With news of the demise of WayHome and Warped Tour, Toronto music fans will be happy to hear that one of the city's favourite electronic music festivals, Electric Island, is still going strong and coming back to the Toronto Islands this summer.

The annual outdoor rave traditionally held at Hanlan's Point announced that it would be returning to its usual spot after having to move last year's festivities due to the flooding fiasco that submerged parts of the Islands.

A post shared by Electric Island (@electricislandto) on Feb 13, 2018 at 12:48pm PST

The flooding reportedly cost the city upwards of $8.45 million and saw the Islands closed for over three months, while Electric Island dispersed to Woodbine Park, CODA, and other venues around the city.

The Islands are expected to be in much better shape this season, with the city looking into flood prevention strategies later this year.

There will be five dates for this year's festival, starting on the May long weekend and wrapping up just before Labour Day with a two-day affair. Check their website for ticket and programming info.

One of Toronto's go-to Italian joints is closing after more than a decade of service, leaving many locals to mourn their favourite spot for "Italian food, crafted with love and integrity."

The news of Lil' Baci's closure took Leslieville residents by surprise and many started speculating why the popular restaurant would be shutting down: Skyrocketing rent prices? Increased commercial tax rates? Gentrification?

Mark Bacci, one of Lil' Baci's owners, put a rest to the rumours by weighing in on Facebook.

"We're still just as busy to be honest," he explained, "but as some of you mentioned, the cost of doing business is crushing margins, hence we've decided to change concepts."

Bacci noted that the minimum wage hike had resulted in most restaurant suppliers raising their prices, in turn forcing restaurants to raise their own prices.

"This bothered us a lot, as we didn't want to push the cost onto the customer and we recognized we were moving away from our core business of value," he wrote.

"Our new concept will reflect more our business philosophy, which centres around value."

The new restaurant will be more in line with Annabelle Pasta Bar, says Bacci, which he also co-owns along with Bob Coffee Bar at 44o Christie St.

"It's trying times for small businesses in the city for sure, but it also forces business owners to get creative, to rethink the status quo," he said, "which is a big part of what we've done."

The Yonge and Eglinton outpost of Lil' Baci closed just a few months ago, but both Annabelle and Bob Coffee Bar are still thriving at Davenport and Christie.

Fried chicken sandwiches in Toronto take their inspiration from the American South, Italy and Asia just to name a few. These aren't for the diet conscious but for those looking for stacked bundle of flavour it's tough to beat these for a cheap and filling lunch.

Here are my picks for the top places to eat fried chicken sandwiches in Toronto.

Kitson and Co.

It's all about sandwiches at this Parkdale spot and you don't want to miss their fried chicken rendition where a massive piece of chicken gets deep fried and topped with a spicy slaw and bread and butter pickles. 

A post shared by P.G Clucks 🐥🐔🐓 (@pgclucks) on Dec 13, 2017 at 6:25am PST

PG Clucks

When it comes to fried chicken sandwiches this Little Italy take-out joint doesn't mess around. Their classic sandwich will land you a huge piece of chicken fried to perfection topped with coleslaw, pickles, smoky chili sauce and buttermilk ranch. 

A post shared by PORCHETTA & Co. (@porchettaandco) on Mar 22, 2017 at 2:41pm PDT

Porchetta & Co.

Both the Dundas and King West locations of this popular sandwich joint crank out fried chicken sandwiches galore. Order it parmesan-style with tomato sauce and cheese on a garlic bread bun or opt for the OG with hot sauce, lettuce, pickles and ranch dressing.

A post shared by Love Chix (@lovechixtoronto) on Jan 26, 2018 at 8:47am PST

Love Chix

The fried chicken and arugula sandwich here comes covered in honey and buttermilk ranch sauces. Find it at both their Junction Triangle and Assembly Food Hall locations. 

A post shared by The Dirty Bird Chicken+Waffles (@dirtybirdto) on Jan 23, 2018 at 2:46pm PST

The Dirty Bird

The Sticky-Icky is the sandwich to get at this mini-chain with three locations in the city. It's a boneless fried chicken thigh with maple garlic, pickles and dirty aioli. 

