At a time when it's never been more fashionable to express public outrage, even the most benign things can spawn controversies. Case in point: the Caesar salad at 416 Snack Bar.

I was tipped off to the frenetic storm brewing in response to this salad via the @chefgrantsoto paraody Instagram account, which has become more and more entertaining as the Toronto food scene gets ever more ridiculous.

After Toronto journalist Rhiannon Russell posted a photo of the dish on Friday night, social media went into a tizzy about the apparent audacity of the restaurant to serve such athing without a knife and fork. 

A very Toronto thing that happened tonight: I ordered a Caesar salad and got this. Was told the restaurant doesn't "do cutlery." pic.twitter.com/GDaugBjTlK

— Rhiannon Russell (@rhrussell) May 27, 2017

The initial tweet isn't over the top, though it's dubious this particular salad speaks volumes about Toronto or its food scene. In any case, the response it sets off is what's fun to keep tabs on.

@rhrussell You are kidding right? Because I am having a hard time even with that.

— Nora Loreto (@NoLore) May 27, 2017

People are really upset about this salad, which is made all the more troubling by the fact that we should all be focusing on one thing: is Jaden Smith okay?

@rhrussell How do these people sleep at night? 😣

— Lorraine Murphy (@83LOM) May 28, 2017

The award for most opportunistic response of the affair goes to Baro, who should probably seek out the definition of the word tact. 

@rhrussell We couldn't help but chuckle at this a little bit! If you'd like a fresh, local salad come to Baro; the salad's on us (cutlery included!) pic.twitter.com/bDMBpwnC9H

— Baro (@BaroToronto) May 27, 2017

That eventually met with a response from 416 Snack Bar, who thankfully didn't take the whole thing too seriously.

@inyourmouthTO ya @BaroToronto okay that's it we no longer oblige your staff requests for reggaeton when they come by after service! 😂😂😂

— 416 SNACKBAR (@416snackbar) May 29, 2017

Meanwhile, plenty of other people weighed in with putatively witty remarks, like this one:

@rhrussell Maybe tell them that you don't 'do payment'.

— Moke Lachbat (@leach_leach) May 27, 2017

The requisite fatalism was also handily covered...

@rhrussell@mssinenomine Looks like pretty soon, they won't "do customers" either!

— Jorja (@jforjorja) May 28, 2017

Even prominent Toronto restaurateurs and critics like Jen Agg and Chris Nuttall-Smith weighed in, with the latter gaining some amplification from New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells.

But the top tweet surely goes to this person, who wasn't having any of it!

@rhrussell I would've thrown it at them. Especially the bacon bits and parmesan.

— whatever sis (@braepau) May 28, 2017

Perhaps instead of railing against a quirky salad sold at a self-advertised snack bar that's always shunned cutlery, we might collectively spend some time wondering where in the world all this anger is coming from.

The Kooples Warehouse and Sample Sale is coming to Toronto for the first time ever and we want you to score some gear without spending a cent. We've teamed up with StyleDemocracy to give one lucky reader a chance to win a $300 gift card at to the sale.

Check out all the contest details here.

The best restaurants for a business lunch in Toronto are all about attention to detail and careful planning all while making it look effortless, and of course a location close to high-powered offices doesn’t hurt. Wheel and deal at these places while looking good and eating well.

Here are the best restaurants for a business lunch in Toronto.

Toronto got its first-ever brunch festival this past weekend. The three day event was all about radlers, caesars, cheladas, bennies, pancakes and bacon. Radler-infused hollandaises, pancake burgers, crab cake and egg sandwiches and butter chicken breakfast burritos were all on offer from some of Toronto's most beloved brunch spots. 

Take a look at some of the highlights from Brunch Fest in this photo gallery.

Doors Open Toronto has come and gone for another year, having shed more light on some of the city's most spectacular and often hard to access buildings.

