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World's top figure skating stars training in Toronto this summer

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Two of the world's figure skating superstars have moved to the city to train with one the best coaches here and fans of the winter sport are losing it. 

18-year-old Olympic medalist from Russia Evgenia Medvedeva announced Monday that she's ditched her longtime coach in Moscow to work with famed coach Brian Orser in Toronto instead. 

It's an especially exciting idea for fans because she'll be sharing the rink at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club with another fan favourite. 

Japanese superstar Yuzuru Hanyu — a two-time Olympic Champion — has been training under Brian Orser since 2012 and makes frequent trips to Toronto to train at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club. 

Yuzu's fans have been going crazy since his return to the city at the end of February. 

After a long hiatus (he sustained a knee injury in November) the skating prodigy's stalkers — I mean, supporters — are once again on the lookout for sightings of the figure skating "G.O.A.T." 

If Evegenia's Toronto fan base is anywhere near the level of Yuzu's, expect to find information on social media about all of the skater's favourite Toronto haunts. 

Yuzu's bestie, Spanish medal-winner Javier Fernández, is also based in Toronto under Brian Orser. 

Their famed bromance developed at the Toronto club, making headlines for their stellar bro hugs. 

Whether or not Javier will be in Toronto at the same time as Yuzuru and Evgenia has yet to be seen: we'll wait for the social media proof. 


This is what's replacing Toronto's old downtown youth hostel

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A tech-savvy 52-storey condo is finally going into pre-construction on a property where the much-loved, and now demolishedhostel Canadiana Backpackers Inn once stood. 

A far cry from the homey Victorian houses which once played host to a spectrum of itchy-footed wanderers from around the world, the new Central Condos is poising itself as the most futuristic development in the city.

central condos toronto

Central Condos will offer conference rooms (the doors won't be see-through) for at-home meetings. 

Geared toward technology users, Central will be the only condo in Toronto to provide charging stations for electronic vehicles in every parking stall: good news for anyone on the Tesla tip.

central condos toronto

There will be WiFi available throughout the condo including in the fitness centre, elevators, and parking lot.

The development also boosts full Wi-Fi coverage throughout the building, including in elevators and the underground garage. Residents will also be able to open the front door using NFC technology on their phones.

central condos toronto

The work lounge will provide an public space for residents who work from home. 

Shared-space offices will be available for residents who work from home, especially ideal for employees in the tech industry. The Campus meeting area will feature tables that act as charging stations, meaning simply placing your phone down will give your tech some extra juice. 

central condos toronto

Residential units will have smart thermostats using AI systems and heated balconies. 

In every residential unit, smart thermostats with artificial intelligence systems will control the temperature. For anyone who engages in the very 21st-century act of ordering their groceries online, Central will offer refrigerated lockers to store home delivery orders. 

The development — which is slated for completion in 2022 — is another project by Concord Adex, the same group behind CityPlace and North York's Concord Park Place. 

Central will have 426 units available, with pre-launch sales for the city's most tech-centric condo running from $400,000 to upwards of a whopping $800,000. 

The top 10 restaurants in Koreatown

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Restaurants in Koreatown are go-to places for gojuchang-doused bibimbap and pork bone soup. While there are a few non-Korean gems on this stretch of Bloor, they run in the same vein of serving up classic fare that plays to their traditional origins. 

Here are my picks for the top restaurants in Koreatown. 

Sunrise House

On weekends, this tiny little restaurant draws lines of people excited to order all the traditional Korean dishes you can think of. All at incredibly affordable prices. It's always packed, so line up before you're in hangry mode.

Korean Village

It's no surprise this cosy restaurant has some of the best bibimbap and pork bone soup in the city, they've been cooking up Korean favourites since 1978. 

Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu

If you're a tofu fan, hit up this Koreatown classic which has six versions of tofu that range from plain to extra spicy. There's only nine menu items here, which cuts down your decision-making minutes and increases food-devouring time. 

Tacos El Asador

Serving tacos from the edge of Koreatown, this Salvadoran spot is another Christie staple. Corn tortillas here are made from scratch and sold for cheap in lowkey neighbourhood digs. 

Hoja Luwei

The broth used for the Taiwanese noodles here are pre-cooked for seven hours, making it one of the tastiest bowls of noodles on this street. This spot also offers popular Taiwanese street desserts like wheel cakes and bubble tea, all served in a playful space.  

Home of Hot Taste

Korean fried chicken might be all the rage right now, but Hot Taste has been doing it for years with light, flaky chicken that's less batter-heavy than some other options out there. 

Japanhako

Apparently this is one of the few spots in Toronto with a real yakitori grill, which naturally makes it the undisputable go-to for your favourite Japanese grilled eats. 

Barrio Coreano

Mexican and Korean fusion might sound like an arbitrary combination, but it works well here. Dishes like tacos with kimchi and kalbi beef sandwiches make Barrio a good spot for a trendier night out in the area.

Owl of Minerva

Basically a synonymous name for Korean food in the city, Owl is that casual 24-hour restaurant to grab a pork bone soup after a night out. There are several locations around the city, but with it's proximity to Bloor Street bars, Koreatown's location is one of busy ones.