A post shared by The Wren (@thewrendanforth) on May 4, 2016 at 2:58pm PDT

The Wren

The Mr. Pong's Fried Chicken Sandwich is a menu staple at this Danforth East pub. Sweet and sour fried chicken is topped with a watrecress and pumpkin seed pesto, soy sauteed peppers, grilled onions, wasabi mayo and cilantro. 

A post shared by Union Chicken (@union.chicken) on Nov 29, 2017 at 5:42am PST

Union Chicken

The lightning fried chicken sandwich comes slathered in a house-made habanero, cayenne, and chicken fat sauce and served on a squishy milk bun at this chicken specialist with locations at Sherway Garden and Union Station.

A post shared by Nate Middleton ⇞ Chef Tasty 🌍 (@natetasty) on Jul 6, 2017 at 2:24pm PDT

Home of The Brave

The King West restaurant replaced their much-Instagrammed Kentucky Handshake Sandwich with a Nashville Hot Chicken one instead. A spicy piece of fried chicken comes with ranch, pickles and romaine lettuce. 

A post shared by Eatz Of Toronto (@eatzoftoronto) on Dec 28, 2017 at 7:23am PST

Cluck Clucks

For a savoury take on the chicken-and-waffles sandwich, the Cluck Yeah! from this Esplanade joint will do the trick. It's a fried boneless chicken breast between a fluffy jalapeno-cheddar waffle loaded with slaw, chipotle aioli and dill mayo.

A post shared by Five Points Hot chicken (@fivepointshotchicken) on Feb 8, 2018 at 5:51pm PST

Open House

This Bloorcourt bar is home to more than drinks. Inside, Five Points Hot Chicken cooks up Nashville hot chicken served both open face and sandwich style. 

Three grand is a benchmark number for an apartment rental in Toronto. If you're spending this much on a place, it better be pretty nice. After all, there are plenty of mortgage payments that come in lower, and no matter how wacky the apartment market gets, 36K a year in rent is a lot.

This recently listed two-level apartment near Trinity Bellwoods Park shows off some of the luxury features you can expect at this price point, but there are also a few reminders that even at 3K, renters need to make sacrifices. 

In some sense, this apartment is a tale of two levels. The renovated main floor is a sophisticated space with an eat-in kitchen that's as nice as I've seen of late. I particularly like the banquette breakfast nook, which looks like something you might find at a bar or a pub.

There's also a bedroom on the main floor, which can accommodate a king size bed. The space is limited for additional furniture, but there's lots of closet space and light thanks to a large street-facing window. 

On the whole, the basement is a bit less polished than the main floor. Despite that, the large bedroom down here might be the nicest in unit. Here there's lots of space surrounding the bed. It even gets a fair amount of light from a set of stairs that leading in from the backyard.

The third bedroom is the runt of the litter. Not only is it diminutive in terms of square footage, but the ceiling height takes a major hit from the HVAC that juts down into the room. Add in that it's curtained rather than walled off, and it doesn't seem match up with the rest of the unit.

Still, it could work as a kids room or even be converted into an office or work space. In fact, that's really what it wants to be. It really only works as a sleeping space in a pinch. 

Specs

• Address: 142 Bellwoods Ave.
• Apartment type: House
• Rent: $3,000
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2
• Parking: Available but at extra cost
• Laundry? In suite
• Outdoor space? Back yard
• Pet friendly? Not specified

Good For

Someone who has an ample rent budget and needs lots of space. You could house a small family here easily, and the back yard space is a great bonus. 

Move On If

For some people the lower level will be a deal breaker. After all, if you're paying $3K, do you really want to sleep underground (even if it's in a king bed)?

As if Drake's gift of song wasn't enough, the Toronto rapper has been on a charity kick lately and not only surprised a Miami hotel maid with a lavish shopping spree but also paid for everyone's groceries at a local supermarket.

I met drake today at the supermarket , thanks drake for the groceries #drake

A post shared by Rocio (@chiofdc) on Feb 6, 2018 at 2:34pm PST

Drake's well documented saviour complex has been on full display this month.

