To stop cars or not to stop cars?

That is the question that residents of one wealthy Toronto neighbourhood can't seem to answer right now, and, for whatever reason, the decision appears to be all theirs.

Two stop signs that were recently installed along Glen Road in Rosedale are slated to be removed in a few weeks on the urging of the North Rosedale Residents' Association.

Strangely, it was members of that same residents association who advocated for the new stop signs to be installed just a few months ago.

NIMBY vs. NIMBY: Rosedale neighbourhood asks City to install new stop signs, 2 weeks later wants them removed. https://t.co/3S43JG2x8k

— Joshua Hind (@joshuahind) September 18, 2017

"Speeding on Glen Road occurs regularly," reads a March-dated letter from the residents' association to Ward 27 Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam. "For many years now, residents of North Rosedale and adjacent neighbourhoods who frequent this area have voiced concerns over pedestrian and traffic safety."

The residents called for stop signs to be installed at the corners of Glen Road and Roxborough Drive and Glen Road and Binscarth Road to slow vehicles down – which is exactly what happened in July.

At least a few people who live in the area (or one very rich and influential resident, as some suspect,) were displeased with the results, though, which they say has led to more traffic congestion and louder street noises.

So, just two weeks after the signs were installed, the NRRA began lobbying for the city to remove them.

So let's review:
2 weeks ago Toronto installed a new stop sign here>https://t.co/csQ4gEQDZ7
2 weeks from now it will be removed. #topolipic.twitter.com/IHLzfpycNZ

— JohnToryWatch (@JohnToryWatch) September 16, 2017

"It's a little bit unusual for a residents' association to lobby so hard for stop signs and then to ask us to take it out," said Wong-Tam to CBC News over the weekend, noting that other measures used to calm traffic in the city were not feasible at these intersections.

"We are left with very few options," she said.

Reaction from people in the neighbourhood has been mixed, with some wanting the signs left alone and others happy to see them go.

Others in Toronto are simply confused over how this could happen – or upset over what the move says about our city and its policies.

I am sick over this city. Right in my own backyard. A neighborhood with an urban progressive councillor. a cyclist was killed nearby ...ugh.

— Richard Florida (@Richard_Florida) September 18, 2017

"It shows how Toronto still cares far more about the car than its people," wrote famed urban theorist Richard Florida on Twitter in response to the news on Monday morning.

"I live near this intersection. It is harrowingly dangerous. Speeding is common. There is no bike lane. The stop signs are essential."

"It's incredible the lengths drivers will go to keep speeding," wrote one person in reply to Florida's rant. "The blatant hypocrisy on this rampant lawbreaking is disgusting."

"Lived in Rosedale for 8 years," said another. "Shocked by how few people walk."

I propose an alternate solution: Shoot Rosedale into the goddamn sun. https://t.co/kxmPO8yBwU

— Tom Woodhall (@tommydoubleu) September 18, 2017

As it stands right now, Rosedale's rulers are getting what they want. The stop signs are scheduled for removal on Sept. 29.

Fall food festivals in Toronto will help you stock up for the upcoming colder months with gourmet foods, lots of chocolate, and beer. Embrace your inner squirrel and burrow into winter with these major, multi-day food events.

On this episode of Not In My Backyard, a KFC is slated to open in Leslieville and residents are not having any of their eleven herbs and spices.

Initially it was unclear what was moving into the space at 1364 Queen St. East where a convenience store used to operate. 
But a permit issued in July was eventually discovered by locals. It promised a restaurant space and confirmed KFC as the tenant. 

The main issue that's got people fired up is concern over the longstanding Chick-N-Joy that has been in the neighbourhood since 1977.

More broadly, some also fear that the incoming KFC signals a coming wave of corporate-style gentrification in Leslieville.

Other Toronto neighbourhoods have held similar grievances towards big businesses coming into their area.

