After 41 years in the wilderness, it seems that Bob Clark's seminal Toronto-shot horror film Black Christmas is finally getting the respect it's due.

Released with little fanfare into grindhouses and drive-ins back in 1974, Black Christmas arrives this week in a glorious 41st Anniversary "Season's Grievings" Bluray collector's edition, with a new sense of pride that its rightful place among titans of the horror genre has been certified.

John Carpenter's admittedly awesome Halloween (1978) usually gets all the props for being the brainy harbinger of the 1980s slasher craze (point-of-view killer, minimalist off-kilter soundtrack, an emphasis on tension over gore, etc.) but you will likely find all of that was done first in Black Christmas, four years earlier than Halloween (and here in Toronto!).

For anyone who has not already seen the film - be warned. Spoilers within!

Here are the 10 reasons why you need to (re)watch Toronto's ultimate horror movie.

FESTIVE FEAR
While many horror films have since been set during the Christmas season and made lazy use of its iconography, Black Christmas plays it intelligently. Anyone who's lived in residence at university knows that come the holidays, people begin to peel away quickly and quietly. It's just that kind of silent mass exodus that proves perfect cover for the nocturnal activities of a maniac killer.

LURID LOCALITY
Of course everyone in Toronto will immediately recognize the wintery University of Toronto scenery, but other locations are more subtle: the Police station (Main Street & Swanwick Avenue) also doubled as the Police station in Class of 1984, another under-appreciated cult Toronto film.

ORIGINAL URBAN LEGEND
The urban legend of a babysitter getting disturbing phone calls from inside the home she is occupying has terrified kids for decades, and appeared as a gimmick in many films (Scream, When A Stranger Calls, Urban Legend), but it was Black Christmas that used the trope first.

SPOOKY PHONE CALLS
The blood-curdling voice, cadence and language of the harassing calls made to the Sorority girls remains unmatched for terror in any horror film since. According to actor Nick Mancuso, he stood on his head while performing the dialogue to make it sound even more bizarre. Director Bob Clark (who also provided voices) egged him on to use the foulest of foul language.

CHILLING COLD
Like a few other Toronto-set horror films, specifically two from David Cronenberg - The Brood and Crash - Black Christmas manages to capture perfectly the ice cold ambience present in the city from November through March. The dead cold atmosphere only heightens a sense of impending doom.

DOUG MCGRATH
Playing a hapless desk cop, Doug McGrath manages to squeeze decent laughs and memorable personality out of a minor character. McGrath is a rare Cancon legends who appeared in countless films and TV shows - his vast filmography ranges from Goin' Down the Road to working with Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg, episodes of The Incredible Hulk, Sidestreet, Baretta and Dallas.

VARIED VULGARITY
Director Bob Clark had a legendary sense of humour, and a transgressive punk streak too. Black Christmas features many vulgar moments, from imagery on the girls bedroom walls to the shocking aural bombast of the C-word (still mostly forbidden in films circa 2015 - can you imagine hearing it in 1974?!), but it all helps nicely establish the very real life world being terrorized by the killer.

SINISTER SOUNDTRACK
Composer Carl Zittrer (who also scored Bob Clark's other famous Christmas movie, A Christmas Story) went minimal for maximum effect. His sonic assault contains more violence than you ever see on screen, and he manages to make a piano sound like a chainsaw -- no small feat.

MARGOT KIDDER
The whole cast of Black Christmas is uniformly excellent, but there's something about Kidder's 50 swilling, chain-smoking, foul-mouthed bully that leaves you shell-shocked. She's the ranting drunken aunt who doesn't know when it's time to zip it and leave the table, but played by future Lois Lane. It's a brilliant piece of casting.

THAT ENDING
The ending of Black Christmas remains the key to its sly genius. Perhaps we are so accustomed to movies over-explaining everything to the point of convolution that having everything left hanging and unexplained makes it extra unnerving. Also, the fact there was no sequel, or trashy direct-to-video franchise cranked out every year like its '80s offspring kept the story clean and unsullied

The 2006 remake, which was, of course, a burnt turkey, doesn't count.

