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New restaurant serves authentic Mexican on a patio

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Los Guacamoles TorontoLove Mexican, but sick of sombreros and chili lights? If you want a meal out with a home-cooked feel made the same way Mexican food was meant to be made for generations, head to this patio for a margarita and some chips and guac.

Read my profile of Los Guaca-moles in the restaurants section.


CNE adds Star Trek-themed bar & trivia nights for 2016

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cne 2016Live long and prosper at the Canadian National Exhibition this year. It may seem a little early to get excited, but the Ex opens in just over three weeks (there's still plenty of summer left, don't worry!). Along with the usual outrageous food, midway games and carnival rides, the CNE is hosting a Star Trek exhibition to celebrate the series' 50th anniversary this year.

It'll include pieces by 50 artists from 10 different countries as well as photographs by the late Leonard Nimoy.

When the CNE opens on August 19, dedicated Trekkies can look forward to visiting a pop up shop, a theme bar and participating in trivia nights. That should get you pumped for when the new Star Trek series starts filming in Toronto this fall.

And if Star Trek's not your thing, there's still plenty to look forward to at this year's CNE. The figure skating show, for instance, will feature three-time world champion Elvis Stojko from August 23 to 25.

Photo of the CNE by Jesse Milns.

Suicide Squad pop-up just opened in Toronto

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Suicide Squad TorontoSuicide Squad might just be summer 2016's most anticipated blockbuster. Or at least it is in Toronto because we got to see Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Viola Davis and Cara Delevingne filming the movie here last year.

Now that it's almost in theatres, a Suicide Squad exhibition popped up in the Distillery District's Fermenting Cellar event venue. And you can see it for yourself today and tomorrow from 1 to 10 p.m.

The whole thing looks like the Belle Reve Penitentiary and features props and other paraphernalia. It's entirely interactive, meaning you can walk through the space and visit Harley Quinn's Smash Cell. Basically, Warner Bros. partnered with local company Battle Sports to create a themed Rage Room where you can use Harley Quinn's bat to break bottles and vases - how cathartic.

Suicide Squad's Canadian release date is August 5.

The top 21 milkshakes in Toronto by neighbourhood

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milkshakes torontoMilkshakes in Toronto aren't exclusively a summertime treat; they're good year-round at ice cream parlours, diners and burger joints. From classics flavours like strawberry and vanilla to vegan alternatives and epic interpretations, these shakes are sure to satisfy.

Here are my picks for the top milkshakes in Toronto by neighbourhood.

ANNEX
Rose & Sons encourages diners to mix and match milkshake flavours. They're all made with a vanilla soft serve base and flavours includes Soma chocolate, wild blueberry, peanut butter, caramel, sour cherry cheesecake, creamsicle and triple bourbon.

BEACHES
Ed's Real Scoop makes great ice cream in over 100 flavours, including my personal fave, burnt marshmallow. Try any flavour blended with a vintage Hamilton Beach milkshake mixer.

BLOOR WEST VILLAGE
Expect to find ultra-indulgent options to accompany gourmet burgers at The Works. The 2001 Shake Odyssey is just one option. It features a blend of ice cream, caramel, peanut butter, Oreo cookies and whipped cream all served in a measuring cup.

milkshakes torontoTHE DANFORTH
The milkshake bar at Burger Stomper bills decadent shakes in flavours like Cookies 'N Cream, Nutella Peanut Butter and Skor Galore.

DISTILLERY DISTRICT
Greg's Ice Cream is a top notch base for creamy shakes offered in flavours like roasted marshmallow, sweet cream, malt ball crunch and more.

DUNDAS WEST
Brain freeze in on the menu 24/7 at The Lakeview. Milkshakes come in standard assortment of flavours, or amped up with optional slices of apple pie, Nanaimo bars or deep fried Mars bars.

ETOBICOKE
Old school burger joint, Apache Burger is a local institution where malted milkshakes complete the combos served until late at night.

KENSINGTON MARKET
Milkshakes might sound like a no-go for vegan eaters, but Cosmic Treats does dairy-free versions made with cashew-based ice cream blended with soy or almond milk.

KING WEST
It's easy to grab a cold treat at any time of the day or night because the Thompson Diner is a 24-hour source for vanilla, chocolate and strawberry shakes.

milkshakes torontoKOREATOWN
Bean and Baker Malt Shop is a retro soda shop where thick shakes feature Kawartha Dairy ice cream. Inquire about the monthly feature flavour, which has recently included options like a maple butter tart shake.

LESLIEVILLE
Milkshakes go 19-plus at Saturday Dinette where flavours like roasted banana, Tahitian vanilla and Rocher chocolate can be spiked with any two ounces of liquor from behind the bar.

LITTLE ITALY
Fancy Franks sticks to the classics and whips up thick vanilla, strawberry and chocolate shakes to accompany its lineup of loaded hot dogs and poutines.

milkshakes torontoMARKHAM
Dolce 21 in the Pacific Mall does shakes in flavours like green tea, salty Hokkaido milk, black sugar and lychee (to name just a few).

