This Toronto vintage shop is hosting a pop-up event featuring rap and hip-hop royalty

2:50 pm

NTV — Aly Jamal (left) and Denzel Curry. Courtesy @northerntouchvintage/Instagram

Toronto’s cult-favourite vintage spot, Northern Touch Vintage, is co-hosting a pop-up and celebration for the 25th anniversary of Rascalz’s game-changing single “Northern Touch” with Canadian lifestyle brand Caked. The best part? The shop will be filled with some of Toronto’s greatest hip-hop and rap performers.

The vintage store opened just two years ago, proudly calling Raptors guard Fred VanVleet their first customer. On Feb. 25, Northern Touch Vintage’s storefront will turn into a party space dedicated to vintage clothing lovers and hip-hop fanatics.

The event is set to be a stomping ground for some of Toronto’s greatest talents. Juno award-winning Red 1 from Rascalz will make an appearance, accompanied by rapper and Canada’s Got Talent judge Kardinal Offishall, along with DJ Rxcks who will be spinning all night. The team behind the event has also teased a guest appearance from a Toronto hip-hip icon with ties ranging from the original Northern Touch to Drake.

Aly Jamal is the owner and founder of Northern Touch Vintage. For Jamal, this event is a full-circle moment. “I’m a big hip-hop guy, so I’m hugely inspired by hip-hop in the ’90s. My brand started off of the song “Northern Touch.” I lived in Ottawa at the time and it was a really big part of my growing up.”

Northern Touch Vintage has quickly grown to become the go-to space for content creation, community-driven events and extensive vintage clothing curation. The store has seen the likes of Pressa and Denzel Curry come through the door, as well as accomplished Canadian athletes like Andre De Grasse and Penny Oleksiak.

Some of the shop’s biggest customers, both in size and dollars spent, are Toronto Raptors. Just like Freddie on the court, gaining this notoriety was a blur. “I don’t know. To be real, I don’t know how it happened,” Jamal says. “I guess it started when I first opened my store. My first customer was Fred VanVleet. He posted us on his Instagram, and since then it hasn’t stopped. It seems like we get a phone call every week, and it hasn’t stopped for two years.”

Swing by 612 Richmond St. W. on Feb. 25 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. to partake in the RSVP-only exclusive event.

Laneway homes finally coming to Yorkville after five years

Ron Johnson

10:23 am

Toronto is moving forward with allowing laneway houses in Yorkville after the area has been exempt from the housing type for years.

The city will be holding a public meeting about the proposed zoning bylaw change for the area on Feb. 28. However, the meeting is only a formality, according to local resident and co-president of the ABC Residents Association, Ian Carmichael.

That’s because, due to the province’s Bill 23 — the More Homes Built Faster Act — Toronto is forced to allow laneway housing, and it is illegal to bar it. Local city councillor Dianne Saxe wrote in an email that the bill is being “imposed on the city against the unanimous opposition of the mayor and council.”

“I remain adamantly opposed to [Ontario Premier Doug] Ford’s deeply destructive Bill 23 and the many harms it is imposing on the people of Toronto,” Saxe said but did not elaborate on by the time of publication.

When the City of Toronto first introduced its laneway suites policy, Changing Lanes, the ABC Residents Association (ABCRA), whose jurisdiction is from Avenue Road to Yonge Street, and Bloor Street to the railway tracks in the north, requested an exemption from the blanket policy for its area, which Toronto City Council approved.

No longer.

Carmichael said residents are disappointed that laneway suites will be allowed in the neighbourhood without more specific rules laid out in a secondary plan for Yorkville, which was promised 10 years ago but still hasn’t been delivered.

The concern, according to Carmichael, is that those building laneway suites will try to bypass certain rules, such as the height of the structure or distance from other entities, by going to the committee of adjustment. This, in turn, will create an extra burden on Yorkville residents to have to fight their neighbours, which Carmichael said is not conducive to a healthy neighbourhood.

“Everything becomes a negotiation now,” he said. “It just becomes more onerous from a planning perspective, from a resident perspective, to address all of these exceptions.”

Parking or privacy problems are some of the issues that could arise from the housing, Carmichael said.

Laneway suites were more broadly allowed in Toronto in 2018 to create more housing in the city to help fight the supply and affordability crisis.

However, Carmichael contends that laneway suites are not actually helping in Toronto’s housing crisis because they are often not affordable and not enough are being made to actually create a dent in the city’s housing supply.

