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What kind of house does $2 million get you in Toronto?

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2 million house torontoYou won't be able to afford a mansion for $2 million in Toronto, but the crop of houses at this price point are envy-worthy for those who are mulling over entry level homes. Here you'll find plenty of space, highly desirable neighbourhoods, and luxury features that will make the massive expenditure feel like it was worth it (over and above the pleasure of watching your property value increase).

Here's what a $2 million house looks like in Toronto.

$1,995,000 in North Toronto
This lovely North Toronto home is typical of the original homes built in the area with three bedrooms and an option for a fourth or an office or a den. It's a solid brick structure with hardwood floors and an ample backyard. The open concept kitchen is a recent renovation, which gives the ground floor a contemporary feel to go along with the classic features.

2 million house toronto$1,939,000 near Runnymede and Annette
This recently renovated home is close to both the Junction and Bloor West Village, which partially accounts for the price tag. It's not a remarkable structure from the outside, but the re-finishing job on the interior has left a blank canvas for the next occupant to animate the place. With four bedrooms and a den, there's plenty of space to decorate. One drawback is the small backyard.

2 million house toronto$1,988,000 near Sherwood Park
Located on a cul-de-sac near Sherwood Park, this two storey home features three bedrooms and four bedrooms. The design is borderline eclectic, but it's a refreshing diversion from the cookie cutter homes that are also available in this price range. The rocky backyard isn't so kid friendly, but it would make for a gorgeous place to enjoy a glass of wine in the summer.

2 million house toronto$1,999,995 in the Beaches
This Beaches residence has been meticulously renovated to become a solid example of contemporary interior design, with a slick open kitchen and lovely horizontal fireplace. You can get five bedrooms out of the floor plan, and the basement could work as a rental apartment, so this could be very appealing to a growing family looking to subsidize the mortgage.

2 million house toronto$2,000,000 near St. Clair and Avenue
The interior is a touch dated in this home, such that it has a bit of an early '90s vibe, but the area features many homes priced well over the $2 million mark. Those with a keen design eye and the patience to renovate the place over time will like the multiple fireplaces and the bones of this home, which can also be added onto at the back.

Would you buy any of these homes if you were in the market? Let us know in the comments.


10 zine artists currently setting Toronto on fire

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canzine torontoThe zine artists currently setting Toronto on fire are a collection of amazingly talented people. They push ideas and illustrations from the underground onto the streets all year long, and in some ways, they influence our city's culture without us even noticing. I spoke with Alison Lang from Broken Pencil about these artists who will be at Canzine 2016, the annual showcase of zine culture in Toronto.

Here are my picks for the 10 zine artists to watch in Toronto.

Hoser Punx
This is what it's all about! From punk rock to pop and hard core, this publication led by Shelby Monita covers band interviews, reviews, stories, photos and drawings from across Canada. The Etsy page alone will blow your brains out with patches, paintings, knitting projects and vintage goodies. Vol. 4 will be for sale at their table.

zine artists torontoJenn Woodall
This Toronto illustrator, designer and cartoonist is a member of the Friendship Edition Collective and uses colours that warm your heart and ignite your imagination. Her most well-known zine series is called Magical Beatdown and a lot of her work has a female empowerment vibe, putting women and girls in fantastic, badass situations.

canzine torontoAmrit Brar
This Toronto-based illustrator often creates under the moniker Musterni. You might know her from her Shitty Horoscopes zine series, but her most recent project is called Inhuman Connections and it explores "racism, sexism, gender identity, and queerness alongside aliens, the occult, monstrosities, and ghosts." She's got a great sense of humour and is worth checking out.

canzine torontoNaomi Moyer
Vancouver born and Toronto-based Moyer explores ideas of blackness and community with her thought provoking work. Her 21 page zine Black Women & Self Care: Thoughts on Mental Health, Oppression & Healing is a gorgeous self-help guide. She's both radical and magical.

canzine torontoPatrick Sparrow
Sparrow describes his work as "walking the fine line between inspiration and imitation." Often gruesome and gross, hilarious and strange, this zinester loves to create fictional characters that could easily be in a major animated movie. A personal favourite is the Pizza Ghost.

canzine torontoTrevor Henderson
This guy's mind "was shaped and moulded by horror and science fiction comics, pulp novels, monster toys, and a never-ending stream of horror films of varying quality." It's scary stuff, but in the most amazing way. There's a lot of melting skin and blood and his Midnight Society pins are a hit.

canzine torontoSabrina Scott
Scott's book Witchbody is sold out, but you can pre-order the second edition. She's a mystical woman who draws and reads tarot cards. Her blog is really great and gives you a good idea of her wild and crazy life.

canzine torontoChelsea Rose
Hamilton's Chelsea Rose will debut her new zine Rat at Canzine this year. Her illustrations are both beautiful and sad at once. She'll also be selling her documentary 35mm photo zines: one of which is called Capreol about her hometown in northern Ontario. Her coasters are also adorable.

canzine torontoStatic Zine
This zine just released its Birth Of Sex Issue, and it's glorious. It's a Toronto-based publication run by editor Jessica Lewis and managing editors Aviva Cohen and Melody Lamb. Together they collect writing, illustrations, photos and music from storytellers all over the world. It's released twice a year.

canzine torontoThe Department of Lost Things
As an illustrator and designer who works in a button factory by day, Mariel Ashlinn Kelly has work that's appeared in all kinds of zines and local blogs and businesses. Her work is weird and wonderful. Just look at these hip hop fish or this Garbage Day Comic.

