North Toronto Post July 2023

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Laughing it up with T.O. comic Lilly Singh

Lilly Singh is back in the spotlight this month with a new CTV show, Battle of the Generations, that pits millennials against genXers in a family quiz battle for the ages.

What’s this show all about?

It is a pop culture trivia showdown that involves one contestant from each generation — a gen-Zer, a millennial, a gen-Xer and a boomer — all competing for their chance to win $25,000. It’s playful. It’s competitive. It's loose. It's fun, exciting and infuriating. Yeah. All of those things.

What attracted you to the gig?

A lot of things. I mean, I grew up watching game shows with my family. And I just love the idea of — it's kind of like sports, right? You're watching people competing, and you feel like you're personally invested in this thing that's happening. You feel like you could do it better. And that you know the answers. And so it's just this really fun viewing experience. I love making content that families can watch together.

What will viewers most enjoy?

What I love about the show is that it's pop culture. So it's really accessible to almost everyone. And so everyone's going to feel really great, because the first round is the moneymaker where people answer questions about their own generations. And then you start to get into the rounds where you have to answer questions about other people's generations. And that's where you can have a lot of

$700

intergenerational comedy and feud onscreen but also in your home.

So which is the best generation?

I swear, I swear, this is not just a politically correct answer: my answer changed every episode. I would walk into an episode being like, “Oh, based on who these people are, I feel like gen Zs got this in the bag,” right. And gen X comes out of nowhere with so much knowledge about random stuff. It’s such a mixed bag in every episode.

What is one generational trait that you wish you had?

I love being a millennial. Don't get me wrong. But there is something about boomers, where their outlook on life was always consistent on the show. They were like, “Listen, man. I'm here to have fun. I'm here to just make my grandkids proud.” Their outlook on life was really fun and cool. Whereas you would meet gen Z, who are awesome, but a bit delusional.

OK, here are some short answer questions for you. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

When your mind, body, heart and spirit all say the same thing.

What was your first job?

In Scarborough, at Harvey's.

Worst piece of career advice? In the beginning of my career, I did get en-

couraged to be a little bit of a diva on set. Every once in a while when something went wrong, I was very kind about it. Someone would call me and be like, ‘You know, you can just refuse to do the thing.’ I'm like, ‘I'm not going to do that!’

Your favourite Toronto view?

Me, holding an iced capp, sitting on the Humber River Bridge.

Your favourite Toronto restaurant?

I’d love to give a shout out to Rick's Good Eats in Mississauga.

Which Torontonian would you most like to hang out with?

I'm pretty sure the only correct answer is Drake.

What is your greatest fear?

My basic answer for you is spiders. My biggest fear, if I’m going to get deeper for a second, is to become stagnant. I want to keep growing and learning and experiencing things.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would love to play an instrument, preferably the guitar.

What is your personal motto?

Right now, it’s that service is in the recipe to happiness.

—Julia Mastroianni

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The number of summers, and counting, that one of Toronto’s most popular outdoor pools will be closed for repairs.

The high ticket prices for a seat at the 300 level for Drake’s Toronto concert dates, double that of other cities.

The years Country Style Hungarian Restaurant has been serving up schnitzel before announcing retirement.

The age at which new Toronto Raptors bench boss Darko Rajakovic began his coaching career in Serbia.

The distance, in feet, of the putt that won Nick Taylor the Canadian Open, the first Canuck to win in 69 years.

Lilly Singh is hosting ‘Battle of the Generations’ on CTV

Developers eye car dealerships as condo sites

As Toronto continues to grow and expand, many changes are reshaping the landscape that the city once knew. One of those changes, in particular, has been the number of car dealership lots and stores disappearing across the city — and even the Greater Toronto Area — to make way for more developments, both residential and commercial.

Right now, there are active development applications for a slew of car dealership sites in places like Leaside, midtown, North York and even Thornhill at Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue.

One reason for the disappearance of car dealerships is the surge in land values across the city. As Toronto's population grows and urban space becomes increasingly limited, the value of land has soared. This has prompted property owners to consider alternative uses for their valuable plots, often opting for lucrative development opportunities like highrise condominiums, office spaces or retail complexes — even the design of mixed-use projects: where residential buildings meet commercial space, a common design in Vancouver that is now seemingly populating the areas of Toronto’s Corktown and Riverdale neighbourhoods.

“The old style of dealerships, where you’re parking cars on it, is a tremendously inefficient use of land and resources,” said

Justin Sherwood, a senior VP at the Building Industry and Land Development Association. “That’s why you’re seeing the type of traditional dealership that you think of the ’70s and ’80s — with large lots and a lot of cars — disappearing and why you’re seeing more compact, vertical dealerships coming out.”

Sherwood highlighted this idea by pointing to the bottom of the Don Valley and Gardiner where multi-story buildings, with car storage on top — like BMW — are found.

“And it’s not just car lots: it’s anytime you have an inefficient use of land you’re going to start seeing those things — like drivein theatres,” he said. “More people are building up instead of out. And what does that mean? It means you’re going to have some new neighbours, and that’s a good thing.”

These changes reflect the evolving needs and preferences of Toronto's diverse population, as the city embraces modern living spaces and vibrant mixed-use communities.

And according to Sherwood, this redevelopment can be attributed to 2005 when the Liberals implemented the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe —

a government policy that helped ensure growth and development in the area was co-ordinated and efficient, resulting in the creation of more upwards buildings and limiting the expansion of boundaries at the edge of communities.

In doing this, it started this increasing trend of having condo buildings built in urban environments and that drove property values up.

Over the years, car dealerships have occupied prominent locations throughout Toronto, with the strip of Eglinton Avenue West coined as the Golden Mile, along Dufferin Street, or at Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue, for example. However, with the city's rapid growth and increasing population density, the demand for residential and commercial spaces has soared.

“You can’t afford to take up acres and acres of land for parking lots, that day is over,” said city councillor Mike Colle. “And in their places are much-needed residential developments.”

A major change like this is occurring in the Dufferin Street area, in Colle’s ward, which was once the car dealership capital of Canada. Currently, car dealerships in the area,

like Toyota, Honda, Buick and GVC, Ford and Mazda, are subject to development projects.

“[With these developments], you’re going to have a real sense of community and neighbourhoods there, because you didn’t have that because of all the car dealerships,” said Coun. Colle.

“Now you have places for people to live, shop, have recreational opportunities, new parks, so it becomes a neighbourhood place rather than a car place.”

But this disappearance isn’t just being seen in the Dufferin area, but is also impacting other Toronto areas like Leslie Street and, notably, Leaside.

“They’re a relic of the past. You can’t do it anywhere in Toronto, and they’re not coming back, because of the price of land,” he added.

Though some may feel nostalgic for the familiar car dealerships that have been part of Toronto's landscape for decades, these changes also bring new opportunities and advantages.

“It’s a positive transformation that’s going to turn a street of parking lots into a people place,” said Colle.

“It’s a wonderful positive story for changing Toronto for good.”

—Jemicah Colleen Marasigan

WIth land value surging, property owners are considering alternative uses for the land car dealerships sit on

AUTOMATIC Car dealerships from Thornhill to North York to midtown are converting to residential development.

No transit agency is designed to solve homelessness

In response to ongoing safety and security concerns on the TTC, the TTC Board recently approved the “move along” strategy, over the objections from some community-led organizations that the strategy was insensitive to those who are homeless or underhoused.

How did we get to a point where the transit system became a shelter system?

During the pandemic, the TTC allowed passengers to enter the system without paying a fare.

As a result, many vulnerable individuals took refuge in the subway and streetcars, and the low overall ridership made this possible. As ridership increased, any coexistence that may have existed began to fray.

Subway stations became resting spots for the homeless during the hours that shelters were closed, and the TTC continued to exempt certain riders from paying their fare.

Violent incidents on the system went from being a random event to reaching record numbers. In 2022, there were 1,068 incidents, which were double the number of the previous year and only reflected what was reported.

There is no question that addiction, mental health and homelessness are issues facing our city, and the cracks in the government programs that are

intended to address these issues are being fully exposed. That said, it is absolutely the wrong approach to ask the TTC to step in and attempt to address social challenges that no transit system was designed to solve.

The move along strategy is comprehensive and involves using the support of social services. The contentious part of the new strategy, for some, is the emphasis on fare enforcement

and moving the homeless to Union Station where individuals can access the support of social services. It is completely unclear how a strategy that ensures everyone pays their fare and that connects the vulnerable to the services they need is insensitive.

The TTC was never designed to be a shelter system and should not be treated as such.

The TTC is a transportation system that relies heavily on the farebox to be financially viable. When ridership is down, revenue is down and the financial sustainability of the system becomes jeopardized.

When considering the budget for this year, the TTC assumed that commuters would return to the office three days per week. Unfortunately for the TTC, commuters are making different choices. Those who work in the downtown core are returning to the office on average only two days per week, making Toronto one of the worst major cities for

returning to the office.

Employers confirm that a large part of the slow return is because of the transportation challenges: it is too frustrating to drive, and people don’t want to take transit.

Many commuters, including myself, have been witness to unsettling incidents on the TTC system, including drug use, volatile behaviours and homelessness.

If given a choice, many will make a rational choice to avoid a situation that may lead to an incident.

The TTC understands that confidence in the system must be rebuilt and is taking the right approach. It is far from insensitive; it is a responsible approach to ensuring a sustainable transit system.

The TTC has been grappling with challenging issues in recent years

KAREN STINTZ is a former city councillor and was a chair of the TTC.

Stop kicking elders to the curb

The closing of many long-term care homes in Toronto did not become an issue in the mayoralty election, but it is a matter of considerable significance.

Of 34 long-term care homes in Toronto, 12 have leases that expire a year from now, in June 2025, and residents will be forced to find a new place to live. In a few cases, owners are requesting a lease extension, but in most cases the owners simply want to sell, so the property can be redeveloped.

A six-storey long-term care home in the Bathurst and St. Clair West neighborhood near where I live provides good accommodation now for 125 residents, many with dementia. But they have been told they must move out by the end of this year, since the owner is selling the building so it can be demolished and replaced by a much higher condominium.

Provincial officials have indicated they will assist in finding alternative accommodation, but with a waiting list for long-term care beds in Toronto of almost 5,000 people, it isn’t easy.

And with the 2,500 beds in those 12 facilities being removed, the situation will become dire.

The province has promised some $6 billion in subsidies (mostly to the private sector) to provide 30,000 new beds in Ontario by 2028, as well as 28,000

upgraded beds, but few new units are under construction, and it seems clear the targets will never be met. In any case, new units will not be available in Toronto within the next year, when they are needed. The stress on our elders and their families will be enormous.

