Enjoy patio season in the GTA all winter long in a heated dome
Just because the temperature has plummeted doesn’t mean you have to go into full-on hibernation mode. A number of spots in Toronto and the surrounding area are offering accommodations, like heated domes, that will allow you to dine outdoors all season long.
Here are five of the best spots to dine al fresco, while keeping warm in a heated dome!
Selveirno at Selva
Enjoy all of the comforts of private dining in the heated dome at Selva! With a picture-perfect view of the CN Tower, Selva is a go-to spot for late-night views and must-try seafood eats. The cozy seating within the dome is retrofitted with plush pillows, blankets, and cozy seating. Don’t forget the Joy Box which is chock full of interactive card games, notepads, and a Bluetooth speaker to ensure the vibes are just right. Reserve your spot here.
Bisha Hotel
Head over to Bisha Hotel for a duo of Instagram-worthy domes, tailored to a relaxing experience. Situated on the terrace of the hotel, the domes are furnished with vintage-inspired love seats, cozy chaises, and opulent throw blankets. The dome offers views of the surrounding city, which can be enjoyed with decadent food from Akira Back or KOST. Access to the domes comes at the steep price of $1,000 a night, as they are an offering within the Marilyn suites.
IGLOOsive Experience at Proof Bar
Sit back and unwind inside of one of the four giant transparent domes at Proof Bar situated inside the luxurious Royal Sonesta Hotel. The perfect cozy escape, a 90-minute seating includes a featured cocktail, a glass of house wine, beer, or soft drink, plus, a choice one one appetizer and a mini desert priced at $77.97 per person. Reservations can be made here.
The Village Biergarten Square
Head to The Village Biergarten Square in the picturesque city of St. Jacobs for a rustic, outdoor dining experience in a completely heated dome. The menu remains the same with a large selection of shareables and elevated pub grub mains chorizo mac & cheese and chicken and Belgium waffles. .Book your spot here.
Old Stone Inn
After taking in the view of the Falls, make your way to Niagara’s Old Stone Inn and one of their cozy heated domes. Large enough to fit four to six people, with Bluetooth speakers so you can tap into your own playlist. Priced at $129 per person, the experience includes a three-course prixe fixe menu from Flour Mill Scratch Kitchen. View the menu here.
Two Toronto women created these vegan and gluten-free condoms
The condom business, monopolized by a handful of major players, is quite frankly stuck in its ways, but where many see male-centric, heteronormative branding and unoriginal cliches, longtime friends Whitney Geller and Yasemin Emory saw a gap in the market. That’s where Jems was born — a vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free condom brand that has earned coverage everywhere from Forbes to Hypebae.
“We were between pregnancies, just before the pandemic, and found ourselves in the condom aisle. We were just taken aback at what we saw there,” says Geller. “It really looked like a dated aisle, like some bad iteration of toxic stereotypes from the 1950s. We instantly felt that it wasn’t speaking to us and understood that it wasn’t speaking to anyone that we knew.”
They found that the problem ran deeper than the antiquated messaging these legacy condom brands were putting out to consumers.
“Yasemin is a really conscious consumer. I’m celiac. We looked and couldn’t find ingredients anywhere on the package for the condoms,” says Geller. “We thought, what a bizarre thing — this is something that’s going into your body, near reproductive organs, and you don’t even know what’s in them.”
It was this thinking that led Geller and Emory to found Jems in April 2021. The gender-inclusive condom company is heavily focused on educating about safe sex and sexual wellness, be it through the company’s website and social media or strategic partnerships. And the messaging resonates.
“I would say our biggest triumph has been having the idea validated by not only consumers and the audience that we’re targeting, but specifically retailers,” says Emory. “It took very little explaining for people to really see what a big white space there truly is and how needed this change is.”
Although Geller and Emory came up with the idea for Jems later on in life, they agree their high school experiences at Northern Secondary School and Havergal College, respectively — and the way in which sex was talked about in the school setting — played a significant role in shaping their perspectives on sex education.
“I think accessing the emotions, the heightened emotions that you’re dealing with in high school, it’s something we try and think about quite often,” says Emory. “We want to be able to use that energy but find a way to channel it for a positive and informed way of learning.”
