Cotton candy fries, anyone? Blue Jays reveal new 2025 food lineup

9:00 am

With the first Blue Jays game of the regular season a little more than a week away, chefs have concocted new items and returning favourites at the Rogers Centre. Some items may seem a bit unusual but they’re all tasty, and there’s a focus on local products and unique flavours curated to Toronto’s diverse food scene!

First up, is hot dogs. They’re a staple at the ballpark, but this season, the mojo hot dog (featuring mojo pork, cilantro crema and pineapple pico) and crunchy pickle hot dog (with pretzel pieces, ballpark mustard, and shoestring pickles) will join the fan-favourite hot maple bacon hot dog at Schneider’s Porch and TD Park Social!

Chungchun Rice Dogs are also back for a second year! This season, the new chicken hot dog joins the returning Gamsung hot dog and mozzarella hot dog.

Also new this season is the plakata skewer, featuring chicken covered in sazon and ancho chipotle aioli, and pico de gallo — available at the Corona Rooftop Patio. Fans can also find a classic Jerk chicken skewer served with pineapple pico on the patio this summer.

At The Stop, try new flavour profiles available in a bao or rice bowl, like crispy pork belly, lemongrass chicken, soy-marinated beef and smoked tempeh.

Got a sweet tooth? TD Park Social now features the Blue Jays’ first-ever mini pancakes, available in Oreo and blueberry flavours. Crush and Dr. Pepper Floats are also returning to TD Park Social this summer.

Head over to the concession stands to sample Korean fried chicken wings available in sweet and spicy or soy garlic sauce, chicken gyozas, smash hit burgers, vegan smash hit burgers, crispy chicken mash bowls and even cotton candy fries (yup, it’s just as it sounds — cotton candy on top of fries!).

If you prefer your fries cotton-candy-free, you’ll be happy to know that Fry Days with McCain is returning for a second season, featuring a specialty-loaded fry recipe served in a reusable Blue Jays helmet at all Friday home games. This year’s recipes will honour different Toronto neighbourhoods as part of the City Connect Friday concession offerings.

Mary Brown’s Chicken returns for its fourth year at the ballpark with two specialty locations (sections 140 and 511), so fans can dig into the Big Mary, original chicken tenders and tater combos.

Pizza Nova will continue to be the exclusive pizza of the Blue Jays, and they have locations all around the ballpark.

Planters Peanuts also joins the lineup as the exclusive Blue Jays peanut partner for the 2025 season, so you’ll find concessions around the ballpark.

For fans who want to eat and drink while still having a free hand to catch a stray ball — the Jays are introducing its first-ever Grub Tub (basically, a stackable, plastic container designed to hold food and drinks in one)!

Check out the Tap N’ Go automated market across from section 104, it features food and drink options that fans can pick up in minutes by tapping their payment upon entry, selecting their items, and being automatically charged upon exit.

At the field level, steps from the action, the brand-new Club 328 features a member-exclusive BBQ-inspired menu to match. Try everything from smoked pork ribs in maple glaze served with cornbread and coleslaw, to a jalapeno and cheddar sausage, or a giant pretzel!

Of course, you’ll have to down all that food with a few drinks. There are tons of non-alcoholic options, like the Low & Away Mocktail (a refreshing take on a strawberry and dragon fruit lemonade), sparkling water (including flavours like Clearly Sparkling and Mountain Black Cherry), Atypique ready-to-drink mocktails (tryntwo classic options: Sangria and Mojito) and Corona Sunbrew 0.0% available on the Corona Rooftop Patio!

There are nearly a dozen specialty cocktails, like the Mango Spritz (a prosecco-based mango cocktail), the Black & Blue Margarita (found exclusively at The Catch Bar), the Big Leagues Stone Fruit Bourbon (the Blue Jays’ take on a favourite old fashioned with a fruity twist), and OK Blue Jays Rum Punch (the Jays’ version of a blue lemonade).

Ready-to-drink options include the Blue Wave (brewed especially for Blue Jays fans in collaboration with Mill Street Brewery), the new Mike’s Hard Purple Freeze (it tastes like a frosty pink lemonade slushy), Cutwater flavours like Lemon Drop Martini and Whisky Sour, and Nutrl Peach.

And don’t forget the game! The Blue Jays face off against the Baltimore Orioles at their home opener, March 27, at 3:07 p.m. Fans can get their tickets — including the $20 Outfield District general admission ticket — here.

From kimchi chicharron to macbokki , this new Toronto restaurant is a game changer

Erica Commisso

1:00 pm

Tucked right by the iconic Silver Snail, there’s a colourful new Korean fusion restaurant offering no shortage of boldness – from the flavours to the menu to the decor. Tiger Blues puts a Korean twist on some comfort food classics, serving up reimagined favourites in a bright, welcoming space.