The city must step in. The one tool it has is to deny demolition permits to those private owners, making it clear it intends to do everything it can to ensure longterm care beds are not lost. One can argue that the city does not have the legal authority to deny demolition permits, but the city should use the same strategy the province has used. The province has avoided paying nurses the increase they have been awarded by appealing decisions to the courts.

When the province’s position has been rejected by the court, it appeals again. The city should adopt the same strategy to protect long-term care beds.

There’s a similar problem with the owners of rental buildings who have told tenants the building is coming down for an even bigger one. Tenants are forced to find another place to live, one that will certainly be more expensive and may not have much more security of tenure or rent than the place they are being forced to leave. Again, the city should step in and state it will re-

fuse to provide a demolition permit, forcing the matter into the courts and the delay that implies.

The main problem is that housing of any kind — longterm care or rental — is now seen as a real estate investment, not as a way of providing good and affordable accommodation. New buildings always cost more than older buildings, so demolition and replacement does nothing to ease the housing crunch. It drives up the price of housing. And this seems to be the key strategy of the provincial government.

The city’s strategy to date has been to say it can’t do much about the situation. But it can get tough and intervene to challenge those owners who are removing good housing. It will take nerve and determination, but it must be done.

There are more than a dozen long-term care homes with licences expiring in June 2025 and thus putting residents in imminent danger of eviction.

We saw the deplorable manner in which the province treated long-term care residents during the COVID crisis, when 16,500 residents died. We can’t allow the province to ignore the needs of our elders again.

Many long-term care homes in the city could close in the next few years

JOHN SEWELL is a former mayor of Toronto.

Bloor set for year-long update and makeover

The City of Toronto is set to undertake a major reconstruction project on Bloor Street West, spanning the stretch between Avenue Road and Spadina Avenue. The aim of this project is to implement various improvements that will enhance accessibility and safety for all road users.

Construction is planned to start in July 2023 and is anticipated to take approximately a year to complete.

“Before the temporary protected bike lane was installed, Bloor Street was one of the most heavily used cycling routes in the city due to its location and east-west connectivity. After installation, cycling along this route increased by 49 per cent, making Bloor Street the second most used bike lane in the entire city,” stated a spokesperson from the city’s transportation services department.

“Pedestrians also indicated that their experience of Bloor Street was the same or better than before the temporary bike lanes were installed.”

According to Alison Stewart, of Cycle Toronto, only four per cent of city roadways have some form of cycling infrastructure. And, no, protected bike lanes and cycle tracks such

as on Bloor Street do not cause traffic congestion.

“Reducing the number of single-occupancy car trips is integral to reducing vehicular traffic, which will free up roadways for public transit, emergency services and business activities,” Stewart explained.

According to City of Toronto, Engineering and Construction Services, the scope of the project includes a full reconstruction of the road base and replacement of the asphalt surface; sidewalk replacement with accessibility upgrades; permanently raised cycle tracks from Spadina Avenue to Avenue Road on Bloor Street West, along with a protected intersection at Bloor Street West and St. George Street; and improvements to existing tree planters and other green infrastructure features.

Though the planned improvements on Bloor Street West will undoubtedly enhance accessibility and safety, they will require some changes to street parking arrangements. Parking spots will be reduced to accommodate longer bus stop platforms, and on-street parking will be shifted to the south side in some sections along Bloor.

—Ron Johnson

CHESTNUT PARK REAL ESTATE LIMITED, BROKERAGE

One of the many upgrades will see raised cycle tracks on Bloor

Local fave could close for condo

City of Toronto staff is recommending approval of a 12storey condo development to take over the site of a beloved neighbourhood hub at Yonge Street and Roxborough Street, and the local residents association says city planners are jumping the gun.

The development at 1080–1088 Yonge St. is located at the southwest intersection where a retail plaza is located that includes an über-popular sandwich shop. The owner of Grandma Loves You said they hope to relocate in the area.

A city staff report, which was scheduled to arrive at Toronto and East York Community Council at the end of June, recommends “approval of the application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to permit a 12-storey mixed-use building at the southwest corner of Yonge Street and Roxborough Street West. The proposed building will have 28 dwelling units, with 1,390 square metres of commercial space.”

When the project was proposed, the ABC Residents Association (ABCRA) had issues with certain parts of the development plan, including the way the 12-storey building transitions to the local low-rise neighbourhood immediately to the west of the site. And despite

the developer making some changes to the plan, that remains the case.

“We’re not satisfied,” said John Caliendo, executive director of ABCRA. “We’ve asked councillor Dianne Saxe to defer the item, not oppose it, not refuse it, but defer it. We think there’s still some small but important improvements.”

Caliendo used the example of another development just north of Roxborough, where discussions with the development team led to a successful outcome for all involved.

oper agreed to a number of revisions, such as increased setback to centre line of lane from 4.51 to 5.15 metres; increased stepback above streetwall on Yonge Street from 1.5 to 2 metres; increased setback for the north portion of the ground floor along Yonge Street from 0 to 1.5 metres; and decreased building height closest to neighbourhoods from six to four storeys. But that is not good enough, according to ABCRA.

“We’re hoping the developer will come to the table. We have a whole bunch of experts who have prepared an analysis of how it can be improved,” Caliendo said. “And again, it’s not a big ask, right? We’re frankly disappointed the city planners have jumped the gun.”

“We had a developer who was very willing and able to sit down with ourselves and the city, but we took the lead, and we achieved an excellent outcome specifically as it relates to transitioning from the building on Yonge to the lower houses on Roxborough, Marlborough, etc., up there,” he explained. “In this case, our concern is the transition is not yet good enough. So the answer is no.”

According to the staff report from city planning, the devel-

The development is just one of a number of planned towers that will soon descend onto Yonge Street in midtown Toronto, including a 15-storey tower across the street at 1087–1091 Yonge St., which city planning staff is also recommending for development approval this month.

The development application was scheduled to be considered by Toronto and East York Community Council on June 22 and is scheduled to go to Toronto City Council on July 19.

—Ron Johnson

“In this case, our concern is the transition is not yet good enough.”

Grandma Loves You is a popular sandwich shop at Yonge and Roxborough

@gleezusfeedsus

City rejects change to North York housing

Toronto City Council made a decisive move at the end of June by rejecting proposed modifications to a long-anticipated modular housing project in Willowdale. Despite concerns voiced by a councillor regarding the well-being of nearby seniors, the council opted not to proceed with the project as originally outlined. The modular housing project to be located at 175 Cummer Ave. was designed to swiftly create supportive housing by assembling prefabricated components that were manufactured off site. Its primary aim was to address the city's pressing goal of transitioning individuals from shelters and encampments into homes.

City councillor Lily Cheng was moved to campaign against the project after listening to local residents in the lead up to the last municipal election, in which she was elected for the first time.

She said she felt strongly that those in the neighbourhood, especially those who do not speak English well, were not listened to by the city. She emphasized the impact on neighbouring seniors residing in Willowdale Manor and Cummer Lodge Long-Term Care Home.

“This process has illuminated to me how difficult it is for Canadians who do not speak English to be engaged in meaningful ways in our democracy,” said Cheng. “Moving forward I will advocate for better community engagement that is not simply checking off a box.”

The project dates back to 2021 and has been held up by the Province of Ontario, which has yet to grant the ministerial zoning order (MZO) that would fast-track the development. The housing is still sitting in storage and costing the city $77,000 a month.

Cheng had two motions on the issue defeated at a city council meeting on June 15, in which she tried, amongst other things, to get the project moved, adding more green space for the neighbouring seniors, and to establish a multilingual community liaison committee.

“The city lost an opportunity to build bridges toward a faster path to housing while taking care of our vulnerable seniors,” she said. “Change must happen at the speed of trust. Instead, we will wait out the OLT [Ontario Land Tribunal] process with an unknown timeline and outcome.”

—Ron Johnson

City councillor Lily Cheng lost key vote

The future of Yonge and Eglinton is at stake

A proposal to amend the official plan for the development of Canada Square at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue in Toronto has sparked a community consultation regarding the removal of the requirement for a new public street and the alteration of the size of public squares.

The Midtown Working Group, a coalition of neighbourhood groups, believes that Canada Square has the potential to become a "new town centre.”

The proposal for the development includes five towers at Yonge and Eglinton, with 2,701 units, 59,000 square metres of office space, 2,000 square metres of retail space, and 1,000 square metres of community space. The plan also incorporates a new public plaza, an east-west open space, an L-shaped street and a public park along Duplex Avenue.

David Ticoll, president of Quantum Owners and Residents Association (QuORA), said the developer’s latest revised applica-

tion is much improved.

“The plan could make an excellent contribution to the quality of life in midtown. Several important aspects of that contribution remain to be worked out,” he said.

“For example, the promised 5,500 square metres of community space needs to be realized and achieve community priorities. Another is

design and utilization of the space.

The group also emphasizes the importance of utilizing a significant part of the 2200 Yonge St. building for community use.

“We submitted our document to David Driedger, city planning, who is in charge of reviewing the revised application,” said Andy Gort, of the South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association (SEDRA). “We are asking for actions not only from Oxford, but also from the various city departments and our councillors.”

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that parks, squares and plazas across the entire project should be green, not concrete.”

The working group has outlined key conditions that need to be fulfilled in order for Canada Square to fulfill its intended role. These conditions include the programming of the full 5,500 square metres of community space, with community involvement in the

The group’s statement explains that the revised application for Canada Square represents a significant improvement compared to the previous proposal.

A final staff report could be heading to city council this fall.

“We’ve proposed formation of a city-mandated stakeholder committee, including community representatives, to advise on these and other matters over what may be a 10 to 15 year project rollout,” Ticoll said. —Ron Johnson

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The revised Canada Square application could hit city council this fall

“The plan could make an excellent contribution to the quality of life.”

What’s good around the neighbourhood

Ramona’s Kitchen and Maker Pizza both moved into the Bayview neighbourhood this past month. Ramona’s Kitchen, a Thornhill institution known for its breakfast and brunch, opened a second location at 1608 Bayview Ave. Maker Pizza, the wildly popular Matty Matheson-backed pie joint, has opened its doors at 1674 Bayview Ave., where favourites such as the Spicy Vodka Pep God are sure to be enjoyed by the community.

Swarovski has launched a one-ofa-kind flagship concept store in Canada with a new location on Bloor Street. Named the “Instant Wonder” concept, the 1,900square-foot store at 55 Bloor St. W. is experiential, featuring octagon display cases, interactive mirrors to try on the jewelry of your choosing in the best lighting and elegant jewel displays. This location is said to be the only one of its kind in Canada and is one of just 27 in the world.