As always, we reached out to our readers to share our photos from Doors Open Toronto by tagging their photos with #blogTOdot17. With over 2,000 entries we've narrowed the selections down to a final ten an now ask that you vote for your favourite.

Vote for your favourite photo here

1. @jb.0611 at York University

A post shared by Photographer/creator (@jb.0611) on May 27, 2017 at 4:28pm PDT

2. @rabbits_hearts at Commerce Court

A post shared by viv lynch (@rabbit_hearts) on May 27, 2017 at 5:34pm PDT

3. @svetlanasyanina at Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

A post shared by SvetlanaSYanina (@svetlanasyanina) on May 27, 2017 at 6:24pm PDT

4. @n.i.c.o.l.e.f at R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant

A post shared by Nicole F (@n.i.c.o.l.e.f) on May 28, 2017 at 2:13pm PDT

5. @heatherralice at Redpath Sugar Refinery

A post shared by Heather (@heatherralice) on May 28, 2017 at 11:10am PDT

6. @vincentdemers at Spadina House

A post shared by TRAVEL ❅ WANDER ❅ DISCOVER (@vincentdemers) on May 28, 2017 at 5:33pm PDT

7. @drysdaleandco at Queen's Park

A post shared by Susan Drysdale (@drysdaleandco) on May 28, 2017 at 5:43pm PDT

8. @allofmei_ at Osgoode Hall

A post shared by Angela 🐧 (@allofmei_) on May 28, 2017 at 8:40pm PDT

9. @joysix at City of Toronto Archives

A post shared by christine tan (@joysix) on May 28, 2017 at 8:21pm PDT

10. @engclau at Daniel's Faculty of Architecture

A post shared by Eng C. Lau (@engclau) on May 28, 2017 at 11:48am PDT

Vote for your favourite photo here

Voting will remain open until end of day June 2, 2017. The top vote getters will receive prizes from Henry's Canada. First place will receive a $200 gift card, second place will receive a $100 gift card and third place will receive a $50 gift card.

Winners will be announced on June 5, 2017.

Thanks to rising water levels and wide-spread flooding, the Toronto Island Park remains closed until further notice.

Some businesses are pushing through, despite restricted access to the Islands, including The Rectory Cafe, which remains open (including its sun-soaked lakeside patio) seven days a week.

After Thanksgiving, however, the Rectory will close its doors for good. "We decided not to exercise our right to renew our lease," says Ken McAuliffe, one of the restaurant's three owners.

One of the partners is pulling out of the popular Ward's Island spot, and McAuliffe says the remaining two won't buy out the stake. The ongoing flood hasn't helped business either, despite the Rectory remaining dry (for now). 

WE ARE OPEN! Despite flooding elsewhere on #torontoislands our restaurant continues to operate on #wardsisland! Notify Toronto Ferry personnel you are dining @therectorycafeto to be granted passage. #escapebylake without leaving #toronto #yyz #torontorestaurants #torontowaterfront #billybishop #tofoodie #foodietoronto #torontofoodies

A post shared by The Rectory Cafe (@therectorycafeto) on May 29, 2017 at 8:44am PDT

Since fewer people are coming to the Islands, the Rectory's already been losing money, but it's decided to keep trucking and will keep its 57 employees on board until the fall. 

"We are going hammer down," says McAuliffe. "We're not doing The Rectory light."

It's Canada's 150th anniversary this year. If you haven't realized that yet, there's now a giant sign outside the CN Tower to remind you of this momentous occasion.

For the sesquicentennial, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada will be installing these 3D signs across the country. All of them should be in place by June 21, in time for the big day on July 1.

A post shared by sierra (@perkinsi) on May 28, 2017 at 6:57am PDT

So as not to compete with the infamous Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square, this illuminated sign will serve to further light up the area around the CN Tower for the rest of the year.

A post shared by Chris Giles (@chrisgiles87) on May 18, 2017 at 1:01pm PDT

The other signs are scattered from coast to coast, in cities such as Yellowknife, Vancouver, Regina and Niagara Falls. 

