One thing's for sure in Toronto: we can never get enough sushi. Toronto's newest entrant to the raw fish game doesn't mess around with fresh, beautifully prepared sashimi and tasty cocktails to boot.
Read my profile of Amico Sushi in the restaurants section.
Road closures in Toronto this August long weekend are mercifully lower than average on account of a reduction in street festivals, but that doesn't mean the city's roads are going to be a breeze to navigate. With plenty of ongoing construction and major shut downs in conjunction with Caribana, it's sure to busy out there.
Caribana takes place over the course of the weekend, but it's the main parade that will close Lake Shore Boulevard on Saturday. Starting at 1 a.m. both directions of the street will be shut to traffic between Colborne Lodge Drive and Strachan Avenue. The restrictions will be lifted at 6 a.m. on Sunday.
In addition to the festival closures, there are a variety of lane restrictions for Lake Shore Boulevard East on account of Gardiner Maintenance. These are most concentrated north of the Port Lands, so avoid this area if you can.
Another area to avoid is College and Lansdowne, which is closed for streetcar track replacement. You can by-pass the closures heading east-west via Dundas, but those traveling north or south will have to take Roncesvalles Avenue or Brock Street.
Gerrard Street will also be congested due to lane restrictions between University Avenue and Elizabeth Street and the final work to replace water mains between Yonge and Church streets.
Thankfully, there are no scheduled TTC subway closures this weekend.
There are, however, plenty of other restrictions across the city due to construction, which you can check up on using the official city of Toronto map.
Photo by Alejandro Santiago
The top patios in Roncesvalles will have you soaking up the charm of Polish Toronto outdoors. While most patios on the strip can be described as pint-sized, there are a few options ideal for casual drinks or dinner with some pals.
Here are my picks for the top patios in Roncesvalles.
La Cubana
The backyard of La Cubana is the perfect retreat from the streets of Roncy come patio season. It boasts a healthy dose of greenery, brightly coloured furniture and is open until 1 a.m. every day of the week. It also has a retractable awning, so no worries if Mother Nature starts to act up.
Bandit Brewery
For all the beer lovers, there's Bandit Brewery. Its outdoor seating area, like most in the neighbourhood, has a laid-back vibe. There's picnic tables galore, hanging lights and a few trees that add a little oomph to the otherwise bare bones space.
Barque Smokehouse
Barque Smokehouse is equipped with a 25-seater patio, perfect for those who like to people-watch. Though it runs along the side of the building, drinkers and diners are still treated to a pretty clear view of the main strip. The space itself is relaxed and minimally adorned with a simple black gate separating the seated, and the standard branded patio umbrellas.
Loons Restaurant & Pub
If you're looking for a place with space, make a beeline for the backyard of Loons Restaurant & Pub. Its patio is one of the larger ones in the neighbourhood, flaunting enough seating for you and 89 of your closest friends. The space itself is reminiscent of the ideal residential backyard, filled with mismatched patio furniture and flower baskets.
The Local
Out back behind The Local you'll find a cozy little situation with wicker chairs and enough room to squeeze in 15. The patio is much less cavernous than the pub's interior, so if you're looking for a little sun head here.
Thanks to Strongbow for sponsoring our 2016 Patio Guide
What did I miss? Add your favourite patio on Roncesvalles in the comments.
Summertime is festival season in Toronto, but not everything here revolves around music. For better or for worse, we also have plenty of food festivals, including some that focus on vegan eats, sweet treats, ribs, mac and cheese and food truck fare.
New this summer is a festival based entirely on junk food. It's from the same people behind the Mac & Cheese Fest so you better get hungry now because the Junk Food Festival is slated to run from September 9 to 11 in the Toronto Star building, as well as in the parking lot at 1 Yonge St.
It'll be free to attend, but you'll have to pay to actually indulge and stuff your face with deep-fried delicacies and other gluttonous amuse-bouches. Festival founder and director Philip Suos tells me this multi-city festival tour will centre around a competition where chefs will vie for $25,000 in prize money.