Lim Ga Ne

This comfy spot is just another traditional Korean go-to. If you want dependably good dishes, head here. They're also known for their Soon Dae Gook (blood sausage) if you feel like straying from the norm. 

10 things to do in Toronto today

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Events in Toronto today are all about Mother's Day, with some screenings at TIFF and a special edition of the Leslieville Flea. It's the Sporting Life 10k so take a note of the route and road closures.

Events you might want to check out:

Hinds (May 13 @ Horseshoe Tavern)
The ladies of Hinds, an all-girl Spanish indie band, are rocking out in Toronto alongside Goodbye Honolulu.
Little Letterpress #1 Launch (May 13 @ The Davenport)
Toronto's letterpress printing collective launches their latest project with a poetry reading and screening of a short film.
Mother's Day at TIFF (May 13 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
Mother's Day is going down at TIFF with a bunch of screenings throughout the day and an Ex Libris Arts pop-up featuring performances and workshops.
ThrowDown Dance Convention (May 13 @ Toronto Centre for the Arts)
It's a day of dancing with workshops, panel discussions, gallery exhibits and a big community dance competition.
Leslieville Flea (May 13 @ The Broadview Hotel)
The Mother's Day edition of the flea has local vendors in a curated selection of vintage and handcrafted items, plus drinks and a casual barbecue.
Liam Gallagher (May 13 @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts)
90s British rock legend Liam Gallagher is making his way around the world and performing alongside Richard Ashcroft.
Hangover Cure Comedy Show (May 13 - October 14 @ Cloak & Dagger)
Perhaps you partied hard the night before and just need a good laugh on a warm patio with an $10 all-you-can-eat taco buffet. No judgement here.
Sunday Artisan Market (May 13 - November 4 @ Evergreen Brick Works)
It's the first day of this fresh, seasonal food market at the Brick Works, with local farmers, chefs and food producers.
Canadian Music Week (May 7-13 @ Multiple Venues)
It's almost curtain call on this year's CMW celebrations with the last few showcases and performances wrapping up around the city.
Drake General Store Warehouse Sale (May 11-13 @ Drake General Store Warehouse)
It's the last day to snag all the favourites from the Drake General Store Warehouse Sale, including housewares, apothecary, apparel and vintage stuffs.

The top 5 juice cleanse options in Toronto

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The top juice cleanses in Toronto will detox your body and make you feel brand new. It's not an easy process (depending on the type, you'll probably only be consuming juices for several days), so it's important to talk to your doctor before hitting up any of these juice bars longterm. 

Here are my picks for the top juice cleanse options in Toronto. 

Village Juicery

There are five locations to get your one-on-one consultation with a holistic nutritionist at Village. They have three different types of cold-press cleanses: Prepare, Reset, and Eliminate. The last one is a purely liquid diet that helps get rid of built up toxins in your body. 

The Good Press

You'll be drinking six 500-millilitre bottles of juice a day during the cleanse from this Yorkville juicery. You can choose how long you want to go for: one, three, or five days, the most common duration, supplemented by a medley of fruit and veggie juices to sustain you.

Greenhouse Juice Co. 

You get 12 juices a day from this popular Toronto brand with locations throughout the city. Choose from three packages, like the Standard, Green Cleanse or the Gentle Cleanse (the boyfriend cleanse) which is good for first-timers. Do them for one to three days. 

Refuel Juicery

Aside from vegan meals, this Bayview and Eglinton juicery offers one advanced cleanse package and another for beginners. Both six-drink programs are essentially the same give or take a few of the 500 millilitre juice options. 

ELXR Juice Lab

There's two options of cleanses from this juicery in Bayview Village. The Weekend Warrior is perfect for beginners. It has four juices, two tonics, one milk and a couple of booster shots. The Deep Dive is a little more intense, the website says it works "overtime."   

Toronto's controversial waterfront restaurant is closing

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A giant restaurant on Woodbine Beach is folding after numerous legal battles and conflicts between city council, property leaseholders and residents of the area.

Set to close later this month, Carters Landing has only been officially open for less than two years.

But the restaurant – which belongs to the Cara-owned chain of GTA Landing restaurants – and its subletter company Tuggs Inc. has been embroiled in controversy since city council approved Tuggs' lease extension in 2007.

The deal, which many believed offset plans to prioritize local businesses along the stretch of property along Woodbine Beach, was heavily criticised by city staff, including notorious anti-gravy train councillor Rob Ford. 

The toxic public battle even saw the owner of Tuggs Inc. George Foulidis bring a $6 million libel case against Ford in 2012 – charges which were later overturned in 2014. 

Foulidis, who also owns rights to concession sales in four beach city parks, has since transformed the Woodbine boardwalk by adding a publicly-protested Tim Hortons and assigning over the lease for what was once the Boardwalk Cafe to Cara to open Carters Landing in 2016. 

The relationship between Foulidis and Cara has been messy, and between Foulidis' personal debt and city council's attempts to buy back lease rights in spaces like Ashbridge's Bay, Tuggs had also been trying to evict Cara since last year. 

