Toronto loves its hybrid foods and many in the city are willing to wait in long lines for mash-ups such as sushi burritos and doughnut cones.
The latest such item is the donnoli, or rather, the donut cannoli. Not to be confused with Boston cream or jelly donut (or various types of Italian donuts), this is apparently a whole new treat.
It comes courtesy of the popular Holy Cannoli and it'll be available tonight in limited quantities at tonight's Food Truck 'N Friday event.
The best Caesar salad in Toronto is typically defined by roughly chopped romaine hearts, crunchy croutons, parmesan, an anchovy-based dressing, and our usual Canadian fave, bacon. But this doesn’t stop Toronto innovators from constantly experimenting with these core building blocks to make this classic the flavour bomb it can truly be.
Here is the best Caesar salad in Toronto.
3 - Jacobs & Co. SteakhouseYou know Game of Thrones fever is reaching its peak when you see Jon Snow's name on road signs along Highway 401. That's precisely what drivers were treated to this morning when someone updated the exit sign to James Snow Parkway in Milton to read "Jon Snow Parkway."
Can #Ontario keep the name JonSnow Parkway instead?#GameofThrones
— Lee Wang (@J__Leee) July 28, 2017
Naturally there was also a "winter is coming" tag included in the guerrilla signage. The Ministry of Transportation is already at work to revert the sign to its former state, but not before some fans of the hit HBO show had a chuckle.
James Snow, after whom the roadway is actually named, was a longstanding MPP in the Halton East riding. Halton-area police have promised to investigate the incident, though I doubt they'll catch the punning vandal.
The best brunch in Toronto depends on who you ask and what you're looking for. There's no shortage of brunch spots in Toronto, which makes navigating the endless egg options and fervid crowds a pretty daunting pre-caffeine feat. Luckily we've rounded up essential Toronto brunch destinations to get your fix, no matter what you're craving.
Check out all 50 essential Toronto brunch spots in this photo gallery
Few things are as beautiful and intoxicating as a robust lavender field in full bloom. While this image might immediately conjure the picturesque landscape of the South of France, you don't actually have to travel too far from Toronto to experience this feast for the senses.
Believe it or not, there are two lavender farms within about an hour's drive of Toronto. You have Weir's Lane in Dundas and Terre Bleu just outside of Milton. Both have their merits, but the latter is the more photogenic of the two.
Scroll through Instagram and you'll see a smattering of breathtaking photos of the fields in full bloom, as well as the iconic yellow doorway that acts as a magnet for selfies and other shots destined for social media.
Lavender is typically at its peak in July and August, though each of the eight varieties planted at Terre Bleu reach their prime at slightly different times, which extends the period when it's worth visiting to almost three months.
August is the month when French lavender reaches full bloom, so visitors can really pretend that they've traveled to Provence for the afternoon.
There's more to do here than just stroll around the fields. In addition to guided tours that explain the nature of lavender and its historical uses, there are regular yoga classes, equine demonstrations, and, most popular of all, lavender ice cream on offer.
You can also buy other lavender-based products and organic honey during visits to the farm. Admission is $10 per person on weekdays and $15 on weekends. Farm hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Events in Toronto this August include the annual nostalgia trip that is the CNE as well as Veld, one the city's biggest annual music festivals. We've also got Caribana, OVO Fest and the newly relocated Waterfront Night Market. You also won't want to miss all the food events, concerts and free stuff happening in the weeks ahead.
Events you might want to check out:Free events in Toronto this August include major street festivals, outdoor movie screenings, concerts, and impressive pedestrian takeovers. It's a month to celebrate the city's diversity, all while having a good time without spending a dime.
Events you might want to check out:Cafes that serve brunch in Toronto are perfect for those who give food and drink equal weight in their weekend rituals. Knowing of a cafe equipped with a well-stocked kitchen can save you from subsisting on bottomless drip coffee.
Here are my picks for the top cafes that serve brunch in Toronto.
This Cabbagetown cafe serves brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Morning staples like eggs benny, pancakes, avocado toasts and huevos rancheros all grace the menu.
Not only is this West Queen West cafe known for their authentic yerba mate but they also serve Mexican brunch seven days a week. Load up on offerings of chilaquiles and chorizo eggs benny.
If you're looking for a Mediterranean brunch, look no further than this King East cafe. Opt for their Poet Brunch comprising of coffee or tea and your choice of eggs along with six prescribed sides.
This busy Little India cafe offers an extensive list of chow to be enjoyed while sipping lattes. Select from indulgent options like buttermilk pancakes or opt for one their delectable breakfast sandwiches instead. Brunch runs on weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Morning wraps, breakfast plates and oatmeal are among the items you'll indulge in during the week at both their West Queen West and Junction Triangle locations. On weekends find eggs bennies and stacked pancakes.
