Yorkville Post August 2020 by Post City Magazines

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MIDSUMMER CAKES: MARK MCEWAN BITES INTO T.O.’S BEST PINK BLOSSOM, PISTACHIO & COCONUT NECTAR CREATIONS

25 good things to come out of a very tough year

From an outpouring of solidarity against systemic racism to rallying around main street and even the rebirth of the drive-in, we report on the many ways our city has come together

AUGUST 2020 · VOLUME 1 · ISSUE 7

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A HIGH SCHOOL PROPOSAL Breakfast Toronto’s Stephanie Henry on meeting the love of her life

MIDSUMMER CAKE GUIDE Chef Mark McEwan bites into seven of August’s most delicious offerings

LAKESIDE LUXURY The market for cottages is on fire — here are four with unlimited luxury

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AUGUST 2020

25 GOOD THINGS IN 2020 From solidarity against systemic racism to the rebirth of the drive-in

PARASOLS AND WIDE-BRIM HATS The most stylish and unique ways to protect from summer’s rays

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CITYSCAPE

THE POST INTERVIEW

Raptors set to defend NBA title from Florida

NEWS

BY THE NUMBERS

Broadcaster Paul Jones on the return of the NBA on Aug. 1, junkyard dogs and why he believes the Raps will square off in the NBA finals against Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers by Ron Johnson Are you down in Florida now to call the games?

Is there a sleeper team in the Eastern Conference?

No, no, gosh, I’m not going anywhere near that place. We will be calling all our games from studios in Toronto, which is fine by me, the way Florida has made itself into the new epicentre, the new hot spot [for COVID-19]. I’m fine to be staying away from there.

Well, you’re always leery about Miami, how hard they play and how Eric Spoelstra is a great coach. And then I would say Boston would be the other team. Going to the Western now, do you think Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers have what it takes to get past the Lakers?

Yeah, I think they have the biggest ceiling. To me, it’s about the chemistry with them, and they haven’t had a lot of time to try and put it together. You know, this is the time when you should be really kind of nailing it down, and they’re going to have to try and start all over again. But the good thing for them is they’ve got a coach who has done it before and they’ve got some players like Kawhi who have done it before, and they’ve got good veterans around him. What teams are in the finals?

Marc Gasol came back from the break in great shape. Has his physique and his conditioning coming back been the biggest surprise?

I think so. And this is what I say: Last year, he had one of the greatest summers a basketball player could have right with the NBA championship in June, and then he goes and plays for his national team and wins a World Championship in October, which meant he had no time off. He’s an older player. He may just have been worn down. And what he’s done now is he’s had an off season. So, you know, it will be a blessing for him [the new conditioning], it really will. Do you think that he could make a difference now during the playoff run? We all know how much better this team is if he can hit a couple of three-pointers.

People were always concerned about his lack of scoring, and I’ve always said, if two or more of those three [point shots] fall per game, then all of a sudden he goes from a sixpoint scorer to a 12-point scorer. And you know what he’s going to give you on defence as the quarterback, and he’s the former Defensive Player of the Year. I mean, he’s a great play maker. People being concerned about his scoring, to me that is misplaced energy. All he needs to do is make a couple more shots and everything’s different. And other than the thinking of analyst Charles Barkley, are the Raptors still considered an underdog going into the restart?

I think so. I mean, Milwaukee is obvious, but then you hear about Boston and now Philly is healthy and Miami. I’m like, man, those guys are all behind the Toronto Raptors, that [record] is 46 [wins] and 18 [losses]. And still nobody’s talking about them, and, you know, I just think they’re a better team than people give them credit for.

I think it’s going to be the Raptors and the Clippers. Is there a team you think that will most benefit from this no-home-games restart?

No, I don’t think so. It’s very much a situation like a pickup game where there’s no energy coming from the crowd. It’s like playing on the schoolyard. And you need those guys that are junkyard dogs. The guys who are so competitive. You need a Kyle Lowry who’s willing to take a charge in an all-star game. You need scrappers. You know you need guys that, if you took all the money away and said we’re playing [pickup games] up to seven on the schoolyard, who would you pick? And the Raptors have a bunch of those guys. And how do you think this season will be remembered? Is a simple asterisk even enough to describe what has happened over the last six months?

No, it isn’t, but that’s what they’re going to do. And I would say winning this title might be more difficult than winning the regular title because of the break in the middle and the restart. Everybody is getting a chance to ramp up and fix everything before the playoffs. The Raptors seem to be doing an amazing job of putting Black Lives Matter and racism front and centre. What do you think?

I think it’s great. I think it’s great. And I think it also reminds people that they always say that racism is worldwide, and America has just perfected it. And, you know, that’s what Marc Gasol talked about on his Zoom call with us. How he’s seen it in Europe. So I think the Raptors are doing a great job, and I think they are representative of what protests look like in this day and age, with everybody from every colour, every race saying this has got to change.

16,600 The number of seats at the Toronto Blue Jays minorleague team affiliate’s stadium in Buffalo, where the team will play their home games this season.

$3 The projected budget shortfall for the City of Toronto, in billions of dollars, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

1 The date in August upon which the new NHL season will officially get underway.

25 The ranking for the city of Toronto in a list of the world’s most expensive cities in which to park.

AUGUST 2020

I think they're ramping up. They’re getting ready. I mean, you know, they’ve had that mindset the entire season, like, “You guys didn't think we could do it last year. Now that we lost, you know, our main guy, or what you guys considered our main guy [Kawhi Leonard], you don’t think we can do it again. We’re going to show you.” It’s the classic chip on the shoulder attitude on this team. And they’re fine with nobody talking about them.

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What is the mood of the team now, given game action is just days away?

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NEWS

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Nearly 100 units on the market in one Yorkville condo Building’s large ofof listings possibly demonstrates the Airbnb problem by David Olsen by David Olsen Building’s largenumber number listings demonstrates the Airbnb problem Months into the COVID-19 pandemic that has

e market at 155 Yorkville Ave.

Months into the COVID-19 pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the short-term rental industry, one Yorkville building provides a snapshot into the city’s current downtown rental market. The Yorkville Plaza Condominium Residence, located at 155 Yorkville Ave., is the site of the former Four Seasons Hotel. The luxury hotel moved in 2012, and the building was repurposed into a residential condo building. A recent search of the property on Strata.ca shows 27 listings for sale and 57 listings for rent out of the total of 508 units in the 32-storey building. Laura Violo of Keller Williams Neighbourhood Realty has had her rental unit in the building on the market for more than 70 days. She attributes the high vacancy rate in the building to the fact that people are no longer working or studying downtown as much as they did in the days before COVID-19. “I think the pandemic, the impact on some of the properties, especially downtown, it’s huge. There are lots of students that aren’t going to school any more because they don’t need to go down there, to the university. There was a real demand before for people to live and work downtown, and now they don’t have to during the pandemic,” said Violo. “You can work from anywhere, and you can study from anywhere. Until things open up, I think it will be very slow.” Another agent with a rental property in the building who did not wish her name to be published

said that the wreaked havoc on the short-term rental industry, one rental vacanc Yorkville building provides a snapshot into the city’s short-term r impacted by current downtown rental market. amidst COV The Yorkville Plaza Condominium Residence, are trying to located at 155 Yorkville Ave., is the site of the former Airbnb is no Alex Dagg Four Seasons Hotel. The luxury hotel moved in 2012, Canada, said and the building was repurposed into a residential COVID-19 condo building. tourism industr A recent search of the property on Strata.ca shows showed nine at least as of 27 listings for sale and 57 listings for rent out of the Despite this, total of 508 units in the 32-storey building. new rental and Laura Violo of Keller Williams Neighbourhood short-term r Airbnb exceed Realty has had her rental unit in the building on the According market for more than 70 days. She attributes the high statement, C inventory and vacancy rate in the building to the fact that people are demand, as no longer working or studying downtown as much as employment they did in the days before COVID-19. who no long “I think the pandemic, the impact on some of the to remote-w also noted properties, especially downtown, it’s huge. There are remains low lots of students that aren’t going to school any more in Ontario be renters more because they don’t need to go down there, to the year when re university. There was a real demand before for people

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Many units on the market at 155 Yorkville Ave.

to live and work downtown, and now they don’t have to during the pandemic,” said Violo. “You can work from anywhere, and you can study from anywhere. Until things open up, I think it will be very slow.” Another agent with a rental property in the building who did not wish her name to be published

said that the primary reason for the high number of rental vacancies was the fact that the building allows short-term rentals, meaning the building was highly impacted by the crash of the city’s tourism industry amidst COVID-19. She said that many of the owners are trying to rent their properties now that renting on Airbnb is no longer profitable or cost-effective. Alex Dagg, public policy manager of Airbnb Canada, said that, although challenges brought on by COVID-19 have had a significant impact on the tourism industry as a whole, a recent company survey showed nine in 10 hosts surveyed said they will host at least as often once travel restrictions lift. Despite this, a recent study by Zoocasa found that new rental and sales listings in buildings that allowed short-term rentals or were known to be popular on Airbnb exceed new listings in Toronto as a whole. According to Zoocasa agent Andrew Kim in a statement, COVID-19 created a steep increase in inventory and a drop in rental prices due to lower demand, as students, those who saw their employment impacted by the pandemic and those who no longer felt the need to live close to work due to remote-working options gave up their leases. Kim also noted that demand for short-term rentals remains low despite a restriction on short-term rentals in Ontario being lifted on June 5. Kim said this gives renters more options at a better price, compared to last year when rental vacancies were at an all time low.

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Homeless shelter in former Roehampton Hotel concerns residents strongly advocates for community residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; voices and opinions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our support for our cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most vulnerable is unwavering. Each individual at the Roehampton needs support, but the city must ensure that the community is engaged in these discussions,â&#x20AC;? he said. According to the City of Toronto, Shelter, Support & Housing Administration, a regular communication process is in the works. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the meantime, residents have been provided with the on-site managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contact,â&#x20AC;? said City of Toronto senior communications advisor Kris Scheuer. Matlow has also suggested that a stakeholder group of local school boards, condo associations and other residents be formed and consulted on changes to the neighbourhood. He said that the city has agreed to this demand. "The city must have a plan in place to care for the local neighbourhood and property," said Matlow. Security is in place at the shelter, according to the city. "The site will be staffed 24/7 with additional video security surveillance, and for at least the interim there will be two security guards on site 24/7," said Scheuer. Another question is whether essential services, such as drug addiction counselling and therapy, are in place at the shelter. "The site will be operated for the City of Toronto that offers a wide variety of supportive case

management services. City staff will work with clients to navigate challenges related to mental illness and/or addiction. The site operates from a harm reduction approach as outlined by the City of Toronto Shelter Standards," said Scheuer. It's unclear whether those measures are currently in place or will be part of a future plan. There has also been some concern from homeless advocates who suggested that the city is placing two residents in the same room regardless of preference. The practice is known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;doubling-upâ&#x20AC;? and becomes problematic when a recovering addict is assigned the same room with someone actively using. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had to fight like hell to make sure nobody was doubled up unless they wanted to be, but it has already happened with the previous move in,â&#x20AC;? said Doug Johnson Hatlem, Sanctuary Street Pastor, in a July 8 tweet. Matlow recognizes the need for homeless support and noted that ignoring some issues (such as drug addiction) is fruitless. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hearing from people who want to help, but people live there who want a plan. There must be a process in place; there must be steps to follow. We cannot ignore problems. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deal with it,â&#x20AC;? he said. The city has leased the Roehampton site for two years and could extend the lease. Residents should receive a notice about the upcoming virtual community meeting in the coming weeks.