Recent posts on their website talk about everything from gender and sexuality to STIs to abortion. Their branding has a clear audience — with sans serif fonts; bright, simple packaging; and a sex education column named Uncut Jems, it’s a Gen Z dream.
Moving forward, the pair intend to remain committed to Jems as well as their Toronto-based design studio, Whitman Emorson, which has worked with brands such as H&M, the One of a Kind Show and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
“Jems is this self-initiated project, and it really allowed us to demonstrate what Whitman Emorson can do as a company,” says Emory. “We’re looking at it as: how do these two companies work together to support each other? And how does that help us grow in the future? We’re really excited.”
Where to order the best takeout barbecue in Toronto for the Super Bowl
If the plan is to stay in this weekend and watch the Super Bowl at home, why don’t you kick off the big game in style by ordering a barbecue feast. Here are the best places to order a takeout barbecue this weekend.
Barque BBQ
Barque’s “heat-to-eat” menu of classic barbecue fare is available for pick-up on Sunday between 11:oo a.m. and 5 p.m. Meals are packaged cold with reheating instructions included, so you can prepare everything hot at home. The Game Day BBQ Feast for four includes chopped BBQ pork, jumbo smoked chicken wings, fries, slaw, sauce, and rolls. and is priced at $159. You can place your order on Ambassador.
The Stockyards Smokehouse
Known for its wood-smoked Toronto barbecue, the Stockyards serves up its hearty fare for takeout via Uber Eats. Most of their barbecued meats come in sandwich form, like the smoked beef brisket, which is topped with barbecue sauce, garlic mayo, and caramelized onions. They also do barbecued ribs and chicken on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays starting at 5 p.m. If you’re feeling inspired to stray from smoked meats, their buttermilk fried chicken is top-notch.
Beach Hill Smokehouse
Beach Hill Smokehouse’s Texas-style barbecue dishes are available for takeout, as well as delivery through Skip the Dishes, Doordash and Uber Eats. Smoked meats such as pork ribs and Halal chicken are sold by the half-pound, along with traditional sides like mac and cheese and smoked baked beans. Don’t forget the delish peach cobbler for dessert. If you want to treat yourself to a full-on feast there is a Super Bowl Pack available for the weekend! Included in pack is lb of Brisket two lbs of ribs, 26 smoked wings, two sausage links, four large sides, (two smoked beans, one coleslaw and one potato salad) and six Beach Hill beers.
Islas Filipino BBQ and Bar
If your Toronto barbecue preference skews more towards hot-off-the-grill eats rather than smoked meats, then Islas’ Boodle Box is a great option for your football spread. The tasting menu-style package includes whole fish snapper, barbecue chicken, crispy pork belly, kalbi short ribs, among a bevy of other sides and sauces.
There are two meal size options, designed to feed either 2-3 or 4-6 people. The Boodle Box is available for pick-up only and orders can be placed online.
Cherry St. BBQ
This Port Lands neighbourhood pit barbecue is offering a range of Southern barbecue staples for pick-up. Game day platters include the family tail gate platter ($210) which includes brisket, spare ribs, pulled pork, BBQ chicken, BBQ beans, mac & cheese, coleslaw and potato salad as well as smaller platters like the chicken and wings ($135).
You can place your order here.
Toronto alpine skier Jack Crawford just won a world championship
For just the third time in Canadian history, a men’s skier has won a world title. His name is Jack Crawford and he’s born and raised right here in Toronto.
Crawford landed on top of the podium at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Courchevel and Méribel, France just 0.01 seconds ahead of Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. France’s Alexis Pinturault, who won the alpine combined on Tuesday, finished, 0.26 of second back of Crawford.
This is Crawford’s third world championships, his seventh world championship start and his first world championship podium.
“I’ve been dreaming of standing at the top of a World Cup podium for a long time,” said Crawford. “It feels incredible to make it there at a world championships. We had a good plan and I felt confident this morning. It took some of my best skiing on a line that was a little more risky but it panned out today and it was just enough to win. The best ski racers in the world are here and I’m happy to on their level today.”
