Epic hot chocolate drinks are available in Toronto just in time for the the frigid weather. While the city has plenty of places serving up excellent cups of hot cocoa, some local shops are taking the winter staple to new heights with wild ingredients and preparations.

Here are my picks for Toronto's most epic hot chocolate.

MoRoCo Chocolat

This Annex storefront dishes out all your favourite chocolate baked goods and confections. If you're looking for something to warm you up, order from their lineup of haute hot chocolate featuring toppings like mini macarons and sprinkles.

A post shared by Sweet Jesus (@sweetjesus) on Nov 14, 2017 at 9:03am PST

Sweet Jesus

The Toronto born ice cream chain may be famous for their epic soft serve, but come winter, they pull out all the stops on their drink menu. They have multiple hot chocolate options on the menu but a real standout is their salted dark hot chocolate.

A post shared by Fugo Desserts (@fugodesserts) on Nov 27, 2017 at 7:42am PST

Fugo Desserts

Mini donuts aren't the only thing coming to Fugo's winter menu this season in Little Tokyo. You can now try their hot chocolate beverage, which is coated in a thick layer of roasted marshmallow.

A post shared by YP Dine / PJ Resto (@ypdine) on Oct 18, 2017 at 8:03pm PDT

La Diperie

Just like their soft serve, hot chocolate is totally customizable at their Danforth location. The shop is open on weekends throughout winter for you to concoct wild creations by choosing your flavour, toppings and dip.

A post shared by El Caballito | El Patio (@elcaballito.ca) on Dec 9, 2017 at 6:11am PST

El Caballito 

Three words: tequila hot chocolate. This boozy take on your standard hot chocolate found on King West sports a nice kick of tequila along with a heavy dose of roasted marshmallow on top. Yum!

Free events in Toronto this week include caroling, skating, and movie viewings. In other words, they're all perfectly nostalgic ways to spend the days leading up to Christmas. 

Indoor swimming pools give Toronto's summer-lusters a little taste of what they've so been missing when the temperatures drop – minus the warm patio, tan, sunglasses, margaritas, sun, fun, and collective good mood. They're also great for low-impact cardio. What was I saying again? 

Here are the my picks for the top indoor swimming pools in Toronto.

Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre 

This 312,000 square-foot venue near U of T's Scarborough campus was built for the 2015 Pan Am Games, but now serves both professional and recreational athletes. It has two Olympic sized swimming pools, a dive tank and a training pool with two moveable floor sections to adjust depth level.

Regent Park Aquatic Centre

Universal change rooms give way to multiple swimming and wading options at this free Regent Park facility, including a heated pool and a lap pool complete with Tarzan rope-swings. They also have a dope twisty water slide. 

The York Recreation Centre

This sparkling fitness venue in Mount Dennis has a six lane, 25 metre pool with a ramp and stair access – plus a separate, shallow leisure tot pool for kids. A wide variety of free aquatic programs are offered here, as well as Bronze Cross and Emergency First training.

The Wave Pool

Did you know that Canada's largest indoor wave pool is in Richmond Hill? It's about 10 bucks for an adult swim session, but you're guaranteed to have so much fun. This place also has pool basketball, and on-deck sauna, water mats to lounge on, and a new waterslide.

Sheraton Centre

This pool is in a hotel, but you don't need a room to swim there. Locals can purchase a day pass for roughly $30, which isn't cheap, but it does give you access to the largest indoor-outdoor heated pool in downtown Toronto. You can purportedly swim between both "whether it's a winter wonderland or a summer's day."

Trinity Community Recreation Centre 

With lots of light, the pool at Trinity Bellwoods is a great option if you're lucky enough to live in or near this 'hood. It's only $3.50 to drop in to do some laps (or get a membership to use the rest of the facilities). The pool here is about half the size of an Olympic pool.

The Cooper Koo Family Centre / Cherry Street YMCA

The Canary District's beautiful YMCA has two swimming pools. It's also where Pan Am athletes trained during the 2015 Games in Toronto. Membership to access the facilities starts at $55 per month.

Joseph Piccininni Community Recreation Centre

This St. Clair and Lansdowne facility has an indoor and outdoor pool, offers lane, leisure, fitness, and instructional swim, has a big slide and features cool colour tile work surrounding the water. They also have womens-only leisure swims during select weekend hours. 

Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre

This North York facility boasts an Olympic size pool and two awesome waterslides – one of which is really high, really long, and fully swirls above the water at least once before dropping you into the shallow end. Leisure swims and aquafit classes are free and available all week.

