It's raining today in Toronto, which is all the more reasons to catch a flick, attend a massive fundraising party for the ballet or groove at the first of a tw0-night gig from a legendary ska troupe.

Ontario Craft Beer Week kicks off in Toronto on June 10 and runs until June 19. Not to be confused with the Ontario Craft Beer Festival, this week celebrates breweries across the province with runs, carnivals and pubic square takeovers - drink up!

The North St. Lawrence Market Building is currently a construction zone. The site of the former Saturday farmers' market has been operating in a temporary structure just south of the main market building since last year.

The move was supposed to only last until 2018 when the newly built North Market building was scheduled to open, but now according to CBC News, the new building won't be ready until 2020.

A rendering of the new building via Adamson Associates Architects.

This delay comes thanks to an archeological dig on site. "To date, the archeological team has discovered evidence of the early market buildings on site dating from the 1820, 1831, 1851 and 1904 periods," says the city in a project update.

This includes storage cellars, support columns and artifacts, such as pottery and a glass bottle from pharmacist J.J McLaughlin, the inventor of Canada Dry ginger ale. Now the city needs to work out how it'll display and preserve these pieces of Toronto history.

Here's a spectacular Toronto house that'll make you wish you were rich. Located on one of the most exclusive streets in Lawrence Park, this two storey home is a model of contemporary design that just exudes luxury. 

It's not a huge house at four bedrooms, but it has an array of features that drive it into the elite category. From the stunning kitchen to the private terrace off the master bedroom, each element shows impeccable attention to detail.

As nice as it is, however, the asking price might be a bit steep. It's last selling price was $2,935,000 in summer 2013. There have been a few improvements since then, but it'll be interesting to see what this one ultimately goes for given the current real estate climate.

Specs

• Address: 1 Blyth Rd.
• Price: $6,180,000
• Lot Size: 50 x 150 feet
• Bedrooms: 3 + 1
• Bathrooms: 4
• Parking: 4
• Walk Score: 43
• Transit Score: 66
• Listing agent: Shane Carslake
• Listing ID: C3821293

Good For

Anyone who likes contemporary design and wants to live in a quiet neighbourhood removed from downtown. This is a showpiece property that's made for someone who enjoys entertaining.

Move On If

There's not much to dislike about this one, aside from the price. Potential buyers will have to weigh their desire to live in a gorgeously designed space against the idea of living in a bonafide mansion, which is certainly possible at this price point.

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

Brunch has gone global in 2017 in Toronto, and even though we’re barely halfway through the year the cuisines represented have already expanded enormously. Filipino, Anishnawbe, Southern, Lebanese and Japanese joints are all now newly serving breakfasts outside the box of the usual bacon and eggs.

Here are my picks for the top ten new brunch options in Toronto so far.

NishDish

When Tacos El Asador moved across the street, a new Anishnawbe restaurant opened in its place, serving small, healthy lunches and breakfasts of griddle cakes and game proteins as well as vegan and gluten-free options from 8 til noon.

Republic

This Lebanese cafe on Nelson serves Lebanese coffee as well as a “rooster’s call” Lebanese latte, and a “hen’s nest” only available for breakfast of delicate, fresh, handmade mana’eesh dough lovingly crimped and topped with a fried egg, cheese and arugula.

Dolly’s

This Filipino mojito bar at Bloor and Lansdowne is changing things up from their late-night fare (still on offer) with brunch now available on weekends. Try spare ribs and eggs with rice and calamansi sauce, scrambled eggs and pork, or lonsilog sausage. Also, mojito pitchers for breakfast? Sold.

Isabella’s Boutique Restaurant

This place in the Beaches is serving a menu of Japanese “mochi mochi” pancakes with Nutella sauce, hot chocolate with chocolate chips and sprinkles, and omelettes, in addition to baked goods and savoury lunch fare.

The Green Wood

This Leslieville joint is open all hours of the night and day. They serve green juices which you can add booze to for your own personal version of a balanced diet, as well as Caesars, berries and granola, Dutch babies, and breakfast sandwiches.

