Hard ciders work well in cocktails and these boozy and effervescent drinks are already becoming a fixture on Toronto bar menus. Cider has a natural acidity, which brightens up brown spirits and pairs well with fruity flavours too.

Here are five great cider cocktails you can find at Toronto restaurants and bars.

The East Cider
Exclusive to La Carnita's Queen East outpost (Get it? It's called the East Cider), this sweet take on a michelada subs in cider instead of cerveza.

2-3 oz freshly squeezed peach nectar
1 bottle Spirit Tree pub cider
Cinnamon sugar rim

Rim a 10 oz mason jar with cinnamon sugar, fill it halfway with ice, pour peach nectar in the jar, crack open your bottle or can of cider and pour it overtop. Grab a straw, stir that bad boy and sip your brains out. Keep adding cider as you go.

Reoccurring Dream About You #2
Bartender Dimitri Karakostas from The 47 crafts some incredible cocktails, including a small selection that features cider. My favourite is this refreshing take on a cider swizzle, which layers Capo Capo and Fernet with Revel Hop-X cider for a drink that's quite boozy, but doesn't taste that way.

1 oz Capo Capo
½ oz Lillet Blanc
½ oz Benedictine
2.5 oz Revel Hop-X cider
Fernet float

Layer ingredients in a tall glass starting with Capo Capo (though Aperol would work too), a healthy dose of ice and garnish with an orange peel.

Apple Ginger Cider Sangria
Cider adds a sparkling finish to this wine-free take on sangria from Against The Grain. You'll find it on the menu by the glass or in pitchers ready to be shared on the patio.

1 oz Gordon's London Dry Gin
2 oz White Cranberry Juice
½ oz Sweet-and-sour mix (i.e. margarita mix)
½ oz Monin Ginger Syrup
3 oz Brickworks Cider

Fill a wine glass with ice and add gin, cranberry juice, sweet-and-sour mix and ginger syrup. Top it with cider and garnish with maraschino cherries, lemon wedges and apple slices.

Sidra House Rules
Cava embraces the tradition of high-pouring Basque cider. Not only does it aerate the otherwise still brew, but it offers some theatrics from behind the bar as well.

1½ oz Gonzalez Byass Solera 1847
4 oz Basque Sidra
3 large sage leaves, bruised
3 drops orange flower water

Build this drink in a Collins glass by layering sherry, orange flower water and cider. Finish with a ¼ ounce of soda water, garnish with bruised sage leaves and serve.

The Catalan Cobbler a.k.a Oliver's Breeze
This cocktail designed by The Toronto Temperance Society's Oliver Stern is among the seasonal faves at Barque Butcher Bar.

1 oz Don's mix (equal parts cinnamon syrup and grapefruit juice)
1 oz Bacardi rum
1 oz Zapiain cider

Combine rum and Don's mix and stir. Serve in a highball glass over crushed ice and top with Zapiain cider.

Thanks to the LCBO for sponsoring this post.

Photos by Hector Vasquez and Derek Flack.

After more than one month of deliberation, Justice William B. Horkins delivered his verdict in Jian Ghomeshi's trial today. Horkins found Ghomeshi not guilty on four counts of sexual assault and one count of choking to overcome resistance.

Ghomeshi, the former host of CBC's Q, has been acquitted on all charges relating to incidents that allegedly happened between 2002 and 2003.

While delivering his ruling, Horkins questioned the credibility and reliability of all three complainants.

Early this morning, demonstrators in Toronto stood outside of the court house demanding justice for sexual assault survivors.

Later today, protests are planned across the country as this entire saga garnered both national and international attention.

Ryerson Students' Union Centre for Women and Trans People will hold a #WeBelieveSurvivors March and Rally. It starts at 5:30 p.m. today in front of Old City Hall.

Toronto-based restaurants and eateries often branch out and open up in cities around the world. And our latest export is the popular King West spot Weslodge Saloon, which just opened up in Dubai inside the luxurious JW Marriott Marquis Hotel.

The new Weslodge Dubai was born out of a partnership with Toronto giants Ink Entertainment and Icon Legacy Hospitality (and Icon Arabia) as well as with Daman Investments.

In Dubai, the restaurant will feature sweeping views of the skyline and will maintain its "saloon-inspired" aesthetic.

