Today in Toronto you can try out axe throwing for free, watch a comedy roast free-for-all, see an improvised musical, and much more.

It was just a few weeks ago that Toronto learned of Tokyo's Konjiki Ramen's new, soon-to-open location right in our own backyard. And now we're getting a Saryo, too?

Japan just keeps on blessing us with outposts of its famous restaurants and cafes.

Saryo, a popular Japanese dessert shop, has announced that it will soon be selling its "beautiful and angelical desserts" in Toronto – or rather, that Toronto "has been selected as the stage" for its first overseas establishment.

Hojicha (Japanese roasted tea) soft serve ice cream with #colourful #oiri (Japanese tiny soft candy rice ball). Coming soon in #saryocafe. #dessertinthe6ix #dessertto #hojicha #icecream # torontofood #foodieto #foodporn #crossover #konjikiramen #5051yongestreet #cantwait #sweettooth

A post shared by Saryo Cafe (@saryocafe) on Dec 4, 2017 at 5:51am PST

"You can stop by anytime to take a little break from your busy schedule, and indulge in one (or a few!) of our signature desserts," reads the new location's website. 

"Whether it is the scrumptious parfait, rich matcha ice-cream, seasonal house-made cake, or the drooling matcha brownie. Work a little, rest a little, eat a little, sweeten a little, live a little."

Just like Tokyo-based Konjiki, Saryo's first Canadian store will be at 5051 Yonge St. in North York. In fact, the two businesses are working together on what both describe as a "crossover."

Saryo Cafe storefront in Kagurazaka 神楽坂, Tokyo Japan. First overseas location crossover with Konjiki Ramen at 5051 Yonge Street! Dec 2017 #Japanese #dessert #tea #saryocafe #homemade #foodto #foodieto #dessertto #enjoyslowly #crossover #konjikiramen #the6 #comingsoon

A post shared by Saryo Cafe (@saryocafe) on Nov 2, 2017 at 3:11pm PDT

Saryo, which already has nine different stores across Japan, promises that the dessert offerings in Toronto will be every bit as authentic as its stores in Toyko and the GTA (Greater Tokyo Area.)

"Our chef in the North York shop has been trained in Japan, allowing us to bring you the authentic taste of Saryo," reads the Toronto location's about section. "We are also importing specialty ingredients from Japan such as our Matcha powder and kanten."

The menu has yet to be released, but customers can expect everything from match fondue and seasonal cakes to green tea lattes and Saryo’s signature parfait, "with layers of matcha paste, soft serve, fresh whipped cream, kanten, mocha and wafer."

Burnt marshmallow with matcha ice cream. Popular dessert in Tokyo with unforgettable contrast flavour. Coming to Toronto crossover with #konjikiramen at 5051 Yonge St. #saryocafe #saryotokyocafe #saryo #crossover #5051yongestreet #japanesedessert #dessertinthe6ix #matcha #greentea #redbean #homemade #dessertcafe #comingrealsoon #torontodessert #foodieto #torontofood #cantwait

A post shared by Saryo Cafe (@saryocafe) on Nov 16, 2017 at 6:13pm PST

Bring it on, Saryo. We're more than ready.

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

• Snakes and Lattes Midtown opened yesterday at 45 Eglinton Ave. E.
• Koha Kitchen has opened inside the Commerce Court food court in the PATH at 199 Bay St. and soon will have a second location, this one in the PATH's MetroCentre food court at 200 Wellington St. W.
• Loch & Quay (get it?) is now open on the waterfront at 390 Queens Quay West (just east of Spadina).
• Grocery Coffee can be found at 1550 Queen St. W. in Parkdale.
• Tokyo Smoke's fourth location in the city has opened at 202-100 Broadview Ave. in Riverside.
• Korean-Chinese restaurant K-Wok is open at 730 Yonge St. (at Charles St.).