Cafe Fiorentina

Known for epic brunches on the Danforth, this place bakes their own bread and makes sandwiches like croque monsieurs and panini. Try eggs benny, french toast, or croissants and cinnamon buns also made in house, or one of many rotating specials.

The Carbon Bar

This Southern spot on Queen East recently started doing brunch that features a Caesar bar, chicken and waffles, mezcal and lime cured salmon, bacon cheeseburgers and smoked brisket bennies.

Rise and Dine

This simple spot is new to East York, serving classic breakfasts of hash browns, eggs any style, bacon, and coffee, plus burgers for good measure, in a clean and contemporary casual space.

The Poet

This cafe on King East is offering tapas-style brunches inspired by Persian, Turkish, and Lebanese cuisines, along with egg mortadella sandwiches made to order.

Ufficio

Only on Sundays from 11 - 3, this Dundas West seafood restaurant is now serving brunch with bellinis of the day, blood orange and orange juice to wash down buratta, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, and of all things, octopus bennies.

The prospect of an LCBO strike right before a major long weekend is pretty scary, but don't start hoarding your alcohol just yet.

As Global News reports, LCBO staff, represented by Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) could go on strike right before Canada Day. 

.@OPSEU LCBO asks for a no board. #SavetheLCBO JW

— OPSEU Bargaining (@OPSEUBarg) June 6, 2017

A no board report was filed on Monday - employees can legally strike 17 days after a no board is filed. In April, LCBO staff voted in favour of a strike mandate. One of the key issues on the table centres on pay equity between part and full-time workers.

You never want to hear that the LCBO might strike. But right before summer patio season? NOPE DOT COM

— Sally Tubello (@sallyjaybee) June 6, 2017

However, as Global News explains, this doesn't mean a walk out is imminent. Despite fears of shuttered liquor stores across the province, staff have never gone on strike in the LCBO's 91 year history.

And just in case, at least there's wine and beer at grocery stores across the city.

If the Canada 150 events this year have taught us anything, it's that we owe a lot of praise and respect to the country's First Nations and Indigenous peoples. 

Aboriginal Day Live, which is part of the sesquicentennial celebrations, is kind of like the exclamation point on this statement and is a free day of festivities in eight cities across the country.

On June 21, Toronto's Fort York will host a day of activities and an impressive list of performers to celebrate the achievements and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Organizers also hope to create the largest round dance Canada has ever seen at 1 p.m. that day.

Artists such as Classified, Derek Miller, Eagle & Hawk, Eekwol and Willows will take to the stage starting at 8 p.m., but there will be DJs and performances from Toronto's own Big Fawn Canoe, and Susan Aglukark from 4 p.m. on.

After the sunrise ceremony at the beginning of the day, there will be cultural programming all morning until the early afternoon. 

Also coming up, Fort York will host the Na-Me-Res Traditional Pow Wow on June 24 as a continuation of the National Aboriginal Day celebrations. 

The Scarborough Town Centre has been doing its best in recent years to compete as a Real Mall and attract and keep visitors. The expansion of their Taste Mrkt has been a big part of that, incorporating local faves and exotic cuisines into the usual fast food offerings.

Here are my picks for the top places to eat and drink at Scarborough Town Centre.

Naan & Kabob

This mini-chain with locations in Mississauga and Scarborough is locally famous for their Afghan-style kabobs. Mantu dumplings and stuffed grilled bolanee naan can also be found here.

Biryani

This is where to go for Indian classics like tikka masala, curries, and meat and veggie thalis.

Wasabi Grill and Noodle

This place serves up hot and cold Japanese food including ramen and sushi. You can also get teppanyaki grilled noodles here and teppanyaki teriyaki combos with beef, chicken, shrimp or fish.

Sweet Jesus

The soft serve empire that’s opened up location after location, most in conjunction with sister business La Carnita, also has a location at Scarborough Town Centre. In a mini dessert food court, they’re pumping out their pimped out cones with toppings like Nutella or birthday cake and also selling pints of their creative combinations.

Love Me Sweet

Also in this mini dessert court area is Love Me Sweet, a Japanese cheesecake shop. They're known for their light, fluffy and simple cheesecakes that rival Uncle Tetsu.

