The top cafes in Scarborough are spots to grab some good coffee with friends, or maybe get a much-needed study sesh in with the help of cafe sustenance. 

Here are my picks for the top cafes in Scarborough. 

The Birchcliff

As one of the only cafes by the Bluffs to offer top notch coffee, this brick-walled shop serves roasts from Brothers Coffee and throws the occasional acoustic performances on Sundays. 

BlackGold Cafe

Drinks from this shop on Brimley will help turn a frown upside down. Raspberry white hot chocolates are the best indulgence if you plan on posting up for long work session. 

Caffeine

Decked out with couches, this cozy plaza cafe on Lawrence East is a good spot to post up with some work or watch the occasional live music performance. Try their specialty coffees like pistachio mochas plus chocolate mocha muffins and all-day breakfasts.

Marathon Donuts and Coffee Shop

Known for having some of the city's top Hong Kong milk tea, this little casual counter on Midland serves simple cups of coffee. The best deal is to grab a cup of joe with combos like their Hong Kong toasted bun meals.

Francesca Italian Bakery 

Because you're going to need an Americano to go with this bakery's incredible cannoli, made fresh every morning. Just off of McCowan Road, this takeout counter of Italian pastries and hot foods is one of the best in the city. 

After serving coffees and lunch burritos to the Liberty Village community for over two decades, the popular cafe The Roastery Coffee House has shuttered its doors for good. 

On a sign taped to its wall, the cafe informed customers,"...it is not easy to say goodbye to all our customers but it is time to move on."

Describing its location on Pardee Avenue as "a meeting point for many people catching up with friends", the sign reminisced on its Liberty Village run as a "beautiful 21 years." 

The closure comes as a shock to the area, which is sorely lacking in go-to community coffee shops.

With a bustling lunch hour rush that would see lineups for their soups and sandwiches, its clear that lack of business isn't the reason for its folding – although the cafe did experience some moments of stalled lines and haphazard hours. 

Though The Roastery's brick-walled entrance and decorative patio will be missed, it will continue to run its second location in the 401 Richmond building near Queen and Spadina. 

If you've ever dreamt of doing vinyasas with a four-legged farm animal on your back, look no further than Pickering. 

Wild Things Petting Farm is holding a one and a half-hour morning Goat Yoga session on May 27, so you can get your stretch on while adorable hooved and horned animals nibble on stuff and climb all over you. 

All the event's Early Bird tickets are sold out already, but 10 additional spots will be up for grabs at midnight on May 1 for $20. 

The 40-person class is actually a fundraiser for the petting farm – an interactive space created by local animal lover Normal Collier where animals like cows, chicks, and sheep roam freely.

Just a 45-minute drive from Toronto, the class will be taught by a certified yoga instructor, and your yoga ticket will allow you admission into the farm where you can hang with all the other adorable animals.

The city's ban on hookahs may be two year-old news, but Toronto Public Health is just starting to adopt more punitive measures against lounges still offering shisha smoking as an option for customers. 

Layalina Lounge on Church Street near Ryerson is the first business to ever be issued a Closing Order for violating the city's hookah bylaw: the bar was found guilty in court this Thursday after being after being prosecuted by the TPH, and was forced to temporarily shut down. 

While many hookah businesses have been fined since the bylaw's passing, Layalina is the first business being forced to cease operations, albeit just for the weekend, plus pay a $1000 fine. It will be back in business this Monday.

Hookah lounges have criticized the bylaw for unfairly targeting a cultural recreation that affects over 70 businesses across the city. 

The ban first came into public consciousness in December 2015 – after Toronto city council voted to enact it 34 to 3 – but wasn't enforced until April 2017.

Several lounges communed in 2016 to challenge the bylaw at the Superior Court of Justice – a case which failed to hold its own in court – only to be shot down once more by the Court of Appeal in June 2017.

One business owner even claimed the bylaw violated a section of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; Brian Mahmoud of Lebanese Palace cited the cultural importance of hookah in Arab and Middle Eastern communities, but eventually dropped his constitutional challenge. 

According to a statement, the City of Toronto will "continue to investigate and take enforcement action against business operators of hookah lounges for continued non-compliance." 

"As other operators are convicted of non-compliance, they may also be subject to Closing Orders." 

Yet another helpless soul has succumbed to the siren call of the Queens Quay tunnel and gotten their car stuck on the tracks – and the TTC is very much over it. 

"Enough," tweeted Brad Ross, TTC executive director of corporate and customer communications. 

