Queen Arepa is a Venezuelan street food truck that despite its name serves up a great deal more than just cornmeal sandwich arepas, and it’s all gluten-free.

The mobile operation headed up by Mina Vuzio and Ali Sifontes is entirely female-run, hence, Queen Arepa. More familiar arepas and empanadas are served alongside lesser known street foods such as the pancake-like queso-filled cachapa and mozzarella stick-esque tequenos.

Tequenos ($6 for an order of 4) are made using a coating of fresh corn that envelopes incredibly stretchy queso, which acts as a filling for many of these snacks.

You have to dip these (and pretty much everything) into bright guasacaca, a tangy but simple sauce of garlic, mayo, oil, salt and cilantro. Enjoy with one of their imported malt beverages or colas.

La Vaca Real ($10) is the signature arepa with beef and cheddar. It's super savoury, moist, and falling apart in the best way —the molten cheese and meat fusing into a flavour bomb on buttery cornmeal cakes. Beef has been boiled, shredded, and cooked with special spices. You can also get the exact same sandwich with pork (La Rumbera).

A chicken avocado salad arepa ($10) isn’t quite as full of cheesy, meaty goodness but this does make it a far lighter, veggie-forward option that really delivers on big, fresh avocado flavour. All these arepas go great with a drizzle of guascaca or salsa verde, too.

They also do a vegetarian arepa with no meat that still contains all the Venezuelan flavour you could hope for, and could also function simply as a light option. Stuffed with a huge amount of tomato (around six thin slices), onion, aromatic cilantro and a ton of queso fresco, it’s nice and fresh. They also sometimes make a vegan arepa with vegan cheese.

The humble cachapa ($7) hides wonders within its simplicity. Two giant flat heavily buttered cornmeal discs that almost resemble corn pancakes, crispy from a light char, sandwich queso fresco for the ultimate melty stretchy effect. I could see this as a simple brunch option at a ton of places other than the sidewalk.

I can’t speak from experience, but I feel like these messy traditional Venezuelan street sandwiches would go great with beer, and the ladies of Queen Arepa must have had a similar inkling as they’re often posted outside or near breweries like Liberty Commons and Blood Brothers.

Brian Leonard began making latte art four years ago. Since then, he's hand-crafted lattes for some of the biggest names in music, movies and entertainment, and he's showing no signs of slowing down.

Leonard, who's lived in Toronto for the past five years, started playing around with foam while bartending at an Italian restaurant that had an espresso machine on site. "It [latte art] was sort of this really fun thing I could do while I was working," he says.

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Later, Leonard, who studied opera in university, got a job singing three nights a week at a spot on King Street. During the day, he worked as a barista at the Coffee Bar on Front Street. That's when his latte art started getting noticed by local media outlets.

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He briefly worked for Second Cup and Aroma, and operated a pedal powered espresso machine at Tokyo Smoke before landing at Calii Love, which is now his home base. If you want to catch him there, follow his Instagram feed because he's also busy with a slew of other events and commitments.

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His popularity has surged since he appeared at the TIFF-related Producer's Ball. 

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Things really got going when Dan Ganum brought Calii Love to Sundance earlier this year. On day one, John Legend shared one of Leonard's lattes on Instagram, and then celebrities started pouring in, including Game of Throne's Peter Dinklage.

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"I told him that he plays the game of thrones while I play the game of foam," Leonard recounts. "And he thought that was pretty lame, but I was just so excited to meet him."

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Since his time in Park City, Utah back in January, he's been at the Canadian Screen Awards, the Junos, and the MMVAs.

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But regardless of who he's making a latte for - whether it's a celebrity or a customer at Calii Love - he uses his background in performance to frame his work. "It’s all about creating a moment with someone," he says. "And we get to share that moment together."

Toronto's new dog-themed park has been all the rage since it opened earlier this year, but soon it seems cat-lovers will have an outdoor space of their own.

Claude Cormier, the architect behind the Berczy Park revitalization, has plans for a feline themed park that'll be part of the Well mega-development on the former Globe and Mail site.

The new green space is envisioned as a promenade along Wellington St. Image via Claude Cormier + Associates.

The extent of the cat component isn't known yet, but Cormier let it slip to the Globe and Mail that the upcoming promenade-style space will be something of a counterpoint to Berczy, which has captured the public's imagination with its 27 cast iron dog sculptures. 

Beyond any themed elements, the new green space looks like a promising part of the massive mixed use project that's set to transform Front St. West. It's not really a park per se, but a series of public terraces that will beautify Wellington St. at the north end of the development. 

The promenade will connect two prominent Toronto parks. Image via Claude Cormier + Associates.

