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Feast is Toronto's new meal delivery service with a twist

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feast torontoThere's another new meal delivery service launching in Toronto, but this one differs from the pack. Instead of offering up food from an array of local restaurants, Feast serves proprietary meals cooked fresh in its Corktown-area kitchen.

"What we're trying to do is provide a premium, healthy, clean food experience but at a price point that offers a lot of value," says CEO Steve Harmer.

Harmer and the Feast team took over the space formerly occupied by Jamie Kennedy's Gilead Cafe. That's where they prepare their menu. Delivery people, on branded bicycles, pick up the meals and ride around downtown Toronto during the lunch rush.

"When an order comes in, our technology is looking for the nearest bike that has that inventory," says Harmer.

This ensures speedy deliveries - Harmer estimates customers can get their orders within 10 minutes. And, when bikes need their stock replenished, electric cars drop off more food.

After a few months in beta testing, Feast launched its app on December 7. Right now, however, the service is limited to the downtown core from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. But in the new year, it'll be adding dinner to its roster.

Feast's menu changes daily, but there's always vegetarian-friendly options, like today's Ontario heirloom carrot and quinoa salad. And, the company sources all its meat from local farmers.

For Harmer, the focus on locally grown, healthy food is important. He grew up on a farm in Southern Ontario and spent a chunk of his professional career working in digital marketing at Blast Radius. Now, he's combining his passions with Feast.

Photo via Feast on Facebook.


Inside Toronto's first NYX location on Queen West

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NYX Cosmetics TorontoThis popular American cosmetics chain has finally landed in Toronto (there's also a store at Square One in Mississauga), and it's already a popular destination for those seeking stylish beauty products on the cheap. More than just a store, however, this flagship Canadian location touts itself as a shopping experience.

Read my review of NYX Cosmetics in the fashion section.

The top 10 free things to do in Toronto this winter

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free events toronto winterThe top free things to do in Toronto this winter will keep your schedule packed but leave your bank account undamaged. While there may not be tons of street fests during the colder months, there's plenty to keep you busy until spring. This season features everything from fiscally-responsible NYE bashes to lectures that won't cost you thousands in tuition.

Here are my picks for the top free things to do in Toronto this winter.

COC Free Concert Series (Sept. 2015-May 2016)
If you want to do something a little more highbrow than watching Netflix in sweats, the Canadian Opera Company hosts a free concert series that runs from September to May (mostly on Tuesdays and Thursdays). There are vocal, piano, jazz, dance, chamber and world music shows. Check the schedule here.

New Year's Eve Skating Party (Dec. 31)
Toronto is filled with NYE parties, but if you want to save your pennies, this Harbourfront bash is a tried and true option. You'll get to brush up on your skating skills while a DJ plays 2015's greatest hits - remember not to pre-game too hard or you'll be falling more than usual. If you can't make it down to the water, a similar situation is happening at Nathan Phillips Square.

Festival of New Formats at Comedy Bar (Jan. 2-6)
Comedy Bar's Festival of New Formats brings Toronto's funny men and women to the stage for five nights of performances at the beginning of January. You'll get to catch experimental sketch, improv and stand-up shows without dropping a dime. It may not have the star power of JFL42, but you'll probably get in a few laughs.

Japanese Movies at the Bloor Cinema (Jan. 10-24)
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema is hosting free screenings of Japanese films throughout January. If you're not fluent in Japanese, no worries, all flicks will feature English subtitles. This year's lineup includes The Floating Castle, Leaving on the 15th Spring, A Story of Yonosuke, and more.

Chantal Pointbrand at the AGO (Jan. 13)
MOCCA's just appointed CEO will be appearing at the AGO mid-January to discuss the future of Toronto's favourite contemporary art gallery. Tickets have been in such demand for this one it's already moved to a larger location.

Toronto Design Offsite Festival (Jan. 18-24)
If you're counting down the days until Nuit Blanche returns, the Toronto Design Offsite Festival will be right up your alley. Public spaces will be turned into exhibition sites for one week, flaunting everything from window installations to blindfolded walking tours. See the 2016 schedule here.

Ryerson Winter Exhibitions opening party (Jan. 20)
Head to the Ryerson Image Centre on January 20th the celebrate this season's exhibition. You'll get the first glance at The Light Inside: Wendy Snyder MacNeil Photographs and Films; , Spring Hurlbut: Airborne; Izabella Pruska-Oldenhof: The Relics of Lumen; and Ways of Seeing: Building the RIC Collection.

Atom Egoyan Lecture (Jan. 27)
While many university students shudder at the term lecture, some can be more interesting than Stats101. This one lands in the more interesting camp, for sure. Director Atom Egoyan will be taking the stage at Walter Hall to discuss his interpretation of a few select opera productions on January 27th.