In addition to the "Season's Grievings" Bluray collector's edition out now, Black Christmas is also screening Tuesday, December 15 at 9:00 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox‎ and Saturday, December 19 at 7:00 PM at the Royal Cinema.

Black Christmas: Seasons Grievings artwork by "Ghoulish" Gary Pullin

Ed Conroy's Retrontario plumbs the seedy depths of Toronto flea markets, flooded basements, thrift shops and garage sales, mining old VHS and Betamax tapes that less than often contain incredible moments of history that were accidentally recorded but somehow survived the ravages of time. You can find more amazing stories and discoveries at www.retrontario.com.

The Ye Olde Brunswick House's days are numbered. And, it looks like a Boston Pizza might replace this storied Annex-area watering hole.

According to the Harbord Village Residents' Association (HVRA) website, the landlords at 481 Bloor Street West have terminated The Brunny's lease. As of December 31, as the CBC notes, the bar will be running on a month-to-month basis.

The HRVA says that Canadian chain Boston Pizza is interested in the ground floor space. However, it would want a patio if it were to move in. While nothing is confirmed yet, neighbourhood residents are invited to a public meeting on Monday to discuss the changes that might be coming to the corner of Bloor and Brunswick.

Despite The Brunny's reputation as Toronto's grungiest student bar, many of us look back fondly on our nights there. Redditor dnhmltn posted a photo of the HRVA notice and has since generated a lively discussion. Many have also taken to Twitter to voice their concerns about The Brunny's impending demise.

Will you miss the Brunswick House? Let us know in the comments.

Located in family-friendly Leslieville, the former Hells Angels' clubhouse on Eastern Avenue will soon hit the market. And, according to the Toronto Star, a Toronto realtor estimates it'll go for somewhere around the $700,000 mark - not bad for a 2,500 square foot bunker.

As the Star reports, the federal government took ownership of the property in 2007. But, it has never been up for sale until now.

The old clubhouse features secure steel doors, two bedrooms, a bar and a big meeting room. While it looks a little austere now, it could be a great fixer-up for adventurous types.

Would you buy the clubhouse? Let us know in the comments.

If the dreary weather and the fact that Black Friday exists in Toronto (and Canada in general) is getting you down, here's a video that's guaranteed to brighten your mood.

The giant panda cubs are now six weeks old and the Toronto Zoo staff have moved them into a bigger incubator where you can watch them squirm around adorably.

While you can ogle at this video all you want, you won't be able to see the cubs in real life yet. That's because they're still in the maternity area with their mother, Er Shun, as it's still a critical time for these newborns.

More photos on the Toronto Zoo Facebook page.

The Bloor Viaduct is one of Toronto's most iconic structures. Built between 1914 and 1918, it was officially named the Prince Edward Viaduct after the Prince of Wales, a fact which Torontonians tend to gloss over by stubbornly referring to it by its street-related colloquial name.

Despite its significant status, there's plenty of mostly unknown information about the bridge, not the least of which is that it's actually not one bridge at all!

Here are 5 quirky facts you might not about the Bloor Prince Edward Viaduct.

The project actually consists of three parts
Most people think of the Bloor Viaduct as the bridge that spans the Don Valley, but the project took shape as three distinct parts: fill was used to build up the roadway between Sherbourne and Parliament, a first bridge spans Rosedale Valley, followed by the iconic section over the Don.

There's a somewhat secret fourth component to the complex
Although not technically part of the original design, the covered subway bridge built in 1966 between Castle Frank and Sherbourne stations is an honourary part of the structure as the curve between the subway platform underneath the Don section and the Rosedale section was deemed too much for TTC trains to handle. You can see this bridge when driving on Rosedale Valley Rd.

The bridge was originally set to look completely different
There were many designs for this bridge, most of which initially conceived of the route spanning directly from Bloor St. East to the Danforth. Ultimately, the three-part design was selected for its lessened impact on the Rosedale ravine, which the initial designs would have cut right through (now only one section does this).

It took three tries to get the bridge built
The bridge was initially quite controversial (as all major infrastructure projects seem to be in Toronto). There were four public referenda on the construction of the bridge, the last of which finally resulted in public approval once the current meandering route was adopted in 1913.

