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.
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!
@miravujanic/Instagram
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’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.”
@majicurry.to/Instagram
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.
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.
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.
The Rivoli
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.
Cabin Fever
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.
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.
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.
Step back in time to an era of peace, love and groovy vibes as Good Vibes Collective makes its debut in the heart of midtown Toronto’s Mount Pleasant Village. Founded by the Amanda Wells, this indoor collaborative space and pop-up market is a kaleidoscopic journey that’s as far out as it is down-to-earth.
The term “collective” in the Good Vibes Collective reflects the market’s dual identity: a pop-up market on weekends and a community space during the week. Wells says that while vendors can sign up to sell out of the space on Saturdays and Sundays, from Monday to Friday, others can request to use it to host workshops — such as wreath making or making custom welcome mats — have photoshoots or use for other creative outlets.
“I wanted to do something that supported small businesses,” Wells says. “I wanted to create a little hub for people —and this was birthed naturally.”
The journey to creating this vibrant pop-up space has been a labour of love. Armed with a background in retail and a deep passion for supporting small businesses, Wells wanted to create a space that would emulate an era she’s so passionate about.
A vendor herself, Wells runs Pretty Well Packed, a local business of eclectic vintage finds she’s been selling out of her vintage trailer. And with a passion for the groovy era of the ’60s and ’70s, it’s no surprise she wanted to channel that into Good Vibes Collective.
Amanda Wells’ Pretty Well Packed trailer.
“I see the passion and hard work everyone puts into these events and their beautiful set ups,” she says. “But sometimes, they’ve been impacted by the elements — like raining during outdoor markets that ruin what they’re selling — so I wanted to create an indoor space to fight against that.”
Every weekend the market will host a mix of six to eight vendors, creating an intimate retail atmosphere. The products on display range from handmade and curated items, including pre-loved vintage pieces, handmade macrame or even eclectic graphic tees. The focus is on exclusivity and diversity.
And for Wells, the midtown location was perfect for the pop-up. While downtown Toronto hosts many weekend markets, north of the downtown core was in need of a similar space and event.
“Overall, Good Vibes Collective is a commitment to the community in midtown Toronto. It’s something to do on the weekends for those in the general community and something closer to home for certain vendors,” she says.
Looking ahead to 2023, Wells plans to utilize the space during the spring, launching again for an Easter market, complete with a lovely patio space for even more vendors.
While she mentions the Collective will be on pause in January and February, she’ll be starting it up again in March, also offering the patio space as an area for people to sell from.
Good Vibes Collective opens on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 700 Mount Pleasant Rd. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Aki Erenberg and Ricky Barrientos initially launched BEAR Steak Sandwiches in 2021 as a pandemic-inspired passion project, intending it as a temporary venture to cook for family and friends. Operating out of backyards, they offered their steak sandwich every Sunday in Little Italy.
But then something incredible happened. People loved it. And they wanted more.
Erenberg and Barrientos never let go of their dream to open a full-fledged sandwich shop, and today, they’ve turned that dream into a reality.
After years of searching for a permanent location, fate intervened, leading them to discover the perfect spot just steps away from where the BEAR Steak Sandwiches journey began: 550A College Street.
“A roast pork sandwich and hand-cut tallow fries have made their way onto the menu as mainstays,” explains Erenberg, but “the ethos of the business has remained the same: provide high quality, local ingredients to the neighbourhood with care.”
Priced at $16, the roast pork sandwich features pork shoulder, sharp provolone, and rapini on a sesame roll. True to their promise, the recipe for the original steak sandwich, available remains unchanged, featuring sous vide flank steak and housemade chimichurri on a papo secos (Portuguese roll) for $18.
“Not complicating the menu allowed us to hone our craft and produce and serve a consistently delicious product every service,” Erenberg said when the temporary operation opened in 2021. “We initially wanted to do different toppings, but Ricky’s homemade chimichurri is absolutely divine, and we decided this was the only other condiment worthy of our sandwich.” Evidently, their method worked.