Now, with Bill 23, Carmichael said the focus is just more “density, density, density” to fix the housing crisis, rather than exploring other options

“The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and hoping for different results,” he said.

Toronto’s best po’boys for celebrating Mardi Gras today

Jessica Huras

11:01 am

If you’re not quite in the mood to dust off your dancing shoes and take part in one of the many events happening in Toronto to celebrate New Orleans’ legendary Mardi Gras festival, you can still get a taste of the Big Easy today by getting your hands on the city’s signature sandwich: the po’boy. These are Toronto’s best po’boys.

Fresco’s Fish and Chips

Cute Kensington Market fish and chips shop Fresco’s Fish and Chips is old-fashioned in its approach to classic fried fish, which features a traditional batter made with wheat and yellow corn flour, but forward-thinking in its approach to sustainability. The menu features Ocean Wise or Marine Stewardship Council certified seafood, while orders are wrapped up in biodegradable takeout packaging. Po’Boys come in shrimp, cod, crab and halibut varieties, all served on toasted ciabatta bread with cheese, chipotle mayo and coleslaw.

Brock Sandwich

Sandwich spot Brock Sandwich has been a Bloordale staple for close to a decade. Their po’boy sees fried shrimp and squid layered with coleslaw, peppered relish, tomatillo sauce and fresh cilantro. You can make it a combo by opting for the fresh cut fries and a pop, but we recommend adding on an order of their house-made poutine to really get yourself into the indulgent, Mardi Gras spirit.

Buster’s Sea Cove

Popular Toronto seafood purveyor Buster’s Sea Cove offers a trio of po’boy options. Sandwiches are served on fresh focaccia bread with a side of coleslaw and customers can choose between deep-fried shrimp, oyster or calamari for the filling. For an extra $3, you can make it a meal by adding fries, rice or salad.

Off the Hook Fishbar

This seafood restaurant located on Broadview is best known for their oysters, but they also do a mean tiger shrimp po’boy. Cajun seasoned shrimp is deep-fried and nestles in a soft bun, along with lettuce, tomato, pickle sprouts and a tangy chipotle aioli.

Air Canada announces it will start scanning faces for identification

Ron Johnson

9:37 am

Relief from those never-ending airport lineups could be on the way, as Air Canada is set to become the first airline in Canada to use digital identification at pilot projects in airports in Vancouver and Toronto.

Currently underway, Air Canada’s digital identification is available for customers departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) when boarding select flights to Winnipeg, and for eligible customers entering the Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Air Canada plans to expand digital identification options to select Canadian airports and Maple Leaf Lounges as part of its pilot project phase.

“Many of our customers already utilize digital credentials to simplify their daily activities such as unlocking mobile phones, entering workplaces, verifying identification during financial transactions and more,” said Craig Landry, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Air Canada. “We are very excited to now take a leadership position in Canada and test digital identification using facial recognition technology to validate customer identification quickly, securely and accurately at select airport touchpoints. Participation in digital identification is voluntary. Customers choosing to use digital identification will benefit from a simplified and seamless process at the gate and when entering our Maple Leaf Lounges.”

The technology is being rolled out as pilot projects and regular use at airports around the world.

According to one report, Star Alliance, the world’s largest group of airlines, set of goal of 50 per ent biometric technology use by 2025.

For the time being, the pilot projects are consent-based, which means eligible customers in Toronto and Vancouver will be invited to use the digital ID option via the Air Canada app. If they consent, they will received instructions on how to create their secure digital faceprint prior to arriving at the airport.

But they will not have to do so.

In Toronto, for instance, customers may elect to continue scanning their boarding cards manually as they do now to enter the Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson.

According to the airline, Digital identification is a single enrollment feature on the Air Canada app.

“Biometric data is encrypted and stored only on the customer’s mobile phone. Customers must provide additional consent for the data to be used day-of travel and will only be retained for up to 36 hours subject to Air Canada’s rigorous privacy and security standards. More information about digital identification is here,” read a press release.

The federal government is supportive of the move. The digital ID project is not related to any government-sponsored program like NEXUS, Global Entry or US CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC).

“Our government and Canadian airlines and airports are eager to move forward with innovative solutions and technologies to modernize the traveller journey in airports across the country, which would enable a more seamless and efficient air transportation system,” said the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport – Government of Canada. “Air Canada’s pilot project will speed up processes at YVR, and other airports where it’s established, while respecting robust privacy measures and security standards. This project has great potential in making gate boarding easier and faster for Canadian passengers, while maintaining strong safety measures,” Air Canada’s digital identification is strictly an optional, consent-based Air Canada program.

