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Condo of the week: 29 Queens Quay East

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The Residences of Pier 27 certainly make an impression from the street. Marked by hulking cantilevered bridges that rest atop the buildings, the steel and glass development is one of of the most recognizable on the Toronto waterfront. 

29 queens quay eastHow about on the inside? This recently listed penthouse provides a peek at the incredible view the lake-facing units enjoy, while also showing off the interior design on offer. 

29 queens quay eastThe open concept layout accentuates the proximity to the lake with unobstructed views to the south through floor-to-ceiling windows. As it's staged here, the space looks a tad on the empty side, but a savvy decorator would have little trouble filling it up.

29 queens quay eastThe master bedroom has considerably allure thanks to the lake vista. It opens onto the balcony through sliding doors, which would be nice to leave open with the screen during the early summer months. 

29 queens quay eastI'm not a huge fan of the green glass wall that divides the en suite area, but I will say that it looks great on the inside. That tub is spectacular. 

29 queens quay eastIf you plopped this exact unit in a location away from the water, the $2.5 million price tag would probably draw a few furrowed eyebrows, but a view like this comes at a premium and confers considerable prestige.

You can't really get much closer to the lake. 

29 queens quay eastSpecs
  • Address: Ph 1204 - 29 Queens Quay East
  • Price: $2,499,000 
  • Bedrooms: 2 + 1
  • Bathrooms: 3
  • Parking: 3
  • Walk Score: 89
  • Transit Score: 100
  • Maintenance Fees: $2,088.89
  • Listing agent: Andy Zheng
  • Listing ID: C4001669
29 queens quay eastGood For

Someone who wants the ultimate waterfront pad. This place is made for entertaining and showing off the view.

29 queens quay eastMove On If

You'd prefer to be surrounded by trees. As nice as the location is, you can expect a lot of exposure to the sun and the vague feeling that you're living in a fishbowl. 

29 queens quay east

29 queens quay east29 queens quay east

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


Toronto food events: Winter Vegan Market, Hope for the Holidays, 12 Beers of Christmas

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Upcoming food events in Toronto include a huge vegan market, a Caribbean Christmas Cake bake-off, and some of the pop-ups of 2017. It's almost officially the holidays, so you are authorized to eat as much as you want!

Events you might want to check out:

Hope for the Holidays: A Canadian-Syrian Fundraiser (December 15 @ Ralph Thornton Community Centre)
Syrian foods and sounds are the stars of this elegant Canadian-Syrian fundraiser dedicated to all Canadians, new and old.
Withrow's Winter Market (December 15-16 @ Crow's Theatre)
With local farmers and artisanal foods at the forefront of this show, Withrow's Winter Market affords you the perfect opportunity to find tasty treats for any holiday party.
Beer & Chocolate Pop-Up (December 16 @ LCBO Pop-Up Shop)
Nickel Brook Brewing, Soul Chocolate, and the LCBO unite for a pop-up experience offering barrel-aged beers and incredible single-origin chocolates.
Crosscut Coffee Grand Opening (December 16 @ Crosscut Coffee)
Live music, coffee roasting demos, free samples and gift baskets await at the grand opening of this new coffee spot.
Foodie Holiday Market (December 16-17 @ Toronto Botanical Garden)
Toronto's Botanical Gardens plays host to over 40 emerging and established artisan food makers, sumptuous sample treats, and even more food-focused vendors.
Caribbean Christmas Cake Contest (December 16 @ Downsview Park)
Find last minute Christmas gifts while nibbling on Caribbean inspired foods at the market or check out the Caribbean Christmas Cake bake-off.
Toronto Vegan Winter Market (December 17 @ Lithuanian House)
Back with a new, larger location, even more food and fun from a curated selection of vegan-friendly businesses await. Best of all, it's all local.
Waffle Tower Kosher Ice Cream Pop-Up (December 17 @ The Inside Scoop)
A Chanukah pop-up of towering proportions, you can scarf down ice cream topped with sky-high skewers of waffles, drizzled in chocolate, caramel, and marshmallow sauces.
12 Beers of the Holidays (December 22 @ Gladstone Hotel)
12 local breweries come together for an all-you-can-taste beer drinking extravaganza. Tickets have sold out but some folks are trading them in the event's Facebook page.
Ramen Heads (December 22-31 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
Osamu Tomita, one of the most revered ramen chefs in Japan, takes viewers on a tour of the best ramen shops in his country in this new feature at Hot Docs.

The 10 biggest New Year's Eve parties in Toronto this year

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New Year's Eve parties in Toronto come in all shapes and sizes but for those looking for the biggest crowds or the most entertainment for the buck it's tough to beat the parties on this list.