Toronto Pen Shoppe is making its mark on the Distillery District this summer. Former Nordstrom employee Nelmar Cornes jumped into entrepreneurship after the American retailer closed up shop in Canada. The petite 575-square-foot space will house writing tools and stationery from around the world, along with local gifts from Canadian vendors. You can pick up writing goods at 7 Case Goods Ln. when the store launches.

Ryusuke Nakagawa, Michelin star chef at Aburi Hana in Yorkville, is bringing his skills to a few popular restaurants in Toronto this summer. Visit Miku at 10 Bay St., Minami at 225 King St. W. and Tora at 3401 Dufferin St. to try a taste of the collaboration between Nakagawa and each of the restaurants’ head chefs. New dishes include lobster aosa nori tempura at Tora, hamachi crudo at Miku and scallops wrapped in A5 Japanese wagyu at Minami.

OAK, also known as One of a Kind, is opening a flagship Toronto store at 333 Queen St. W. this summer. The streetwear and footwear resale boutique, which began in Montreal, chose Toronto for a new location when the owners noticed many customers were from Toronto. The new location will be the brand’s biggest yet — 2,500 square feet — and might introduce their own private label.

De La Mer Fresh Fish Market and Good for Her both closed their doors last month. De La Mer’s 1543 Bayview Ave., 291 Roncesvalles Ave. and 189 Danforth Ave. have all closed after owner David Illiatovitch-Owen was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And inclusive and educational sex shop Good for Her, at 175 Harbord St., said goodbye after 26 years — the shop was a pioneer in offering women- and trans-only hours for shoppers.

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Maker pizza has opened in Leaside

TORONTO BREAK-INS

FOR SALE

Rate hikes could mean T.O. loses a generation

The Bank of Canada raised the interest rate 0.25 basis points to 4.75 per cent in June. Former city chief planner and Markee Developments founder Jennifer Keesmaat tells us why it could lead to us losing a generation of renters in this city.

How will the recent rate hike impact the rental market?

When rates go up, it becomes really difficult to borrow money to build new housing. A significant amount of the pressure on any development project is government fees and the cost of borrowing. So this is really bad news in terms of being able to borrow the money to go through the construction period to build new rental housing.

What about people waiting to buy?

You essentially have more and more people

deferring access into home ownership. Every time the rate goes up, their monthly payment goes up. You get more renters who say, “I’m going to wait it out for rates to go down [to buy a house].” That would be fine if we had an oversupply of rental housing, but we have a shortage. More people staying in the rental market drives up rent.

People have referred to gen Z as the “boomerang” (moving back in with parents) generation. Are you noticing that?

My daughter just graduated from a master’s program, and she’s moving back home. Even if she wanted to move into a house with a bunch of friends, all of her friends are feeling like they should wait it out and stay home as well. To do everything right, to work exceptionally hard and then realize entry-level housing is completely out of

reach — it's an incredible risk to the city. If newcomers and young people look at this city and say, “It's too expensive, I don't have a chance of getting a foothold,” you're going to see the vibrancy of the city drain away.

So what happens next?

We didn't take advantage of the low interest rate environment as we should have five years ago to build a significant amount of housing that targets people who are entry level in their job, young people, newcomers. We’re on the cusp of losing a generation in this city. It’s a government problem. They are providing access to the land and to the financing. We do not have a free economy when it comes to housing. It is a highly regulated industry, as it should be, but not to the point of dehousing people.

—Julia Mastroianni

Forget the hype: city condos are still selling

Sales of existing condos around the Greater Toronto Area have bounced back to levels not seen since a year ago, but activity in the new condo segment continues to trail far behind. So what exactly is happening in the condo market?

“New condo sales generally react with a lag to resale market activity,” Shaun Hildebrand, president of Urbanation Inc., a Torontobased real estate consultancy, said.

Some 2,560 resale condos changed hands in May, a 38.5 per cent jump from the 1,848 sold in the same month in 2022 and a big spike from March, when condo sales were down 32.5 per cent annually, according to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. However, at the same time, new condo sales were down 57 per cent on a year-over-year basis for a total of 1,327 transactions in April, says the latest report from the Building Industry and Land Development

Association (BILD). The report also notes that 13,588 new condos remain unsold in the GTA.

“New condo buyers — who are predominantly investors — want to see that there are signs of stability in the broader resale market before they buy new-construction condos,” Hildebrand explained of the difference between new and resale condo sales.

But things are looking up: during April and May, condo developers launched 23 projects, with 6,631 units. That ’s down just three projects compared to the same period last year, which saw 7,970 new presale units.

“More projects have launched in the second quarter, and some of them have sold out quickly,” said Hildebrand. “So developers feel encouraged to launch new projects.”

Sherman

A new housing report has painted a characteristically bleak picture of the housing affordability scene in Toronto, determining that it would take a person just under 25 years to afford a down payment on a home in the city — and that’s with an income of $230,923.

The report by the National Bank of Canada found that, at a savings rate of 10 per cent of pre-tax income, it would take 297.2 months, or 24.7 years, to save enough for a down payment on a home in Toronto. That’s based on a median home price of $1,137,570, equalling a down payment of $227,514. However, the qualifying annual income to be able to make those savings is $230,923 — more than double the average household income of $97,000 in Toronto.

For non-condo homes in the city, it’s a similar story: you would need a household annual income of $236,221 to afford the average home at a cost of $1,163,670, taking 304 months or approximately 25 years to save up.

For condos, the statistics are slightly less grim: at a household income of $165,220, you would need to save for 58 months, or almost five years, to afford the average condo at $695,691.

Torontonians may be scared off to cities like Montreal or Calgary (where it would take just over three years to save for a down payment).

Jennifer Keesmaat says rising rates contribute to fewer housing developments

Dr. Tordjman studied at the prestigious University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry, where he acquired strong theoretical knowledge and practical skills. He expanded his expertise with a residency at Mount Sinai Hospital, gaining extensive knowledge in hospital and emergency room dentistry, and treating medically compromised patients.

Maintaining optimal oral health often involves navigating various dental procedures, but the journey doesn't have to be daunting. With advancements in dental technology and sedation options, achieving a healthy and beautiful smile can be a calming experience.

Tooth extractions are sometimes necessary to preserve oral health. Although the thought of an extraction may cause anxiety, it's important to remember that modern techniques, coupled with sedation options, offer a calm and comfortable experience. Experienced dentists utilize gentle and minimally invasive methods to extract teeth while ensuring your comfort throughout the procedure.

In cases where there's an inadequate amount of bone for successful implant placement, bone augmentation or “grafting” is an essential technique to optimize implant success. This procedure involves adding bone material to the extraction site, stimulating new bone growth and providing a solid foundation for future implants. With the advancements in bone grafting techniques, dentists can perform this procedure with precision,

CONTACT

more holistic. Parents are invited to be on two sides of the same coin, not adversaries. It takes on the form of a healthy debate where a compromise can be reached, not an intense showdown where a winner must be chosen.

The approach with mediation is that every family situation is unique, and as a result so is every family dispute. No two families are alike. Therefore, thoughtful and careful consideration must be taken into account. Each mediation session is customtailored and individualized for the circumstances of each client.

promoting successful implant integration and long-lasting results.

Tooth replacement with implant solutions has revolutionized the field of dentistry, offering patients a permanent, natural-looking solution. Dental implants provide a strong and stable foundation for prosthetic teeth, mimicking the look, feel, and function of natural teeth. From single tooth replacements to full-arch restorations, implant solutions can restore your smile and confidence. Skilled dentists with expertise in implant dentistry employ state-of-the-art techniques to ensure optimal results and patient satisfaction.

During these procedures, patients can opt for nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation, a safe and effective method to induce a calming and relaxed state. Widely used, it can provide a sense of tranquility while maintaining full control and the ability to communicate with your dental team.

child’s life. It doesn’t need to be aired out for the world to see.

One of the advantages of mediation is that it is completely flexible and can be conducted entirely online. The process of mediation is much more casual than having to go to trial and creates less stress for all involved. With online meetings, parents can remain in the comfort of their homes, which alleviates some of the stress of having to commute to an appointment and puts parents at ease.

With family mediation’s more constructive atmosphere, flexibility, convenience, and increased privacy, consider it a viable alternative to a court proceeding. It’s kept hundreds of other families out of the court system. It may just do the same for you and yours. Mediation encourages both parties to work together

CO-PARENTING DISPUTES AND THE BENEFITS OF MEDIATION

If you are co-parenting, you've likely faced unique obstacles that have made parenting even more challenging. From differing opinions on sending kids to camp to weighing the benefits of virtual learning versus in-person school, navigating these complexities requires careful consideration and open communication.

It is a common misconception that disagreements on big-ticket items like these have to go through the family court system. In reality, family mediators can

by Oren Weinberg

offer an alternative that strives to bring both sides to an amicable agreement that is convenient for all parties involved.

Rather than leaving it for the courts to make a final decision regarding the family’s parenting schedules and arrangements, mediation encourages both parties to work together, providing children with the opportunity to see their parents work together to come to final parenting decisions.

With family mediation, the approach is much

With mediation, many families, even those who are seemingly unable to communicate effectively, often find a mutually agreeable resolution with the customized approach and flexibility offered to families.

Privacy is important to many and mediation offers just that. Going through the courts can mean disclosing heaps of personal information to a public gallery and for the public record. Worse yet, it can also potentially involve disclosing personal details about your child, including information about their relationships with family and friends, their health, and any challenges they have. All of this information remains on the public record, where it could be accessed by anybody, including your child when they’re older.

With mediation, personal information will be discussed, but it will remain between the parties involved and the mediator. It’s your life, and it’s your

Oren Weinberg, Partner Boulby

Oren Weinberg is a leading family lawyer and a qualified mediator and arbitrator. Oren has practiced family law since 2005 and is recognized by Best Lawyers.

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Dr. Ran Midroni (left) and Dr. Joshua Tordjman (right)

YOUR DENTAL WELLNESS JOURNEY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE STRESSFUL

HOMES WITH PERFECT POCKET POOLS

Make the most of your property’s square footage this season with these three homes in the GTA. Each one features a vacation-ready swimming pool, elegantly designed with your space in mind — and plenty of room for a waterside patio!

NORTH YORK THORNHILL WOODS

The home at 57 Shale Cres. is already quite impressive, with a marble-style two-sided fireplace, an all-granite kitchen and a beautiful finished basement. But it’s the pool on this 36.78 x 105.09 foot lot that is dressed to impress: to fit the space with enough room for an accompanying patio to host that summer soiree, it has an L-shaped design with a waterfall addition for the ideal relaxing retreat. It’s listed for $1.99 million with Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd.