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AUGUST 2020

A north Toronto community is raising questions and concerns over a former hotel put to use by the City of Toronto as a temporary shelter to house residents experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Roehampton Hotel on Mount Pleasant Road is a stark reminder of â&#x20AC;&#x2122;60s architecture and budget travel accommodations. A sign on the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Temporarily closed until further notice,â&#x20AC;? but area residents have noticed some activity lately. Reports of shipping containers in the hotel parking lot and large crowds of people congregating outside the building have some residents expressing concern. The city gained possession of the Roehampton Hotel in June (one of 17 new shelters) and began moving residents into the hotel on July 3. Facing pressure to protect homeless populations from COVID-19, the city moved quickly to lease buildings, set up shelters and move homeless residents. Residents living near the Roehampton Hotel were not informed of the newly opened shelter. Many people took to Twitter to ask local city councillor Josh Matlow about the recent changes hoping for answers. Matlow has been communicating with residents and the city, hoping to open up the lines of communication and put residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; minds at ease. He stresses the importance of supporting homeless populations, but he

by Harriette Halepis

| POST |

Midtown neighbourhood wants more info

NEWS

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Can city save local heritage home? Forest Hill property up for designation after owner proposes to build two new houses

501 Vesta Dr. has a rich history in Forest Hill

On July 16, Toronto and East York Community Council adopted a recommendation by the Toronto Preservation Board to include 501 Vesta Dr. on the City of Toronto’s Heritage Register. The property was initially nominated for inclusion on the Heritage Register and designation under the Ontario Heritage Act in November 2018. After the property was sold in June 2019, minor variance applications were submitted to the city that involved the demolition of the existing house to facilitate the construction of two new houses, one on each of the lots that comprise the property. Garry Hurvitz, a direct neighbour of 501 Vesta Dr., supports the designation of the property. In a letter to the preservation board, he noted that constructing the two buildings would necessitate the destruction of mature trees on the property and, according to his own arborist’s report, would affect and likely kill trees on his property as well. “It was designed to fit onto its lot, includes mature foliage and trees and features architectural details that could never be replaced. To lose this home would be to lose an expertly crafted piece of art,” wrote Hurvitz. The property, located in Forest Hill, was originally owned by philanthropist Lady Edith J. Baillie, widow of Sir Frank Baillie, an industrialist who played a significant role in the establishment

by David Olsen

of the Canadian steel industry. It is situated on a double lot and is representative of an Arts and Crafts movement house with Tudor Revival–style details. The house was completed in 1930 and was designed by architect Douglas E. Kertland. “This home is an untouched example of early Forest Hill architecture. It speaks to the character of the neighbourhood and is surrounded by mature trees of the same age of the home (90 years of age),” wrote another neighbour, Michael Antoszek, in a

“To lose this home would be to lose an expertly crafted piece of art.” letter to the preservation board. Properties on the Heritage Register will be conserved and maintained in accordance with the Official Plan Heritage Policies. Designation enables Toronto City Council to review alterations to the site, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance and refuse demolition. After being approved by community council, the designation will now go to city council for approval to be placed on the Heritage Register.

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SUMMER LISTINGS

NEIGHBOURHOOD

NEWS

New condo proposal grew after province loosened the rules

Councillor predicts free-for-all Yonge and Eg condo plan balloons from 39 to 65 storeys A previously proposed tower plan at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue has almost doubled in height to become the latest tall midtown development to be submitted to the City of Toronto, Planning for approval. The proposal for 36 Eglinton Ave. W. was first put forward to the city by Lifetime Developments and approved for a height of 39 storeys, but due to restrictions being lifted by the province, the application has been changed to a whopping 65 storeys. If built, it would be the tallest tower to be built north of Bloor Street in Toronto. “In contrast to the 2013 zoning approval for 39 storeys, the new Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan policies more explicitly support intensification and increased height on the subject site,” consultant planning firm

Bousfields said in a statement. The new height though goes beyond what the area can handle, according to local councillor Mike Colle. “Sixty-five storeys is obscene and disgusting,” Colle said. “Right now there is no daylight there, there’s no room to walk on the sidewalk. You can’t get on the subway.” Colle said the midtown development application was changed a couple of weeks ago and there currently are no laws to limit a tower’s height due to the province amending the TOcore and Midtown in Focus plans in June last year. “The province has given [developers] free reign to do whatever they want,” he said. “This type of doubling [in height] is unprecedented.” The tower, designed by

Wallman Architects, proposes to include 663 one- to threebedroom condo units along with retail space in a multi-level podium on the ground level. The midtown development is planned steps from both the subway and LRT, but Colle said he doesn’t see that making any difference to the density problems in the area. “Nevermind the LRT, you’ve got to wait for six subway cars to get out in the morning,” he said. “We can’t handle what we have now. How are we going to handle 65 storeys?” Colle thinks this project will set a new precedent for midtown development, which he said currently has towers around 40 storeys. Since the province’s policy changes, he said it will now be a “free-for-all.” —Eric Stober

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cases in the home and three active cases at the hospital. The website says they have thus far lost 29 residents to complications of COVID-19 and currently have six active cases among staff members, who are off work and in isolation. According to a letter posted on the website signed by Joe Fusco, chair of Villa Colombo’s board of governors and president, and Barbara Collins, CEO of Humber River Hospital, the hospital and long-term care home have been informally partnered over the last few months at the request of the province. Ruben Rodriguez, current Humber River Hospital interim program director of the hospital’s COVID-19 co-ordinated response will assume the role of executive director at Villa Colombo. —David Olsen

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The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is appointing Humber River Hospital as the interim manager of long-term care home Villa Colombo in North York. In a press release from July 17, the ministry stated that the facility, located at 40 Playfair Ave., in the area of Dufferin and Lawrence has been unable to contain the spread of COVID-19. Humber River Hospital will now manage the care in the home along with the team at Villa Colombo and fill the executive director role. “I am confident that the talented staff at Humber River Hospital and Villa Colombo will work together to combat COVID-19,” said Minister of Long Term Care Dr. Merrilee Fullerton. According to Villa Colombo’s website, as of June 15, the facility had a total of 17 active COVID-19

AUGUST 2020

Hospital taking over Villa Colombo long-term care

NEWS

STINTZ ON MIDTOWN

Midtown BIA board removed by the city New leadership in place when retail support is needed most

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Midtown regularly ranks as one of the best Toronto neighbourhoods in which to live. One of the strongest elements of the neighbourhood is the local shopping strips that create a small-town feel in the heart of the biggest city in Canada. There are many incredible main street retailers in midtown. Supporting the success of these community businesses is a primary function of local Business Improvement Associations, more commonly known as BIAs. The BIAs across the city inject millions of dollars of investment into the 82 communities they represent. BIAs also inform the city’s policy for small business. In response to the shutdowns that occurred in response to the pandemic, the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) helped restaurants by lobbying the city so that restaurants could quickly and easily expand their patio footprint.

The Uptown Yonge BIA is now a three-person interim team

As street level retail opens and people feel more comfortable venturing into their local shops, the role of the BIA becomes ever more important to support the recovery efforts of small business. Given the importance and independence of local BIAs, it is very unusual that councillors Mike

Colle and Jaye Robinson stepped in to remove the members of the board of the Uptown Yonge BIA and replace them with an interim board. It is virtually unheard of that local elected officials would intervene in the affairs of a BIA, but some allege the councillors had few options since the previous

board was reportedly not able to fulfill its mandate, and the result could have negatively impacted the Yonge Street retailers. For over a year and a half, the BIA board was allegedly not working because the board consisted of building owners, not retailers. As a result, the retailers’ concerns were not being addressed although they were the ones who were paying the majority of the fees. Promotional events, like the annual Mother’s Day Celebration, were cancelled and key staffing positions almost eliminated because it is thought that the board didn’t see value in the work being done to promote the area. Finally in June, city council removed the board. Now there is a three-person interim team, which includes a local retailer, a member of the city’s economic development department and the executive director of TABIA. The goal is for the interim board to serve for a few months until a permanent board can be

established to set the vision and direction for Uptown Yonge. The new board, once elected, will certainly have their work to do. The local retailers were under pressure before the pandemic, and now it is even more critical that the BIA has a plan of action for revitalizing the area. Although there are many empty storefronts, there are also solid businesses that continue to serve the local community through these difficult times, but they need all the help they can get. It is more important than ever to support the local retailers that help keep midtown one of the best neighbourhoods in Toronto.

KAREN STINTZ

Karen Stintz is a former city councillor, elected in 2003, and was chair of the TTC. She lives in Ward 8.

SEWELL ON CITY HALL

NEWS

A rendering of modular housing on Harrison Street

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Modular housing not tents A great idea, but execution has been a problem for the city 40 per cent low market rental, with the rest subsidized. Toronto City Council should build affordable housing in all neighbourhoods of the city — using modular units is a terrific innovation — but it must be done right so it benefits everyone in the long term. That means projects with a mix of unit size and a mix of incomes. Experience shows that’s what works well. On a separate note, last month, I wrote about reforming the Toronto Police Service. City council grappled with calls for reforming policing in Toronto on June 29, and although it did not agree with the idea of cutting 10 per cent of the police budget, it made several significant and positive changes including asking city staff to help establish quick response teams to calls involving those in mental crisis without involving armed and uniformed police officers. As well, it asked the police service to provide this year’s budget in a line-by-line, functionby-function format by the end of July in addition to asking the city’s auditor general to do a value for money audit of the police service. These are all good starts to getting a better police service for Toronto.

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By Appointment: 416.927.7714 Post City Magazines’ columnist John Sewell is a former mayor of Toronto and the author of a number of urban planning books, including The Shape of the Suburbs.

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AUGUST 2020

Developments meant only for low-income households, such as public housing projects in the ’50s and ’60s, do not result in good places to live. And we have relevant experience regarding the housing of single people. The very first affordable housing project the Reform council planned for Toronto was in 1973, the Dundas Sherbourne project. It was a new innovative approach to city building: many of the existing houses were retained and renovated into apartment units of different sizes. A new low-rise apartment building was constructed behind these houses. As alderman for this part of the city, I wanted to ensure the development served the many single men living in rooming houses, so I pushed for a whole bunch of small apartment units for them. The rest of the project was a mixture of affordable family housing and market rental housing of various kinds. The housing for the single men was placed in the new structure. Now, almost 40 years later, everything works well in the development – except the housing for the singles. There is simply too much of it crammed together and it has proven too difficult to manage well. I believe the same thing will happen with these developments of 56 and 44 single units. Three-storey building forms are appropriate, but there should be a mix of different unit sizes — maybe half for singles, the rest two- and three-bedroom units for families with kids. And there should be a mix of incomes, maybe

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There is nothing more frustrating than to see a good idea ruined by poor execution. The good idea quickly becomes debased. The good idea for Toronto City Council is building new affordable housing, which, as the profusion of tent cities in parks, ravines and medians demonstrates, is sorely needed. To improve on that good idea the city is using modular housing, pre-built in a factory then transported to the site for final installation. Modular housing can be occupied within four months of arriving at the site, whereas traditional construction would take 18 months or two years. So modular housing is a fine idea for meeting the immediate demand of new affordable housing. Two sites were chosen for the new housing, Massey Avenue in the Victoria Park and Danforth area in the east end and Harrison Street at Dovercourt and Dundas in the west end. So far so good. Then comes the poor execution. The plan is to make both developments only small apartments for single people: 55 on the Massey site, 44 on the Harrison site. But putting that many single people, many of whom have social and mental health issues, in big clumps like this is bound to produce trouble for the people who live there and for surrounding neighbours. One can understand the desire to create as much housing as quickly as possible for single, homeless people, but it makes no sense to do it in a way that experience shows will be unsuccessful.

