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This Week on DineSafe: Pearl Harbourfront, Clinton's Tavern, Rol San, Rick's Cafe

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This week on DineSafe there are no restaurant closures to report. However, one of the best dim sum restaurants in downtown Toronto, Pearl Harbourfront, racked up a whopping 10 infractions, which included failing to wash hands when required and failing to ensure food is not contaminated.

See which other restaurants got busted by DineSafe this week.

Bagel Nash (81 Gerry Fitzgerald Dr.)
  • Inspected on: November 29, 2016
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 3)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A

Clinton's Tavern (693 Bloor St. West)
  • Inspected on: November 29, 2016
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Green Papaya (2401 Yonge St.)
  • Inspected on: November 30, 2016
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 3, Significant: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A

Pearl Harbourfront (207 Queens Quay West)
  • Inspected on: November 30, 2016
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 10 (Minor: 3, Significant: 4, Crucial: 3)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to wash hands when required, operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated and operator failed to maintain hazardous foods.

Watermark Irish Pub (207 Queens Quay West)
  • Inspected on: November 30, 2016
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Rick's Cafe (281 Augusta Ave.)
  • Inspected on: December 1, 2016
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: )
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Rol San (323 Spadina Ave.)
  • Inspected on: December 1, 2016
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
  • 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.


10 farms to cut down your own Christmas tree near Toronto

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Christmas tree farms near Toronto are all about the adventure of cutting down your own tree. While you could just buy one at any of the city's numerous lots, there's something nourishing about the experience of getting out into the wild to choose your own. Not only do you get to see where they come from, but you might even have to trudge through the snow to get to your tree of choice. How very festive!

Here are 10 farms to cut down your own Christmas tree near Toronto.

Pinedale Farms

Pinedale Farms is located near Hamilton and is about an hour's drive from Toronto. They have a variety of trees to choose from including Scotch Pines, Colorado Spruce and Balsam Firs. Free twine is available to tie up your tree as well as tree bagging services for $2. Prices on trees range based on height and type of tree.

Laura's Christmas Trees

Pesticide free trees are available at this farm, located north of Orangeville, about an hour and a half from Toronto. Laura's Christmas Trees has a selection of trees like White or Scotch Pines as well as Blue, White and Norway Spruce. There are walking trails throughout the farm and Laura offers free hot chocolate, candy canes and dog treats on the weekends.

Clembrook Tree Farm

Cut down your own trees at this tree farm, with types of trees ranging from Spruces to Pines to Firs. Clembrook Tree Farm is less than an hour from Toronto, near Milton. They have free parking and will put you in the holiday mood by playing Christmas music. Bring your own saw or borrow one from the farm for cutting down trees that start at $37.

Drysdale's Farm

Drysdale's has a 400-acre plot for you to wander through to pick your perfect spruce or fir. With that kind of space, you'll have to hop on their tractor ride or horse-drawn wagons to get around. They're located about an hour and a half north of Toronto and you can cut down your own tree here every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chickadee Christmas Trees

Harvest your own trees at Chickadee Christmas Trees that are up to eight feet tall, so in that case, you better yell "Timber!" Scotch Pine, White Spruce, Balsam Fir and White Pines are all $45 plus tax and saws are provided as well. This one is just over an hour from Toronto, near Cambridge.

Elliott Tree Farm

The $40 flat rate for cut-your-own trees at Elliott Tree Farm makes it easy to just choose a good tree and not worry about different prices. They have White Spruce, Blue Spruce and White Pines available as well as free twine to make sure your tree is secured to your car. It's about an hour and a half drive to Elliott's which is just south of Orangeville.

MacPherson Christmas Tree Farm

Cut your own trees at Macpherson Christmas Tree Farm, which are all $50, cash only. About a 45-minute drive from Toronto, this farm has a variety of tree types available including Red Pine, Canaan Fir and Scotch Pine. They are open Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offer free hot chocolate and wagon rides.

Prestonvale Tree Farms

Spruce, Pine and Fir trees range between $38 and $55 at Prestonvale Tree Farms. Saws are provided for cutting down trees on this 60-acre tree farm located near Oshawa, about an hour and a half drive from Toronto. They only accept cash and offer free shaking and baling as well.

