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This Week on DineSafe: Amaya Express, Kupfert & Kim, Mean Bao, Sushi Shop, Mucho Burrito, Diamond Pizza

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dinesafeThis Week on DineSafe has inadvertently turned into a food court edition with establishments in the PATH, the Eaton Centre, Yorkdale and Village by the Grange on the list of offenders. I'm especially sad to see Kupfert & Kim and Mean Bao on here with conditional passes.

See which other restaurants landed on DineSafe this week.

CORRECTION NOTICE: Our DineSafe round-up on December 15 mistakenly identified the What A Bagel location at 130 Spadina Avenue instead of 421 Spadina Road. The infractions did occur at the 421 Spadina Road location as detailed here. We apologize for this error.

Diamond Pizza (510 Main Street)
Inspected on: January 18, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 3, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Mean Bao (275 Dundas Street West)
Inspected on: January 19, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 5)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Simon Sushi (409 Spadina Avenue)
Inspected on: January 19, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Thai Express (1 Dundas Street West)
Inspected on: January 19, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter.

Amaya Express (1 Dundas Street West)
Inspected on: January 20, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Significant: 4)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Mucho Burrito (220 Yonge Street)
Inspected on: January 20, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Sushi Shop (130 King Street West)
Inspected on: January 20, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Employee fail to wash hands when required. Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Dine on 3 - Scullery (3401 Dufferin Street)
Inspected on: January 20, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Kupfert & Kim (100 King Street West)
Inspected on: January 22, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Employee fail to wash hands when required. Store ice in unsanitary manner.

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.


Contest: Win a $200 Entice Culinary Lounge Gift Card

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entice torontoWant to dine at one of Queen St. W's newest eateries on us? It's opening soon, and you can be one of the first to indulge. Entice Culinary Lounge opens its doors on February 9th, and you can be one of the first to sample the menu. Enjoy an intimate evening, a social outing, or cheers over cocktails, dinners or brunch.

Get all the contest details here.

House of the week: 209 Claremont Street

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209 Claremont Street TorontoA three-storey modern townhouse in the Bellwoods neighbourhood is going for a cool $1,225,000. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom unit at 209 Claremont Street is part of a collection of new townhomes changing the face of the already hip and gentrified area.

Constructed in 2012 by Richard Wengle Architects and designer Cecconi Simone, whose accolades boast residential projects like the sleek Chaz Yorkville and the B.Streets Condos across from Honest Ed's, this multi-unit complex has massive curb appeal and desirable amenities for the urban dweller, including underground parking as well as bike storage.

209 Claremont Street TorontoThe slightly narrow interior features an open layout with an oversized kitchen (seriously it's huge), a glass-enclosed staircase and a patio with a barbecue and a hot tub. The second level offers two bedrooms, while the third floor is dedicated to the spacious master and ensuite.

209 Claremont Street TorontoSPECS

  • Address: 209 Claremont Street
  • Price: $1,225,000
  • Lot Size: 13 x 59 FT
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 3
  • Parking: 1
  • Taxes: $4,809.22
  • Walk Score: 94
  • Listing agent: John Wang, ReMax

209 Claremont Street TorontoNOTABLE FEATURES

  • Approx. 2,000 square feet
  • Glass staircase
  • Master walk-in closest
  • Patio with barbecue and hot tub
  • Underground parking

209 Claremont Street TorontoGOOD FOR

Being nearby the original California Sandwiches location on Claremont. The street literally smells like the best veal sandwich you've ever eaten. Also within walking distance is Trinity Bellwoods Park, one of Toronto's best public green spaces, a few blocks away.

209 Claremont Street TorontoMOVE ON IF

You don't want to pay for parking. Whether you own a car or not, a fee of $134 per month is included for one underground spot.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
209 Claremont Street Toronto209 Claremont Street Toronto209 Claremont Street TorontoWorth the asking? Have your say in the comments section.

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd, Brokerage for sponsoring our House of the Week. All content and editorial selected and written by blogTO.

