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Scarborough comedian Mike ‘Elbows up’ Myers officially endorses Mark Carney

By
Nisean Lorde
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0
Mike Myers and Mark Carney (YouTube screenshot)
Mike Myers and Mark Carney (YouTube screenshot)

Mike Myers is in the middle of a comeback, but it’s not a new instalment of Wayne’s World, or even Austin Powers. It’s fuelled by Myers getting political first on Saturday Night Live, coining the now-trending term ‘elbows up’ then by joining Mark Carney in some fun and patriotic commercials, and now even endorsing him for Prime Minister.

Mark Carney has just released a second campaign ad of him and Scarborough native/actor Mike Myers playfully bantering at a hockey rink, but in this ad, the Austin Powers star officially endorses Carney.

The video was posted to Carney’s X account on Monday. The two sport Team Canada hockey jerseys while chatting on a hockey bench — although this video has a slightly more serious tone compared to the first ad.

“I wouldn’t be anything without Canada,” Myers, 61, told Carney. “The Canadian taxpayers subsidized our housing, gave me a fantastic high school…” he said, adding that “nobody should confuse Canadians’ kindness with weakness,” likely in response to President Donald Trump’s repeated threats about turning Canada into the 51st state.

Carney agreed, stating that being Canadian is about values and an attitude, and that Canada gave both men tremendous opportunities.

Myers ended the video by officially endorsing Carney, saying that he’s hopeful that the Liberal leader will do great things and protect Canada.

“I think the world needs more grown-ups, we need more adults, dude,” he said.

This ad is a follow-up to a more scripted video shared on Saturday — a day before Carney called a snap election to be held on April 28 amid a trade war and annexation threats from Trump. In the video, Myers, who currently resides in the U.S., was put to the test in a series of rapid-fire odd-ball questions to prove how Canadian he is.

“What are the two seasons in Toronto?” Carney asked Myers as his final question.

“Winter and construction,” Myers responded.

“Wow, you really are Canadian,” Carney quipped.

“Yeah, but let me ask you, Mr. Prime Minister, will there always be a Canada?”

“There will always be a Canada,” Carney responded. Both men ended the video with an  “elbows up,” indicating a defensive stance that Canada should take to protect itself against US tariff threats.

Myers caused waves earlier this month after making a surprise cameo on Saturday Night Live, portraying tech billionaire Elon Musk in a re-enactment of a cringe meeting at the Oval Office.

At the end of the show, Myers, bearing a black T-shirt adorned with the slogan “Canada is not for sale”, mouthed the words “elbows up,” as the credits rolled. Since then, the phrase has evolved into a sort-of unifying slogan throughout the country.

Toronto says farewell to legendary fashion designer Patrick Assaraf

By
Julia Mastroianni
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patrickassaraf
Courtesy patrickassaraf.com

Earlier this month, legendary Toronto designer Patrick Assaraf passed away. The 66-year-old veteran of the industry is being remembered for his outsized impact on men’s fashion, reshaping the idea of style essentials and inspiring countless designers in Canada and beyond.

Assaraf is known for launching his eponymous label with the creation of the perfect T-shirt, one that prioritized quality and fit and took its cues from Italian design. Made from Peruvian Pima cotton and pre-shrunk for long-lasting wear, the shirt became the building block for a brand that focused on crafting luxury basics.

Assaraf’s connection to Italian design never wavered over his past 35 years in the industry, during 25 of which he was at the helm of the Patrick Assaraf brand after founding it in 2000. He visited Pitti Uomo every year, a premium menswear trade show in Florence that is considered one of the most important platforms in the world for men’s fashion. 

Over the years, his brand slowly expanded to include collections of knitwear, blazers and outerwear, trousers and even womenswear — all with the primary goal of quality and longevity in mind.

Assaraf also founded the fashion house PYA Importer, which began as a way for the designer to important new international brands into Canada and has now grown into an empire — it’s behind iconic labels that include knitwear brand Line, womenswear label John & Jenn, internationally renowned denim company Mother, Toronto’s own Smythe and Steve Madden.

He developed strong relationships with designers and retailers in Canada and the U.S., establishing a presence for the Patrick Assaraf label in more than 180 stores across the continent. He had a particularly close relationship with Toronto suiting brand Harry Rosen. Ian Rosen, grandson of Harry Rosen and current president of the brand, wrote a tribute to Assaraf on social media.