Su & Shi

Go here for pre-made sushi boxes. Expect beautiful presentation and lots of selection of various combinations of nigiri and maki. They also do sushi burritos.

Caribbean Queen

The steam table here incorporates island and Asian cuisines with items like spring rolls, fried rice and noodles, and roti. Most combos with meat, veg, and rice or noodles go for under ten bucks.

Ten Ren’s

Bubble tea is the star of the show here. Signature milk and bubble teas are available and you can buy their tea in boxes to take home.

Mac’s Sushi

This food court staple churns out boxes of nigiri and maki sushi combos. Not exactly made to order and ocean fresh, but satisfies any sushi craving in the quickest way possible.

Scaddabush

Found just outside the mall on Progress Avenue, this casual Italian-inspired bistro has several locations in Toronto. They have drink specials like sangria girls nights, fresh pasta, Angus meatballs, and fresh mozzarella.

Since Burrito Boyz opened in 2014, it became a drunk food destination by serving the crowds pouring out of bars and clubs in the city's Entertainment District.

Since its humble beginnings on Peter Street, this burrito shop has expanded into a bona fide chain with locations across the GTA and southwestern Ontario, but something changed at the end of last month - the Boyz started charging extra for guacamole.

While plenty of fast casual restaurants (hi, Chipotle) make you pay for your guac, Burrito Boyz has been slathering on the green stuff for free until now.

"Due to the unstable nature of the avocado market, shortages, and increasing prices we are no longer able to continue offering this topping for free," reads a statement on the Burrito Boyz website. 

"We have made every attempt to forgo the price increase but refuse to compromise on the level of product our customers know and love." Burrito Boyz has yet to provide further details about this change. 

Other local spots, such as Fat Bastard Burrito and Big Fat Burrito still include guac in their burritos and bowls. "Fat Bastard Burrito does not charge for guacamole, at this point in time we want to still be able to extend that value to our customers," said a rep via email.

Redditors on r/Toronto also noticed this change at Burrito Boyz and while the surcharge is only a modest $0.87, there's really nothing to whine about, but of course, whine we will.

Epic milkshakes in Toronto come topped with myriad toppings, from candy to full slices of cake. Gone are the days of standard chocolate, vanilla and strawberry offerings, now shops across the city are going all out with these summertime treats.

Here are my picks for the top new places to get epic milkshakes in Toronto.

Hollywood Cone

This ice cream parlour on West Queen West is anything but basic. From their “titanic” sized sundaes to their “mutant” shakes, you're in for a treat. Shakes are available in flavours like Talk Nerdy To Me, which features Nerds and sour belts, to the Funnel Cake Shake that comes with an entire funnel cake on top. 

A post shared by Dave R (@daves.food.finds) on Jun 4, 2017 at 3:19pm PDT

MoRoCo Chocolat

This Annex shop boasts a variety of sweets, including a menu of wild milkshakes just in time for summer. Indulge in flavours like the Salty Sugar Daddy, which includes snicker doodle cookies, pretzels and salted caramel sauce. 

A post shared by Al Patterson (@thezenofal) on May 21, 2017 at 6:50am PDT

Cafe Nuna

The former location of Niche Coffee and Tea is sticking with tradition and will continue to serve up what they have dubbed freakshakes. Giant mason jars are filled to the brim with ice cream and milk and come loaded with toppings like cookies, cake and cotton candy. 

A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on May 23, 2017 at 12:52pm PDT

Sweet Jesus

Milkshakes haven’t always been around at this ice cream chain, but they now give them the same outrageous treatment as their cones with flavours like PB pretzel and Nutella and red velvet cake batter. 

A post shared by Short & Sweet Bakeshop (@shortandsweetcupcakes) on Apr 28, 2017 at 9:13am PDT

Short & Sweet Bakeshop

If you've ever wanted a milkshake rimmed with buttered popcorn or Fruit Loops, you're in luck. This bakeshop near Yonge and Eglinton now does milkshakes that will have you saying, "holy cow!"

Summer's just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the season than with what's quickly becoming a Toronto staple: the epic soft serve cone.

