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The best dim sum in downtown Toronto might even hold up to some of the places in Markham, Richmond Hill and Scarborough. Cart service may no longer be in fashion, but har gow, siu mai and cheong fun will always serve as classics.
Here are the best dim sum restaurants in downtown Toronto.
10 - Dim Sum King![]()
With its specialty in its name, you know exactly what to expect here. Old-school dim sum served old-school style with cart service during peak times, this is the way things should be in Chinatown. Weekday daytime specials make it a popular choice for locals in the area.
11 - Asian Legend![]()
Not a typical dim sum joint, this small local chain specializes in Northern Chinese cuisine (as opposed to Cantonese dishes). Known for its soup-filled dumplings, the once-dingy, now-renovated-and-spiffy spot on Dundas St. W. in Chinatown is the original location before it expanded north to the GTA.
5 - Lai Wah Heen![]()
If you’re looking for super upscale dim sum in a serene environment, then this is your place. Found inside the DoubleTree by Hilton (formerly the Metropolitan Hotel) by Dundas & University, here you can bite into items like lobster dumplings, or ones containing chicken and truffle, along with dishes that feature high-end ingredients like black caviar or foie gras.
7 - Luckee![]()
Celeb chef/restaurateur Susur Lee’s dim sum parlour that’s part of the Soho Metropolitan Hotel at Wellington & Blue Jays Way boasts beautifully presented all-day dim sum dishes that can be paired with Asian-inspired cocktails from the bar or sake on tap instead of tea.
9 - Pearl Harbourfront![]()
You can’t go wrong with this gem inside Queens Quay Terminal at Harbourfront that provides dim sum with a view of the water. This is one of the few places that still pushes carts around, although it’s also possible to place orders on a paper card. Be sure to make reservations for tables by a window!
3 - Rosewood Chinese Cuisine![]()
All-day dim sum, special pricing on weekdays and AYCE at night make this two-level Chinatown spot an enticing draw. For newbies, there are even helpful pictures on the menu to help decipher what to order.
4 - Crown Princess![]()
Over-the-top, opulent decor at this restaurant located on Bay St. north of Wellesley can be slightly baffling, but don’t let all the Palace of Versailles-like chandeliers and marble distract you from the matter at hand – tasty dim sum, with prices to match the look of the place.
6 - Kwan![]()
With two locations – one at Yonge & St. Clair and a dim sum-only restaurant at York Mills in North York, Kwan offers a modern and elegant take on this popular Cantonese brunch tradition. This is the perfect place to go if you want good food (try the cheong fun, a.k.a, rice noodle rolls) without sacrificing ambiance or service.
8 - Dynasty Chinese Cuisine![]()
This classic choice for dim sum in Yorkville has sophisticated – and pricey – offerings including tasty steamed scallop dumplings, oven-baked turnip pastries and egg custard rolls.
Toronto is still recovering from last night's all-night art extravaganza and while there was a lot to see and do at the 2017 iteration of Nuit Blanche one surprise was the appearance of Drake.
The 6 God was all smiles at Yonge-Dundas Square when he turned up for the special project Truth by Kwest which reimagined recycled clothing from H&M into a huge work of art.
A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on Sep 30, 2017 at 8:39pm PDT
Drake arrived well before midnight to check out the scene along with Mayor John Tory. The two briefly shared a moment and posed for photos as stunned onlookers quickly tried to get their Instagram moment.
Drake later posted a photo to Instagram calling it an "evening stroll".
A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Oct 1, 2017 at 3:50am PDT
Tory also tweeted it was great to catch up with Drake. He and his wife Barb scoped out other Nuit Blanche projects too tweeting along the way how great the crowds were and that it was one of his favourite nights of the year.
Nuit Blanche in Yonge Dundas Square with @Drake & Kwest. Great catching up with October & Toronto's own, Drake. #NuitBlanche pic.twitter.com/NNfOXtKLCP
— John Tory (@JohnTory) October 1, 2017
As for Drake, some just couldn't believe that he was actually out walking among the rest of us.
DRAKE WAS 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM ME AT NUIT BLANCHE AND I DIDNT GO AND DIDNT KNOW HE WAS THERE UNTIL NOW PLEASE KILL ME
— Breanna (@breeven16) October 1, 2017
Others teased that seeing him in the flesh ranked up there with one of their lifetime achievements
Yeah I took this photo of @drake at #NuitBlanche and it is my greatest life achievement pic.twitter.com/z5sKBZSr80— Tyler Keating (@tyIerkeating) October 1, 2017
Of course, Drake didn't travel lightly. As Shawn Mendes will tell you, Drake doesn't go too many places without his security unit in tow.