A few years ago, Junction residents were upset over a Starbucks moving in across the street from independent coffee shop Crema, while gentrification in Parkdale seems to always be a urgent subject of conversation (to name only two neighbourhoods).

Beyond any corporate concerns, area residents also had more sensory concerns about the incoming food chain. But, hey, at least KFC's fries aren't as bad as they used to be. 

Christopher Siu is Toronto's Batman of Asian-inspired pastries – and he's finally about to have his own flagship store (or Batcave, if you will) for all of our cute food needs.

A self-described "pharmacist by day, baker by night," Siu wouldn't necessarily jump out as one of the city's most-talented young culinarians while working behind a drug counter, but his dessert skills are seriously next-level.

Look at his Instagram profile if you need proof, or watch season 2 of Masterchef Canada, where he was a top five finalist. 

Mango Double Happiness macarons and Blood Orange Lucky cats for a super lucky wedding. Congratulations again guys!! 🐾💐

A post shared by Christopher Siu (@bakersiu) on Sep 11, 2017 at 6:53pm PDT

Siu, who was born in Markham, has been selling his stuff at local food festivals like T.O. Food Fest and Sweetery since at least 2015. Based on how many photos his macarons have been tagged in, I'd say he's been doing it with a great deal of success.

In October, he'll start selling "cakes to impress" and "character macarons" out of his own spot, DaanGo Cake Lab, at Midland and McNicoll.

A post shared by DaanGo Cake Lab by @bakersiu (@daangocakelab) on Sep 16, 2017 at 6:00am PDT

The macarons are adorable, but Siu's cakes – which have themes like Monopoly, Versace and Pokemon – are insanely cool too. 

A post shared by Christopher Siu (@bakersiu) on Mar 26, 2017 at 3:52pm PDT

He also combines macarons with cakes, if you're looking for the best of both worlds.

A post shared by Christopher Siu (@bakersiu) on Sep 4, 2017 at 5:49am PDT

Fans in desperate need of Totoro and Disney macarons can currently get some of Siu's product offerings at the also-newCraque de Creme dessert cafe on St. Clair West.

We don't yet have a hard opening date for DaanGo, but according to the shop's Instagram bio, it will be sometime this October. You'll be able to visit the lab yourself at at 3380 Midland Avenue, Unit 11 when it opens to the public.

When life gives you sketchy Wi-Fi, self-employment and a boring, unreliable work space, Make Lemonade.

That's the idea (and also the name) behind Toronto's freshest new coworking space, which opened its doors on Monday to all women, and no men.

"Make Lemonade is a brand new, women's only, coworking space in the heart of Toronto," reads the company's website. "Born from the idea that creating your destiny can’t be store bought, we’re on a mission to create a community of driven women who create, dream and get sh*t done."

The Make Lemonade Instagram profile paints a clear picture of what organizers have in mind for the community.

A post shared by Make Lemonade (@makelemonadeco) on Sep 5, 2017 at 4:17am PDT

Awash in tones of yellow and pink, the collection of photographs, illustrations and motivational messages give off a playful and friendly yet dead serious message about getting things done.

It also regularly pays homage to strong female icons like Frida Kahlo, Maya Angelou, and Beyoncé (obviously.)

A post shared by Make Lemonade (@makelemonadeco) on Sep 11, 2017 at 4:27am PDT

The coworking space seems to be more about building a supportive atmosphere and design-forward office aesthetics than it is about restricting itself to one gender.

In fact, men are welcome in the space for meetings, events, and to visit members they know.

A post shared by Make Lemonade (@makelemonadeco) on Sep 4, 2017 at 5:07am PDT

"Step into a community of women-identified people working hard to turn their goals into reality," reads the website's about section.

 "The saying goes, 'empowered women empower women.'  Nonetheless, we're thrilled to have your man-identified colleague/friend/lover pop in for meetings and events."

Membership rates run from $25 for a "just a squeeze" drop-in pass to $500 per month for "a whole lemon," which includes a dedicated desk and 24/7 entry.

