TIFF is in full swing and even more A-list celebrities have poured into Toronto. We've already spotted Chris Pratt, Pamela Anderson and James Franco in town and now the likes of Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio have showed up to make Instagram aglow.
Here are some of the latest celeb sightings in Toronto as seen on Twitter and Instagram.
Lead photo via @leaf_chick.
For TIFF 2016, these bars and restaurants will probably be teeming with A-listers. And if you're looking to rub shoulders with celebrities, you should probably lurk around King West or Yorkville. Sure, you can always stand behind a barricade and hope for a selfie, or you can shell out some cash and wine and dine like the stars.
Here's a round-up of bar and restaurant hotspots for TIFF 2016.
Fring's
This Drake-affiliated restaurant wasn't open during last year's festival. But now that it is, it'll probably attract a slew of celebs, especially since it's located right on the King West strip.
Montecito
Ivan Reitman's restaurant on Adelaide Street West is hosting at least two high-profile after parties. BBC is also holding all of its junkets at this Entertainment District spot.
Thompson Hotel
As the site of numerous exclusive parties, the Thompson will be teeming with celebrities this weekend. Your best bet might be trying to get into the Hyde Miami Beach events at Wildflower.
Lavelle
Joseph Gordon Levitt might be playing whistle-blower Edward Snowden in a new biopic, but it's no secret that he'll likely be attending a party in the movie's honour at Lavelle. The La La Land after-party, with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, is also here.
Brassaii
It's easy to grab brunch at this King West restaurant and club. And while you're eating, be sure to keep your eye on the side room because from September 9 to 13, it's transforming into the Hollywood Reporter lounge.
Patria
A couple of years ago, Bill Murray led a conga line through this Spanish resto that's nestled into a courtyard off of King West. This spot is filled with quiet corners, so who knows who'll you'll run into this year.
Buca
Buco on King serves up top-notch Italian food that's sure to make visiting actors swoon. Numerous celebs have been spotted here before, so head to this basement eatery and dig in.
Momofuku
Noodles and TIFF go hand-in-hand apparently. For celebs staying at the Shangri-La, a trip to chef David Chang's Toronto outpost seems like a no-brainer.
Sotto Sotto
TIFF might not be centred in Yorkville anymore, but this long-standing eatery still attracts a notable clientele - Drake's endorsement probably helps.
Café Boulud
The recently revamped restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel is another easy-to-access spot for visiting A-listers. Head here to dine on casual French fare as you try to spot your favourite stars.
Sweet Jesus
Jake Gyllenhaal paid this ice cream parlour a visit last year and Kim got a pimped-out cone just last week. Perhaps this pint-sized spot is the next celebrity hotspot - hallelujah!
The Drake Hotel
The Drake Hotel is located way outside the festival radius, but it's still a party place that's been popular with the star. This year, it's LA-themed so our Hollywood visitors will feel right at home.
Byblos and the Storys Building
This restaurant and multi-floor event venue on Duncan Street held the Magnificent Seven after-party last night and it looks like the parties here will continue throughout the festival.
Lena
Saks Fifth Avenue's newly opened restaurant is done up with gorgeous art deco details. And the food looks pretty impressive too. Stop by this spot at Yonge and Richmond if you're craving some South American fare.
Ricarda's
With a location at the base of distributor eOne's headquarters, the Mediterranean restaurant is sure to be a hit with Hollywood big wigs. Good thing this place is open from breakfast all the way into the late evening.
Photo of Ricarda's by Jesse Milns.
$5 million condos are rarefied real estate territory, where luxury is a given. These units are concentrated in areas like Yorkville, King West, and the waterfront, and often offer stunning views and outdoor areas. This is the pinnacle of urban living for those who can afford it.
This is what a $5 million condo looks like in Toronto.
$5,250,000 in the heart of Yorkville
This multi-level unit on Hazelton Avenue is spread across 2,700 square feet with one bedroom and a den. That makes it feel ultra spacious, particularly in the master bedroom. It's chock full of luxury features including a private elevator, wine cellar, and tree-enclosed terrace. Maintenance fees are $2,700 a month.
$4,895,000 on the waterfront
This unit is located in one of the first wave condos on Queens Quay. That brings massive maintenance fees ($4,136.26 a month), but stunning views of the lake. The outdoor space is its main selling feature, but the interior also been heavily updated and modernized with luxury appliances while the hardwood floors remain a nice touch.