WHEN @DRAKE SHOWS UP AT #NUITBLANCHE pic.twitter.com/SzfEGwH1Fq
— Sunita Singh Hans (@SunitaSinghHans) October 1, 2017
There's no word on whether Drake made it anywhere else during Nuit Blanche or how late he stayed up but he was back on Instagram around 10 a.m. this morning promoting his retail stores.
Events this week in Toronto are like a Halloween season kick-off with some creepy film screenings and a bazaar of everything strange and unusual.
Events you might want to check out:
After having been a dominate figure in the Canadian retail landscape for decades, Sears Canada continues to struggle to stay alive. The department store retailer has announced that more stores will shut down in Toronto and elsewhere across the country.
Sears will close its Fairview Mall and Scarborough Town Centre stores over the next few months. The dying retail power is also set to close locations in Oakville and Hamilton as part of its latest contraction.
Today was thw first time i have purchased something from @SearsCA in over 15 years #saddownfallofaoncegreatretailer #sears #sad
— Jason Axel (@JasonAxel) October 2, 2017
The company applied for credit protection in June and has slowly begun to close its doors. While Sears has been trying to stay afloat by securing corporate backing, it has yet to find success in that department.
This most recent move is yet another reminder of the death of old-style department store and the ongoing transition to a modernized shopping experience, not to mention the ubiquity of super-retailers like Walmart.
Liquidation details have yet to be released for the soon-to-shutter Toronto locations. 
This week on DineSafe Ali Baba's got busted by city health inspectors yet again. This time it was their location on Bloor St. that was cited for six different infractions, one of which was marked as crucial.
Read on to find out which other Toronto restaurants got in trouble with DineSafe this week.
Banh Mi Boys (392 Queen St. West)
Inspected on: September 25, 2017
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder.
Coffee Time (1287 Bloor St. West)
Inspected on: September 25, 2017
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder.
Red Lobster (20 Dundas St. West)
Inspected on: September 25, 2017
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 3, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Employee failed to wash hands when required.
Ali Baba's (346 Bloor St. West)
Inspected on: September 27, 2017
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Elmwood Spa (18 Elm St.)
Inspected on: September 27, 2017
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder.
Pokito (420 Queen St. West)
Inspected on: September 27, 2017
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
SIP Wine Bar (2 Broadway Ave.)
Inspected on: September 27, 2017
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Bubby's Bagels (3035 Bathurst St.)
Inspected on: September 28, 2017
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 4, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Employee failed to wash hands when required.
Glad Day Bookshop (499 Church St.)
Inspected on: September 28, 2017
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder.
Macho Radio Bar (92 Fort York Blvd.)
Inspected on: September 28, 2017
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Significant: 3, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Employee failed to wash hands when required and 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.
The top restaurant openings in Toronto for September offer more unique dining experiences than ever before. Step through the looking glass and cross over from an ordinary corner store into a hidden bar evoking sixties Hong Kong, eat steak in a castle, and journey to faraway Thailand, Turkey, Argentina, Lebanon, Israel and Morocco.
Here are my picks for the top restaurants that opened in Toronto last month.
BlueBlood Steakhouse
This steakhouse in Casa Loma is a new jewel in the city. Epic towering design built right into the heritage elements of the century-old castle will make you feel like a Disney character as you indulge in feasts of seafood towers and bone-in steaks.
Ama Always
From the guys behind food truck Che Baby comes this lounge-y Queen West Argentinian restaurant selling their well-known chori-pan sandwiches along with empanadas, off-the-cuff cocktails, guacamole, ceviche and steak on an ever-evolving menu.
Bar Sybanne
Israeli, Lebanese and Moroccan cuisine join forces within the mind of Chef Howard Dubrovsky to come up with the menu of small sharing plates available at this breezy new Ossington spot such as fried chicken with orange blossom honey, fried brussel leaves, crudo and house-made flatbread and lebneh.
Mahjong Bar
Dundas West’s newest hotspot is almost missable if you’re not looking for it, hidden behind a bodega-like front area that sells beer and wine in cans. Beyond that the full bar does Chinese small plates of wontons, crispy pork and eggplant, and smashed cucumber salad.
