Bestival made its North American debut on the Toronto Islands last year, and this U.K.-based music fest is returning to the city for round two on June 11 and 12, 2016.

While Bestival garnered mostly favourable reviews, many complained about schlepping out to the Islands, especially since some attendees had to wait in line for hours just to get on a ferry back to the mainland.

That won't be a problem this year because Bestival's moving to Woodbine Park on the city's east side.

Woodbine Park already hosts the annual Beaches Jazz Festival, but it does seem like a rather unusual choice for a major pop and rock music extravaganza.

And while you won't have to struggle for a spot on a ferry this year, you will have to contend with the spotty 501 streetcar line.

Stay tuned for lineup details, which are due to be released soon.

Photo by Alejandro Santiago.

The community of Birch Cliff in Scarborough in on the upswing after the arrival of a beautiful new coffee shop on Kingston Road. The only third-wave coffee shop for miles, this newcomer is making history with delicious coffee the neighbourhood can't get enough of.

Read my review of The Birchcliff in the cafes section.

Yorkdale mall was a very different place in the 1990s. Sure, it was already widely considered Toronto's nicest shopping centre, but it lacked the upscale identity it boasts today. Not only was the place smaller, but it just seemed more down to earth. Back then you could buy groceries instead of $2000 sweaters, and a burger at Diana Sweets cost $5.95. Oh, the memories.

Here are 10 signs you shopped at Yorkdale mall in the 1990s.

1. You remember the Dominion grocery store where the Holt Renfrew is now. Every mall had to have a supermarket back then.

2. It was actually possible to get a parking spot near to an entrance on weekends.

3. You remember having lunch buffet at the palatial upstairs restaurant at Eaton's.

4. The basement-level PJs Pets was a pseudo zoo where you inadvertently terrorized the animals.

5. When arriving by TTC, you were greeted by Michael Hayden's multi-coloured Arc en ciel light installation.

6. You ate at Obies restaurant, where they made a decent club sandwich even if the decor was stale.

7. You could smoke in the mall. Well, at least until the mid '90s.

8. Diana Sweets was a thing. You loved the cube-like home fries.

9. You remember being nearly blown over by wind while walking from your car to the entrance of Simpson's department store on the west side of the mall.

10. You could leisurely walk the entire mall in about 10 minutes.

What else do you remember about Yorkdale in the 1990s? Share your memories in the comments.

This seven year old restaurant from acclaimed Chef David Lee has given itself a restaurant makeover including a totally revamped menu now featuring $4 bar snacks.

Read my profile of Nota Bene in the restaurants section.

The top events in Toronto for March include everything from comedy festivals to contemporary music shows. With the weather becoming a bit more hospitable (crossing my fingers that there's not too many more storms in store), leaving the house is becoming less of a drag, and this month there's more than a few reasons to.

Here are my picks for the top events in Toronto this March.

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival (March 3-13)
Kick off the month with some laughs by attending the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. The event offers 12 days of live, scripted comedy shows by some of the funniest comedians in the country. Performing troupes include Hello! Thunder Bay, Laugh Sabbath, and This is That.

International Women's Day Events (March 5-9)
March 8th marks International Women's Day, but events aren't confined to just one day. From the 5th to the 9th celebrate girl power with group rallies, parties, speeches and more.

New Creations Festival (March 5-12)
In the market for something more high brow than an indie show at the Horseshoe? The New Creations Festival will help you get in touch with your more sophisticated side with its roster of avant-garde contemporary music shows. With everything from trumpet concertos to DJ performances on tap, you've got plenty of options.

New Ideas Festival (March 9-27)
Alumnae Theatre's juried festival of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre returns on March 9th. Catch one of the matinees for $15 or wait until Saturday to attend a PWYC staged reading.

Hi-Fi Musical Adventure (March 10-12)
Over the course of three days more than 60 artists will hit venues in and around Kensington Market for the Hi-Fi Musical Adventure. You'll get to catch shows by locals like Girls Give Me Pills, Bathurst Station and The Rose County Ramblers. Wristbands are a mere $10 and there's 4 a.m. last call.

Sugar Beach Sugar Shack (March 12-13)
Sugar Beach is being transformed into a Québec-style sugar shack for the first weekend of March Break. It will feature family-friendly events like maple syrup tasting, performances by Stef Paquette, Mélanie Brulée and Amélies et les Singes Blues and a Choir!Choir!Choir! sing-a-long. If you need a break from sugary treats, you can grab some savoury fare at one of the local food trucks on site.

