This new restaurant serves Peruvian takes on classic dishes

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10:12 am

Peruvian-inspired dining is the name of the game at Nuna, a new Queen West spot.

Think Southern American takes on tuna tartare, shrimp bites and marinated octopus, alongside adventurous offerings like duck green rice that combine local and imported ingredients. The new spot also offers an extensive, Latin-inspired cocktail menu, organic wine, local brews and a newly launched brunch. It all can be enjoyed on the cute, Instagram-worthy patio, complete with bright umbrellas and picnic tables.

Other must-try dishes include the shareable pork bao, made with miso mayo, pickle turnip, pork belly and sweet & sour sauce. It can also be made vegetarian, swapping the pork for a portobello mushroom. Or, opt for the shrimp risotto, crafted with arborio rice, garlic wine shrimp sauce, red bell pepper, peas and cilantro.

To satisfy a sweet tooth, Nuna offers two Peruvian desserts. The Peruvian flan is mouthwatering and sweet, made with a creamy caramel custard. And, there’s also a tres leches cake, a super sweet sponge cake made with a sweet milk mixture and homemade chocolate fudge.

The Parkdale restaurant’s owners, Sergio and Jasmine, split duties at Nuna, where Sergio helms the kitchen and Jasmine handles the service. They take each dish to the next level, with unique, photo-worthy presentation and a must-try pisco sour. The pair officially opened the restaurant in May.

Nuna is located at 1265 Queen St. W.

This Toronto ice cream pop-up is run by two sweet sisters

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Erica Commisso

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10:52 am

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With ice cream season in full swing, two sisters from Port Carling have scooped out their corner of the Toronto market with their Instagram-worthy shop, Bar32.

Sisters Sydney and Chloe Carron took their sweet treats from pop-ups in Port Carling to a Toronto pop-up on Macpherson Ave., where they serve handmade, artisanal ice cream bars in weekly rotating flavours alongside a wide variety of scoop flavours. The list of flavour offerings can be found on the website.

Inside the space, the walls are decorated with cute, family-style photos on a gallery wall, and a block-letter decoration displaying the prices for scoops and bars.

Bar32 originated as a Port Carling warm weather special, popping up last summer to serve the handmade bars out of a renovated, ice cream-ready trailer the sisters operated in Muskoka. Last summer, Chloe and Sydney partnered with The Maddie Project to create a unique, blueberry-based bar that sent all proceeds to the charity, which supports youth mental health initiatives in the Muskoka community.

The Bar32 pop-up is spending the summer at 3 Macpherson Ave. in the Summerhill neighbourhood, joining the likes of businesses like Grandma Loves You, Sam James Coffee Bar, Nadege Patisserie and more.

Art Gallery of Ontario unveils its first public art commission inspired by Jumbo the elephant

By

Nisean Lorde

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10:44 am

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The Art Gallery of Ontario’s (AGO) first-ever public art commission is near-life-sized replica of Jumbo the circus elephant, teetering on a ball. The bronze sculpture by contemporary artist Brian Jungen, titled Couch Monster: Sadzěʔ yaaghęhch’ill, can be found at the corner of Dundas and McCaul streets (adjacent to the AGO) in downtown Toronto.

It’s Jungen’s first large-scale work in bronze and is meant to be a poetic tribute to the plight of creatures in captivity.

According to Jungen, creating work for a public space is freeing and the process has been refreshing. “The foundry did an outstanding job translating leather to bronze. Like the leather couches, the more people engage with the work, the more the bronze patina will change over time,” Jungen said.

He modeled second-hand leather furniture into the figure of the performing elephant—standing at five-and-a-half meters long and 4 meters tall.

“I want people to lounge on and explore and really embrace this Couch Monster – it is yours and I am so thrilled to have it live here in the years to come,” Jungen added. The sculpute was inspired by the story of Jumbo, a captive circus elephant killed by a train in St. Thomas, Ontario, in 1885. Jungen calls this creature a “couch monster”—he says captivity of any kind is transformative and will inevitably break the spirit and will of the captured. The work’s ‘Dane-zaa’ subtitle, “Sadzěʔ yaaghęhch’ill”, translates to “my heart is ripping.”