Etobicoke Olympium

As its name might suggest, you'll find an Olympic-sized swimming pool with a number of professional diving boards at this Etobicoke athletic centre. If 50 metres is too much, there's also a smaller leisure pool.

Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre

This indoor pool in a large Leslieville community centre hosts synchronized swims, lessons, certification programs, and other registered activities. It also a second pool exclusively for children, which is nice if you're worried about, ya know... pee and stuff.

St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre

This community centre on the Esplanade is one of the rare city pools that offer national lifeguard certification and training. It also has at least one, two-hour drop in lane swim every day. On Mondays and Fridays, it has three lane swims throughout the day.

University of Toronto Athletic Centre

The Varsity Pool at U of T's Athletic centre is an Olympic-sized 50m, complete with springboards, platforms, and chairlift. There's also the 25-yard Benson pool, which is used primarily for lane swims. Access to both pools require a membership, except for on Sundays.

Centennial Recreation Centre

Programs are free at this Scarborough community centre, and there are lots of them available for people of all ages. Centennial is home to both the Scarborough Springboard Diving Club and Scarborough Underwater Club. It also has two indoor skating rinks!

Beaches Recreation Centre

The Beaches Rec Centre pool has a diving board! That's something, no? The free aquatic facilities here are mostly used for registered programs, including aquafit and swimming lessons. Bring along a crushed pop can filled with cigarette butts for an authentic Toronto beach experience.

Patio season in Toronto is all too short but if you haven't yet had your fill then there's still some off-season fun to be had. These patios operate year-round, and while some will test your resilience, others are fully enclosed and pretty cozy.

Here's a round-up of patios in Toronto that are open all winter.

Bar Raval

This Little Italy bar inspired by taverns in Barcelona lets you drink under the stars in the middle of winter. Their enclosed corner patio isn't huge, but it comes with heaters and enough space to nibble on the wide variety of tapas.

Big Crow

This BBQ joint on Dupont is fully winterized with heaters in an enclosed, cabin-like space. There are banquettes wrapped in cowhide and blankets ready for diners that want to cozy up while snacking on coal-baked brie at brunch or baby back ribs at dinner.

Broadview Hotel

This revamped Riverside hotel keeps the rooftop vibe going in winter with a patio that offers incredible views of the city.

Cactus Club

This Financial District chain has a third floor patio with a retractable roof, its own bar and kitchen serving up popular dishes like steelhead and prawn ceviche and albacore tuna tataki.

The Crooked Cue

The Etobicoke pub has a fully retractable roof that's closed in winter and open in summer. This means that no matter what time of year it is, you can still enjoy a drink under the stars.

Drake Sky Yard

Partially sheltered and outfitted with heat lamps, the top floor of The Drake Hotel on West Queen West has a Newfoundland ice fishing theme going on complete with ice hut replicas and blankets to keep warm.

Gusto 101

The stylish rooftop space at this Italian restaurant on King West boasts a retractable cover under which you can dine on hearty comfort fare like pumpkin agnolotti in sage butter.

Hemingway's

This Yorkville favourite keeps things cozy all year round with its large, enclosed and heated patio space making it always a viable spot to dig into a plate of nachos.

King Taps

Pizza and beer are just two of the attractions at this Financial District hangout outfitted with heated gas lanterns.

Scallywags

This Yonge and St. Clair mainstay has a fully enclosed upstairs patio that's open year round and kept warm by an army of heaters.

Skating trails and natural ice rinks are some of the top winter adventure destinations in Ontario. And fortunately for Toronto residents, there are plenty within a reasonable drive of the city (and more on the way). From frozen canals to wooded trails, ice skating has never been more fun.

Here my picks for ice skating destinations to visit this winter near Toronto.

Arrowhead Provincial Park

The most popular ice skating trail in the province is about a two and half hour drive from Toronto, so a good candidate for a weekend getaway. The trail generally opens during the first week of January once it's completely frozen. Admission to the park is $17 per car. Arrive early!

MacGregor Point Provincial Park

Although this one gets less attention than Arrowhead, it's equally stunning. This 400-metre skating oval is located just off the coast of Lake Huron where you can rent a yurt and take part in the other winter activities they offer for the ultimate winter getaway.

Island Lake Conservation Area Skating

There are multiple options for skating here, including a 1 km trail on the main lake and a pond turned into a rink for a game of hockey or a skate. After an hour and a half drive, you can be on beautiful skating trail free from all of your worries - except for finding your next hot chocolate.

Valens Lake

Conservation Hamilton tried out an ice skating trail through the woods last winter, but it proved tough to maintain, so the focus will be on the lake this year, which will feature both a rink and a loop cut through the snow banks. This is pond skating at its finest and just a short drive from Toronto. 

