Toronto looks delightfully eerie when covered in fog, especially in the early morning. Much of today's mist seemed to have dissipated by late morning, but there's still a fog advisory in effect for the city, according to Environment Canada.

While it might look pretty dreary out right now, at least it's warm. And even though the mercury probably won't hit 17 C today, as previously forecasted, it's supposed to be 16 C and sunny tomorrow, so get excited for that.

Until then, wallow in our gloomy-looking city with these photos captured this morning.

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The best souvlaki and gyros in Toronto do the Greek staple right with juicy grilled or skewered meats, loads of toppings and fresh pita.

Here are the best souvlaki and gyros in Toronto.

Toronto has already lost its fair share of music venues this year, leaving us with a void of performance spaces. 

That's why we're allowed to get really excited when a new venue opens up. The Boxing Loft might not be huge or outfitted with state of the art anything, but it is unique. This is a hybrid boxing club and concert venue. 

Located in Parkdale at Queen Street West and Elm Grove, The Boxing Loft was once located in the basement of the Loft404 building.

Through a lucky string of connections (the landlord also owns Made You Look), owner Emile Reed landed this space and after opening in January 2017, he quickly realized its potential.

"It's a combination of entertainment and fitness," says Reed.  "It's a unique concept space that I've had in my mind for many years, and now I can do exactly what I've always wanted to do."

The venue, with 15 foot ceilings, will host a series called Ringside Blues to begin with. Most of the concerts here will be blues focused, though, there are also parties on Saturday nights and acoustic music afternoons on Sundays.

To transform the space, Reed and his team take down the punching bags and put up sound blankets for insulation. Mounted wall tables come down as bar tables, chairs are brought in and they create a stage, while DJ Gene King makes sure everything sounds good. 

Boxing happens from Monday to Friday during the day. 

"It's all about the venue, and it's difficult to explain," says Reed. "It's always going to be intimate, but it'll feel like being in your own private concert ... just inside a boxing gym."

Discontent over the unreliability of PRESTO technology on the TTC is increasing in Toronto political circles as persistent issues with malfunctioning card readers continue to plague the rollout.

According to the Toronto Sun, Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong declared the smart card system a "lemon" at yesterday's TTC board meeting, bemoaning the fact that the city is stuck with what he characterizes as a "system that doesn't work."

The conversation took place around a motion to develop a formula for calculating how much revenue the TTC is losing to broken PRESTO readers put forward by Councillor Joe Mihevc. 

At the meeting, TTC Deputy CEO Chris Upfold noted that eight to 10 per cent of single PRESTO card readers are still malfunctioning at any given time on TTC vehicles, but new failures are down to one per cent. 

There's a significant backlog in trying to update the broken readers, which keeps the overall rate of failure high, even though new problems have been reduced.

For its part, Metrolinx has noted that its goal is to achieve 99 per cent reliability across the system.

The TTC voted in favour of determining exactly how much it's owed for the broken readers, though no one is expecting a huge chunk of cash to come in. Only 10 per cent of TTC rides are taken using a PRESTO card at present.

These days, it seems like there's a Freshii on every block as the Toronto-based fast food chain continues to expand across the city and beyond.

As the Canadian Press reports, Freshii's aggressively opening more and more outlets around the world - it plans to hit 840 locations by 2019. Today, it announced it'd be bringing its menu of salads and bowls to the UK. 

In September, Freshii had 240 restaurants worldwide, including both North and South America, the Middle East as well as in European cities such as Dublin, Vienna and Stockholm.

For its first foray into the UK., Freshii's partnering with a Domino's Pizza and Starbucks franchises.

Can Freshii compete with the likes of Pret? We'll just have to wait and see. 

There are plenty of barriers for those seeking mental health services in Toronto. That's why one company developed a platform enabling anyone to get help at home.

Inkblot connects Canadians (ages 18 and above) with counsellors (including social workers and psychologists) who provide psychotherapy - or talk therapy - via video chat. 