?The Couch Monster is here! We’re unbelievably excited to welcome our first-ever public art commission, a new sculpture by acclaimed contemporary artist Brian Jungen. Couch Monster: Sadzěʔ yaaghęhch’ill (2022) is Jungen’s first large-scale work in bronze. https://t.co/EtLL6uHD5P pic.twitter.com/zwLkRwF5fD

— Art Gallery of Ontario (@agotoronto) June 20, 2022

Jungen completed a full size prototype at his studio in March 2020, from where it was transported to the Walla Walla Foundry in Washington state to be cast in bronze. The work arrived in Toronto this month (June 2022). At Jungen’s request, the installation was blessed in an intimate ceremony led by Dr. Duke Redbird, an Elder of the Saugeen First Nation.

Check the stunning new sculpture by #brianjungen unveiled @agotoronto COUCH MONSTER: SADZĚʔ YAAGHĘHCH’ILL, an essential addition to Tkaronto. ?Ceremony, blessing, poetry by Dr. Duke Redbird, Elder of Saugeen First Nation w/B. Jungen of Dane-zaa Nation.
Buds Brian & L.Chinfen? pic.twitter.com/ZoFrp8FsVO

— Sook-Yin Lee (@sookyinlee) June 20, 2022

The sculpture is located near the AGO entrance and will be accompanied by a descriptive panel, written in Anishinaabemowin and English. Click here for more details about the sculpture. Click here for more on the AGO.

Taste of the Danforth just got cancelled for 2022 and postponed until next year

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Megan Gallant

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6:25 pm

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After months of conversation with the city to figure out how to get Taste of the Danforth up and running again, the Greektown on the Danforth Business Improvement Area announced today that the event has been cancelled this year.

“The [BIA’s] Board of Management has determined the best way to ensure the long-term success of the festival is to postpone restarting it until 2023,” the BIA wrote in a statement on Twitter. The short timeline available to adapt the event to the changes in the street meant that Taste of the Danforth in 2022 was at too great a risk of not being as successful as in the past.”

Instead, the BIA will be hosting “localized” events within the neighbourhood.

GreekTown on the Danforth BIA moves to reimagine Taste of the Danforth for 2023#GreekTownBIA #GreekTownOnTheDanforthBIA #GreekTownCommunity #LocalLove #DanforthCommunity #GreekTownToronto #TasteoftheDanforth #Taste pic.twitter.com/ajl3NNa5EK

— GreekTown BIA (@GreekTownBIA) June 22, 2022

After two quiet summers without festivals filling our streets, it was only natural for Torontonians to show immediate enthusiasm at the announcement of the return of the Taste of the Danforth this August. But, with the City of Toronto’s CaféTO program and extended bike lanes taking up street space, there was talk the festival would not carry on as planned. Ironically, the program that saved a lot of struggling restaurants throughout the pandemic was the program that was hindering their success now.

To attendees, the Taste of the Danforth provides three days of tasting tables celebrating the best in Greek culture, music, and food, but for businesses in GreekTown, it’s three days of customers, profit and success. Streets of Toronto spoke to Patisserie La Cigogne, whose Danforth location isn’t even in the heart of the festival, earlier in June, and the eatery was grappling with the decision.

“We have to have more staff, be more mentally prepared and then inventory also needs to be prepared—we have to make more that weekend,” said store manager Juan Li, who runs the patisserie alongside her husband, Pastry Chef Thierry Schmitt. “I can’t even imagine how [restaurants] can do it during those times in the centre of GreekTown.”

Li’s patisserie itself has not benefited from CaféTO, the pandemic-inspired program that granted restaurants extra space in the streets for patios, stating she “luckily” has a corner spot with lots of patio space. But, she recognizes that it’s been beneficial to plenty of other businesses along the Danforth.

