The magic of Disney has come to Toronto in the form of a giant Mickey Mouse head hovering above the city just east of downtown.
The hot air balloon was spotted yesterday — or maybe he spotted us? — floating over the parking lot of the old Unilever soap factory in East Harbour near the mouth of the Don River.
The official story is that he's here because of the EDIT Festival, which runs from September 28 to October 8, but maybe there's more to it than that. Maybe he arrived to bless us with his presence, to offer answers in the face of adversity, to help make sense of the world and watch over us.
In any case, the people of this fair city can't get enough of the quirky sight of a giant mouse head smiling down on us. Social media feeds have been flooded with people snapping pics of the mouse in all his oversized glory. Here's a sample of our current obsession with Mickey Mouse.
The interior is meant to be on the minimalist side, but it's a fairly flexible space that's probably best described as sleek. If you like warm wood tones, this won't amaze you, though it wouldn't be too hard to inject a bit of charm with carpets and other decorative elements.
One thing to note about this house is the size of the bedrooms. They're about as spacious as they come in a house of this size. The master bedroom is distinguished by its open closet, which actually makes it appear smaller, though it's a unique design.
Thanks to the new build, the house also features a well-lit basement that greatly adds to the overall living space. If only all basements could feature ceilings this high.
Specs
Good For
Move On If
Guillermo Del Toro is at the AGO today for a book singing ahead of the premiere of his much-anticipated monster exhibit. You might also consider catching some JFL comedy, Invictus Games action, or grabbing a triple-decker grilled cheese.
Events you might want to check out:
The last few days have seen Toronto's most recent heat wave breaking all the records like it was a young Mariah Carey.
Yesterday the temperature reached 31.1 degrees — a feat unseen since 1900 when it was recorded at 30C on the button.
But thankfully the heatwave is starting to wane. Today should reach a high of 28 as things begin to simmer down, then we can expect a comfortable 19 degrees tomorrow and a high of 16 to round out the work week.
The Toronto heat wave is over! Still hot and humid, reaching 28 & possible rain 🇨🇦🌅🌞🤓🕉☯️💜 pic.twitter.com/6FJ9T2qvxE
— Djennb (@djennbCDN) September 27, 2017
Fall had a false start with sweltering weather over the last four days. The heat wave came after a period of relatively crisp temperatures, reaching as high as 31.5 on Monday, breaking 126 year old record set in 1891.
The end of fake fall and beginning of real fall is great news for anyone who was feeling like a wilted flower.
Markets and pop-ups in Toronto this month are all about the macabre, the living dead, the tricks and the treats. It's a Halloween shopping invasion! But don't worry, there are a few non-spooky options to ensure you're fashion and food ready for fall.
Events you might want to check out:
You've may have noticed it's very hot out right now. While it's been wonderful to have an extended summer, the hot weather might have already done its damage when it comes to fall colours.
Conditions looked to ideal for a stunning display of fall foliage around Toronto this year, but now that's been drawn into question.
According to Danielle Way, and assistant biology professor at Western University interviewed by the CBC, the record heat we've experienced means that many trees are still producing chlorophyll far later into the September than normal.
Trees are also under much stress from the drought over the past two weeks, which causes them to lose the colour-retaining moisture in their leaves. The result could be a lot of brown tones this year.
Toronto already witnesses less saturated fall colours on account of the waning Sugar Maple population in the city — replaced by the yellow-leaf bearing Norway Maple — so if our trees are damaged by a heat wave, it could result in a generally muted display.
A post shared by ash ♡ (@beautifulblondeember) on Sep 26, 2017 at 10:49am PDT
The news does not apply to regions north of the city, which are started to change colours a while ago and are now reaching their peak in places like Algonquin and Arrowhead Parks.
It's still too early to tell how badly the heat has hurt our chances for a brilliant display of fall colours when cooler weather returns, but even if the show isn't as good as it was once promised to be in the city, there are still plenty of ways to soak up fall colours.
Prince Harry got the rock star treatment when he swung by the CN Tower last night.
A huge crowd was gathered at the local landmark in hopes of meeting the globe-trotting prince. He's has been in Toronto since late last week for the Invictus Games, which continue until September 30.
A post shared by lee-anne maningas (@leeannemaningasphotography) on Sep 26, 2017 at 8:43pm PDT
He founded the games three years ago and chose Toronto as a host city this year to mark Canada 150 celebrations. The sporting event brings together wounded, ill, and injured service people and veterans from all over the world.