Dr. Arash Zohoor, a doctor in the Hamilton area who also practices psychotherapy, founded the company along with a developer. He was frustrated after realizing he didn't have enough time to see all his patients in office.

Julie Sabine, VP of marketing and sales, says Inkblot works with 50 counsellors and users can simply sign up, fill out a short survey and book an appointment with one they feel comfortable with.

“We’re trying to make it as transparent as possible because right now the mental health world is the opposite of transparent,” she says.

Since psychotherapy isn't covered by OHIP, each Inkblot session costs $75. However, Sabine says she and her team are working to offer more affordable (and even free) sessions.

A team of six, half of whom are based in Toronto, run the organization, which had its soft launch in December.

This online service joins numerous other initiatives aiming to make it easier for Torontonians access healthcare-related services, including telemedicine companies such as Maple and Akira.

And Inkblot isn't the first such mental health service to arrive in Toronto. TranQool is another organization that offers video-based counselling as well as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). 

It entered the market two years ago and is a finalist for a Canadian Startup Award.

Torontonians tend to love their neighbourhoods and show their passion for them in different ways. Some organize giant yard sales, some have street festivals to attract outsiders, and then there's Parkdale.

A Parkdale couple love their neck of the city so much they created their very own t-shirts, hats and hoodies that simply read Park Fuckin Dale. They live, work, play, and breath Parkdale life, so it only made sense to rep the neighbourhood hard.

Creator Caleb O'Donovan started making Parkdale-themed shirts for himself in 2015.

That's also around the time he opened Mankind. His clients loved them and folks in the neighbourhood kept asking where to find them, so he printed some extra ones to sell in his barbershop.

His wife Angie Seitz soon jumped on board to help with demand and opened an online shop and the rest is Parkdale history. 

Grey tees are $25, hats are $30 and black hoodies are $45. They'll be adding a women's line and more items to the men's line in the next few weeks as well as tank tops in time for summer. 

The Port Lands has long been seen as one of the last great opportunities for redevelopment on a massive scale in Toronto. Given the size of the area and the complexity of building on former industrial lands, however, the process of has been a slow one. 

One of the major road blocks to redevelopment here is the need to establish flood protection for a sizeable area south of the Keating Channel. The solution is planned as a dazzling but very expensive re-naturalization of the Don River mouth that will take many years to realize.

In the meantime, there's still lots of activity taking place in and around what's being called the Villiers Island Precinct. Some of the proposed developments will face numerous roadblocks related to the flood protection plans, but others are already advancing more quickly than you might think.

The most substantial of these is the 3C project, which will rise to the west of Cherry St. along Queens Quay. A proposal for a major redevelopment here have been on file since 2013, but as Urban Toronto reports, planning for the site has recently been refined.  

Plans for the sprawling site envision three tall towers alongside a host of mid-rise buildings. Collectively, the development will be home to residential, retail, and office space, as well as a new public plaza to be designed by Claude Cormier and Associates.

The development would also witness a major revamp to the street grid leading into the Port Lands, with extensions to Queens Quay and Cherry St. along with new roads to frame the project. This would go a long way towards linking the burgeoning Bayside community with the Port Lands.

It would also position Cherry St. as major thoroughfare linking various tall building projects. Immediately to the southeast, across the Keating Channel, Castlepoint Numa has another significant project in the works, this time on its own. 

The developer is looking to build a series of condos (the tallest of which would be 52 storeys) along Cherry St. in between Villiers and Commissioners streets.

This one is already caught in planning limbo based on its proximity to the flood protection area, but it signals a possible future for the area as a densely populated hub served by a suddenly very important Cherry St.

Pressure is growing to accelerate the redevelopment of the Port Lands, even as much is left to be done to prepare the area for the type of density it might have in store. 

There's been a sense that at some point a switch will be flipped and construction will begin en masse, but these active proposals tell us that the process will be more gradual, even as it has already begun. 

Today in Toronto there are some fun things going on, but the marquee event is certainly the launch of the giant Honest Ed's goodbye party. There are so many pieces to this puzzle with really fun and interactive ways to say farewell, one last time.