Just steps away from the Lansdowne subway station is this Bloordale Village cafe. From Monday to Saturday you'll find offerings of avocado toast, granola and yogurt, chia pudding, and hot cakes.
If you go slightly off the beaten path you'll discover this cozy cafe near West Queen West. Brunch is served on weekends from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a variety of bennies, breakfast wraps, salads and sandwiches.
Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Danforth cafe serves brunch. Sweet and savoury items fill the menu. There's caramelized banana French toast, eggs Benedict and brunched out grilled cheese sandwiches.
Found inside the Drake Hotel on West Queen West, this is arguably one of the most popular brunch spots in the city. Duck confit hash, chicken and waffles, and smoked salmon bagels are a few of the items available every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This coffee bar near Queen West does Lebanese brunch. A must-try is their hen’s nest. It's only available until 11:30 a.m. during the week, but all day Saturday and Sunday. House dough is topped with a perfectly runny egg, a mound of cheese, and arugula.
With the all-too-common short turns, delays, and random outages, using the TTC on a regular basis is tough enough. Throw in seat hogs, backpack-wearers, and other transit monsters screwing up your ride, and you have the formula for a very unhappy commute.
Here are my picks for the worst kinds of people you can encounter on the TTC.
Admittedly, some overheard conversations are pure gold, but 99% of the time it's enough to make those within earshot lose their minds. Despite being a common faux-pas, somehow the loud cellphone talkers find the guts to persist. Teenagers! Don't you know how to text?
That chicken biryani probably tastes great — it's the smell that's not so hot once it mingles with odours of a hot streetcar or packed train. Surely that tasty morsel can wait for the sake of the harried people of the TTC.
Clipping your toe nails on public transit is, quite possibly, the very worst rider offence there is. Please. Do. Not. Ever. Do. This.
Food smells are one thing, but a bad human smell is something altogether worse if you happen to be stuck right beside someone with BO on a packed train. Yes, the daily grind is rough, but if you had to skip the shower, just make sure to load up on the deodorant.
The TTC is a busy place. Space is at a premium. So please wriggle out of that backpack and give yourself (and your fellow riders) a break.
A transit seat is the ideal place to put one thing: your butt. No feet, no bags, no slumped torsos. Oh, and if you would be so kind, please shove over to that empty window seat. Okay? Thanks.
Come inside. We won't bite. Or just get the f*ck out of the way so we can get off the train.
A lot has been made about busted Presto infrastructure, but here's one thing that can be blamed on unthinking riders. If you don't slow down a beat when exiting at a Presto gate, you'll almost certainly temporarily bust it. Just slow down for a second!
Driving a streetcar through a congested city is, no doubt, a patience-sapping task, but there's nothing worse than the furious driver who leans on the horn and is snappy with passengers. Customer service is part of the job, too.
Tim Hortons cups and rolling half-full bottles of mystery liquid belong in the garbage, as does most of the stuff left behind on the TTC. A minor exception is granted for newspapers that are still in readable condition and have a blank crossword section.
The lost restaurants of Toronto fill long time residents with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. It would be nearly impossible to put together a definitive list of iconic or noteworthy restaurants that have shuttered or burnt down over the years, but there's enough establishments in our back catalogue to warrant a look back.
The list below could be characterized as hodgepodge. I'm working mostly based on photo availability here. Feel free to share links to photos of other defunct Toronto restaurants in the comments.
Behold, the lost restaurants of Toronto
Flora Dew at Hanlan's Point.
Dutch Sisters on Lake Shore Road (now Blvd).
Varsity Restaurant, Spadina and Bloor.
Sword Restaurant, Yonge and King.
Chop Suey House near Elizabeth and Dundas.
Sign of the Steet, Dupont and Davenport.
The Flame, Yonge and Heath (1950s).
Shopsy's on Spadina north of Dundas.
Brown Derby Tavern at Yonge and Dundas (1970s).
Pickin Chicken, Lake Shore Blvd West (1980s) by Patrick Cummins.
Canary Restaurant, Cherry St. by Patrick Cummins.
Frank Vetere Pizza.
Bobby Orr Pizza.
Ponderosa Ad.
Cyrano's and Steak & Burger on King East.
Steak & Burger at Yonge and Bloor (1970s).
Bassel's Restaurant at Yonge and Gerrard.
Ed's Warehouse at on King West.
Lime Rickey's near Yonge and Eglinton.
Organ Grinder, The Esplanade.