10 signs you grew up in Midtown Toronto

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midtown torontoFor those who grew up in Midtown Toronto, the intersection of Yonge and Eglinton was the heart of the city. Not only were both North Toronto and Northern Secondary high schools located a short walk away, your social world revolved in some way around this hub. You rarely went south of St. Clair and north of Lawrence. This was your bubble.

Here are 10 signs you grew up in Midtown Toronto.

1. You (mistakenly) thought that everything south of Yonge and St. Clair was "downtown."

2. You went to high school at North Toronto or Northern Secondary, but despite their close proximity, hardly knew anybody at the school you didn't attend.

3. You bought cigarettes underage at the aptly named Midtown Coffee Shop.

4. You remember waking up at 6 a.m. to play hockey at North Toronto Memorial Arena or Leaside Gardens.

5. Before Cinnabon opened, the most exciting thing at Eglinton Station was Treats Coffee Shop.

6. You marvelled at the miniature worlds in George's Trains on Mt. Pleasant, and dreamed of building a railway model as intricate as the one in Beetlejuice.

7. You spent hours hanging out at the Second Cup near Yonge and Roehampton underneath Vortex Records, but you rarely bought anything to eat or drink.

8. You actually watched movies at the Eglinton, the York, and the Capitol theatres.

9. You remember the PJs Pets in the Yonge-Eglinton Centre, a place you treated as a makeshift zoo, which likely traumatized the animals.

10. One of your first drinking experiences happened in Eglinton, Davisville or Oriole Park. This may or may not have involved the consumption of Labatt Maximum Ice.

What did I miss? Add your suggestions in the comments.

Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Where to eat Shaanxi-style Chinese food in Toronto

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Qin Tang TasteNorthwestern Chinese (Shaanxi) cuisine is all about bread and noodle based dishes. At this Beijing import you'll find items featuring fat hand-pulled noodles, Chinese pancakes and lamb stew.

Read my profile of Qin Tang Taste in the restaurants section.

Why does Toronto have "Lower" streets?

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lower streets torontoIf you've lived in Toronto long enough, you've noticed at one point or another that the city has a handful of streets that bear the designation "Lower." As is the case with streets that are divided north/south, this naming strategy isn't the norm in Toronto because the city lacks a single upper/lower dividing point in the way that Yonge St. handles east/west distinctions.

When discussing anything related to street names in Toronto, it's worth recalling that many exceptions to the standard rules derive from the state of affairs pre-amalgamation, when individual municipalities used their own nominal strategies to handle newly-created streets (existing streets that crossed municipal lines almost invariably kept their names).

Lower streets torontoSo why Lower streets? The simplest answer, and the one that accounts for the highest instances of these names, is that a number of Toronto's major north/south arterial roads used to terminate at Front St. or The Esplanade. As such, the addresses of the buildings on these streets are numbered up from this point.

When part of the Toronto harbour was filled in during the 1920s, the city was extended southward, meaning that longstanding north/south streets could be extended. In some of these instances it wasn't necessary to designate the streets as "Lower" because various redevelopment projects made it possible to number them up from the Lake.

Lower Streets torontoThe address of the Toronto Star Building, for instance, is 1 Yonge St. If you go back to the turn of the century when the Board of Trade Building occupied the corner of Yonge and Front, you'll note that its address was 35 Yonge St. In other words, there was numerical space left south of Front most likely on account of the presence of the GTR' Freight Shed.

Following this logic, the reason for the "Lower" streets is clear. It's merely a way of dealing with a coherent address system. This is also why there doesn't need to be one north/south or upper/lower dividing line. The city only needed to designate a "Lower" section of a street when redevelopment necessitated a new set of addresses (given that it'd be ludicrous to use negative numbers).

That's why you have anomalies like Lower River St. which runs south of King St. Relatively speaking, it's a new street. And because River St. was numbered north from King/Queen, the "Lower" designation just made sense. A street like Lower Ossington Ave. is similar. It only exists because redevelopment at CAMH extended the road south of Queen St.

