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The top 10 new food trucks in Toronto for 2017

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Food truck season is in full force in Toronto, and there's a whole new fleet of trucks that have hit the streets. These newcomers are go above and beyond standard street food offerings and serve items like falafel waffle cones, Venezuelan arepas, and cooked-to-order Italian pasta.

Here are my picks for the top new food trucks in Toronto this year.

Alijandro's Kitchen

This Mediterranean-Mexican hybrid food truck has introduced a never before seen menu item to Toronto, the fawaffle. It's a waffle cone made out of falafel batter, which they stuff with hearty ingredients. 

Curb Crave

Canadian classics like poutine, hot wings, and basic burgers are what you'll find on the menu here. This food truck also blends global influences into their dishes, most notably their tandoori tacos.

Little Havana Cafe

Order authentic Cuban coffee out of a renovated 55 year old trailer. You'll also find virgin mojitos and pastries on the menu at this cafe on wheels. 

Get Skewered

If you're looking for street food that won't expand your waist, a visit to this food truck is in order. They combine skewers of meat and superfoods, making for one hearty and healthy lunch. 

Pronto

This black and gold food truck roams the streets of Toronto serving up quality Italian fare. Satisfy cravings for fresh pasta, zucchini fritti, and tiramisu. 

Queen Arepa

The Arepa Republic isn't your only street destination for Venezuelan arepas. Queen Arepa has hit the streets for summer '17 and have a menu full of the warm savoury bread pockets.

Mr. Pierogi

Finally a pierogi purveyor has hit the streets of Toronto. These aren't, however, the most traditional ones you'll find in the city. Here you'll dig into chicken club, cheeseburger and dessert pierogies.

The Kathi Roll Express

Their restaurant may have closed its doors, but it now lives on through this Toronto food truck. Indulge in all the same favourites that were on offer at the restaurant like kathi rolls and Indian burritos.

Toben Food By Design

Watermelon salad, grilled cheese sandwiches, Korean braised short rib tater tots, and jerk popcorn fish all grace the menu at this newly opened truck.

Crispy Craves

The folks behind Road Grill have introduced a brand new truck for 2017. You won't find any burgers or wraps here. It's all about fish and chips, fish tacos and epic poutine. 

To find out where will be each day visit Toronto Food Trucks or download the Food Trucks app for iPhone or Android.


The top 20 summertime treats in Toronto by country

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Toronto is home to an array of summertime treats from around the globe. From European pastries filled with soft serve to scoops of rolled ice cream made to order, you can cool down with international treats all summer long.

Here are my picks for the top summertime treats in Toronto by country.

Brazil

Brazilian eatery Mata Petisco Bar in Parkdale serves up an acai sorbet topped with a berry compote and toasted coconut shavings.

Canada

There's no dessert more Canadian than BeaverTails so head to Pier 6 on the waterfront where you can get hot morsels of BeaverTails pastry bites served with gelato or frozen yogurt and toppings.

China

Woofles & Cream in Markham serves up a selection of sweet and savoury Hong Kong style egg waffles with soft serve ice cream. 

Bang Bang Toronto

The hardest decision you'll face at Bang Bang is what flavour of ice cream should you sandwich between your macaron. Photo by Jesse Milns.

France

The macaron gets the ice cream treatment at Ossington ice cream parlour Bang Bang. Delicate meringue shells get loaded with made-from-scratch ice cream.

Greece

Greek taverna Mamakas on Ossington serves up a wide selection of ice creams in flavours like milk and honey, rhubarb and coffee and cinnamon.

Hungary

You've probably come across Eva's Original Chimneys doughnut cones on Instagram over a dozen times this summer. What you may not know is that these actually aren't doughnuts. They're freshly baked Chimney Cakes, a Hungarian pastry popular in Eastern Europe.

India

If you're looking to cool down with the tastes of India Bombay Street Food is where it's at. This Bay St. establishment serves up falooda sundaes and gulab jamun with malai kulfi soft serve and crushed pistachios.

Iran

Persian supermarket Super Arzon dishes out an excellent saffron ice cream.

