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The Best Croissant in Toronto

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The best croissant in Toronto changes good mornings into great ones every day. Buttery, flaky, airy, made up of a seemingly infinite number of micro-thin layers, these breakfast pastries are the perfect rich accompaniment to a cup of bitter black coffee, and luckily can be found on one’s way to work (or back to bed) all over the city.

Here is where to find the best croissant in Toronto.

6 - Le Gourmand

At bustling Spadina and Queen, this bakery and cafe has long been a haven for downtown workers seeking house baked croissants for $2.15, which make they use for their amazing ham and brie or bacon, egg and cheddar breakfast sandwiches ($7.25).
8 - Cherry Bomb

A humble cafe in Roncesvalles Village, this coffee roastery has serious baking game and the prices to beat with plain croissants going for just $1.75. Chocolate almond are $2.75 and cheddar jalapeno are $3, though flavours can rotate.
5 - Pain Perdu

A petite bakery on St. Clair West distinguishable by its homey wooden facade is where you can find plain butter croissants for $2.50, chocolatines for $2.90 and almond or almond and chocolate croissants for $3.30.
10 - The Tempered Room

There are butter ($2.50), almond or chocolate almond croissants ($3.50) and chocolatines ($2.50) available at this classic cozy Parkdale patisserie that also does wholesale and catering.
9 - Mabel's Bakery (Queen St.)

With locations on Roncesvalles, Queen and St. Clair West , there are many places you can get your hands on the chocolate ($2.89) or butter croissants ($2.40) in the city.
2 - Bonjour Brioche

Simple croissants with the typical variations of sweet chocolate or almond are available at this cash-only French bakery on Queen East for just $1.90.
4 - Patisserie 27

This bakery and viennoiserie on Jane makes plain croissants for $2.25, as well as pain au chocolat for $2.50, chocolate banana croissants and almond croissants for $2.75, and chocolate almond and even beer and cheddar croissants for $3.
7 - Ma Maison

Regular ($2.15) and almond croissants as well as pain au chocolat (both $2.70) and even rum chocolate almond croissants are available individually, by the dozen, or, uniquely, frozen at this French shop in Etobicoke.
3 - Rahier

This artisanal European bakery handcrafts the simplest and most amazing chocolate ($2.75), almond ($3), ham and cheese ($3.50) and plain ($2.50) croissants in Leaside.

The Toronto Zoo's new penguin chicks will melt your heart

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The Toronto Zoo keeps upping its aww factor. Within the past few years, it has introduced a number of new baby animals - including its famous panda cubs - and today its four new African penguin chicks made their social media debut.

According to a post on the Toronto Zoo Facebook page, the chicks hatched on February 12, 15, 27 and March 4, respectively. Three of them are females and the fourth is a male. They haven't been named yet.

The zoo says that of the 18 penguin species, African penguins are among the most endangered in the world.

Starting on April 14, you'll be able to see the penguins in the indoor viewing area from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily.

Commuter chaos follows stink bomb on the TTC

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The afternoon commute was nightmare on the subway today after the TTC shut down a section of Line 1 following reports of a noxious smell at Museum Station. Service was suspended between Union and St. George stations while emergency services tried to determine the source.

Unless you're 10 years old, you won't find the results of their investigation particularly funny. Apparently someone threw a stink bomb onto a train headed towards Museum, where it was eventually kicked off— but not before the damage was done.

While the smell was ultimately deemed harmless, evacuation signs spotted at the station were quite off-putting, which isn't to mention the smell itself. 

Here's how commuters reacted to the incident.

South Core continues its remarkable rise in Toronto

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South Core keeps on rising. Once a sea of parking lots and highway ramps, the area south of Front Street in Toronto has become a highly populated vertical city in the span of about a decade. 

There's a multi-storey parking garage at Queens Quay and York Street that used to provide an immaculate view of the Royal York Hotel and the skyline. Venture up there today, and you'll be confronted with a wall of condos that tower over you.

south core toronto

What South Core looked like in 2009. Photo by Derek Flack.

South Core was already exerting tremendous influence on Toronto at the turn of this decade with the rise of Telus House and the PwC Building along with a host of new towers outside of the traditional Financial District (RBC Dexia and the Ritz Carlton, for instance).

These office towers, and the ones that followed, redrew the city's lines, expanding the concept of the downtown core. As the condos started to rise, a new neighbourhood was born and amenities like restaurants, grocery stores and other retail soon followed. 

This combination of condos and office towers is one of the main reasons why South Core has witnessed such an amazing amount of development. While the King and Bay-centred Financial District is dominated by office space, here people can live beside where they work.

ice condos toronto

ICE Condos. Photo by Tom Ryaboi.

This formula continues to inform the future of South Core. Following the completion of ICE Condos in 2015, the next phase of development will see more AAA office space and towering condos.

This is a big year for the area as multiple projects near completion. Harbour Plaza, for instance, has already made its mark on the skyline with its dual towers and undulating balconies, though occupancy isn't expected until the summer.

harbour plaza toronto

Harbour Plaza rising above the Gardiner Expressway. Photo by Marcus Mitanis.

Some 1,200 condo units will be added here, but these only represent two thirds of the development from Menkes and HOOP. The already completed Sun Life Financial Tower is another huge component that drives activity to the bottom of York Street. 

And it's only getting busier down here.

10 york street toronto

Early stages of construction on 10 York St. The building will top out later this year. Photo by twurdemann.