Barans
This new Turkish restaurant in Scarborough is not like the others, with sprawling open concept design and gigantic copper signs and a mind-blowing menu of a variety of cold and hot mezzes, kebab platters and traditional Turkish drinks.
Planta Burger
Vegans and non-vegans alike have been buzzing over this new Temperance Street restaurant with an entirely plant-based menu of burgers, shakes, floats, onion rings, tater tots and more from the people behind Planta.
Shanee
What was once Soi Thai on College has now become Shanee, a flirty little restaurant with a menu of Thai tapas including fried rice balls, spring rolls, fresh rolls, duck wings, spicy seafood salad, and Thai sausages.
Kost
This new restaurant atop Bisha Hotel serves elegant Baja-inspired fare like steak, fish and tres leche cakes. Sip a glass of wine and stare out at the city from the adjacent rooftop patio with infinity pool and prime CN Tower views.
Galata
From the same folks who run Anatolia in the same strip mall in Etobicoke comes this daytime cafe serving Turkish breakfasts and specialties like cheesy gozleme, Turkish tea and coffee, and manti.
Northern Maverick
On Bathurst near King, this new brewery is serving up a menu of upscale pub fare including octopus, venison tartare, and house-made Jamaican patties and charcuterie to go with their nine draft beers brewed on-site.
This weekend, the much anticipated Lights Festival transformed the night sky with the launch of thousands of lanterns into the air.
The travelling light festival has taken place in cities across North America but this year marked the first time it took place in the Toronto area.
Initially there was concern about the festival. There had been reports in other cities of people getting scammed and fire officials had warned it wouldn't meet local regulations if held within the city limits.
A post shared by Mark Anthony Diaz (@maddthman) on Oct 1, 2017 at 1:30pm PDT
So organizers decided to move it to the Ohsweken Speedway west of Hamilton where the clear night sky and distance from city lights would hopefully provide the foundation for a magical display.
A post shared by 多伦多吃喝玩乐 (@toronto_diary) on Oct 1, 2017 at 8:15am PDT
While overall the festival lived up to expectations, not all attendees went home happy. Some expressed disappointment with the event's overall lack of organization. Overcrowding was apparently an issue, something the festival organizers weren't prepared for.
A post shared by ＊ＢＬＡＩＲ＊ (@blairrr.33) on Oct 1, 2017 at 6:23pm PDT
Reports on social media indicate about 10,000 people showed up for the first Toronto Lights Festival but there's no official word yet from organizers.
There's one more reason to pay a visit to Mississauga with the recent opening of Seafood City's first Canadian location.
The Filipino seafood supermarket chain had its grand opening last week at the Heartland Town Centre. The massive store occupies a whopping 50,000 square foot space and has already witnessed lineups as curious shoppers flocked to check out the new store.
A post shared by Seafood City Supermarket (@seafoodcitysupermarket) on Sep 28, 2017 at 6:07am PDT
Seafood City originally began in the US and has since grown to service Filipino communities all over North America. It takes its design from traditional Filipino marketplaces and offers a wide array of authentic Filipino food and groceries.
The supermarket also features a number of accompanying fast food chains, including Noodle Street, Crispy Town, and Grill City. Perhaps most exciting of all, Jollibee is also destined to call the market home when it opens sometime next year.
You can expect more lineups then.
Nuit Blanche is no stranger to lineups, but Toronto's love affair with Stranger Things remains uncanny. The Red Forest, a Netflix-based interactive exhibit featuring some of the streaming service's most popular shows, might have been the busiest stop at this year's festival.
Go figure that a corporate activation drew huge crowds at an event that was thematically organized around protest and resistance. Along with hype related to the return of Stranger Things and Riverdale, the other reason the exhibit was so popular is that it was completely intriguing.
The lineup for #TheStrangerThings 'The Red Forest' installation @nuitblancheTO keeps on growing #nbTO17 pic.twitter.com/e12crZD8uo
— blogTO (@blogTO) October 1, 2017
Those who withstood the hour-long lineups got to dress up in hazmat suits before exploring a cinematically lit and totally eerie environment that seemed worlds apart from the shipping container city located a few hundred feet away at Nathan Phillips Square.
The #NetflixRedForest is the best thing you'll see tonight! #nuitblancheto #StrangerThings pic.twitter.com/WKg3AykSZd
— MeLiSsA dACrUz (@MelissaDacruzz) October 1, 2017
It wasn't exactly the Upside Down, but the odd combination of Riverdale and Stranger Things was visually compelling enough to garner buzz throughout the night.
