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Toronto house prices soar to new record

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toronto house pricesWelcome to Toronto, a place where many of us can only dream of one day buying a detached a house within (or even near) the city limits. According to a new reports from the Toronto Real Estate Board the average price for home in the Toronto area is now $755,755, up 20.4 per cent since last year.

But if you're looking at detached houses, the average sale price rose 23 per cent since last year, which means the number's now sitting at a whopping $1.29 million, way over the one million dollar mark.

The average price for a Toronto condo, however, is $446,729, or up 6.5 per cent since last year.

And it's not just Toronto that's experiencing growth. Housing prices in the areas surrounding the city are continuing to soar too.

Photo by Houssmax.


There's now an escape room at Yonge-Dundas Square

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yonge dundas escape roomToronto loves its escape games. From strip malls and plazas in North York to Casa Loma, you can find these elaborate and immersive brain teasers all around the city - including inside an old-school Airstream trailer in the middle of Yonge-Dundas Square.

Our city's newest escape room is actually a promo for the new Ben Affleck movie The Accountant.

In this escape room, as Marketing Mag reports, players have eight minutes to solve a series of clues (apparently it's more than just balancing a balance sheet). If successful, you get entered into a draw to win $5,000.

This activation by LexPR is completely free to play. And maybe it'll get you hyped for the movie, which opens in theatres on Oct. 14.

Will you visit this escape room? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Evan Goldenberg via the blogTO Flickr pool.

Historic Toronto landmark to get German style beer hall

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great hallThe Great Hall's street level British restaurant and pub is saying a polite and quiet farewell to the corner of Queen and Dovercourt as a new concept takes shape.

Owner Nav Sangha says The Bristol is transforming from its English roots to a German beer hall restaurant and bar. There will be German-inspired inspired food as well as an array of pilsner and local craft beer on tap.

Judging by the #ottosbierhalle hashtag on a Facebook post made by the man behind Parkdale's Miss Thing's, there are hints that the folks behind Otto's Berlin Doner could be involved in the project. Exciting stuff!

Ye old Bristol has been completely gutted and they're hoping to have the new spot up and running by the end of next month.

the bristol torontoPhotos by Jesse Milns and William Kimber in the blogTO Flickr pool.

This was the year that Midtown Toronto blew up

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Yonge Bloor HistoryIn the early 1970s, Midtown Toronto was easier to pin down than it is today. While the city's first subway line had helped to increased density at Yonge and Eglinton 15 years earlier, it was Bloor St. that still served as the unofficial central diving line of the pre-amalgamated city.

Yonge Bloor HistoryBut if Yonge and Bloor was the centre of Toronto, at the outset of the decade it wasn't the dense place that we know today. It was a bustling hub, to be sure, but both it and Bay and Bloor were marked by old mid-rise buildings rather than modern skyscrapers.

The Bloor-Danforth subway line opened in 1966, after which followed a period of intense development around Yonge and Bloor. The year that everything changed was 1973. During this period, three of Midtown Toronto's major skyscrapers were simultaneously constructed, thereby changing the character of the Bloor St. forever.

Manulife Centre HistoryThe Hudson Bay Centre, Two Bloor West, and the Manulife Centre seemed to arrive as if overnight in Toronto. All at once this area was one big construction zone.

Yonge Bloor HistoryThis, more than any other time in Toronto's history, was when Toronto grew up -- both literally and figuratively. So often we focus on the sweeping changes that gave birth to the modern Financial District, but the corridor of Bloor between Yonge and Bay was also a place where Toronto sheds its old skin in favour of concrete and steel.

Yonge Bloor HistoryAs the skies of the city are once again filled with cranes, it's remarkable to think just how fast these changes come about.

Photos from the Toronto Archives and the Toronto Library.

The LCBO is putting locks on booze in Toronto stores

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bottleloxSome Toronto LCBO stores might look a little different soon. That's because the crown corporation is putting locks on certain bottles of booze in order to prevent theft.

The LCBO lost $16 million in the 2015-2016 fiscal year due to theft. While that's only 0.29 per cent of its net sales, theft is still a huge issue in Toronto as well as in cities and towns across the province.

Last fall, the LCBO tested out these locks - known as BottleLox - at 10 different stores. It's now bringing them to 130 locations.

