The best baking and pastry classes in Toronto will have budding bakers whipping up sumptuous sweets, fresh breads and professional-looking cakes in no time. Some on this list are diploma or certificate granting programs while others require just a single day investment.

Here are the best baking and pastry classes in Toronto.

The Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts
College courses geared towards aspiring professionals offer diplomas in pastry and confectionary arts, as well as certificates in designer cakes and baking essentials. General interest classes on weekends offer an introduction to cake decorating, the art of the éclair, bread making basics, and even mastering techniques like Lambeth piping.

George Brown
This Baking Arts program is held in state-of-the-art commercial baking labs and will introduce novice bakers to essential techniques taught by some of Toronto's best bakers. Hobbyists can take continuing education classes ranging from basics to specialty courses, while grads can learn and work in France.

Le Dolci
This retail bake-shop and cooking studio on Dundas West offers six-week baking bootcamps along with one-off workshops exploring themes like eclairs and profiteroles, souffles and puddings, bread making, cake decorating and more.

Charmaine Sweets
This sweets studio in Leaside opens up its kitchens to teach the basics of baking. The current class schedule includes drop-in classes dedicated to cream puffs and pecan tartlets, as well as hands-on workshops meant to help home cooks master the art of the vanilla creme brûlée.

Cake Opera Co.
Acclaimed cake designer Alexandria Pellegrino hosts a series of master cake classes at her private Parkdale studio. Each class is focused on creating a show-stopping masterpiece and aims to help students develop their own unique style and aesthetic.

Madame Gateaux
This Danforth shop carries everything you'll need for baking up a storm and offers workshops with one and two day sessions. Recent classes have focused on cupcakes, pie making and cookie decorating. Plus you'll find summer camps for kids and seasonal courses focused on holiday baking.

McCall's
This baking and decorating supply store near Kipling station hosts classes for professionals and hobbyists. Sign up for instruction on eclairs, croissants, macarons, chocolate-making, cake decorating, and more.

Ice a Cake
This baking studio on Sheppard teaches the Wilton Method of Cake Decorating and is suitable for recreational and professional training. Intimate classes are capped at nine students each and delve into decorating techniques over four weeks. Also on offer are one time workshops focused on sugar moulding, figure modelling, tiered cakes and more.

Pitchfork Company
This cooking studio in Little India offers classes and workshops for kids and adults that explore both sweet and savoury subjects. Recent classes have included a tiny bakers class and teen patisserie course, adult workshops centred around baking naan bread, and instruction how to make a traditional pie crust.

Photo of the Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts by Taralyn Marshall.

The Union Pearson Express, possibly the most expensive air-rail link in North America, might soon become way more affordable. The Globe reports tonight that Metrolinx wants to drop the base fare from $27.50 to below $20. Better yet, those looking to use the service for commuter purposes -- i.e. between stations but not the airport -- would pay just $6.

Hey, that sounds better.

Toronto's air-rail link has been much-maligned since opening last spring. Ridership has been reported at 10 percent of capacity through 2016. Well, that is until the service was made free on Family Day Weekend, when people came out in droves to watch the Airbus/Boeing choreography across the sky.

The new fare structure has yet to be confirmed, but an announcement is expected Tuesday morning. Just last week Premier Kathleen Wynne suggested that the route might serve as a relief line for congested Toronto transit.

This isn't that. But, it's a start.

Photo via Metrolinx.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed today he'll be marching in this year's Pride Parade in Toronto. It's no surprise he'll be attending but it is significant - Trudeau will become the first Prime Minister to ever participate in the festivities.

In 2015, Trudeau made his presence known at Pride when, as leader of the Liberal Party prior to the federal election, he dressed in a pink shirt and white pants and hammed it up in front of large crowds and cameras alongside Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Very much look forward to being there again, this time as PM. #PrideTOhttps://t.co/cz5gBLZNyD

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 22, 2016

This year both Liberal leaders will be back marching in the parade. Toronto Mayor John Tory and Finance Minister Bill Morneau are also expected to participate.