"After my Mac and Cheese Festival, I wanted to create a new food competition filled with bold mashups reinventing North America's comfort foods," says Suos via email.
Competitors will probably whip up Epic Meal Time-worthy creations that'll either make you salivate or sick.
Along with the food, the Suos says the festival will include a slew of activities and amenities, including ping pong, axe throwing, a rage room, bubble soccer and a beer lounge.
What type of junk food do you want at the festival? Let us know in the comments.
Photo from the 2015 Mac and Cheese Fest by Jesse Milns.
There's a new joint in Toronto for old school treats. Retro desserts, ranging from milkshakes to ice cream parfaits, are on the menu. Just be warned, these aren't offered at retro prices.
Read my profile of Fountain in the restaurants section.
It's a sad day for rye bread lovers in Toronto. Silverstein's Bakery at 195 McCaul St., has sadly closed its doors for good.
For nearly 100 years (the bakery opened in 1918), the family-owned Toronto institution baked up loaves of bread, bagels, buns and baguettes in the Baldwin Village neighbourhood. Its doughy products also appeared on restaurants menus across the city - when you grabbed a sandwich at Caplansky's or Switzer's Deli, you were munching on Silverstein's rye.
Rumours of Silverstein's closure popped up on Reddit. And according to a post on the United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Locals 175 and 633 website, the union found out that the bakery shut down abruptly yesterday.
Photo by Kenneth Lai via the blogTO Flickr pool.
Toronto's top concerts this August overflow with thrilling returns and final farewells across all Billboard categories. But not before festival season can take a last stab at our wallets: there's TIME, Diplo's Mad Decent Block Party, an impressively stacked Camp Wavelength and the charitable loudness of Doom over TO.
Just as many of today's radio-frendlies (Shawn Mendes, Meghan Trainor) are on the calendar as ones from 20 years ago (Goo Goo Dolls and Collective Soul, Counting Crows and Rob Thomas), furthering my theory that time is folding in on itself. But my fave find is Barbara Streisand performing the same night as Korn and Rob Zombie. I hope this is a tough choice for at least one weird music fan out there.
Aside from Babs and co., here are my top concert picks this month.
Disclosure (August 2, Echo Beach)
Consider this a chance at redemption after the disastrous denouement of Disclosure's last visit. The hit-making electro duo are back on tour in light of latest EP Moog for Love.
Gwen Stefani and Eve (August 4, Molson Amphitheatre)
Hopefully the tabloid stuff and sorta uncomfortable music videos of the last year haven't turned you off, because girl still kills it whenever she gets on a stage. Relive the glory of the early2000s when she comes to town with Eve this month.
Dillinger Escape Plan (August 4-5, Hard Luck Bar)
It's apparently been more than six years since mathcore's finest brought their insane live rig to TO, but thankfully they've ended the drought and even honoured us as the kickoff city for their short summer run. Maybe they'll unveil a new tune or two; maybe Greg will revive his Jesus on water trick. You just never know with them.
Sturgill Simpson (August 6-7, Danforth Music Hall)
Any fears that a major label deal would sand down country songwriter Sturgill Simpson's gritty edges were effectively put to rest with this spring's A Sailor's Guide to Earth - it experiments with more genres than before and even throws in a left-field Nirvana cover for good measure. Catch the Waffle House fan over two nights at Danforth.
The Tragically Hip (August 10, 12 and 14, ACC)
The iconic Canadian band's final tour is well-ingrained into your knowledge by now, as much due to its tragic circumstances as the unfortunate StubHub controversy surrounding it. Rest assured however that those of us who remain ticketless can catch a CBC broadcast of the final show the week after.
Boris (August 11, Lee's Palace)
It's been just over a decade since Japan's revered noisemakers put out the groundbreaking Pink, an album that still ranks as one of the most surefire and satisfying ways to ruin speakers. As is the style now, they're celebrating with an anniversary tour, but sure aren't being lazy about it: the corresponding LP reissue features enough extra tracks for basically a new album.
