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This food delivery service is redefining takeout in Toronto

By
Marlene Mendonca
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Ah, the decision to eat out or stay in, get take-out or delivery in Toronto is like a Maple Leafs-Canadiens game on a Saturday night – it divides families and incites debates about quality versus comfort. Well, you can put that discourse on hold, because Chefdrop is here to provide you with the best of both worlds.

Chefdrop is redefining what it means to order in. They curate meal kits (called Drops) prepared by some of Toronto’s most acclaimed chefs and deliver them to your door, either with no prep required or a few simple steps that can be completed in minutes.

Each Drop is pre-portioned and comes complete with the exact ingredients used at the restaurant, plus they provide step-by-step instructions. The Drops are also scalable, meaning that no matter the occasion, there is a Drop that is perfect for any time of day or event. 

But enough about the logistics. Let’s get into the food. Drops are currently available from Rob Gentile, guest judge on MasterChef Canada and Top Chef Canada Nuit Regular of Pai, Victor Barry of Piano Piano, former Top Chef contestant Elia Herrera of Colibri, Phil Nguyen of Nuoc Mam, John Sinopoli of Ascari and Gare de l’Est, Ontario Hospitality Industry’s Top 30 under 30 winner Michael Angeloni of Amano Italian Kitchen and Union Chicken, private chef and TV personality Adrian Forte, Hans Vogels of Momofuku Noodle Bar, and many more. If you don’t see a name that tickles your fancy on this list, check back frequently, as Chefdrop is constantly adding new chefs and restaurants to the roster. Better yet, let your favourite chef or restaurant know about Chefdrop. At the end of the day, it’s all about supporting local.

Chefdrop is also perfect for those who live a little further away from their favourite restaurant and don’t want to be bothered with the hassle of driving/transiting into the city. 

Drops range from $25.95 for Union Chicken’s Piri Piri Chicken with Herb Roasted Potatoes and Southern Coleslaw to $350 for Rob Gentile’s Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, Polpo Alla Griglia & Signature Tiramisu Dinner Party. Deliveries are made on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. There is a $9.99 delivery fee for service within the delivery zone (most of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas) and free shipping for all orders over $100. Specifics on delivery times can be found here. 

If you haven’t ordered your first Drop and are looking for another reason to eat some delicious food, Chefdrop is running a promotion to celebrate Thanksgiving. Visit Chefdrop.ca and use code “thanksgivingdrop” at checkout for 30% off your first order of $50 or more until Oct.31, 2021.

Chefdrop also helps to feed those in need through the Drop for Drop program. The group has partnered with Youth Forward, Out of the Cold, OYÀ:NA Youth Group, and We Care to get meals to those who need them all over Southern Ontario. 

More recently, Chefdrop has partnered with Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization with 35 years of experience in perishable food recovery. Working with Second Harvest, Chefdrop has been able to connect people and food by donating a meal for every order placed.  

Whether you’re looking to support your favourite chef or looking to finally stake that balance between going out and staying in, why not try Chefdrop tonight?

Great Toronto film festivals happening this fall from scary to silent

By
Ron Johnson
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film festival
An Ideal Host

If you’re already missing the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) that ended in September, you may be happy to hear that there are many upcoming film festivals gearing up to inspire, entertain, and spook you this fall in Toronto.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival

Toronto After Dark is a beloved film festival in its 15th year of screening horror, sci-fi and action films from around the world. Each year, 10,000 people attend and participate in the festival. It all kicks off on Oct. 13 and runs until Oct. 17. For the first time, the event is entirely virtual as a safety precaution against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although this changes the experience, it also allows for the films to be enjoyed by moviegoers across the country. The complete 2021 lineup, tickets, and passes are all expected to become available by Oct. 6. The festival will screen 12 movies (10 feature films, and 2 collections of shorts), which will include filmmaker introductions and other bonus features. Every afternoon throughout the festival, two or three new films will be added to the online streaming portal.

Toronto Indie Horror Festival

 

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Another one for lovers of the spooky season, the Toronto Indie Horror Festival is set to take place Oct. 6-9. The DIY festival has been screening independent horror films from across the world since 2016. This year, the event will showcase works from Canada, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Turkey, and more. All feature film screenings are accompanied by a short film. The event will take place at Eyesore Cinema, a communal space at Bloor and Dufferin that sells and rents movies. This year’s festival includes screenings of the scary Australian flick An Ideal Host as well as Massacre Academy (USA), and many more.