NEWS

NEIGHBOURHOOD BUSINESS

The return of Little Sister

Imagine a Child…

How this Toronto restaurant opened a new patio on Yonge through CaféTO

Learning to be WORLD READY: International, Innovative, & Inclusive

• Immersed in French beginning at age 2 (become bilingual in French and English) • Deep exposure to Mandarin beginning at age 6; exposure to Spanish, Arabic & Russian • Loving learning in a small class with 30,000 square feet of space

Now imagine this is your child

Join us at the Giles School for a personal tour that promises to “awaken your mind, quicken your spirit and stir your heart!” Call us at 416-446-0825 • www.gilesschool.ca 80 Scarsdale Rd. (near York Mills & Leslie)

Little Sister owners Jennifer Gittins and Michael van den Winkel

Restaurants across the city are continuing to open new patios as part of the CaféTO program. With indoor dining still prohibited in Toronto, the initiative has been a lifeline for restaurants that previously had limited or non-existent outdoor dining space in which to serve customers, such as midtown’s Little Sister restaurant. Jennifer Gittins, co-owner of Little Sister, a restaurant specializing in Indonesian fare, said CaféTO has allowed her to

“It’s allowed me

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to hire back my staff, which is huge.”

expand her outdoor seating from a single table of four to 30 spots. “It’s given us hope that we can survive this,” she says, describing the last few months of takeoutonly service as “devastating.” Gittins said that the biggest challenge to reopening has been making a patio set on high-traffic Yonge Street look appealing and feel safe for diners. “You’re dining next to cars going right by,” she explained. The restaurant has added wooden posts anchored by cement blocks to create a barrier between part of the dining area

and the street and brought in umbrellas and matching patio furniture to make the space look welcoming. “I honestly didn’t think people would embrace it — that they wouldn’t want to dine in a laneway on Yonge Street — but in actuality they really have, so we’re very fortunate,” she said. She said the patio has been consistently busy since opening last month, attracting a mix of walk-ins and reservations. “It’s allowed me to hire back my staff, which is huge,” she said. According to Gittins, customers have generally been respectful of the new health and safety guidelines Little Sister has been required to implement. “There are always some people that don’t understand it,” she said, noting that the restaurant has spare masks for customers going inside to use the washroom that haven’t brought their own. The pandemic has also put the brakes on the opening of Little Sister’s second location at King Street West and Portland Street, which Gittins said her team is now aiming to open next month. Although she’s hopeful that indoor dining will be permitted by then, she said they would potentially open the second location for takeout and patio service in the interim. “We’re super happy to be just that one step closer to being back to a normal restaurant,” she said. — Jessica Huras

CRIME

NEWS

AREA BREAK-INS JULY 2020 - TORONTO

WHERE

WHEN

TIME OF DAY

GLASSWORKS DR. AND EGLINTON AVE. E.

JULY 1

4 P.M.

YONGE ST. AND WOODLAWN AVE. E.

JULY 2

11 A.M.

CASTLEWOOD RD. AND EGLINTON AVE. W.

JULY 3

2 A.M.

DORIS AVE. AND MCKEE AVE.

JULY 3

6 A.M.

PARK HOME AVE. AND COBDEN ST.

JULY 3

11 A.M.

PEMBERTON AVE. AND MAXOME AVE.

JULY 3

9 P.M.

BAYVIEW AVE. AND YORK MILLS RD.

JULY 5

8 P.M.

ELM RIDGE DR. AND BATHURST ST.

JULY 7

11 P.M.

BYNG AVE. AND WILLOWDALE AVE.

JULY 8

1 P.M.

SOUDAN AVE. AND MOUNT PLEASANT RD.

JULY 9

7 A.M.

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JULY 9

11 P.M.

SERVINGTON CRES. AND THURLOE AVE.

JULY 11

5 P.M.

SOUTHVALE DR. AND MALLORY CRES.

JULY 12

11 A.M.

HEATH ST. E. AND ALVIN AVE.

JULY 13

5 A.M.

ERSKINE AVE. AND REDPATH AVE.

JULY 13

6 A.M.

TULLIS DR. AND MANOR RD. E.

JULY 13

9 P.M.

TOLMAN ST. AND LORRAINE DR.

JULY 14

4 A.M.

YORK RIDGE RD. AND YORK MILLS RD.

JULY 16

5 A.M.

571 St. Clair Ave. W. • 416 546-6999 NiceDiggzMidtown@gmail.com

CRIME BRIEFS

Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of a potential child luring incident in

officers have arrested a teacher with the Toronto District School Board as part of a sexual assault investigation. It is alleged that, between January and June of 2020, a male suspect befriended a 17-year-old female victim and that they communicated in-person and on telecommunications devices, and that the suspect sexually assaulted the victim. On Friday, July 10, Toronto Police Service

police arrested a 45-year-old male suspect, a teacher who has taught at Georges Vanier Secondary School since 2007. He is charged with two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual exploitation and luring a child. Investigators are concerned there may be other victims. Police are seeking public assistance in identifying a male suspect in a mischief investigation after an incident with a TTC vehicle at the intersection of Don Mills Road and Sheppard Avenue East. On June 18, a TTC bus was at the intersection when a man attempted to enter the bus but was refused access due to COVID-19 capacity rules. He became involved in a dispute with the driver, then walked away from the bus and proceeded to strike and break one of the front windows with his hand, before fleeing eastbound on Sheppard. Police have released security camera images of the man.

RECENTLY COMPLETED:

PROJECTS IN PROGRESS:

• 48

•6

• 114

• 15

Russell Hill Rd Havelock • 17 Fifeshire • 159 Hudson • 129 Parkhurst • 141 Parkhurst • 30 Crofton • 233 Bessborough • 114 Hazelton • 65 Marlborough

Marmion McGillivray • 26 St. Hildas • 624 Winona • 369 Lake Promenade • 77 Southvale

COMING SOON: • 11

Berkindale

AUGUST 2020

the area of Dunview Avenue and Longmore Street near Finch Avenue East and Willowdale Avenue. On July 2, at some point between 6 and 8 p.m., a female victim, a child, was riding her bicycle on Longmore Street when she was approached by a male suspect driving a white van. The suspect offered the child candy in an attempt to entice her into the vehicle. The child ignored the offer and rode away to safety. The suspect drove away eastbound on Dunview Avenue. Police have released pictures of both the suspect and vehicle.

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Toronto Police Service, Hold Up Squad has announced the arrest of a 43-year-old Brampton male suspect as part of a bank robbery investigation after an incident in the area of St. Clair Avenue West and Dufferin Street. It is alleged that on Wednesday, July 22, a male suspect entered a bank disguised in a hoodie, sunglasses, a face mask and gloves. The man approached the counter, threatened a 20-year-old male victim with a concealed weapon and demanded money. Fearing for his safety, the victim handed over a quantity of cash. The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle with the money. Officers with Toronto Police Service then located the suspect in the getaway vehicle, at which point the suspect attempted to flee. He was arrested and charged that day with robbery and disguise with intent and was due to appear in court on July 23.

COVID -19 NOTICE Rest assured, all aspects of my business are conducted with strict safety precautions in place. Relaxed COVID-19 related restrictions are done in accordance with the Ontario government’s framework to protect the health and safety of our clients and colleagues.

95 OLD COLONY RD.

259 GLENCAIRN AVE.

$10,800,000. 100’ X 296’ LOT, 5 BEDS & 9 BATHS, APPROX. 9,125 SQ. FT. + BSMT

$4,799,000. 50’ x 207’ LOT, 5+2 BEDS & 6 BATHS, APPROX. 4,000 SQ. FT. + BSMT

14 GROSVENOR CRT.

95 BAYCREST AVE.

$1,299,000. 20.50’ x 119.13’ LOT, 3 BEDS & 3 BATHS, APPROX. 2,400 SQ. FT. + BSMT

$1,200,000. 55’ X 132’ LOT, 3 BEDS & 2 BATHS.

22 LEADER LANE #539

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$679,000. 1 BED & 1 BATH, APPROX. 675 SQ. FT.

155 YORKVILLE AVE. #3112

$509,000. STUDIO & 1 BATH, APPROX. 370 SQ. FT.

REAL ESTATE

NEWS

LAKE JOSEPH

FAIRY LAKE

THREE-STOREY SANCTUARY

FOUR-LEVEL LAKE HOUSE

The custom-built retreat at 57 Lake Dr. is equipped with a study, library, gym, workshop and gourmet kitchen. It has 150 feet of shoreline and is listed for $2.995 mil with Royal LePage.

Sitting 60 feet high over the water, 1952B Lake Joseph was built for entertaining. The property has seven bedrooms, including a guest cabin and boathouse, and also has a life-sized chessboard. It is on offer for $6.995 million with Sotheby’s International Realty.

THE ULTIMATE IN LAKESIDE LUXURY With residents across Toronto desperate to leave the city, cottage country real estate has never been hotter. Here’s a look at four multimillion-dollar properties that make for the perfect Muskoka retreat, if your budget knows no bounds.

CUSTOM-BUILT LOG HOME

CONTEMPORARY COTTAGE

The six-bedroom cottage at 1041 Hilltop Cres. boasts a massive granite patio, hot tub, sauna and boathouse with a built-in wet bar. It’s listed for $6.995 mil with Sotheby’s International Realty.

The modern build at 57B Wildcat Point Rd. comes with soaring glass walls that complement its open concept design. The five-bedroom build is listed for $5.995 mil with Christie’s International Real Estate.

AUGUST 2020

LAKE ROSSEAU

| POST |

LAKE OF BAYS

NEWS

REAL ESTATE

After 41 Years we are still here to help you make life outdoors more comfortable! Visit gppatio.com to view our Summer Patio Sale (Up to 50% Off) We deliver throughout the GTA and to Cottage Country.

OUTDOOR FURNITURE

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905 -709-1162 www.gppatio.com

BANKS INSURE YOUR MORTGAGES FOR THEIR PROTECTION.

Supply is down roughly 50 per cent from last year in Muskoka

What’s driving the price up for vacation homes?

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Lack of supply and renewed interest in local travel spur market by Eric Stober

Miles Hershberg Toronto 416-400-9333 Toll-Free 1-833-411-1333 miles@mileshershberg.com www.mileshershberg.com

| POST | A U G U S T 2 0 2 0

Now open online to shop locally, safely, anytime from anywhere.