Bar Ape Toronto

Cool down with a gelato bar from food truck turned brick and mortar Bar Ape. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Italy

Thanks to this St. Clair West storefront you can now enjoy a classic Italian dessert on a stick. Bar Ape crafts gelato bars in flavours like pistachio, mulberry and lemon and sage.

Japan

Since Japanese chain Tsujiri opened its doors in Toronto residents have been going wild for their desserts including their brightly coloured green matcha soft serve.

Korea

Red Bean Waffle House is the place to go for fish shaped waffle cones. Flavours of black sesame and green tea ice cream are stuffed inside a fish-shaped red bean waffle.

Lebanon

There's lots to like about Beiruti Grand Cafe including their gelato which comes in flavours like sesame and ashta.

Seven Lives Torotno

Rows of rows of Mexican popsicles fill the cooler of Seven Lives Paleteria. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Mexico

Paletas are the star of Kensington Market dessert house Seven Lives Paleteria. Get them in whimsical flavours like lime-kiwi and watermelon or infused with Froot Loops and Mexican chocolate.

Philippines

Indulge in the Filipino summertime treat halo-halo at Queen West's Lamesa. It's packed with rum caramelized banana, coconut, strawberry, pinipig and shaved ice.

Spain

Patria makes a delicious coffee ice cream with black olive marmalade, spiced cream and nut wafer.

Sri Lanka

Lingan Cream House is where to go for Sri Lankan ice cream and sherbet in flavours like mango, pineapple and vanilla.

Taiwan

Asian fusion and dessert restaurant Sugar Marmalade has an extensive menu of delicacies from all over Asia including their Taiwanese shaved iced available in mango, honey dew, green tea or chocolate.

Frosty Roll Toronto

Watch Thai rolled ice cream made right before your eyes at Frosty Roll. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Thailand

Thai rolled ice cream has taken Toronto by storm. Frosty Roll dishes theirs out in flavours like mango, white chocolate and strawberry and banana and Nutella.

America

What's more American than an old fashioned doughnut? Toronto's brunch stalwart Uncle Betty's takes the American pastry and fills it to the nines with ice cream, drizzles and toppings.

Vietnam

End your meal at Lan Restaurant in Riverside with Chuoi Chien - fried banana with coconut, mango or jackfruit ice cream.

5 things to do in Toronto today

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Events in Toronto today include a couple of rock shows from musical icons and the latest edition of the Open Roof Fest, where you can see a movie and listen to music in the great outdoors. 

Events you might want to check out:

Savage Love with Whitehorse (July 11 @ Revival Bar)
Dan Savage joins Whitehorse and Supreme Court challenger Terri-Jean Bedford to talk body politics, privacy laws and more.
Open Roof Festival (July 11 @ 99 Sudbury)
Glam-pop band Blonde Elvis kick off this evening under the stars that'll also feature a screening of romantic comedy/horror-thriller The Bad Batch.
Tinder Tales Live (July 11 @ Gladstone Hotel)
Comedians, storytellers and people who have never been on stage before share their real, ridiculous dating app and online dating stories.
Boston With Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (July 11 @ Budweiser Stage)
Boston is joined by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts for this night of retro rock to take you back to a time when your parents were wild and free.
Men Without Hats (July 11 @ Phoenix Concert Theatre)
Men Without Hats are joined by a bunch of special guests on their latest tour. The Safety Dance? Pop Goes the World? You'll hear all these hits and more.

Giant rubber duck brought in big bucks for Toronto

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Folks in Toronto will always remember Canada Day 2017 as the time the world's biggest rubber duck floated into the harbour.

Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the Harbourfront to snap selfies with the controversial, giant bath toy that really had nothing to do with Canada or its sesquicentennial - but it was definitely a crowd pleaser.

Today, Metro News reports that according to credit and debit card payment processor Moneris, transactions at participating businesses in the Harbourfront area were up 17 percent over the Canada Day long weekend, compared to last year.

Across downtown Toronto, transactions were up 13 percent year over year. There are, of course, many variables that could contribute to such a rise in sales in the Harbourfront area, but the numbers further underscore that the rubber duck was a hit.

Toronto now has a pierogi food truck

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Mr. Pierogi is Toronto’s first food truck to top sweet and savoury cheese-filled Polish dumplings with a range of wild toppings inspired by cuisines from across the globe. With over 20 toppings, they offer creations like poutine or dessert apple, or you can design your own wild combo.