QUEEN WEST
Niche is a coffee house on Queen West where the epic triple chocolate milkshake features a blend of ice cream, candy bars and outrageous garnishes.

ST. CLAIR WEST
Dutch Dreams is a kitschy ice cream parlour that serves thick milkshakes in massive one litre vats. Choose from any of the ice cream flavours on display.

milkshakes torontoWEST QUEEN WEST
Milkshakes are among the specialties at Fountain, a 1950s inspired soda shop that's serving up creamy, old fashioned shakes. Go for classic flavours like vanilla, strawberry or chocolate, or opt for a coffee-laced take made with a shot of espresso.

YONGE & DUNDAS
Signature shakes at Bareburger come in flavours like Bananas Foster and Hot Honey. Diners are also welcome to mix and match options like chocolate, peanut butter 'n banana, raspberry or strawberry.

YONGE & EGLINTON
At Uncle Betty's, the adult milkshakes are popular no matter if it's brunch, lunch or supper time. Three scoops of ice cream go into every shake along with a shot of vodka.

YONGE & LAWRENCE
Stack Restaurant might be famous for its Southern-style smokehouse, but milkshakes prove to be the perfect compliment to a rack of ribs. The lineup of shakes includes flavour like s'mores or cinnamon doughnut.

Holy Chuck BurgersYONGE & ST. CLAIR
Holy Chuck Burgers is home to some of the most unique milkshake creations in town. The menu from this mini chain boasts more than a dozen flavours ranging from classics like PB&J, Nutella, and strawberry, as well as savoury wasabi-ginger-scallion and a foie gras and truffle oil concoction.

YORKVILLE
Flo's Diner in the heart of Yorkville will satisfy nostalgic cravings with shakes and malts that cover the standard flavours like Neapolitan, banana, coffee and Oreo.

Top photo of Niche by Scott Summerhayes

What did I miss? Add your favourite milkshakes to the comments.

100 years of the Toronto skyline from Riverdale Park

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riverdale park skyline torontoMany would argue that looking southwest across Riverdale Park is the best view of Toronto, but so often when we examine changes to the city's skyline, we focus on the view from the Port Lands and the Island. There's a reason Broadview Avenue got its name, so let's have a look at this captivating angle of Toronto to see how much has changed over the last century.

This is the view from Riverdale Park East from 1914 to 2015.

riverdale park skyline 1914Looking south across the Don Jail where Bridgepoint Health now sits above the Don Valley in 1914.

riverdale park skyline 1914Looking southwest with the early skyline in the background in 1914. You can see the spire from St. James Cathedral, the Canadian Pacific Building, and the frame of the Royal Bank Building going up in the distance.

riverdale park skyline 1975Fast forward to 1975 and Toronto's modern but small skyline. The CN Tower has been recently topped off and now hovers over First Canadian Place, Commerce Court West, and the TD Centre complex.

riverdale park skyline 1980Five years later, Royal Bank Plaza has arrived to the south of Commerce Court West. But what's most fascinating here is the relationship between the St. James spire and the rest of the city. Compare to 1914 above.

riverdale park skyline 1980A nighttime view of the skyline in 1980s.

riverdale skylineThis is from a similar angle during the day. Note the presence of New City Hall to the right of the frame. It looks shorter than it is because of the tree line, but the nearby placement of the Sheraton Centre is a dead giveaway.

riverdale park skyline 1983A closer look in 1983. Commerce Court North has been dwarfed by modern buildings, but still holds its own on the skyline.

riverdale park skyline 2003Looking west from Broadview in 2003. The main skyline is to the south, but the city has majorly filled in along streets like Yonge, Church, Jarvis, Sherbourne, and Parliament.

riverdale park skyline 2008Back to the main skyline in 2008. Lots of growth to note here, from Scotia Plaza to Brookfield Place to the cluster of condos at the bottom left.

riverdale park skyline 2011By 2011, the skyline looks similar to present day from this angle, but it's still missing some density and the knife-like top of the L Tower.

riverdale park skyline 2014Compare this night shot from 2013 to the one from the 1980s for a sense of just how much downtown Toronto has intensified over the last 35 years.

riverdale park skyline 2015And finally the view from 2015. If you peer closely, you'll see that unfinished buildings and cranes fill the sky. It will only take a few more years for the skyline to look significantly different once again.

Photos from Lori Whelan, the Toronto Archives, the Toronto Star Archives, SeriesOfHellos, dtstuff9, Empty Quarter, and Marcus Mitanis.

The top 10 markets and pop-ups in Toronto for August

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Drake 150 TorontoMarkets and pop-ups in Toronto this August prove we still want to eat outside and do cool things in strange places. From a night market to a back alley beer hang, these pop-ups and markets will have you fed, dressed to impress and back in shape for the fall.

Ew, sorry, I just wrote the F word, and it made me feel sick.

