Home Blog Page 106

This new College Street restaurant is the Italian comeback we didn’t know we needed

By
Jennifer Schembri
-
0
sals copy 2

From the team behind Lucia and Local Kitchen & Wine Bar, Sal’s Pasta & Chops is a new Italian-Canadian spot now open in Little Italy. It takes over the former home of Wolfie, which surprised diners when it shut down in May after less than a year.

Michael Sangregorio and Fabio Bondi have happily swooped in to fill the hole left by Wolfie, with homemade pastas, nostalgia-inspired meats and international wines. Nestled between the CHIN Radio building and the Royal Theatre, Sal’s is named after both of their fathers — each named Sal. After years of searching, Sangregorio says the Little Italy space just made sense.

chops copy

“When they first immigrated to Toronto, like many other Italians, our fathers settled on College Street, so we just thought it was a very fitting location, like a coming home of sorts,” says Sangregorio. “My dad is still active with Sunday lunches and dinners, and both of us get excited to cook together. We built a pizza oven together from scratch, and make salumi together every year.”

To honour their namesakes, the owners have collected old photos of their dads from their early days in Canada. The images are enlarged and framed as a personal tribute on the walls.

“There’s going to be hundreds of photos of them in the restaurant,” Sangregorio says.

Interior copy

Fans of Lucia will recognize some of the “greatest hits” on the menu — like the hand-rolled ziti — alongside new antipasti and a lineup of handmade pastas. One throwback favourite even gets the full tableside treatment, served straight from a parmesan wheel.

As for the chops side of the menu, expect to find no shortage of mouth-watering lamb, pork and veal.

Sal’s has plenty of Italian and French wine labels and wines on tap, including some curated specially for Sal’s from Tawse Winery. While Sangregorio assures these, like the specialty cocktails, are affordable, he also suggests there are more expensive bottles for those extra special nights out.

The spacious eatery seats 70 guests inside, as well as an additional handful of diners on the back patio and CaféTO sidewalk patio.

Sal’s Pasta & Chops is located at 614 College St.

Montreal’s Schwartz’s Deli is coming to Toronto (but only for one day)

By
Nisean Lorde
-
0
Schwartz's Deli
Schwartz's Deli

One of Canada’s most legendary deli institutions, Schwartz’s Deli, is making its way to Toronto for a rare visit.

On July 30, Montreal’s iconic Schwartz’s Deli will be popping up in Toronto for one day only, courtesy of WeCook, a ready-to-eat meal delivery service known for its chef-curated dishes.

The pop-up will be hosted at the nostalgic Avenue Diner (222 Davenport Rd), giving deli-lovers in the city a unique opportunity to savour Schwartz’s old-fashioned, preservative-free smoked meat, marinated for ten days using a secret blend of fine herbs and spices! Schwartz’s has been serving some of the world’s best smoked meat in the Montreal area since 1928 (so you know the food at the pop-up event will be amazing).

Celine Dion is a part-owner of Schwartz’s Deli. She and her late husband, Rene Angelil, joined a group of investors who purchased the deli in 2012.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Schwartz’s (@schwartzsofficial)

 Guests will also have the chance to try two limited-edition dishes: Bolognese pasta and poutine — both crafted by WeCook’s Executive Chef Gabriel Drapeau, formerly of Montreal’s famed Joe Beef Group. Drapeau worked with the Joe Beef group from 2013 to about 2021, when he left to focus on a career with WeCook. The meal-delivery service specializes in ready-made meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and has quickly become a household name across Quebec and Ontario.

Drapeau is classically trained in French cuisine and is known for reimagining traditional dishes with unexpected techniques (so expectations for the pop-up’s offerings are high!)

The pop-up is open to the general public on Wed, July 30 from 4-8 pm at Avenue Diner, 222 Davenport Rd.

Also this summer, check out some of the best new restaurants in the city, Toronto’s Taco Fest lineup, and the hottest food festivals hitting Toronto streets this summer!

New Dundas West vintage shop promises to make you the best dressed at your office

By
Emma Johnston-Wheeler
-
0
soukandsilk
Souk and Silk clothing racks. Photo by Emma Johnston-Wheeler

Vintage streetwear, workwear, eveningwear and more abound in Toronto — but what about office attire? Toronto’s Mariam Sarkis has an answer with the opening of Souk and Silk, a mature vintage shop full of pieces that would easily make you the coolest dressed person at your office.