Toronto Fashion Week (March 14-18)
If you feel like channelling your inner Chiara Ferragni in March, you'll want to snag tickets to some Fashion Week shows. While Toronto's fest probably won't have runway hotshots like Gigi and Bella Hadid, there will be more than enough fashionable finds to oggle at and Instagram.

House of Vans (March 16-April 2)
Regardless of if your a skateboarding fanatic, live music lover or are just really into the Damn, Daniel phenomenon, the House of Vans looks pretty cool. It will take over the soon-to-be Bellwoods Brewery location at 950 Dupont Street, turning it into a skatepark, art gallery and music venue for a few weeks mid-month.

Comicon (March 18-20)
Comicon returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on March 18. Over the course of three days, you'll get to attend meet and greets with stars like Jason Isaacs and John O'Hurley , hit up workshops and seminars, mingle with your favourite cosplayers and more.

One of a Kind Show (March 23-27)
If you're on the prowl for unique gifts, The One Of A Kind Show at the Enercare Centre will be right up your alley. At the end of the month, shoppers will flock to the event venue, looking for one-off bits and bobs. Two bonuses: the event supports independent businesses, and you can probably snag a sample or two at the food booths.

What did I miss? Add other March events in the comments.

Photo by Anthony B in the blogTO Flickr pool.

On March 1, Canadian cable and satellite service providers will have to start offering "skinny basic" packages, as mandated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) last year.

The CRTC says that these packages must cost $25 or less (not including equipment, like a digital box) and have to include CBC, Global and CTV as well as regional, French language, educational and legislative channels. While not mandatory, they can also contain popular American networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and PBS.

If you're looking to catch Game of Thrones or Shark Week, you can pay more to add channels like HBO or Discovery to the mix. Right now, you can buy these specialty channels in bundles, but by the end of the year you'll be able to buy them individually.

So, how do these "skinny basic" options stack up for us in Toronto?

The Rogers Starter Package is $24.95 and offers local, Canadian and American channels. For Discovery, it'll cost you an extra $10 for the Science & History theme package.

Bell's costs the same and looks quite similar, though it doesn't include the U.S. networks. And, last week, the company got in some hot water after an employee leaked internal documents, which directed staff not to advertise its "skinny basic" offerings.

According to the CBC, Bell's $24.95 package also isn't as cheap as it seems. As the Toronto Star writes, to get it, customers need to have high-speed internet ($64.95 per month) as well as a PVR box ($15 per month to rent).

Alternatively, you can join the cord-cutters and subscribe to Netflix, Shomi and CraveTV for just under $30 per month.

What do you think of the new skinny cable? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Gary Baker in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today, RBC released its latest Housing Affordability Report and unsurprisingly, single family homes in Toronto are wildly unattainable for many people.

BNN reports that the housing markets in both Toronto and Vancouver are becoming increasingly unaffordable, at least for those looking to purchase a detached home. Condos, on the other hand, are a more viable option for many would-be buyers.

According to an RBC news release, this affordability measure "captures the proportion of pre-tax household income required to service the cost of owning a specific category of home at current market value."

As CBC writes, for instance, "It takes 71.4 per cent of the average household income to afford the cost of a single family home in Toronto."

Last May, the average price for a detached home in Toronto surpassed the $1 million mark.

Photo by Lunatic Desire in the blogTO Flickr pool.

You'll have hard time satiating your Crookie (that's a croissant and cookie hybrid, FYI) cravings in Toronto because beloved West Queen West bakery Clafouti has shut down.

While Clafouti may have been most famous for its Oreo-stuffed croissants, this French-style bakery also churned out a slew of sweet treats and savoury sandwiches.

Owner Olivier Jansen-Reynaud is currently running two restaurants in Niagara Falls - including the Cabo Cantina where he's executive chef - and felt he wasn't dedicating enough time to Clafouti over the past few months.

Despite this, he says he'll miss West Queen West, but notes that the street has changed over the past few years.

Share your Clafouti memories in the comments.

Today in Toronto start the month off right with some grade A flicks. TIFF will be showing Oscar nominated documentary shorts, animated shorts, and live action shorts. If you're already out of Academy Awards mode, head to the Mod Club to see A Great Big World perform -- there are still a few tickets left.

