Bandit Brewery is almost ready to open its doors to Toronto-area beer lovers. Located inside an old auto shop at Dundas and Roncesvalles, the large, open-concept space includes a brewery, a large seating area and a massive street-facing patio.

Co-founders and friends Stephane Dubois and Shehzad Hamza were inspired by German beer gardens. That's why Bandit has long, communal picnic tables. They planted trees on the patio and have lots of greenery inside too. With overhanging, twinkly Edison-style bulbs, the brewery feels like it could maintain a summery vibe all year long.

I try a flight of four beers, including the Farmed & Dangerous saison (5.25%), Bandit's APA (5.25%), the Cone Ranger IPA (5.5%) and the Smoke of the Porter (5%) - I fall in love with the porter. It's brewed with peppercorns and has a distinct smoky flavour. When Bandit finally opens, it'll have around 15 original brews on tap.

And there's plenty to nibble on as you sip on your beer. Chef Harrison Hennick created small menu that features 10 shareable plates.

His fresh pretzels are addictive. As are the parmesan-dusted fries, which come served with a creamy aioli.

The smelt escabeche is particularly refreshing. For this dish, deep fried smelts come on top of crunchy crostini with kale, red onions, olives and some lemon zest. It's a messy, albeit delicious, two-bite affair.

"It's going to be like the new Bellwoods," I overhear one woman say as I walk through the space.

And it's not hard to imagine the place filled with west-enders once Bandit finally opens up at the end of this month.

Photos by Jesse Milns.

Ontario is sprinkled with ghost towns, places that started with big dreams that were ultimately dashed for one reason or another. These types of places are most common in the northern part of the province, but there are a few within a manageable drive of Toronto. Variously spooky, sad, and beautiful, these towns and camps have stubbornly refused to be erased from history.

Here are five ghost towns and abandonments to explore near Toronto.

Allans Mills
Located outside Perth on the Tay River, this small milling community reached its peak in the late 19th century before many of the original mills shut down or were sold to larger companies. Active milling continued on for decades, but the town itself faded away. What remains today (a mill, general store, and school house) are all extremely well preserved.

Balaclava
It's a bit of a hike to get to Balaclava (located just west of Renfrew), but the gorgeous old mill at the centre of the once thriving community here is worth the trip. The town was founded in the mid 19th century, but eventually faded when the supply of nearby timber was depleted. The mill ran into the 1950s, but the population bottomed out. Buildings like the old General Store are easy to spot.

Camp 30
While not technically a ghost town, this abandoned POW camp near Bowmanville might be the best place to explore on this list. Nazi prisoners were held here during World War II, though the conditions were civilized and almost luxurious. The sprawling complex includes an abandoned gym and swimming pool as well as a dozen other buildings.

Indiana
Only a few buildings remain of this now deserted town near Cayuga, but one of them is open to the public as a museum for those who like their explorations pre-packaged. Indiana's population was once over 300, but the community fell on hard times with the rise of the railway, which rendered canal shipping obsolete and led to the demise of the Grand River Navigation Company.

Cooper's Falls
Built around a sawmill operated by Thomas Cooper, this now abandoned town near Washago was once a thriving community with a general store, cheese factory, blacksmith and school amongst other things. Eventually lumber in the area was depleted and the mill closed. The other businesses followed. A small population remains in private buildings.

Photo of Balaclava via Wikipedia. Photo of Camp 30 by Kevin Lavoie in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Brunch at a Toronto bar can both cause, and cure, your hangover. Start your day off on a good note at one of these watering holes for morning meals paired with boozy spiked coffees and mimosas.

Here's where to brunch at a bar in Toronto.

The Lockhart
Toronto's Harry Potter-themed bar offers an array of brunch-time potions including mimosas and coffee creations that will whet your appetite for eggs Bennies, Nutella and banana French toast and chicken-and-waffles with maple syrup.

Dakota Tavern
This music venue hosts its bluegrass brunch on weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The AYCE feast comes with scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausages, breakfast potatoes, fruit salad and your choice of coffee or tea.

3 Speed
The menu at this Bloordale cafe changes frequently and offers up a variety of fried egg sandwiches, omelets and frittatas. Oh, and did I mention it serves Caesars in pint glasses?