BottleLox can only be removed by staff at checkout. They'll pop up on pricey and high-theft bottle of vodka, rum, scotch and other spirits.

What do you think of this anti-theft initiative? Let us know in the comments.

Drake cancels upcoming Toronto shows

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drake cancel toronto showsDrake fans in Toronto (AKA the entire city) are in for a big disappointment because our city's most famous rapper announced he's cancelling his two upcoming Toronto shows at the Air Canada Centre.

According to a note on the OVO website, Drake writes that he has to postpone two Toronto concerts (slated for Oct. 8 and 9) as well as one in Philadelphia due to a recent ankle injury.

"I hate to be told I can't do something," he says. "But under doctor's orders to allow me time to recuperate, I am being forced to postpone the intense three shows in a row in cities which have only shown me unconditional love and support."

drake cancel toronto shows

There's no word yet on whether or not the shows will be rescheduled any time soon. It's also totally a coincidence that one of the concerts would have conflicted with one of the Jays playoff games versus the Rangers.

Photo via @champagnepapi.

Long lineups at Luke's Diner pop-up in Toronto

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lukes diner torontoLuke's Diner took over four Toronto cafes this morning in anticipation of the upcoming Gilmore Girls revival, which hits Netflix on November 25. Today, October 5, was the also the day Gilmore Girls premiered back in 2000. So to celebrate, The Rolling Pin, Milano Coffee and both Infuse Cafes became Luke's from 7 a.m. to noon.

Fans turned up in droves, not only for the free coffee and taste of Stars Hollow, but also to ask for, "Coffee, please. And a shot of cynicism."

While this takeover wasn't exactly transformative, those who visited seemed pleased with the signage as well as the Luke's-branded cups.

Hopefully this promotion will keep everyone satisfied until Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life premieres next month.

Did you visit Luke's Diner? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by @christieleja.

The Best Muffins in Toronto

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muffins torontoThe best muffins in Toronto are made in house at various cafes and bakeries throughout the city. While these treats are usually thought of as a breakfast food, they're great with a cup of joe any time of day, especially when they come in delicious and irresistible flavours, like double chocolate.

Here are the best muffins in Toronto.


Today in Toronto: First Thursdays, The Moth, Bunz Flea, Christine and the Queens, Gucci and His Children

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what to do today in torontoToday in Toronto is a day full of firsts. There's a First Thursday party at the AGO, the first ever Bunz Flea market at the Gladstone, and it's the first time The Moth - the famous storytelling series from New York - will take over Massey Hall. It's never been so fun to try something new.

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 of First Thursday by Hector Vasquez.

Toronto Restaurant Openings: Bodega Henriette, Food Dudes Pantry, Socialite Tapas Bar, Maison Fou Brasserie

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

OPEN NOW

  • Uncle Tetsu has now expanded to the GTA (Markham, to be exact) with a new location at 158 Main St. in Unionville. Its grand opening is this Saturday, Oct. 8 but the popular bakery is already churning out Japanese ice cream, madeleines and its beloved cheesecakes during this pre-opening period.
  • Cadillac Jenkins, a Caribbean-inspired restaurant in the former Linwood Essentials space, is now open at 930 Queen St. W.
  • Socialite Tapas Bar at 276 Augusta Ave. in Kensington Market has taken over the space that used to be Torito Tapas Bar.
  • Thai tapas bar Sabai Sabai by chef Nuit Regular has moved from its former location on Church St. to new digs at 81 Bloor St. E.
  • The Food Dudes have opened a second Pantry location - this time in Rosedale - in what was once Doria at 1094 Yonge St. Like the first operation in Leslieville, its focus is on takeout meals.
  • Colaba Junction is now open at 801 Bay St., serving up inventive fast-casual Indian fare.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

OPENING SOON

  • Maison Fou Brasserie, a restaurant with - in case you couldn't tell by its "crazy house" name - a focus on French food and wine, will open at the end of the month at 2197 Bloor St. W.
  • Bodega Henriette, a new venture by Nicole Cheung (no relation to this writer) of Eulalie's Corner Store, will soon open at 1801 Gerrard St. E., in what was formerly the Corner House Irish Pub in the Upper Beaches.