Well.ca Pop-up shop (Until October 1)
Taking place at the Shops at Don Mills until the fall, this healthy pop-up carries a curated selection of approximately 1,000 products across health, wellness and beauty. You can also arrange to have your online purchases picked up while you're there!

Union Summer Market (Until September 5)
Swing by the Union Summer Market all month long from 7 a.m. - 9.p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends to check out the local food stalls, the in-the-middle-of-everything seating, and free live entertainment. Check out the official website for full listings.

Sushi burrito pop-up (Until August 5)
Get 'em while you can! This summer's most buzzed about food trend pop-up is closing up shop August 5. Walk on over to the Outdoor Foodcourt at Adelaide Place (150 York Street), which is also licensed! The booth is called Fish'D and don't worry, they're looking for a permanent home.

Eatible Market (August 6-28)
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every weekend in August, there's an adorable little food market down an alley way off of Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market. I went the other weekend, had some paella and a beer and felt like I was hanging in a small Spanish town. It's so laid back, casual and non-Toronto it'll transport you out of the city for a hot minute. Check the official website for more detail.

Summer Sixteen pop-up market (August 7)
Making the Toronto Reference Library cool again is this artist pop-up market featuring a collection of the city's finest local artists, craft-makers, photographers, designers, and artisan chefs. This Toronto Urban Collective event runs 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and will cost you $5 to enter. There will also be beats. Beats!

Twilight Tuesdays (August 9)
Every Tuesday from 5-9 p.m. at Drake 150 check out their late-summer mini night market filled with gourmet street food, summer treats, live musical performances, and art installations. Proceeds go toward Out of the Cold at St. Andrew's Church, a community program offering judgment-free services to those in need across Toronto.

Pop-up yoga (August 9)
Get your stretchy pants and yoga mats down to Lake Shore and Windermere for a 60-minute yoga session, followed by a 60-minute stand-up paddle adventure. Make sure to register here and clear your after-work schedule because this healthy pop-up event happens from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Leslieville Flea Pop-up (August 13)
The east side neighbourhood brings their finest vintage and and handcrafted stuffs to the Distillery District. It's a neighbourhood pop up inside another neighbourhood! So meta. But don't worry, they'll play nice and sell their goods alongside local vendors as well. Takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Toronto Bakers Market (August 21)
Here you'll find a variety of baked goods, sweets, savoury treats and even frozen goodies from over 28 vendors. Everything from fresh baked breads and pastries, to French macaron, cupcakes and cookies, small batch ice cream, frozen pops, savoury scones and even gluten-free, vegan and raw options! Indulge for one day only at the Ralph Thornton Centre in Riverdale.

Toronto Green Market (August 28)
Eco fashion, sustainable food, natural beauty and home decor all in one place. A curated collection of vendors and artisans, local and sustainable food vendors, music and give-aways all tucked inside The Great Hall from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Check out their site for a peek at what will be for sale.

Did I miss a pop-up or market you're excited about? Let myself and the readers know in the comments section!

Photo from the Drake 150.

The 6 most expensive homes for sale in Toronto

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expensive homes torontoToronto's most luxurious mansions and condos serve as a cruel reminder that most of us will never be able to afford property in our expensive, expensive city. But sometimes it's nice to throw caution to the wind and ogle at these magnificent properties while imagining what it would be like to be Drake's neighbour.

Here are the 6 most expensive homes for sale in Toronto right now.

16 High Point Road - $18,800,000
Ex-Dragon Robert Herjavec is selling his mansion, which is location in the Bridle Path neighbourhood. This sumptuous estate features a slew of bedrooms, bathrooms and resort-like amenities, including an indoor pool.

mansion Toronto10 Highland Avenue - $27,500,000
This Rosedale mansion is conveniently located between Bloor and St. Clair. But why would you ever leave this palace, which includes seven bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, an in-ground pool and a massive wine cellar to keep you happy.

expensive houses toronto10 High Point Road - $26,800,000
The price for this Bridle Path-area abode dropped more than $2 million since February. It's been on the market for a while, so if you wait long enough, you might be able to afford it and its seven bedrooms and 14 bathrooms.

integral house194 Roxborough Drive - $19,500,000
The price for the Integral House by architectural firm Shim-Sutcliffe is also lower than it was earlier this year. Grab this iconic address and modern-looking living space to live your best minimalist lift.

16 Glen Edyth Place16 Glen Edyth Place - $17,500,000
Live like a princess near Casa Loma at this 5,000 square foot house. The modern-looking structure has six bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a pool and a state-of-the-art kitchen if you don't feel like ordering in.

Expensive house Toronto46 Forest Hill Road - $17,000,000
This Forest Hill home has lots of dark accents, giving a swanky vibe. It has seven bathrooms, eight bathroom, an in-ground pool and a huge backyard, which makes it perfect if you're into throwing big parties.

Any of these homes worth the asking price? Let us know in the comments.