A post shared by Adrian Gariboldi (@taint_soul) on Feb 6, 2018 at 3:11pm PST

He also recently donated thousands of dollars to local schools and supported a Miami homeless shelter. 

But nowhere does Drake's generosity stand out more than with his taking of Odelie Paret, a hotel maid whose struggles had been documented in the Miami Herald, out for a luxury shopping spree.

I will like to Thank you for recognizing my mom Ms. Odelie Paret @ovo_drake86pic.twitter.com/Oi9lzjwgu1

— Ginaparet (@HAITIANLADYBUG) February 8, 2018

Drake was so touched by Paret's story that he invited her to join him for dinner at a upscale steakhouse and treated her to a trip to a four-star spa.

Antonio Brown of the Steelers with Drake pic.twitter.com/zrQWGQKELG

— OVO SOUND (@OVOWithMyWoes) February 7, 2018

He and Antonio Brown of the Steelers then accompanied her to Sak's Fifth Avenue and let Paret shop her heart out, with gifts of shoes, handbags, perfumes, and an 18-karat, white gold necklace with diamonds.

All told, Drake dolled out around $10,000 during the excursion.

Last 3 days were the best I have had in a very long time...there’s nothing like seeing people experience a joyful moment when you can tell they need it the most.

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Feb 8, 2018 at 12:12am PST

Drake, if you're reading this it's not too late to help me out with my OSAP.

Just when you thought your heart was already in pieces over the demolition of one city icon, another, more salacious one, is set to be razed next week.

The Queensway location of House of Lancaster will soon meet the wrecking ball after sitting abandoned since it shut down last summer.

The closure followed pressure from the local city councillor in the wake of three shootings outside the club and is commensurate with a growing trend that's witnessed a general drop in interest for such establishments throughout the city.

The substantial plot of land is set to be redeveloped into a more wholesome 55-unit condo and retail complex. It might not be a Coffee Time, but you can bet that the immediate neighbours will be happy to see it go.

The Bloordale location will remain operational in the meantime with no word about any change in its operations. 

If you would like to pay your respects to the notorious Queensway establishment, feel free to do so by Wednesday, February 21, after which time the club will be stripped down and turned to rubble. 

The best pizza in Scarborough is known for having tons of halal options, a mountain of toppings, and always satisfying cravings for carbs, especially late at night. There are also s0me amazing wood-burning ovens blazing away in this neighbourhood and fantastic gourmet options.

Here is the best pizza in Scarborough.

Halal burgers aren't that hard to find in Toronto these days. Offerings range from your basic cheeseburger to more gluttonous varieties with grilled cheese buns and multiple patties.

Here are my picks for the top places to eat Halal burgers in Toronto.

Top Gun Steak

This Scarborough and Kensington Market steak and burger joint offers over a dozen burger incarnations like the Invader that comes with three beef patties, two grilled cheese sandwiches and fried onions.

Ozzy's Burgers

Another Kensington Market spot, this one on Nassau St. specializes in messy sky-high burgers loaded with toppings and sauces on top of fresh handmade patties.

A post shared by burgersTO (@burgersto) on Jan 23, 2018 at 10:08am PST

The Burgernator

This Kensington Market place serves up burgers with a military theme. Go for the basic Sergeant Burger topped with veggies or the Fully Loaded with cheese, a fried egg and mushrooms.

Showtime Bistro

This Scarborough joint's burgers include something called the Pineapple Express that features a spicy jerk seasoning on the patty along with with a slice of pineapple.

A post shared by burgersTO (@burgersto) on Jan 29, 2018 at 3:10pm PST

Burger Factory

This GTA burger chain with a location near Queen and McCaul cranks out burgers stuffed with cheese and jalapeños.

Mushkaki

Homemade burgers are the star at this Rexdale favourite. Make sure to get your burger Mushkaki style with lettuce, tomatoes, a fried egg, cheese and a variety of sauces.

A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on Dec 22, 2017 at 11:50am PST

Mini Moe's

This Scarborough burger joint has a whole menu of over the top burgers and chicken sandwiches. A must-try is their Juicy Lucy where the patty is oozing with cheese.