Run by Ratmir and Krystina Prokushev, the idea behind the truck is to bring the streets of Toronto the taste of traditional pierogis but with high quality toppings that take them to a new level.

Mr Pierogi Toronto

Greek pierogis ($9.50) are topped with tomato, cucumber, olive, onion, feta, and a tzatziki that works really well with the dumplings due to its similarity to the typical cooling sour cream traditional pierogis are served with. This brings together two powerhouse Toronto cuisines.

Mr Pierogi TorontoFifty-cent toppings include options like pickles, olives, tomato, and chips, dollar ones include jalapeno and cheese, and deluxe toppings for a buck fifty include cheese curds, bacon and chicken. For two bucks you can even get hearty sausage and sauerkraut.

Mr Pierogi Toronto

Chicken club pierogis ($10.50) are an indulgent and zany combo, adding diced breaded chicken, tomatoes and ranch to more usual toppings of bacon and cheese.

Mr Pierogi Toronto

Deutschland ($8.50) toppings stick more to the European roots of pierogis, topped with sauerkraut and zesty rounds of sausage. Additional sauces and savoury and sweet drizzles are available at the cash of the truck.

Mr Pierogi Toronto

Cheeseburger pierogis ($10.50) are probably at the wildest end of the spectrum, topped with seasoned ground beef, cheese, pickles, onions, and a version of mac sauce. Definitely a high-octane pierogi experience.

Mr Pierogi Toronto

Then over at the other end of the spectrum there’s the classic ($8.50) topped with familiar bacon, irresistible fried onions, sour cream and chopped green onions.

Mr Pierogi Toronto

Taco pierogis ($12) topped with beef, cheese, jalapenos, tomato, guac, and sharp crushed chips that get a little soggy, though the slight spice on this one is surprisingly nice.

Mr Pierogi Toronto

They were sold out of their popular caramelized apple dessert pierogis when I arrived but still had Nutella banana. Both are $8, served with whipped cream and based off the sweeter, slightly less well-known sweet cottage cheese pierogis rather than the cheese and potato ones.

Mr Pierogi Toronto

You can pay for your meal using Square, and plans for future creations include ideas like tandoori, butter chicken, mac n’ cheese, and pizza pierogis.Mr Pierogi Toronto

Luxury condo sales skyrocketed in Toronto this year

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Toronto's real estate market might be in flux right now, but the market for luxury properties was still smashing records this year.

According to a new report from Sotheby's International Realty Canada, for the first half of 2017, 14,292 properties sold for over $1 million in the GTA. That's up 41 percent since last year. Sales over $4 million were up 93 percent since last year.

Condos, as Sotheby's notes, proved extremely popular.

"With consumers seeking alternatives to limited single family home options, $1 million-plus condominium and attached home sales [townhouses] soared," said a news release.

In the GTA, condos sales over $1 million increased 98 percent year-over-year with 758 units sold. Condo sales over $4 million went up 150 percent (with 15 units sold).

While condo sales boomed, the biggest gains were still in detached homes in the first half of this year. Sales over $1 million were 1111 percent and 80 percent sold over asking. 

Toronto is getting a Burning Man party this month

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Toronto's very own fire-breathing dragon bus is about to ride like a bat out of hell down to the Nevada desert for the 2017 Burning Man Festival, and someone's throwing a fiery send-off party to celebrate. 

Dubbed Metaverse 2.0, the massive outdoor party is happening in a brand new outdoor venue organizers are calling The Sands on Sunday, July 23.

Located within a tree-lined lot at 158 Sterling Rd., in the Junction Triangle, the party is a fundraiser to help send the flaming monster on wheels to Burning Man as "Canada's largest art car."

The event's slated to be an apocalyptic mini-music festival complete with art installations, food trucks, a licensed bar, a lounge area and other Mad Max-vibe surprises. 

Folks will also be able to get up close and personal with the 19-foot beast called Heavy Meta, which blasts fire and includes a stage for concerts, a 10,000 watt sound system, and animatronic effects.