Did I miss a zine artist you think is worthy of accolades? Let us know in the comments.

Images via Hoser Punx, @funeralbeat, @amrit.s.brar, @elastiquedesigns, @patrickcsparrow, @trevorhenderson, @witchbodystudio, @bellroach, @staticzine, @marielashlinn.

The top 5 vegan breakfast in Toronto

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vegan breakfast torontoVegan breakfasts in Toronto let you start your day off right. Fuel up on plant-based foods at these local restaurants that even meat eaters will enjoy. If you're heading out with a a group, most of these places offer non-vegan options as well as sweet and savoury dishes and lot and lots of coffee.

Here are my picks for the top 5 vegan breakfast spots in Toronto.

Karine's
Karine's, in the Village on the Grange food court, is popular amongst OCAD students for its affordable vegan breakfasts. Even if you don't eschew meat and animal by-products, you can still find something nutritious and delicious to eat here.

Cardinal Rule
Don't be fooled by this restaurant's retro vibes. It features a diverse vegan breakfast menu, with options like latkes, polenta, waffles a super filling breakfast burrito stuffed with beans, TVP and guac.

D-Beatstro
Head to D-Beatstro on Saturday and Sunday mornings for its stacked, all-vegan breakfast and brunch lineup. Menu items include red velvet waffle sticks, a pizza grilled cheese sandwich and heuvos rancheros.

Lola's Kitchen
Lola's Kitchen at Church and Charles is the perfect place to go to satisfy a big group made up of vegans and meat eaters. There are plenty of options on the menu, and you can replace eggs with tofu scramble in many of Lola's brunch dishes.

Doug's Public Kitchen
Doug McNish's outpost on Marlee Avenue (near Eglinton and the Allen), serves up an all-vegan breakfast menu on Saturday and Sundays. McNish's vegan eggs are a work of art and kind of look just like the real thing.

What's your favourite vegan breakfast spot in Toronto? Let us know in the comments.

Photo from Doug's Public Kitchen by Libby Roach.

5 campsites with heated cabins and yurts near Toronto

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cabin yurt rentals ontarioOntario Parks aren't just summer destinations. On the contrary, many of them are at their most beautiful in the fall and winter when the crowds have thinned out and the landscape lights up with colour before the first snowfall. You have to be brave to sleep in a tent past October, but fortunately there are cabins and yurts to rent that'll keep you toasty during your cold weather adventures.

Here are 10 provincial parks with cabin and yurt rentals near Toronto.

Algonquin Park
Algonquin Park has some of the most amazing rustic cabins out there, most of which were used by the original park rangers. These can be rented through the fall, but are closed during winter because it would be too difficult to trek into them after the first snowfall. There are, however, seven heated yurts at the Mew Lake campground that are open all year.

Arrowhead
Arrowhead Park has one of the most robust selections of cold weather camping options with 10 camp cabins open starting in December. These one-room accommodations feature a kitchenette with a microwave and a barbecue for more substantial cooking. There are gas and electric fireplaces for additional coziness.

MacGregor Point
MacGregor Point is the yurt capital of Ontario Parks with 16 on offer throughout the year. These accommodations sleep six people on two sets of double/single bunk beds. The decor is sparse, but the idea is to get out there to enjoy the beauty of the park, which is located on Lake Huron, through fall and winter.

Silent Lake
Silent Lake is another one of Ontario's Parks that's great to explore in the winter, with 10 yurts that open in mid December. These are arguably nicer than the ones at MacGegor Point as they have wood burning stoves to keep the heat up, but the draw back is there's no electricity of running water.

Kilarney
This is one of the most beautiful places to camp in the fall and winter with two rustic camp cabins and six yurts that are available for rental all year. These are a short hike in from the park office, and offer the ultimate in winter seclusion at a park that's known for amazing stargazing and wildlife-spotting opportunities. If you get lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights.

You can check out the Ontario Parks website for a full list of roofed accommodations and cold weather camping options.

Photo via Ontario Parks.

Where to eat Filipino food in Toronto's Little Manila

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sampaguita VillageFilipino food is all the rage these days so why not go to the original source - the neighbourhood that first put this cuisine on the map in Toronto.