NBA All Star Weekend (Feb. 12-14)
Sports fans know that the NBA All Star Weekend features some of the best parties and events of the year. Though there isn't a ton of info on what will be free of charge this February, you can expect a number of events to pop up in the weeks leading up to it. If you like to plan early, get free tickets to the NBA All Star Weekend Toronto 2016 Party now.

Winterfolk Festival Free Shows (Feb. 12-14)
The Blues and Roots festival returns to Toronto in mid-February, bringing with it a handful of free shows worth checking out. Though the schedule and performance list is still TBA, expect to see urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots bands in the line-up.

cravetvThanks to Cravetv for sponsoring this post.

What did I miss? Add more free winter events to the comments.

Photo via Harbourfront Centre

This is what Toronto would look like in a Star Wars film

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star wars torontoThe Force Awakened in Toronto last night as the latest instalment in the Star Wars franchise finally hit theatres.

Thanks to the hype surrounding the movie, it might already feel like we're in a galaxy far, far, away. And, one Instagrammer has upped the ante by dropping Toronto right into the Star Wars universe in a stunning set of photos.

star wars torontoJoel Gale (@eyeshootimages), created a series of pictures that bring iconic Star Wars characters and vehicles into Toronto's distinct landscape. And yes, he did caption one, "Droids in the 6."

star wars torontoToronto Instagrammer @bora.vs.bora also got into the Star Wars game by placing a TIE Fighter on Bay St. in front of Old City Hall.
star wars torontostar wars torontostar wars torontostar wars torontoPhotos via @eyeshootimages and @bora.vs.bora.

Toronto's first eclair-only patisserie is now open

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nugateau torontoToronto now has its first eclair-only patisserie. With an original rotation of one-of-a-kind flavours like Eggnog Santa, Manjari Chocolate and Persian Pistachio, it's easy to get carried away if you're feeling unforgivingly indulgent.

Read my profile of Nugateau in the bakery section.

5 clothing stores coming to Toronto in 2016

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uniqlo torontoA number of popular clothing stores will be opening in Toronto next year, giving a considerable boost to the city's fashion sense. From a Japanese with a cult-like following to a major US department store chain there's lots to look forward to. Better start saving now.

Here's a round-up of clothing stores coming to Toronto in 2016.

Uniqlo
Japanese clothing giant Uniqlo is slated to open boutiques in the Eaton Centre and Yorkdale Mall next fall. The retailer already has around 1,500 stores worldwide, so its arrival is highly anticipated. Expect to be met with H&M x Balmain-worthy lines when it touches down.

Nordstrom
Nordstrom will take over Sears' old home in the Eaton Centre in 2016, as there have been signs proclaiming its impending entry for around a year now. When it finally sets up shop, expect to find everything but the boring old goods that dominated the space in years prior.

Saks
Holt Renfrew is finally getting some big time competition next year. Saks will take over Hudsons Bay's spot on the corner of Yonge and Queen, offering a new place to shop for luxury designer goods. There will also be a 21,000 square foot food hall run by Pusateri's, giving Financial District folk more dining options.

The Kooples
French designer The Kooples is set to open Toronto stores in the coming year. Though locations and details are still TBA, you can look forward to stacking your wardrobe with some stylish new streetwear pieces very soon.

Michael Jordan brand store
Sneaker fans will get a new mecca next year when the Jordan store sets up shop at Yonge and Dundas. Carrying exclusively Jordan-branded merch, you'll find a healthy selection of streetwear and kicks. If you want a sneak peak of what's to come, check out this video tour of the Chicago location.

What did I miss? Add more stores coming soon to the comments.

The top 10 new sushi restaurants in Toronto for 2015

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sushi restaurant torontoThe top new sushi restaurants in Toronto this year embraced aburi and oshizushi styles with gusto. With few exceptions, these establishments also distanced themselves from AYCE dining styles - it's a welcome and refreshing change that values quality and craftsmanship over quantity.

Here are my picks for the top sushi restaurants to open in Toronto during 2015.

Miku
This upscale Japanese restaurant from Vancouver set up shop on Toronto's waterfront this year introducing a menu of binchotan-torched aburi sushi and pressed oshizushi selections. Order a la carte, or opt for kaiseki menus featuring a progression of courses.

KaKa
This all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant in Markham sets itself apart with its selection of aburi-style sushi including gems like the beef tataki garnished with black truffle and torched salmon painted with sweet tangy sauce.

Shoushin
This midtown Japanese restaurant boasts a sushi bar constructed from highly prized hinoki wood that's usually reserved for temples and shrines. Omakase menus here are offered at various price points.

sushi restaurant torontoKasa Moto
The sushi bar at this Yorkville restaurant deals in premium sashimi like fatty tuna, uni, and lobster. The maki gets creative with offerings like the crab and proscuitto roll paired with monkfish, liver, nori sauce and green onions.

