Toronto's restaurant scene is always evolving. Places are always opening and closing and even popular spots change ownership occasionally. The smallest snack place to the most popular restaurants sometimes need to evolve to keep serving up their greatest hits. 

With several restaurants currently for sale across the city, here are a few notable ones that stand out. 

Solita

This Italian cafe and grocery store on Dundas West known for their cannoli and panini is right near a bustling restaurant scene with a ton of hungry customers. It's only been open since late 2014 but has hit the market for a mere $115,000.

Melanie's Bistro

This longtime brunch institution on Danforth East is for sale for a cool $179,000. It's always a bustling spot but is in the heart of a neighbourhood in transition.

Henry VIII Ale House

This pub favourite with two locations in Toronto (there's another further west) has a sweet patio, a downstairs party room, and a room full of Bloor West Village regulars. It can be had for only $99,000.

Sushi Couture

Cheap sushi is synonymous with the Annex so kudos to this slighly upscale sushi joint for 7 years in business so far. Interested buyers will need to fish out $145,000.

Hungry Amoo

This recently shuttered restaurant on Lower Ossington called it quits after about a year in business. The space is now up for grabs for $349,000.

Toronto's waterfront now has a quiet place for readers to sit down with a good book.

The Book Garden serves as a public installation dedicated to literature and those who love it. 

The space features trees, flowers, and a short peaceful pathway, but the main theme is the history of Toronto authors.

Each paving stone of the path will be engraved with the name of a Book Award winner and the name of their honoured work. 

A post shared by Karlene (@karlene.mcd) on Sep 19, 2017 at 12:10pm PDT

Winners include names like Dionne Brand, Kamal Al-Soylaylee, Margaret Atwood, and last year's winner, Cordelia Strube.

The opening of the Book Garden this coming Sunday is part of the Word on the Street Festival, which takes place the same day. 

Flying into Toronto from the south across the lake, you might get lucky and see Niagara Falls. You need a west-facing window seat, of course. But if you know where and when to look, you can't miss the Queen of the Cataracts, rumbling away just 50 kilometres from the CN Tower — two wonders of the world separated by half a lake.

Today we tend to look at Niagara with a bit of suspicion. Tourist trap. Motel wasteland. Kitsch paradise. This is a place where the various wax museums seem to spill out into the streets and claim the town in suspended animation.

The heart-shaped jacuzzi tubs are mostly empty now, residual metaphors of a place down on its luck. These days you go to Niagara to gamble, to revive old love in a falls-view suite. And you always come back broke.

Charles Blondin crosses the Falls. Photo via the Library of Congress.

It wasn't always the case. Toronto has had its eye on the Falls from the very beginning. 50 kilometres and two million litres a second will do that. While the tourist trade in Niagara didn't explode until after the second world war, the city proved a major draw as far back as the mid 19th century.

There were less than 10 hotels on the Canadian side at the time, but Charles Blondin still popped eyes by crossing the gorge in shackles, on a bike and blindfolded. Wealthy Torontonians made sure to take in the theatrics.

Niagara has always been about pomp. And failure.

The Niagara Falls Power Company in its prime.

At the turn of the century, Toronto investors helped usher in a modest increase of hotels at the Falls, but the big money was in power. Two million kilowatts of electricity are produced by the Niagara River today, the roots of which lie in the industrial boom the area experienced when someone realized that this natural wonder was a natural moneymaker.

As of 1906 The Toronto Electric Light Company had an outlet tunnel under the Falls that ultimately powered Toronto's transition from gas lights to plug-in electricity.

In 1967, 75 per cent of the North American population resided within 500 miles of Niagara Falls. It was the domestic vacation spot of choice for both Americans and Canadians, but the city's reputation as the place to honeymoon wasn't solidified until after the Depression sent it into crisis in the 1930s.

Mass unemployment in the industrial sector during this period solidified the tourist industry even as the war years would eventually restore factory/power jobs. If Niagara previously had an identity crisis, the tension was mostly resolved by the 1950s.

The early steamboats that ferried Torontonians to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Well before any of this, the Falls were already the place to go for rich Torontonians. At the turn of the century, the Niagara Navigation Company was making six trips a day to Niagara-on-the-Lake from Toronto, from which you could make your way to the main attraction in about an hour.

The Chippewa and the Cayuga were about as grand as Lake Ontario steamboats got, and you knew you had made it when you could take in the lake-breeze from the deck of one of these stately ships.

Up until recently, the Caddillac Motel looked mostly the same as it did in the late 1960s.

Fast forward 40 years and the less-monied were taking the bus to Niagara Falls. This was the period when motels went boom. In 1945 there were exactly zero motels in Niagara Falls. By 1955, there were almost 80. 10 years later there were 115.

Less than a quarter of these places remain, but modern Niagara Falls was born during this period, and its remains are still on display in the form of (amongst others) The Cadillac Motel (magnificent but dead neon sign), The White Rose Motel, and the A-1 (triangle-tipped architecture).

After the fun is over. The Cristal Club on a Sunday morning in the dead of winter.

If you drive far enough along Lundy's Lane, you pass the QEW and things get progressively more sketchy. This is where the strip clubs are. The Sundowner. Cristal Club. Here you rent rooms by the month. This is the residue of the motel boom.

In February it's dead enough that many places just close up shop. But it almost works in the middle of summer. The yellow-hued office lights still glow on a hot night in July, attracting those who've come for the Falls or the casino but can't afford The Embassy Suites and a $52 steak at The Keg.

What is it about Niagara Falls that still attracts us?

It'd be easy to say that Toronto has turned its back on the place, but the numbers tell a different story. The Niagara honeymoon might be dead, but we still make the 128 kilometre journey around the lake with surprising frequency.

The parking lot at the King's Inn is full on a Saturday in the summer. Ontario licence plates proliferate. Some of this can be explained by the casino, but the Falls themselves still exert a pull so many years later. Is there a better place to take a selfie?

Rainbows and icicles accompany the Falls in winter.

When I was 20, a friend of mine would randomly suggest driving to the Falls late at night. We'd pile into his Hyundai hatchback at 1am and make the hour and half trip just to stand before the waterfall for a few minutes. Then we'd eat breakfast at Denny's and go home. 10 minutes at the Falls. Three hours of driving.

It was never a disappointment.

The allure of Niagara Falls as a tourist destination has certainly waned over the years. Now one should have a healthy understanding of irony to appreciate the place fully. But the Falls are still sublime, and the city remains a place of profound interest for those who don't mind a bit of kitsch and a lot of history.

Ontario provincial parks beckon during the fall with their stunning foliage and magical sunsets. It's time to get out of Toronto and explore the province before the cold weather sets in and you never want to leave your apartment. Before you go, check out this handy fall colour report to visit at peak times!

Here are some Ontario provincial parks you need to visit in the fall.

Algonquin

It's the ultimate fall destination, and also one of the earliest areas in the province to show off deep red colours as the Sugar Maples burst in late September. You can stay in the park or just visit, but a drive along Highway 60 in early autumn is as beautiful as they come.

Killarney

Killarney a bit of a schlep, but the four and a half hour journey is worth is for the gorgeous scenery. There are over 50 lakes to explore, along with the La Cloche Mountains (well, hills). See what captivated the Group of Seven at one of Ontario's most famous parks.

Silent Lake

Silent Lake isn't just a pretty name - motor boats are actually banned at this park, rendering it silent. While it might be too late to enjoy its beaches, there are lots of trails for you to hike in order to enjoy the area's beautiful fall colours.