The car has been removed from the Queens Quay tunnel and regular streetcar service has resumed. https://t.co/1uWBsxCBUspic.twitter.com/FW7qeJ6exB

— 680 NEWS Toronto (@680NEWS) March 17, 2018

Clearly frustrated, Ross declared this morning that the TTC would be installing a gate mechanism after police were called to the tunnel at 4:30 a.m. to extract a blue BMW from the transit passageway. 

Despite bollards, signs, rumble strips, flashing lights and raised track, some still manage to drive their cars down the Queens Quay streetcar portal, though mostly on weekends and in the middle of the night. Enough. The TTC will now be installing a gate mechanism.

— Brad Ross (@bradTTC) March 17, 2018

A 24 year-old man has been charged with impaired driving after an ambulance took him to the hospital.

The notoriety of the Queen's Quay has become a running joke in the city. It's the second time this week that someone has confused the tunnel for a car path, and the 26th incident since 2014. 

Attention #Toronto drivers: the Queens Quay streetcar tunnel is for streetcars only, please don't drive your car down this tunnel! ⛔️🙅🏼‍♂️

— Hafiz Shariff (@HafizDoc) March 17, 2018

There are no details as to when the TTC plans on installing the gates – even more of a mystery is how many more drivers will somehow find their way into the tunnel before the gates arrive.

The day of shamrocks and green beer has finally arrived, and the city is already drunk – or waiting to get there.

Taking advantage of the fact that this year's St. Patrick's Day falls on a Saturday, Torontonians are lining up outside some of the city's most popular Irish pubs and taverns to commit to a full day of drinking and raucous singing. 

Irish Embassy at King is a hotspot for St. Patrick's Day celebrators, but expect lineups. Photo by Tanya Mok.

Pubs like Ceili Cottage, P.J. O'brien and Irish Embassy Pub & Grill have had lineups since early afternoon, with wait times of around 40 minutes or more. 

Lineup at 2pm at the busiest bar in all of Leslieville today! Have a happy & safe St Patrick’s Day. Cheers/Slàinte/Prost/Skål! . . . #leslieville #toronto #ceilicottage #queenstreeteast #stpatricksday @theceilicottage

A post shared by Kowboy Jackson (@kowboyjackson) on Mar 17, 2018 at 11:44am PDT

Other pubs like Whelan's Gate don't open until 5  p.m., but you can expect lineups around then as well. 

With St. Patrick's Day in full swing, there's no shortage of things to do this today or tomorrow with tons of fun events happening all over the city.

Events in Toronto today are incredibly lively for a post-St. Paddy's Sunday. There's performances by international artists, movie screenings and a huge flea market happening. Why stay in when you can go out?

A monthly film series dedicated to celebrating Black cinema is marking its one year anniversary with a showing of the radical feminist film, Born In Flames.

Black Gold will be showing the award-winning lo-fi, low-budget film that set a new precedent for feminist, black, and queer narratives in the 1980s. 

Set in New York City, the film centres around two vocal feminist groups using the radio airwaves to broadcast their opinions on female radicalism in a world rife with sexual violence.

Playing at The Royal Cinema, the movie will be screened in all its restored 35mm print glory on March 22, and will feature a Skype Q&A with its iconic director, Lizzie Borden. 

Previous films showcased by Black Gold include Portrait Of Jason by Shirley Clarke and Space Is The Place, the afro-futurist intergalactic adventure by Sun Ra and director John Coney. 

With Opening Day just around the corner, fans are gearing up for yet another season of baseball and the sense of anticipation is in the air – as is the scent of cookie dough.

That's right: Jays fans officially have a way tastier reason to get excited about heading to the Rogers Centre.

This week, MLB announced new menu items for its 2018 season with custom foods designed by Aramark for each city in the league, and Toronto – along with Philly and Houston – is being blessed with some gourmet cookie dough.

Astros, Blue Jays & Phillies fans will be able to buy cookie dough in a cup this season pic.twitter.com/d1QoLaYhDA

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 14, 2018

While New York's Citi Field baseball park got Hong Kong-style egg waffles, and Boston's Fenway Park will be serving creme brûlée French toast, TDot's convenient dough in a cup comes from Maryland-based bakery Jane Dough.

Game-goers will have the option of decking out their cookie dough with soft serve and additional extra toppings. 

Vegan'Achos at @BlueJays. Because everyone deserves nachos, even people who can't eat cheese. @AramarkSportspic.twitter.com/eoj5gtu3Kb

— Nacho Scout (@nacho_scout) March 14, 2018

Other savoury menu additions include the Vegan'Acho Nacho, which are red and white tortilla chips with black beans, guac, and vegan cheese.