Read my profile of Sampaguita Village in the restaurants section.

A history of Halloween on Church Street in Toronto

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church street halloween torontoChurch Street has become Toronto's unofficial Halloween destination. Every year, it transforms into a pedestrian-only boulevard packed with people in outrageous and inventive costumes. It's a party, regardless of the weather and what day Halloween lands on. Work night? Who cares!

But how did this party get started? "It's one of the events in the City of Toronto that needs very little advertising, but gets numbers of people regardless of it's cold, or wet, or anything like that," says Christopher Hudspeth from the Church Wellesley Village BIA.

church street halloween torontoHe says the tradition dates back to the 1960s and 70s. Back then, Halloween gave men a chance to dress in drag - it wasn't really legal any other day of the year.

Bars on Yonge, like the Parkside Tavern and the St. Charles Tavern, held Halloween balls, and many would come gawk at those attending, writes Jamie Bradburn for Torontoist. In the late 1970s, the crowds turned vicious, mocking, jeering and even throwing eggs at those dressed up.

By the early 1980s, things quieted down on Halloween night, and as bars moved to Church Street, so did the party.

Dean Odorico, who owns the popular bar Woody's, has watched the annual Halloween festivities grow over the past 27 years. He says Halloween is an important day for the LGBTQ community and that there have been big parties on Church Street for as long as he's been in the neighbourhood.

church street halloween torontoAnd he notes those who participate take their costumes very seriously. Usually, costumes tend to focus on central theme. "Like when Rob Ford was mayor, there were some amazing costumes," he says with a laugh. "I'm sure there will be a lot of Hillarys and Donald Trumps this year," he continues.

Not everyone is happy, however, with how the event's currently being marketed. The BIA runs it, and in its promotional material, there's very little mention that it's an LGBTQ celebration built on a rather dark history.

Without acknowledging this, some say it becomes a spectator sport, where people come out to take photos and gawk at the festivities without participating in them.

church street halloween torontoBut like in years past, this Halloween will be no different as Church Street's slated to be jam packed on Monday night. Hopefully, it won't rain and the costumes will be as phenomenal as in previous years.

Photos by Jesse Milns.

The top 10 festivals in Toronto this November

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festivals toronto novemberThe top festivals in Toronto this November will keep both your mind and body active. There are a ton of film festivals, a few major sporting events, and a week-long music fest. It's a great month to get out, cheer and be outside while the weather is still sort of on our side.

Here are my picks for the top festivals in Toronto this November.

Rendez-vous with Madness Film Festival (AGO, Nov. 4-12)
Canada's original festival devoted to movies about mental health and recovery moves into a new frontier of public awareness toward the mysteries of the human mind. It all happens at the AGO alongside talks, workshops and forums.

Royal Winter Fair (Exhibition Place, Nov. 4-13)
The fresh smell of a barn and multiple baby animal sightings makes this country festival in the city a welcome annual tradition. There are horse shows, cooking demos, competitions and a market. But really just get in and walk around; you'll literally run into something interesting. Tickets starts at $38 and as always it happens at Exhibition Place.

Taste of Iceland (Various locations, Nov. 10-13)
This festival seems to be more relevant than ever thanks to all those cheap flights to Iceland popping up. It celebrates Icelandic culture and features food events, the Reykjavik Calling music series, parties and a film screening.

European Union Film Festival (Royal Cinema, Nov. 10-24)
The official film lineup for this year's festival is out and it's pretty amazing. It's one of the largest free film festivals in the country, and it's a collaborative effort between EU Consulate and cultural institutes in Toronto that bring together award winning films. Everything is screened at the Royal.

Grey Cup Festival (Various locations, Nov. 22-27)
This weekend celebrates 104 years of the Grey Cup. Who knew? The kickoff bash is at Ripley's Aquarium, and there's also a legends luncheon, a warmup party, two days of concerts, a women and community sport forum, a tailgate party, and then duh, the game.

Regent Park Film Festival (Daniels Spectrum, Nov. 23-26)
Toronto's only free community film festival showcases local and international independent work relevant to people from all walks of life, with a focus on inviting those of us from low income and public housing communities. This year's film lineup is impressive and all of the movies will be screened at Daniels Spectrum.

Reel Asian Film Festival (TIFF Bell Lightbox, Nov. 8-19)
Canada's largest festival of contemporary Asian cinema not only showcases great films, but also special projects featuring prominent artists, musicians, up-and-coming filmmakers. Most of the screenings will be at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Toronto International Short Film Festival (TIFF Bell Lightbox, Nov. 9-11)
From film veterans to students, this short film fest has it all. Taking place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, it showcases everything from dramas, documentaries and animation to experimental films and comedies.

Podcast Festival (Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, Nov. 18-20)
Whether you're on the streetcar, in an Uber or cleaning the house, for many of us, there's a podcast playing. This festival plucks your favourites from your earbuds and brings them on stage, live and in person. The full lineup of shows is here and there will also be panels.