If you enjoyed shopping the back room at Tell Them It’s Vintage last year, you’ll be happy to know that it’s the curator of that pop-up who now has her own brick and mortar shop near Bathurst and Dundas. 

Sarkis describes the curation at Souk and Silk as “modern” and “sleek,” and feels she caters to a more mature (30+) demographic. “Maybe because I worked corporate for so long, I have a soft spot for corporate-esque clothing,” she says. “It’s hard to find. I get a lot of women coming in here looking for work clothes, and I think when you can incorporate vintage into office dress wear, it’s so much cooler.” 

souksilkvintageclothes
Souk and Silk clothing racks. Photo by Emma Johnston-Wheeler

“You could totally wear an oversized blazer with a really cute cropped pant and a heel,” she says. “Whereas if you were to shop that outfit new, it often feels stiff.” 

Informed by Sarkis’ background as a Coptic Egyptian, the shop’s name “Souk” is a reference to the Arabic name for a market, an aesthetic that manifests itself throughout her store via a collection of vases and Middle Eastern motifs. “It reminds me of markets back in Egypt or in Morocco,” she says.  

souksilkshoes
Souk and Silk shoes and decor. Photo by Emma Johnston-Wheeler

“I try to bring human connection and community into the store. As a minority Egyptian person, I want to build that community with other North African, Middle Eastern people, because we need each other right now,” she adds. “A huge part of why [I opened this space] is because I really wanted to put that out into the world, and make this a safe space for us and for people who love us.” 

In the same manner as many vintage connoisseurs who begin selling vintage, Sarkis started when she realized that she’d collected more than she could wear herself. In 2015, she began selling a curation of pieces on Etsy and vending at markets, while working a full-time corporate job. It became her creative outlet.

In 2021, after the birth of her child, Sarkis decided to take the leap to leave the corporate world, nurturing her vintage business while growing her new family. It was 2024 when an opportunity presented itself to temporarily inhabit a brick and mortar space at 789 Dundas St. W., via a pop-up with her friends Tell Them It’s Vintage, and Nahnushe. While there, Tell Them It’s Vintage owner Elizabeth Lima learned of a space for rent down the street, opened her own shop, and invited the other two vintage brands to pop up there for a longer stretch. 

Now Sarkis is back at 789 Dundas St. W., calling it her own after hearing of an empty space for rent there through Instagram. As it turned out, the timing was perfect. “It’s a full circle moment because it literally started here,” Sarkis says.

souksilkvintage
Souk and Silk clothing racks. Photo by Emma Johnston-Wheeler

Her curation primarily features garments from the 90s and 2000s, and a range of masculine and feminine pieces, with the average item priced around $80. “It’s just what speaks to me,” she says, “I don’t believe in gender binaries in fashion. I believe that people should wear whatever the hell they want.” In her own wardrobe, she loves duality, often mixing pretty dresses with broad–shouldered blazers. 

While she also curates a range of sizes, she’s hoping to expand the options and integrate a plus size pop-up into the store. In the future, she’d also like to feature non–clothing items designed by other Arab creatives, such as pottery and natural wellness products like tea and tinctures.

You can visit Souk and Silk Vintage at 789 Dundas St. W. daily from 12–6 p.m.

Oh baby, Justin Bieber is back as Canadian pop star surprises fans with new album ‘Swag’

By
Ron Johnson
-
0
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber

Started from small town Stratford, Ont. now he’s here, Justin Bieber has released a new album titled Swag, catching fans by surprise early Friday morning.

The 31-year-old Canadian pop star had been teasing music for months through cryptic social media posts and behind-the-scenes studio photos. On Thursday, mysterious SWAG billboards started popping up in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and even Reykjavik, Iceland — hinting that something big was coming.

Now it’s official: Swag is Bieber’s seventh studio album and his first major project since 2021’s Justice and Freedom. The album features 21 songs, with guest appearances from a range of artists including Gunna, Sexyy Red, Cash Cobain, Lil B, Dijon, Eddie Benjamin, and comedian Druski.

