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Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Food & Recipes, Vacation Travel

The Best New Restaurants in Toronto to Try

March 1, 2017

Fantastic new restaurants in Toronto are popping up so quickly that you would have to dedicate yourself to eating out several times per day just to see them all. (Sounds pretty fun, to be honest…) With so many great eateries to choose from, you’ll never go hungry when you are exploring this vibrant Canadian city.

Let’s take a look at some of the restaurants that have opened in recent months and should be on your foodie bucket list for 2017.

New Restaurants in Toronto : La Banane

This sophisticated French restaurant, run by Chef Brandon Olsen, opened its doors on January 3rd, 2017. It is pricey, but if you want to treat yourself to a date night the cuisine is superb. Olsen gives a modern twist to traditional French dishes such as liver and onions and fluffy omelettes. Try the mussels marinated in an espelette pepper vinaigrette or the duck breast with charred endive and jus. Make sure that you make your reservation in advance and dress your finest, this is a swanky spot!

Calii Love

Start your morning off with a bit of healthy nourishment at this Hawaiian inspired cafe. The new restaurants in Toronto focuses on superfood smoothies, healthy snacks and poke bowls that are heaped with nutritious ingredients such as shredded coconut, blueberries, strawberries, chia seeds and more. It is a breakfast that will give you the energy to conquer anything.

Imanishi

This Japanese gastropub hasn’t been around for very long, but it’s garnered a lot of interest due to its top notch food. It features homestyle Japanese cooking made with fresh high quality ingredients. They have excellent dishes such as sticky, smoky short ribs, spring rolls filled with curry chicken, squid tentacles with soy sauce and butter and seared beef tataki. The Japanese soul music sets the scene in this Dundas Street spot and the staff wear vintage sweatshirts, salvaged denim and Toronto Blue Jays caps.

Charidise

This new gourmet Taiwanese restaurant opened in January and is already well known for its authentic cuisine and friendly staff. The food is steeped in Taiwanese tradition and includes classic dishes such as Basil Chicken Rice, Hot & Sour Sweet Potato Noodle and Golden Squid Balls. Charidise also has a great selection of bubble tea flavours such as Honeydew, Mango and Taro. It’s a great place to stop for a drink or a snack if you are walking around downtown Toronto.

El Local Loco

This new Mexican restaurant on Church Street is work checking out. It’s laid back and welcoming, with heavy wooden tables and brightly coloured Mexican-inspired murals on the walls. How about braised beef rib with roasted corn and a cerveza chipotle reduction? Or maybe cod ceviche with jalapeno, cucumber, sweet peppers, citrus, avocado and honey? They even serve up a whole lobster tail taco that sounds muy deliciosa.

These are just a few of the exciting new restaurants in Toronto that you can check out this year. However, there are many others that we don’t have room to list here. Toronto is paradise for a foodie, as there is always something new and exciting on the menu. Dont forget to check out our picks for healthy restaurants and cafes!

Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Holiday Events

Romantic Valentines Day Toronto

February 7, 2017

Valentines Day Toronto is a great city for romance, as there are so many fun things to do with your sweetheart. No matter what you are into, you’ll find a unique, romantic and fun way to spend your Valentine’s Day. If you are looking for a creative and fun Valentine’s Day date, here are some ideas to inspire you.

Food Nook Tour

If your darling has a sweet tooth, take them on a tour of Toronto’s best sweet shops and chocolateries. Valentines Day Toronto Food Nook Tours are guided rambles through Roncesvalles that teach you all about the culinary history of this lovely and welcoming neighbourhood. You’ll get to see how these yummy treats are made and enjoy a few samples.

Sweep Them Off Their Feet On a Helitour

You can take your sweetheart on a high flying date that will really make their heart soar. See the downtown Toronto skyline from above as you glide along in a helicopter. You’ll fly over the waterfront, the CN Tower and other prominent landmarks. Don’t forget your camera!