Tiger Blues draws inspiration from global cuisines, blending cozy vibes with unexpected flavour pairings and fun cocktails.

The menu features unique dishes like the Sogogi taco, packed with Korean-style soy sauce, braised beef and chojang-based jalapeño salsa. Next to it sits the Macbokki, where creamy mac & cheese meets spicy Tteokbokki. Also on offer are chili crab rolls (eight pieces of sushi), perfectly paired with a refreshing pear colada that transports you to vacation mode. Other playful menu items include kimchi chicharron, hama ceviche and Korean-inspired sliders, all designed to satisfy your cravings.

Earlier this month, Tiger Blues also introduced brunch to its offerings, unveiling a flavourful menu bursting with options like gochujang toast, scallion pancakes with chicken and bibimbap. Cocktail options include a Yuzu Sour and a Dirty Matcha. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There’s also a $5 all-day beer special, applicable on brews served on tap Tuesdays through Sundays. A unique option is the Kagua Blanc, a refreshing Japanese-style beer that boasts a crisp, citrusy flavour. There are also local brews by brands like Blood Brothers on offer.

It’s all served in Tiger Blues’ cool, Instagram-worthy space, which is decorated with multi-colour stools, neon lights, graphic prints on the floors and an Asian-inspired bar lit with several cool lamps and adorned with cool, on-theme trinkets to create a laid-back vibe.

Pro tip: Ask for the secret slider menu, a hidden gem that the staff are entrusted with savouring.

Tiger Blues is located at 811 Queen Street West.

Hudson’s Bay striped blanket becomes hottest collector’s item before store closures

Julia Mastroianni

10:26 am

Ahead of the store closures of almost all Hudson’s Bay locations across the country, Canadians have been snapping up their iconic striped blankets, and any striped product for that matter — resulting in some extreme mark-ups online.

Every single HBC Stripes product completely sold out online almost immediately after the company filed for bankruptcy on March 7, ranging from socks to blankets to even reusable lunch bags. Visits to local stores confirmed that retail locations in the GTA are sold out, apart from the odd items here and there. The stash accumulated by heritage-hungry people has made its way to eBay, and other resale platforms, sold for exorbitant prices.

This 108x-100-inch blanket that retailed for $440 on sale in-person and online is being sold here for $5,750 without specified shipping. In a similar vein, another seller priced their 60-x86-inch blanket for $2,500, normally retailing for just $280. Just when we thought this markup was only on blankets, another seller priced their striped toque at $795 on eBay — similar hats are currently priced (though out of stock) on the HBC website for $45.

Despite the rush from Canadians to acquire a piece of the company’s history, the iconic striped blankets carry a different meaning for some.

Created in 1670 following a royal issue from King Charles II, exclusive trading rights were granted to the entirety of the Hudson Bay watershed. Spanning 3.2 million square miles, Canada’s fur trade was set up and operated throughout the established area.

During this time, fur traders opted to use a striping system to determine the size of their blankets. This iconography continues today, where we see green, red, yellow and indigo stripes adorning products. While this pattern is seen widespread as the official motif of Hudson’s Bay, the stripes serve as a tainted part of history for many.

For Indigenous communities, the influx of other fur traders negatively affected their communities. Traditional ways of life were disrupted, conflicts arose over land and resources, and most importantly, the price of fur pelts majorly diminished as colonials set new trade values. There is also a known history of European traders deliberately spreading smallpox and other infectious diseases to Indigenous populations through the trade of contaminated blankets, sometimes killing entire communities.

The Hudson’s Bay Company started donating all of the proceeds from the sale of their striped blankets to Indigenous organizations in 2022, noting on their website that the blanket has been “called many things throughout its history: an essential trade item, an enduring emblem of Canada, a carrier of disease, and a symbol of colonialism.”

In court filings, The Hudson’s Bay cited a multitude of factors leading to their demise, including customer spending habits attributed to inflation and economic uncertainty, post-pandemic retail struggle, and increased competition from companies like Amazon and fast fashion labels.

The company has filed for creditor protection, owing $950 million to close to 2,000 creditors. Some of these creditors are household names, including Nike Canada, Adidas Canada and Ralph Lauren.

The retailer went to court on Monday to seek approval for liquidation, and was approved to liquidate all but six of the 80 Bay stores, three Saks Fifth Avenue stores and 13 Saks Off 5th stores across Canada by the Ontario Superior Court on Friday. For now, the six that will be saved from liquidation include a flagship location on Yonge Street in Toronto, one in Yorkdale Mall and another in Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill, as well as three in Quebec.

All remaining locations will begin liquidation on Monday, March 24, with any sales finishing by June 15.