Johnston Harbour Pine Tree Point

This provincial park is located inside the Bruce Peninsula National Park - it's like park-ception! Check out this dense jack pine forest, which is located right on the shores of Lake Huron.

Lake Superior Provincial Park

This massive provincial park covers a whopping 1,600 kilometres, much of which is on the rugged Lake Superior Shoreline. It's a major drive to get to from Toronto, but you won't find many places that show off the beauty of the Ontario landscape better than here.

Bon Echo

Bon Echo's most notable feature (aside from its gorgeous natural beauty) is the 100 metre high Mazinaw Rock, which juts out over Mazinaw Lake. Imagine how lovely it'd look at sunrise and sunset.

Restoule

One of Ontario's smaller northern parks, Restoule is located near North Bay. Populated with maple, oak, and birch trees, the forest here is set ablaze each fall in a display that has impressive staying power (the maples change first).  Be sure to hike to the Fire Tower Trail for an amazing view of it all.

Mono Cliffs

This is a day-use park only, but that just keeps the crowds under control. Head here for some of the best fall foliage views in Southern Ontario. The Cliff Top Trail is particularly good as it takes you up and down the rock face for sweeping vistas and views within the tree canopy.

Ferris 

It's one thing to go to a park surrounded by beautiful fall colours, but it's another altogether to walk along a 300 foot suspension bridge that spans the Trent River and offers sweeping views of the dense foliage in Northumberland County. You can camp overnight here, but it's also a great day trip.

Killbear

This is a great park for someone who wants a northern adventure but doesn't have the time to spend five hours in a car. The landscape here isn't quite as rugged as Killarney, but it's still gorgeous in the fall with windswept pines that jut out against the colourful backdrop of orange and red leaves.

Kensington Market remains hallowed ground in Toronto, a place where the diversity the city's current identity is based on has its home. Yet, it's fair to say that its market character has waned as the city's grown up.

Go back to the 1970s, however, and this is a place where live chickens are on full display, you can negotiate the price of produce, and the idea of a cocktail or wine bar here is positively absurd. 

This is captured amazingly in Ellis Wiley's photographs. His some 1,500 street photographs are a vital part of the City of Toronto Archives collection, but might just show off their best vernacular qualities in Kensignton market.  

These photos aren't classics, but, like his other work, they capture a neighbourhood in a state of change. And this is a place that knows change.

Following the second world war, the predominately Jewish market area became a popular destination for immigrants from other parts of the world, like the Caribbean, India, Philippines, Vietnam, and Latin America, as well as punks, hippies, and bohemians in the 1980s.

These photos, taken in the 1970s, show live poultry on display outside Augusta Kosher Poultry and Meat Market, colourful bolts of fabric, and chaotic food stalls around the time the important CBC sitcom King of Kensington was filmed. They're a powerful throwback to a different time.

Behold, Kensington Market as it was in the 1970s.

Eggs for sale at Augusta Kosher Poultry and Meat Market on Augusta Ave.

Fruit stand with "Air Conditioned" Portugal Barber Shop in the background.

Fruit, vegetables, and people spill off the sidewalk at Nassau and Augusta.

West Indian Specialities and "Lewie's" or "Lenie's" coffee shop.

Looking west on Baldwin St. towards Toronto Western Hospital.

Examining fabric from a street-side vendor.

"Bird Call, Cashews-Pistachios And soft toys."

And, of course, the opening for the King of Kensington (1975-1980).

Subscription boxes in Toronto have been around long enough that they've started to become the best way to try out new, unique products delivered right to your door. The best part - besides unboxing your box  - is that its a chance to try out cool stuff you maybe wouldn't normally buy, all for the same price each month.

Here are my picks for the top subscription boxes in Toronto.

Botanic + Terre

Botanic + Terre prides itself on providing clean, ethical, and sustainable, high-end beauty products in each box. Their boxes are also great value - as low as $44 a month - when compared to the individual prices of the products, which can vary from $16 to $75 in any given box.

Topbox

Topbox lets you stay on top of the beauty game by providing four samples of new products for only $12/month. This means you don't have to spend a fortune to try something you might not like.

Curly Crown

One of the best things about subscription services is how they are customize, not only in product, but in person. Curly Crown gathers together the newest and best in hair care to keep those locks looking their most luscious.

Society Socks

This startup will not only send you two pairs of stylish and bold socks each month, it will donate two pairs to charity. The subscription service is grounded in community and works with Covenant House to provide new socks for homeless youth across the city.

ESTBLSH

For the 'aspiring gentlemen,' ESTBLSH curates a box with you in mind that includes a tie, pocket square, and socks to help build your collection of trendy looks. Boxes also come in themes like the Editorial Box or the Wiseman Collection, featuring Wolf Clothing Co., to really help you get into the role.

Sneaker Tub

Sneaker Tub is for the Toronto streetwear and sports lovers out there. The three membership levels means you can expect a range of stuff, from sneaker-related items to actual shoes and accessories that feature Toronto-themed gear.

The Roasters Pack

Perfect for the coffee connoisseur, this subscription services delivers three, high-quality blends each month from around the world. The bags are big - enough for a month - and offer the opportunity to try out new flavours and roasts harvested by individual roasters dedicated to their craft. 

Carnivore Club 

Each month The Carnivore Club features a themed box containing 4-6 cured meats from around the world. What began as a GoFundMe project, Carnivore Club has expanded worldwide, gathering together locally sourced and ethically treated game by artisans.

The Brew Box Company

Brew Box is dedicated to collections that showcase the best of Ontario craft beer by sourcing from brew clubs across the province. Beau's Beer Club, Sawdust City Club, and Brewthusiast are some of the memberships offered by Brew Box, each suited to specific tastes.

Cheesy Place

Cheesy Place's monthly Cheese Club is as exciting as you think. The service rounds up gourmet cheese and pairs them with complimentary artisanal foods and delivers it all right to you. Even with the cheapest wine, there's no way you can go wrong.

Toronto in the 1980s was a transitional time. The city was expanding but retained a small town vibe, while Yonge street still oozed a junior 42nd Street atmosphere of danger. It was a fun, neon, party-loving "People City."

Film and television production was on the uptick, and beyond just hosting the tax shelter and TV junk like in the 1970s, the city was fast becoming "Hollywood North."

Here are few of the best examples of films and TV shows that perfectly captured this transformation in 24 frames per second, and in some cases showcased iconographic Toronto sites better than anyone since.

The Littlest Hobo (1979-1985)

Although his adventures technically started at the end of the '70s, it was the early 80s episodes which found the Hobo visiting Toronto on a somewhat regular basis. The highlight was surely a 1983 episode "Ghost Station," which found the titular dog riding the subway (on a Gloucester car, flashing lights and all!) to thwart a diamond thief.

The Kids of Degrassi Street (1979-1986)

Ground zero for the Degrassi empire (which has endured for five decades, gasp) spotlighted the serene urban suburbia of Leslieville in low-key stories that hold up much better than the more hysteria driven later series.

The Kidnapping of the President (1980)

During a standard diplomatic visit to Toronto City Hall, the President of the United States (Hal Holbrook) is kidnapped by a crazed South American terrorist, and it's up to hot shot Secret Serviceman Jerry O'Conner (William Shatner) to free him and stop the terrorist from blowing up the city.

Stone Cold Dead (1980)

The grizzled Richard Crenna stars as a detective searching for a sniper icing hookers on the sin strip of Yonge Street. Features lots of great shots of the strip, its multitude of pulsating bulbs lighting up the seedy night, and a few sneaks of the infamous Rio grindhouse theatre.