Penrose Fish & Chips, Mt. Pleasant Rd.
Captain John's.
4D's Diner, Yorkville.
Eddie Shack Donuts.
China House, Eglinton Avenue.
Centro, Yonge north of Eglinton.
People's Foods near Dupont and St. George.
Indian Rice Factory, Dupont and Howland.
Mr. Greenjeans at the Eaton Centre.
The Coffee Mill, Yorkville.
Seniors Steakhouse, Yonge south of St. Clair.
The Steak Pit, Avenue Road north of Lawrence.
The best cheap hotels in Toronto aren't fancy and you won't find luxurious amenities here. But these places all offer rooms at $250 per night or less, meaning you can find a relatively affordable place to rest your head in a city that's often super pricey.
8 - Bond Place HotelIf you're tired of the same old weights and treadmill routine, why not try an unconventional fitness facility in Toronto? These unique spots will have you jumping, rowing, pulling and lifting things you didn't even know you could. They're also all about having fun while keeping fit in unique way.
Here are my picks for the top unconventional fitness facilities in Toronto.
Located in an abandoned refinery in the Stockyards district, this gym is all about getting moving and having a whole lotta fun. With 10,000 square feet of space filled with bars and walls at various heights, you'll be able to practice parkour, gymnastics, stunt training, and much more.
This is Toronto's only dedicated indoor studio with an unapologetic high-intensity focus on rowing. Found on King Street East, it emphasizes the group aspect of rowing with a synchronized swish of the machine for a 55-minute high-energy row. It's basically the SoulCycle of rowing.
This is a boutique studio in the Leaside and Bayview area that combines HIIT and pilates to rock your body. Mixing a full workout on their signature WaterFlywheel (water filled rowing machines), fitness junkies spend most of the time balancing on a mat for the pilates portion of the workout. It's all about the core at this gym.
Found on Dufferin, just north of Queen Street West, this space is a 10,000 square foot obstacle course with 19 challenges. Decorated like a 1980s community centre, half the space is dedicated to obstacles, and the other half is for classes. There are areas featuring free space ropes, stall bars, a slack line, and best of all, two 11 and 14 feet high cove walls.
Ride the wave to Yonge and Eglinton to this surfing-inspired workout studio. It offers four different classes; Balance, which is a yoga-inspired workout; Burn, a sweat-inducing cardio class; Build, to work on your muscles; and Blend, a mixture of all the workouts. All take place on their signature surfboard balancing machines.
For those who always wanted to join the circus, or just want that acrobatic body, there's a gym for that. It's suitable for newbies to pros and this massive Carlaw Avenue space teaches classes like acro yoga, aerial hammock, silks and a drop and dangle class.
Are you working out or just having the best time ever? It'll be hard to tell if you hit up this trampoline park located near Leaside. With wall-to-wall trampolines and a giant pit filled with foam cubes, you won't even notice that you're getting your fitness on. They offer a more adult-friendly SkyRobics classes if you need a bit more focus.
Located on Queen Street West (with another location midtown), this no-tutu required facility will turn you into the ballerina you always dreamed of being. Buns and legs of steal are formed here as workouts burn fat and reshape muscles by combining fitness training, core conditioning, yoga and pilates.
As one of the top barre studios in Toronto, this one is found inside an industrial building on Eastern Avenue, just east of Parliament. It specializes in all aspects of ballet-style fitness training, but don't worry, you don't need to be a pro dancer to get involved.
If you need need to hit things repeatedly, really hard, this industrial-style Sudbury Street boxing gym might be for you. It offers a variety of fitness classes for all levels. Kicking gets your heart rate up while strengthening the lower body and the core. The studio provides gloves if you need them.
Markets and pop-ups this August will help you to hold on to summer. There's a unique collection of vendors, makers and creative curators ready to show off and sell you their best wares in cool spaces all over the city.Â
Events you might want to check out:The top chicken and waffles in Toronto are great for when you want it all. Savoury or sweet? Opt for both at once when you order up this soulful Southern staple. Then the real conundrum becomes, syrup or hot sauce?
Here are my picks for the top places to get chicken and waffles in Toronto.
With locations in the Annex and Kensington Market, this is one of Toronto's most popular spots for chicken and waffles. Whether you want it straight up or in a club sandwich, cravings for the brunch staple can be satisfied at any time of the day.
Similar to The Dirty Bird, this King East restaurant does chicken and waffles in a variety of ways. There's the What The Cluck!, two pieces of bone-in chicken over a scratch-made waffle, and the Cluck Yeah, a sandwich featuring white meat between a cheddar jalapeno waffle.