$5,199,000 in north Yorkville
Family living is possible in a downtown condo when you have three bedrooms and five bathrooms to work with. This north Yorkville condo at 77 Avenue Rd. is decked out with 12 foot ceilings, a 1,7000 foot terrace, and amenities like a built-in Bang & Olufsen home entertainment system. Maintenance fees are $4,298.12 a month.
$5,475,000 on King West
You can be the king of King West at this Theatre Park condo, which is spread across 3,270 square feet and features and additional 2,000 square feet of outdoor space that wraps around the unit. Along with features like a gas fireplace and a Scavolini kitchen, there's also an outdoor hot tub with a gorgeous view of the skyline. Maintenance fees are a modest $1,934.54 a month.
$5,999,999 at Portland and Wellington
This one is huge. With three bedrooms and four bathrooms spread across 5,065 square feet, it's about as big as downtown condos come in this price range. But you'd want to spend as much time as possible outdoors if you bought this place. Not only is there a private infinity pool, but there's a full exterior kitchen. Maintenance fees are $3,045.83 a month.
Would you buy any of these condos if you had the dough? Let us know in the comments.
For the third year in a row, the Toronto International Film Festival is taking over King Street. This might be a nightmare for those who rely on the 504, but for the rest of us, it's an opportunity to frolic on a car-free King Street - just imagine if it was like this all the time!
As per usual, two orange TIFF signs flank both ends of Festival Street - at King and University and King and Peter, respectively. Naturally, these bookends have been attracting almost as much attention at Leonardo DiCaprio.
And speaking of Leo, expect the street (especially by the Princess of Wales Theatre) to fill up with screaming fans any time there's a big premiere.
Celeb-spotting and selfie-taking aside, there's lots to do on at this festival with the film festival, but not quite as much as last year.
The biggest draw is undoubtedly the Slaight Music Stage, which will feature a lineup of local bands and musicians all weekend long. Later, this area, located on John Street, will play host to free 1980s movie screenings, including favourites like Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
For foodies, this is an opportunity to dine at some of Toronto's most beloved food trucks, including Sushiburri - the sushi burrito and poke bowl truck. When I visited on Thursday and Friday afternoons, there wasn't even a line!
Film fest fans were, however, queuing for the various corporate activations, including one for Icelandair (brand ambassadors were giving out fish and chips) and another for Lindor Chocolate.
Bell - obviously, a major TIFF sponsor - has a whole virtual reality experience for visitors to try.
Big brands aside, the entire outdoor space is outfitted with orange benches and there are pianos, aisles and giant games (think Jenga and chess) scattered about. With make-shift floral barriers, restaurant patios jut out onto the sidewalk giving the whole street a European promenade vibe.
As TIFF's opening weekend unfolds, King Street will likely get packed. But it's definitely worth a visit - if only to catch a bit of the festival buzz. And remember, it's only sticking around until Sunday.
Photos by Jesse Milns.
Family friendly hotels in Toronto are where should you stay in Toronto if you're traveling with kids in tow. Ideally, you're looking for somewhere with lots of in-room space, a pool and maybe even baby-sitting if you're looking to spend a night on the town.
Here are my picks for the top family friendly hotels in Toronto.
Delta Toronto
This relatively new hotel features a large lobby and mezzanine to run around or play games, a pool and a fitness centre. It's also located right near all of the city's biggest attractions, like the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium and the Rogers Centre.
Royal York
Take your family back in time with a stay at the historic Royal York Hotel. Kids might get a kick out of the elaborate lobby, which is featured in numerous movies and TV shows, and there's also a pool, pianos and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore.
Hilton Hotel Toronto
The hotel at Richmond and University has an outdoor pool, large lobby and is a short walk to the Eaton Centre and City Hall.
Sheraton Centre Toronto
This massive piece of brutalist architecture houses an enormous hotel that features a huge, lobby, indoor/outdoor pool and lots of space for kids to run around.
Hilton Garden Inn
With an indoor pool, the Hilton Garden Inn is a relatively affordable spot to stay in the heart of the Entertainment District.
Chelsea Hotel
As the largest hotel in Canada, the Chelsea is the definition of a family-friendly destination. It not only has an indoor waterslide, but also a kids' check-in desk, a kid and teen zone and a camp in the summertime.
SoHo Hotel
This hotel is a short walk from the Rogers Centre and TIFF Bell Lightbox. It has family-friendly amenities like an indoor pool and rooms with kitchens.
Intercontinental Toronto Centre
This downtown hotel near Union Station boasts a panoramic view of the skyline, a pool and family-oriented packages like one that includes admission to Ripley's Aquarium.