Double Negative (1980)

Psycho's Anthony Perkins tears the city apart looking for his wife's murderer. Lots of great scenes featuring the city at night, and fun cameos from John Candy, Al Waxman, Joe Flaherty and Maury Chaykin.

Prom Night (1980)

A masked killer ruins that special night for a bunch of oversexed teens. Don Mills Collegiate Institute doubled for the on-screen "Hamilton High School," while the Bluffs appeared in a memorable kill scene involving an out of control van.

Circle of Two (1981)

Richard Burton pursues a romance with a teen girl nearly 50 years his junior in this ultra-creepy romance set in the Beaches and on the Toronto Island.

Scanners (1981)

David Cronenberg's classic Science-Fiction tale is probably best remembered for Louis Del Grande (Seeing Things)'s exploding head, but it also features a showdown at the groovy Yorkdale Subway station.

Seeing Things (1981-1987)

Balding slob Louie Ciccone (embodied by lead actor Louis Del Grande) was a low-rent crime reporter for Toronto tabloid The Gazette who also happened to be clairvoyant. This weird CBC offering was shot entirely on location, and during its run perfectly captured Toronto's gritty '70s hangover before the city cleaned up by the end of the 80s.

Today's Special (1981-1987)

Set in Simpson's flagship department store on Yonge street, this legendary TVO kids show didn't venture outside too much - but when they did it was always, ahem, special.

The Edison Twins (1982-1986)

Nelvana's live-action kids-solving-mysteries-through-science show is fondly recalled for its ear-wormy theme song by local rock jock Bob Segarini, but the series remains a picture perfect Polaroid of what it was like growing up in the warm and glowing suburbs of Toronto.

Bells aka Murder by Phone (1982)

Techno-horror was big in the 80s, and this goofy horror film delivered it in spades with deadly exploding phones. The opening scene alone was worth the price of admission, featuring a poor soul murdered by a pay phone on the TTC.

Deadly Eyes (1982)

Giant rats, raised on contaminated corn, terrorize Toronto: first managing to embarrass a local politician during a presser on the importance of Subways, then attacking Spadina's old Golden Harvest theatre in the middle of a Kung-Fu fest.

Lots to enjoy here, whether it's watching Dachshunds and Terriers in rat costumes spray fake blood all over the TTC's abandoned lower Bay Street platform, or trainspotting the use of the TTC's Hawker Siddeley H1s, H2s and H4s

Class of 1984 (1982)

Lots of grim early 80s Toronto scenery to see here, including Central Tech and a performance from the Hammer's finest punk agitators Teenage Head, a glimpse of Sam the Record Man and A&As on Yonge Street, a young Michael J. Fox getting roughed up on Elm Street, while the King of Kensington himself (Al Waxman) turns up as a detective.

Strange Brew (1983)

Bob and Doug McKenzie transitioned from SCTV to the big screen in this cult comedy which starts with the brothers ducking out of a screening gone awry at the much missed University movie theatre. Lots of retro 80s goodness abounds, whether it's yellow cop cars, the interior of an old Brewers Retail outlet or the skyline in all of its pre-Condo glory.

Spasms (1983)

The Scarborough Bluffs stand-in for a remote African island where a giant rubber snake is poached and brought back to the city, only to eat the King of Kensington (The mighty Al Waxman, slumming it in B-movies again).

Videodrome (1983)

There is no record of Toronto in the early 1980s eerier than David Cronenberg's prophetic Videodrome. Not standing in as an unnamed U.S. city here, Toronto plays itself in this splatter-fest that ponders what the hell Moses Znaimer's Citytv (here Max Wren's Civictv) may unleash thanks to its zesty no-holds barred programming.

Bedroom Eyes (1984)

This sleazy peeping tom tale filmed in Cabbagetown was once the cornerstone of all good late-night movie shows.

Listen to the City (1984)

Local new-wavers The Spoons provided the soundtrack for this ode to 80s TO, which also features a bizarre cameo from Jack Layton as a delirious hospital patient.

Police Academy 1-4 (1984-1987)

Recently given shout-outs by none other than Bill Clinton at the 2016 Democratic Convention, the first 4 Police Academy films used Toronto to fill in for unnamed big-city USA. Highlights include a riot in Kensington in the first film, and Tony Hawk's skateboarding crew thrashing through the Woodbine Centre in part 4.

Night Heat (1985-1989)

Night Heat never named Toronto as its setting but made brilliant use of the downtown core and all of its noir-ish trappings. The sweaty show immortalized our 1980s skyline in its memorable opening credits, which featured a terse theme song from Domenic Troiano (The James Gang, The Guess Who).

Dear Aunt Agnes (1985-1989)

Aunt Agnes minds the kids while their parents re-locate to another city. TVOntario's cozy life lessons series was set in the mean streets of Rosedale (Their house was located on Crescent Road) but covered a fair patch of North Toronto during its run.

Youngblood (1986)

1980s hunks Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze starred in this coming-of-age hockey drama, which shot its climatic finale in the Ted Reeve Arena at Main and Danforth.

City in Panic (1986)

Cheap as chips video-nasty about a homophobic serial killer stalking Toronto used the still seedy Yonge street sin to create an almost snuff-movie like atmosphere.

Night Ride/Night Walk/Night Moves (1986)

Non-fiction late night filler, but perhaps the greatest visual time capsule of this era of Toronto history.

Airwaves (1986-1987)

Chronicling the prickly relationship between a radio talk-show host (Roberta Maxwell) and her punky, High-school drop-out daughter (Ingrid Veninger), Airwaves featured lots of Toronto action, including an attempted abduction at Honest Eds!

Killer Party (1986)

Another horror film with some seriously creepy moments maximized by using the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Toronto, much in the same way Black Christmas did in the 1970s.

The Fly (1986)

David Cronenberg horrifies Toronto again, this time using Liberty Village as the lair of Jeff Goldblum's scientist character who in a rage of jealously accidentally splices his DNA with that of a fly.

Degrassi Junior High (1987-1989)

Much revered continuation of the Kids of Degrassi Street further immortalized Leslieville and Queen Street East, with multiple locations popping up in each episode.

Adventures in Babysitting (1987)

Toronto doubles for Chicago in a few shots of this standard '80s VHS-for-a-sleepover title. Dig the Silver Dollar room standing in for a Windy City blues dive (it was also the Blue Oyster in the Police Academy films).

Friday the 13th: The Series (1987)

Horror anthology series that had nothing to do with Jason Voorhees or Crystal Lake, rather a creaky old antiques store located in the now posh Distillery district (at the time was perfect for the horror genre.)

Street Legal (1987-1994)

A group of aggressive attorneys traverse the Toronto legal landscape. CBC's soapy drama was considered mighty provocative stuff when it premiered, and its opening sequence perfectly nailed the city vibe (it was updated to reflect changes every year).

T&T (1988-1990)

Substituting his trademark machine guns and bling for an insightful legal cognizance, Mr. T starred as T.S. Turner, an ex-boxer who was accused of a crime he didn't commit (sound familiar?). Working with his public defender Amanda Taler, T aids wrongly accused criminals in Toronto battle the treacherous legal ecosystem.

Cocktail (1988)

Classic 80s guilty pleasure finds the Cruiser at his most charming. Also notable for turning the Don Jail into a supercool nightclub.

Dead Ringers (1988)

David Cronenberg again turns to Toronto as the setting for this psychological horror about two twins (played to perfection by Jeremy Irons).

