Hiking and camping safety tips

By

-

2:33 pm

See all posts by Diamond and Diamond Lawyers

With summer winding to a close and autumn just around the corner, many Canadians are looking to escape into nature before the cold winter temperatures begin. While hiking and camping trips can be wonderful opportunities to connect with nature and friends, safety should always be your #1 priority when embarking on an outdoor journey.

At Diamond and Diamond, we have seen enough preventable incidents to know that safety measures are critical when planning a camping trip or hike. Sandra Zisckind, Managing Partner at Diamond Law, discusses some helpful tips to keep in mind before you hit the road:

1. Ensure Access to Clean Drinking Water

While you may be tempted to fully immerse yourself in nature by drinking the water out of a pristine stream, it’s important to resist these urges. However beautiful a lake or stream may appear, these bodies of water are packed full of bacteria that can be harmful to your health. “Clean drinking water is a necessity for hiking and camping trips,” says Sandra Zisckind. “If bottled water isn’t available, purification methods like filters or purification tablets are essential tools to keep in your bag to avoid waterborne illnesses.

2. Opt for Proper Footwear

Some of the most common missteps leading to slip and fall incidents start with inadequate footwear. Hiking and camping are demanding activities that require appropriate footwear designed for rugged terrains. “Investing in suitable footwear for outdoor activities is investing in your physical safety,” says Sandra Zisckind.

Heading out on a dry hike? Ensure you bring closed-toe shoes with a firm grip to prevent trips, slips and falls. For river or water hikes, it’s worth investing in water shoes to keep your footing on precarious ground.

3. Plan Around Access to Communication

If you are planning to hike or camp in a remote area, it’s important to ensure you have access to communication channels should something happen. A cell phone is a minimum requirement, but letting someone know your plans and where you are staying ahead of time is also important. Don’t forget to bring a compass and make sure to set a predetermined meeting place should you get separated from your peers without a method of communication!

4. Pack Essential Safety Gear

When planning an extended outdoor activity like hiking or camping, always remember to bring sunscreen and bug spray with you. For regions inhabited by bears, it is wise to pack bear spray for protection should you encounter one of these animals. “Sun protection, insect repellent and bear deterrents are three essential components of a well-prepared adventurer’s kit in Canada,” says Zisckind.

5. Monitor Weather Conditions

Awareness of impending weather changes is crucial to avoid hazards like landslides, avalanches or tornadoes. “Checking the weather forecast is a ritual every camper should adopt. Staying informed allows you to plan and adapt to changing conditions safely,” adds Zisckind.

While the call of outdoor exploration is compelling at this time of year, safety must always remain a top priority. Be sure to review the above precautions before leaving for your next hiking and camping adventure, and contact Diamond & Diamond Lawyers at 1-800-567-HURT should you have any personal injury law inquiries.

About Jeremy Diamond

Jeremy Diamond is a lawyer and member of both Ontario and Florida Bars. Jeremy practices in the area of Plaintiff personal injury litigation. Click here to learn more about Jeremy Diamond.

Where to get the best butter chicken in Toronto just in time for Diwali

By

Erin Neilly

-

12:10 pm

0

To celebrate the start of Diwali on Nov. 1o, chef and author Joshna Maharaj samples the most delicious butter chicken from Toronto’s top Indian restaurants. Read on to see which spot took first place.

The Winner

The Copper Chimney

“The chicken is perfectly tender with a good, solid marination. The entire dish is harmonious.” the-copper-chimney.com, $17

Banjara

“The dried fenugreek leaves give this a distinct, speckled look. The magic is in the gravy. This is the most homestyle-tasting one.” bloor.torontobanjara.com, $19.49

The Host

“You can taste the melted down onion, garlic and ginger. This is a very good butter chicken that’s thick enough to dip naan into.” welcometohost.com, $18.95

Indian Street Food Co.