Indie Music Week (Various locations, Nov. 15-20)
More than 300 acts perform at over 20 venues in Toronto during this extensive music festival. There's also a film festival, an industry conference and special showcases. Head to the official site to see who's coming to town and buy individual tickets or festival passes.

What did I miss? Let us know in the comments so we can all festival together even more.

Photo via Indie Music Week.

Why Toronto is the centre of the zombie universe

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zombies torontoLast year, Toronto's Zombie Walk swelled to include over 15,000 shuffling, slow-moving un-dead people. This year, there's an outbreak of several other zombie walks on top of zombie wrestling and a Zombie Prom.

Why does it feel like Toronto is ground zero for zombies? Where are they all coming from? And should we be freaking out?

The short answer is no, because at the of the day there's a very good reason it feels like we're at the centre of the zombie universe.

"The beauty of the zombie is that they are the underdog," says Stefania Zanini. She's on the board of directors for the Toronto Zombie Walk. Yes, there's a board of directors for zombies in Toronto. "The zombie isn't an all being evil that's going to take over the world and there's not one zombie god. They're a horde of people. They're community based."

It's not the quality of the soil in our graveyards or the millions of ready-to-eat brains around the GTA that's attracting zombies. Instead, we're a city that's open to zombies, a city that includes lots of tiny communities, which enable things like a parade of mindless corpses to happen.

zombies toronto"When you go to a zombie walk, you realize you're walking with 15,000 people shuffling along, and there quickly becomes a sense of community that isn't based on religion and not money or running for cancer," Zanini says. "It's just based on a sense of belonging, and the whole world wants to belong. If you're a zombie, all you've got to be is dead."

It's the innocent feeling of belonging that fuels the city's zombie fever. Dominic Etynkowski runs a Zombie Survival Camp and heads up the Zombie Prom. He also thinks that's what makes Toronto so unique in the living dead phenomenon.

"Who doesn't just want to go around killing zombies all day?" he asks. "It's an moving easy target, why not? We're one of the largest city's in Canada, it's very liberal, and people love to dress up. I think it would have evolved naturally.

"It's a bunch of weirdos getting together and suddenly everyone is praising you about how you got that wound to look so amazing. Any other day in your life, people just think you're weird and don't get it.

"It unifies people under this weird sub genre and you can connect that way," Etynkowski says. "It's the power of the hoard."

His zombie camps teach people to survive in a Walking Dead-style apocalyptic city. The prom is for zombies, fans of zombies, and people who just think zombie culture is cool to get together and celebrate the end-of-days instead of working against it. The prom acts as a fundraiser, but so many zombie activities in the city are free; that's another selling point.

zombies toronto"It's fun and it's free, that's the keyword," Shannon Stafford says. He's an ex-board member and is running the march on St. Clair this year. He also runs cemetery tours via Historic Headstones of Toronto. "Me and my family we're going to the walk, then Night of the Dread... it's a multi-part day of safe Halloween fun."

It all comes down to community, and a good vibes, no pressure event that's free and inclusive. Instead of one, official city-wide walk this month, there are community-driven events in Brockton Village, on Church Street, and the previously mentioned St. Clair march. These will most likely fester and multiply by next year.

"Resident Evil was shot in Toronto, but we're not Haiti where there are actual zombies," Zanini says of Toronto's non-existent zombie history. "George Romero does live in Toronto, but there's no huge zombie history. What Toronto does have is an awesome sense of community."

Zombie Walk photos by Jesse Milns.


5 scenic bridges for dazzling views of fall near Toronto

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bridges ontarioScenic bridges in Ontario are one of the best ways to take in the beauty of fall colours. From narrow suspension bridges to soaring structures that span major rivers, these elevated passageways provide an unforgettable perspective on the world below.

Here are 5 scenic bridges you can visit for dazzling views of fall colours near Toronto.

Thousand Islands Bridge
It's not close enough for an easy day trip, but any getaway to Frontenac region or the Adirondacks should include a drive over the Thousand Islands bridge system, which spans the St. Lawrence River and offers majestic views of the tens of thousands of trees in the area. Earlier in the season, you can also check out the observation tower.

suspension bridge ontarioRanney Gorge
Just two hours away from Toronto, the Ranney Gorge suspension bridge is located in Ferris Provincial Park near Cambellford. The 300 foot long bridge sways ever so slightly as you walk over it, but the true thrill is the view of the Trent River when you get to the middle. Throughout the month of October it is just gorgeous.

scenic caves suspension bridgeScenic Caves
The 420 foot suspension bridge at Scenic Caves Adventures near Collingwood is the longest in Southern Ontario. It'll take about 45 minutes of hiking to get to it, but it's all worth it when the view of Georgian Bay and the colourful hills of the Blue Mountain area come into view. On a clear day, the view spans 10,000 square kilometres. Wow.

suspension bridge ontarioWilliam E. Small Suspension
Nestled in the rugged wilderness of the French River Provincial Park, this snowmobile suspension bridge is the longest of its kind in the world at 156 metres. It hovers almost 30 metres above the French River, offering stunning views of the wilderness below.

menesetung bridgeMenestung Bridge
This bridge in Goderich, Ontario isn't that much to look at from the ground, but the view from its platform is just phenomenal in the fall. The former CPR bridge crosses the Maitland river and heads to station house dating back to 1907. It's an easy one to walk or bike across, and only takes about 10 minutes to get to from the parking lot.