Billboard magazine has already ranked each track on the new album.

The album touches on themes like love, fatherhood, online fame, and the struggles of celebrity life. Fans have already started flooding social media with reactions, calling it one of Bieber’s boldest releases yet.

Here’s what the 115-km/h AlpenFury roller coaster opening at Canada’s Wonderland looks like

By
Ron Johnson
-
0
AlpenFury
AlpenFury

Thrill enthusiasts, gird your loins for this one, Canada’s Wonderland is finally unveiling AlpenFury on Saturday, July 12. Touted as the country’s tallest, fastest, and longest launch coaster, AlpenFury is making headlines with its record-breaking nine inversions — yes, nine times you’ll be upside down — the most of any launch coaster in the world.

The new roller coaster begins inside Wonder Mountain, where riders go through not one but two back-to-back launches — the second shooting them straight up a vertical climb through the mountain’s summit, reaching a height of 50 metres. From there, the train careens across the park at speeds of up to 115 km/h, twisting through a complex series of inversions designed to test even the bravest coaster fans.

alpenfury2

AlpenFury at Canada's Wonderland
AlpenFury at Canada’s Wonderland

“AlpenFury will deliver an epic, record-breaking thrill,” said Heather Hill, Canada’s Wonderland park manager and vice president of operations. “With two powerful launches, a vertical ascent, and nine wild inversions, this is an unforgettable ride experience.”

The ride’s debut also serves a charitable cause. On Friday, July 18, the park will host Ride for a Cause Day to support SickKids Hospital in Toronto. A $125 VIP ticket grants early access to AlpenFury, park admission, a catered lunch, and other perks, with all proceeds going to the hospital.

AlpenFury
AlpenFury

AlpenFury is the 18th roller coaster at the Vaughan-based park operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.

Here’s the one day you can visit Ontario’s provincial parks for free this summer

By
Julia Mastroianni
-
0
sandbanksprovincialpark
Sandbanks Provincial Park. @sandbankspp/Instagram

Ontario is home to so many beautiful provincial parks, but you usually have to pay a fee to enter. But for one day this month, every single park will be completely free to visit — making it the perfect cheap summer vacation activity.

The Ontario government announced that on July 18, to celebrate Healthy Parks Healthy People Day, it will be offering free admission to all provincial parks — which usually cost around $12 to $21 for a daily use vehicle permit.

Meant to help Ontarians strengthen and rediscover their connection to nature, the annual celebration is part of a global movement based on the evidence that spending time in nature has positive benefits on health. 

All visitors who enter a participating park on July 18 will be issued a complimentary day pass to the park, and they can enjoy the park facilities until 10 p.m. You can reserve a daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance of your trip to your chosen park. However, if you’re planning on making use of faculties not included in a day pass, such as camping, you’ll have to pay separately.

There are 75 parks across Ontario to visit, so choose wisely! Popular spots include Lake Superior Provincial Park, Sandbanks Provincial Park, Algonquin Provincial Park and Killarney Provincial Park, so make sure to register for your day pass promptly if you’re interested in these locations. 

For a park featuring shipwrecks and a lighthouse, check out MacGregor Point Provincial Park. And for Ontario’s first urban park, check out this new one located in Uxbridge.

New this year, the federal government has also launched a Canada Strong Pass, allowing all Canadian citizens and non-citizens free admission to national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. The free admission (which doesn’t require a physical pass) will run all summer until Sept. 2, so plan accordingly!

Toronto’s Taco Fest lineup just dropped (and the flavours are hotter than ever)

By
Nisean Lorde
-
0
Tacofest
Instagram: @tacofest

Toronto’s biggest taco celebration, Taco Fest, returns to Fort York from Aug. 8-10. The annual event will have more than 250 varieties of tacos from more than 50 of the city’s top chefs and vendors, featuring both traditional Mexican flavours and innovative new (hot!) creations.

Taco lovers can also vote for their fav tacos all weekend long, leading up to the final day (the winning Taco vendor will receive the prestigious ‘golden taco’ trophy and ultimate bragging rights)!