“That creamy, reddy-pink colour we know and love in tandoori food is here. The sauce is great, with lots of flavour.” indianstreetfoodco.com, $27.95

Utsav

“There’s a lot of sweetness in this butter chicken, with big chunks of meat. I like the generosity of this dish.” utsav.ca, $19.00

This popular menswear shop just found a new home on Ossington and it’s huge

By

Julia Mastroianni

-

12:00 pm

0

lost and found lead — Courtesy Lost & Found

If you’ve visited Ossington recently, you’ll notice a sleek new shop on the strip — well, newish. A menswear institution in the west end for Toronto’s most stylish residents, Lost & Found has found a new home (no pun intended) just a few doors down from its last one, and the new space is bigger and better than ever.

Since opening in 2011, the store has been a go-to spot for fashion lovers looking for quality, timeless pieces. It’s clear there’s real demand for long-lasting menswear, because the move down the street was prompted by co-owners Justin Veiga and Jonathan Elias noticing they needed more space to meet the increased demand from customers.

“Never in a million years did we think we were going to take over 12 Ossington Ave., but the stars aligned and after a lengthy negotiation we were able to make it work,” Elias says. “This was a dream come true.”

The new shop’s sprawling interior is meticulously organized and seemingly always photo-ready with a ’70s-inspired colour palette, cosy lighting and beautiful clothing displays.

“We’ve never been in a space like this in our entire existence as a store; we never imagined taking over a space of this size, especially looking at our previous stores,” Elias says. “We were given a blank canvas and ultimately our designer, Tom Chung, put pen to paper and created our oasis!”

Longtime Lost & Found fans will know that footwear is an important part of the shop, and a peek inside the new store proves that — head to the back for a bright yellow wall displaying all the dress shoes of your dreams, including a few from highly sought-after Paraboot. There’s also a snazzy sneaker display down the middle of the store, where you can shop some of the cooler New Balance colourways, a whole host of Nike Air Max styles and plenty of other retro options.

“It’s the first store where we are able to properly display our brands, our art and to truly give the store the presentation it deserves. We’ve accumulated a lot of things —brands, art, toys, clothes — over the years and this landscape has allowed us to finally present what Lost & Found can offer the community,” Elias says.

For a local shop, Lost & Found’s inventory never fails to impress and certainly holds its own against larger department stores in the city — they stock upwards of 70 brands, including The Real McCoy’s.

Elias says the shop focuses on brands that are “not readily available, hard to find, slightly unknown but still have a lengthy history” — including Sassafras, John Lofgren, Alden, Paraboot and Lady White. “Each one of these brands focuses on quality first and foremost, the fashion part just comes naturally, and for the most part pieces can be worn for years down the road.”

While prices might be higher at Lost & Found than the usual fast fashion prices we’ve gotten used to, it’s because the store’s ethos is all about “quality over quantity,” Elias says. “Our customers buy into the ‘buy less, buy better’ mantra. We look for high quality brands and pieces that will stand the test of time from both a fashion and function perspective.”

An incredibly stylish welder jacket from The Real McCoy’s priced at $1,195 is one of a few pricier items in the store, alongside a Junya Watanabe embroidered cardigan currently on sale and a pair of Margaret Howell single pleat trousers. Otherwise, you can expect the usual slower fashion prices (around $100 to $500 for most denim, collared shirts and knits), along with a constantly rotating sale section. And don’t miss the Artist Series — a collection of white T-shirts designed by local artists to give your basics collection some flair.

Elias says they’re planning a few pop-ups in the future, including ones with Alden, Body of Work and Birklenstock to look out for a whole host of exciting ones planned for the new year.

Menswear fashion will be anything but predictable after a visit to the shop — and that’s exactly what Lost & Found is going for. With knowledgeable staff who are happy to chat about trends and consult on your purchases, this spacious new location will hopefully succeed in drawing more Torontonians into the world of always cool, never boring menswear.

The best nachos in Toronto according to a Michelin chef

By

Jennifer Schembri

-

2:20 pm

0

Toronto’s nacho scene is unbeatable. From crispy chips to gooey cheese, the city’s best restaurants turn nachos into a main meal.

Chef Anthony Rose, the genius behind Fat Pasha, spills the beans (and the cheese!) on Toronto’s top nacho spots.

Winner: Planta

“This is gorgeous! I really like the look of this dish. It’s got everything I could want in a plate of nachos, and it’s very appetizing with a nice smoky flavour. I really dig the taste of the jackfruit. I don’t miss the meat here at all.” $17.95 Multiple locations including 1o Temperance St.