Boku
This sushi restaurant in the Distillery District offers both omakase and a la carte menus. Highlights include hand torched nigiri available two pieces at a time or in flights, as well as signature rolls like the Boku Maki featuring scallops, avocado and ume wrapped with albacore tuna that's finished with torch and glazed in unagi sauce.

Le Modern Japanese
This Markham restaurant prides itself on serving a unique collection of sushi. Original creations include the Pirate Roll that pairs uni, snow crab and salmon with cucumber and tobiko, plus oshizushi style featuring pressed salmon, cured saba, avocado and prawns.

sushi restaurant torontoYutaka
This Japanese restaurant near University and Dundas presents beautifully prepared sushi sets along with other highlights like oyster shooters and maki-mono featuring fatty tuna and scallions.

Saku Sushi
This new sushi restaurant on Queen West offers an array of reasonably priced sushi sets and rolls like the namesake Saku maki - a roll made of tuna, scallop, coriander, cucumber and jalapeno.

Kabuki Sushi Lounge
The sushi lounge offers modern maki-mono like Chipotle Lobster Rolls and a Honey Katsu Crunch Roll featuring fried chicken rolled with cucumber, avocado, honey mustard aioli, bacon bits and torched cheese.

Shio
The menu at this sashimi and izakaya-style spot in Little Italy features sets of blowtorched sushi and an array of hot and cold small plates. Order a chef's selection of raw seafood and dishes like tuna tartare salad, tempura popcorn and grilled meat skewers.

Photo of Miku.

The top 5 new comic shops and bookstores in Toronto

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page and panelNew bookstores and comic shops continue to open in Toronto, if not at the pace that the city once witnessed. These days it takes gusto to open a new store dedicated to the printed word given the disparaging fate of city landmarks like the World's Biggest Bookstore and the ubiquitous presence of e-readers and online shopping.

Here are five bookstores and comic shops that opened in Toronto this year.

TCAF Shop (Page & Panel)
The Toronto Comic Arts festival opened a permanent outpost for comic enthusiasts near Yonge and Bloor. This sprawling store has an extensive selection of indie comics, graphic novels, action figures, t-shirts and various swag, all on offer from inside the Reference Library.

Flying Books
This is a store within a store. Found Inside the Weekend Variety near the Drake Hotel on West Queen West, Flying Books offers a small, contemporary selection of fiction. Owner Martha Sharp rotates memoirs, graphic novels, science and award-winning Canadian authors.

The Sidekick
The Sidekick in Leslieville transformed an old antique store into a spacious hub for comics and caffeine. This energetic store offers everything you need to unwind, escape and get lost in the world of superheroes and/or idiosyncratic routines.

PRESS Books
A vibrant cluster of old and new, PRESS is a library of classic literature alongside contemporary fiction and old-world titles. Stay for the Reunion Island Coffee and browse through novels and old-school rock records in this East Danforth dwelling.

Ella Minnow Children's Bookstore
The beloved children's bookstore in the Beaches packed up shop this summer and moved to new digs on Kingston Road in the Upper Beaches. With a fond collection of books from children to teen, Ella has a trusted selection of fiction to choose from.

Photo of PRESS Books.


12 unusual indoor activities in Toronto

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unusual indoor activities torontoUnusual indoor activities in Toronto will take you out of your comfort zone. Instead of spending your day scrolling through the 'New Arrivals' section on Netflix, head to one of these facilities to try something a little more engaging than a 10-hour Scandal marathon.

Here's a round-up of unusual indoor activities you can do in Toronto.

Knife Throwing
If you're preparing for a zombie apocalypse, knife throwing is a skill you'll want to hone. The TKTO facility will test your precision skills, as the goal is to have your dagger hit a tiny target. You can also BYOB.

Indoor Skydiving
So you don't have the guts to free-fall from an actual airplane? Completely understandable - me neither. But if you want to try the sport in a more low-risk environment, iFLY Toronto has got you covered. The facility has a 45-foot tall tube where you can experience the thrills of plummeting from the sky, minus all the potential hazards.

flight simulator torontoFly a Jumbo Jet
Chances are you won't be taking the pilot's seat anytime soon (unless you're in flight school). But if you want to try something a little more intense than reclining in your Lazy Boy with an Xbox controller in hand, head to Threshold Aviation. You'll be able to test your skills in a simulator inside a real cockpit from a scrapped Boeing 737-500.

Archery Tag
Looking to embrace your inner Katniss Everdeen? Head to one of Toronto's numerous archery tag facilities to try your hand at archery. Many of these are reminiscent of the Hunger Games with massive playing spaces where you can engage in some face-to-face combat.

Surfing
Next time you want to break a sweat consider indoor surfing instead of hitting the elliptical. At Surfset the boards are placed on stability balls, making balancing the primary task of this exercise. There's a number of classes you can take at the facility, none of which involve donning a neoprene wetsuit.

parkourParkour
If you grew up on Prince of Persia video games, you've probably wanted to try parkour at least once. The Monkey Vault has climbing walls, obstacles and more that you can hop, climb and hurdle to your heart's content. If adult jungle gyms are your thing, you may also want to hit up Pursuit OCR.