Caribou Home is a collection of curated small-batch inspired and made in Canada products. It’s an important time to shop locally and support our Canadian brands and makers.

www.caribouhome.com 647-239-1615

Ontario’s cottage country real estate is seeing a boom since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold as city dwellers look to the great outdoors for more space. “It’s probably the strongest market that I’ve seen in many, many years,” Chestnut Park CEO Chris Kapches said. “[Cottage country] has been operating at least 50 per cent better than what it was a year ago — and last year was a particularly strong year.” Chestnut Park does real estate business in Collingwood, Georgian Bay, Muskoka, Haliburton and Prince Edward County. Kapches credits this year’s particularly strong market to a combination of factors. Number one is the pandemic, which has caused people “to want to escape dense urban environments.” “Clearly if you’re in cottage country, the environment is not dense,” he said. “You have lots of space. You have sanctuary.” Secondly, Kapches said the pandemic has accelerated an already developing phenomena — working remotely. Since you can work from anywhere, wouldn’t you prefer the great outdoors to the cramped city? The third reason is economic, Kapches said. Although many have lost their income due to the pandemic, it has also dropped

interest rates to a historic low of 2.3 per cent, which many are taking advantage of. “It is relatively easy to finance a cottage or rural property now under the circumstances,” Kapches said. Lakelands Association of Realtors president Catharine Inniss thinks the boom is partly due to travel restrictions that have some Canadians opting for a staycation instead, as well as the volatility of the stock market creating a desire to put money into a “safer place.” And investing is what people are doing. According to Inniss, sales in Muskoka have reached nearly $200 million this year, up from $130 million last year. However, there is a caveat, and that is the limited amount of stock in the market. “A concern on the horizon is a lack of supply,” Kapches said. “Supply is about 35 to 50 per cent behind where we were last year.” Given the relatively low stock and competitiveness of the market — Inniss said this year properties are selling at around 23 days compared to 132 days in 2017 — a local realtor can let you know of new listings immediately. “If you come with somebody from the city you live in, they don’t know the market,” Inniss said. “You can run into a lot of pitfalls.”

For Sale: 128 Hazelton Avenue Suite 502

What about the idea of parents buying a condo for their kids as a long-term hedge against inflation?

That is one thing that I strongly advocate for parents to do. We have had many parents make this kind of investment. If you have children or are planning to have children, this is the best financial move you can make for them. If the parents keep the investment for 25 years, by the time the child is 25, the property will be owned 100 per cent because mortgages are paid off over 25 years. In effect, your tenant has paid off your mortgage. A $500,000 property in 25 years will be a $2,000,000 asset debt-free. What a start for your 25-year-old child. That’s a great idea. We all know how tough it is on young adults trying to find housing in the city and start their careers off on the right foot.

It's hard to beat the rate of return on a Toronto condo investment

Why you should buy your child a condo It might be the smartest decision you make Is buying a condominium from floor plans, closing on those units and then renting them a good business?

Yes. It’s been an incredibly good business. I’ve been selling real estate since 1988, and even today we’ve been able to gain doubledigit annual returns for investors who buy these units. If you can buy condos that carry or come close to carrying all costs year one in a city like Toronto, that is the holy grail. Significant wealth is created when investors hold real estate long term. So how does it work?

Generally speaking, whether you buy it in a downturn, an upturn or flat market, hold the property for at least 25 years. The returns on invested capital will be 15 to 25 per cent a year. For example, I’m delivering a finished building in November this year. People who bought a one-bedroom four years ago for $265,000 can now sell for

$625,000. These people have made almost $360,000 on their purchase. They invested $40,000. That's a return on investment of nine times in four to five years. There’s no business that can deliver this kind of return and also protect you very well from the downside. I still suggest that buyers keep it for 25 years or more. But that must just be for the best locations, right?

It doesn't really matter where you buy in the GTA or areas around the GTA. Whether you buy in Toronto, Hamilton, Waterloo or Scarborough, all these areas are appreciating. This entirety of southwestern Ontario is experiencing tremendous economic growth. So it doesn’t matter where you buy. You still have to do some homework in evaluating the builder and the building. This is where one of my real estate agents can come in handy to guide you.

Exactly. So when your child comes out of university or is two or three years out of the first job, you can gift them a fully paid off condominium that will set them up for life. They will never have to worry about money again. Imagine if you were 25 today and your parents gave you a $750,000, 550-square-foot, onebedroom apartment. Imagine what that would mean for your child’s future. It will even protect your grandchildren. They could live there and enjoy living in an apartment as a single person, which is always better when you own rather than rent. You get to decorate, buy nice furniture. It is yours to work with. They can then sell it and move up the property ladder. They get married or they move in with someone, they can start a family with a fantastic financial foundation. It’s not hard to do. We’ve done it with many, many people. And I highly recommend it. If there's one thing a parent should do if they can for their kid, this is it. I've done this for my daughter. For me, it just feels amazing to know that, at a minimum, no matter how badly I mess up, my daughter is going to have a home when she turns 20 or 25. BRAD LAMB

Post City Magazines’ columnist Brad Lamb is the CEO of Brad J. Lamb Realty Inc.and Lamb Development Corp. He has more than 30 years of industry experience.

A Collection of only 17 suites This is your chance to own the last of its kind in the Yorkville neighbourhood. Suite 502 is a 3 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom custom suite spanning 3,273 square feet and comes complete with family room, dining room, and breakfast area. 2 Parking/1 Locker included. www.128-hazelton-ave-unit-502.com

For Lease: 181 Davenport Road - 2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom

Matthew Adam Cracower Broker "Driven by Results" Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. Yorkville - 28a Hazelton Ave. O. 416-975-5588 D. 416-912-7900 Visit my website at: www.mattcracower.com Visit our website at: foresthillyorkville.com *Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract

AUGUST 2020

NEWS

| POST |

ASK A LAMB

R ET U RN O F T HE DRI VE- I N Pop-up drive-in

Toronto Shines is taking place at Ontario Place until Oct. 31 and features weekly comedy, music and movies from independent films to old-school blockbusters.

Lakeside views

CityView Drive-in at Polson Pier is quickly becoming the new concert spot in the city. This month catch A Tribe Called Red on Aug. 6 and DVSN on Aug. 7.

Socially distanced cars parked at the Toronto Shines drive-in at dusk

25 good things to come out of a very tough year From an outpouring of solidarity against systemic racism to rallying around main street and even the rebirth of the drive-in, we report on the many ways our city has come together

S O N G S & I M PR O V I N T H E C I T Y

H U R R AY F O R HEROES

Balcony concerts

Make some noise

When live music in bars was a no-go, the Senator responded with a physical distance– friendly balcony concert series featuring Ori Dagan and more.

The nightly banging of pots and pans on porches and balconies across the city showing appreciation for health-care workers.

Feeding the front line

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Countless restaurants and local organizations stepped up to donate meals to hospital workers including this group from Liberty Entertainment.

A L FRE SCO I N T H E SI X Work out in nature Local fitness studios, such as Yoga Tree and Fit Factory, brought the sweat sessions outside with yoga, HIIT and even spin classes in parks and parking lots.

People in parks

Yes, there was that Trinity Bellwoods incident, but the majority of residents have taken to parks to responsibly picnic and play, and it’s been delightful.

Instagram lessons

Arkells lead singer Max Kerman carried music lovers through the pandemic with his Instagram Live music classes and even brought on celeb guests.

V irtual theatre

From Second City’s virtual improv to Outside the March’s remote theatre with personalized phone calls, the arts community brought the stage to our homes.

C R E AT I V E CU I SI NE & C O C K TA I L S

W H EE LS , H OO PS A N D S NE AK S Separated bike lanes have been installed on major streets, such as University Avenue and Dundas Street, to create a larger cycling network.

Get active T.O.

The city closed down major roadways like Lake Shore Boulevard on the weekends to push cars aside and make way for runners, walkers and cyclists.

CLEA N A IR & W IL DL IF E Climate-friendly calm

With people working from home and only heading out for essential trips, roadways and highways were barren. Less cars is less pollution and a happier climate.

Foxes on the boardwalk

The lack of human activity allowed for wildlife to thrive, such as the foxes and their kits who nestled into a home under the Beach Boardwalk.

Distance machine To illustrate a very important point, a local resident created a hoop-like social distance machine to advocate for more pedestrian space on sidewalks.

Back to bikes

N EI GHB O UR S & ‘ H OO D S Porch parties

Little free pantries

Baking bread

Silly walks

V irtual chats

Epic bagel order

From a musical family in the Annex who teamed up with local instrumentalists to play a song each night to the weekly drag shows on a quiet street near Bathurst and Sheppard.

One resident adopted out more than 100 sourdough starters to neighbours in Leaside and Davisville eager to bake bread. And so, a T.O. bread-baking collective was born.

While Torontonians went months without physically seeing family and friends, many connected over Zoom, House Party, FaceTime and more.

Cocktail delivery

With so many residents in need, little free pantry boxes popped up on lawns across the city filled with non-perishable food, masks and sanitary items for anyone in need.

With alcohol allowed in takeout orders, Toronto bars created kits for libations, from Mahjong Bar’s Tame Impala kit to Project Gigglewater’s Toilet Paper Greens.

One stretch of sidewalk near Bayview and Eglinton became the Ministry of Silly Walks, inspired by Monty Python, where residents would silly walk their way through.

The Dufferin Grove and Seaton village neighbours teamed up to order 440 pounds of Montreal’s St. Viateur bagels and raised $880 for a local non-profit.

Dining al fresco

The city created CafeTO to expand restaurant patios. Restaurateurs responded with chic parking lot, sidewalk and street-side patios and diners are loving it.

S U P P O RT S OCI A L A CT IV IS M

Advocates had been calling for the city to provide safe housing for Toronto’s homeless. The city responded quickly, housing homeless individuals in hotel rooms and community centres, and multiple apartments have been made available in areas such as Yonge and Eglinton and Kensington.

High-end takeout

Housing the homeless

From Tachi’s wagyu steaks and Sushi Masaki Saito’s decadent boxes to prix fixe multi-course meals from Dandylion, Alobar and more, at-home dining got a boost. 19 | POST |

After the killing of George Floyd on May 25 by a Minneapolis police officer, protests took place across Toronto against police brutality and systemic racism. This sparked conversations about defunding the police and how all Torontonians can become better allies to Black and Indigenous people and people of colour.

AUGUST 2020

Black Lives Matter

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SUMMER OF PARASOLS & WIDE BRIMS

CURRENTS

FASHION

The days have been hot, hot, hot, so it has never been more important to shield your skin from that summer sun. We asked Jeanne Beker to pick her favourite wide-brim hats and parasols to ensure we can all stay stylish and safe in the shade.

FUN AND FEMININE

MaryamKeyhani.com, $475, “I love the combination of light pink with black and the red cap, so it's got a bit of an edge to it.”

FANTASTIC FRINGE

ArchivesToronto.com, $287, “This fringe has a wild, almost jungle vibe to it with the funky fedora styling at the top and this huge brim.” THREE-TIER TOP

LilliputHats.com, $195, “This is definitely something Audrey Hepburn would've worn. It gives you great height too.”

POP OF ORANGE

HoltRenfrew.com, $279, “This hat is an incredible style statement. It looks really chic, and this colour is wonderful.”