A post shared by lee-anne maningas (@leeannemaningasphotography) on Sep 26, 2017 at 9:00pm PDT
In between attending the games and meeting with various heads of sate, Harry's been touring around the city, including his stop at the iconic tower last night.
A post shared by Mike Phang (@carsncars) on Sep 26, 2017 at 5:51pm PDT
Harry has been a big hit since his arrival and has made headlines related to everything from holding hands with girlfriend Meghan Markle to being mistaken for Justin Trudeau's photographer.
Toronto is wild about Harry! #princeharry #royals #commonwealth #godsavethequeen #invictusgames #toronto
A post shared by Cynthia McLeod (@sunnycynthia) on Sep 26, 2017 at 5:28pm PDT
With only three days left for Invictus, you can bet that this isn't the last appearance Harry will make exploring our city's sights. Let the mania continue. 
Vegan and vegetarian burgers are all the rage in Toronto right now. There's even an entire restaurant dedicated to the meatless delight in the form of the recently opened Planta Burger.
In a bit of good timing, now Toronto is going to get a chance to taste what's widely considered the world's juiciest meatless burger, dubbed the Impossible Burger, at this years first annual EDIT festival.
A post shared by EDITDX (@editdx) on Sep 26, 2017 at 4:21pm PDT
The burger touches down in Toronto on September 30 and can be sampled at the festival's Kitchen Lab from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This meat-less wonder was created by Impossible Foods and is made from all-natural ingredients such as wheat, coconut oil, and potatoes.
What really sets it apart, however, is the addition of heme. This is what makes the burger smell, sizzle, bleed, and taste meaty.
A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on Aug 19, 2017 at 9:25am PDT
The Impossible Burger was last seen at the annual Vegan Food and Drink Festival where attendees couldn't get enough of it. It drew big lineups throughout the event, so make sure to arrive early if you want to get a chance to try it this time around.
A battle is brewing over which new low-cost Canadian airline will reign supreme, and folks here in Toronto just have to sit back and enjoy as companies battle to corner the market on cheap flights.
Today, WestJet has officially entered the mix with the naming of their new low-cost carrier Swoop. As for the origins of the name, a press release explains that it signals "exactly what [they] plan to do."
Sounds like poop
— Barbara Nielsen (@barbara2607) September 27, 2017
Swoop will be one of three reduced priced airlines competing for travellers when it launches sometime next year.
The others are Canada Jetlines, which launches next June and will fly out of Hamilton and Waterloo, and Flair Air who now owns the assets of what was once NewLeaf.
But so far Swoop has been winning in its own special way.
Swoop there it is.. sorry i had to
— CHad (@HABittude) September 27, 2017
WestJet has yet to reveal route information for its new airline, but it's a safe assumption that there will be plenty of service into and out of the GTA. 
Guillermo del Toro has brought his whimsical and frightful world to the AGO for a major exhibit that turns the gallery into something of a haunted house. Packed with curiosities and monsters that recall the history of cinema as well as childhood nightmares, this show is a feast for the senses that, in del Toro's words, "finds beauty in the profane."
Here's a glimpse of Guillermo de Toro's fantastical Monsters at Home show at the AGO.
The best Americano in Toronto balances many variables, from the choice in coffee beans, roasters and machines to the amount and kind of water used and the skill of the baristas. All these factors come together to create a perfectly satisfying diluted espresso – a true work of art in a cup.
Here is where to find the best Americano in Toronto.
6 - Rooster Coffee House (Jarvis St.)
It's a big weekend in Toronto with the annual all night art celebration that is Nuit Blanche taking over city streets from dusk until dawn. As part of the celebration, a selection of restaurants and bars have been grant extended 4 a.m. last call licenses for the night. As has been the case in previous years, Queen Street West will be party central.
Here are the bars with 4 a.m. extended last call during Nuit Blanche this year.
Gladstone Hotel
Drake Hotel
BarChef
Bovine Sex Club
Nocturne
Queen Mother Cafe
Rivoli
Horseshoe Tavern
Wild Wing (225 Queen St. West)
This represents establishments approved to serve until 4 a.m. during Nuit Blanche 2017 by the AGCO. They don't have to exercise that right on each night, so it's always best to called ahead to confirm.