Novotel Hotel
This hotel nestled between Union Station and St. Lawrence Market has free breakfast for kids and even a welcome gift. There are also various play areas and an indoor pool.
Westin Harbour Castle
Tennis, squash and an indoor pool over-looking the lake are all amenities at this massive waterfront hotel. You'll never get bored, even if it's raining and you can't go outside and explore the city.
Photo of the pool at the Royal York.
This bustling late night lounge promises delicious sips and provocative shows. In a world (well, neighbourhood) where cookie-cutter clubs reign supreme, it's worth it to go beyond the unmarked door to see what lies within.
Read my profile of Candyland in the bars section.
Ontario provincial parks beckon during the fall with their stunning foliage and magical sunsets. It's time to get out of Toronto and explore the province before the cold weather sets in and you never want to leave your apartment. Before you go, check out this handy fall colour report to visit at peak times!
Here are some Ontario provincial parks you need to visit in the fall.
Killarney
Killarney a bit of a schlep, but the four and a half hour journey is worth is for the gorgeous scenery. There are over 50 lakes to explore, along with the La Cloche Mountains (well, hills). See what captivated the Group of Seven at one of Ontario's most famous parks.
Silent Lake
Silent Lake isn't just a pretty name - motor boats are actually banned at this park, rendering it silent. While it might be too late to enjoy its beaches, there are lots of trails for you to hike in order to enjoy the area's beautiful fall colours.
Johnston Harbour Pine Tree Point
This provincial park is located inside the Bruce Peninsula National Park - it's like park-ception! Check out this dense jack pine forest, which is located right on the shores of Lake Huron.
Bon Echo
Bon Echo's most notable feature (aside from its gorgeous natural beauty) is the 100 metre high Mazinaw Rock, which juts out over Mazinaw Lake. Imagine how lovely it'd look at sunrise and sunset.
Oastler Lake
Head out to Parry Sound to check out the fall colours on Oastler Lake. This park features hiking and biking trails and is also a great place to go fishing, if you're into that.
Photo by @katie.chong.
Sushiburri is the latest food truck to join the phalanx of Toronto's options for our new snack craze: the sushi burrito. Basically a giant maki roll, you might have seen this fresh take on a kind of lunch wrap popping up in both mobile and permanent physical stores. Sushiburri offers various fillings for your sushi burrito, as well as poke bowls and rainbow pork belly.
When we got to Mel Lastman Square, they had set up shop next to very similar truck Sushitto. Made quickly, a half serving (a maki roll about the diameter of your fist cut in half) can cost up to $10, but it's super hearty and choc full of veggies, fish, and lots of rice.
Owner Jaesup Oh was previously a chef in Japanese sushi restaurants in Toronto. He saw how the sushi burrito trend was causing a stir in the United States, and wanted to bring that to Toronto.
He also saw how Hawaiian poke (a raw fish rice bowl dish) could be seamlessly integrated into that vision, and that he would need to use the highest quality fish.
Inventive unagi, lobster, and bulgogi burritos are good options that wouldn't be found many other places. Sushitto didn't have a lobster option, for example.They still have the classic salmon ($9): fresh salmon, cucumber, avocado, imitation crab, cabbage, mango, flying fish roe, lettuce, spring mix, and of course sushi rice.
The sushi special burrito ($10) has basically the same ingredients, but with tuna as well as the salmon. Each half of a burrito comes in a cute little cup almost like a cylindrical fry container, and it does a great job of holding in all the bits of filling and sticky rice.
For a less fishy, completely rice-less option is the rainbow pork belly yakitori, which is also a little cheaper at just $5. It's two skewers for that, which is a pretty good deal, plus the sauce, and it's served on a bed of greens.
The sushi burrito comes with a complimentary soy sauce packet, and you can ask for wasabi too, but that seems like it would be a bit of a messy affair, however delicious. They offer standard sodas and water for a dollar, and more expensive beverages like Perrier and San Pellegrino for $2.
Photos by Hector Vasquez and Jesse Milns.
A lot of friends like the same kind of music. Many of those friends end up playing tunes at parties for friends and some brave ones eventually end up throwing bigger parties in bars.
Only a select few however, keep the party going, growing their common love for music and making people dance into a phenomenon.
I've written about a handfulofthese courageous pairs and posses, but few of them are as dedicated and odd as A Digital Needle.
Dylan-Thomas Childs and John Michael McLeod started their disco party Beam Me Up! four years ago alongside Cyclist and have been growing better, faster, stronger ever since.
"We're just a couple weirdos who can play what we really want to play," Childs says. It may sound like a simple statement, but it's a powerful one in the Toronto party world.