Photo by Jesse Milns.

Easter Weekend Events in Toronto don't revolve around binge-eating Hershey bars. While you can carve out some time to celebrate the holiday with your surplus of chocolate eggs and animals, there's plenty to do that won't leave you in a cocoa coma. Dance parties, concerts and the One of a Kind Show are just a few of the reasons to leave your house this weekend.

For more events this weekend click on over to our events section.

MUSIC

Keys N Krates (March 25)
Toronto-based electronic trio, Keys N Krates, is hitting the Danforth Music Hall this Friday. If you're looking to get a taste of what's to come at WAYHOME this year, you should probably grab tickets.

Wavelength: Don't Speak (March 25)
Ever gotten annoyed standing next to chat-happy friend groups at concerts? Wavelength is remedying that issue by hosting a show where talking is forbidden upon entry. You'll get to hear Benoît Pioulard, North Atlantic Drift, David Jones and more perform. Don't worry, if you've got something absolutely pivotal to comment on you'll be able to do so with writing materials (they'll be provided).

Bane (March 26)
The veteran hardcore act is serious this time about ending their tenure, claiming this to be their "final final final and last tour." If true, this gig could be your last chance to hit up their merch table for hoodies and cement yourself in extremely niche tumblr history.

FILM

DRUNKEN CINEMA Presents: The Last Dragon Drinking Game (March 25)
Head to The Steady this Friday to catch classic 80's cult flick The Last Dragon and to pay homage to the late and great Vanity. Remember to get your squad on board for this one, you'll want a team to play drinking games.

ENTERTAINMENT

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 has taken over a warehouse at 950 Dupont Street, turning it into a skatepark, art gallery and music venue for a few weeks.

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

MOMENTS: A Festive Night of Mimi (March 26)
The biggest diva in pop music has finally claimed her own tribute night and it's happening this Saturday. The Gladstone will be honouring Mimi by playing all her greatest hits and a few from her closest friends. You should probably invest in a temporary butterfly tattoo and some body glitter before the event.

Never Grow Up: A Taylor Swift Dance Party (March 26-27)
Taylor Swift is taking over Toronto this weekend without even setting foot in the GTA. There are three dance parties scheduled to honour the reigning queen of pop: The Taylor Swift Vs. Kanye West Dance Party (Friday) and Never Grow Up: A Taylor Swift Dance Party (Saturday and Sunday).

Easter Bash 2016 at The Brunny (March 27)
The Brunny is keeping its streak of goodbye parties going strong with an Easter bash this Sunday. Whether you have fond memories of sneaking in underage or spent your college years doing tequila shots with frat boys at the bar, you won't want to miss one of its last hurrahs - if only for nostalgia's sake.

FOOD & DRINK

Brewer's Backyard: Great Friday (March 25)
The Brewer's Backyard is returning to the Evergreen Brick Works for a Good Friday bash on the 25th. Junction, Nita, Wellington, Whitewater and StoneHammer will be providing the libations while FeasTO, Eva's Original Chimneys and Heirloom serve up food from their trucks.

SHOPPING

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.

The Bazaar of the Bizarre: Circus Side Show 2016 (March 27)
Head to the Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement for a weird and wonderful shopping experience. The art and craft show will bring out a ton of unique Canadian vendors selling all the macabre and magical goods.

EASTER

Toronto Beaches Easter Parade (March 27)
The Toronto Beaches Easter Parade is celebrating its 50th year in action on Sunday. Head to the east side to see all the usual parade antics and to get your hands on some free chocolate.

For more events this weekend click on over to our events section. Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit it for free using this form.

With contributions by Shazia Khan.

Photo by Hector Vasquez.

What's open and closed on Good Friday 2016 in Toronto

CLOSED

• Government offices (post offices, City Hall and others) will be closed.
• Banks will be closed Friday to Sunday, with most resuming service on Monday.
• Canada Post offices are closed and there is no mail collection or delivery
• Toronto Public Library branches will be closed on Friday and Sunday, but open regular hours on Saturday
• St. Lawrence Market is closed Good Friday.

OPEN

Transit

• The TTC and GO Transit will operate on the holiday service schedule.