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

• Comedy on College (Pour Boy)
• Winter Stations (Kew Beach)
• Explorer, Jammer's Waffle House and South West Three (Horseshoe Tavern)
• ALTdot Comedy Lounge (Rivoli)
• Kobe's Poetry: Sports Trivia for the Cynical and Erudite (Junction City Music Hall)
• A Great Big World (Mod Club)
• Lego + Lagers (Gladstone Melody Bar)
• Oscar Shorts (TIFF Bell Lightbox)

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

Photo via A Great Big World on Instagram.

This week on DineSafe ONoir is back in the bad books with a conditional pass. The restaurant, where diners eat in a pitch-black room, didn't pass its last two inspections on the first try either. Joining it are a host others who couldn't manage to please the local food police.

See which other establishments landed on DineSafe this week.

Bicerin (37 Baldwin Avenue)
Inspected on: February 22, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

The Captain's Boil (470 Yonge Street)
Inspected on: February 22, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 4, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen Street West)
Inspected on: February 23, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

IQ Food (77 Adelaide Street West)
Inspected on: February 23, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Red Rocket Coffee (154 Wellesley Street East)
Inspected on: February 23, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Morgan's On The Danforth (1282 Danforth Avenue)
Inspected on: February 24, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

BQM (369 Roncesvalles Avenue)
Inspected on: February 25, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

ONoir (620 Church Street)
Inspected on: February 26, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

The Jerk Joint (238 Queen Street West)
Inspected on: February 26, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to thoroughly re-heat hazardous food item(s).

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.

Last year, one of New York City's hottest new restaurants opened up in a Columbia University dorm room. While no enterprising Ryerson or UofT students have started an ivory tower eatery just yet, one local chef is getting creative with space in order to offer up her molecular gastronomy to hungry Torontonians.

For the past month and a half, Cindy Fung has been hosting supper clubs and boozy brunches in the party room at her Regent Park-area condo with her food-focused start-up Preserve Indulgence. "It's been a very long time coming," she says.

After studying criminology and psychology during undergrad, Fung decided to pursue a culinary career and eventually landed an internship with Master Chef Canada's Alvin Leung at his Hong Kong restaurant Bo Innovation. That's where she honed her skills.

Now, she's bringing them back home to Preserve Indulgence, which focuses on pop-up meals. "We really utilize science and technology and art to kind of form our cuisine," she says.

Each week at her supper club, she and her team of sous-chefs serve a seven course tasting menu, which changes monthly. She encourages guests to BYOB, just like they would at any other dinner party. Her three-course Sunday brunches, on the other hand, come with bottomless pho Caesars and lemonade mimosas.

While Fung is realizing her goal of creating a restaurant-like environment to showcase her cooking, she also loves bringing diners together.

"It's a little bit of a match-making service where people get to meet new people," she says. Although she doesn't mean romantically. "It's a mingling service."

You can book a spot at a supper club or brunch online.

Photo by Meghan Tierman.

If I had $3.7 million laying around, I'd be tempted to buy this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired property at 80 North Drive. Located at Royal York and Eglinton in the Edenbridge-Humber Valley neighbourhood, the split-level house is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass, overlooking an outdoor courtyard with a ravine, swimming pool and wrap-around landscaped gardens.

Built in 1973 by Blake Millar, the architect who designed a residence at Upper Canada College, the impressive interior is modern but timeless, boasting four bedrooms and bathrooms at almost 7,000 square feet.

With a translucent back, the house is seriously bathed in sunlight, blends indoor and outdoor space, and yet remains extremely private, even with three custom decks.

Almost every room offers a scenic outdoor view. The open concept kitchen overlooks the pool, the office highlights a picturesque garden view, and the master retreat is enclosed in one giant glass cube. There's parking for six, a heated garage, and a fitness studio and sauna.

SPECS

• Address: 80 North Drive
• Price: $3,725,000
• Lot Size: 50 x 465 FT
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 4
• Parking: 6
• Taxes: $16,686
• Walk Score: 20
• Listing agent: Ana Santos, Harvey Kalles
• Listing ID: W3418423

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Approx. 6,600 square feet
• Skylights
• Floor-to-ceiling glass walls
• Three decks
• Sauna
• Fitness studio
• Heated garage
• Outdoor pool and pond

GOOD FOR

Frank Lloyd Wright fans. According to the realtor, the unique property is inspired by the acclaimed architect's iconic Fallingwater House, and also Millar's first attempt at a cantilevered structure in Toronto.

MOVE ON IF

The listing price is out of your league. The famed property was up for sale in 2011 for $3,295,000, just below the current asking. Fingers crossed you'll win big on the next Roll up the Rim.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Does this qualify as a dream house? 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.