Runner-Up: Foodieez Indian Hakka Cuisine

“I like the look of these chips. They look and taste just like Cool Ranch Doritos. When I eat butter chicken [like this], I want to be able to dip something into it, and Doritos are a really cool thing to have on hand. If I was making nachos at home, I would definitely try this.” $17.99, 1060 Eglinton Ave. W.

Sneaky Dee’s

“This is a classic plate and it looks great. There’s something that tastes a little fake with these nachos and it’s a little off-putting — I’m not sure if it’s the salsa — but there’s a nice amount of melted cheese, and I like how crispy the tortilla chips are.” $30, 431 College St.

Super Bowl LVII will be played Sunday, Feb. 12 in Arizona.

The Leaside Pub

“This is a good looking plate of nachos. There’s a little too much cheese for my liking, but it’s got refried beans, which I adore on a plate of nachos, and I like that they took the time to layer it, which a lot of restaurants don’t take the time to do.” $16.99, 190 Laird Dr.

Jakes on Main

“It’s a really cool-looking dish, and I really like the barbecue flavour. There’s a good amount of pork, and I like the addition of the cabbage and carrots. It’s a fun play on the classic barbecue and coleslaw.” $19.50, 202 Main St., Unionville

Amigos Latin Flavour

“The tortilla chips taste fresh and crispy, and I feel like they might even be made in-house. They don’t really look like traditional nachos but my mouth is still salivating just looking at them. The chorizo is a cool spin on the traditional beef that’s normally used.” $10.95, 1291 Wilson Ave. North York

Dear Sangita: I ran into my ex and now I’m dreaming about him. Is it a sign?

By

Julia Mastroianni

-

2:20 pm

0

sangita-ex-dreaming — Kampus Production/Pexels

Sangita Patel is Streets of Toronto’s new advice columnist and was previously an entertainment reporter with ET Canada. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters.

Dear Sangita: As a kid, there was someone I grew up with who everyone thought I was meant to be with. We were good friends. We both heard the way people talked about us, but neither of us decided to pursue anything. Ten years later, I ran into him recently and now I have been constantly dreaming about him. Is it a sign? — Mixed dream signals

Dear Mixed: It depends on what the dreams are! Are you dreaming about being with this person or just dreaming about the fact that he’s back in your life? It’s possible it’s just the nostalgia of being brought up together through your childhood and that seeing him is bringing back those great memories that you had together. But if you’re thinking about him, and if those emotions are leading to this type of feeling, why not go for it? If you’re single and he’s single, why not? The fact that you’re asking this question, it seems to me that maybe there was something there that the two of you didn’t ever pursue. The person that you can trust the most is often the person who knows your history, and knows who you are as a person. So yes, get it!

I have a friend who was in a similar situation. She and this guy were family friends. They both went off to university, and they ended up in medical school together. This was 15 or so years ago, and they’re married with two kids now! Anything can happen.

Dear Sangita: Last month, my boss told me my co-worker called in sick — but they posted a bunch of Instagram stories of them travelling around Niagara Falls. Last week, I was told they called in sick because their pet died. But I saw them posting stories at a spa all day! I always end up with so much more work when they do this, so now I’m tempted to snitch. Should I? — Tattle temptation

Dear Tattle: It’s definitely a mistake on your co-worker’s part to put all of that on their Instagram stories — you don’t need to share everything on there! But I don’t think you’re in a position to tell your employer, unless you’re a manager. If your co-worker is calling in sick too much, that’s for the manager to decide, not you. Of course, you’re going to call in sick one day, too, and then your co-worker is going to have to take care of the work that you’re doing. Ultimately, you have to work as a team, and it wouldn’t be wise to create an environment where you don’t want to pick up the slack for each other.

Be aware that a sick day could be a mental health day — maybe your co-worker needed a mental health day off, and maybe that meant they needed to go to Niagara Falls. And maybe a pet did die, and they ended up going to a spa day because they needed to relax. Everyone handles things differently. You might be in bed if you’re sick, but some people need to be next to water or go for a walk. You’re judging that your co-worker is out for the day, but you don’t know their situation — and telling on them could backfire if that’s the case.