Today in Toronto: Cirque du Soleil Luzia, Spooky Bitch, Kate Bush Karaoke, Burlesque Fest, OVO Trivia

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Lula Lounge TorontoToday in Toronto you can feel the buzz of Caribana and all of its parties, gatherings and parades with a few lead-up situations like an OVO trivia night, a foam party, and a celebration of Haitian culture at Lula Lounge. If Caribana isn't your thing, there's a Kate Bush live Karaoke night happening too.

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

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

Lead photo from the Lula Lounge Facebook page.


Toronto Restaurant Openings: Pizzeria Oro di Napoli, Nice Pan, Boil King, Nodo, Ricarda's, Canis, Tabule

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tabule torontoToronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

OPEN NOW

  • Pizzeria Oro di Napoli has opened in the Mimico area at 2312 Lakeshore Blvd. W. There's Neapolitan pizza, fresh pasta and other Italian faves on the menu.
  • When it comes to Thai-style rolled ice cream, Kensington Market is on a roll. Find Nice Pan at 247 Augusta Ave.
  • Cory Vitiello's chicken and salad joint Flock has opened another location at 175 Bloor St. East.
  • Parlor Foods at 333 King St. West has been replaced by Boil King, a new seafood and oyster bar.
  • Find Nodo's new location in Hillcrest Village at 794 St. Clair Ave. West.
  • Ricarda's, a new restaurant, bakery and cafe at 134 Peter St., celebrates its grand opening on Sunday, July 31.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

OPENING SOON

  • Canis Restaurant from chef and owner Jeff Kang (formerly of Bosk) is slated to open before summer's end at 746 Queen St. West.
  • Middle Eastern restaurant Tabule is expanding again. There's already an outpost in the works in the Canary District and now we've learned another location is slated to open in Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave.) before Christmas.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to liora@blogto.com

This shop is a wonderland for Asian snacks and candy

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Ding Dong GroceryIf you're looking for wild and wacky Asian confections, this shop is a wonderland of candy and soft drinks that you won't find in many places around Toronto.

Read my profile of Ding Dong in the grocery section.

10 free things to do in Toronto this August

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free events toronto augustFree things to do in Toronto this August include lots of films and street festivals. Streets are taken over by artists and parks are invaded by movie lovers. This city ain't just for Pokemon Go hunters; it's also crawling with the culturally curious.

Here's what to get up to this August if your wallet is just a placeholder for maxed out credit cards.

Christie Pits outdoor film festival (August 5)
Film screenings that happen on perfectly shaped hills in parks are a perfect summer activity. Especially when they're free and they show some great pre-film content. There's nothing like a night out at Christie Pits for a movie, a coffee, a snack, and some A+ people watching.

Kultura Festival (August 7)
The Filipino culture game in Toronto is on fire. That's why this fest at Nathan Philipps Square is such a hit. Innovative programming of live performances, traditional and modern cuisine, curated interactive art installations and a bustling marketplace all make for a colourful, free day of fun.

Entertainment District Art Crawl (August 12)
Get to David Pecaut Square for a day featuring 60 talented local artists and designers, food trucks, DJs and more. There will be art to buy and food to eat, and the earliest to arrive will get swag bags.

YouTube FanFest (August 13)
The internet's finest take over the Molson Ampitheatre for one day of YouTube loving. Be warned, last year's first-ever Fan Fest attracted over 15,000 humans to Yonge-Dundas Square, so it's going to be a busy one. See both local and international digital stars in action, including Canadian creators like Lilly Singh, and my fave nerd duo, AsapSCIENCE.

York-Eglinton International Street Festival (August 13-14)
North York's largest community event happens along Eglinton Avenue West from Marlee Avenue to Dufferin Street. The two-day mega street party features the sounds of jazz, dance, Latin fusion, reggae, ska, and gospel. There will also be comedians, magicians and acrobatics.

Cruising the Dog Days of Summer Art Opening (August 18)
If you're going to go to one art opening/event/party in August, and don't mind the odd flash of male anatomy, then do this one. A Men's Erotic Art Network (AMEN) presents this collection of Instagram's finest photographers like, Stuart and Ford, Toronto's Pansy Ass Ceramics and Gap Tooth B.

Sail-in cinema (August 18-20)
The world's first two-sided floating movie experience is back! Books to Big Screen is this year's theatrical theme and they're showing a different classic each of the three nights. Bring a chair or a blanket and watch a floating movie on the lake.

Under the Stars: Purple Rain (August 24)
his one can't be missed, as it's Prince's Purple Rain under the stars at Regent Park! It's the final movie in this summer series and because of the film's rating, it'll be shown behind the Daniels Spectrum building in the MDC Donors Courtyard.

TaiwanFest (August 26-28)
The Harbourfront hosts this "cultural tango with Hong Kong." Admission is free to experience music, dance, food and amazingly-cute activities like the Friendship Picnic. All weekend from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. head down to the water and see what you stumble upon. Check out the official website for the impressive lineup.