The same logic is used for "Upper" designated streets, though these are rare in Toronto because of the manner in which the city was developed north from the lake and the sequence in which addresses are assigned (south to north).

Lead photo by Ian Muttoo. Archival Maps via Goad's Atlas 1903 (National Library of Canada).

Restaurant named after famous Thai market is a winner

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jatujak torontoThis Thai restaurant named after the country's largest outdoor market dishes out complex curries and noodle soups that hit the spot in the midst of winter. The khao soi is especially good, but the entire menu is worth sampling.

Read my profile of Jatujak in the restaurants section.

The 10 most important restaurants in Toronto

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important restaurants torontoThe most important restaurants in Toronto help define the cuisine of our city by either looking back at how we got here or instigating enduring trends. These restaurants are a mix of high and low, new and old, one-off concepts and sprawling chains.

Here are my picks for the most important restaurants in Toronto.

Black Hoof
The restaurant on Dundas West was among the first to popularize offal; transforming what were once the least desirable offcuts into prized treasures that diners clamour for.

Canoe
The bastion of fine dining has long played its part in elevating the culinary credentials of Canada. The O&B restaurant puts premium Canadian products on a pedestal and showcases homegrown talent.

Boralia
The restaurant on Ossington is like an edible history lesson and dining here offers a chance to time travel back to when Canada was just a fledgling nation.

416 Snack Bar
The low lit bar known for an always evolving menu of utensil-free foods can be credited with kicking off the whole snack bar trend.

Rose & Sons
The trail-blazing restaurant helped refresh this sleepy stretch of Dupont while also reviving interest in Jewish cuisine.

Playa Cabana
The chain of cantinas made Mexican food mainstream and then gradually started introducing Toronto to the nuances of regional and homestyle cuisines plus playful fusions.

Burger's Priest
The original location on Queen East ignited Hogtown's lust for gourmet burgers and has since spurred a frenzied expansion that can be felt across Toronto's burger landscape.

Khao San Road
Before KSR, Thai food in Toronto felt a little one note and that note was predominantly ketchup. It also set a new standard that newer Thai eateries have tried to emulate.

Fresh
The long running vegetarian eatery is still bustling at brunch, lunch and dinner. It helped introduce Torontonians to rice bowls, sweet potato fries and smoothies.

Bellwoods Brewery
The brewpub on Ossington wasn't the first to introduce beers and bites all made under one roof, but it arguably inspired many of the brewpubs that followed.

What did I miss? Add your picks for the most important restaurants to the comments.

Photo of Khao San Road by Hector Vasquez.


NBA star breaks hand in Toronto restaurant fight

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blake griffinThe LA Clippers' Blake Griffin fractured his shooting hand after reportedly hitting his team's equipment manager at a Toronto restaurant on Saturday night - Griffin was scratched from Sunday's game versus the Raptors.The injury will apparently keep Griffin off the court for about four to six weeks.

According to multiple sources, Toronto Police are not yet looking into this incident. The NBA, however, is.

"This conduct has no place in our organization and this incident does not represent who we are as a team. We are conducting a full investigation with assistance from the NBA. At the conclusion of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken," said the Clippers in a news release today.

Torontonians, however, are eager to find out where this altercation took place and have taken to Twitter to try to solve this sports-related mystery.

Do you know what restaurant Blake Griffin and his Clippers' teammates were in when he started throwing punches? Let us know in the comments.

Today in Toronto: Atom Egoyan, Tinder Tales, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, That's How I Remember It

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Drake HotelToday in Toronto embrace your inner geek by heading to a lecture during your off hours. Atom Egoyan is taking to Walter Hall to discuss his interpretation of a few select opera productions (trust me, it'll be much more interesting than listening to a stats professor). If you're in the mood for a retro film screening head to Sonic Boom to watch Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

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 via The Drake Hotel's Facebook page.

The top 10 heritage conversions in Toronto

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heritage conversions torontoToronto was once a city that turned its back on the past. From the 1950s to the 1980s, countless historical structures were demolished to make way for things like parking lots and anonymous office structures. Fortunately, that time has past. Not only are developers forced to imagine new uses for heritage-designated structures, but many of them do so willingly with stunning results.