There's also the brisket BBQ sandwich which comes with smoked beef and blood orange BBQ sauce on a brioche bun. The Log Cabin Waffle Sandwich sounds tasty, with Rosemary-scented waffles sandwiches stuffed with pulled pork, cheese, and maple baked beans. 

NEW Korean Beef Taco Trio at @BlueJays: Korean Beef, Cilantro + Slaw (Cred: @AramarkSports) 🌮🌮pic.twitter.com/i1cgGuaf8u

— Kari Steele (@KariVanHorn) March 14, 2018

But the most Toronto-esque item being added to the menu is the Korean Beef Taco Trio (in honour of new player Seung-Hwan Oh, perhaps?) which comes with bulgogi, slaw and cilantro. 

Vegetarian Caribbean restaurants in Toronto prove you don’t have to eat sad food on a strict veggie-only diet. Ital food is delicious and nutritious, and unlike most salads it won’t leave your stomach rumbling for more.

Here are my picks for the top vegetarian Caribbean restaurants in Toronto.

V’s Caribbean

One of the few Jamaican restaurants in the area to exclude oxtail from the menu, this spot in Mount Dennis instead serves up items like pumpkin stew and maple jerk tofu with avocados as sides.

Ital Vital

The ultimate destination for Ital food in Scarborough, this vegan juice bar and restaurant has a second location in Kensington as well. Grab a slice of healthy shepherd’s pie, tofu meats, fresh baked plantain loaves or a spirulina shake.

Veggie D’Light

Head downstairs to this small Kensington restaurant for juices and lunch combos of quinoa, jerk seitan, curry chickpeas and soups-of-the-day like lentil soup.

One Love Vegetarian

Just steps away from Bathurst station, this kiosk-turned restaurant has a small but delicious menu of veg-friendly foods. Feast on their callaloo with yellow yam and whole wheat dumplings, or try their famous corn soup.

Irie Veggie

A simple takeout counter in Keelesdale, the menu here has healthy options that you can get in two-sized combos. Meals like rice and peas with veggie stews, soya chunks, ackee and salt fish plus a cup of sea moss juice will have you feeling good.

Free events in Toronto this week offer up a lot of opportunities to catch some free film screenings, learn about the Ottoman Empire, or watch some pugs run around stupidly.

The top new ramen restaurants in Toronto will make you want to throw out all your instant noodle packages immediately. These bowls of Japanese noodle soups are new in town – prepare to have your ramen cravings satisfied.

 Here are my picks for the top new ramen restaurants in Toronto. 

Konjiki Ramen

Tucked behind the dessert cafe Saryo, this North York restaurant is the first international location of this Michelin-honoured Japanese ramen brand.  

Ryus Noodle Bar on Broadview

After their first spot on Baldwin burned down last year, Ryus has since opened a new location right next to Broadview station and is back to business, serving up their perfectly textured noodles and tasty gyoza.

Kinton Ramen on Kennedy

Slowly taking over the city, this ramen spot has just opened up its eighth location in Scarborough, equidistant between Ellesmere and Midland subway stations. Grab a Kinton Bowler loyalty card and eat your way through 100 bowls for a free topping – for life. 

Ramen Isshin at Assembly Chef's Hall 

The stall edition of its original Little Italy location, this smaller spot is the go-to spot for the Financial District crowd to get their shoyu ramen fix. 

Sansotei Ramen in Richmond Hill

This downtown hit has at last brought its delicious ramen to Richmond Hill. With spots by Dundas, Wellesley, North York, and Markham, you can now try their tonkatsu and spicy tan tan noodles in an easy-to-miss plaza north of 16th Ave. 

Events in Toronto this week are a smorgasbord of music from the likes of Demi Lovato and MGMT, three very different film festivals, and the start of one of the first outdoor markets of the season; all marked signs that spring has finally arrived in the city.

This June, the people of Ontario will choose a new leader (or re-elect our current one) in what's shaping up to be one of the more exciting, and potentially impactful, provincial elections this century.

The dramatic ousting of Ontario PC party leader Patrick Brown and news of his replacement by Doug "Folks" Ford have seen the Progressive Conservatives take up much of the limelight thus far.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath changed that this weekend with a series of head-turning platform propositions.

"We are going to make sure every working person in Ontario has dental benefits," she told supporters at a campaign-style event in Toronto on Saturday. "And we will make the largest investment in public dental coverage in Ontario's history."