TIFF is scaling back for 2017. The move to downsize doesn't, however, come from dwindling popularity, but rather a desire for a tighter programming focus.

On a broad level, what this will look like is about 20 per cent fewer films, the loss of two screening venues and two curated programs. "We are trying to fine-tune the balance," TIFF's artistic director Cameron Bailey told the Globe. 

The impetus for this reduction in programming comes from industry criticism that the festival had become too big for its own good. Calls for a more stringent curation process seem to have been heard, though it's worth noting that festival-goers who enjoy more esoteric screenings might not welcome these changes.

As far as specifics go, TIFF won't screen films at the Isabel Bader theatre or the Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema for 2017. That'll eliminate over 1,000 seats and concentrate the festival downtown. Vanguard and City to City are the two special programs on the chopping block.

Whether these changes will stick beyond this year remains to be seen, but pleasing industry members has to be a priority for TIFF, as does keeping its reputation for excellent curation.

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

Open now

• Vietnamese-inspired Pinky's Ca Phe, from the team behind Hanmoto and Oddseoul, is now serving up nighttime food and drinks at 53 Clinton St. in Little Italy.
• Reverie at Weldon Park, the revamped version of Weldon Park, has also officially opened in Little Italy at 569 College St. and is offering dinner service and cocktails five nights a week.
• Stadt Cafe has opened at 3011 Dundas St. W. in the Junction, with a focus on local, sustainably sourced, non-GMO and hormone-free ingredients and a menu that is gluten-free and and vegan-friendly.

Recently reviewed

• OMG Baked Goodness
• Maison Fou
• Rosedale's Finest
• Bob Coffee Bar
• Bus Terminal Diner
• Le Notre Bistro

Opening soon

• Chimac, a pub that will also serve dishes like Korean fried chicken, looks to be opening in the former Thai One On space at 500 Queen St. W. this March.
• NishDish, a First Nations owned and operated catering business specializing in Anishnawbe ("Nish") food, is opening its first storefront "marketeria" in Tacos El Asador's old space at 690 Bloor St. W. in Koreatown very soon.

Closed

• After a few short months, British brunch spot Janie Jones has already gone out of business at Gerrard St. E. & Jones.
• Fans of pho and banh mi burgers, it's time to mourn. Dac Biet Burger on Church St. just south of Dundas St. E. is no more. Here's hoping it will pop up again somehow, somewhere, someday soon...
• Yakitori Kintori above Kinton Ramen in Koreatown has closed.
• West Queen West's Sammich didn't last long – it's already all papered up.

Other news

• Chef Rodney Bowers's Hey Meatball space is currently undergoing renovations in Leslieville.

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

After coming short of breaking a February temperature record yesterday, there's now a good chance that today might hold that distinction. Forecasters are calling for a high of 16 C today, which would beat the previous high of 15.5 C set just last year. 

As of 9 a.m. this morning, the temperature had already reached 14 C under cloudy skies. Later today, the sun is supposed to come out, bringing with it even warmer weather.

Alas, there's also the possibility of scattered showers, but that's hardly enough to rain on this parade of spring-like weather. Last year at this time, the high was 2 C and a snow storm was on the way. 

While it's noteworthy that the record being challenged today was set just last year, it's hard not to revel in this temporary reprieve from winter, as temperatures are supposed to return to seasonal by the end of the weekend.

The best way to combat winter is to look far ahead and dream of summer days and escaping to the Toronto Islands.

One music festival is making that day dreaming a little easier after announcing its summer schedule.

Electric Island will be returning to Hanlan's Point on long weekends this spring and summer and is expanding with the addition of a second stage, which means even more music than before. 

It kicks off on Monday, May 22 (Victoria Day) and continues on July 1, August 7 and then culminates with a two-day special event on September 3 and 4.

The lineup hasn't been announced yet, but last year's roster included a great mix of locals like Jamie Kidd and Dirty Dale as well as international artists such as Jamie Jones, Dixon and Nicole Moudaber.