Whether or not the departure of Carters Landing is a result of Tuggs eviction attempts is unclear, as is what kind or restaurant – chain or local – will take its place. 

The top 30 vegetarian restaurants in Toronto by neighbourhood

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Vegetarian restaurants in Toronto are herbivore-friendly places to get your food fix. Whether you're looking for a killer grain bowl, a nutritious smoothie or a plant-based, meat-shaped meal, Toronto's love of veggie food means you're covered anywhere you go.

Here are my picks for the top vegetarian restaurants by neighbourhood.

Annex

One Love Vegetarian is the answer to your callaloo cravings if you're ever hungry by Bathurst station. This Caribbean menu is all organic, featuring a corn soup that's pretty famous across the city. 

Baldwin Village

For Asian-inspired eats, Vegetarian Haven offers gluten and wheat-free options. Favourites like tofu drumsticks and Pad Thai are perfect if you have a hankering for Asian, minus the soy sauce. 

Beaches

You'd never expect a pub to be vegetarian, but lo and behold Castro’s Lounge is one such pub. These guys have been serving veggie-friendly quesadillas and burritos to go with your brewski for almost 25 years.

Bloorcourt

For something quick in the morning, Spark Fresh Bar has a selection of healthy smoothies to get your day started. For lunch, you can try their boxes stuffed with rice and a slew of healthy fixings on top. 

Bloor West

What Awai lacks in meat, it makes up for with beautiful presentation. Unlike many restaurants on this list, Awai has a higher-end feel: they offer cocktails on top of hearty dishes in a candle-lit setting.

top vegetarian restaurants toronto

Live Organic in Liberty Village adds a tasty cashew "cheddar" to some of their bowls. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Canary District

Tori’s Bakeshop does organic and vegan baked goods like "butter" croissants, vanilla donuts and delicious pop tarts filled with seasonal fruit so good you'd never believe they don't use dairy. 

Corktown

Impact Kitchen is a little stern-looking, so you know they mean business. Everything here is gluten-free, from their cookies to their salads. While not everything here is vegetarian, it's certainly healthy and always has the option of arriving meat-free.

Danforth

The number one healthy spot on the Danforth: Big Carrot isn't just a grocery store. It also has a juice bar and a counter for made-to-order food like vegetarian tacos and sandwiches. 

Dundas West

The man behind Veghed was raised "neo-Amish" (just to give you a sense of how natural his upbringing was). The result is a menu that's completely chemical-free, with soups and quinoa boxes good for your hunger pangs as well as your health. 

Entertainment District

There's plenty of vegetarian Thai options at Khao San Road despite it not being a strictly veggie spot. They even have a full separate vegan menu with options like curry, minus the fish sauce. 

East Chinatown

To anyone who's ever claimed vegetarian restaurants don't have enough options, direct them to Simon’s Wok. This Chinese spot has 111 items on their menu, from fried noodles with bean curds to eggplants and tofu. 

Etobicoke

Thrive Organic is a super homey restaurant that draws all the local vegetarians to Lakeshore Boulevard West. Aside from their menu of breakfast wraps and sprouted grains pizza, they also have raw and vegan desserts like tiger nut tiramisu and cashew Matcha cake. 

top vegetarian restaurants toronto

Wutai in Markham specializes in Buddhist cuisine, meaning no meat or garlic. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Financial District

Most vegetarians crave a fat juicy burger now and then, right? Planta Burger has you covered, with burgers that fulfil all your greasy, cheesy needs, without the actual cheese. Expect patties made completely from veggies, mushroom "bacon" and potato-based queso.  

Junction

With photos of eggs benny and sausages popping up on your IG feed every Sunday morning, it's easy to feel left out. Grasshopper has your back, doing all-day breakfast and brunch that's completely vegan, with options like pancakes and faux chicken with waffles. 

Kensington Market

The 42-ingredient salad at Hibiscus Café sounds intense, but it's actually delicious. Surprisingly, it doesn't taste like you're eating an entire garden in a bowl. Also, don't forget to try the vegan ice cream for dessert. 

Koreatown

Pizza might be the ultimate unhealthy food, but not so at Apiecalypse Now where the thin-crust pies are completely vegan. As if that weren't temping enough, they also make replicas of the pink Simpson's donuts which are completely dairy and gluten free. 

Liberty Village

It's all about the quintessential boxes, bowls and wraps at Live Organic, but the food here is far from boring. Their mixes feature tasty cashew "cheddar" and "sour cream" sauces and their daily gluten-free waffles come with delicious coconut whipped cream. 

Little India

Indian cuisine features some of the most amazing vegetarian dishes around, so naturally Udupi Palace is one of the most delectable options on this list. Their unreal dosas are totally worth eating in a basement for.

top vegetarian restaurants toronto

Creatively plated plant-based dishes are the draw at Planta in Yorkville. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Littly Italy

Hogtown Vegan is where you go to trick yourself into thinking you're consuming meat and dairy when you're not. Items like the "pork" sandwich, made of veggie protein, are equal parts comforting and healthy. 