If Nuit Blanche's chief calling card is spectacle, this certainly fit the bill, though some visitors were underwhelmed after all the hype the exhibit received beforehand. Meanwhile, others were just confused by the presence of people in hazmat suits.
It doesn't sound like anyone was particularly worried. As one passerby put it, "don't worry — it must be Nuit Blanche related."
Toronto is smitten with Prince Harry. His visit to the city for the Invictus Games showed off a side of the royal that captured the hearts everyone following along thanks to his openness and warmth, which was surprising and downright delightful.
When he arrived just before the start of the 2017 Invictus Games, he stepped out of his SUV and his lurking security detail left people wondering if his presence would be more than a formality.
A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on Sep 22, 2017 at 6:20am PDT
Fans greeted him at the Royal York Hotel, where he was staying, and he immediately set out to met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and First Lady Melania Trump, the latter of whom was serving as the US representative for the games.
A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on Sep 23, 2017 at 3:22pm PDT
But it quickly became apparent that Harry was more open than is typical of other public figures. He embraced the city wholeheartedly in a show of kindness and accessibility rarely seen by visiting officials.
A post shared by Prince Harry (@princeharryofengland) on Sep 30, 2017 at 9:22am PDT
Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in an effort bring together ill and injured service people to compete in the adaptive sports, and his dedication to the event became apparent by the time he spent with athletes and attending events.
A post shared by Prince Harry And Meghan Markle (@princeharryandmeghan) on Sep 30, 2017 at 7:27pm PDT
When he wasn't doing that, he toured around the city, popping up everywhere from the CN Tower to CAMH, seemingly never shying away from signing autographs or taking pictures with fans.
A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on Sep 23, 2017 at 1:05pm PDT
He even found time to take some pictures for himself.
A post shared by Prince Harry And Meghan Markle (@princeharryandmeghan) on Sep 29, 2017 at 7:25pm PDT
This year marked the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death. Harry has actively continued his mother's legacy of charity and public service and elements of her caring nature are clearly embodied by Harry.
A post shared by Prince Harry And Meghan Markle (@princeharryandmeghan) on Sep 29, 2017 at 10:35pm PDT
He even let his private life finally become public when he showed off girlfriend Meaghan Markle to the world for the first time.
A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on Sep 25, 2017 at 12:54pm PDT
Since the games began three years ago, they've attracted a number of notable supporters. But perhaps the most notable of those is former US President Barack Obama, who dropped by to hang out with Harry and old pal Joe Biden.
A post shared by Sainté O Constelación (@sainteconstel) on Oct 1, 2017 at 5:53am PDT
He even made an appearance at the star-studded Toronto WE Day event to discuss the immense power young people have to make meaningful change in this world.
"We are stronger when we work together," he said. "We are happier when we work in the service of others. We succeed when we have purpose in our lives."
Finally, he helped close out the games by sharing a moment with Bruce Springsteen on stage at the closing ceremonies.
A post shared by Wills, Kate & Harry Updates (@cambridges_princeharryupdates) on Oct 1, 2017 at 8:09am PDT
Harry made Toronto his own during his stay, and I'm sure more than a few people can't wait for his next visit.
The best dim sum in downtown Toronto might even hold up to some of the places in Markham, Richmond Hill and Scarborough. Cart service may no longer be in fashion, but har gow, siu mai and cheong fun will always serve as classics.
Here are the best dim sum restaurants in downtown Toronto.
10 - Dim Sum King
Most people who are familiar with the Toronto Islands know about its lovely beaches and cute theme park, but not many know about its haunted past.
Right in time for Halloween, Spooky Lagoon is launching evening boat rides through the Island waters that tell the stories of an old sunken ship, Babe Ruth, hurricane Hazel, diving horses and the infamous story of the Island's most famous ghost.
The experience offers a theatrical retelling complete with performers and live narration as the boat moves through the Island waters before arriving at the long-defunct Gibaltrar Point lighthouse.
Anyone who attended the Island School as a kid might remember the story well; the wobbly 13th(?) step and ghoulish sound effects still give me nightmares.
The 107-year old lighthouse is "only occasionally open to the public during special events"so this is a good opportunity to check it out. The tours begin this week and run through Halloween.