This year’s vendor line-up will feature local favourites like Rosa’s (2024 Best Taco Winner), Kong’s Hot Tacos (2023 Best Taco Winner), Lit Up Jerk, Atomic 10, Fiesta Empanada, Birria Catrina, Born2eat, Rick’s Good Eats and more.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Taco Fest (@thetacofest)

Here are some taco highlights to look out for:

Unique Tacos

  • Alijandro’s Kitchen taboon taco: A crispy whole wheat pita taco filled with smoky chipotle shredded steak, lettuce, pico de gallo, and your choice of sauce.
  • The Bollywood Taco’s butter chicken Birria taco: Munch on tender butter chicken folded into crispy birria-style tortillas with spiced makhani consommé.
  • Rebozos Taqueria’s Nopal-Hongo taco: This cactus and mushroom taco is served with Guajillo sauce!
  • 6 Spice Rack’s brisky mac taco: No need to choose between mac-n-cheese and Mexican fare! Try this hard-shell taco filled with slow-cooked beef brisket, creamy mac-n-cheese, pickled hot peppers, chipotle aioli, fried onions and cilantro.
  • Dope as Duck’s Smash Burger taco: Combines a smash burger with a flour tortilla, topped with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and delicious mac sauce.

If traditional is more your style, check out these classic tacos:

  • Tacos 101’s Al Pastor taco: Tear through some marinated pork cooked on a trompo, garnished with pineapple, onion, cilantro and vibrant green salsa.
  • Balam Toronto’s Carnitas taco: Slow-cooked pork crisped and topped with pico de gallo on a corn tortilla.
  • Placos Tacos’ Birria taco: Slow-cooked beef brisket with dry chiles and spices.
  • Ko’ox Hana’s barbacoa: Dine on juicy brisket slow-cooked with traditional spices, served with onions and cilantro.
  • Ghost Taco’s birria supreme: Braised beef with melted cheese, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, garlic crema, green onion and consommé for dipping!

If you like your food hot, Canada’s largest hot sauce bar will be available to spice up your taco-eating experience. Wash it all down with a wide selection of drinks at the exclusive Tequila & Mezcal tasting!

In between eating, there’ll be tons of interactive experiences, like salsa dancing lessons, Mariachi performances, guacamole-making classes and even a full-service bar with cocktails, making Taco Fest  the perfect summer outing to check out as part of a staycation. General ticket prices start at $19.50 (tickets for Saturday are almost sold out as of publication). When: Fri, Aug 8 and Sat, Aug 9, 11 am -11 pm | Sun, Aug 10, 11 am-8:30 pm. | Where: Fort York (250 Fort York Blvd).

For more information, visit thetacofest.com and follow on Instagram @thetacofest.

If tacos aren’t your thing, check out these other food festivals hitting Toronto streets this summer!

Three great Toronto private clubs that won’t break the bank

By
Ron Johnson
-
0
Soho House Toronto
Soho House Toronto

Everywhere you look, Toronto is getting crowded — parks packed, patios full, and a little peace and quiet is now much harder to come by. Private clubs seem like a good answer, but most come with a steep price tag and a side of aura farming that some consider a little off-putting. The good news? A few low-key spots around the city offer all the perks — views, space, community — without the fancies.

Here are a trio of Toronto private clubs that could be just what you’re looking for.

Westwood Sailing Club

One of the best things about living in Toronto is the lake, only most people never use it. Westwood is tucked away near Cherry Beach and run by volunteers who are passionate about making sailing accessible. Join for about $650 a year, and you’ll get access to club boats, sailing lessons, and races all season. There’s no need to own your own boat, and beginners are welcome. Use your membership to get out on the water for some peace, or just hang out at the clubhouse, flip some burgers on the BBQ, and watch the sunset over the breakwater. It’s one of the few clubs in the city that combines a laid-back vibe with the option to actually learn something new.