The Steady
This Bloorcourt bar hosts dance parties at night and then wakes up early to serve brunch on weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Menu highlights include vegan doughnuts and a chipotle breakfast tostada.

Midfield Wine Bar & Tavern
The charming Dundas West wine bar encourages its patrons to imbibe at brunch. Find a seasonal assortment of dishes such as egg tostadas, fried bread pudding and frittatas with potato waffles.

Castro's Lounge
Brunch at this all-vegetarian beer bar in The Beach(es) includes granola parfaits, huevos rancheros, Peruvian potato cakes with poached eggs, breakfast burritos and more. The bar is open from 11 a.m. on weekends so you can wash it all down with a little hair of the dog.

The Dock Ellis
This sports bar on Dundas West is the perfect spot to catch a game in another timezone. Mow down on two-egg breakfasts with hash browns and your choice of bacon, sausage or mixed mushrooms, or cheer on your team over brioche French toast.

The Beaver
Return to this Queen West establishment in the morning to indulge in a hangover curing brunch menu, featuring biscuits and gravy and the ultra-hearty chicken tinga bowl with steamed eggs, chicken, chorizo, cheddar, avocado and tortilla chips.

The Only Cafe
This cafe might be best known for its selection of craft beers rather than espresso. Mornings are the exception and you'll find a selection of sweet and savoury crepes along with Bennys, waffles and cowboy breakfast skillets on the menu.

3030 Dundas West
Grab a stoutpresso and a mini bacon cheddar quiche or a breakfast burrito stuffed with cheese and scrambled eggs at this bar in the Junction.

Orchard Bar
This low-key spot in Bloordale Village boasts its very own bakery. Find slices of the house-baked apple oat bread with classic breakfasts or in the indulgent stuffed French toast.

Hole in the Wall
This bar in the Junction keeps things interesting with a brunch menu that changes weekly. A selection of dishes, such as full English breakfasts and open-faced crab Madame sandwiches, are available starting at noon.

What did I miss? Add your favourite bar for brunch in the comments

Photo from The Only Cafe by Jesse Milns.

The top free events in Toronto this week will help keep your wallet full and your social life thriving. If you want to skip dishing out cash on concert tickets and parties, opt to attend a few of these more budget-friendly options.

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

CONTACT Festival Launch Party (April 27)
As always, the CONTACT Photography festival is kicking off at the beginning of May and will run all month long. Its celebrating its annual return with a party on April 27 at the AGO. Walker Court and a few of the galleries on the main floor will be open during the bash from 7 to 11 p.m, so feel free to scope them out.

That's How I Remember It LIVE (April 27)
If you're a podcast junkie, head to The Ossington on Wednesday night to catch a live recording of That's How I Remember It. The show's regular cast - Mike, Raul, John and Sharjil - will be there, plus a few special guests.

Everything Must End (April 28)
The artist-run newsstand at Chester Station is shutting down this weekend after a one-year stint. To say goodbye the stand is throwing a bash in the station, complete with a DJ'd dance party and free Red Bull. If you've got a few bucks to spare you can pick up some of the heavily discounted snacks, drinks, books, zines and artists multiples.

Next Exit Film Festival (April 28)
The Next Exit Film Festival allows you to see flicks from the future stars of Toronto's film world before they hit the big time. The event will showcase a collection of short films and animations by OCADU graduating Integrated Media and DPXA students.

Celebrate 10 Years of Type Books (April 30)
Toronto's most beloved independent bookstore, Type Books, is celebrating its tenth year in action this Saturday. Head there to catch a bit of storytelling or to get book recommendations from local writers like Aisha Sasha John and Howard Akler.

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

Photo by Dominic Bugatto in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Known affectionately by many Torontonians as the "Brunny", the Brunswick House had been a staple of student booziness as far back as the early 1950s.

Named after the corner on which it stands, the building originally served as a stagecoach shop built by George T. Davies in 1876. At the time of its construction, the area around Bloor and Brunswick was thinly populated and known simply as the Bush. As the city grew and diversified, so did the patrons of the Brunswick House.

Used mainly as a hotel for 75 years, the building's tavern welcomed not only thirsty travelers, but the soon-to-be local immigrant population. However, the encroachment of the U of T campus in the 1950s would set the stage for a new era in the life of the Brunswick, as a watering hole for the student population.