VS.

Want a newly custom-built home? The 25 x 128 foot corner lot at 137 Florence Ave. is home to four-bedroom, four-bathroom digs designed to perfection. You’ll find 10-foot-high ceilings and Juliette balconies in the living room — but the star of the show is the backyard. The designers used the length of the private space to build a considerably sized pool with a waterfall feature. It’s listed for $2.888 million with Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd.

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FOREST HILL

The 25 x 158.5 foot home at 9 Parkwood Ave. proves that you don’t need acres of land for a luxury abode! Live the Toronto way instead with this four-bedroom, five-bathroom property that has a stunning rooftop patio and a backyard that is hard to beat. Enjoy a stone terrace, four-seasons cabana and an infinity edge plunge pool with a floating fire — all surrounded by tall hedges for complete privacy. It’s listed for $6.15 million with Hazelton Real Estate Inc.

Beyoncé returns, a Dream in High park and much more

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L-R: Dream in High Park, Queen Bey

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FROM THE BEACH TO THE BISTRO

Transform your beachwear into all-day attire this summer! Jeanne Beker has selected the coolest coverups paired with slip-on sandals for wherever you're travelling this season, from Balmy to Venice Beach.

CAVENDISH BEACH

Gravity Pope, $150, 1010 Queen St. W.

MIAMI SOUTH BEACH

Imelda, $88, 123 Roncesvalles Ave.

BALMY BEACH

GetOutside, $169.99, 437 Queen St. W.

SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI

Hilary MacMillan, $165, 224 Carlton St.

"I love the idea of a mesh coverup: you can be as revealing as you want, wearing it over a swimsuit or over shorts. This one has an edgy feel to it."

VENICE BEACH, LOS ANGELES

Sandpipers, $197, 87 Yorkville Ave.

"This is elegant and great for the beach, and if you accessorize, you could wear it out to a fancy dinner! A long coverup is always extra glamorous."

KITSILANO BEACH, VANCOUVER

Holt Renfrew, $390, 50 Bloor St. W.

"This is fun, attention-grabbing and very boho chic. It's got a great, funky colour. You could wear this to the market or to dinner with the right accessories."

COOPERS BEACH

Heel Boy, $155, 773 Queen St. W.

VENICE BEACH

Browns, $198, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.

KITSILANO BEACH

Maguire Shoes, $230, 1514 Dundas. St. W.

COOPERS BEACH, THE HAMPTONS

Shan, $525, 7540 Weston Rd.

"This is a very versatile little dress. These days, when you travel, you want to take fewer and fewer things. I love this fluid, artsy, painterly print as well."

BALMY BEACH, TORONTO

Melmira, $149, 3319 Yonge St.

"It's really so sensual; this would look great with any kind of suit under it. I really like the cut and colour of this. The fabric makes it a really interesting piece."

CAVENDISH BEACH, CAVENDISH

Canopy Blue, $405, 2582 Yonge St.

"This is very playful and youthful, and it looks like eyelet lace. This could be worn just as a tunic over a pair of jeans as well. It's just good summer fun!"

Jeanne Beker | One of Canada’s most trusted authorities on fashion, now watch her on TSC or tune in to her new podcast Beyond Style Matters.

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Fashion facelift: 5 new stores hit Yorkville

Though Yorkville was already established as a go-to for luxury and high-quality shopping, new and exciting brands and boutiques are opening up shop on the Bloor strip giving this downtown neighbourhood a bit of a facelift.

According to Liza Amlani, principal and founder of Retail Strategy Group, Yorkville's glory days are making a comeback. Amlani believes this is due to new residential areas being developed — more than 10,000 housing units proposed or in development — the booming hospitality industry and the influx of luxury retail players in the area.

Luxury retail giants such as Chanel transformed the area into what is now known as the high-end shopping district in the city. But now, Yorkville is experiencing a rebrand as notable names, which include Veronica Beard, Reformation, lab diamond shop Vrai, Balenciaga and resort wear brand Revelle, have opened shops in recent months.

And Yorkville’s style revival doesn’t stop there. Fashion lovers in the city can look forward to brands such as Saint Laurent, upscale French fashion company Anne Fontaine, jewelry shop Van Cleef & Arpels and denim company John Eliott opening their doors in the coming

months.

According to Amlani, these are all brands that are resonating with a new demographic that is welcoming the changes.

While previously Yorkville’s demographic was seen as one that skewed older, these new changes are bringing in a younger luxury customer with disposable income, who may be looking to move into that area.

“[The opening of these stores] will bring a lot more life into the Yorkville area — not only Bloor Street, but also increasing foot traffic and just increasing spending in that area,” she says.

In fact, one exciting addition that is hoping to infuse a new perspective to the neighbourhood is Mine & Yours, a Vancouver-based store that focuses on sustainability and resale. They're shaking things up by aligning with customers' values and offering a sustainable way to access luxury.

"I'm all for the resale scene and the shift toward a more sustainable and circular economy," says Amlani. "Hopefully, we'll see a decline in ultra-fast fashion and a shift toward luxury brands that have longevity in their products — which are metrics of sustainable and responsible retailing."

—Jemicah Colleen Marasigan

Vancouver luxury resale brand Mine & Yours is coming to Yorkville

A Vogue & GQ take notice of T.O. shop

A new brand with a penchant for crochet has permanently set up shop in one of the Stackt Market’s largest shipping containers.

Jrew Creations is a hand-crochet fashion accessory brand that has been featured in the likes of Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair. Jrew’s products range from bucket hats to on-trend open knit cover ups, although its popularity began with durags.

The brand was started in March 2022 by Andrew Foster and Jaime Aludos. Aludos had recently lost her great-grandmother, who was an avid crocheter.

“She crocheted a lot when I was younger, but I wasn’t into it

when she tried to teach me,” says Aludos. “After she passed, I decided to teach myself.”

Foster was looking to kick a cannabis addiction and wanted to keep his hands busy. As a way to get his mind off things, he turned to crocheting alongside Aludos.

The pair fell in love with the craft and eventually began selling their products in some impromptu ways.

“Andrew went to the gym wearing the durag one time, and he sold a couple just to people who wanted to know what he was wearing,” says Aludos.

With just eight Instagram followers, the pair set off to North Carolina to participate in a cro-

chet trade show. They then came back home and participated in a few local events, eventually popping up in a “half of a quarter of space” in Stackt. “But we made it our own,” Foster says.

Their biggest break came in an email from Conde Nast

“We saw it and went, ‘Yeah, this has got to be spam.’ But they really did want to feature us — we went through a bunch of magazines and opted to have our accessories featured in GQ, Vanity Fair and Vogue,” says Aludos. Now, with a full shop of their own facing Bathurst Street in Stackt, it has become one of the busiest locations in the market.

—Marcus Mitropolous

Vintage fashion thrives in the 905

Popular Vaughan-based vintage shop Batch Vintage has been supplying dream Y2K wardrobes for some of the city’s most fashionable thrifters. Arianna Stalteri and Marcanthony Spano are the couple behind the shop, and they’ve been building their business for eight years.

The pair began dating in high school after admiring one another’s unique style in the halls, and they turned their shared love of vintage fashion into an Instagram business while still in school.

In 2018, they became serious about the business when they started selling at the Deadstock Depot, Toronto's first ever vintage streetwear flea market.

The couple say their mixed styles have only helped the business. “We both have our strengths — we each bring something different, and I think we work together really well,” says Spano.

Spano grew up skateboarding, so his style favours baggy jeans, cool T-shirts and flannels of the ’90s and early 2000s eras. Stalteri’s selection tends to be a mix of New Age designers and nostalgic pieces.

The same year, they opened their official showroom in the basement of a private residence and quit their jobs at the Holt Renfrew Outlet in Vaughan Mills to pursue their business full-time. The private showroom in Vaughan is open on Saturdays, and all you have to do is message the Batch Vintage account to get the address.

Still, some of their hottest pieces get snapped up from their Instagram story sales. You can shop by “Marc’s picks” or “Ari’s picks,” curated based on their individual taste. Dress like the city’s favourite fashion kids by snagging a few pieces of your own.

—Emma Johnston-Wheeler

Founders of Jrew Creations, Andrew Foster (left) and Jaime Aludos (right)

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As the impacts of climate disruption become more frequent and intense, we need a range of solutions. One that’s getting a lot of attention is nuclear power. After 30 years without building any new reactors, Ontario is jumping onto the nuclear bandwagon. How should we react?

One of the biggest issues is that nuclear power is expensive — at least five times more than wind and solar — and takes a long time to plan and build. And because the various models are still at the prototype stage, they won’t be available soon.

We’ve stalled for so long in getting off coal, oil and gas, so we need solutions that can be scaled up quickly and affordably.

The last nuclear plant built in Ontario, Darlington, ended up costing $14.4 billion, almost four times the initial estimate. It took from 1981 to 1993 to construct and is now being refurbished at an estimated cost of close to $13 billion. In 1998, Ontario Hydro faced the equivalent of bankruptcy, in part because of Darlington.

Ontario’s experience isn’t unique. A Boston University study of 400 large-scale electricity projects over the past 80 years found “on average, nuclear plants cost more than double their original budgets and took 64 per

cent longer to build than projected,” the Toronto Star reports. “Wind and solar had average cost overruns of 7.7 per cent and 1.3 per cent, respectively.”

As renewable energy, energy efficiency and storage technologies continue to rapidly improve and come down in price, costs for nuclear are rising. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment report shows that nuclear power delivers only 10 per cent of the results of wind and solar at far higher costs.

The amount it will cost to build out sufficient nuclear power — some of which must come in the form of taxpayer subsidies — could be better put to more quickly improving energy efficiency and developing renewable energy, such as wind, solar and geothermal.

David Suzuki Foundation research shows how Canada could get 100 per cent reliable, affordable, emissions-free electricity by 2035 — without resorting to expensive and potentially dangerous (and, in the case of SMRs — small modular reactors — untested) technologies like nuclear. The future is in renewables.

The Q-ssis Wealth Management Group is a part of TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. which is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ® The TD logo and other TD trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.

The Q-ssis Wealth Management Group is a part of TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. which is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ® The TD logo and other TD trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.

Call us to book an appointment. We would love to see your smile.

Dr. Katherine Ing & Dr. Soul Emam

• Over 25 years of combined experience

• A choice of sedation techniques available

The

GTA

needs to steer clear of nuclear

Nuclear energy is more expensive and less efficient than renewable

DAVID SUZUKI with files from senior editor Ian Hanington

Everyone is engaged; should I be too?