OTHER NEWS

  • Chef Nuit Regular's been keeping busy. After months of renovations, her Pai Northern Thai Kitchen will soon be introducing a new, traditional Thai market-style lunch service at 18 Duncan St. It should be launching by the end of the month.
  • Boxcar Social at Harbourfront is set to veer from Boxcar's usual charcuterie-and-cheese snack menu and launch into a full restaurant-style dining program starting this weekend.

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

Photo of Colaba Junction by Hector Vasquez.

New cafe comes with Lovebot mural and record player

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808 Social Coffee Bar TorontoYou can always use a new place to curl up with a laptop and a great cup of espresso, and it's a bonus that at a new spot you can also bring your own records and play them in a back area that feels like the living room in a cool apartment. To top it all off, you can get your caffeine on next to a mural of Lovebot painted by Matthew Del Degan himself in just one night.

Read my proflle of 808 Social in the cafes section.

Where to find some of the tastiest pizza in Toronto

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TerroniIt may have been around since 1992, but the pizza and pasta served in one of Toronto's best-loved Italian joints is anything but stale. Made fresh in house, they serve up piping hot pies and other plates along with classic cocktails in their two-storey location with a back patio.

Read my profile of Terroni in the restaurants section.

Do Toronto police have the wrong suspect in beer toss?

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ken paganAfter Edwin Encarnacion's walk-off homer on Tuesday night secured the Blue Jays a spot in the playoffs, the city went nuts. But despite moving on to the ALDS, we couldn't be too happy with the wild card game.

That's because one fan in the Rogers Centre threw a beer can into the outfield, narrowly missing the Orioles' Hyun Soo Kim.

This unfortunate incident received swift condemnation from Mayor John Tory, the Blue Jays and a slew of other officials and started an online manhunt for the culprit.

ken paganNumerous videos surfaced online purporting to show the beer thrower. And last night, the alleged suspect was identified as Postmedia employee Ken Pagan.

Pagan, as Sportsnet reports, has since come forward. "I contacted Toronto police earlier this evening, around 7 p.m., and identified myself as the person in the photo," he wrote in an email to the Canadian Press. He couldn't say much else.

The Toronto Sun suggests that the police may have gotten it wrong, but notes Pagan is fully cooperating with this ongoing investigation.

Do you think this is an open and shut case? Let us know in the comments.

Google ranks Toronto one of world's must-visit cities

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google toronto rankingWhere should you go on your next vacation? For many would-be travellers scouring Google and YouTube for ideas, apparently one of the top three answers is Toronto.

According to the intriguing sounding Travel Trends 2016: Data Reveals Hot Spots and New Consumer Insights Google report, Toronto is an emerging hot spot for those looking to get away.

Toronto is amongst a short list of cities "getting a groundswell of interest" following Google and YouTube searches during the first half of this year. The other destinations are Reykjavik, Havana, Mexico City and Tokyo.

Apparently the audience most likely to be interested in visiting Toronto are male hockey fans (no surprises there) between the ages of 25 and 34.

Photo by LunaticDesire via the blogTO Flickr pool.

The top 10 outdoor events in Toronto for fall 2016

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outdoor events torontoOutdoor events in Toronto this fall are all about soaking up the last bits of temperate weather. From huge beer festivals to Halloween parades to a market on the waterfront, there's lots of reasons to take advantage of sweater season by getting out and enjoying what the city has to offer this autumn.

Here are my picks for the top outdoor events happening in Toronto this fall.

Waterfront Artisan Market (October 8-10)
For the final edition of this outdoor market, you can expect a curated mix of 50 local artisans, crafters, chefs and bakers. We found some delicious eats there this past summer.

Vintage Crawl Toronto (October 20)
From 5 to 10 p.m., bundle up and head out to the the city's vintage shops, open late for one night only. Find the full list of businesses online, but we can tell you Penny Arcade, Public Butter and other top vintage stores are participating.

Cask Days (October 21-23)
For the first time in history, 50 casks from 20 breweries in Oregon will roll their way to Toronto for this beer fest at the Brick Works. The festival will offer 400 beers and ciders over three days as well as food from Portland's most acclaimed sandwich maker, Lardo. Tickets start at $25.

Night of Dread (October 29)
Dress code for the 17th annual creepy gathering is black, white and dreadful. People start assembling in Dufferin Grove Park at 4 p.m., the parade is at 6 p.m. and the mockery begins at 7 p.m. The night "incorporates international folk and theatrical traditions, drawing inspiration from festivals of death and remembrance around the world."