Crawford, along with his sister and former alpine skier Candace, who competed for Team Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics, grew up in North Toronto around Eglinton and Mount Pleasant. He cut his downhill skiing teeth like many a Torontonian in Collingwood at Georgian Peaks Ski Club.
And, although it’s rare for an alpine skier from the flatlands of Ontario to reach such heights, the Crawford family has a bit of a legacy. Jack’s father and aunt were both ski racers with Judy Crawford becoming the first alpine skier from Ontario to represent Canada at the Olympics. According to a 2018 article, Judy’s parents Don and Joan Crawford, were among the first members of Georgian Peaks ski club.
WE HAVE A WORLD CHAMP???
Jack Crawford stuns the world with his victory in the super-G on Thursday, becoming just the 3rd Canadian man to win a world title in alpine skiing. #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/PlJk5ALvTP
— Team Canada (@TeamCanada) February 9, 2023
At the world championships, Canada placed three men in the top 11, with Brodie Seger (North Vancouver, BC) finishing ninth for his second top 10 at a world championships, and Jeffrey Read (Canmore, AB) racing to 11th. Broderick Thompson (Whistler, BC) didn’t finish his run.
“We have a great group of guys,” added Crawford. “We’ve all come up together and we’ve built a great environment, none of us would have the success we’ve had without the others.”
Erik Guay was the last Canadian man to win a world title back in 2017, also in super-G. And before that, it was John Kucera, now the head coach for Canada’s men’s team, won downhill gold in 2009.
“It was a really strong team performance today,” said Kucera. “I’m really proud to see three guys in the top 11, including one on the top of the podium. That’s an amazing day anywhere, but it’s extra special to put that level of performance together at a world championships. It was incredibly tight racing, Jeff and Brodie were just a couple of tenths from the podium.”
Ginny & Georgia just made Netflix’s all-time top 10 list and this T.O. actor is in it
Since it’s release on Jan. 5, Ginny & Georgia’s second season has occupied one of the top spots on Netflix’s watch list. Now, it has a new honour — becoming one of the top 10 English TV seasons of all time on Netflix. It reflects well on Toronto — the cast is made up of quite a few actors from the city, including our very own Chelsea Clark.
Legally Blonde is beloved by many, but for Netflix breakout star Chelsea Clark, it holds an extra special significance. In her high school’s musical production of the cult classic, she played Vivienne Kensington, a role that would pull her into the craft of acting and the joy of being part of a cast.
“I was so happy. I loved it so much,” she says. “Musical theatre is so wonderful in that everybody just becomes so close after hours and hours of rehearsal together. I would say it was one of the most pivotal parts of high school.”
Clark attended Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts — her main focus there was cello, although she reveled in opportunities to act and sing onstage — but her passion for performing was sparked much earlier. As a child she played piano and took voice lessons, and she was not much older than 11 when she was scouted for her first role, playing Dhara Singh in Rookie Blue.
“And I’ve been in the TV and film world ever since,” she says. “I look back on my life and wonder, ‘Could I have gone a different route?’ But honestly, everything I’ve done and everything I’ve ever loved has always been in the arts. And I really don’t see my life going any other direction.”
Over the course of her decade-long career, Clark has played the complex and thrill-seeking Esme Song in Degrassi, acted in a predominately Asian cast in Kung Fu, and most recently, fans of her work can catch her as Norah on the second season of Ginny & Georgia. The show is a real celebration of the city’s talent — she’s joined by fellow Torontonians Sara Waisglass, Nikki Roumel, Raymond Ablack and his sister Rebecca Ablack and more.
“Ginny & Georgia was a huge turning point for me because we were led by a female creator, a female showrunner,” she says. “I was inspired by so many strong, powerful women in leadership. And that was really big for me to realize I can take my own career into my own hands, create my own projects, and do what I want to do on top of developing my career as an actor.”
As much as Clark loves to act — she’s also tried her hand at screenwriting, which is an experience she regards fondly as finding and forming her voice as a writer — she is guided by unbridled ambition and is keen to take on more.