Season passes are already on sale and they start at $192.09

You'll no longer have to use up your data if you're Snapchatting or Instagraming along West Queen West. That's because the neighbourhood now has free Wi-Fi.

Yesterday, the West Queen West BIA (or Business Improvement Area) announced it was teaming up with a company called Besify to provide Wi-Fi along Queen Street West between Niagara and Markham streets.

West Queen West Launches " #FREE#WQW#WiFi " with @BesifyInc from Niagara St to Markham St tomorrow, Feb 23rd! https://t.co/W5xEP02Cn4pic.twitter.com/nPUVNsIOZI

— WQW (@WestQueenWest) February 22, 2017

The nearby Queen Street West BIA will also offer free Wi-Fi soon at two new parkettes slated to open this fall.  

Cars aren't supposed to drive through the streetcar tunnel at Union Station, but for the second time in less than a year, a car found itself stuck in the tracks beneath Toronto's busiest transit hub.

TTC spokesperson Brad Ross chronicled the entire incident on Twitter, revealing that a streetcar noticed the vehicle at 3:53 a.m.

This will take some time to clear. Far more than it took the driver to get to this point, unfortunately. They fled, for the record. pic.twitter.com/hln4S4aSHw

— Brad Ross (@bradTTC) February 23, 2017

Initially, the driver fled on foot, but he eventually returned and was charged by transit enforcement officers. As Ross writes, the driver claimed he was just following his GPS.

The TTC extracted the vehicle later this morning, but not before it caused delays along the 509 and 510 streetcar routes.

This month's TTC subway closure goes down this weekend, and it's a significant one.

Line 1 will be closed between St. George and Downsview stations on February 25 and 26 as the TTC works away at upgrading its signal system.

It'll be the second closure of the year during which the TTC will try out a new strategy for replacement service. Shuttle buses will only cover the the northern portion of the route.

In between St. George and Lawrence West, the TTC will increase service on east/west routes connecting with the Yonge portion of Line 1, which should make for a faster trip than riding a replacement bus that has to contend with traffic and construction along the route.

There are a slew of other subway closures coming up this year, with the next one scheduled for March 4 and 5. It'll be a complete shutdown of Line 4, followed by March 18 and 19 with a closure of Line 2 between Kennedy and Warden stations.

Check here for a full list of closures.

A Toronto clothing company that sprung up seemingly overnight has ignited controversy about whether or not it's exploiting those who experience homelessness for profit.

A post shared by HOME LESS TORONTO (@homelessto) on Jan 30, 2017 at 10:47am PST

The newly launched Homeless Toronto sells apparel and accessories ranging from $20 to $120. However, some of these items come emblazoned with slogans such as, "change please," "home less, explore more," and simply, "homeless."

this is a clothing brand in toronto that charges $50 for a shirt that says HOMELESS and a cup/mug with CHANGE PLEASE on it for $20.......why pic.twitter.com/4KEtonbOWq

— ዳና (@nondanajpg) February 22, 2017

While the Homeless Toronto founders say they're donating 40 per cent of their profits to non-profit organizations that work with marginalized people - such as Eva's Place - critics say that's not enough.

TODAY in "I fucking hate everyone" - new brand in Toronto exploits & profits from homeless - https://t.co/IOB2eD8B7Shttps://t.co/isV6rlnRqc

— Vanessa Marie Rose (@pizzathepuzzle) February 22, 2017

As of yesterday, according to a Vice report, Eva's Place was unaware of Homeless Toronto and has not partnered with the local brand in any way.

Others say the clothing company is glamorizing the idea of homelessness.

Novel idea: creating a brand that gives back to Toronto's homeless *without exploiting them as caricatures*

— Josh Kolm (@JoshKolm) February 22, 2017

Homeless Toronto, which says its brand stands for "positivity" and "change," responded to this controversy on Instagram.

A post shared by HOME LESS TORONTO (@homelessto) on Feb 9, 2017 at 10:24am PST

"It was not our intent to offend or feel as though we were exploiting homelessness," reads part of the statement. 