When I checked Twitter this morning, @TTCnotices said, "Due to power issues downtown, service suspended on Line 1(YU) between Bloor and Osgoode Stns. Shuttle buses btwn Bloor and St. George Stn." Like many in Toronto, I knew I was in for a chaotic commute.

As CBC News reports, a fire in a hydro vault at 50 Richmond St. E. knocked out power for part of the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line as well as several streetcar routes.

According to the Toronto Star, the TTC dispatched 133 shuttle buses to shepherd Torontonians to and from work. Though, many felt it was faster to walk, while others braced themselves for massive surge fares on Uber.

Hopefully, the TTC will resolve its power-related issues before the incoming snow storm.

Here's how the morning commute looked on social media.

How was your commute? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Jasonnipdesign on Instagram.

Instead of walking or waiting for a shuttle bus during this morning's chaotic commute, many Torontonians turned to UberX in attempt to get to work on time.

Some, however, were miffed when they saw surge prices at three times the normal fare. This tactic shouldn't be surprising considering Uber always raises its prices when demand is high. Nevertheless, conventional cabs looked pretty good this morning.

Here's a roundup of reaction to Uber surge pricing and a generally chaotic commute.

February is a tough month for Toronto businesses. The spending spree of the holidays is a distant memory and restaurant-goers tend to hibernate until spring. This month has been no exception, with numerous businesses shuttering, including a few that might be characterized as institutions.

Here's a roundup of Toronto businesses that closed this past month.

My Market Bakery
The Kensington Market stalwart abruptly shut down early in the month amidst accusations that employees were owed wages and suppliers were owed money as well.

Lou Dawg's
The southern smokehouse known for its late-night service and pulled pork sandwiches closed its location on King West this month. The outpost on Gerrard is still in business.

Reforma
The Mexican eatery took over from Agave Y Aguacate on Baldwin Street a mere four months ago, but the restaurant shuttered abruptly mid-month with no explanation.

Steer Inn Burgers
Loyal customers flocked to this iconic Richmond Hill restaurant for one final fix of burgers, gyros and fries on Valentines Day. The burger joint had been in business for half a century but closed its doors after owners Nick and Mike Sofos along with partner Ted Theodoridis announced their retirement.

Clafouti
You won't be able to get your crookie fix at this West Queen West bakery cafe any longer. Owner Olivier Jansen-Reynaud has moved on to running two restaurants in Niagara Falls.

Skyline Restaurant
This Parkdale institution shuttered for good on February 21. Sally Smits, Skyline's only waitress, told us that the diner has been sold though retiring owner Louie "thinks the new owners will be keeping it similar."

Mr. Ciao
Mr. Ciao served its last deep fried pizza on Sunday, Feburary 28. The address on Gerrard is set to be converted into the Triple A Pub, the third location of the east-side BBQ joint.

Rock Lobster
The original RLFC on Ossington announced its closure this month. Owner Matt Dean Pettit shuttered the spot to focus on the upcoming upscale fast casual concept that is set to expand across Canada and the U.S.. The Queen West location remains open for now.

The [Eat]ery
The casual lunch counter on University Avenue shut down this month making grab and go salads and sandwiches a little more scarce on street level in the Financial District.

Das Gasthaus
Owners of this German gastropub on the Danforth attempted to unload raffle off the restaurant last year but now that the winner has turned down the prize the restaurant is closed and in arrears.

Hey Meatball
The meatball-centric eatery in Little Italy was sold and shuttered this month. Rodney Bower's signature meatballs on pasta, polenta or risotto are thankfully still available in Leslieville.

Marky's BBQ Smokehouse
The barbecue joint in Baby Point announced its closure on social media on the last day of the month. The house smoked brisket and meat pies will surely be missed.

Photo of the Skyline by Phil Marion.

The best catering companies in Toronto have established themselves as reputable party professionals capable of pulling off any event no matter how big or small. Above and beyond executing creative menus, these catering companies can plan, staff and decorate, spice up corporate luncheons, and even reduce the stress of holiday cooking.

Here are the best catering companies in Toronto.

Food Dudes
Enlist these pros to pull off lavish parties and distinguished corporate functions. The large scale operation has the capacity to produce functions both big and small and can tailor their services to intimate sit down dinners, passed canapé receptions and ambulatory grazing stations. They can also bring along their food truck.

P&L Catering
This extension of Matty Matheson's Parts & Labour restaurant offers full service event planning and a broad spectrum of menus for any occasion. Tap P&L to produce rustic family-style comfort foods, beautifully arranged canapés and chef-manned stations slinging noodles and carving roasts.