Dear Sangita: My son has become fast friends with another child in his class. We went to the park on a playdate, and his friend’s mom didn’t watch her son at all. She was talking my ear off, let him wander off to this family picnic nearby, and didn’t blink an eye when he climbed on top of the monkey bars and almost fell through. They’re six! Now she’s offering to have my son over at their house but I don’t trust her at all to watch my son now. Do I invite myself over so I can keep watch? Do I invite them to my house instead? It would be so much easier if my son could just pick another friend. — Playdate problems

Dear Playdate: When I had my first child, I was very protective — you want to know exactly where they are, exactly what they’re doing. Other parents may have two, three kids, and by the third kid, they’re a little more lax about it all. But every mother is watching their child — maybe a mom with three kids doesn’t mind if they see one of them eating the sand, whereas a first-time mom doesn’t want her child anywhere near it. That’s often the reality of having your first child, and I’m assuming that’s the case for you. It’s a legitimate concern, so I think you definitely should ask to have the mother and her son over at your place first. If you have more control over your environment, the other mom might understand that this is how you like to parent your child. The next step might be for you to go to her house and be there as well to see how it is there. But the fact that your child has made a bond with this kid, let that be — let them have your fun. People are always going to have different parenting styles, so having your child in an environment you can control better is a good first step.

Have a question about love, relationships or life for Sangita? Send it to [email protected] or submit it here.

Sip on boozy winter cocktails at this Christmas-themed pop-up bar in Toronto

By

Marlene Mendonca

-

12:50 pm

0

It’s time to dust off those ugly Christmas sweaters and put on your dancing shoes, because Toronto’s popular Christmas pop-up bar has announced their return this year!

Created by the team behind Civil Liberties, Miracle will transform Third Place (875 Bloor St W.) with its iconic, whimsical holiday decor and festive cocktails.

“We’re thrilled to welcome guests back to Miracle this holiday season and to provide a feel-good space that is sure to get Torontonians into the Christmas spirit!” said Nick Kennedy, owner of Civil Liberties. “With our over-the-top decor and playful menu, Miracle is the perfect place for people to gather with friends over delicious cocktails and bites as they celebrate the holidays.”

The space will be decked out from top to bottom in everything Christmas — from tinsel and twinkle lights to gift wrapping, candy canes, Santas, Christmas trees and more — Miracle is the go-to destination for Torontonians in search of the ultimate holiday photo opp.

Continuing its mission to give back, Miracle will donate $1 from every drink sold to Nellie’s — an organization offering shelter, education and advocacy for women and children in the GTA. Miracle Toronto has already contributed over $130k to Nellie’s, and the giving spirit continues.

On the menu is a diverse array of festive-themed cocktails, including Jingle Balls Nog, Christmapolitan, Snowball Old Fashioned and Hot Buttered Rum. Making its debut on the cocktail menu this year is the Marshmallows & Unicorns — a delicious concoction featuring gin, vanilla liqueur, velvet falernum, cherry liqueur, cardamom, black pepper, marshmallow, lemon, egg whites, tiki bitters and soda.

Guests can also indulge in classic bevies such as mulled wine or spirit-free beverages, including hot chocolate and hot apple cider. Miracle goes the extra mile by offering gooey cookies from Courage Cookies and soft pretzels from Mr. Pretzels, available with salt or cinnamon sugar.

The concept of Miracle was born in 2014 in NYC when owner Greg Boehm decided to transform his unfinished bar into a pop-up cocktail joint serving carnival-themed drinks amid over-the-top Christmas decorations, and the outcome has been a hit ever since it marked its foray in the Toronto holiday scene.

Miracle Toronto will run from November 17 to December 30. The pop-up is open seven days a week.

Honorary Torontonian Adam Sandler is performing in the city this week

By

Julia Mastroianni

-

3:07 pm

0

Adam Sandler has a bit of a love affair going on with our fair city, and we couldn’t be happier! With a long history of filming some of his best movies right in Toronto, he also made sure to add us to his limited comedy tour this year.

It all began with his 1995 classic Billy Madison, which he filmed all over Ontario with locations in Oshawa, Stouffville and Toronto, including Northern Secondary School and Black Creek Pioneer Village.