The purchase of the building in 1961 by Morris and Albert Nightingale brought a vivacious period of jazz and blues to the Brunswick's youthful crowd. The attendance became so large that additions to the building were soon required including "Pickle Alley" and Albert's Hall, the latter of which became a buzzing music venue.

For many, the 1970s and '80s were the bar's heyday. The cast of characters who frequented the place have become local legends: singing waitress Diamond Lil Shephered (who had 13 children), improvised dancer "The Queen of Sweden," Rockin' Irene and Nate the Great, who continued to take the stage well into the 90s with show tunes from another era.

There was also, of course, Donnie Sinclair, the diminutive fellow who ran a shoe shine stand at the front of the Brunswick House. He also doubled as a bouncer and a diehard entertainer with a tendency to belt out "Oklahoma" or perform Elvis impersonations.

These people were the fabric of the bar and encapsulated the vibrant character of the Annex at the time. The affection that many built up for the Brunswick House can be traced back to this era, when the pub attracted and celebrated personalities from all walks of life.

The '80s was an era of renowned live music at the Brunswick house including: Etta James, Buddy Guy and KD Lang. In the early years of the decade, Jeff Healey led the house band. At the Brunny, cheap cover and fantastic music led -- perhaps unsurprisingly -- to the highest recorded beer sales in the province.

Even as the live music moved away, the pub's cult following and its licentious reputation preceded itself as evidenced in the 155 police calls received between 1998-1999.

As one of the oldest bars in the city, the Brunny conjures up many nostalgic memories - even if they are foggy - for generations of Torontonians as the place to go for a cheap pint, rowdy crowd, and a wild night.

When the Brunswick wrapped up operations last month, there was an outpouring of memories; not only for the local establishment, but for the neighbourhood it helped to define.

The trend of corporatization has been seeping into the Annex since the '90s and is now rapidly accelerating. Along with other iconic Toronto establishments such as Honest Ed's, Book City and Dooney's, the Brunswick House will suffer the same fate of corporate re-use.

The next chapter of the Brunswick's history will be as the home of Rexall's flagship Toronto store. Occupying the first floor of the building, Rexall will work diligently with construction design experts to "build a store that embraces the heritage of the building and the local neighbourhood," explains company representative Derek Tupling.

The company is still short on details regarding its exact plans for the building. Tupling says that "this is not a project we want to rush. We want to make sure this flagship location gets the attention it deserves. Further to that point, we have retained the services of an expert in construction design to help guide us through this important project and process."

The building that once house the Brunswick House may soon get the royal treatment from its new tenant, but it's sure to be a radically different place than the one misty eyed Brunny patrons remember - one that will surely be beautiful but far more sanitized.

Writing by Celina Johnson.

Photos (in order): Brunswick House exterior by Brandon Bartoszek, The Bush via the Toronto Archives, Toronto Star 1971, Jesse Milns, Daniel Rock>.

Toronto has a surprising number of climbs that will test the mettle of all but the most fit cyclists out there. While none of them extend much beyond a kilometre, there's some lactic-acid inducing gradients out there that will make enthusiast riders feel like their ascending the slopes of Alpe D'Huez, if only for a a few minutes.

These are my picks for the top hills for cycling in Toronto.

Brimley Road
Winding up the Scarborough Bluffs, Brimley Rd. starts tough and doesn't let up much until more than three quarters into the climb. Last time I road this one in 30+ degree heat, I thought I was going to have a heart attack (and I was in pretty good shape at the time). The gradient passes 12 per cent at times on this roughly two kilometre climb.

Twyn Rivers Drive
Arguably more difficult than Brimley and just as beautiful, Twyn Rivers curls up the Rouge Valley towards Toronto on a two lane road that looks every bit like it could part of a mountain stage in the Tour. You have to watch out for cars here as there's no shoulder, but it's worth the accomplishment of bagging this one.

Redway Road
Redway Road is the steepest in Toronto with a gradient that hits 18+ per cent up the valley wall. The climb isn't long, but I challenge you to do the whole thing sitting down on a road bike with two chain rings. The big bonus is that there's almost no traffic here, so if you're sadistic enough, you can do intervals. Beechwood Dr. on the other side of the valley is also a leg-burner.