BEAR Steak Sandwiches will officially open – or rather, reopen – to the public in its new permanent digs on November 4, and the first 25 attendees will receive a freebie. The celebrations will run all day, from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., though the soft launch is already in full effect.
BEAR Steak Sandwiches is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Curating an effortless wardrobe is a task that takes time and persistence. For some, it takes years to finally piece together a closet full of clothing that you can genuinely say you adore. However, that may take hundreds and hundreds of dollars and time that you may not have. Enter the capsule wardrobe trend: A timeless 8-10 piece collection of clothing gathered over time and worn with the goal of eventually creating a wardrobe that works seamlessly together.
Some of the other perks are include removing the decision fatigue that you may experience when getting dressed and opting out of the excessive consumerism of fast fashion and constantly cycling trends. For a seasonal 8-10 piece wardrobe, it breaks down to two to three shoes, two to three pairs of pants, three tops and two to three pieces of outerwear.
Below you can find a sample 10-piece collection that moves away from the general minimalist aesthetic that most creators piece together. All of the garments can be purchased at boutiques in the city and are unique to the Toronto aesthetic.
Shoes
L-R: Courtesy gravity pope.com, kith.com
For a fall capsule, a dressed-up boot and athletic sneaker is ideal. The Cougar Swinton from Gravity Pope is a waterproof, elevated take on the classic Chelsea boot. The rounded toe makes for a more relaxed aesthetic which will sit well under pants. It can be purchased in cream or black, but the latter is recommended in order to easily keep them clean.
The Salomon XT-6 is an obvious choice for sneakers. With its sleek silhouette coupled with an all-terrain sole, that makes it a terrific choice to be worn out and about in Toronto. The aloe wash colourway from KITH caught our eye and would contrast well with the black Swinton boot.
Bottoms
L-R: uniqlo.com, trinitygallery.ca, goodnbr.com
Pants can make or break your outfit and in this instance, your bottoms are here to take a back seat role. The first admission into your capsule wardrobe can be a pair of dark-washblue jeans. Check out Good Neighbour for a vast selection of high quality jeans in every shape and style, but we recommend a straight leg fit for the most versatility. Like a vintage car, your jeans may patina perfectly and evolve with age as they grow with your wardrobe.
The next pair is a beige pleated trouser from Uniqlo. The Japanese brand’s quality varies from piece to piece, but as long as you care for them, their pants will have some longevity. These particular trousers are a bit of a wider fit than the jeans, offering comfort and a more relaxed look. If you’ve got a looser budget, head to Blue Button Shop, Toronto’s best spot for Japanese fashion, where you’ll find a whole selection of super cool trousers — like these cotton ones, these classic plaid ones, these amazing jacquard pants and these wide leg paper bag ones.
Finally, your show-stopping pants are a pair of lethal trousers. Trinity Gallery has a pair of vegan leather trousers that will sit over or cuffed just above both of your shoe options at an affordable price. Leather pants are a trend in the womenswear department that has stayed surprisingly popular as the years go on and will likely stay there for the foreseeable future.
Picking fall tops can be quite difficult and depends a lot on your lifestyle. Someone who frequents Paris Texas on a Friday night will likely want something different to the person at a jazz club, or their own house wrapped up in a blanket with a glass of wine.
However, everyone needs a t-shirt. Kotn has a little ’90s T-shirt that will suit the aesthetic of all three pants. Paper white is a good colour selection as the focus of this capsule is to have the materials do the talking. If a tighter top isn’t your style, Kotn is Toronto’s go-to for basics, so you can opt for the essential crew or the box crew.
Next up is a cable knit sweater. Having something warm that exudes timelessness is one of the key features of the capsule wardrobe. A good first investment would be the Aran knit from Cuileann, found at Irish Design House. Feel free to play around with thicknesses as you shop but the Aran is a terrific baseline for people experiencing Toronto weather.
Finally, a long-sleeved body suit will merge all three tops into a trifecta that can’t be stopped. Wool is capable of elevating any piece of clothing due to its intricate weaving and Banana Republic has a ’90s-inspired one. If money is no object, Woolfords has a simple cotton one that will go with anything not matter which colour you choose.