Some analysts speculate that the company could suffer a similar fate to the likes of Sears and Zellers, being purchased and relaunched as an online retailer. In the meantime, The Hudson’s Bay is hoping to reach a deal with landlords and other key stakeholders to minimise operations costs.

The wait is over: Toronto’s favourite ice cream spot is back for the season

Jennifer Schembri

5:00 pm

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Spring has officially sprung in Toronto (finally!), and with it comes the long-awaited return of one of the city’s most beloved ice cream institutions: Tom’s Dairy Freeze. A local legend since 1969, Tom’s is back open for the season, and if you’ve got a soft spot for creamy swirls and nostalgic treats, this is your moment.

Why’s this a big deal? Because for many Torontonians, Tom’s Dairy Freeze is more than just a place to grab a cone. It’s a sign that the brutal winter is (hopefully) behind us, and sunnier days are on the horizon. It’s a ritual, a part of the city’s fabric, and it marks the true arrival of warmer weather in the most delicious way.

If you’ve never been, here’s what you need to know. Tom’s Dairy Freeze offers a range of mouthwatering soft serve ice cream, with or without flavour bursts, and you can top it however you please — whether you prefer a classic dip in chocolate, butterscotch, or even blue raspberry. But Tom’s doesn’t stop there. It’s also home to sundaes, banana splits, slushy floats, milkshakes and frozen yogurt.

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Not in the mood for just ice cream? Tom’s has you covered with burgers, hot dogs, homemade souvlaki and fresh-cut fries. They’re all made fresh to order, with juicy, flavour-packed bites to balance out your sugary fix.

The retro vibes don’t stop there. Located on The Queensway, Tom’s Dairy Freeze features a classic window-serve setup that feels like stepping into a simpler time. With ample parking and picnic tables, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy your treat on a sunny day

Nothing beats the first creamy soft serve after a harsh winter. And with the promise of sunny days ahead, Tom’s Dairy Freeze located at 630 The Queensway is back to kick off the season in true Toronto style.

Toronto’s luxe new champagne lounge and restaurant is decked out in 24-karat gold

Megan Gallant

2:34 pm

After thirteen years of providing Toronto with some of the country’s most luxurious French desserts, Delysées has expanded to open its very first restaurant. It comes in the form of a French Moroccan champagne bar in Yorkdale Mall named Campaniae that is exclusively serving the LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) Group.

Like the dessert boutique, Campaniae by Delysées easily fits in alongside the mall’s high-end retailers. Designed by co-owner Khariz Naggar, everything from the marble tops and velvet drapes to the cushioned seating and antique mirrors surrounding the bar offer a luxe atmosphere inspired by Middle Eastern influence. Perhaps the most stunning details of all radiates from the decadent, custom-made chandeliers which dazzle the dining room, and the wall decorated with 1,200 leaves of 24-karat gold which Khariz added one-by-one.

Campaniae

“Khariz wanted to create a space that extremely different from anything that’s in the mall,” says Fred Naggar, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife.

The menu, too, is entirely as Campanaie serves up tapas inspired by Morrocan flavours as an homage to Fred’s mother who hails from Casablanca.

“This is the food that I always grew up with,” Fred says, noting his mother actually helped trained some of the restaurant’s chefs. “It’s her dream come true to enter one of the best malls in Canada with her food at one of the most beautiful places in the mall.”

Currently limited, the menu at Campaniae consists of light plates with a modern touch, as evident with the merguez couscous with sweet vegetables. (Fred says it took a month and a half to find the “perfect” merguez, believing it to be the key to a good couscous.) Other dishes include various salads, sea bass mixed with tabouleh, and the traditional dish Moroccan beef cigars (fried filo dough filled with beef and traditional spices).

“We find people want to have a little bit less, but a little bit more with different choices,” says Fred. “They want to talk about each of them and they want to share.”

Of course, with Delysées specialties, Campaniae offers world-class and exclusive desserts, with some also taking on a middle eastern inspiration, like the crispy Egyptian kunafa.

From the champagne bar, customers can get a range of brands under the LVMH Group, including, among many others, Don Pérignon, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Volcan—which is thought to produce some of the best high-end tequilas in the world. Campaniae is one of a limited number of restaurants that serve it.

Once Campaniae has settled upon its opening, Fred says they will soon be hosting champagne and wine tastings and be opening for private bookings.

“We’ve already had requests from a lot of corporate customers of ours because we are surrounded by the best,” says Fred. “A lot of the retailers around us do look for what we offer, which is a beautiful space to take out their clients.”

Though Campaniae represents a whole new venture into restaurants, Fred assures it does not mark the end of the Delysées brand. In fact, the luxury boutique is expanding west in Vancouver and east to Montréal by the end of the year.

“We’re riding a really great wave and luckily for us, people have loved our brand,” he says. “Our team is quite exquisite when it comes to helping out and launching a restaurant, which is a totally different business than desserts, but I feel blessed with how the launch went.”