This past year, Sandler brought his whole family back to the city to film You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. The teen comedy starred his two daughters, Sunny and Sadie, as his movie daughters, and his wife played a role in the film too — which means the whole family spent months in Toronto and elsewhere in the province. The film scored 91 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes and got plenty of love from international and, of course, Canadian audiences — we’re always happy to see our cities featured!

Filming locations included Synagogue Beth Tzedec Congregation Temple and Hudson’s Bay at Sherway Gardens in Toronto; FIORI Oakville; Elora Quarry Conservation Area; and Markville Secondary School in Unionville. While in the city, Sandler was a regular Torontonian — he played basketball at a local basketball court with kids, stopped by Summer’s for ice cream, shopped around Yorkville and more.

And this month, he returns again! His I Missed You comedy tour features just 25 stops, and of course he had to make room for his beloved Toronto on Nov. 7. We’re one of only two Canadian stops (he also visited Vancouver), so we’re feeling very special. Don’t worry, Adam — this love affair is mutual!

Toronto just got an award-winning curry spot all the way from Japan

By

Jennifer Schembri

-

3:03 pm

0

Toronto’s food scene is buzzing with excitement as Maji Curry, a beloved Japanese restaurant, makes its mark in the Annex neighbuorhood. True to its name, inspired by the Japanese word for “serious,” Maji is committed to a menu that lives up to its reputation.

Hailing from Kanda, Tokyo, Maji Curry gained global acclaim by winning the 2018 Kanda Curry Championship, a triumph repeated in 2022. This success led to expansions in Singapore, Thailand, the U.S.A and now Canada.

Jane Yang, the owner of the city’s first franchise, shares her motivation: “I realized there was indeed no authentic Japanese curry cuisine in [the city]. I also have a personal affection for Japanese curry as it was an easy, but healthy lunchtime meal for my kids when they were in school.”

At the heart of Maji Curry’s success is its proprietary curry roux — a rich, flavourful base meticulously crafted over a decade by the founder, Ken Takagi.

“Ken loved curry since childhood and traveled around the world looking for various curries,” Yang says. “He encountered various spices and the unique spice cultures of each country and came up with the idea of fusing them with traditional Japanese curry.”

The restaurant offers a diverse menu, featuring traditional favourites like hamburger steak and chicken cutlet, along with unique options such as fried prawn curry, eggplant curry and omelette curry. Side dishes, like salads, karaage, mochi and fries, are also available.

Whether you’ve been a curry enthusiast for years or are just dipping your toes into the realm of Japanese cuisine, Maji Curry offers a unique dining experience.

You can find them at 515 Bloor Street West and is open every day from 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

This new Japanese restaurant in Toronto offers 14-courses for under $100

By

Jennifer Schembri

-

12:39 pm

0

Sushi Yūgen, the latest omakase spot in downtown Toronto, invites guests to revel in the joy of luxury dining without the hefty price tag.

Guided by the expertise of Head Chef Kyohei Igarashi, hailing from prestigious establishments in Tokyo and boasting a Michelin-starred experience overseas, Sushi Yūgen effortlessly fuses authentic Japanese flavours with global influences.

Co-founder Kamen Sun, spearheads this new venture.

“I am now pursuing my own vision as an entrepreneur that wants to share my passion for food and create happy moments for customers, ” said Sun. “I believe restaurants and food are what brings back a lot of great memories with family and friends.”

Currently in its soft launch, the restaurant, located on York St., offers two exclusive dining experiences: an intimate eight seat chef’s counter and a spacious 12-seat main sushi counter, each boasting its own meticulously crafted menu.

At the main counter, guests will be treated to high-quality sushi without breaking the bank. The immersive omakase experience places guests in Chef Igarashi’s capable hands, ensuring a seasonal and elegant meal crafted with only the finest, freshest ingredients.

Sushi Yūgen’s menus showcase innovation and variety. A 45-minute lunch, priced at $80, offers 13 courses, including 10 nigiri, a handroll, miso soup and dessert. The one-hour dinner, at $98, comprises 14 courses featuring an appetizer, 10 nigiri, a handroll, miso soup, and dessert. For a more extended and indulgent experience, the chefs counter, spanning 2 to 2.5 hours at $265, boasts an impressive 18 to 20 courses, including unique appetizers, sushi, tamago, miso soup and dessert.