Events you might want to check out:

New Year's Eve at Nathan Phillips Square (December 31 @ Nathan Phillips Square)
Ring in the New Year at Nathan Phillips Square with DJs, live electronic music, site animations, a DJ skating party and a stunning fireworks display at midnight. It's totally free.
Majestic New Years Eve (December 31 @ Fairmont Royal York)
Taking place inside the Fairmont Royal York, this is a gala style event for those who want to get fancy, with soaring ceilings, a full balcony, and crystal chandeliers.
Countdown 2018 (December 31 @ Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex)
This huge bask at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex will include multiple dance floors, bars and a huge number of DJs and performances.
NYE at REBEL (December 31 @ REBEL)
Rebel claims theirs will be the biggest New Year's Eve party in Toronto. Guess there's only one way to find out!
Dwayne Gretzky Infinity Ball (December 31 @ Enercare Centre)
The Toronto super group secured the largest dance floor they could and bought tons of mirrors to create an Infinity Ball style art installation. Food, photo ops, and live music await.
ROM New Year's Eve (December 31 @ ROM)
Inspired by the brilliant new Christian Dior exhibition, the ROM will host a glamourous with tons of live entertainment.
Pitbull New Year's Eve (December 31 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre)
Go Go Dancing porn stars, extravagant decor and more are promised at this party that will feature DJ Mark Falco, Deko-Ze, DJ Aural and drag superstar Tynomi Banks.
Last Night On Earth NYE (December 31 @ The Danforth Music Hall)
An icon on dance floors across the world, main attraction Sasha will be joined by Henry Saiz and dubspeeka.
NYE 2018 at UNIUN (December 31 @ UNIUN Nightclub)
UNIUN Nightclub boasts that it'll be the biggest New Year's Eve party on King Street with this special edition of We Are Uniun featuring Chris LaRoque on music duty.
New Year's Eve at Ripley's Aquarium (December 31 @ Ripley's Aquarium of Canada)
Ring in the New Year as you experience the Aquarium in a whole new way at their first ever New Year's party, featuring DJ Shamz on deck and bars scattered throughout the galleries.

The top 15 new bars in Toronto by neighbourhood

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New bars in Toronto give us more spaces to drink and relax. Crowded sports bars and loud, glitzy clubs are slowly being replaced by more hushed lounges and taverns that are all about comfort, satisfaction and choice, and social butterflies are drawn to these new bars in their locales like moths to a flame.

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

Bloorcourt

The art of the cocktail is truly appreciated at Mulberry Bar. Classics like martinis are done justice and specialty drinks include ingredients like Haagen Dasz. There are also fancy beers and wines if that’s more your speed, plus snacks like cheeses and bean dip.

Dundas West

Mahjong Bar is this neighbourhood’s newest worst-kept new secret. Packed even on weekday nights, this loungey bar hidden behind a glowing pink convenience storefront serves draft beer, Asian-inspired cocktails and snacks like wontons, pork and eggplant, and smashed cucumber salad.

Entertainment District

The Anne Boleyn is an English-style tavern with a slight sports bar bent in the busy area of Richmond and Peter, by the same people behind Dog & Bear. Order gigantic platters of fish and chips with mushy peas, English breakfasts and Sunday roast.

goldie toronto

Goldie on King West will serve you fancy cocktails along with sharable bar snacks. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Financial District

King Taps has become the gathering place for office workers to congregate around a 360 bar, on two patios, under the glow of tons of TVs or simply downing one of one of dozens of draft beer options. Local fun beer collaborations can be tasted here, even working with clubs such as the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies.

Harbourfront

Goodman Pub is now one of the bars with the best views of the waterfront in the city. A patio-surrounded wonderland in the summer and a cozy lakeside hideaway in the winter, food here ranges from light noodle salads to hefty sandwiches and pastas, and drinks go from basic pints to frilly sangria and “frosé.”

King East

The Joint is part of Hogtown Smoke’s newest location. Since the restaurant serves BBQ it only makes sense this place’s specialty is bourbon, whisky and beer.

King West

Goldie will make you feel like you just stepped into a movie from thirty years ago, its windowless interior all wood panelling and velvet. Global bites are far from outdated, though, duck confit wontons, ceviche, chicken drumettes and lamb meatballs pairing with fancy cognac, bubbly, and cocktails with names like Classy AF.

poor romeo toronto

Poor Romeo in Leslieville does pina colada slashes and oyster platters. Photo by Hector Vasquez. 

Leslieville

Poor Romeo is the new venture from the guys who created Pinkerton across the street. Whereas that place was more about Asian tapas this spot has an all-American menu of burgers, shrimp cocktail and steak.

Little Italy

Not only drinks but also cornhole lanes and other bar games that rely on your reflexes rather than electronic gizmos are here at Bangarang. If you’re tired of everyone playing games on their phone at bars rather than interacting with each other, this spot with tap cocktails and sparkling is your new local haunt.

Liberty Village

Liberty Commons at Big Rock is the sprawling new pub located within the Big Rock Brewing facility. A casual upstairs tasting room is good for quick beers, snacks and hopping on the WiFi, and downstairs there’s a huge tavern area.

Ossington

Retro aficionados will appreciate the touches Oak Island has put into their space and menu. Previously home to The Well, this place now does bottled cocktails that pay homage to eighties wine coolers and frequently hosts live music, DJs and events.

express bar toronto

You can get pizza with your drinks at Express Bar in Parkdale. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Parkdale

Superpoint has opened a secretive bar next door to their Parkdale location in the form of Express Bar, similar to SP184 at the original Ossington restaurant. A compact but curated list of fine wines and dad beers can now be enjoyed with the pizza there, too.