Here are my picks for the top heritage conversions in Toronto.

One King West
Toronto's propensity to demolish historical buildings in the 1960s and '70s has thankfully tapered; otherwise we might not have something like One King West. Formerly home to the Dominion Bank (1914), the new condo and hotel rises above the existing heritage structure, which still serves as the venue for private dining function in the former vault and grand banking hall.

Distillery DistrictThe Distillery District
Throughout the 1990s, what's now called the Distillery District was completely abandoned and used only sparingly for movie shoots and as a playground for urban explorers. When it reopened in 2003, developer Cityscape's refusal to lease space to chain franchises ensured it was a vibrant area for independent cafes and galleries. Artscape's presence was also a boon.

Summerhill LCBOSummerhill LCBO
One of heritage enthusiast Paul Oberman's legacies, the redevelopment of the North Toronto Railway Station into the LCBO's flagship location turned a disused space into one of the nicest retail environments in the city. The soaring ceiling in what used to be the main waiting area is as dramatic as the Bordeaux selection.

Maple Leaf GardensMaple Leaf Gardens
While there was once hope that Maple Leaf Gardens could be retained as a sports venue, in retrospect that really was a pipe dream. Not everyone loves the idea of a Loblaws in this historic structure, but it's great to see so much activity in the old barn. Better still is the presence of the Ryerson rink at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. You can still skate under the imposing cathedral ceiling.

401 Richmond401 Richmond
401 Richmond is a place that exemplifies Jane Jacobs' dictum that "new ideas must use old buildings." Purchased by the Zeidler family in 1994 (and thereby saved from the wrecking ball), the building has served as an arts and culture hub for over 20 years now. The recent edition of the Spacing Store is pitch perfect.

Drake Hotel TorontoThe Drake and Gladstone hotels
I lump these two projects together because collectively they shifted the state of West Queen West from a rough-around-the-edges formerly industrial neighbourhood at the outset of the 2000s into one of the reputedly hippest stretches of in the world. Kudos again to the Zeidler family (Gladstone) and Jeff Stober (Drake).

steam whistle roundhouseSteam Whistle Brewery
There were originally two "roundhouses" in Toronto's Railway Lands, one of which was demolished to make way for the SkyDome (now the Rogers Centre). Fortunately, the former John Street Roundhouse was taken over by Steam Whistle in the early 2000s and now serves as one of the city's most important craft breweries and a key event space.

Wychwood BarnsArtscape Wychwood Barns
My favourite Artscape project to date, the old streetcar storage and maintenance facility just off St. Clair West originally opened in 1913 and was converted to artist live-work spaces and a community hub in 2008. When the farmers' market is in full swing, the place is alive with energy in a way that all old buildings deserve.

Tip Top LoftsTip Top Lofts
The Tip Top Lofts manage to achieve something that very few residential adaptive re-uses of former industrial buildings do -- it looks better now than it ever did. Re-vamped by architectsAlliance in 2002, the building witnessed the addition of six storeys, but the old Art Deco structure retains all of its charm, thanks in no small part to the retention and raising of the glorious original neon sign.

Candy Factory LoftsCandy Factory Lofts
The Candy Factory Lofts might not be astounding to look at from the outside - reminiscent of Maple Leaf Gardens but without the wonderful marquee and storied sporting history - but you'd be hard-pressed to find a better example of hard loft conversions in Toronto. The ample wood beams and obvious industrial character of the building have been preserved most attentively.

What did I miss? Add your suggestions in the comments.

Photos by Peter Francis, Carlos Bolivar, Sean Go, Derek Flack, Jesse Milns (x3), Jeff Hitchcock, Christina Gable, and Andrea Hughes.

Toronto taxis threaten protest on NBA All-Star weekend

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nba all star weekendThe last taxi protest in December blocked off some Toronto streets for hours. And the next one might cause even more disruption on local roadways because it could happen on February 12, the first day of the NBA All-Star weekend.