A giant rubber duck will float into the Toronto harbour this Canada Day. While it's sure to attract flocks of eager Instagrammers and onlookers, not everyone's too happy with this massive yellow bath toy.

The duck, which will tour across the province, apparently cost a total $200,000, and it'll make its way to various cities and towns thanks to a $120,000 Ontario government grant, reports the Canadian Press. 

FYI: The world's largest rubber duck will be in Toronto for Canada Day weekend! https://t.co/KqM4L2CeVQpic.twitter.com/u1PbLz32uV

— Norm Kelly (@norm) May 29, 2017

The Ontario Progressive Conservatives questioned the duck's connection to Canadian heritage.

Okay, wait. That giant rubber duck coming in the summer is going to cost taxpayers $200,000? Holy geez.

— Ashli Barrett (@Ashli_28) May 29, 2017

Toronto got a peek of the duck earlier this month when a miniature version of it appeared at Nathan Phillips Square.

@Kathleen_Wynne $200,000 for a rubber duck. Gimme back my money https://t.co/yFVIbl8grf

— lesley taylor (@lesley100) May 29, 2017

The big version, which is a copy of Florentijn Hofman's original rubber duck sculpture, will be in Toronto from July 1 to 3 for the Redpath Waterfront Festival. 

Free outdoor movie screenings in parks, next to a cliff or floating on the lake are quickly becoming a regular summer pastime in Toronto. Not to be outdone, The Cultura Festival at Mel Lastman Square will not only present free movies every Friday in July from 6 to 11 p.m., but each screening is an event in itself. 

In addition to the free film, there will be (actually good) music and interactive performances. Plus, the movies are all past Oscar winning or nominated movies.

Here are the shows and films being presented this July at Mel Lastman Square.

July 7

The Fire Guy
Coreyah 
Hidden Figures

July 14

New Canadian Global Music Orchestra
Duke Dreamer
Arrival

July 21

Okavango African Orchestra
Lindy Hop Revolution
La La Land

July 28

Donnell Leahy,
Aygul Memet featuring street performer Bex in Motion
Moana

Nothing says a trip to cottage country quite like a pit stop at Webers, the lineup-inducing roadside burger joint on Highway 11.

Now, you can reportedly indulge your cravings for charcoal barbecued burgers in the heart of the city because the newly revamped Budweiser Stage will serve Webers fare at its on site food stand called the River Bar. 

Webers cheeseburgers burgers will go for $10, while double cheeseburgers will run $15. A combo with a cheeseburger and a tall can is priced at $21.75. 

After delaying its opening due to high water levels in Lake Ontario, Budweiser Stage will make its debut tomorrow night with the highly anticipated Chance the Rapper show. 

There are plenty of concerts on today in Toronto, including big shows from the Chainsmokers, Chance the Rapper, and Flogging Molly. There are also more intimate events on tap like a Meryl Streep costume contest and a Survivor trivia night.

A quirky bit of Toronto history is up for grabs to the tune of $1 million. The city's terra cotta house is on the open market just calling for someone who likes quirky design and local lore. 

As we wrote a few years ago, the property at 20 Jerome St. dates back to the turn of the century (both 1890 and 1905 are given as completion dates, though the latter is probably more accurate) and was originally owned by J. Turner Sr., a west end builder.

Turner bought up lots of cheap terra cotta after the material went out of style near the end of the 19th century. As a builder, he liked the idea of his own house standing out, so he outfitted his personal residences in the material.  

The Jerome house was actually Turner's second fashioned out of terra cotta, but it's the only one that remains. An earlier version near Dupont and Dundas was demolished long ago. 

What makes this house such a visual marvel isn't, however, just the material. It's the particular tiles he used. Not only are many bigger than what would have been typically used on a house this size, their designs are also quite outlandish. 

The same can't be said for the interior of the home. While the facade offers considerable allure, the inside is exceedingly plain, if not entirely rundown. 