Photo by Alex Guibord in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto celebrate taco Tuesday at The Citizen. The King West eatery is hosting a Mexican street style party complete with gourmet taco stations, live entertainment, tequila sampling and more. If you're looking to save your pennies, head to the Horseshoe instead - the venue is hosting its weekly free music night featuring performances by The Johnnys, The Savilles, Hervana and White Spaces.

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

• The Johnnys (Horseshoe Tavern)
• Tacos & Tequila (The Citizen)
• Lego & Lagers (Gladstone Melody Bar)
• Cartel Land (Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)
• Jamaican Patty Day (The Central)
• Comedy on College (Pour Boy)
• BrewHaHa (Lansdowne Brewery)

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

Photo by tacos_tequilagbc on Instagram.

One of three modern eco homes by Atria Developments, 20B Senlac Road is new to market near the revamped Yonge and Sheppard intersection. Asking $2,280,000, this contemporary four bedroom will, unoubtedly, attract the environmentally-aware buyer who wants to wake up to a Juliette balcony overlooking a Muskoka-style wooded ravine.

In North York, properties like this modern rebuild are a dime a dozen. Post-war bungalows are selling like hot cakes, soaring past the million dollar mark and replaced by expansive custom three-level homes. The area has undergone significant changes and redevelopment in recent years, new high-rises and even an upscale Whole Foods making its way to the neighbourhood.

The Senlac property features a rectangular and glass facade along with an open and sparse interior. Essentially, it's a blank slate -- add some art to those white walls and make it your own. The Scavolini Kitchen offers ample counter space, a wine fridge, and a separate built-in beverage bar.

Upstairs, the master and laundry room are on the same level -- a major plus on laundry day -- and the third floor features a small loft space with floor-to-ceiling windows. There's also a cedar rooftop deck with rough-in for a hot tub.

SPECS

• Address: 20B Senlac Road
• Price: $2,280,000
• Lot Size: 52 x 62 FT
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 5
• Parking: 2
• Taxes: Not assessed
• Walk Score: 36
• Listing agent: William Joyce, Bill Joyce Real Estate
• Listing ID: C3415205

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Eco-friendly home
• Glass staircase
• Fireplace
• Large ensuite with soaker tub
• Rooftop deck
• Smart Home System
• Backyard overlooking ravine

GOOD FOR

The environmentally-friendly home buyer. It's a green dream house with a portal to nature for the eco-conscious buyer. Features include a green roof, solar panels, energy efficient lighting and a home automation system to control just about everything including the thermostat from your smartphone.

MOVE ON IF

You love plush carpet beneath your toes. This home is all about engineered hardwood flooring, even the master bedroom requires a rug. The bedroom above garage might be drafty without proper insulation.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Is this property worth the asking? Have your say in the comments.

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

This week on DineSafe there are no closures to report, but restaurants like Asian Legend and Tortilla Flats came close with eight and 10 infractions, respectively. Also of note, Sashimi Island is back on the list with its fourth conditional pass since the beginning of the month.

See which other restaurants landed on DineSafe this week.

Asian Legend (418 Dundas Street West)
Inspected on: February 16, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 3, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Diamond Pizza (1349 Danforth Avenue)
Inspected on: February 16, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 3, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Far Niente (187 Bay Street)
Inspected on: February 16, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 4)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

The Bar With No Name (1430 Queen Street West)
Inspected on: February 17, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 3, Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Tortilla Flats (458 Queen Street West)
Inspected on: February 18, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 10 (Minor: 4, Significant: 6)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Fernando's Hideaway (591 Yonge Street)
Inspected on: February 19, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Sashimi Island (635 College Street)
Inspected on: February 19, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 4)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

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.

Cineplex may be synonymous with going to the movies, but the Canadian company is branching out, bringing its latest venture to Toronto in the form of an entertainment complex that'll focus on arcade games and live entertainment.

The Rec Room is moving into the Leon's Furniture store at 255 Bremner Blvd in Roundhouse Park, which is across from the Rogers Centre and Ripley's Aquarium.

This 40,000 square-foot space will feature multiple dining options - including an upscale casual restaurant - a bar featuring multiple high-def screens, games, shuffleboard courts, pool tables, ping pong tables and an entertainment venue.

It all sounds sort of like a souped-up Playdium or Dave and Buster's, meaning it'll likely cater to families and tourists looking for something to do downtown on a cold or rainy day.