Nuit Blanche has always been about engagement, but this year the stakes were raised with a program that focused heavily on themes of protest and resistance along with indigenous visibility. Toronto took it all in, combing the streets in search of installations that were by turns challenging, playful, and dance-worthy.
Here are 40 photos that capture the spirit of this year's Nuit Blanche in Toronto. 
Nuit Blanche 2017 has come and gone, and now we're left to pore over the photos from another all-night art extravaganza. During this year's festival, we once again partnered with the City of Toronto on the official photo challenge.
Hundreds of people emailed and tagged their photos with #blogTOnbTO hashtag out of which 10 finalists were selected for the final showdown. Thanks to everyone who participated this year!
Vote for your favourite photo here.
1. Lead photo The Transformation by Joel Alvin Cayaban.
2. Since Now, From Then (Derelict Homes) by Dominic Bugatt0.
A post shared by Bosco da Costa (@bosco_costa) on Sep 30, 2017 at 10:37pm PDT
3. Monument to a Century of Revolutions by @bosco_costa.
A post shared by @kiantang on Oct 1, 2017 at 1:04am PDT
4. Since Now, From Then (Live Painting) by @kiantang.
A post shared by Lilian (@la19eightytwo) on Oct 1, 2017 at 10:48pm PDT
5. Garden Tunnel by @la19eightytwo.
A post shared by Zara B (@kbash246) on Oct 1, 2017 at 10:24am PDT
6. The Upside Down by @kbash246.
A post shared by Naeem (@nnvv__) on Oct 1, 2017 at 4:51am PDT
7. Truth by @nnvv_.
A post shared by A Great Capture (@agreatcapture) on Oct 1, 2017 at 3:17am PDT
8. Won't Back Down by @agreatcapture.
A post shared by Laum (@transitnap) on Oct 1, 2017 at 2:00am PDT
9. Horses by @transitnap.
A post shared by Distorted Lens (@multicultured) on Oct 1, 2017 at 10:26am PDT
10. EDIT Festival by @multicultured.
Vote for your favourite photo here.
Winners will receive the following prizes:
1st place: $200 Henry's giftcard
2nd place: $100 Henry's giftcard
3rd place: $50 Henry's giftcard
Voting in the poll ends at 11:59 p.m. on October 8, 2017. 
As the Presto rollout continues in high gear on the TTC, the transit agency behind the smart card system has just engaged in a re-brand that might help to shake off some of the bad memories related to the early days of its introduction in Toronto.
Or not. No matter what the card looks like, no one's going to be very happy if re-load machines and fare gates are regularly malfunctioning. But, for the optimistic amongst us, this could be the start of a new era.
The new black cards, which for now are exclusively available for purchase at Shoppers Drugmart, have a simplified design that does indeed look far slicker than the first generation green-coloured cards.
Same PRESTO. New look. Tap & travel with the new black card. Buy yours now at select T.O. @ShopprsDrugMart locations https://t.co/y0qRCgmSBh pic.twitter.com/C8w2kqa1ry
— PRESTO card (@PRESTOcard) October 2, 2017
You might say that these are the opposite of the DIY cutting boards that the TTC is currently using to mount Presto card readers at stations undergoing fare gate installations.
Eventually, all Presto cards will take this new design, though existing ones will continue to function as normal as production ramps up on the latest iteration.
As far as the timing of the re-branding effort goes, it might be spot on. More and more transit users have adopted the new system, and both the TTC and Metrolinx are trying to push Presto as the wave of the future.
By early next year, most subway stations will be fully equipped with new Presto-equipped fare gates.
We can only hope that this signals a new period in which the smart card system is hailed for its efficiency and reliability. Fingers crossed!
Nuit Blanche is in the books for another year, and it's time now to dwell upon what worked and what didn't about the 2017 edition of the event in Toronto.
There were some major changes this year that go beyond the continued lack of a major corporate sponsor since Scotiabank's departure following the 2015 event. The festival might have been smaller, but it was the most scrappy it's ever been. That spirit might be a good thing.
Most notably, this was the year that Nuit Blanche became far more socially conscious, delving headfirst into themes of occupation, protest, and the transgressive nature of artistic production.
This transition might have seemed sudden to longtime attendees, but to remain relevant for the long term, it was a necessary evolution. Still, not everything was great about this year's event, so let's mark the good and bad in hopes of inspiring improvement.
Here are my picks for the best and worst of Nuit Blanche 2017.