As for the beverage selection, guests can enjoy Japanese tea, a variety of Sake flights, Sake pairings for the chef’s counter, cocktails infused with lychee, yuzu, and matcha yuzu, Japanese beer and an exclusive collection of Japanese whisky, set to be unveiled in December.

In its 1800 square ft space, the restaurant, designed by NOA embodies modern Japanese minimalism, in perfect harmony with its name, Yūgen, meaning ‘profound mystery and beauty.’ The circular ceiling of the main counter evokes the universe, and a half-circle at the back signifies the cycle of life. The chef’s counter, designed for intimacy, highlights a curved ceiling as its focal point, adorned with Kanji calligraphy and a floating vessel skillfully crafted by a local Japanese artist.

Sushi Yūgen, located at 150 York St., opens its doors to the public on November 21. Secure your spot by making reservations on Resy now.

The best old-time bowling alleys, billiard halls and pinball in Toronto

By

lindsaylow

-

9:12 am

0

Don’t look now, but all of a sudden some old-timey leisure pursuits are becoming popular once again. An afternoon of billiards on a cold winter’s day? A night out with the bowling team? We are so here for it.

Where strikes are a good thing

Bowling has had its ups and downs, but it’s about time for a comeback both because it is a fun, family-oriented activity that gets everyone away from their screens and also because the city has a rich and unique history in the sport.

A local fella by the name of Thomas Ryan actually invented the five-pin variation of the game right here at the Toronto Bowling Club in 1909. The club was located above a store at the corner of Yonge and Temperance.

For those who only know the more popular 10-pin game, the five-pin version features fewer pins, obviously, but also a ball less than half the size of a traditional 10-pin ball. And there are no finger holes.

And let’s be honest, those holes are nasty anyway.

Axel Binevoese is the owner of the oldest five-pin facility in the city — Shamrock Bowl. This joint dates back to the early ’50s and has been lovingly restored with purpose and intent to reflect that vibe.

“This place recreates kind of the bowling experience your grandparents would have had if they were dating in the ’50s,” Binevoese says. “That’s what we want. We want to give people the feeling of taking a step back in time with our complete restoration to the look and feel of that era, despite having added a few extra features and amenities here and there.”

Some of those amenities include the addition of a restobar with globally influenced cuisine as well as a games room with vintage pinball and arcade games.

The rules of five-pin bowling are slightly different, especially regarding the scoring systems, which require manual calculations as each pin has different corresponding points, but the principle remains the same.

“From my perspective, we recreate an experience from the ’50s that you can have a really good time while having a little bit of exercise and at the same time communicate with the people that you’re around,” Binevoese explains. “You can interact with the people. We allow people six and up to bowl because of the size of the ball, and you can just enjoy a relatively simple time and have some success because really it’s just rolling a ball. It isn’t really rocket science, right.”

Binevoese says that like most businesses during the pandemic, times were tough for bowling alleys, but now people are coming out in droves to get in on the growing trend toward leisure activities like bowling; activities that force people, especially young people and you know who you are, to put away screens and actually hang out together.

“That definitely is an attribute to our success,” he says. “I think people are looking for something to do, obviously, with the weather declining outside as well. As we now get into the winter season, we’re extremely busy with families in the neighbourhood visiting — we are really a neighbourhood place.”

Shamrock Bowl is located at 280 Coxwell Ave.

Here are a few more spots for five-pin (and yes, even 10-pin) bowling in Toronto.

Danforth Bowl: Located on Danforth Avenue, this bowling alley is a comfortable and cosy spot for a night of five-pin. The retro vibe and fun atmosphere will transport bowlers to the ’80s

C4 Centre: Located on Eglinton Avenue East, this old-timey gem offers free fall five-pin bowling (the pinsetter works like 10-pin) with leagues for all ages from kids to seniors.

The Ballroom: Looking for something less retro and more sophisticated (and expensive), then try this downtown 10-pin bowling joint with an upscale atmosphere and cuisine as well as pool tables and other diversions, located at 145 John St.