According to CityNews, Toronto's taxi drivers will mull over staging another protest if City Council doesn't seek an injunction to shut down UberX next week.

As CityNews reports today, representatives from all of the taxi associations in and around Toronto will meet on February 7 to decide what to do next.

Last week, the city granted Uber a taxi brokerage licence. But, this applies only to Uber Taxi and not UberX, one of the American company's most popular and affordable services.

New Toronto cafe serves up strong coffee for commuters

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volta espresso torontoToronto's newest pocket-size coffee shop serves up small batch baked goods and Italian style coffee that's stronger than your everyday espresso.

Read my review of Volta Espresso in the cafes section.

10 upstart fashion brands in Toronto for winter 2016

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fashion brands torontoStartup fashion brands in Toronto aren't as rare as they used to be. It seems like everywhere you turn, there's a local label making waves in their niche by blowing up social media or participating in pop-up markets like INLAND. As a result, Toronto's name is becoming more and more relevant in the fashion and retail scene - and these little guys are just waiting to take over.

Here are my picks for Toronto-based labels to look out for.

Mary Young
Comfortable undergarments are often considered an oxymoronic concept in the wonderful world of womenswear, but Mary Young wants to change that. Offering ultra soft, minimalistic lingerie and loungewear made in Canada, Mary's namesake line was founded in 2014 as a Ryerson Fashion Communications thesis project. It's available online and in stores such as Smoke + Ash.

Mammoth Outerwear
Backed by a crowdfunding campaign late last year, Mammoth Outerwear caught the attention of vegans everywhere. Not only are their high-end parkas animal-free, the company also donates part of their profit to the Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals. The online store carries four practical, wearable silhouettes ranging from $569 - $675.

Skinny Sweats
In an industry so heavily focused on mass producing trends, Skinny Sweats fights the status quo with a "slow fashion" ethos; one that ignores the typical consumer's alarmingly short attention span and concentrates on quality, small-batch designs made mindfully in Toronto. Their products are practical and timeless with fair price points - find them online or at Coal Miner's Daughter and Deluxe.

Guild Eyewear
Guild Eyewear mills, tumbles, polishes and assembles all of their frames right here in Toronto, so it's safe to say their level of attention to detail is through the roof. It also means they offer some of the funkiest glasses I've ever seen, since they're capable of creating pretty much any silhouette. Most recently, Guild collaborated with Untitled & Co to design a collection of 60's-inspired sunglasses.

INSUB'ORDINATE
After catching the attention of buzzy publications like Hypebeast and IX Daily with their very first capsule collection, INSUB'ORDINATE's unforgettable pink camo tee can be spotted on rebellious youth in Toronto and beyond. Founded by Jimbo Williams and designed/produced by a team of hyper-sophisticated teenage boys, the brand puts their energetic spin on post-punk menswear staples.

Zen Nomad
For Zen Nomad, luxury and sustainability go hand-in-hand; their stylish yoga-inspired clothing is made in Toronto using high quality, eco-friendly fabrics. The company makes sure to also incorporate sustainable practices, like designing with longevity in mind and choosing low impact dyeing. Zen Nomad is available online and at yoga studios Downward Dog and Octopus Garden.

Abundunce
Founded by Chee Maduekwe in 2011, Abundunce is a menswear line heavily influenced by Toronto's underground scene -- film, social commentary, skate culture and speakeasies are often referenced in their collections. Supreme-esque tees ($55) and a handmade Italian wool jacket ($400) are available now through their online shop; a fresh collection is slated to drop in April.

Monte & Coe
Dedicated to keeping their manufacturing local, Monte & Coe designs and produces high-end travel bags in small batches right here in Toronto. Only the finest of raw materials are used - like full grain vegetable-tanned leather and premium italian wool felt - alongside the highest level of craftsmanship. Find their briefcases, duffles and dopp kits online at prices ranging from $110 - $490.