Best
Serpent People at Nuit Blanche 2017. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
Indigenous voices
This year's Nuit Blanche finally put a spotlight on indigenous artists, devoting a key section to installations that explored the contested nature of the land on which the festival takes place and the resilience organic to the lived experience of indigenous peoples in Toronto and beyond.
Horses took over Queen's Park Circle during Nuit Blanche this year. Photo by Andrew Williamson.
Queens Park Circle
While the exhibits might have been a bit too spread out in this section — Taking to the Streets — the idea to host a significant portion of the event here was a good one. The ample space meant crowds were kept in check and festival-goers could focus on the installations rather than the drunken spectacle that often erupts after 2 a.m.
The Hendrick's hot air balloon drew a crowd throughout the night. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
Corporate activations that don't suck
Despite the lack of a headline sponsor, this year's Nuit Blanche certainly had a major corporate component, but interactive exhibits from Netflix (the Red Forest) and Hendrick's Gin (the giant hot air balloon) drummed up significant excitement from attendees.
The space under the Wellesley Street Bridge was turned into an impromptu rave. Photo by Andrew Williamson.
Music
Nuit Blanche embraced music and performance on a level not seen in at least a few years. From the stage at Nathan Phillips Square to the flatbed truck / DJ station near College and Queens Park to the "car rave" under the Wellesley Street Bridge, there were ample opportunities to dance.
Where Once Stood a Bandstand for Cruising & Shelter was a hit. Photo by Andrew Williamson.
Excellent exhibits
Everyone will have their favourites, but some of my highlights from 2017 include Automobile, Where Once Stood a Bandstand for Cruising & Shelter, Embassy, Serpent People, and Porta-Party, and Dream Variations.
Worst
Lineups plagued Nathan Phillips Square this year. Photo by Andrew Williamson.
Nathan Phillips Square
This isn't a slag of the thoughtful art presented at the various shipping containers around City Hall, but from an organizational standpoint, a gated exhibit at the heart of the festival didn't lend itself to the type of inclusive spectacle that should be the hallmark of Nuit Blanche.
Everyone wanted to get into the Red Forest exhibition, but not all were willing to wait over an hour. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
Brutal Lineups
It's a perpetual complaint with Nuit Blanche and perhaps a bit unfair given the attendance, but the lineup issue seemed particularly problematic this year on account of the congestion at Nathan Phillips Square and Osgoode Hall. The former in particular works better with open exhibits like last year's Death of the Sun.
Nathan Phillips Square lacked some of the pomp of year's past. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
A lack of marquee exhibits
In recent years, Nuit Blanche has played host to major exhibits from Ai Weiwei, JR, and Director X to great acclaim. While this isn't always the case, such marquee installations really add a layer of excitement to the proceedings, especially when they're pulled off well.
Today in Toronto a free art exhibit showcases the best photojournalism of the year. There's also a new Canadian documentary at the Royal and a John Williams musical tribute for movie buffs.
Events you might want to check out:
One of Toronto's most unique new public spaces is shaping up fast – and if all goes as planned, it's going to be even cooler than many of us had even imagined.
Construction crews at The Bentway – formerly known as Project: Under Gardiner – were spotted this weekend pouring concrete for a 250-metre ice skating trail beneath The Gardiner Expressway.
The Bentway skating rink concrete is poured and curing. Looks great! @thebentway #Toronto pic.twitter.com/5Js7whPmFY
— Gonçalo Pedro (@gppedro) October 1, 2017
Running from near June Callwood Park to just east of the Fort York Visitor's Centre, the trail will be shaped like a figure-eight and connect four of the bents supporting this busy highway from below.
An opening party is set for January after which the trail will remain open to the public for the remainder of winter.
Concrete is being poured to make the dream of @thebentway a reality. Skating this winter, already! pic.twitter.com/bD01qJVA3F
— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) October 1, 2017
Once spring and summer hit, we'll see the opening of a wooden boardwalk, an outdoor amphitheatre, public markets, gardens and more within the corridor between Bathurst and Strachan.
Happy holidays from The Bentway! We're loving the snowy weather and getting excited for winter activities. Here's an early rendering by PUBLIC WORK featuring a skating trail under the Gardiner. See link in bio to learn more about what we have in store. #thebentway
A post shared by The Bentway (@thebentway) on Dec 24, 2016 at 7:44am PST
You know, if the idea of gliding around beneath gridlock doesn't quite strike your fancy. (It should.)