CityFest 2016 (August 27)
Toronto artists, vendors, and food trucks, gather in an "art field," "workshops field" and "food alley" for a festival simply celebrating life in the city surrounded by one of it's newest neighbourhoods. Make your way down to Red Canoe Park and hang out on the turf for an easy breezy day of fun.

Toronto Green Market (August 28)
Now that the green outside is very sadly going to start fading away, get inside The Great Hall and learn how to bring it indoors. This is TO's first annual green and eco living and lifestyle market ,which collects the best in eco fashion, sustainable food, natural beauty and home decor. Admission is free, and there will be giveaways.

Did I miss a free event in August you're super excited about? Let me know in the comments.

Photo of the Sail-In Cinema courtesy of the Toronto Port Authority.

Get Well's new location comes with pizza and a patio

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Get WellGet Well has opened its second location in the space previously occupied by Kitch. While the new bar goes by a different name, the excellent craft beer list and retro video games remains the hallmark of the bar.

Read my review of The Greater Good in the bars section.

The future of Toronto music festivals is cash-free

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Toronto cashless music festivalsIt's easy to shell out a lot of money at Toronto-area music festivals. Not only are tickets expensive, but drinks, food and merch are also pricey. And now that many of these events are cashless, you don't even realize how much you're spending. At least that was my experience at WayHome this past weekend.

The three-day music and art extravaganza at Burl's Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte, Ontario was the latest local festival to go cashless. Instead of rooting around in your wallet for change, you either topped up your RFID (radio frequency identification) bracelet with money or attached a credit card to it so you never ran out of dough.

If you wanted to make a purchase, you double tapped your bracelet - it was simple as that.

Food vendors at WayHome were mostly pleased, noting how going cashless cut down on wait times for their customers. "It sped up the whole thing because to keep up with the massive lines at WayHome, you needed something very fast," says Jenn Burko who owns the Bake Three Fifty food truck.

Station Cold Brew's Mitchell Stern also recognizes RFID's efficiency, and was relieved it worked smoothly at last weekend's festival, especially since he's seen it backfire before. "If it works, it's amazing and if it doesn't, it's a shit show," he says, noting how businesses can lose out on a ton of sales if the system goes down.

But despite cutting down on queues, Stern says his staff didn't receive as many tips. That's a sentiment echoed by the team at the Saucy Pierogi. They did a brisk business all weekend and even had to run back to the city to re-stock their mobile kitchen.

With the tap-and-go method, attendees (myself included) seemed detached from their wallets and didn't care about the festival's rather high food and drink prices.

"People aren't paying attention, they're just ordering what they want," a rep at Saucy Pierogi tells me.

And most food vendors had to substantially increase their prices at WayHome. Saucy Pierogi explains that not only did they pay to be there (for food trucks like Bake Three Fifty it was $2,500, plus a $500 refundable deposit), the cashless payment service also took a cut of their sales - for Saucy Pierogi, it was 20 per cent.

On the customer end, it was relatively easy to make turn your bracelet into a mobile bank account. I added money to mine using my phone and set it to auto re-load so I wouldn't have to wait in the long, long top up station lines on site.

Toronto cashless music festivalsNow, I have about $50 left. I'll have it back on my card within 10 days, but the payment service Intellipay by Intellitix will take a $5 processing fee. For those who added money using debit or cash, they'll need to fill out a form, which asks for direct deposit information, to get their money back.

WayHome's not the only festival going cashless. Digital Dreams integrated this RFID technology into its event. As will the upcoming Veld, although this EDM event at Downsview Park will still let guests use cash and cards to make purchases if they don't want to add money to their wristbands.

Ultimately, this all makes the festival experience more seamless, for both attendees and vendors. It also lets organizers get total visibility on how much and where money is being spent.

But how you feel about that is a different story.

Photos by Jesse Milns.

Condo of the week: 477 Richmond Street West

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477 richmond st torontoWhen you imagine the perfect upscale bachelor pad, 477 Richmond Street West is probably not too far off that vision. Listed at $1,079,000, this spot has much more flair than the typical condos seen in this area.

477 richmond st torontoThe loft's generous floor plan is a result of combining two units, and the open concept makes it feel even more spacious. There are floor-to-ceiling windows, and more than enough room for a games area, or a dining room table if you're not in the market for having fun.

477 richmond st torontoThe master bedroom is massive and has enough room for a seating area, which currently features an unobstructed northern view. Large wooden sliding doors separate the bedroom from the living area, adding to the hard loft elements of the space.

477 richmond st torontoOpen duct work, brick accents, track lighting and mirrored structural beams add authenticity to the loft, offering a good canvas to get creative with the layout and design.