Recently reviewed

• Yeah Yeahs Pizza
• Kay Pacha
• Borrel
• Mary Be Kitchen
• Bi Bim Bap (College)
• Mrs. Robinson

Opening soon

• Balzac’s Powerhouse location officially opens tomorrow at 31 Powerhouse St. in Davenport Village.
• Convenience, a retro bar, officially opens this Saturday.
• Creeds Coffee Bar will be opening a second location in January 2018 at 1595 Bayview Ave. in Leaside.
• The Walrus Pub & Beerhall, from the Vancouver-based Donnelly Group who also own Belfast Love, Death and Taxes and The Gift Shop in this city, is taking over the former Far Niente space at 187 Bay St. in the Financial District.
• Tanto, an Argentinian restaurant from the same team behind Cava, Chabrol and Atlas, will soon be opening at 74 Ossington Ave.; another restaurant, Lapin, will follow on King West next year.
• Dolce Moda, a "fashion-inspired sweet boutique," will be opening on December 16 at 420 Summerhill Ave. in Rosedale.
• Mediterranean restaurant Crowded House should be opening soon at 1161 Queen St. E. in Leslieville.
• Dagu Rice Noodle is planning to open its third location soon at 3260 Midland Ave., Unit F101 & F102 in Scarborough.

Closed

• Corrado’s has closed at 118 John St.
• As has Fatburger in Thornhill.
• Taco TO on Spadina is no more.
• UG3 Live at 77 Peter St. was forced to close, but it's now moved its operations back to 365 King St. W.

Other News

• Bud’s Coffee Bar in the Beaches has closed but will be reopening in a new location at 1966½ Queen St. E. very soon.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com.

Laws might be changing to reflect society's general distaste for the whole "breastaurant" thing, but it seems as though attitudes in some corporate offices are not.

A billboard featuring two fishbowl cocktails and the words "We like 'em round and big" was spotted in Toronto over the weekend.

It has been making the rounds on Twitter and now has a lot of people scratching their heads over how any restaurant might think this is good advertising.

@Jack_Astors You’re advertising is disgusting. Do any of you have Mothers, wives, sisters or daughters? Watch your #’s drop. #feminist#mom#daughter#sexist#jackastorspic.twitter.com/oTRrLfpJly

— Heather Lock (@lock_heather) December 3, 2017

I get it. Fishbowl-sized cocktails are round and big – but they weren't what Sir Mix A Lot was talking about in his 1992 hit Baby Got Back, when when he used those exact words ("I like 'em round! and big!") to talk about human body parts.

Hope you like your restaurants big and empty @JackAstors. If you haven't noticed, the world is done with sexism in the restaurant and media industries. #jackastors#sexist#hopeyoulikemaleonlycustomers#DoBetter#women#wearesickofitpic.twitter.com/3uGu54McQl

— Jackie K (@eikcaJK) December 3, 2017

Sir Mix A Lot was referencing butts. Jack Astor's is believed to be referencing breasts, but this is open to interpretation. What's not open to interpretation is how ill-timed a marketing message like this is.

Funny - you don’t advertise them here on social media like you are doing on a public billboard. This is NOT ok, especially given recent events. You’ve lost a customer. A bunch of them, actually, given the comments I’m seeing. pic.twitter.com/2woJ9MZGAy

— heather (@heatherlike) December 2, 2017

What might have been passable in the 90's, when the standard aesthetic for beer commercials was "wet t-shirt contest," can no longer be passed off as "cheeky," it seems. Particularly when the joke isn't even clever.

REALLY @Jack_Astors?! #tonedeaf#jackastors#Misogynypic.twitter.com/orXOmfp7Vr

— Jen Maier (@Jen_Maier) December 6, 2017

According to Chatelaine, Jack Astor's has already started taking the billboards down in Toronto, but they will live on via social media posts and articles like this one.

All of the company's previous sexism and discrimination scandals have.

New Year's Day will mark the end of an era for restaurant life on Roncesvalles with the closure of Cardinal Rule.

The beloved all-day diner, established in 2011, will be no more as of January 2018, according to its owners. So get your fill of Mac n' cheese sushi now – while you still can.