“An immense talent, business leader and partner, we at Harry Rosen were lucky to have worked closely with Patrick for over 40 years, initially as an importer of major Italian collections and as a design partner for our private label collection,” Rosen wrote. “Those who were lucky enough to know Patrick personally were drawn to his magnetic personality and incredible smile; he truly could light up any room.”

Others have paid tribute to the visionary on social media, including Mackenzie Perras, founder of Muskoka wellness brand Fitness Beauty Health, who worked with Assaraf earlier in her career. “Under his guidance, I learned the intricacies of business and the mindset of an entrepreneur. But more than that, he taught me to see the world through the lens of art, creativity, beauty, and design,” she wrote on Instagram.

Toronto lovers can soon elope to a nearby Vegas-style wedding chapel

By
Nisean Lorde
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0
Las Vegas wedding chapel
Las Vegas wedding chapel

Canadians looking for a campy Vegas-style wedding chapel elopement (but perhaps want to avoid travelling to the U.S. due to ongoing economic threats) will soon be in luck. BFFs Hannah Stein and Victoria Wild are cofounders of the soon-to-open ‘Two of Hearts Chapel’, a venue that will bring Sin City kitsch to Toronto.

The idea seems to be picking up steam and there’s certainly a following for elopement-style weddings (there’s already a waitlist for those interested in booking at the chapel).

Elopements tend to be a bit smaller, more intimate, and budget-friendly compared to larger, traditional weddings, which tend to be a bit more labour-intensive and a lot more expensive.

For Stein — when she and her fiancé, Liam, got engaged three years ago, they didn’t like the options presented to them in Ontario. For one, the costs weren’t within their budget. They considered getting married at Toronto City Hall and then throwing a small party with some friends and family members, but that would have still been pretty pricey — it costs $325 plus HST to marry at the Toronto City Hall Wedding Chambers (although this includes a marriage officiant), a booking fee costs $133.50 for 30 minutes, and a marriage license fee would set you back $160.

@twoofheartschapel Why I want to open torontos first Vegas style chapel ✨ #toronto #torontowedding #torontoelopement #ontarioelopement #ontariowedding #vegasstyle #vegaswedding #elopement #wedding ♬ pink and white frank ocean – sped up sounds

“We just weren’t seeing anything we really liked,” Stein told Bradford Today. “We wanted something a little more intimate and beautiful but still affordable. After some time, we stopped thinking about getting married.”

The couple searched for a Vegas-style venue in Ontario — a place with a more eccentric vibe — but they were surprised that such a chapel didn’t exist.

So, Stein and Liam took the money they were going to use toward their wedding and teamed up with Wild (who’s a professional wedding planner) to start Two of Hearts Chapel — the venue will be more affordable as well as associated with the campiness of Vegas (a sort of middle ground between a City Hall ceremony and a traditional wedding experience).  Expect a large, ceremonial stage adorned with a big lit-up heart and faux cakes (so perfect photo ops), drawing inspo from 80s cult-classics like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

They don’t have a building yet, but they’re working with a commercial real estate agent and expect everything to be secure by the end of 2025.

“People are saying they’re holding off on getting married until we get going, which is really exciting,” Stein told the publication.

If you’re looking for a Vegas-style wedding right here in Toronto, join the Two of Hearts Chapel’s waitlist. If you haven’t reached the engagement stage as yet (but would like to), then check out some of the most romantic spots to propose in Toronto!

How a former Burger’s Priest location became Toronto’s hottest taco spot

By
Megan Gallant
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It took less than a year in business for Holi Taco to become known for serving up some of the best tacos in Toronto.

Given that it replaced what was the original Burger’s Priest, the cozy take-out taqueria had some big shoes to fill, but owner chef Luis Valenzuela and his team found a way to make it happen. 

When he first came from Mexico in the early 2000s, he went to George Brown College and began, like most chefs, working under the tutelage of Mark McEwan at North 44 and other establishments.

“When I first came to Canada, there was little diversity, and the industry was predominantly white and male,” he says, explaining that he tried to fit in by taking European cuisine courses. “As a young immigrant, I quickly realized that I wanted to assimilate and be part of Canada — and Toronto, specifically — so I felt ashamed of my background.”