ASAP City

There's everything from your basic cheeseburger to more adventurous offerings like the heavyweight featuring a poached egg at this mini-chain with three locations.

A post shared by burgersTO (@burgersto) on Aug 19, 2017 at 9:09am PDT

Jackson's Burger

The sky is the limit for toppings at this burger joint near Yonge and Dundas where burgers come with toppings like peanut butter and jelly and deep fried avocado. 

Shawarma 360

Don't be fooled by the name, this Scarborough spot grills up affordable burgers and cheeseburgers along with one oozing with cheese.

Drinking large quantities of beer just got cheaper in Toronto if that's your sort of thing. 

Northern Maverick, a brewpub that opened last year near Bathurst and Adelaide, just announced its newest promotion. It's now offering bottomless beer as part of its weekend brunch special.

Weekend is coming - Are you brunch ready? Tag a friend and bring them in! . With our delicious brunch menu, we’re offering BOTTOMLESS $25 mimosas or $20 lagers. Come enjoy a laid back Saturday and Sunday morning with us! 11am-4pm. . . #toronto #brunch #torontofoodie #torontoeats #northernmaverickbrewing #drinklocal #lager #mimosa #kingwest #yyz #416 #fbf #torontolife

A post shared by Northern Maverick Brewing Co. (@northernmaverickbrewing) on Feb 9, 2018 at 8:55am PST

Getting drunk as a skunk before noon has never been classier when paired with any item from the brunch menu that's served weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It's set you back only $20. There's also a bottomless mimosa special for $25.

Seafood towers are there new baller menu items where next-level indulgence generally comes in the form of lobster, crab and oysters stacked as meal time showpieces. Just when you thought prices of halibut were a bit rich, these monstrosities are taking seafood feasts up a notch.

Here are some of most outrageous seafood towers you can find in Toronto right now.

BlueBlood Steakhouse

The steakhouse inside Casa Loma ain't cheap but the tower here is on the slightly more affordable side of the spectrum. The large seafood tower goes for $160 and comes with king crab, lobster, jumbo prawns, salmon crudo, oysters and all the fixings.

A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on Oct 6, 2017 at 10:59am PDT

Lbs.

It's all about the seafood at this Financial District spot. Impress fellow diners when you order the epic Poseidon seafood tower ($170) loaded with various types of oysters, clams, octopus, shrimp, lobster, king and dungeness crab.

A post shared by The Chase Toronto (@thechaseto) on Dec 11, 2017 at 5:07pm PST

The Chase

The Diamond Platter ($225) is what you'll want to get at this rooftop spot in the Financial District. It's loaded with Fogo Island snow crab, Nova Scotian lobster, prawns, shrimp salad, dungeness crab salad, tuna, poached shellfish and oysters.

A post shared by La Banane (@labananeresto) on Sep 20, 2017 at 1:55pm PDT

La Banane

This French restaurant on Lower Ossington isn't afraid to empty your wallet. Those with money to burn should order La Grande Banane ($280), a tower with the requisite fill of oysters, mussels, dungeness crab and king crab, lobsters, scallops and shrimp cocktail. 

A post shared by Life, one bite at a time. (@allthingsbitten) on Dec 27, 2017 at 6:39pm PST

Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

This Scarborough destination doesn't do seafood towers like most on this list. Instead, it stacks towers of lobster and crab in various permutations but none quite as lavish as the Super Lobster Mountain ($368) which they promise consists of 25 lbs. of the crustacean.

As temperatures are forecast to rise above the freezing mark and long icicles sag and drip from Toronto rooftops, there's the slightest hint of spring on the horizon. But, before getting excited about the truly warm weather, there's maple syrup season to look forward to. 

In only a few weeks, conservation areas around Toronto will draw huge crowds for the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival, which runs for a month starting on March 10. It's an ideal way to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring.

A post shared by V I C T O R 🇨🇦 (@torontovino) on Mar 19, 2016 at 11:30am PDT

No less than four conservation areas will celebrate this year, including the always busy Kortright, plus Bruce's Mill, Terra Cotta, and Island Lake. All can be reached in less than an hour of driving from the city. 