Albion Orchards

Albion Orchards has thousands of trees ready to be taken home this holiday season. They're located about an hour's drive from Toronto, near Caledon. You can grab a hot apple cider after harvesting your tree or take home an apple pie from their shop.

Benjamin Tree Farm

Benjamin Tree Farm is just over an hour and a half drive from Toronto. They are located in Waterloo and have 60 acres of trees to choose from including White Spruce and Balsam Fir. Prices on their trees range from $36.99 to $69.99 for trees over 9 feet tall.

Justin Bieber announces Toronto concert

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What do you mean? In May, Justin Bieber brought his Purpose World Tour to Toronto, along with a pop-up shop. He even played a surprise show the Fifth Pubhouse not so long ago. Now, the Stratford native has a Christmas present for his fans in the city: he's coming back in 2017.

On September 5, Justin Bieber will be playing a massive concert at the Rogers Centre. It's one of six additional stadium shows he's tacking onto his Purpose World Tour.

According to Billboard, the Biebs will be on the The Ellen DeGeneres Show today where he's supposed to make an announcement about these new North American dates. 

If you want to make someone's holiday season, the pre-sale starts tomorrow at 10 a.m. Regular tickets go on sale on December 9 at 10 a.m.

The cold supermoon is about to rise above Toronto

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The final supermoon of the year is set to rise above Toronto next week. Dubbed the cold moon, December's full moon is the third in a series of consecutives supermoons, but more importantly, it's also the last one we'll see for almost a whole year. 

Mark your calendars for December 13, as that's when the full moon will rise at 4:46 p.m. in the northeast. Technically it won't become completely full until 7:06 p.m., but you'll want to catch it on the rise to see it when it appears biggest. It won't be quite as close as last month's historic supermoon, but the human eye won't be able to tell the difference.

The only supermoon in 2017 will take place on December 3. In other words, if you're not suffering from supermoon fatigue, this will be your last chance to observe the phenomenon for a while. 

Somewhat unfortunately, the cold supermoon coincides with the peak of the peak of the Geminid meteor shower this year, which will greatly dimish the number of shooting stars visible. That said, the brightest meteors will still shine through the moonlight, making for a spectacular celestial show.

Make sure to set aside some time to look to the heavens next Tuesday evening, preferably in a location with low light population if you're hoping to see the Geminids.  

Another food delivery service shuts down in Toronto

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Are Toronto's food delivery services in trouble? The picture doesn't look entirely rosy heading into 2017 with Uber Eats drivers protesting changes in wage structure and other services leaving the city altogether.

Favour, a company based in Austin, Texas, announced it'd be shutting down in Toronto today. As its first foray north of the border, it launched here in August 2015.

"Favour is withdrawing our operation in Toronto effective today, Monday, December 5th," says Uri Bogler, Favour's VP of Marketing, in an email statement.

"As a dense tier 1 city, Toronto does not fit the profile of our smart-scaling growth plan in tier 2 markets. We will continue to evaluate expansion opportunities in tier 2 markets across the United States and Canada," he continues.

If that sounds a little confusing, here's how Favour differentiates between tier 1 and 2 markets: "For us, density is the main differentiator between a tier 1 and tier 2 city (not overall population). Density drastically affects things like parking, traffic and restaurant wait-times, which impacts our ability to provide service," says Bogler.

As for other food delivery services in the city, Uber Eats came under fire last week after changing its payment model for courriers. It also cut its Instant Delivery service here.

Feast stopped delivering fresh meals in September and is instead focusing on its wholesale business at the moment. Next year, it'll start using high-tech vending machines to get its food to customers.

The Best Greek Restaurants in Toronto

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The best Greek restaurants in Toronto serve zesty, simple and hearty fare. From skewers of seasoned meat with tangy tzatziki to sumptuous salads, ornate platters of seafood to gyros and soft pita wrapped in foil, Greek food is also often great comfort food.

Here are the best Greek restaurants in Toronto.