Dear Sangita: Everyone around me is getting engaged, and I’m feeling pressure like I should be too. But my partner and I are happy where we are . How do I stop comparing myself to other people?

—Cracking under peer pressure

Dear Cracking: I would encourage you to forget about the peer pressure and do what you want to do on your own schedule. But I completely understand that when you're experiencing people around you getting engaged, you feel that pressure. I get the feeling that you’re probably already thinking about it, and you might actually be wondering, “When am I going to be the one to get engaged?” So I don't think it's necessarily the pressure of the people around you. Is it possible that you’re questioning yourself and thinking, “When is this going to happen for me?” You might need to think about whether you do want to get engaged and want to bring it up with your partner.

For me, when I was with my boyfriend at the time (my nowhusband), for four or five years, and it just naturally came about to say, “Hey, this is the time we should get engaged and this is the time we should get married.” Sometimes it just happens natu-

CURRENTS ADVICE

your boss. That’s the way your boss wants to live. She doesn’t want to use deodorant. So no, you really can't say anything. Unless you are friends and you can bring up the conversation in a friendly way, but it doesn’t sound like you are. Unfortunately, that’s your boss and you have to find a way to deal with it. Maybe that means wearing a mask! I have a feeling she’s aware of the smell, and she’s fine with it, especially if she’s comfortably brought up the fact that she doesn’t wear deodorant with you before.

Dear Sangita: How do you “do it all”? —Hoping for guidance

Come

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rally. You may be at a point where you want to talk about it — and perhaps you’ve already talked to your partner about it before.

If that’s the case, I don't think you need to bring it up. The challenge is what you asked — how to stop comparing yourself to other people. It’s something that I deal with as well, where I can care too much about what people think about me. In my 40s, I'm starting to learn to let that go.

One of my friends said to me, “They don’t pay your bills. It doesn’t matter what their opinions are.” Someone else's opinion of you is none of your business! So I strive live that life now. People say to stop comparing, but it's going to happen. So instead it’s about how you deal with that and turn it into a positive.

Dear Sangita: I’ve started at a new job and my boss has terrible body odour. She has said she doesn’t use deodorant. At this point, it’s very difficult to work in the office when she comes in. It’s a small company, so there’s no HR team to speak to about this. Can I do anything about it?

—Barely bearing the B.O.

Dear Barely: No! You’ll need to figure it out for yourself. You can’t bring up that conversation with

Dear Hoping: To me, the word “balance” doesn’t really exist in my life. Sometimes you're focusing on your career, and that means that your family has to adjust with that side of it. Or sometimes it's the other way around — your family is your major priority, and sometimes that means your career has to take a little bit of a hold. It’s OK to do that. It’s about figuring out how much you can handle. It’s OK not to always be there for everything, and also it’s important to let yourself know that it's OK to let certain things go.

One of my friends, Farah Nasser, she said to me, “People see you and they see you as this perfect person.” And I told her it’s because I show joy. I just try to bring a positive attitude to everything.

When my dad was sick and I thought I was going to lose him, I was sitting next to him in the hospital. And he said, “Let's talk about all the amazing experiences we had together. You’ve got to look at what we've had, right?” I think that's true for everything.

So I think that's what it is. I take a moment. If I need to cry, I will cry. But I take a moment and then I say, “OK, get over it. Let's move on. What's the next step?”

SANGITA PATEL is an ET Canada television host. Send your questions to advice@postcity.com

activities include games, sports, swimming/water play

CURRENTS GROWING UP T.O.

FAST FACTS

NAME: Quinn SCHOOL: Havergal College

FAVE T.O. ATHLETE: Kia Nurse

FAVE T.O. PLACE: Second City Toronto

FAVE T.O. MEMORY: Biking to the Harbourfront area with family

CURRENT JOB: Professional soccer player

T.O. star puts Canadian soccer on the map

There’s never been this much attention on the Canadian women’s soccer team before. That’s partially because they’re heading to the FIFA World Cup on July 20, partially because the country is launching a long overdue professional women’s soccer league in 2025 and partially because of Quinn. The midfielder made headlines in 2021 — for becoming the first out trans, non-binary athlete to win an Olympic Gold Medal — and hasn’t stopped since then, whether it’s for advocating for trans rights in sports, speaking out about pay equity with Canada Soccer or scoring big with the National Women’s Soccer League.

In the fall, Quinn, who uses they/them pronouns, will be taking their influence to the next level with a mentorship program for eight 13- to 17-year-old girls and gender diverse soccer players called the GE Appliances See Them, Be Them initiative.

“It's so important for young soccer players to have role models — that was what helped me see a pathway to become a professional athlete,” Quinn says.

Quinn says that pathway was “relatively easy” for them. They joined their provincial team, then the youth national team and continued on to college soccer in the United States before getting a call up to the national

team quite early on. They also say they had support throughout the process. The athlete attended Havergal College and says teachers made sure they wouldn’t fall behind when missing school for youth national team events.

But Quinn says there were still hardships and that they plan on sharing those hardships with the players they’ll be mentoring so they’re more prepared. “Being a transgender athlete, it was difficult to see my place in sports and see that I belong,” they say. “And the same goes for cisgender girls: we have a maledominated sports culture in North America and they deserve to see they have a place.”

Hopefully that will be changing with the announcement of the professional Canadian women’s league. “It'll be another avenue for people to get into women's soccer,” they say. “And the World Cup will be an opportunity to see players that will be in the upcoming league.”

With the World Cup weeks away, Quinn is excited. “We've never won a World Cup, and in the past we haven't performed in the ways that we've wanted to.

For us, coming off of an Olympic Gold Medal, it's a unique experience. We were world leaders, and so I think it’s a different perspective this time around, not as underdogs but as the team to beat.”

— Julia Mastroianni

Midfielder Quinn is gearing up for the FIFA World Cup in July

From a Tinder date to a Central American wedding

As one of the newest additions to ET Canada’s reporting team, Brittnee Blair has travelled the globe interviewing some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Robert De Niro, Michelle Yeoh and Kelly Clarkson. She got her start on TV as the “Queen Bee” on Big Brother Canada’s third season, but you might recognize her from her international career as a plus-size model. The TV host gives us the scoop on meeting her husband, marketing director Jared, and their intimate wedding.

How they met

We met on Tinder! He had me laughing for two days chatting after we matched, and then he sent me a cute message saying he wanted to meet in person.

The first date

Our first date was at an arcade. I showed up in my chucks, jeans and a grey T-shirt ready to game it up at the basketball hoops! We were obviously a great match, be-

cause we ended up winning a ton of points, and each ended up winning a giant stuffed animal. We went out for margaritas afterwards, a table for four – him and me and one for each of our giant stuffed animals!

The courtship

We went to Miami together after only five weeks of dating! We went to a drag brunch, lounged in the sun and celebrated Cinco de

Mayo. Then we drove to Orlando to visit Harry Potter World!

The proposal

We were on a trip in Japan, and I was loving Nagano so much I kept saying how I didn’t want to leave. He seemed panicked by this, and he said he really wanted to get to Kyoto for a tea ceremony we booked. We ended up rushing to get there, and I didn’t have time to change so I was wearing athlei-

sure! We arrived at the tea ceremony and selected our attire to wear (traditional kimonos) and had a wonderful time. The last tea I had was a strong matcha, so my heart was already racing. Then the woman leading the ceremony brought out another tray, but it was covered with a cloth. She turned to Jared to give him the tray. He lifted the cloth, and there was the ring box! He got down on one knee, and all I remember is crying happy tears and saying, “Yes!” Afterwards, we walked around the Golden Temple and then did karaoke to celebrate!

The wedding and honeymoon

We got married at Hidden Valley in Belize, in front of a place called Butterfly Falls. It was a very intimate wedding, barefoot and surrounded by 21 of our closest friends and family. We arrived in Belize with our guests for prewedding celebrations in Hopkins Bay on the beach, then headed up to the mountains later in the week

to get married at Hidden Valley. For our honeymoon we spent another week touring Belize. We snorkeled, ate delicious food, visited the Mayan ruins and had an incredible experience.

The kids

We have a daughter; she is 18 months old and already a little ball of energy!

The secret to success

Communication, patience and understanding that it’s not always going to be 50/50 in the relationship. Sometimes your partner gives 60 per cent and you give 40 per cent and vice versa! That’s fine, and you have to be open to compromising and allowing your partner grace and flexibility.

The future together

Hopefully we are still travelling the world, having fun together and laughing every day — and hopefully owning a home in Costa Rica!

Brittnee and Jared’s 21-person wedding was in Belize

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FOOD

A SEA OF TOWERING TEMPTATIONS

Seafood towers are making waves in Toronto. Perched on sparkling crushed ice you’ll find stacks of sweet crab claws, perfectly plump prawns and more fruits of the sea than you can imagine. It’s the ultimate showstopper and the perfect summer splurge. by Jennifer

Schembri

STK

Head to this restaurant in Yorkville for premium cuts of meat and beyond fresh fish in an oh-so-glam setting. Alongside favourites like steakhouse skirt and miso-glazed Chilean sea bass, the star of the show is the seafood tower. Boasting a bountiful variety of oysters, clams, mussels, Dungeness crab, lobster, ceviche and jalapeno pickled shrimp, the tower is paired with traditional cocktail sauce, mignonette and lemon Dijonnaise. It can be accompanied by one of the restaurant’s many signature libations, like the STK Mile, made with vodka, lime, green chartreuse and ginger beer.

$69/person, 153 Yorkville Ave.

JUMBO LOBSTER

For a meal of epic proportions (and an epic price tag!) a trip to Jumbo Lobster is in order. The sister restaurant of Scarborough’s legendary Fishman Lobster Clubhouse, this location is similar to the original with its delectable offerings of meat and seafood dishes including sweet and sour pork, shark fin soup and steamed bass. But it’s the restaurant’s colossal seafood feast of lobster and crab that draws in hoards of eager diners seeking an unforgettable meal.The eyepopping “lobster mountain” sees a giant mound of fried lobster served with fragrant garlic and smelt that costs as much as $700.

7501 Woodbine Ave., Markham

SELVA

Indulge in oceanic delights at Selva, chef Nuit Regular's multi-sensory immersive restaurant on Richmond Street. The menu, influenced by Regular's Thai heritage, presents a tantalizing fusion of flavours. Choose between two remarkable sparklertopped seafood towers. The first ($150) is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The second ($180) is offered on Fridays and Saturdays. Both towers feature an array of shellfish, including crab legs, prawns, clams, shrimp and oysters. The second tower adds a whole lobster, elevating it to a truly extravagant option for seafood enthusiasts. 221 Richmond St. W.