Riverside

The Broadview Hotel now has one of the best views in the whole city visible from a barstool on its rooftop. Snacks like pork buns, ceviche and fried smelts are on the elegant menu (because all that looking at the city works up an appetite) and cocktails take inspiration from the city of Toronto.

Yonge & Eglinton

This new location of Prohibition Gastrohouse is providing all the same great stuff regulars at the original Riverside location have come to expect: premium spirits, beers and wines at low prices and elevated bar food, but in a vast new space.

West Queen West 

One of the last places to open this year, Convenience comes off kind of like a late-night fantasy. This all-in-one bodega and bar serves a menu of “dranks” and snacks that read like dishes concocted on the latest episode of Chopped: Skittles shooters, pickles and gummy bears or shishitos with pop rocks, anyone?

The Best Pizza Delivery in Toronto

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The best pizza delivery in Toronto is the saviour of pretty much all the hungry citizens of this town. Thin crust, thick crust, loaded up with toppings or basic as can be, orderers of pizza know how satisfying it is to get exactly what you want conveniently.

Here's the best pizza delivery in Toronto.

7 - Frank's Pizza House

Call to order from this St. Clair West pie place and pay just $16 to get free delivery. Add gourmet toppings like smoked salmon, whole olives, rapini and caramelized onions to your pizza.
4 - Vesuvio Pizzeria

This Junction institution delivers north to Lawrence, east to Ossington, west Islington and down to Lake Shore. The puffy-crusted pies have a ton of options for choosing your own toppings like artichoke hearts, shrimp, bocconcini, and prosciutto.
5 - Descendant Pizza

Get Detroit-style pizza at your door from this Leslieville joint that delivers through Uber Eats within a rough 2 km radius, like all restaurants they service. Order pies topped with jerk chicken or kothu roti.
6 - FBI Pizza

You can order online from this Etobicoke pizza place through Just Eat or their site. Pies are full-blooded Italian, actually what the name stands for, made with 00 flour and San Marzano tomatoes with classic toppings like Margherita, Calabrese or NYC Cheese.
10 - Village Pizza

Thin crust pies can be topped with Spam or totally vegan from this mini pizza chain with locations in Dovercourt Village and Dundas West that ages their dough for a cracker-y texture. Order online through Foodora or Uber Eats for delivery within a rough 2 km radius.
8 - North of Brooklyn (Church)

Crispy pies from here boast lip-smacking topping combos like kale and bacon or honey and sausage. Delivery is available from Get Well, Queen West and Village locations and from Greater Good through Uber Eats, meaning you can get pizza delivered from here from about Bayview Roncesvalles all the way down to Lake Shore.
11 - Fresca Pizza

Top-notch veggie pizzas can be ordered for delivery through Just Eat from this College St. joint, where meat-free ingredients include goat cheese, artichokes, olives, green onions, sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms, though of course there are sausage and pepperoni pies for meat lovers.
3 - Maker Pizza

All the pies at this Matty Matheson pizza joint are amazing but the Cool Hand Zucch, Porkys, and Apocalypse Cow are especially worth picking up the phone for. They deliver within a rough 5 km radius of their Chinatown location which means you could be in or out of luck depending on time of day and the mercy of the pizzaiolo.
9 - Gusto 101

This King West spot makes some of Toronto's favourite Italian food, so it should come as no surprise that their pizza is available for delivery through Just Eat, Meagan, and Uber Eats. Italian “pizze” comes with iconic toppings for their Margherita, Diavolo, Spinaci and other pies.

Win tickets to Majestic New Year's Eve

Toronto can't seem to agree on future of King St.

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It's been just over a month since Toronto launched its groundbreaking King Street Pilot Project, and while reaction so far has been mixed, it's safe to say that we've all noticed changes. Really big changes.

Some 65,000 people who ride the streetcar along King St. every day are, for the most part, pretty pleased with their quicker, more reliable commutes.

Sure, overcrowding is still a problem , but it has been for many, many years – and will likely improve a great deal when Bombardier finally delivers the more than 100 new streetcars it owes us.

Advocates for motorists, on the other hand – like Toronto mayoral candidate Doug Ford – have complained that the pilot project is making streets which run parallel to King more congested. 

A new data set released earlier this week by the city shows that this might not actually be the case. 

While rush hour travel times for streetcar riders are now, on average, up to 2.6 minutes shorter, The City of Toronto says that car travel time has only increased by less than a minute on neighbouring streets.

Plus, there are still plenty of cars using King Street – a lot of them risking $110 fines and two demerit points to use it the wrong way.

And then there are the business owners.

The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association recently sent out a survey to business owners along King Street West.

A total of 92 people responded, according to The Star, with 97 per cent of those respondents saying they "disapprove of the pilot."

Ninety per cent of the respondents, about two-thirds of which were restaurant owners, say they want the pilot project to end immediately.