You can bet this one will get significant interior renos at some point. The future buyer won't be able to alter the exterior much, though. The house was listed on Toronto's heritage inventory all the way back in 1979. 

The Wine & Spirit Festival is returning to Toronto this June and we want to give you and a friend a chance to get in on the action. We've teamed up with Drink Inc. Events to give five lucky readers a chance to attend this year's festival VIP style.

Check out all the contest details here.

Kids tech classes in Toronto not only teach little ones how to code, build 3D projects and create their own video games, but also how to communicate and have fun. They happen at studios around the city and offer everything from drop-in classes to full out camps. 

Here are my picks for the top kids tech classes in Toronto.

Kids/Ladies Learning Code

This digital literacy school runs programs all over the city with courses like Digital Skills for Beginners, Kids Learning Code and Art Making with Scratch. 

Hatch

Kids of all ages learn computer languages, how to code, how to design, and how to be more comfortable on the computer at one of three learning centres. They have $5 Friday programs and summer camps as well. 

Makerkids

As an acclaimed tech school for kids, this is one of the largest programs of its kind in the world. It runs courses, camps and parties on coding, Minecraft, robotics and more. The Bloor Street West school also teaches softer skills like leadership and communication.

Steamlabs

This school on Spadina is equipped with 3D printers, a wood shop, laser cutters and sewing machines to let kids create, invent, learn and have fun.

Toronto Library

Libraries all over the city offer tech classes for kids, such as iMovie for beginners, Learning Code, 3D printing and an after-school Makers Club. Most courses are an hour long and happen multiple times per week.

The Scarborough Bluffs are one of the most picturesque parts of Toronto, but right now they're also pretty dangerous after all the rainfall we've received.

That's why the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is urging visitors to steer clear of the Bluffs (both the top and the bottom) for now. As Metro News writes, there's a risk of landslides. There have reportedly already been 10 to 15 over recent weeks.

Please steer clear of both the top and bottom of the #Scarborough Bluffs due to landslides. https://t.co/UQvu716Bbxpic.twitter.com/gSIQcgjUpG

— TRCA News (@TRCA_News) May 30, 2017

Even without the wet weather, the Scarborough Bluffs are treacherous. In 2016, emergency crews had to rescue 25 people who tried to climb down the Bluffs.

Earlier this year, the city renamed Scarborough Bluffs Park (the top of the Bluffs) to Scarboro Crescent Park to avoid confusion with Bluffers Park and Bluffers Beach and to mitigate some of the dangers associated with people exploring these naturally occurring cliffs.

Warehouse sales in Toronto this June will let you get ready for summer with deals on clothing, shoes, athletic gear, and kitchen gadgets from a variety of well known brands. You don't have to break the bank while you shop next month.

Minimum wage is finally getting a huge boost in Ontario. Today, Kathleen Wynne announced a slew of proposed changes to the province's labour law.

This includes plans to bump minimum wage to $15. By January 1, 2018, it'll rise to $14 per hour, with a $1 increase coming the following year on January 1, 2019.

Ontario minimum wage is going up to $14 by Jan 2018 and to $15 by Jan 2019!? 🇨🇦😱

— linla ✨ (@hellobipolar) May 30, 2017

In Ontario, minimum wage is currently $11.40 per hour. That makes this one of the most significant increases to the total in the province's history. 

$15 an hour for minimum wage. Everything in Toronto is gonna raise in pricing. I'm not ready

— Rico Tucker (@ricospeczz) May 30, 2017

Other changes include: minimum three weeks vacation for anyone who's been with the same employer for five years; 10 personal emergency days for all workers, including two that are paid; and equal pay for part-time employees doing the same work as full-timers. 

With flooding issues overtaking headlines this spring, it feels like near the water is the last place you’d want to be.

Not so for several artists who have been living and working in the Port Lands for years. To collective VS VS VS and artist Max Dean, the area viewed by some as an industrial wasteland is home.

One of the many live-work studios that make up the VS VS VS loft in the Port Lands.