Noble Sole
NobleSole is a footwear brand borne out of the frustration that often comes with justifying a $500 sneaker purchase. Their luxury leather shoes are handcrafted in Portugal by artisan shoe markers and sold exclusively online, cutting the dreaded middle man markup. The styles available now barely graze the $200 mark and are Toronto facsimiles of the notorious Common Projects.

Kira
Backed by stunning visuals and rather elusive branding, Kira is a minimalistic menswear line that officially launched late last year and has since gained quite the exposure on Tumblr. With handmade clothing ranging from basics like organic Japanese cotton t-shirts ($85) to heavy canvas flight jackets ($895), Kira's collections are currently available for purchase online.

Give props to more upstart fashion brands to the comments.

Photo via Mammoth Outerwear.

Inside the bakery cafe at Toronto's Ace Bakery

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ace bakery cafeAce Bakery is one of the most well known bread purveyors in the city, available at Loblaws, Food Basic, No Frills and more. But did you know they also have a bakery cafe - one that's home to gourmet sandwiches made with freshly baked bread and lovingly made creations like the Chicken Waldorf and Cafe Club?

Read my profile of Ace Bakery Cafe in the bakeries section.


The Best Ramen in Toronto

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Ramen TorontoThe best ramen in Toronto is sure to satisfy cravings for complex broths and chewy noodles. The Japanese comfort food has been instantly embraced in Hogtown, and with it we've seen a surge of eateries imported straight from Japan and more still finding such success that they can't seem to open new locations fast enough.

Here is the list of the restaurants that make the best ramen in Toronto.

Toronto gets a lasagna food truck

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Lasagna food truck TorontoLasagna lovers in Toronto rejoice! Why? Because you'll soon be able to stuff your face at I Love Lasagna, a new food truck dedicated to this Italian-style dish.

Owner Efisia LaViola will serve up a slew of specialty lasagne, including one with wild boar, as well as classic, Halal and vegetarian varieties. And for dessert, she'll sling out freshly piped cannoli.

This new food truck will make its debut at the Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival happening this Saturday, January 30, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

If the endless cups of craft beer don't warm you up, a slice or two of ooey-gooey lasagna will probably do the trick.

The top 19 birthday party ideas in Toronto by neighbourhood

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birthday ideas torontoNeed birthday party ideas? Many Toronto venues offer plenty of space for you and all of your friends to let loose as you celebrate your continued existence on planet earth. From grungy dance halls to basement shuffle board courts and comedy clubs, these places are sure to please on your special day.

Here are my picks for places to go on your birthday in Toronto.

ANNEX
If you're itching to dance the night away, look no further than the tried-and-true Dance Cave, located just above Lee's Palace. It's an ideal place for those who feel young at heart and best of all, you don't need to pay cover if you show a student card on Friday and Saturday nights.

BLOORCOURT
Laugh off your birthday blues at Comedy Bar and hear from Toronto's up-and-coming comedians. It's easy - and very affordable - to book out space for a large group here too.

CABBAGETOWN
There's plenty of seating at Stout Irish Pub along with an impressive selection of craft beer for you to try. This east side spot also has board games on hand if you tire of making small talks with those acquaintances who you didn't think would actually show up to your party.

CHURCH WELLESLEY VILLAGE
You're pretty much guaranteed to have a good time at Crews & Tangos, but you'll need to get there early to beat the line. If you're a summer baby, you can also take advantage of bar's backyard patio.

DANFORTH
Tiki bars are all the rage in Toronto and The Shore Leave on the Danforth fits perfectly into this tropical craze. Spend your night sipping on rum-infused drinks and imagine celebrating your next birthday on a Polynesian beach somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

DON MILLS
The Shops of Don Mills may not be the most exciting place in the GTA, but if you don't feel like schlepping downtown, the northern-most Toronto Bier Markt will have you imbibing on pints of exotic beer all night long.

DUNDAS WEST
Spice up your big day with salsa lessons at Lula Lounge on Dundas Street West. This music venue and club offers lessons on Friday and Saturday nights as well as on Sunday afternoons, meaning you can make your birthday a weekend-long affair.