"Coming to the end of 2017 Cardinal Rule, 5 Roncesvalles, will be completing its mission as a restaurant," reads a Facebook announcement from the popular weekend brunch spot.

"Moving on from this place that is a home away from home is not an easy decision to make, but one that is right for right now."

Cardinal Rule will remain open through the rest of December, with limited brunch services between Christmas and New Years. Customers are encouraged to come by for a "cocktail, meal, hug or all three" before the restaurant closes.

"We have been so honoured to have been a part of both the Parkdale and Roncesvalles neighborhoods for almost 7 years now!" the emotional goodbye note continues.

"Please know that whether we have been in your life for 7 years, 1 year, a month or week or just an hour while you dine it has been our absolute pleasure, and many, if not most of you will be missed."

The wait is almost over. In exactly one week, Laduree will open its first boutique and tea salon in Toronto. It'll be located, quite fittingly, within Yorkdale mall's luxury wing.

A post shared by Edna Tseng (@ednaatseng) on Dec 5, 2017 at 1:40pm PST

The world-renowned Parisian patisserie, established in 1862, made its Canadian debut with a 23-seat tea room on Robson Street in Vancouver last year. 

That location, as well as the company's second Vancouver store, has proven very popular. People have been known to line up for hours just to shop at Laduree in our home and native land, and the new Toronto boutique will likely be no different.

A post shared by Pearl Lok | Vancouver Foodie (@pearlthefoodie) on Nov 28, 2017 at 6:59pm PST

Toronto's Laduree tea room will have 26 seats, offer an exclusive maple syrup macaron, and boast an atmosphere "inspired by the colonial style of [the] 18th century and travel of French culture and style throughout the world."

Think pastel pink, white mable, gold lattice, crystal chandeliers, velvet furniture, madeleine lights and geometrical tile flooring. 

A post shared by Hungry Coco (@hungrycoco) on Oct 26, 2017 at 11:12pm PDT

Along with its famous macarons, the boutique part of this location will sell various chocolates, jams, honeys, specialty teas, candles, room fragrances and accessories, like key chains and shopping bags.

Laduree Toronto will also serve as a legitimate restaurant, serving sweet and savoury dishes such as French toast, croque monsieur, and salads.

The Yorkdale boutique and tea room is set to open at noon on Dec. 14. I'd recommend getting there early, as we all know how popular new additions to the mall attract long lineups.

It's a good time to be a theatre lover in Toronto. With hot plays and a multitude of theatres to watch them there's lots to like about the local theatre scene right now. And so what would be better than to give the theatre lover in your life tickets to an upcoming festival or production.

Here are some holiday gift ideas for Toronto theatre lover in your life.

Get tickets for what might be the next hot show at Crows

Crows Theatre in Leslieville is currently winning over the city with what might be the best play you'll see this year. So score tickets while you can to the upcoming production of Punk Rock, a show that's scheduled to hit the stage in March. Tickets start at $15.

Let them see a Tony Award winning show

Come from Away got its start in Toronto and after racking up Tony nominations on Broadway it's coming back with an all new production starting February at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Tickets start at $69.

Take them to the Shaw Festival

Treat your giftee to a road trip to Niagara on the Lake, the site of the annual Shaw Festival which gets underway in April. And if you get the tickets now they'll thrown in a return trip luxury bus ride from Toronto.

Send them to Stratford

Also a short day trip or weekend excursion from Toronto, the Stratford Festival kicks off its 2018 season in April with classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, The Tempest and Long Day's Journey into Night.  Tickets don't go on sale to the public until January 5th but you can either do an IOU or pony up the $75 membership fee to buy them now.

Get a pass for Next Stage

Indie productions are often where the magic happens so a pass to the Next Stage Festival should win over any true theatre lovers heart. Prices start at $48 which is a steal since it will get them into four different plays. Next Stage runs January 3 to 14 at the Factory Theatre.

Give them a subscription to the Tarragon

There's a lot of subscription services these days, but the theatre lover in your life will appreciate one for the Tarragon Theatre's next season where productions include Hamlet, Girls Like That and Bunny. Packages start at $90.