Tridel's 10 York St., with its wedge-shaped podium and tower that rises above the Gardiner Expressway, will top out later this year, eventually adding over 700 condo units and another notch in South Core's portfolio of buildings that have reshaped the skyline.

16 york street

16 York St. Rendering via Cadillac Fairview.

Following the existing trend that for every condo in South Core, you also get an office complex, Cadillac Fairview will soon break ground on 16 York St., a 32 storey tower designed by architectsAlliance and B+H Architects.

The PATH already connects these buildings to Union Station, but what's interesting is how the future roadmap for South Core looks like it'll be even more integrated with the area right around Union Station.

30 bay street toronto

Rendering of 30 Bay St. rising above the Air Canada Centre. 

A 45 storey office tower from Oxford and Ports Toronto is in the works at 30 Bay St., right beside the Air Canada Centre. It will eventually brush up against the massive Bay Park Centre, which plans to transverse the railway tracks with a vertical park. 

bay park centre toronto

Bay Park Centre might help to connect South Core with the area north of Union Station.

South Core's name and existing identity stem from its separation from the area north of Union Station, but as each empty plot of land is developed and connected, the lines are sure to blur over the next decade. 

It's strange to think that much of the land on which one of the most densely populated and active areas of the city is being built didn't even exist a century ago. Soon it might be the heart of the city.

The top 10 Mexican brunch in Toronto

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Mexican brunch in Toronto will get you fed with breakfast tacos, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles and other specialties that make the perfect start to a weekend day.

Here are my picks for the top Mexican brunch in Toronto.

El Catrin

The food at this Distillery District establishment is a mix of traditional and modern Mexican cuisine. Brunch here is served on weekends and holidays until 3 p.m. with most offerings coming in around $13- $17.

El Local Loco

The King East restaurant serves huevos rancheros and Mexican-inspired bennies. Wash 'em down with a margarita.

El Pocho

This antojitos bar in the Annex serves brunch on weekends that'll  suit most budgets. Feed your hangover with plates of egg-topped breakfast fries and breakfast tacos for under $15.

El Trompo

The Kensington Market mainstay keeps things basic with huevos a la Mexicana, huevos con chorizo, huevos rancheros and a few of the regular items like the always tasty tacos al pastor.

Fonda Lola

This West Queen West restaurant will feed you with kombucha margaritas, huevos rancheros and chilaquiles.

Frida

The brunch menu at this Eglinton West destination features a Frida y Diego omelet as well as tacos, huevos rancheros and ahogados.

Macho Radio Bar

The brunch offerings at this Tex-Mex bar in CityPlace include Mexican inspired eggs bennies, burritos and breakfast flat breads. Don't miss out on their mimosas.

Milagro

Botanas, tortas, tacos and burritos, churros, huevos, brunch enchiladas, and a long list of drinks fill the menu of this Mexican restaurant with locations on Queen and Mercer Street.

Tenoch

The St. Clair West joint boasts a brunch menu of traditional Mexican fare including huevos rancheros, huevos a la mexicana and chilaquiles.

Xola

A must-try item at this Beaches restaurant is  the Burrito Xola, made with homemade refried beans, rice, slow braised beef, lettuce and sour cream. If that doesn't float your boat, there are several egg-related dishes to fill you up.

The top 7 ravines in Toronto

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Toronto is blessed with a ravine system that is (or should be) the envy of most major North American cities. It is impossible to imagine this city without its ravines, which have offered an escape from the urban landscape from the beginning of settlement here.

Parliament Street, for instance, follows the old route that John Graves Simcoe, first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, took from his home at Castle Frank atop the Rosedale Ravine down to the first parliamentary buildings in the province. Toronto is its ravines.

Here are 7 amazing places to lose yourself in the city.

Crothers Woods

Crothers Woods somehow remains under the radar despite being one of the most beautiful places in the city. Gone are the rusted oil drums and abandoned cars, but it still feels like a forgotten wilderness in the heart of the city here. It's a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers alike.

Moore Park Ravine

Moore Park Ravine stretches from Mount Pleasant Cemetery to the Don Valley Brick Works, following the route of what's now known as Mud Creek. The tree canopy is spectacular, and a southeast trip down the valley is probably one of the most pleasant bike rides in the city.

Cedarvale Ravine

Flanked by fancy homes, Cedarvale Ravine combines wide open parkland with rugged wilderness at its edges. Once slated to be a casualty of the Spadina Expressway, the green space remains a haven for joggers, dog walkers, and anyone looking for a temporary return to nature.

Glen Stewart Ravine

Located immediately north of the Beaches, Glen Stewart Ravine is a walker's paradise. The extensive wooden foot path and stairs eliminate the need for any hard hiking, allowing visitors to focus their attention on the lush vegetation and mature maple and red oak trees.

Rouge Park

Rouge Park features just about every type of parkland there is, from wetlands to beach to the steep ravine walls near Glen Rouge overnight campground. At the far east end of the city, nothing matches the Rouge for its unspoiled nature and exploration opportunities. 

Humber Valley

Like the Don, the Humber Ravine system has many affiliated parks, which feature gorgeous areas along the river that remind one of just how wide and deep this waterway once was. If you know what you're doing, you can follow the Humber north and south across the whole city. 

David A. Balfour Park

A magical place just that's remarkably close to the tall buildings of Yonge and St. Clair, this ravine is the quintessential urban green space where you might run into an abandoned shopping cart, a raccoon, and lovely mist rising off the ravine bed in the early morning. 