Deftones and Refused (August 13, International Centre)
The long-awaited tour for Gore finally brings Deftones back above the border, though they've opted for a Mississauga venue? I'll try not to complain, as that's still a shade more accessible than an Icelandic volcano, but barely. The fact that they're bringing Refused along for the ride makes up for the difficult commute to the 'burbs.
The Go-Go's and Best Coast (August 16, Massey Hall)
After setting the blueprint for girls in bands almost four decades ago, the Go-Go's are saying goodbye with a final farewell tour. Best Coast, probably one of the strongest descendants of their musical legacy today, get to join them for their last run.
case/lang/viers (August 16-17, Danforth Music Hall)
Sucks that they've been denied the Colbert Bump, but three artists of this calibre shouldn't need it. Neko Case, k.d. lang and Laura Veirs just finished combining their gorgeous voices and songwriting for a one-off album, so this could be your only shot to see the supergroup play Toronto.
Blink-182 (August 21, Molson Amphitheatre)
We vastly underestimated the enduring popularity of three dudes - who've just crested into their forties, wow - singing goofy pop punk about butts. But hell, good for them. Delay your midlife crisis (or trigger it faster, not sure) with Blink's newly formatted, less alien-obsessed lineup.
Prophets of Rage (August 24, Molson Amphitheatre)
Speaking of revived 90s angst, members of Rage Against the Machine, Cypress Hill and Public Enemy saw electoral disaster in the air and promptly formed the ideal megagroup to combat it. Because 2016 is weird, Third Eye Blind's stealing their politically subversive thunder, but never mind that - these guys will still provide a good soundtrack for infuriating CNN coverage.
Weaves (August 27, Horseshoe Tavern)
The wonderfully weird Toronto band just put out their first proper LP and are currently touring like crazy for it, but will come home to celebrate their big debut with us near the end of the month.
Black Sabbath (August 29, Molson Amphitheatre)
The venerable fathers of Satan's Music say this is their last hurrah, as Ozzy apparently has more goofy reality TV to make, so this could very well be your last chance to pledge allegiance in person. As long as there are no more health issues, that is.
Kanye West (August 30-31, ACC)
The receipts heard 'round the world seem to have scared Nemesis Swift into hiding, just in time for the beginning of Ye's much anticipated victory lap/world tour. Whatever your opinion, he's an incredible showman (I still think a lot about that crystal mask, years later) and The Life of Pablo will probably be a totally different record by time the tour starts, so I hope you got tickets.
What did I miss? Add your top concert picks in the comments.
Photo of Disclosure by Alejandro Santiago
Caribana is one of the city's most over the top, bright, beautiful and joyous festivals. It takes over the city's waterfront, bars, party spaces and parks with music, community, food and music and it stands up with Pride as one of the largest and loudest festivals Toronto hosts. Where it doesn't stand up with Pride is its inclusiveness and overall love-fest vibe.
While thankfully there's been no documented acts of homophobia or violence that I could find, the LGBT community has historically and generally felt uncomfortable attending major Caribana events, including the parade.
Celebrating Trinidad and Tobago, St.Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana and Jamaican cultures can be a tricky balance as historically many of these places aren't so gay friendly.
Having said this, I've attended the parade with an army of gay guys and gals multiple times and felt no threat or tension. It was a hot time. It's the weekend's affiliated nightlife that's proving problematic.
Promoters and DJs like Blackcat, Craig Dominic and Bambii are changing that. Blackcat has been throwing parties like Urban Jungle during Caribana weekend for years now, and the lack of official inclusion in Caribana programming doesn't bother him.
"I don't know if we're being ignored," he says. "Speaking for myself I haven't tried bringing [the parties] to that forum because I personally don't have the strength to take it on. It's not welcome there and it will bring a lot of problems you have to be ready for."