Hustling to a point where people come to dance to a specific genre of music, running the risk of hearing no hits is a big deal. There won't be any Rihanna remixes at a Beam Me Up! bash, but you'll hear something just as soulful, current sounding and dancefloor-turn-up inducing.
"We met when we were 12 in Port Dover," McLeod says. "I disliked Dylan because he got all the girls cause he had a faux hawk and highlights."
But after a few phases of wavering friendship, things solidified when they both lived in Toronto together.
"We didn't really find anywhere we wanted to dance," Childs says. "But honestly we probably weren't searching that hard," McCleod adds. To be clear, these two literally finish their own sentences, and tell stories about the other person's lives like they're conjoined twins. There's a very special bond.
"We eventually started our own party at at place called Jimmy's Place, which was an Albanian dive bar," McLeod says. A few holes on the dancefloor and some questionable characters later, they left to play with DJ Mark Holmes at the Mod Club Mod. This is where everything clicked.
"I had Rod Stewart hair, I was a wild peacock of man wearing winklepickers and crushed velvet," Childs, who is indeed a very well dressed man says. "I dressed John from my wardrobe and he would always look way better than me.
"We were part of the resurrection of the Mod Club Parties," he continues. "Then we moved to Tattoo Rock Parlour where John got fired from his own party for playing disco."
"I got tired of playing '60s soul hits," McLeod slips in. "They wanted the same Motown hits, the same Beatles songs sometimes twice in one night!"
"Then John started playing the Olympic Runners' 'The Bitch,'" Childs says.
They threw a few more parties, had bottles thrown at them inside the Velvet Underground as they worked through their spinning style, and eventually decided to red light the mod, soul stuff.
It's when John took a trip to Montreal and was blown away by a dreamlike party called Disco Style that their style took shape. Introduced by a longtime musical mentor Michael Chapman, it was a sweaty revelation where people actually danced and lived their lives on the dancefloor.
"John came back and said we gotta listen to disco and we did," Childs says. "We're now avid fans."
Fast forward through parties with DJ pals Ty and Branco, the boys were eventually ready to set out on their own at The Piston and haven't stopped for four years. Cyclist, aka Mark Penner joined to create a trio after loving the party and its fearlessness in sometimes playing eight-minute edits.
"Sometimes I play a 15 minute version of 'I'm a Man'," McLeod says giddily.
"The music we're drawn to has soul in it," Childs says. "That's something we always loved.
Disco has that."
"It's a good mix of something to dance to, but something for your soul," McLeod adds.
"It's crossed over genres, countries, cultures ... there's nothing like and it's the roots of dance music," Childs says. "There'd be no house, techno or modern EDM if not for disco. It's the best music to dance to and we still find new disco all the time."
Influenced by fellow DJ teams like Members Only with some help from Daft Punk's Random Access Memories and the latest rise in EDM means the crowd is constantly evolving.
"We're so lucky to have a crowd at our parties that are there because they want to dance," McLeod says. "They can get drunk and pick up, but there's a core there," Dylan finishes.
The crowd and deeply dug, selected, curated, and traded music is what makes up this party that stemmed from avoiding the norm.
"The parties are about getting high on the music," McLeod says. Like the song that influenced the name of the party by Brooklyn's Midnight Magic, it's modern, but beautifully rooted in the past.
"Sounding old and classic, but still new and fresh," Childs says.
Catch Beam Me Up!'s 4 year birthday bash at September 10 at The Piston with Childs, McLeod, Cyclist and annual special guests Tommy D and visual artist Doc Dynamite. Photo from the Beam Me Up Facebook page.
Brunch restaurants for students in Toronto cater to big appetites on small budgets. These places weren't selected so much for their close proximity to campus, but rather their affordable menus and generous portions.
Check out these new student-friendly brunch spots.
El Pocho
This antojitos bar in The Annex serves brunch on weekends that'll surely suit student budgets. Feed your hangover with plates of egg-topped breakfast fries and breakfast tacos for $10.
The Skyline Restaurant
Fill up on classic two egg plates with potatoes, toast and either bacon, peameal or avocado for $10 at Parkdale's refurbished old-school diner. Don't miss the ultra cheap cinnamon toast for $3, French toast for $9 and the entire lineup of short-order specialties.
Macho Radio Bar
CityPlace practically feels like a dorm, so it's no surprise that students flock to this fun Tex-Mex bar for brunch. Fill up on breakfast burritos ($9), cornbread French toast ($9) and huevos rancheros ($11).