DOTS AND DARTS

Shopbop.com, $48.99, “This is summery with the stripes and polka dots and this adorable little duck on the handle. It’s a cute accessory.”

PRETTY PETALS

Simons.ca, $45, “This one is pretty vibrant and optimistic but classy with that nice brown background.”

STRAW SENSATION

IntermixOnline.com, $608.21, “I really like this straw plaid fedora. It's unusual to see plaid in a straw hat, and I love it.”

STARRY NIGHT

TheBay.com, $50, “I really like this one. It's very dramatic, and for those of us who swear by black, this is a great hat."

MODERN EDGE

SportingLife.ca, $66, “This white hat is a classic with the black band, which gives it an edge: the perfect hat for the beach.”

ULTIMATE SHADE VISOR VIBES

ShopFrock.ca, $35, “This visor is so chic, you can dress it up or down, and it would be perfect for a day of golf or tennis.”

ArchivesToronto.com, $575, “It looks like it drags down your back and covers your shoulders. This yellow hat is sensational."

JEANNE BEKER | One of Canada’s most trusted authorities on style and fashion, Jeanne has covered the industry for more than 30 years. Now watch her in her current style editor role on TSC’s Style Matters with Jeanne Beker.

AUGUST 2020

DRAMATIC BLACK

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LaBella-Umbrella.com, $45, “I really love this Van Gogh umbrella. Why confine art to your home when you can wear it out and about.”

SUMMER SHOPPING

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a modified wellness experience on a lake.

retreat

Luxury in Muskoka

With travel bans in place and safety top of mind, the cottage is the ultimate escape At this point, we know that summer 2020 will be focused primarily on domestic travel. Luckily for Ontario, we live in a province rich with stunning views, sparkling lakes and magical sunsets. Whether you’re in search of a quiet lakefront getaway or the fun, sightseeing experience of a rural provincial community, here are the best places in Ontario for a luxurious cottage getaway. Explore in the Rideau Lakes

The Rideau Lakes in eastern Ontario are beautifully tranquil and attract many retirees. Only recently has this area started to draw the younger crowds — the numbers and the dollars make it a sought-after summer cottage destination. Rideau Lakes include Big Rideau Lake, Little Rideau Lake and Newboro Lake at the summit of the Rideau Canal. The region enjoys more than 500 kilometres of coastline with more large, luxurious and modern cottages accompanied by

beautiful boats popping up every year. Many cottages have private shorelines with private boat launches, multiple boat docks and walk-in swimming. Boating is big here. The Rideau Lakes region is teeming with history: the famous canal built for military purposes with lots of locks, falls and accompanying hiking trails. In 2007, these waterways were designated a UNESCO world heritage site, recognizing the canal as a masterpiece of human creative genius. This is the place to show off one’s boat while spending the day cruising the lakes or the locks. No boat? No problem. There are multiple marinas where you can rent luxury speedboats, pontoons and more. Although the nine local museums are closed throughout the pandemic, this summer destination is ideal during COVID-19 due to its many options for social distancing. In addition to days spent relaxing on

the water, the Rideau Lakes have many parks, conservation areas and hiking trails for exploring either by foot or on horseback. Fishing is a huge pastime here, and residents are happy to share their stories of the one that got away. Unique stays in the Kawarthas

It is not just the delicious Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream that draws those in search of city escapes to the Kawarthas: The word “kawartha” itself means bright waters and happy lakes. The region boasts 250 sparkling lakes and rivers connected by the historic Trent-Severn Waterway. As the Kawarthas is the houseboat capital of Ontario, one can expect to find fleets of beautiful, fully equipped houseboats available to rent throughout the summer and a skipper to guide one through the waters if needed. For those in search of something equally as unique and perhaps even more opulent, try

the famous upcycled Off-Grid Solar Shipping Container Cottage designed by HGTV’s Rebecca Purdy. On a private lake, with a private pool and 140 acres to explore, this property is the ultimate getaway. If visitors are looking for more traditional cottages, luxurious, intimate and private lakefront properties are not hard to find. If food fuels a family getaway, prior to the pandemic, the Kawarthas had full-day, foodfocused itineraries that covered breakfast to dessert and everything in-between. There is the ice cream, of course, but one cannot forget the famous Butter Tart Tour, the Chip Truck Trail or chocolate tours. Canada’s longest running free admission summer concert series, Peterborough Musicfest, is on hold this year, as is the Dragon Boat Festival and the underwater dining series in the Peterborough Lift Lock, but one can still spend the day at one of the area’s indulgent day spas or take part in

NATALIE PREDDIE

Natalie Preddie is a travel and lifestyle writer, speaker and guest expert on Cityline, Your Morning and Global’s The Morning Show, and we are excited to welcome her as Post City’s newest columnist.

AUGUST 2020

Crafting the perfect getaway — whether it’s off to the Kawarthas or Rideau Lakes

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Clockwise from left: A family enjoying a rental from Happy Days Houseboats in the Kawarthas, a scenic view at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, and some of the butter tarts that will appear on the Butter Tart Tour in the Kawarthas

There is a reason that Muskoka is consistently named one of the best places to visit in Canada — to start, it has 1,600 lakes and 14,000 kilometres of shoreline. Add rivers, beaches, rolling green countryside, wineries and art, and it is easy to see why celebrities like Martin Short, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks choose to spend their summers here. The type of cottages on Muskoka’s most famous lakes (Lake Joseph, Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau) typically err on the luxurious side — cottages by name but sprawling lakeside houses in reality. They are private and tranquil with towering trees, and some may only be accessible by boat. For those looking to rent, expect large multi-bedroom properties, elegantly designed and tastefully furnished. Boats are often part of one’s rental agreement, which is good. Everyone needs a boat. Boating, swimming, wakeboarding are all in a day’s work in Muskoka, as is fishing, hiking or a round of golf at one of the region’s stunning golf courses. Before COVID-19, the Muskoka Brewery offered tours with both beer and spirit pairings, so did the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery with their enticing cranberry marsh, ciders and fruit wine. Although both facilities are now open, masks are mandatory and other restrictions are in place, meaning a slightly different experience than in the past. Many restaurants, operating within provincial restrictions, are offering takeout or delivery. A brunch from Soul Sistas is always a good idea, and a famous butter tart from Ladybug Café will cure any sweet tooth. Pre-COVID, the third weekend of August would have been the Dockside Festival of the Arts, but it, along with the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery and Arts & Crafts Summer Show, has been cancelled. Festivals or not, a day spent in magical Muskoka is never wasted.

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LOCAL GRADUATES

A young humanitarian off to medical school Diana Award winner Erin Sade on how her dedication to Holocaust education began When Erin Sade was 12 years old, she decided to dedicate her bat mitzvah to Lily Friedman, a young girl who died in the Holocaust and wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t able to have her own bat mitzvah. This gesture paved the way for Sade to spend her teen years advocating for Holocaust education for young people, and her work ultimately resulted in her receiving the 2020 Diana Award, which honours young people for their humanitarian efforts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When my mom told me I received [the award], I was in complete shock because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an international award, and I never thought I would actually receive it,â&#x20AC;? says Sade of the accolade named after the late Diana, Princess of Wales and the highest recognition for a young humanitarian. Sade says she owes the award to Project Give Back, a Toronto organization that encourages compassion and awareness in elementary school students. It was

REPORT CARD STUDENT:

Erin Sade GRADUATED:

Havergal College, 2020 BEST SUBJECT:

Chemistry WORST SUBJECT:

English CURRENT JOB:

Medical school student

Sade is a 2020 recipient of the Diana Award

through this project that Sade learned about the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem (CSYV) Twinning Program, which encouraged her to dedicate her bat mitzvah to a Holocaust victim. Sade says the project got her thinking about the importance of education around the Holocaust.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I learned that a lot of people who were my age, which was 11 or 12 at the time, had never even heard about the Holocaust and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see how it was relevant to their own lives. So I started thinking about how we can learn a lot from the past and use those lessons to avoid making similar

by Julia Mastroianni

mistakes in the future,â&#x20AC;? says Sade. She took those ideas with her into her high school years at Havergal College where she would invite Holocast survivors to speak at the school. She then expanded her work to invite these survivors to speak in schools across the GTA, as well as spreading awareness of the twinning program. Sade also invited students to participate in the CSYV Ambassadors of Change Program, which allows high school students to sit in small groups with Holocaust survivors. At each talk she organized, she brought booklets, each with the name of a person who experienced the Holocaust and a bit about their story, along with a QR code at the back that students could scan with their phone to see if the person had lived or died. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like what students had learned in classes, they learned the general story, they learned what

happened and the numbers,â&#x20AC;? Sade says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But to look at this single person and know this person was actually real and they didn't make it, really got through to a lot of people.â&#x20AC;? In 2016, Sadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work was recognized with a national award, presented by Prime Minister Trudeau: the Cantor Kraus Catalyst for Change Award, given to individuals showing dedication to Holocaust education. Now, with the Diana Award under her belt, she has graduated from Havergal College and is planning on going off to medical school in the U.K. in September at the University of Central Lancashire. Sade says young people looking to give back should pick a cause they really care about. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just pick something random because you think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll look good on a resumĂŠ. You have to be really passionate to actually make a difference.â&#x20AC;?

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The link between race and environmental risk Protecting people from pollution Diversity is strength. That’s true in nature and human affairs. But recent painful events have shown society has yet to grasp this. The appalling deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Toronto’s Regis Korchinski-Paquet, Chantel Moore from Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and many others — all at the hands of those tasked to serve and protect — have ignited awareness of the intense, often violent racial discrimination that continues to oppress Black and Indigenous people and people of colour in Canada and the U.S. The overwhelming call to end race-based discrimination demands we take action. This needs to include an examination of how environmental harm disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and marginalized communities. Canada’s main pollutionprevention law, the 269-page Canadian Environmental Protection Act, doesn’t include one mention of environmental justice, human rights or vulnerable populations. Yet, in urban areas, 25 per cent of the lowest socio-economic status neighbourhoods are within a kilometre of a major polluting industrial facility compared to just seven per cent of the wealthiest. About 40 per cent of Canada’s petrochemical industry operates within a few kilometres of Sarnia and the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, exposing community

members to a range of harmful pollutants. Inuit in Canada’s North are at greater risk of economic losses and poor health as a result of climate change, with rapid Arctic warming jeopardizing hunting and many other activities. Marginalized communities can also be more susceptible to insidious toxic exposures. For example, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, even at low levels, can interfere with hormone functioning. We’re all exposed to them in myriad ways, from food pesticide residues and personalcare product ingredients to textile treatments, product packaging and industrial air pollution. According to an article in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, American researchers identified higher exposure levels in ethnic minorities and a corresponding higher disease burden. They hypothesize that cultural behaviours, consumption patterns and proximity of industrial facilities and waste sites could contribute to these disparities. These are just a few examples. Unresponsive environmental policy makers systematically result in concentration of pollution risks — and inadequate access to environmental benefits — in disadvantaged Canadian communities. This year, MP Lenore Zann introduced Bill C-230, the National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism Act. It

begins by recognizing that “a disproportionate number of people who live in environmentally hazardous areas are members of an Indigenous or racialized community.” The bill would require the environment minister to examine the link between race, socio-economic status and environmental risk, develop a strategy to redress environmental racism and report regularly on progress. Canada should recognize the human right to a healthy environment in law, as most countries do, and legislate requirements to protect vulnerable communities from pollution and toxic substances. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development recommends a human rights impact assessment in its Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct for corporations operating abroad. Last year the UN Human Rights Council adopted guiding principles for human rights impact assessment for economic reform policies. A parallel process for environmental regulation could ensure everyone benefits from environmental protection measures. In their mandate letters, Canada’s ministers of health and environment were tasked with “better [protecting] people and the environment from toxins and other pollution, including by strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.” In 2020, strengthening environmental legislation must incorporate human rights. A human rights lens would remove a blind spot and hard-wire into the decision-making process a commitment to ensuring a healthy environment for all. It would help prevent environmental racism, while MP Zann’s bill aims to redress harm already done. The unequal effects of environmental harm must be part of the reflection on systemic racism. But more is needed. Integrating a human rights lens into environmental decisionmaking is long overdue.