"It isn't going to benefit us. I've never introduced it to the Caribana people... we just do our parties and put it out there and hopefully people see it and know that it exists."
DJ Craig Dominic, main organizer of Blockobana, believes official organizers don't even know their parties exist and is of a similar mind.
"Blockobana is important because we are trying to build it into the cornerstone of an [unofficial] 'Black Pride...'" he says. "Originally it was started as a celebration of Caribana for the LGBT African/Caribbean diaspora community in Toronto, much for the same reason, to give impetus for a Pride for the Black community.
"I'm hesitant to say anything along the lines of 'making Caribana queer' because I think Caribana has pockets of queerness already. If anything we make Caribana more queer and give people another place to display that."
Though Caribana couldn't be reached for comment, I did manage to get ahold of Cara Galloway, Manager of Communications and Events with CaribanaToronto.com the website that promotes, hosts and sells tickets to a variety of Caribbean nightlife events taking place throughout Caribana weekend.
They're not officially associated with Caribana, but Galloway was happy to talk about LGBT inclusion as she sees it at events she's dealt with.
"I can tell you that we have seen a growing sentiment at our events, in terms of a willingness to be all-inclusive," she says. "While it's true that homophobia can be found anywhere, we have found that the past few years have brought on more of an openness and willingness towards being inclusive."
"I have been managing nightlife events on the website for the past four years, and I have never once received feedback or concerns about party goers at any of our events feeling excluded in any capacity."
Galloway says that as an events organization they constantly aim to make all party goers feel as safe as possible. "The inclusion of everyone, all races and sexual orientations, is one of our top priorities," she says.
Because I wasn't able to reach Caribana for comment, it's hard to say where the festival officially stands on LGBT inclusiveness and safety, but having spoken to the people that were available, there's room for optimism. Queer people will attend and queer parties will happen, whether Caribana approves of it or not, and that's what's so cool.
"We get an influx of U.S. and international visitors at that time so it naturally became a time where Toronto's LGBT black community show's up," says Blackcat. "I think the parties are vital and important not only at Caribana time but all year around.
"There needs to be a presence of diversity in the LGBT community in Toronto. [We're] known as a diverse Metropolis and the LGBT community is no different. There are many different types of people and cultures and they should all be represented and celebrated."
Photo by Alejandro Santiago.
Cirque du Soleil is back in Toronto with Luzia and for their 2016 production in the Port Lands they've brought the fun and the show. Unlike the visually arresting Toruk that played at the ACC in January, Luzia wraps jaw-dropping talent around a dream-like Mexican circus featuring some of the world's best gymnasts and trapeze artists, a contortionist, juggler and pair of soccer trick-artists.
It's an equally funny and mesmerizing show that simply shouldn't be missed and a reminder why the Quebec-based theatrical company has won legions of fans the world over.
Check out our photo gallery from Cirque du Soleil's Luzia here.
Luzia continues its Toronto run through October 16 in the Port Lands.
If you have over a million bucks to spend on a condo in Toronto, you're not going to want for much in terms of amenities or space. While this amount doesn't purchase ultimate luxury, condos in the $1,250,000 range are noticeably superior to those right at the million mark. Phew. It's good to know $250K buys you something.
Here's what a $1,250,000 condo looks like in Toronto.
$1,279,000 near Bathurst and Queens Quay
This unit is located in one of Toronto's nicest condo buildings, the restored Tip Top Tailors building right on the waterfront. The location is ideal, and the two-level space is anything but cookie cutter. You only get two bedrooms but there are three bathrooms and Coronation Park is at your doorstep. Maintenance fees are $945.99 a month.
$1,280,000 near Old Mill
This unit at 1 Old Mill Drive isn't that most interesting from a design standpoint, but it features two balconies with a 270 degree view of the city. With three bedrooms and bathrooms spread over 1,448 square feet, there's plenty of space. Maintenance fees come it at $826.01.