Baddies
Head to this Aussie-style cafe near Lansdowne subway any day of the week but Sunday (it's closed). Pair great coffee with vanilla bean hotcakes ($10), avocado toast ($9) and brekky rolls ($8.50) topped with smoked bacon, sunny eggs and chimichurri.
Le Baratin
This casual and cozy French bistro is home to a menu of civilized morning fare. Dine on farçous (spinach pancakes), Croque monsieur sandwiches, lumberjack omlettes and tartine. Most dishes are priced between $11 and $14.
Photo of El Pocho by Hector Vasquez
TIFF rolled out the red carpets to more celebs yesterday. The evening saw the debut of Oliver Stone's latest - Snowden - starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt while earlier in the day Jennifer Connelly and Dakota Fanning were among those who mingled with crowds at the world premiere of Ewan McGregor's American Pastoral.
Check out the photo gallery from American Pastoral and Snowden at TIFF.
The rock climbing gym in Toronto that was formerly a porn theatre has opened a cafe named after the desert where the Burning Man festival takes place. With actual tables to sit down at, plus made-in-house nitro cold brew and tasty cold teas (literally - not the Chinatown kind), locals have a lot to appreciate here.
Read my profile of Black Rock Coffee in the cafes section.
Free events in Toronto this week are mainly for jocks and art lovers. There's a massive beach volleyball tournament at Polson Pier that sounds fun, and then a few art happenings that will elevate your soul and mind. All for the wonderful price of zero dollars and zero cents.
Here are my picks for free events in Toronto this week.
Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals (September 13, Polson Pier)
The best teams on the planet, including both gold medalists from Rio, will meet for the Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals, part of the Swatch Major Series. The eight best teams of each gender plus four wildcards will battle on the sand and you can watch for free!
Fall Exhibit Opening Party (September 14, Ryerson Image Centre)
The Ryerson Image Centre is home to some of the exciting and up and coming photography happening in Toronto. Take this opportunity to catch their season opener - The Edge of the Earth: Climate Change in Photography and Elisa Gonzalez & Daniel Froidevaux's The Quiet Zone and see for yourself.
Canadian Painting Competition (September 14-25, Power Plant)
View the 15 works shortlisted for the 2016 RBC Canadian Painting Competition inside The Power Plant. Both a fun excuse to hang out in this cool building by the water and see some of Canada's top emerging artists. Winners are announced September 20.
Douglas Coupland: Polychrome (September 17, Daniel Feria Gallery)
Canadian artist Douglas Coupland's latest work is - as it often is - an experiment in colour an texture. From 3-5p.m. check his latest works which explore the idea of being colour blind and playing with what you've got. Also a fun chance to check out this west end gallery.
Second annual Ginger Walk (September 18, Trinity Bellwoods)
The Canadian Ginger Walk protests anti-bullying and celebrates the ginger community. Red headed folks and their friends, families and admirers are encouraged to bring signs to help have fun. There will be sunscreen on hand and walking, chanting, hugging happening around Bellwoods from 3-4 p.m.
Did I miss a free event this week you're totally excited about? Let us know in the comments!
Photo from the The Swatch Major Series.
Cideries in Ontario are becoming popular destinations as hard apple consumption continues to grow. While our city is home to a dedicated cider bar, you don't need to head to a local establishment to sip on this crisp and refreshing beverage. Instead, head out of town and get your cider directly from the source.
Here's a round-up of cideries to visit near Toronto.
County Cider Company (Waupoos)
With orchards that practically touch the water, the County Cider Company - which makes Waupoos - is a great place to stop if you're driving around Prince Edward County. Grab a bite at the on-site restaurant and do some tasting's in the cidery's small shop.
Applewood Farm Winery
Applewood Farm Winery in nearby Stouffville will let you pick your own apples and later, drink them too. Seriously, pick a bunch of apples and then head to the tasting room to sip on cider and delicious fruit wines.
Archibald's Estate Winery
This winery in Bowmanville also has an orchard on site, meaning you can pick your own apples and buy hard cider here.
Beaver Valley Cidery
Joshua Mott's (of Her Father's Cider Bar) own this cidery in Grey County. After you visit Toronto's only cider bar, take a drive and head to the tasting room - located in a converted barn - at Beaver Valley.
Coffin Ridge
Despite its ominous-sounding name, Coffin Ridge is a beautiful vineyard near Georgian Bay. Along with its well-known Forbidden Fruit cider, it offers unique one-offs, like strawberry basil-flavoured cider.