Balmy Beach Club

At the eastern edge of the Beach, you’ll find the modest-looking Balmy Beach Club, which is home to the best patio in the city. Founded in 1905, it’s one of the oldest athletic clubs in Toronto and still manages to feel like a neighbourhood secret. Members and guests flock here every summer to get a prized table overlooking the beach volleyball courts and Lake Ontario. It’s social, but never too flashy. And it’s affordable at around $700 a year, if you can get in — there’s usually a waitlist. The club also offers rowing, paddling, squash, and even rugby. In winter, it becomes a cozy retreat after a snowy boardwalk stroll.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Balmy Beach Club (@balmybeachclub)

Soho House

Soho House Toronto is a private club set across three floors of a beautiful Georgian building that once housed a printing press. The space oozes history with modern sophistication — vintage furniture, art by local creatives, and velvet everything. Members can enjoy a rooftop bar with sweeping views of downtown and the islands, or settle in at the Club Bar for cocktails and low lighting. There are film screenings, chef pop-ups, and plenty of creative industry mixers. It’s under $500 quarterly, with a reduced rate for under-27s, and unlike most private clubs, it has a casual, inclusive energy. You’ll spot artists, fashion designers, and start-up founders, often all at the same table.

Everything you need to know about the Blue Jays’ breakout star Addison Barger

By
Nisean Lorde
-
0
Toronto Blue Jays star Addison Barger
Instagram: @bluejays

The Toronto Blue Jays‘ 10-game win streak came to an end on Wednesday afternoon with a 2-1 loss against the Chicago White Sox, but all isn’t lost! Addison Barger has been central to the team’s recent winning stretch (their best since 2015), delivering a walk-off RBI single in the 11th inning against the Angels on Saturday and hitting a two-run homer against the White Sox on Monday.

Although his magic didn’t translate to Wednesday’s game, Toronto remains on top of the AL East, so Barger’s offensive play will be crucial in upcoming games.

Here’s everything you need to know about Barger before the Jays’ next matchup.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Toronto Blue Jays (@bluejays)

Stats

  • Age: 25 | height: 6′ 0″ | weight: 210 lbs
  • Batting average: .264 AVG
  • Last 10 games: 11 hits | 11 runs batted in | 3 home runs | 2 walks | 9 strikeouts

Overview

According to MLB.com, Barger was born in Bellevue, Wash., and grew up in Florida. He was a huge fan of outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and began switch-hitting at age 10 to be more like him. In 2018, he was named to the Florida Region All High School Senior First Team alongside former Jays prospect Gunnar Hoglund. Baseball America listed him as Toronto’s fifth-highest-ranked prospect entering the 2023-2024 season and sixth-highest entering 2024. He was drafted by the Jays in the sixth round of the 2018 MLB draft.

Did you know?

  • At just 14, Barger trained and competed in the Dominican Prospect League — an unusual move for an American player.
  • After that time, he became fluent enough in Spanish that even coaches didn’t realize he understood them until much later.
  • When the family moved to Florida, Barger’s father built a full-sized diamond on their land before a home was even constructed.
  • Scouts rave about his cannon-like throwing arm and elite bat speed, both of which developed through intense, focused training.
  • Barger travelled to multiple countries in Central and South America during his parents’ missionary work.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Addison Barger (@addisonbarger)

Career Highlights

  • MLB debut: Made his MLB debut with the Jays in April 2024 against the Kansas City Royals. Recorded his first career hit against the Royals that month, with a single to left field.
  • First home run: Hit a two-run shot against the Baltimore Orioles that helped the Jays seal a 6-3 win (July 2024).
  • 2024 season stats: Batted .197 in his rookie year, with 28 RBIs.
  • 2025 highlights: He wasn’t on the Jays’ 26-player opening day roster but has already surpassed his home run and RBI totals from 2024. He’s quickly becoming a clutch contributor in tight games, including that walk-off single against the Angels on July 5. In an interview with Sportsnet, Barger says his secret is trying to stay “calm and collected.”

What’s next?

The Jays are aiming for their first deep playoff run since 2016. If Barger continues to deliver in crucial moments, he could cement his role as a long-term key player in the lineup. According to FanGraphs, the Jays have an 87.7% chance of making the playoffs if their momentum continues, with a 39.8% chance to win the division and a 23.7% chance to clinch a first-round bye. Their odds of winning the World Series stand at 5.3%, making them one of the top contenders in the American League, trailing only the NY Yankees (9.3%) in the AL East.

The Jays next head to Oakland this Friday, July 11, to face the Athletics.