Toronto Silent Film Festival

Founded in 2009, the Toronto Silent Film Festival returns to Revue Cinema, showcasing adored and acclaimed silent films. Unlike previous years, where the festival ran from Friday to Monday, the event will comprise three mini-festivals over three weekends in November, December, and January. The six screenings will be accompanied by live music in the cinema. On Nov. 6, the festival will showcase 1000 Laffs Comedy Shorts, featuring the works of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. On Sunday, Nov. 7, the festival will be screening Moulin Rouge (1928 UK).

Great Canadian Sci-Fi Film Festival

 

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The Great Canadian Sci-Fi Film Festival is part of a series that runs at the Royal Cinema on College St. Watch their self-proclaimed “out of this world” short films and take photos on the red carpet on Nov. 5. Look out for the Great Canadian Comedy Film Festival that runs December 2-5.

New Bloor West vintage shop location is expanding its affordable and accessible secondhand mission

By
Julia Mastroianni
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The shop's new location opened at 687 Bloor St. W. last month.

UPDATE: On March 16, David Cho was charged in connection with two violent sexual assaults, one in Richmond Hill in 2014 and one in Mississauga in 2013. Cho is being charged with two counts of kidnapping, two counts of sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault causing bodily harm, two counts of uttering threats to cause death, two counts of disguise with intent, two counts of robbery and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was charged on March 11, and appeared in Newmarket court on March 17.

David Cho remembers folding clothes at his father’s store when he was in grade four or five, sometimes even going behind the register to cash some customers out. At the time, Cho, the owner of Final Touch Vintage, might have thought of these tasks as meaningless chores to help out a family member, but he ended up laying the foundation for what would become his career.

Final Touch Vintage launched in 2018 at 1269 Bloor St. W., and the vintage clothing selection is more highly curated than other secondhand shops out there. You likely won’t have to spend hours sorting through endless racks and piles of clothes to find the perfect pair of jeans or a unique new dress to add to your collection – and you also won’t have to spend an arm and a leg either. Final Touch recently expanded to a Bloor St. W. location, and Cho has plans for much more. The shop found its footing after Cho developed a friendship with a fellow vintage seller.

After his pro-golf dreams were cut short by a hand injury, Cho had to re-imagine his life beyond sport. While working for his father, he was buying from smaller online retailers when he met Sam Kauffman, another vintage seller. “I just [messaged] him, or I think he [messaged] me,” Cho explains, and, as they say, the rest is history. They had worked together a few times when they realized they got along really well, not only from a business perspective but also as friends, prompting them to open Final Touch Vintage three years ago.

Kauffman departed during the pandemic, leaving Cho as the sole owner. Cho says not much has changed since ownership changed, saying that he prefers to get a lot of input from his staff when making any business decisions. The same goes for the selection of the merchandise, as he confers with employees and stylists to be up-to-date on trends.

The store, which its clean and bright interior and colour-coded racks, prices its clothes competitively so that patrons don’t feel like their wallets are being gouged. Items range between around $15 to $40, with special deals for two items with the same colour tag. On sunny days, the massive front window illuminates the interior and a cool breeze enters through the open door, past the hand sanitizer and table full of cozy knits. The deliberate simplicity of the store, in its design and in its curation, is exactly what Cho wanted to accomplish. Having seen both the good and bad in the industry while working with his father, he didn’t feel the need to reinvent the wheel, as he already understood his customer base.

“Most of my clothing is black,” he says of his own personal style. “I do not wear bright colours, but I do appreciate fashion.” Cho may not be a “niche fashionista” himself – he sees himself as more of a “entrepreneur-slash-capitalist” – but he does have a sixth sense for what would look good on other people. Speaking of doing final quality checks of the store’s potential merchandise, Cho says, “I could, in a split second, maybe a nanosecond, picture someone wearing it.”

Since it’s opening three years ago, Final Touch Vintage has spent almost two-thirds of that time in a pandemic, but that hasn’t slowed Cho’s vision down at all. They opened a second location at 687 Bloor St. W. only a month ago, beating out some larger corporations to the highly-coveted Bloor West lease since the landlord was partial to local small business owners. Cho is planning for another store in 2022. “I’m going to take it one store at a time, but, you know, eventually, I want to open 10 to 15 stores.”