According to GreekTown on the Danforth BIA Executive Director, The Chair and the Board of Management of the BIA were previously in discussion with the city to make altercations so the festival could operate alongside CaféTO.

Uptown Yonge will have one of the longest strips of streetside patios in Toronto

City Councillor Paula Fletcher put out a statement on June 1 stating that she is “deeply committed” to the festival running in August. “I am pleased the City has offered to provide an event planner, and I am confident that working together we can make this great Toronto tradition happen once again.”

As a store manager, Li said that it’s not an easy decision to make, and removing CaféTO completely would not economically make sense. “We should use the least amount of the waste in labour and resources to do the maximum amount of profits.” She wondered earlier in June if the city shouldn’t remove the CaféTO patios, but rather just continue the festival around them. “There must be a way to work out for both sides.”

Most of all, though, Li is concerned about how this will affect GreekTown restaurants, despite some rumblings that not all businesses in the area were excited about the Taste of the Danforth’s return.

Li said earlier in June that the last thing she hoped was to see the festival cancelled completely. “The last couple of years were very hard for us. I think it’s hard for a lot of the food industry. And then some of these kinds of things can lighten up the gray sky, you know—sort of like you’re deep, deep in the tunnel and finally, there was an opening. Finally, there was some kind of festival happening, so we started to see the light.”

This experimental Toronto fashion brand has caught the eye of a few top athletes

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Julia Mastroianni

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3:08 pm

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@ggits/Instagram

There are plenty of fashion brands paying tribute to the city of Toronto, but the suburbs don’t get as much love. Experimental streetwear brand Going Ghost in the Suburbs (GGITS) is working to change that, and founder JR Koss and Dilan Manahan are bringing a whole new reputation to suburban street style (and collecting a whole bunch of celebrity fans in the process).

Beginning with basement production, Koss and Manahan have grown GGITS into a fashion label that is recognized across the country by professional athletes and streetwear aficionados.

“We both have been making clothes since high school. We were aware of each other back in the day, linked up on a couple of collaborations and one day we were like, ‘Let’s just run with it,’” explains Manahan.

The brand has been labelled as experimental by its founders, dabbling in everything from athletic wear to mohair sweaters. Manahan believes that the pieces should range from “hiking to hooping.”

They released their first capsule in March of 2018, titled “Ghosting Kit 001,” which included GGITS-branded pencils, a notebook and a plain black tee with crimson red font. Since then, they’ve expanded into mesh basketball shorts, design-heavy printed tops and COVID-related accessories. And they’ve already garnered some big-name fans.

Kitchener native and Orangeville Prep graduate Jamal Murray has been tearing up the NBA in recent years. As the floor general for the Denver Nuggets, Murray was awarded second-team all-rookie honours in 2017 and has led a playoff contender since 2018.

In conjunction with athlete empowerment platform Uninterrupted, Manahan and Koss outfitted Murray with a custom hat, shirt and shorts for a heart-warming video. The designs were drawn by Murray and brought to life by Manahan.

One of the first high-profile individuals to rock the brand was Toronto native and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He was seen wearing garments from GGITS in the brand’s early days, sparking a quick custom collection for Shai to bring to OKC.

Toronto rapper Killy, with over 300,000 followers on Instagram, has been an unofficial mascot for the brand since almost its inception, and wore the brand in one of his music videos.

“No matter what, we never box ourselves in. We don’t work in a traditional, seasonal way,” Manahan says. “Whatever challenges or opportunities are in front of us, we adapt and we use our instincts and impulses to do what we think fits.”

Coming from Burlington and Mississauga, the pair share a similar suburban upbringing. Manahan formerly worked in Toronto at an agency where he felt Toronto fashion was unnatural. This emotion sparked the foundations for GGITS.

“I was initially pretty rebellious against it,” said Manahan in response to how Toronto has shaped him. Instead of letting his notions of the city run his life, he decided to flip the script.