“I 100 per cent want to branch out,” she says. “I think it’s really funny how passionate you become about different sides of the industry once you learn about them, because there’s always something new to learn. It’s such a living organism. The film industry constantly is changing, constantly evolving, and it’s really hard to feel stale in it if you’re open to all of the changes. I think it would be amazing to be able to write my own project and to have something that is my own creation.”
“Are we dating the same guy?”
I don’t date. I haven’t had a crush in years, unless you count my occasional flirtation with the cute waiter at my favourite pizza joint. To be fair, my reservations about dating at times feel warranted. I’ve spent some time on dating apps and have been on dates that range from boring to somewhat harrowing. My hesitations were magnified when I heard about a Facebook group in Toronto called “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” where women can warn other women about the terrible men they’ve been seeing or solicit advice from fellow single women. Imagine a gossip session with your friends where everyone discusses potential dating app matches, magnified by 1,000 — instead of two or three people to consult with, there are 21,800 members from across the city to tell you if they’ve had an unfavourable experience with your men of choice.
Women will post a first name, general location and one — or several — red flag emojis and, once approved by an admin, a missive in the comments explaining their concerns. Although these comments are often terrifying to read, there are some posts simply soliciting advice from the community about dating, and the responses can be heartwarming. Many conversations turn into something along the lines of “If I were her, I would want to know.” Cheating seems to be as common an offence as not getting a text back.
The existence of the group spreads through word of mouth. One user who spoke to me anonymously says a friend mentioned it to her. “Around the summertime, a friend suggested it to me because I went on a few dates with guys who lied about their relationship status,” she says.
That wasn’t her first post, though. That came much later when she wanted to warn other women about a catfish she ran into on the apps. She’s an active user, commenting a lot, since, as she claims, “Some [of these] girls and I have the same taste in men!”
The group’s ultimately been helpful, she says. “There are a few guys I’ve dodged. Saves me going through horrible dates and finding out the hard way!” She says she once even made a friend by unknowingly seeing the same guy.
It’s understandable that for women in Toronto’s dating scene looking for eligible men a group like this one might seem like the only option. Members are seeking red flags across a wide spectrum — from men who are simply bad communicators to serial cheaters. And although the first offence — a couple of days without a text here or a few late night hook ups there — might seem overblown, once you’ve dealt with enough of these kinds of men, the ones who disrespect or manipulate you, it’s hard to resign yourself to doing it all over again.
My friend Amy, for example, has had her fair share of red flags. We were out one Friday night in December when the guy she was seeing pulled her aside and told her she was, “wifey material,” (someone he can see himself marrying), only for her to be told the following week that he didn’t see a future with her.
“He told me, ‘Let’s just date casually,’” she says. But to him, dating “casually” meant going on dates, meeting his mother and hanging out without having sex.
This isn’t the first time she was misled. Amy lent her car to a man she was dating for what she assumed would only be a handful of hours. “After all, it’s impossible to get around in the city,” she says she reasoned to herself.
She didn’t hear from him for over 24 hours, essentially holding her car hostage with no word of his whereabouts. Now? She’s sleeping with his good friend. “Homie hopping is the way to go,” she advises.
At a time when it seems like every far-flung acquaintance I know is meeting the love of their life on some app while I’m slogging through scary DMs and frequent ghosting, it is difficult to have hope that the right person is out there.
Founder of Match Me Canada, Rebecca Cooper Traynor, says there’s a way to avoid getting burnt out by the apps.
“Get organized with a dating plan, such as setting specific days to log into dating apps and making a list of non-negotiables in a match,” she says. “Do your research before meeting up with someone, like having at least one phone call. Only meet with matches you’re truly interested in, and if you’re still feeling burnt out, take a break to focus on yourself and recharge before diving back into the dating scene.”
For many in the Toronto dating scene, “situationships,” or relationships that remain undefined, are a real challenge. “If you are searching for a serious commitment, make sure to communicate your intentions from the get-go. If you suspect your match is more interested in something casual, bring up your dating goals with them early on to ensure you’re on the same page,” Traynor says. “And if you’re not, don’t force the issue; don’t think you can change someone, you can’t. You’ll only waste years going through heartbreak.”