The bridge was once the most popular spot to commit suicide in Toronto
The Luminous Veil, the elaborate suicide-prevention collar that was installed back in 2003, might not have lived up to its name until last summer when the lights were installed, but it immediately stopped approximately 60 people a year from jumping off of the structure. That's a considerably higher number than the TTC deals with.

With contributions from Chris Bateman. Photos from the Toronto Archives, Derek Flack and Acid Punk in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Toronto beer lovers have already been gifted with a surge of craft breweries and bottle shops this year, so spoiling the beer enthusiasts in your life is as easy as filling up the fridge (or balcony) with cold ones. If you're looking for something to gift-wrap, you've got options too.

These are my top picks of beer themed gifts this holiday season in Toronto.

Upcycled Beer Bottle Tumblers
For the environmentally conscious beer lover on your list, these tumblers are just too cute! This four pack of brown tumblers made from recycled beer bottles by Artech Studios sells online for $65.

Beer-Spiked Cocktail Recipes
BYOB Cocktail Emporium carries Cocktails on Tap: The Art of Mixing Spirits and Beer ($27.95). The 2015 release features 50 recipes for mixed drinks with a hoppy twist including a Mai Ta-IPA.

Hopped Up Whisky
The holidays are all about getting loved ones together, which is exactly what happens with J.P Wiser's Hopped. The Canadian Whisky is steeped with hops in the same fashion as an India Pale Ale beer, imparting the juicy aromatics and a rich, dark ale finish. Available at the LCBO for $28.95.

Brewery Apparel
Zip up hoodies, t-shirts and all sorts of merch adorned with Doublenaut designed beer labels are in stock at the Bellwoods Brewery bottle shop this season.

Label Art
Commemorate a deep love of Beau's Original Gruit with a limited-edition silkscreen print signed by artist Eddy Earwigg. Frame not included for $25.

Homebrew Kit
The best part of gifting this Everyday IPA beer making kit from Brooklyn Brewshop is that the grateful party will surely reward you with the product of their newfound hobby. Available at Toronto Brewing for $55.

Pumpkin Ale Preserves
Buy the beer lovers on your list the Fall Sweater jam from the Preservation Society out of Montreal. The jam incorporates St-Ambroise Pumpkin Ale and is an ode to cooler weather and all the coziness and rich flavours that go with it. Available from FoodiePages for $10.

Beer Fest Tickets
Tickets for the Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Fest go on sale on Tuesday, December 1st. The frosty outdoor afternoon of beer drinking takes place on Saturday, January 30 and the first to arrive will receive a limited edition toque.

Protective Barware
Not just any glassware, the Toronto-designed Bru-V Glass is the type of gift meant to be tucked away for a sunny day. These pint glasses protect beers from UV sunlight that's notorious for giving beer a skunky flavour. For sale at The Drake General Store for $15 each.

Craft Brew Gift Packs
We all know that what every beer lover really wants is beer. And why not pick it up direct from the source? At Junction Craft Brewing, $100 buys six tall cans with a t-shirt, snapback, glassware and Beerology book all wrapped up in a tidy bundle.

Thanks to Stella Artois for sponsoring our 2015 gift guide. The Stella Artois Holiday 750 ml bottle is the perfect gift to celebrate the Holiday season.

What did I miss? Add more gift ideas to the comments.

After decades of negotiations and dead deals, the Guild Inn is finally set to be revitalized. While the site has dropped off many people's radar since the hotel closed back in 2001, like the now defunct Inn on the Park complex at Eglinton and Leslie, the Guild was once an immensely popular place.

The neighbouring park, filled with architectural monuments from Toronto's past, has been maintained since the hotel fell into disrepair, serving prominently in what has to be one of Drake's best videos of all time in the form of Headlines (now that is the Drake of four years ago).

Nevertheless, what was once the estate of Colonel Harold C. Bickford has seen much better days. The concrete hotel that joined the site in 1965 much to the distress of heritage enthusiasts was demolished in 2009, paving the way for redevelopment of the historic property, but it still took five more years for the city to settle on an appropriate suitor.

At one point both Artscape and Centennial College were interested in the site, but its new future will be as a special events venue operated by Dynamic Hospitality and Entertainment Group Inc., who now have a 40 year lease on the property. While previous proposals were intriguing, the best news is merely that the property will be restored and functional again.