477 richmond st torontoSPECS

  • Address: 477 Richmond Street, #907
  • Price: $1,079,000
  • Square Feet: 1600 +/-
  • Bedrooms: 1
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Parking: 1
  • Taxes: $4,430.55
  • Maintenance Fee: $1,121
  • Walk Score: 95
  • Listing agent: Josh Klein
  • Listing ID: C3531877

477 richmond st torontoNOTABLE FEATURES

  • Open-concept layout
  • Floor to ceiling windows
  • Custom walk-in closet
  • Oversized master bedroom
  • Underground parking

477 richmond st torontoGOOD FOR

The bachelor/bachelorette without a family who's looking to hone his or her billiard skills.

477 richmond st torontoMOVE ON IF

You need more than one bedroom. This is a gorgeous pad, but it ain't made for a family.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
477 richmond st toronto477 richmond st toronto477 richmond st torontoThanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd, Brokerage for sponsoring our House of the Week. All content and editorial selected and written by blogTO.

August long weekend events in Toronto for 2016

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weekend events torontoAugust long weekend events mark the peak of summer in Toronto, so you have to get out and enjoy everything under the sun as much as you can. There's a food truck fest, a giant EDM Festival, and plenty of outdoor movies to enjoy while the weather is still warm.

Here are my top picks for events going down this August long weekend in Toronto.

FOOD

Out the Box (July 29, Market 707)
One DJ and two MCs battle it out amongst the roti, gushi and lumpia at Market 707 at Dundas and Bathurst. Get your snack on at the food containers as Nari the Saga and Belladonna the Blest with Ergo Sum spit rhymes and rhetoric.

Toronto Food Truck Festival (July 29-31)
Woodbine Park hosts a food truck frenzy with about 40 vehicles pulling up and serving you the goods. Here's a full list of the vendors, but some of my faves include FeasTO and Original Chimney's.

Markham Food Fest (July 30-31)
This is a huge Asian street food festival at Metro Square in Markham. Admission is free and you can bet they'll be some super interesting stuff on the menus. Take the Zhejiang style Shaobing, for example. Never heard of it? Take a chance and get your empty stomach over here.

FESTIVALS

Caribana (July 28-31)
I went to Caribana last year and got danced on so hard it changed my life. Just look at the beautiful photos! This is the place to be for street dancing and people watching, if you're brave enough to sneak onto the parade route.

Toronto Burlesque Fest (July 28-31)
The 19th annual festival of classy clothing removal takes place at the Mod Club and Revival -- basically across the street from each other. A pant-dropping lineup of internationally renowned burlesque dancers, male and female, will be performing.

OVO (July 29, 31, Aug 1)
This is actually the coolest summer festival in the city. With our city's love for Drake at an all time high, this show will be off the chain. Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa and have already been announced, but we all know it's about the surprise guests. But don't worry if you can't get there, the fest overlaps with Drake's Summer Sixteen tour.

Aloha Fest (July 30)
Hālau Hula I Ka Lā ("Hula School in the Sun"), a Toronto-based hula dance school presents the 2nd annual celebration of Polynesian culture. Culture, art food, crafts and dance are on display at Mel Lastman Square from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

TD Irie Music Festival (July 30-31)
Nathan Phillips Square is taken over with the sounds, smells and tastes of African-Canadian culture with headliners Bushman, DaVille and the Summer Dance Showcase on closing night. This one's for people who want to dance and chill.

VELD (July 30-31)
EDM hasn't died just yet, and VELD is the only place for true fans to be. Taking place at Downsview Park over two days, this year's headliners include the Chainsmokers, Flume and Travis Scott.

MUSIC

FILM

Insomniac Film Fest (July 29, Royal Cinema)
This is a curated selection of the year's most creative, confounding and brutally honest short films from Toronto's distinct young film community. Films start at 9 p.m. at the Royal Cinema.

Christie Pits Film Fest (Christie Pits Park)
A very romo screening of Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliette on the hill in the park. There will be eats, coffee and treats available at 6 p.m. with the film at sundown, but arrive a bit early to get a good spot.

DANCING

It's not U it's Me
(July 30, Power Plant)

Elevating Toronto's party scene one event at a time, the It's not U it's Me party collective have created a three-part underground dance series at the Power Plant. This party is number two and features Detroit's legendary Interdimensional Transmissions crew.

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.

Photo of Veld by Jesse Milns.


There's a lot of Harry Potter parties in Toronto this week

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Harry Potter TorontoHarry Potter fans in Toronto have a lot to be thankful for this long weekend. After years of re-reading the epic series over and over (and over) again, there's finally a new magical story to add to the Hogwarts canon. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two comes out at midnight on July 31, so get ready to celebrate its launch (and Harry's 36th birthday) in style. Dress robes required.

Here are 6 ways to toast the boy who lived.

Midnight Launch Party with Mabel's Fables (Bad Dog Theatre Company, July 30)
Mabel's Fables is teaming up with the Bad Dog Theatre Company to put on an all ages midnight launch party that'll run from 8:30 p.m. on July 30 to 2 a.m. on July 31. You'll be able to grab a copy of the book at 12:01 a.m. Or, reserve yours early and simply pick it up at the event.