Markham

As you should know by now, Chinese food isn't always barbecued pork or General Tao chicken. At Wutai Vegetarian on Woodbine you'll find what's known as Buddhist cuisine, with large plates of finely crafted meals sans meat, or garlic for that matter.

Ossington

Fresh-pressed hemp milk (correlation to the name, maybe?) is the base for many of the giant smoothies offered at the The Grow Op, where sandwiches can also be made vegan. 

Parkdale

Doomie’s is a Los Angeles transplant trying to make veganism cool (isn't it already?) with clean eats that don't really look all that clean. Their Big Mac — a lawsuit in the making — tastes just as good as the official McD's burger, served with a side of fries. 

Queen West

Kupfert & Kim is one of those names that's basically become synonymous with vegetarian food in the city. They've got tons of locations in the downtown core already, but Spadina is one of the more popular spots to grab their Oaxaca bowl. 

Rosedale

Most famous for their milk blend of almond, coconut and cashews, Nutbar also does healthy coffee, energy balls, smoothies and pretty toasts with avocado spreads or cashew butter with watermelon. 

top vegetarian restaurants toronto

Kupfert & Kim has five locations around the city, all around the downtown core. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Scarborough

Super affordable, The Veggie Thali is a real Vic Park gem, with hot table items like channa masala for under $7 and veggie biryani, roti and veggie samosas made to order.

St. Lawrence Market

Cruda Cafe doesn't go overkill on the cooking. Ninety-nine percent of their dishes are raw ("cruda" in Spanish) or otherwise cooked at low temperatures to maintain the full spectrum of health benefits. Everything here is gluten-free, unrefined and local.

West Queen West

From the makers of Kupfert and Kim comes the date-friendlier Hello 123, serving cocktails to go along with your avocado burger and pulled pineapple sliders.

Yonge and Dundas

After hours of shopping, the Urban Herbivore at the Eaton Centre is your best vegetarian source of sustenance. Just like its Kensington Market location, they sell a variety of veggie wraps and sandwiches.

Yonge and Eglinton

One of the first brands to bring healthy eating to mainstream Toronto, Fresh still has one of the most enjoyable vegetarian menus around. Head there now if you've never tried their quinoa onion rings. 

Yorkville

Reservations are highly recommended at Planta, which is a good sign since plant-based restaurants don't usually need them. With a menu by David Lee — formerly of Nota Bene — these eclectic treats are worth calling in for. 

The top 5 cake decorating classes in Toronto

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Cake decorating classes in Toronto offer anyone an artistic and delicious outlet. These classes cater to a range of experience levels, from professionals to casual hobbyists, and help equip participants with all the knowledge necessary to tap the power of the piping bag.

Here are my picks for places to take cake decorating classes in Toronto.

Le Dolci

This Dundas West bakery offers both cake, cupcake and advanced cake decorating classes. Here you'll learn the art of piping, fondant, and making pretty sugar flowers, with plenty of tasty treats to take home after. Classes are priced between $105 and $375.

Ice A Cake 

This dessert decorating school at Sheppard Avenue East and Brimley Road offers lessons on cake decorating in tiers where, at each level, students will learn how to master a different set of skills. Combined, all these levels will have you creating the perfectly-dressed cake. Classes are priced between $39 and $99.

Katies Cakes

A cake decorating option for those with nut sensitivities. Katies Cakes in East York does a basic skills class in its totally nut-free shop on O'Connor Drive, occasionally switching things up to cater to more advanced students. 

Gusta Cooking Studio

While this Markham school isn't exclusive to cakes, they certainly have enough classes in cake and cupcake decorating to pick from. Try something new with their Korean Buttercream Flower Cupcakes course. Prices range from $99 to $599. 

McCall's

At Kipling Avenue and Bloor Street West, McCall's is part baking supply store, part baking instruction school. The school offers more than a few options for wanna-be cake decorators and depending on the class, you'll pay somewhere in the range of $175 to $250.

If you're interested in going professional with your cake decorating, consider taking the cake decorating certificate from George Brown College or a cake decorating workshop from Centennial College. 


The top 10 public golf courses in and around Toronto

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The top public golf courses in and around Toronto range from budget-friendly links to stadium style courses that host PGA Tour events. Depending on how much money you want to spend, you can have it all. 

These are my picks for the top public golf courses in and around Toronto.

On a budget
Don Valley

The best deal on this list, this course combines close proximity to the city core (you can walk from York Mills Station) with good rates. The downfall? It's always jammed and round times are slow. Best bet: book a super early tee time. Green fees for 18 holes in the summer: $63-$70.50 before tax (with massive discounts for juniors and seniors).

Bushwood

The place sounded a bit more respectable when it was called the John Evelyn Golf Centre. Despite the unfortunate name it's a reasonably well maintained course that's not too punishing off the tee, but not a complete pushover either. Green fees for 18 holes in the summer: $30-$48 before tax.

Maples of Ballantrae

This pretty course, for the price, is carved out of a stand of Maple trees in Stouffville. While it's not maintained in pristine condition, from a bang for your buck standpoint it's one of the best. Green fees for 18 holes in the summer: $35-$65  before tax.