Cineplex already has plans to open Rec Rooms in Edmonton and Calgary. The Toronto location should be up and running by early 2017.

This new vintage shop defies easy categorization. That's because it's a jack of all trades. Here you'll find furniture, clothing, and design accessories of all kinds. It's like a thrift shop without all the junk to sift through.

Read my review of Second Voyage in the design section.

Oscar parties in Toronto are in no short supply for the 88th Academy Awards taking place Sunday February 28. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the ceremony or just jonesing to see if Leo finally walks away with a statue, there are plenty of glammed-up soirees and casual gatherings on tap for the evening.

Here are my picks for where to watch the Oscars in Toronto this year.

Bloor Cinema
The Bloor Cinema is hosting its annual Oscars soiree - and good news, it's 100% free. The Templeton Philharmonic's Gwynne Phillips and Briana Templeton are hosting the affair which will screen the red carpet as well as the main event. There's no dress code being enforced, but dressing to the nines is encouraged.

The Royal Cinema
Not a passive Academy Awards viewer? Neither are the folks behind Drunk Feminist Films. They've combined forces with The Royal Cinema to put on an Oscars bash like none other. The team will add to the show with its brand of hilarious commentary, so get ready for some laughs. Entry is free but there will be plenty of snacks and drinks for sale to keep you fuelled.

Cinecycle
Cinecycle is throwing a steampunk bash complete with Oscar trivia, prizes, giveaways, ballots and more. If you don't have any steampunk gear lying around, put on your finest red-carpet attire - there will be prizes for both categories. Tickets range from $15-$55/per person.

Revue Cinema
Want prizes, champagne and a healthy dose of glitz and glamour? Head to the Revue Cinema on Roncy for a free Academy Awards bash. It's a licensed event, so feel free to craft your own drinking game as the show goes on.

The Fox
If you're an east ender and don't want to head downtown to watch the show, you're in luck. The Fox is hosting its annual screening of the event, plus Oscar Bingo and awards for Best Dressed, Best Impression and more. It won't cost you a dime to get in, but the theatre is accepting donations for the AIDS Committee of Toronto.

Innis Town Hall
U of T's Innis Town Hall is hosting an Academy Awards bash for more than just students. The free, open-to-the-public event will screen both the red carpet and the awards show. Remember to show up early because it's bound to fill up fast.

Drake Hotel
If you're looking for something a little swankier hit up the Drake on Sunday night. The hotel has prepared a three-course prix fixe meal and special bubbly menu in honour of the big night. There will also be cinematic trivia for all the film buffs in attendance. Entry is free, but the dinner will set you back $37.

Gladstone Hotel
The Gladstone is hosting its Anti-Oscars, Oscars Viewing Party in the Melody Bar. The event caters to those too lazy to clean their apartments for an Oscars party, fans of Leonard DiCaprio (and only Leonardo DiCaprio) and those who haven't actually screened any of the flicks but want to see who wins anyways. The free bash will include banter, trivia and prizes.

Hunters Landing
Hunters Landing is bringing the Oscars to CityPlace. The pub is encouraging all attendees to dress to impress - It'll have a red carpet and "paparazzi," so you may want to put on something a little more interesting than jeans and a t-shirt.

Carlton Cinema
Carlton Cinema hasn't released many details about its event thus far, but if you're looking to screen the Oscars on a screen bigger than your Macbook's, it's a solid choice. The event is free with a canned food donation, so don't forget to stop by your local grocery store pre-event.

What did I miss? Add where you'll be watching the Oscars to the comments.

Photo courtesy of the Academy Awards.

In a city fuelled by caffeine, there's a new era of coffee enthusiasts concocting one-of-a-kind drinks you won't find anywhere else in Toronto. Raising the stakes with signature menu items over and above the traditional offerings, these cafes offer show-stopping creations that feature ingredients like lavender, chocolate, Nutella, and, of course, booze.

Here are 10 creative and unusual coffee concoctions that'll liven up your daily caffeine fix in Toronto.

Devil's Mocha
The Shmooz on the Danforth knows how to fire up the morning with this original play on the tall glass mocha. Made with simple syrup, chocolate espresso, and spiced with chili flakes, it's smoky with a little spice to energize into the afternoon.

