade (October 17)
Want to spend your Saturday listening to live music? There's no better place to be than Massey Hall. Bahamas, Joel Plaskett, Hayden, TUNS, Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle, The Weather Station and Choir! Choir! Choir! will all be performing as part of Dream Serenade. Proceeds benefit services for children with developmental disabilities and their families, so you'll also be doing some good.

Uma Nota Festval (October 17-18)
The Uma Nota Festival is back in Toronto for its fifth year and bringing its unique mix of music and arts with it. This weekend catch Brazilian, Latin, Caribbean, funk and soul musical performances on Geary Lane and at Lula Lounge.

MOVIES

Reel Indie Film Fest (October 13-17)
RiFF is wrapping up this Saturday, giving you just a few more days to catch a flick at the festival. What's on tap this weekend? The Seeds: Pushin' Too Hard, The Smalls - Forever is a long time, and more. If you can't make it out to a screening you can always hit up the RiFF Awards on Sunday or the after party to celebrate the best of the fest.

ImagineNATIVE Festival (October 14-18)
The 16th annual ImagineNATIVE Festival is in full swing and will be showing movies at the TIFF Bell Lightbox all weekend long. Expect see films like The Price of Peace, Historias De La Sierra Madre, and The Grandfather of All Treaties. There will also be an art crawl plus additional events going on throughout the weekend. Check the schedule for more info.

Brazilian Film & TV Fest (October 15-18)
Celebrate the best of Brazilian cinema without even leaving the city. Feature films, documentaries, shorts, and animated flicks will all be shown at Carlton Cinema.

Toronto After Dark (October 15-23)
The annual horror, sci-fi, and cult film fest, is rolling back into town for a 9-day stint (starting today). There won't be any star-studded galas a la TIFF accompanying the films, but if you're into all things petrifying and paranormal, this one's for you.

He Hated Pigeons (October 18)
Head to Bloor Hot Docs Cinema to catch a screening of the crowdfunded flick He Hated Pigeons. The show will feature a live score by Ohad Benchetrit and Justin Small.

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday Night Live (October 16)
Friday Night Live is back and bringing a slough of activities to the museum so that you can kick off your weekend right. You'll find a bevy of lounges all boasting a distinct musical vibe, so whatever your taste, they've got you covered. There will also be activities, like a dress-up photo booth, to keep you busy. Snackers can indulge in eats from ME.N.U Food Truck, Born2Eat, Moustache Burger, and more.

Big City Improv Festival (October 16-24)
Admittedly, JFL42 is a hard act to follow for any comedy festival. Big City Improv won't go unnoticed, as it's bringing many comedic greats to the city. Expect to see the likes of Scott Adist, John Lutz, and tons more funny men and women when the shows kick off this weekend.

HORROR-RAMA (October 17)
Get in the Halloween spirit early by hitting up Horror-rama on October 17th. The convention will boast all the creepy, weird wonders that fear fanatics can't get enough of. Expect to find the Hyatt Regency filled with vendors, convention-goers, and celebrity guests.

Canzine 2015 (October 17)
Canzine is returning to Toronto this Saturday for its giant fair at the AGO. Zine enthusiasts and creators will flock to the art gallery for a day filled with shopping, panels, seminars, DIY workshops and more.

RUNNING

Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon (October 18)
Don't miss out on this marathon, even just to avoid the FOMO that will infiltrate your Instagram feed. It's the second fastest (flattest) marathon in North America and a Boston qualifier. There's a half marathon and 5K option.

SHOPPING

National Women's Show (October 16-18)
This weekend, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will be taken over by runways, glam teams, and fashionistas. See the hottest styles of the season and watch as Toronto's firefighters strut their stuff in Banana Republic threads. Plus, if you're in the mood for some pampering, there will be free makeovers at the Glow Beauty Bar and Conair stylists there for all your haircare needs.

Trinity Bellwoods Flea October Edition (October 17)
Do a little shopping this Saturday at the Trinity Bellwoods Flea. If you have a couple extra bucks to spare, $5 champagne mimosas will be served - so you can get a bit boozy while you browse. The soundtrack will be 80s and 90s classics, so feel free to have a solo dance party in the middle of the market to TLC and Mariah Carey.

Miniature Enthusiasts of Toronto Annual Show (October 17)
If you're a fan of all things pint-sized, head to to The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre this Saturday. Miniature lovers of all ages will congregate to browse and buy small treasures from miniature dealers and artisans from across Canada.

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

With contributions by Libby Roach.

Photo of Tyondai Braxton

If you're itching to see pop-art, head to this new gallery at Adelaide and Parliament. There's plenty of Warhol currently on display, along with pieces by Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, Banksy and Shepard Fairey, as well as a few local artists and photographers.

Check out my profile on STRUCK Contemporary in the galleries section.

Halloween party options in Toronto for 2015 give you plenty of excuses to don your Walking Dead gear or other creative costume. With everything from a massive party at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to a Haunted Art House, you'll have every excuse to rock your favourite costume. Stick to the age old rule of not taking candy (or drinks) from strangers and you'll have a good time.