BLUEBLOOD STEAKHOUSE

A visit to BlueBlood Steakhouse will make you feel as if you’ve been transported into another realm, as classic heritage architecture collides with modern art pieces by the likes of Warhol, Dali and Mr. Brainwash decorate the walls. As if eating a sprawling tower of shellfish wasn’t opulent enough, the restaurant is located inside the majestic Casa Loma — the recipient of a $3 million makeover when it was leased by Liberty Entertainment Group back in 2014. BlueBlood never skimps on portions or quality. Here you’ll find king crab, lobster, jumbo prawns, freshly shucked oysters and salmon crudo. $88/person, 1 Austin Terr.

STRAIGHT TO THE PINT

We asked chef Anthony Rose to take a walk on the wild side this summer and sample the city’s new crop of unconventional ice cream combos. Read on to find out which flavours made him melt.

WINNER

BLACK SESAME EGG YOLK

“Cool! The egg yolk is very custardy and rich and so delicious. This is the definition of wild ice cream. I would recommend this to anyone who just wants to eat amazing ice cream.”

Wong’s Ice Cream, 5607 Yonge St., North York, $12/pint

WASABI

“This is really interesting. It’s not crazy spicy — it doesn’t hit you up in your nose, but it’s got a nice kick of heat. You still can’t eat too much of it, though.” Boho Gelato, 160 Baldwin St., #73, $30/pint

3RD PLACE

PEANUT BUTTER & SALTINE

“This is great, but I want more saltines. I can taste them and the flavour is nice, but I want more. It also has a light, subtle flavour of peanut butter.” Honey’s Ice Cream, 1448 Dundas St. W., $13/pint

CACIO E PEPE

“I taste lots of lemon, which is light and refreshing, as well as butter and pepper. It has an unprocessed, kind of raw flavour to it and a nice background of cheese.”

Good Behaviour, 342 Westmoreland Ave. N., $13/pint

ANTHONY ROSE

Post City’s tasting chef is the Michelinrecommended visionary behind Fat Pasha, Schmaltz and Fet Zun.

CHEESBOARD

“I like this. You can really taste all the flavours — the wine, pear and cheese. It’s got a cool savouriness to it, and I love the addition of the walnuts.” Death in Venice Gelato, 1418 Dundas St. W., $11.75/pint

EVERYTHING BAGEL

“Very savoury! I love all of the spices they’ve used. This is very well done, and the concept is great. I’m just not loving the amount of onion and garlic.” Ruru Baked, E69, 4300 Steeles Ave E., Markham, $13/pint

JAPANESE PEAR & RICE SORBET

“This tastes really nice and is perfectly sweet, and I love Japanese pears. You can’t really taste the rice, though; I wish there was more. It would give it a creamier texture.”

Daan Go Cake Lab, 3380 Midland Ave., Unit 11, Scarborough, $10/pint

RUNNER-UP

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Midtown welcomes city’s top supper club

A luxurious supper club has opened just in time for the summer season.

Ultra offers an edgy, mature space to spend your evenings with Pan-Asian cuisine followed by late-night entertainment.

If you were a club-goer back in the early 2000s, you might remember Ultra Supper Club as the place to be on a Saturday night on Queen West — perhaps one of the only places to be on a Saturday night on Queen. The opening comes just as Charles Khabouth, CEO and Founder of Ink Entertainment Group, celebrates his 40th year in the entertainment business.

spans the entire ceiling above. Or diners can alternatively order a cocktail from the dimly lit cove of the Onyx Bar or enjoy their drinks alfresco from the New York–esque terrace that offers spectacular views of the city.

DESIGNER VIBES

Unlike the original Ultra Supper Club, the menu from executive chef Kihyun Kim (formerly of Akira Black) is pan-Asian, which, Khabouth explains, is “something of the past” and nobody else in the city is really doing anymore.

The interior of the space drew inspiration from the imaginative style of Alexander McQueen.

Ultra Supper Club consists of three lofty spaces — each offering different atmospheres and different identities — and crafted by the talented Toronto-based Studio Munge.

Guests can dine in the main seating area, called the Ochre Room, and sip cocktails on cosy chairs and sofas, while surrounded by dramatic gold decor and a custom-made, chain-link chandelier that

Taking a twist on Asian dishes, the menu embraces tradition with lighter, airy mains and cold and hot share plates at the forefront of the menu. Celebrating Asian flavours and premium ingredients from China, Vietnam and Thailand, features include sushi and sashimi, rice and noodles and robata grill mains, including steak, cod and lamb chops.

“We’re bringing the best of every Asian country, all under one roof,” says Khabouth.

Ultra is located at 12 St. Clair Ave. E. -Megan Gallant

Realtron Realty Inc. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated

Ultra Supper Club’s opulent Ochre Room

T.O.’s best dim sum opens in Yorkville

An award-winning Toronto dim sum restaurant is opening a new location at Yonge and Charles later this summer.

Though this is great news for Yorkville residents who love Pearl Chinese Cuisine, it also could pose as major competition for Dynasty, another high-end dim sum restaurant that’s been in the neighbourhood for over a decade.

Pearl Harbourfront is wellknown for both stunning waterfront views and its extensive menu of Chinese cuisine, including rice noodles, dim sum, cooked meats and fish and stir-fried vegetables. The new space will be the fourth Pearl location in the GTA.

In addition to its original location in Harbourfront, the dim sum hot spot currently has operations in Bayview Village Shopping Centre and Oakville.

Though Pearl’s original location on the Toronto Harbourfront is the only high-end dim sum in the area, the new location will be opening just around the corner of Dynasty

Chinese Cuisine, which is at 69 Yorkville Ave.

Will Pearl be able to compete with Dynasty’s beloved General Tao’s Chicken and popular har gow steam buns? Or will Pearl’s signature Pan-fried Hockey Pucks and special fried rice have the power to woo even Dynasty’s most loyal Yorkville customers?

Dynasty already faced fear of being booted out of the neighbourhood 18 months ago, when a pro-

posal was submitted to the city to turn the building into a 29-floor, mixed-use building with 143 units. Though it doesn’t look like the city will be approving the proposal anytime soon, it could mean that Dynasty would have to relocate to accommodate construction.

Is there enough demand in Yorkville for two high-end dim sum restaurants? Stay tuned to find out.

Pearl is set to open in July at 730 Yonge St. —Megan Gallant

Historic eatery hits the 905

A Markham heritage house was recently transformed into a fine-dining restaurant that serves up a fusion of North American and Caribbean culture.

Located at 48 Main St., Laz Authentic Cuisine is in a heritage building once known as the “wedding cake house” for its white picket fence, central gable and decorative bargeboard, it was constructed in 1870 and designated for its heritage value by the Town of Markham in 1979.

It’s one of the reasons co-owners Gerry Weekes, director, and Diakhia Lezama, executive chef, chose the building for their brick-and-mortar location, which they decided to open after 20 years of catering.

The 60-seat floral front patio adds more tables to the already spacious two-storey interior. The top floor seats 50 diners for private dining, and the main floor can accommodate 40 guests for white tablecloth fine dining.

Like the entertainment, different days of the week have different specials on the menu for diners at Laz. On “soul food Sundays,” — as Weekes calls it — Laz offers a rotating variety of Caribbean-style favourites like a macaroni pie and coo coo or callaloo.

“That’s what makes us special,” says Weekes. “We’re able to come up with clever ways to provide the mix of Caribbean meals to suit our local community as well as the Caribbean community.” —MG

An array of dishes from Pearl Chinese Cuisine

Top Vietnamese spot lands in North York

At Toronto’s Dak Lak Cafe, people come for the exceptionally strong coffee, but stay for the delicious Vietnamese food.

Named after a province where most of Vietnam’s coffee is grown, the small food stall located on the second floor of the mall quickly gained popularity for its traditional desserts and coffee made using robusta beans which has flavour notes of dark chocolate, nuts and even whiskey.

cafe opened a second location on College Street and most recently expanded yet again with a third location at Yonge and Lawrence.

Along with these expansions came an enhanced menu, featuring an array of dishes inspired by the beloved food stalls of Vietnam.

LATTE LOVERS

“Our signatures are our traditional Vietnamese-style drip espresso and egg coffee,” the duo said on their website. “They are very popular with those who have visited Vietnam as well as coffee lovers who seek out strong coffee.”

Vietnam, first introduced to coffee by the French in the 19th century, has now become the world’s second-largest coffee producer.

A highlight of the menu is a colossal two-foot long banh mi sandwich. Priced at $35, the sandwich is packed with roast pork and pickled vegetables. In addition to an assortment of sandwiches, the menu also boasts a selection of street food options like the rice paper salad and crunchy rice cakes topped with pork floss.

For those not in the know, egg coffee (ca phe trung) is a silky concoction that’s made by beating an egg yolk with sweetened condensed milk for about ten minutes, until it adapts an airy, meringue-like consistency — sort of like a tiramisu.

Two years later in 2018, the

A refreshing lineup of fruit teas has also joined the menu. Perfect for the warm summer months, these cold brews come in flavours like grapefruit lime and pineapple lychee.

Dak Lak Cafe is located at 3379 Yonge St. and is open Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

—Jennifer Schembri

Choose from a variety of sandwiches and coffees at Dak Lak

Historic Hogg’s Hollow tavern gets modern transformation

Following a series of extensive renovations, the historic Miller Tavern, located in the Hogg’s Hollow neighbourhood, is now open.

Originally operated as a hotel in 1857 by the Hogg brothers, the Jolly Miller — which was later renamed the Miller Tavern — has long been an important piece of Toronto, acting as a sports bar, late night hangout, special events space and a fine dining establishment.

Now run by Scale Hospitality, the significant restoration included the addition of the Raw Bar on the main dining room floor and equipped with cosy leather bar seats for champagne and oyster shot afternoons while the chefs live shuck at the counter. Mural artist Charlotte Terrell also created two Hogg’s Hollow–inspired abstract paintings, which were then fabricated into custom, boutique art wallpapers that swath the entire main and second level dining rooms.

Two lavishly redesigned private dining rooms and a new backlit marble bar added to the second level provide fresh options for special group moments and a social hub for every day and night.

GAMBLING BUST

Run by corporate executive chef Ted Corrado and head chef Ilan Shpigel, the revamped lunch and dinner menus showcase elevated British and American fusion fare with a focus on fresh ingredients. Here, you’ll find plenty of upscale starters, like the caviar service or the seafood tower, as well as fine steak cuts, seasonal salads and classic, crowd favourite sides.