A recent Bumble report on dating in 2023 found that guardrailing, or setting more boundaries from the beginning, is a major trend among Canadians: setting boundaries and communicating emotional needs has become a priority for 66 per cent of Canadian respondents.
Using “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” may be a strategy for Torontonians to set those boundaries in advance — women are crowdsourcing information from other women about what potential matches are looking for instead of waiting on the men to be honest. Take the anonymous poster who asked for the scoop on someone they were thinking of dating, only to find out he was only interested in a friends with benefits situation despite never communicating that clearly.
When I ask for universal advice for young women who are trying to date in this godforsaken city, Traynor cuts to the chase. “It’s time to put yourself first! Prioritize your own needs and wants over those of potential matches. Be honest with yourself, bring up your concerns, and if they can’t meet your needs, it’s time to move on and find someone who can.”
Spending a short amount of time in the Facebook group caused me to go rapidly from jaded to terrified. All these men to look out for? Scammers à la Tinder Swindler abound! And I’m not alone — an anonymous poster asked how to trust a man they really like on Tinder after seeing all the group’s posts and becoming fearful. It’s surely an imperfect system, maybe one that scares Toronto daters more than it prepares them. But in a world where it’s a scary time to be a woman (hasn’t it always been?), it’s pretty great that women are coming together to look out for each other. If we don’t, who will?
Raptors’ legendary Bench Mob is reborn as team lands Jakob Poeltl in trade
Last night, former Raptors player Jakob Poeltl visited town as the San Antonio Spurs took on the hometown side at Scotiabank Arena. Sure, the Raptors won easily, but more importantly Spurs centre Poeltl got an extended and indefinite checkout at the hotel as the Raptors landed the tall Austrian centre in a trade.
Forget the past few weeks of mediocre play surrounded by never-ending questions about who might be traded. This trade is different.
For those who only decided to cheer for the team in the lead-up to the 2019 NBA championship, Poeltl was a popular Raptor and a key member of the so-called Bench Mob alongside a couple of fellas named Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. Poeltl, at that point, was Siakam’s closest friend on the team. Indeed, the word “bromance” was bandied about with these two, so good was their on-court chemistry and off-court friendship.
Reunited pic.twitter.com/WUrtEIUVIq
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 9, 2023
Other key members of the feared Bench Mob included Norman Powell, CJ Miles and Delon Wright. It’s a far cry from the bench strength of the team these days, which is one of the worst in the league, although also wracked with injuries including a season-ending injury to a player in Otto Porter Jr. protected to be a top performer.
Back then, the team was lead by Demar Derozan, Jonas Valanciunas, Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry and were often at or near the top of the league during the regular season thanks, in part, to a very deep and very exciting secondary unit coming off the bench. The team blew up later when Masai Ujiri worked some trade magic landing Kawhi Leonard and winning the team’s first championship and dropping Poeltl, Derozan, Wright and others in the process.
Back then the ACC would get loud and proud when the Bench Mob took over a game. They were fun. They were scrappy. They flew around the court. And they loved getting the opportunity to turn a game on its head by providing that immediate spark when they came in. What made it even more exciting was the fact that most of the Bench Mob were not even projected NBA players, let alone future all-stars and champions. Fred van Vleet was undrafted, Siakam way down in the NBA draft at 27, Powell was a second-round pick. This was a rag-tag group if ever there was one.
Poeltl was actually the most highly touted prospect of the group taken with the ninth overall pick. His return gives the team its first legit multi-dimensional centre (apologies to Khem Birch) since Marc Gasol left the team following its championship run.
There is a chance the team will trade Fred or other members of the team, but not a big one. And there is every reason to believe that the chemistry from the Bench Mob days will return at just the right team to take the team to the next level, secure a playoff spot and, at minimum, offer a real challenge to some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto is getting the world’s first NBA Courtside Restaurant
The National Basketball Association is getting in to the restaurant business and is announcing Toronto as the location of its first bona fide NBA Courtside Restaurant.