10 restaurants to eat at near the ACC

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Restaurants near the ACC offer the chance to skip the street meat and enjoy a sit down meal before or after the game or big event. Whether you're hankering for a burger or some fresh sushi, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Here are my picks for restaurants to eat at near the ACC.

Aria Ristorante

If you're in the mood for upscale Italian, this is the spot. The restaurant boasts a stunning interior and a menu of salads, pastas and grilled meat.

E11even

This upscale pub offers a bit of elegance before heading into the ACC. They serve North American classics like burgers, fries, and bacon and are a popular hangout for hockey players, athletes and fans.

IQ Food Co.

If you want something healthy, vegan or gluten-free this is your best bet. Find rice and quinoa boxes, smoothies, avocado toast and good coffee.

Kokoro Sushi

Looking for sushi in a hurry? This is your spot. Piles of styrofoam containers can be found with your favourite rolls.

Miku

The Vancouver import impresses with its massive space and Aburi-style sushi.

Miller Tavern

Fill up on bar snacks, steak, seafood and cocktails at this pub on Bay Street near the arena.

Real Sports Bar

Toronto's best sports bar is conveniently located just steps away from the ACC. Think of it as a mammoth man-cave. It has more TVs than you could possibly want, hundreds of taps and a menu full of pub grub.

SOCO Kitchen + Bar

Found at the base of the Delta Toronto Hotel, this restaurant does easy to please fare like burgers, flatbreads and pasta.

Taverna Mercatto

This Italian restaurant that's part of the Mercatto chain brings in crowds for its seafood platter, pizza and cocktails.

The Fox

This classic pub option has plenty of shareables for groups looking for a bite before after an event as well as burgers and sandwiches.

The top 15 small wedding venues in Toronto

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Small wedding venues in Toronto will help you host the perfect intimate event. Fortunately, Toronto has no shortage of event venues ranging from modern spaces to rustic locations.

Here are my picks for the top venues for a small wedding in Toronto.

Airship 37

Exposed brick, an expansive bar, vintage signage and elaborate chandeliers are all decorative features in this space in the Distillery District. It's prime for a smaller gathering of 70 seated individuals or 150 for cocktails.

The Market Kitchen

On the upper level of St. Lawrence Market, the space is equipped with a state-of-the-art kitchen furnished by Miele. Capacity is 60 for a sit-down dinner and 100 for a cocktail party. 

Miller Lash House

This Scarborough venue owned by the University of Toronto is as versatile as it's beautiful. The building features high arched ceilings, wooden trim, fireplaces and antique furnishings. The space allows for comfortable seating of 50 with a cocktail reception limit of 100 guests.

George Brown House

This beautifully maintained historic home is perfect for the classic and traditional couple looking to host an intimate affair - the residence can host parties of 50 guests or less. The space was restored in the late 80s and features a fireplace and marble mantles inside.

Gallery Grill

Located in the heart of the University of Toronto campus, the Gallery Grill at Hart House can accommodate 72 seated guests. The space is long and narrow with high ceilings, large windows and warm hardwood floors. 

Arts and Letters Club

The Tudor-style Great Hall featuring a fireplace, cathedral ceilings and stained glass windows set the mood for an intimate gathering. Accommodating 100 guests with a dance floor, the dark hardwood floors and open area are a great space for those looking for a cozy feel. 

Bram & Bluma Appel Salon

The Salon is located in the Toronto Reference Library on Yonge. The space includes an outdoor terrace, allows outside and kosher catering and has a capacity that seats up to 100 guests comfortably.

Campbell House

Built in 1822, this heritage space is right in the downtown core and has several spaces that can be used for private events including the Ballroom for receptions of 80 or the Dining Room, which can host a sit-down dinner for 40. 

Toronto Wedding Chapel

Just as the name suggests, this midtown destination specializes in intimate weddings. Featuring a variety of predetermined packages, it can host both your ceremony and reception. 

Cool Beer Brewing

A more rustic space than most, this brewery event space allows for seated events of 88 individuals or fewer. Located in South Etobicoke, the Cool Event Venue includes an on-site kitchen, free parking and the freedom to run your own bar and use your preferred caterer. 

The Richmond

This venue's space near Richmond and Spadina is clean and modern, with an industrial interior and a loft-style second floor. There is a seating capacity for 75 and a cocktail capacity for 150. 

Camera

Located next to the Stephen Bulger Gallery in West Queen West, this space includes a lounge complete with fireplace. Capacity is 110 for a cocktail reception and 30 for a seated dinner. A unique feature of the space is a 50-seat screening room. Outside catering is also a perk.

Thompson Landry Gallery

The Distillery District gallery features 14-foot walls, a rustic feel with wood posts and brick walls, Quebecois art and original distilling equipment as the backdrop for your event. The space can accommodate up to 50 people for a seated dinner or 75 for a reception. 

The Gladstone Hotel

Restored Victorian windows, two full-service bars, exposed brick walls and restored pine flooring are the central features of the West Queen West hotel. The Ballroom is perfect for 100 seated guests or 150 for a reception. 

The Old Mill

This classic Etobicoke stalwart has a variety of rooms and event spaces that can fit any need. With in-house catering and a whole team of experienced staff by your side you're well equipped to host a stress-free event. 


The top 30 places to drink beer in Toronto by neighbourhood

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There's a great place to drink beer in almost every Toronto neighbourhood these days. From brewpubs to pubs and bars with well curated or extensive beer lists, there's plenty of choice to be had.