Yonge Street in the 1970s was at the height of its seedy glory. From Gerrard down to Queen, the central artery of the city was an eclectic mix of bars, live music venues, theatres, small retail shops, and fast food joints. It was loud, cluttered, and a bit dirty, but it was always alive.

Today you can see little pockets of buildings that recall this period — some of which still bear signs that date back decades — but the street is increasingly becoming a haven for a different kind of ostentatiousness: that of the tall condo. 

Everything about these photos is evocative of a Toronto that is, for the most part, already lost. From the big cars to the neon signs to the record and book shops everywhere, it's amazing to imagine how quickly urban paradigms can shift. 

Behold, this is what Yonge St. looked like in the 1970s.

The Hard Rock Cafe arrives on the scene (having replaced the Friar Tavern). Wow, that's a mop.

Dundas Square before the square.

Alternate view looking towards the freshly built Eaton Centre.

Coming down Yonge toward Dundas.

Tops Restaurant and Tavern and holiday shoppers, ca. 1972.

Looking north up Yonge at Dundas. The Brown Derby Tavern occupies the northeast corner of the intersection.

A closer look just north of Dundas with the Biltmore Theate in plain view.

Edison Hotel at Yonge and Gould.

Looking north up Yonge and Gould. The Ryerson Student centre now occupies the northeast corner.

The classic hodgepodge of the Lower Yonge strip.

The towering Odeon at Yonge and Carlton.

Bustling traffic beside Eatons at College Park.

Looking east along the north side of Gerrard from Yonge. The buildings here still remain, even as the signage has been wiped out.

Today in Toronto you can get into harvest mode with a cider festival taking place as part of Toronto Beer Week. If you're not thirsty, it's also the return of the live art battle series. Don't forget quirky quiz nights and a Bowie-themed concert at Massey Hall.

Protesters claiming to be part of the Black Lives Matter group just shut down one of Toronto's busiest intersections during rush hour.

The corners of Yonge and Bloor were blocked off for a total of 18 minutes on Tuesday morning, according to CP24, beginning at around 8 a.m.

A few dozen people carrying signs that read "Black family matters" and "Let Beverly stay" held hands around the intersection, forming a daisy-chain to stop foot traffic and vehicles from passing through while a press conference was held. 

#toronto#yongebloor#blacklivesmatter#cp24pic.twitter.com/hrvZfjAooh

— Markis Augustus (@infinitism) September 19, 2017

The group is protesting the detention and intended deportation of a new mother to Jamaica, according to City News. 

Beverley Braham, a Jamaican woman who is married to a Canadian citizen, recently gave birth to a son in Canada. 

Earlier this month, an official from Canada Border Services Agency detained both Braham and her infant son, Justin, for three days, according to protesters.

The mother and two-month-old baby are now facing deportation, and could be sent back to Jamaica on Sept. 21.

WATCH: BLM's Raven Wngz explains why his group plans to close off Yonge/Bloor instersection at 7:45 pic.twitter.com/4hczeD5zp6

— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) September 19, 2017

"We need everyone to get behind Beverly Braham – this is a clear cut case of bias against a black woman who challenged the Canadian immigration system," reads a media release issued by Black Lives Matter Toronto on Tuesday morning.

"Beverly should be spending her fourth trimester building her family here and enjoying her new child," the release continues. "Instead, she has been in the fight for her life, and that of her baby, and has faced inhuman detention with her tiny infant."

"This is not just. We are here to say enough is enough."

here the press release pic.twitter.com/seCP0vxrX2

— desmond cole (@DesmondCole) September 19, 2017

Protesters at Yonge and Bloor, which include members of Black Lives Matter as well as other advocates for the woman and her son, asked that Braham be allowed to stay until her sponsorship process is complete.

The intersection was back open to traffic shortly before 8:30 a.m.

There may be free things to do almost every day somewhere in Toronto, but the top free events this fall are the cream of the crop. Along with the citywide celebration that is Nuit Blanche, there are major film festivals, a weekend for witches, and the final street festival of the year. 