A smash hit at this St. Clair West spot is their chicken and waffles. It's only available until 3 p.m. and comes with four pieces of fried chicken on a Belgian waffle drizzled with chili maple molasses citrus glaze garnished with a few sprinkles of rosemary.
Stacks of fluffy, golden waffles and fried chicken are a menu staple week-round at this Liberty Village spot. Each ordered is served alongside house hot honey sauce and brown sugar butter.
While the King West diner may no longer be open 24 hours, they do serve until the wee hours of the night. Craving chicken and waffles at 2 a.m.? No problem, just prepare to wait in a line on the weekend.
In the Junction, fried chicken goes by the nickname Yardbird and is served alongside a buttermilk bran waffle. Be sure to drench it in their bourbon maple syrup before chowing down.
Jerk chicken isn't the only thing on the menu at this Cabbagetown Caribbean joint. Their Island fried chicken and waffles is served alongside syrup and chili sauce.
If you're looking for an Asian spin on traditional chicken and waffles, a visit to this Riverside spot is in order. Their Korean fried chicken is served on a bubble egg waffle and the chicken is glazed in a sweet chili sauce.
Chicken and waffles gets the eggs benny treatment at this 24 hour diner on Dundas West. Cornflake chicken and a poached egg sits on top of fluffy waffles with a ton of hollandaise, sausage gravy, and syrup.
Gluttonous brunch is the name of the game at this Junction spot. A must-try is their big ticket fried chicken ‘n’ waffle ’wich. Buttermilk fried chicken thigh gets sandwiched between two fluffy waffles and is sprinkled with sweet hot candied jalapenos.
Places to buy affordable art in Toronto are easy to find, if you know where to look. Few people can spend thousands of dollars on a single piece, but these places will let you support local artists, all without breaking the bank.
Here are my picks for places to buy local art in Toronto.
Find this gallery on Dundas Street West supporting up-and-coming artists and if you're really looking for something unique and affordable, don't miss this spot's annual Salon of Inclusiveness Show and Sale. It runs yearly during the holiday season and all art is priced between $50 and $500.
Not only does this gallery on Dundas West support emerging contemporary artists, but it also helps new art buyers enter the game. You can shop for prints and some original pieces online, but you should pop in to see the latest exhibition on display.
There's constantly new work — including paintings and photography — to see at this commercial gallery in Bloorcourt. You can find pieces (well) under $1,000 here.
Find this store that's all about print-making on Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market. Sure, you can buy greeting cards here, but you can also find creative prints, plenty of Toronto-themed items, and original local concert posters.
Music lovers would be wise to check out this gallery on Sterling Road. It features lots of music photography and you can buy photos of your favourite artists and local venues.
This Toronto-based online retailer sells artwork that's priced between $100 to $2,500, so you can really find something you love at a price that won't be too painful.
Sign up to receive daily emails from this artist-run site and then bid on new pieces of art work starting at 6 a.m. every day. Bidding closes at 11 p.m. and prices often start below $1,000.
Find this artist-run Toronto institution on Dundas West. This storefront features an array of artists' books as well as work in a variety of media, including prints, publications, zines and much more.
You never know what you're going to find in this store at Dundas West and Brock St. There are up-cycled vintage prints and illustrations on offer as well as work from an array of local artists and makers for sale here.
You might think an auction house would be expensive. However, this one in Toronto, based on King Street East, holds monthly online art auctions and pieces often go for less then $1,000, making it worth checking out.
Japanese cheesecake in Toronto continues to grow in popularity. The fluffy cheesy pastry can now be found at outposts across Toronto and the GTA and the real bonus is that digging in no longer requires a wait time.
Here are my picks for the top Japanese cheesecake in Toronto.
When you think of Japanese cheesecake one name always come to mind, Uncle Tetsu. They started the craze for the airy dessert in Toronto and now they boast locations all over the city including Unionville.
This bakery is where to go if you're craving Japanese-style cheesecake when you're not downtown. They have locations in Markham, North York and Scarborough and make two kinds of cheesecake - original and chocolate.
Ooey gooey cheese tarts aren't the only thing on the menu at this Japanese bakery in North York. They also serve authentic Japanese cheesecake and double fromage cheesecakes.
This French-inspired Japanese bakery is found in East York. Their Japanese souffle cheesecake is a must-try. It's made with fluffy meringue and cream cheese. You'll have to by a full size cake for this one.
With locations scattered across the GTA, Bake Code ensures that Japanese cheesecake is never too far. Here it is available by the slice, so you don't need to purchase a whole cake to get a taste.