Very good and won't break the bank
Osprey Valley

The original Heathlands links-style course (one of the GTA's first) is still a favourite, even as the club as expanded to 54 holes. All three courses are fine tests of golf, but for those who really want to see what links golf is about, stick to the classic. Green fees for 18 holes in the summer: $59-$177 before tax.

St. Andrew's Valley

Occasionally people complain that the neighbouring subdivision cuts too close to the course, but it's never bothered me. St. Andrew's can be a remarkable test of golf as it plays very difficult when the wind is up, but you'll feel great if you can score here. Green fees for 18 holes in the summer: $39-$99

Redcrest

This is a semi-links-style layout that's clearly given some extra love compared to the older east and west courses of Cardinal Complex. Your best bet is to book a tee time just after 4pm. Green fees for 18 holes in the summer: $95 before tax for prime time.  

Piper's Heath

This is a gorgeous course located near Milton with an excellent practice facility. It's designed in a links style and the ample long grass eats balls like crazy, but the fairways give amateur enthusiasts some room to play with. Green fees for 18 holes in the summer: $50-$90 before tax.

Big spender
Copper Creek

There's not much to dislike about Copper Creek in Kleinburg, which is one of the best public golf courses in the country. The layout is naturally beautiful, very challenging and the clubhouse and facilities are as nice as they come for public-access golf. Green fees for 18 holes in the summer: $125-$185 before tax. 

Angus Glen

Angus Glen was the talk of the GTA golf community when it opened about 20 years ago, ranked as the top public golf course in the country. Home to tons of corporate golf, both course are challenging and majestic. Green fees for 18 holes in the summer: $135-$180 before tax.

Glen Abbey

Glen Abbey is still, in some sense, the most dramatic draw as far as public access golf goes around these parts (it's owned by ClubLink so not actually "public" per se). The Jack Nicklaus-designed stadium course has stood the test of time. Green fees for 18 holes in the summer: $127-236 before tax. 

The top 5 free events in Toronto this week

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Free events in Toronto this week make you wonder: Why pay for anything, ever? You can try out some free Japanese souffle pancakes, stroll through an arts festival in the Distillery, or drop into a urban party in Nathan Phillips Square. All for free!

Events you might want to check out:

Lost and Found (May 17 @ Campbell House Museum)
Pieces from iconic Toronto buildings will be on display, including fragments that offer a cross-section of the city's architectural history.
Urbani_T (May 17-19 @ Nathan Phillips Square)
City hall is set to host the first edition of this huge, three-day celebration of urban music, art and fashion completely free of charge.
Monk with a Camera (May 18 @ Toronto Reference Library, HintonTheatre, 3rd floor.)
Nicholas Vreeland uses his photography skills to fundraise the reconstruction of a monastery.
Free Japanese Souffle Pancakes (May 18-19 @ Fuwa Fuwa Pancakes)
The grand opening of Fuwa Fuwa in the Annex will see some bouncy Japanese souffle pancakes served up totally free.
Artfest (May 19-21 @ The Distillery Historic District)
The Distillery Historic District serves as a backdrop for this huge art festival featuring paintings, photography, sculpture, live music and craft shows.

This street might be home to Toronto's real Little Portugal

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When Torontonians think of Little Portugal, they'll likely identify the western area around College and Dundas streets as the densest area of Portuguese businesses — not knowing that just 20 minutes north via Dufferin Street, another Portuguese enclave is in the midst of major changes. 

Nestled between the Stockyards, Castlefield and Oakwood communities is Rogers Road, a 2.5 kilometre, historically Portuguese, street running east to west that is flush with businesses — mostly bakeries, churrasqueiras, grocery stores and beauty shops — run by locals. 

rogers road toronto

The businesses on Rogers Road mostly consist of markets, bakeries, and Portuguese restaurants, 

As Little Portugal to the south continues to see a steady introduction of trendy businesses that commonly inundate the downtown core, the Portuguese community is slowly shifting its entrepreneurial endeavours upwards to the less crowded Rogers Road.

rogers road toronto

Many businesses like Banaboia Restaurant have been operating on Rogers Road for years.

Stretching between Weston Road and Oakwood Avenue, the street falls victim to heavy traffic common of all the areas in this heavily industrial northwestern portion of Toronto.

rogers road toronto

The street is populated with old buildings, and businesses rarely have adequate parking out front. 

Despite its somewhat lackluster appearance, Rogers Road is full of friendly businesses that are excited to bring new energy into the fold.

In 2016, an assessment of the area by the city identified Rogers Road as a candidate for a revitalization project that aims to attract a younger demographic to the area.

While changes are still in the making — parking options are tragically abysmal here — the neighbourhood is clearly in the throes of an economic shift.

rogers road toronto

Ricardo and Catarina Pinto are second-generation owners of the longtime St. Matthew's BBQ chicken. 

The Rogers Road BIA is currently in the making, say Catarina and Ricardo Pinto of St. Matthew’s BBQ chicken, and newer businesses owned by a second generation of young Portuguese owners are popping up quickly.