A post shared by EJ Lee (@the.eej) on Mar 16, 2017 at 6:49am PDT

Each location offers hiking opportunities, sugarbush demonstrations, maple syrup samples, and, of course, massive pancake breakfasts to soak up all the sweet goodness.

Daytime events tend to skew toward families, but it's not all sugar-addled kids running around. On numerous occasions in March, Kortright hosts Maple Syrup by Lamplight, which features a twilight hike to a sugar shack in the woods, complete with a campfire and complimentary treats. 

You'll have to book tickets for the twilight events in advance, but for daytime visits, the best bet is to arrive early because most parks get very busy during maple syrup season.

The festival runs from March 10 to April 8. Parks keep different hours, so be sure to check the main festival page for more info.

Events in Toronto include the start of a 10 day celebration of Italian cuisine, the biggest Chinese New Year party in Canada, a Harry Potter improv show, and plenty more.

For weeks now, meteorologists have been predicting a super cold end to the month of February.

Those predictions have been disrupted. Instead of frigid air, we're getting an early taste of spring.

Strong arctic air masses are still headed for our region, but a couple of tropical cyclones halfway around the world have altered global weather patterns.

"Ever heard of the butterfly effect? It's the concept that the delicate flapping of a butterfly's wings can initiate a hurricane," explained Weather Network meteorologist Erin Wenckstern.

"In this case, two strong tropical cyclones that formed in the Pacific Ocean this week are the butterflies."

Warm and cold air masses will compete just north and west of Toronto over the next few weeks. (image via Erin Wenckstern/The Weather Network)

An unexpected subtropical ridge is now facing off against the polar vortex for dominance over North America.

Toronto happens to be on the warm side of this battle – as evidenced by the weather we'll be seeing over the next few weeks.

Temperatures are expected to hit 8 C this afternoon and, by Tuesday, we could be seeing the thermometer rise as high as 12 C.

Toronto is in for a much warmer end to February than previously thought. (Screenshot via The Weather Network.)

Not a single daytime high is forecasted to be in the negatives between now and March 1, but as Wenckstern says, we're still in the heart of winter.

Southern Ontario will be in a constant storm track with two huge, diametrically opposed air masses battling each other nearby. 

Even in a mild pattern, "you can still get impactful winter weather - especially since Arctic air will be close by," says Wenckstern. "Rain and freezing rain are more likely with storms moving through as we fluctuate above and below the freezing mark."

Extreme cold temperatures are still predicted to resume in March– but who knows? That butterfly effect could change things up all over again.

Anyone travelling to and from Toronto will be in for a welcome treat as one of the city's most popular dining destinations has carved out a place for itself inside of Pearson International Airport.

Pearson's Terminal 3 now plays host to several longtime Distillery District favourites inside its new District Food Hall with Archeo Focacceria, El Catrin, Cluny as the airport's newest food spots.

It's also home to the new Distillery Bar featuring Mill Street beer, in addition to the Mill Street Brewery location already popular over in Terminal 1.

Pearson has been busy planning for a massive extension over the next few years that will see the airport transformed into a world-class travel hub. Improving the food options is just part of the overall plan to increase the stature of the airport. 

Not everyone will be able to access the restaurants, however, as the food hall is located in the departures section after the main security checkpoint.

These spots are designed specifically for thirsty travellers.

The Eaton Centre just got a new street-level restaurant and bar, if you're looking for some surf & turf after a long day of shopping.

Meet Hendriks, a classy-looking steakhouse that prides itself on blending "award-winning design and delicious innovative cuisine to create a dramatic dining experience."

Located in the space formerly occupied by Baton Rouge, which closed about a year ago, Hendriks serves the same type of food and cocktails you might expect to see at The Keg, Earl's, or any of the other slick, mid-upscale dining chains downtown.

A post shared by Hendriks Restaurant & Bar (@hendriksrestaurant) on Oct 25, 2017 at 4:36am PDT

The difference is that Hendriks is not a chain – it's one of a kind. 

Fans of the old Baton Rouge can still find three of the restaurant's locations around the city – one in Scarborough, one in North York and one in Vaughan.

The Baton Rouge located beneath the CN Tower was also replaced last year with a giant resto-pub called The Pint.