A fleet of historic tall ships will dock at Sugar Beach this June

Nisean Lorde

11:52 am

Torontonians can witness a fleet of historic tall ships dock at Sugar Beach this June to celebrate the start of summer. The ships are returning this year as part of the 2025 Toronto Waterfront Festival, so attendees can tour the ships and possibly even sail onboard Canada’s largest tall ship!

The 2025 fleet will be comprised of all schooners and include three ships that have never visited Toronto before: Lettie G. Howard — built in 1893 and a ‘living history’ vessel for education and sail training; Ernestina-Morrissey — known for her unique place in immigration history; and Liberty Clipper — named after John Hancock’s revolutionary-era ship. Returning favourites this year include the Empire Sandy, which is Canada’s largest passenger ship of her kind, and Pride of Baltimore II, which has visited over 200 ports in 40 countries.

Mark your calendars! Tall Ships Return June 28-29, 2025 on Toronto’s Waterfront. Stay tuned for updates, announcements and details to come. pic.twitter.com/RvVL1hW9p0

— Toronto Waterfront Festival (@TOwaterfest) October 7, 2024

The 2019 Waterfront Festival, which featured the tall ships, attracted 250,000 visitors and generated nearly $6 million in economic impact for the city! This year’s event won’t be quite as large, but a large turnout is still expected.

“The tall ships are consistently a top draw for our festival, attracting visitors from across the province and beyond,” Michael Riehl, Chair of Water’s Edge Festivals & Events, said. “It’s been six years since Torontonians and visitors have had the opportunity to tour these unique ships. Each of these iconic vessels has a unique story to tell, and we’re thrilled to give our visitors the chance to experience them firsthand.”

General admission to the festival is free but visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to get on board the tall ships, explore their decks and meet their crews. New in 2025 is the unique opportunity to sail onboard Empire Sandy — the ship will sail four times each day, including a coveted sunset sail each night!

To complement the visiting ships, the festival will expand over to Sherbourne Common and feature nautical entertainment, food vendors, interactive activities, giveaways and more. There will also be tons of on-land activations from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Coast Guard, Live Green Toronto and Moccasin Identifier (so the perfect outing for sea and land lovers alike).

The Toronto Waterfront Festival takes place from June 28–29, 2025 at Sugar Beach, 11 Dockside Drive, on Toronto’s Waterfront. Tickets are on sale now, and sail-aways are expected to sell out fast. Click here for more info.

The first day of spring has arrived! Here’s what to know about the vernal equinox

Nisean Lorde

11:00 am

Spring 2025 has officially arrived today in the Northern Hemisphere!

The spring equinox (aka, the March equinox or vernal equinox) means that winter is officially over, and we can expect longer days and warmer temperatures. According to In-the-Sky.org, on the day of the equinox, almost everywhere on Earth has almost exactly 12 hours of day and night (an equilux) — this is because the tilt of the Earth’s axis is neither inclined away from nor toward the Sun, positioning the Sun right over the equator.

Today at 10:01 CET the Sun was directly above Earth’s equator, marking the #SpringEquinox! ?
At this moment our planet is neither tilted towards nor away from the Sun, creating nearly equal day/night. ?
This stunning image was captured by Meteosat-12 earlier this morning. ?️ pic.twitter.com/AkZMLCaTUm

— EUMETSAT (@eumetsat) March 20, 2025

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Gregorian calendar aligns closely, but not perfectly, with the solar year, which is about 365.25 days long. This misalignment has led to a slight drift in astronomical events over the centuries. Throughout most of the 20th century, spring arrived on March 21, but the equinox has gradually shifted earlier during the 400-year Gregorian calendar cycle — often to March 20, but occasionally to March 19 (as it did in 2024).

The last March 21 equinox was in 2007, so we can expect spring to continue falling on March 20 or earlier within the foreseeable future!

Spring equinox events in Toronto

Now that you know the history of the vernal equinox, there are many ways to celebrate spring in Toronto this month! Stackt Market’s free Spring Equinox Festival runs until March 23 and is the perfect place to recharge yourself in this new season. Head over for mindfulness sessions and wellness workshops, live music & entertainment, and shop for vintage gems and unique products at the vendor markets.

For more good vibes, the Toronto Folk Festival is hosting a Spring Equinox Fundraiser Show this Saturday March 22 from 7-10 pm at Agenda Cafe + Bar (622 College St), so expect tons of live music to celebrate the arrival of the new season!

25 ways to make the most of spring in Toronto

Megan Gallant

5:30 am

When this year’s snow storms had us all stuck at home, it was hard to imagine this time would ever come — the first week of spring! Birds are coming home, flowers will soon be budding, the sun is finally out. That means it’s time for us to come to life too. Here are 25 ways to enjoy spring in Toronto this year.