Short Circuit 2 (1988)

The sequel no-one wanted was so awful even Steve Guttenberg turned it down. Amusing to watch for how ineptly it tries to pass off Toronto as New York - no attempts are made to disguise licence plates, street signs, newspaper boxes, or to even mask the ubiquitous streetcars.

Millennium (1989)

Bargain bin Sci-Fi about aliens abducting a commercial flight then faking its crash at the southwest corner of Major Mackenzie and Highway 27.

E.N.G. (1989-1994)

E.N.G stood for "Electronic News Gathering" and followed a dedicated breaking news crew covering Toronto a la Citytv's CityPulse.

Destiny to Order (1989)

A truly bizarre story involving a writer whose villainous character comes to life and steals his floppy disks. Worth watching for a career defining, unhinged performance by Michael Ironside, and a goofy twist ending in front of Sam the Record Man.

Ed Conroy's Retrontario plumbs the seedy depths of Toronto flea markets, flooded basements, thrift shops and garage sales, mining old VHS and Betamax tapes that less than often contain incredible moments of history that were accidentally recorded but somehow survived the ravages of time. You can find more amazing discoveries at www.retrontario.com.

If you love craft beer, Queen Street East may be the place for you.

The area has very recently seen an influx of brewpubs and tap rooms when there were formerly none.

Only last summer, there were no breweries anywhere in the area. However, now there are several, with more on the way.  

Part of the reason, according to local brewpub owners, is the cheap price of rent compared to most other neighbourhoods. But they say the largest draw is the growing population. 

The area around Leslieville and Riverside has experienced a large amount of residential development in recent years. Condos now snake up and down Carlaw Avenue, new ones are being built along Queen and the massive Riverside Square development is also in the works.

Eastbound Brewing has been a popular spot since opening next to the Broadview Hotel at Queen and Broadview. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

David Watson, co-owner of Eastbound Brewing, acknowledges that the brewpub's proximity to the recently opened Broadview Hotel is an asset. "They're great neighbours and they have been for the whole strip."

The hotel is expected to act like a hub for the Riverside neighbourhood, much like how the Drake and Gladstone ushered in a new wave of bars and restaurants on West Queen West.

Radical Road was the first brewpub to open in Leslieville back in the summer of 2016. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Julian Holland, owner of Radical Road Brewing Company lived in the Beaches for some time, and had eyed Leslieville as a place that was developing quickly.

“People in the area like farmers' markets, and other types of businesses like that. You could tell they would appreciate a more artisanal product like craft beer.”

Holland says he doesn’t worry about the competition with other brewpubs, because they benefit each other.

Saulter Street Brewery is the newest brewery to open in Riverside. It's tap room hidden down a side street is already drawing crowds. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

“It brings people to the area. It’s becoming a destination for those wanting to find good beer, from all over the city,” he says.

“There are very few places you can associate with this many brewpubs in close proximity.”

He says the other owners and himself are happy to see people doing pub crawls and other events that take them from one bar to another.

Many of the new brewpubs in the area are unique, especially from one another. This is definitely true for Rorschach Brewing Company, which is in an historic building. 

Mohan Pandit of Rorschach says the building offers a unique space that is appealing to guests.

Rorschach Brewery is located in a historic mansion just south of Queen on Eastern Avenue. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

"The space was ideal for a brewery because it allowed us to concentrate our brewing activities in the back while blending it into the dining room," he says, "The interior is an amalgamation of three separate buildings, a boat warehouse and a turn of the century house. It offers a bohemian, Brooklyn-like feel."

For those keeping score, the neighbourhood will soon add at least one more brewery to the mix. Avling Brewery hopes to open near Queen and Pape as early as next summer. If all goes as planned, they too will have something new to offer the community - a rooftop farm complete with community growing space.

In an uncharacteristic show of foresight on behalf of city officials, a predicament has arisen over the 530-metre streetcar tunnel that connects Queens Quay to Union station.

Because of the new East Bayfront streetcar line that's planned for the area, the underground infrastructure will need a serious upgrade, so according to The Toronto Star, city officials are working with the TTC to explore their options.

A tunnel expansion with more 509 Harbourfront streetcars, a pedestrian walkway featuring a moving sidewalk, and what would be Toronto's first ever underground cable car have all been proposed, all of which have potential drawbacks and aren't especially viable.

The need to address the tunnel comes as planners expect a massive influx of people to the area - 470,000 - over the next 25 years. So whatever gets chosen, it'll need to accommodate about 7,000 people an hour.

And while no one is looking to get rid of the tunnel, something will need to be done in order to accommodate the incoming swell of residents and commuters.

Events and activities in Toronto this fall include a city-wide, all night art party, a brand new festival in an abandoned soap factory and of course the terrifying handful of Halloween events, parties and shows.

Here are my picks for the top things to do in Toronto this fall.

See some of the world's most impressive athletes  

The 2017 Invictus Games takes over Toronto until September 30 and will see 550 competitors from 17 nations compete in 12 paralympic-style sports such as swimming, track and field and wheelchair basketball. Some of the events are even free and famous names are showing up for the opening and closing ceremonies.

Play around in an abandoned soap factory

The first-ever EDIT festival is happening in an old soap factory, and it's going to be pretty spectacular. From September 28 to October 8 you'll be able to wander around all five floors of the space at this art, innovation and technology festival with talks, parties, installations and real live science in front of your face. 

City Hall during last year's Nuit Blanche. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Stay up all night at an art extravaganza 

The 12th edition of Nuit Blanche, Toronto's free, city-wide sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art returns September 30 with larger than life installations and works transforming spaces all around us for one night only. 

Meet the former President of the United States

Some former Presidents and someone who almost became one are stopping by Toronto this fall to give a speech. Tickets might be pricey but if you're willing to fork over the dough you could listen to what Hillary Clinton, her husband Bill or Barack Obama think about Trump, Rocketman and the state of the world we live in.

Guillermo del Toro's Bleak House Photo by JoshWhite/ JWPictures.com

Get spooked with Guillermo Del Toro

The notorious horror and fantasy director gets his own exhibit at the AGO and it's a creepy one. To accompany this, the AGO will be showing classic horror films on Friday's for the entire season at 10 p.m., and there's a Del Toro book signing event on September 27. 

Get inspired by a YouTube star

Get your selfie stick out because the weekend of September 28, many of your fave YouTube stars are coming to Toronto. The annual Buffer Film Fest is not only a festival screening YouTube premieres, but also a conference, and events to meet creators, the women of YouTube, and Travel and Adventure channel hosts. 

Food and drink

Get stuffed at a food festival

It's time to start gathering food for winter... and by that I mean eating a lot to add an extra layer to keep warm, like a squirrel. There are several delicious fall food fests such as NoshFest, the sprawling Gourmet Food and Wine Show, a Chocolate Festival and the Baking and Sweets convention. 

Raise a stein for Oktoberfest

From vegan food events to underwater beer parties and massive gatherings of people under one tent celebrating Bavarian heritage in lederhosen, there's an Oktoberfest party for every taste this season starting at the end of September into October. 

Cask Days gave Toronto access to over 400 unfiltered, unpasteurized cask-conditioned ales from across Canada and the United States. Hector Vasquez

Taste one of a kind beers

Cask Days gives Toronto access to hundreds of unfiltered, unpasteurized cask-conditioned ales from across Canada and the United States. The three-day event happens October 20-22 at the Brickworks and there'll be chefs on hand to pair the beers with food. 

Eat some free poutine

Now a yearly tradition for fry lovers of Toronto, Smoke's Poutinerie's World Poutine Eating Championship on October 14 not only lets you watch people publicly pig out on the gooey concoction, but there's a show from a KISS tribute band and free poutine for all. 