Shopping

CLOSED

Most shopping malls (Yorkdale, Fairview, Sherway Gardens, Scarborough Town Centre, Vaughan Mills) and retail stores will be closed - although select food retailers may be open. Calling ahead is advised.

OPEN

• The Eaton Centre - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Yorkville Village - select retailers open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Pacific Mall - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Promenade Mall - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Toronto Premium Outlets - 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Food

Call ahead to restaurants as many are taking the day off.

Fish and chip shops will be in their element on this customary fish-eating day. Check out our best of list for where to go, or take a look at our directory of Toronto fish and chip shops here.

See also: 10 restaurants to eat Easter brunch in Toronto for 2016

CLOSED

Major chains like No Frills, Fresh Co., Loblaws, Metro, and T&T will be closed, with a few confirmed exceptions listed below:

OPEN

• Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens (60 Carlton St.) - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Metro (444 Yonge St.) - 9 a.m.
• Whole Foods Yorkville (87 Avenue Rd.) - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• T&T Supermarkets (9255 Woodbine Ave.) - 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.; (7070 Warden Ave.) - 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Pusateri's (57 Yorkville) - 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; (2901 Bayview Ave.) - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Rabba (various locations) - open 24 hours
• Food Depot (155 Dupont St., at Davenport) - open 24 hours
• Bloor Superfresh (384 Bloor St. West) - open 24 hours
• Kitchen Table (10 Queens Quay West) - open 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Kitchen Table (389 Spadina Rd.) - 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Kitchen Table (595 Bay St., at Atrium on Bay) - 6:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Kitchen Table (705 King St. W.) - 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• San Remo (74 Royal York Rd.) - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Bloor Street Market (55 Bloor St. West) - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Galleria Supermarket (865 York Mills Rd.) - 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Drink

CLOSED

• All Beer Stores and LCBO stores are closed.

OPEN

• For a complete list of indie bottle shops in Toronto, see this directory. Holiday hours are provided where applicable but we advise calling ahead to confirm.

Attractions

OPEN

• Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. West) - 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Rd.) - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen's Park) - 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (288 Bremner Blvd.) - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• The Toronto Zoo (2000 Meadowvale Rd.) - 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Major movie theatres are open across the city.

Did we leave something out? Please let us know in the comments section below.

Photo by Nail Ta in the blogTO flickr pool.

The One of a Kind Show is back in Toronto fpr spring. This season's edition showcases tons of jewelry, clothing, pottery, artwork and more handmade products from more than 450 Canadian artisans. The show runs from now until March 27 at the Enercare Centre.

Check out my top 30 finds from the One of a Kind show in this photo gallery.

There aren't many Jewish delis west of Dufferin - well, other than the Caplansky's outpost at Pearson. But, for the past 38 years, this deli has been serving up massive, meaty sandwiches and various other types of comfort food.

Read my profile of Switzer's Airport Deli in the restaurants section.

Move over Spin - Toronto has a new destination for ping pong. This newly opened bar and lounge has tables galore, a variety of beers on tap, classic pub grub and rates that get sliced in half during off-peak hours.

Read my profile of Smash Ping Pong Lounge in the bars section.

Earlier this month, New York City decriminalized public drinking, along with public urination. While it's still illegal to do both on city streets, you won't get arrested if an officer finds you swilling a beer and taking a piss in Manhattan. Instead, you'll be issued a summons.

In Toronto, however, drinking in public is still very much against the law - if a Toronto Police officer catches you with an open alcoholic beverage, you can get an $125 ticket. That doesn't always deter revellers from sneaking beer into places such as Trinity Bellwoods Park, even as the police have cracked down on booze in the park.

It's perfectly legal to drink in public in plenty of other places around the world. Take Denmark, for instance. When I visited, I casually sipped on a Carlsberg one night as I took a train from the suburbs into Copenhagen.

Here in Canada, Vancouver is now considering whether or not to designate Granville Street as an entertainment district, which would enable west coasters to drink in a public area.

In Montreal, of course, it's already legal to drink in public, but it doesn't look like Toronto - and the province of Ontario - will be following suit any time soon.

We reached out to social media to see what other Torontonians though about our current drinking laws.

In our very scientific Twitter poll, 57 percent of respondents, out of 1,626, agreed that it's time for Toronto to legalize public drinking. Apparently, we're a city divided.