Developments in the ongoing Toronto streetcar delivery saga have reached just that: the question of future developments.

Persistent delays on the delivery of new streetcars from Bombardier has the TTC taking the first steps to look for a new supplier, according to The Toronto Star.

Bombardier is on contract to deliver the new low floor streetcar fleet as part of a $1 billion deal for 204 streetcars by 2019. But the company has been plagued with production difficulties that has them running way behind schedule, having only delivered 44 so far.

While the TTC doesn't have any plans to bail on the first 204 stipulated in that contract, it has issued a Request for Information that indicates that it's looking to other suppliers for another potential 60 vehicles it could order down the road.

164 beads of sweat dripping off my forehead for every streetcar Bombardier hasn't delivered to the #TTC. Need AC now 😰! @bradTTC@TTCwelps

— Nico (@nicofara) July 27, 2017

The request for information doesn't signal that a decision has been made to hook up with another supplier once Bombardier finally gets its 204 cars to Toronto, but it might suggest that the TTC is doing more than posturing when it comes to the supplier of new vehicles.

While the city won't require the additional 60 streetcars for a number of years, the Star notes that a supplier would need to be secured by late 2018. So far a number of companies have shown interest — including Siemens — though Bombardier will also respond to the RFI.

It closes on November 14. And the Toronto streetcar saga continues.

The University of Toronto is plugging its extensive Margaret Atwood collection this week following Sunday night's string of Emmy Award wins for The Handmaid's Tale, and boy am I glad they are.

Toronto-based fans of the hit TV series, based on Atwood's 1985 book of the same name, should be excited to learn that an original, handwritten first draft of The Handmaid's Tale can be viewed – by anyone – at U of T's Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library.

Where did this win begin? View @MargaretAtwood's 1st draft of #TheHandmaidsTale at #UofT's @Fisher_Library! #Emmyshttps://t.co/gX1GPXxSOkpic.twitter.com/0iKlVuDvzk

— UniversityofToronto (@UofT) September 18, 2017

"Fifteen years before The Handmaid's Tale was published, Atwood began providing material – from manuscripts to personal letters – to the University of Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library," reads a U of T news story published in April, shortly before the Hulu series premiered.

According to the university, Atwood has donated over 600 boxes-worth of material to her alma mater over the past 50 years.

Called "The Margaret Atwood Papers," the collection consists of novels, poetry, short stories, dramatic works, holographic drafts, typescripts, personal letters and even illustrations – as well as "considerable unpublished material."

A post shared by Fisher Rare Book Library (@fisherlibrary) on Sep 14, 2017 at 9:06am PDT

It also includes book covers of The Handmaid's Tale from around the world and a "draft of the libretto from the Danish opera adaptation" of the canonical dystopian novel.

Romi Levine writes in the U of T article that fans and academics come from around the world each year to access the Atwood archives, which grow steadily in volume as the author continues to donate.

If you already live in Toronto, you can skip the plane ticket and go see the archival material for yourself, this week, in the Fisher Library's supervised reading room.

Colour photograph showing the first sentence of Handmaid's Tale stamped on Margaret Atwood's hand for Book Riot. . The Margaret Atwood Papers @fisherlibrary consist of material related to the literary output of the author. The bulk of the collection consists of holograph drafts and typescripts of Atwood's published work - including poetry, short stories, novels, dramatic works, non-fiction - as well as galleys and page proofs. . #literaryarchives #archives #handmaidstale #fisherlibrary @UofT

A post shared by Fisher Rare Book Library (@fisherlibrary) on Jul 25, 2017 at 4:28am PDT

You can also follow the library on Instagram for exclusive Atwood-related snaps, and so many other insanely cool things. Trust me. You won't regret the follow.

For Toronto residents, the dream of the white picket fence isn't dead, but a condo in a good neighbourhood close to a subway will do just fine.