$1,298,000 near Ryerson
This slick penthouse loft is located right next to Ryerson's campus. At 1,950 square feet over two storeys, the two bedrooms are above average in size, but it's the long window-studded hallway that gives the unit a unique design. The kitchen is chef-friendly and the outdoor terrace offers lovely downtown views. Maintenance fees are $1,102.32 a month.
$1,298,000 near Sherwood Park
Made for empty nesters, this ornate condo near Bayview and Blythwood has high end finishes and tons of amenities (steams rooms sound nice), but you better not like pets. Those aren't allowed here. With only two bedrooms, the grandkids will be discouraged from staying over. Maintenance fees are $850.30 a month.
$1,299,000 near High Park
Located atop High Park, this is a rare one bedroom unit for just shy of $1.3 million. That'll make for one sick bachelor pad. The interior design is meh, but the views are stunning and the location can't be beat for those who like to spend time out of doors. Maintenance fees are $1,039.28 a month.
Would you buy any of these units if you were in the condo-buying market? Let us know in the comments.
The best Indian buffets in Toronto are available almost exclusively at lunch hour. Make your next mid-day meal an all-you-can-eat feast featuring the the varied flavours and regional specialties of this diverse subcontinent.
Here are the restaurants with the best Indian buffet in Toronto.
The current crop of pool floats available in Toronto prove that gone are the days of the black rubber tube or pool noodles. Say hello to giant emoji beds, inflatable pizza slices and white swans.
Here's a round-up of Toronto stores to pick up some inflatable fun.
Party Rock
This Avenue Road party and novelty shop has a good selection of floats from Big Mouth including donuts, flamingos and black and white swans ($40) as well as more loungy giant ice pops, pizza and popcorn ones ($44).
Rolo
This popular Yorkville shop is where to go to get a humongous pink flamingo ($40), pretzel ($20) or classic 3 flavour red, white, and blue popsicle ($20).
Treasure Island Toys
The Danforth toy store also gets their pool float stock from Big Mouth. Among the ones they carry are an insanely big Tears of Joy Emoji ($44), Junior Mints ($44) or a classic rubber duckie ($40).
KolKid
West Queen West's favourite hip kids store sells some of the same Big Mouth pool floats as the aforementioned shops including a gumball machine ($40), pineapple ($40) and chocolate glazed donut ($28).
Easy Tiger Goods
The well-curated Dundas West gift shop isn't for the budget conscious. Their large pool floats come in the shape of boobs and eyes and will set you back $115.
Add your favourite spot to order big inflatable pool toys to the comments.
Photo of the pool float at Lavelle by Jesse Milns.
As Chris Unwin, the founder of Free, walks down a street near Queen and Bellwoods talking to me on the phone, a man walks by him with an extra large t-shirt that reads: FREE.
He starts laughing mid-conversation at the coincidence, but is then quickly reminded that this culture thing he's creating for Toronto is blowing up because it's already everywhere.
Free is a studio. In more detailed terms "we call ourselves a creator's studio, functioning as an incubator or a community of creative entrepreneurs. photographers, filmmakers and cultural leaders," Unwin offers by way of explanation,
"Our generation has grown up with cameras in our hands, so we're able to tell stories, create fashion, music, adventure, travel, always evolving in front and behind the camera," he says.
This all sounds lovely and nice, but also kind of like this floating idea that I find hard to grasp onto. Who uses Free? Why use Free? Is it free?
If you're a photographer, a videographer, filmmaker, director or artist who needs a place to help grow your already powerful skills, this is the place for you. If you're just a fan of photography and creative culture in general, they like you too, so keep reading. There are three parts to the business, which operates out of a warehouse space off Claremont Street.
First, the studio. Free Studio helps develop content with existing creators such as intellectual properties, long form documentaries, web series and more. They run their own YouTube and Instagram channels called Creator Class to show those projects off.
Second, the agency. "We help creators work with brands to help them create social, experiencial digital content projects, branded content for channels, commercial spots ... helping brands create content with these cultural leaders," Unwin explains.