During Prohibition, the tavern housed a gambling den that eventually closed down after several raids.

The tavern’s vast redesign also included the construction of its now year-round, large “indoor terrace,” which provides guests with an open view of the expansive patio during summer. During the cooler seasons, guests can still enjoy an alfresco dining experience, thanks to wraparound, floor-to-ceiling windows and heating throughout.

Miller’s vast raw dish selection includes a jumbo shrimp cocktail and a scallop ceviche with honeydew melon, aji amarillo, coconut, cucumber, crispy onions and lime. Standout mains include honeyglazed, herb-crusted roast half chicken; whole grilled lobster; and a wide range of ultrapremium steak cuts from the wagyu flat iron to the grand tomahawk for two and more. Behind the bar, guests can enjoy an extensive wine and champagne list, featuring French and American vintages, a diverse beer offering and house signature cocktails.

The Miller Tavern is located at 3885 Yonge St. and is open Monday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

—Christine Hogg

A look at one of Miller Tavern’s redesigned rooms

Summer Like A European

(without leaving T.O.)

By Julia Mastroianni & Jennifer Schembri

On tapas the world

Dance like nobody’s watching

Deeply rooted in Spanish culture, flamenco encompasses music, dance and singing and is characterized by hand clapping, footwork and intricate hand and body movements. Head to Lula Lounge on Friday and Saturday nights for Latin nights with a live salsa band and DJ. If you’re not a dancing pro, the city’s top instructors offer lessons too!

Gorge on paella

Spain’s most famous dish, paella originates from the region around Valencia and is available in two varieties: the classic meat-based version of chicken and rabbit and the seafood paella. At Toronto’s Tapas at Embrujo, the star of the show is the extensive selection of paellas. From the Bomba loaded with chicken, shrimp, mussels and chorizo, to the aromatic saffron-infused rice with squid, it’s almost impossible to choose just one.

Visit a master of architecture

Make a grape escape

Spain boasts a diverse selection of wines from renowned regions like La Rioja and Penedè and is the third largest producing wine country in the world. For an extraordinary experience, embark on the captivating five-hour Niagara Aerial Winery Tasting Tour. The experience begins with a scenic flight, providing a bird’s-eye view of the breathtaking vineyards in the area. Upon landing, you’ll be chauffeured in a luxurious limo bus and indulge in the finest wines from award-winning vineyards in the region.

SPPAAIN

Hailed as a 20th-century masterpiece, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in northern Spain designed by world-renowned Canadian architect Frank Geary is a must-visit. In 2004, Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) joined the league of modern museum structures showcasing contemporary architectural brilliance when Gehry designed a series of new additions to the AGO, including the Dundas Street facade, Gallery Italia and the iconic spiral staircase, which have become symbols of the institution’s unique character. Plus, while there, you can peruse the museum’s permanent collection, which includes over 120,000 works spanning the first century to the present day.

Hit up a summer music festival

Some of the most spectacular music festivals in the world, including long-standing mainstays like Primavera Sound, along with its vibrant nightlife scene makes Spain a popular destination for music lovers. Discover a variety of musical genres at Toronto's many upcoming music fests, including Electric Island (techno), Toronto Summer Music Festival (classical) and the Beaches International Jazz Festival.

Join a tapas crawl

Tapas holds a significant place in Spanish culture, seamlessly blending drinks and small dishes with the joys of socializing with friends. In Toronto, you too can hop from bar to bar at Eating Through TO’s Cocktail and Tapas Crawl. Beginning with food and bevvies in an authentic Spanish bar, the crawl then heads down the road for tapas with a FrenchCantonese flair. The evening ends on a high note at a funky ’70s-themed bar where soul food and music will top off the night.

Clockwise from top: the AGO, a tapas crawl, the Lula Lounge

Have your Mamma Mia! moment

Celebrate at T.O.’s biggest Greek festival

The Danforth has kept its Greek roots through the years, but never is it more alive than during the Taste of the Danforth. This year, this annual festival is being reimagined for 2023 to adapt to the changes on the street. From Aug. 11-13, head out to the neighbourhood to enjoy traditional Greek music, authentic food and plenty of entertainment to give you a taste of Greece.

Walk among the Greek gods in T.O.

For a delightful combination of Greek mythology and historic Canadian art, visit the Garden of the Greek Gods at Exhibition Place this summer. This collection of 20 sculptures by renowned Canadian sculptor E. B. Cox depicts favourite figures of Greek mythology, including Medusa, Orpheus and Hercules.

Meander Ontario’s version of Nemea wine roads

traditional Grecian outdoor theatre. The summer program looks promising: Alice in Wonderland runs from July 12 to 22, Three Men in a Boat from July 27 to Aug. 13 and true crime story The Drowning Girls from Aug. 17 to 27.

Have a Mykonos-style night to remember

For a dinner outing that will give you all the vibes of a Mykonos nightclub, the iconic Myth has officially reopened in June after a devastating fire. The decor, atmosphere, crafty cocktails and shareable dishes emulate that of an upscale dinner spot in Greece — great for girls’ night, date night or a funky drinks spot after a day at the beach.

GREECE

Wine connoisseurs might recognize Nemea, the biggest wine region in all of Greece. Travellers often spend a full day sampling wines in the area — and you can do the same within the Hillier region of Prince Edward County. There’s a cluster of nine wineries in the area that you could visit all in a day if you’re ambitious. Try beginning at Trail Estate Winery and ending at Sugarbush Vineyards for your DIY wine tour.

Enjoy an open-air Greek theatre in the city

Get a taste of Greek theatre at the Guild Festival Theatre this summer — located in Scarborough, this open-air stage is built in the style of a

Get refreshed with a traditional Greek salad Ossington Avenue, Toronto’s trendiest street, is also home to arguably the city’s trendiest Greek spot — Mamakas Taverna. The modern spot has crafted an authentically Greek menu, but the unmissable standout is their horiátiki: served traditionally sans lettuce, with a sumptuous block of feta to top off the colourful tomatoes.

Sample a favourite Greek meze on the Danforth Gigantes, a traditional and deliciously simple dish featuring large white beans baked in a tomato sauce, is an underrated Greek meze that you’ll find on most menus in the country. In T.O., your best bet is to head to Pantheon on the Danforth — potentially Pantheon’s best dish, they’re served cold and pair well with skordalia (garlic potatoes).

Living la dolce vita

Try your hand at Venetian glassblowing

A visit to Venice isn’t complete without a glass-blowing workshop on Murano Island. At Artscape Wychwood Barns, you can get your own glass-blowing education, Toronto style, thanks to Playing With Fire. Try the glass fish workshop to own a piece of Venice that you’ll find in practically every Italian household.

Concert alfresco

At the base of Castel San Pietro in Verona, there’s a Roman amphitheatre that hosts performances throughout the summer. In Toronto, we’ve got our own version — Casa Loma’s Symphony in the Gardens. Italian-Canadian conductor maestro Paolo Busato leads the Casa Loma Symphony Orchestra, where concert-goers will have the option of enjoying alfresco food and drink.

Explore the (Ontario) grotto

committed to the theme and transformed the space into a ’80s Italian disco club, complete with disco balls and zany decor. Now if only Sprezzatura were open until 5 a.m. like a real Italian club!

Do as the nonnas do

Everyone and their nonna (literally) in Woodbridge has shopped at Grace Textile. In the business for over 40 years, this sprawling linens store is known for its reasonably priced imported products. With Italian-made undergarments shelved beside European bed linens and a Jesus-embossed candle, you won’t get a more authentic Italian experience than this!

Y LYITAL

Ontario’s answer to the Amalfi Coast’s Blue Grotto is the Grotto in Bruce Peninsula National Park — and you can get there in a day trip from Toronto. The trip with Ontario Adventure Tours includes a kayaking tour on Lake Huron, a hike around Horse Lake and a swim in the famous Grotto, with water so clear and blue you might mistake it for the Bay of Naples.

Get a taste of Italian disco

Sprezzatura Spaghetti Disco on Dundas West serves up a true Italian disco experience with a side of fresh pasta. Visit for a delicious meal followed by a night of dancing. The restaurant has

Indulge in a bougie Florentine treat

Italian native Andrea Pittis wants to transport you to the streets of Florence at Tutto Gelato, a Beaconsfield village corner shop. Using gelato-making machinery imported from Italy, the shop’s creamy, frozen treats are made daily in-house, where just a handful of gelatos — including hazelnut, tiramisù and pistachio — rotate daily.

Sip on a taste bud–awakening spritz

If you want to drink like an Italian, forgo the wine and opt for an Aperol Spritz, the iconic bright orange bevvy from Padua, near Venice. At La Pizza & La Pasta located in Yorkville’s Italian mecca, Eataly, there are two spritzes on the menu — there’s the classic Aperol version, which is traditionally made, as well as the Limoncello Spritz, which subs in tart lemons instead.

Clockwise from top: Symphony in the Gardens, Tutto Gelato, Playing With Fire

Clockwise from top: Taste of the Danforth, horiátiki, Myth Restaurant

Have a bon voyage in France

Pay your respects

Tourists from around the world are drawn to Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, captivated by the allure of visiting the final resting place of luminaries such as Jim Morrison and Marcel Proust. Opened in 1876, Toronto’s Mount Pleasant Cemetery is an immersive voyage into the city’s rich history. Encompassing a sprawling 205 acres, A-list graves of prominent Canadians include former prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and pianist Glenn Gould.

Smell the blooms

In the summer months, the farmlands of Provence transform into a sea of vibrant violet, as lavender blooms. At the Lavender Polo Farm just north of Toronto, visitors can revel in over 155 acres of the fragrant Spanish and English sun-kissed flowers from mid-June to late July.

Gaze at the stars

blatt, which rivals Paris’s Pont des Artes, “love lock bridge,” located across the Seine River. Since 2014, thousands of locks have been latched to the installation to symbolize the permanence of a couples’ union.

Cabaret all day

With its alluring blend of acrobatics, extravagant choreography and iconic cancan dancers adorned in costumes of sequins and feathers, acclaimed cabaret the Moulin Rouge has been dazzling tourists and locals alike since 1889. On July 29, he Junction Underground will be transformed into the Sugar Shack and feature a fun and flirty evening of burlesque and cabaret performances from classic to comedy and everything in-between.

FRANCE

Captivating audiences since 1939, cinema’s annual gathering, the Cannes Film Festival, stands as the epitome of glamour in the realm of celebrity events. Known to be a launchpad for awards season, the Toronto International Film Festival (Sep 7–17) is chock full of star-studded film premieres, elegant red carpet moments and splashy gala events that make headlines across the globe.