Here's our spooky guide to Halloween parties and events in Toronto for 2015.

See also:The best Halloween costume stores in Toronto

TOP PARTIES

Halloween Massacre | Metro Toronto Convention Centre | October 31 | 9 p.m. | $20
The Halloween Massacre has moved from last year's location (Roy Thompson Hall) to the much larger Metro Toronto Convention Centre, making room for thousands more party guests. DJs will be providing the soundtrack for the evening, playing mash ups, top 40, R&B and hip-hop.

Monster's Ball | Ontario Science Centre | October 31 | 9 p.m. | $60
Skip heading to a nightclub on Hallow's Eve and opt for something a little more interesting. One of the biggest parties in town this year is the Monster's Ball at the Ontario Science Centre. The event will boast three separate rooms, each with a distinct sound, from top 40 mash ups to latin pop.

Ghost Hole VII | The Jam Factory | October 31 | 8 p.m.
If you want to do more on Halloween than throw back shots and perfect your Thriller dance moves, The Jam Factory is where to be. The haunted art house will bring performers, installations and art works to the Riverside location for a night of paranormal entertainment.

6th Annual Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air 90's Halloween | 99 Sudbury | October 31 | 10 p.m. | $30
Suit up in your finest fluorescent track suit and get ready to party like the Fresh Prince himself. 99 Sudbury will be hosting the 6th instalment of the iconic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Halloween bash. Expect to find the masses perfecting the Carlton to old school '90s hits.

R.I.P. Roaring Halloween Craft Beer Kegger | Artscape Youngplace | October 31 | 8 p.m. | $50
Not a fan of mystery punch with faux eyeballs bobbing around in it? Craft beer junkies can spend the evening indulging in brews from Longslice Brewery, Kensington Brewing Company, Black Oak Brewery, and Woodhouse Brewing Co.

Hotnuts Halloqween with Poisonous Relationship | The Garrison | October 31 | 10:30 p.m. | $10
If you like to go all out with your Halloween costume, the Hotnuts party is your best bet. This event is all spectacle and is known for hosting the most outrageously outfitted partygoers in the city. This year's theme is Nightmare on Sesame Street, so expect to see your childhood terrors come to life.

Freakout! | The Phoenix | October 31 | 10 p.m. | $36.66
The Phoenix is the destination for music lovers this year. They will be hosting their annual Halloween rave, with Black Sun Empire, Ed Rush & Optical, FuntCase, Loadstar and more performing. At this kind of event you can throw on any old costume; the music will take centre stage no matter what you're wearing.

Church Street Halloween Party | Church Street | October 31 | 6:30 p.m. | Free
The city's biggest Halloween extravaganza is back for another year, taking over Church Street for a night of ghoulish festivities. With the street closed from Alexander to Gloucester, there's plenty of partying to be done. If you don't have the funds to dip into every bar on the block, the street is just as lively (if not more).

Night of Dread | Dufferin Grove Park | October 24 | 4 p.m. | $10
If you can't wait for Halloween night to indulge in some costume-clad fun, Clay & Paper Theatre is throwing its annual bash a week in advance. The dress code is simple: black, white and dreadful. After partygoers parade around the streets in costume, there will be a bonfire, food, and live music by The Shuffle Demons.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS & PARTIES

Wednesday, October 28th

• BreakfastClub 005 - Wake Up and BOO! | The Hoxton | 6:30 a.m. | $15
• Bordello of Blood | Brassaii | 10:30 p.m. | $20

Thursday, October 29th

• House of Omens | Brassaii | 10 p.m. | $20
• Best of Horror and Thriller Short Films | Carlton Cinemas | 7pm | Free
• Halloween Masquerade Paint Party | Paintlounge | 7:30 p.m. | $20

Friday, October 30th

• Celebrity Morgue Dance Party | Dovercourt House | 10 p.m. | $15
• Sinner's Circle | Brassaii | 10 p.m. | $20
• Devil's Night Warehouse Party | Geary Lane | 8:30 p.m. | $10
• Devils Night with Toddy Flores | The Everleigh | 10 p.m.
• Diablo Halloween Ball | Sound Academy | 10 p.m. | $35
• Frightfest 2015 | Fiction Nightclub | 9 p.m. | $30
• Got Brains? | BLND TIGER | 9pm | $10
• Halloween Masquerade Paint Party | Paintlounge | 7:30 p.m. | $20
• Halloween Thriller | May Cafe | 9 p.m. | $15
• Hallow'wine | iYellow Wine Cave | 8pm | $35
• Lovestruck! Halloween Party | The Steady | 9 p.m. | $10
• Monster Mash 2015 | Liberty Grand | 9 p.m. | $60
• Night of the Living Dead Screening | Rainbow Cinemas | 11:15 p.m. | Free
• ScreamWhistle Annual Halloween Bash | Steam Whistle Brewing | 9 p.m. | $35
• Suicide Squad Ball | Maison Mercer | 9:30 p.m. | $40
• Vixens & Demons Halloween Bash | Hardrock Cafe | 9 p.m. | $25
• Zombie Wrestling | Lithuanian House | 8pm | $20
• Halloween Haunt | Canada's Wonderland | 7 p.m. | $38.99
• Rocky Horror Picture Show | Bloor Hot Docs Cinema | 7 p.m. | $16
• Something Wicked This Way Comes | The Opera House | 9 p.m. | $30
• The Art of Darkness | Artscape Youngplace | 5 p.m. | $15
• Double Double Horror | Double Double Land | 10 p.m. | $10
• OldsGhoul Halloween | Stori Aperitivo | 10 p.m.
• The Thumpin' Pumpkin | ROUND Venue | 10 p.m. | $25
• Stay Alive Halloween | Cube Nightclub | 10 p.m. | $15
• Day of the Dead | Kingston Social | 7:30 | $35
• The GNTO Predrink Before Halloween, Charlie Brown | Comedy Bar | 8 p.m. | $5