Did I miss a scenic bridge worth mentioning? Let is know in the comments.

Photos by Jan Zwilling, Friends of Ferris, Scenic Caves Adventures, William Self, and Val West.

The top 5 free events in Toronto: Oct. 31 - Nov. 6 2016

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free events torontoThe top free events in Toronto this week stay spooky with Halloween and Day of the Dead on tap. If you're totally over it, there are also great things happening that have nothing to do with the walking dead.

Here are my picks for top free things to do this week.

Halloween on Church Street (Oct. 31, Church Street)
The best thing to do on Halloween is absolutely free! Take a walk down Church Street, which is closed to traffic starting at Wellesley at 6 p.m. It's a giant neighbourhood block party, except most people attending are in the most amazing costumes.

Craft Ontario Craft Show (Nov. 4-6, Daniel's Spectrum)
Craft Ontario hosts a three day craft and design show featuring over 40 craftspeople, makers and artisans. Expect handcrafted jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles, clothing, and wood. Wood!

Day of the Dead (Nov. 5-6, Harbourfront Centre)
Check out this two-day celebration of Mexico's most popular cultural event through a contemporary lens. See performances, art installations, post mortem (puppet theatre), Amor Eterno: A Tribute to Juan Gabriel, Viva Mexico Mariachi and a lot more.

Really Really Free Market (Nov. 5, Campbell Park)
This market is actually free, just bring a big IKEA bag (limit of one per person) and check out mountains of vintage clothes and jewelry, all for the price of nothing. If you do bring stuff to share, just make sure it's clean.

Eco Fair (Nov. 6, Wychwood Barns)
The 8th annual Eco Fair is totally free and features exhibits, eco-car test drives, clothing repair-a-thon and a film screening of The Good Bin Project. It's a fun, free way to spend an afternoon learning how to be more green while living downtown.

Did I miss a free event worth hitting up? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Jesse Milns.

Toronto gets a new destination for pizza and booze

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Superpoint TorontoThis new restaurant is completely defying everything you thought about your local pizza place, serving whole pies with a curated menu of natural biodynamic wines and high end cocktails, along with house made pasta, other Italian dishes and an array of fancy bar snacks.

Read my profile of Superpoint in the restaurants section.

The top 8 breakfast buffet in Toronto

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breakfast buffet torontoThe top breakfast buffet in Toronto let you indulge first thing in the morning. While many of the city's hotels offer buffets each and every day of the week, these spots go over the top, especially on Sundays. From omelette bars to freshly carved roast beef, these eateries have you covered.

Here are my picks for the top breakfast buffet in Toronto.

Colette
This French restaurant at the Thomson serves up a lunchtime buffet from Monday to Friday starting at 11:30 a.m., but it also has a buffet spread on Sunday mornings starting at 10 a.m. That's not too early now, is it?

Free Times Cafe
Every Sunday, Free Times Cafe hosts its Bella! Did Ya Eat? Brunch with klezmer music and a buffet filled with latkes, scrambled eggs with lox, bagels, schmear, gefilte fish, salads, blintzes and so much more.

Glow Fresh Grill & Wine Bar
If you're looking for something a little healthier, but still want an AYCE experience, why not try Glow in the Shops at Don Mills. It might be a bit pricey, but it does feature an omelette bar.

Granite Brewery
Down a pint with your Sunday brunch at Granite Brewery on Mount Pleasant. It's an affordable option midtown and once you're done, you can take a growler home with you for later.

Hot House
The Sunday brunch buffet menu at Hot House, at the corner of Church and Front, lists a slew of dishes, including everything from steamed mussels in white wine, to an omelette bar and cinammon buns.

King Edward Hotel
Brunch is a sumptious affair at the King Eddy. And if you indulge, you can get an array of hot and cold dishes, including seafood, eggs Benny, charcuterie and loads more. This is an expensive morning meal, and one that's ideal for super special occasions.

Old Mill Inn
The Sunday brunch buffet at the Old Mill is legendary. It tends to veer more towards the lunch side of things, but it's never too early to visit a roast beef carving station (yes, that's included in the brunch-time offerings).

Fairmont Royal York
The Royal York offers a breakfast buffet each and every morning at its EPIC restaurant (that's just the restaurant's name). The hotel extends its buffet hours until 1 p.m. on weekends if you're looking to sleep in.