Finally, the space. It's a 6,500 square feet co-work space designed for the modern creative entrepreneur. There's a gallery space, a co-working environment, a production studio that Canon sponsors, and a fully outfitted Canon creator lab. The best thing about the place is that "it transforms into a space for cultural happenings and discussions at night," Unwin says.
Talks, film screenings, art shows, these are the things that the more general and curious public will be welcome to go in and check out.
Some of the events are private by nature, and Free is most definitely still in testing phase on how the space will be used by creators officially (it's free for now, but they'll be moving to another model once they work that out), but many events are open to members of the community.
Unwin, who works together with a core team of content strategists, production management and publishers, just wants a platform in our city for people who are constantly creating incredible things to be able to work together to get even better.
"We're at a threshold point with Toronto's place in global culture," Unwin says. "The feeling is palatable. As community, we feel like it's our responsibility as members of this city to step up our game, not just local or Canadian, but in global content. This is a space where people can come together and by forging those connections create a global culture playing field."
Fans of creator culture can check out episodes and on-going projects from TheCreatorClass community at thecreatorclass.com, and on their YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat channels.
Watch for upcoming gallery exhibitions, panel sessions and more via Free's Instagram.
Photos of Free via @Jedris and @Duepinlac.
This spring we were introduced to a number of new food trucks. Summer sixteen is continuing the trend as more and more trucks have been rolling out. From classic burger offerings to Latin cuisine, Toronto continues to be spoiled with gourmet street eats.
Here's a roundup of some new food trucks to look out for in Toronto this summer.
Baro
Valdez doled out delicious Latin American street food from its now shuttered King West restaurant. Later this summer, it'll be reborn as Baro just across the street but until then you can eat chef Steven Gonzalez's food at his Baro food truck.
Mami's
If you're hankering for some Indian, Mami's will hit the spot. The truck features items from the North and South regions of the country. Chow down on samosa, dosa, butter chicken, wraps and lassis.
Wanna Burger
From the same people behind La Novela, Wanna Burger serves up fresh pressed burgers, french fries, poutine, hot dogs and milkshakes.
The Urban Asian
ME.N.U Food Truck and feasTO aren't the only trucks serving Asian eats. The Urban Asian has hit the streets with a menu full of rice dishes, rice balls, sliders and popcorn chicken.
The Flyin G'nosh
If you spot a food trailer with a giant elephant on it you've discovered The Flyin G'nosh. Here you'll discover Indian and Asian street food including samosas, steamed buns and noodle bowls.
To find out where food trucks will be each day visit Toronto Food Trucks or download the Food Trucks app for iPhone or Android.
What did I miss? Add your favourite new food truck in the comments.
Photo by Hector Vasquez.
The worst rain and thunder storms in Toronto history have ranged from the tragic to the expensive. It's not often that casualties result from weather events in Toronto these days, but that's not always been the case, and the danger certainly still exists when a storm becomes particularly ferocious.
Here's a round-up of some of the worst storms ever to hit the city.
The Island-forming storm of 1858
It takes one hell of a storm to turn a peninsula into an Island, but that's just what happened in April 1858 when a powerful spring onslaught created the Eastern Gap. This portion of the Island had flooded before, but this time it stuck, and major ships were able to enter the harbour through this passage in a few months.
Hurricane Hazel
This is the big one. Hurricane Hazel caused 81 deaths in Canada when it caught just about everyone by surprise in mid October 1954. Areas around the Humber River in particular were hit hard as it burst its banks with startling force, levelling homes and making rescue efforts extremely difficult. When it was all said and done, the storm cost $125.2 million in property damage.
The epic flood of August 2005
The storm that struck Toronto and Southern Ontario on August 19, 2005 was described as one one in a century. There were three tornadoes reported in conjunction with the storm, but it was the rain that caused the most damage in Toronto. Roughly 130 millimeters of rain fell in Toronto, which caused extensive flooding, road damage, and cost approximately $500 million in damage.