Trent Canal

Skating under the Peterborough Lift Lock along the Trent-Severn Waterway is a spectacular experience. Sometimes you'll even see impromptu games of shinny break out. In a typical winter, ice conditions are safe for skating in early to mid January. Look for the green flag.

Cheap winter getaways from Toronto are a great way to take in the beauty of snow-covered Ontario without breaking the bank. In general, cold weather escapes are more expensive than those in the summer because of the scarcity of camping options, but fortunately there are some affordable options for those seeking some cold weather R&R.

Here are some cheap weekend getaways from Toronto this winter.

Rent a heated cabin or yurt

You might not be able to camp in the middle of winter, but this is the closest thing, and in some ways even more fun. A number of Ontario Parks offer yurt and cabin rentals starting in December, including MacGregor Point, Algonquin, Killarney, Silent Lake, and the Pinery (to name only a few). Prices start at $86 a night.

Unwind in Oshweken at The Bear's Inn 

If what you really need is to get a way from it all for a few days, head to The Bear's Inn. It's a lovely little hotel in Oshweken on the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation reserve near Brantford. It's a good jump off point for exploring the area around the Grand River, but also a relaxing place to hunker down with a book. Rooms start at $70 a night.

Cozy up in Cobourg

Cobourg is a picturesque town to explore come wintertime (as is neighbouring Port Hope), and fortunately it boasts a couple of well-priced places to stay.  The Breakers is a cozy lakeside resort with rooms starting at $115, while the historic Woodlawn Inn will set you back $149 and up depending on the package you chose.

Pamper yourself at Benmiller Inn & Spa in Goderich

A trip to the spa in the country sounds like the perfect way to spend a restorative winter weekend, but unfortunately many of them are far too expensive to consider. The Benmiller Inn & Spa in Goderich is, however, an exception. Basic rooms start at $160. 

Do Niagara without the crowds

It might not be the first place that comes to mind for a winter getaway, but Niagara Falls actually has tons to offer during the cold season, not the least of which is cheap accommodations (try the Sterling Inn at $100 and up). Most attractions run year round, and there's plenty of wineries to hit up on weekends.

Toronto now has a new honey option that's about as local as it gets, and this one's from a surprising source.

Allied Properties, a local real estate company that owns a lot of properties in the King West area, has started producing honey on the rooftops of two of its buildings.

It's all made possible thanks to Alveole, a Montreal-based company that happens to also have a location on Geary Avenue.

Alveole supplies beekeeping kits, educates and helps care for hives that are intended to transform urban spaces into ones that foster and sustain the natural environment.

The two King West properties are home to around 50,000 honeybees, which is good news since honey bees faced a crisis a few years back that saw their numbers decline across North America due to harmful insecticides.

According to Stats Can, bee colonies are on the upswing. And thanks to companies like Alvéole, urban beekeeping has become more accessible than ever.

This is the first batch of honey produced by Allied so far and is not for sale, but Allied tells us that future batches are intended to be made available for public purchase.

New pizza places in Toronto are whipping up pies that are unabashedly Canadian. You can now eat brisket and taco pizza here that isn’t afraid to step outside the Neapolitan box. And when it comes to our margherita and Chicago deep dish, we’ve gotten some impressive doppelgangers.

Here are my picks for the top new pizza joints that opened in Toronto this year.

General Assembly

Personal-size pies at this Entertainment District spot topped with mushrooms and garlic chips, cilantro and lime, or classic pep or sausage were designed with the help of star pizza consultant Anthony Falco and Cale Elliot-Armstrong from Village Pizza. They’re cashless with wine and cocktails on tap plus a dedicated carry-out space.

Yeah Yeahs

Clocktower Bar in Rosedale has been transformed into the second-ever location of this pizza place, the first one being in Nova Scotia. Pioneered by the guy behind Anchored Coffee, the Boxcar Social team is now giving simple pepperoni, white and margherita pies their all, serving them with wine and lager.

Conspiracy Pizza

At this Leaside joint, pies come topped with anything from pulled pork to fried eggs to kale to sunchoke sauce to dandelion greens. With names inspired by conspiracy theories, the only thing that’s not a hoax at this spot is the flavour.

Double D’s

Deep dish pizza is finally in Toronto at the Leslieville and Dundas West locations of this restaurant. The classic meaty Chicago version dominates a minimal menu that also includes veggie and blue cheese pies.

Superpoint Express

Ossington pizza place Superpoint opened up a Parkdale takeout outlet this year. Pick up their shroom, pepperoni, anchovy and kale pies, hero sandwiches and bomb caesar salad from here or order for delivery. Psst...Express Bar to the side opens every day at 5, serving dad beers, wine and cocktails.