If you haven't been, it's hard to describe just how beautiful the grounds are here. It's no wonder it served as an artists' colony back in the 1930s. The latest renderings are a bit rudimentary, but they do convey the overall strategy with the renovation -- namely, the idea is to restore the original property and add one low rise event space that fits the scale of the historical structures.

The opening date is ambitious with plans to be operational in 2016. Some demolition work will begin right away on damaged buildings while a team of architects with solid heritage credentials will lead a restoration process that will witness life breathed back into the Guild Inn. It's about time.

'Tis the season for ugly Christmas sweater parties in Toronto. If you aren't interested in rocking the 6God at your next gathering there are plenty of Toronto sports themed sweaters that would make good alternates. From ones with your favourites players to those paying homage to the teams we stick by season after season, ugly sweaters have your bases covered this holiday season.

Here's a round-up of Toronto sports themed ugly Christmas sweaters.

Josh Donaldson
After taking home the prize of American League MVP, Josh Donaldson has earned ugly Christmas status. This holiday season he is officially the bringer of the reindeer.

Toronto Raptors
Frequenting basketball games this season? Show off your holiday spirit and Raptors pride simultaneously with this red and black knit sweater.

Toronto Maple Leafs
If you're still sticking by the Leafs after they were ranked the worst franchise in North America (again) this sweater is for you. Don't worry, tears won't stain.

Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays had one heck of a season and any Toronto sports fan should be proud to boast this sweater all December long.

Jose Bautista
If the infamous bat flip isn't permanently etched into your memory you now have an ugly Christmas sweater to memorialize the event. Merry flippin' Christmas and Joey to the world.

What did I miss? Add more Toronto themed sports ugly sweaters to the comments.

Harry Rosen has generated some controversy around a Donald Trump-themed ad that gestures to the American politician/circus show's notorious idea of erecting a wall between the United States and Mexico.

That tag is simple: "If not for Harry's private sale, "I'd wall off Canada too." It's one in a series of ads of this type that feature politicians referencing the sale. But this one struck a chord with many customers who were mailed the card featuring Trump last week.

Whatever the intention -- and CEO Larry Rosen is adamant that it's Trump himself who's being made fun of -- the Syrian refugee crisis has made for a climate in which anti-immigration sentiment didn't seem so funny to some of the upscale menswear retailer's clients.

Rosen told CTV News that he expects to receive about 400 negative emails in response to this ad, which was created by Grip, a well-established agency based in Toronto. The CEO has been somewhat apologetic in response to the controversy, but has pleaded with customers and commenters to understand/acknowledge the context of the advertisement.

What do you think of the ad? Let us know in the comments.

Today we're opening up voting in our latest Best Of poll. Now you can have your say in 8 categories including cheap breakfast, bakery/cafes, shaskuka, streetwear stores, dog parks and more.

Take the best of poll here

Voting in the poll ends at 7 p.m. on Sunday November 29.

It won't be a merry Christmas for coffee pocket fans because Sam James Coffee Bar (SJCB) will be closing up its Ossington (OZ) location on December 24.

When new owners took over the building at the corner of Queen and Ossington, which is also home to Stussy, Sam James wasn't too worried.

In August, however, he got an eviction notice and thought a new condo was imminent. "I was kind of trying to rationalize it and just be like, this is just doing business in the city, this is what Queen Street is turning into anyways, so maybe it's for the best," he says.

James later learned that a large American brand was taking over the entire building, including the Stussy store. So, he began reaching out to the company in the hopes of remaining in what he describes as his favourite SJCB location.

"I've been communicating back-and-forth with them and trying to line something up where they could recognize the positives of potentially having us stay there instead of evicting a neighbourhood coffee shop," he says.

Despite his efforts, he won't be able to remain in his current OZ space. He announced his departure today on Instagram and via a not-so-pleased sign that now graces the front door to the ill-fated location.

Photo via @samjamescoffeebar.

The best Indian restaurants in Mississauga are a versatile representation of cuisines from across the subcontinent. You'll find everything from family run restaurants dishing out tandoori meats, curries, and breads to sprawling buffets, South Indian dosa specialists, and take-out sweet shops.