The Paris Paris team’s new Lisbon-inspired restaurant has Nelly Furtado’s stamp of approval

By
Megan Gallant
-
0
MM TabernaLX8592
Mathew Guido

The team behind Paris Paris has finally opened the doors to one of Toronto’s most anticipated restaurant openings of 2025 — a debut Nelly Furtado hinted at over a year ago.

Turns out, Taberna Lx was actually close to 15 years in the making for Kelly Amaral who has opened the modern Portuguese restaurant alongside partners, Gani Shquier and executive chef Jonathan Poon. Now open in the original Paris Paris location at 1161 Dundas Street West, Taberna Lx is transporting diners to the streets of Lisbon with intricate, traditional details, Azorean volcanic wines and a menu that explores the cuisine beyond the clichés.

MM TabernaLx LNK9879
Co-owner Kelly Amaral. Photo: Mathew Guido

“If you’ve traveled to Portugal in the last little bit, you see that it has evolved — so much of their design has evolved, and their entertainment has evolved,” says Amaral. “It’s really about creating a space that is not just about aesthetic and it’s not just about food — it’s all those things encompassing.” 

The restaurant is located in the neighbourhood Amaral grew up in and where her parents first emigrated to from Portugal in the 1950s. By the 1960s, they owned the first Portuguese grocery store in the neighbourhood, a catalyst that led to the neighbourhood later being called Little Portugal.

While it offers a “full circle” moment for Amaral to open Taberna Lx, she was also motivated by her love affair with Portugal — both the Azores where her parents are from and the mainland.

MM TabernaLX8611
Photo: Mathew Guido

“I’ve spent a lot of time there and travelling back and forth and really watching the food scene and how it’s evolved. One of the things that I felt was something that I wanted to do is just be able to represent and show people that Portugal is so much more than BBQ chicken and Piri Piri chicken,” she says. “Our cuisine is so much more and really our design is so much more, so we wanted to bring all those elements together.”

That’s why every last detail at the two-storey Taberna Lx was plotted over many trips back to Portugal and crafted by the internationally renowned Lisbon-based designer and architect Joana Astolfi. Taberna Lx also boasts the largest rooftop patio in the city’s West End, which welcomes guests with a 26-foot-tall mural depicting the iconic Lisbon archway and picturesque Douro River.

The bars and bathrooms are decorated with hand-painted tiles from the legendary Viúva Lamego tile store in Portugal, which, according to Amaral, is one of few companies around the world that still make every tile by hand. Mosaics evoking the essence of tiled restaurants around Lisbon and dishware imported from the country make the space come to life with the details of Europe.

MM TabernaLX8580
Photo: Mathew Guido

Chef Poon has crafted a menu that stays true to the flavours and ingredients of Portugal while spotlighting the influence the nation had on other countries around the globe. Poon’s Hong Kong roots are apparent with some Asian twists and technical execution while African and Indian influences can also be seen across the innovative dishes.

While the decadent Francesinha sandwich and croquettes are Portuguese staples, you might be surprised to find tempura on the menu. Though often associated with Japan, the technique was introduced by Portuguese missionaries centuries ago. A cold octopus salad, duck rice, and a range of seafood dishes — including cod and tuna — round out the elevated menu.

The beverage menu features classic cocktails with a Portuguese twist and signature liqueurs—including Ginjinha Espinheira, an iconic cherry liqueur rarely seen outside Portugal. The exclusive wine list showcases regions across the country, and the restaurant now boasts Toronto’s largest selection of volcanic wines from Pico, a remote island in the Azorean archipelago and the birthplace of Amaral’s parents.

MM TabernaLX8606
Chef Jonathan Poon and Chef de Cuisine Jeffrey Yap. Photo: Mathew Guido

“Whether it’s in the kitchen or whether it’s with the cocktails, we’re staying very true to being Portuguese and we’re taking people on a journey with us and doing a bit of education for people who have never been to Portugal,” says Amaral.

With so much intention put into each aspect of the restaurant, it’s no surprise that Taberna Lx is one of the most anticipated openings in Toronto this year — one that has caught the attention of celebrities. Nearly two years, Nelly Furtado gave the restaurant a shout out and her stamp of approval.

“She’s also known about this project for a long time,” says Amaral, noting she and Furtado are close family friends. “We’ve talked about it a lot and I’ve bounced a lot of ideas off of her. Both our families are from the Azores so that was very much a bonding point for us when we first met years ago. She had the inside scoop.”