Toronto’s Jully Black rewords national anthem at NBA All-Star Game

Ron Johnson

8:59 am

Those at the NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah probably didn’t notice a thing, except the stunning talent of singer Jully Black on display singing Canada’s national anthem. But those watching here at home noticed Black’s not-so-subtle rewrite. And most were loving it.

Black is a Canadian singer-songwriter, producer and actress who was inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2021. She is a bona fide Toronto treasure, and was one of our most inspiring women of 2018 in part because of her appearance on CBC’s Canada Reads that year offering a passionate appeal for the novel The Marrow Thieves by Indigenous writer Cherie Dimaline.

The lyric in question was changed to “Oh Canada, our home on Native land” instead of “Oh Canada, our home and native land.” A big difference, and one that confronts Canada’s colonial past in a blunt but beautiful way.

“O Canada… our home *on* native land.”@JullyBlack ?? pic.twitter.com/bDXzfT77ov

— THE SHIFT (@theshift_sports) February 20, 2023

And Black’s message resonated across the country, and a #OurHomeONNativeLand hashtag was created in support of her efforts. The singer posted a message of support she received from long-time collaborator Roy Perrault that sums up what many must be feeling.

“I went to bed feeling heard, and I woke up feeling seen. Representation is everything for the underrepresented. Allies taking a stance on a global platform for you and your entire community and for the land we share is an entirely different, higher level of understanding and powerful show of support. It takes nerve. It takes spine. It takes LOVE,” Perrault wrote, in part.

Black also got a shout-out on social media from another socially conscious performer, the one-and-only Chuck D from iconic hip hop group Public enemy.

Your love means the WORLD to me! You’ve been #ThatGuy to impact change and educate to elevate us all! This is less about me and more about being apart of the change in any way I can! Love you Bro ❤️ https://t.co/cXG5sDkVqf

— Jully Black (@JullyBlack) February 20, 2023

In an interview with Kayla Grey on TSN’s The Shift, Black said she reached out to her Indigenous friends to ask them about

“We’ve been singing this anthem since kindergarten and now in the last three years, especially with Indigenous rights and what’s going on in our country and the history and the learning, I too am learning,” she said. “So I reached out to my Indigenous friends and said, first of all, how do you feel about me doing this anthem. And I got some feedback, and so I really dissected the lyrics to really sing it with intention because I know it like my name and now I’m singing it in a whole other meaningful way.”

Reaction has, of course, not been exclusively positive.

The 10 best movies you might not know were filmed in Toronto

Nicole Richie

12:15 pm

best Toronto movies - Shape of Water — Shape of Water filmed in front of Massey Hall (Dan Laustsen)

Toronto has been a popular destination for T.V. and film production, so much so that it’s become one of the city’s major economic sources over the last two decades. Here are ten movies that celebrate the bustling Toronto we know and love.

IT and IT Chapter 2

Stephen King’s novel turned two-time blockbuster hit was filmed all over Toronto. The majority of the movie was filmed in Toronto’s Pinewood Studios, but some of the exterior shots, like the first time we see (and lose) poor Georgie is in North York near Springmount Avenue and William Street. Pennywise’s iconic mansion is actually the Cranfield House at 450 Pape Ave. in Toronto’s Riverdale neighbourhood.

Billy Madison

Arguably Adam Sandler’s best movie, Billy Madison is filled with nods to our beloved city. The Canadian actor filmed all over Ontario with locations in Oshawa, Stouffville and Toronto. Billy Madison’s most iconic scene where Sandler pees his pants to protect a fellow classmate is shot at Black Creek Pioneer Village. A lot of the film’s interior school shots were also filmed at Northern Secondary School.

Good Will Hunting

The Oscar-winning film written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck awarded them both their outstanding 20-plus year Hollywood careers. But what you might not have known is that the movie’s most memorable scene was filmed inside a Toronto bar. When Matt Damon is arguing with the Harvard student in the campus bar, they are actually inside Toronto’s Upfront Bar and Grill. Unfortunately, since the 1997 movie was released the St. Lawrence bar has closed.

What If?

This movie, also known as The F Word in Canada, is not trying to hide its Toronto connection. The city is as much as a supporting character as any of the actors in this 2013 film. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and does not shy away from featuring some of Hogtown’s hotspots. Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan’s Toronto love story shows them sunbathing at Ashbridges Bay, eating at George Street Diner, playing a couple of rounds of ping pong at Spin Toronto, camping at the Scarborough Bluffs and even catching a movie at Toronto’s Royal Cinema.