Cold Brew Float
The cold brew coffee craze could only get colder with this treat from Glory Hole Doughnuts and Station Cold Brew. Made with soft serve ice cream, drizzled with chocolate syrup and poured over cold brew, it's the perfect drink when you want dessert in a cup.

Bailey's Latte
Coffee lovers can't get enough of this after-dark hit. Find it at Black Cat Espresso, where owner Justin Manuel gets creative with espresso by mixing it with Bailey's, cocoa and steamed milk. A go-to for anyone looking for an extra kick in their stroll down College.

Lavender Honey Latte
Served at both The Strong One and Empire Espresso, this satisfyingly sweet creation is made with love by owners Sarah Dillon and Lisa Young-Kutsukake. As comforting as tea, and as enlivening as espresso.

Dark Knight
It might be an obvious and easy combination, but Black Goat Café makes a double shot espresso mixed with hot chocolate taste like it's never been done before. A powerful combo of coffee and chocolate, it's a miniature volcano that's overflowing with yummy whipped cream.

Bearded Barista
Voodoo Child is a College street landmark serving up coffee cocktails with a bite. Try this cocktail made with Jim Beam bourbon, Amaretto, Cynar, coffee beans and bitters. Trust me when I say this drink is a coffee-cocktail beauty.

Triple Chocolate Maple Passion
Bulldog Café owner Stuart Ross invented a triple threat chocolate coffee drink for customers with severe sweet cravings. This superior treat is made with espresso topped with chilli pepper, chocolate sauce, chocolate syrup, and drowned in a maple syrup tinted cream and then sprinkled with cocoa. This is next level.

Cutella
Only Sam James would think to sell a jar of coffee-infused chocolate. Steam it with milk or eat it straight from the jar on the couch, this Soma Chocolate mashed with Cut Coffee is easily the most satisfying take-home spread ever made. Get it while quantities last.

Crème Brûlée Cappuccino
It smells like a campfire and tastes like a really sweet latte. The gang at Quantum Coffee outdid themselves with this traditional cappuccino, topped with sugar and blowtorched a la crème brûlée. Make a video for Instagram while the barista crafts the drink.

Peanut Butter Caramel Latte
This seasonal winter treat from R2 Espresso is worth a mention. Mixing one scoop of smooth peanut butter with a shot of caramel syrup, then topped with a rich layer of steamed milk, this java drink doubles as a creamy dessert.

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

Photo via Sam James on Instagram.

Toronto's in love with matcha, and for good reason. Not only is this finely ground green tea powder delicious, but it also apparently offers a slew of potential health benefits. And thankfully (for our tastebuds), the downtown core will soon be home to a new cafe dedicated to serving up matcha-infused treats.

Tsujiri, a more than 155-year-old Japanese brand, is opening its first North American store at 147 Dundas St. W in early March. Naturally, it'll be dedicated to all things green tea; its menu includes items such as soft-serve sundaes, chiffon cakes, milk tea floats, cappuccinos as well as a few new products that the company's developing specifically for Toronto.

Along with the cafe, Tsujiri will feature a traditional tatami room at the back of the restaurant.

Tsujiri won't be the first Toronto spot devoted to matcha. We already have the enormously popular Uncle Tetsu's Matcha Cafe at Bay and Dundas and Nohohon Tea Room on Queen Street West.

Photo via @karmun_boey on Instagram.

Grocery stores in Toronto are an excellent representation of this city's multiculturalism and diversity. Whether looking for delicacies imported from another continent or hard-to-find spice blends and nostalgic snack foods from the motherland, there's a well-stocked store somewhere in the city for everyone's needs.

Here are my picks for the top grocery stores in Toronto by country.

ASIAN
T&T Supermarkets boasts seven locations in the GTA featuring a broad selection of Asian goods. Highlights include the live shellfish at the fish counter while the aisles are stocked with fresh produce and bakery items, instant noodles galore, snack foods, bottled teas and sodas, and an array of ready-to-eat hot food.

CARIBBEAN
Starfish Caribbean Market in the Weston-Mount Dennis neighbourhood is populated with essential Caribbean provisions. Head here for plantains and okra in the produce section, plus fresh fish and seafood, and imported dry goods, seasonings and sauces.