A post shared by HOME LESS TORONTO (@homelessto) on Feb 20, 2017 at 6:34pm PST

"Our brand is about giving back, being the grunge we are and wearing the style that we feel most comfortable. If you don’t like what are doing feel free to hate but go donate to one of the many amazing homeless initiatives."

In the battle to distinguish one condo project from another in Toronto, a new development is leaning on urban agriculture to set itself apart.

The Plant is a mixed use development by Windmill and Curated properties at the foot of Dovercourt Road, on the former Dufflet Pastries site.  When built, it'll feature retail, office space and condo units outfitted with micro gardens and access to an internal greenhouse.

“It might seem extreme, but we orientated this entire project around our connection to food," explains Curated Properties partner Gary Eisen. “The Plant is a community that fits with the foodie culture that has come to define Queen West.”

While the expression foodie remains as annoying as ever, the features and design here are noteworthy. In addition to the on-site gardening options, suites have been designed with a shallow footprint to allow for maximum sun exposure.

Oversize balconies are meant to encourage herb gardens and the use of barbecues. As far as social spaces go, there will be an industrial-style kitchen for residents to host events focused on cooking and food prep. 

Beyond the residential component, right now the plan is "to recruit like-minded businesses and office tenants that will amplify the Plant’s dedication to sustainability and reinforce a project-wide lifestyle."

Honest Ed's might've been a discount department store, but the multi-storey labyrinth, filled with hand-painted signs, puns galore and great deals, captured the city's imagination thanks to its fun house-like presence at Bathurst and Bloor.

Of course, Honest Ed's was also a refuge for those seeking an affordable place to shop. That's why the group organizing Honest Ed's four-day farewell party calls itself Toronto For Everyone.

Toronto For Everyone transformed the now-shuttered storefront into an immersive art maze and will host an Honest Farewell Party from February 23 until February 26, so go get lost in Honest Ed's one last time - I certainly did.

Here's what Honest Ed's looks like right now. 

It might be February, but with record highs like these, it's time to take advantage of any open patio we can. Today is officially warm enough to sit outdoors, and these brave bars and restaurants are ready to help with the cause.

Here are patios you can drink on right now in Toronto.

Against the Grain

This lakeside patio with a killer view of the water has partially opened their patio today. Expect table seating where you can sample beer flights and pig out on pub-style fare.

Amsterdam Brewhouse

The Harbourfront beer spot doesn't have their full patio ready, but they do have some tables and chairs out so you can sit by the water with your favourite brew and enjoy the sun while we have it.

Bellwoods Brewery

Sure they might be open most of the year under heat lamps, but this Lower Ossington patio is actually worthy of an un-altered outside sit down.

Black Bull

The Queen West staple is that spot you walk by and instantly want to take a seat. It's prime for people watching and there are a seemingly endless amount of seats and tables ready for your mid-winter tanning.

Cactus Club

The West Coast chain on Adelaide is patio ready a lot of time with an outdoor heating system, but on a sunny day it's also one of the best spots in the Financial District to sit in a suit for a post-work drink.

Dundas & Carlaw

Drinks at this Leslieville cafe and bar are best enjoyed on their corner patio. If you're looking for a laid back spot where you can enjoy a beer or latte while soaking up the sun, this is it.

The Drake 

Not only is this West Queen West hotel home to one of the best rooftop patios in the city but thanks to the sun, they've also opened their cafe's sidewalk patio on Beaconsfield.

Mildred's Temple Kitchen

This Liberty Village restaurant is taking things outside today offering buck-a-shuck oysters from 5-7 p.m.

Loveless Cafe

This cafe and bar on Dundas West has a few tables out today. Get on your sunglasses and head to this corner spot for a coffee or a brew.

Queen St. Warehouse

This narrow patio that runs along the side of the building is ready, dry and open for your budget-friendly, after-work pint meeting. The food menu (everything is $4.95) won't let you down either. 

Stratengers

They may not be the classiest joint in the city, but its patio is a local favourite for pints and wood-oven pizza.

Williams Landing

This Liberty Village rooftop terrace lets you look out over the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood while you enjoy your Caesars in the sun.