Here are my picks for the top places to drink beer in Toronto by neighbourhood.

Annex

Brewhaha is a revamped concept craft beer lounge sitting in one of the oldest English pubs in Toronto. Up to 40 beers are available on any given night, including a range of tall boys such as Lake of the Woods Forgotten Lake Blueberry Ale.

Baldwin Village

24 of Sin and Redemption's 42 draught lines are dedicated to Belgian beers and the rest is a decent smattering of European, Canadian, and US content.

Beaches

Castro's Lounge offers 12 draught lines, over 100 bottled and canned offerings, and four cask ales. It's also a rare gem for veggie hop heads: the menu is entirely vegetarian.

Bloorcourt

Tallboys has 70 beers, mostly in tall cans so there's almost always something cold you haven't tried yet.

Burdock Toronto

Jesse Milns at Burdock

Bloordale Village

Burdock might be many things - a restaurant, bar, live music venue and bottle shop - but it's their excellent beer beer (available in bottles, draught or flights) that you'll not want to miss.

Bloor West Village

Bryden's offers 17 draught selections, often dominated by Great Lakes Brewery. Pair an Ontario craft beer with satisfying pub fare like nachos and burgers.

Cabbagetown

Stout is Cabbagetown's unofficial Irish pub and offers 20 mostly-local beers on tap, pub grub on the menu, and a decent little patio.

Church Wellesley Village

Hair of the Dog has a pretty good selection of local and international brands that makes it the best bet for a beer in the village.

Danforth

Louis Cifer Brew Works is a craft-beer-focused spot from the people behind  Stout Irish Pub. The large brewpub offers a variety of Louis Cifer seasonals and one offs.

The Only Cafe Toronto

Jesse Milns at The Only Cafe

Danforth East

The Only Cafe remains king of the east end craft beer scene. They have a killer selection of 24 draught beers, 230 bottles and cans, and one featured craft cask.

Distillery District

Mill Street Brew Hall and its sibling brewpub still brings in crowds for its great lineup of English style ales and lagers.

Don Mills

The Bier Markt is where to go for an extensive selection of European brews. Beer is also incorporated into the food menu.

Dundas West

Get Well stocks a thoughtful selection of a dozen draught beers and good bottles in the fridge. Plus free vintage arcade games.

Financial District

beerbistro divides their excellent selection of local draught and over 100 bottled options, including hard-to-find Belgian and American imports, by the beer's character: choose from spicy to robust, to refreshing or bold.

Harbourfront

As a general rule, you can't really beat a place that makes beer onsite as source for a good pint. Amsterdam Brewhouse also has seating for 300 people on three patios, including one right on the lake.

Junction

The Indie Ale House has an ever-changing lineup of their own great beers, one or two guest taps, and excellent food churned out of a kitchen with a wood oven pizza and an in-house smoker.

Kensington Market

Thirsty and Miserable is a tiny little bar with a quality tap list and a carefully curated collection of Belgian trappists, American craft beers and locally sourced micro brews.

King West

Bar Hop has a lengthy beer menu to pick  from. The menu is broken down by alcohol content and origin. As for taps, they have over 20 to choose from. 

Radical Road Toronto

Hector Vasquez at Radical Road Brewing

Leslieville

Radical Road is a brewpub and taproom where all of their beers are brewed in-house. They have really tasty food and you can find up to six of their beers on tap on a given day.

Liberty Village

The Craft Brasserie sets it self apart from other beer bars by offering the largest selection of draught beers in the city. They offer a staggering 120 beers on tap so take your time choosing. 

Little India

Eulalie's Corner Store has a well-curated selection of eight beers on tap including an eponymous house lager and local craft brews. 

Little Italy

Birreria Volo might have the best beer selection in the city. They have a lengthy list of beers on tap along with a line of rare imported bottled beers.

Ossington

Bellwoods Brewery makes their beer onsite and pair them with good food and a great atmosphere. Don't miss cellared versions of their past rarities.

Parkdale

Duggan's Brewery offers a sprawling space to try a number of their speciality and seasonal brews. There's a bottle shop so you can also grab some beers to go.

Queen West

Tequila Bookworm is a craft beer bar that focuses exclusively on Ontario produced beer, wine and cider.

Bandit Brewery Toronto

Jesse Milns at Bandit Brewery

Roncesvalles

Bandit Brewery is an open-concept brewery with 20 beers on tap. They do beer flights and offer tasty food too.

Rosedale

Going strong for over 20 years, the Rebel House is a classic pub with a little more thought paid to the beer. There's good Ontario draught and a handful of decent tall boys.

West Queen West

Prost! Meet Otto’s Bierhalle, the larger, boozier incarnation of Otto’s Berlin Doner. Find an incredible range of both local and imported beers here, creeping up on a hundred options with 24 taps and up to 50 or 60 bottles.

Yonge & St. Clair

Monk's Table boasts one of Toronto's best selections of European draught beers. Their website even says so, and you can't lie on the internet.

Yorkville

The Oxley, an upscale British pub, has a respectable beer menu along with some cask conditioned ales.

Sold! Urban cottage sells for $1.85 million

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One of the more remarkable elements of Toronto's streetscape is our remaining cottage homes. Often these are found as row homes that date back to the late 19th century, but there are a few examples of detached Gothic Revival dwellings that dot the city as well.

With its dramatically pitched roof, this house at 321 Manning Ave. falls into the latter category. With three bedrooms it's not as small as you might think based on the front view, particularly thanks to an extension at the back. 