Axe Throwing
Nothing says stereotypical Canadian like drinking a tall can in your finest plaid flannel and wielding an axe. So embrace your inner lumberjack and head to Bad Axe or BATL for some target practice.

Dragon Boat Indoor PaddlingDragon Boat Indoor Paddling
Want to gain a some upper body strength but find weights intimidating? Try indoor dragon boat racing. Afterburn Fitness flaunts a specially designed pool outfitted with built in boats where you can practice paddling against a current.

Real Archery
If you consider archery tag to by amateur hour, swap in your padded arrows for the real deal. Hart House and Shawn's Archery will help you master the art of the sport through target practice and lessons. If you fall in love, memberships and monthly sessions are available.

Mountain Biking
While most gyms offer spinning classes and stationary bikes, you won't find anything like the Joyride 150 course in your average fitness centre. Built for those who take cycling seriously, the facility offers jumps and a hilly terrain for you to practice on (think skatepark, but for bikes). There are even foam pits that offer safe landing sites while practicing new stunts.

Bubble Soccer<Bubble Soccer
Bubble soccer is the epitome of a low-risk sport. Players slide into giant plastic bubbles before engaging in a hilarious combination of human bumper cars and a soccer match. If you want to get in on the action, there's a dedicated facility on the edge of Toronto.

Medieval martial arts
Live your childhood dream of being a Medieval Times knight at Fighting Arts Collective instead of signing up for Muay Thai. Classes here will give you the chance to sample armed, unarmed, armoured and unarmoured combat.

What did I miss? Add more unusual indoor activities in the comments.

Photos by Jesse Milns and Hector Vasquez

20 restaurants we want to see come to Toronto in 2016

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shake shack torontoToronto has already proven itself a desirable location for international chains to test new waters. This past year the city welcomed a surge of popular eateries from America, Asia and beyond, and we're ready to embrace even more.

Here's my wish list for restaurants that I'd love to see come to Toronto 2016.

Shake Shack
In this fantasy world of mine, Shake Shack comes to Toronto and opens a kiosk in High Park kind of like its original digs in Madison Square Park. While it could never serve beer, it could serve up delicious hamburgers with frozen custards and generally make everyone happy.

In-N-Out-Burger
The West Coast burger chain would add a little oomph to the non-existent selection of drive-thrus in Toronto. Those in the know are likely already salivating at the prospect of Animal Style burgers featuring mustard-seared beef patties. And you know it would be popular.

Culver's
The midwest chain is famous for pressed and seared Butter Burgers and thick frozen custard. The Wisconsin swiss melt is the one I specifically wish I could wrap my mitts around.

Pieology
The motto at this chain of pizzerias is "You dream it up. We dish it out." Let the personalization begin with a choice of crust and sauce, cheese and meat, veggies amd drizzles.

Bonchon Chicken
The KFC of Korea already boasts locations across Asia and on both coasts in the U.S. Each piece of fried chicken is hand-painted with fiery, red chili hot sauce or a sweet garlic soy glaze, and instead of macaroni salad you get killer sides like japchae and tteokbokki.

international chains TorontoToast Box
This chain from Singapore is all about thick sliced toast and coffee. Have the big bricks of bread slathered with peanut butter or drizzled with condensed milk and topped with pork floss.

Paris Baguette
Sourdough bread bowls of soup, hot and cold sandwiches, and fresh baked pastries and breads would be a welcome addition to Toronto's landscape of quick and casual dining options.

Mos Burger
Who wouldn't want a rice burger from this Japanese chain? These things feature sticky rice patty buns stuffed with things like kinpira sauteed veggie matchsticks, or pork and ginger with sauteed onions.

Ono HawaiianOno Hawaiian BBQ
I'm all for trying out this chain of Island-inspired eateries that boasts Spam musubi (like Spam sushi), Kalua pork, and noodle soups.

Tokyo Joe's
This American chain already boasts almost two dozen outlets that dish out sushi, salads and build-your-own bowls.

Abbott's Frozen Custard
Founded in Rochester, this franchise of frozen custard shops churns out flavours like cake batter, peach cobbler, and pistachio pineapple.

White Castle
The impending legalization of marijuana will only make cravings stronger for these munchie-satisfying sliders on steamed buns.

chain restaurants torontoTom + Chee
Grilled cheese and tomato soup are the basis of this chain restaurant, but it's the fancy grilled cheese doughnuts that are the most unique offering. The classic is simply cheddar cheese pressed between glazed doughnuts, but it gets even more extreme with options like the Bananarama featuring caramelized banana paired with gouda and doughnuts.