Costume Party (The Lockhart, July 30-31)
The Lockhart is Toronto's unofficial Harry Potter-themed watering hole, so it's obviously throwing down for the Cursed Child release. The witch or wizard with the best costume on Saturday night will get a free copy of the book and there will be another costume contest at brunch on Sunday, July 31, so apparate over to Dundas West this weekend.

Midnight Release Party (Another Story Bookshop, July 30)
Another Story Bookshop on Roncy will be serving up butterbeer and other magical snacks on Saturday night starting at 11 p.m. You can pick up your copy of the script on Saturday, but reserve one in advance to avoid disappointment.

Midnight Magic(Chapters/Indigo locations, July 31 at 12:01 a.m.)
Most Chapters/Indigo locations in Toronto will stay open late so you can get your hands on the eighth Harry Potter story first. If the other book releases are any indication, you should expect lineups.

Free play reading (Berkley Street Theatre, Aug. 9)
Once you've devoured the play a few times, venture to Canadian Stage's Berkley Street Theatre to watch as The Howland Company brings it to life. This event is free to attend and you can even read a part if you're so inclined.

Midnight Magic with the TPL (Toronto Reference Library, July 30)
The Toronto Reference Library and the TCAF's Page & Panel bookstore are co-hosting a free party on Saturday night. Tickets, however, sold out earlier this month, so count yourself lucky if you're on the guest list!

Do you know of any other Harry Potter parties? Let us know in the comments.

Photo via @Scholastic.

Old school Toronto diner is closing this weekend

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Jims RestaurantToronto is losing a long-standing business this weekend because Jim's Restaurant is shutting down on July 31. The old-school diner at 897 Queen St. East is Leslieville is an east end stalwart that's well-known for affordable food and eggy breakfasts.

Current owner George Dafos has been running the place for the past 16 years. Now, he's getting ready to move his operation to East York.

According to Inside Toronto, George and his brother Angela bought the The Ginger Man restaurant at 1104 Victoria Park Ave. They'll take it over some time next month.

But don't expect a new eatery to pop up in the old Jim's location. That's because developer Daniels Corp. is building a six-storey condo in its place.

Who to watch for at YouTube FanFest 2016 in Toronto

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Toronto YouTube FanFestYouTube FanFest 2016 in Toronto will let you see 17 YouTubers in the flesh at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre on August 13. This year's free event will feature lots of Canadian talent as well as Americans, like Kurt Hugo Schneider and Sam Tsui (their Michael Jackson medley is still one of my favourite YouTube videos of all time).

But if you're interested in our locally grown stars, here are some Toronto YouTubers who will take the stage at FanFest 2016.

Lauren Toyota
This former Much Music VJ and After Degrassi host now runs two enormously popular YouTube channels: Lauren Toyota and Hot for Food. Appropriately enough, she'll be hosting this year's FanFest.

AsapSCIENCE
Mitchell Moffit and Greg Brown aim to make science fun. They ask a range of questions in their predominately animated videos, like what if you only drank soda? Or, should you shave your pubes? Basically, they explain scientific concepts in an approachable way - their videos are pretty easy to binge, so beware.

Humble The Poet
Toronto-based spoken word artist Humble The Poet, or Kanwer Singh, is also an elementary school teacher. He fuses that experience into his creative work and beyond YouTube, he's previously performed around the world, including at Lollalapalooza back in 2012.

KRNFX
Beatboxer KRNFX (or Terry Im) covers pop hits on his YouTube channel, including this recent remix of three Drake songs (One Dance, Work and I'm On One) - clearly he has hometown pride, so see him live in the 6ix on August 13.

LaurDIY
LaurDIY (Lauren Riihimaki) may have made the move out to Los Angeles., but she got her start right here in Toronto. This Ryerson grad now helps her subscribers create and complete colourful DIY lifestyle projects.

Lilly Singh (aka IISuperwomanII)
You've probably seen Lilly Singh on billboards or busses around Toronto. That's because she has nearly 9.5 million subscribers on YouTube. These dedicated fans tune in for her unique style of comedy and her array of signature characters.

Who are you excited to see at YouTube FanFest 2016? Let us know in the comments.

Yonge and Eglinton in the midst of major condo boom

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yonge and eglinton condosAt times it seems like all of Toronto is sprouting with condos, but this perception stems from the various hub neighbourhoods where the vast majority of the development is taking place. The Lower Yonge St. corridor certainly fits this bill, as does Yorkville and much of the waterfront. But perhaps the biggest changes are happening at Yonge and Eglinton.

With the arrival of the Crosstown LRT scheduled for 2021, the midtown neighbourhood is poised to become the next major transit hub in this city, and development is already well underway to capitalize on this soon-to-come feature of the area.

It wasn't so long ago that the Minto towers caused North Toronto residents much angst over the intensification of the neighbourhood. Those who feared the complex would pave the way for further development in the area were obviously right, though it's hard to argue against the suitability of density here.