The year may be winding down, but events in Toronto never slow down. This week Casa Loma transforms into a winter palace, big name Canadian artists come to play shows in the city, and a number of free movie screenings and skate opportunities are on offer.

This week on DineSafe a bunch of chains found themselves in hot water after city health inspectors paid a visit. Second Cup, Spring Rolls, and Golden Griddle were among the culprits who landed conditional passes this week.

Learn who else got in trouble with the Toronto food police this week on DineSafe.

Second Cup (2200 Yonge St.)

• Inspected on: December 11, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Spring Rolls (40 Dundas St. West)

• Inspected on: December 11, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Vesta Lunch (474 Dupont St.)

• Inspected on: December 12, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1, Crucial: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to provide separate handwashing sinks and operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder.

Eggsmart (601 Sherborune St.)

• Inspected on: December 13, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Harbord Bakery (115 Harbord St.)

• Inspected on: December 14, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter.

Soup Bar (707 Dundas St. West)

• Inspected on: December 14, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Golden Griddle (45 Carlton St.)

• Inspected on: December 15, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 3, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

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 phone plan price wars got heated in Canada this weekend when, after a series of matching manoeuvres, the country's big three wireless providers all decided to offer 10 GB of data for just $60 a month.

These limited-time-only deals, which include unlimited nationwide calling, are unlike anything we've seen north of the border before.

PSA For everyone who struggles with going over with their data, Koodo Telus and Fido have $60/10GB. If you're paying that much for 1GB.. you're welcome!

— Christy Cheung (@_christycheung) December 16, 2017

Few data plans even went up to 10 gigs a few years ago, and using that much data on one's cellphone would have cost hundreds of dollars per month in overage fees. For a lot of people, it still does – which is probably why the 60-for-10 promotions caused such a frenzy.

The reaction to the @Bell, @Rogers + @TELUS $60 10 GB plans really highlights the joke that Canada's Telecom system is.

— Dave Scrivener (@davescrivener) December 18, 2017

The battle began on Thursday, when Rogers sub-brand Fido started promoting the 10GB for $60 package  - though at that point, it was only 5GB, with an extra 5G of data for 24 months.

By Saturday, Bell and Telus sub-brand Koodo were  matching the plan, but permanently – which forced Fido to follow suit.

The thing that I like most about this new 10GB for $60 thing that the big telecoms are suddenly offering is how it amounts to them admitting that it is very easy for them to offer us more for less, and that they've been gouging us all for years.

— Mark Meeks (@carntankerous) December 17, 2017

People were chattering about the deal over social media all weekend long, leading to a rush on pretty much every wireless provider in Canada (at least in Ontario, which was one of only three provinces eligible for the promotion.)

Rogers/Fido vs Telus/Koodo vs Bell/Virgin $60/10GB Plan: Who Did You Pick? [POLL] https://t.co/7JUEVepqS5

— Usman (@DrUsmanQ) December 17, 2017

By Sunday, it was almost impossible to get through to any of the Big 3 telecoms or their sub-brands by phone.

@FidoSolutions spent over an hour on hold trying to get the 10gb/60$ plan. Never got through, called back and now fido is “unable to take calls”. Been waiting since yesterday on a response to FB message. What do I need to do to ensure I can get the plan?? Call @Bell instead??

— Matt Dominici (@mattdominici) December 18, 2017

Or live chat.

@TELUS trying to get through to change my plan for the $60 10gb of data and unlimited nationwide been on the phone on hold for over an hour. Are you going to honour this if I stay on the phone all day? Live chat isn't working on your site

— Brianna (@HillierPhoto) December 17, 2017

Afraid of missing out, many people in Toronto headed out on foot to visit Telus, Rogers, Bell, Fido, and Koodo stores in person.

There’s a lineup at telus to get the special promo for $60 10GB. GAH.

— Cyrus R (@itsCyrusR) 17 December 2017

Still, people struggled to get the plan thanks to long queues online, on the phone, and in person.

Spent an hour and twenty minutes on hold yesterday listening to the same five Christmas songs but was worth it for 10GB of data and unlimited calls for $60.

— Josh McConnell (@joshmcconnell) 17 December 2017

Those who did, however, are positively stoked – and those who haven't yet are dead-set on landing the plan themselves before the offer expires with most providers on Dec. 19.

The best pasta in Toronto could be considered by some to be the most perfect food ever, even an addiction. Though comfort is at the core of pasta, these places elevate a simple, cheap dish pretty much everyone can make to a level far beyond mom’s spaghetti.