Pret a Manger
This grab and go lunch counter chain out of the U.K. would make a killing on time-crunched Torontonians with its lineup of ready-made sandwiches, sushi, salads, cake slices and baked goods.

Chop't
The salad company is often lauded for sourcing ingredients local to near three dozen locations. Customers here can craft salads to order or opt for signature and seasonal offerings like the Mexican Caesar salad featuring Cotija cheese, jalapeno peppers, tortilla chips and romaine lettuce.

The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
New York style bagels are the niche at this American chain of delis. Bagel connoisseurs in Toronto would surely appreciate another option for these hot, chewy bagels made into sandwiches or available as mini bagel bites.

Umami BurgerUmami Burger
This chain of burger shops specializes in burgers with big, bold, amplified flavours that borrow premium ingredients from fine dining experiences, like truffle and parmesan frico.

Nanoosh
Originating in New York, this fast casual Mediterranean chain deals in falafel wraps and salads, hummus plates and Middle Eastern style breakfasts.

Yoshinoya
Teriyaki chicken bowls, steamed rice topped simmered beef with onions in a special sauce, and Asian BBQ wings are the specialty from this quick service Japanese concept.

Naples Pizza
Various regions of the world are already represented in Toronto through pizzas, but notably absent is the much hyped Windsor style. Defined by a sturdy crust, tangy sauce and a liberal layering of cheese and toppings including strips of pepperoni rather than the typical round slices.

What did I miss? Add the restaurants you'd most like to see come to Toronto in the comments.

Photo via Shake Shack on Facebook.

What was it like to run a Toronto food truck in 2015?

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toronto food truckFood truck owners in Toronto haven't always had it easy. In fact, 2015 newbie Cameron Pounder - who co-owns FeasTO - knew it was going to be a hard slog, but that didn't stop him and his partner from taking to the streets this year.

In May, city hall updated its food truck bylaws and eased some restrictions. Now, instead of staying at least 50 metres away from a bricks-and-mortar restaurant, trucks can stop 30 metres away. And, in 2014, the city made 125 food truck permits available, meaning it's now possible for these mobile eateries to sell curbside.

Allen Tan and his partner Bryan Siu-Chong run the popular Me.n.u truck. They were the second business to grab a food truck permit last year. Alhough it cost them more than $5,000, they also got one for 2015.

food trucks torontoDespite their ability to sell on Toronto's streets, Tan notes that they derive half of their business from catering various functions and events. "Catering is a more reliable source of income," he says. "There's bigger margins, and you have to do less work."

Ada Mok and Cameron Pounder, whose FeasTO dumpling truck won the Food Network's Food Truck Face-off in 2014, were surprised by how little they relied on their street-side lunch services this year. "It was actually our smallest revenue stream," says Mok. "Catering, and events and all sorts of other corporate things were much more lucrative," she continues.

FeasTO didn't shell out for a food truck permit this year. Instead, Mok and Pounder participated in the Green P program, which enabled them to operate in Toronto's ubiquitous public parking lots. They also formed relationships with business owners and building management companies because food trucks are usually allowed to park on private property.

Bar Ape, Toronto's tiniest food truck (it's technically a food motorcycle), relies mainly on curbside service to sell its gourmet gelato bars. Co-owner James Carnevale says that when he and his business partner Nick Genova were starting out, they weren't sure whether they needed a food truck or an ice cream truck license.

bar ape"The biggest issue when it comes to selling on the city streets is all the licensing issues," says Carnevale. "The rules are very vague."

He and Nick note that they began as an ice cream truck and co-existed peacefully with the other food trucks. But, that all started to change when they got a food truck license. "We were competing for spots," Genova says.

Spots can be difficult to come by because the city allows only two trucks per block. Genova and Carnevale would park their Piaggio Ape in certain places - like by King and John - four or five hours before the lunch rush just to be safe.

The other food trucks echo this sentiment about the two-truck rule. "Instead of having two trucks on the block, maybe increase that to four or six so we could throw our little own food truck parties on the street of Toronto," suggests Tan.

Yet, despite the difficulties inherent in navigating the labyrinth of bylaws, restrictions and parking spots, for these Torontonians, it's a labour of love.

"It was harder than we thought," says Pounder of his first year as full-time food trucker. "But it was also more fun that we thought."

The top 5 free events in Toronto: December 21-27 2015

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free events toronto decemberFree events in Toronto this week will have you dusting off your Christmas sweaters and celebrating in style. The Drake and The Tennessee are both hosting events where you're expected to don your most horrendous green and red creation. If your wardrobe is anything but ugly, opt to get festive by watching free Christmas flicks at the Bloor or hitting up the Kensington Market Winter Solstice.

Here's a roundup of free events in Toronto this week.