Is it time that #Toronto legalized public drinking? #drinkingTO

— blogTO (@blogTO) March 22, 2016

Here's what others had to say:

@blogTO As an immigrant Brit I find it a relief not to have to share open public spaces with drinkers. As a woman I feel safer here.

— Marilla Wex (@MarillaWex) March 22, 2016

@blogTO I think there should be designated zones in the city

— ODawg (@OmarJoHady) March 23, 2016

@blogTO Needs to be with restriction. Drinking outdoors at an event w/ permit, yes. Drinking on a random day on Queen Street, no.

— Louis (@4one6ix) March 23, 2016

@blogTO lol...I thought it was already legal (I see people drink on the TTC all the time...and saluting the driver with their beer cans!)

— melanie trota (@MelanieTrota) March 22, 2016

What do you think? Weigh in via the comments.

Photo by Ned Mansour on Flickr.

Toronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious events, festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food-related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.

THIS WEEK

• What A Bagel hosts its annual customer appreciation day on Tuesday, March 29 and this means that all locations will be handing out half a dozen bagels (no purchase necessary) to anyone who shows up.
• U-Feast presents a Southern Shindig at East Thirty Six (36 Wellington St. E.) on Wednesday, March 30. Tickets are $70 per person for a multi-course meal complete with drink pairings. On the menu you'll find shrimp & grits, duck confit hot browns, mint julep truffles and more.
• Farmhouse Tavern (1627 Dupont St.) hosts a Pig Head Dinner on Thursday, March 31 priced at $45 per person. Seating is extremely limited for this three course feast featuring nose-to-ear dining.

UPCOMING

• Songkran, the annual Thai New Years celebration and water fight, returns to Nana (785 Queen St. W.) on Sunday, April 10 and Monday, April 11. Tickets are $40 and include an all-you-can-eat meal and a water fight.
• Duckstock 2016, happening on Tuesday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will meet at Yorkdale Mall before transporting attendees to Newmarket's King Cole Ducks, the only fully-integrated duck farm in North America. Tickets are $75 for the farm tour and day of guided taste tests and cooking demos.
• Get Up Close and Personal with Daniel Burns and Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø of Brooklyn restaurant Luksus at this reception and book signing presented by the George Brown College Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts at 300 Adelaide St. E. on Monday May 30. Admission is $75 and includes Burns' new book Food & Beer along with a beer reception and Q&A.

The top spring running events in Toronto offer a range of distances to kick off the 2016 running season. Personal bests should be a cinch after the beauty of a winter we've had, with spring-like temps hopefully on the way soon to usher in an early start to every runner's favourite season.

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

Around the Bay 30K - Sunday, April 3rd
This Hamilton-area run separates amateurs from seasoned runners with a distance that's just between a half and a full marathon. It's fan favourite for runners and their fans/supporters.

Race Roster Spring Run Off- Saturday, April 9th
Formerly Harry's Spring Run-Off, the run remains relatively unchanged, the 8K or 5K route still cuts through the rolling hills of High Park, which makes for quick leg-burner. Maple syrup prizes make victory even sweeter.

MEC Toronto Race Two - Sunday, April 10th
MEC hosts a bounty of runs throughout the city, with race number two taking over the waterfront featuring routes from 5-15K in length.

Fork in the Road 5K - Saturday, April 30th
If you think maps are for the weak, this Uxbridge run is for you. One dogleg the wrong way will see you add kilometres to the route, while a swerve the right way can secure a sneaky shortcut.

Goodlife Toronto Marathon - Sunday, May 1st
This full or half marathon (and 5 and 10K) will see you hiking north of Sheppard only to run completely south, finishing at the CNE grounds for one of the biggest races of the year.

Mississauga Marathon - Sunday, May 1st
This popular race packs throngs of runners just west of the city, courting cardio fiends with a downhill drop before winding things around for a picturesque lakeside finish.

Wings for Life - Sunday, May 8th
If running is a mental sport, then tackle a new beast and run with no set finish line. Niagara Falls is home to this international race, which ends only when you get dusted by the pace car.

Sporting Life 10K - Sunday, May 8th
Run for Camp Ooch with a similar map as the Goodlife race, minus the yucky York Mills hills. It's clocked in as one of the speediest runs too, boasting a mostly downhill route.