Because we're growing more fond of condo living, it's also getting more expensive. The Red Pin recently charted re-sale condo prices at 25 key Toronto intersections in an effort to pinpoint the most pricey clusters and vice versa.

Their findings show that one bedrooms are the most common unit-type, making up 56 per cent condos in the areas studied. They came in with an average price of  $545,000. 

Units that were closer to all the best amenities were, not surprisingly, the most coveted amongst condo hunters.

The most expensive intersection, Avenue and Bloor, is on the edge of both the Annex and Yorkville, retaining the quiet serenity of a residential neighbourhood while still being just a stone's throw away from the downtown.

Conversely, the least expensive intersection, Yonge and Queen (Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $371,444) lacks many of the residential qualities you see in less dense areas.

Two bedrooms accounted for 30 per cent of units, but also made up the majority of luxury offerings.

They averaged about $925,000 at these intersections, a cost that is slightly reduced when looking at the median ($519,000 for one bedrooms and $847,000 for two bedrooms), a number that is less prone to stark shifts.

Despite major gains in prices over the first eight months of the year (24.8 percent), there's been a slump more recently. Condo prices across the city were down 6.5 percent in August, and the overall number of sales has dropped 31.2 percent since April.

These are the most expensive intersections for re-sale condos in Toronto.

Avenue and Bloor 

Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $753,735; Avg. Price: 2 Bedrooms: $1,346,615

Bay and Bloor

Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $626,989; Avg. Price: 2 Bedrooms: $1,542,568

Front and John

Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $613,730; Avg. Price: 2 Bedrooms: $1,318,594

Carlton and Yonge

Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $602,323; Avg. Price: 2 Bedrooms: $903,275

University and Wellington

Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $588,236; Avg. Price: 2 Bedrooms: $942,000

University and York

Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $579,413; Avg. Price: 2 Bedrooms: $942,000

Bay and College

Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $576,749; Avg. Price: 2 Bedrooms: $829,801

Bloor and Yonge

Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $570,058; Avg. Price: 2 Bedrooms: $913,443

Wellesley and Yonge

Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $544,927; Avg. Price: 2 Bedrooms: $756,817

King and Spadina

Avg. Price: 1 Bedroom: $540,153; Avg. Price: 2 Bedrooms: $860,149

The TTC has been named 2017's APTA transit system of the year for all of North America. But if you ride the red rocket (or like, have Twitter,) you already know that. 

Power outage at 5:30pm on a Friday long weekend. Behold your "Transit System of the Year!" #ttc#failpic.twitter.com/jBPuFDCcKv

— Mel P. (@MelvPat) September 1, 2017

Streetcar and subway passengers have noticed hundreds of decals proclaiming the news all over TTC vehicles since the award was announced in June, leading to many snarky status updates.

Nothin like seein the "Transit System of the Year" stickers glide by as a train that has kicked everyone out drives off the way it came #ttc

— Samify75 (@Samify75) September 9, 2017

So common are these "transit system of the year" stickers that the phrase has become something of a meme among passengers, used ironically to complain about delayed trains or that situation when five busses arrive at the same time.

So glad today I took the #ttc (took the car). Transit system of the year lololol. pic.twitter.com/MVnX9NiG3E

— VoleekED (@VoleekED) August 13, 2017

If the goal was to get attention, TTC officials have definitely succeeded. They had to know it would backfire once in a while, though. 

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green told The Star that the decals, of which there about 5,000, cost roughly $50,000 to make and install.

Who knew #TTC had such a sense of humour! A self award? #lowbar@TTCnotices#jokes#theworstservice#the6ixpic.twitter.com/2nGtAgVkTQ

— Farrukh Lalani (@fslalani) September 3, 2017

“Winning this prestigious award is a point of pride for the TTC and the city," he said."Letting our customers know that their TTC has been recognized for its achievements and for the hard work of the 14,000 women and men who work for the TTC is important."