7 of the best amusement parks to visit in Ontario (other than Canada’s Wonderland)

By
Nisean Lorde
-
0
photo of the swan ride at Centreville on the Toronto Islands
Centreville

There’s no better way to revel in the warm summer days than by visiting amusement parks, filled with tasty carnival treats, midway rides and activities for the whole family. Canada’s Wonderland may be the largest amusement park in Canada, but there are plenty of other theme parks across Ontario worth a visit this season.

Here are some of the best ones in and near Toronto.

Clifton Hill

 This lively amusement promenade is the perfect addition to your Niagara Falls trip. Purchase a Clifton Hill Fun Pass and head to the Niagara SkyWheel, where you’ll soar 175 feet above the Falls! Opt for a traditional go-karting experience on the Niagara Speedway or play at one of Canada’s largest mini golf courses at Dinosaur Adventure Golf. Make it a family adventure at the Great Canadian Midway and explore more than 70,000 square feet of games, rides and food. If you’re a fan of the bizarre and unbelievable, then make a beeline to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum! End the visit with an ice-cream treat or some comfort food at Boston Pizza or Kelsey’s Restaurant. Just under a two-hour drive from Toronto. Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls.

Fantasy Fair

 Ontario’s largest indoor amusement park is situated inside Etobicoke’s Woodbine Mall! Here, you’ll find nine full-size midway rides, a Ferris wheel, a carousel, bumper cars, climbing walls and even an express train. It makes for the perfect family outing (and even has a three-level playground for toddlers). 500 Rexdale Boulevard, Etobicoke.

Toronto Islands Centreville Amusement Park

 Take a short ferry ride from downtown Toronto and explore this cute amusement park, surrounded by 600 acres of parkland across the Toronto Harbour. There are more than 30 rides, so something for everyone in the family. Kids will love the twirling teacups and bumble bee ride. Zoom down the Log Flume or check out the splash pads to cool off. Make sure to stop by the 14 delicious food outlets! The Carousel Café is an Island favourite, and offers everything from flatbreads and wings to a kids’ menu. 9 Queens Quay West, Toronto.

Santa’s Village

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Santa’s Village (@santasvillageon)

 This 60-acre holiday-themed amusement park is nestled on a bend of the Muskoka River. It’s so magical that it’ll feel like it’s Christmas in July! Explore more than 30 attractions, including Moose on the Loose, Fly Fishin’, Swan Paddle Boats, the Frostbite Peak mini-drop ride and the Elves Island Play Village. Hop aboard the Candy Cane Express train or take a scenic cruise on Santa’s Summer Sleigh Jet Boat. You’ll even get to meet Santa Claus, his elves and cute farm animals! About a 2.5-hour drive from Toronto. 1624 Golden Beach Road, Bracebridge.

Canadian National Exhibition

 The CNE (the Ex) might feel like Canada’s Wonderland’s little sibling, but it can more than hold its own in the theme park world! This year’s fair takes place from Aug 15 to Sept 1, 2025, and will be filled with games, music, a Labour Day weekend air show and even super dogs! Head to the midway and hop aboard the Orbiter to get spun around by a rotating axis, or admire the view of the fairgrounds way up on the Sky Ride. Sample everything from exotic treats to comfort food at the food building, including Granny Smith apple fries and deep-fried creations. Advance sale tickets are available until Aug 14. 100 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto.

Adventure Village

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Adventure Village (@adventuregolf)

 Explore this family-oriented amusement park in Hamilton’s Confederation Park (about a 1-hour drive from Toronto), sprawled out over three acres of rolling hills. It’s filled with gorgeous vegetation, five waterfalls, six fishponds, rapids, shipwrecks, bumper cars and tons of other attractions! Climb to the top of the Rocky Mountain (a 25-foot realistic rock-climbing wall) or jump four storeys high on the new bungee trampoline (you literally can do forward and backward flips while safely secured by a harness and bungee cords!) It’s a perfect spot to visit for families, friends, couples or even for solo trips. 580 Van Wagners Beach Rd, Hamilton.