The redesigned street will serve as a link between Clarence Square and Victoria Memorial Park, and help to temper the sense that the Well will come off as just another shopping mall at the base of a condo. There are more ambitious plans in place here.

Working in concert with Hariri Pontarini, Adamson Associates, and retail architects BDP, Cormier wants to create a bonafide neighbourhood, of which a central promenade with quirky cat sculptures would be a major element. 

We'll have to wait to see how many cats are included in the final plans, but it Cormier can rekindle the magic of his dog fountain, this outdoor space could prove very popular indeed.

There are lots of concerts in Toronto today, including massive stadium shows from Queen and Muse, and more intimate performances with Jill Scott and Julie Byrne. There's also an outdoor movie screening on to help you relax your way into the week. 

Toronto has been ranked one of the top cities for tech jobs in North America. As welcome as the news is, it's not all that surprising considering the hype our tech community's getting right now.

According to a new report from the American-based commercial real estate firm CBRE, as USA Today writes, Toronto ranked the sixth best market for tech jobs in North America, right behind Atlanta.

San Francisco, Seattle, New York and Washington D.C. took the top four spots, though Toronto shows some of the most impressive growth in this sector.

As USA Today notes, CBRE looked at a variety of metrics, such as the availability of tech talent and apartment rental rate growth. 

Apparently Toronto ranked highly because compared to other North American cities, rent here is relatively affordable - commercial rentals rates are also more reasonable here. 

As Toronto home sales continue to tumble, the rental market might finally be slowing down too. After the average price for a one bedroom apartment saw months and months of steady increases, July rates have nearly flatlined.

According to Padmapper's monthly tally, the average price of a one bedroom apartment clocks in at $1,800 this month, which is up from $1,790 in June for a 0.6 percent increase. 

This wouldn't be much to get excited about if it wasn't for the fact that the cost of a one bedroom in Toronto has already risen $300 so far this year. If rental prices level off, that's good news for apartment hunters out there who face a downright scary market.

The bad news for prospective renters is that two bedroom units have continued to climb at rates we're familiar with. These apartments jumped by 3 percent to reach $2,430 this month, though that number trails well behind Vancouver's national leading cost of $3,230 per month.

The Toronto skyline is saying goodbye to the Trump name. The hotel and residence at Bay and Adelaide is in the midst of getting an extreme makeover as it prepares to become the St. Regis Toronto.

The Canadian company Innvest Hotels previously acquired the hotel and residence after JCF Capital ULC, which owns the hotel, bought out the Trump brand's management contract early. 

Update on the name removal. Just the "M" down so far. #trump#hotel#torontopic.twitter.com/4IiKcg82F2

— Frank R Margani (@FrankMargani) July 18, 2017

This means the property will get a revamp, which will include new food and beverage outlets as well as renovations to the lobby and guest rooms.

The biggest change, of course, will be the name change. Part of the Trump name has already been removed from atop the tower, but it'll take a little while until traces of it fully disappear. 

Sears Canada is closing 59 stores across the country, and this morning, the retailer got court approval to begin liquidation sales at the locations it plans to shut down.

The sales will begin this Friday, July 21 at the 59 outposts slated to close, as the Canadian Press reports. In Toronto, only the Sears Home store in Scarborough will shutter.

While that's the only Toronto store slated to disappear, store in Orangeville, Woodbridge, Ancaster, Orillia and Cambridge will close too.

According to the Canadian Press, the sales will wrap up on October 12.

Canada's having a moment. While our country is definitely fraught with issues, around the world we're seen as a force of good, according to the results of an Ipsos Poll released earlier this month.

Ipsos polled more than 18,000 people across 25 countries to see "who influences global affairs in this dangerous world."

An overwhelming majority of respondents agreed that Canada has a positive influence around the world. "[A]Majority of respondents around the world put Canada (81%) at the top of the list of countries and organizations that have positive influence on world affairs today," reads the Ipsos report.

"While Canada's positive influence score remains the same since 2016, all other countries and organizations experienced a decline since last sounding," it continues.

Australia and Germany ranked right behind Canada. Only 40 percent of respondents agreed that the United States has a positive influence on the world. 

Summer finally feels like it's arrived in Toronto, humidity and all. After a cool (and rainy) start, it looks like the mercury's starting to rise.

It's supposed to feel like 34 C with the humidex today, and Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement for the city.

"Possible high levels of air pollution are expected today. A special air quality statement is in place due to the possibility of deteriorating air quality. Hot and sunny conditions are expected to cause increasing ground-level ozone concentrations in the area," reads the statement. 

"Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk," it later continues.

Tomorrow, it might be even hotter outside. Environment Canada says that despite the risk of afternoon showers, it could feel like 35 C with the humidex. 