Terroir Run - Saturday, May 28th
Bust out of the Toronto area for this one. The vistas of Prince Edward County and all their wineries make for scenery that rivals Napa Valley (even if the wines don't quite...yet).

Toronto Women's Run Series - Sunday, May 29th
The first run in their women's series, this goes as either a half marathon or 5K route around Sunnybrook Park, all in benefit of POGO. Sign up for all three races and nab nifty prizes for finishing.

Becel Ride for Heart - Sunday, June 5th
For the first time ever, (and much to the chagrin of some cyclists) The Gardiner will open to runners for the annual Becel Ride (and run!) for Heart. Sign up soon for this guaranteed sellout.

Unionville Festival Funky 5K - Sunday June 5th
Cutesy Unionville gives you that destination feel just a Viva ride away. The Rouge River (and maybe Markham Firefighters) offer natural rugged beauty just a stones throw from the 6.

Mud Hero- Friday June 10 & Saturday June 11th
Mud Hero is going uptown, taking over Downsview Park this spring. The soggy 6K will be peppered with more than 20 obstacles and a muddy party-like atmosphere after.

Spring Fling -Sunday, June 12th
Sunnybrook Park is a hotspot with this 15, 10 or 5K family-friendly run taking over the park in support of Holland Bloorview Hospital.

The Color Run- Saturday, June 18th
Head to Woodbine Racetrack for the Color Run (still no u?) this spring. Don't worry, there's no need to sport your blinders for this one; the puffs of colour bombs are (mostly) harmless.

Did I miss any? Add your favourite spring run in the comments.

Writing by Libby Roach.

Photo by PLTam in the blogTO Flickr pool.

This sweet new family-run bakery has a lot going on, with its matriarch offering up cookies, cakes and baking classes, along with her daughter and son-in-law turning out patisserie-perfect croissants, pies, tarts and beignets.

Read my profile of Charmaine Sweets in the bakeries section.

Little Italy is one of Toronto's most vibrant communities. It's a nightlife hub, has top-notch pizza and is often filled with soccer-related celebrations. While many outsiders like to take in the local attractions on weekends, full-time residents know what the neighbourhood's really like.

Here are 10 signs you live in Little Italy.

1. You'll never wait in line for Aunties & Uncles, but relish the chance to eat there mid-week.

2. You dread the alternating summers when either the World or Euro Cup is on.

3. You're fiercely allegiant to either Bitondo's or San Fran, but not both.

4. You've carried on conversations with your naked neighbours in the YMCA change rooms.

5. You know that Splish Splash is not just a convenience store. It's also a one-stop shop where you can do laundry, use the internet and browse through a random selection of toy miniatures.

6. You take caution when leaving your home on the weekend because of the puddles of puke that line the sidewalks.

7. You know that the Metro sucks and would rather shop at Grace Meats, a gem where you can fulfil all your BBQ needs as well as your cravings for warm ricotta.

8. You regard The Dip as a place for tourists.

9. You recognize that the tackier the lawn sculptures, the more likely your neighbours are avid gardeners who grow enviable grapes and tomatoes in their backyard.

10. The procession on Good Friday is still an unsettling surprise, even though it happens every year.

What signs did I miss? Add more to the comments.

Photo by Jacques in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The best late night breakfast restaurants in Toronto are magnets for the drunk, tired and hungry when all other businesses are sleeping. While you might not remember that greasy plate of bacon and eggs in the morning, your full stomach will assure you that you had a good time.

Here are the best late night breakfast in Toronto.

The crown of tallest building in Toronto could be given to a condo at the foot of Yonge St. should developer Pinnacle International get its way. Right now the title goes to First Canadian Place, but there are a host of other projects in the works that, if approved, would eclipse its 298 metres.

Up until a recently, the tallest building in development was Mizrahi's The One, which was projected to come in at a soaring 340 metres before it was scaled back during the Design Review Panel process. With it now pegged at just over 304 metres, the mega-project at 1-7 Yonge St. would now take the crown with the tallest of its buildings planned at 320 metres.

It's worth noting, however, the heights of these developments tend to fluctuate quite a bit during the design process. The One bounced around between 320 and 340 metres before setting at its current height, and the Pinnacle's Yonge St. plans have ranged between 293 and 303 metres before creeping up in this latest proposal.