The decals will remain on busses, subway trains and streetcars "indefinitely," according to Green. 

Can someone explain how TTC won Transit System of the Year, 2017 (North America)??? Unless they implement Teleportation as of Dec, 2017? Smh

— Mauro Russo (@mau_russo) September 15, 2017

In the middle of a delay, it's difficult to remember the good things about a transit provider, but the TTC has done lots to improve over the last five years. 

Green says the stickers are worth every penny. Riders, on the other hand, might beg to differ after six consecutive years of annual fare hikes.

Toronto might be excited for the Leafs and Raptors to get their seasons started, but there's already been a damper to the early enthusiasm. The Air Canada Centre's new security measures have some fans furious.

New policies that came into effect on September 1 will prohibit patrons from bringing in bags larger than 14" x 14" x 6" and have done away with in-and-out privileges during events.

One argument is that security is already so slow at the arena that these new rules will only make things worse.

But it was smokers who were the most vocal about the new policies.

Some argued that the new rules were to rooted in a perceived threat of terrorism and a reaction to acts of violence like the Manchester Arena bombing last May.

While others sounded dramatic notes of despair at the perceived over-protection policies.

Perhaps the best reactions were sentimental, concerned over the fate of beloved Dart Guy who stole the hearts of Leaf's fans everywhere when he appeared in the stands, dart-in-mouth, a shining beacon of hope.

It's all a moot point, like complaining about the ACC changing its name next year. The sports facility will impose the security policies it sees fit, but shouting into the social media echo chamber is nevertheless cathartic.

This one goes out to all the people in hometowns everywhere who've asked "But how can you afford to live in Toronto!?!"

The answer to that question is "work."

An even more specific answer to that question can be found on this map, which estimates how much money you'll need to earn each year for a one bedroom apartment along the subway line.

Rent prices have been on the rise in #Toronto; what does this mean for your bank account and how much can you really afford to #budget? pic.twitter.com/kqXVx6A5lY

— Casalova (@Casalova_) September 19, 2017

Real estate marketplace Casalova calculated the average monthly price for a one bedroom rental unit near every subway station in Toronto using its own database of properties.

Then, based on the theory that 30 percent of one's income should go towards rent, they listed how much a person's salary would need to be to live in each area.

The average rent of a one bedroom within 1.5 km of Union Station, for instance, is $2,336, according to Casalova. If a renter were to spend 30 per cent of his or her income on rent, would need to make at least $93,440 a year.

King and Bay stations are at the top of the list, with required annual salaries of $100,720 and $96,480, respectively. Kennedy and Warden are the least expensive to live by, with salaries pegged at $41,040 and $42,920 respectively. 

toronto is insane why is the only thing i can afford to live in is like a shelf on a medicine cabinet in a mildewy scarborough basement

— riley (@shutupriley) September 10, 2017

It's important to note that many rental properties are more than 1.5 km from a subway station, which are not tracked on this map.

There are also people living within the areas Casalova looked at who don't make nearly as much as the criteria suggests they need to.

Some people have roommates or a partner to help split costs, and some spend more than 30 per cent of their incomes on rent.

Not me, though. I need the other 70 per cent in full for avocado toast, har har har.

The newest addition to Toronto subway system has entered the final testing phase before it opens to public in mid December, but even when it does, there will be at least one major component that remains sealed off for the foreseeable future.  

Buried beneath the brand new Finch West subway station is a roughed-in terminal that's waiting for the arrival of the new LRT line that's scheduled to open in 2021 (don't hold your breath on that date). 

"At Finch West, buried in the new station, is the new light rail terminal," TTC Chief Operating Officer Mike Palmer told CP24. "So when that’s built, you just literally break out a wall and there will be a light rail platform there."

This isn't the only secret station in Toronto's subway system. Most people know about Lower Bay, which was actively used for a period in the 1960s, but it's Lower Queen that recalls the TTC's forward thinking in this case. 

What Lower Queen Station looks like today. Photo by Derek Flack.