Mean Girls

The legendary movie has many Toronto connections, one being that the star, Rachel McAdams actually lives here in Toronto. Tina Fey’s 2004 comedy has many different city sightings. Lindsay Lohan and the mathletes compete inside University of Toronto’s Convocation Hall, while Regina George’s colossal mansion is on the Bridle Path.

The Shape of Water

Guillermo del Toro’s best picture, The Shape of Water was filmed almost exclusively in Toronto. The Oscar-winning film shows the exterior facade of Massey Hall and even cuts over to the north side of Shuter street where if you look closely you can spot Fran’s Restaurant. You can also find the interior of the Elgin Theatre and the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus in the film.

The Incredible Hulk

This 2008 movie was a smash hit. Filmed in Toronto this was not only a big movie for Marvel fans everywhere, but it was also a huge win for the former Mayor of Toronto, David Miller. Complying with everything the movie asked of him, Mayor Miller shut down Yonge Street for four nights. As a thank you to Miller, The Hulk’s director put a ton of noticeable Toronto outposts, like Toronto Eaton Centre and the University of Toronto, in the film.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

The 2002 romantic comedy made a big splash on the silver screen. The independent movie about a young Greek woman falling in love with a non-Greek man was aptly shot in Toronto’s Greektown. You can spot many of the Danforth’s iconic spots like Pappas Grill, the Pantheon and Ellas Meat Market in the movie. They also shot the wedding scene at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Church near Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Is SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD the best Toronto-movie of all time? Director @edgarwright discusses on #TIFFLongTake. https://t.co/SsFeX6nwq9 pic.twitter.com/nFZfGs19So

— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) June 27, 2017

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World stars everyone’s favourite nerdy comedian, Micheal Cera, who actually grew up in Brampton. The movie has a ton of visible Toronto connections including scenes shot on the TTC, across from Honest Ed’s and at Casa Loma. Some of the more interesting Toronto ties in this movie are hidden behind the scenes. The movie’s soundtrack features music by Torontonian artists Broken Social Scene (BSS) and Metric. Also, some of the songs Scott Pilgrim’s band plays in the movie are written by BSS’ Kevin Drew.

Take This Waltz

This indie movie is as Toronto as it gets. The movie was written and directed by Torontonian actor Sarah Polley and is a love letter to her hometown. The movie is shot at several locations throughout the city. The actors stroll through Kensington Market, take the ferry to Centre Island and dine at Dundas West’s The Lakeview Restuarant. The movie even features a couple of Canadian actors like Vancouver’s Seth Rogan and Hamilton’s Luke Kirby.

10 winter activities to try within two hours of Toronto

Ron Johnson

10:45 am

A few months into winter, the only exercise you might feel like taking part in is curling up in front of the fire, especially as the temperature continues to drop. But before you grab that weighted blanket, there are plenty of winter activities for those who are up for a snowy adventure in the outdoors.

Snow tubing

Snow tubing is the perfect wintry activity for those looking for a thrill. There are plenty of amazing hills worth visiting within an hour’s drive from Toronto, including Horseshoe Valley in Barrie, which claims the bragging rights of having the longest snow tubing hill in Ontario – back in 2017, the resort doubled the length of their hill, adding 1,200 feet. A two-hour midweek pass is $26

Ice fishing

When the temperature starts to plunge, why not head to a frozen lake or pond and try ice fishing. Just an hour north of Toronto, Lake Simcoe has been known for decades as Canada’s ‘ice fishing capital’ and is a favourite for those who enjoy fishing for perch and lake trout. You can stay warm(ish) and rent a hut, or if you’re up for a weekend excursion, an ice bungalow is available for $190 per person. Don’t forget to pack your fishing licence!

Cross-country skiing

If you’re eager for some fresh air and exercise, grab a pair of cross-country skis and get ready to glide across a snow-covered trail. Located in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Hardwood Ski and Bike is an hour north of Toronto and features cross-country trails ranging from 3.3 km to 19 km in length, with eight different loop rings. Full day passes are $39.

Ziplining

If you’re looking for an aerial activity this winter, head to Niagara and get ready to soar like a bird over snowy landscapes on a fully-guided Zipline tour. Featuring four parallel ziplines, riders dangle from a 220-foot vantage point while taking in panoramic views of the falls, from $49.99.