Thanks to Sweet Jesus, you can now find these massive, Insta-worthy treats at ice cream parlour across the city. But the latest one to open isn't even from the city.

A post shared by Callais' Cookie Craze (@callaiscookiecraze) on Aug 23, 2016 at 8:16pm PDT

Montreal's La Diperie will debut a second Toronto location this summer, conveniently situated across from Trinity Bellwoods Park at 925 Queen St. W. Along with vanilla soft serve dipped in up to 40 different flavours of molten chocolate, this ice cream shop will serve up some new menu items.

Toronto's first La Diperie is at 372 Danforth Ave.

Festival season is heating up in Toronto, with a different food or music event nearly every weekend. 

The newest festival to enter the fray is the Rosé Picnic, happening at Fort York on Saturday, July 22 to celebrate this summery wine.

This isn't your average picnic in the park - tickets to this wine-infused extravaganza start at $65, but they apparently include a wine glass and a blanket. Food and wine costs extra, unless you buy a VIP package or pre-packed picnic basket.

A post shared by Rosé Picnic (@therosepicnic) on Jun 2, 2017 at 9:23am PDT

Like the annual Diner en Blanc, the Rosé Picnic has a dress code: you need to wear pink or white to attend. 

It's been a rollercoaster ride of a year for Pride Toronto and its relationship with Toronto Police Services.

Although Pride's funding is now safe, and uniformed officers are banned from marching in this year's parade, one group is still very much opposed to Pride's decision. That's why it's throwing a festival at the same time as the parade on June 25.

"We want to have a place to celebrate where they [uniformed officers] normally wouldn't be able to," says Bryn Hendricks, the organizer of the First Responders Unity Festival. 

Don't confuse this event with Toronto's annual Unity Festival which celebrates 10 years next month.

Much is still unclear about exactly what the Unity First Responders Festival is, where it will happen, and who will participate, but Hendricks is confident it's an event that needs to happen. 

"We're trying to be inclusive of all," he says. "This is in response to the fact that the police [don't] have the ability to march in the parade."

To be clear, Toronto cops are allowed to march in the Toronto Pride parade, just not in uniform.

Hendricks says 28 different first responder organizations have been contacted to participate. None of the groups have confirmed their attendance yet, though the festival does have letters of support from folks like Sue-Ann Levy and Ryan Doyle.

Some of the organizations invited to participate fully, in uniform if desired, at the @unityfestivalto:#EveryoneHasPridepic.twitter.com/VQ7K6vzHMG

— Unity Festival TO (@unityfestivalto) June 5, 2017

Hendricks also claims the Toronto Police are the only confirmed participants so far. When contacted, the TPS had a different response. 

"We appreciate the support, however we are not participating in any parades or festivals in Toronto this year," says Toronto Police services liaison officer Danielle Bottineau . 

During a radio interview last week, the Mayor stated he'd try to attend the event if invited, according to a note posted on the festival's Facebook page. But the Mayor's office has not yet confirmed his support or participation. 

Mayor @JohnTory confirms attendance @ the First Responders @unityfestivalto on @NEWSTALK1010 with @ryandoyleshowhttps://t.co/RN1DAlNFz6pic.twitter.com/WkHfaxzcIz

— Unity Festival TO (@unityfestivalto) June 6, 2017

Hendricks, who helped TorontoPolice get invited to march in the New York City Pride parade in uniform, says the Unity event isn't anti-Pride, but it's supposed to allow Toronto's first responder officers to celebrate as they wish.

You're half way through the work week, so take it easy today in Toronto. Visit an outdoor market, check out a film festival, or dress up to attend the always fun and very important Freedom Party. 

Food festivals in Toronto this summer pop up all over the city and take over parking lots, historic sites and even a decommissioned power plant, so get on out there and eat up. 

Parking lot parties in Toronto this summer will make you feel like you live in a small town where everyone just backs their pickup trucks onto empty slabs of cement, cracks open tall cans and sways to the music together under the stars. So experience all that, but in the city.

One of Toronto's year-round community film festivals has just announced its extended summer lineup, and it's all happening under the stars.