Pottery Road
Pottery Road has always been a punishing Toronto climb, but it's become much safer since a dedicated bike/pedestrian lane was installed on the right side. Now you don't have to worry about the cars behind you when your legs turn to jelly at the top of the climb and you're prone to swerving into traffic.

Lawrence Avenue East
This low traffic climb starts at the base of Glendon Collge and heads straight up the ravine wall. This one gets harder as it continues, so don't be fooled when you get to the halfway point and feel pretty good. The best bet is get out of the saddle and pump up the last 50 metres of the climb.

Glendon College
Something of a sister climb to Lawrence Ave. East, this is one of my favourites in Toronto, but it can be quite dangerous. You have to ride against traffic to get up this tree-lined road, which comes complete with an 18 per cent pseudo-switchback at the top. Fortunately, cars travel slowly down the hill, so it's easy to give them a wide berth.

Bayview Extension
This is one of the longer climbs in Toronto, which extends just beyond a kilometre if you start at Pottery Rd. and finish at the Loblaws parking lot. It's not particularly steep, so good riders can establish a good rhythm and test out their fitness by flying up this one.

Poplar Plains
Probably the best place for interval training near downtown, you can head up Poplar Plains before working on your descending skills by flying down Russell Hill Rd., which has an awesome corkscrew turn at the bottom (if you're willing to run the stop sign). The last part of the this climb is the steepest, but it's just short enough to sprint up the whole way.

Humberview Road
There's a variety of hills that wind up the Humber Valley near Old Mill, but I tend to favour Humberview Rd., which makes the steepest ascent up. It's short but tough, and features much less traffic than the nearby Humbercrest Boulevard, which takes a more gradual route up the valley.

Kingston Road
The climb up Kingston Rd. from Woodbine to Victoria Park is nowhere near as steep as some of the streets that head north up the old Lake Iroquois shoreline (Lee Ave. is a good one), but it's one of the few ascents in Toronto where you can set a rhythm and climb for more than five minutes. There's a few flatter sections, but it doesn't get easier -- you just go faster.

What did I miss? Add your favourite Toronto climbs in the comments.

Photo by BruceK in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Camping options near Toronto include spots at some of Ontario's most dazzling parks and bucolic places perfect for spending a few nights under the stars. There's even a bonafide campground within Toronto's borders.

Here are my picks for places to camp within an hour's drive of Toronto.

Glen Rouge Campground
Located at the eastern edge of Toronto in Rouge Park, this campground has over 100 sites for tent-touting explorers. Some of the park's amenities include barbecue and fire pits, hiking trails, showers, and laundry facilities. Once you set up camp, you'll forget that you're still within the city's borders.

Bronte Creek Provincial Park
This full service provincial campground is only a few kilometres away from Oakville's bustling Lakeshore retail strip, but once you've entered the park, you'll feel miles away from the urban landscape. It's a huge park that's covered in hiking trails and natural terrain, but there's also a massive swimming pool in the day-use area if you're looking to cool down.

Darlington Provincial Park
This provincial campsite features a wonderful sandy beach on Lake Ontario as well as a variety of hiking trails. McLaughlin Bay is excellent for canoeing, as it's protected from the choppier waters on the lake. Campsites are made for car camping with electrical hookups, fire pits, and even a selection of radio-free sites for those looking to cultivate some piece and quiet.

Sibbald Point Provincial Park
Located on the southern shores of Lake Simcoe, Sibbald Point feels much further from Toronto than it actually is. This campground actually has 10 distinct areas for camping, complete with areas for large groups and audio-free zones. The highlight is the sandy beach on the lake, which makes for great swimming come the end of June when the lake has warmed up enough.

Albion Hills
Albion Hills is one of the few conservation areas near Toronto that permits overnight camping. This is a wonderland for mountain bikers, with some of the best trails around the city, but non-riders will appreciate the numerous hiking trails and small beach area. These aren't the most secluded campsites in the world, but there's enough to do that will draw you away from your tent anyway.

Photo by Yusong Zhang in the blogTO Flickr pool.