You never felt so good

You don’t have to be Tom Cruise or even Paul Newman to enjoy a good old-fashioned game of pool. This leisure activity was given new life during the pandemic when people were desperate for new activities to play at home.

Now that we are out and about, the trend has continued into the city’s pool halls both new and old. It’s a social game, easy to play but hard to stop once you get started. Here is where to cue up some serious pool table fun.

Billiard Academy and Sports Lounge: Located in the heart of Greektown on Danforth Avenue, this family-owned and operated pool hall has been racking ’em up since 1971, making it the oldest spot in town.

The Rivoli: Most people know this legendary Queen West hot spot for its delish restaurant and live music and comedy in the backroom. But upstairs is getting increasingly popular all of a sudden.

Wizards apply within

Do you play a mean pinball? Or want to? Some things just never go out of style, and pinball machines are one of them.

Maybe it’s that analog vibe, maybe it’s that song by The Who everyone loves, but pinball offers a great night out for many. And pinball central in the city of Toronto is most definitely the west end.

Here’s a quick and painless pinball road trip.

Cabin Fever: Located at 1669 Bloor St. W., this tiny, perfect bar offers great machines, a chill vibe and delish craft beers.

The John: Just down the street at 1174 Bloor St. W. is this bar with great beer, interesting snacks and plenty of pinball for all.

Get Well: This lively bar at 1881 Dundas St. W. boasts vintage decor and a sweet selection of arcade games.

Where to find the best curries in Toronto

By

Christine Hogg

-

12:10 pm

0

If you’re in the mood for an authentic curry, Toronto is one of the best Canadian cities to find it. We’re bursting with options as far as South Asian cuisine goes, which can sometimes make it tricky to narrow down a restaurant. Whether you’re a meat-eater, a vegetarian, or a vegan; prefer yellow, red, or green curries, or mild, medium or spicy flavours, here are five restaurants that serve up authentic Indian and Thai curries.

Indian Street Food Co.

Indian Street Food Co. offers you the colourful and energetic culture of street markets in Mumbai. It is a comfy and classy place to go on a date or evenly a friendly gathering. Their selection of curries are vast and are meant to be explored on multiple visits. The coastal prawn curry is a stunning main dish that’s inspired by the coastal area of south India, and mixes sweet, ripe mango with South Indian spices and fried tempered prawns. If you’re not too full, be sure to try one of their samosas, too, which come topped with red and green chutney.

Khao San Road

Owner Monte Wan ordered tiles directly from Thailand to build a high ceiling interior that makes the dining experience of Khao San Road sublime. Their varieties of curries offer all curry lovers something to indulge on. Main meals sit at $20.96, with your choice of chicken, veggie, or tofu veggie. Their delectable red curry, though, made of kabocha squash, red bell pepper, Thai basil, fresh market lime leaf and coconut milk, is a popular choice for first-time visitors.

Sukho Thai

Sukho Thai results from a chance love affair, with a couple at the heart of showcasing authentic Thai cuisine. Run by power duo chefs Nuit and Jeff Regular, who also run popular spot PAI Uptown, have a style that is professional and sleek, which adds to the flair of their delicious cooking. Their curries on offer include green curry, masaman curry, Panang curry, yellow curry, and of course, the classic red curry. The sweet blend of coconut with squash will be sure to satisfy.

Benares Cucina Indian

This beautiful restaurant is located smack dab in the heart of Toronto, right on Front Street. It’s a place that’s often bustling, but their traditional use of cooking methods, herbs and spices give it a good reason to be. The setting is classic, the food beyond memorable. Their chicken curry chicken is cooked with ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes, and an assortment of spices. Other curry options, such as chicken Goa curry chicken or chick korma chicken cooked in a cashew curry sauce, will satisfy.

The Host

The Host, located in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood (as well as a location in Richmond Hill), offers an entire menu page of curry selections, giving the consumer the option to include meat in the dish or to order something from the vegetarian section. It isn’t easy to make a decision. Highlights of their curry meal include Patiala curry, which includes a tangy sauce of onion and tomato, raisins and nuts. But if you’re searching for more spice, vindaloo with chicken, lamb, or shrimp is your best selection.