Winter surfing

For those who are brave enough to face the frigid waters of Lake Ontario, suit up, grab a board and don’t forget the earplugs (surfer’s ear is real!). Some of the best waves of the year can be found in the winter months thanks to stronger winds and denser air. Surf the Greats is a Toronto-based surf shop and school with the aim to unite Canadian surfers by providing lessons, gear, workshops and events. They also post detailed wave forecast reports on instagram and to the Wave Rider Club.

Snowboarding and downhill skiing

Whether you’re ‘team ski’ or ‘team snowboard’, prepare for an authentic winter adventure experience and head to Snow Valley. Located in Barrie, Ontario, this resort has 19 runs, plus eight lifts. Lessons for every age and skill level are also available. Lift tickets start at $54

Snowshoeing

There’s nothing like strapping on a pair of snowshoes and crunching over freshly fallen snow. Plus, it’s a serous calorie-burner. And if you don’t want to leave the city, there are a few snowshoe trails to help you embrace the elements, including the one at Coronation and Battery Park. Located just east of Ontario Place, this 1.2 km trail runs Strachan Avenue to Bathurst Street and is accessible by public transit.

Dog Sledding

If you’re looking for a cool way to travel this winter, get your mush on and try dog sledding. A quintessential Canadian pastime, there are many dog sled trails in the province, and several within a two-hour drive from Toronto. North Ridge Ranch offers half-day tours at $249 per person that includes a lesson, and a 20 km drive through the Muskoka wilderness.

Fat Biking

Take mountain biking to the next level with this winter activity. Fat bikes are essentially bikes with “fat” tires (more than four inches wide), that make it easier to traverse through mud while getting great traction on the snow and ice. Cycling enthusiasts can now bike year-round, and the lower air pressure means they work great on sand too. Shop for fat bikes at Bateman’s Bicycle Company.

Snowmobiling

If you’re up for an adrenaline rush, pack an overnight bag and head north of the city for a weekend of epic snowmobiling. Huntsville’s Deerhurst Resort, offers guided tours on 2,000 km of uncrowded, groomed trails. Safety and driver training sessions and riding gear are also included. Tours start at $199.

Three wellness retreats within a three-hour drive of Toronto

lindsaylow

1:21 pm

wellness retreats — Grail Springs is offering a special winter of wellness package this January

Natalie Preddie is a travel and lifestyle writer, speaker and guest expert on Cityline, Your Morning and Global’s The Morning Show.

Wellness travel has substantially increased over the past few years with yoga retreats, meditation camps and active escapes popping up all over the globe. Although there’s plenty to see and do outside of the province, why travel far? Ontario offers a whole host of nourishing, rejuvenating, wellness retreats in stunning settings, all within driving distance of Toronto.

Grail Springs

This award-winning spa has previously been named Canada’s best wellness retreat for a reason. Located five kilometres from Bancroft, Grail Springs is built on top of mineral-rich earth. It is said that the Alkaline-rich waters from the aptly named Chalice Lake bring purity and vitality to the resort, providing many on-site springs.

What sets Grail Springs apart is its commitment to integrating mind, body and spirit, ensuring guests experience and achieve balance in their life and leave armed with the skills to maintain harmony in their day-to-day lives.

This winter, Grail Springs has a winter of wellness package offering discounts on nightly rates and spa treatments. Guests can book stays that range from two to 21 days and partake in activities such as yoga, meditation, hiking, canoeing and Grail Springs’s thermal spa circuit. Delicious plant-based meals are on the menu, with healthy elixirs, teas and snacks also on hand. In the evenings, workshops and guest speakers cover topics such as soundscape circles, music meditation for the soul and crystal connections. And until March 18, the spa is offering a promotion where you can bring a friend for free!

The luxurious spa offers nourishing treatments that allow guests to relax, de-stress and re-energize through reiki, axiatonal alignment and energy balancing. Traditional therapies such as facials, body wraps and scrubs and massage are also available, as well as more exploratory private or group journeys that involve drum circles, crystal bowl sound or emotional bonding.

Sugar Ridge

Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre is an all-natural, environmentally friendly experience located in Wyebridge, Simcoe County. Sugar Ridge’s mission is to provide a space where everyone is free to be themselves and nourish their body, mind and soul. Family-owned and -operated Sugar Ridge is a unique and intimate getaway that prides itself on four pillars: wellness, equality, kindness and integrity.