Musical guests on July 23 include Hatiras, Ben Cormier, Matt Von Wilde, MRKG and Steintology with lighting effects and lasers shows from Lumatronic and Prsmtx.

The costume theme is future Viking and tickets start at $15. 

The Best Backyard Patios in Toronto

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The best backyard patios in Toronto are hidden gems that feel like an urban open-air escape (particularly for those without backyards or patios of their own) where one can enjoy a drink, a meal and some pleasant conversation (or personal introspection) in a relaxed outdoor setting.

Here are the best backyard patios in Toronto.

Allens Toronto

Not only does Allen's boast an epic burger but you can scarf it down on their backyard patio. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Allen's

Burgers, beers and a large, beloved back patio with big trees to provide shade make this Danforth pub an ideal laidback hangout destination.

Cold Tea Toronto

Make your way to Cold Tea's patio for a quaint back alley vibe. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Cold Tea

No longer really a secret, this bar hidden in a small Kensington Market mall has a happenin’ back-alley patio with food, drink and DJ collaborations aplenty.

Cadillac Lounge Toronto

The Cadillac Lounge is a retro-cool spot with an even cooler patio to boot. Photo by Jesse Milns.

The Cadillac Lounge

Live music, pool tables, a retro vibe and a huge back patio make this Parkdale spot a fave for enjoying a pint or three.

3 Speed Toronto

Patios don't much more charming than the one at 3 Speed. Photo by Jesse Milns.

3 Speed

Count yourself incredibly lucky if you manage to nab a seat at this popular Bloordale bar’s leafy, lovely and charming backyard patio.

Bairrada Churrasqueira Toronto

Picnic tables make up the seating on the Bairrada Churrasqueira patio. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Bairrada Churrasqueira

This Portuguese grillhouse’s location at College & Dovercourt boasts a massive back patio with picnic-table seating for sipping sangria while enjoying grilled meats and watching a game on one of the flatscreens.

Bettys Toronto

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at Betty's backyard patio. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Betty's

A great hideaway on King East at any time of day, this pub’s fun patio keeps busy with a ton of brews available on tap, a kitchen that stays open late and an all-you-can-eat weekend brunch buffet.

El Patio Toronto

Make your way to the back of El Caballito to discover El Patio. Photo by Jesse Milns.

El Patio (El Caballito)

Found just off of Pearl Street behind King West’s El Caballito, the often-packed El Patio offers tacos, tequila, margaritas and cervezas amongst colourful decor for a festive summer season.

Addison Toronto

There's something for everyone on The Addisons Residence patio. Photo by Jesse Milns.

The Addisons Residence

Firepits, lawn games and cabana seating make this Wellington West lounge-meets-club created to emulate a Beverly Hills-style residence the epitome of backyard chic. Cocktails at the outdoor bars and BBQ eats for snacks make it perfect for summer partying.

The Walton Toronto

The Walton flaunts a dreamy little backyard space. Photo by Jesse Milns.

The Walton

It’s difficult to resist the charms of this serene and dreamy back patio at this cafe and cocktail bar in Little Italy, with its hanging white lanterns and fairy light-covered trees.


TIFF launches $3 million campaign to support female filmmakers

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The Toronto International Film Festival kicks off in about two months, but before that party gets started, TIFF announced a new fundraising campaign that aims to support female filmmakers.

Over the next five years, TIFF will aim to raise $3 million that'll go towards a range of programs, including a three-month residency program for female creators, a speaker series on gender equity and gender identities in film and a new producers' accelerator program. 

Of the 250 highest grossing films in 2016, only 7 percent had female directors and among the top 100 films of the year, only 29 percent had female protagonists. TIFF wants to bring attentions to issues of gender disparity.

“Inclusion, accessibility and diversity are central to our work at TIFF. We acknowledge that gender inequity is systemic in the screen industries, so change has to happen at every level. That includes getting more women into key creative roles,” said TIFF artistic director Cameron Bailey in a news release.

“We plan to seek out, develop and showcase top female talent in the industry through our Festival and year-round initiatives. Our mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. One of the most powerful ways to do that is to foreground the perspectives of women," he continued.

TIFF launched its Share Her Journey fundraising campaign yesterday and partnered with film industry heavyweights Omoni Oboli, Deepa Mehta, Jennifer Baichwal and Carol Nguyen.