Queen and Parliament just got a whole lot more exciting with the opening of the beautiful new WE headquarters at the southwest corner of the intersection. The building's been under construction for ages, but the finished product looks like it was certainly worth the wait.
The WE Global Learning Centre has taken residence in a re-purposed century-old building that now functions as a state of the art office complete with an 'empatheatre' that seats 200, full broadcast studio, and an open concept/interactive design featuring Canadian-made furniture throughout the space.
We Charity is an international charity and part of the Free the Children organization with a central focus on education and community development.
The lobby featuring one of many interactive display screens mounted throughout the space. Photo courtesy of WE.
It's looking to integrate its new headquarters with the Corktown community by offering programming and outreach projects and has asked the city to become a partner in the Stronger Neighbourhoods Strategy 2020 and work with the local council to provide services for Regent Park residents.
For years the building was host to a successive line of furniture stores, including the long-standing Marty Millionaire from 1978 to 2014, and before that it even housed a bowling alley on the second floor for nearly 50 years.
The open concept work environment. Photo courtesy of WE.
The revitalization is part of trend to retain heritage sites and transform them into commercial businesses or office spaces. While the building at 345 Queen St. East was long known for its teal-painted exterior, WE opted to return facade to its former glory as part of the conversion project.
A meeting room overlooking the intersection. Photo courtesy of k2 Designworks.
Kohn Partnership Architects has done a deft job at updating the space for use as an office while also retaining its historical character. But a big part of the story is also the interior design.
“WE’s vision was to have this facility support teachers and youth around the world, from local to remote communities, in a building that would encourage a new culture, a new synergy in the way they work,” says Karin Karak of k2 Designworks.
“We came up with an architectural scheme that was very relaxing, holistic and neutral,” Karak continues. “We wanted to showcase WE’s branding. We wanted their work to stand out, and feel dynamic and energizing for the staff.”
The kitchen area with exposed brick. Photo courtesy of WE.
The redevelopment of 345 Queen St. East is just one small part of the huge changes sweeping the surrounding area, from the the longstanding redevelopment of Regent Park to the north and the upcoming transformation of East Harbour to the south.
There will be hundreds of people coming in and out of this office everyday now. That, in addition to the outreach initiatives that are planned, will give a welcome boost to the neighbourhood's economy and help to establish the WE headquarters as a vital community hub.
It's almost startling to think how many luxury apartment rentals there are out there in a city like Toronto. While many would gasp at the idea of spending $5,000 plus on monthly rent, the sheer number of listings means that some of them must be getting snatched up.
So, for those of you looking to lay down some serious cash for an apartment, here's one to have on your radar. This townhouse at 251 Roxton Rd. has just about everything you could want in a slick living space with the exception of a great view.
The elegant interior design comes from Cecconi Simone, which is brought to life by the tasteful furnishings included (a hint that this one is being targeted to the ex-pat crowd). None of the rooms are particularly spacious, but collectively there's plenty of livable space.
The backyard is a real highlight here, not just for the way that the deck opens up out of French doors from the living room, but the sheer size of it, which also includes a generous outdoor dining area at ground level. If you spend this much on your apartment, you better plan to entertain.
Specs
Address: 251 Roxton Rd.
Apartment type: Townhouse
Rent: $5,900
Furnished? Yes
Utilities: Yes
Air conditioning? Yes
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3.5
Parking: 1
Laundry? In suite
Outdoor space? Backyard and patio
Pet friendly? Not specified
Good For
A family on an extended stay in Toronto. Turn-key luxury awaits those with enough coin for the rent, though you couldn't imagine a roommate scenario here.
Move on If
You need less space. If you have this much to spend but don't need three bedrooms, there are some completely pimped out condos in this price range. 
New details have emerged about the launch date for one of Toronto's most highly-anticipated restaurant openings this year: the Cheesecake Factory at Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
We already knew that the popular American restaurant was coming to Canada (praise Cheesus!) but not until today did the public learn that it will officially open this November.
A brand new Instagram account called @thecheesecakefactoryca tipped us off a few hours ago when it posted the photo below with the caption "Just hold on, we’re coming for you, Canada…"
A post shared by Cheesecake Factory Canada (@thecheesecakefactoryca) on Sep 27, 2017 at 11:24am PDT
That's a Drake reference, if you're new to life. Drake loves The Cheesecake Factory.
Toronto's very own outpost of the chain will be sprawled over 10,400 square feet, have two covered patios, and feature the same 250 item menu (plus more than 50 cheesecakes and desserts) as its U.S. counterparts, according to Yorkdale.