 

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After being a partner at the now-closed Carmen Cocina Espanola, he eventually found his way back to his roots — much to the delight of Toronto’s taco lovers. During the pandemic, he reached a full-circle moment by teaching at George Brown College, a role he continues today, noting that he has “found his true calling mentoring younger cooks.” He also became the head chef at Mad Mexican, an experience that allowed him to rediscover his passion for the food of his native Mexico.

“Mad Mexican ignited that love for the Mexican cuisine that was correlating within me,” he says. “I became prouder of my roots and where I was from.”

When he came up with the idea for Holi Taco, he admits he didn’t expect it to become an immediate hit, as he recognized that the taqueria style common in the State of Mexico — where customers can watch their tacos being made right in front of them — was not yet a familiar concept in Toronto.

“I thought it might take a while for people to appreciate and see that it’s a quick meal that is inexpensive but also delicious.”

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@holi_taco/Instagram

Holi Taco, located just outside the Beaches, features a salsa bar where customers can load up on housemade salsas, including salsa roja, habanera and the peanutty Morita salsa, which is made by Valenzuela’s mother back in Mexico.

“I want people to be responsible for their own happiness, not me,” he says. “You’re truly happy with what you’re eating because it’s your choice, and ultimately, you’re the one deciding how much you get.”

Inside the small space, customers are served by a team made up of his former George Brown College culinary students, creating a relationship with his staff that feels more like that of a student-mentor than employer and employee.

As for the menu, the Pastor brisket taco is the most popular, gaining fame as one of the most traditional, alongside slow-cooked beef brisket and a fish taco. While the space is small, Valenzuela says it was important to him to offer three vegetarian options, including a cactus paddle — cooked raw rather than grilled — and a hibiscus flower taco with cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.

Despite the popularity of his tacos, Valenzuela also offers churros, hibiscus flower juice with ginger and has recently added avocado fries to the menu — something he’s been perfecting for over a decade.

“The recipes are really well done, and I think altogether has been what has made us successful,” he says. “People are happy because the exchange that we have is you come here hungry, we feed you really quickly.”

Holi Taco is located at 1636 Queen St E., and is open daily from 12 to 10 p.m.

Toronto is getting a new pickleball club inside an old Mercedes dealership

By
Ron Johnson
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0
Fairgrounds pickleball clubs
Fairgrounds

Fairgrounds, a growing network of racket clubs focussing primarily on everyone’s favourite new sport pickleball, is set to open a new facility in Toronto’s Leaside neighbourhood this summer. Located at the site of a former Mercedes-Benz dealership near the corner of Bayview and Eglinton, the club will offer a mix of pickleball and padel courts, along with social and wellness-focused services and amenities.

The new midtown Toronto location will feature 13 pickleball and four padel courts, designed to accommodate players of all skill levels. The courts will be available for drop-in play, memberships, and organized events. In addition to recreational opportunities, Fairgrounds Leaside will offer coaching, clinics, and beginner leagues aimed at expanding access to the sports.

Beyond the courts, the facility will provide a range of features designed to foster community and enhance the playing experience including social events, training programs and clinics, tournaments, coaching services and much more. 

There will also be a sauna and cold rinse shower for post-game recovery as wells a retail area for gear, and a lounge with food and beverage options for that post-pickle hang. 

The location is the subject of a massive development application, which will happen in the coming years, which is part of a strategy that Fairgrounds uses to create fun pickleball spaces in locations, some of which are temporary. The brand currently operates indoors out of the Cloverdale location in Toronto as well as outdoor spaces that are scheduled to reopen at Stakt Market, Assembly Park and at Yonge and Rosehill.

With the end of the Dakota Tavern, city loses another iconic live music venue

By
Ron Johnson
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0
stage at the Dakota Tavern
Facebook

I recall a night years ago when Tom Wilson, of Junkhouse fame and then playing with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings was speaking to a packed crowd at a private album release party. It, like many others was held at the Dakota Tavern, which he referred to as Toronto’s favourite basement. It was a place that oozed charm and grit. A place where new musicians cut their sonic teeth to an appreciative crowd and a place local legends often chose for private shows, or to sneak down and play an unannounced set. It was a regular venue for festivals like Canadian Music Week. But, like many live music venues in the city during the pandemic and even before, it had fallen on hard times. And, the Dakota Tavern amp was finally unplugged permanent this week. A sad day for the city’s live music scene.