These merchants say that the pilot project - which prohibits parking on King Street and forces cars to turn right at most major intersections – has caused a drop in sales ranging from 5 to 25 per cent.

As news of that survey spreads, others around the city are suggesting that the numbers don't quite add up.

"It's just not logical that the 180 removed parking spots (3% of total in pilot zone) were sustaining businesses on King, let alone 5-25% of business," wrote local Twitter user Colin Powell. "Think about it."

"I'm tired of this argument from store owners," wrote another local transit user. "There could be so many reasons business is down... and I have to get to my work, not your restaurant."

The Star reports that a group of King Street business owners led by ORHMA chief executive Tony Elenis have asked Mayor John Tory and city councillor Joe Cressy to scrap the pilot project altogether, or to at least suspend the traffic rules on evenings and weekends.

Cressy made his thoughts clear on Twitter this morning.

"King Street was broken. We’re committed to fixing it. As a pilot there is the opportunity for tweaks & improvements, and we’re looking at those right now," he wrote. "But to be clear, we can’t go back to the failed status quo."

Cressy did, however, say in an interview that the city is taking immediate steps to help local businesses, such as discounted Green P parking lots and a new "public realm activation program" to lure pedestrians. 

Violent brawl breaks out at Brampton strip mall

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A video is making the rounds right now in which approximately 25 young men are shown running around a Brampton parking lot, beating each other with large sticks.

"Holy moly!" shouts a person behind the camera at one point, clearly shocked by what's happening as several groups of men, carrying what appear to be baseball bats (or two-by-fours), violently and repeatedly strike one another.

Later in the video, many of the brawlers spot something closer to the plaza and run towards it shouting, prompting the videographer to laugh and remark that "they're everywhere, bro!"

Shot on Sunday, the brawl reportedly took place in a plaza near McLaughlin Road and Steeles Avenue West – and it might not be a one-time thing.

City News reports that the plaza, which has a Tim Horton's, a Wendy's, a Pizza Pizza and a Shawarma House, is a "hotbed of late night fight activity."

According to the Brampton Guardian, a large brawl took place in this same plaza parking lot last year, followed by a severe assault with a bat just one week later.

Some online are saying that the men are international students at the nearby Sheridan Davis Campus, though this has not been confirmed.

Canadian MP Raj Grewal took to social media with a specific warning for students who may have been involved in the brawl.

"We would like to remind all international students that studying in Canada is a privilege," he wrote in the caption of a Facebook video post last night. "Anyone who is charged and convicted should know that their immigration status will be reviewed and deportation is a potential end result."

Peel Police said that nobody was taken into custody following Sunday night's incident, and that most people involved suffered only minor injuries. One 19-year-old male was transported to hospital after the fight and later released.


Toronto losing another bowling alley for condos

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While condos continue to pop up all across Toronto, all this development isn't without a few casualties. 

The familiar Bowlerama West on Dundas West—home of the Toronto Historical Bowling Society and a key hangout spot for local high schoolers—will soon shutter to make way for condos, reports the CBC.

It's not the first bowling alley to be swapped out for a new development. Some will remember that the 65 year old O'Connor Bowl experienced the same fate a couple years back.

Due to land constraints, new bowling alleys are hard to come by in Toronto. The city's most recent bowling alley is The Ballroom on John Street, which opened in 2010, but it's an anomaly these days.

Many of Toronto's remaining bowling alleys serve as relics of a time gone by, though they continue to offer kitschy fun and an alluring dose of nostalgia. 

The Toronto Historical Bowling Society will be having a farewell send off next month before the alley officially closes on January 31.

Justin Trudeau arrives in Toronto to open new subway line

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Canadian Prime Minister and international heartthrob Justin Trudeau was on hand Friday morning to help celebrate the opening of Toronto's long-awaited York Spadina Subway Extension.

Service on the new 8.6 km extension of Line 1 won't actually begin until this weekend, but I assume it's not too easy to get the busy Prime Minister, Ontario's Premiere and the mayor of Canada's largest city all together on a Sunday morning.

Instead, Trudeau, Kathleen Wynne, Toronto mayor John Tory and other dignitaries participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the extension this morning.

At least four people cut the ribbon at once, leaving every cutter with a little chunk to hold awkwardly. This might seem like an excessive amount of scissors, but the synchronized ribbon cutting also nicely symbolized how much collaboration the subway extension required.

After cutting the ribbon at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, Trudeau, Wynne, Tory, TTC chair Josh Colle and the gang were able to ride the line to York University station – one of six new, state-of-the art transit stops built as part of the project.

A press conference was held following the inaugural ride, in which Trudeau called the completion of this massive project "great news for students, commuters and families."

He said that the extension will translate into "a faster commute, less time in traffic and more money in people's pockets as they trade their cars for a subway ticket."

The Prime Minister also tried on a York U scarf.

The Toronto York-Spadina Extension opens to the public this Sunday, Dec. 17 at 8 a.m.

It will be the first new subway to open in Toronto since the Sheppard Line in 2002, and the largest expansion to our subway system in nearly 40 years.