Whether you’re looking for an individual getaway or a group retreat, Sugar Ridge can accommodate all of your needs. Meals are plant-based, vegan and gluten-free, and mindful eating is practised.

This is truly an all-season escape with programming and unique getaways planned all year round. This winter, enjoy the Yoga & Ski weekend and reconnect with yourself through meditation, yoga, de-stressing techniques and some outdoor winter activity. Or perhaps you need some space to think, rejuvenate and reflect with Sugar Ridge’s Silent Meditation Retreat. Meditate, stretch; nourish your body with food, sleep and books; and immerse yourself in nature on this “no talking” week.

Sweetgrass Spa

If you don’t have time to physically get out of the city, Sweetgrass Spa is waiting to whisk you away for some pampering and relaxation — for at least the day. This luxurious, award-winning space in the heart of Toronto on Queen Street East is a women-only spa.

Sweetgrass focuses on women’s overall well-being, offering exclusive and refreshing signature treatments such as their Ayurvedic Shirodharra, a massage and acupuncture technique that releases tension, congestion, emotional stress and stimulates collagen production, as well as the signature Swedish massage. The spa offers some amazing packages, such as the Ultimate Unwind featuring a mani-pedi, Swedish massage, facial and a lunch with Prosecco or wine. You can also purchase a full hotel package, organised from start to finish by the spa, if you’re looking for a full weekend getaway.

For more winter escapes in Ontario, click here.

Where Toronto’s Michelin-recognized chefs eat cheap: Jackie Lin of Shoushin

Jennifer Schembri

11:47 am

Although inflation has caused the cost of dining out to soar, there are many standout restaurants in the city with quality food at reasonable prices. And when it comes to restaurant recommendations, who better to trust than a chef — and a Michelin chef to boot!

Chef Jackie Lin, recently awarded a Michelin star for his restaurant Shoushin — a Japanese restaurant specializing in Edomae style sushi— recently shared his favourite affordable restaurant in Toronto where two can dine with wine for under $100. Read on to find out which spot he selected.

Chef Jackie Lin wants to eat at: Milou

“It’s simple, bistro-style food and I really enjoy it,” Lin told us. As for a favourite dish, it’s all about the classics. “My go-to dish would have to be the French onion soup, although it’s seasonal and not always on the menu,” he said. And when it comes to the vibe, Lin is all about the eatery’s laid-back dining approach. “There’s nothing fancy about it, it’s a very down-to-earth place.”

Milou

French-inspired fare is all the rage at Milou, a quaint café-bistro located in Toronto’s Little Portugal neighbourhood. Chef and owner Mikey Kim has created four versatile menus: brunch, daytime, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and dinner. On the brunch menu, in true Parisian style, you’ll find the croque madame sandwich — a fried egg, béchamel sauce, Dijon mustard, ham and swiss cheese. The daytime menu has an assortment of things to nibble on, like escargot served with herb salad and toast, as well as heavier lunch options like the Milou burger or the steak frites. Those in search of a quick bite before dinner will find it on the 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. menu, which offers snacks like the shrimp cocktail, oyster, warm marinated olives or the Marcona almonds. The dinner menu incorporates much of the lighter daytime menus but includes mains like the duck confit, served with watercress, sour cherry glaze and duck fat potatoes, desserts and sweet wines. Milou also has a pantry and retail component stocked with everything from restaurant-branded totes to a fridge full of excellent cheeses. 1375 Dundas St. W.

If you want to know where celebrity chef Ryusuke Nakagawa of Aburi Hana eats cheap, click here, for Rob Rossi of Osteria Guilia click here. And to find out where chef Masaki Saito gets an affordable meal, click here.

Patrick J. Adams dishes on new anti-romance TV show

Julia Mastroianni

1:14 pm

We talk to former Suits actor Patrick J. Adams about starring in new relationship drama Plan B coming to CBC on Feb. 27, his advice for finding true happiness and working the concession stand at Cineplex Odeon as a typical Toronto kid.

So I thought this would be a nice romantic story for our February editions, but that does not appear to be entirely the case. Patrick, is that true?”

We sort of tricked you. I really thought I’d be headed for a more romantic thing. And I was really impressed that the show resisted that and, in fact, took a darker turn. So, no, not your standard February romantic fare.

What intrigued you most about the role of Philip Grimmer?

At the time I was really drawn to this concept of a perfectionist writ large — a guy who needs everything to just be just right — and on an almost obsessive scale. I don’t know, I related to that. I think at times in my life I have struggled with that same sense of if I can just get everything to be just the way that I think it needs to be, then I will be happy. But it’s got to be the way that I think it needs to be.