321 manning avenueWhile the staging is less than immaculate here, it's pretty obvious that this is a unique residence with the potential to be downright stunning (you have to see past all those white walls). The new owner could even rent out the basement to subsidize the mortgage payments.

321 manning avenueLiving in a heritage home has its challenges, from the lack of an obvious living room to the general upkeep required, but the reward is a space imbued with history that's interesting at every turn. 

321 manning avenueAlas, in today's real estate market, such homes come at a premium. If you told the first residents here that their residence would eventually be worth just shy of $2 million, they'd have fainted or dismissed you as crazy.

321 manning avenueThe Essentials
  • Address: 321 Manning Ave.
  • Hit the market at: $1,499,000
  • Time on market: 5 days
  • Sold for: $1,838,000
321 manning avenueWhy it sold for the price it did

In a roaring hot marketplace where the supply of detached homes is incredibly low, a unique listing like this one is sure to attract tons of interest. While this one went for over asking, the differential isn't outlandish. 
321 manning avenue

Was it worth it?

If you asked someone five years ago whether or not this house would soon be worth nearly $2 million, they'd probably have been dubious. For all its uniqueness, it doesn't really look like what you might expect for the price. But that's all irrelevant in today's market. Given the character and the surprising amount of space, the price makes sense.

321 manning avenue321 manning avenue321 manning avenue321 manning avenue

The top 5 free events in Toronto this week

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The top free events in Toronto this week will make you forget you ever needed a wallet to have fun. With film screenings, a night market and a very cool illustration grad show, it's super easy to leave your cash and cards at home.

Events you might want to check out:

Toronto Lit Up with Trevor Cole (April 11 @ The Emmett Ray Bar)
Award-winning journalist and novelist Trevor Cole presents his new novel The Whisky King.
Sheridan Illustration: 2017 Graduate Exhibition (April 12 @ 99 Sudbury )
Head to to this west side warehouse space to see some of the brightest up-and-coming illustrators in Toronto right now.
Lowdown Tracks (April 13 @ Toronto Reference Library )
Check out this screening of a powerful documentary about Toronto street musicians who have experienced homelessness.
5 Years of Midnight Mrkt (April 14 @ 2nd Floor Events)
Midnight Mrkt is celebrating five years with a no-cover event. As always expect local vendors, food truck faves and pop-ups.
Fashion Art Toronto Launch Party (April 14 @ Offsite)
Help launch Toronto's (actually) cool fashion event with a night of dancing, socializing, and mingling with designers and models.

Toronto photographer captures moody streetscapes

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Zach Bird grew up in Whitby, but he first started coming to Toronto for skateboarding competitions. When he later got into photography, it completely changed how he saw the city.

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Bird, who has more than 10,000 Instagram followers, got his start filming and photographing skateboarders.

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While on a family camping trip, he played around with his father's camera and became hooked.

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Now, he's dedicated to building up his photography portfolio so he makes his part-time passion project his full-time career.

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As a mostly self-taught photographer, Bird credits the Instagram community with helping him improve both his skills and business acumen. "You’ve got to know how much you’re worth when people come to you for work," he says.

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He cites Ryan Millier, Jayscale and Camerson Bartlett (@snappedbycam) as his biggest sources of inspiration and often goes out to shoot with Bartlett.

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When he's shooting downtown, he likes to stick around Chinatown and like many other local photographers, the Financial District.

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"I tend to shoot in the Financial District when there’s really moody weather," he says.

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What you can't see on his feed are his wedding and engagement shoots. He says that by doing weddings, he continues to get better at portrait work, something he'd like to do more of. He'd also like to do more travel photography.

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But for now, as you can see on Instagram, he's happy to call the Toronto area home.

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10 ways to celebrate Blue Jays opening day in Toronto

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The Toronto Blue Jays' home opener at the Rogers Centre sold out in about 30 minutes, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun watching the game at bars, pubs and breweries all across the city.

Events you might want to check out:

Home Opener at Steam Whistle (April 11 @ Steam Whistle Pilsner)
Celebrate across the street from the Rogers Centre and hear the roar of the crowd. There will be a batting cage, human-sized beer pong, and live music.
Brewsday (April 11 @ Mascot Brewery)
Head to this brewery for Mascot pilsner at $5 a pint and watch the game on multiple screens.
Firkin Jays Home Opener (April 11 @ Firkin on Bloor)
Watch the game with Moosehead giveaways, games and prizes throughout. This will be a lively viewing; you might even forget you're not at the game in person.
Jays Home Opener Round the Horn (April 11 @ Round the Horn)
Head to this lively sports bar for local beer, plus the added bonus of a special menu featuring ballpark pretzels, wings, burgers and hot dogs.
Striker Home Opener (April 11 @ Striker)
Toronto's LGBT-friendly sports bar has an impressive collection of HD screens, and they'll be showing the big game with $6 Buds and $5 Striker sloppy Joe's.
The Dock Ellis Home Opener (April 11 @ The Derby)
This Dundas West sports hotbed has teamed up with Left Field brewery for $6 pints during the home opener. Get there early to get a good seat!
Home Opener at The Contender (April 11 @ The Contender)
Find pitcher specials on Mill St. Organic ($21) or 3 Speed ($20) and expect lots of screens, lots of snacks and hopefully lots of cheers.
Real Sports Home Opener 2 in 1 (April 11 @ Real Sports)
Real Sports will show the game on their massive big screen. Make a reservation for this spot because it fills up fast. 
The Rally opener (April 11 @ The Rally )
Rally is your best East York home opener option with all kinds of drink specials, games and prizes before, during and after the game. 
Amsterdam Brewhouse home opener party (April 11 @ Amsterdam Brewhouse)
Arrive early for the pre-game-pre-party with a DJ. The patio will be open and they'll be airing the game on all screens with sound. 