Go on a Cheesy Date

You can have a really gouda time with your special someone at Leslieville Cheese Market and Fine Foods, where you can take a special cheese appreciate workshop together. Each class includes delicious wines and a flight of cheeses and you’ll learn all about the finer points of each type of cheese.

Art & Wine with Your Valentine

If your Valentine is the creative type, they will absolutely love an evening of wine and art making with you at Paintlounge. You can paint portraits of each other, or just abstract expressions of your love. When you get home you can hang your finished works in your home – so that they will always remind you of a lovely Valentine’s date.

Learn to Salsa

Salsa dancing is one of the sexiest things you can do with your partner in public with your clothes on – so why not learn these red hot moves? You can master this sensual dance at Lula Lounge, which hosts beginner lessons on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. When you have the steps figured out, get out on the dance floor and shake it!

Go to a Poetry Readin g

What could be more romantic than a beautifully written love poem? Take your special someone to a poetry reading and let the power of words move and inspire you. The Black Swan hosts the Art Bar Poetry Series every Tuesday at 8pm. Perhaps it will inspire you to write a poem about your sweetheart?

These are just a few romantic ideas of what you can do with your sweetheart this Valentines Day Toronto. There’s so much to enjoy in this exciting and diverse city, so how will you surprise your special someone this year?

Downtown Toronto, Fitness and Health, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk

Healthy Toronto Restaurants and Cafes

January 11, 2017

Is your New Year’s resolution for 2017 to eat healthier? Here are some healthy Toronto restaurants that will make your goals easier to achieve.

Eating healthier and more nutritious food will bring you many benefits. Not only will you lose weight, but you will also find yourself with more energy, better skin, a boosted immune system and much more. Most of the time eating healthy means stocking up on veggies, whole grains and lean proteins from the supermarket and cooking up nutritious meals at home.

However, what about those nights when you just don’t have the energy to cook for yourself? Eating out at a restaurant or café doesn’t have to mean giving up on your healthy food goals. There are many places that serve up nutritious and delicious food that will be good for your body.

Live Food Bar

This healthy Toronto restaurant in the Annex will help you to feel more vibrant and alive, with its inventive and flavourful sugar free, gluten free, raw gourmet dishes. The entire menu is gluten free and they use high quality organic ingredients. Try the Mediterranean Platter that is great for sharing, with cherry tomatoes, cashew dill ricotta, hemp basil pesto and sunflower falafel.

Impact Kitchen

This healthy cafeteria focuses on serving up healthy dishes that are as nutritious as possible. It aims to dispel the myth that good-for-you food has to be bland or boring. Some of the tasty dinner options include grilled flank steak and bison meatballs, or you can head there for breakfast and feast on granola bowls or a Power Breakfast that features salsa, scrambled eggs, sweet potato, avocado, spinach and chorizo.

Urban Herbivore

Healthy Toronto Restaurants This vibrant Kensington Market restaurant offers a fantastic salad bar where you can fill up on greens and quinoa, as well as yummy healthy sandwiches, dairy free cupcakes and gluten free treats. Try the grilled vegetable sandwiches which are warm and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and stuffed with veggies such as zucchini, grilled eggplant, spinach, sweet potato and shredded carrot.

What’s one of your favourite healthy Toronto restaurants you’ve visited before? Please feel free to share your recommendations with us in the comments below. Dont forget to check out these quick and easy healthy snacks when you are busy and on the go!

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Fitness and Health

How to Beat the January Blues in Toronto

January 6, 2017

The exciting buildup to Christmas and New Year’s is over – now it’s just cold. However, don’t get too sad as January holds plenty of fun things to look forward to.

You may be feeling a little bit blah after the holiday season. You’ve returned to work, you’re a little bit worse for wear after indulging in too much eggnog and cookies and the January days can be dark and dreary. However, there are many ways to lift your spirits and avoid the January blues. Here are some of the great things that you can do in Toronto this month.