Take an Insta-worthy shot of the cherry blossoms peaking in High Park

High Park is a stunning area all year long, but you really don’t want to miss the brief time at the end of April to early May when the Sakura tree buds are at peak bloom. Showering you in a sky of pink, this spot is a photo opportunity you (and your Instagram followers) don’t want to miss out on.

Go birdwatching

From water fowl to preybirds and shorebirds, springtime means the return of some feathered friends. Head down to Tommy Thompson Park and keep your eyes and ears open for some new songs! Celebrate the return of 50 million migratory birds to Toronto each spring with the Spring Bird Festival on May 24.

Do some spring cleaning

You know that thrifted sweater you love? Someone donated it. Maybe one of your own forgotten sweaters will be someone else’s thrifted find, too. Do some spring cleaning, find one of Toronto’s many second-hand stores that accept donations, and pass along the joy of thrifting, or find a clothing swap in the city for a more sustainable option that avoids contributing to landfills!

Go shopping

Spring cleaning means you have more space to buy new clothes… right? So check out the One of a Kind Spring Show to browse and buy jewellry, crafts, toys, clothes and much more from artisans from across Canada. The show runs from March 26-30 at the Exhibition Place.

Go on an Easter egg hunt

On April 18, bring the whole family to The Beaches for an afternoon of fun with games and chocolate. The scavenger hunt will take participants out to explore the neighbourhood’s shops and businesses, while they solve clues and challenges.

Sip an iced coffee

Warm weather means it’s time to replace those daily cups of joe with a daily cup ‘o joe on ice. Though, if you’ve had one of the highly acclaimed iced drinks from Fika, you may never have gone back to a hot one in the first place.

Get inspired to start a garden

Visit the four greenhouses at the Allan Gardens Conservatory (the fifth one is currently under construction) and view plants native to regions across the world as well as some seasonal flowers that are just beginning to bloom. All this might just inspire you to get an early start on your own garden.

Learn to garden

But before you’re ready to get your hands dirty, you’ll have to learn what you’re doing. Learn from horticulturalists and hobbyists at the Spring Plant Sale event at the Toronto Botanical Gardens. This weekend extravaganza happening on May 9-11 provides personalized recommendations and gardening tips from knowledgeable staff for all gardeners — whether you’ve got a green thumb or just starting out — as well as a wealth of plants that you can bring home with you.

Browse a flower market

Now that you’ve learned expert advice from the experts themselves, you can begin your garden. Luckily, the Toronto Flower Market has got you covered! This outdoor market runs every month through spring, summer and into fall, with vendors coming from across the province to share everything they’ve got in bloom. Don’t miss the first one of the season in May!

Watch the Blue Jays

Let’s play ball! Mark your calendars: March 27 marks the Blue Jays home opener for the 2025 season. Get your tickets so you don’t strike out on missing the unveiling of the second phase of Rogers Centre renovations for the first time!

Picnic in the park

Pick up a basket of snacks (and maybe a bottle of wine) from Cheese Boutique and head out to Queen’s Park with some of the friends you’ve hidden from all winter. Remember, though, it’s not summer, so you’ll need two blankets: one to sit on and one to wrap around you to keep you warm. An umbrella might also be a good idea.

Cold water dip

Cold water swimming is all the rage these days, but if you’re looking to warm your way up to the cold water, maybe spring temperatures are the best place to start, after the ice has thawed. There are plenty of swimming holes not far outside the city, perfect for testing the waters — literally — and trying your hand at cold water swimming. Or visit Othership for a more guided cold plunge experience.

Take a hike

The first days of spring are some of the freshest days of the year so you don’t want to stay locked up indoors. Toronto has plenty of trails to explore, perfect for watching the trees grow back their pines and watching the buds begin to bloom. From the Don Valley Trail to Humber West Trails, there’s plenty to see and explore!

Shop at a farmers’ market

Farmers’ markets are a great way to get fresh produce while finally getting outside again. Toronto’s outdoor markets are opening very soon! Evergreen Brick Works’s Saturday Market is moving outside again beginning in May, while Leslieville is set to open May 11 and Trinity Bellwoods on May 6.

Chase waterfalls

In order to get flowers to bloom, we need the snow to melt and lots of rain. All of this adds up to higher riverbanks and flowing waterfalls. Only a short drive form Toronto, Hamilton is home to over 100 waterfalls — the most of any city of its size — including the Devil’s Punchbowl, which might just be the best. When TLC said don’t go chasing waterfalls, they clearly hadn’t seen the Devil’s Punchbowl, because this is one you want to chase.