The top 20 bars and cafes for board games in Toronto

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Toronto bars and cafes aren't just for sipping on beers and lattes. A number of the city's best are offering up the chance to roll the dice and play some boards, both new and old. So gather up your most competitive crew and get ready to get your game on.

Here are my picks for the top bars and cafes to play board games in Toronto.

3030 Dundas West

The Junction bar might make you feel like a kid again. They have seating areas perfect for gathering with friends for a night of gaming. There's a stack of board games as well as pinball.

A-Game Cafe

This board game cafe on Queen West above Me Va Me has over 200 games with unique offerings like Dead of Winter, Smash Up and Marrying Mr. Darcy.

Bampot

In a cottage-style house on Harbord this might just be the coziest spot dedicated to games in the city. You'll find all of the classics in their mix of hundreds games.

Brewhaha

Board games can be found scattered about the Annex bar, adding to the college vibe of the space but also giving some cottage feels at the same time.

C'est What

Unwind with friends over a game of Backgammon or Scrabble at this stalwart near the St. Lawrence Market. It's easy to spend time here with dozens of craft brews, billiards, darts and a fire place.

Disgraceland

The Bloor and Ossington joint boasts a hodgepodge of board games like Yahtzee and Monopoly, alongside a menu that's stacked with vegetarian options.

Face to Face Games

Not only can you purchase any board game imaginable at the Danforth Ave. gaming destination, they also have a whole whack of games to play onsite.

For The Win Cafe

This Yonge and Lawrence cafe has shelves filled with classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, Operation, Sorry, Clue and Battleship. There's also plenty of drinks and baked goods to keep your energy up.

Lipstick & Dynamite

This dark and divey bar near Queen and Ossington has a good list of craft beers and a few big piles of board games. Candy Land, Balderdash and Taboo all await.

Old Nick

The Broadview and Danforth pub has a huge stack of games in the back. Alongside Yahtzee, Scrabble and Jeopardy, you'll also find Sex and the City Trivia.

Round the Horn

Make your way to the back of the Ronny bar for the Rolling Stones-themed pinball machine, a PS3 connected to a big-screen TV, and various board games. 

See Scape

This gaming paradise in the Junction sports large tables, decorated appropriately with steel and caution tape. Grab a Connect, Exploding Kittens or Resistance and get to playing. 

Snakes & Lattes

Toronto's most infamous board game cafe boasts locations on Bloor and College. They have walls stacked with just about any game you could imagine, from your Monopolies of the world to Jumanji and Fireball Island. 

Stout Irish Pub

Get back to the classics at Cabbagetown's Stout, with a game of Risk, Connect Four, or Trivial Pursuit. Or, if you're of the new gaming generation, they've also got Settlers and Cards Against Humanity.

Swan Dive

Make your way to this dive bar on Dundas West for some unadulterated fun. Board games here pair well with a round of cocktails.

The Sidekick

This Leslieville comic book cafe stocks a variety of board games that can be played while sipping on one of their lattes. 

The Shore Leave

Tiki drinks aren't the only fun to take part in at this Danforth East bar. It's also chock-full of random treasures including a shelf with books and board games.

Time Capsule Cafe

This board game cafe on Danforth East near Woodbine is outfitted with tables, couches, bean bag chairs and endless game including Settlers of Catan, Cranium and Jenga.

Utopia Dream Cafe

Markham's chief destination for board games is a sprawling space, that also features foosball tables and TVs in case you need a break.

Watson's

This bar at Richmond and Spadina is where you can enjoy great drinks at affordable prices as well as get your game on as they offer several boards to play.

The soggy history behind the opening of the SkyDome

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Some might say that the SkyDome was born under a bad sign. After the 1982 Grey Cup relayed to a television audiences embarrassing images of sullen Argos fans at Exhibition Stadium soaked to the bone from torrential rain, it became apparent that if we wanted to be a world class city, an enclosed sports stadium was urgently required. 

The Argos might have lost the game that night, but Toronto`s image was the real loser. Enter Ontario Premier Bill Davis, who had been in attendance at the great Grey Cup wash out, and who was drowned out the following day during the Argos presser by universal cries of "We want a dome!"

Never one to let a good crisis go to waste, Davis expedited plans for an enclosed stadium to be built in Toronto, and a bump in the polls soon followed.

After several years of geographic uncertainty, it was finally decided to build a retracting dome stadium at the base of the CN Tower, at the time a near barren waste-land, but conveniently within close walking distance to the Union Station hub.

Construction began in October 1986 with EllisDon winning the lucrative lead contractor bid, and spearheaded by Chuck Magwood, president of the crown corporation formed to run the Dome.

"Before debt service, the project will throw off something like $30 million in the first full calendar year," he once said, famously.

Two and a bit years and $570 million dollars later, the newly christened SkyDome, designated such after a frenzied months long National contest, was ready to open to the public.

Sadly the EllisDon completion came a scant few months later than originally planned, resulting in the gigantic missed opportunity of kicking-off SkyDome activity with the Toronto Blue Jays 1989 home opener (it was held at the old and busted Ex Stadium, for shame).