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DAVID SUZUKI

David Suzuki is the host of the CBC’s The Nature of Things and author of more than 30 books on ecology (with files from Lisa Gue).

Windfields will remain open at our current location (801 York Mills Road) for several more years!

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AUGUST 2020

A petrochemical plant near the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, close to Sarnia

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Brian Gluckstein on how to staycation in style this summer Five tricks to make your summer vacation feel just as fun as a trip abroad

Make it about indulgence

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Take advantage of all that extra “me time” and make a point of indulging by pampering yourself. Set yourself up for days of relaxation with hydrating face

with the meal. Staying home doesn’t mean you can’t experience something new. Swap decor for a fresh look

This summer, instead of vacationing or visiting friends and family abroad, many of us will be spending our time in the comfort of our home — a “staycation,” as one might call it. And although it may not exactly be the summer getaway we envisioned for ourselves, there’s no reason it can’t be incredibly relaxing and enjoyable. Actually, without the detailed itineraries that often come along with meticulously planned vacations abroad, spending your vacation at home could mean an opportunity to truly unwind. The key to a satisfying staycation is in making your time at home feel special and absolutely nothing like your usual routine. Here are my tips for making your staycation one for the books.

Lounge in the backyard as if you're at the beach

masks, bath salts, scented candles and anything else you love to have on hand for a soak in the tub or a skin care ritual. Since you won’t be investing in an expensive trip, you can gather a few little luxuries to bring you some joy at home. Invest in fluffy bath towels or a white robe to feel like you’re staying at an expensive hotel.

Experiment with new flavours

Test out new recipes for dinner each night, order takeout from a locale you’ve always wanted to visit or relive memories of one of your all-time favourite trip’s cuisines. Have fun accenting the table with decor inspired by the location the food is from and make a signature drink to go along

A few simple decor changes could help trick your mind into thinking you’re somewhere other than home. Swap out your bedding for something summery and light — like French linen or a fresh floral pattern on silky lyocell — and rearrange the decor for a new look and feel. If you’ve been dreaming of a new piece of furniture for your space, it could be a good idea to divert that vacation money and invest in something new that you can enjoy during your time off. At least you know you’ll be home for the delivery!

rides, gardening or redecorating. It’s also the perfect time to consider taking up a new hobby, if there’s something you’ve been meaning to try for a few years but haven’t quite gotten around to yet. Lounge outdoors

If you’re used to lounging at the beach or on a terrace on vacation, why not do the same in your own backyard? Enjoy breakfast on the patio with the morning paper, a picnic on the grass, or cool off with an afternoon drink on a comfortable lounge set. Soak in the beautiful weather and spend as much time as possible outside, just as you normally would on vacation.

Take a break from technology

Do as you normally would on vacation and take a break from your usual screen time. Binging on movies and series can be fun, but make a point of taking time for those tech-free activities like reading great books, going on bike

BRIAN GLUCKSTEIN

Catch Brian Gluckstein on Cityline, where he is a regular guest expert, and shop his collection, GlucksteinHome, at Hudson’s Bay.

HOW THEY MET

How Breakfast Television reporter Stephanie Henry met her match when she was just 15 Stephanie Henry is part of many Torontonians’ morning routines as the traffic reporter on Breakfast Television. She’s also a reporter and producer on CityNews Toronto and 680 News, and recently she’s been working as a producer on the #CitylineReal on Race YouTube series with Cityline host Tracy Moore. Here she shares how she met her fiancé Brydon Hargreaves when they were just teens. How they met

Brydon and I met in high school. How often do you hear that story any more? We met in Grade 9, so we were about 15 years old. I had the wildest crush on him but was far too awkward to do anything about it. The following year, Brydon moved away, and we kept in touch over the years. Once I started my second year at York University, Brydon was living nearby, and we decided it would be a good time to reconnect and hang out. After about two days of hanging out, we were like, “Let’s just do this!” That was in 2012. The first date

We went to the CNE. We spent

the day going on rides, eating weird food — weird food definitely brings you closer together. We sat at the dock and talked and then we watched some live entertainment. There were piggyback rides, ice cream treats and prizes won. It was definitely a cliché date but for all the right reasons. At the end of our date, it

“I had the wildest crush on him but was far too awkward to do anything about it.” was time to say goodbye. We did the awkward dance around how to say goodbye, and Bry gave me a sweet kiss on the cheek. The proposal

Brydon and I got engaged this year on Feb. 7. Brydon had planned to take me out to dinner that evening and then take me to our favourite spot, along the lakeshore. This was all under the

Balancing work and love

I think that communication is important on both sides when it comes to balancing your career or even your workday with time for each other. We make sure to carve out time daily, and we really enjoy going on dates and experiencing new things together!

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I love watching TV and I love watching movies, even if I do fall asleep as soon as we hit play from time to time. Brydon loves football. He used to play while in school, and before the pandemic he would play for a league in Scarborough throughout the year. I enjoy being a loyal football fiancée and go cheer him on when he plays! Secret of success

Communication, compromise, respect, laughter, understanding and space. That last one might throw people off, but I love space. I love me time and so does my fiancé. I think it’s important for both parties in any relationship to make space for self-love and selfcare and also to keep relationships alive and well with your friends and family. Have your separate lives, that you share with one another from time to time even though you share a full life together.

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Pace Your Life

AUGUST 2020

From a CNE first date to a 2020 proposal

guise that he had missed me, since I was away on vacation for the last 10 days. However, my flight home was three hours delayed, so when he picked me up from the airport we had missed our reservation and it was about 11 p.m. at night. I looked a mess, as you always do after a vacation, and didn’t feel like doing a thing. Brydon insisted that he wanted a late night snack, so we ended up going out to get food, and then he said he wanted to show me something at our old high school. I had no idea what was going on. We were looking around for this thing. He couldn’t find it and I started walking back to the car because it was cold — especially since I just arrived back from Jamaica. When I started walking back he yelled, “Found it!” and when I turned around, he was down on one knee with a beautiful sparkly ring! He said, “This is where we met and where you fell in love with me first, so I wanted to bring you back here. Will you marry me?” Of course I said yes!

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Brydon Hargreaves and Stephanie Henry began dating in 2012

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‘Total Freedom’ is Kathleen Edwards' first album since 2012

Five great summer reads from Kathleen Edwards

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Acclaimed musician’s new album out Aug. 14 by Ron Johnson

At long last, acclaimed Canadian singer and songwriter Kathleen Edwards has returned from what she calls a “working sabbatical.” Her new album Total Freedom is set for release Aug. 14 and her new single “Options Open” is out now. The new album is her first since 2012’s Voyageur, after which she announced a break from the music biz and opened Quitters Coffee in the small town of Stittsville, Ont. “I had no desire to write, no desire to play,” she says, of the time.“It allowed me all the time and space I needed to even just enjoy listening to music again.” On the new album, Edwards revisits past relationships from a new perspective, one of resilience and optimism. “I don’t want to write songs that are going to keep me in a dark place for two years,” she says. Edwards, a five-time Juno Award nominee, offered her list of five great books to read this summer. 631 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto 416.484.1843 info@penwardenjewellery.com

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On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, Ocean Vuong

In December, I was flying home from Nashville having just finished my new album the night before and stumbled into the

airport bookshop. I purchased this book on a whim and not 20 minutes later received a text from a close friend in Toronto, saying, "You have to read this book. I just finished reading it. It's beautiful and devastating.” It’s the story of a Vietnamese boy and his immigrant family who come to the U.S., a raw and tragic story of coming of age, beautifully written from a poet-turned novelist. It served as a wonderful cultural thread for my overseas trip over the winter to see my brother and his family living in Vientiane, Laos, and our travels into Hanoi and some southern Vietnamese towns. It gave context to the human cost of Vietnam’s difficult history and spoke of the beautiful resilience and fragility of people, scarred by war. The Stationery Shop, Marjan Kamali

This novel is set in Tehran during the brink of the revolution and tells the story of young love. I adored this novel, as it so wonderfully described a prerevolution Iran full of vibrant colour, books, young women thriving intellectually, mentorship, food, culture and how the memory

I know, I know. You’re tired of the Brene Brown fan club culture. But good advice and the work her team does to find sociological research and statistical solutions to human conflicts and misunderstandings, unhappiness and resentments are worth reading about — especially if you're someone's boss or a leader in any capacity. This won’t spoil anything, but her message, "Clear is Kind. Unclear is Unkind," has been my mantra the last five months. It has helped guide some tough choices and conversations I needed to have, personally and professionally. It helped me revisit and reorganize my goals and take ownership of what I wanted to change, to frame how I want to grow as a businesswoman and employer. Fall, Colin McAdam

Full disclosure: I fell in love with this author's brother only months before the COVID shutdown, during which we discovered a social connection from each of our pasts. People and places we both knew were the basis of this work of fiction, and it made this read a page turner of epic proportions. It's dark, set in Ottawa, involves the diplomatic community and a private school I grew up hearing about. For all those reasons, I found it eerily familiar. When you fall into the web of a sociopath in your adult life and wonder how those people go undetected, hidden in their communities, books like these always remind you you never really know someone, especially when they're hiding behind the mask of privilege. Such a Fun Age, Kiley Reid

I only just started this book, after hearing her interviewed on CBC radio. This book will put a spotlight directly on our uncomfortable truths regarding racism, especially when talking about the “but I’m not racist!” white do-gooders, who fundamentally don’t see their own missteps. I’ve been told it's got people talking and even yelling, in debating the characters who struggle to overcome an incident involving a demoralizing mischaracterization and racist profiling of young Black women.