Hoity Toity Cellars
It might sound fancy, schmancy, but this cidery is pretty laid back. Make the trek out to Bruce County and taste Hoity Toity's lineup of award-winning ciders.
Ironwood
Grab some Ironwood Cider at the Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It'll undoubtedly be one of the many stops on your southern Ontario wine tour.
http://www.ironwoodcider.ca/">Spirit Tree Estate Cidery
At Spirit Tree, you can tour the cidery (with cheese pairings!), grab a bite at its on-site bistro and pick up dessert at its very own bakery. How's that for some bubbly indulgence?
Tawse Winery
This biodynamic winery in the Niagara Escarpment also makes hard apple cider. Visit for some tastings or arrange a private tour to see how the magic happens.
Twin Pines Orchards, Cider House and Estate Winery
Along with serving cider, Twin Pines features lush grounds and trails - including a secret garden in the middle of the woods with a man-made waterfall. There's plenty to do here if you decide to visit.
Photo of the County Cider Company by Amy Grief.
Restaurants in Toronto are taking to Instagram to give followers a behind the scenes look, showcase their menu and even offer up specials. While following Toronto food photographers is always a treat, sometimes it's great to go right to the source. From fine dining establishments to fast casual spots, these are the eateries you should be following.
Here are some of my favourite Toronto restaurants to follow on Instagram.
@dirtybirdto
Follow The Dirty Bird for the ultimate chicken and waffles food porn account. Prepare to double tap photos of classic chicken and waffles, ice cream sandwiches and loaded fries.
@porchettaandco
King West and Dundas West sandwich shop Porchetta & Co. has an Instagram account that will leave you drooling. Gawk over fried chicken sandwich specials, signature porchetta and tasty sides.
@jandjbarbque
Carnivores if you're looking for a meat centric account to follow, here you go. Kensington Market'sJ&J Bar-B-Que shares all their meat filled offerings and home style sides on their account.
@little.fin
The Financial District lunch staple Little Fin regularly has menu changes. To follow along with what new and tasty offerings they'll be serving up next be sure to add them to your Instagram feed.
@kasa_moto
Yorkville'sKasa Moto has a stunning interior and food that looks almost too good to eat. Admire it all via their Instagram account.
@ottosdoner
Who knew German street food could look so good? Thanks to Kensington Market sandwich shop Otto's Berlin Doner we now do.
@eatflock
Chicken and salads are the stars at Flock and their Instagram account will leaving you craving one of their many menu delicious offerings as you scroll past.
@kupfertkim
Healthy food makes great food porn too, I swear. The proof is in the bowls, smoothes and baked goods posted by Kupfert & Kim.
@mapleleaftavern
Leslieville'sMaple Leaf Tavern captures everything from their Tomahawk pork chop to crafted cocktails to daily specials on their account.
@bucatoronto
Buca in Yorkville, Buca on King West and Bar Buca all share the limelight on this one Instagram account. Expect to be showered in photos of their brunch, pastas and cocktails.
@thewrendanforth
Danforth saloon-style pub The Wren has ongoing daily specials. The only way to see what they'll be serving up that day is to give their Instagram a follow.
@momolongplay
Stay up to date on the culinary creations, collaborations and events at Momofuku with a click of a follow. You'll even get a peak into the happenings at their NYC, DC and Sydney locations.
@partsnlabour
Specials, events and just down right food porn is what you'll find on the Parts & Labour account.
@thechasefo
If you're fan of seafood you're going to want to give them a follow. The Chase Fish & Oyster posts everything from king crab to freshly shucked oysters.
@la_carnita
Now with four locations - yes, four - it's as important as ever to give La Carnita some Instagram love. See what's on special at your go-to location along with admire classic menu items offered at all.
@junkedfoodco
Gluttonous outrageous offerings are Junked Food Co. forte. While you may not be brave enough to try some of their menu offerings it's always fun to look.
@eatrastapasta
Jerk chicken, jerk pork, oxtail, sandwiches rice and beans is what you'll be drooling over when you follow the Rasta Pasta account.
@pizzeriaviamercanti
Attention pizza lovers, this one's for you. Pizzeria Via Mercanti shares their pizza, salads and appetizers with their followers.
@fringstoronto
Drake's eatery Fring's is a Toronto hot spot. If you can't visit in person a quick follow of their Instagram will showcase their comfort food menu items with an upscale twist.
@bigtunapokebar
If you're addicted to poke like the rest of Toronto is a follow of Big Tuna Poke Bar may be in order. Enjoy photos of all of their poke bowl creations.