Elle Cuisine
Chef Lauren Mozer and team plan and execute elegant and memorable events. The full service operation can customize its offerings to any special occasion and serves up restaurant caliber food for cocktail parties, sit-down dinners, weddings and corporate functions. Unique offerings include a bibimbap bar and churros stations.

Encore Catering
Creative menus tailored to any type of event are exactly where this catering company excels. Whether planning a backyard BBQ, formal dinner, breakfast or Passover feast, Encore makes it look easy and serves up delicious fare. Besides, who wouldn't want a late night smoked meat station at their next affair?

10tation Event Catering
This Etobicoke-based catering company is among the most experienced at handling large events. They offer everything from tailored menus and boardroom-ready platters to fancy hors d'oeuvres and mini entrees. This company also prides itself on being eco-friendly.

Citizen Catering
This high caliber caterer offers impressive hors d'oeuvres, unique food stations, sophisticated seated dinners and relaxed family style menus emphasizing locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. The professional event management team can organize all the details whether planning an intimate dinner or accommodating triple digit guest lists.

Toben Food by Design
The Cordon Bleu-trained chef and team produce corporate and private events for 10 to 1,000. Expect beautifully presented food be it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or cocktail affairs. Past events have featured self-serve breakfast buffets, boxed lunches and multi-course plated feasts.

L'eat Catering
This catering company services weddings, social functions and business clientele with bespoke menus, specialty bars, and certified sommeliers to help select wine pairings. While every event is different, recent highlights include a soft pretzel bar, beautiful sweet tables, and even holiday feast for well-endowed families.

McEwan
McEwan can staff events with servers, chefs, cooks and bartenders by request but also excels when it comes to ready-to-serve sandwich platters, cheese and charcuterie boards, complete family-style meals and dessert trays.

Urban Acorn Catering
This flexitarian catering company makes its mission to accommodate all types of dietary restrictions no matter if your guests are gluten-free or vegan. Let this team of professionals whip up custom menus for events both big and small, informal and fancy.

Photo via P&L Catering.

Toronto's Hi-Fi Musical Adventure was supposed to make its debut this year by bringing together more than 60 bands across five local venues. The weekend-long music festival, however, scheduled for March 10 to 12, isn't going off as planned.

Chart Attack reports that festival co-organizer Anthony Dell'Orso publicly posted a disparaging status about pop music star Kesha on Facebook. After his remarks were re-posted to a private Facebook group, he allegedly started sending "harassing messages" two Toronto women. The situation intensified from there.

Eventually, according to Chart Attack, two bands and two venues - The Silver Dollar and The Old Laurel - pulled out of the Kensington Market-area fest. And later, Dell'Orso backed out too.

Yet, despite this controversy, some of the shows will go on next weekend, albeit without the Hi-Fi name, says festival co-organizer Amanda Langton via email.

In an optimistic public statement on Facebook, she writes:

"You've no doubt heard about the goings on surrounding the festival and yes, the festival as it was is done. Anthony has stepped away."

"These bands will play, however. I've taken on the shows at Vinyl and Handlebar and they will happen as booked under my name. Supermarket will happen, as will Silver Dollar and Old Laurel."

Dell'Orso has since apologized in a lengthy statement to Billboard.

When Smoke's Burritorie opened up in Toronto, many were dismayed to learn it didn't serve poutine burritos. No longer. The fast food chain - which expanded into the burrito market last September - introduced a slew of new burritos (all $7.49) last night, including one stuffed with fries, cheese curds and gravy as well as another one filled with spaghetti and meatballs.

Other carb-filled cross-cultural creations from Smoke's include a pad thai burrito and a chicken and waffles breakfast burrito.

Smokes will offer these menu items, along with its new selection of burrito-friendly sauces, at its Adelaide Street West location for the next six weeks.Photos by Hector Vasquez.

This Toronto coffee shop that opened at the end of last year has an old-fashioned charm and a swanky gold espresso machine. But can the Roncesvalles neighbourhood sustain another indie cafe?

Read my review of Gloria Cafe in the cafes section.

For 18 years, a small storefront on Richmond Street East has quietly been supplying franks and sausages to Toronto's hot dog vendors. This company makes all of its meat-based products at a factory in North York and also stocks toppings, drinks and ice. Best of all, it also sells hot dogs in smaller quantities to the public.

Check out my profile of Soloway's Hotdog Outlet in the grocery stores section.