Toronto birthday party venueHARBOURFRONT
For sweeping views of Lake Ontario, you'll want to venture to the Amsterdam Brewhouse. While it might a little touristy, this space can easily accommodate large parties and group bookings.

JUNCTION
The Junction City Music Hall will let you rock out to great local music and it'll also satisfy your craving for nostalgic fun thanks to its collection of retro pinball machines and arcade games.

KENSINGTON MARKET
Impress your friends by shepherding them to the hidden Cold Tea in the Kensington Mall. This place fills up quickly, so arrive early. Or, trek here in the summer months and dance your special night away on the backyard patio.

KING WEST
Do feel like dancing or sipping on locally brewed craft beer? Avoid this difficult decision and do both at the Mascot Brewery/Odd Thomas multiplex on Mercer Street.

Toronto birthday party venueLITTLE ITALY
You're one year older, so start preparing for your retirement with a few rounds of shuffleboard and bocce ball at Little Italy's Track & Field Bar. To be safe, reserve a lane before heading out for the night.

PARKDALE
Sample chef Matty Matheson's menu at Parts & Labour and then head downstairs and work it all off at a sweaty basement dance party.

PORT LANDS
Make like a lumber jack and learn to throw an axe on your next birthday. BATL Grounds, with multiple locations, lets you BYOB (for free) because drinking and wielding sharp objects is always a good idea.

Toronto birthday party venueRIVERSIDE
Head to the city's east side for the laid back country bar Boots 'N' Bourbon Saloon. This venue accepts reservations, even on weekends. And if you head over on a Thursday night, you can treat your friends to line dancing lessons.

SCARBOROUGH
Whether you relate to Katniss Everdeen, Merida or Robin Hood, you can always mark your birthday with a friendly game of bow-and-arrow tag at Archery District.

WEST QUEEN WEST
If you don't want to throw a house party but still want to maintain that relaxed vibe, take your friends to Apt. 200 on West Queen West.

YONGE & EGLINTON
Rent out Korean Cowboy's second floor party room if you want to host a private soirée - with Korean bar food and small plates - in midtown Toronto.

YORKVILLE
Regardless of the season, you can hang out on the rooftop patio at Hemingway's. This bar is usually packed with a diverse range of people and it's an ideal spot if you're seeking a low-key drink with a small group of friends.

Photos by Hector Vasquez, Jesse Miln and Ben Johnson.

Uncle Tetsu opening another Toronto location

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Uncle Tetsu TorontoUncle Tetsu's lineup is continuing to grow in Toronto. Yes, our city's most famous purveyor of fluffy, Japanese-style cheesecakes is getting ready to open up its third bricks-and-mortar location.

This one will start serving up sweet treats some time in March at 191 Dundas St. West.

Unlike the original Uncle Tetsu and Uncle Tetsu's Matcha Cafe, the newest outpost - called Uncle Tetsu's Japanese Angel Cafe - will include seats. So, say goodbye to awkwardly eating your cheesecake on the go.

Are you excited for a new Uncle Tetsu's? Let us know in the comments.

Griffin was at Sotto Sotto and Coco Lezzone before fight

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blake griffinBlake Griffin broke his hand in Toronto on Saturday night after punching his team's assistant equipment manager Matias Testi outside a local restaurant. According to the Los Angeles Times, Testi downplayed the incident and told Toronto police he was ok. No report was filed.

Naturally, many Torontonians asked: which restaurant? According to ESPN, Griffin and Testi were fighting outside of Sotto Sotto on Avenue Road.

As TMZ notes, the two ordered a few rounds of drinks at the Italian eatery Coco Lezzone before making their way across the street.

Neither restaurant is commenting today but Sotto Sotto is a well known celeb hangout and popular with visiting athletes, Blue Jays players and Drake. A glance of their Twitter feed shows Marcus Stroman, The Weeknd and Mike Babcock have all dined there in the past couple of weeks.

As for Griffin, the LA Clippers' power forward will be out for anywhere between four and six weeks. He tweeted an apology today writing "a situation among friends escalated and I regret the way I handled myself toward someone I care about."

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