@lacubana_to
Check out La Cubana's account for stunning interior shots to photos of their Latin American offerings. Cuban sandwiches, conch fritters and short ribs all get featured.
@whatabagel
Bagel porn is huge on Instagram in New York and What A Bagel is bringing the trend to Toronto. Expect to scroll through everything from rainbow bagels to classic offerings of cream cheese and lox.
@gusto101to
King West Italian spot Gusto 101 fills their feed with kale salads, pizza and pastas.
@fatpasha
Fat Pasha takes Middle Eastern cuisine to the next level in both taste and appearance. Hummus, salatim and sweet potato style breakfasts never looked so good.
@thehotb
With a simple click of a follow button you'll discover what King West eatery Home of the Brave is serving up on special that day.
What did I miss? Add your favourite Toronto restaurant on Instagram in the comments.
Lead photo by Jesse Milns.
Mobile app development skills are all the rage and thankfully there are a bunch of great places to take classes in Toronto. From full time, part time or just one-off courses there's lots to choose from when it comes to learning software, web and mobile development for your next killer app or website.
Here are my picks for where to learn some life upgrading skills in Toronto.
BrainStation
At the corner of King and Spadina and attached to Quantum Coffee, Brainstation offers a mind blowing variety of courses from full time web development to part-time digital marketing.
HackerYou
This Queen West destination is where you would go if you wanted to make a movie about a bunch of super smart coders who also happen to be super heroes and were nerdy but also cute. Here they force you to learn through projects and presentation. So, you learn new skills but you'll also have work to show for it.
Lighthouse Labs
What's not to like about a tech campus that's open 24/7 and offers unlimited coffee? The big open concept loft space is where to go to learn and create with other coders and developers. They pride themselves on a community approach where everyone helps one another solve puzzles and grow. Like most schools they also offer coding bootcamps.
Red Academy
Red was built by tech entrepreneurs and people in the industry to cultivate and train the very best and brightest. Their teachers are top notch that teach by working on actual client projects. This is the school if you're very serious about getting into this world and want a friendly, cool space to learn and grow in.
Camp Tech
This is the school for beginner adults who want to learn web and digital skills. It's a good option if you're starting from scratch. They pride themselves on being super friendly, fun, but down to business giving you tools to start your tech adventures right away. Give a listen to their podcast.
Ladies Learning Code
This is a not for profit school for women, young girls and kids to learn code. They have chapters across Canada and started national Girls Learning Code Day. This school is also made to be super accessible and has scholarships and pay what you can courses with a 4-1 ratio of learners to volunteer mentors. Digital literacy for women is their game.
Bitmaker
Now part of US powerhouse General Assembly, Bitmaker is where you'll find a seasoned army of developers, designers, and entrepreneurs to teach you new skills. Staff come from startups as well as large tech companies and are constantly changing their classes to be able to send students out into the world with the latest knowledge.
Did I miss your favourite place to learn code? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo from the Brainstation Facebook page.
When you stay at Toronto hotels - or hotels anywhere in the world - do you tip the staff? It's a question you might have to ponder because unlike at restaurants, tipping at hotels isn't as clear cut.
Tracy Ford, director of public relations at the Chelsea Hotel, says tipping isn't expected, but there are certain conventions guests tend to follow.
For bellmen, doormen and valets, patrons usually give anywhere between $3 and $5. Whereas for house-keeping staff, it varies. "There really isn't one universal amount," she says.
Etiquette consultant Lisa Orr notes there's a difference between how hotel guests tip now and how they used to in the past. Years ago, in an Emily Post world, the conventions were rigid with specific tips for certain people.
Bellmen, for instance, would get $1 to $2 per bag. And depending on the length of your stay, housekeeping staff would get $2 to $5 per day. "It's really not done very often," says Orr of this type of tipping. "It's much more of a historical practice." Tipping etiquette is starting to change.
Back in 2014, Orr notes, the Marriott Hotel chain launched a campaign to encourage guests to tip their housekeepers. Though it didn't go as planned. Many responded to the Marriott by asking why the multi-national chain wasn't paying its employees enough.
Like some Toronto restaurants, in 2010, the Elysian hotel in Chicago (which is now the Waldorf Astoria) banned tipping altogether in favour of paying its staff members more competitively.
Orr says this summer, she began polling friends about whether or not they tipped their hotel housekeepers. No one responded with a yes. She hopes this is a sign the industry is changing for the better. "In my dream scenario, in ten years, we're not talking about hotel tipping anymore because people are being paid a fair wage."
We asked our Twitter followers about their hotel tipping habits and here's how they responded.