Taking over the 24-year-old restaurant from Ricardo’s parents (who still live above the shop) the Pintos are an example of second-generation business owners raised on Rogers Road who are rejuvenating the area.

rogers road toronto

St. Matthew's BBQ chicken specializes in grilled chicken with rice and potatoes, available at low prices. 

“Essentially we want to be the next College [Street],” says Ricardo, who is also a member of the Rogers Road BIA committee. While the process of gathering all the businesses together to form a BIA has taken some time, its eventual inception looks pretty inevitable.

“I think for the most part people want to see improvement,” says Catarina. “It’s slowly starting to develop.”

rogers road toronto

An old building that used to house an LCBO is now bustling with new businesses. 

Meanwhile, a block of business units (once an old LCBO) that once stood vacant now houses a dentist’s office and a handful of businesses run by young entrepreneurs like Melanie Fialho, owner of newly opened Mel’s Beauty Lounge.

rogers road toronto

JL Candle is an artisanal candle shop run by Ana Leao and her husband Jose, who makes the products himself.

There’s also JL Candle Art Design, an artisan shop featuring some beautiful candles and woodwork pieces handmade by Jose Leao, who runs the store with his wife Ana.

rogers road toronto

Fade Room claims to be the only barbershop in the city to be a fully licensed hair styling salon. 

In between is Fade Room by Claudio Ferreira, a barber whose past clients include a slew of celebrities like J.Cole and Bruno Caboclo of the Raptors.

rogers road toronto

Some of Claudio Ferreira's past clients include rapper J.Cole and players from the TFC and Raptors. 

Closer to the main drag of Rogers Road by Old Weston Road there’s also Dreams Hair Salon run by Lanny Cabral and Vanessa Machado, a warm salon which opened in 2016.

rogers road toronto

Dreams Hair Salon is a go-to for locals looking for cuts and hair styling services. 

And right around the corner is perhaps the most notable new name to make its way to Rogers Road, one that will likely be the biggest influence on the streetscape.

rogers road toronto

North of Brooklyn's fifth location on Roger's Road will act as the commissary for the pizzeria chain.

A 1,600 square-foot pizzeria in the making, North of Brooklyn is in the process of constructing its fifth location with an accompanying 1,600 square-foot patio.

rogers road toronto

The new restaurant features PacMan pizza murals on its washroom walls. 

According to co-founder Josh Spatz, this location will serve as the brand’s commissary. With a relatively low rent and proximity to their Geary Avenue location, Rogers Road made the ideal street for the pizzeria to set up shop.

rogers road toronto

Nova Era is the mainstay of every Portuguese community in the city. 

The only restaurant to bring a downtown flavour to Rogers Road, it will sit across from one of the most old school establishments on Rogers Road: Nova Era, the stalwart bakery brand that serves as the cornerstone of every Portuguese community.

rogers road toronto

Golden Wheat provides a bakery alternative at the corner of Keele and Rogers Road. 

Closer to Keele, a small corner plaza acts as a needed reprieve from exhausting traffic with spots like King’s BBQ Chicken, the popular Chifa restaurant, and Golden Wheat, the Portuguese bakery that also has a location in Little Italy.

Make it through the constant traffic to get on Rogers Road and you might find yourself enamoured with this little street. You’ll find this area is bringing a new twist to old school.rogers road toronto

15 things to do in Toronto this week

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Events in Toronto this week are ripe with ribs, brews, films and tunes. Don't sleep on the future film stars of Canada and make sure to check out some cool art. And there's lots of free stuff happening, too!

Events you might want to check out:

The Future of Film Showcase (May 14 @ ScotiaBank Theatre Toronto)
Emerging talent across Canada gets the spotlight in this selection of short films made by Canadian filmmakers aged 30 and younger.
TechTO (May 14 @ Rbc Waterpark Auditorium)
The monthly tech event is back featuring speakers from Senso, EnergyX Solutions, autotrader.ca, Flipd and Xesto.
The Pittsburgh Trilogy (May 15 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
This free screening includes three films by director Stan Brakhage, including Eyes, Deus Ex and The Act of Seeing With One's Own Eyes.
Andrew W.K. (May 16 @ The Opera House)
You're in for a thrashing with Andrew W.K.'s brand of sweat-soaked party rock, heavy metal mashups, also featuring The Maysides.
In Conversation with Manolo Blahnik (May 16 @ Bata Shoe Museum)
Legendary designer Manolo Blahnik drops by in the flesh for the opening of an exhibition centred on his stunning shoes-as-art.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban In Concert (May 16-18 @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts)
Prisoner of Azkaban is definitely up there on the list of top Harry Potter books and it's getting the live orchestral treatment it deserves.
Fever Ray (May 17 @ Rebel)
Just have a mind melting evening with the ambient, tripped-out sounds of the longtime star of Sweden's electro scene.
Rib Fest (May 17-20 @ Yonge and Dundas Square)
Bibs and ribs are on all weekend, alongside barbecue chicken, desserts, roasted veggies and, yes, blooming onions.
Just for Fun! (May 17 - June 3 @ Thompson Landry Gallery)
Artists Bao and Boudro and Montreal's Rock Therrien look at iconic characters from pop culture and their impact on contemporary culture.
Amber (May 18 @ John Bassett Theatre)
Heaven is Kpop superstar Amber Liu's voice paired with upbeat tunes about love, loss, heartbreak and healing.
RBG (May 18-19 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
A hit at this year's Sundance, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg got her own doc about her trailblazing legal legacy and internet stardom.
Toronto Kpop Con (May 18-20 @ Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
It's a huge gathering of all things Kpop with performances, speakers, fanmeets, special guests and exhibitions all weekend long.
Spring Beerfest TO (May 19-20 @ Fort York: Garrison Common)
Pour some out for the historic homies at Fort York and enjoy brews, food trucks, roasted 'mellows and games in celebration of the long weekend.
Sunnyside 20 (May 20 @ Sunnyside Pavilion & Cafe)
Sunnyside Pavilion kicks off a season of summer in the sun with live music, dancing and drinks beside the lake.
Electric Island (May 20 - September 3 @ Hanlan's Point)
Electric Island returns to the Islands after last year's flooding with Archie Hamilton, Green Velvet, Yoko0 and more headlining the EDM festival.