Tornadoes hit the GTA in August 2009
It is exceedingly rare for tornadoes to touch down in the Toronto area. It seemed like it was going to happen during the 2005 storm, but it was almost exactly five years later on August 20, 2009 that two F2 tornadoes touched down in Vaughan as part of an outburst in Southern Ontario that included 19 in total.
The Toronto flood of July 2013
The Toronto flood of 2013 is the most costly storm on this list, with an estimated $1 billon in damages. In the age of Instagram, it was also one of the most well documented weather calamities in the city. The Don River flooded and trapped passengers on a GO train, rail underpasses across the city filled with water, and as many as 300,000 people lost power.
Photos by Tom Ryaboi, the Toronto Archives, the Wikimedia Commons, and Zebriana.
A pizzeria from Boston has just landed in Toronto and has introduced us to coal-fired pizza. Along with the thin crust pies, expect to find a range of Italian-American red sauce specialties all served in massive portions meant to be shared.
Read my profile of Angelo's Coal Fired Pizza in the restaurants section.
The water taxi in Toronto seems to be shrouded in a modest degree of mystery. How much does one cost? Are they licensed like regular taxis? And, of course, how late do they operate? Fortunately, given the size of the fleet, most questions related to this ferry-alternative are answered easily enough.
Here's what you need to know about the water taxi in Toronto.
THE FLEET
Contrary to what Wikipedia might say, water taxis in Toronto are licensed by the city - this puts a cap on the number of legal operators in the harbour. There are seven locations on the Islands approved for water taxi pick-ups and drop-offs. Departures from the mainland aren't as regulated, but the main departure point is the slip at Queens Quay and Spadina.
The main operators are Toronto Harbour Water Taxi, Five Star Water Taxi, Water Taxi Now, Harbourlink Watertaxi, and the Tiki Taxi.
COST
On account of city regulations, water taxis charge $10 per person for a one-way trip to the Island (and vice versa when it comes to a return to the mainland). Once on the Island, you can travel back via ferry at no cost as there are no ticket booths on this side, but note well the latest ferry runs at 11:45 p.m. from Centre Island.
HIDDEN FEES
It's important to note that over and above the base fee, some water taxis charge for items like bikes and strollers. This can significantly add to the cost of your trip, so make sure to check the operator's rates/policies before making the trip.
WATER TAXI HOURS
You'd be wrong to think that all water taxis operate later than city ferries. The Tiki Taxi, for instance, runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the week and until 10 p.m. on the weekend. What you're paying for is the convenience of shorter lines and the fun of a bamboo-clad boat, not longer hours.
The Toronto Harbour Water Taxi, on the other hand, does offer late service from the Islands. Its operating hours are 8 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. It is the latest licensed operator that I'm aware of.
Know of any tips or tricks related to Toronto water taxis? Share them in the comments.
Photo via the Tiki Taxi's Facebook page.
Caribbean restaurants in Toronto offers a taste of island life whether it's sunny or snowing outside. Satisfy your cravings for comforting fare featuring jerk chicken and roti along with a few fusion remixes that meld brunch-time staples or incorporate influences from across the globe.
Here are my picks for the top new Caribbean restaurants in Toronto.
Street Shak
The flavours of Barbados are in the spotlight at this Queen West eatery where fish cakes and bakes, jerk chicken dinners, oxtail poutine, and roti packed with curried meats are on the menu. Don't miss the seared fish sandwich that aims to replicate the famous offering from Cuz's Fish Stand in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Island Hot & Spicy
Curry goat, akee and chicken roti are popular picks from this Caribbean joint. There are also a lot of vegetarian options. The small restaurant near Queen and Jarvis is still relatively young, but the original location on Weston Road is well established.
T Dot Jerk
This take out spot on Roncy specializes in Caribbean staples. On the menu, find roti and jerk chicken dinners. Portions are huge and offered at excellent value.