This just opened crossfit gym in a space that used to be home to a Bang & Olufsen isn't like the gyms I'm used to. Gone is the grungy, dark, windowless aesthetic and in its place is a modern, upscale facility flooded with natural light and high-end equipment.

Read my profile of Crossfit YKV in the fitness section.

If there weren't a piece of paper posted on the door outside of Mimico's modern Indian restaurant Tich informing you otherwise, you'd never guess that comedian/host and Toronto-native John Catucci and a television crew were filming the popular Food Network Canada show You Gotta Eat Here! inside.

We're only in the know because we've been invited to observe the taping of an episode of this food and travel series, now in its fifth season. The show's been described as the Canadian equivalent to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, as it features comfort food spots across Canada, the U.S. and, new to this season, Europe.

Since YGEH's production company is based here, the show has visited a ton of Toronto restaurants over the past four seasons, including faves like Emma's Country Kitchen, Sky Blue Sky and Burger's Priest. So far this season, the show's already been to Kinton Ramen, Casa Manila and 850 Degrees. Other upcoming spots? The Borough and Saturday Dinette.

Of course, the dining possibilities are endless (as I've personally learned myself, from writing about food in this city), and Catucci tells me they choose which places to feature by researching viewers' suggestions on social media, getting recommendations through word of mouth and by scouring reviews and blogs on the 'net.

We arrive on their second day of shooting at Tich (the kitchen scenes where Catucci learns how to make three of the restaurant's signature dishes were shot the previous day), after they've already spent half a day shooting "food beauties" (basically, food-porn shots of the dishes featured), and now they're interviewing invited diners to get choice soundbites.

It usually takes two days to film each restaurant's segment, so it takes six days to shoot each show since they visit three places per episode. With 28 episodes a season, that's a lot of shooting days. Luckily, they have long lead times; currently, they're airing episodes that were shot last June, and this segment on Tich should air in the fall.

A collective "shhhh!" fills the room before the cameras roll, and featured dishes zip out of the kitchen when needed. Catucci and the producers interview and direct the diners, who rave about the restaurant's signature dishes, including delicious chicken pakoras, chicken tikka masala and kulfi.

I notice a large number of children on the set, and Steven Mitchell, one of the series' producers, tells me kids and food are hot right now (see: MasterChef Junior and Kids Baking Championship), so we'll be seeing a lot more pint-sized foodies in future episodes.

I do have to admit that they're pretty adorable, and occasionally - and endearingly - a little too honest with their answers during interviews.

As one might suspect, everything is not as spontaneous as it might appear on television; sometimes second and third takes (especially when working with kids) are necessary, and sometimes a kid might say something off the cuff that's perfect, and then be encouraged to say it again and again so that the mics can pick it up properly.

After a couple of hours, the kids all gather around Catucci to film the part where they all shout out the show's eponymous catchphrase, and the first round of interviews is over.

I get a few moments to speak with Catucci, and he tells me that while he's not a chef, he does consider himself a professional eater. Being of Italian descent, his favourite cuisine is - unsurprisingly - Italian. His fave place to eat in the city is Frank's Pizza House, for its calzones and panzerotti, yet what is surprising is that the place hasn't been featured on YGEH yet.

Catucci hopes to feature the old-school Italian pizza joint eventually. "Knock on wood we get to," he says. "I've known George - the owner - and his family for years - I went to high school with George."

Even though Catucci can't take much spice, he still appreciates Tich's chicken tikka masala. "It was just incredible," Catucci tells me. "Seeing them make a masala from scratch, seeing them make a curry from 30 different ingredients and how painstakingly precise they are, you see the mastery and the artistry in that form of cooking."

He adds, "You don't really get to see that when you get curry from a jar at a grocery store and just throw chicken in it. To see all the steps and how much they love doing what they're doing....it's kind of magical."

So has the show inspired him to cook more? "I try. I'm also very f*cking lazy, you know? So there's that. I'd rather eat out. We do cook at home - but I'm never home - I'm always on the road."

He's not really exaggerating. After Tich, the crew heads across the Atlantic to film in the U.K. and in Ireland, their second trek to Europe after having already completed a bunch of episodes in Italy that recently aired.

Mitchell tells me they're trying to shoot wherever the show is broadcasted, which means there's a possibility they could be heading to Southeast Asia for Season Six.