It's going to feel like summer in Toronto this week

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We've had it great for the last few weeks: spring weather, open patios and lots of sun. Now, it's going to get even better. 

Temperatures are expected to climb to 24 C today and, despite rain tonight and tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will all have highs of sunny 20 C, 21 C and 18 C temperatures. Break out those sandals, Toronto! 

The week's forecast courtesy of Environment Canada.

Week-after-week our temperatures are climbing and, as a city, we all are collectively unclenching our death-grip on the winter coats and bringing out the windbreakers. 

While it does look like there's some rain in the evenings, it's nothing to be too worried about though: we've been through much worse

Win a festival weekend from Ben Sherman Canada

Toronto upset after Sony Centre concert cancelled at last minute

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Two of England's most iconic musical exports were set to take the stage in Toronto last night, drawing thousands to the Sony Centre from as far away as Newfoundland.

British bad boy Liam Gallagher (of Oasis fame) and Richard Ashcroft (the guy behind "Bittersweet Symphony") had just one Canadian stop on their joint North American tour, with only a handful more in the U.S.

Imagine the fury of faraway fans, then — many of whom had paid handsomely for flights and hotels — when Live Nation announced that the show was cancelled due to technical problems.

Worse still? This rare and much-hyped concert was called off just over an hour before it was meant to begin.

That's cold.

Citing "electrical issues within the venue," Live Nation announced the news at 6:50 p.m on Sunday evening.

"Tour and venue staff have been working to resolve these issues tirelessly to no avail," wrote the concert promoter. "Refunds will be issued at point of purchase."

Both Gallagher and Ashcroft apologized to fans on Twitter shortly after the Sony Centre show was canned.

"Devastated I can’t play tonight to all the fans that are here in Toronto," wrote Ashcroft. "Sony Centre have technical problems & wont allow us to play!"

Some fans wouldn't take "electrical issues" as an explanation, suggesting that one (or both) of the artists were to blame for the cancellation.

Many begged the rock stars to play another local venue — a small club, a rooftop, the sidewalk, anything!

Sadly for fans, that didn't happen. The show will not be rescheduled, but, as Live Nation notes, fans will be reimbursed in full for the price of their tickets.


This Week on DineSafe: Lab Sense, Pizza Hut, Hibachi, Papa John's, Hero Certified Burgers

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This week on DineSafe some of your favourite pizza chains landed in some hot water after being visited by Toronto health inspectors. Both a Pizza Hut and a Papa John's managed to rack up significant infractions upon inspection.

Find out what other local restaurants got busted by Toronto health inspectors this week on DineSafe.

Alanoor Afghan Kabob (3595 Sheppard Ave. East)
  • Inspected on: May 7, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Hero Certified Burgers (1800 Sheppard Ave. East)
  • Inspected on: May 7, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Papa John's (653 College St.)
  • Inspected on: May 7, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Hibachi (550 Wellington St. West)
  • Inspected on: May 8, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Lab Sense (526 Yonge St.)
  • Inspected on: May 8, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Milano Coffee / Rialto Espresso Bar (266 Adelaide St. West)
  • Inspected on: May 8, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 4 (Significant: 2, Crucial: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated and operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder.
Pizza Hut (40 Asquith Ave.)
  • Inspected on: May 9, 2018
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

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.

Drake announces two Toronto concerts and tour with Migos

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Drake is coming to Toronto this summer with Migos for the Aubrey and the Three Amigos Tour— the real and actual name of the tour.

Drizzy is embarking on a North American tour that will see him take over the Air Canada Centre on August 10 and 11 with support from hip-hop trio and fashion icons Migos.

Despite making a few surprise appearances at the odd concert and wylin out at nearly every Raptors home game, Drake hasn't performed in Toronto since he recreated the iconic CN Tower on stage at last year's OVO Fest.