7 unusual events in Toronto this summer

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Unusual events in Toronto this summer will transport you to another world with fire breathing dragons, larger-than-life interactive art playgrounds, a Quidditch tournament and a bicycle-powered, travelling music festival. Let's get weird, Toronto. 

Events you might want to check out:

Metaverse (July 23 @ The Sands)
This is a post-apocalyptic dance party and fundraiser to help send Toronto's fire breathing dragon truck to Burning Man.
Camp Summerdaze (July 28-30 @ TBA)
This musical and mystical experience will include healing sanctuaries, oracle readings, yoga, crafting, a marketplace and dance parties with over 20 DJs.
A Very Potter Party (August 4 @ Arts & Letters Club of Toronto )
See a performance of A Very Potter Musical (in concert), followed by a costumed dance party. Tickets are very limited and costumes are encouraged.
Valhalla Quidditch Fantasy Tournament (August 5 @ Cherry Beach Sports Field)
Sign up as an individual athlete, get drafted onto a team and compete for the first time as a team on the day of this Quidditch tournament.
Figment Toronto (August 19 @ Figment Toronto)
This festival is all about interacting with art, artists and friends when a Toronto park is transformed into a large-scale exhibition space.
Lady Gaga #artbirth (August 24 - September 3 @ Berkeley Street Downstairs Theatre )
This show combines vaudevillian comedy with artpop outrageousness. The show features a very pregnant Lady Gaga played by Athena Reich.
The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses (September 15 @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts)
Hear new and old tunes from this legendary video game.

Toronto was engulfed in eerie lake mist today

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Toronto's no stranger to fog and mist, but for a few hours in the late morning today, the city looked ethereal bathed in a bright white mist rising off the lake while the sun poured down above. 

Along some parts of the waterfront like Marilyn Bell Park, visibility was reduced to less than 50 metres despite a nearly cloudless sky. The briefly stunning show peaked at around 11 a.m. when the temperature over the lake and the dewpoint were aligned at around 18 Celsius. 

If you were located north of Queen St., you might not have even noticed unless you looked south to see the CN Tower almost completely obscured. The mist has now dissipated, but many took to Instagram to share the beautiful and slightly eerie-looking phenomenon.

Here's what Toronto looked like covered in lake mist today.

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Toronto is getting a new three-day tech festival

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Toronto's tech industry is booming and to celebrate and showcase it, the city is partnering with a bunch of tech-related organizations for Elevate Toronto, a three-day festival from September 12 to 14, 2017.

There are three major events happening throughout the festival to create community and attract global tech talent to Toronto.

Festival organizers are also focussing on attracting a more gender and racially diverse network of talent to the city. 

Elevate Diversity Day kicks things off with a 3,000-person all day event with TED-talk style speeches. The second day breaks things down into sectors to explore like artificial intelligence, health and financial technology, or fintech.

It all ends with the NewCo Fest where 30 local tech companies will open their doors to give folks an inside look at what Toronto's best and brightest are up to. 

Tickets aren't available yet, but check back on the official website for the release date because this gathering will most likely sell out. 

The top 5 new soft serve ice cream in Toronto

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Soft serve ice cream is easy to find in Toronto because it seems like the city is rather obsessed with this summertime treat. Ice cream trucks always satisfy if you're craving a basic cone, but if you want something a little crazier, you might want to visit one of these new spots.

Here are my picks for the top new soft serve ice cream in Toronto.

Hollywood Cone

Visit this West Queen West spot for over-the-top milkshakes, including one that comes topped with a funnel cake and a generous serving of vanilla soft serve. It also serves up cones that you can get rolled in toppings, such as M&Ms and caramel corn.

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iHalo Krunch

Wait in line for the trendiest treat of the summer at this ice cream shop located across from Trinity Bellwood Park. The gimmick here is activated charcoal-infused soft serve, which looks great on Instagram.

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Eva's Original Chimneys

Indulge with a Hungarian-style pastry filled with soft serve in the Annex. There are lots of flavour options available here and beware, these cones are massive.

Rita's Italian Ice

This American chain opened a tiny location at College and Augusta. It offers Italian ice as well as creamy frozen custard that's essentially fluffier soft serve. 