It's forecast to stay hot and sunny for the rest of the week too. 

Travel stores in Toronto will get you ready for your next adventure by letting you stock up on luggage, airplane pillows, sleeping masks, water bottles, plugs and any other accessories you might need on your trip around the world or even just to cottage country.

Here are my picks for the top travel stores in Toronto.

MEC

With two locations in Toronto, this popular store has all sorts of bags, packs and rain gear as well as more intense items for hiking, biking, running and water sports. 

Europe Bound

This longstanding store stands out with well-made, good-looking accessories as well as a great rental program for travel gear. It has a selection of compact items, including umbrellas and hair dryers as well as creative and flexible food and drink containers.

Monocle Shop

For the business traveller, or the person interested in looking good wherever they're headed, this small, but mighty shop on College Street is the place to go for travel bags, umbrellas and travel guides for cities around the globe. 

Muji

This Japanese mega-brand is the place to go for a curated selection of monochrome travel accessories, including slippers, robes, pillows, light blankets and stationary. 

Te Koop

Pack in style thanks to this Queen West store with  hip-looking luggage,  good-looking bathroom kits, money bags and even fanny packs.

Tumi

Tucked inside the Eaton Centre, this well-known travel brand has a great selection of luggage, bag tags, wallets, passport holders and other travel essentials to bring some flare to your travel look. 

M0851

This travel accessory store is based out of Montreal and has three locations in Toronto, including one in the Eaton Centre. Its travel accessory selection is unmatchable. Find leather totes, shoulder bags, weekend bags, bag tags and passport holders here.

Bentley

You'll find this reliable travel brand's shop underneath First Canadian Place in the PATH. This is one of the country's largest luggage retailers, and the store is stocked with a solid selection of umbrellas, bag tags and totes as well.

Drake General Store

This three-storey clothing and design shop has an assortment of fun and unique travel add-ons, like bag tags, carry-on size grooming products, travel kits and loads of fun Canadiana-themed gifts to share with friends from abroad.

The Bay 

The luggage department at this Canadian department store is quite impressive. It rides the line between practical and fashionable, leaning a bit on the practical side, but that's usually what you need while traveling.

If you've bored of over-the-top ice cream cones, you might want to check try another super cool treat this summer. 

Liquid nitrogen ice cream has been around for a while now, but this smoky dessert is now becoming more popular thanks to a handful of restaurants who serve it in Toronto.

Markham's Cool N2 (the restaurant's originally from Taiwan) will soon make its Toronto debut. It's moving into 412 Queen St. W., a few doors down from the Cameron House. 

A post shared by CoolN2(Nitrogen Ice Cream) (@cooln2canada) on Jul 12, 2017 at 2:42pm PDT

It serves up a variety of desserts made using liquid nitrogen, including creme brulée and sundaes that come topped with syringes filled with sauce.

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In keeping with the mad science theme, a new spot called Lab Sense just opened at 526 Yonge St., just south of Wellesley.

Eative Film Cafe in Kensington Market has also been doing liquid nitrogen ice cream for the past few seasons. 

I'm a sucker for new houses on old lots. As nice as heritage renovations and old character-filled homes can be, a brand new space that's built on a well-treed property in an established neighbourhood is tough to beat.

This new build at 103 Scarborough Rd., in the Beaches underscores what these types of spaces offer and just how expensive they can be when constructed on a decent-sized lot.

Currently on the market for nearly $3.5 million, this six bedroom home includes loads of space in an appealing package that features perks like a huge en suite and a closet off the master bedroom, nine foot ceilings in the basement, and a plunge pool in the backyard.

The whole place is tastefully designed with a measure of neutrality that encourages the buyer to put a personal stamp on the interior spaces. If you find some areas on the dark side, that could easily be solved with a coat of paint. 

Specs

• Address: 103 Scarborough Rd.
• Price: $3,490,000
• Lot Size: 50 x 110 feet
• Bedrooms: 4 + 2
• Bathrooms: 6
• Parking: 2
• Walk Score: 88
• Transit Score: 73
• Listing agent: Mark Richards
• Listing ID: E3871521

Good For

A big family with kids of varying ages. With en suite washrooms in each bedroom and two living areas, there's plenty of room for teenagers to sequester themselves from the rest of the family. 

Move On If

You're not passionate about living in the Beaches. This is a great house, but it's not a $3.5 million house in numerous neighbourhoods in Toronto. If the area isn't part of the appeal, you can find similar packages elsewhere.

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

Jobs in Toronto aren't always easy to find, especially if you're looking to switch things up mid-summer. Thanks to a number of new restaurants and hotels, however, there are plenty of positions available right now, many of which are advertised at job fairs happening around the city.