Kensington Market Winter Solstice (Dec. 21)
Tired of holiday parties with faux Santas and ugly sweaters? Head to Kensington Market to celebrate the Winter Solstice with its annual parade/party. Past parades have featured everything from pyrotechnic displays to puppeteers, so if you're a fan of pomp and spectacle, this'll be up your alley.

Canadian Whisky Mingler (Dec. 21)
For this week's installment of the 86'd Mondays series Ivy Knight will be joined by cocktail master Dave Mitten for a night of whisky sampling. Remember to wear the finest ugly Christmas sweater in your collection if you want to win the ugly sweater contest.

Bloor Holiday Classics (Dec. 21-23)
If you've already decorated your tree and finished wrapping presents, reward yourself with a trip to the movies. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Scrooged and A Christmas Story will all be screened for free at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.

Tennessee Tuesday's Christmas Party (Dec. 22)
If you're in the mood for a full-fledged Christmas party, head to The Tennessee on Tuesday. Have a little pre-game at home, slip into an ugly sweater and get ready for an evening of drinking, dancing and (if you're feeling bold enough) an open mic performance.

Adult Colouring-In (Dec. 24)
Instead of spending Christmas eve at an awkward family engagement go to the Gladstone Melody Bar for a colouring party. If you've got a few bucks to spare, grab a drink at the bar - colouring inside the lines is overrated anyway.

Have a free event you'd like to plug? Submit it to our Toronto events calendar using this form.

Photo by Christian Bobak.

Eggs benny inspired Toronto brunch spot now open

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Hollandaise Diner TorontoThis newly opened diner is a must-add to your Sunday brunch rotation. Find signature egg dishes and customizable plates of pancakes and eggs Benedict served with a variety of novel Hollandaise sauces.

Read my profile of Hollandaise Diner in the restaurants section.

The 5 worst events in Toronto during 2015

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sushi fest torontoThe worst events in Toronto this year weren't limited to food festival mishaps (though of course those happened), but rather, they run the gamut from coat-check conundrums to rain-soaked dreams. Thankfully, many organizers remedied otherwise dire situations with good PR and refunds, leaving us hopeful for sunnier days next year.

Here are the worst events in Toronto from 2015.

Toronto Sushi Festival
Let's take a trip down memory lane to early March. Hopes were high for this event, which billed itself as the "largest annual sushi festival in Canada." However, a limited number of vendors couldn't keep up with the approximately 3,000 people who attended, leading to long lineups and a general lack of sushi. Derp.

Mac & Cheese Fest
The inaugural Mac & Cheese fest left Liberty Village in a right state after nearly 50,000 festival-goers descended on the neighbourhood to feast on ooey, gooey mac-and-cheese. They also made an ooey-gooey mess, leaving the area filled with trash.

Wanderlust 108
Like many events this past summer, this one got rained out. This mindful triathlon, which combined running, yoga and meditation, wasn't quite as relaxing as many expected. The 5K run turned out to be more than 8-kilometres long and thanks to a lack of shelter, everyone's stuff got soaked. Luckily, the Wanderlust organizers swooped in to clean up the mess by providing all attendees with a full refund.

Digital Dreams
You can probably lump Veld in here too because both EDM festivals got caught in the rain. Many would-be ravers were dismayed when Ink Entertainment and Live Nation cancelled the entire Saturday lineup - at the last minute. Veld also shuttered early thanks to a storm. Attendees at both events got at least partial refunds.

Disclosure
Apparently concert-goers were relieving themselves in stairways, closets and corners at this show. But that wasn't the worst of it. At the end of the night, thousands stormed the coat check area as event staff stood by. Some, reportedly, had their jackets and other valuables stolen.

What would you nominate as the worst Toronto event from 2015? Let us know in the comments.

Photo of the Toronto Sushi Festival by Natta Summerky.

The top 15 bars for Sunday nights in Toronto

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sunday night torontoLooking for a sweet spot to grab a drink on a Sunday night in Toronto? Stretch the weekend to its fullest at these fine establishments offering Sunday suppers, drink specials, industry deals and dance parties. Sometimes referred to as industry night, the end of the week can be the best time to go out in this city.

Here are my picks for the top bars for Sunday nights in Toronto.

Midfield Wine Bar & Tavern
The Sunday staff meal at this Dundas West wine bar kicks off at 5:30 p.m. each week. The relaxed vibe paired with hearty comfort foods, tall cans and wine bottles on special is a great way to cap off the weekend. Be sure to arrive before 10 pm if you hope to get in on the eats, as they often sell out.

Bar Hop
Enjoy select draught pours for $5 at Sunday Sessions each week at this King West bar while the staff hand-picks vinyl gems to spin.

Farmhouse Tavern
F*ck Mondays at this restaurant on Dupont entails rolling out hourly specials from 5 p.m. onward on Sunday nights. Oysters are only $1 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., craft beers and ciders are $6 four an hour starting at 6 p.m., cocktails are $7 at 7 p.m., wine is $8 at 8 p.m., and then food is half off between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Wide Open
The Sunday specials at this tiny Spadina bar includes bar rail beverages and domestic bottles for $3.50.