Here's the best pasta in Toronto.

The automated checkout machines at Shoppers Drug Mart have taken their fair share of heat in recent months, but at least one Toronto citizen likes them just fine, thank you very much. 

A raccoon was spotted roaming the Shoppers Drug Mart at Lakeshore and Leslie this weekend, amusing customers, staff and anyone who saw photos from the scene.

Image via JM Rome/Faceboom

Several pictures of the little guy were posted on Reddit and Facebook, all of them showing the critter hanging out atop a row of self checkout machines.

In one photo posted to Reddit, the raccoon almost appears to be peeking over a barrier to look down at the checkouts (or whoever might happen to be using them) like some sort of adorable security guard.

just another normal patron of a Toronto shoppers drug mart pic.twitter.com/U419sg9b1L

— jolly wireless spectrum auction (@Bryson_M) December 17, 2017

Someone wrote in a Leslieville-based Facebook group that her aunt, a cashier at Shoppers, was working during the raccoon's brief reign.

"For all those curious: yes it was real, yes it was just hanging out in the store all day, and yes it is the location at Lakeshore and Leslie," wrote Seimi Morimoto on Sunday. "My aunt (the cashier in the photo) confirmed this when she got home from work. Lol."

Image via Craig Dale/Facebook

Someone else in that comment thread shared a picture of the raccoon in front of a Mark's, writing "I saw it window shopping a few stores down earlier this morning."

It is not known where the mischievous little scamp is now, or if he had any involvement in the most recent raccoon-related TTC subway delay. 

TTC collector booths are going the way of phone booths – complete and total obsolescence.

The transit commission had been planning to phase these booths out of subway stations for a while, but it wasn't until Sunday that it announced the booths at Sheppard West and Wilson stations were now closed permanently.

"Customer service agents" are now in place at those stations, as well as at all six new stations on Toronto's York Spadina Subway Extension, to answer questions and sell PRESTO cards.

The transit commission also announced on Sunday that, by the end of 2018, Toronto will no longer be able to purchase tickets, tokens or Metropasses at subway stations.

"As part of the ongoing modernization and implementation of PRESTO across the system, the TTC is introducing a new Customer Service Agent role," reads an announcement on the TTC's website.

"The collector booths you’re familiar with on the TTC today will be closed over the course of the next year."

Customers will still be able to pay for TTC rides using tokens, tickets, metropasses, but they won't be able to purchase any of these fare types at stations in the future. 

Cash will still be accepted system-wide, though – as usual – it's exact change only.

Metrolinx has announced that it will be offering free GO Transit and UP Express rides this New Year's Eve, which should come as great news to people around the GTA who don't like triple digit cab fares.

According to the public transit agency's website, GO vehicles will be running on a Sunday schedule this Dec. 31, but with additional late-night service and free rides after 7 p.m.

"This #NYE, we will be expanding free service after 7pm on @GOtransit to the @UPexpress!" tweeted provincial minister of transportation Steven Del Duca over the weekend. "Choose transit, don’t drink & drive."

Those who don't have as far a hike can still rest assured that they won't be paying a fortune to get home this New Year's Eve.

For the fifth year in a row, TTC vehicles will be free to ride between Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 1 at 7 a.m. Cheers to you getting home safe, sound and hopefully without any puke on your shoes.

It's that time of year again. We're opening the poll to 10 new best of categories including Caribbean restaurants, Korean BBQ, nightclubs, yoga studios and more. Voting ends on Tuesday December 19 at 7 p.m.

Take the poll here

At long last, the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension is open for business – and business is booming (or would have been, if the entire subway line weren't free to ride yesterday).

... Got my souvenir #TTC#TYSSE Line 1 Extension public opening day free all day today transfer !!! ... 🤣pic.twitter.com/6of5UKETms

— Mike DeToma (@mikedeto) December 17, 2017

Thousands of people flocked to the brand new portion of Line 1 on Sunday for a first look at Toronto's most significant subway expansion in nearly 40 years.

In 1966 my father took me to the opening of the Bloor subway opening that he worked on; In 2017 I brought him to the opening of the #TYSSEpic.twitter.com/PKXffYo1RF

— Joe Mihevc (@joemihevc) December 15, 2017

The additional 8.6 kilometres of subway service starts at Sheppard West station (formerly Downsview) and runs all the way up to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

People were excited to ride through the freshly-built (and much cleaner) subway tunnels, but much of hype online this weekend revolved around our six, brand new, state-of-the-art transit stations.