When the original Yonge Line was built in the mid 1950s, there was a good chance that a streetcar subway would be built along Queen St. In anticipation of its construction, the shell of a station was built under the current platform at Queen.

It's unfinished, but easy to see where streetcars would have arrived and departed. While there aren't pictures floating around of the roughed in station at Finch West, the idea behind preparing the space for an eventual connection is the same.

Let's hope the outcome is different, though. The streetcar subway never did arrive at Queen Station, leaving the space to sit mostly empty since the late 1950s. Let's hope our newest ghost station is brought to life on schedule.

Liberty Village is a neighbourhood of condos, but not all buildings are created equally. Many of the units at 5 Hanna Ave. feature dramatic living spaces that are a cut above the usual offerings. This unit on the seventh floor, for instance, boasts soaring floor-to-ceiling windows that make it feel much larger than it actually is. 

As a corner suite, it offers 270 degree views of the city, which includes a look down to Lake Ontario and the Etobicoke skyline in the distance. What's the point in having so many windows if there's nothing to look at?

While this is a soft loft, it borrows design principles from the real thing, particularly in terms of the way that the bedroom is incorporated into the space. The sleeping area hovers above the living room without much of a barrier to block out sound.

Some people will think that's a novelty that looks kind of cool, while others (e.g. a couple with differing sleep schedules) will probably find it a bit of challenge. It certainly looks nice, though.

Specs

• Address: #711 - 5 Hanna Ave.
• Price: $649,000
• Bedrooms: 1 + 1
• Bathrooms: 2
• Parking: 1
• Walk Score: 93
• Transit Score: 100
• Maintenance Fees: $561.88
• Listing agent: Brian Chaput
• Listing ID: C3925250

Good For

This condo looks great fro $650K. It's sure to appeal to someone who's willing to spend a bit more on a space to get luxury finishes and a refined design.

Move On If

You're more practical in nature. This place looks really big, but the den is tiny so not usable as a sleeping space (as some are) or an office that you'd want to spend all day in. Thus the usable square footage is smaller than it seems. 

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

Plant-based foods are what's up right now on Toronto's dining scene. Thank the internet. Thank Netflix. Thank people like me who pout whenever a server says the soup has cream.

We're not hippies, we're healthy – and our ranks are growing as fast as demand can keep up, both in the 6ix and around the world. 

Our city has seen a sharp rise in vegan options over the past few years. Those who were once relegated to a few select restaurants downtown (what up, Fresh and Urban Herbivore?) are emerging from their own kitchens to find everything from vegetarian butcher shops to meat-free McDonald's dupes.

And it's only getting better.

Bloomberg reported earlier this year that global sales of plant-based meat substitutes have gained 8 per cent annually since 2010, reaching about $2 billion in June. That's twice the growth rate of processed meat, to put things in perspective.

We're seeing the effects of this in an explosion of vegan options at the grocery store, in food courts and, more recently, in a string of new restaurants that are 100 per cent vegan.

There are zero animal products used in the making of the burgers at the recently opened Planta Burger in the Financial District. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

"It's a very strong position we are taking in food service at the moment," says Chase Hospitality Group president Steven Salm, whose company just replaced its fast seafood restaurant Little Fin with the vegan burger joint Planta Burger.

Chase also owns the posh Planta in Yorkville and will soon be opening a gourmet greens spot called Palm Lane.

"I think people are learning more thanks to the power of social media," he told me by phone. "They're reading things and becoming knowledgeable about diet and lifestyle. This has translated into what they put on their plates."

But, Salm says, it's not so much a move towards veganism as it is about "building a great restaurant that just happens to to serve animal-free products."

Planta brought elevated vegan dining to Yorkville when it opened last year. Photo by Jesse Milns.

"Seventy to 80% of our customers aren't vegan," he says. "They just want to add more plant based food into their diet."