11 - Anestis Taverna

This cheerfully decorated Greek tavern on the Danforth has plenty of vegetarian options like house-made dolmades. Top them off with, say, a kilo of lamb chops and something from their extensive wine list.
6 - Volos

This upscale spot in the Financial District wows with fresh seafood such as grilled snapper, sea bass and seared scallops. Get dressed up and make it a date night.
10 - The Greek Grill

This Pape Village favourite does rotisserie, sandwiches and classics like gyros, tzatziki, and souvlaki. But don't miss out on their roasted lamb and pork side ribs, veggie stuffed peppers and zucchini chips with lemon garlic mayo.
8 - Square Boy

There's usually a lineup at this Danforth institution where locals flock for cheap burgers, fries and souvlaki. Less heralded but also worth an order is their super cheap rotisserie chicken.
9 - Pantheon

Yet another Danforth fixture, Pantheon boasts that its fish is imported from Greece and value prices their apps, seafood and meat platters so you never leave here hungry.
5 - Mezes

Go to this Danforth restaurant for Greek beer, wine and a large selection of signature dips and saganaki flambeed tableside. Mains like quail, calamari, and moussaka are popular here.
3 - Mamakas

This happening Greek restaurant on Ossington serves a high-end booze menu along with Greek classics like spanakopita and grilled whole fish as well as goat tartare.
4 - Messini

This Greektown stalwart serves up gyro pitas stuffed with fries. It's a popular late night spot that also does saganaki, greek fries and gyro pizza.
7 - Pan on the Danforth

Another Danforth mainstay, Pan draws crowds for its considerable range of dips, mezes, salads, fish, and meat offerings. Don't miss their mixed grill of double smoked pork chop, rack of lamb, Greek sausage and lemon roasted chicken.

Watch what happens when the TTC shuts down the subway

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Did you get caught up in the latest TTC closure in Toronto? This past weekend, the TTC shut down Line 2 between Pape and St. George stations for scheduled maintenance work. Shuttle buses chugged along Bloor Street, but the lineups to get on one swelled to epic proportions.

You can get a sense of lineup thanks to YouTuber Raghav Khanna. He captured the massive queue at Bloor and Yonge and spoke to a few of the people waiting for a bus.

Khanna showed how only a handful of people were allowed to get on one already-packed bus. He also spoke to a few people waiting and one man described the situation as "horrible" and called the TTC "crazy."

This Toronto neighbourhood has seen the biggest spike in house prices over the past 15 years

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Pretty much everyone who resides in Toronto has some sense of the manner in which the value of real estate has increased over the last couple of decades, but I wonder how many of us know just how dramatic the spike has been in some neighbourhoods. A recent report from listings website Wishpad collects 15 years of real estate data to highlight a number of trends, including the the area in which prices have appreciated the most.

Perhaps surprisingly, the winner of the price appreciation award goes to Greenwood-Coxwell, where the average price of a home has increased from $190,766 in 2001 to $813,687 in 2016, a rise that amounts to a 327 per cent spike in prices. Is it any wonder that many young people no longer think they'll be able to afford a home in this city? 

This neighbourhood, of course, is not alone in witnessing radical price increases. Woodbine-Lumsden, which is located just north of Woodbine and Main subway stations, also experienced an over 300 per cent price increase over the last decade and half, with the average house jumping from $184,377 to $764,748. 

According to Wishpad's numbers, the average home is 177% more expensive citywide since 2001. The most expensive neighbourhoods have seen more modest growth over this period, but in general the market has been akin to a runaway train. 

These are the 15 Toronto neighbourhoods that have witnesses the biggest spike in house prices over the last 15 years.

Greenwood-Coxwell
  • 2001 Average Price $190,766
  • 2016 Average Price $813,697
  • Price Appreciation: 327%
Woodbine-Lumsden
  • 2001 Average Price $184,377
  • 2016 Average Price $764,748
  • Price Appreciation: 315%

St. Andrew-Windfields
  • 2001 Average Price $569,448
  • 2016 Average Price $2,202,431
  • Price Appreciation: 287%
Wychwood
  • 2001 Average Price $287,949
  • 2016 Average Price $1,111,963
  • Price Appreciation: 286%

Banbury-Don Mills
  • 2001 Average Price $340,006
  • 2016 Average Price $1,242,747
  • Price Appreciation: 266%

Danforth Village (East Danforth)
  • 2001 Average Price $224,670
  • 2016 Average Price $817,973
  • Price Appreciation: 264%

Newtonbrook East
  • 2001 Average Price $287,075
  • 2016 Average Price $1,038,276
  • Price Appreciation: 262%