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Junked Food Co.

Junked Food Co. moved to Queen Street West, bringing with it even more outrageous dishes, including cookie dough scoops topped with soft serve ice cream.

Dramatic makeover at Yonge and Queen streets now underway

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While Toronto's recently installed sky bridge is all the buzz right know, it's not the only upgrade in store at Yonge and Queen streets. In fact, it's really only the first step in what will be a more dramatic makeover of the bustling intersection that serves as a gateway for the Eaton Centre.

The building on the northwest corner of the intersection is in the early stages of what will be a stunning heritage makeover that will finally reveal the entirety of its brick facade, much of which has been covered for over 50 years.

woolworth building toronto

What the building looked like in 1897 when it was home to the Philip Jamieson Clothing Company. Photo via the Toronto Public Library.

Going back to the late 19th century, this curved structure was home to the Philip Jamieson Clothing Company, though most will remember it as the longstanding home to Woolworth's flagship Toronto location. 

yonge and queen streets

The building was completely incased as of the late 1960s. It's on the far left of the frame here, looking west on Queen St. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Early photos reveal just how nice this building once was, but at some point in the late 1960s, it was encased in off-white cladding that completely obscured its heritage elements. 

2 queen street toronto

The makeover of the 1990s revealed some of the heritage elements, but covered the rest in aluminum cladding. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

It would remain that way until the early 1990s, when part of the historic facade was revealed and the remainder of the building was encased in new metal siding. This is the way most of us have seen the building as it changed hands from Royal Bank to Tower Records and the eventually to Atmosphere, an outdoor equipment store.

2 Queen street

It looks bleached and worn, but much of the original brick is still there. Photo by Derek Flack.

Now all the siding is coming off. Crews recently started work pulling back the aluminum casing that's hidden away most of the south- and east-facing sides of 2 Queen Street West. It doesn't look pretty right now, but there are big plans in store.

2 queen street toronto

New retail is destined for the ground floor here, as well as restaurant space up top. Photo by Derek Flack.

Already you can see hints of the original building coming into view — including the "P. J." marking the first occupant — but the brick is in rough shape and will need plenty of care to bring it back to stature promised by the previously restored section at the front of the building.

2 queen west

What the finished product will look like. Image via Cadillac Fairview.

When it's all said and done, the makeover calls for a complete restoration of the historical facade plus a three-storey glass addition at the top that will ultimately be home to a restaurant space.

2 queen street west

The new sky bridge and restored 2 Queen St. will provide a much improved southern gateway to the Eaton Centre. Image via Cadillac Fairview.

The whole thing is quite reminiscent of the work that was done on the Dineen Building a few years back. Design work here is by Zeidler Partnership Architects (who also helped with the fancy new pedestrian bridge), the original designers of the Eaton Centre. Heritage input will come from ERA Architects

It'll be fascinating to see this one shape up. Ever since the original Eaton's complex was demolished this portion of Yonge St. hasn't felt quite properly integrated with streetscape at large. This could go some way towards changing that. 

Dazzling colour footage of Toronto in 1943

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The 1940s is a period well documented photographically in Toronto, but it's quite rare to see colour documentation of this period. That's why the clip below from the Periscope Film Archive is such a gem.

Yes, it's silent and not much happens, but once you see the first bright red Peter Witt streetcar go by, you can't help but get excited. So much has changed, but here you'll spot plenty of touchstones that have carried through the decades.

There's a lot to see in this roughly four minute long video. The obvious stuff is the Royal York Hotel, Union Station, and Queen's Park, but for me the intriguing things are the TTC signs, the mailboxes, and the outdoor classroom (possibly in High Park or Victoria Park).

It's also rather fascinating to note the general lack of traffic in the city (and the active role of the traffic-conducting police officer). While the place depicted here feels immediately familiar, the interval of 70+ years also gives it a rather eerie feeling.

The view up Bay St. is remarkably similar, but the building facades are actually cleaner today (we don't burn much coal anymore). There's also lots of people out and about on downtown streets because there's no Eaton Centre or PATH to take them inside.

Have a look to see what jumps out at you from the Toronto of 1943.