Tito Ron's
Kensington Market's El Gordo food court is home to this vendor that deals in Filipino and Caribbean foods. This mashup results in dishes like jerk chicken lumpia and roti packed with adobo chicken.
Windup
This Trinidadian eatery on College Street is home to comfort foods like salt fish cakes and open-faced curried goat roti. The brunch menu features oxtail Benedicts, cornmeal waffles with jerk chicken, and French toast laced with spiced rum.
What did I miss? Add your favourite new Caribbean restaurants in the comments.
Photo from Street Shak by Jesse Milns.
Free events in Toronto this week include sexy books, film screenings, a leather festival and a sick downtown basketball tournament.
Here are my picks for the top 5 free things to do this week.
Action: A Book About Sex (August 3, Type Books)
If you've never been to a book reading or talk at Type books, this is the night to do it. Amy Rose Spiegel's revealing new book of sexual adventures (the good, the bad, and the ugly) will make for a very cozy evening of wit, convo and dirty stories.
Toronto Leather Pride (August 4-6, Church Street)
Th city's leather community has its very own Pride celebration every year. Events include The Ms. Leather Toronto, Mr. Leatherman Toronto and Toronto Puppy Contest, the Leather Ball Dance party and educational talks.
Chris Harms Exertion (#Hashtag Gallery)
A super interesting little art show about the constant construction happening in our fair city. Exertion shows off Harms' vibrant sculptures with Plexiglas that resemble earth-moving excavators. Giving light and colour and childlike imagination to our urban landscape.
TPFF 2016 Party in the Pits Outdoor Screening (August 5, Christie Pits)
This is the Christie Pits night to go to. There's a pre party with music, food and pre-film chatter with pals. Then a screening of Oscar-nominated film Theeb at 9 p.m.
Full Court 21 Canada (August 6, Harbourfront Centre)
Have you ever walked or biked by the basketball courts at the very bottom of Bathurst on the Lakeshore? If you're lucky enough to witness a casual game happening, you know what I'm talking about. The people that play here are neighbourhood masters, and it's amazing to watch. This tournament should bring out even more ferocity.
Do you have a free event this week you think we all need to know about? Let us know in the comments and let's get free!
Photo of Theeb.
Burger-worship is pretty common in Toronto. But the most revered patties are usually meaty monstrosities slathered with cheese, bacon or a slew of unorthodox toppings. But for the past year, a pair of local foodies have been putting a glittery spin on this fast food staple.
Burger Pawty (it's pronounced party) is a Toronto-based brand that puts on food-focused pop-up events filled with tiny pink burgers. Louise Mangalino founded it with cook Jessica Lagman, but she's now flying solo.
Mangalino, who also runs the blog Burgers and Barbies, has visited an array of burger joints over the years. "Doing my burger blog, I noticed that 90 per cent of the places I'd been to catered to men," she says. She describes Burger Pawty as girly girl, with an edge - that's also how she defines her personal aesthetic.
And while her burgers are certainly eye-catching, do we really need to create a dichotomy for this classic North American sandwich? A burger doesn't need to be pink in order to appeal to women.
The female founder of the popular Toronto-based Instagram account BurgersTO (full disclosure, she writes for this site too), says most businesses she works with are surprised to find out she's a woman. Despite those stereotypical expectations, she still thinks burgers are gender neutral.
And while creating so-called girly-looking food is important to Mangalino, Burger Pawty, like other women-focused initiatives in Toronto, is ultimately about more than just pink burgers and pastel-coloured waffle buns.
She uses her events to bring together female-identified entrepreneurs and fellow food vendors. She also tries to collaborate exclusively with local businesses - such as Coco and Cowe and Naked Beauty Bar - at each pop-up party.
So far, she's held three Burger Pawt(ies?) and has also served up her signature burgers at other parties and markets around the city. She has an office job during the week so right now, this is a part-time operation.
And while she has no firm plans in place yet, her dream would be to open up a permanent Burger Pawty location. Because hey, we could all use a bit more sparkle in our lives.