“Suburbs almost have this dome of protection where you don’t really get the absurdity or grit of the world. But, in your own way you’re interpreting the mysteries of life with a pretty heavy influence from nature and community.”

This mindset is what led Manahan and Koss to build GGITS the way they did. Their garments are true representations of what they are into and want to design. Backing themselves has allowed the consumers to see the brand for what they are.

In the near future, the Toronto fashion brand is hoping for more constant growth and to release some more adventurous products. They teased the idea of a few cool items being in the works. Regardless of what they release, it’s safe to say the pair are in love with it no matter what.

This GTA mainstay has been serving mouthwatering brunch since 2015

By

Erica Commisso

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12:55 pm

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If you’re in the mood for a benny, Ramona’s Kitchen has got you covered. Located at 7355 Bayview Avenue in Thornhill, Ramona’s Kitchen serves up traditional breakfast with a non-traditional twist, including 11 unconventional renditions of Eggs Benedict, omelettes, frittatas, French toast, pancakes, breakfast poutine, and an especially intriguing breakfast hotdog dubbed the Morning Frankfurter. Most dishes come with a side of their signature tri-coloured home fries, made up of sweet, Yukon, and Chilean purple potatoes.

In addition to its all-day breakfast/brunch menu, Ramona’s Kitchen also has a comprehensive lunch and dinner menu. So, there’s something for everybody, even ‘I’m not really an eggs person’ people.

At one point in time, Ramona’s Kitchen was one of the only dedicated brunch spots on Bayview, says owner Carlo Carlucci. Before opening Ramona’s Kitchen in 2015, Carlucci would host family brunches at his own home for lack of better options.

“The reason we opened up is we live in the neighbourhood,” he says. “We always thought it would be great to have a breakfast place on Bayview because every time we came out to go for breakfast there was nothing on Bayview at that time.”

These days, brunch is a popular notion and new spots are cropping up periodically, but there is no breakfast quite like a Ramona’s Kitchen breakfast.

“We’ve been in the same location for seven years,” says Carlucci. “We’re doing fairly good. We were one of the top breakfast places in the GTA for a few years.”

Meanwhile, a new location of Ramona’s Kitchen is in the works. The new location at 1608 Bayview Avenue is slated to open its doors sometime in September. Carlucci will be managing the new location in Leaside, while Ramona herself (yes, she’s real!), will manage the Thornhill location. Both locations will have the same menu.

“We want it to be on Bayview. We don’t want to go anywhere else right now,” says Carlucci. “Ramona’s Kitchen is a mom-and-pop shop. We don’t want to open up all over the place.”

In the meantime, you can pop into the Thornhill location for brunch, lunch, or dinner from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.

This Parkdale live music venue and restaurant is back and better than ever

By

Erica Commisso

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11:34 am

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Parkdale is home to a new/old friendly neighbourhood dive bar, ideal for music lovers looking to cool off with good drinks and some Southern-inspired comfort foods. Housed in the former Gianna’s space, Tenny’s is a landmark live music venue, exuding the homey vibe of a tried-and-true local watering hole, typical of spots in the cool and gritty west Toronto neighbourhood. But, it takes the offerings to the next level by offering some one-of-a-kind experiences.

“The stage, back patio, floating bar in the centre of the space, the food, the service, the people, take your pick,” says owner Max Rimaldi, an industry veteran with his hands in a ton of Toronto-based ventures including Pizzeria Libretto, Enoteca Sociale, Rosalinda and Bar Isabel. He was also the owner of Tennessee Tavern, which was in the space before Gianna’s moved in.

“The name Tenny’s is a throwback to Tennessee Tavern. Locals would say ‘meet you at Tenny’s’ and so it stuck.”