Send them to see Fleetwood Mac

The gift of Fleetwood Mac is one that lasts forever. They ruled the 70s and 80s music scene and have since found renewed love amongst a younger generation. Now a play about their 1977 Album Rumours hits the stage at the Coal Mine Theatre starting February 4. Tickets start at $42.50.

Treat them to the Rhubarb Festival

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is Toronto's premier LGBTQ theatre and home to the annual Rhubarb Festival, now entering into its 39th year,  on from February 14 to 25. Tickets are $20 for an evening pass.

Make them laugh at the Factory Theatre

If your friend likes their plays funny, After Wrestling might be the production for them. On stage from March 1 to 18, the play promises Facebook stalking, duck feces, and booze and grief fulled magic. Who could want anything more? Tickets are $30.

Get them prime seats for Tanya Tagaq

Award-winning Inuit artist Tanya Tagaq masterfully blends vocal and spoken word performances. She'll next be back on stage March 22 to 24 at the Berkeley Street Theatre in a collaboration with Greenlandic dancer Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory.

It's a huge weekend for events in Toronto, with Ontario Place's new Winter Light Exhibition and skating rink opening up on the waterfront. Nearby, Toronto FC will battle for the MLS Cup at BMO Field. Go Reds! Read on below for lots of other stuff to do across the city. 

Toronto's inventory of 7-Eleven stores is shrinking, and regular customers aren't happy about it.

The East York Chronicle reported late last month that the 24 hour 7-Eleven at 975 Danforth Ave., on the corner of Donlands, had "closed suddenly" and that its doors and windows had been boarded over.

At that time, the location was still listed on 7-Eleven's corporate website. It has since been removed.

Now, a regular at the 7-Eleven store at 1151 Queen St. E. says that customers have been told their local convenience store is shutting down, too. The date has been pegged as December 13.

"Canadian 7-Eleven locations are corporate owned," wrote the regular patron on Reddit Wednesday. "In a business decision, the Queen and Jones location will be closing... Everyone I spoke with in line has been saddened to hear this. We love the staff too!"

"I'm a shift worker and work outdoors; like TTC, Police, Public Works employees etc.," he continued. "We'll be sad to not have 24hr places to see a friendly clerk, use bathrooms and get snacks when on the job."

That particular location is still listed online through the company's store locator feature. 7-Eleven has yet to reply to a request for comment regarding store closures in Toronto. 

What kind of condo can you buy in Toronto for under a million bucks? This unit at 11 Charlotte St. offers a floor-to-ceiling window into what's out there for someone who's got this kind of cash to lay down. 

In general, million dollar-ish condos in the heart of the city still feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and decent outdoor space, all of which is on offer here.

Square footage might still be at a premium, as evidenced by the diminutive master bedroom, but other side of the compromise is perfect transit accessibility and a Walk Score of 100. 

Not everyone will love the unfinished concrete ceiling and pillars in this unit, but industrial styling of this kind is oh so common these days. What I suspect more people will like is the genuinely spacious kitchen and upgraded appliances and fixtures.

Ditto for the sweeping balcony, which covers the length of the entire unit and comes with a gas hookup for a barbecue. Little perks like this make a big difference in living quality, so it's not to be underestimated.

Specs

• Address: #2907 - 11 Charlotte St.
• Price: $969,000
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2
• Parking: 1
• Walk Score: 100
• Transit Score: 100
• Maintenance Fees: $811.80
• Listing agent: Vin Madan
• Listing ID: C3999688

Good For

Someone who wants to be in the heart of all the action who doesn't need more than two bedrooms. The view is phenomenal and the living space ample. 

Move On If

You like condo living but would prefer a bit more space. Moving away from the core opens up the possibility of townhouses and three bedroom units that would be a bit more family friendly.

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

Star Wars fans are in for a treat starting tomorrow. That's because Toronto is about to get a Star Wars: The Last Jedi pop-up. 