But how did they end up here? For one thing, a lack of noise concerns. The area home to one of Toronto’s biggest and most obnoxious clubs is certainly somewhere the artists don’t expect to get any complaints.

A 3D printer in the office space above in the previous photo artist Ryan Clayton uses to make art objects.

Wallis Cheung, Stephen McLeod and Miles Stemp of VS VS VS tell me about performance festivals they throw that last for two days and two nights, guests drifting in and out of their home, staying the night. They can also run loud equipment like planers any hour of the day without any issues.

Tools of the trade.

Dean is a recreational rower from Vancouver and loves port cities, so it was his heart that called him to the water first. However, as someone who works on plenty of very large-scale installations, he also simply found larger studios were available here.

Painting storage and experimental space...plus wall-top cat highway!

That has to be true of VS VS VS as well: their live/work space is a warehouse chopped up into various studios/rooms, filled with projects like Stemp’s tower of light boxes or Cheung’s “sculptural paintings.” McLeod has a tiny room choc full of guitars and a piano hidden away.

Traditional materials: paint and a palette.

“Working in the Port Lands is like working in any semi-industrial area except we happen to be closer to the water,” says Dean. “I think the Port Lands has great potential. It is an amazing opportunity to develop a large tract of land and shape it with purpose building on its unique character.”

Stephen McLeod working at a stand-up desk station next to a light box he created using old slides.

The VS VS VS collective lets me know as far they’re concerned, decisions are being made at city level. They’ve heard something might be put together like an Artscape, but better.

Stemp says the current state of the Port Lands is “the last chance to get the waterfront right,” and hopes there's some people out there with a little power who recognize that.

Another work and storage space.

Though Luminato called its festivities in the Hearn last year an unrepeatable “enormous undertaking,” perhaps with more permanent housing what Dean calls “a great opportunity to situate artists and cultural facilities” won’t go to waste.

Tea boils and Kendrick Lamar plays in the kitchen, and a collaborative piece decorates the living room wall.

While you may not be able to attend Luminato in the Port Lands this year, you can get your industrial, artsy fix at one of several garage sales VS VS VS will be holding throughout the summer. And in the future? Who knows. Maybe you’ll find yourself living and working there too. 

There are plenty of free things to do in Toronto this June thanks to an entire month of Pride parties (there's one on the beach!) as well as street festivals and a full neighbourhood yoga takeover. Your wallet and your social life will love you a lot.

Theft is a lot more common at Toronto restaurants and bars than you might think. Over and above well publicized incidents like the snatching of a cheetah statue and the rise of the so-called coffee shop bandit, small items like shot glasses, salt shakers and cutlery regularly go missing too.

There's not much restaurateurs can do to punish small-time perpetrators, but when their customers become targets or cash starts disappearing from staff rooms, some have decided to bite back. 

Just last week, Bandit Brewery provided video camera surveillance to a customer whose purse was stolen. She then uploaded the footage to YouTube to bring attention to the thief, which drew plenty of tips related to crimes of a similar description around the city.

A more direct example comes from Sidecar/Toronto Temperance Society, who recently posted photos of a suspected thief to the Food and Wine Industry Navigator, a public Facebook group. 

The post is a warning designed to notify fellow establishments in the area to the presence of a possible thief, one which has fare more reach on social media than it would as photo posted on a wall somewhere (as used to be the practice with neighbourhood bandits).

"Please take care if you see this person in your establishment. He is not dangerous, but is definitely a suspicious person," it concludes after describing an incident involving the suspect.

The response to the initial post includes a number of fellow restaurateurs who say they've seen the man depicted in the photos, which underscores the usefulness of the public posting. 

Based on the narrative of events offered on Facebook, staff caught the suspect in an area he wasn't permitted to be in, but lacked hard evidence to "take further action."

It's unclear if would-be thieves will be detracted by such a post, but it certainly seems as though neighbouring businesses will be on heightened alert.