Zombie Walks (October 29)
There are two major zombie walks this year, one at St Clair Avenue West and the other in Brockton Village. Both are free to attend and move very slowly through the streets and parks of their respectful neighbourhoods. A word to the wise, if you plan on watching in being in those neighbourhoods, don't wear white and protect your brains!

PS Kensington (October 30)
It's always a sad day when the final Pedestrian Sunday of the year comes around. Take over the neighbourhood's streets from noon to 7 p.m. and check out all of the musicians, performers, outdoor vendors and people watch for hours.

Halloween on Church (October 31)
The annual Halloween street party on Church is one of the city's most entertaining traditions. It's a giant outdoor costume party, so make sure you show up with a wild costume and/or a camera. Thousands usually show up and the streets are closed from Wood to Gloucester from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m.

TFC Playoffs (October 16 onwards)
The Toronto FC have made the playoffs! Dress up and head out to support them at home games on October 16 and 23 at the shiny and new BMO field. There's something about watching athletes being sporty that ensures you don't get too cold sitting outside, so grab your tickets and get cheering!

Toronto Christmas Market (November 18)
This great big Christmas Market takes over the Distillery District until December 22. Not only is it a cute place for holiday shopping, it's also just fun to get a hot chocolate, see some carollers and walk around under the twinkling lights. It might even have some competition at Nathan Phillips Square.

Cavalcade of Lights (November 26)
Just check out your photos of the Cavalcade of Lights at City Hall to be convinced that this is a must attend event in the late days of fall. Don't forget, winter begins on December 21.

Did I forget to mention your favourite outdoor event this fall? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Christian Bobak.


MLB wants to ban beer cans from the Rogers Centre

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ban beer cans rogers centreAs the Toronto Police continue to investigate the beer throwing incident at Tuesday night's wild card game, Major League Baseball wants the Blue Jays to ban beer cans from the Rogers Centre.

As the Associated Press reports, a Blue Jays spokesperson said banning beer cans at the ballpark is one option that's currently on the table.

"I don't think there is another ballpark where beer is served in cans," said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in discussing this heavily scrutinized rare beer-throwing event.

This isn't the first time Jays fans have thrown beer into the stadium. Last year, for instance, the Rogers Centre stopped selling beer cans in the 500 level after spray from a falling can hit a baby during the ALDS against the Texas Rangers.

Let's hope we keep calm, cool and collected as we head into this year's Division Series.

Photo by globetrekimages via the blogTO Flickr pool.

U of T converts single sex washrooms to all-gender

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u of t gender neutral washroomThe University of Toronto Mississauga announced earlier this week it'd be converting six one-gender washrooms into multi-user all-gender washrooms. This GTA campus joins a number of other local institutions who are making bathrooms accessible for all people, regardless of their gender identity.

At UTM, these washrooms will be located in the Terrence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex, Deerfield Hall and the Communication, Culture and Technology building. Some of these facilities will get new stalls, while others will feature both semi-private and private dividers surrounding urinals.

"The choice of locations was very thoughtful," says UTM's interim equity and diversity officer Nic Westgate in a news release.

"Single-user spaces are a Band-Aid solution. They're often an afterthought, tucked into an out-of-the-way spot. We felt it was important to do multi-stall all-gender washrooms in areas that are easily accessible to everyone."

Toronto restaurant giving away free sushi burritos

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free sushi burritosSome of the best things in life are free, especially when it comes to one of the summer's hottest food trends. So if you've been craving a sushi burrito, you're in luck.

To mark Thanksgiving, Rolltation is saying thanks to its patrons by giving away free sushi burritos from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m on October 10. To get your free burrito all you need to do is click attending on their Facebook event and share it with your friends.

Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Weekend events in Toronto October 7-9 2016

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Duke Dumont TorontoThanksgiving weekend events will let you dance off all the turkey you've been eating. So if you're looking for something to do, there's a giant artisan market, a glow sword battle at city hall, and an endless list of dance parties from Friday to Sunday.

Here are my top picks for Thanksgiving weekend events in Toronto.

BIG EVENTS

FNL ROM: Thanks Canada (October 7, ROM)
Stuff yourself with poutine, maple syrup,and all things Canadian at this edition of FNL. Simone Denny, DJ George Thoms, DJ Grump and the University of Toronto Faculty of Music will perform. Tickets are available; I'd get 'em now before they sell out.