Here are the best Indian restaurants in Mississauga.

See also:The best Indian restaurants in Toronto

The annual One Of A Kind Show is on now in Toronto until December 6 at the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place. With over 400 artisans, makers, and craftspeople in attendance, navigating the aisles is a daunting feat. I sifted through this year's selection and whittled down my favourites to compile this holiday wish list.

Here are 30 holiday gift ideas from the One of a Kind Holiday Show.

The top salons for lash extensions in Toronto will amp up your look without even a coat of mascara. Eyelash extensions are a godsend for anyone that has sparse lashes or constantly battles with an eylash curler. Luckily, a few Toronto salons have turned eyelashes into an art form, crafting almost entirely new sets for their clients.

Here are my picks for the top salons for eyelash extensions in Toronto.

MYNC Lash Lounge and Brow Bar
MYNC is probably the most well known lash bar in the city, and for good reason. The salon offers four different lash extension styles, ranging from natural to not so natural. For those who were born with full sets of lashes, it also offers semi-permanent, smear-free mascara applications that'll last for two weeks without reapplication and lash tinting.

Lust for Lashes
This salon takes lashes seriously. Aside from the regular choice of natural and dramatic styles, you'll also get to pick what your eyelashes are made of. If you're willing to splurge, skip the synthetic set and go with silk (it's shinier and softer). Not prepared to blindly take on the world of false lashes? You can book a consultation before your appointment to make sure the job gets done right.

Sweetgrass Spa
Sweetgrass Spa offers a number of top of the line beauty and skincare treatments, with everything from massages to manicures on its service list. If you're in the market for a new set of falsies, the treatments here will not disappoint. You can get up to 100 lashes added to each eye, which will instantly amp up your look.

Winks Eyelash Boutique
Winks, as its name suggests, specializes in lashes. Before you slip into a chair, you'll have a consultation with your lash tech to discuss how dramatic you want your new set. Then he or she will get to work, masterfully placing tens of lashes onto your lids. If you want to go the extra mile, the shop also offers lash tinting and lash perms that'll help your lashes hold a curl.

Flirt Custom Lash Studio
Flirt does false lashes and false lashes only. The salon offers natural and dramatic silk lash makeovers as well as refills. If you find yourself outside of the downtown core, there are Flirt studios in Brampton and Burlington as well.

What did I miss? Add your salons for eyelash extensions to the comments.

Photo via Winks Eyelash Boutique.

Though many farmers' markets close up shop when the temperature begins to plummet, some stay open through the city's coldest season. Most of these are indoors so no need to worry if there's a snowfall.

Here's a round-up of farmers' markets open this winter in Toronto.

SATURDAY

St. Lawrence Market (Saturdays 5 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
The St. Lawrence Market is revered for its selection cheese, meat, fish and poultry. If you want to exit your comfort zone, leave the the main building and head to the farmers' market, currently located just south of the main market while the north building (its previous home) undergoes renovations. You'll find lots to choose from, including heaps of fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and cheese from Monforte Dairy.

The Stop's Farmers' Market at Wychwood Barns (Saturdays 8 a.m. - 12 :30 p.m.)
Open every Saturday of the year, The Stop's Farmers' Market at Wychwood Barns has become a fixture in the lives of west side market enthusiasts. You'll find it filled with sustainable seasonal fare from local farmers and chefs creating dishes on the scene. The Stop's Market Cafe is also open every Saturday, serving up healthy soups, sandwiches and desserts.

Evergreen Brick Works Farmers' Market (Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
At the Evergreen Brick Works you'll find a wide variety of farm fresh produce, bakery goods, dairy, meats, and craft items made by local artisans. Vendors include St. John's Bakery, Reimer Vineyards, and Secret Land Farm. There's also the local food court, where you can purchase freshly made eats by Clément's Crêpes, My Little Dumplings and Jamie Kennedy Kitchens, among others.

MONDAY

Sorauren Farmers' Market (Mondays 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. year round)
In the summer you'll find the Sorauren Farmers' Market outdoors but, unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and that includes 30-degree weather and sunshine. When the weather takes a dive, the market moves inside the Fieldhouse. Luckily, it still stocks all the vegetables, meat and dairy you'll need to make dinner without stopping at No Frills.