It would be tedious to list all of the developments proposed and under construction in the area surrounding Yonge and Eglinton, but a few highlights should suffice to demonstrate the profound transformation taking place.

yonge and eglinton condosPerhaps the most significant projects are the ones slated to redefine the intersection itself. A joint venture between Bazis, Metropia, and RioCan will bring E Condos to the northeast corner of Yonge and Eglinton with two towers of 58 and 38 storeys respectively.

yonge and eglinton condosRight across the street, Davpart hopes to bring the 65 storey 1 Eglinton East project to the south side of the intersection. The Hariri Pontarini Architects designed building would be the tallest in the area if gets final approval (it's already been scaled back from 68 storeys).

yonge and eglinton condosImmediately to the south, Tower Hill Development Corporation have planned the 58 storey 2221 Yonge Condos, which is designed by Pei Partnership Architects and Quadrangle Architects in a tribute to the modernism of I.M. Pei. The renderings don't do this one due justice. It promises to be a smart-looking condo that departs from the glass box aesthetics we're so used to.

yonge and eglinton condosAnother project that promises to impress visually is the Art Shoppe Condos, the exterior of which is designed by architectsAlliance. It's the interior that's created all the buzz, though, as Karl Lagerfeld has signed on to design the lobby spaces, which will be easily visible from the street.

yonge and eglinton condosLooping around to Redpath, the well-liked 155 Redpath development will get its sister tower at 150. The architectsAlliance project is slated to come in at 38 storeys and will have a significant impact on the streetscape of Eglinton east of Yonge St.

Joining it is Menkes' The Eglinton at 161 Eglinton Avenue East. It's a bit more conventional design-wise, but should inject some much needed retail to the this stretch of the street, which has always been a bit on the dreary side.

yonge and eglinton condosMoving back toward Yonge is 55 Eglinton Avenue East, which looks vibrant at street level before swooping up as a 47 storey (proposed) tower. Almost next door is The Madison, a two tower project that's nearing completion at 36 and 33 storeys. Between these developments, the corridor of Eglinton between Yonge and Mount Pleasant will look entirely different in a half decade.

yonge and eglinton condosThe development is also heavy to the north of Yonge and Eglinton. Minto, who first started the condo boom in this neighbourhood, will bring Minto30Roe to Roehampton and Yonge right beside North Toronto Collegiate, the high school that is now housed at the base of a condo tower.

yonge and eglinton condosMore dramatically, the Whitehaus development will relieve the neighbourhood of its old school shopping strip on the west side of Yonge north of Orchard View Boulevard.

The new building promises to have 70,000 square feet of commercial space in its podium, but you can expect big retailers to lease here rather than the independents that have been pushed out as construction looms on the site.

yonge and eglinton condosJust to north at Broadway and Yonge, Postal Station K will live on at the base of the Montgomery Square Condos, which will be set back from the street to diminish the effect of the new building swallowing up the old one.

yonge and eglinton condosThat's far from an exhaustive list of the developments around Yonge and Eglinton, but it's easy to understand how much change is in store for the neighbourhood. When the Crosstown LRT does finally arrive, you expect that the TTC lands at Eglinton Station where the bus bays once sat will also be home to a major project, one that might even include some public space.

In conjunction with all of this residential development, city planners are working away at the Eglinton Connects plan, which will try to redesign the streetscape to accommodate the population surge, which promises to put many more commuters on the street. Initial plans look promising, but it will be a challenge to keep up with the all the building going on here.

Toronto Food Events: Toronto Food Truck Festival, Lucky Brunch, Sweetery, Markham Food Fest

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sweetery torontoToronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious 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

  • The third annual Toronto Food Truck Festival in support of SickKids will take place this weekend, July 29 to 31, at Woodbine Park. Expect at least 60 trucks along with live music in the fully licensed event space. Admission is free.
  • Markham Food Fest is on July 30 and 31 at Metro Square (3636 Steeles Ave. E.). The event is free to attend and promises a wide array of Asian street food.
  • Wenona Lodge hosts its monthly pig roast on Sunday, July 31. $35 buys you AYCE meat, two sides and one beer.
  • The inaugural St. Lawrence Market Summer Series takes places on August 4. It's presented in partnership with The Food Dudes and this event will transform the south patio at the historic market into an oasis of food and music. General admission is $30 and includes two food tickets.

UPCOMING

  • Kanpai hosts a Lucky Brunch on Sunday, August 7. Tickets are $35 for the four-course meal featuring Chiang Kai Caesars, a minty fruit salad, Taiwanese fried chicken and waffles, family style dim sum and a Bao-LT.
  • Sweetery Food Festival is back on August 20 and 21 at David Pecaut Square. The free, all-ages event promises an afternoon of dessert tastings in support of Second Harvest.

Know of a Toronto food event coming up? Email liora@blogto.com

Photo from Sweetery 2015 by Natta Summerky

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