Sip a mojito

It might not quite be patio season yet, but luckily some of Toronto’s favourites have heaters to keep it cozy all year round. And luckily, Hemingway’s, Toronto’s favourite rooftop patio, serves up a famous mojito — the perfect drink to bring in spring.

Go see a musical theatre classic

Kick off spring by discovering (or rediscovering) some of the most popular shows in the musical theatre world. Peter Pan opens in Toronto on May 21; the stage version of everyone’s favourite board game Clue premieres on May 20, and the incredible Mahabharata, a contemporary take on a Sanskrit epic premiering April 8 for part one and April 11 for part two.

Attend an Easter Parade

Put your bunny ears on and join what is apparently the largest and longest running Easter Parade in the world on March 18 and 20 at the Beaches. The parade starts at Queen Street East at Munro Parkand and ends at Woodbine Avenue.

Hop on a roller coaster

Beat the summer holiday rush and check out Centreville Amusement Park right when it opens in May. Spring is the best time of year to go to avoid crowds. And lines!

Sing your heart out at an outdoor concert

Toronto’s best stage is opening very soon, with a whole cast of musical legends lined up to take the stage. Billy Idol & Joan Jett and The Blackhearts kick off the season on May 23, with Gracie Abrams, City and Colour, Keith Urban, Neil Young and more all taking stage later in the season.

Go for a bike ride

Sometimes a bike ride in the spring is better than a summer day because there’s no sun to distract you or wear you down. Take this chance to explore the concrete jungle on a bike for some of Toronto’s best trails like the Beltline.

Have an apple fritter from Bloomer’s

Head over to Bloomer’s for a specialty fritter — the bake shop is known for their creative flavour combos, including carrot cake and strawberry almond. A perfect combination of sweet and fruit, these fritters are just what you need to wake you up from a sleepy lazy winter and get you ready for ice cream season.

Explore the city’s neighbourhoods

Have the cold winter months made you forget about all the reasons you love Toronto? While it’s nice to get out in nature after a while, sometimes it’s also necessary to just walk the streets again and see people. Take some time to stroll through Distillery District or meander down Ossington and just enjoy the scene…before it starts to rain.

Get festive

It’s festival season! Over the next few months, Toronto is hosting plenty of fun festivals to get you ready for summer. From the T.O. Food and Drink Festival, April 11-13 to the Inside Out Film Festival, May 23-June 1 and Departure Festival (formerly Canadian Music Week) from May 6-11, the festivals offer Toronto’s best in everything from arts to culture, food and more.

Pick your own asparagus

Everyone thinks of fall as the month for pumpkin and apple picking, but do you know the season for asparagus? Spring! And about a two hour drive to Springwater, Barrie Hill Farm gives you the chance to pick your own asparagus! Keep an eye out for strawberry and blueberry picking later in the year.

6 unforgettable Toronto restaurants that will transport you straight to Italy

Jennifer Schembri

5:00 pm

Snapinst app 469626278 18252253660281665 8272911380666991404 n 1080 — @osteriagiulia/Instagram

With more than half a million people of Italian decent living in the GTA, it’s safe to say that if there’s one thing that Toronto knows how to do well (and there are many), Italian food tops the list. So, if you’re not lucky enough to be able to make it to the Amalfi Coast, not to fret; the city is teeming with an abundant number of Italian restaurants with culinary offerings so authentic, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the old country.

Here are seven Toronto restaurants that will make you feel like you’re in Italy.

Sicily: Ardo

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From a restaurant by the Tyrrhenian Sea in Milazzo, Sicily, to a rustic trattoria on King Street East, Roberto Marotta invites you to mange with him at Ardo. Growing up in Sicily, this professional chef came to Canada to build a new life with his Canadian wife and partner and found a way to make Toronto feel like home. Serving up traditional Sicilian cuisine, Ardo is the place to go and feel like you’re part of the family. Using local ingredients as well as ingredients imported from Sicilian producers, the menu brings you back to Sicily by the sea, especially with dishes like the grilled octopus. If you close your eyes, you might just smell the salt water. 243 King St. E.

Puglia: 7 Numbers

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Since 2001, 7 Numbers has been showing Toronto how to put, and keep, the “family” in family style. This southern Italian restaurant is serving its country’s version of soul food cooked up by the owning family’s matriarch, Rosa. Once a month, Mama Rosa opens her kitchen doors to teach others how to make their favourite 7 Numbers dishes. The veal lasagna is famous citywide, so come to the cosy midtown space, eat with whomever you call family, and let the cooks and servers at 7 Numbers treat you as if you were part of their own. 516 Eglinton Ave. W.