What's your favourite breakfast buffet in Toronto? Let us know in the comments.

Photo from Free Time Cafe by Hector Vasquez.

10 signs you live in North Etobicoke

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etobicokeEtobicoke sometimes feels like Toronto's long lost cousin. For people who live in the north part of Etobicoke, being a bit farther away from the hustle and bustle of the city makes it feel like home.

Here are 10 signs you live in North Etobicoke.

1. You don't pronounce it Etobi-COKE

2. You have a mini panic attack when the subway announcement says "we are currently experiencing a delay eastbound..." but breathe a sigh of relief when they continue with "at Victoria Park station."

3. You go to Woodbine Mall to catch cheap movies at Rainbow Cinemas, not to shop.

4. You try to avoid the nightmare that is the Loblaws on Burnhamthorpe on Saturdays if you can.

5. You know that the LCBO at Crossroads Plaza is one of the only ones that is open until 10 pm and you know that means there's a line up out the door after 9 pm.

6. You have become so used to the sound of airplanes coming from Pearson that you don't even notice it anymore.

7. You wonder if you'll ever really have a full-fledged casino in your backyard, at Woodbine Racetrack. There has been lots of talk but no solid plans yet.

8. You think Centennial Park is a much cooler place to ski or toboggan this winter after being a Pan Am Games venue.

9. You spend way too much time waiting for the bus, specifically the 45 or 46 busses.

10. You're always wondering if you should tell someone you're from Etobicoke or Toronto.

What else would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Mark Beauchamp in the blogTO Flickr pool.

12 stunning photos of fall colours in High Park

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high park fall coloursFall is in full effect in High Park with bright bursts of colour through the central and eastern sides of the park. While some leaf fall has taken place in areas like the cherry tree path down to Grenadier Pond, the western ravines are still green enough to suggest that there will be a couple of weeks left of viewing opportunities.

That said, the most saturated spots won't be around for too much longer. It's quite remarkable to encounter some of the maple trees ablaze in orange and red beside other varieties that have yet to sport much colour. Any trip to check it all out should include a walk through the middle of the park between West Rd. and Colborne Lodge Dr.

High Park is a pretty magical place most times of the year, but it is particularly beautiful right now in the remaining days of autumn. Here's what it all looks like with a few photos from late fall last year thrown in to show what's in store.

high park fall colours high park fall colourshigh park fall colourshigh park fall colourshigh park fall colourshigh park fall colourshigh park fall colourshigh park fall colourshigh park fall colourshigh park fall colourshigh park fall coloursMake sure to tag your Instagram photos with #fallTO and/or to add them to the blogTO Flickr pool to be considered for future posts.

Photos by Tony Mo, Benson Kua, Mooncall2012, John O'Sullivan, Steve Parfitt, Michael Monastyrskyj, and Derek Flack.

The top 10 events in Toronto for November 2016

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november events torontoNovember events in Toronto dial things up. They fill enormous rooms with unique experiences like a living GQ Magazine, an Alice in Wonderland style art auction, and mystical landscapes. Fill up your brain and heart with these major happenings before the avalanche of holiday happening begin.

Here are my picks for the top events in Toronto this November.

The Royal Winter Fair (Nov. 4-13, Exhibition Place)
The full fall experience isn't complete without a visit to the country in the city via the Royal Winter Fair. There's lots of yummy food, snacks, shows, vendors, and of course many, many baby animals. The horse and dog shows are a must see, as well as all the highly entertaining animal competitions and presentations. Show up anytime and you'll have fun.

Day of the Dead (Nov. 5-6, Harbourfront Centre)
There are a few Day of the Dead events happening in November, but this one is the only multi-day extravaganza that features post mortem puppet theatre, Amor Eterno: A Tribute to Juan Gabriel and the Viva Mexico Mariachi band. They don't just celebrate Mexico during this haunting holiday, they dive right in.

Election Night viewings (Nov. 8, Various locations)
There are numerous ways to get ready for the US election, but it's the big night we're all really concerned with. Check out viewing parties at The Beaver, The Fox and Fiddle on the Danforth, and at Hot Docs Cinema, to name a few.

Mystical Landscapes (Until January 29, AGO)
This new show features works from Monet, Van Gogh, Emily Carr and so many more depicting magical, mystical, and imagination filled landscapes. Almost 90 paintings and 20 works on paper, many of which seldom leave their home museum, visit the AGO for this massive, colourful show, which is getting rave reviews.

Art Attack! (Nov. 10, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre)
Every year, Buddies welcomes hundreds of art lovers and adventurous shoppers for an outrageous art auction unlike anything you've ever seen or been to. The live auction features work from over 25 contemporary artists, and the Rock Hudson Memorial Tuck Shop offers limited edition stuff at a slightly more affordable rate. This is a true art party.