Storybook Gardens

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Storybook Gardens (@storybookgardens)

 This charming theme park is a hidden gem in London and the perfect spot for a unique family adventure. Spin around the classic Storybook Carousel or check out the mechanical elephant ride (perfect for smaller kids). Get the most perfect view of the Thames River while riding the Ferris Wheel, or hop aboard the miniature Springbank Express Train! And don’t forget the storybook characters; you’ll likely cross paths with Humpty Dumpty, Hickory Dickory Dock, Monstro the Whale and more! Just under three hours from Toronto. 1958 Storybook Lane, London.

There’s a new vintage store inside this adorable house in Toronto’s west end

By
Emma Johnston-Wheeler
-
0
shopfeelingsvintagestore

Owner of Toronto vintage brand Feelings Vintage, Aleks Roxborough, puts a new meaning on retail therapy by curating a space that not only lifts spirits but facilitates a safe space for emotions. With her recently opened showroom located in a house in the west end, you’ll feel like you’re shopping around in someone’s very chic closet. 

“It’s called Feelings Vintage, because I want people to really feel like themselves and have the privacy to do that,” she says of her new showroom on Sterling Road. She strives to develop genuine relationships with her clients so that she can support their style aspirations and find clothing that is meaningful to them on a personal level. “People sit down here and they open up to me and I love that,” she says. “When I shop, I think of them.” 

Roxborough has been operating Feelings Vintage since 2021, when she decided to turn her love of second-hand clothes and personal styling into an online business. She began posting weekly story sales to Instagram, “What We’re Feeling Fridays,” which have since become famous in the local vintage scene. In each iteration, she styles and models each of the pieces to give viewers a sense of how they can wear them (often in unexpected ways). 

Shortly after, veteran vintage curator Kealan Sullivan invited Roxborough to take a vendor spot at Hippie Market. “I kind of never stopped doing markets from there,” she says. Through the market circuit, Roxboroughs befriended The Welcome Market founder Cindy Chau, and began helping her execute the market nearly every weekend. Eventually that role extended to managing the studio spaces in Chau’s more permanent alternate, The Welcome Studio (which has since closed). 

The unit there had been Roxbourough’s first private showroom outside of her home. Fortunately, she came across a listing on Kijiji for a similar property as The Welcome Studio — a residential home that had been converted into a construction office, now being rented as individual studios. Roxborough offered to split the space with her friend Out of the Blue Vintage, and brought one of her Welcome Studio mates, tooth gem technician Glitter Gaud, into a neighbouring unit. 

shopfeelingsstore

The other studios were filled by creatives who had also found the listing on Kijiji, including a ceramicist and a digital press. 

As of July, Roxborough has taken over the studio space by herself, opening to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday while juggling shifts at Good Habits on Dundas Street West. 

She considers her inventory gender neutral, though she has a personal affiliation for romantic pieces that may be considered more feminine like frills and lace. She has also dedicated a rack to masculine pieces featuring T-shirts, straight leg denim, sweaters, button-up shirts and varsity jackets. 

“When I pick things, my highest priority is making sure that it’s something that I would wear. Even if it isn’t my style, I deem it Aleks approved,” she says. “I don’t really care too much about labels, but I do care about the quality of clothing.” 

She describes her clothes as having “an adventurous spirit,” but integrates trends into her curation for shoppers who prefer not to take too much risk with their wardrobe and want help finding those coveted pieces. 

“I like all the decades; I don’t have a favourite because I find my personal style is about being able to mix it all together,” she says. Sizes range from XXS-3XL (the latter of which is particularly present in her skirt collection), and are modelled by friends on the Friday story sale.

shopfeelingsvintagestorefront

“I’m trying to provide cute clothing to people, and that’s it,” she says. 

She loves seeing customer’ personal style, so much so that last year, Roxborough began documenting the personal style of queer community members through a portrait and interview series published on her Instagram called QUEERBOOK.

“I love talking about style with anybody, because I feel — especially in the queer community — that it’s such a definite part of an individual’s identity that allows them to express themselves and be free,” she says.

You can visit Feelings Vintage at 278 Sterling Rd. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

1...105106107...1,014Page 106 of 1,014
© Copyright 2025 | All rights reserved by Post City Magazines, Inc.
Website by Web Publisher PRO