Officially opening its doors on June 10, the spot has already hosted a slew of local musicians and cover bands and is looking forward to eventually securing some original bands and even hosting an open mic. Stop by for the live music and stay for the food and drinks, with a menu offering everything from small plates and sandwiches to fully-loaded burgers and desserts. Pub food favourites include nachos, ballpark pretzels, wings and for all the Tennessee Tavern stans: pierogis.

Tenny’s even has a milkshake machine, but it’s not for whipping up what you think. It’s for blending the frothiest, iciest cocktails. Try the bestselling iced tea or the cucumber smash either as a standalone cocktail or a pitcher to share with a larger group – perfect for the summer season. Are cocktails not your thing? Tenny’s has all your favourite local beers on tap, too.

The capacity of the space is around 200, with a hideaway back patio, typical of many Parkdale spots so bring all your friends and family and enjoy the comfortable, expansive space with just the right amount of rocker kitsch.

“This is a special project for many of us, as live music took a big hit with COVID. We think it’s time to support them and welcome back musicians and music lovers everywhere.”

Swing by Tenny’s at 1554 Queen Street West to check out the revived space.

A popular Toronto restaurant is re-branding to a funky cocktail bar

By

Erica Commisso

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2:00 pm

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Nuit Social was a mainstay on the Queen West strip for the past eight years until the owners decided it was time for a re-brand. The spot was known for its modern comfort foods, made with fresh, local ingredients, specialty cheese and charcuterie from around the world, complimentary wine and one-of-a-kind cocktails in a cozy space with a stained glass accented bar. But, now, it’s taking on a new identity, Florette.

Nuit Social Florette — west_queen_west on Instagram

The team took to Instagram to make the announcement. “Nuit Social family. After 8 incredible years on Queen West, we’re transforming our space into Florette – funky food & cocktails, made with seasonal ingredients,” the post, dated May 16, reads. “We hope you’ll join us this week for the pop-up and one last celebration of the Nuit Social space.”

But, now that Nuit Social is no more, patrons have a new spot to explore, Florette, a space for funky food and cocktails. For now, Florette has been doing pop-ups to trial their fresh, seasonal menu like the June 26 prix fixe tasting menu with optional wine pairings, happening in collaboration with Bar Mignonette, the Dundas West sister restaurant to Patois. While the team behind Florette works away on the renovations, you can snag tickets for the pop-up and select from the small but mighty menu featuring oysters, fresh sardines, melon salad, fresh sourdough bread, lamb and so much more.

Florette’s actual brick-and-mortar is set to open in July 2022, so keep an eye on their Instagram page for updates. If the branding on their website and social media is any indication, the spot will be bright and fun, with a sort of kitschy-cool 70s vibe, perfect for a night out with friends or a unique date spot.

Midtown is getting a new organic gourmet health food grocery store and it’s pretty sweet

By

Megan Gallant

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1:00 pm

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When The Sweet Potato, the organic grocer found in the Junction, first opened its doors back in 2007, it was well ahead of its time. This was before oat milk lattes were on every menu, tofurkey was easy to find on grocery shelves and plant-based meant more than just the bottom of a garden. Now that organic, healthy food is more popular than ever, The Sweet Potato is meeting the demand by expanding into its second location.

This grocer is all about accessibility. The Sweet Potato caters to everyone following vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets and it’s all without the over-the-top pricing typically found with high-quality food.

“I was raised by a single mom who was really into organics and health foods, like, thirty years ahead of the trend,” says CEO Digs Dorfman, “and I watched over the years as health foods became a privilege of the wealthy.”

Dorfman first noticed the demand for organics through his role at the High Park Organic Market in 2005 and after running the market for a few summers, he decided to create something that would provide these options to the Junction all year round.

Between the relationships he had built with the community and Ontario farmers through the market, Dorfman created The Sweet Potato to “provide,” as he says, “an outlet where the whole system would be fair to everyone,” with fair pricing for customers and for the organic farms.

In 2017, The Sweet Potato moved to a much larger space to meet the demands of a world that is more conscious of the food being consumed. Dorfman states he has noticed a huge increase in demand for not only how food is grown but where it comes from.