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

• Agenda, a cafe and snack bar from the owners of Field Trip Cafe, is now open at 622 College St. in Little Italy.
• Agora by Mamakas, a fast casual spot by Greek taverna Mamakas, opens today at 921 Queen St. W. across from Trinity Bellwoods Park.
• CafePlenty has opened its third location, this one in the PATH at the Bay Adelaide Centre in the Financial District.
• Dineen Outpost, Dineen's third location and its first outside of the FinancialDistrict, has opened at 1042 Gerrard St. E. (at Galt Ave.) in Leslieville.
• H² Kitchen, a poke/salad/noodle/smoothie bowl spot, is now open at 204 Queen St. W. (at St. Patrick St.)
• Famiglia Baldassarre is (finally!) legally serving up fresh pasta lunches (and house-made gelato) from 12pm-2pm on Tuesdays to Fridays at 122 Geary Ave. in Dovercourt Village.
• Vegan pizzeria Apiecalypse Now! opened another location yesterday, this time at 862 Pape Ave. in Pape Village.
• Naan & Kabob has soft opened another location at 921 Yonge St. in Rosedale, with an official opening set for March 21.
• Hong Kong chain Smile Dessert is now officially open at 3262 Midland Ave. in Scarborough.
• Paramount Butcher Shop has opened a Toronto location at Yonge & Eglinton at 2313 Yonge St.

Recently reviewed

• Defina Woodfired
• Rose and Sons
• Destiny Asian Fusion
• Alcove Coffee
• Ozzy's Burgers
• Meet Fresh
• Ssam
• Vit Beo
• Snakes and Lattes (Midtown)
• Parallel
• Green Tea Restaurant
• Daldongnae

Opening soon

• Wynona, a pasta and wine spot, will be opening this spring at 819 Gerrard St. E. (just east of Logan) by East Chinatown.
• Bauhaus, a German-influenced, contemporary European fine-dining restaurant that already has a well-regarded location in Vancouver, will be opening its first Toronto location in the spring of 2019 at The Harlowe at 616 Richmond St. W. (just east of Bathurst).
• Garleek Kitchen, an Asian fusion joint, should be opening soon at 1500 Queen St. W. (at Macdonell Ave.) in Parkdale.
• Calgary's Barcelona Tavern should be open by the end of the month at 109 Atlantic Ave. in Liberty Village.
• Mantra by Host should be opening soon at the CF Shops at Don Mills.

Closed

• Greek & Co. in the Annex has shuttered due to non-payment of rent.
• Italian restaurant Spacco has closed at Yonge & Eglinton.

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

Last week saw the last vestiges of Honest Ed's torn down as part of a drawn out demolition effort that slowly but steadily dismantled the former discount retailer.

The teardown has left a gaping hole at Bloor and Bathurst streets, but out of this void has come an intriguing historical gem in the form of well preserved vintage signs previously hidden away by the hulking store.

An advertisement for a now extinct merchant tailor and Quaker Oats saw the light of day for the first time in decades as the southern portion of the building was stripped away in recent weeks. 

A post shared by Kate Wilson (@kate.wilson.eidetics) on Feb 3, 2018 at 8:09pm PST

There are ghost signs scattered throughout the city, relics of a time when advertisements were painted on the side of buildings in huge fonts and then logos that turned structures into billboards. Occasionally a demolition like this one will open a window into the past. 

A post shared by Sean Galbraith (@seangalbraith) on Jan 29, 2018 at 2:19pm PST

The buildings on which the ads are found date back to at least 1891, and have been home to a number of commercial establishments over the years. They were once at least partially separated from Honest Ed's before it swelled and covered them up. 

A post shared by メガウルトラトミ (@megaultratom) on Jan 29, 2018 at 12:48pm PST

You might not be able to see them for very long. With plans for a massive new development on the Honest Ed's site, the building at 760 Bathurst St. could be lost to demolition or, on the chance that it survives, once again covered by a neighbouring structure.

Get a look while you can!

Family Day weekend events in Toronto include an impressive number of music festivals, pop-ups, and parties. From a free outdoor art show along the Eastern Beaches to a peek at the future of filmmaking via TIFF's Next Wave fest, there's a ton to do. 