The Dakota, located at the corner of Dundas and Ossington, according to an article in the Toronto Star, is now listed on the Ontario Business Registry, as a food and drink establishment called Mickey Limbos. This does not bode well for a venue that should remain dedicated to live music. 

Indeed it was a trio of live music lovers that opened up that venerable establishment almost two decades ago lead by Shane Creamer, himself in a band dubbed the Beauties.

It was a venue that struck a chord with its famous bluegrass brunch adding a live music touch to what Toronto does best: midday weekend eating. It was the venue that launched the Basement Revue sessions that have become an iconic holiday tradition in the city.

It’s given much to local culture in Toronto, and it’s unfortunate the city failed to give back to it.

So, the city loses another live music venue. Fewer spots for artists to emerge has become a huge issue for Toronto. The fine folks at Wavelength even did a study on it and the impact on local artists, in addition to providing some solutions.

“Don’t underestimate your neighbourhood bar when it’s got a stage. You never know what future “I was there” bragging rights await you,” wrote Wavelength executive director Jonathan Bunce in an editorial for Streets of Toronto. “History has proven the importance of small clubs to hometown heroes: the Tragically Hip at the Horseshoe, Feist at Ted’s Wrecking Yard, Drake at the Rivoli (doing improv comedy, mind you). Grassroots music venues are the lifeblood of local scenes, the crucial incubators for emerging talent, that first step from the basement to the world stage.”

Wavelength suggests that one option would be to charge an arena levy for those massive concerts that seem to sell out in the city every week, but rarely trickle down to the grassroots. The revenue from that levy would be used to support community-based venues and promoters.

The city of Toronto has also had an advisory panel for live music venues, which seems to have done very little since venues keep closing.

5 epic Toronto food festivals you can’t miss this spring

By
Nisean Lorde
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0
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@streeteatsmarket/Instagram

Spring has finally arrived and that means there’ll be tons of opportunities to feast on delicious cuisine and explore mouth-watering treats at food festivals in and near Toronto! Sip and savour your way throughout the province as you dine on curated selections of exceptional meals, snacks, drinks and more! Here are a few notable foodie events we’re looking out for the most in the coming months.

T.O. Food & Drink Fest

Grab some friends and prepare your senses for three epic days of mouth-watering food, drink, culinary demos, shopping and awesome music at Canada’s largest food and drink festival! Check out the chef’s stage for live cooking demos from local and celebrity chefs. Stir things up in a mixology class — you’ll learn how to craft seasonally selected cocktails and pair ingredients and flavours for the perfect cocktail! Or meet local winemakers and become a seasoned sommelier for the day in an informative winetasting experience (you’ll be an expert the next time you navigate the aisles at the LCBO)! April 11 to 13 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (255 Front St W).

Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival

Eric’s Handcrafted Butter Tarts 

If you’re a fan of sweets and desserts, Canada’s largest tart festival returns this June to Midland, ON, just under a 2-hour drive from Toronto. More than 200 vendors will sell handmade sweets and tons of butter tarts, including plain, raisin, pecan, walnut, skor, maple, bacon, coconut, chocolate-covered, gluten-free, nut-free, vegan and more! Last year, the festival sold more than 300,000 butter tarts, and attendance for the one-day event increased to about 60,000+, so expect lots more friendly faces this year! Takes place June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Midland’s downtown core between Yonge St and Bayshore Drive, and at David Onley and Harbourside parks.

Pedestrian Sundays at Kensington Market

This isn’t a festival, but there will be tons of food at these events (and it’s the perfect way to end a weekend!) On the last Sunday of each month from May to October, starting at 1 p.m., the streets of Kensington Market will be car-free and filled with music, art, workshops, local vendors and delicious cuisine! It’s the perfect opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the warm weather by eating good food and exploring the vibrant dynamic of the market.  Kensington Market is bordered by Spadina Ave, Dundas St, Bathurst St, and College St.