Lambton Baby Point
  • 2001 Average Price: $342,555
  • 2016 Average Price: $1,237,895
  • Price Appreciation: 261%
Broadview North
  • 2001 Average Price $235,230
  • 2016 Average Price $843,438
  • Price Appreciation: 259%
East York
  • 2001 Average Price $259,971
  • 2016 Average Price $931,879
  • Price Appreciation: 258%

Roncesvalles
  • 2001 Average Price $263,409
  • 2016 Average Price $941,398
  • Price Appreciation: 257%

Trinity-Bellwoods
  • 2001 Average Price $293,787
  • 2016 Average Price $1,044,815
  • Price Appreciation: 256%
Danforth
  • 2001 Average Price $266,202
  • 2016 Average Price $943,519
  • Price Appreciation: 254%
Lawrence Park North
  • 2001 Average Price $463,018
  • 2016 Average Price $1,619,522
  • Price Appreciation: 250%

Brookhaven-Amesbury
  • 2001 Average Price: $194,351
  • 2016 Average Price $667,438
  • Price Appreciation: 243%


Traffic fatalities are way up in Toronto this year

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It's fair to say that 2016 hasn't exactly been the greatest year around the world. And the same can be said right here in Toronto because traffic fatalies are at a 15 year high.

According to statistics released by police today, 75 have been killed on local roads this year. As CBC reports, this year has been especially treacherous for pedestrians - 41 have died in traffic-related accidents this year.

The number of fatalities hasn't been this high since 2002. Toronto Police say 97 people died that year.

Over the summer, cars hit more than 1,000 pedestrians and cyclists. And while the city launched a pedestrian safety campaign in November, many claimed it was guilty of victim-blaming, noting that both drivers and pedestrians bare responsibilty.

Toronto fans can't get seats for MLS Cup final

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It's a big year for Toronto soccer fans. For the first time ever, the TFC is vying for the MLS Cup. They'll take on Seattle in the final match right here at BMO Field.

However, some TFC season ticket holders were miffed because they went to buy tickets to the December 10 game, they couldn't buy tickets in their regular spots. 

According to CP24, MLS took some of the seats and allotted them to sponsors, media and other clubs, including (of course) Seattle. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment was aware of these issues and says it gave season ticket holders early access to get seats.

"It's certainly a challenge and one that comes with events that are run by the leagues whether it's All Star games or championship finals," said Dave Haggith, senior director of communications at MLSE in an email statement. 

"We work to ensure our season seat holders are given preferred access including an early three-day window to purchase the best seats available as well as the opportunity to purchase additional seats for the event, at the best price, before they go on sale to the general public.

"Ultimately it's a challenge that we want to face again because it means our teams are contending for championships. This process will become easier for all involved with the experience that comes with playing in championship games."

However, fan site Waking the Red claims some season ticket holders found their regular seats on ticket re-sale site going for rather exhorbitant prices.

Tickets for the general public went on sale at 1 p.m. today and naturally, many had trouble getting them, considering they apparently sold out in three minutes. Here's how some fans reacted on Twitter.

Today in Toronto: Lizzo, Magic Night, Beyography Dance Class, Pop-Up Tree Lot

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Today in Toronto it's a little quiet, unless you head to the Velvet Underground for the Lizzo show. This R&B princess released her acclaimed EP this year with hits like "Good as Hell" and "Phone." This will be a high energy dance show filled with positiviy. If you need a quieter Tuesday, there's an intimate magic show at The Lockhart.

Events you might want to check out:

Lizzo x Dizzy Fae (December 6 @ Velvet Underground)
Lizzo is one of the year's most exciting female R&B sensations with hits like "Good as Hell" and "Phone." She released her Coconut Water EP earlier this year and now she's touring her high-energy set with a stop at Toronto's Velvet Underground. If you're looking for a night to let loose, dance like it's nobody's business and watch a new school diva command a stage, be at this show.
Beyography classes (December 6-13 @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts)
Learn the choreography to Beyonce's "Single Ladies" in this free, two-hour dance class. You know the video, so learn from of the key moves to improve your dance floor vocabulary. Register in advance and head into the Sony Centre rehearsal studios for the workout of your week. Class starts at 5:30 p.m.
Pop-Up Holiday Tree Lot & Rum Bar (December 6 @ Brassaii)
Bacardi will be hosting a pop-up holiday tree lot and rum bar to get people in the spirit of the holiday season! It's a cash only tree lot, and it's $20 for large trees and $10 for small ones. There will, however, be free holiday cocktail samples.
Magic Night (December 6 @ The Lockhart)
Cocktails with a side of Magic? Magician Dan Trommater returns to the Harry Potter-themed Lockhart on Dundas West to expand your mind. Dan will go table to table with close-up magic to thrill even the deepest of nonbelievers. There's no cover to this special night of magic and drinkable potions.
Candlelight Vigil (December 6 @ Philosopher's Walk (Toronto))
December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. This day marks the anniversary the l'Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal murders in 1989. Every year, Women Won't Forget organizes a candlelight vigil at Philosophers Walk to mourn the 14 women murdered because of their gender. The gathering starts at 6 p.m.