York University unveils Markham expansion plans

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Architects are moving forward with plans for the new York University campus in Markham, and, while the school itself won't be open until 2021, we're now starting to get a more concrete idea of how everything will look.

The university released new renderings for its forthcoming Markham Centre Campus a few weeks ago, along with a press release announcing that York's board of governors had approved a $253 million budget.

Preliminary designs have also been approved by the board, meaning that, if all goes well, construction could start by the end of 2018.

York Markham CampusDesigned by Diamond Schmitt Architects, the proposed 10-story building will sit on a five-acre site near the southeast corner of Enterprise Boulevard and Rivis Road.

The campus is expected to host more than 20 degree programs, including a variety of joint courses with Seneca College – York's academic partner on the project.

York expects the campus to be up and running by September of 2021. It will accept roughly 1,000 students each year, bringing the student population to full capacity – 4,200 – by 2025.

York Markham Campus"York University’s new campus will become an integral part of Markham’s city centre," reads York's recent media release. "An important city-building initiative by York in cooperation with the City of Markham and surrounding neighbours and stakeholders."

As pointed out by Urban Toronto, Markham was selected as the location for this new post-secondary institution years ago by the Ontario government, based on the high number of college and university aged residents in York Region. The number of people between 18 and 21 in this region is expected to grow by 175,000 before 2036. 

York Markham Campus

The preliminary design process is the result of what architects heard during numerous consultations and workshops with representatives of York's Faculties. 

Among its features are a sprawling, landscaped campus commons area and a "four-storey podium with double-height glazing" that York University says "will create strong visual impact, maximize light penetration into the building, and enhance a sense of connectedness with the neighbourhood."

Sold! Newly built ravine house goes for $2.5 million in Toronto

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New homes that back onto ravines don't come cheap in Toronto. Take this recently sold property at 130 Windermere Avenue, for instance. Sitting above Ormskirk Park, it doesn't boast the incredible views that some nearby homes do, but it certainly feels built among the trees. 

130 windermere avenue torontoBefore the current house was built on this long and narrow lot, it was occupied by a rather plain two-storey dwelling that did little to take advantage of the location. Now there's plenty of deck space and a spruced up backyard to put focus on the well-treed surroundings. 

130 windermere avenue torontoInside, you have all the hallmarks of a new build. The architecture is modern and minimal, accented by big windows and open stairs. I'm not sure what the idea is with the abbreviated living room, but the family room and kitchen combo looks ideal. 

130 windermere avenue torontoUpstairs, the master bedroom features a walk-out deck with a great view plus a well appointed en suite. Despite the relatively modest footprint of the house, there are an additional four bedrooms here, which makes it well equipped for a large family.

130 windermere avenue torontoThe Essentials
  • Address: 130 Windermere Ave.
  • Type: Detached house
  • Bedrooms: 5 + 1
  • Bathrooms: 6
  • Lot size: 34 x 106.5 feet
  • Realtor: Arta Dawkins
  • Hit the market at: $2,699,000
  • Sold for: $2.5 million
130 windermere avenue torontoWhy it sold for what it did

This house was initially listed at just shy of $2.7 million and went for approximately $200K under asking. Before you feel too bad for the seller, do bear in mind that the property sold for just $875,000 in 2014 before the rebuild. That's a pretty nice turnaround. 

130 windermere avenue torontoWas it worth it?

While the ravine this house backs onto is actually just a small park, the newly built residence takes full advantage of the location, which is just one of the reasons for the price tag. Throw in the newness factor and ample size, and the math is pretty simple on the ultimate sale price.

130 windermere avenue toronto130 windermere avenue toronto130 windermere avenue toronto130 windermere avenue toronto130 windermere avenue toronto130 windermere avenue toronto130 windermere avenue toronto130 windermere avenue toronto130 windermere avenue toronto130 windermere avenue toronto

Toronto not sure it likes restaurants that don't take cash

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Cash-less restaurants are still a relatively new phenomenon in Toronto, but as more and more new places pop up that don't accept paper money, the practice is becoming more pronounced.

Not everyone, however, is a fan of this new way to pay. A debate recently broke out on Toronto's Food and Wine Industry Navigator over the merits and drawbacks of cash-less payment systems.

The thread started when someone posted that he had recently visited General Assembly near King and Spadina hoping to grab some pizza with the only tender he had available: two $20 bills.

He was surprised to learn that he was unable to make a purchase and claims he was told by staff to "go back and order from Ritual or Foodora."

According to the Canada Currency Act, it's legal for retailers to refuse cash payment - every business can set their own payment policies.

General Assembly isn't the first restaurant in Toronto to go cash-less and it won't be the last. 

Eva's Original ChimneysIQ Food Co., Tsujiri and Sorry Coffee are among other notable businesses that have made the switch.

Popular Leslieville brunch spot The Green Woodtold the CBC that only 10% of customers were using cash anyway so making the switch eliminated a lot of hassle.

New restaurants like General Assembly are choosing to go cash-less right from the start, a decision that streamlines processes for employees and management and helps eliminate human error.