FILM

CURRENTS

David Thewlis stars in Atom Egoyan's latest, 'Guest of Honour'

Filmmaker Atom Egoyan and his award-winning rabbits acclaimed actor David Thewlis, who puts in a stirring performance as the food inspector who slowly becomes unhinged trying to put his life back together after his wife dies and his daughter (Toronto actor Laysla De Oliveira), a music teacher, ends up in prison after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a student. The more David Thewlis’s character, Jim, tries to put his life back together and figure out what happened with his daughter, the worse it gets. The unspooling reaches a crescendo when Jim returns to a restaurant that he recently inspected and almost closed down after catching them attempting to butcher and prepare rabbits on site. Upon his return, Jim is treated as the guest of honour and gives a speech reflective of his slow descent into, if not madness, certainly great despair. The performance is stunning, as Egoyan agrees. “It’s an amazing thing, when you conceive of something and then an actor just makes it soar, just infuses it with so much detail and humanity,” he says. “I was just so thankful the whole time that he was doing that with my words — that was a spectacular, amazing

moment.” Rabbits, as Egoyan explains, were a big part of the filmmaker’s childhood, with a nod of appreciation to his past awardwinning pets. “Oh yes, I had rabbits. They went to pet shows, they won prizes. You see some of those ribbons in the movie,” he says. “Those are my rabbits who earned those prizes. And so it was a way of acknowledging their contribution to my life.” The story is told over four different periods of time, and the only constant is De Oliveira’s character, who begins the film with a present-day discussion with a minister over her father’s funeral arrangements. The Toronto actor really broke out, when the film premiered at TIFF this past year, and has since garnered significant buzz for her subsequent work in projects such as Netflix’s Locke and Key. “She has this aura: she’s able to shift to the different sort of characters between. I needed someone who was very expressive to play Veronica,” Egoyan says. “It’s almost like you’re watching three different versions of the same person. And I’ve been really happy to see her career take off. It's been amazing.”

| POST |

Toronto filmmaker Atom Egoyan’s latest work, Guest of Honour, which premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, will be available on streaming services starting in August. And it came to fruition after a lot of inspiration from Egoyan’s own experiences — from raising rabbits to running a Queen West bar. The film chronicles the journey of a restaurant health inspector in Hamilton whose life unspools following the passing of his wife. Egoyan found the idea of the food inspector to be rich with possibility. “My son was a busboy at a very exclusive French restaurant in uptown Toronto and, you know, came back with these stories of food inspectors, one that was really tormenting the chef and owner,” says Egoyan. “I began to combine that with my own experiences running Camera Bar [on Queen West, Toronto] at the time, and it just felt like this was an interesting job, right? The person who would go from restaurant to restaurant trying to enforce a code, somebody who was a regulator but had such difficulty kind of regulating his own family and his own life.” The inspector is played by

AUGUST 2020

Toronto native’s latest film, Guest of Honour, is available on streaming services this month by Ron Johnson

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OUR MIDSUMMER CAKES GUIDE

TASTE TEST

FOOD

Chef Mark McEwan finds out what bakeries have the best artisanal cakes in town this August. Sweeten up the season with these fresh new flavours — from mango mousse and passion fruit coulis to coconut nectar creations.

WINNER

RUNNER-UP

DUO PATISSERIE

NADÈGE

“This has a great crust!” McEwan said of the Yuco cake with coconut nectar, cheesecake and yuzu mango fruit. “The yuzu flavour really comes through, and the coconut is very natural. The look complements the ingredients well,” he said. 230 Commerce Valley Dr. E., #4, $7.25

PATISSERIE LA CIGOGNE

“This looks like a classic lemon meringue. Very well presented,” McEwan said of the Lily cake. “The lime curd is delicious. Great flavour and texture. The mintsoaked sponge cake is an interesting twist, and the crust carries well (it is quite hard!).” 627 Mt. Pleasant Rd., $7.40

BOMOU “I absolutely love the pistachio mousse,” McEwan said of the Shahzade cake. “The mousse is light and airy — it is extremely delicious. The combination of pistachio and rosewater is classic in Middle Eastern desserts and really tasty.” 1636 Bayview Ave., $8.50

The Dream of China cake, with its strawberry mousse and passion fruit coulis, impressed McEwan. “Love the mini macaron and lovely tempered chocolate,” he said. “The passion fruit and berry work really well together.” 1419 Danforth Ave., $7.50

BAKE CODE

RAHIER

McEwan dubbed the purple layered creation from this North York bakery a fun take on a taro mousse cake. “Nutty and sweet flavours are coming through,” he said. “I can tell this is taro, which has starchiness and more of a vanilla taste. The flavour here is quite delicate.” 4910 Yonge St., $4.70

McEwan enjoyed the Mata Hari cake, with mango and coconut mousse. “The gooseberry is pretty but perhaps misleading as I couldn’t taste this through the cake. It complemented the flavours well, however.” McEwan was particularly fond of the papaya compote and texture. 1586 Bayview Ave., $15.71

AUGUST 2020

THOBORS BOULANGERIE

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McEwan was a big fan of the Pink Blossom cake with raspberry crème brûlée and lemon chantilly from Nadège Patisserie in Rosedale. McEwan called it “creamy yet light” and loved the edible flowers and look of it. “It’s beautifully presented,” McEwan said. The “real citrus flavour and delicious raspberry centre” wowed McEwan, who went on to add that, “the nuts and candied lemon also provide a nice texture.” 1099 Yonge St., $8.75

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RESTAURANT NEWS

The eatery takes back its old post on Dupont Anthony Rose has revived his restaurant Big Crow, which reopened last month for takeout and patio dining. The restaurateur and chef had previously shut down Big Crow and adjoining restaurant Rose and Sons last fall to make way for a new concept called the Grand Elvis. The Grand Elvis opened in December 2019 to widespread positive reviews. The restaurant became known for its Brindle Room banquet burger, which was developed with chef Jeremy Spector of New York’s Brindle Room, a restaurant famed for its own list-topping burger.

The Grand Elvis has been quiet over the past few months, however, after temporarily closing in mid-March when COVID hit. “Elvis was only three months old when the [coronavirus] went down. Unfortunately it never had a chance to sing and be its thing,” Rose tells Post City. “I loved it so much but felt it wasn’t what we needed now.” In his monthly newsletter, Rose describes finding himself turning to comfort foods when cooking at home with his son amid the pandemic. “I was cooking what I love, what my mother cooked when I was a kid,” Rose writes.

— Jessica Huras

Aunty Lucy’s finds a new home in Toronto The Parkdale burger joint was forced to relocate after a rent dispute

Aunty Lucy’s owner Chieff Bosompra

Popular burger joint Aunty Lucy’s Burgers has found a new home inside the Annex Hotel. The takeout spot was operating out of Duggan’s Brewery in Parkdale for June but had a rent dispute that led to its closing. “We are excited to have a new home,” says owner Chieff Bosompra. “We have a ton of love for Parkdale, and it will be cool to explore another part of the city and bring our burgers and energy to the Annex. We as a team are very much looking forward to it.” The Annex Hotel team decided to reach out to Bosompra when they heard that Aunty Lucy’s Burgers was in need of a new home. Bosompra and the Annex Hotel team have connected in the past, as he has run events in the hotel for his boutique marketing company, Undisposable. “I viewed a number of locations that day and

by Nikki Gill

decided that the Annex Hotel was the best fit,” he says. Fans will be relieved to know all their menu favourites will still be available, but there are some new additions to the menu that the team has been cooking up. “Halal beef and chicken is now available, and gluten-free buns are also now available,” says Bosompra. “In the near future we want to make a few Ghanaian dishes that will complement our current menu, so stay tuned for that.” The new location will be open from Wednesday to Sunday from 3 to 11 p.m., and orders can be made on Uber Eats or by pickup. “You can come to the front of the Annex Hotel and there’s a window you can order from and pay on site. We didn’t previously offer this,” says Bosompra.

Chef Hemant Bhagwani has opened a new restaurant in the Leaside neighbourhood of Toronto. The gourmet food concept, Egg Bird, is chef Hemant Bhagwani’s latest addition to the Bayview strip south of Eglinton Avenue (1595 Bayview Ave.). The casual restaurant has a comfortfood vibe, with indoor booths and a small outdoor patio, and specializes in burgers, fried chicken, Belgian frites, frozen custard and shakes. Bhagwani is no stranger to the neighbourhood, having opened his first restaurant, Amaya, in the area in 2007 and five more restaurants on Bayview throughout his career. Bhagwani currently owns and operates Goa Indian Farm Kitchen and the Burmese eatery Popa — both of which are located inside Bayview Village and are currently open for takeout. Egg Bird is Bhagwani’s vision for a traditional neighbourhood brunch spot that includes his love of burgers. All of Egg Bird’s beef burgers are made with 100 per cent brisket from the Cumbrae’s butcher shop nearby and topped with a cage-free egg. Shakes come in a variety of delicious combinations ranging from blackberry cheesecake to vanilla coconut (topped with a piece of cake as well as coconut shavings). Egg Bird also offers frozen custard in vanilla or chocolate. Bhagwani has recruited Kevin Diaz, a former chef at Popa, to run daily operations at the new neighbourhood spot. Diaz’s fried chicken brand, Chubb’s, will be dishing up all of the eatery’s fried chicken offerings. The fried chicken here is not just the southern United States variety popularized by an elderly gentleman in a white suit with a penchant for licking his fingers. Egg Bird’s fried chicken includes varieties from around the world including such locales as Japan and Mumbai. “Fried chicken is one of those foods that everyone loves, and every culture has their own take on it. We have an ambitious goal of having the best fried chicken in Toronto,” says Diaz. But the restaurant has other vegan, vegetarian and halal options too. Diners can try the eatery’s vegan crispy cauliflower burger paired with a spicy slaw or the halal chicken sandwich with a pineapple pepper sauce and slaw. The restaurant celebrated its grand opening on July 12 and is currently open for patio eats. Egg Bird’s menu will also be available for takeout or delivery through Uber Eats, and the restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. — Ron Johnson

AUGUST 2020

Chef Anthony Rose’s Annex BBQ joint Big Crow is a go

Hemant Bhagwani opens his new restaurant Egg Bird in Leaside

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Big Crow’s grilled verscht with apricot jam and mustard

According to the newsletter, this experience helped him to embrace his nickname as “the king of comfort food” and inspired his decision to bring back Big Crow. “So here we are. Big Crow is back. It is exactly the same as it used to be. The menu is familiar and delicious, and it is all mine,” Rose writes. As promised, the reincarnated Big Crow menu is packed with fan favourites, including poke nachos and smoked, grilled baby back ribs, as well as the grilled verscht with apricot jam and mustard that Rose recently dubbed “one of his greatest inventions of all time.” “Big Crow just seemed right for the moment. Nostalgic and deliciousness and the sweet flavour of Canadian BBQ,” Rose tells Post City. “It was a hard decision to let the King die, but to tell you the truth, I missed Crow so much.” Diners can order prepared BBQ for curbside pickups or dine-in on the restaurant’s small patio, with reservations made through email. But Big Crow has also added the option to order dishes cooked and ready to reheat at home or raw and seasoned for home grilling. According to Rose, Big Crow is here to stay, even after patio season ends. “Good news is that we completely made Crow ready for the winter, so it’ll be so toasty all year long,” Rose adds. Some of Rose’s other restaurants, Fat Pasha, Fet Zun and Madame Boeuf, continue to offer takeout and patio eats. Schmaltz Appetizing is open for curbside pickup, while Gordy Smiles on Ossington remains closed for the time being. In his newsletter, Rose hints that the return of Big Crow could be a precursor to the resurrection of his other Dupont Street restaurant Rose and Sons as well. “Who knows, we might even bring back the true Phoenix rising from the ashes: Rose and Sons. Stay tuned,” he adds.