Toronto Beaches Rib and Beer Fest

Get ready for three days of mouth-watering BBQ dishes! Indulge in perfectly cooked pork ribs, beef ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, BBQ chicken, coleslaw, cornbread, funnel cakes, blooming onions, ice cream, poutine, deep-fried treats and more from the best BBQ ribbers around Toronto (you’ll even have the chance to vote for your favourite ribs & sauce as part of the Battle of the Ribs!) Non-meat-lovers can dine on vegetarian options, making this the best flavour-packed adventure unlike any other this spring. Wash it all down with an ice-cold selection of Molson Canadian draught, wine, coolers or vodka cocktails at the beer market! The best part is that admission is only $2 (kids under five are free). Takes place on Father’s Day weekend, June 13 to 15 at Woodbine Park (1695 Queen St E).

Toronto International Food and Music Festival (Street Eats)

Celebrate Toronto’s cultural diversity over Victoria Day weekend! There’ll be tons of vendors offering food from across the globe, an exclusive bar and lounge, live performances, interactive music workshops, cooking demos with renowned chefs, family-friendly activities and more! Takes place May 16 to 19, at the Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W). If you can’t make this festival, the Harbourfront will be hosting other foodie events this May, including The Catering Show (May 24 — an event filled with tastings, live demos and more) and the new Harbourfront Farmers’ Market (every Saturday from May 31 to Sep 27, boasting over 75 vendors).

Toronto’s best pasta dishes, ranked

By
Jennifer Schembri
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0
@contrada.to/Instagram/Instagram

Toronto’s pasta game is on fire! With more Italian restaurants than you can shake a fork at, it’s no wonder we’re dishing out some of the best pasta outside of Italy. Choosing the top picks from all the saucy options isn’t easy, but fear not, we’ve twirled through the city’s pasta scene to bring you the tastiest bites!

Here are the best pasta dishes in Toronto, ranked.

7. Contrada’s chicken liver agnolotti

@contrada.to/Instagram

Contrada, a new addition to Toronto’s culinary scene and a top contender on our 2023 best new restaurants list, brings Italian traditions to life with locally sourced ingredients. Try their chicken liver agnolotti ($27) crafted with mascarpone, aged balsamic and apples, for a comforting taste of autumn in winter.

6. Enoteca Sociale’s cavatelli al coniglio

@enotecasociale/Instagram

Enoteca Sociale offers a delicious slow-braised rabbit pasta ($31) with aromatic mirepoix, fennel and yellow tomatoes. Their Cavatelli, made with ricotta, is finished with pistachio breadcrumbs. Pair it with a glass of Barbera to enhance the flavours.

5. DaNico’s tortellini d‘agnello e anguilla affumicata

@danico.to/Instagram

Chef Daniele Corone’s restaurant, DaNico, presents a deliciously dreamy pasta creation: creamy micro tortellini ravioli filled with Ontario lamb braised in barbera wine, caramelized red onion, smoked eel and fresh mint.

4. 7 Numbers’ linguine pescatore

@7_numbers/Instagram

Italian stalwart 7 Numbers knows a thing or two about Italian food. This southern Italian restaurant is serving its country’s version of soul food cooked up by the owning family’s matriarch, Rosa. For anyone who loves seafood, the linguine pescatore ($29) is overflowing with jewels from the sea, including shrimp, mussels, scallops and calamari and topped with fresh tomatoes.

3. Bar Vendetta’s crown cacio e pepe

@barvendetta/Instagram

Traditional cacio e pepe gets the royal treatment at Bar Vendetta. The crown ($25) is one big overgrown house-made crown pasta stuffeed with ricotta, and sauced with lemon, butter and black pepper. Food critic extraordinaire Joanne Kates called it “wonderful” and we bet you will too

2. Sugo’s Pesto Pomo

@sugotoronto/Instagram

When you can’t decide between red sauce or green, Toronto’s hottest Italian eatery, Sugo, has you covered with their spaghetti featuring both sugo and pesto cream ($22). Topped with a generous mountain of Parmesan, a dash of pepper, and a generous amount of olive oil, it’s a red and green masterpiece.

1. Osteria Giulia’s ravioli doppi

@osteriagiulia/Instagram

Rob Rossi’s Michelin-starred restaurant Osteria Giulia’s ravioli doppi ($44) is a work of art. The perfectly cooked  double layer of pasta comes stuffed with ricotta and topped with sweet corn and Nova Scotia lobster.