Described as a “premium, sports-inspired dining experience celebrating the NBA,” the new space is set to open this spring at 15 Queens Quay East, near the base of Yonge Street just south of the Raptors home gym at Scotiabank Arena.
The 10,000 square foot space will feature a premium, sports-inspired dining experience that will celebrate the NBA through custom art and decor, a modern food and beverage program, an exclusive retail space, outdoor and private dining, and more.
“There’s no better location for the first NBA Courtside Restaurant than Canada, where basketball has a rich history and tradition,” said Leah MacNab, NBA Canada senior vice-president. “We can’t wait to welcome fans and guests from around the world to this incredible venue, where they can celebrate their shared love of the game in a unique way through a delicious meal and welcoming atmosphere.”
NBA Courtside Restaurant will be operated by Toronto-based Urban Dining Group, a family-owned and operated business serving the Greater Toronto Area since 1989. Toronto-based chef Erica Karbelnik, who won Top Chef Canada Season 9 and Chopped Canada Season 3, will serve as NBA Courtside Restaurant’s Culinary Ambassador and will oversee the development of a globally inspired menu.
“It’s an honour to be a part of something in our city that is so special. Toronto loves the game. It’s part of our culture, and to showcase that in such a creative way is truly amazing,” said Karbelnik. “From the artwork and wine to the food, this is a Toronto gem that will continue our love and passion for basketball. I am lucky to be a part of the NBA Courtside Restaurant and am excited to see what the future holds with the NBA.”
According to information provided by the NBA, the new restaurant will “showcase the stages of an NBA player’s journey from dreamer to champion through artwork and décor inspired by the league and its influence on popular culture, including historic moments from NBA history.”
Artists such as KWEST and Victor Solomon will be featured. A large-scale Woodland pop art-style mural titled The Journey by Anishinaabe artist Jenny Kay Dupuis will be featured on one of the restaurant’s exterior walls. There will be NBA moments a-plenty for serious fans to enjoy. And, of course, a retail space with merchandise from 47 Brand, New Era, Mitchell & Ness and Wilson, and will feature a selection of prints and products featuring custom illustrations by Dupuis.
CaféTO is now permanent and includes permit fees phased in over three years
Last month when news broke that the CaféTO’s program was being made permanent but, with the addition of new amendments including a slew of fees, administration costs and infrastructure needs, it was met with criticism from restaurant operators who questioned the practicality of participating in 2023.
Yesterday at a council meeting, John Torry approved a motion that would offer a staggered approach to the program’s participation fees that would be phased in over the next three years with the full amount to be charged in 2025.
The fees that city staff initially recommended last month would have seen participating restaurants pay a one-time application fee of $865, as well as annual fees of $1,449 for a sidewalk cafe and $3,077 for a curb lane patio.
With the new motion, the city will reduce all permit and application fees by 66 per cent this year — one third of the program’s proposed amount — which means restaurants will now only pay a one-time application fee of $285. Permits will be set at $14.56 per square metre for sidewalk patios, and $43.70 per square mere for curb lane patios.
Council has also asked staff to study creating an additional fee tier for businesses that don’t have a liquor license or provided food service and operators will now have until August 1 to build an accessibility platform (instead of May 15).
“We are thankful for the efforts of City staff, the Mayor and Council who heard the concerns of our industry stakeholders and brought forth a phased approach to significantly reduce the financial impact of the proposed to CaféTO,” said Tracy Macgregor, VP of Ontario for Restaurants Canada. “Though we would have liked CaféTO fees deferred for another year to allow restaurants to get back on their feet, we will take yesterday’s announcement as a win for Toronto restaurants”
During the pandemic, CaféTO opened up Toronto’s streets to local restaurants, adding outdoor dining and additional space for spots struggling to operate during the harshest COVID-19 restrictions.
“The CaféTO program is a success story for our city and I am thrilled to see how it is evolving and improving as a permanent program,” said Mayor Tory in a statement. “The changes approved today will ensure that patio installations are beautiful, active and accessible, while also providing a much-needed grace period for businesses as we work together to transition into a a permanent and sustainable program that can be enjoyed by all for years to come.”