Jackets and outerwear are fundamentally designed to be brilliant. They’re rarely worn indoors and are the most seen piece when outside. Why not show off your personality a little?
Dorian Who is an eclectic designer from Toronto who has created some jaw-dropping garments. Her green and white varsity jacket is a cool investment piece for those who want to turn their outfit more streetwear — and the oversized style can be great for layering. The patterns adorning the midsection is a conversation starter to say the least, and her quality is unmatched.
On the flip side, Hilary MacMillan does formal well and puts her own spin on classic designs. This particular jacket is a snakeskin trench coat made to elevate your most relaxed outfits. For a less neutral trench, this two-tone one also from Hilary MacMillan will do the trick of adding some colour to even the most basic look.
Earning a Michelin star already posed a challenge for snagging a reservation at Toronto’s Kappo Sato, and now, claiming the top spot on Air Canada’s 2023 list of the nation’s best new restaurants will make it even harder!
Under the culinary guidance of Chef Takeshi Sato, the Japanese establishment, known for its tasting menu prepared before guests, was closely trailed by Wild Blue in Whistler and Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar in Victoria, securing the second and third positions, respectively.
The top 10 list will be featured in the November issue of Air Canada’s enRoute magazine and online.
Chef Takeshi Sato @kapposato/Instagram
Selected by food critic Amy Rosen, author of Canada’s Best New Cookbook, the 2023 list features restaurants opened between late spring 2022 and June 2023, promising exceptional experiences in food quality, service and culinary creativity.
Kappo Sato
@kapposato/Instagram
On December 20, 2022, a new Japanese restaurant opened its doors in Davisville. The first of its kind in Toronto, Kappo Sato serves up traditional Japanese eats masterfully made by a chef that has over a decade of experience in Kappo-style cooking. Kappo, which simply means “to cut and to cook,” is a cooking method by which expertly trained chefs use cutting and boiling techniques to make the food, in addition to having a deep understanding of the tea ceremony and flower arrangement culture prevalent in artful Japanese cuisine and culture. Becoming a Master of Kappo usually involves 10 to 15 years of steady training, which is why it is uncommon to find Kappo restaurants in North America. Armed with his education and passion for Kappo-style cooking, the new spot echoes simplicity and quality with every decision made from cooking equipment to utensils to décor – intentionally chosen. The food is prepared right in front of the diners at an open-facing counter in a relaxed atmosphere with Japanese-inspired design. The restaurant accepts eight reservations per seating — either at 5:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. — and serves just 16 people per day, which allows the team to focus on quality, delivering an intense, highly perfected experience for guests.
Celebrating its 22nd year, Air Canada’s cross-country restaurant ranking stands as the longest-running, relying on a single, anonymous reviewer.
The top 10 also includes notable entries including Matty Matheson’s Rizzo’s House of Parm in Crystal Beach, Ontario.
Rizzo’s House of Parm
Rizzo’s House of Parm on Instagram
Helmed by chef Andy Donofrio (formerly of Meat + Three), there’s also an abundance of classic pasta dishes including linguine and clams, Carol’s chicken cacciatore and Matty’s bolognese Rounding out the menus is traditional Italian sides (rapini, polenta and marinated hot and sweet peppers), soups and salads, as well as a kids’ menu with loads of pasta options. This is not Matheson’s first foray into the Fort Erie food scene. During the pandemic, The Bear star opened up Matty Matheson’s Meat + Three, a now defunct pop-up serving up delicious BBQ which raised more than $6,000 for Women’s Place of South Niagara.
Celebrating its 22nd year, Air Canada’s cross-country restaurant ranking stands as the longest-running, relying on a single, anonymous reviewer.