Still, not everyone has ready-access to a credit or debit card or wants to use an app when they order food so it's going to be an adjustment.

For some customers, they'll probably just take their business elsewhere.

As for General Assembly, a spokesperson tells us they're still ironing out some kinks in the process and hope to install more visible signage soon that better explains payment options to potential customers.

This small town in Ontario is perfect for a winter getaway

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Spending winter in Toronto can be drab. That's why road trips are essential for lifting the spirit, and the small town of Creemore, Ontario, just north of the city, offers the perfect winter getaway to do just that.

Creemore is under two hours north of Toronto just west of Barrie and south of Collingwood. It's best known as the birthplace and headquarters of Creemore Springs Brewery, named for the nearby Mad and Noisy Rivers that serve as a fresh water source for the brew.

What makes Creemore a great winter getaway, however, isn't just the option to warm up with a local beer (although that's certainly a draw). The town also offers a huge range of winter activities for the outdoor-inclined.

It's located on the Niagara Escapement and falls within the Bruce and Ganaraska trails, meaning that it's surrounded by an abundance of wooded trails that are perfect for snowshoeing, cross country skiing or hiking up the Nottawasaga Bluffs.

Back in town, Creemore's Mill Street is the main strip and home to a variety of quaint shops that are open all year round. Curiosity House Books is as cute a bookshop as they come, and it often hosts book signings while also doubling as an art gallery.

If you're looking to stay in Creemore, bed and breakfasts are your best bet. Spots like Emily's Place offer a warm and welcoming experience  that includes all the comforts of home while soaking up the idyllic winter landscape.

If there's still time, it's worth wandering around and checking out the local sites. Creemore is home to some of the best examples of Gothic architecture and some quirkier heritage sites, like North America's smallest jail, apply named 'The Jail'.

There's also quite the culinary scene in the vicinity. The Creemore Kitchen supper club offers a unique, locally driven dinner experience. Meanwhile, Chez Michel is a top destination for French cuisine.

A post shared by Rob Nuttall (@robnutty) on

Creemore is an unsung gem of Ontario's townships and makes for a fulfilling day trip with the option to stick around for longer.

The 5 most outlandish holiday lights in Toronto

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The most outlandish holiday lights in Toronto this year are worth a tour around the city to see just how Griswoldian some of our fellow residents get each year. These festive displays aren't just about sheer light-power, though. They also feature kitschy lawn figures and other ornaments that set the scene in wonderfully kitschy ways.

Here are my picks for the most outlandish holiday lights in Toronto.

188 Brock Avenue

Driving south on Brock, you can see the glow from this beacon of festivity when you crest Dundas West. Each year the D'Elia family completely deck out their home in the kitschiest way imaginable. There's even a countdown clock that'll remind you when Saint Nick takes flight.

165 Benjamin Boake Trail

The house at 165 Benjamin Boake Trail is once again the city's biggest Christmas display. Photo by Aaron Navarro.

165 Benjamin Boake Trail

This is the most Griswoldian of them all! Roughly 50,000 LED lights cover the De Sario family home each year in a display that supports Sick Kids Hospital. People make the pilgrimage to visit the display from all over the city leading up to Christmas.

christmas lights toronto

The corner of Glenlake and Dorval is once again a festive hotbed. Photo by Aaron Navarro.

Glenlake Avenue and Dorval Road

Trevor Walker and Karin Martin put together one of the most playful and festival displays in Toronto each holiday season. What really makes this one standout is the oversized reindeer and snowman that greet those passing by the beaming scene. 

brenyon way christmas toronto

Brenyon Way takes the cake in terms of lawn ornaments and decorations. Photo via Decorate Brenyon Way.

Brenyon Way

The McKenzie and Patterson families have put together a wildly over-the-top Christmas display on Brenyon Way in Malvern this year, which is only increased in amplitude by their neighbours. Look for the cluster of homes around #228 for the display (or just follow all the lights)!

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Stay a while and watch the Christmas videos are Holmesdale Crescent. Photo by Derek Flack.

6 Holmesdale Crescent

Mary Genua has put on a robust light display at her home near Dufferin St. and Eglinton Ave. for at least 30 years. It's about as classy as outlandish holiday lights displays get, and a definite highlight is the video screen on the second floor that plays festive clips. 


The remote allure of Toronto streets in the 1990s

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The 1990s doesn't seem so long ago, but after browsing through photos of Toronto from the period, the decade is sure to feel strangely remote. The clutter of the 1960s and the sleaze of the 1970s is absent, but with these sanitization efforts, the city feels rather empty.

Where are all the condos we have today?

Perhaps more than anything, Toronto appears like a city in transition during the 90s. The condos were coming, yes, but neighbourhoods like West Queen West, Liberty Village, and the Distillery District were entirely different than they are today.

To think, the city has transformed itself almost completely in the last two decades. It's remarkable and almost a bit scary.

There are other visual cues that makes the 90s seem like a distant memory. At the outset of the decade, PCC streetcars were still common on city streets, trolley buses ran up and down Bay St., and taxis were hulking American cars like Chevrolet Caprice Classics.