Saturday, October 31st

• Rocky Horror Picture Show | Bloor Hot Docs Cinema | 7 p.m. | $16
• Monster Mash 2015 | Liberty Grand | 9 p.m. | $75
• ScreamWhistle Annual Halloween Bash | Steam Whistle Brewing | 9 p.m. | $35
• A Zombie Prom | Palais Royale | 9 p.m. | $40
• C'est L'Halloween | Owl's Legion Hall | 9pm | $10
• Halloween Party | Comedy Bar | 10 p.m. | Free
• Course of Time Halloween Edition | Studio Bar | 10 p.m. | $10
• Everleigh Horror Picture Show | The Everleigh | 10 p.m. | $30
• Dance Dance Party Party Halloween Edition | The Citadel | 3 p.m. | $8
• Get Your Freak On | Supermarket | 9 p.m. | $20
• Halloween 2015 | Fat City Blues | 9 p.m. | $7
• La Maison Gothique | Brassaii | 10 p.m. | $30
• Halloween at The Haunted Amsterdam BrewHouse | Amsterdam BrewHouse | 9 p.m. | $25
• Halloween House Party | The Pour House Pub & Kitchen | 9 p.m.
• Haunted Halloween Cruise | Mariposa Cruises | 6:30 p.m. | $48.95
• InkWell Workshops Halloween Fundraiser | The Steady | 7:30 p.m. | $10
• Quentin Tarantino Halloween Party | Handlebar | 9 p.m.
• Roxy Bar Halloween Party | Roxy Bar | 9p.m.
• Haunted School | School Restaurant | 7 p.m. | Free
• Spectrum Halloween | Luanda House | 10 p.m. | $25
• Star Trek Masquerade | The Social Capital Theatre | 8 p.m. | $10
• The Exorcist Screening | Rainbow Cinemas | 11:15 p.m.
• The Night Breed | The Spoke Club | 10 p.m. | $30
• Howloween Bash | Wolf Like Me | 7pm
• Halloween Haunt | Canada's Wonderland | 7 p.m. | $38.99
• Crime Scene Halloween Party | SIGNS Restaurant | 9 p.m. | $25
• Halloween at The Beer Hall | Mill St. Beer Hall | 8 p.m.
• Shriek A-Tail | Sneaky Dee's | 11 p.m. | $5
• Soybomb Costume Ball 2015 | Soybomb HQ | 8 p.m. | $10
• P&L Halloween: BOI-1DA | Parts & Labour | 10 p.m.
• Toronto Zombie Crawl 2015 | Multiple Venues | 8 p.m. | $30
• Dreadcade Halloween Party & Arcade | Bento Miso Collaborative Workspace | 7:30 p.m. | Free
• Hart House of Horrors | Hart House | 8:30 p.m. | $15
• The Sinai Soiree | Casa Loma | 8 p.m. | $150
• The Grandstone Budapest Hotel | The Gladstone | 9 p.m. | $35
• Bloodbucket Metalfest XII | Coalition: T.O. | Oct 31 | 8 p.m. | $10
• Psycho With Live Orchestra | Roy Thompson Hall | 7:30 p.m. | $46-$107
• FOOTPRINTS Funky HALLOWEEN Bash | The Rivoli | 10 p.m. | $10
• The Halloween Warehouse | District 28 | 10 p.m. | $35
• Seven Siblings Theatre's Halloween Bash | The Great Hall | 9 p.m. | $15
• HYBRID : HALLOWEEN | ROUND Venue | 10 p.m. | $10
• Barcode Saturdays Halloween 2015 Edition | La Vie Complex | 10 p.m. | $25
• Halloween Soiree | The Lodge on Queen | 8 p.m. | $65
• Fear The Dead | Uniun Nightclub | 10 p.m. | $20
• R&B Halloween Slime Party | QW | 10 p.m. | $20
• Where the Wild Things Are | Track & Field Bar | 5 p.m. | $15
• Promise Halloween | Warehouse location TBA | 10 p.m. | $30

Did we miss a noteworthy ghoulish throwdown? Let us know in the comments.

Photos by Alejandro Santiago