That’s why The Sweet Potato, according to Dorfman, is focused on finding food that is sourced both “cleanly and ethically as possible,” while also being grown as close to home as possible.

The Sweet Potato’s second location is preparing to open this November near Bayview and Eglinton, just “a hop, skip and a jump” from where Dorfman went to high school. He labels the Leaside-Bayview area as a “very strong, tight-knit community” that mirrors the neighbourhood of the original location in the Junction.

“We’re really excited to be a part of it. We think we’re going to provide something really special for the community.”

Inside a $1.2 million nostalgic lakefront cottage in the heart of Haliburton

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Julia Mastroianni

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11:13 am

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On the northern tip of Haliburton Lake, nestled in the heart of Ontario cottage country, 6252 Haliburton Lake Rd. is a delightful find.

Listed at $1,199,900, this year-round three-bedroom, two-bathroom lakefront cottage is built for entertaining. It features a breathtaking waterfront with expansive big-lake views, a private second floor primary suite, a spacious loft, lakeside hot tub and a bunkie with an infrared sauna.

Throughout the house, you’ll enjoy the charming nostalgia of mid-century modern design combined with luxury finishes that provide for a classic and comfortable experience.

In the open plan living area, notice the beautiful vaulted ceilings and loads of natural light that pour in through the wall-to-wall windows and three sliding doors with main patio access.

There’s also plenty of space for fun – play a game of foosball or enjoy spending time with loved ones by the wood burning fireplace.

The spacious kitchen comes with all that’s needed to create and enjoy a delicious meal to share with family and friends.

The open-concept kitchen and dining area offer direct access to a second patio, outdoor seating, and the beautiful leafy forest. You can easily picture yourself enjoying a Sunday brunch here!

Here’s the spacious primary queen-sized suite. Notice how the warm sunshine streams in through the Juliet balcony. What’s more, it includes ample closet space and a four-piece ensuite bathroom.

The two other large queen-sized bedrooms get plenty of sunlight as well, each with views of the lake.

Children will find access to a fun loft area where they can escape to stay entertained.

The main patio offers ample space for relaxing in the midday sun or dining al fresco in the evening glow.

Of course, no cottage would be complete without a lakeside fire pit that’s perfect for those chilly nights.

The waterfront has a shallow sandy beach area and dock for diving, swimming, and relaxing where you’ll enjoy plenty of sunshine as you soak up expansive views of Haliburton Lake. You can check out the property on Instagram or visit the Airbnb listing here.

6252 Haliburton Lake Rd. is listed with Andrew Hodgson of Century 21 Granite Realty Group Inc., Brokerage, Minden.

Toronto Summer Guide: The city’s best shops & sales

By

lindsaylow

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1:33 pm

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Superb markets

Hippie Market Life
This regular outdoor market is home to some of the coolest summer pieces. Vintage clothing and jewelry vendors set up racks in new, surprise pop-up locations each week.

Toronto Artisan Market
From handwoven baskets to paintings and eco-friendly skin care, this weekly market is a non-profit organization for promoting local artists and artisans in the community.

Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
Featuring the work of 400 juried artists along with music, food and dancing, the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair is back with a bang this year at Nathan Phillips Square from July 15-17. Browse the incredible work of local artists and enjoy a performance or two and a stop at a beer garden.

Leslieville Flea
This flea market hosts over 1,000 attendees and has some of the city’s best vendors. Look for jewelry, art and handcrafted goods among the endless clothing and furniture options.

Our antique hunter’s handbook

Heritage Antique Show
This organization is almost an antique itself! Heritage Antique Shows have been around since 1976, featuring arts, furniture, silver and lighting dealers alongside antiques. Don’t miss the summer shows this year, scheduled for July 1 and Aug. 7. 6464 Yonge St.