Drake is up for a best album Grammy

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Earlier this morning, Meghan Trainor revealed the key nominees for the 59th Grammy Awards. For the second year in a row, Toronto (and the Toronto area) has some serious representation.

Drake's Views is up for Album of the Year against Beyoncé's Lemonade, Justin Bieber's Purpose, Adele's 25 and Sturgill Simpson's A Sailor's Guide to Earth. This comes just days after Views was certified quadruple platinum

Rihanna's "Work," featuring Drake (you know the one with the music video shot at The Real Jerk) is up for Record of the Year and Bieber's "Love Yourself" is up for Song of the Year.

As Billboard notes, Queen Bey leads the pack with nine nominations, but Drake is tied for second with eight, along with Rihanna and Kanye West.

Last year, The Weeknd picked up two Grammy Awards and performed during the live ceremony at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

Presto has more problems at Toronto subway stations

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Are you among the six per cent of TTC riders who use Presto to pay your subway fare? If so, you might have had a little trouble adding money to your card using the self-reload machines.

The Toronto Star reports that Metrolinx is investigating the self-reload machines at TTC subway stations because they haven't been meeting the transit organization's performance or reliability targets. 

Metrolinx isn't sure why the machines aren't working properly, but the problems started emerging within the past two to three weeks. As the Star notes, one person couldn't find a single working machine at Union Station last week.

Presto still has lots of kinks to iron out before it replaces most other payment methods on the TTC some time next year

Confusion after plane spotted flying Sorry Toronto banner

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If you looked up this week you may have noticed a giant red Sorry Toronto banner flying around the sky. And many Torontonians have been left scratching their heads to exactly what it means.

Turns out it's a cheeky little tourism campaign to celebrate Montreal's 375th anniversary. They've hired planes to fly Sorry banners in Toronto and New York to apologize for all the noise that will be coming from the celebrations in Montreal next year.

It's also meant to serve as invite for us to come join the party.

Effective or not, the banner caused many Torontonians to take to social media to guess at the meaning behind it all. Here's a snapshot of what's been said.

Union Station Holiday Market is now open

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The twelve days of Christmas take on a whole new meaning inside Toronto’s busiest hub at the Union Station Holiday Market. From the 5th to the 16th, the Oak Room that’s usually home to little more than apologetic TD Bank construction signs and an info booth explodes with life as small Canadian vendors take over to sell their wares.

The market is meant to be a one-stop shop for those who don’t have a spare second during this stressful season to even navigate away from their route home to get gifts. Not only is it convenient, but the market showcases vendors who emphasize local, sustainable, quality products, so your shopping trip can be not only stress-free but guilt-free too.

Union Station Holiday MarketOne of the brands that embodies this most is Encircled, a women’s lifestyle and clothing line that uses sustainable materials to create their garments like modal which is made from the beech tree and doesn’t even require the plant be cut down, and fabrics made from eucalyptus and bamboo. Sexy yet practical items can be worn many ways.

Union Station Holiday MarketFor the suave suit-wearer in your life that likes a little play in their work wardrobe, there are these cool cufflinks from Kinzoku that come in designs such as hockey rinks or the CN tower. Kinzoku also does custom work. Cufflinks go for $65, but for a more reasonable $20 you can get an independently designed tie clip, or a money clip for $24. Still baller.

Union Station Holiday MarketFor someone who’s even more casual about their cool sense of style, there’s laid back brand G Fox and Co, which makes these awesome watches with unusual wooden faces (around $130). They also sell dope flat brim caps in wicked Hawaiian prints.