When we leave, the crew is preparing to film another round of interviews with a second wave of invited patrons who've just arrived. Just from snacking on Tich's pakoras, I have to agree with the show: You've gotta eat here.

Photos by Jesse Milns.

Today in Toronto C Magazine is holding an art auction at Division Gallery with pieces by Fiona Annis, Shuvinai Ashoona, Dean Baldwin, Bambitchell, Steven Beckly, Nadia Belerique and many more up for grabs. If you don't have the cash to invest in art, head to Burdock for an $10 indie show.

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

• C Magazine 12th Annual Contemporary Art Auction (Division Gallery)
• Walk for Water (Aveda Institute)
• Speaker Series: Top 30 Under 30 Alumni, Jason Cassidy (BrainStation)
• Absolut Experience: Bartending Competition (Drake Hotel)
• Badass Babes (Mod Club)
• Shoeless Monday (Horseshoe Tavern)
• Wunderstrands, Anais Maviel & Ada (Burdock)
• The Best of The Second City (Second City)

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

Photo of Burdock by Jesse Milns.

It's officially Drake week in Toronto. Today he announced details for the 2016 OVO Fest as well as his Summer Sixteen tour.

The seventh annual OVO Fest will go down on July 29 at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. Expect a star studded lineup as Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa have already been revealed as two of the headliners. Also on the agenda is the third annual OVO Bounce basketball tournament.

Of note, this year's OVO Fest will overlap with Drake's Toronto dates for his Summer Sixteen tour with Future. It'll be a two day affair at the Air Canada Centre on Sunday July 31 and Monday August 1.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday April 29.

Toronto's streetcar tracks can be a nightmare for cyclists, but they're pretty benign for drivers. Not so this past weekend.

At about 4:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, a car drove into the streetcar loop at Union Station and got stuck on the tracks. It took until 2:30 p.m. for the TTC to tow it out.

The grey vehicle had Alberta plates and the driver fled the scene. The Toronto Police are now looking into the incident.

Brad Ross, the TTC's executive director of corporate communications, says this has happened before, maybe twice in the past year. But it's still pretty rare.

"There are lots of signs and flashing lights at the tunnel entrance, but we're looking at further measures to make it even clearer that autos can't go down there," say Ross via email.

Photo via @bradTTC on Twitter.

Last night Drake revealed the cover art for his highly anticipated album Views from the 6. It features Drake photoshopped on top of the CN Tower - a nice homage to the city but one that's resulted in a flood of outrageous internet memes. From a Where's Waldo photo to watching the Blue Jays, these memes will have you laughing for all of summer sixteen.

Here's a round-up of some of the funniest Views from the 6 memes on the internet.

Photo by @mrdrjohnson.

Photo by @Seinfeld2000.

Photo by @normkelly.

Photo by @ror925.

Photo by @dershan51.

Photo by @fuckjerry.

Photo by @HeadphoneJones_.

Photo by @FADIA.

Photo by @518streets.

Photo by @SquiresEnt.

It's a big week for Toronto. That's because Drake's releasing his highly anticipated album Views From The 6. And to celebrate, the hip hop star surprised everyone with a popup shop on Queen Street West.

He Instagrammed and tweeted about the pop-up's location - outside Tattoo at 567 Queen St. W. - and wrote the would be up and running at 5 p.m.

This line for the #Views popup shop is unreal pic.twitter.com/NblMmteIrV

— BIGNOAH (@BIGNOAH256) April 24, 2016

Naturally, hordes of local fans flocked to Queen West in order to snag some Drake-related merchandise. New York City and Los Angeles have also played host to VIEWS popups.

With only a few days until #Views drops, Drake says he'll drop the album cover tonight at his hometown popup show pic.twitter.com/0uC8kqDArd

— Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) April 25, 2016

But the Toronto edition was extra special because Aubrey Graham himself showed up and handed out t-shirts before addressing the crowd.

#VIEWS Pop Up is in full effect right now.