Sip some suds at a new brewpub

Toronto is never short on new places to drink local beer paired with food. Godspeed Brewing, Northern Maverick Brewing Co. and Saulter Street Brewery are some of the newest kids on the block.

Eat and drink at one of Toronto's new boutique hotels

Toronto's boutique hotel scene got a big upgrade this summer with the opening of the always jam-packed Broadview Hotel  and luxurious, already-celebrity hot spotBisha. Bisha has entire floor designed by Lenny Kravitz and some of the Broadview's 58 rooms include brass polls. 

Fall favourites

Milk a cow at the Royal Winter Fair

Kind of like the Ex of the fall, the Royal Winter Fair is a tradition that takes Torontonians inside the world of farming, grooming, pageant shows, baby animals and food. A chef demo highlight this year includes David Wolfman, who will demonstrate the art of indigenous fusion cooking.

Shop at a haunted market

Halloween isn't only about parties and dressing up, it's also about totally spooky horror conventions and creepy bazaars or haunted markets where you'll find shrunken heads and potions. Don't forget about the new Harry Potter themed store for some milder spell casting tools. 

Halloween on Church St. is always one of Toronto's best fall street parties. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Trick or Treat

Halloween in the city is also very much about the parties and all the major events to scare the living right out of you. Major events like Church St. Halloween, Halloween Haunt, Screemers, Legends of Horror at Casa Loma and the haunted walk at Pioneer Village should scare you right into next year. 

March along a pumpkin parade

Almost as fun as seeing all the Halloween lawns, decks and balconies in the city decorated are admiring all the pumpkins lined up in one place. Sorauren Park, Bellwoods, Centennial Park and Riverdale Park West are the most popular spots, with hundreds of jack-o-lanters on display the evening of November 1 around 6 p.m.

Get your lightsaber on for one last time

Grab your lightsaber (or buy one on site for $10) and head to Nathan Phillips Square for one final battle of good versus evil. Organizers have announced this will be the final organized battle Happening October 7. Arrive at 8 p.m. to be divided into two teams and then battle at 9.

Grow your mustache

November is also known as Movember, a time where men around the city decide to grow hair on their upper lip. Moustaches are totally in for 2017, so a lot of guys already have a head start. Check Movember Toronto's Facebook page for upcoming 10th anniversary events, such as the big launch party on November 1. 

Fashion and Design

Shop local at a craft show or market

Fall is the season for gathering, whether it's thing we need or not, it's a great time to support local vendors before that terrifying shopping season actually kick ins. There's the One of a Kind Show, Bunz Holiday Market, Eco Market and the Bellwoods Holiday Flea to get you started. 

Shop for something specific

SneakerCon, the mega local shopping event Inland, the Gentlemen's Expo, and the All About Sex Show are huge vendor events, and a way to find some unique items no one else in the city will have. 

Shop Toronto's vintage scene

Toronto's vintage scene is alive and kicking thanks to two major shopping events this season. The Vintage Clothing Show on September 30 is one of the largest in the country and the fall edition of the Vintage Art Crawl on October 26 is happening in vintage stores all over the city's west side.

The Christmas Market in the Distillery District always draws a crowd. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Get ready for the holidays

They're busy, crowded, kind of cold and a bit fabricated, but there's still something kind of lovely about wandering around a Christmas Market. Toronto has a few good ones: namely the Toronto Christmas Market, the Christmas is Coming Market, and the massive Holiday Fair in the Square. 

Discover 40 years of Goth style

Goth fashion probably dates back to the years when Dracula was roaming around castles, but thanks to the Bata Shoes Museum, we'll get a bit more context than this. The 40 Years of Goth Shoes event on October 19 celebrates the boots and shoes worn by women in this fascinating subculture. 

Music

Discover Toronto's newest live music venues

There was a time where it seemed the city was losing its music venues at a terrifying rate, but to balance this, there've been a few new spots opening up. Less Bar, the newly relocated Hideout and the re-opened Hugh's Room are just three to check out.

Arcade Fire play the ACC with a strict dress code on November 3. Arcade Fire

Get up and close with your favourite band

The days of massive outdoor music festivals are long gone, but there are at least 45 fantastic shows you'll want to check out this fall. From Jay-Z to Kesha, Guns 'N Roses to Arcade Fire, a lot of big names are coming through. Also don't miss the return of Unsound Festival.

Discover a band before it breaks out

Toronto's Indie Music Week is November 7-12 and not only does it include shows at venues all over the city, but it also incorporates the Reel Indie Film Fest, the Indie tech day and an annual music conference. 

Rediscover the opera

Opera Atelier launches their 2017/18 season this fall with a Dora Award winning production of Mozart's period opera, The Marriage of Figaro from October 26 - November 4. Make sure to check out their Operatix program to get cheap tickets for folks under 30 years old. 

Celebrate 70 years of the Horseshoe

Legendary music venue the Horseshoe Tavern turns 70 this year and they're celebrating with an impressive series of shows from the likes of Billy Bragg, 54-40 and Elliott Brood. 

Arts and Film

Get lit at a book fair

It's time to cozy up with a book or a zine now that the leaves are falling and lucky for you there are many opportunities to grab something new to curl up with. Don't miss events like Word on the Street, CanZine, the International Festival of Authors and the 30th birthday of a beloved Roncesvalles book shop. 

The best photos taken around the world are on display inside Brookfield Place. Ken Nickerson

See the world in a whole new way

The World Press photo exhibit at Brookfield Place runs October 3-24 and presents the best visual journalism of the past year. Check out the most compelling, stunning and sometimes disturbing photos of the year in one place, for free. 

Visit Toronto's new Indigenous Art Gallery

OCAD U's brand new Onsite Galleryrecently threw a block party to celebrate the grand opening of their contemporary art space. With a strong focus on Indigenous art, the gallery will mainly be a showcase spot for OCAD art shows, a much needed creative space in the city.

Cirque du Soleil's Volta is current showing in Toronto's Port Lands. Photo by Matt Forsythe.

Watch the world's greatest acrobats

Cirque Du Soleil's latest show Volta is now playing under the big top in Toronto and it has people talking thanks to its high flying bike tricks, state-of-the-art multimedia surprises and music from M83. It's playing until November 13 in the Port Lands. 

Take in an art show

Check out this list of the best art shows happening this season to narrow your focus. Not only do all the major institutions have big shows this season (as well as the massive Toronto Art Show at the convention centre), but a lot of the city's smaller galleries have must-see exhibits as well. 

See inside Union Station at the new Stephen Bulger Gallery

This fall Toronto gets a sneak peek inside the inner workings of the Union Station renovation project. It's a big one and photographer Larry Towell got the scoop, displaying his latest photo project at the newly located Stephen Bulger Gallery on Dundas St. West. 

First Thursday parties at the AGO always sell out so get your tickets fast. Photo by Matt Forsythe.

Party in an art gallery

The First Thursday parties at the AGO and weekly Friday Night Live parties at the ROM are always a welcome event to return in the fall. This seasons programming includes tie-ins with Guillermo Del Toro's new show, Peaches and the ROM's Anishinaabeg: Art & Power exhibit. 

See some live theatre

Toronto's live theatre scene is bubbling lately with some pretty exciting and highly anticipated theatre productions happening this fall, as well as the opening of spaces like the Assembly Theatre and the east side's Crow's Theatre.