Mt. Pleasant antique alley
If you’re walking down Mount Pleasant Road, you’ll happen upon a plethora of antique shops with countless treasures. Try Bernardi’s Antiques, Maison Nurita, Alexandre Antique Prints or Jacaranda Tree & Co.’s curated antique section. 569-699 Mt. Pleasant Rd.

Parkdale Sunday Market
Located at the Parkdale Hall, this market is a shopping destination you won’t want to miss. Featuring some of the GTA’s top vendors, you’ll find collectibles alongside jewelry, arts, crafts and more. Keep an eye out for a potential outdoor market expansion! 1605 Queen St. W.

Flower power

Toronto Flower Market
Inspired by the flower markets of the U.K., this market brings Old World charm with a touch of New World freshness. Enjoy 40 unique vendors near Trinity Bellwoods Park.

The Rosé Picnic
Try drinking and dressing like roses this summer at Canada’s largest premium picnic. On Aug. 6, enjoy wine and dance the day away in a sea of pink and white!

Robintide Farms
Located in Vaughan, Robintide Farms is offering two stunning flower experiences this summer. You can cut your own flowers for a bouquet or two to brighten up your home at their flower farm. Then, in August, visit again for a trip through the farm’s Sunflower Walk for a sunny adventure fit for toddlers and adults alike!

Vintage finds from tie-dye, jean shorts to sandals & more!

Printed Crop
Odd Finds General is a vintage shop that also features a few curated vendors. That includes this Poison & Dye crop top, made with natural dyed textiles and plant prints. 1178 Bloor St. W.

Levi’s cut-offs
Nothing screams warmer weather like a quality pair of denim shorts. At Ninety Six Tears Vintage, opt for these seven-inch denim Levi shorts, which look good with a sneaker or sandal. 1267 Bloor St. W.

Tie-dye tank
Try this retro 1990s tie-dye tank top perfect for a music festival or beach day from Lost Boy Vintage. Dress it down with a leather jacket for a rocker-chic evening look. 38 Kensington Ave.

Summer sandals
Come to I Miss You Vintage for quality leather goods like bags and shoes — including these Valentino espadrilles in electric blue, on sale for $285. 63 Ossington Ave.

Rep the 6ix
In Vintage We Trust has a keen eye for historically relevant silhouettes and offers a ton of band T-shirts and sports jerseys. Grab a retro T.O. T for a dose of nostalgia. 1580 Queen St. W.

For a guide to the best events happening in Toronto this summer, click here.

A new woman-run dessert boutique just opened in Toronto

By

Erica Commisso

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12:41 pm

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Toronto entrepreneur Angela Phung took ice cream season to the next level with her latest venture, Happy Sundae.

Phung, who also operates aka.the store, recently debuted her new dessert boutique to the King West crowd, serving up farm-to-table scoops with fresh and unique toppings. “Happy Sundae is a little happy place located at 85 Portland St. Toronto,” the website reads. “AKA, King West’s newest ice cream dessert heaven, specializing in soft serve ice cream and a wide range of toppings. Whether it’s in a cone or cup, our Sweet Artists are ready to create your next dessert masterpiece because everyday [sic] is a Happy Sundae.”

Of course, in typical Phung fashion, the shop is nothing if not trendy, complete with a graffiti wall and Instagram-worthy floral accents. The decorations serve as the perfect backdrop to each Sweet Art of the Day creation, crafted in sundaes or colourful flavoured cones in flavours like s’mores sundae and orange creamsicle.

Both scoop and soft-serve options are available, with the scoop selection made by Mapton’s Organic Dairy Farm and the soft-serve flavours hand-crafted in-house daily. The soft-serve selection is both dairy-free and gluten-free, as are all of the flavoured cones. And, the Mapton’s offerings are gluten-free and are even made without salt, creating a healthier selection of ice creams for health-conscious visitors this summer season.

The core team at Happy Sundae is comprised of Phung, a chef and a food scientist, who all work together to create what they call magic, taking shape in some of the most unique flavour combinations the city has to offer.

Happy Sundae is located at 85 Portland St.