Glamping might be en vogue right now, but for those of us who don't require all out pampering when we venture into nature, wilderness pods are the perfect balance between comfort and the rustic experience of camping. 

There have always been ranger-style cabins to rent for those who like the idea of camping but who can't stand tents, but these pods are a more modern version of these roofed accommodations that boast a cleaner domed design. 

You don't have to travel too far from Toronto to get in on this nouveaux camping experience. Long Point Eco-Adventures in Norfolk County offers a variety of alternatives to tents, including camping pods, wilderness pods, and more luxury glamping options like wilderness suites.

Many camping pods feature twin beds. Photo via Long Point Eco-Adventures.

Camping pods are the most rustic. They don't offer a whole lot beyond a bed and roof. Washrooms and showers are communal, and there's no electricity. These are the most similar to the backwoods ranger cabin — just with more style.

For my money, it's the wilderness pods that offer the best balance between comfort and adventure. These feature queen beds, electrical outlets, private toilets, and hot water. They're also a bit bigger than the camping pods, but you'll still have to use communal shower facilities.

The zip line is one of the most popular attractions at the site. Photo via Long Point Eco-Adventures.

As intriguing as these accommodations are, many people head to this unique resort for the array of adventure activities on offer. One of the major highlights is the roughly 50 kilometres of single track mountain bike trails on site, but that's really only the beginning.

There's also a zipline, observatory, axe-throwing range, and kayak tours along with a few other off-site options. It's a veritable playground for adventure sports enthusiasts.

The observatory is the best place for stargazing in the area. Photo via Long Point Eco-Adventures.

That's why the extra comfort of the accommodations make so much sense: who wants to rest a tired body on the ground in a stuffy tent? 

Prices range for $89 a night for camping pods in the low season to $279 a night for wilderness pods in the high season. 

It's going to be a scorcher today in Toronto, so head outside when the sun goes down and catch a movie under the stars. If you feel like dancing, check out a concert and grab a free hot dog along the way.

If you're planning a trip down south this summer, you might want to arrive earlier than usual to the airport.

That's because the US Department of Homeland Security has introduced enhanced security measures for commercial flights flying into the United States.

According to a news release from the department, these measures include "overall enhanced passenger screening," enhanced security around aircraft and passenger areas and enhanced screening of personal electronic devices.

"All personal electronic devices larger than a smartphone will need to be easily accessible and have all cases, cover and/or packaging removed," reads a note on the Air Canada website, which also advises passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight. 

The best roti in Toronto makes for a flavourful and satisfying meal in one convenient package. Whether it be Caribbean or East Indian-style, it’s typically served in huge portions, with most allowing for a choice in spice level. Kudos to those who can eat the whole thing in one sitting.

Here are the best places to grab a roti in Toronto.

The CN Tower stars in most photos of Toronto, but our local landmark is also pretty popular around the globe.

According to a new a report from the travel company On the Go Tours called "The Wonders of the World, According to Instagram," the CN Tower is the 11th most popular landmark in the world.

The travel company looked at 50 of the world's most prominent landmarks and then determined how many times the names of those sites were used as a hashtag on Instagram. The hashtag #CNTower has been used 777,791 times (at the time that this study was completed).

Here are the 12 most popular world landmarks, according to Instagram hashtags:

• The Eiffel Tower, Paris
• Big Ben, London
• Grand Canyon, Arizona
• London Eye, London
• Empire State Building, New York City
• Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
• Tower Bridge, London
• Statue of Liberty, New York City
• Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
• Colosseum, Rome
• CN Tower, Toronto
• Machu Picchu, Peru

Plenty of neighbourhoods in Toronto are dominated by sprawling apartment complexes. These residential towers are often a walk (or drive) away from amenities such as grocery stores and medical clinics, making them a little isolated.

However, the Residential Apartment Commercial zoning bylaw (RAC) hopes the change that.

As CBC News reports, city council adopted this bylaw a few years ago and the Ontario Municipal Board approved it in 2016. Now, folks will start determining how to improve communities across the city with it.

"This new zoning changes the rules in nearly 500 tower sites, allowing for food markets, shops, small businesses, classes, community services, cafés and other initiatives," reads the RAC Zone website. 

The idea, as CBC notes, is to focus on buildings with 100 or more units. The city has outlined specific RAC sites (or complexes) in all parts of Toronto. 

Rezoning 500 apartment towers to allow for pop ups, restaurants, community hubs More info here: https://t.co/zJQ7N7rqdfpic.twitter.com/aC4s98KgNb

— Graeme Stewart (@GraemeJStewart) July 17, 2017

The city of Toronto is hosting an event tonight with a group of panelists - including chief city planner Jennifer Keesmaat - to start talking about how to make the most of RAC zoning.