House of the week: 209 George Street

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Luxury condos are all the rage in Toronto, but sometimes a house will come along that'll make you wonder why you'd ever consider buying a box in the sky — 209 George St. is that house. 

200 George Street TorontoIt's semi-detached three bedroom, two bathroom space that's recalls a time when the street was was in higher repute than it is these days. George, you will recall, is one of the city's oldest thoroughfares, but some sections have seen their better days.

209 George Street TorontoThis, no doubt, keeps the price down compared to what this property might go for if it were located in the Annex or Cabbagetown. And yet, all things considered, the location is pretty marvellous considering the transit options and wellspring of amenities within walking distance. 

209 George Street TorontoWhat's most compelling about this home, however, is its unique features, from the secret outdoor dining space to the open staircase to the old fireplace that serves a centrepiece of the living room. This house is just brimming with character. 

209 George Street TorontoSpecs
  • Address: 209 George St.
  • Price: $1,345,00
  • Lot Size: 16.33 x 74.92 feet
  • Bedrooms: 3 
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Parking: Street
  • Walk Score: 97
  • Transit Score: 100
  • Listing agent: Cameron John Weir
  • Listing ID: C3823157
209 George Street TorontoGood For

Someone who appreciates novel spaces and loves the idea of a house rich with history but also modern amenities. The open concept really works here to update the layout without jeopardizing its heritage elements.

200 George Street TorontoMove On If

You get scared by neighbourhoods with dubious reputations and you insist on having a private parking space. This house won't appeal to everyone, but the person who ultimately buys it will be ecstatic to call it home.

209 George Street Toronto209 George Street Toronto209 George Street Toronto209 George Street Toronto209 George Street Toronto209 George Street Toronto209 George Street Toronto209 George Street Toronto

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

7 things to do in Toronto today

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There are two big fighting events in Toronto today, one with up-and-comers from Canada and the United States; the other stars two of the most well known names in the game. There are also a couple of free movies on as well as a Beyoncé dance class.

Events you might want to check out:

Slay Day (July 12 @ Scadding Court Community Centre)
Get out your bodysuits and high heels. Fringe is hosting a Beyoncé tribute dance class with a drag show afterwards from Beardoncé.
Mayweather and McGregor (July 12 @ Budweiser Stage)
Boxing and mixed martial arts stars Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor are on a press tour promoting their big fight, and this is their Toronto stop.
Wrestle the North (July 12 @ Nathan Phillips Square)
This event features the best U-18 teams from across Canada facing off against teams from the US.
Wayne's World (July 12 @ Harbourfront Centre Concert Stage)
Fun fact: Mike Myers first played Wayne Campbell on stage at Toronto’s Second City! You know the rest of the story, and now you can watch the movie for free!
Space Jam (July 12 @ Regent Park)
Head to Regent Park to see Space Jam. This event is co-presented with Manifesto.
Toronto Korean Film Festival (July 12-16 @ Innis Town Hall)
This unique film fest screens authentic Korean cinema and supports local Korean filmmakers.
Night Shift 088 (July 12 @ Eden Hall)
Serious movers and shakers in the house music scene join forces for this small, but mighty dance night starring Sean Roman, Joee Cons, Eh!Mon and Mr. Mustachi.

Toronto is getting a new luxury hotel

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Toronto newest luxury hotel will pop up near one of the swankiest parts of the city: Yorkville.

Yesterday, the San Francisco-based boutique hotel company Kimptonannounced it would be opening a Toronto location. Instead of creating a whole new building, it'll take over (and make over) the Holiday Inn at 280 Bloor St. W.

The hotel, owned by Canadian company InnVest, will feature 189 guest rooms, 18 suites and one 2,000 square foot presidential suite. The project will include a street-facing restaurant and bar, but there's no word yet whether it'll be the Fox and the Fiddle that's currently on site (doubtful).

Kimpton has boutique hotels in cities all over the United States as well as in the Cayman Islands and in Amsterdam. This will be its first Canadian outpost and it's slated to open in the middle of 2018.

The Best Ice Cream in Toronto

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The best ice cream in Toronto tends to be scratch-made with quality ingredients. Ranging from traditional to more innovative flavours, this sweet treat can be served super simple or completely tricked out with all sorts of eye-catching toppings and/or types of cones.