Throw in film processing shops, tons of newspaper boxes, Speakers Corner and MuchMusic on Queen West, gas stations that only sell gas, a lack of big brand stores on downtown streets, as well as the perpetual presence of squeegee kids, and you have a recipe for some potent nostalgia for those born in the 1980s.

For all the wistful glimpses at photos of the 60s, 70s, and even the 80s, the 90s is the decade that people my age remember best€” and, in our weaker moments, miss the most.

Behold, the remote allure of Toronto streets in the 1990s.

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Trolley bus at the foot of Bay St. Photo by mightyleap.

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Looking east on Queen at Spadina. Photo by David Wilson.

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Looking east on King at Yonge St. Photo by mightyleap.

toronto 1990sDundas just west of Yonge. Photo by David Wilson.

toronto 1990s

Looking east on Queen from the junction of Roncesvalles and King. Photo by David Wilson.

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299 Queen West. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Abandoned Gooderham & Worts Distillery. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Southeast corner of Avenue Road and Eglinton. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Film lab at the corner of Britian and George. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Roncesvalles just north of Queen (former Edgewater Hotel to the left). Photo by David Wilson.

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Bay looking north beyond College. Photo by David Wilson.

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Looking south on Bathurst from King. Photo by David Wilson.

toronto 1990sNorthwest corner of Queen and Bathurst. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Parliament and Front. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Lakeshore Boulevard at Superior. Photo by David Wilson.

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Queens Quay looking towards Rees. Photo by David Wilson.

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Queen West at Markham. Photo by Ivaan Kotulsky via the Toronto Archives.

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King and Bay. Photo by David Wilson.

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Yonge at Balmoral (wow). Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Queen and Connaught. Photo by David Wilson.

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Southwest corner of Parliament and Front. Somehow still a Budget lot. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Yonge just north of Millwood. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Front and Princess. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Union Station. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Queen West and Walnut. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

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Squeegee kid on Spadina north of Queen. Photo via the Toronto Public Library.

Toronto is getting a gourmet samosa food truck

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Prediction: gourmet samosas will be to the summer of 2018 what charcoal ice cream was to the summer of 2017. Allow me to explain.

Toronto-based chef Aleem Syed of The Holy Grill and his partner, Maya Bhatti, are set to open their second food truck in Toronto this summer – and it's unlike anything you've ever seen or tasted.

The new food truck, called Three Points, will be serving both savoury and sweet samosas with fillings like – get ready for it – philly cheese steak, spicy ramen, birthday cake, mushroom risotto, thai chicken, campfire smore, double cheeseburger and Brooklyn pizza.

Samosa dough will be made to compliment each flavour, according to Bhatti.

The forthcoming food truck's unique menu – coupled with the fact that samosas are just the perfect, anytime hand food – is enough for me to see this becoming the new "hottest thing everybody's lining up for right now."

It's certainly plausible if Three Points makes itself available around the city this summer. 

Chef Syed has already seen success with The Holy Grill, which serves "eclectic urban food that happens to be Halal."

A post shared by Aleem Syed (@chefaleem) on

You may have seen his food truck - North America's first wheelchair-accessible food truck – at the CNE, the Budweiser Stage or one of his company's many various catering gigs over the past three years.

Syed is also currently the subject of a new AMI-TV show called "Food Spin with Chef Aleem," which focuses on the intricate details of his life as a chef and entrepreneur in a wheelchair.

Hopefully, the TV show will also give us a look at those spicy ramen samosas. Waiting is hard.

5 surreal wonders to explore near Toronto this winter

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You don't have to drive eight hours north of Toronto to experience the surreal wonders winter delivers to Ontario each year. As amazing as Lake Superior's ice caves are, there are incredible cold weather destinations within a reasonable drive of the city that make for amazing day trips and weekend getaways.

Here are five surreal wonders near Toronto to explore this winter.

Tiffany Falls

Is there a more adventurous and surreal-looking winter adventure than ice climbing? There aren't many places to try this activity out safely in Southern Ontario, but Tiffany Falls is one of the incredible exceptions to the rule. One Axe Pursuits organizes climbing sessions at the falls.

kearney ice caves

You don't have to travel to Lake Superior to check out ice caves. Photo by Northern Ontario Travel.

Kearney / Sand Lake Ice Caves

Ice caves are probably the most alluring natural wonder to explore during the winter time, but there are few within reasonable driving distance of Toronto. Snowmobilers know that the Sand Lake ice caves are an exception. You can also snowshoe in, but it's quite a hike.

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Hunt down the Northern Lights at the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve. Photo Willy Chan.

Torrance Barrens

There's no better place to go hunting for the Northern Lights than the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve near Gravenhurst. It's a magical place during celestial events, but it's also incredible in the midst of winter even on a "normal" night, when the sky is filled with more stars than you can imagine.

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The Spencer Gorge area becomes a winter wonderland after a fresh coat of snow. Photo by Steve Gilchrist.