FILIPINO
Bernard's Pilipino Specialities occupies a modest-looking storefront in Parkdale. The shop stocks various dry goods and snacks from Southeast Asian countries along with freshly prepared Filipino specialties including ube-infused cakes, tocino, longanisa and crispy lechon.

GREEK
Kostas Meat Market & Deli and its adjacent bakery are the place to go when craving Kefalograviera and Kefalotyri cheeses, house-marinated souvlaki skewers, dips, imported dried goods, olives and olive oil. There's also frozen cheese and spinach pies along with everyday essentials.

INDIAN
Nuts, flour, and spices are the specialty at Trupti in East York. The importer is well known for roasting, grinding and blending spice mixes and also carries a range of snack foods including Bhel Mix, Channadal and Jeera Puri.

ISRAELI
Differentiating itself from other Middle Eastern grocers, Sababa imports products almost exclusively from Israel. This is the place to buy Bissli and Malt Star Beer, not to mention they bake pita on site and offer prepared foods like dips and salads along with falafel and shawarma sandwiches.

ITALIAN
Italian grocery items are hardly rare in Toronto, but for a truly excellent selection head to to Pasquale Bros. in Etobicoke. If you're looking for basics like canned tomatoes, pastas, olive oils, cheeses and cured meats, they've got it. And that's not to mention that imported Italian brands like Genesis (preserves including pesto and jam) and Fior di Maiella (dried beans and soup mixes) abound.

JAPANESE
Japanese grocer and gift shop Sanko Trading Co. has been serving Toronto since 1968 and is a fixture on Queen West. This is the place to find fresh wasabi, plus popular snack foods like Pocky, mochi, Ichiban instant noodles, and pantry staples including rice, vinegar and dashi.

KOREAN
Galleria Supermarket isn't the only Korean grocer in Toronto but earns big points for operating 24-hours. Find the shop jam packed with fresh vegetables, seafoods and prepared foods including kimchi, spicy rice cakes, gimbap (Korean sushi), and more.

LATIN AMERICAN
Perola Supermarket in Kensington Market is home to an array of products from Perú, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, El Salvador and México. Find the shop stocked with a wide variety of chili peppers, beverages like Postobón, Malta polar and Inka cola, sweets like Turrón de Doña Pepa, Chocolate Garoto and dulce de leche, pan de queso, and other essentials of a Latin kitchen.

MIDDLE EASTERN
Adonis in Scarborough is a one stop shop for Middle Eastern eaters. The best stuff is around the perimeter of the store, including bulk nuts and olives, soft cheeses, halal meats, baklava and hot foods. The massive automated pita-baking operation at the heart of the shop is impressive too.

PERSIAN
Khorak Supermarket (or Super Khorak as I like to call it) is home to fresh barbari bread, spices, fresh produce, and a pretty awesome hot table stocked with stewed meats and rice dishes.

POLISH
Smoked fish, bulk pickles and sauerkraut, kielbasa, and rows upon rows of imported products from Europe are among the main attractions at Starsky.

PORTUGUESE
Nosso Talho is a Portuguese grocer and butcher shop that's been a fixture in Bloorcourt since 1974 (there's also a location in Little Portugal). Shoppers here know to stock up on hard-to-find products like São Jorge cheese, chourico and bacalhau (salted cod).

RUSSIAN
Yummy Market in North York (and Richmond Hill) is a massive supermarket specializing in goods imported from Russia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland. Browse the aisles here for Tvorog (quark), pelmeni (dumplings), borscht and more.

SPANISH
Mercat del Carmen on Queen West is a cafe and marketplace where the shelves are stocked with a mix of imports and house-made products including canned seafoods and olives, spirals of merguez sausage, blocks of manchego cheese, house-made taro chips, roasted nuts, canned tomato sauce, olive oils, and freshly spun aioli.

TURKISH
Marche Istanbul on Dufferin near Orfus Road is a treasure trove of imported goods. Find the shop stocked with Koska brand jams, Peyman dried fruits and nuts, ETi biscuits and snack foods, bulk items, and more.

What did I miss? Add your favourite international grocery store in the comments.