An exact opening date has yet to be released, but today's news means that Toronto is now less than two months away from having a restaurant that sells "glamburgers." Cheers to that.
High Park is one of Toronto's most idyllic outdoor spaces, replete with acres upon acres of hiking trails, gardens, playgrounds, ponds and rambunctious zoo animals that sometimes go viral.
It can also be freaking scary. Especially at night. Especially when you've read about the park's creepy history of hauntings.
Rumour has it that the ghosts of drowned soldiers patrol the foot paths, that a bloody phantom horseman will come out of Grenadier Pond, and that a spooky "gentleman in black" has been appearing near the streetcar loop every night since the 1950s.
If you're down to investigate any of this stuff in real life, bravo. You can do just that next month on the Haunted High Park ghost walk and tour, where you'll learn (and possibly experience) some of the spookiest things our city has to offer.
The program this year includes a séance inside Colborne Lodge, which is also said to be mad haunted. "Explore the grounds of High Park after dark and discover the chilling legends and ghostly tales that have been spooking visitors for decades," reads a description of the event on High Park's website.
"Discover Victorian funeral and mourning traditions inside the candlelit rooms of historic Colborne Lodge and see what goes creak in the night."
The adult program will begin at 7:30 p.m. on October 19, 20, 22, 27, 28 and 29 of this year. Families and kids can do a less-intense version of the tour on October 21 & 26 at seven sharp.
A ticket, which also gets you access to "a Victorian séance presented by Doc Wuthergloom of award winning Eldritch Theatre," will set you back about $32.50 – "spooky refreshments included."
Stay spooky, Toronto.
Today in Toronto the city's first EDIT Festival launches inside an abandoned soap factory. It's 10 days of futurist art, installations, talks, and food. There's also a huge YouTube festival, and Hillary Clinton is in town to talk about her new book.
Events you might want to check out:
Toronto restaurant openings highlights the latest food news in Toronto and gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.
Open now
Bacchanal, a French neo-bistro that features an absinthe-focused cocktail program, officially opens at 60 Sudbury St. today, taking over the space that was very briefly Recess Diner.
Poor Romeo, a dive-diner-bar from the team behind Pinkerton's Snack Bar, is currently in soft launch mode at 1029 Gerrard St. E. – just across the street from Pinkerton's.
Butter Baker, a French patisserie and sister bakery to Butter Avenue, has opened at 120 Dundas St. W. next to Pablo. It's baking creative offerings like lemon meringue croissants.
Kanda Izakaya, a Japanese ramen, sushi and sake bar, is now open at 2140 Yonge St., replacing C'est Bon.
Chinese chain Dagu Rice Noodle has opened its first location at 20 Gibson Dr. in Markham, with a downtown location (previously Bareburger) by Bay & Dundas to follow.
Croutons has replaced a Lazeez Shawarma at 652 Spadina Ave. (at Harbord).
Mocha Cafe and Pastry is open at 1290 Danforth Ave., a couple of blocks east of Greenwood Ave.
Recently reviewed
Northern Maverick
Galata Cafe
H Cafe
Gare de l'est
Planta Burger
Max's Restaurant
Sotto Sotto
Opening soon
Apiecalypse Now will be bringing the vegan pizza love over to the east side of town, with a plan to open at Pape & Mortimer in East York for Halloween.
More vegan good news: a posted sign announcing a second location for Hogtown Vegan has appeared at 382 College St., which was previously Montreal Bar and Grill, and Windup prior to that. It's set to open next month.
Muddy York Brewing is officially opening its taproom in East York at 22 Cranfield Rd. this Saturday.
Closed
Hungry Amoo on Lower Ossington has shuttered after about a year in business.
Untold, the soup and salad bar that also served Romanian-style ice cream cones (similar to Eva's) at 1581 Bayview Ave. didn’t last long; its opening was just reported here two weeks ago!
Other news
Chocolates by Brandon Olsen, a.k.a. CXBO, is launching six signature chocolate bars at its fairly new Kensington Market location today at 193 Baldwin St.
Chef/Vice celeb Matty Matheson (Maker Pizza) has parted ways with Parts & Labour and The Social Group.
The Sweet Potato, a natural and organic grocery store that also makes prepared foods, has moved from Dundas St. W. to 108 Vine Ave. in the Junction.
Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com