The pop-up is totally free and features life size replicas of Last Jedi characters including Kylo Ren, an Executioner First Order Stormtrooper, a Praetorian Guard, BB-8 and more.

There's also the actual Kylo Ren lightsaber that was used in the production of the film. It's encased in a glass box so don't think you're going to pick it up during your visit.

The pop-up at 277 Queen St. West opens December 8 and runs through December 17, the same day Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theatres. Opening times are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

The pop-up is first come, first served (expect a lineup) and it's the only place you'll be able to get your hands on two special Star Wars: The Last Jedi tees (Toronto edition). They will set you back $25 each.

There's also apparently going to be special guests, themed days, activities and other surprises that will be revealed on social media.

Tickets are totally sold out for the MLS Cup this Saturday at BMO Field but Toronto fans can still get in on the action. That's because TFC is hosting a huge viewing party in Liberty Village where fans can gather to watch the game.

The viewing party, Red Christmas, will feature a 20-foot screen, heated lamps and free hot chocolate and coffee courtesy of Tim Hortons. Fans will also receive a free Budweiser x TFC sweater while supplies last.

Unfortunately the viewing party isn't free. Entry will set you back $10 with proceeds going toward the MLSE Foundation aimed at helping to improve the lives of children through sport.

The viewing party goes down at East Liberty Street and Atlantic Avenue in Liberty Village from 2 p.m. until the TFC win. Tickets are available in advance. 

The site of a 71-year-old family restaurant at Bathurst and Wilson will soon be home to an American fast food chain.

Goodbye Steve's Restaurant, hello Popeyes Louisiana Chicken.

Steve's, established in 1946, closed its doors for good in September of 2017 after being hit with a series of health code and other infractions. Many customers were saddened to learn of the closure.

Last breakfast at Steve's today 😢 Thanks for 30 years of quality 🍳🥓☕️, Toronto won't be the same without you! #StevesRestaurant #theregoestheneighbourhood #nowihavetodriveforbacon 😤

A post shared by Jay Klein (@jayklein6) on Sep 10, 2017 at 8:25pm PDT

"It hurts to walk past it daily," wrote one former patron on the restaurant's Facebook page, which is currently covered in cry face emojis and the word "noooo!"

"I have so many memories at Steve's," wrote another, "From my dad taking me there a kid and then taking my baby girl after she was born."

Best known for its awesome Greek salad and all-day breakfast options, Steve's Restaurant has also been described as "an institution" by locals who say they practically "lived at that place growing up."

Really sad to learn that Steve's is closing for good later this week. An institution in #YorkCentre and for my family. Wishing all the staff farewell and thanks for the memories. ☹️

A post shared by Michael Levitt (@mpmichaellevitt) on Sep 4, 2017 at 10:41am PDT

The restaurant's other locations, one in Thornhill and one near Blue Mountain, are still up and running. 

Staff in Thornhill confirmed by phone today that the former Steve's at Bathurst and Wilson is indeed being converted into a Popeyes chicken franchise.

An opening date has yet to be announced, but signs for the greasy spoon have already been replaced with signs for the greasy chicken joint.

It's beginning to look a lot like ice cream at Richmond and Peter right now thanks to Toronto's premier inverted Christmas tree (which is a thing now, if you haven't heard.)

Ricarda's has decked the halls of the Queen Richmond Centre with festive lights and decor to celebrate the holiday season.

A 26-foot-tall Christmas tree is the focal point of this stunning display, which wouldn't be unusual at all if that tree weren't upside down and floating at the top of a 70-foot atrium.

I don’t understand this #upsidedowntree #ChristmasTree trend

A post shared by Christopher (@dislocated_armpit) on Dec 2, 2017 at 11:43am PST

The trendy suspended tree was fetted and lit for the first time last week during an event that featured Christmas carollers, handbell ringers, a 50-person choir and Santa Claus.

People seemed to dig the treethen (and also the mulled wine,) but now, as images of it spread online, they're singing a different tune.