The tour looks to coincide with his new album entitled Scorpion, set to be released sometime next month.

📀 JUNE 2018

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on

June should prove to be a busy month for Drake as he's also set to perform as part of an intimate dinner series at Chateau Le Jardin in Vaughan on June 7.

Tickets go on sale for the August shows on May 18, starting at 10 a.m.

Free outdoor movies in Liberty Village this summer

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Is there anything better than a movie night under the stars on a warm summer night? If this sounds like paradise to you, the Liberty Village Residents Association has you covered with their 7th installation of Movies in Liberty Village Park

This year, they'll be showing three movies, kicking off on Friday, June 22 at 8:30 p.m. The first movie is none other than Black Panther

Here's what the setup looked like last year.

Attending the movie is free and the night promises fun times, and prizes a plenty. 

Amber Alert scares the heck out of everyone in Toronto

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Remember last week when safety officials promised to "test" the national emergency alert system on every mobile phone in Ontario at the same time?

Most of us were ready for a jarring beep or lengthy vibration at 1:55 p.m. last Monday, just like we were warned to be. And yet, most of us didn't receive anything at all, ever. Not from AlertReady.

It was kind of a let down, to be honest.

In the absence of a test alert on May 7, some Ontarians were left to wonder if the system even worked.

Then they wondered about other things, moved on with their lives, and maybe even forgot about Monday's half-failed alert test altogether.

That changed this morning when, around 11:35 a.m., a chilling "air raid siren" rang out through offices, homes and public spaces all over the province.

The emergency warning was to notify everyone in Ontario of an Amber Alert for 8-year-old Gabriel McCallum, who was last seen in Gorham Township (near Thunder Bay).

It wasn't the type of tone we're used to hearing from our smartphones, especially every phone in the room at once, which made it kind of scary (though I guess that's the point.)

People who were speaking on the phone at the time had their conversations interrupted, briefly, by the alert, while others jumped up and looked around like "WTF?"

The phrase "Amber Alert" was trending on Twitter locally within minutes as Ontarians expressed shock and, in some cases, frustration.

A second alert for the same case come through around noon, this time in French.

Again, people were startled. Did I mention that this alert sounds exactly like the Cold War-Era nuclear missile warnings we've been seeing in movies our entire lives?

And that it's super loud?

Well, I think it's safe to say that the alert system works, even if some people aren't happy about the way it works.

Police say that anyone who sees Gabriel MCCallum or Lynda McCallum, the person believed to have taken him, should call 9-1-1.

Update: The Amber Alert issued in Thunder Bay, ON was cancelled around 12:45 p.m. Monday. Police say the child has been located.

Toronto just threw a concert in a subway station

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When Canadian Music Week rolled around this year, Exclaim!, Dan Burke and the TTC teamed up to throw a concert in one of the most unique venues Toronto has to offer: Lower Bay station.

Dubbed Toronto’s “ghost station,” this part of the TTC doesn't function as a normal subway station, but sometimes opens up for unconventional city events.

Lower bay concert Toronto

First things first: is this ghostly, spooky relic of a station any different from the normal Bay station above? Surprise! It’s not really, entry is gained through the regular Bay station entrance.

Lower bay concert TorontoBut cool purple lighting added a nice touch that made the dormant public space appear otherworldly.

lower bay torontoSubway trains were pulled in on either side of the platform, so rather than risk concert goers falling onto the tracks, atypical extra space was actually created where music fans could chill and drink beer.

lower bay ttcScarborough rapper Tyriqueordie opened up the show, followed by industrial/noise artist E-Saggila.

Lower bay concert Toronto

The concert went on to showcase Deliluh, heavy jam rock rounded out by just a touch of violin and sax, who recently premiered their new video for “Rabbit.”

Lower bay concert Toronto

Toronto punk legends Fucked Up closed out the show with their signature energy. The absence of a stage provided an ideal setting for a real up close and personal experience with the band, the lead singer ricocheting around the station.

Lower bay concert Toronto

A cash bar poured Steamwhistle, but a limited number of bathrooms were up two long flights of stairs. Those willing to journey further sought powder rooms in the surrounding Yorkville neighbourhood.

Lower bay concert Toronto

The hype for this show was mighty, with the first 100 tickets selling out in a few hours in late March before anyone even knew Fucked Up was headlining, the remaining 150 similarly snapped up in April.

Lower bay concert Toronto

Despite this and the pleas for even just one ticket that flooded the event’s Facebook page, it didn't feel slammed. 

concert lower bayIn fact, it seemed almost sparsely attended. Perhaps this was due to restrictions the TTC placed on the venue’s capacity, or maybe I underestimated how many people the average Toronto subway platform really does hold.

low bay ttcRegardless of any sort of marketing frenzy, rumour mill or technical flubs, ultimately the idea behind this event was always to be out of place, and that’s exactly what it was.

Lower bay concert Toronto

Could it be that the solution to Toronto’s vanishing venue crisis literally be right under our noses? If organizers can learn from this event, I’d be happy to see many more shows in our city’s more eccentric and unused spaces.

Lower bay concert Toronto

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