Toronto’s first caviar bar just opened in Yorkville

By
Jennifer Schembri
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@theonecaviarbar/Instagram

If a caviar bar were to open in Toronto, there’s really no better spot than Yorkville, the epitome of luxury in the city. The One Caviar Bar, now in soft launch, is calling itself Toronto’s first caviar and cocktail bar —because who says you can’t sip champagne and savour caviar in style, all while people-watching in the heart of the city’s most glamorous neighbourhood.

The One Caviar Bar’s menu features a selection of premium caviar from renowned purveyors like Imperial Crystal, sourced from the world’s best sturgeon farms in France, Italy and China and known for its unparalleled quality. Along with caviar, the menu offers oysters — because, hello — seafood favourites like calamari and crab and a decadent cheesecake topped with, you guessed it, even more caviar.

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@theonecaviarbar/Instagram

Here’s the important part: the prices. Imperial Crystal caviar is available in three options — 10g for $40.00, 30g for $120.00 and 50g for $200.00. If you’re in the mood for something extra, try the caviar-topped oysters: half a dozen fresh oysters crowned with superior Oscietra sturgeon caviar, priced at $69.99.

As for drinks, champagne, champagne and more champagne flows freely, complemented by expertly crafted signature cocktails and an extensive list of wines, including a rare Cabernet Sauvignon from 1924, all perfectly paired with the caviar.

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@theonecaviarbar/Instagram

With white tablecloths, a big open bar, and bartenders rocking vests and bow ties, The One Caviar Bar gives off a cool, upscale vibe. Every Friday from 8-10 p.m., the bar brings the vibe with Jazz Nights, featuring the Toronto-based Kyle Pogline Trio.

Plus, for those who want to make it a regular thing, The One Caviar Bar offers a membership card for $100, which includes a 30 per cent discount. Members also enjoy exclusive perks like VIP access to private events and a free birthday cocktail, making it an easy way to enhance your caviar experience.

You can find The One Caviar Bar at 850 Yonge Street or 1 Yorkville Ave. The bar is open Monday through Wednesday from 3 to 11 p.m., Thursday to Saturday from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday from 3–11 p.m.

The 50 most beautiful cinemas have been named — one is just two hours from Toronto

By
Nisean Lorde
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0
The Little Prince Micro-Cinema
@thelittleprincecinema/Instagram

Time Out recently scoured the globe for the most beautiful picture palaces and movie houses, and two Canadian movie theatres made the list — including one from Ontario! Out of the top 50 cinemas, the outlet ranked The Little Prince Micro-Cinema in Stratford, ON, as no. 16 on their list.

The 12-seat, 16.29-square-metre theatre is just under a 2-hour drive from Toronto and is currently the Guinness World Record holder for the smallest purpose-built cinema (even beating out Cinema dei Piccoli in Rome).

Located at 62 Wellington St in Market Square, The Little Prince Micro-Cinema is nestled between a restaurant and a shoe repair shop, alongside a strip of other small businesses downtown. The venue specializes in private as well as public film screenings, acting as a mini-cinema, lounge and intimate event spot — the space even has an accompanying lobby lounge and concession, with the most delicious popcorn and more than 60 flavours of cotton candy!

The Little Prince Micro-Cinema was once a handmade crafts store until founder Leigh Cooney (along with family, friends and other community members) converted it into a tiny cinema in 2019. It boasts a decor that blends design and decorating elements from the Victorian era to the Roaring Twenties, sprinkled with pop-culture references — so, when you walk in, the space will feel both old-fashioned and timeless. It’s the perfect spot to check out during a weekend getaway or an impromptu day trip to Stratford! Check out the venue’s public screenings here (tickets are only $5).

The 19th most beautiful cinema in the world can be found in Western Canada, along the beautiful shores of Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park — the Park Theatre Complex in Wasagaming, Manitoba, is the only other Canadian theatre to make the list and is considered the largest log cabin theatre in North America!

 

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This 500-seat cinema opened in 1937 and was designated a heritage building in 2019. It’s a family-run business, so you’ll likely see the grandkids selling popcorn, grandma in the box office and grandpa in the store! Although it’s a historic venue, the cinema shows current Hollywood films, and the owners ditched their vintage projectors in 2012 for a 12K Digital Barco Projector and 7.1 Surround Sound. Although this theatre is a bit further from Toronto, you can take a scenic rail trip from downtown Toronto to Manitoba via The Canadian train, which was recently named one of the world’s top rail experiences!