Overheard often today while riding between stations: “I can’t believe how clean these tunnels are!” #ttc#tysse

— Jamie Bradburn (@jbcurio) December 17, 2017

York University station was one of the most popular destinations during yesterday's launch event, as many expected it would be.

"York U station attracted an audible 'wowwwww' from people next to me," wrote one rider on Twitter. "There's an amphitheatre. This station is a huge deal for York U."

Outside, however, in the main centre of York, the exterior is awesome: pic.twitter.com/4pZbrfn7l9

— Casey Goranson (@SeadogDriftwood) December 17, 2017

Students at York are thrilled by the easier commute between campus and downtown, but this station is also thought to be one of the coolest looking on the entire line.

Visitors, students and city officials were all happy to share photos from the new station on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook and wherever else you can post pictures of cool things.

I think I got a tour of the new @yorkuniversity subway from 20+ on my snapchat! #TheExcitement#TYSSE#YorkU

— Alam Khandwala (@K_Wala) December 17, 2017

Many of the new stations featured live bands playing Christmas music on Sunday.

At Pioneer Station, for instance, commuters were treated to the sounds of steel pan drums as they descended into the platform.

Christmas music on the steel pan drum sounding pretty good. #TYSSEpic.twitter.com/GKZyYfF769

— Nick Westoll (@NWestoll) December 17, 2017

This station is also said to have smelled like vanilla.

4. One more north takes you to PIONEER VILLAGE station, This puts you on the North ebd of @yorkuniversity near the PanAm Stadium and a 10 minute walk to Black Creek Pioneer Village. @BlackCreekNews#TTCline1#Line1Ext#TTCpic.twitter.com/l0IkgxZKNQ

— Steve Russell (@RussellPhotos) December 17, 2017

Many people were impressed with the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station at the end of the line, with its domed ovoid entrance and mirrored ceiling panels.

"This is going to be the most selfied station," remarked one person of VMC on Instagram.

I think the thing most worth going to within 10 mins of VMC might well be the pretty spectacular station building itself! Or is that cheating?

— Joseph Moed (@jomo87) December 17, 2017

Highway 407 Station was a hit with its beautiful glass panels. The colourful glasswork, which projects moving colours all over the station when sun shines through its skylights, was designed by Toronto artist David Pearl and is titled "Sky Ellipse."

Highway 407 Station. #TYSSE#Line1Ext#ttc#topoli#onpolipic.twitter.com/QZKmS11P6E

— Chris Drew (@chrisjamesdrew) December 17, 2017

Design-wise, people are feeling Finch West Station and its striped, bar code cladding.

Things got a bit hairy, however, when one of the brand new station's escalators broke down on the first day of service.

An escalator is already down in Finch West Station. Winter is cruel.

— Asher Mercer (@urban_asher) December 17, 2017

Downsview Park Station, the first stop on the brand new line, also proved a bit annoying to some TTC riders when a passenger alarm went off, causing a slight delay.

A little bit of a photo tweet storm here, Toronto's 6 new subway stations opened to the public extending Line 1 8.6 kms from Sheppard West to Vaughan.
Here are the new stations, one by one working north from Sheppard West.
1, DOWNSVIEW PARK - located at the top of the park. pic.twitter.com/oKuqIw8IKC

— Steve Russell (@RussellPhotos) December 17, 2017

That said, the station goes pretty deep down into the ground - which will certainly be a good thing when it gets hot outside.

Overall observation from #TYSSE opening, lots of people curious about the extension, everyone friendly and interested in the stations. Wide range of ages as well ,Free #TTC helped greatly.

— Alex Lach (@olo114) December 17, 2017

Overall, Toronto seems pleased and grateful for its new, extended Line 1. It may have taken a while, but it's finally here, and will doubtlessly improve quality of life for many commuters between Vaughan and Toronto.

Restaurants for New Year's Eve dinner in Toronto are available at all price points to help ring in 2018. You can choose to eat on the earlier side and party your night away, or grab a late seating and do the countdown right at your table. 

Here are my picks for the top restaurants for New Year's Eve in Toronto this year.

The Ace

This Roncesvalles restaurant is offering a prix fixe dinner menu on the big night, which includes mains like braised pork with sunchoke puree and a complimentary glass of bubbly. Reserve your table for 10 p.m. or later and join them for the countdown. 

Grey Gardens

A five-course dinner will be on offer for $100 at this Kensington Market spot. The menu includes everything from lamb tartare to duck with wild rice. Call to reserve a table.

Bar Reyna

If you plan to ring in 2018 in Yorkville, head to this Mediterranean restaurant. On December 31 they'll be serving passed hors d'oeuvres and offering range of food stations, plus a chocolate fountain. Champagne will be served at midnight. Reserve your $95 ticket online.