Photo by Sam Javanrouh via the blogTO Flickr pool.
Living like a millionaire in Toronto is easier than you think. Top notch restaurants, expensive booze and fancy yachts are not hard to come by, they're just hard to get bored of when you have so much money.
Here's how to live like a millionaire in Toronto.
Rent a yacht for you and your friends, or just you
Hire the Captain Matthew Flinders for an evening starting at $5,895 or smaller yacht affair with The Klancy at $2,895. Flinders especially comes with a huge sound system, DJ, dancefloor, restaurant and quartz counters. A cute vessel for you and your friends or just yourself to get out on the water and think about the money you have.
Spend a night inside Drake's Sher Club
For about $7,000 a year you can lounge in style, instead of with the wild peasants out in the stands. The private club is reserved for taste makers who hang out under the 2,500 hand-blown glass ball chandeliers or slither into the Champagne Room where 66 bottles of Dom Pérignon line the walls.
Eat the most expensive steak of your life
Jacob's and Co. serve a $1,250 A5 Kobe Black Tajima-Hyogo Prefecture from Japan. It's for a 25oz slab, but who cares, get three more, you're a millionaire!
Get a super luxe facial
The Stillwater Spa at the Park Hyatt has a $400 facial called Secrets of the Sea which blends pearl proteins and sea silk. Most of their facials last 60 minutes, but this one runs for 90. You'll feel like Ariel after they massage all your stress away.
Buy a House
Seriously though. You basically have to have a million dollars to buy a nice house in Toronto these days. It's a bit ridiculous, but if you're a millionaire, who cares! We highly recommend investing in this $10,950,000 church conversion as your starter home.
Get a bottle of Louis XIII Rare Cask 42,6 at Soushin
There are only 738 bottles of this 100-year old cognac. They're the only restaurant in Canada serving this and it's worth $30,000. A bottle of regular, not "rare" Rémy Martin Louis XIII would cost you $3,100 at the LCBO. A sip of this at this sushi restaurant costs $1,000.
Douce yourself in Tom Ford's Black Orchid from Holt Renfrew
The Lalique limited edition of this perfume is only available at Holts, which you're probably shopping in as you read this post, so no biggie. $1,100 allows you to smell like the most precious of flowers. The bottle is gorgeous and so are you. Go for it.
Rent a helicopter to get to your Muskoka home
You obviously own property in Muskoka, you're a millionaire. Rent a twin engine helicopter (they carry the Augusta 109) from the friendly folks at Air Charter Services Toronto for $3,000-$5,000 an hour. It should take you about 30-45 minutes each way. So you're looking at under $8,000 for the return trip. Make sure to have a private chef get something ready for when you land.
Take a cake making class at Cake Opera Co.
Alexandria Pellegrino will take you through a master cake making class and change your life forever. You'll never be able to look at cake the same way. Take the Abandoned Theatre Cake class Magnificent Masked Swan Empress Class with some pals for $1,500 and make everyone's jaws drop. Crystalized flowers, 24 karat gold flakes ... only the finest.
Book the Royal Suite at the Four Seasons
Head to the 21st floor - the Hotel's top level - to this three bedroom, three bathroom, 180 degree luxury suite and take a load off. There's a full kitchen, dinning room for eight and at $16,000 CAD per night + tax, it's a penny in your ocean.
Did I miss something you'd do if you were rolling in cash in Toronto? Let us know in the comments.
Top photo by Stephen Caissie in the blogTO Flickr pool.
Today in Toronto Slayer is in town. On the other side of the spectrum, Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens) is also playing. There's no rest for the wicked as TIFF is also in fifth gear, and a handful of other events are on tap to keep you busy as a bee on Monday.
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.
Photo by Jesse Milns.
This week on DineSafe inspectors shut down Zyng Asian Grill. The restaurant has since reopened, but was originally shuttered for failure to prevent an insect infestation and failure to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
See which other restaurants landed on DineSafe in my weekly roundup.
Art Square Cafe (334 Dundas St. W.)
Inspected on: September 6, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
Dark Horse Bakery (120 Geary Ave.)
Inspected on: September 6, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
Zyng (730 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: September 6, 2016
Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to prevent an insect infestation. Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
China Ocean (1077 Bloor St. W.)
Inspected on: September 7, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 4, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.
Umi Sushi Express (100 Wellington St. W.)
Inspected on: September 7, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
Butter Chicken Roti (1076 Queen St. W.)
Inspected on: September 8, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
Kowloon Seafood Dim Sum Restaurant (5 Baldwin St.)
Inspected on: September 8, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.