Dundas Peak and Spencer Gorge

If you want to take in the spectacular beauty of frozen waterfalls without the pressure to climb them, head to the Spencer Gorge area. There are numerous snow covered vistas to behold, but it's the frozen beauty of Webster's and Tews Falls that's most amazing.

scenic caves winter ontario

The view from the suspension bridge at Scenic Caves Adventures is sublime after a snowfall. Photo via Scenic Caves.

Scenic Caves Adventures

As far as epic snowshoe trails go, it would be hard to beat the one that snakes around Scenic Caves Adventures near Collingwood. There are about 10 kilometres of trails in the area that'll take you across the soaring 420 foot suspension bridge (the view after a fresh snowfall is sublime) and up to the highest point on the Niagara Escarpment.

Here's a map of all the outdoor skating rinks in Toronto

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Outdoor skating rinks in Toronto are scattered across neighbourhoods throughout the city. One of Toronto's urban gems, our network of artificial ice pads and shinny rinks ensures that there's outdoor fun even in the midst of the coldest weather. 

And, not to forget, there are also plenty of natural rinks that pop up when the mercury dips as well as the scenic Grenadier Pond, which is now closely monitored by the city for safe ice conditions. 

Many of Toronto's rinks are located in parks and feature a dual set-up for pleasure skating and hockey, but there are a few facilities out there that break with this model in favour of something more novel like skating trails and covered rinks.

Here are my picks for Toronto's most noteworthy skating rinks followed by a map of every outdoor ice rink in the city.

Christie Pits

If you're looking for a game of shinny while enjoying a remarkable view of the Toronto skyline, head to Christie Pits. It features a well maintained hockey rink along with pleasure skating and has generous hours.

Colonel Samuel Smith Skating Trail

The Toronto area only has a few skating trails, and Etobicoke's Colonel Samuel Smith Skating Trail is arguably the best of them all. It's a figure eight shaped trail that offers a nice change of pace from your basic outdoor skating rink.

Ontario Place

A trip to Ontario Place during the winter will fill your evening with great eats and stunning light installations by local artists. Aside from that, one of the highlights is the synthetic skating rink, which is illuminated with magical lights around it.

Greenwood Park

Greenwood Park is one of Toronto's only covered rinks, which makes it the best destination when the snow is falling hard. It even boasts a warming room allowing non-skaters to hang out and watch.

Grenadier Pond

You know Toronto has reached peak winter when you can officially skate on Grenadier Pond in High Park. There are only about a dozen days in a normal winter when the ice is expected to be skateable, so keep your eyes peeled for updates on conditions.

Harbourfront Centre Natrel Rink

Natrel Rink's location, shape and amenities make for a thrilling skate. There are plenty of benches along the rink and a large change room to warm up and store your things. You'll also find a cafe with warm drinks and snacks and on Saturdays they host DJ skate nights.

Mel Lastman Square

For those who live north of the 401, the centrally located Mel Lastman Square is a must-visit. The North York rink is great for day-skating and those who want to partake in outdoor fun after midnight.

Nathan Phillips Square

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, this rink is often a tad overcrowded. Still, Nathan Phillips Square is one of the best equipped rinks in the city, with change rooms, lots of food options, and rentals. Sometimes the crowd is just part of the fun. 

Regent Park

The rink at Regent Park is equipped with washrooms, cubbies, benches and matting. The rink, found at Shuter and Sumach, has a great schedule for shinny, with lights and fencing for improved playing. 

Ryerson Rink

Ryerson Rink is the closest you'll get to pond skating in downtown Toronto. It's also a great spot for when you're looking for a place to play a late night game of shinny.

Riverdale Park East

For the 2017/2018 season Toronto is getting a new ice rink and skating trail at Riverdale Park East. The new rink and trail are part of the city's North-East Quadrant revitalization project

Sherbourne Common

If you're itching to go for a skate with a spectacular view, look no further than Sherbourne Common. Lace up your blades and hit this rink, which is flanked with the beautiful backdrop of Lake Ontario and Toronto's skyline. Bundle up, though. It gets windy here!

Note: This map lists only those rinks open for the 2017-2018 skating season. If a rink is closed for maintenance, it has not been included here even though it might be back in service next winter. Natural rinks are marked in brown and are weather dependent.

The entire TTC system will be free to ride on Sunday

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Toronto's brand new subway line officially opens tomorrow, December 17, at 8 a.m. And to celebrate this momentous occasion, the entire TTC system will be free to ride all day

Yes, that's right. Every route will be completely free whether you're headed to the new stations or not. As TTC spokesperson Brass Ross put it, this is kind of like an early Christmas present from the TTC and the province.

The announcement came earlier today when Mayor John Tory, Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca, and TTC Chair Josh Colle gathered at Sheppard West TTC station to deliver the good news. 

The  8.6 kilometre Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension is indeed a big deal, so the provincial government is keen to get as much attention on the project as they can. Giving away free rides certainly isn't a bad way to do this.

So start planning now to take as many rides as you can tomorrow. Come Monday, regular fares will be back in place — but at least the subway system will be six stops longer. 

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