Lock in your love

Along the cobblestone streets of Toronto’s historic Distillery District, you’ll find a nine-foot long LOVE art installation, designed by Mathew Rosen-

Experience pastry culture

At Goûter, French-born head pastry chef and owner Rodney Alléguède has been winning diners’ hearts with his no-fuss croissants in flavours ranging from chocolate to raspberry. But the offerings don’t end there. The spot is also brimming with French breads and pastries (madeleines, cinnamon knots and fruit Danish) and savoury treats as well.

Don a chapeau

Is there anything more iconic of French fashion than the beret? Continually being reinvented, a long list of It girls have sported the stylish topper over the years including Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve. For your own Parisian chic chapeau, visit milliner Karyn Ruiz at Toronto’s Lilliput Hats. Every hat is handmade by a person, not a machine, and produces truly unique and one-of-a-kind looks for any occasion.

London is calling

Watch some football

Football (a.k.a. soccer) has enjoyed enduring popularity in the U.K. for over a century, and its roots can be traced back to the country. Though the Brits can boast that they have the most-watched league in the world, it’s worth noting that football’s popularity extends beyond the U.K. Toronto FC, a prominent franchise in the MLS, has amassed a significant fan base and FC’s games at BMO field attract an average attendance of 25,423 spectators. Grab a friend, don’t forget to wear some red and experience the thrilling atmosphere first-hand.

Play with the Bard

Regarded as the epitome of literary greatness, Shakespeare's enduring works are constantly revived to captivate successive generations. For a modernized, Toronto version of the Bard, visit the undersung Shakespeare in the Ruff. This not-forprofit outdoor theatre company in Withrow Park makes Shakespeare anything but boring. This summer, it’s Richard III, renamed Richard Three that they’ll be revitalizing.

Lift your spirits

Feast on fish and chips

The combination of fish and chips is known worldwide as a quintessential English staple. Sea Witch on St. Clair offers an authentically delicious experience reminiscent of the best fish and chips found in the U.K. The batter is light and crispy, the fish is always flaky, and tartar sauce enthusiasts will be pleased to discover Sea Witch’s homemade version, whipped up from scratch to achieve the perfect balance of creamy and zesty.

UK

If you’ve ever been to the U.K., you know that pub culture holds a significant place in British society. You can grab a pint (or three) at Toronto’s oldest bar, the Wheatsheaf. Situated at the southwest corner of King and Bathurst since 1849, the tavern is the ultimate destination for those seeking a combination of classic pub fare, live music, sports and a side selection of whisky.

Shop till you drop

North London's Camden Market offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in a full day of shopping. This vibrant destination comprises various smaller market areas, boasting a staggering collection of over 1,000 establishments to discover. Though Kensington Market may not be a traditional marketplace, it promises an exceptional culinary adventure with its diverse range of dining options. The neighbourhood is adorned with picturesque Victorian-style houses, concealing hidden treasures such as vintage shops and independent boutiques.

Try some tea for two

Though afternoon tea may not be a common occurrence in the 6ix, thanks to shows like Bridgerton and a litany of British royal scandals that have hit the press in recent years, the idea of adopting this British custom doesn’t seem so far-fetched. Head to the Windsor Arms for English afternoon tea, in the Parisian-inspired lobby or by the fire in the historic, lush purple room. It was here that Richard Burton proposed, the second time, to Liz Taylor in 1967.

Clockwise from top: Toronto FC game, Windsor Arms, Sea Witch fish and chips

Clockwise from top: Distillery locks, Goûter, Lavender Polo Farm

Get nautical in Portugal

Take a piece of Porto home with you Azulejos, beautiful blue patterned ceramic tiles, can be found in architecture all over Portugal, especially in Porto, where visitors will go on walking tours specifically to spot them. At Saudade in Little Portugal, you can collect a piece of Portuguese history by snagging an Azulejo of your own — the shop sells earrings, rings, homewares and more, featuring the iconic pattern.

Get fish straight from the Azores

Tavora Foods is a St. Clair West institution that Portuguese residents have been frequenting for years for fresh produce, traditional meats, cheese and breads and more. With competitive pricing and a solid selection of authentic Portuguese grocery brands, the secret to this place is the seafood — it arrives directly from the Azores, an autonomous region in Portugal, early every Wednesday.

Snack on everyone’s fave Portuguese pastry

The title of best pastel de nata (a popular Portuguese egg custard tart pastry) in the city is hotly contested, but for a taste of this traditional treat that won’t disappoint, we recommend Nova Era Bakery. Serving up Portuguese baked goods since 1991, Nova Era’s tart is perfectly creamy with a flaky crust that some say is as good as what you get in Lisbon.

Taste traditional Portuguese chicken done right

With three locations in the city, Bairrada Churrasqueira is a longtime favourite for a reason. Heavy on the meat, churrasqueira is the Por-

tuguese word for “grill” or “barbecue.” The restaurant serves up traditional frango no churrasco (grilled chicken and rice), plus house steaks, quail, pork and veal cutlets and plenty more mouth-watering dishes.

Get a taste of the Algarve coast from Toronto

Along the Algarve coast, you’ll find the Benagil sea cave — and the best way to explore this natural treasure is by kayak or standup paddleboarding (SUP). Enjoy an island tour of your own in Toronto by trying an eco tour with Toronto Island SUP. Choose between SUP or kayaking and adventure through the Toronto Island lagoons — no experience required!

Get starry-eyed at a dark sky observatory

A two-hour trip from Lisbon will take you to Dark Sky Alqueva, a dark sky observatory with cutting-edge telescopes. Luckily, we don’t need to hop on a plane to enjoy a spectacular night under the stars — instead, head to Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve in Gravenhurst for a magical experience filled with galaxies and maybe a shooting star or two.

Explore some historic shipwrecks

You’ve probably spotted the Algarve coastline on your Instagram feed, but did you know it’s one of the most popular places to go shipwreck diving? Enjoy a shipwreck experience of your own with Toronto Fun Tours — depart from Toronto and travel by bus to Tobermory and Flowerpot Island, where you’ll enjoy a glass bottom boat tour and a cruise to spot shipwrecks deep beneath the waters.

Guten Tag from Germany

Get comfortable at a Bavarian beer hall

Beer halls are a traditional part of Bavarian culture in Germany and a mainstay of the popular Oktoberfest. In Toronto, we’ve got the Golden Pigeon Beer Hall: a more intimate version of a German beer hall, it features live music and $2 oysters on Tuesdays, Skee-Ball and pinball machines to enjoy and a small beer garden–inspired patio.

Relish in a German delicacy

At Otto’s Berlin Döner in Kensington Market, they keep it simple — the eatery serves only three different dishes, each with their own meat (or vegan) options and a few sides. But the very best might be the currywurst, a German fast-food dish featuring sausage seasoned with curry ketchup. Enjoy on a bed of fries, salad or couscous.

Dive into a miniature village

In Hamburg, tourists can visit the Modelleisenbahn Miniatur Wunderland — a stunning, intricate miniature village that allows you to tour the best parts of Germany from above. Toronto’s got our own mini village — Little Canada offers a tiny version of the country’s highlights and even the option to “littlize” yourself in Little Canada forever!

Chase the high of the autobahn

Car lovers might already know that Germany is the only country in the world with no general speed limit on motorways. And on

about half the autobahn (Germany’s network of highways), there is no speed limit at all! If you’ve got the need for speed, book a session with the Porsche Track Experience in Bowmanville, where you can spend the day pushing pedal to the metal and learning the ins and outs of race car driving on a real circuit.

Breathe in the German tradition of open-air cinema

In Berlin, one of the most popular summer activities is Freiluftkino in Volkspark Friedrichshain — an open-air cinema in the park where blockbuster and classic films are shown on a big screen. Toronto Outdoor Picture Show offers the same experience all summer long here: highlights include The Matrix at Corktown Common on July 20, Riceboy Sleeps at Christie Pits Park on Aug. 13 and Coco at Bell Manor Park on Aug. 19.

Discover Toronto’s answer to Berlin’s most exclusive club Underground techno nightclub Berghain in Berlin is known for being one of the most exclusive clubs in the world (there’s stories of celebrities, including Britney Spears, being turned away at the door). For a Toronto nightclub experience with all the techno fun and a bit of the secrecy, check out “underground community” Format Toronto — its next event, happening on July 22, is being held at a secret location that will only be revealed to ticket holders just before the event.

Clockwise from top: Golden Pigeon, Toronto Outdoor Picture Show, currywurst

Clockwise from top: A shipwreck, pastel de nata, Saudade ceramic

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LOOKING BACK

JULY 2023 EDITION

July 22, 1959, marked the opening of Toronto's first Canadian jazz festival. The event featured the incomparable Oscar Peterson (pictured) and an unforgettable performance by Miles Davis.

On July 30, 2003, headliners, including the Rolling Stones, Rush and AC/DC, visited Toronto for SARSStock — a benefit concert in Downsview Park to revive the tourism industry after SARS.

On July 29, 1925, the largest swimming pool in Canada and purportedly the world opened in Sunnyside. Over 28,000 people arrived for the opening, with 25,000 left waiting outside.

Canada legalized nationwide same-sex marriage on July 20, 2005, two years after the first same-sex wedding took place in Ontario with Michael Leshner (left) and Michael Stark.

July 20, 1986 saw the debut of Toronto's Molson Indy — now known as the Honda Indy. The event became Canada’s second-largest sporting event, after the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

On July 21, 1989, Toronto's The Kids In The Hall hit HBO. The development deal was in part thanks to fellow Canadian, SNL’s Lorne Michaels, who called them the ‘Monty Python of the ’80s.’

Before you go... take a gander at some of the city’s historical July moments!

19 FOREST GLEN CRESCENT

Represented both seller & buyer

Approx. 4,000 sq.ft. of living space in coveted Teddington Park. Surrounded by lush gardens & Rosedale Golf Course.

Sold in one day for over asking price

Incredible opportunity in the heart of prestigious Cricket Club. 50x124’ lot. Immaculate family home on best block.

at$7,380,000

Offered at$3,450,000

Graciously proportioned living spaces. Rare 150’ lot depth. Gleaming hardwood & marble floors. Soaring ceilings.

SOUTH ROSEDALE LANDMARK

Offered at $11,895,000

Completely restored & reno’d to 5,515 sq.ft. All new mechanics. Separate 1,900 sq.ft. coach house w/elevator.

171 DUNVEGAN ROAD

Represented both seller & buyer

One of the most coveted streets in Forest Hill. An executive luxury estate w/resort-like backyard w/pool.

96 JOICEY BOULEVARD

JOHN WANLESS CUSTOM