Liguria: Osteria Giulia

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Following the massive success of opening his restaurant Giulietta in the spring of 2018, chef Rob Rossi (who appeared on season one of Top Chef Canada) once again partnered with David Minicucci to bring a taste of Northern Italian fare to Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood. According to Rossi, the inspiration for Osteria Giulia’s seasonal menu was to breathe new life into some classic Italian dishes but still keep them very simple and honest. The anchovy and whipped butter toast, for example — a nod to traditional bruschetta — is topped with roasted garlic and crispy capers instead of diced tomatoes. 134 Avenue Rd.

Tuscany: Tutti Matti

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Tutti Matti serves food and wine that honours the spirit and culture of Tuscany. It is the fulfillment of a dream of chef Alida Solomon, who sought to bring both Tuscan food and culture to Toronto — the way that wine relates to food, food relates to wine and how the Tuscan lifestyle is inspired by both. The restaurant features an evolving menu that never strays too far from the original Tuscan concept, with both permanent fixtures as well as more seasonal options. The bistecca Fiorentina — a Tuscan favourite — is a 36 oz -bone steak served with arugla, and an onion marmalad, while the famous Tuscan pasta variety Paperadelle is a paired with a tender braised brisket. 364 Adelaide St. W.

Rome: Bar Vendetta

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Jen Agg’s retro-styled Dundas West restaurant specializes in pasta and wine. Rather than recreating classic pasta dishes, chef and co-owner James Santon focuses on Italy’s culinary tradition of using local ingredients. The result is a menu of Italian-inspired dishes with Toronto flair, along with charcuterie platters that pay homage to the space’s previous life as the Black Hoof. Try the famous Roman pasta dish ccacio e pepe which is made with ricotta, lemon, butter and black pepper, while classic Roman appetizers like the bitter green salad is served with pumpkin seeds, lemon, anchovy and parmesan. 928 Dundas St. W.

Campania: Don Alfonso 1890

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The incredibly fresh flavours of the Amalfi Coast is the star of the show at Michelin Star chefs Ernesto and Alfonso Iaccarino’s upscale Italian restaurant Don Alfonso 1890. The a la carte menu is bursting with an array of seafood options including la ricciola, a cured smoked amberjack, the vermicelli allo sgombro, a carpione style mackerel and the ravioli stuffed with west coast crab. 1 Harbour Square, 38th Floor

Yorkville’s newest vintage store will make you feel like you’re shopping in Paris

Emma Johnston-Wheeler

2:09 pm

VATC STORE FRONT — Vintage and the City in Yorkville Village

A designer vintage store for head-to-toe lifestyle dressing just popped up in Yorkville, and shoppers will be able to browse rare second-hand finds sourced from around the world. Vintage and the City is helping to bridge the gap in Yorkville between high-end label dressers and sustainable fashion lovers on a budget.

Naomi Sebu recently opened the doors to the shop after Yorkville Village asked her if she wanted to pop up in the space, since she had been making successful appearances with her brand at markets. Local shoppers, residents and other local retailers were particularly excited about a vintage brand in the area.

Sebu’s collection includes women’s and men’s (Sebu launched the “boyfriend line” after frequent requests to incorporate menswear into the brand) and is organized into brands priced under $300 and over $300 — think Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès, Escada, Louis Féraud, Gucci and more.

Though a lot of the pieces originate from the ’70s–’90s, Sebu’s curation prioritizes design and quality, so she also has pieces that range as far as the early 1900s to 2000. She describes it as “everything from around the world at your fingertips.”

VATC STORE ENTRANCE WITH NAOMI — Vintage and the City founder Naomi Sebu

“It’s curated to make it easy to mix and match,” she adds. In the higher-end range, prices depend on how highly sought after a particular piece is, such as a Richard Tyler couture reversible gown priced at $3,000.

Though Sebu grew up in Toronto, her first job opportunity brought her to New York City, where she spent the following 25 years working in the fashion industry and honing her taste. She began working as a designer before making her way up to senior positions, and in 2014 she started her own brand consultant business. There, Sebu created brands for many retailers ranging from Barney’s to Walmart, as well as celebrities and popular personalities. She says vintage was an early influence for her since major brands often used vintage references for design inspiration.

Since a part of Sebu’s job also involved travelling the world to conduct market research in key markets like Paris, NYC, London, Tokyo, Miami, LA and Dallas, she was able to build a vintage collection sourced from all over.

VATC STORE IMAGE — Part of the Vintage and the City collections.

When she returned to Toronto briefly during the pandemic, an inner voice kept telling her that it was time to launch her own brand, one that prioritized sustainability. The idea to start selling vintage quickly took hold, and she launched her first site on Etsy.

“I knew that vintage was the way for me to do my part in the industry, to curate and collect all these incredible pieces from all over my travels and bring them together,” she says. She named the brand Vintage and the City to honour her New York life, and decided her motto would be “fabulous vintage is always in style.”

Sebu then returned to New York and launched the brand at an existing brick and mortar store in Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week. She juggled the business for a few seasons alongside her brand consultancy work.