What does it say about the challenges of a relationship when a guy is given the ability to go back in time to fix mistakes and still struggles to get it right.

The problem with what’s occurring is if he had just, like, quietly stopped and listened to his wife, you know, taken her in, if they really just honestly assessed where they were at and figured out some workable solutions to get where they needed to go together. But instead, he becomes obsessed with his way of doing things. I don’t think there’s any problem in a relationship that can’t be faced if it’s just faced together — and honestly.

Were there some moments of personal introspection regarding your own relationship when working through Phil’s issues?

Yes, I mean, all the time. It’s very easy to go: “Well, this guy’s crazy. You know, he’s too much. And it’s a show about time travel, I don’t need to relate to this.” But I hope, I really hope audiences connect with it the way I connected with it, which is I just saw a ton of places where I could relate to how he was behaving, where I just moved into fix-it mode. If my wife is expressing to me the way she feels about a certain situation, I immediately just want to fix it. Let’s just fix it and clear it out of the way. And I have to be reminded: “Hey, not everything is here for you to fix. I’m not presenting you with a checklist of things to do. You just be present with what’s going on.” And that will make it better. And we can do a deal with it together.

What do you think people enjoy and appreciate most about the show?

I think our goal is that, first and foremost, they just do like we’re talking about: identifying pieces of themselves and their own behaviour and their own relationships in these two people. You know, this is a relationship drama. I think it’s set in a really interesting world with a really compelling device, essentially. But that’s all it is. It’s just a way to further explore these characters’ foibles and dysfunctions.

At least good old Phil never stopped trying.

I mean, it’s a good thing and a bad thing. He has good intentions. He just wants everyone to be OK. But in doing so, he makes everything so not OK. And the actual path to making everything OK would probably just be, like, “Stop, just stop.” Right? Just stop what you’re doing and pay attention.

Do you have a daily ritual?

I have a few. I would say the most important thing I do every day is meditate. That’s pretty recent, the last couple of years, but it’s changed my life.

What was your first Toronto job?

I grew up in Toronto, and I worked at my mother’s company. She owned a company called Computer Action that was up in North York. My real first job-job was working at a Cineplex Odeon movie theatre concession stand. The old York Theatre on Eglinton.

What’s the worst piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Give up.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Finding a place of acceptance, even in hard moments and even in the difficult moments, even at the moments that are very uncomfortable: having the capacity to just accept it for what it is and know that from it will come some lessons and I’ll be grateful for it at some point. So getting away from the struggle and resisting that any moment needs to be any different than what it is right now. I’m finding that it has created a lot of space in my life for joy.

How They Met: A Toronto couple on Canada’s national team talk training for the Olympics together

Julia Mastroianni

1:02 pm

There’s power couples, and then there’s athlete power couples — and then there’s athlete power couples who play the same sport! There’s something amazing about professional athletes who eat, sleep and breathe one sport meeting someone else who gets it. That’s certainly the case for Ontario’s Nick Wammes and Sarah Orban. Team Canada track cyclists, Olympic hopefuls and a real-life couple, the pair lives together in Toronto and is currently training together in the hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics. The couple shares how they met, balancing their careers with their relationship and making date nights happen while training and travelling.

How they met

We first met when Sarah showed up as a rookie to the velodrome in Milton, Ontario where I already lived and trained as a Team Canada rider. Over the next 18 months, Sarah attended various development projects with us around the world before she officially joined the national team in late 2019. Soon after, we started to find an interest in getting to know each other more once she was in our training environment regularly.

The first date

We never really went on a formal first date! In early 2020 we just started spending more time together outside of our daily training. At this point, we were in the middle of our racing season, so we just sat on the couch and watched movies and analyzed races together in preparation for our home World Cup, where we would both be racing.

Balancing careers and a relationship

We are best friends, teammates and business partners. One of the best parts of our relationship is also one of the hardest. We get to spend so much time together, as we live together and train and race on mostly the same schedules, meaning we are together nearly 24/7 year-round and we see the best and worst of each other. We know what we both go through on a daily basis, and having that understanding is hugely important for our relationship.

We try our best to leave our training at the door when we come home, but for both of us, it can spill over sometimes. The amount of stress and pressure we can be under as professional athletes can weigh heavy, and although we are very similar, we do also balance each other out when it comes to managing that stress and I think that makes us stronger together. We also need space apart, so for the odd recovery week we do get, it’s usually spent at home with our families instead of together.