The Gentlemen's Expo (Nov. 10, Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
Like GQ magazine brought to life, this mega men's show features all things men's health, including grooming, food, fashion, tech and other manly things. Obviously women are very welcome at this event to get a sneak peek into what the boys are fussing about.

CLGA Electric Circus Gala (Nov.12, Canadian Lesbian & Gay Archives)
The CLGA's annual gala is usually a crazy fun party, but they're really stepping things up with year with their Electric Circus-themed dance party. Hostess with the mostess Monika Deol will be in the house alongside Jeanne Beker. CityTV represent! There'll be a fashion show and '90s dance hits all night long.

Gourmet Wine and Food Expo (Nov. 17-20, Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
Sample over 1,500 wines, beers, spirits and foods at this mega-foodie event. Head here on an empty stomach with friends and eat and sip your way through the room at what's called one of the country's biggest cocktail parties. There's a chef stage with demos all weekend as well as a spiritology Pavilion where bartenders show off their skills and live music shows.

One of a Kind Show (Nov. 24-Dec.4, Enercare Centre)
Over 800 vendors and artisans welcome you and your holiday shopping coins at this massive shopping event. Clothes, fashion, visual arts, eatables and all kinds of other unique gift ideas and the people who make them in one spot. It saves you a lot of time and keeps you indoors while getting all that shopping done.

Cavalcade of Lights (Nov. 26, Nathan Phillips Square)
If you thought fireworks were impressive, head to City Hall to see a bunch of light contained in bulbs illuminate the sky and downtown core. It's a fun, annual tradition with a tree lighting, live shows, and ok fine, fireworks as well. There's also a skating party with music under a sheet of twinkling lights.

Photo by Sue Holland.


10 startup fashion brands in Toronto you need to know

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fashion brandsToronto-based fashion brands aren't hard to come by - it feels like there's a new oneturning upevery single day. More local labels aren't just based in the city; they're also designed, manufactured, and distributed right in our backyard. Plus, many of them are partnered with non-profits for a particular cause. The future of Toronto fashion is mindful - not maliciously marked up or mass-marketed.

Here are some startup fashion brands based in Toronto you need to know.

Heir
Heir launched a couple of months ago as the kids' line of your streetwear dreams. The brand offers luxury, made-in-Canada basics in an array of neutral colours. Available online and in-store at affiliate boutique Get Fresh Company, the practical pieces are must-haves for any hip-and-with-it parent.

NTHNG
Founded in 2012, NTHNG is a menswear label of everyday basics with an avant-garde twist. Brushed cotton tees, hand-dyed baseball caps and draped trousers are among their made-in-Canada offerings; find regular drops of new limited edition pieces online, or select items in-store at Community 54.

Uncuffed
Uncuffed is an accessories brand I first fell in love with after seeing pieces on Helder Diego's fall/winter 2016 runway. Crafted from mindfully sourced leathers, the chokers, harnesses, and flower crowns are handmade in Toronto by one-woman machine Olga Barsky. Leather straps and gold hardware have a typically aggressive look, but Uncuffed's are somehow wonderfully delicate.

Quill & Tine
Born in 2012 in the depths of a Canadian winter, Quill & Tine combines fashion and technology in their luxury leather touchscreen gloves. With a wide array of styles for both men and women, the gloves are designed and made in a Toronto studio with artisanal care. At $95-$240 a pop, they're not a bad investment for a tenacious texter or Instagram junkie.

Coup de Tête
Coup de Tête is a bespoke hat label. Hat maker Jay Mitchell and leather smith Ryan Tavares came together to offer one-of-a-kind handmade pieces for the truly unique wearer. Available via private appointment, Coup de Tête hats are dyed, shaped, burnt, and embellished to the customer's delight starting at $300.

Tenfed
Tedfed is a local label that gives back. In fact, it gives back by a tenfold. For every item sold - including a cheeky t-shirt reading "iGIVAFCK" - ten meals are provided to hungry children across the globe via Kids Against Hunger Canada. Since launching last year, they've given over 25,000 meals and aren't slowing down any time soon.

Potrol
Potrol launched last year to offer "badass statement pieces" for the girl (or guy) on the go. Their holster-inspired purses handmade from leather and faux leather are currently available online only, but vary in price point ($50 - $150) and colour.

Saltwater Collective
Saltwater Collective is on a mission to save the oceans. Climate change, over-fishing, and pollution have affected about 96% of the earth's waters. Through lounge and swimwear (made in Toronto using materials and processes mindful of the environment), the brand makes donations to Oceana in support of their ocean conservation efforts around the globe.

Devlyn Van Loon
Devlyn Van Loon is a minimalistic womenswear brand lovingly handmade in Toronto. With waste reduction and sustainability in mind, the products are designed and fabricated to remain long-lasting keepsakes in the wardrobe. Find Devlyn Van Loon in various stockists across Toronto, including Coal Miner's Daughter and Distill.