Toronto journalist Shawn Micallef featured the Ricarda's tree in his 2017 edition of "#EveryCorporateChristmasTreeInToronto" – a Twitter thread in which he shares pictures of trees in malls and office lobbies around the city.

Queen-Richmond Centre submits an unorthodox upside-down tree. Could also be used a Bond-film torture device. Doesn’t seem to light up. 6/10 pic.twitter.com/hbPyYII5Ho

— Shawn Micallef (@shawnmicallef) November 28, 2017

Before it was lit, Micallef gave the inverted tree 6/10 points. A few days later, however, he saw it lit up and revised the rating to just 1/10.

REVISED RATING: Queen Richmond inverted tree lights up. New rating: 1/10
Point only for engineering. #EveryCorporateChristmasTreeInTorontopic.twitter.com/qOW76CMDiX

— Shawn Micallef (@shawnmicallef) December 1, 2017

"Important update re: this atrocity," replied someone to Micallef's second tweet. "The 'tree' has descended 15-20 feet and now is precariously close to the floor." Uh oh. 

*suspenseful music plays* pic.twitter.com/oLt2D81pJA

— rachel bulatovich (@rrbulatovich) December 7, 2017

The tree is still in place as of Thursday night, but if for some reason it does drop, there will be plenty of sad design lovers in the city – and plenty more gleeful upside down tree haters on the internet.

Sweets reign supreme this week in the world of Toronto food events, with a pop-up kosher ice cream and waffle spot, an all-out chocolate fest at George Brown, and the long awaited opening of Toronto's first Laduree.

Ancroft Place is surely one of the most special streets in Toronto. Inconspicuously located off of Sherbourne St. at the entrance to Rosedale, this quiet cul-de-sac is home to just over 20 townhouses that date back to 1927.

According to an old Globe and Mail article, the entire street was bought up for  $850,000 in the early 197os before being sold to a real estate developer for $14 million in 2010. The various townhouses were then renovated and sold as condos.

So the street has cachet to spare, but this particular unit is even more alluring for the fact that it's a laneway coach house. The living space here might not be the most sprawling, but there are unique features to consider. 

First, there's the three-car garage. That's probably over kill for a 2 + 1 bedroom condo, but the buyer isn't forced to use the entire space for parking. This could be one fine workshop.

As for the industrial-style basement, I'm thinking an indoor tennis space would work. You'd have to hit against the wall, but it still looks like fun. Or perhaps a massive art studio would be better? Either way, the sky's the limit. 

Let's not undervalue the rest of the place. Its apartment-like interior is staged a bit conservatively, but there's loads of historical character on offer along with the extra space on the bottom levels.

Throw in the ravine-side location, and you have the recipe for a one of kind home.  

The Essentials

• Address: 11 1/2 Ancroft Place
• Type: Detached coach house
• Bedrooms: 2 + 1
• Bathrooms: 1
• Maintenance fees: $722.85 
• Realtor: Roger Kilgour
• Hit the market at: $1,389,000
• Sold for: $1.5 million

Why it sold for what it did

You don't see units on Ancroft Place hit the market very often. The location possesses much prestige — not to mention a near-idyllic streetscape that's only a few hundred metres from Bloor St. 

Was it worth it?

Yes. It sold for over a $100K above the list price, which isn't as wild as we've seen, but it certainly bucks recent trends. A condo like this doesn't come around very often, so the buyer ultimately went with a strong offer to secure it. 

The beer scene in Toronto has never been better. From massive brewpubs to cozy taprooms, there are now beer destinations scattered in neighbourhoods across the city.

Check out all essential Toronto breweries in this photo gallery.

Toronto renters can breathe a little bit easier after city council voted yesterday to further regulate short-term rentals in the city.

In a lengthy debate that saw the proposed regulations compared to that of Fidel Castro's Communist regime, councillors eventually voted to help ensure Toronto's already abysmal rental market didn't get any worse.

Short-term rental item from Planning & Growth Management Committee passed 36-8. Licensing & Standards Committee portion passed 40-3. Airbnb now regulated and legal in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/hnks94OALi

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) December 7, 2017

The new regulations stipulate that a house, condo or apartment can no longer be listed on Airbnb for a short-term rental (defined as less than 28 days) unless its the home owner's principal residence.