Toronto-based chef Dave Mottershall has announced the closure of his "crazy local Canadian cuisine" restaurant Loka. 

Launched just over two years ago at 620 Queen St. W., just west of Bathurst, Loka was the product of an idea, a dream and a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Mottershall had been operating pop-ups under the name Loka Snacks at Hi-Lo bar for almost a year before deciding to open up his own, bricks and mortar, all-Canadian-everything restaurant.

A Kickstarter campaign created to fund the new business ended up raising more than $40,000, though Mottershall had been seeking little more than half of that.

"It's with a heavy heart that I have decided to close Loka," wrote the chef on his popular Instagram account this weekend. "After 2+ years I honestly can't thank everyone enough here in the city. I don’t know where to start."

This is one post I have been having a hard time with...It’s with a heavy heart that I have decided to close Loka. Our last service will be Valentine’s Day. After 2+ years I honestly can't thank everyone enough here in the city. I don’t know where to start... this is a list! So here we go...Huge shoutouts have to go to @ayngelina for making the Loka Snacks popup a reality and then building this monster into the first restaurant successfully launched using Kickstarter...(that was a ton of work). Paul @aftbar for believing in this project and always being there for anything. To all the Kickstarter contributors, family and friends who contributed in anyway possible, seriously thank you, I am forever grateful. I feel privileged to have had the chance to open Loka and work with so many amazing farmers, foragers and suppliers in TO. My main man Jeremy @thepackinghouse for being there from the start, always coming through for us. Mark and the crew @grassrootfarms for growing the raddest vegetables, you helped to build our menu weekly. Marc and the team @marcsmushrooms for all the crazy crazy fungus. The whole team @blackbirdbakery you guys totally saved us so many times and just crush the bread scene, keep up the amazing work, love you all! Aron @canway just the man! The fine folks @hooked + @honestweight for all the beautiful seafood. And of course Dyson and the fam @forbeswildfoods for everything, thank you so much. To all of the staff that have worked at Loka...what do I even say....past and present crew you all made this fukn place so amazing. From @smashtron3000 being here since day 1, crushing PBRs and painting the whole place, to @jessebrown building so many things, I will never forget @seanalynn and I in totally thrashed restaurant with @sc00tzzz who has not only been here since day 1, she has returned numerous times to crush it, and has always been our gold star, and was still here on the last service to shut it down, thank you so very much🙏 to our super solid crew @jsspaude @shonnaught @juliandwday @jacoblahn @onehappynarwhal - each of you have helped me too many times to even count. Thank you

A post shared by Dave Mottershall (@chef_rouge) on Feb 9, 2018 at 11:44am PST

"To all the Kickstarter contributors, family and friends who contributed in anyway possible, seriously thank you," he continued. "I am forever grateful. I feel privileged to have had the chance to open Loka and work with so many amazing farmers, foragers and suppliers in TO."

Mottershall hasn't said what's next for him yet, but he has won a lot of fans in Toronto over the years – many of whom are hopeful that he'll stick around the city.

"I've had honestly some of the best meals of my life at your place as well as the best hospitality," wrote one commenter on the closure post. "I remember the first time we met in the back of hi-lo after I missed getting there on time to eat."

"Every dish you've placed before me has been memorable in flavour, presentation and complete passion," wrote another. "I get what you put into Loka. You are in every way a champion in the crazy world of chefs."

One of Toronto's flagship "modern sports bars" on Dundas West has shut down after roughly three and a half years of fight screenings and foot-long hot dogs.

The Contender, located at 1166 Dundas, just west of Ossington, was known for being big, fun, and having enough TVs around for everyone in the place to watch to any number of professional sports games that might be playing at once.

It was a joint venture between staff and owners from several of the neighbourhood's (still standing) industry fixtures, like the Lakeview, Get Well, Camp 4, and tequila bar Reposado.

As it stands now, The Contender's windows are all papered up. Word is that new owners have something planned for the space, but there aren't any details just yet. 

It remains to be seen if they'll keep the old bowling alley lanes on the bar and the punching bag game. I love that game.