For the top five most beautiful cinemas in the world — Le Grand Rex in Paris topped the list, followed by Pathé Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski in Amsterdam (no. 2), Village East Cinema in New York (no. 3), Cineteca in Madrid (no. 4), and The Electric in London, England (no. 5). Click here to see the full list.

Celebrity-owned restaurants that completely flopped in Toronto

By
Jennifer Schembri
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0

In the glamorous world of celebrities, opening a restaurant has become a trendy venture that often leads to more flops than successes. Many famous faces find out the hard way that a recognizable name might get people through the door, but it won’t keep them coming back if the food and overall experience don’t measure up.

Here are three celebrity owned restaurants that completely flopped in Toronto

Frings

@susurlee/Instagram

Drake’s OVO-inspired restaurant Fring’s opened to much fanfare. A collab with chef Susur Lee, the resto-lounge earned rave reviews when it first opened on King West in late 2015, thanks to its Asian-fusion inspired dishes including whole pan-seared branzino and grilled octopus.  But it also faced its fair share of challenges and after only a few short years, it was on to bigger and better things for the 6god and celebrity chef.

Pick 6ix Sports

Superstar Drake (yes, again!) and Chopped Canada judge chef Antonio Park joined forces to create Pick 6ix, a Toronto restaurant and bar blending football play references and Drake’s hometown vibes. Spawned from a chance meeting at LeBron James’s birthday bash, the duo transformed the spot into a luxe lounge featuring upscale global cuisine like lobster-infused Bolognese pasta and matcha tiramisu. But  in 2019  after only being open for 18 months,  the restaurant shuttered its doors after a wave of unfavourable reviews. Oh, and there was also the fact that the sports bar fell way behind on rent, leading to the termination of its lease. 

Jamie’s Italian

@jamieoliver/Instagram

Back in 2015, everyone’s favourite Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver opened Jamie’s Italian in Yorkdale mall. Featuring family-friendly Italian fare, the restaurant was Oliver’s first in North America. Amongst the menu items were  simple, sustainable Italian dishes including made-from-scratch, in-house pasta, like the fluffy potato gnocchi in a rich black truffle and mascarpone sauce and artisan pizza, like the vegetable pesto. Fast forward four years, and Jamie’s Italian chain faced a dramatic collapse, with the closure of almost all its restaurants, including the one in Toronto and 22 establishments across the UK.

Ontarians can witness a partial solar eclipse at the end of March

By
Nisean Lorde
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0
eclipse
X: @csa_asc

If you missed last Thursday’s rare blood moon, then you might have a chance to witness a partial solar eclipse on March 29. According to NASA, a partial solar eclipse takes place when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. The three aren’t perfectly lined up, so only a part of the Sun will appear to be covered, giving it a cool crescent shape.

In Toronto, the eclipse will occur from around 6:42 am to 7:34 am, but unfortunately, visibility will be super limited. As per TimeandDate.com, you’ll have a better shot at seeing it in other parts of Ontario (and since it takes place on a Saturday, perhaps turn it into a weekend trip?)

In Cornwall, Ontario, “obscuration” (that is, coverage of the sun by the moon) will reach about 35.13%, providing a somewhat better view of this solar phenomenon compared to the GTA. Even Ottawa will have better coverage (29.66% obscuration).  So, two good options — but for the best view, grab your eclipse glasses and travel to Quebec or areas north or east of Ontario, where conditions will be near totality.

Of course, there are quite a few stargazing events to witness this year in Toronto! This spring, look out for the Lyrids meteor during the pre-dawn hours of April 22 — you’ll likely spot about 10 to 20 meteors per hour​. Weeks later, the Eta Aquarids shower is expected to peak overnight between May 5 and 6 between the hours of 3 am and 6 am, producing up to 60 meteors per hour under favourable conditions​.

On Nov 5, Torontonians can look out for a Super Full Moon. As a Supermoon is closer to Earth, it’ll appear larger and brighter in the sky, making it a stargazing event you wont want to miss!

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