A photo posted by RAP SEASON (@rapseason) on Apr 24, 2016 at 1:52pm PDT

Got to literally rub shoulders with a fellow #6God today. In hindsight I should have wished him a Chag Sameach, but was too starstruck and instead went with "Hey whats up man?" #VIEWS

A photo posted by 😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴 (@tucksauce) on Apr 24, 2016 at 6:31pm PDT

Met drake today wit the plug🔌 #VIEWS #the6 #04.29.16

A photo posted by André wright™⚽ (@dreewright) on Apr 24, 2016 at 4:33pm PDT

@champagnepapi showing mad love to #Toronto right now. #VIEWS

A photo posted by RAP SEASON (@rapseason) on Apr 24, 2016 at 3:52pm PDT

#ViewsFromtheCrib: #Drake #VIEWS pop-up at @tattootoronto this afternoon. Line was literally around the block, kids love they #Drizzy! #viewsfromthe6 #viewsfromthesix #viewsfromthe6ix

A photo posted by DIFFERENT KITCHEN (@differentkitchen) on Apr 24, 2016 at 7:24pm PDT

Top photo by @drdreyuh via Instagram.

In something of a strange coincidence, the mansion Prince once owned in Toronto is on the market for almost $13 million. The genre-defying superstar hasn't owned the Bridle Path mega-home since 2006, so the current sale of the property is unrelated to his untimely death at 57 last week. In fact, it was also on the market as recently as 2014.

Prince lived in the mansion in the early 2000s when he was married to Manuela Testolini, who he ultimately split with in 2006. Since the property changed hands, it would appear much of Prince's personal touches were removed from the house, which was once reputed to bear his symbol on the steel entrance gates.

Among its features, the house boasts over 14,000 feet of living space, a sprawling outdoor pool, a tennis court, and a hair salon. During his time there, Prince produced Musicology, one of his best received albums of the decade (along with 3121).

Photos via Forest Hill Real Estate.

Saturday mornings and cartoons go together like milk and cereal. That's why the Royal Cinema is hosting a "Saturday Morning All You Can Eat Cereal Cartoon Party!" on Saturday, May 21.

Curator Kier-La Janisse put together a three hour program featuring a secret lineup of TV shows, commercials and PSAs from the 1940s to the 80s.

This animated extravaganza will also include an AYCE cereal bar (with non-dairy options); what's a cartoon marathon without a Frosted Flakes or Fruit Loops-induced sugar rush?

Earlier this month, Janisse held a Saturday morning cartoon party at the Calgary Underground Film Festival. Tickets ($12 for adults and $6 for kids) for the Toronto edition are on sale now.

Photo by Mike Mozart on Flickr.

The best used bike shops in Toronto offer something that's hard to find when buying off Craigslist: peace of mind. You'll always pay a bit of a premium to buy from a shop but having a trained mechanic refurbish a bike can save lots of headaches later. Many stores will even offer a limited warranty on the used bikes they offer.

These are the best used bike shops in Toronto.

Taco lovers rejoice! Toronto is getting a food festival that is entirely dedicated to everyone's favourite Mexican street food. The inaugural Taco Fest will take over 99 Sudbury on June 17 to 19.

The three-day fiesta promises to feature some of Toronto's top taco purveyors - vendor names will be announced at a later day. As part of the taco festival there will also be a margarita and sangria bar, hot sauce tastings, nacho samplings, Mexican street corn, churros and live music.

Tickets to Taco Fest go on sale May 2 at 1 p.m. via the Taco Fest website.

Photo by Jesse Milns.

The first Toronto outpost of this huge chain from China offers a novel dining experience by combining all-you-can-eat hot pot and BBQ. The hybrid cooking device places the hot pot broth at the bottom and the grill at the top - opening a whole new world of possible cooking combinations.

Read my profile of Han Shi Fang in the restaurants section.

One of Toronto's top barbecue restaurants already serves up massive platters and sandwiches but now Hogtown Smoke in the Beaches has found another way to give hungry Torontonians the meat sweats thanks to its all-you-can-eat BBQ Mondays.

Since last week, Hogtown Smoke has been offering up an AYCE special for $30. One employee says it's like going for AYCE sushi: diners get a sheet of paper with the menu on it and they can use it to choose up to two starters, four mains and two sides on each one. If they're still hungry, they can do another round.

This deal is available only on Monday evenings (after 4 p.m.) and you need to buy a drink with the meal.

Photo by Jesse Milns