Union Station Holiday MarketLaborde is the last name of the Toronto woman who designs her own jewellery collections, earrings seen here running about $50. All her gold items are made using vintage brass and her silver items, sterling silver.

Union Station Holiday MarketWhether your giftee likes shiny things or not, anyone is bound to love seeing this in their stocking: butter. Lee’s Provisions sells little jars of Lee’s Ghee (ghee is a type of liquid-y Indian butter) at the market this year, in za’atar, turmeric, and maple flavours (about $20 for 200 g). Butter is actually revered in ancient traditions as beneficial, and Lee’s is all local and organic.

Union Station Holiday MarketTwig Floral is selling tiny plants appropriate for desk companionship if your giftee spends long hours in an office away from the joys of nature. Little pals like this ring in around an affordable $20 range.

Union Station Holiday MarketMoroco Chocolat, which has a store on Dupont, is selling cute little holiday treats like these little cabin-shaped “smores” that would make great stocking stuffers, as well as fun outside-the-box treats like bacon candy bars ($8.95).

Union Station Holiday MarketMenos puts together fun gifts of a more savoury nature with their signature olive oils as the star. A small basket of floral olive oil, deliciously wakeful Ecuadorian tea, and chocolate goes for $25.

Union Station Holiday MarketThese “ear jackets” by Foxy Originals go for $20 for a cheap way to show a fashionista you care and aren’t just going to get them some regular sparkly earrings from just anywhere: these hook around the ear to create a cool “jacket”-like optical illusion.

Union Station Holiday MarketPapabubble creates candy in eye-popping flavours that are just as vibrant as the cute colourful decorations and images on them. The fruit flavours are bursting with intensity, and there are holiday-themed packages with snowmen designs and marshmallows in red and green apple flavours. Small bags or ornaments filled with candy go for $6.

Union Station Holiday MarketVisit Bathorium and Honest Leaf for remedies for those you know are pushing themselves far too hard in this season that’s supposed to be for rest and reflection, or to grab yourself a reward for all that shopping! Bathorium has this rosemary citrus emulsion as well as eucalyptus and charcoal soaks, $8.95 for one creamy foaming bath’s worth.

Union Station Holiday MarketHonest Leaf teas are respected and sold by a ton of Toronto cafes and restaurants, and they’re bringing the straight goods to the Union Station Holiday Market with their lines of teas, gift packages, and even candles. A gift set of 4 teas is $30.


The top 5 new subscription boxes in Toronto

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Subscription boxes in Toronto are gifts that keep on giving. From on-trend men's accessories and streetwear to gourmet treats and sustainable beauty products, these services will surprise you with a new box of goodies each and every month.

Here are my picks for the top new subscription boxes available in Toronto.

The Kit Grid

If you love streetwear, you'll probably want to look into The Kit Grid. Each month, this service delivers a box filled with apparel from brands like Adidas, Mitchell & Ness and Vitaly. Basic packages start at $74.99.

Estblsh

Who needs vowels when you're decked out in suave accessories? Each Estblish subscription box costs $19.99 and features men's accessories, such as pocket squares and patterned socks.

The Taste Box

The Taste Box will bring food right to your doorstep. Each box comes comes filled with chef-inspired ingredients and previous products have included truffle oil, fancy honey and tea.

Esthoria Box

Each month, the Esthoria Box will bring green beauty products to your door. The January box, for instance, includes skincare elixirs from Okoko Cosmetiques.

Tokyo Treat

Sure, Tokyo Treat might be based in Japan, but this service will bring you delicious Japanese sweets for $14.99 USD per month. Best of all, shipping to Toronto (and around the world) is free!

House of the week: 182 Wanless Avenue

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182 Wanless Avenue is a slick modern home set against a neighbourhood filled predominantly with early 20th century brick houses. It sticks out on the street, but in a good way given its architectural details and generally solid design. Wanless Park is filled with pricey homes, but this one comes in a bit above average at $2,870,000 mostly on account of the new build. 

182 Wanless Avenue

This is an example of a home that touts its contemporary design but never feels particularly minimal. Even with only modest staging, it's easy to discern how livable the space is. The family room arises out of the kitchen, which suggests that the area at the back of the first floor is meant to be the hub of daily activity, while the front rooms are reserved for entertaining.