Go beyond TIFF

Now that the big player is out of the way, it's time to check out all the other cool film fests happening this fall in Toronto. There's the Denis Villeneuve film retrospective, ImagiNative, the Macedonian film fest, Indie Horror Film Fest, After Dark, Blood in the Snow, Planet in Focus, and the totally free European Union film festival.

Sports and Outdoors

Cheer on the TFC

TFC is having their best season ever so with the Jays out of the playoffs there's no better time to cheer on Toronto's best sports team right now. Regular season games run through October and tickets are still available.

Work up a sweat

Just because summer is over, doesn't mean you have to give up on all physical activity. There are plenty of fall running events to join, all kinds of unconventional fitness facilities to stay fit with and a brand new Crunch gym chain if you're into that sort of thing.  

Explore the newest addition to Toronto's waterfront

It's made entirely of driftwood and held together by screws so take a stroll and take a photo of the giant reclining on a rock at Humber Bay. The statue sits next to the driftwood Toronto sign created earlier this summer.

The Don Valley is always a spectacular site for fall colours. Photo by Gerardo Rico.

Be amazed at the fall colours

Something good came out of all that rain! Fall colours this fall are set to be spectacular, covering the city and its valleys and parks in a sea of yellow. It's all thanks to our population of Sugar Maples, and fortunately we have many, many options to see them. 

Visit Toronto's new book garden

The Toronto Book Garden, a new literary-themed garden commemorating every past Toronto Book Award winner, is officially open and ready for you to explore near the Queens Quay Terminal. 

Take a fall hike

You don't need to leave the city to see the glorious fall colours. There are plenty of fantastic fall hiking trails in and just on the outskirts of Toronto for you to discover. Even the world's largest hiking trail now runs through the city, so strap on your boots, pack a snack and get walking. 

Have a campfire in a park

Once the temperatures start dropping, the idea of sprawling out on a blanket in a park isn't that appealing. So why not book a fire pit or have a lakeside bonfire moment in Toronto's newest park by the water. 

Out of town

Take a classic fall getaway

Now that fall colours are already showing north of the city, it's time to get out of town! We've made a list of the top places to escape the busy streets, and another list for stunning late fall getaways in case you're a last minute planner. 

Find the perfect pumpkin patch

You can usually find pumpkins for sale at most corner stores in the city but it's way more fun to head slightly out of town to a massive pumpkin patch. Just be aware, seasonal jack-o'-lanterns direct from a pumpkin patch aren't necessarily a cheaper option. If low price is a factor, you'll be better off at No Frills.

The Whirlpool Bridge makes for a fun outdoor adventure near Toronto. Photo via Niagara Parks.

Take in nature on a boardwalk

Toronto is surrounded by beautiful boardwalks. There's the incredible boardwalk in Clifton Hills, the beautiful elevated boardwalk in Crawford Lake and a top secret boardwalk just two hours outside of the city. Strap on your heels or hiking books and stomp those forestial runways. 

Look at the leaves from a treetop park

Ever miss your childhood treehouse days? Or maybe you never had one and finally want to live that out? The Treetop Trekking aerial park in Stouffville lets you take a zipline atop the canopy for ultimate fall foliage viewing. There's also climbing and swinging, but the zipline trek will cost you $59.99.

Go inside a glowing tunnel

The Brockville Railway Tunnel has recently been restored as a glowing pedestrian passageway. The 525 metre passageway now features a stunning LED light show that changes colours as people travel underneath downtown Brockville. It's pure Instagram heaven. 

Explore wine country

Wine tours are such an easy and fun thing to do outside of the city, you'll kick yourself for not having done it sooner. Take a train, bring your bike or rent one once you arrive, and head to Niagara on the Lake to check out Wayne Gretzky's winery among many others, some delicious restaurants and stay somewhere fancy or affordable.

Over the past few weeks, the city has seen a ton of high-profile people arrive from all over the globe - celebrities, royalty, and now America's First Lady.

Melania Trump arrived today to help kick off the first day of the 2017 Invictus Games, and met with Prince Harry who founded the event in 2014.

The two exchanged pleasantries in front of a packed room of journalists at a downtown Toronto hotel.

When Harry met Melania. Prince Harry meets @flotus for a bilateral meeting as part of @invictustoronto today #princeharry #melaniatrump

A post shared by Chris Jackson (@chrisjacksongetty) on Sep 23, 2017 at 10:42am PDT

She is here serving as the U.S. representative for the games, which brings together wounded and injured service people from 17 allied nations to complete in a number of athletic challenges.

Trump doesn't travel lightly as the size of her motorcade coming from Pearson Airport attests.

A post shared by IVANKA TRUMP FANPAGE (@ivankatrump_fan) on Sep 23, 2017 at 12:43pm PDT

It's the First Lady's first solo-trip to Canada where she is expected to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at some point as well.

A post shared by Louisa James (@louisa_james) on Sep 23, 2017 at 1:28pm PDT

Earlier today Trudeau met with Prince Harry at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel where the prince is reportedly staying.

A post shared by Melania Trump (@hopefulmelania) on Sep 23, 2017 at 12:50pm PDT

The games are on now until September 30.

Good bakeries are essential to any neighbourhood, and in Toronto many areas are blessed with plentiful options. Really it comes down to style, from fancy French pastries and crusty Italian loaves to home-style sweets. You'll find it all at the standout bakeries across the city.

Here are my picks for the top bakeries in Toronto by neighbourhood.

Annex

Harbord Bakery is an institution in this area having been in business since 1945. The Jewish bakery is the place to get a challah or festive specialties like sufganiyot at Hanukkah or apple cakes for Rosh Hashana.

Avenue & Lawrence

The Rolling Pin is a pastry shop where you can find pies, cakes and doughnuts in a wide range of creative flavours. Cream pies for example can be had with banana filling, or you can choose from a daily selection of doughnuts including a maple-glazed bacon version.

Bloorcourt

Tucked on a side street, where the west entrance of Ossington Station lets out, Bakerbots is lovely bakeshop that specializes in sweets like cakes, cookies, cupcakes and french macarons in fun flavours like PB&J.

Bloordale Village

Just because you're vegan doesn't mean you can't get in on the baked goods action. Through Being Cool Vegan Baking Co. is a vegan bakery dishing out doughnuts, scones, whoopie pies and cookies.

Gluten free vanilla donuts are one of the most popular desserts at Tori's Bakeshop. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Canary District

Tori’s Bakeshop is another bakery specializing in natural and organic vegan baking. “Butter” croissants, pop tarts and doughnuts can all be found inside a long pastry case display.

Chinatown

Mashion Bakery is one of the best Chinese bakeries in all of Toronto. Next time you visit try their famous coconut buns; they don't disappoint. 

Corktown

Earl Grey infused cakes, lemon tarts and coffee caramel cookies are just a few of the goodies you can find at Roselle Desserts on King East.

Corso Italia

Tre Mari is an old school Italian bakery that has serviced the community on St. Clair West for over 50 years. Vienna sticks, ciabatta, and focaccia are among the house specialties, while the pastry case is packed with cannoli, zeppole, and assorted cakes.

Display cases are filled with freshly baked pastries at Dough Bakeshop. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Danforth

Dough Bakeshop offers a direct view into their open kitchen, allowing customers to peer in while bakers work hard to stock the shop with artisanal breads, tarts, pastries, squares, cakes and cookies.

Dundas West

OMG Baked Goodness is one of Dundas West’s most popular neighbourhood bakeries. Homemade pop tarts, maple butter tarts, and mini focaccia stuffed with sausage and egg are just a few of the must-try items.