WEDNESDAY

UTSC Farmers' Market (select Wednesdays)
The University of Toronto Scarborough hosts an indoor farmers' market. It's open select Wednesdays every winter month but December. Run by UTSC students and faculty members, the market offers everything from fresh vegetables to seasonal decor. If you're a student living on a diet of KD and pizza pops, a stop here could vastly improve your diet.

Montgomery's Inn Farmers Market (Wednesdays from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m)
If you're in the Etobicoke area, the Montgomery's Inn Farmers' Market is where to go for fresh food in the winter. Every Wednesday you'll find fresh-baked bread from the Inn's wood-fired oven, local organic produce, meat, cheese and grab-and-go meals.

THURSDAY

Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market (Thursdays 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
The Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market pops up across the street from Dufferin Mall every Thursday, regardless of how nasty the weather gets. You'll find vendors like ChocoSol, Beretta's Meats, Earth & City and many more. With around 30 vendors to buy from, you'll have no problem stocking up on necessities.

Toronto Botanical Gardens Farmers' Market (Thursdays 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
During the winter, the farmers' market relocates from the TBG courtyard to the main entry hall. You'll find the space filled with seasonal fruits and vegetables, ready-to-eat items, free-range eggs, preserves and a bevy of other sweet and savoury eats.There are also a few skincare items, candles, and oils available for purchase.

What did I miss? Add more winter farmers' markets to the comments.

Photo of the Stop Market at Wychwood Barns via Instagram.

The top winter running events in and around Toronto may seem downright torturous to some, but real runners know how to gear up and brave the cold, no matter what. Training through the winter makes for personal bests come spring, so pack a snot rag and shake a leg.

Here are my picks for winter running events in and around Toronto this year.

Santa Shuffle 5K fun run/1K walk - Saturday, December 5th
Sunnybrook Park will host festive do-gooders for the Salvation Army's important Gateway Drop-In program, which provides shelter and meals for those in need.

Tannenbaum 10K - Sunday, December 6th
Leave your earbuds at home and instead revel in rocking carols for the annual Tannenbaum 10K run in support of Centre 55's Share a Christmas Program.

Toronto Santa Speedo Run - Saturday, December 12th
Svelteness is not a requirement (but surely a bonus) for the Yorkville-based Santa Speedo Run. Participants strip down to their skivvies and run 3K in support of Sick Kids Hospital.

Boxing Day 10 (or 4) Miler - Saturday, December 26th
Just to the southwest of Toronto lies Hammertown, home of the Hamilton Harriers and their 95 year old race. Burn off all the egg nog with a race born before Canada went metric.

Toronto Midnite New Year's Eve Run - Thursday, December 31st
This party-like run starts at midnight in Liberty Village and continues at Bar Vespa after a 5K run. Free champagne at the finish line, so maybe this'll be your fastest run of '15.

Hair of the Dog - Friday, January 1st
There's no better cure for what ails you then a 9K (or 3K) run through the cold. Join Beach-based runners for the race, and a post-run polar bear dip in the lake. Brrrrr.

MEC Race 1 - Sunday, January 24th
A cheapie race coming in at only $15 entry, this 5 or 8K run is part of a series that MEC hosts every year that brings out seasoned runners all competing for PBs along the Martin Goodman Trail.

Robbie Burns 8K Road Race - Sunday, January 24th
While there won't be any Scotch at the finish line, there will be plenty of kilts (and likely chafing). Choose between 5K or 8K routes with all funds raised going to JumpStart.

Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause - Saturday, February 27th
Move over pandas, Polar Bears are taking the spotlight for this zoo-based run, with runners scoring free admission and offering their help to save the bears with a 1K or 5K fun run.

Chilly Half Marathon - Sunday, March 6th
The 20th anniversary of this half marathon (or frosty 5K) will bring runners west to tackle the rolling hills of Burlington, which officially kicks off the beginning of spring training.

Writing by Libby Roach. Photo of the Santa Speedo Run by Jesse Milns.