To make up for this, Chuck Magwood and StadCo planned a gala, star-studded party-of-the-century to mark the epic launch of Toronto's, nay, Canada's dome - "The Opening of SkyDome: A Celebration"

Broadcast nationwide on the CBC, hyped for weeks in advance, and hosted by, ahem, Canadians Alan Thicke and Andrea Martin, "The Opening of SkyDome" was clearly one of those events which probably seemed like a great idea at the time.

It may even have looked good on paper, but it didn't translate into compelling television - unless you consider rubber necking an inglorious train wreck compelling.

In fact, it's a top tier contender for one of the most bizarre, frustratingly inept CBC broadcasts of all time, thanks to a potent cocktail of its own misguided hubris and poorly judged antics, and a deft bitch-slap from Mother Nature.

After the rousing WTF intro, the thud of Quebec impersonator André-Philippe Gagnon`s incomprehensible jokes, and a sleepwalking performance from Glass Tiger, Premier David Peterson finally rocked the mic with a laser pen to officially open the Dome.

The legend Oscar Peterson then hit the keys to soundtrack this poignant moment, which should have carried the emotional weight of the structure itself, but instead marked a segue into a gargantuan farce.

CBC host Brian Williams breathlessly reported that due to a lightning storm in the area, the Dome roof could not be fully opened, thus somewhat deflating the mood of the event, and actually its raison d'être.

You can only imagine the foul language flying around behind the scenes, as the decision to close or keep open the roof would not have been a light one. Never mind that Chuck Magwood, all smiles for the cameras, demanded that the roof be opened come hell or high water.

High water it was.

Poor Alan Thicke does his best to introduce the salute to those who built the Dome, but by this point the oncoming soak must have been giving broadcasters a migraine induced déjà vu of Grey Cup 1982.

Not even the much vaunted touchdown of SkyDome's kid friendly mascot Domer could raise a smile. The parade for Toronto's bright and shiny new toy was well and truly being rained on.

As if the patience of attendees had not been tested enough, the following song and dance number absolutely defied convention.

Dedicated to the people of Toronto, and ostensibly based upon our rich multicultural fabric, "We Are Toronto, That`s Why We Celebrate!" is just about the most cringe-worthy item to limp out of the sometimes taste challenged 1980s, and that`s saying something.

You can just about hear the feint sound of a million people changing the channel to watch something, anything else.

Smearing rock salt into an already festering wound, the onslaught of torturous light entertainment continued unabated.

Maestro and until-then flawless Toronto jingle chef Tommy Ambrose appeared to sing his specially composed for the occasion ditty, "Open up the Dome!" to which the few people remaining in the stands reportedly yelled back "Close the roof!"

At this point in the "celebration," it's hard to decide which is the most tragic sight: the aging local heroes being driven around and announced over the loud speaker in embarrassing rhyming lyrics or the few die-hard souls who probably paid out the nose for tickets.

Perhaps it was the faces of those young entertainers who had practiced day and night for moths preparing for this, the biggest show of their life, only to be dumped on by the unimpressed gods from above.

Karma, or divine intervention?

While scandal and cronyism ran rampant in the years before, and those which followed, and as more and more juicy stories leaked out about StadCo's business dealings, and the enormous financial wound SkyDome created, people mostly forgot about opening night.

Maybe the name change actually helped, or maybe people just blocked it out of their memories, like they would any other traumatic event.

Retrontario plumbs the seedy depths of Toronto flea markets, flooded basements, thrift shops and garage sales, mining old VHS and Betamax tapes that less than often contain incredible moments of history that were accidentally recorded but somehow survived the ravages of time. You can find more amazing discoveries at www.retrontario.com.


10 things to do in Toronto this week

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Events in Toronto this week usher us into the Easter long weekend with the Jays' home opener, a Mean Girls live read with local celebrities, and one of the first big beer festivals of the season.

Events you might want to check out:

Alec Baldwin in Toronto (April 10 @ Indigo Bay Bloor)
The first 300 people to receive a wristband will have the opportunity to join the book signing line and meet Mr. Baldwin. He's in town to talk about his new book.
Home Opener (April 11 @ Steam Whistle Pilsner)
Celebrate the Jays with a batting cage, human-sized beer pong, live tunes, hot dogs, spiced popcorn and beer specials.
Diet Cig (April 11 @ The Drake Hotel)
Daddy Issues open for this power punk pop duo as they play songs from their brand new record "Swear I'm Good at This."
Feminist Live Reads - Mean Girls (April 13 @ Revue Cinema)
Join an all-star cast for a live reading of Mean Girls, directed by Feminist Live Reads creator Chandler Levack.
Buffy Made Me Gay! (April 13 @ Glad Day Bookshop (Church))
Yup, it's a Buffy the Vampire Slayer-inspired dance party, so dig out your late 90s/early 2000s fashions and sharpen your stakes.
Nochella (April 13 @ Adelaide Hall)
Can't make it to Coachella? Don't sweat it, this concert venue will be a dessert oasis for one night with bands like Grump, Nuclear Family and more.
5 Years of Midnight Mrkt (April 14 @ 2nd Floor Events)
Midnight Mrkt celebrates five years of vendors, snacks, DJs and loft dancing with free entry into the spring edition market.
The Brewer's Backyard Great Friday (April 14 @ Evergreen Brick Works)
Kick off your Easter weekend with beer from seven different breweries from across Ontario.
Kinky Jesus: The Second Coming (April 14 @ Club 120)
What better way to celebrate Easter than with a kinky Jesus competition. It sold out last year, so get there early for this pageant unlike anything you've ever seen before.
SongKran Water Fight (April 16 @ Khao San Road (Charlotte St.))
Celebrate Thai New Year with a huge water fight at Khao San Road. There will be drink specials to bolster your courage, but remember it's BYO towel.