Toronto just got a hip hidden tiki bar with Hawaiian eats and boozy drinks

By

Megan Gallant

-

3:03 pm

0

With snow on the horizon, holiday movies flooding cable television, and Mariah Carey on repeat, (and coming soon to Toronto), we all know a long, cold Canadian winter is imminent. But that’s not stopping Toronto’s tropical oasis, Paradise Grotto, from keeping the heat going all season long.

Crafted by the creative minds behind Toronto’s liveliest establishments like St. John’s Tavern and Melrose on Adelaide, Paradise Grotto has emerged as the newest addition to the scene. The spot has taken over the whole corner at Adelaide and John with a stunning space offering private events, a rum-forward cocktail list and a range of Polynesian and South East Asian dishes.

The restaurant features a spacious back patio, nightly live DJs, a menu of share plates and platters and one-of-a-kind vibes.

Island fried rice Photo: @paradise.grotto/Instagram

“We just wanted to do something that was a getaway from Toronto something that brought you outside the city and made you feel like you’re being transported to some other place that was tropical,” says Phillip Allain, one of the owners, adding that once you’re out on the back patio, it doesn’t feel like you’re in the city any more. “When you’re back there you just feel like you’re at someone’s backyard party, or it feels like a cook-out.”

Though the beach theme put Paradise Grotto on the map as a go-to summer restaurant, the restaurant is proving they can be a year-round destination with a hearty new winter menu and a line-up of nightly events to look forward to.

“You can expect a lot more spicier options to add some heat to the cold,” says chef Mark Owen, of the new menu, which will launch on November 12.

While Owen remains tight-lipped about other new menu items, he does share a sneak peek. Get ready for additions like Szechuan noodles, lamb noodle dishes, and locally crafted dumplings, made just under two kilometers away from the restaurant.

Before the menu launch, however, guests will have to settle with the current dishes — though they likely won’t be too disappointed. Some of the most popular items for the warmer months included the chicken katsu curry (made with carrots and potatoes in fun shapes like stars and hearts) and the papu platter (which includes coconut shrimp, baos, kalua pork sliders, crispy karage, and yaki skewers).

“Everything is very balanced and still good for the winter,” says Owen.

“There’s definitely some hardier dishes that will leave you feeling full,” adds Allain. “It’s designed to be shared amongst friends and I think the best thing to do is come in with four or five friends, get a large format cocktail, order a platter, and maybe a couple dishes on the side, and you’ll get a variety of everything that we have to offer.”

In addition to the updated menu, Paradise Grotto will be launching an all new brunch menu. Keeping the Polynesian and Filipino-forward influence on classic dishes, items on the brunch menu include eggs benny with spam and, on the side, the restaurant’s “notorious” Paradise fries, but re-vamped as hashbrowns.

“We’re very much trying to funk it up,” says Owen “but also stay true to the flavours of those regions.”

Owen adds adds that there will also be chicken with waffles, adding a play on the scallion pancake (a Chinese dish) but in a waffle form.

“Everyone expects a lot from brunch, and I think this is the newest brunch I’ve seen in the city,” says the chef. “And I eat a lot.”

Paradise Grotto regulars may be feeling the absence of Sundays in Paradise, featuring a lively DJ lineup on the patio each week. But fear.

“Hopefully, that will get the same amount of excitement that we did from our backyard parties and just give something for people to do on Sundays in the city,” says Allain. “It’s going to be a worthwhile event.”

Following the two rounds of bingo, the afternoon will progress into an evening of R&B slow jams, for a laid back Sunday evening.

“We still want it to be a fun, sexy event,” says Paradise Grotto’s Director of Operations, Jenny Ly. “We have the back room which is absolutely gorgeous, and it will have more sitting in your seat, swaying with the DJ music.”

Before the night heats up, Paradise Grotto’s happy hour, available every day (except Sunday) until 6 p.m., offers $12 daiquiris, $6 Red Stripe and Coronas, $12 appetizers, and a 50 per cent discount on over 60 diverse rum bottles

Paradise Grotto is open seven days a week at 270 Adelaide Street West.