Here is the best ice cream in Toronto.

4 - Ed's Real Scoop (Roncesvalles)

A Toronto institution, its four locations across the city offer up everything from gelato to fro-yo and, of course, ice cream. Using all-natural ingredients, Ed’s rotates through over 100 different flavours that can be turned into sandwiches, sundaes, shakes or floats, and with some advanced notice, even cakes or pies.
5 - Sweet Jesus

This Instagram-friendly spot affiliated with La Carnita has multiple locations around the city. Specializing in “pimped out” soft serve creations that pile on the toppings (the Red Rapture contains red velvet cake, cream cheese icing, raspberry puree and meringue crumble on a vanilla soft serve base), this dessert joint also does take-home pints.
11 - Put a Cone On It

Intriguing flavours like roasted banana, black sesame, Earl Grey and hojicha can be found at this Koreatown shop affiliated with Manic Coffee. Since everything is made in small batches, the selection changes up frequently, and true to its name, each order comes topped with your choice of a vanilla or chocolate, house-made, two-dimensional waffle cone.
6 - Dutch Dreams

On Vaughan Road just south of St. Clair West, this quirky, family-run ice cream parlour that’s been in the neighbourhood for over 30 years is known for its kitschy, hoarder-like decor. It rotates between over 60 house-made flavours that can be scooped into fresh waffle cones or bowls, hand-dipped in chocolate and rolled in candy or other goodies.
7 - Greg's Ice Cream (Distillery)

With locations in the Distillery and the Annex, Greg’s has been a Toronto fave since it first opened in 1981. Over 100 different flavours in constant rotation include ginger, sweet cream or the ever-popular roasted marshmallow, which can be served by the scoop in a cup or cone, or be transformed into a sundae, float or milkshake.
8 - Tom's Dairy Freeze

Nostalgia at its best. This retro, roadside attraction on the Queensway in Etobicoke has been around since 1969, and is famous for its classic soft-serve cones (vanilla, chocolate or twist) that can be dipped and/or have flavour bursts added to them. Sundaes, souped-up shakes and banana splits are also options at this old-school joint with a walk-up window and picnic table seating.
10 - Eva's Original Chimneys

What started out as a food truck has become a cashless, bricks and mortar dessert phenomenon in the Annex; vegan-friendly, Hungarian-style chimney cones are bread-like pastry baked rotisserie-style, coated in cinnamon sugar, coconut, walnuts, graham crackers or a golden glaze and then filled with real-cream or vegan soft serve, with the option of adding toppings to make creations like Banoffee Pie or Grasshopper S’mores.
9 - Summer's Ice Cream

Small-batch ice cream made daily featuring two dozen different varieties can be found at this Yorkville ice cream shop, including flavours like almond butter toffee, banana cream or the unique “Toronto Pothole,” with almonds, marshmallows, peanuts and chocolate chunks. House-made waffle cones or bowls that can come dipped in chocolate and rolled in nuts or sprinkles are a definite highlight.
3 - Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery

Lineups are inevitable at this incredibly popular bakery and ice cream shop on Ossington. Inventive flavours that include “Totaro,” cinnamon toast, or burnt toffee can be made into a variety of creative ice cream sandwiches (with cookies, choux pastry, chiffon cake or cinnamon buns)or be scooped into Hong Kong-style egg waffle cones.

Toronto's narrow house is on the market for nearly $800K

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One of Toronto's narrowest houses in back on the market. After being listed for $750,000 in 2015, it's now selling for $788,800, a modest increase, considering the state of local real estate within the past two years.

The house, at 383 Shuter Street in Corktown, might look tiny from the outside, but it has high ceilings and is flooded with light thanks to an impressive array of windows.

narrow house toronto

Despite those features, you'll still have to get creative to fit all your stuff in this property that's eight feet wide. It's often touted as the narrowest house in Toronto, but that prize actually goes to the smallest house in the city, which is more diminutive all around.

narrow house toronto

Sure, this house might not be for everyone, but it's less than $1 million and close to downtown, so you'd think that someone will eventually snatch this place up, especially given the appeal of the quirky architecture.

narrow house toronto

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