Will it be approved by the city? This most recent zoning reapplication already responds to objections the city has with the plans for what is one of the biggest redevelopment schemes in the country. Along with the 95 metre tower, the project includes condos that reach 85 and 65 storeys, respectively (the remaining two towers clock in at under 40 storeys).

A preliminary hearing is scheduled with the OMB later this year, which will go some way towards determining if the height of these structures remains as proposed.

Guns N' Roses confirmed today they'll be coming to Toronto as part of their just announced North American tour. The band unveiled a slate of 21 cities via a video posted to their web site. While the Toronto date and location is yet to be announced, all bets are that it's likely to be the ACC or one of our larger venues.

This hotly anticipated tour will re-unite the original members of the band for the first time in 23 years including Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan.

Currently Toronto is the only Canadian stop scheduled for this tour. The tour kicks off in Las Vegas next month where they'll be joined by Alice in Chains. The cities confirmed for the tour include New York, San Francisco and Mexico City.

Protesters gathered at Old City Hall in Toronto yesterday in the wake of the Jian Ghomeshi verdict to show support for victims of sexual abuse. The main rally took place in the early evening with speeches from, among others, Ghomeshi accuser Lucy DeCouture and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam. After the initial assembly, the protest marched up Bay St. to join the Black Lives Matter occupation.

Check out this photo gallery for a closer look at the reaction to the Jian Ghomeshi verdict.

Breakfast burritos in Toronto are an excellent way to wake up your taste buds. These tidy packages of eggs, beans, salsa and cheese promise bold flavours and help you start off your day with generous portions from all of the essential food groups.

Here are my picks for the top breakfast burritos in Toronto.

Easy Restaurant
Easy's two locations are home to big Mexican breakfasts including a burrito stuffed with re-fried black beans, scrambled eggs, chipotle salsa, Monterey Jack cheese, coriander and caramelized onions. The bundle gets baked in a whole wheat tortilla and comes with guacamole and salad or home fries.

Morning Glory
The King East cafe does a breakfast burrito that caters to the cash-strapped. Here, flour tortillas are loaded with scrambled eggs, scallions, mushrooms, cheddar, guac' and optional ham. House-made salsa verde comes on the side.

The Beaver
This West Queen West cafe is a neighbourhood favourite for brunch. Breakfast burritos are stuffed with steamed eggs, avocado, chili, salsa and cheddar cheese and come served with a side salad.

Harvest Kitchen
Twice baked beans, brown long-grain rice, pico de gallo, aged cheddar, avocado, salsa verde and sour cream all go into this breakfast burrito, along with your choice of scrambled eggs or nigari tofu.

The Ace
This Roncy restaurant builds its breakfast burritos on flour tortillas with scrambled free-run eggs, chorizo and black beans. Bell peppers, guacamole, salsa and sour cream bulk it up even more, while a side of crispy home fries completes each order.

The Wren
Find hunger-crushing breakfast burritos at brunch-time at this pub on The Danforth. Here, the standard order comes filled with scrambled eggs, black beans, salsa, guacamole and cheddar.

Sneaky Dee's
This dive bar at College and Bathurst does its over-stuffed Burro Favorito with scrambled eggs, sausage and melted cheese grilled in a flour tortilla and topped with salsa and a dollop of mole. Vegans can partake too with a meat-free version packed with tofu, frijoles, guacamole and pico.

Milagro
The Burrito De La Granja is a highlight on the brunch menu at this mini-chain of Mexican cantinas. Here, the tortilla bundles come bursting with scrambled eggs, bacon, queso, chorizo, crema, and salsa verde.

Huevous Gourmet
Etobicoke eaters can fill up on massive breakfast burritos from this Mexican brunch joint. Constructed on whole wheat tortillas, these burritos are jam-packed with scrambled eggs, beans, guac' and chipotle sauce and come served with either home fries or salad on the side.

La Hacienda
This eatery on West Queen West offers black beans, scrambled eggs, and your choice of cheddar or chevre all wrapped together in a flour tortilla and baked until everything is melted into a single delicious mass.

What did I miss? Add more breakfast burritos to the comments.