Entire homes will also be prohibited from being rented out for more than 180 nights a year.

Homeowners will also no longer be able to list 'secondary suites' on Airbnb - basically, anything with a separate entrance like a basement apartment - unless a tenant is living there and its the tenant's primary residence.

More documentation and fees are coming too. Want to list on Airbnb? You'll now be required to pay the city an annual fee of $50 and keep records of what you're doing.

Absolutely ridiculous. You bought the condo/house and should decide whether you want to rent it or use it for #Airbnb. Governments need to back off from controlling every aspect of our lives. #torontohttps://t.co/Ms1vRyAJCc

— CanadianPolitics (@canpolinews) December 8, 2017

For tenants, these changes mean that landlords will have fewer incentives to evict them in favour of short-term renters; a sentiment that underlined a lot of the anxiety surrounding yesterday's debate.

Thank you for your amazing advocacy and support, @TorontoTenants! Every member of the Fairbnb.ca Coalition should feel proud of yesterday's victory. Together, we're standing up to protect Toronto's renters and rental housing market! #TOpoli#ONpolihttps://t.co/QReQl75Ycz

— Fairbnb.ca Coalition (@Fairbnbcanada) December 8, 2017

While all of this might seem strict, it's meant to combat the city's affordable housing and rental shortage that's currently sitting at a terrifying %1.6 vacancy rate.

The new rules go into effect on July 1.

The city's newest skating trail hasn't even opened yet and already it's going to be even better after receiving a funding boost yesterday.

The extra dough in the amount of $500,000 came from a local developer that will help see the Bentway skating trail extend all the way to Bathurst.

Right now, the 1.75 km, figure eight-shaped trail spans from roughly Strachan Avenue to the Fort York Visitors Centre; weaving in-between the concrete pillars that hold up the Gardiner Expressway.

It's part of a much larger Public Work project to overhaul and construct a massive, year-round recreational public space that has already been underway for some time.

The Bentway is set to open January 6 and is one of many revitalization projects in the works that has Toronto set become a lot more scenic.

Eventually the Bentway is expected to extend as far east as Spadina.

In what might be the most Toronto story of 2017 (and also 2016), a small raccoon delayed TTC passengers this morning by getting all up in the subway system.

We always knew rolling out the new raccoon-resistant green bins would have consequences. Thanks to #TTC and City staff for helping this raccoon off the subway this morning. https://t.co/Q7KgZsNIoj

— John Tory (@JohnTory) December 8, 2017

Unlike last year's subway riding raccoon, this little fella was spotted walking along the tracks headed southbound on Line 1.

Several subway riders described the scene, which sounded pretty dang cute, on Twitter. A TTC announcer reportedly apologized to customers for the inconvenience, but told them that a raccoon was in front of the train and "we don't want to run him over."

the most canadian thing possible happened on my morning commute: the train was delayed because "we're following a raccoon into the station and don't want to run him over." they called people in to move the lil guy, god bless. 🍁😌

— 凱容 | AL K. (@ALKteng) December 8, 2017

Awwwww.

The train drove slowly behind the critter as he entered Bloor Station, waiting to advance until workers could safely (and, again, adorably) rescue him from the tracks.

Toronto moment of 2017: Racoon causes a delay on the #TTC#cp24pic.twitter.com/zKYcyj7pS5

— Dimitry G (@DimitryGD) December 8, 2017

The raccoon is now safe and sound, probably day dreaming about delicious garbage or grabbing things with his cute little raccoon hands.

Council begins today with Coun. Janet Davis congratulating TTC staff for successfully catching a raccoon on a subway train today.

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) December 8, 2017

Also delightful is city councillor Janet Davis, who stood at council this morning following the incident to congratulate TTC crews for successfully apprehending the rogue raccoon and, thus, preserving an important cultural icon.

God speed, young raccoon! Toronto is rooting for you, as always.