Today in Toronto indulge in some retail therapy by heading to the Gladstone Hotel for the Boozaar Vintage Night Market; you'll get to shop for vintage treasures while indulging in some top-notch libations. If you'd rather see one of the month's top concerts, Glassjaw is performing at the Opera House tonight.

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

• Rhubarb Festival (Buddies in Bad Times)
• Boozaar Vintage Night Market (Gladstone Ballroom)
• LITTLE TERRORS Vol. 42 (Carlton Cinema)
• Sisters on 16MM Film (Sonic Boom)
• Music Bingo (Gladstone Melody Bar)
• That's How I Remember It LIVE (The Ossington)
• Whimm, Blanka MTL and Jaunt (Smiling Buddha)
• Glassjaw (Opera House)

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

Photo of Glassjaw by Oz Villanueva on Flickr.

This bubble tea chain, which claims its the largest in the world, already has a bit of a presence in Toronto with locations in North York and Scarborough, but now it's landed downtown as its empire continues to grow.

Read my review of CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in the cafes section.

Bay Street has the type of geographically influenced name that you'd assume must have conferred upon it from the start, but a commonly held theory is that the first name given to this stretch of road was Bear St. That might seem fitting given the street's current place at the heart of the country's financial institutions and stock exchange, but the nominology was, in fact, literal.

Likely popularized by John Ross Robertson's Landmarks of Toronto (1894), the story goes that "Bay Street is said to be a corruption of Bear Street -- the latter name applied because of a bear hunt which once took place on that thoroughfare."

Officially speaking, Bay was already in use at the outset of the 19th century, but references to "Bear" still persisted.

Early Bay St. was a far cry from what we know today, and not merely because it lacked the stature of buildings it now boasts. Assuming it was intentionally named Bay (rather than morphing from Bear), it's worth noting that it was one of the streets that connected Lot St. (now Queen St.) to the harbour (or the bay, as you might have it).

Up until the 1920s, Bay St. was actually very well connected to the waterfront. The Railway Lands eventually interfered with this, as did the construction of overpasses to help trains access Union Station.

The street was also extended south around this time, but never given the "Lower" designation because its street numbering could accommodate the extension. The tip of the street actually terminated at the waterfront until the early 1970s before development extended even further south into the harbour.

During its first 120 years or so, Bay St. was quite short, as its northern terminus was Queen St. North of here, the street was named for Terauley cottage, the residence of Dr. John Macaulay, an original holder of one the Town of York's 32 Park Lots. The street was officially renamed Bay as far north as Scollard St. in 1922 and up to Davenport Rd. in 1924.

The northerly section of the street was largely residential through the 1950s, with many small cottage-style houses still in tact through the mid 1930s. It wasn't until the construction of the Manulife Centre in the 1970s, that Bay and Bloor streets would lay a claim for inclusion in definitions of "downtown Toronto."

Interestingly, Bay St. is due to reclaim its name as work commences on the revamped Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Even as the tip of the street is presently the gateway to the Toronto Islands, it's almost entirely blocked off from the harbour itself. That will change with extensive work to fashion a green space that beckons residents to the waterfront whether they're hopping on the ferry or not.

As for old Bear St., it remains the stuff of legends from a time before the city had been mapped.

Photos from the Toronto Archives. Goad's Atlas (1884) from Goad's Toronto.

It looks like Rihanna and Drake's video at The Real Jerk work, work, worked to bring more customers into the Gerrard Street restaurant.

Co-owner Lili Pottinger apparently told TMZ that business has been up 20 percent since the video came out on Monday. She also said that while Rihanna and Drake partied it up at The Real Jerk's Leslieville outpost, she maintains a "zero tolerance policy" for illegal substances at her eatery.

Earlier this month, fans went nuts when they learned that Rihanna would be shooting part of her "Work" video in Toronto. You can watch the video below.

Does Drake and Rihanna's video make you want to visit the Real Jerk? Let us know in the comments.

Big-box music stores haven't fared well in Toronto over the past few years. So, it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that HMV is shutting down its store at 50 Bloor St.

Located in the Holt Renfrew Centre on the Mink Mile, this HMV location will stick around until the end of March. There's no word yet on what'll be replacing it in this high traffic area of the city.