Yes! This will work. the Ontario NDP dental plan for every one. #Onpolihttps://t.co/al9EcAUNRu

— Rick Barnes (@queerthoughts) March 19, 2018

That's right – if the New Democratic Party forms a government following Ontario's general election on June 7, we'll all get free dental care. The proposed plan, pegged at $1.2 billion, would be the largest investment in dental care in the province's history.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath can’t yet say how they would pay for $1.2B universal dental plan, yet. Says plan will be fully costed in platform out in a couple weeks. #onpolipic.twitter.com/MJ5P2YJ9rf

— Chris Glover (@chrisgloverCBC) March 19, 2018

We'll also get free prescription drugs, according to Horwath – as in all of us, aged zero to infinity. The Liberal government's OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare, introduced in January, currently covers prescription medications for people under the age of 25 only.

New @AndreaHorwath dental care plan not endorsed by @ONDentalAssn. Horwath says she’s aware of concerns. #onpoli

— Alan Carter (@ACarterglobal) March 19, 2018

"It's a prescription drug plan for everyone, no matter how old you are, no matter where you work, no matter how much money you make," Horwath said of what her party is calling "Canada's first universal pharmacare plan."

Like, seriously. Debt-free university grads, universal dental AND pharmacare, faster ERs and decreased wait times... I assume the NDP found a genie or two?

— Emmett Macfarlane (@EmmMacfarlane) March 17, 2018

Saturday's event only previewed the NDP's full campaign platform, however. More about how the government would pay for these types of services will be released in the coming weeks.

NDP promise $1.2 billion universal free dental care plan. Andrea Horwath says it will be paid for by higher taxes for companies and high income earners.

— 105.9 The Region (@1059TheRegion) March 19, 2018

Additional promises from Horwath's speech include lower health-care wait times, raise taxes on corporations, de-privatizing Hydro One and converting provincial student loans into grants that will not have to be repaid.

I like some of the things Horwath says and wants to do but she can't answer a single question when it comes to how she's going to manage a budget. She just answers a question that wasn't asked of her.

— Mike C (@the_mike14says) March 19, 2018

The NDP has historically been a third-place party in both the federal and provincial systems, so a win for Horwath over Ford or current Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne would mark a major political upset.

Horwath is asked about how they're going to pay for this. She says the wealthiest among us and the most profitable corporations will be asked to pay their fair share.

— Jessica Smith Cross (@jessiecatherine) March 19, 2018

Still, anything is possible – especially given how raucous and unusual Ontario politics have been this year already.

This week on DineSafe, two Tim Hortons locations were busted by Toronto city health inspectors. One location landed a conditional pass after failing to provide adequate pest control. 

Discover what other Toronto spots got busted by city health inspectors this week on DineSafe.

Sushi Mugen (1105 Queen St. East)

• Inspected on: March 12, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Druxy's (610 University Ave.)

• Inspected on: March 13, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

King Slice (1130 Queen St. West)

• Inspected on: March 13, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Tim Hortons (1110 Don Mills Rd.)

• Inspected on: March 13, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Employee failed to wash hands when required.

Amato Pizza (429 Yonge St.)

• Inspected on: March 14, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Bake Code (4910 Yonge St.)

• Inspected on: March 14, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Lin Garden (1806 Pharmacy Ave.)

• Inspected on: March 14, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Druxy's (55 Yonge St.) 

• Inspected on: March 15, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 5, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder.

Popeye's (273 Yonge St.)

• Inspected on: March 15, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 3, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Employee failed to wash hands when required.

Amaya Express (200 Front St. West)

• Inspected on: March 16, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 5)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Tim Hortons (33 University Ave.)

• Inspected on: March 16, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
• 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.

York University is still on strike, but a renewed bargaining session may see union members return to work.

University administrators are set to meet with members of CUPE 3903 tomorrow after signalling to a mediator that they were ready to re-enter negotiations.

Ongoing since earlier this month, the union representing 3,700 members has been on strike over issues surrounding job security, funding, and "prioritizing equity, anti-racism, and anti-sexual violence on campus."

Another beautiful, but chilly, morning. Energy is high, the music is on, and we are still going strong! #StrikeToWin#cupe3903#YorkuStrikepic.twitter.com/MhK10kvccC

— Chimneystack Gate (@picketcaptain18) March 19, 2018

York has maintained that despite the strike, classes would be continuing and the school would remain open, but now it appears they are looking to put an end to the strike that has started to have an effect on classes.

Feedback is delayed, and some labs will need to be made up later, so it's not quite business-as-usual, but we are trying to minimize the impact of the #YorkUStrike on students.

— Jeff Harris (@jeff_p_harris) March 19, 2018

Both sides have already rejected offers put forth, the most recent of which saw York reject a counter offer by the union that has stalled negations until now.