In this instalment of "today I learned something quirky about the TTC," let's dwell a little on the actual route the subway takes in Toronto. Everyone's familiar with the disclaimer on the official route map that it's "not to scale," but the simplification of the subway's course likely leads many to believe it runs right underneath the streets it serves.

This is rarely the case.

Why? The most simple answer is cost. When the first subway line was built in Toronto in the early 1950s, the TTC used the cut and cover construction method. This is cheaper than tunnel boring machines, but very disruptive to traffic. One way to save money and reduce gridlock during the building phase is to offset the route.

Only a short section of the original subway route -- the stretch between King and College stations -- runs directly under Yonge St. This is rather obvious as you have to walk 25 metres or so east to enter at Wellesley, Bloor, Rosedale, Summerhill, and St. Clair. It then crosses to the west side, and runs above ground for an extensive stretch through the Davisville Yards and beyond.

Perhaps surprisingly, when it came time to build the Bloor-Danforth Line, the TTC also adopted the cut and cover method (save for a few tunnelled sections). The vast majority of Line 2 runs just north of Bloor and Danforth, which necessitated the expropriation of roughly 800 properties. Once you pay attention, it's impossible to miss the network of laneways and parking lots that run above the line.

In fact, the one section of Bloor-Danforth where the subway does run directly under the street is across the Prince Edward Viaduct. Even then, after the subway leaves Castlefrank Station, it uses its own bridge to head towards Sherbourne because the TTC determined that the turn would be too tight if it followed the street's route.

Elsewhere across the line there are plenty of other examples in which the subway deviates from the streets under which it putatively runs. Even the Sheppard Line is slighty offset to the south despite the use of boring machines for most of the tunnels. Major sections of the currently under construction Crosstown LRT will, however, run directly under the street.

In this sense, it will be like the much of the downtown loop of Line 1, which based on the density of the city at the time, had to be built right underneath the street.

Photos via the TTC and the Toronto Archives.

What's open and closed on Easter Sunday 2016 in Toronto:

CLOSED

• Government offices (post offices, City Hall and others) will be closed.
• Banks will be closed with most resuming service on Monday.
• Toronto Public Library branches will be closed.

OPEN

Transit

• The TTC and GO Transit will operate on the standard Sunday schedule.

Shopping

CLOSED

• Most shopping malls (Yorkdale, Fairview, Sherway Gardens, Scarborough Town Centre, Vaughan Mills) and retail stores will be closed, although select food retailers may be open. Calling ahead is advised.

OPEN

• The Eaton Centre - 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Yorkville Village - select retailers open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Pacific Mall - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Toronto Premium Outlets - 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Food

CLOSED

Major chains and grocers like No Frills, Fresh Co., Loblaws, Metro, T&T, Pusateri's, and Bloor Street Market will be closed, with a few confirmed exceptions listed below:

OPEN

• Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens (60 Carlton St.) - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Metro (444 Yonge St.) - open from 9 a.m.
• Arz Fine Foods (1909 Lawrence Ave. East) - 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Whole Foods Yorkville (87 Avenue Rd.) - 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Rabba's (various locations) - open 24 hours
• Food Depot (155 Dupont St., at Davenport) - open 24 hours
• Bloor Superfresh (384 Bloor St. West) - open 24 hours
• Kitchen Table (10 Queens Quay West) - 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Kitchen Table (389 Spadina Rd.) - 7am to 12am
• Kitchen Table (595 Bay St., at Atrium on Bay) - 6:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Kitchen Table (705 King St. W.) - 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Galleria Supermarket (865 York Mills Rd.) - 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Call ahead to restaurants as many are taking the day off at their own discretion.

See also: 10 restaurants to eat Easter brunch in Toronto for 2015

Drink

CLOSED

• All Beer Stores and LCBO stores are closed.

OPEN

• For a complete list of indie bottle shops in Toronto, see this directory. Holiday hours are provided where applicable but we advise calling ahead to confirm.

Attractions

• Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. West) - 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• The Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Rd.) - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen's Park) - 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (288 Bremner Blvd.) - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• The Toronto Zoo (2000 Meadowvale Rd.) - 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Major movie theatres are open across the city.

Did we leave something out? Please let us know in the comments section below.

Photo of the AGO by Paul Hillier in the blogTO Flickr pool