East Chinatown

Andrea's Gerrard St. Bakery is a lovely source for nostalgic childhood favourites including peanut butter chocolate tarts, cheese cakes and pecan squares.

East York

Mon K Patisserie on Coxwell is a Japanese-inspired French bakery where stopping in for a fresh loaf of bread may also result in spontaneous purchases of beautiful mille-feuille, macarons, or layer petit fours.

It's not just sweet offerings available at SanRemo Bakery. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Etobicoke

SanRemo Bakery takes top spot in this neighbourhood for its repertoire of at least 50 house-baked breads. The stuffed Vienna specifically is wonder, as is the sheer assortment of Italian desserts on display.

Financial District

Sud Forno is where to get your fill of Italian baked good in this 'hood. The stunning two-level location near Yonge and Temperance is known for their signature pastries like puffy sugar-dusted bombolone.

Junction

Bunner's gluten-free and vegan bakeshop offers everything from breads and savoury pastry pockets to sweet tooth-satisfying cupcakes, butter tarts, doughnuts and more. The thing to get here is the cinnamon buns, best had early in the day fresh from the oven.

Blackbird Baking Co. is always turning out freshly baked breads. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Kensington Market

Blackbird Baking Co. is the local favourite. One taste of za'atar sprinkled focaccia or the delicious ploughman loaf is pretty much all that's needed for the unconvinced to convert.

King West

Forno Cultura is a subterranean Italian bakeshop that beckons me in every time I pass. Brioche loaves, semolina sourdoughs, and a vast assortment of biscotti are among the daily offerings.

Leaside

Rahier has been a mainstay on Bayview for almost 20 years earning a reputation for luxurious mini-cakes, tarts and macarons.

Leslieville

Bobbette & Belle has special occasions covered with beautiful cakes and sweets for custom order. Walk-ins will find delectable indulgences too, including cupcakes, cookies, macarons and other seasonal confections.

You can never go wrong with a red velvet cupcake from Bake Shoppe. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Little Italy

Bake Shoppe is a bakery cafe at College and Ossington that's been selling delicious cupcakes, custom cakes, Drake cookies and homemade pop tarts for years. 

Mount Pleasant

Thobors is a Parisian style boulangerie, patisserie, and cafe where the selection includes crusty baguettes with soft chewy interiors, beautiful boules, buttery viennoiseries, and stunning, sculptural works of pastry and chocolate.

North York

With so many excellent Italian and Jewish bakeries in this area, it's a tough call to pick a favourite. Grodzinski Bakery being one of the city's best destinations for challah is as deserving as any.

Ossington

Bang Bang has a dual focus as an ice cream shop and bakery, and you can enjoy the best of both worlds in the form of signature ice cream sammies. Other delicious baked goods include treats like profiteroles and macarons.

The hardest decision at The Tempered Room is picking which dessert to eat. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Parkdale

Bakery cafe The Tempered Room excels in all things baked and delicious. Inside the display cases, everything from freshly baked croissants to exquisite mini-cakes and pastries can be found.

Pape Village

Serano's is a European bakery and market where Greek pastries, breads and custom cakes are among the specialties. Satisfy your sweet tooth with trigona, phyllo triangles slacked in syrup and piped with cream and nuts.

Queen West

If you love eclairs as much as I do, then a visit to Nugateau is in order. They are the first eclair-only patisserie in Toronto, and the delectable treat is offered in flavours like Japanese Matcha, Brazillian Coconut, Tahitian Vanilla and Maple Bacon, to name a few. 

Roncesvalles Village

Mabel's homestyle offerings are plentiful, including everything from rustic breads, cookies, pies, cakes and all sorts of prepared goods made with an emphasis on natural and organic ingredients whenever possible.

Sink your teeth into classic Italian pastries at Lamanna's Bakery. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Scarborough

Lamanna's Bakery beats out other bakeries in this neighbourhood for its sheer selection, including traditional Italian baked goods like Sicilian cassate rolle and cannoli, plus wacky inventions like Eggo maple cream cheese cupcakes.

West Queen West

If you've never had a Nadege Patisserie macaron, have you ever really lived to the fullest in Toronto? The shop specializes in the French treat along with other French classics.

Yonge & Eglinton

Phipps Bakery Cafe has been a stalwart in this neighbourhood for almost 30 years. It's renowned for fresh baked breads and an astounding selection of cakes, tarts, cookies, and squares.

Fall foliage in Toronto is one of the saving graces of the season before winter. For about two weeks in mid October the city's parks and ravines are set ablaze with saturated yellows, oranges and even a few reds before the starkness of November makes everybody depressed. It's a wonderful time of year to explore this city.

Here are my picks for awesome spots to see fall foliage in Toronto.

The Don Valley

There's no better place to take in fall colours in the city than the Don Valley ravine system, which extends further north than most people realize. Crothers Woods and the Brick Works are top spots, but so too are Taylor Creek, Sunnybrook Park, Edwards Gardens, and the East Don Parkland. Peak colour usually takes place just after Thanksgiving.

Glen Stewart Ravine

One of the best places to take a walk in the entire city, Glen Stewart ravine explodes with colour in mid October. The walking trail that cuts through the heart of the park places you directly under the tree canopy so that that you feel as if you're at the centre of an explosion.

Moore Park Ravine

Starting at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in the north and heading southeast down to the Don Valley Brick Works, Moore Park Ravine follows the almost vanished Mud Creek. It's not one of Toronto deepest ravines, but the hard-packed trail is perfect for a leisurely walk or bike ride. 

Necropolis Cemetery

Nestled in the Rosedale Ravine, the Necropolis Cemetery is seems like a world away from the rest of the city, even as you can occasionally catch a glimpse of the apartment towers of St. James Town. Harolding isn't for everyone, but there's no better time or place to contemplate one's finitude than a cemetery in fall.

Rouge Park

You can hike the many trails that meander around the ravine walls, but this is also an area that's good to drive around in a car. Head to Old Finch Avenue and drive around the Toronto zoo. The scenery is so rural you won't believe you're still in Toronto.

Scarborough Bluffs

The Scarborough Bluffs are beautiful no matter what time of the year it is, but something extra special happens when the trees turn colour here. The combination of bright leaves and an azure Lake Ontario looks like a Group of Seven painting. Head to the beach or hike the trails that line the top of the bluffs.

Humber Valley

The Humber River has a slew of parks that line its banks from Lake Ontario all the way to Steeles Avenue (and beyond). Favourites include, Lambton Park, Humber Marshes Park, Etienne Brule Park, Raymore, and Summerlea Park. Weekend activity: start at the water and travel the whole valley in the course of a day.

High Park

Little needs to be said in endorsement of High Park as a destination for fall foliage. The best part is that there's so much to do here beyond hiking the trails that you can easily spend the day surrounded by fall's splendour. Hit up the zoo, lose your kids at the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground, feed some ducks, or do a crit around the roads.

Toronto Islands

The best part about a fall trip to the Islands is that it's way less busy than in the summer months, which allows for more leisurely exploration of the astonishing number of tree species the area has on offer. If you can manage it, take the ferry over on a weekday. It's wonderfully tranquil and the bustle of the city seems so far away.

Leslie Street Spit

Water, sky, and leaves. The Leslie Street spit might not feature as many trees as the ravines on this list, but it's still a gorgeous spot to witness the onset of fall. It's the perfect place for a mid-October bike ride. Head to the lighthouse at the end, and wonder how something that was once so ugly has transformed into one of the most pretty places in the city.