DX from Nothing October 7, The Design Exchange)
The final event in the DXSocial series is curated by Common Good co-founder Jamie Webster, a creative director who has worked with Majid Jordan, A$AP Rocky, and Drake. This is a one-night-only celebration of emerging artists featuring work from DSTRY, Kid Studio, LA TIMPA, ACC Studio, and FUTURETALK.

Dirty Talk (October 7, Round)
Just $10 gets you into this night of music, art and fashion at the Round in Kensington Market. Grab a ticket and start networking.

Waterfront Artisan Market (October 8, HTO Park)
It's the final market of the season! Head down to HTO park and stock up for Thanksgiving lunch, dinner, breakfast... whatever. Let these artisans do all the cooking so you can have all the fun.

Rage Room Grand Opening (October 8, Riddle Room)
Downtown's first rage room opens this weekend and it's offering free rage sessions all day to celebrate! From 1 to 11 p.m., step away from your family and smash up to five items.

Glow Sword Battle (October 8, Nathan Phillips Square)
From 8 to 11 p.m., Nathan Phillips Square hosts a giant glow sword battle. Bring your own or buy a sword on site and show off your finest Jedi moves. There's no age limit and no cover.

The Bazaar of Bizarre (October 9, Pia Bouman)
This unique craft show will feature DJs, stilt walkers and dancers as you shop for whatever you fancy. It's a perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit.

Blue Jays Division Series Game 1
If you get tickets, congrats! If you don't watch it from the Bird's Nest. Either this will be a fun one to watch on a Sunday with a holiday the next day.

FOOD

Thanksgiving Dinner (October 8-10, Various locations)
If you just can't be bothered to cook, you're in luck. There are several Toronto restaurants serving Thanksgiving day feasts. From BBQ'd birds to a boat cruise brunch, your stomach will have a lot to be thankful for.

Get Stuffed (October 9, The Drake)
On Thanksgiving Sunday, the Drake lays it all out with a $35 feast and all your seasonal favourites on one table. The price includes all the fixings, wine and pumpkin pie.

MUSIC

James Blake (October 7, Massey Hall)
James Blake released one of the most beautiful albums of the year and he's playing songs from it at Massey Hall! There could not be a more perfect fit for this man's angelic vocals. It's bound to be one of the most stunning shows of the year.

More concerts

FILM

Progress of Place: Black on Earth Film Series (October 7, AGO) A series of films curated by Jacqueline Najuma Stewart in conjunction with the exhibition Theaster Gates: How to Build a House Museum that "consider the histories of Black places, and the place of Black histories, in the necessary imaginative work toward building better Black futures." Screening start at 7p.m., check out the website for the list of films.

More movies

DANCING

Wedding Night DancePparty (October 7, The Piston)
This is a party that shamelessly plays favourites across the pop music spectrum, including new-wave, hip hop, freak funk, dad-rock and R&B. From two of the guys who bring us the city's best disco party, this one's a night that inspires wedding night hook-ups, too much tequila and dressing up.

More dance parties

Thanks to Big Rock Brewery for sponsoring this post.

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section and have a great weekend!

Photo from the Duke Dumont Facebook page.

Closure of Richmond St. brings traffic hell to Toronto

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Richmond Bay closedDriving in downtown Toronto has become a particularly cruel experience this week thanks to the shutdown of Richmond between Yonge and Bay streets. TTC track repair and other roadwork will keep this section of street closed for five days, ending on October 11.

There's a full closure of the Richmond and Bay intersection, while westbound traffic is diverted north and south at Yonge St. Given the central location of the shutdown, there's a huge ripple effect that pushes traffic way back on Richmond (east of Jarvis during rush hour) and clogs the streets surrounding the closed area.

Richmond Bay closedThe city recommends diverting at Church, Yonge or University Avenue depending on the direction that you're heading, but having experienced the gridlock this morning, I'd suggest carving out an even wider path if you can.

Just to make matters even worse, there will also be a closure of Bay between Adelaide and King for crane placement starting at 7 p.m. on Friday and lasting until 11:59 p.m. on Monday. That will further complicate the morning rush and make driving down to the Jays game on Sunday a slow affair.

Leave extra time and prepare to be patient until the work wraps up.

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