Thank you @yorkuniversity for offering to return to the bargaining table despite not receiving a realistic counter offer from CUPE 3903. Hopefully this strike will end soon. https://t.co/j62hNe5ri8

— Zack Goldford (@zackgoldford) March 19, 2018

Conversely, the union maintains the initial offer did not address fundamental issues such as working conditions for both themselves and students.

It’s an ongoing struggle to keep education accessible. It’s a constant fight to have equity in the workplace. Education is a right, not a privilege. As long as the greedy admins prioritize their cushy jobs instead of education, @cupe3903comms will continue to defend education.

— York, give me a fair deal FFS (@gizkez) March 18, 2018

The renewed negotiations are set for March 20.

The Oklahoma City Thunder put an end to an 11-game winning streak for the Toronto Raptors yesterday during a heated home game that is once again raising questions about the competency of NBA refs (and, more specifically, whether or not they've got something against Toronto.)

The game was intense on the whole with 25 lead changes and a score of 125-125 heading into the final minute. 

Then, with just 8.1 seconds left to go, three Raptors – including coach Dwane Casey – were ejected from the game for complaining to NBA ref Marc Davis, who is said to have "missed a pretty clear foul on [DeMar] DeRozan for a potentially game-tying bucket."

DeRozan was first to be kicked out after yelling at the refs. Serge Ibaka was booted just moments later for the same reason.

Coach Casey was then ejected for what many are saying is "something that a fan shouted in the background at Davis."

The scene was so ridiculous that Casey himself was seen laughing in disbelief as he walked off court. Kyle Lowry, who'd been fouled out with 3:18 remaining, was also laughing. 

Kyle Lowry and Dwane Casey can only laugh as Casey gets T'd & tossed for someone else yelling at the referee pic.twitter.com/CYgIo840bm

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) March 18, 2018

In video footage from the game, fans throughout the Air Canada Centre can be heard chanting "Ref, you suck! Ref, you suck!" following this triad of ejections.

"All we want to ask for is fairness and consistency," said Casey to reporters after his team's loss.

"I'm not gonna step here and criticize officials, we made enough mistakes. But we'll complain in the right, proper way. We gotta get it right around the league."

This play by play to end the game @nballaccesspic.twitter.com/auZ0nrLDJL

— Francisco Rios (@cisco0602) March 18, 2018

With DeRozan, Ibaka, Lowry and Casey out of the way, OKC won Sunday afternoon's matchup 132-125.

The refs, for their part, got a police escort out of the game – presumably for their own safety.

Referees got a full security escort off the floor in Toronto pic.twitter.com/vCtuPEoQsB

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) March 18, 2018

"Things went a little off the rails, as Toronto accumulated four technical fouls and three ejections in the final 11 seconds," wrote Arden Zwelling for Sportsnet. 

"The test of a well-officiated contest in any sport is whether you notice the officiating at all," he explained. "That the referees were escorted off the court amid a full security detail tells you all you need to know."

A new ride-sharing service for women in Toronto is struggling to launch under the weight of its own hype, it seems.

DriveHer, a female-centric version of apps such as Uber and Lyft, was originally meant to launch on Friday.

The company announced shortly before the app went live, however, that customers couldn't actually book rides yet due to a "rigorous screening and background check process and the excitement relating to the launch."

"We have over 100 women identified drivers registered into our DriveHER system," reads the caption of an Instagram post from Friday.

"The roll out will take place over the next few days and as early as Monday, women will be able to order a DriveHER and availability will increase region by region."

@DriveHerApp trying to sign up but there is no way past this screen? pic.twitter.com/UWdF8lRtJr

— Maya Paz (@PazFeed) March 18, 2018

Hopeful users are still reporting that they couldn't even register for the service, let alone use it to order rides.

I couldn't even get past the screen that asks for one's phone number when testing the iPhone app today, as it lacks a "submit" button or anything else to move past the entry form.

The company has assured those who've inquired on Twitter that "our team is working on fixing the glitches."

"We apologize for the inconvenience," wrote DriveHer's account in response to a tweet from one local woman on Sunday evening. "We should be up and running tomorrow. We appreciate your support and patience."

As of Monday morning, the iPhone app remains inaccessible to users – but hey, glitches aren't exactly unusual for ride-sharing services in this city.

The best Jamaican patties in Toronto are the perfect affordable and tasty snack or meal. These turmeric-stained, crispy and flaky beauties of a pastry come stuffed with savoury fillings that range from the staple beef, chicken or veggie to more original flavours like jerk pork or curry goat.

Here are the best Jamaican patties in Toronto.

Free events in Toronto sprout up alongside so many festivals and art exhibitions, it's easy to get out and enjoy the city, discover different neighbourhoods and local artists, and make the most of the warm weather.