Free events in Toronto this week include concerts, films and even burgers. The main attraction on all of our free calendars, however, is Nuit Blanche, which takes over the city from sunset to sunrise on Sept. 30. 

The top events this fall in Toronto will completely book your social calendar, so invite your friends along for the ride 'cause you're going to be busy. Not only do you get the season's top parties, food festivals, running events, theatre productions, and concerts, but a near-endless array of things to do both inside and out.

Dang Good BBQ smokes their own meat on four wheels. Good barbecue is in no short supply in this city, but now it comes to you. Specializing in ribs but also smoking brisket covertly in a parking lot starting early in the morning, this is fast street food with real time put in.

Dang isn’t just what you say when you bite into the offerings here, it’s also the first name of owner Dang Quach. He started out serving his food at popular fests like the Sail-In Cinema and Bourbon BBQ in 2017.

He doesn’t only smoke his food, but also grills chicken and portobello mushrooms for BBQ sandwiches on the truck as well.

Ribs ($10 for a combo with slaw and fries) come in a choice of three flavours, spiced and then marinated overnight until cooking starts at 6 a.m., an hour and a half of the smoking process taking place in an approved lot.

There’s a jerk and most interestingly a caramel espresso rib where the coffee flavour really comes through in a complementary fashion. It's also sweetened with honey, so it all sticks to the ribs.

The third rib flavour is a Memphis dry rub, done in a traditional style with lots of paprika, brown sugar and pepper.

The flavour is good, the ribs juicy, but not too messy or runny, with a charred, crunchy barque. Simple, fatty fries and slightly creamy slaw balance out them out.

The chicken sandwich ($10) is on the more balanced side with lots of veggies.

There's tomato, avocado, sweet onion and lettuce, a squeeze of lemon and some artichoke asiago spread, all on a thick, floury bun.

The chicken is spiced to give it a BBQ kick that’s herby and plays well with the char from the grill. We get a really delicious pickle with this one, so pickle fans, make sure to ask for that.

The smoked brisket sandwich ($12, also for a combo) is made with molten brisket that’s been smoked for twelve to fourteen hours over the course of two sessions. On a puffy sesame seed bun, its flavour is highlighted by a slathering of savoury, zesty BBQ sauce.

Watch out for the delicious Texas-style cured salt, pepper and Montreal steak spice brisket in a plate form on occasion.

The BBQ sauce isn’t made by Quach, fries are bagged, and it does happen to be cash only, but the reason you’d visit this truck is for the piles of meat you walk away with.

They’re the star of the show, and with the amount of time that goes into making them the right way, these smoky meats deserve to be the centre of attention in your takeout tray.

The Invictus Games continues this week but there's a lot of other events happening in Toronto that will make it easy to take advantage of this amazing weather and get out and do stuff. From the first-ever EDIT festival to Nuit Blanche it's shaping up to be an exciting week.

After a relatively cool few months, Toronto is finally getting some hot, beach-worthy summer weather.

It's just very, very late.

Yesterday was the warmest day of 2017, according to The Weather Network, with a scorching high of 33.3 degrees Celsius. The date? September 24.

A heat warning has been in effect for The City of Toronto since Friday, which, coincidentally, was the first day of fall.

Toronto was the warmestplace inCanada on Saturday, the muggiest its been since 1953 on Sunday, and is expected to feel like 40 C today with humidity factored in.

The City of Toronto has issued an 'extended heat warning' this week amidst a record-breaking late September heat wave. Image: Toronto Public Health

Today actually marks the first – and only – day of 2017 that Toronto Public Health has placed under an "extreme heat alert." Last year, a total of eight days were considered extreme, the latest being Sept. 8. 

Unlike our actual summer, this has been a dry season so far. According to The Weather Network, the 15-day-long stretch of rain-free days we're currently experiencing is the longest dry spell recorded at Pearson since 2004.

Environment Canada says that hot and humid conditions will continue into early this week, but that we can expect some relief from the heat by Wednesday thanks to a cold front moving across Southern Ontario.

For now, the remains city remains under an "extended heat warning."

Stay cool, friends.

This week on DineSafe I can safely announce that there are no Toronto restaurant closures to report. Instead, regular DineSafe offender Ali Baba's landed in some hot water with city health inspectors receiving a whooping seven infractions, four in which were crucial. Yikes!

Find out what other local establishments got in trouble this week on DineSafe.

Ali Baba's (229 Church St.)

• Inspected on: September 18, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 4)
• Crucial infractions include: Employee failed to wash hands when required, operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated, operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder and operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter.

Fushimi AYCE (491 Church St.)

• Inspected on: September 18, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

QQ Thai Ice Cream (3278 Midland Ave.)

• Inspected on: September 18, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 3)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Sweet Hart Kitchen (68 Wales Ave.)

• Inspected on: September 19, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Rudy (619 College St.)

• Inspected on: September 20, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Bunner's Bake Shop (244 Augusta Ave.)

• Inspected on: September 21, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Island Cafe (20 Withrow St.)

• Inspected on: September 21, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Stored ice in unsanitary manner.

Tim Hortons (3566 St. Clair Ave. East)

• Inspected on: September 21, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 1 (Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder.

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.

Fall is an exciting time for restaurant openings, and this year is no exception. From massive food halls and restaurants by celebrity chefs in boutique hotels to a mysterious new spot affiliated with Mr. Aubrey Graham himself, there's a lot to look forward to this season.

Here are my picks for the most anticipated restaurant openings in Toronto this fall.

Akira Back

Celebrity chef Akira Back's eponymous restaurant – his first in Canada – should be opening in October at the Bisha Hotel. Back will likely be blending flavours unique to Canada with his usual signature mix of Japanese and Korean cuisines.

Aloette

A more casual, bistro-style sibling to tasting menu predecessor Alo, it'll make its debut on the ground floor of the same building at Queen & Spadina very soon.

Assembly Chef’s Hall

Sharing a building with Google on Richmond St. W. in the Financial District, this huge food hall will take up 18,000 square feet of space and include a cafe, market area and beer hall.

Campo Food Hall

Food halls are the hot new thing, and this Spanish-inspired one from chef Rob Bragagnolo of Carver will have grab-and-go options, specialty groceries and prepared foods, plus a full-service restaurant called Labora. Look for it at King & Spadina.

Constantine

Boutique hotel The Anndore House is making its debut soon at Yonge & Charles, and this Mediterranean restaurant will also be opening inside it. Chef Craig Harding (La Palma, Campagnolo) will head the food program, which will also include a cafe called The Scarlet Door.

Giulietta

This Italian restaurant will be a collaboration between chef Rob Rossi (Bestellen) and David Minicucci, the owner of L'Unita. It will open in Bestellen's former space at 972 College St.

Mad Crush Wine Bar

The group behind The Queen and Beaver, The Oxley and The Wickson Social are transforming the former Bar Italia space in Little Italy into "a wine bar for the people," with a chef-driven menu that will emphasize scratch-made, seasonal dishes.

Palm Lane

Chase Hospitality Group, which also owns the popular plant-based, vegan restaurant Planta along with the newly opened Planta Burger, will be debuting a new spot for "gourmet greens" at Yorkville Village (formerly Hazelton Lanes) on Avenue Rd. on October 2.

Pick 6ix

Drake fans got excited when mysterious signage went up at Yonge & Wellington for what appeared to be a restaurant by the 6 God. Now we have clues that the place will serve sushi.

Vit Beo

David Huynh of Civil Liberties has been hosting Vietnamese food pop-ups around the city this year, and he'll soon be opening this permanent spot, which translates as "chubby duck," in Bloorcourt.