Bar Volo
Half price large bottles of Jester King, Leelenau, Jolly Pumpkin, Trou Du Diable and Dunham are on special every Sunday at this Yonge and Wellesley brew bar.

The Ballroom
Enjoy one hour of free bowling after 5 p.m. on Sundays along with bar rail drinks for $4, and Caesars and wine on for $5.

The Emmet Ray
The cozy College Street bar offers select pints from its rotating selection of brews for $6 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday night.

Reposado
Sundays are industry night at this tequila bar on Ossington. Employee prices in effect across the board.

Northern Belle
While not exclusive to Sundays, this cozy cafe and bar on Dundas West offers on $2 off all beers between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. everyday. Drinking early is perfect at the end of the week.

Madison Avenue Pub
Sunday Funday at this mega bar in The Annex boasts Caesar cocktails on special for $5, Madison Blonde pints on for $4, and stick to your ribs meatloaf on for $5.

Factory Girl
There's BYOB on Sundays after 4 p.m. where you can take advantage of the $2 corkage fee (regular $16 per person).

PO Box 1192
Looking for somewhere to let loose but still need to wake up Monday morning? This Leslieville bar hosts afternoon dance parties complete with cheap drinks every Sunday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m..

The Beaver
Sunday is karaoke night at this West Queen West bar. Belt out your favourite tunes from 11 p.m. 'til last call.

Folly Brewpub
Wind down the weekend at this pub on College Street with the chef's choice staff meal on for just $10.

H Bar
Sundays at this Queen West restaurant are celebrated with $4 Caesar cocktails and five bottles of Stonewall Light Lager for $16. Go get 'em tiger.

What did I miss? Add your favourite Sunday night drinking destinations in the comments.

Photo from PO Box by Jesse Milns.


Wacky and wild Christmas light displays in Toronto

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Christmas Lights TorontoChristmas lights in Toronto aren't the outlandish affair they used to be. In the span of just a few years, the city has lost some of its most Griswald-esque light displays, notably on Caledonia Rd. and Somerset Ave. That said, there's still a few over-the-top Xmas installations to take in around town.

Chief among these, of course, is the annual bonanza on Brock Ave. This Christmas beacon glows as brightly and lonely as the star of Bethlehem just south of Dundas St. at number 188.

The award for most festive street, however, would likely go to Glen Lake Ave. just south of the Junction. Along with the indulgent but wonderful display at Dorval Rd., there's a host of houses with impressive light shows all in close proximity to one another. A sleeper choice for a festive walk is the Beaches boardwalk, which is decked out with lights.

The Financial District is also a bit of a destination for Christmas lights as many of the big office towers drop coin on classy displays. My favourites are at Brookfield Place and Commerce Court. And, naturally, City Hall is also perfectly festive right now. What better time to go for a skate at Nathan Phillips Square?

Christmas Lights TorontoBrock Ave. just south of Dundas

Christmas Lights TorontoDitto.

Christmas Lights TorontoGlen Lake Ave. and Dorval Rd.

Christmas Lights TorontoDitto.

Christmas Lights TorontoShaw St. south of Harbord.

Christmas Lights TorontoYarmouth Rd. and Shaw.

Christmas Lights TorontoEastern Boardwalk by A Great Capture.

Christmas Lights TorontoHarbourfront lights by Subjective Art.

Christmas Lights TorontoCommerce Court by Tiffany.

Christmas Lights TorontoYonge-Dundas Square by A Great Capture.

Christmas Lights TorontoCity Hall by Nick Wons Photography.

Christmas Lights TorontoBrookfield Place by Harvey K.

Christmas Lights TorontoThe Eaton Centre by A Great Capture.

Know of a wacky Christmas lights display in Toronto? Share your favourite spots in the comments.

A love letter to the diner in Toronto

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Diner TorontoThe diner is one of an old breed of businesses that had their heyday in the 1950s and '60s, a group which includes motels and independent gas bars. Far from extinct, the neon-lit diner stubbornly endures because it offers an alluring combination of simplicity and comfort, both of which evoke a profound sense of nostalgia.

Diner TorontoIt's strange, but beautiful things rarely elicit a nostalgic response. On the contrary, it's the artifacts of the everyday that tend to make us wistful for a bit of our past that has escaped us but nevertheless lingers like a ghost desperate to tell us something about ourselves and the way that we've changed.

Diner TorontoToronto's diners aren't pretty places. Viewed with a clinical eye, they're an aesthetic mess, complete with ugly yellow wall-mounted menus, ever greasy counters, and sepia-tinged walls. And yet if one squints when sinking into a maroon vinyl booth at the Skyline, he can almost see back to the 1960s, when the decor matched the decade.