Toronto's restaurant scene is an impressive one thanks to the various chefs and restauranteurs who constantly bring us new places to try. But, what does it take to open up an eatery in Toronto? I spoke to three restaurant owners, each with unique challenges, to find out.

Chef Dave Mottershall made headlines earlier this year after he and Ayngelina Brogan started a Kickstarter campaign to turn Loka Snack into a full-scale restaurant. After securing Paul Campbell (of Aft Kitchen and Bar) as an investor, he used the crowd funding platform to raise $45,000. However, many derided him for not turning to a bank first.

"People were like, 'Fuck this guy, get a job. Why don't you go to the bank?' I'll tell you what the bank tells you: to get out. That's not even an option for sure." Mottershall says that a space alone will you back around $100,000. And, most of the places he looked at were in pretty bad shape.

"I probably looked at 20 restaurants and I would say six of them were labeled turnkey," he says. "And I don't know what key they were turning or what they were hoping to open, but these restaurants were in dire straights."

Eventually, he locked up a lease at 620 Queen St. W., and now, he's finally open for business. Though, the process was fraught with unexpected costs (like broken windows and a leaky roof) and bureaucratic procedures when dealing with the Province and the City of Toronto. "It would be a lot easier if there was a user guide," he says.

Mark Kupfert, the Kupfert in Kupfert & Kim, knows all about these types of surprises. He and his business partner Daniel Suss snagged the old Quiznos space at Richmond and Spadina in January. They expected it to be a relatively simple process considering their location was previously a fast-food joint. Their project, however, dragged on much longer than expected.

"In the end, what happened was the building itself, or the location itself, wasn't fire rated, wasn't to code," says Kupfert. "And we only found this out when we started construction."

They estimated a three month build. However, once they found out about the problems, they had to change their building plans.

"We've been in a situation where we've been paying rent for a long time and it's stressful and it has to open" says Kupfert in mid-November. "We're at that point where it's obviously over budget, all restaurants really are."

Finally, after months of having paper-covered window, Kupfert & Kim opened its first street facing restaurant on November 27. Unlike its PATH locations, this one features some table service instead of just takeout.

Matt Park and his business partner opened Burdock, a restaurant, music venue and brewery, this past spring. Their project also took more time than they first anticipated. "You kind of have to have an adapting timeline," says Park.

Like Kupfert, Park says the restaurant they moved into wasn't to code. They also had to build three separate components into the existing space, along with securing the necessary requirement to open both an eatery and a brewery. Dealing with the city, he says, wasn't always easy.

"There's no department of restaurant opening in city hall, you kind of have to figure it out for yourself or you ask other restaurateurs who have done it before," he says.

And these other restauranteurs were generous, in terms of sharing both information and support. That's something Mottershall iterated as well.

And despite the inherent struggle in getting a restaurant off the ground, Mottershall thinks it's worth it. "If anyone wants to open a restaurant, it's definitely a pile of work for sure," he says. "And as long as they're willing to invest a lot of time and have a pretty solid support team around them to help them out, then go for it and follow your dreams."

Photo of Burdoch by Jesse Milns.

The top concerts in Toronto this December feature several reasons to get out of your PJs and venture out for winter's birth. Offbeat artists and crowd-pleasing regulars alike will help us music lovers forget the stress of the holidays and the impending doom of multiple relatives attempting the "Hotline Bling" dance after two rum eggnogs.

Our concert calendar provides a smidge more controversy than usual, led by several really unfortunately named bands. There's Viet Cong - oh, sorry, "The band soon to be formerly known as Viet Cong," now that the promoter has graciously changed the FB event title and meticulously scrubbed all negative comments - plus Girl Band and Slaves. Yikes all around.

If the list below isn't doing it for you, plenty of honourables are worth a look. Can-con of yesteryear gets its due thanks to Matt Good and Headstones visits, The Get Up Kids and Stars celebrate anniversaries and JoJo - remember JoJo?! - is old enough to perform in nightclubs now.

Here are my top picks for concerts this December.

Tanya Tagaq and Owen Pallett (December 1, Massey Hall)
The Live at Massey Hall series is in its third season of Canadian music documentation (side note: have you watched any of them yet? Concert filmmaking at its finest, and it's free!). The last one of the year brings together two scarily talented Polaris Prize winners, Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq and violin maestro Owen Pallett.