FOOD

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RESTAURANT NEWS

The takeout concept Don Pollo is operating out of the chef’s Mexican restaurant Quetzal by Jessica Huras Part of the popular Mexican restaurant Quetzal has been transformed into Don Pollo, specializing in wood-fired chicken dishes. The Little Italy restaurant had been temporarily closed since mid-March amid the pandemic, with chef-owner Grant van Gameren opting not to offer takeout when restaurant dining rooms were forced to suspend service. The chef is now using the Quetzal space to run a new takeout concept called Don Pollo, which debuted on July 11. The restaurant

specializes in Sinaloa-style grilled chicken, which is brined and slow cooked over a wood-fire grill. Chicken is available by the piece, the whole bird or on sandwiches. “We’ve worked the last few months to create some insanely good and messy as hell hot chicken marinated in a secret concoction alongside a line-up of sides,” reads the announcement on Don Pollo’s social media. Sides include roasted potatoes seasoned with adobo, shredded jicama slaw with a creamy lime sauce and charred pineapple with

Critically acclaimed restaurant Brothers closes Unable to maintain social distancing, the small Yorkville haunt calls it quits Celebrated Yorkville restaurant Brothers Food & Wine closed its doors for good last month. The tiny restaurant located above Bay Station has received consistently glowing reviews since opening in 2016, becoming known for its unfussy but sublime seasonal menus. “We have decided to close the restaurant. With the temporary closure this spring, it was our intention to ride the waves of uncertainty with the hope that we would get back to regular service as soon as possible,” reads a post by the owners via social media. After dining rooms were forced to close in March, Brothers began offering set menu takeout dinners in late May. Typically featuring four courses and available only on Saturday nights, the takeout meals sold out quickly each week. With patios reopening in Toronto and indoor dining resuming across the rest of the

province on July 17, space seems to be key to a restaurant’s safety and success in the world of post-COVID dining. Maintaining the necessary two metres between tables makes it impossible for a close-quarters restaurant like Brothers to operate the same way it once did. “Brothers was purposefully built as a small and intimate space,” reads the post. “This contradicts any reasonable expectations of moving forward given the guidelines for a safe reopening.” The post goes on to thank Brothers’ staff and diners, adding that the team plans to continue sharing their vision for quality food and hospitality. “We have every intention of recommitting to this work and feel we have a lot left to contribute,” finishes the post. “Thanks for everything, see you down the road.” — JH

A tasting menu at Brothers

The team behind the Vegandale Festival is back with a socially distanced twist. The new vegan patio series will begin on Aug. 8 at the Grand Bizarre at Exhibition Place for four consecutive weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and includes seated lunch or dinner options. The Vegandale Festival is a summer festival focusing on vegan food and products cultivated from the city’s top vendors. The festival usually draws thousands of people every summer, but sadly this year’s event has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Our festival format is simply not possible amid the current climate, and it’s important to us that we uphold the standard of our unparalleled festival experience,” reads a post on the Vegandale Festival’s Instagram. Instead, the vegan patio series will work to fill the void at Exhibition Place, home to the city’s largest rooftop space at 64,000 square feet with three infinity pools and various private cabanas. Attendees will have access to the infinity pools with the city’s COVID-19 outdoor pool guidelines in place. Those current restrictions include providing a name and contact information, answering various COVID-19 questions and wearing a single-use wrist band. Vegandale’s patio series includes access to food from Fat Choi, Ital Vital, Bar Vegandale and Planta. It also includes bottle service, a curated selection of artwork, pool access, hip hop and top 40 music by local DJs and a frozen dessert bar provided by Daiya. COVID-19 precautions are in place, according to the event’s website, including staff with masks, daily cleaning of patio furniture, contactless payment, online menus and socially distanced (six-feet-apart) tables. Seating times include an 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. brunch option or a 4 to 8 p.m. dinner option. Tickets are on sale now and range from $35 to $400 depending on the size of each group and whether or not bottle service is included. Diners can opt for the brunch or supper packages, and there is a 19+ age restriction when entering the venue, so keep that in mind when booking. The seated patio series will take place rain or shine, with coverings set up for every table and cabana across the venue. Additional information about the new summer series can be found online at www.vegandalesummer.com, and there are also regular updates on the festival’s various social feeds. — Harriette Halepis

AUGUST 2020

Chef Grant van Gameren opens wood-fired chicken joint

New vegan rooftop series with three infinity pools starts this month

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Don Pollo’s slow-roasted, Sinaloa-style chicken

Trinidad pepper, coriander and lime. Van Gameren spoke about the new restaurant in an interview in May, saying that Don Pollo is inspired by the roadside grilled chicken served in places like Mexico and South and Central America. He added that this concept was a way to make use of Quetzal’s unused wood-fire grills. It’s currently unclear whether Quetzal will return when restaurant dining rooms reopen. Over the past few months, the serial restaurateur has pivoted a number of his restaurants in response to the pandemic. In early June, he began offering Detroit-style pizzas in the former Tennessee Tavern space on Queen Street West, as part of a new concept called Gianna’s. Bar Piquette, best known for its laid-back atmosphere and selection of approachable wines, has been operating as a market and bottle shop. The once-shuttered Harry’s Charbroiled is taking to the streets to sling the outpost’s famous burgers after recently unveiling its bright new food truck decked out in yellow. In Kensington, El Rey Mezcal Bar reopened its patio and is also offering takeout. Van Gameren’s vegan Mexican restaurant Rosalinda and Spanish pinxtos spot Bar Raval continue to remain temporarily closed. Although fans of the ever-popular Bar Isabel welcomed the College Street eatery back with open arms after it reopened with patio service July 23. The Spanish restaurant is now serving a pared-down menu of signature dishes and bevvies, on a first-come, firstserved basis. Over in Parkdale, van Gameren’s cocktail bar Pretty Ugly announced its permanent closure in June after a dispute over rent, but there’s hope that the concept may be able to reopen in a new location in the future. Don Pollo is open seven days a week. Delivery is available through Uber Eats, or pickup orders can be made online directly with the restaurant.

FOOD

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The story behind True True

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Following the death of her beloved diner, chef Suzanne Bar reflects on an industry in need of change

The culinary world is complex — stacked with sweet stories of bringing people together through food but also riddled with deeprooted, unsavoury histories of systemic injustices that continue to poison this industry. As I stand in the wake of the permanent closure of my restaurant True True, I find myself immersed in a profound, bittersweet place of reckoning. This is not just my story, but the story of many BIPOC folks that have and will continue to find themselves displaced. As a child, my sister and I relished watching and learning from my dad how to cook. In particular, making patties together provided us with a safe haven where the methodical process (from mise en place to the chemistry of cooking) gave us order and structure against the sometimes precarious backdrop of our daily lives. The smells, the beautiful ingredients and the indescribable feelings of familiarity and comfort are forever associated with the array of moist, juicy ground beef perfectly spiced with scotch bonnet, minced onions, pinches of garlic, speckles of black pepper and strands of scallion that would all come together with strong, kneading hands and decisive movements to make a Nicey

Patty. Little did I know then that this would be the first of many seeds planted in my soul that would eventually sprout into the trajectories of my life. My dad was also a passionate entrepreneur. He opened a flower shop in the east end of Toronto 50 years ago and instilled that “can do” attitude in me. Despite all the odds being stacked against him as a Black business owner, he made it happen and thrived. Years later, I, armed with the same resolute determination and passion, carved out my place in life, as a chef, entrepreneur and social advocate. These titles are things that fit onto an Instagram profile neatly and succinctly, but it does not even begin to shed light on all of me. Beyond these resumé placeholders, I am a Black woman, a mother, a partner, a leader, a connector, a cheerleader, a disrupter and a fierce ally to justice. All of these shades of me have been integral in getting me to where I needed to get going. But they have also been the causes of some of the biggest hurdles I’ve had to face — particularly as a Black, female chef and entrepreneur. Many budding chefs and entrepreneurs in Toronto (and the world) are faced with the same baseline of challenges: whether it’s finding a desirable spot in

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Chef Suzanne Barr inside True True Diner, prior to its closure

“I’ve had my time to grieve. I am not ashamed nor see the closure of True True as a failure.” pushed out, used and discarded. This has been my reality. On a daily basis, it ranges from biased microagressions to full-blown, blatant, anti-Black racist, misogynistic treatment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had temporarily closed True True Diner, as we thoughtfully contemplated how we would evolve the business. After a spell of silence and without consulting with me, my business partners decided to shut down. I had poured so much of myself into this venture. It had become a hub where BIPOC chefs were celebrated, a safe place

first — I believe it’s a recurring pattern of the privileged piggybacking off my Black, female identity. Initially, financial backers or potential collaborators connect with me — often under the guise of allyship. They love the comfort food part. They love the sassy, vibrant energy that I bring. They love all the Black and female parts of me that serve them. But when they see there are so many other aspects that come with who I am at the core, I believe my Blackness becomes an inconvenience. And this is the part where I feel I literally get shut down.

In my moments of despair following the sudden closure of True True, my dad had simple words for me. He told me he was proud and to remember all the shades of me that make me who I am: that I am not defined by the walls and kitchen that make up a restaurant. That everything I will ever need is inside of me. I’ve had my time to grieve. And like so many strong, beautiful brothers and sisters before me, I will not stop. I am only beginning. I am not ashamed nor see the closure of True True as a failure. It was a pit stop on my long journey filled with obstacles, humility, lessons learned and precious relationships. As my father alluded … my truth will never shut down because it lives within me, and I will continue to grow and flourish. And that is something that can never be taken from me. SUZANNE BARR Suzanne Barr is a respected Toronto chef with a flair for Afro Caribbean, soulful comfort food. Her culinary repertoire includes owner of Saturday Dinette; inaugural chef-inresidence at the Gladstone Hotel; resident judge on Food Network Canada’s series ‘Wall of Chefs;’ and partner and executive chef at True True Diner, which permanently closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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AUGUST 2020

where our staff who came from marginalized backgrounds found respect and a sense of family. I intentionally made my restaurant a diner to pay homage to all the civil rights sit-ins that happened in diners across North America and helped shape Black history. And when it really mattered, I feel I had no say. My voice, sweat, blood and tears were dismissed and muted by white privilege. Although this closure is not my

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Toronto where the cost of rent won’t consume all of the meager profits from an already razor-thin profit model; churning out food that will stay relevant in a competitive, crowded space with fickle diners; and balancing impossible work hours with some semblance of a home life. But add to that being part of a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) demographic that has been systemically pushed down,

AUGUST 2020 EDITION YOU’VE REACHED THE END OF THE

BEFORE YOU GO, TAKE A GANDER AT THESE FIVE HISTORIC EVENTS OF YEARS PAST

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It is Leafs versus Oilers (sort of) as the NHL is set to get underway on Aug. 1, after five months on dry ice. Storied NHL cities Toronto and Edmonton will act as hubs for all the action.

Toronto’s first Caribana festival (now Toronto Caribbean Carnival), which has been cancelled this year, was held on Aug. 5, 1967, and has been a cherished part of the city ever since.

Movie cinemas are set to open this month, just like on Aug. 31, 1896, when the first motion picture played in Toronto.

It won’t be the same this August without the CNE, which was cancelled for just the second time in the end-of-summer spectacular’s 142-year history.

Aug. 19, 1874, saw the establishment of an official fire department approved by the city council. Photo: the Bedford Park Volunteer Fire Brigade circa 1900.

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We look forward to welcoming you back. #BYTIME