Planning to renovate? We’re Here For You
Home represents a space where you feel safe, comfortable, and inspired. It’s more than a space to live — it’s a place where you build your memories, share unique moments with loved ones, and where you can feel inspired to live your life in the way that represents what you value and suits you best.
At Yorkville Design Centre, we know that perfectly — and that’s why we work enthusiastically with our clients to make every space special and unique for each of them.
With the new year, we wanted to bring a piece of Yorkville Design Centre to your home, to let you meet us and have the opportunity to see what we can do for you. In our new brochures that we’re sharing with you in the latest Post City Magazines publication, you can find some of our recent interior renovations and new built projects where we have worked creatively alongside clients to get the perfect result.
We’re proud to be a close-knit team of designers and architects at Yorkville Design Centre, inspired to work together to create unique designs for our discerning clients. The creativity and knowledge of the latest 3D software of our youngest team members, together with the experience and artistic view of the more veteran associates, allows us to provide the best and most outstanding outcome for our clients. Having the highest standard of quality of cabinetry from Downsview Kitchens — for which we are the exclusive retailer in Toronto — is an additional asset, providing top of the line finishes in all of our designs.
If you have a project in mind, now is the time!
If you’re thinking of renovating your kitchen, bathrooms, closets… or if you are planning to build a new house, Yorkville Design Centre is here for you. We can help you from exteriors to interiors, designing spaces that will be beautiful, functional and that will reflect your personality.
When you book a consultation with us, we start by meeting with you to discuss and understand what you see as the needs of your space. Then, we measure and draw up conceptual ideas for your new space in 3D. We use the latest 3D software to ensure we are able to communicate our design ideas in the most accurate manner, offering different variations or possibilities for your space and providing a walk through to visualize your new space in real time. We prepare detailed quotes for our Downsview Kitchens cabinets based on our consultation with you and the designs we create. Additionally, we also provide you with interior design services to finish the space, including shopping for the right products and periodically reviewing the installation of cabinetry and completion of the envisioned design.
At Yorkville Design Centre we care about details, and we make sure to be up to date with the latest technologies and advances that can be included in our designed projects. We work hand in hand with our clients before and during the process to fulfill their needs and achieve the finest result.
Visit our showroom at 87 Avenue Rd., inside Yorkville Village shopping mall — across from the south entrance of Whole Foods — and start giving shape to your dream project. We will be happy to assist you with any inquiries. To contact us, and for more examples of Yorkville Design Centre completed projects, visit our website: https://www.yorkvilledesigncentre.ca. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Where Toronto’s Michelin-recognized chefs eat cheap: Daniele Corona of Don Alfonso 1890
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!
Executive chef Daniele Corona, recently awarded a Michelin star for Don Alfonso 1890 —named as the “best Italian restaurant in the world outside of Italy,” 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 Daniele Corona wants to eat at: Cibo Wine Bar
“I love Cibo Wine Bar as a destination for Torontonians and their families to enjoy a fun and affordable meal,” Corona told us. And when it comes to menu highlights, the Neapolitan chef has a soft spot for the pie. “The pizzas are my favourite,” he said. And it’s no wonder, the menu is stacked with 15 different options to choose from.
Cibo Wine Bar
With three locations in Toronto, Cibo Wine Bar is a member of the Liberty Entertainment Group’s robust list of restaurants. It’s been a longtime favourite for those in search of rustic Italian fare in a relaxed, upscale setting. Start with a glass of red, white, rose or sparkling wine, available in a five- or nine-ounce pour. Prefer the whole bottle? There are more than 175 exclusive wines by the bottle to choose from, originating from various regions of Italy and the rest of the world. A robust wine bar first, Cibo also has a fantastic selection of house-made cocktails, spirits and beers. On the menu, you’ll find plenty of shareables, like the selection of salumeria (various italian meats and an assortment of hard and soft cheeses served with olives) or timeless classics like the arancini (rice balls stuffed with ragu and melted mozzarella). There are also more than 20 handmade pastas, including ravioli stuffed with lobster, lemon, béchamel and lobster cream sauce. 522 King St. W., 133 Yorkville Ave., 2472 Yonge St.
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.