Doomtree (December 2, Tattoo)
The uncompromising genre-mashups of Minneapolis hip-hop collective Doomtree continue to go mostly unnoticed by the mainstream, which is unfortunate, but probably to their benefit. The small but rabid fanbase should give the niche alterna-rap crew ample life during their show at Tattoo.

Modern Baseball and PUP (December 3, Opera House)
I recently attended an emo show where I made the startling realization for the first time that I was possibly the oldest person in the room. I imagine this Modern Baseball/PUP co-bill will be a similar experience: me nodding along to punk songs of unrequited love, staring curiously at teens screaming every heartfelt lyric back to the band, desperately trying to remember my own prom night.

Wolf Alice (December 4, Phoenix)
The grunge-pop foursome was just here like a second ago, but the life of a Mercury Prize nominee demands relentless, hype-assisted world touring that'll bring them back in record time. This time, instead of teeny Adelaide Hall, they'll set up at the much more spacious Phoenix with Brave Shores for The Edge's Jingle Bell Series.

Perfect Pussy (December 8, Smiling Buddha)
As cool as Meredith Graves' side endeavors have been this year - namely founding a new record label and recording solo tracks - it's welcome news that she'll rejoin her noisy main gig for a winter tour, complete with coy whispers of new song previews.

Born Ruffians (December 10-12, various venues)
The masses sure do love the good ol' boy indie rock vibes of Born Ruffians, especially in this city. So much so that the band is offering up a triple play here at the end of their current tour for fifth LP RUFF; a night at the Silver Dollar, then Lee's Palace, then the Opera House.

Alvvays (December 11-12, Danforth Music Hall)
We crowned Alvvays' jangle-pop debut as one of the best of 2014, which seems like a smart call; it's a full year later, and they're still getting massive traction out of it. They'll cap off the latest tour with a pair of homecoming shows at DMH.

Joanna Newsom (December 14, Phoenix)
The high priestess of freak folk (do we still call it that?) released long-awaited fourth album Divers earlier in the year. Her live return to T.O. happens to be the same day she'll be teaching Larry King to play harp on TV, which is a delightful bit of quirky kismet I wouldn't want of anyone but her.

Nightmare Before Christmas II (December 19, Geary Lane)
Last year, InvocationTO's holiday feast for music weirdos was a big hit, so it's good news to see it back for a second year. This time, catch doomy Southern Lord signees BIG|BRAVE, Jessica Moss of Thee Silver Mt. Zion, Gates and Northumbria.

Mac Miller (December 20, Sound Academy)
It looks like Mac Miller's billionaire foe (who's come at him for some dubious song royalties) is currently preoccupied with making a mess of American politics, so that gives the Pittsburgh MC a good window for his first major-label tour.

The Sadies (December 31, Horseshoe Tavern)
We'll likely do a proper roundup of NYE concerts soon, but The Sadies' annual bash at the 'Shoe has been a regular highlight since back in the days when Eye Weekly existed to tell you about it and wide-scale power outages still seemed new and shocking to us. Robyn Hitchcock and Emma Swift join.

What did I miss? Leave your concert picks in the comments.

Photo of Alvvays by Matt Forsythe

You'd expect a restaurant with ties to Toronto's top chef and the man behind Hotline Bling to be one of the most sought after tables in town. But with early internet gossip suggesting uneven service and a menu with room for improvement it remains to be seen if King West's destination du jour has staying power.

Read my profile of Fring's in the restaurants section.

Toronto has been inundated with Christmas decorations and carols since before Halloween, but today, one of the best parts of the winter season has finally arrived: outdoor skating rinks.

Thanks to temperatures hovering below zero, the City of Toronto has opened 35 of its outdoor rinks today. An additional 15 will be toe pick-ready on December 5.

If you're eager to hit the ice, the Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square will open with a dance party set to the Frozen soundtrack tonight.

So if the cold doesn't bother you, glide into your weekend at Toronto's biggest Christmas celebration or head to one of the many rinks and trails located throughout the city.

For more information about which outdoor rinks are open, check out the city's website.

Photo by Jason Cook in the blogTO Flickr pool.