If you head over during the next month and a bit, you can expect to see big sales - right now, certain items are up to 50 percent off.

A few years ago, HMV closed its Queen West outpost and in 2014, Sunrise Records shut down both of its remaining Toronto locations.

HMV still has downtown Toronto stores in the Eaton Centre and on Yonge Street.

McCaul Street has been on Toronto's architectural map since the Sharp Centre for Design was built at OCAD back in 2004 and even more so when Frank Gehry re-did the AGO in 2008, but a new round of buildings promises to increase the stature of the street considerably.

Last year, OCAD announced plans for a new pavilion at the southeast corner of the street that will create a gateway with the AGO for the southern portion of the street. More recently, renderings have been released for 35 McCaul. Currently a four-storey office building in converted warehouses, renovations would see a three-floor glass addition built atop the structure.

This is the kind of architecture that rarely gets much by way of accolades given its lack of scale, but it's precisely the type of thing that's making McCaul interesting. Aside from building up, plans call for the addition to sweep down the centre of the building creating a T-like contemporary structure that would link the two historical buildings.

Set back in line with the Village on the Grange complex, the proposed building is scaled well to match the street, even if, as Urban Toronto reports, it's two metres taller than the maximum height allowed here. The consultation process is ongoing for 35 McCaul, but there's reason to be optimistic that this development will be approved.

Should the addition get the go-ahead from the city, construction could begin as early as the summer.

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

We have immediate openings for freelance writers interested in covering Toronto nightlife (bars, events), food and restaurants for the site. As a freelance writer you'll be expected to contribute to the site between one to six times a week. Read on to find out more about who we're looking for and how to apply.

NIGHTLIFE WRITER

We have an immediate opening for a freelance writer to contribute ongoing articles covering Toronto nightlife. In this role you'll be profiling local Toronto bars (like this), covering and writing about events and writing bar and nightlife related listicles.

You must have a good handle on Toronto's evolving nightlife scene including knowledge of the latest bar openings, interesting, unusual and must-attend events. Working evenings and weekends is essential.

FOOD WRITER

We have an immediate opening for a freelance writer to contribute weekly brunch reviews, as well as provide additional writing such as food-related listicles, bakery and restaurant profiles. Working weekends (for brunch reviewing purposes) is essential. Expert knowledge about food trends, Toronto's food scene and different types of cuisine (Chinese, India, Filipino etc.) is a huge plus.

REQUIREMENTS

• A Journalism background or online writing experience.
• Solid research skills and the ability to write concise, punchy prose in article or list-based formats.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to consistently meet deadlines.
• The ability to generate a regular flow of article ideas.
• The ability and willingness to write about places and events around the GTA (not just downtown Toronto)

HOW TO APPLY

Interested in applying for one of these role? Just send an email to jobs [at] blogto [dotcom] with the following info:

• Send us a bit of information about yourself (how long you've lived in Toronto, what neighbourhoods you have lived in) and your education and work experience. A link to your Linked-In or CV will be helpful here.
• Let us know why you're interested in this role and how soon you can start.
• Send us links to any relevant online content you've created that you think will wow us.

In addition to the above please submit the following depending on what role you're applying for.

Nightlife Writer

• Name 2 new bars (ones that opened in the last 4 months) you'd like to review for us (please only include ones we have yet to review on the site)
• Name 2-3 upcoming events (events taking place in the next 2 weeks) you think would make for great editorial coverage on the site.

Food Writer

• Suggest 5 brunch places and 3 bakeries you'd love to review for us (must be places we haven't yet reviewed)
• Pitch 1-2 food-related listicles you'd like to write about for the site.
• Tell us about your favourite new restaurant (that opened in 2016) and where you get your daily caffeine fix.

Thanks in advance to everyone interested in applying to one of the above roles. We aim to respond to all applicants who send us a complete application as per the instructions above.

The top historical buildings in Toronto are the foundation of this city's architectural legacy. For all the complaining about a lack of history here, when you sit down to think about it, it becomes clear that we're blessed with ample structural connections to our past. From gorgeous gothic churches to stately skyscrapers, Toronto's history is alive and beautiful.

These are my picks for the top 20 historical buildings in Toronto.