The Civic

Located on the main floor of the The Broadview Hotel, this restaurant will play host to one of three celebrations happening inside. Reserve a spot for dinner by emailing and come prepared to scarf down a delectable three-course meal. 

Shanee

Make your way to Little Italy on December 31 to indulge in an AYCE Thai dinner. Seatings will begin at 1 p.m. and run all the way until 10:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online. Khao soi, pad thai, green curry and tom yum soup are just a few of the items available. 

Expect a buzzing crowd at The Drake 150 on New Year's. Photo by Jesse milns.

Drake One Fifty

Seatings at the Financial District restaurant will take place at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and will include a four-course meal at $75 a person. There will be a glass of bubbles to start, followed with a seafood platter, lobster carbonara, rack of lamb, and dessert. 

Estia

You can select from this Yorkville restaurant's $95 group dining menu or the $145 truffle tasting menu for the special night. Reservations can be made online.

Boralia

The four-course set tasting menu at this restaurant on Ossington is $75. It features smoked goose breast, roast bison ribeye, and a dessert to die for. Reservations are available over the phone and by email only.

The Carbon Bar

This Queen East restaurant will be serving a family-style feast with three seatings. The first and second seatings are set at $59 and $79 per person, but it's the $99 final seating, which carries into the New Year, that you really want to bite into.

R & D

Ring in 2018 in Chinatown with Chef Eric Chong’s special $55 four course dinner, featuring items like seafood chow mein and kalbi beef. 

Dailo

Chef Nick Liu's NYE tasting menu is a work of art. The menu at this Little Italy restaurant will be $100 per person and will include shrimp toast and foie gras, miso artichoke dumplings and a 90 day dry aged beef ribeye. 

Gare de l'Est

Found in Leslieville, the French restaurant will have a set menu for New Year's Eve. The $75 menu includes an amuse to start followed by mains like steak and scallops. Reservations can be made via phone. 

Bar Sybanne

Four seating times are available at this Ossington restaurant. The last seating is at 11 p.m. and then the restaurant will transition into a party with dancing. It'll set you back $45 per person and will include a Sybanne-style sharing menu. Reserve a spot online.

Beast Restaurant

This cozy dining space on Tecumseth is heavy on carnivorous offerings and will be hosting a dinner at $80 per person. The menu includes sea urchin, grilled sweetbreads, gnocchi and sticky toffee pudding. Reservations can be made via phone. 

The Good Son

For NYE this Italian restaurant on West Queen West will be serving a three course menu for $55. In addition to the main offering, a la carte options like oysters, caviar and seared foie gras will also be available. 

Lena offers lots of seating and can accommodate groups of many sizes. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Lena

Chef Julie's $75 four-course prix fixe will add a little Latin flare to your New Year’s Eve celebrations. Tuna crudo, mushroom minestrone, and grilled cornish hen will all be available that evening at the Financial District spot. 

Fring’s

Drake and Susur Lee's restaurant on King West will serve up a $95 four course meal on the last night of 2017. It includes butternut squash soup, wild boar bucatini, surf and turf and a pear tart. You'll also be served a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.

Craft Beer Market

New Year's at this Financial District beer market will entail a special edition of their monthly Brewmaster's Dinner. Tickets cost $80 and can be purchased online. Your ticket includes a four-course dinner, beer pairings, party favours and champagne at midnight.

Kiin

For New Year's Eve, Chef Nuit is doing a royal Thai dinner. Early seating at the Entertainment District restaurant runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will cost $60.00. The late seating will run from 8:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. and will cost $100. All tickets can be purchased online.

Marben

Seating times and prices at this King West spot are $65 for seatings between 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and $85 at 9 p.m. Beverage pairings to meals can be added for a fee of $35/$50. Reservations can be done online.

Piano Piano

Celebrate New Year's Eve in Harbord Village  with one of three seatings available here. Prices vary from $99 to $140 and include a four-course meal. 

Planta

Need to finish off your year with a plant-based meal? This Bay Street restaurant will offer various seatings throughout the evening, some of which include the option to add an open bar. Call to reserve a seat.

Miku

This NYE dinner at this Japanese spot in South Core will not disappoint. It's a six-course set menu for $150 with the option to add a premium sake pairing for $50 more. 

Noorden

This Yonge & Eglinton restaurant is hosting a Rijsttafel party on the big night. It'll consist of an elaborate Dutch meal for $68 per person. Book your spot by emailing them. 