If you prefer your food to come from a local source, what could be more local than your own backyard?
A new pilot project will allow Toronto residents to raise chickens, right in their yard. The City has voted and approved a pilot project to allow chickens in backyards.
Councillors in favour of the project said it will encourage the growth of an inner-city agricultural movement, and an urban food system while those against cite a risk of the chickens attracting predators like raccoons and coyotes.
There were also concerns about smell, noise, and whether introducing chickens would lead to a slippery slope of eventually allowing larger livestock.
Under the proposed plan, residents of Ward 5 (Etobicoke-Lakeshore), Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 21 (St. Paul's), and Ward 32 (Beaches-East York) will be permitted to participate in the project.
This means chickens may be coming to neighbourhoods like St. Clair West, Hillcrest, the Beaches, Leslieville, Bloor West Village, Parkdale, Swansea and more.
Residents of these wards will be allowed up to four hens. Roosters will not be allowed, due the crowing noise they make at early morning hours.
Urban farming is a growing movement as many move to the city and the price of food rises. Some who like to eat local, and know where their food is coming from, have taken to producing some of it on their own property in small batches.
Projects like rooftop foliage and community gardens are increasingly popular as a result.
Other cities in the country, including Vancouver, Montreal, Moncton, Whitehorse, and others all allow residents to legally keep chickens in their backyard. 
English rocker Roger Waters (of Pink Floyd fame) kicked off the Toronto leg of his Us + Them tour Sunday night with a powerful message aimed squarely at Donald Trump.
And he did it without ever actually saying the U.S. president's name.
“What a charade you are.” #trumpisapig #rogerwaters #usandthem #concert #live #music #livemusic #yyz #toronto
A post shared by Daniel Blais (@waytooclose) on Oct 3, 2017 at 5:15am PDT
Waters, who named his tour after a track from Pink Floyd's 1974 album The Dark Side of the Moon, took the stage for almost two-and-a-half hours last night, thrilling fans with a mix of old stuff and new.
A post shared by Ehsan Ghassemlou (@ehsan_ghassemlou) on Oct 2, 2017 at 7:06pm PDT
"The content is very secret," Waters had said previously of his show. "It'll be a mixture of stuff from my long career, stuff from my years with Pink Floyd, some new things. Probably 75% of it will be old material and 25% will be new, but it will be all connected by a general theme."
That theme appears to be related to America's current political climate, if not a critique of capitalism itself, based on what audience members saw.
A post shared by Gianmaria Conti (@gianmaconti) on Oct 3, 2017 at 7:31am PDT
The multi-sensory experience featured floating pigs with Trump's face on them, graphics of Trump's head with a baby's body, animations of Trump vomiting, images of Trump cheering for Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as large displays of words like "RESIST" and "CHARADE."
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At one point, Waters and his band played in the dark as a string of Trump quotes filled the screens behind them.
"You know, it really doesn't matter what the media write," read one, "as long as you've got a young and beautiful piece of ass."
A post shared by Ali Javaheri (@alijavah) on Oct 2, 2017 at 10:49pm PDT
Waters is scheduled to play a second show at the Air Canada Centre this evening, as well as a third Toronto show at the same venue on October 13.
As the opioid crisis continues to grow to extreme levels, some members of the community are trying to do their part.
According to this report, some Toronto bars are now stocking naloxone kits to help prevent overdoses on the fatal drug. Lee’s Palace and Less Bar are two bars that have purchased the kits to have on hand in, just in case a situation arises.
Less Bar owner Carmen Elle told the Canadian Press it's "the responsibility of everybody who manages and runs these spaces” to address the situation.
A naloxone kit can be an extremely effective method for preventing overdoses of fentanyl, which has been the cause of an increasing number of Canadian deaths.
The kits are available at many Toronto pharmacies without a prescription, and are approved for use by anyone, not just health professionals.
Other institutions are also contributing their help. The Toronto Public Library recently announced all library staff would be trained in administering naloxone in TPL branches. This came as part of the City’s attempts to help curb the ongoing crisis.
The response from government organizations has come under criticism from healthcare workers and addiction centre staff, as the province announced it would not declare a state of emergency.
Assistant Manager of Lee's Palace told the Canadian Press that the kits are a necessity for bars to stock. "To not do it is negligent," he said.
The Province’s website has links for citizens to find a naloxone kit location near them. It also offers easy instructions on how to use the naloxone in the case of an overdose.