Shared hobbies and interests

Our hobbies seem to cross over quite nicely! Sarah loves to cook and I love to eat all of the food. I like taking photos and Sarah likes to be in front of the camera. We have a shared passion for great coffee and unique cafes. We travel a lot for racing and training, but we don’t always get the chance to explore more than the airport, hotels and velodrome we are in that city for. Sarah and I love to explore new places and we would love to travel back to these countries to explore them without 20 pieces of luggage in tow.

Secret to success

We are best friends before anything else. We are each other’s biggest fans, and we push each other every day to step outside our comfort zones in all aspects of our lives and simply want the best for each other.

The future

First and foremost, the biggest goal we have is going to the 2024 Paris Olympics together. We can both see ourselves staying in this sport for the next 5-6 years before seriously taking a look at stepping away from sport. We both have a lot more we want to accomplish on the track before calling time on our athletic careers.

We would like to buy a house together in the next few years and continue working to grow our personal brands and businesses and continue to travel whenever we get the chance.

When we want something, we go and get it. To quote Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

5 famous international restaurant concepts coming to Toronto this year

Megan Gallant

3:26 pm

We’re only just over a month in and already 2023 is promising big things for Toronto’s food, beverage and dining scene. From coffee shops and noodle bars to breweries and sports bars, we’ve already been blessed with plenty of new eateries. And it’s not slowing down anytime soon, as favourite brands from all over the globe are making their way to Toronto this year.

Here are five international brands coming to Toronto in 2023.

Mott 32

A high-end Chinese restaurant is moving into 190 University Avenue to fill the hole left in our hearts when Momofuko Noodle Bar left the Shangri-La Hotel late last year. Fortunately, its replacement isn’t a drastic change from the beloved David Chang restaurant, as Mott 32 serves up seasonal Chinese cuisine using modern approaches in an upscale dining room. This will be the second Mott 32 in Canada, following the Vancouver location which has been recognized and awarded for both the tastes and interior design of the space. Though no launch date has been announced yet, we’re confident Toronto’s location will taste and look just as exclusive, making it well worth the wait.

Afuri Ramen

An international and global favourite ramen hotspot is moving into 413 Church Street—hopefully in time to warm up our souls before the end of winter. We have expectations as high as the mountain the restaurant is named after, since, while Toronto has no shortage of ramen, these noodles are one-of-a-kind. Made with the Japanese touch of yuzu, an East Asian citrus fruit, the noodles offer a high-quality freshness that matches the elegant though minimalist feel of the dining space. While Afuri Ramen currently has locations spanning from the U.S. to Singapore and China, this will be the third Canadian location, following behind two restaurants in British Columbia.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Things are heating up in the city this winter as the world’s largest barbecue concept prepares to open its first Canadian franchise right here in Toronto. If you’re unfamiliar with Dickey’s Barbecue Pit (not BBQ because there are no short cuts to their meats!), you better get used to it, because the Dallas-born brand will be all over Canada soon enough. Earlier this fall, it was announced that the location would be opening at 472 Yonge Street before the end of the year, marking the start of a plan to develop 65 locations just across the GTA and Niagara alone, and even more across the country.

Fogo de Chao

It’s a big year for Toronto’s meat lovers, as a Brazilian steakhouse joins the city’s lineup of top meateries. Brazil might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking steak, and yet that’s where Fogo de Chao began with its first location in Porto Alegre in 1979. Named for the authentic Southern Brazilian grilling technique, Fogo de Chao offers the full churrasco experience, which, according to the website, is the “prix-fixe menu which includes continual service of fire-roasted meats carved tableside by Brazilian trained gaucho chefs.” Though no location is announced yet, Toronto will be the entryway for the brand into Canada before opening 10 locations within the decade.

Nobu Restaurant

One of the most anticipated openings this year is the arrival of Nobu Hotel and Suites in Toronto’s entertainment district. Towering over the historical heritage site of the Pilkington Glass Factory, 45 stories will make up two modern, sleek towers, housing luxury residential units and hotel suites. On the ground floor, one of the most recognizable Japanese restaurants will be making a statement. Founded by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper, the upscale Nobu Restaurant will be 1,500 square feet, covering two levels. As exclusive and high-end as the other restaurants, Nobu Toronto will have a signature bar lounge, outdoor seating and even private dining rooms. Though the residences won’t be ready until late in the year, the restaurant reportedly could be open as early as summer.

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