Here are the 2023 additions:
1. Kappo Sato (Toronto, ON)
2. Wild Blue (Whistler, BC)
3. Marilena Café and Raw Bar (Victoria, BC)
4. Rizzo’s House of Parm (Fort Erie, ON)
5. Petit Socco (Winnipeg, MB)
6. Bonheur D’Occasion (Montreal, QC)
7. Folke (Vancouver, BC)
8. Le Molière par Mousso (Montreal, QC)
9. Espace Old Mill (Stanbridge East, QC)
10. Darlings (Bloomfield, ON)
A recent addition to the annual awards includes a diverse array of special mentions, featuring Trailblazers of the Year, Dish of the Year, Dessert of the Year, Cocktail of the Year, Tableware of the Year and Design of the Year.
Experience Toronto’s vibrant culture scene this month with five must-see arts events, from captivating performances to film festivals and iconic concerts. Don’t miss out on the city’s cultural richness.
1. Go to Tanya Tagaq
Critically acclaimed Inuk improvisational singer, artist, author and avant-garde composer Tanya Tagaq will be performing as part of the Royal Ontario Museum’s 16th annual Eva Holtby Program on Contemporary Culture on Nov. 14. The program begins with a moderated discussion between Tanya Tagaq and multimedia artist Omar Rivera, who operates under the moniker Driftnote. Together, they will delve into the inspirations behind their latest project, an immersive film titled Ajagutaq/Parhelion. This film will have its North American debut as a part of this program. The evening also features a performance by Tagaq alongside Inuit performers Nancy Mike, Varna Marianne Nielsen Apaloo and Charlotte Qamainq.
2. See the Reel Asian Film Fest
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is back for 2023, aiming to connect cultures and foster community through the power of cinema. The festival will kick off with the debut feature, The Queen of My Dreams, directed by Fawzia Mirza, a Canadian filmmaker. Scheduled from Nov. 8 to 19, this year’s festival includes an exciting array of 15 feature films and 57 shorts from various countries. Deanna Wong, executive director of Reel Asian, expressed the importance of sharing Asian stories in a global context. Highlights include The Taste of Mango, Okiku and the World, Small Fry, In Flames, River and We Will Be Brave. For the complete festival program and schedule, please visit reelasian.com. Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival continues its mission to bring diverse and impactful stories to the forefront. The festival takes place at six downtown venues including the TIFF Bell Lightbox and the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema.
Depeche Mode
3. See Depeche Mode
Toronto, get ready for an unforgettable evening with the iconic Depeche Mode. This celebrated new wave band has been shaping the music landscape for decades, and their 2023 North American tour promises to be a must-see event. They’re returning to Toronto on Nov. 5 for a rare concert appearance at the Scotiabank Arena. Depeche Mode’s music has transcended generations, and their electrifying live performances are known for their energy and timeless hits. Depeche Mode’s latest album, Memento Mori, marks their first release since the passing of keyboardist Andy “Fletch” Fletcher.
4. Go to The Bright Divide
The Bright Divide is an intriguing concert experience that presents Morton Feldman’s Rothko Chapel and the world premiere of Mark by Cecilia Livingston, featuring original text by Duncan McFarlane. This artistic endeavour draws its inspiration from two influential figures in the world of art and music: Mark Rothko, an iconic 20th-century painter, and Morton Feldman, a significant composer of the same era. The event will take place at the TD Music Hall on Nov. 10 and 11 as part of the Soundstreams immersive music series.
5. Go to Good Mourning Fest
Evergreen Brick Works presents its inaugural Good Mourning Festival on Nov. 4 and 5, offering two distinct yet interconnected days of reflection and celebration. The festival aims to unite diverse communities and cultures to honour and share their experiences of death and grief, reaffirming that these emotions are a vital part of life. The first day encourages open conversations and explorations of the universal themes of grief and death. The program offers an array of interactive installations, workshops for meaningful dialogues and artistic creations celebrating the human experience. On Day 2 Evergreen’s beloved Day of the Dead festivities return, highlighting Mexican and Latin American culture. This day is a vibrant explosion of colour, featuring activities for all ages, traditional celebrations, an artisan market and mouth-watering food and drinks. This joyful event will bring communities together through music, dance, storytelling and cultural sharing. The festival offers a special opportunity to come together and reflect on the profound aspects of our existence in a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