Later, on a business trip to Toronto, she discovered the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show for the first time.

“I was stunned by the amount of people shopping vintage,” she says. She knew that all major cities had a vintage scene but what she was seeing in Toronto felt next level, so she began travelling back and forth more frequently to host private showings and participate in Toronto’s market circuit, making appearances at Sunday Variety, the Hippie Market, St. Lawrence Market, The Well, The Royal Winter Fair, and Yorkville Village. She’ll also be at the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show next month, April 5-6.

All in all, Sebu thinks she made upwards of 80 brand appearances in the past year, so she was grateful when the development company behind Yorkville Village approached her in January with an opportunity for a pop-up.

“Yorkville has been nothing but super welcoming,” she says, noting that customers have told her how excited they are to discover vintage in Yorkville. Others have said that her collection feels like shopping vintage in Paris, but in Toronto.

In the future, Sebu hopes to extend the brand to include home decor as well, something in which she is currently dabbling.

You can visit Vintage and the City at 55 Avenue Rd., on the lower level (off the oval) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Toronto’s latest dessert craze takes milk and cookies to a whole new level

Jennifer Schembri

10:53 am

If you thought milk and cookies were just for kids, it’s time to think again. Toronto-based baker Cindy Wahler of Bite Me Cookie is elevating the classic childhood treat into something a little more sophisticated with her latest creation: the cookie shot. Think of it as the grown-up version of your favourite childhood snack — warm, freshly baked cookie cups filled with your choice of cold milk or a splash of your favourite liquor.

This new dessert while definitely a nostalgia trip is also a fun and fresh spin on comfort food for a new wave of dessert lovers. Whether you’re dunking into a classic chocolate chip cookie shot filled with chocolate milk or sipping on one filled with something a little bit stronger, it’s all about mixing the carefree vibes of childhood with a grown-up twist.

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Bite Me Cookie is also offering a mouthwatering Millionaire’s Shortbread, a decadent dessert that combines layers of buttery shortbread, caramel and chocolate. It’s the perfect indulgence for those who crave something a little more refined, yet still manage to hit that sweet spot of comfort.

Wahler, who is also a psychologist and leadership coach, started her cookie venture back in 2021 after years of baking as a hobby.

“I think I suffer from a little bit of imposter syndrome,” she says. “People would constantly tell me how great my cookies were, and I always just figured they were just being kind. But then I thought to myself, ‘if not now, when?’ and I decided to start my side hustle.”

Her decision to make Bite Me Cookie a business was a hit, and since then, her custom cookies — like the chocolate chunk with sea salt, Shuffle My Ruffle (with crumbled Ruffles chips), and Kinder surprise — have found a loyal following in Toronto and beyond. With her new cookie shots, Wahler is continuing to challenge the traditional way we enjoy cookies.

“Bite in, savour that taste, enjoy and just have absolute fun with it,’ she says.

Next time you’re in the mood for something sweet, skip the usual and try Bite Me Cookie’s revamped take on milk and cookies.

Matty Matheson’s new band will debut at Sneaky Dee’s this April

Nisean Lorde

8:52 am

Matty Matheson Prime Seafood Palace — Matty Matheson

Celebrity chef, actor and restaurateur Matty Matheson is most recognized for playing restaurant mechanic Neil Fak on the critically acclaimed dramedy “The Bear”, and he has also made waves in the local culinary world after building a small restaurant empire in the GTA and surrounding areas, ranging from fast-casual to fine dining.

But many don’t know that Matheson also moonlights as a musician. Before he was famous, Matheson performed in a few hardcore rock bands, including Sex Tears and Broa Constrictor — they occasionally played at the now-defunct Parts & Labour bar-restaurant on Queen St W., where Matheson was the executive chef.

Now, Matheson can add lead vocalist to a new hardcore rock band to his resume after forming “Pig Pen” with singer/guitarist Daniel Romano and the lead guitarist of Alexisonfire, Wade MacNeil!

According to a recent Insta post, Matheson said that a few of his old friends got together a couple years ago and wrote and recorded 10 songs over 2 days.

“we just wanted to hangout and see what’s up. this is our band. we are pigpen.”

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Pig Pen’s debut show will take place on April 25 at 7 pm at Sneaky Dee’s (431 College St) at College and Bathurst. Tickets are $22.33/person and are available through Not Dead Yet on the DICE platform (alas, there have been reports that tickets have already sold out, and when you visit the website, you’ll be directed to a wait list).

If you do attend, other hardcore rock bands Best Wishes and Pluto’s Kiss will also be playing that evening!

We’ll also be seeing a lot more of Matheson on screen. Season 4 of “The Bear”, a series for which Matheson won a 2024 Screen Actors Guild Award for most Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, is expected to premiere this June.

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