Cara Galloway of Doomie's, The Imperative, and the massively-popular Toronto Vegan Food and Drink Festival has noticed a similar phenomenon.

"Veganism is certainly shedding its tofu and granola stereotypes," she told me, noting that the aforementioned festival has more than doubled in the three years since it launched.

"We get a great variety of guests at the festival. We have vegans who have stuck with us since year one, but we also have many non-vegans who come with friends, family, or on their own to see what all the hype is about."

Doomie's in Parkdale is known for their vegan take on the Big Mac. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

In response to the demand, Galloway says the company has plans to open three more vegan restaurants in Parkdale (or "vegandale," as she lovingly refers to the West-end hood.)

"It's incredible to see more and more people interested in seeing what veganism has to offer," she says. "Toronto is a foodie city, so we make sure to have incredible eats on deck."

What separates this most-recent wave of hip vegan spots in the city from the meat-free joints we already love appears to be a focus on food that tastes "like the real thing."

The grain bowls at Kupfert & Kim are great, but my meat-eating friends are a lot more likely to try something like Hogtown Vegan's plant-based Reuben than... anything that looks like it's good for you. 

Kupfert & Kim has found a winning formula for their mini-chain of vegan restaurants. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Eric Chao is slated to open his first restaurant, Parka Food Co., on Queen Street this fall.

"Our focus is on comfort food classics that have been reinvented to
be wholesome yet indulgent and 100% plant-based," he told me, pointing to dishes like eggplant burgers, tomato basil soup and truffle mushroom mac ('n cheese'.) 

Much like Salm, Chao says that the "vegan" part of his restaurant isn't as important as the "delicious" part of his restaurant.

"People seem to genuinely enjoy our food," he says. "And the fact that it's plant-based comes as secondary."

While he thinks that many neighbourhoods around the city are still lacking in plant-based restaurant options, Chao believes that things are changing.

The Imperative in Parkdale only sells animal-free goods. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

"If you look at many major cities in the U.S. and Europe, they're experiencing a similar trend," he says. "One could potentially see that as an indication of where we are heading in Toronto."

Salm has an even stronger prediction.

"I’m really excited for the next chapter," he told me. "I think the industry is just getting started."

You can already see a hint of fall colours in the trees around Toronto, and there's quite the display going on further north in a place like Algonquin Park. Given how epic the show is supposed to be this year, it seems only fair to give yourself the most amazing vantage point to take it all in. 

What better place than an aerial park and zipline course? There's no better way to see the fall colours than from atop the canopy itself, and you don't even need to travel that far from Toronto to get in on the fun.

A post shared by Treetop Trekking (@treetoptrekking) on Nov 3, 2015 at 3:56pm PST

Treetop Trekking has five locations across Ontario, one of which is nestled in a mature forest just 45 minutes north of Toronto in the Stoufville area that shows off great colours come late September and into mid October. 

Other noteworthy spots include Huntsville, Horseshoe Valley, and the Ganaraska Forest, all incredible spots for fall foliage every year. There's also an aerial course in Brampton that's super close to Toronto, even if the colours there are a bit less dramatic.

A post shared by Jenn vdElzen (@jennelzen) on Oct 15, 2016 at 3:30pm PDT

Beyond ziplining, these parks offer climbing and swinging courses as well. These are just as good a way to get an elevated view of fall foliage. The bonus is that you can get a fun workout in as position yourself amidst the trees. 

Visitors have three hours to do a full exploration of the treetop course and zipline, though there are other less challenging packages available as well. In Stoufville, the price for the  "Zip Line Aerial Game Trek" is $59.99. 

If climbing isn't your thing, remember that you can always check out the spectacular colours on ground level along the many amazing trails that wrap around the landscape just outside of Toronto.

It might not feel like it, but summer is just about over in Toronto. Other than taking advantage by simply being outside on a patio, there are a few events to help roll into fall. There's a free video gaming competition, a futuristic tech conference, and it's the kick off of the Toronto Palestine Film Festival.