Futu
One of the quirkier brands on this list, Futu is a clothing label inspired by the art of Kung Fu. Pieces like sports jackets and simple t-shirts are emblazed with text and images of the beauty, power, energy, and enlightenment associated with Kung Fu.

Photo via Devlyn Van Loon.

Restaurant opens above rumbling TTC subway station

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brothers restaurant torontoThe clinking of wine glasses, the tinkle of silverware, the music of conversation and the rumble of the subway...what could be more Toronto than all that? At this romantic little closet of a restaurant they serve a rotating menu of incredibly simple basics like steelhead trout and Hungarian sausages.

Read my profile of Brothers in the restaurants section.

Toronto school teaches the art of spooky creature design

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CMU Creature Character Design TorontoIn a very special classroom in downtown Toronto, something spooky is happening. It's the College of Makeup Art and Design's Creature Design Program, and it's training its students to scare the pants off you.

CMU is where students go through the gruelling process of learning the techniques to create amazing looks for hair, fashion, theatre, film and television, then eventually prosthetics and creature design. With the Creature program, students aren't limited to working with human faces, or humans at all.

In the intimate program's little studio of only a few rooms, students learn how to create their own creature from the inside out. Professors start them off with life drawing, anatomy and modelling, and when it comes time to design a creature of their own making they have to start from the skeleton and build on top of that from muscles and veins to the texture of the skin.

CMU Creature Character Design TorontoStudents are allowed to design anything they like, which prosthetics and creature design instructor David Scott says allows for the biggest range of ideas to be presented. It also means students are constantly forced to troubleshoot problems that may have only come up based on their particular project, like undercuts in the creature's form or colours not turning out right.

CMU Creature Character Design TorontoArtists in the program start by taking anatomy lessons, using a wire armature to build a skeleton correctly, and then building musculature into that, learning proper nomenclature along the way. They then can begin morphing that form into a creature, comparing it to human form and making sure their imaginary beings are as anatomically correct as possible so they seem the most realistic.

CMU Creature Character Design TorontoThe students build a maquette to go off of, then start on their three-quarters life size construction of the head of their creature (or body if it's a smaller creature). This construction is what is used to make a mold, which they can then cast in plaster in order to make the final plastic or silicone model which is then painted and finished.

CMU Creature Character Design TorontoStudents learn both the physical and digital components of the industry, receiving extensive training in a discombobulating but incredibly powerful program called ZBrush. While learning the program students go through a similar process to the physical sculpture component, starting with a sphere and ending with a full creature.

CMU Creature Character Design TorontoGraduate Tabitha Burtch, who herself has now obtained jobs working on projects like Antibirth and Backcountry, had to make sure all the muscles of her creation would function in the poses she had put him in, and create "alphas" or texture stamps for the skin. She couldn't find exactly what she wanted, so created her own texture using samples of silk, old peoples' skin and elephants' feet.

What does she suggest for your next Halloween? She says you can do a lot just by chiseling your face with makeup, and recommends a visit to the Kryolan makeup store. Try paling yourself out with makeup and wear all black and grey, and become a creepy haunted photograph from the 1800s! If there's anything I learned from my visit to this program, it's that creativity is key.

CMU Creature Character Design TorontoPhotos by Hector Vasquez

Queen Margherita owner opens burger joint in Toronto

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Bravo Resto TorontoWhopping, juicy, and meaty, the best burgers in Toronto are stiff competition. This new restaurant is using 100% grain fed Canadian beef to put up a fight with upscale combinations of premium ingredients.

Read my profile of Bravo Restaurant in the restaurants section.

This Week on DineSafe: Bairrada Churrasqueira, Aka Teppan, Swatow, South Street Burger, N9 Cafe

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dinesafeThis week on DineSafe city health inspectors shut down DIY teppanyaki restaurant, Aka Teppan. The restaurant landed six infractions, including failure to prevent an insect infestation and to ensure food is not contaminated and adulterated, which ultimately led the their closure.

See which other restaurants got busted by DineSafe this week.

Bairrada Churrasqueira (1000 College St.)
Inspected on: October 25, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 3, Significant: 5, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Sushi Garden (3 Wellesley St. West)
Inspected on: October 25, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Aka Teppan (394 Bloor St. West)
Inspected on: October 26, 2016
Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to prevent an insect infestation and operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

South Street Burger Co. (2383 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: October 26, 2016
Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to prevent an insect infestation and operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Crown Princess (1033 Bay St.)
Inspected on: October 27, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Employee fails to wash hands when required and operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Swatow (309 Spadina Ave.)
Inspected on: October 27, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

N9 Cafe (23 Spring Garden Ave.)
Inspected on: October 28, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 3, Significant: 5, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous foods.

The Musket (40 Advance Rd.)
Inspected on: October 28, 2016
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
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.

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