Patois will be party central come New Year's Eve in Toronto. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Patois

The Dundas West fusion spot will be joining forces with Superpoint and Smoke Signals for NYE. They've put together a special menu for the night and will be doing two seatings which range from $65 to $75 per person. 

Lbs.

Two NYE menus will be available at this seafood restaurant in the Financial District. Select from the Lbs. classic for $92 or Lbs. grand for $125 which features Alaskan king crab, shaved black truffles and Henriot Champagne to toast in 2018. 

Bacchanal

The West Queen West restaurant is pulling out all the stops for their New Year's Eve celebrations. The French restaurant will offer an all-you-can-eat buffet feast alongside an open bar for $195 all in. Call to reserve your spot. 

Superpoint

Indulge in a special lobster supper at this pizza joint on Ossington for $45. Pizzas and salads will also be available that evening. Email to reserve a seat. 

Loka

Both an omnivore and vegetarian versions of a 5-course pre-fixe menu will be available for $75 on NYE. You can book a spot at this Queen West restaurant online.

Mascot Brewery

On the ground floor, Mascot will be serving a three course prix fixe dinner, which will flow right into the party upstairs at Odd Thomas. Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased online.

There is only one Fashion Santa – and don't you dare get it twisted.

Fans of Toronto model Paul Mason have been saying this all over the web since Yorkdale Shopping Centre announced it was replacing him with a younger, "edgier" Santa in 2016.

The people were just as livid then as they were this holiday season when, once again, Yorkdale recast Fashion Santa. Three models have now played the character, which Mason originated and made world-famous in 2015, but there will be no more in the future.

Unless Mason allows it.

#Congratulations to @PaulMasonModel on winning the right to be The One & Only Fashion Santa! #MerryChristmashttps://t.co/j8WzRVjAHG

— KevinNoel (@KevinNoel) December 18, 2017

Toronto's OG Fashion Santa revealed to TMZ this weekend that he now owns the trademark and copyright for his character after winning a legal battle against Yorkdale.

The mall had tried to trade trademark "Fashion Santa" last year, prompting Mason to challenge them in court on the grounds that he owned the brand.

"We came to a settlement," said Mason while speaking to TMZ. As of 2018, "the trademark, the copyright, it's all mine."

Yorkdale really messed up with this. There is only one Fashion Santa and he's @PaulMasonModel. https://t.co/bCC2M8yadv

— Norm Kelly (@norm) November 16, 2017

When asked if he'd ever go back to work at Yorkdale, the model and entrepreneur played it cool – much like Santa himself would probably have done.

"I think I'll just look at all my options... who knows," he told TMZ, noting that he has "no hard feelings" for Yorkdale.

"I got what I wanted, I'm back where I want to be, and it's fine," he said. "It's a good feeling."

The word CRUSH has been scrawled in white spray paint across a large bronze statue at Bloor and Huron Streets – which isn't the most unusual thing to happen in our city.

It is a pretty horrible thing, though, if you know the history and symbolism behind this sculpture on the site of what was once the infamous Rochdale Project.

Called "The Unknown Student," it's one of the last tangible remnants of the failed educational co-op that used to exist here.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

That 500 lb, roughly 10-foot-tall figure was unveiled in 1969 in front of the 18 storey building that used to house the experimental college. It was created by the "Rochdale Sculpture Group" and designed by artist Derek Heinzerling.

"The Unknown Student statue is a testament to what was the decline in hippie Yorkville culture in the late 1960s," explains Open Book Ontario. "The statue today symbolizes perhaps the lost idealism of the time, and the end of a significant era in Toronto's bohemian culture."

So you can see why many people are upset to see a sloppy tag on the iconic piece of public art.

Toronto journalist Shawn Micallef posted a photo of the newly-tagged statue on Twitter Sunday evening.

If you know Crush, of Toronto’s Bastards Crew graffiti writers collective, tell him it was pretty shitty to tag the “Unknown Student” sculpture at Rochedale College. Been there a long time & has history. 1968. Crush isn’t on Twitter (i think). pic.twitter.com/70HI5mOPQn

— 🎄Stanley Kubrick🎄 (@shawnmicallef) December 17, 2017

Others in the city agreed with his opinion that "it was pretty shitty to tag the 'Unknown Student' sculpture."

"Are you effing kidding me???" replied one of his followers.

"A shame that the statue cannot retaliate by turning the grafitti 'artists' into stone or bronze," wrote another.

The City's official 311 contact centre later jumped into the conversation to say that Toronto's 'Public Art Officer' (which is a thing, apparently) has been notified.

Here's to hoping the sculpture can be cleaned up and restored to its sullen, yet strangely beautiful glory.