Every Wednesday from July 12 to August 16 starting at 7 p.m. in the big park at 620 Dundas St. E., the Regent Park Film Festival will host free outdoor screenings with yoga classes, DJ workshops, soccer games, and dance classes before the movie starts at sundown.

There will also be popcorn and drinks available, with all proceeds going back into the festival, which starts up again in November.

Here are the free movies playing  in Regent Park this summer.

July 12

Space Jam

July 19

Moana

July 26

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

August 2

Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na

August 9

The Bicycle Thief

August 16

Hidden Figures

The best kid friendly restaurants in Toronto are places where you can let it all hang out with little ones in tow while also letting your hair down. Italian, diner food, delis, BBQ and of course, beer and wine don’t have to be distant memories just because a new bae got added to the squad along the line.

Here are the best kid friendly restaurants in Toronto.

Anyone who likes checking out old photos of Toronto will be intrigued by this series of paintings by local artist Hanna Kostanski, which depict various street scenes from the city's past. 

In A Vibrant Past, she takes images from the Toronto Archives and reanimates them with colour, texture, and a keen eye for minor details that collectively inject the originals with a new vibrancy that brings our city's history to life.

"These images span several decades and... celebrate the many past incarnations of Toronto, and the ways in which people helped to shape it," Kostanski says in summary of the series, which will be on display at Urban Gallery later this summer. 

Taxis queue outside Eglinton Station. Photo by Eric Trussler via the Toronto Archives.

To give you an example of how the paintings dramatically change the source materials, I've dug up one of the photographs the artist painted. The original is an Eric Trussler photo showing taxis lined up outside of Eglinton Station. 

Yonge and Eglinton, 1963. Acrylic on Wood, 36” x 36”. 

I've always liked this archival photo for the way it shows off the huge signage that defined the intersection in the 1960s. Seeing it in colour, however, really highlights the enormity of the billboards, but also draws attention to the kid with his head in the newspaper box.

Scarborough Beach, 1915. Acrylic on Wood, 30” x 40”.

Other paintings in the series have their own allure. This beach scene from the early 20th century is a reminder of how much fashions have changed. It also shows us how long we've been heading to the same places for our weekend entertainment. 

"I chose [this one] simply because there is so much to like about it: its lovely composition, the post-Victorian fashion, the interesting people and location, and the fact that it depicts a moment in Toronto’s history that seems almost too dreamily beautiful to have been real," explains Kostanski.

Bay and Adelaide, 1940s. Acrylic on Wood, 36” x 48”.

Here you get a good sense of the hustle and bustle that defined Bay Street in the 1940s. With all the retail at street level rather than in the PATH, there was more street activity during this period than there is today.

Queen and Spadina, 1924. Acrylic on Wood, 18” x 36”.

This painting depicts a street scene looking at north on Spadina at Queen and indicates the importance of this intersection. You can even see the underground public washroom at the left-centre of the frame (its surrounded by the iron fence).

Bloor Street West, 1958. Acrylic on Wood, 18” x 24”.

Kostanski describes the source for this image of Bloor West in the late 1950s as a "lovely representation of the optimism of post-war Canada." Once again, the painting focuses on the people who occupy the frame, in this case the uniformed man strolling down the street.

There's a whole world of fascinating photos housed in the Toronto Archives, but it's refreshing to see some of them given this painterly treatment, which seems to draw the city's past just a bit closer for a few brief moments.

Put away your umbrella and bust out your sunscreen because it's going to heat up in Toronto next week.

After a relatively cool and rain-filled spring, it looks like summer weather will finally arrive with a series of hot and sunny days. According to Environment Canada, the mercury should rise above 30 C on Monday and Tuesday.

With the humidex, the Weather Network says it could feel closer to 40 C outside, so you might want to seek out some AC or a nice shaded patio to stay cool. 

This weekend's also supposed to feel super summery, so good luck finding a spot at Bellwoods (both the park and the brewery). 

While it'll get warm next week, the Weather Network says we might be in for a cooler summer than last year, though it might be more humid. 

"Much like this spring, we have the potential to alternate between extended periods of both above seasonal and below seasonal temperatures," reads a report by meteorologist Doug Gillham. 

Enjoy the heat wave while it lasts.