When it comes to ice cream, Toronto is rich with options, and they go well beyond the big boys like Sweet Jesus or Ed's Real Scoop. House-made ice cream is being whipped up citywide - and I'm not talking plain old vanilla.
Here are my picks for the top ice cream shops in Toronto you might not know about.
House-made ice cream in tropical flavours like coconut, mango and soursop are favourites on the menu at this West Indian joint in Parkdale.
The salted caramel ice cream at this artisanal chocolate shop on Roncesvalles comes highly praised, but other noteworthy flavours include mint avocado and the "kitchen sink," a chocolate base that's loaded with chopped treats from around the shop.
On the hunt for vegan soft serve in Toronto? Look no further than this bakery in Kensington Market. Unfortunately, their soft serve cones are not available at their Junction location.
Extra creamy house-made ice cream and sherbet come in flavours like mango, pineapple and vanilla at this Sri Lankan snack shop in Scarborough.
Ice cream scoops, sandwiches and soft serve are available at this Bloordale Village bakery. Indulge in flavours of mint chocolate chip, banana pudding, and milk and cookies.
While they may be known for their handmade chocolates, you shouldn't pass up the chance to grab a scoop at this Junction shop. Ice cream is available in unique flavours of honey lavender, Quebec blue cheese, and spiced plum.
This Kensington Market restaurant is dishing out ice cream that's entirely vegan. Go basic with scoops in a cone or opt for their banana split or cupcake sundae instead.
Over 10 flavours of ice cream are available at this Danforth shop. Flavours range from your standard to chocolate and strawberry to more unique offerings of roasted marshmallow and lemon yogurt.
Also commonly referred to as St. Clair Ice Cream this Danforth ice cream parlour boasts a rotating menu of flavours like red velvet cheesecake, salted caramel, and cotton candy.
Make your way to restaurant near Yonge & Wellesley for dinner but stay for dessert. Your hardest decision will be deciding between their malai kulfi soft serve or donut ice cream sandwich.
Dog walking services in Toronto aren't hard to find; it's pairing you and your canine with the right one that's the real challenge. Whether your pet needs a solo walk or group adventure, training, playtime or just a quickie to visit a nearby bush, these services have got you and your pup covered.
These are the best dog walking services in Toronto.
This Liberty Village-based walking service prides itself on leaving personal notes after every walk. It allows for last minute bookings and is flexible with walk times and dates.
This East York-focused dog walking group will not only take your dog on high-activity walks (they carefully place your dogs in groups they'll fit in with), but it also offers obedience classes and longer term day care services. Contact them directly for pricing.
This dog walking group covers two large downtown service areas, and has a great menu of services, such as solo and group walks, dog sitting and boarding. They'll even care for your dog on your wedding day.
This west-side focused business focuses on four legged pals from Dufferin to Royal York and St. Clair all the way down to the water. It offers individual and group walks, mid-day drop-ins, as well as food delivery and vet appointment visits.
This Queen Street East-based service takes care of most of downtown with a one-on-one specialty. It cares for elderly dogs who don't want to be in large groups and only takes four dogs at a time. It also boards and provides daycare services for dogs as well as cats.
This service based out of the Annex and Leslieville cares for dogs of every size, age, activity level and temperament. It provides dog walks, daycare, cage-free boarding and a frequent walking program. It focuses on lots of interaction and also offers dog training and puppy visits.
This Liberty Village dog walking pack is made up of certified professional walkers and trainers. It provides walks, puppy visits, wedding chaperoning, pet sitting and training courses. It's also big on your dog's nutrition with specific programs and advice.
As member of the Toronto Dog Walkers Association, this part-time canine nutritionist has been in business since 2003. It's based on the city's west side and does five-dog off leash adventures in parks like Humber Bay Park, High Park and ravines and trails in the city.
This west side dog group walks dogs of all ages, sizes and temperaments in nine neighbourhoods. Sure they do your regular dog walking for groups and solo canines, but they also do house calls and specialize in puppies and older dogs who need a bit of extra care.
This downtown and uptown dog walker and pet care provider never takes more than five dogs out at a time and they are assigned to groups based on age, personality and health. All dogs are assigned to the same walker and they also offer boarding, visitations and cat sitting.
Free events in Toronto this week include a big festival at Ontario Place. The Art & Music Ontario Festival is a weekend of concerts and performances next to one of the city's coolest new parks. There are also a handful of outdoor movies and a fire parade on the Island.
Events you might want to check out:Caribana, complete with its parties, parades and concerts is only one of the major events happening in Toronto this week. It's also the time for Veld and the SummerWorks Festival. It's the first week of August, so start planning your schedule this month and take advantage of free events.
Events you might want to check out:
