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The top 5 new luxury condos in Toronto

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Toronto has a lot of condos, but not all condos are created equally. Heightened design features, specialty services and amenities of utter convenience just push certain residences into the luxury bracket. 

Here are my picks for the top new luxury condos in Toronto right now. All of these are currently in the pre-construction or construction phase. 

A rendering of a living room in Nobu Residences Toronto. Image courtesy Nobu Residences Toronto.

Nobu Residences Toronto

The luxury brand is not only opening up a Toronto restaurant, but a condo as well, on King West. Amenities include a fitness club with both a spin and yoga studio, a massage room, a sauna and steam room, a conference centre, a screening room and a private dining room. Talk about stacked. 

A rendering of a patio of The Foxbar. Image courtesy The Foxbar at Imperial Village.

The Foxbar

Looking over the Forest Hill Escarpment, this luxury condo near Yonge and St. Clair boasts great views and fantastic amenities. Fitness buffs take notice of the yoga and pilates studio, indoor squash courts, golf simulator room and whirlpool spa. There's also plans for two theatre rooms and a library lounge. 

A rendering of the outside of the building. Courtesty of 346 Davenport

346 Davenport

This stunning Annex condo is all about style and sophistication. Featuring floor-to-ceiling glass panels on the outside — coupled with sleek white marble — and features like custom designed European kitchens and open-concept floor plans on the inside, you're guaranteed to feel like the talk of the town here. 

A rendering of the outside of Avenue & Park.

Avenue & Park

This technology and amenities-focused building in the Avenue & Lawrence neighbourhood is here to serve you. In this condo you'll find electric vehicle charging in your parking space, a business centre, a screening room and a fitness centre with a his and her’s spa. Oh, and a dry cleaning service... what could be better?

A rendering of the living room and dining room area of Ten York.

Ten York

This luxurious Harbourfront building has an almost unbeatable view, as it directly overlooks Lake Ontario. From the chef-inspired kitchen to the games room to the fitness centre with a spin studio and juice bar, this condo seems to have it all. 


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Toronto commuters stranded as equipment issues plague the TTC

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Hump day got off to a rough start for commuters in Toronto with a rash of "ongoing equipment issues" affecting multiple public transit routes across the city.

The TTC announced shortly after 8 a.m. that customers would be experiencing longer than normal wait times for the 504 King, 509 Harbourfront, 510 Spadina and 514 Cherry streetcars, as well as the 506 Carlton buses, all due to equipment issues.

As of 9 a.m., 12 service advisories remained in effect on account of everything from a stalled streetcar to mechanical issues aboard a subway train.

History has shown that a few significant hiccups is all it takes to throw the entire TTC ecosystem out of whack, this morning has been no exception.

In short, public transit is a mess right now and it's not even the TTC's fault. Not entirely.

Delays from construction and collisions are only compounding the problems caused by malfunctioning equipment, turning "longer than normal wait times" into crazy-long lineups for vehicles of every kind.

Good luck out there, if you're still in the mix or have yet to venture into the streets.

You might need it to get where you're going on time.

Someone planted flowers in a Toronto pothole

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Well isn't this just a lovely way to mask unsightly potholes that haven't been fixed?

Visitors to the Toronto Islands this weekend were amused to find some pretty pink tulips growing from the middle of a public road, all decked out in pine cones to celebrate Mother's Day. 

Unlike Tupac's "The Rose That Grew from Concrete," these flowers didn't battle adversity to spring up between cracks in the pavement and show the world their glory (as cool as that would be).

They were planted, as evidenced by fresh dirt surrounding the healthy and full-grown tulips.

Nobody has yet come forward, however, to take credit for the act or to explain why they planted flowers in a pothole on the Toronto Islands.

Was it a surprise gesture for someone on Mother's Day? An ad-hoc attempt at road beautification? A prank?

In Belgium, people have recently taken to planting flowers in potholes as a political statement, of sorts, to highlight a lack of action from city officials in terms of repairing roads.

Toronto has its fair share of potholes, to be sure. Ask anyone who drives or bikes along pretty much any road downtown.

The city has been working particularly hard to remedy the problem this year. A total of 151,092 potholes have been filled in since the beginning of 2018, according to councillor Norm Kelly — 19,094 of them over the past two weeks alone.

The top outdoor art fairs in Toronto this year

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Outdoor art fairs in Toronto for 2018 bring to light emerging talent from the vibrant arts community, in pockets all over the city. Spend the day strolling through a maze of artwork and you just might find that special piece you've been looking for.

Events you might want to check out:

Artfest Toronto (May 19-21 @ The Distillery Historic District)
The Distillery District serves as a backdrop for this huge art festival that features paintings, photography, sculpture, live music and craft shows.
Christie Pits Art Crawl (May 27 @ Christie Pits)
Encompassing most of the south end of the park, this art fair includes a huge selection of art vendors, food, music and pop-ups.
Kensington Market Art Fair (May 27 - October 28 @ Kensington Market)
Part of Pedestrian Sundays, this art fair includes ceramics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, metal arts, painting, drawing, sculpture and photography.
Riverdale ArtWalk (June 2-3 @ Jimmie Simpson Park and Community Centre)
Back again is this huge and free public fine art exhibition showcasing over 165 established and emerging artists, and lots of food vendors.
Liberty Village Art Crawl (June 9 @ Liberty Village Park)
Liberty Village gets overtaken by local artists during this big art party featuring live music, interactive demos, food and family-friendly activities.
Beaches Arts and Crafts Show (June 9-10 @ Kew Gardens)
Expect over 150 artists and designers to take up shop in Kew Gardens over two days to showcase handmade goods, original fashion pieces, fine art and more.
Nuit Rose (June 16 @ Multiple Venues)
LGBTQ+ creators come together to take over two Toronto neighbourhoods in a festival that includes an art crawl and special programming all day long.
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (July 6-8 @ Nathan Phillips Square)
Nathan Phillips Square transforms into a huge marketplace with artists selling original works, plus a beer garden courtesy of Henderson Brewing Co.
Bloorcourt Festival (August 25 @ Bloor Street West)
Bloor Street West gets shut down for a full day this summer for this massive street festival featuring art, music and food from neighbouring establishments.
Cabbagetown Arts and Crafts Fair (September 7-9 @ Riverdale Park West)
A community celebration of the arts, this fair boasts almost 200 featured artists and crafters from Toronto and beyond.
Danforth East Arts Fair (September 15-16 @ East Lynn Park)
Dozens of exhibitors, vendors and activities for kids and adults are going down in the park with one-of-a-kind works from local artists.
Queen West Art Crawl (September 22-23 @ Trinity Bellwoods Park)
The eclectic West Queen West neighbourhood shows its colours with a three day festival of selected artists, food and performances.

The TTC is changing the location of its streetcar stops

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In an attempt to speed up service and improve pedestrian safety, the TTC is rejigging its current layout of streetcar stops.

Unfortunately for those who live in areas where the changes have already taken place, details on which stops have gone where are scant.

Toronto transit rider Robin Marwick started a bombshell of a Twitter thread on Tuesday afternoon by asking the transit commission for a list of new stops on Queen Street, east of Woodbine.

TTC customer service sent back a broken link and looped in the agency's Strategy & Service Planning department, which explained that the stops "were consolidated to improve stop spacing and journey times."

A report that went before the TTC Board in 2014 reveals that the current system has over 10,000 bus and streetcar stops, many of which are said to have been established "under very different operating conditions, land uses, and network connections."

All church-centric "Sunday Stops," for instance, were slated for removal at the time, as were all stops less than 200m from an adjacent stop and many that could be moved from unsignalised locations to a location with a nearby signal.

That was the last Toronto heard about the project, it seems, because 501 riders were left dazed and confused after a bunch of their stops up and relocated on May 13.

"I have been attempting without success to get a list of all of the stop changes from the TTC," wrote author and transit advocate Steve Munro on Wednesday.

"To see a list of the new stop layout, you can use NextBus which has the current stop list in its schedule database."

"BTW," he continued later in the thread, "The TTC's own website has not been updated to reflect the new stop locations."

Indeed, the new stops can be seen in real-time on NextBus, but not on the TTC's own website.

Interestingly, as Marwick points out, both sets now appear on Google Maps.

Some regular transit riders are displeased with the stop changes so far, and if more are to come throughout the city, more backlash will probably follow.

Fingers crossed that we get working maps of the new stop locations on other lines from the TTC before everything gets moved.

The Best Restaurants for Private Dining in Toronto

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The best restaurants for private dining in Toronto quietly await your group in wine cellars, on rooftops, hidden in basements and in back rooms. Often requiring a minimum spend and number of guests, and of course a reservation well in advance, these are the perfect places for your next party.

Here are my picks for the best restaurants for private dining in Toronto.

9 - Ruby Watchco

The private upstairs dining room at local celeb chef Lynn Crawford’s establishment in Riverside can seat 12 to 24 around two harvest tables, or up to 40 standing.
5 - The Carbon Bar

The upper-level private dining area of this Southern-inspired high-end restaurant in Corktown offers a bird’s eye view of the space. Accommodating up to 28 seated or 50 standing, this jazzy VIP room also has a flat screen TV.
4 - Enoteca Sociale

The cozy, low-lit wine cellar of this Dundas West restaurant is the perfect place for eight to 14 people to enjoy the restaurant’s legendary salumi and other Italian offerings, for $45 to $60 per person, in peace.
6 - Rodney's Oyster House

This King West seafood spot has everyone beat when it comes to options for private dining. You can mix and match from over a half-dozen semi-private areas, including the outdoor Oyster Garden — and even book a personal oyster shucker.
7 - Terroni (Adelaide)

There are five rooms available to book for private or semi-private gatherings at the location of the Terroni empire near Adelaide and Church, including ones right by historic jail cells in the basement.
11 - Paris Paris

The back room with an open kitchen in this Dundas and Ossington wine bar is a splendid bonus in the already beautiful space, with local woodwork by Graham Waliczek.
10 - Grey Gardens

There’s a larger group table that seats up to 14 downstairs at this cheeky and pretty spot in Kensington by Jen Agg, but you’ll have to spend a minimum of $1500 for it.
8 - Barberian's Steakhouse

The private dining room of this steakhouse hidden in the Yonge and Dundas area is like stepping into a chapter from a Harry Potter book. It’s actually the restaurant’s wine cellar, with over 1000 bottles stacked to the high ceilings hung with chandeliers.
3 - Gusto 101

An industrial private wine cellar seats up to 20 and a rooftop party area seats up to 30 at this King West Italian hotspot where you can share favourites like Nonna used to make.

10 places to shop for spices in Toronto

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Spice shopping in Toronto, to the nonchalant cook, is but a mere trip to the closest mega grocery store. For a more sensual experience, a little background information and a better price, there are a few specialty markets and bulk stores in Toronto that deliver much better when it comes to dill.

Here are my picks for places to shop for spices in Toronto.

Trupti

This place in Thorncliffe Park is for those who are serious about fresh, authentic spice. The shop makes its own spice blends, grinds its own flour and prepares its own instant mixes.

House of Spice

Most people know this Kensington Market shop as a great source for anything bulk and spices are no exception. They've been around since the 1970s, getting their herbs and spices from all over the world. The shop also sells bags of combination spices designed for certain dishes.

Bulk Heaven

If you want to get all of your pantry shopping, including spices, done in bulk this shop on the Danforth is the place to go. Here they sell everything from nuts to candy to seasonings to coffee.

Iqbal Halal Foods

Another option in Thorncliffe Park, this full-fledged grocery option is the ticket for when you want to combine your meat, produce and bulk spice shopping all into one trip. This grocer has bins of bulk spices and a room devoted to rice.

Johnvince Foods

This store near Dufferin and Steeprock Drive is an absolute utopia to the bulk store lovers among us and it has a hefty section devoted entirely to spices and herbs — all of which is available in abundance.

Essence of Life

Another Kensington Market spice source that touts its collection of organic spices. The shop carries the typical assortment, with a few exotics thrown in for good measure. If you're looking to learn more about a particular spice, this is the place to ask.

Tutti Frutti

The last Kensington Market shop on this list offers a long list of bulk herbs and spices, which are presented in little wooden cubbies that make the spice-searching experience seem that much more authentic. Count apple pie spice, Korean pepper, and Hungarian paprika among the spice offerings.

Tavazo Dried Nuts and Fruits

Despite the name, this Bulk Barn on steroids sells a whole lot more than just dried nuts and fruits — but they also have a lot of those too. Here you'll find everything you could ever need to sweeten your dish. 

Nuthouse

Yes, the name is wonderful, but it's not just nuts at Nuthouse on Bloor West near Landsdowne. The shop has a superb little assortment of bulk spices, though the selection is more limited than some of the sprawling centres on this list. 

The Spice Trader

This isn't your white plastic bin/metal scoop type of spice store. And the prices certainly do reflect that. If you're looking for a more luxurious spice shopping experience this is your place. The shop near Trinity Bellwoods offers custom organic blends and tinned spice collections.


What's open and closed on Victoria Day 2018 in Toronto

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What's open and closed on Victoria Day 2018 in Toronto is worth noting as many businesses will be taking the day off. Whether you need to do last minute shopping or are looking for something fun to do, let this be your guide on May 21. Also, don't forget about the fireworks shows.

Here's what's open and closed this Victoria Day Monday in Toronto.

General
 
Closed
  • Government offices
  • Libraries
  • Banks
  • Post offices
Open
  • The TTC will operate on a holiday schedule.

Sukoshi Mart Toronto

Some grocery and convenience stores like Sukoshi Mart in Kensington Market will remain open on Victoria Day. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Food
 
Closed
  • It's worth calling ahead to restaurants before heading out — many already consider Mondays a day off.
  • Most major grocery chains will be closed on Victoria Day, with a few confirmed exceptions listed below.
Open

Big Rock Brewery Toronto

Indie bottle shops will be open for your last minute beer runs. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Drink
 
Closed
  • The Beer Store
  • LCBO
Open
  • For a complete list of indie bottle shops in Toronto, see this directory. Holiday hours are provided where applicable but we advise calling ahead to confirm.

Spend Victoria Day shopping at malls like the Eaton Centre. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Malls
 
Closed
  • Bayview Village Shops
  • CF Fairview Mall
  • CF Sherway Gardens
  • Dufferin Mall
  • Scarborough Town Centre
  • Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Open

AGO Toronto

A visit to a museum is the perfect way to spend Victoria Day. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Attractions
 
Closed
  • Canada's Wonderland Splash Works
Open

The TTC is launching a 12-month Metropass

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Everyone in Toronto will soon be eligible for a sweet public transit discount of roughly $150 per year.

That's enough to buy yourself 19 Toronto Island ferry rides, nine tickets to a Blue Jays game, or one gold-covered ice cream cone every month until the summer of 2019.

Naturally, there's a catch: To get the discount, you must commit to 12 months of buying a TTC pass and also pledge allegiance to PRESTO.

Beginning May 24, the TTC will start selling a brand new "12 Month Pass" to adult PRESTO users for just $134 per month, recurring. A regular adult Metropass currently costs $146.25.

A similar pass will come along later this summer for seniors and youth, according to the transit agency, along with two-hour time based transfers and "more TTC fare payment options."

The 12 Month Pass that's about to launch is almost identical to the TTC's current Metropass Discount Plan, which will be terminated by the end of 2018.

You'll still get full, unlimited access to the TTC whenever service is running and you'll still get a discount for committing to 12 months. The only major difference is that the new pass plan uses PRESTO.

More evidence that it's a PRESTO world, my friends — we're all just living in it (with our beautiful, colourful, old-school Metropasses. For now).

Barry's Bootcamp is opening another Toronto location

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A world-class city deserves a world-class fitness club, and Toronto is about to have two.

Barry's Bootcamp, home of what's purported to be the greatest workout on Earth, just announced that it will be opening up a second location in The 6ix near Bay and Cumberland.

It won't open until January, but you can expect Yorkville's newest gym to be huge and busy when it does.

The 20-year-old American fitness brand is already hugely popular among hard-bodied hotties in Toronto and beyond (David Beckham, Jake Gyllenhaal and Kim Kardashian are all said to be fans).

barrys bootcamp

Inside Barry's Bootcamp near Peter and Richmond. Photo by Jesse Milns.

While harder to see inside of than some Toronto bootcamp studios (god I'm creepy), the Barry's Bootcamp at 310 Richmond Street West is clearly doing good business.

"It’s very effective as a workout. It’s quite intense but it definitely works," said Canadian VP Laurie Campbell to Retail Insider when talking about the brand's continued expansion in Canada.

"For people who are looking for a premium offering in the boutique fitness landscape, Barry’s is kind of one of the top ones and Toronto was ready for it."

These are the Toronto beaches you don't want to swim at

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Environmental Defence Canada just announced that a record 27 beaches and nine marinas across the country have been awarded Blue Flag status for 2018.

The prestigious certification, which recognizes excellent water quality, safety, amenities and environmental management, is said to represent the "gold standard" for beaches worldwide.

More than 4,000 beaches across the globe can fly Blue Flags this year, including nine of Toronto's finest: Bluffer's Park Beach, Centre Island Beach, Cherry Beach, Gibraltar Point Beach, Hanlan's Point Beach, Kew-Balmy Beach, Ward's Island Beach and Woodbine Beach.

Swimmers and boaters should feel confident venturing out into the water at any of these beaches, according to the Foundation for Environmental Education.

But what about the other beaches in Toronto? Which ones didn't make the cut? And why?

According to The City of Toronto, 11 different beaches exist within our borders.

This includes the nine beaches listed above, as well as Sunnyside Beach, Marie Curtis Park East Beach, and Rouge Beach. (Sugar Beach doesn't count.)

Sunnyside is beautiful, easy to get to, rich in history and boasts great vibes all summer long, but there's a reason it has a huge pool next to it.

This west-end boardwalk volleyball paradise has a bad reputation for water quality thanks to many years of sewer pipe runoff and its proximity to the Humber River.

The situation is said to be improving, but Sunnyside was flagged for dangerously high E. coli levels at least 29 times last summer so... stick to canoeing, if you're iffy. 

A post shared by Anston Dylan (@_dxylan) on

Rouge Beach is a hike from downtown, almost all the way to Pickering, but it's more natural than most of what you'll see around here.

While excellent for kayaking and exploring nature, Rouge does struggle with water quality at times, likely thanks to how close it is to the mouth of the Rouge River. This beach had 13 potential E. Coli days in 2017, but that's not terrible out of 92 days total. 

Marie Curtis Park Beach is on the Toronto-Mississauga border, at the bottom of a residential street in the Long Branch area. The nearby nature trails and babbling creeks are dreamy, but once again, the water is not.

A sewage plant operates right next door to this one, so the smell could be enough to deter you outright. If not, check out the city's own swim safe website before you head out.

Marie Curtis Park Beach had 25 "swim at your own risk" days due to E. Coli in 2017 — too many for the coveted Blue Flag, I'm afraid.

People are hating the new Loblaws self-checkout system

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Robots are increasingly capable of doing human jobs, it's true, but that doesn't mean machines are great at everything they try.

Humans far and wide have been declaring war on the new robo-cashiers at Loblaws since the company started rolling them in place of their fleshy counterparts at many Canadian locations.

It's not that they're snarky like the Shoppers Drug Mart super-villains of August 2017 — it's that they're bad at what they do.

You see, the Loblaws self-checkout machines don't communicate with words or text, only colourful cryptic symbols.

"The self-checkout machines at Loblaws decided words are out and now all the buttons are just symbols and it's gotta be the stupidest thing I've ever seen," announced one customer on Twitter.

Others online are calling the new system everything from "confusing" to "literally the worst example of user interface design the world has ever seen."

Apparently it malfunctions quite a bit.

"Loblaws new self-checkout system is terrible and unusable," wrote someone to us by email today. 

"Around rush hour, the self -checkout area in Maple Leaf Gardens Loblaws had people throwing their arms up as they struggled to navigate through a system that makes no sense."

That reader would "would like to know who's responsible for making" the frustrating, crash-prone system, as would some others on Twitter.

But hey, it's not all bad. One local Loblaws shopper reported last month that an employee gave away an entire bag of rice for free "because it kept crashing all the self-checkout machines."

Robots: Can't love, can't feel, can't even handle rice.

Kensington Market landmark is closing after 55 years

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For 55 years, few businesses have embodied the essence of Kensington Market better than Casa Coffee. But at the end of the month, the beloved corner cafe and food shop will be closing its doors forever. 

Since 1963, the grocery store-turned bulk food and coffee shop has occupied the same property at the bustling junction of Augusta and Baldwin Avenues. 

With large windows opening up to the street in the summer, a takeout window, and seating that lined the store from front to back, Casa has long acted as the nucleus of Kensington – a place where people could pass the day people-watching with a cup of $1 coffee in hand. 

casa coffee toronto

The eclectic space inside Casa Coffee has been pulling in regulars for friendly, no-fuss service for decades. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Sadly for locals, the business' lease is up at the end of the May, and the owners don't intend on renewing it, say the staff.

Whether rising rent is the culprit here is unclear, as is who will be taking over the space once the cafe is gone. 

casa acoreana toronto

Casa Acoreana, the bulk food store attached to the cafe, has been a Kensington Market go-to for spices and candy. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Though Kensington is nothing short of coffee shops, few draw the same diversity of customers as Casa. It joins the music venue Graffiti's as yet another Market mainstay to close in just a few months. 

10 things to do in Toronto today

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Events in Toronto today include the first edition of Urbani_T that will see Nathan Phillips Square transformed into a urban playground with fashion, music and art — totally free of charge.

Events you might want to check out:

Fever Ray (May 17 @ Rebel)
Have a mind melting evening with the ambient, tripped-out sounds of the longtime star of Sweden's electro scene.
Operanation (May 17 @ Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts)
This opera party is meant to take you on an intergalactic ride into the stars. It'll feature performances from diverse art forms and musical stylings.
RPIA Tennis Championship (May 17 @ Mattamy Athletic Centre)
Tennis legend John McEnroe is set to battle it out on the court in this highly competitive, fan friendly, round-robin tournament.
War on Women (May 17 @ Hard Luck)
The co-ed feminist hardcore-punk band we need right now is here, with their middle fingers raised high to the man.
Alter Ego (May 17 @ Toronto Reference Library - Beeton Hall)
This exhibition on Canadian comic book superheros launches today, with a panel of artists discussing the future of superheroes in Canada.
Shade (May 17 @ Rivoli)
Comedians of colour from the LGBTQ+ community who identify as women come together for a critically-acclaimed comedy show.
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.
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.
Collecting Moments (May 17 - June 10 @ Black Cat Artspace)
Stories of youth, love and celebration in Toronto are captured through the works of amateur photographer Dr. John E. Ackerman, in his neighbourhood of the old St. John’s Ward.

Condo of the week: 120 Rosedale Heights Drive

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When so many of Toronto’s condos are a glass box in the sky, it’s nice to find a condo with a bit of character.

120 rosedale heights drive toronto This Moore Park home was transformed in to a stunning one level condo. Renovated by Melody Duron, it has the feel of a New York walk-up (sans stairs of course) with the leaded windows and stone fireplace.

120 rosedale heights drive torontoThe kitchen, dining and living area are open concept and bright thanks to the many windows.

120 rosedale heights drive toronto I love the white cabinets in the kitchen. They give off a bit of a modern farmhouse vibe.

120 rosedale heights drive toronto As the unit is mostly all on one floor the three bedrooms are just down the hall and they’re all quite spacious.

120 rosedale heights drive toronto The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and walk-in closet. It also has a really unique accent wall that looks like old barn board.

120 rosedale heights drive torontoThere’s some extra room downstairs in the basement with a recreation room and storage so you won’t only be relegated to the main floor.

120 rosedale heights drive torontoThere’s also a great private garden out back. There’s no grass but there are trees for shade and there’s also a really nice water fountain.

120 rosedale heights drive toronto Specs
120 rosedale heights drive torontoGood For

A family that kinda wants a house but still wants the perks of condo living. This condo is the best alternative to a bungalow without having to do any of the property upkeep yourself.

120 rosedale heights drive toronto Move On If

You’re a fan of walking as a mode of transportation. Unfortunately, Moore Park is in a very car-dependent zone so there will be no leisurely strolls to grab a carton of milk on a Sunday.

120 rosedale heights drive toronto

Toronto Restaurant Openings: Kushimaru, Sara, Arthur's, Garrison Creek, 6ixTriangles

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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
  • Kushimaru, an Osaka-style Japanese fried foods spot, is now open at 64 Edward Street (just east of Bay Street).
  • Carlotta Bar has replaced Do Not Disturb at the Beverley Hotel on Queen West.
  • Indian restaurant 6ixTriangles has opened in Liberty Village at 127 Jefferson Avenue (just south of King Street West).
  • Emmy's Ice Cream, a sibling ice cream shop to Bloordale cafe Daily Grind, is now serving up scoops (including vegan ones) at 426 St. Clarens Avenue (at Bloor Street West).
  • You Scream Ice Cream and Treats is also open now at 868 Bathurst Street (north of London Street) in Seaton Village.
  • Happy Lemon, a bubble tea shop known for its salted cheese series of drinks, has opened another location, this time at 3260 Midland Avenue in Scarborough.
Recently reviewed
Opening soon
  • The Food Dudes have been keeping busy. They will not only be launching two locations of Blondie's Pizza soon, but also Sara: a Japanese-inspired sister restaurant to Rasa, set to open August 1 at 98 Portland Street (at Adelaide Street West).
  • Chase Hospitality Group will be opening Arthur’s, “a new American-inspired grill, cocktail lounge and rooftop terrace,” this fall in the Weston Centre at 22 St. Clair Avenue East in the Yonge & St. Clair neighbourhood.
  • Open-air The Slip opens for patio season tomorrow (Friday, May 18) at Harbourfront Centre along Queens Quay West, with a new look and a Mexican-inspired menu of tacos, nachos supreme and street corn — plus tequila-focused drinks.
  • Vegan Mexican restaurantRosalinda opens next week, on May 23, at 133 Richmond Street West (at York Street) in the Financial District.
  • The Pocha has replaced Big Tuna Poke Bar at 599 Bloor Street West in Koreatown.
  • Garrison Creek, an Italian restaurant that will offer both traditional and unexpected Italian dishes with an elevated twist, opens in June at 760 College Street (between Shaw and Crawford streets) in Little Italy.
  • Restaurant and bar The Commoner opens this summer at 2067 Dundas Street West (at Howard Park Avenue).
  • Chi Patisserie should be opening very soon at 5298 Yonge Street (at McKee Avenue) in North York.
Other news
  • Maison Fou will be moving to a new location at 791 Dundas Street West. Its last day at the Bloor Street West location is May 27 and it should be reopening in what was formerly brunch spot L'Ouvrier in mid-June.

How to spend a day in the Junction

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The Junction is no longer just a weird historic rail yard area west of Dundas and Keele where all the streets seem to go wonky, a neighbourhood only locals and residing families really understood. Cool bars and microbreweries are starting to mix in with the organic cafes, farmers’ market and street fests, and the results are exciting.

Here’s how to spend a day in the Junction, from morning to late night.

Breakfast and Coffee

When it comes to brunch in the Junction, you can’t beat Dirty Food. Their eggs bennies go way beyond the usual English muffins and ham, and they make Caesars with beet juice. If that ultra-healthy organic Junction vibe is what you want try Wilder, and for a quick cup of joe and homemade cafe fare hit up Cool Hand of a Girl.

wilder toronto

You can't go wrong with a smoothie bowl and cappuccino to start your day at Wilder. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Morning Activity

You can get your day started with painting activities as early as 9 a.m. at Pinot’s Palette, though since it’s a paint and sip place maybe abstain from the wine until a little later. For a radically different seated group activity, go for a spin at RPM.

Lunch

Spice lords can now test their mettle against Nashville hot chicken at Chica’s, though I’d recommend sharing the a giant-sized order if you want to get anything else done. For options that might offer more mileage, try deli sandwiches at When the Pig Came Home or tacos and burritos at Al Pastor.

chicas chicken toronto

Chica's doesn't shy away from the spices on its Nashville style hot chicken. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Shopping and Culture

This neighbourhood is home to one of Toronto’s cutest stationery stores, Take Note, as well as elegant home decor shops like Mjolk and Made by Madigral. Dress up like a Junction local in styles from Gerhard Supply and Opticianado, and pick up some records at Pandemonium and beef up on local art at Zalucky Contemporary to back up the look.

Afternoon Snack

Bunner’s is a mainstay of the Toronto vegan community, and this Junction location of the popular bakery is stocked with your fave cupcakes, muffins and more. For a full-on lactose binge head to chocolate and ice cream purveryor Delight.

mjolk toronto

Mjolk is Toronto's foremost destination for Scandinavian furniture and design. Photo by Andrew Williamson. 

Dinner

The spicy pad thai at Isaan Der is so authentic it’s on par with popular local Thai mini-chain Sukhothai. They also do a ton of other incredible Thai favourites, but if that’s not your thing check out Playa Cabana Cantina for elevated tacos or hit Indie Alehouse for a range of accessible pub options, and of course, locally brewed beer.

Drinks and Entertainment

From there it’s a short trot to Shamone, where you can follow your Indie Alehouse beer with a beer cocktail. If you stuffed yourself on fried chicken, tacos and vegan cupcakes and just want a light nosh for dinner, arrive when they're open for free happy hour snacks.

junction city music hall

Cap off your night with some arcade games and live music at Junction City Music Hall. Photo Jesse Milns.

As for bars, there’s also Famous Last Words for book/cocktail nerds, the uniquely cramped Hole in the Wall, Junction City Music Hall for live entertainment and 3030 Dundas West as a no-fail end-of-the-night spot.

Victoria Day weekend events in Toronto for 2018

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Events in Toronto this long weekend include some big names like Electric Island — which is kicking off for the summer — while Ontario Place opens with a weekend of free activities. There's lots of places to catch Victoria Day fireworks, too!

Events you might want to check out:

Toronto Kpop Con (May 18-20 @ Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
It's a huge gathering of all things Kpop with performances, speakers, meet-and-greets, special guests and exhibitions all weekend long.
It is ON this Summer (May 19-20 @ Ontario Place)
Ontario Place opens for the season this weekend with a free, two-day party featuring yoga, live music and skating on its new and synthetic year-round ice rink.
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.
Key to the City (May 18 @ The Great Hall)
Superkick'd Pro is taking over the Great Hall with a huge wrestling rock show and party extravaganza for the ages.
Royal Wedding Viewing Party (May 19 @ Princess of Wales Theatre)
If you can get up early enough, you can watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot in a lavish royal ceremony.
Rib Fest (May 18-20 @ Yonge and Dundas Square)
Bibs and ribs are on all weekend, alongside barbecue chicken, desserts, roasted veggies and, yes, blooming onions.
Tastemaker (May 18-19 @ Evergreen Brick Works)
A curated selection of Toronto chefs, restaurants and artisans collaborate for a huge, immersive food hall-style feast.
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.
Next Music from Tokyo (May 18 @ Rivoli)
This annual two-day tour brings bands from Japan’s indie and underground music scene to Canada — including The Taupe, Yubisaki Nohaku and Bakyun the everyday.
Charly Bliss (May 19 @ Horseshoe Tavern)
New York's Charly Bliss has arrived with the power pop bops, alongside the equally rad Skating Polly.
Carla's Dreams (May 20 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre)
Imagine an anonymous group of musicians from all over the world collaborating on a pop-eletrco music project, that's Carla's Dreams.
Freedom (May 20 @ Rebel)
Legendary DJ Tiësto is joined by KSHMR and Manzone & Strong for a night of deep house and trance inside Rebel.
Jun Curry Ahn (May 20 @ John Bassett Theatre)
BgA member Jun Curry Ahn is flying solo for his spot as a special guest at this year's Kpop Con.
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.
Boom for Real (May 18-20 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
Sara Driver's intimate documentary explores the formative years of legendary painter Jean-Michel Basquiat before his meteoric rise to fame.
Pollock (May 19 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
Ed Harris portrays Jackson Pollock, another artist who experienced superstardom in his lifetime, and his hard-living, self-destructive tendencies.
Toronto Nepali Film Festival (May 19 @ Innis Town Hall)
A series of films by Nepali filmmakers sees them use their craft to construct distinctive Nepal-related narratives inside of Toronto’s cultural landscape.
Girl and Boy (May 18 @ Clinton's Tavern)
Take it back to the 90s and early 2000s with all the freshest hip hop, R&B and pop hits from the decade.
Reggae Night (May 19 @ Surf the Greats)
This Leslieville storefront is being transformed into a tropical hotspot for a giant reggae and dancehall party, with live music and lots of rum.
I Think I'm Making a Comeback (May 19 @ Swan Dive)
It's a night of funky funk, soul, pop rock and basically everything that makes for the ultimate dance party.
Queens of Pop (May 19 @ Remix Lounge)
Calling all divas for a live video dance party, featuring the most powerful women of pop including Madonna, Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Janet Jackson.
Anchorman Dance Party (May 20 @ Sneaky Dee's)
It's an afternoon delight with throwback jams from the 70s and leather bound books that are kind of a big deal.
Harry Was a Cow Caller (May 18-31 @ #Hashtag Gallery)
This series of photographs examines small farming in Southwestern Ontario, featuring Harry — a cow caller — whose way of life is quickly disappearing.
Artfest Toronto (May 19-21 @ The Distillery Historic District)
The Distillery District serves as a backdrop for this huge art festival that features paintings, photography, sculpture, live music and craft shows.
Waterfront Artisan Market (May 19 - October 6 @ HTO Park)
The first of the season, this curated mix of local artisans, crafters, chefs and bakers come together for a huge marketplace on the waterfront.
Pop Up at the Barns (May 19 - October 6 @ Artscape Wychwood Barns)
Another first of the season, this community marketplace takes up inside Wychwood to feature artisans, food vendors and fresh produce.
Spring Mrkt Show (May 20 @ Native Canadian Centre of Toronto)
This spring market includes fashion, beauty, wellness, visual artists, crafters, food merchants and retailers selling their wares all day long.
Leslieville Farmers Market (May 20 @ Jonathan Ashbridges Park)
Opening this week is the Leslieville Farmers Market — now in its 8th season — kicking off the season with live music and fresh food.

Toronto ranked second most likely to get new Amazon headquarters

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Thirsty economic development officials continue to bat their eyes at Jeff Bezos this week as news circulates that Amazon is one step closer to choosing its second North American home.

Rumour has it that the CEO just finished visiting all 20 cities on the shortlist for HQ2 — a project that's expected to bring about $5 billion and 50,000 high paying jobs to whichever city gets it — but nobody seems to have a definitive clue as to what will happen and when.

It's like watching a really long season of The Bachelor play out in slow motion, except where the competitors have something real to gain (and keep a bit of their dignity. Well, most of them.)

Toronto has long been thought of as a long shot, being the only Canadian city on Amazon's shortlist.

Still, as one of just 20 locations selected from 238 total applicants, Toronto has got to have something Amazon likes. Atlanta and Dallas may be fan favourites, but we're not out of the game just yet.

The New York-based economic insights firm Resonance just released a ranking of its own for the finalists based on cultural community fit, quality of life, housing affordability, recreational opportunities, business environments and the availability of talent (an area in which Toronto is particularly well-endowed).

Based on these factors, all pulled from Amazon's original request for proposals, they found that Toronto is second only to New York City as the most-likely pick for HQ2.

"But of course there are other factors to consider such as the real estate on offer to develop this campus and the tax incentives being pitched," wrote the firm in its explanation of the ranking.

"Canadian cities like Toronto, a place that scored very well in our analysis and has both the people and the land... are prohibited from offering the tax incentives that U.S. cities can," it continued.

"Amazon's announcement last week that they will be expanding their team in Vancouver to around 5,000 employees also makes it less likely that they would choose another Canadian city for HQ2."

So there's that. Toronto is a great candidate for Amazon's HQ2 in every way except for one: we're too Canadian.

And people wonder where our inferiority complex comes from.

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