Diner TorontoWhy do I still love diners?

Diner TorontoIt's not the weak coffee and anonymous under-seasoned fries that accompany most meals, though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't fond of these things. There's a consistency offered by the diner experience that's reminiscent of the functional motel room.

Diner TorontoYour plate will be basic and unadorned, but from one place to the next, the meal will be remarkably similar. Lured by the gentle glow of neon, one enters into a room outfitted with standard issue sugar jars, napkin dispensers, and ketchup bottles. Staring down at the counter, it'd be possible to forget exactly where you are.

Diner TorontoIndividual diners tend to blend with one another. The Coach House and the Skyline have uncannily similar interiors, while the bacon and eggs at the Apollo Eleven is virtually indistinguishable from the version served at the nearby Vesta Lunch. Both places bask in the fuzzy haze of nostalgia for a time that many of us never experienced in the first place.

Diner TorontoIf the diner has achieved iconic status, it's the result of a complicated cultural construction that has delivered us a perception of the '50s and '60s as simpler times. The degree to which Vesta recalls an Edward Hopper painting, for instance, is surely one of the reasons why it remains dear to this city. The place is already familiar before one even steps foot inside.

diner torontoThe same holds true for the wood-panelled Senator, which looks like it might as well be a set for a Mad Men episode. Never mind that the food is only so-so, being here is like taking a time machine back to a decade in which the idea of a restaurant "being cool" is completely foreign.

Diner TorontoOur access to the past is mediated by the manner in which it has been constructed. You can look at this as a bad thing or you can embrace the fact that this situation gives us the opportunity to rejoice in simple throwbacks like the diner. Despite how overdetermined the image of the diner is in popular culture, our experience of the place is one of simplicity.

Diner TorontoIn this sense, the diner is like a drug. There's a hell of a lot going on inside one's brain when he or she gets high, but the end result is a feeling of euphoria. When we park ourselves at a counter-side stool and order a BLT at Gale's Snack Bar or the Patrician Grill or the George Street Diner, we quietly await our temporary fix of nostalgia.

Diner TorontoIt inevitably fades, so we continue to go back for more.

Photos (in order) by Chris Cachia, Tanja Tiziana (Bus Terminal Diner), Adrienne Tam (Gale's Snack Bar), Libby Roach (Times Square Diner), Miriam Olszewski (George Street Diner), Phil Marion (Skyline), Randy McDonald (Apollo Eleven), Ned Lyttelton (Vesta Lunch), Derek Flack (Senator), Peter McLeod (Patrician Grill), Jason Cook (George Street Diner), and Dakotas222.

Today in Toronto: Kensington Winter Solstice, Respect The Agave, Salomon and Smithmas, Christmas Vacation

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today in torontoToday in Toronto it's time to celebrate the first official day of winter. Kensington Market will be hosting its annual Winter Solstice Parade in celebration, and you expect to see everything from puppeteers to pyrotechnic displays. If you'd rather have a laugh, Comedy Bar, the Rivoli and Bad Dog Theatre are all playing host to comedy shows tonight.

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 by Christian Bobak

Justin Bieber poses for selfie with Fashion Santa

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Fashion Santa Justin Bieber TorontoJustin Bieber graced Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre with his presence and naturally, his shopping trip wasn't complete without a Fashion Santa selfie.

The pop star posed with the world's most stylish St. Nick and Yorkdale uploaded the photo to its Instagram feed. Naturally, the internet went nuts.

Fashion Santa - i.e. model Paul Mason - has gained international attention over the past few weeks for his contemporary spin on Father Christmas.

Instead of living it up in the North Pole, Mason hangs out by Yorkdale's Harry Rosen and takes selfies. For each one uploaded to social media with the hashtag #YorkdaleFashionSanta, the mall donates $1 to the SickKids Foundation, up to a total of $10,000.

If you want to see Fashion Santa, you'll have to hurry because he's making his last appearance on Wednesday, December 23 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Famous Leslieville mural to be painted over

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leslieville signThe Alexander Muir mural at Queen and Jones in Leslieville is a neighbourhood fixture. But unfortunately, it's slated for a makeover.

As Ward 30 councillor Paula Fletcher says on her website, the mural is the property of the artist who created it. "The original mural project was facilitated by the Ralph Thornton Centre many years ago," she writes, "and bringing in the original artist to redo the mural is not possible."

In July, the Leslieville BIA proposed a new mural without consulting area residents first - many were miffed.

Now, Fletcher says that she worked with a small group, including the BIA and the Leslieville Historical Society, to draw up a short-list of six local artists who've been invited to submit design proposals for a new mural.

In January, this group of six will be whittled down to three finalists and from there, the Leslieville community will get to give feedback on the designs, both online and at public consultations.

Eventually, the committee will choose a mural based on these discussions.

Photo by Bryson Gilbert in the blogTO Flickr pool.

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