182 Wanless Avenue

As you might expect from a recent build, there's smart home automation as well as a mobile monitoring system, technological perks that might prove valuable to parents with young kids. Better than that, the house has been intelligently designed, with features like a finished lower level that gets lots of light thanks to a walk-out exit to the backyard firepit and hot tub. Moreover, every bedroom has direct access to a bathroom, a little design touch that increases livability.

182 Wanless Avenue
SPECS

  • Address: 182 Wanless Avenue
  • Price: $2,870,000
  • Bedrooms: 4 + 1
  • Bathrooms: 5
  • Parking: 2
  • Walk Score: 45
  • Listing Agent: Araz Piroozfard
  • Listing ID: C3643998

182 Wanless Avenue
NOTABLE FEATURES
  • Floor to ceiling tilt and turn aluminum windows
  • Miele appliances
  • Smart home automation
  • Control 4 lighting
  • Mobile surveillance system
  • Firepit
  • Hot tub
182 Wanless Avenue
GOOD FOR

A wealthy design-oriented family who wants to live in Toronto but isn't enamoured with downtown. Wanless Park is close enough to retail and restaurants on Yonge St. but feels nicely secluded. 

182 Wanless Avenue
MOVE ON IF

You desire a more walkable neighbourhood. This isn't the type of neighbourhood where you can stroll to get your groceries, nor are the transit options that great (the 52 Lawrence bus isn't frequent). 

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

182 Wanless Avenue182 Wanless Avenue182 Wanless Avenue182 Wanless Avenue182 Wanless Avenue182 Wanless Avenue182 Wanless Avenue

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd, Brokerage for sponsoring our House of the Week. All content and editorial selected and written by blogTO.

This is what Toronto's massive new food hall will look like

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Details continue to emerge about one of Toronto's most intriguing new developments in the former Waterworks building at Richmond and Augusta. Designs are being finalized for a major repurposing of the Art Deco building, which will include a midsized condo but also a YMCA, and a sprawling new food hall. 

waterworks development torontoIt's too early to have information about vendors, but we now have a first look at the concept drawings for the space, which will be located on the ground floor of the existing historical building alongside other retail. There's significant square footage to play with here (check out the current view here), so there's every reason to expect that the hall will represent a major upgrade for food offerings in the area, which is easily accessible from both King and Queen West.

waterworks development toronto

The entire development has just been assessed by the city's Design Review Panel, which reacted positively to most elements of the proposal. In other words, it's unlikely that there will be major changes to this one going forward, particularly as pertains to the use of the ground floor, which is one of the best features of the project. 

The developers (MOD Developments and Woodcliffe Properties) were committed to the idea of creating a community hub in addition to the residential component, and there's every indication that the new Waterworks will be just that when it finally opens in a few years time. 

Toronto might get its first big snowfall of the year this weekend

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After weeks of warm weather, it finally looks like Toronto's going to get hit with a substantial snowfall. So if you're out galavanting this weekend, be prepared and throw on some boots and a warm coat.

According to Environment Canada, there's a 70 per cent chance of snow on Sunday, and the Weather Network reports that we could see approximately 10 centimetres of accumulation. There's also flurries in the forecast on Thursday and Friday.

Sure, it may take some time adjusting to this incoming season, but all the snow should make your trip to one of our city's many Christmas markets feel even more festive. Let's just hope everything clears up by the Monday morning commute.

Someone is putting up poop flags in Toronto

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If you're a dog owner, you probably go through hundreds of poop bags a year. Even though there are biodegradable options, the use of dollar store or plastic bags to pick up after your pooch is horrible for the environment. 

Someone is taking a bold step in getting rid of this waste, and they're doing it through poop danger flags. You may have seen them on some downtown streets already, but don't be mistaken, they aren't meant to shame lazy dog owners. They're meant to warn people about poop purposefully left on the ground. 

They've even gone as far as creating a web site where you can purchase the flags so you can put them up yourself.

The website instructs folks to "simply place a Jobby Flag beside your cainine's deposit, and once the droppings decompose, pick up the flag and reuse as needed!

Ironically the same site created a sign reminding all Mounted Police to "stoop and scoop" after their horses on the streets, and to keep the streets clean and smell free.

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