Toronto could play host to 2026 World Cup of Soccer

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It might seem like a long shot right now, but soccer fans are already dreaming about the possibility of Toronto being one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup of Soccer.

That's because this morning, the presidents of the Mexican, American and Canadian soccer associations will announce a joint bid for the 2026 tournament at One World Trade Centre in New York City, according to the New York Times.

The 2026 World Cup will include 48 teams, up from 32. This means, as the Toronto Sun writes, that there could be an opportunity to up the number of possible host cities. 

In 2015, the president of the Canadian Soccer Association said venues in Toronto, Hamilton, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver could be expanded to host World Cup games. 

It's important to note that BMO Field is the only natural grass soccer stadium in Canada. Men's FIFA matches all have to be played on natural grass pitches. 

While BMO Field's standard capacity is just over 30,000 following recent renovations, it can be expanded to 40,000 for major events. 

Fans would also get a chance to cheer on the Canadian team for the first time since 1986 due to FIFA rules that give an automatic entry to the host country.

This Week on DineSafe: Hakka Legend, Hakka Bros, Banh Mi Nguyen Huong, Alexandria

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This week on DineSafe two Hakka restaurants in Toronto landed in hot water after city health inspectors slapped them with yellow cards. Some of the worst infractions included failing to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated and failing to maintain hazardous foods.

Find out which other restaurants got in trouble with city health inspectors this week.

Alexandria (1940 Lawrence Ave. East)
  • Inspected on: April 3, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 3, Significant: 3)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Hakka Legend (2058 Ellesmere Rd.)
  • Inspected on: April 3, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated and Operator fail to maintain hazardous foods.
Banh Mi Nguyen Huong (322 Spadina Ave.)
  • Inspected on: April 4, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
By The Slice (861 York Mills Rd.)
  • Inspected on: April 4, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 2, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Hakka Bros (3685 Keele St.)
  • Inspected on: April 5, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 4, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Royale Fine Dining Banquet (648 Silver Star Blvd.)
  • Inspected on: April 6, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 3, Significant: 3)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Sichuan Ren (5195 Yonge St.)
  • Inspected on: April 6, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 2, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

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.

Contest: Win tickets to City and Colour

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City and Colour along with Blue Rodeo, The Strumbellas, Stars and Dear Rouge will take over The Commons at Butler’s Barracks National Historic Site in Niagara-On-The-Lake on Sunday, July 2, 2017.

Want to go? You're in luck as we've teamed up with Dine Alone Records to give two lucky readers a chance to get in on the action this summer.

The Best Danish in Toronto

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The best danish in Toronto is the beauty queen of the breakfast tray, often made by Toronto's oldest bakeries. Fruit filling lovingly wrapped in a nest of light flaky layered pastry drizzled with sweet icing, whether apple, blueberry, lemon or cheese these are always the first to go at early meetings, brunches, and cafes throughout the city.

Here is where to find the best danish in Toronto.

4 - Montmartre Bakery

This bakery around for decades in an industrial area of Scarborough makes every single element of their danishes on site in huge batches. For just 95 cents they sell wild blueberry, lemon, apricot custard and cherry custard danishes.
8 - Jules Cafe Patisserie

This classic French bakery on Mount Pleasant produces some of the freshest danishes around, the opposite of shrink-wrapped gas station fare. Luxurious pear, vanilla, apricot, blueberry, cherry and raisin danishes go for $2.95 here.
11 - Zane's Patisserie & Boulangerie

Danish are $2.20 each at this Beaches bakery , which sells custard danishes with blueberry, apricot, and strawberry, as well as raisin, hazelnut and cranberry danishes.
5 - Harbord Bakery

Legendary in Harbord Village, this large bakery sells cheese danishes for $2.50, cherry or blueberry cheese danishes for $2.75, and chocolate or almond danish rings for $7.99.
3 - Hansen's Danish Pastry Shop

Apple, cherry, blueberry, lemon, raspberry, cheese and cinnamon danishes are available for $2 each at this tiny half-century-old East York shop, and if you buy a half dozen there’s no tax and you save a dollar.
9 - Dimpflmeier Bakery

Typical danishes at this epic Etobicoke family bakery are $1.30, $1.60 for cheese or chocolate. They also do mini danishes here for just 75 cents. Gelatinous cherry centres are surrounded by sticky dough, topped off with a perfect icing drizzle.
6 - Mabel's Bakery (Roncesvalles)

Danishes at the multiple locations of this popular Toronto bakery don’t offer a lot of choice or a price break, but they use local fresh Ontario fruit when it comes into season for the chef’s daily danish flavour, often something like mixed berry ($3.25).
7 - Patisserie 27

On Jane you can find this classic viennoiserie serving cinnamon raisin ($2.50) and fruit danishes ($2.75) as well as their “Davide” ($2.50), a maple chocolate chip danish.
10 - mon K Patisserie

On Coxwell, this Japanese bakery proves it can put out pastries from nearly any cuisine at a textbook level, including chocolate and fruit danishes for $2.40.
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