The Next Stage Theatre Festival

January 4-15, 2017

Brighten up your January with some excellent theatre and comedy. This year the festival will be celebrating its 10th anniversary of offering a diverse showcase of thought provoking and funny theatre. Since it began 10 years ago, the festival has been attended by over 75,000 guests. Check out the schedule here to see which plays, improv shows and comedies are currently on.

The Second Annual Something Strange Circus Sideshow Festival

January 21, 2017

The second year of the Something Strange Circus Sideshow Festival will be an eclectic gathering of freaks and geeks from all over the world. From ventriloquists to contortionists to sword swallowers to stuntmen to burlesque dancers and much more, this show will baffle and amaze you.

Eat Some Poutine

On a cold January day, there’s nothing more comforting than piping hot chips smothered in rich gravy and squeaky cheese curds. Poutine is a Canadian

January Blues

delicacy and there are many great places in

Toronto to feast on this warm and satisfying dish.

Fancy Franks offers special poutines with unique toppings such as Korean Beef Ribs and a fried egg or BBQ Pulled Pork and a deep fried pickle. The poutine at Leslieville Pumps is made with rich dark gravy made from the beef smoker and aged potatoes. For more suggestions, check out this guide to the 15 Best Poutine Spots in Toronto.

Go Tobogganing

Zooming down a hill on a toboggan with the fresh winter breeze in your hair is a great cure for the January blues – it will bring you back to the carefree days of your youth. You’ll have lots of great tobogganing hills to choose from. Check out Riverdale Park East for an inviting slope and great views of the city skyline, or Withrow Park for a steep incline that has a set of stairs along the side to make getting back to the top easier. Donora Park, in a quiet residential area, has a smaller hill that is very kid-friendly.

Ripley’s Aquarium Beach Bash

January 27, 2017

If the January cold is really getting to you, why not pretend that you are in the tropics for a few hours? The Beach Bash in the Six is a beach party in the middle of winter where you can party in your swimsuit, sip on a rum cocktail and go for a ride on a surf simulator. It might be freezing outside, but it’s summer in here!

How do you like to beat the January blues in Toronto? Let us know in the comments below. Check out our blog too on some fun things to do in Toronto!

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk

Things to Do in Toronto At Christmas

December 21, 2016

Toronto at Christmas is a very merry place to be during the winter holidays.

If you are planning to spend Christmas in Toronto – you’re in luck. You’ll be surrounded by plenty of holiday cheer and there will be no shortage of joyous events and seasonal activities to get you in a festive mood. Here are some of the best things to do in Toronto at Christmas time.

The Toronto Christmas Market

Inspired by the Christmas markets in Germany in the 1400s, the Toronto Christmas Market creates the ideal festive atmosphere with craft maker stalls, mulled wine, street food, dancers, brass bands and carollers. Set within the Victorian-era cobblestone streets of the Distillery Historic District, this annual event is a great opportunity to shop for hand-made treasures and get in the Christmas spirit. Tomorrow is the last day so make sure you hurry there and visit!

Christmas at Casa Loma

Casa Loma is a unique architectural wonder. Built over three years between 1911 and 1914, it was constructed in the style of a Gothic castle, complete with battlements, secret passageways and over 98 incredibly ornate rooms. Visit between December 1^st and January 8^th to see the castle decked out in its Christmas finest, with several stunning sparkling trees throughout the castle decorated by celebrity designers. Visitors can go on a scavenger hunt through the historic castle, listen to carollers and enjoy sitting down with Santa.

Public Skating Rinks

Skating on one of the public rinks in Toronto is an essential Christmas experience, so lace up your skates and go for a spin. There are three public rinks in Toronto available for skating – the Evergreen Brick Works, The Natrel Rink at Harbourfront Centre and Nathan Phillips Square. The Nathan Phillips Square might be the most iconic rink, underneath the beautifully lit arches, but the Natrel Rink has a DJ spinning live tunes on a Saturday night.

The holiday season is one big long party in Toronto and there are so many great activities and events to enjoy. Pack a warm coat, a toque and a scarf and bundle up for a great holiday season in this lively Canadian metropolis.

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