Here are three stellar picks from Final Touch Vintage to spruce up your fall outfits:

Blue cashmere

This ultra-soft baby blue sweater can be paired with a pastel knit beret for a great monochrome look.

70s style

Looking for something more retro? This gold-accented look might fit the bill, paired with some flared red pants and patterned vest.

Colour-blocking

Who said purple and red don’t match? This outfit definitely proves otherwise with a semi-sheer patterned blouse and loose red trousers.

Giant walkable map of Toronto highlights months of new arts programming

By
Megan Gallant
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TAPA walkable map

Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) is giving Torontonians and visitors the chance to literally put themselves on the map and mark their place in the city through a new art installation outside the CN Tower. The TO BigCity Stage is a large 30-by-30 foot walkable map of Toronto that acts as a celebration of the diverse opera, dance, and theatre happening across the city.

The interactive map is part of TAPA’s All the City’s A Stage program and presents a perfect Instagram opportunity for anyone walking by. TO BigCity Stage is located on the public plaza between the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium.

 

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“The CN Tower is proud to be at the heart of a city that’s recognized around the world for its vibrant and diverse arts,” says Rob Ng, the CN Tower’s Director of Attractions. “We hope everyone will come and explore the TO BigCity Stage map and help us celebrate theatre arts and culture.”

Alongside the unveiling of the installation on Oct. 2, TAPA featured a pop-up performance of an excerpt of the new production Finding Home by Theatre Direct and Animacy Theatre Collective. Finding Home is the story of two chinook salmon best friends who are inseparable as they face all the challenges of living in the Humber River. It’s a story for all ages that will be put on in King’s Mill Park from Oct. 16 to 17.

 

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In partnership with Toronto branding agency Trajectory, the All the City’s A Stage initiative calls for people to re-engage with the city’s culture after the pandemic halted all in-person performances. This initiative is a city-wide celebration of dance, opera, and theatre and features pop-up performances and immersive experiences from September through December.

All The City’s a Stage launched last weekend with a series of pop-up performances at five Toronto libraries, before the opening of TO BigCity Stage.

“This is a hugely important time for Toronto as we slowly emerge from the pandemic, and All the City’s A Stage is an open invitation and reminder to all residents throughout the city that Toronto is home to an extraordinary array of performing arts—from world-renowned theatre, opera and dance companies to lively neighbourhood offerings,” says Jeannette Hanna, chief strategist at Trajectory.

Celebrity chef Mark McEwan’s company files for creditor protection

By
Christine Hogg
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Chef Mark McEwan

The company behind one of Toronto’s most well-known celebrity chefs, Mark McEwan, has filed for credit protection after the COVID-19 pandemic brought on a “liquidity crisis” throughout his Toronto restaurants, catering company, and gourmet grocery store, BNN reports.

McEwan Enterprises Inc. filed for Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) at the end of September. The company currently owns six restaurants in Toronto, including Fabbrica, One, Bymark, and Diwan, as well as a grocery chain, McEwan Fine Foods.

Throughout the course of the pandemic, McEwan was vocal on social media about the lengthy pandemic-related shutdowns that forced restaurants across the city to curb indoor dining.

According to BNN, McEwan intends to re-purchase McEwan Enterprises Inc. under a new numbered company (2864785 Ontario Corp.). By doing so, he would retain a staff of 268 employees “while reducing lease obligations with fewer grocery and restaurant locations.”

Toronto will be home to the first public art installation NFT in history with a 100-foot video

By
Megan Gallant
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Continuum, Toronto 2021 by Krista Kim and Jeff Schroeder.

This October, Toronto’s History Museum is continuing its lineup of breathtaking artwork with new exhibits for the Awakening program. As part of the lineup, this weekend, Fort York National Historic Site will display its largest ever sound and light installation with the Continuum art project.

This installation comes from Toronto-based artist Krista Kim and features original music composed by Jeff Schroeder, guitarist of well-known American alternative rock band Smashing Pumpkins. The installation is the first public art installation NFT (non-fungible token) in history, and it will be auctioned off ahead of the display.

Continuum aims to bring healing and wellness to the community as the world begins to reopen and reconnect after a global pandemic that has disrupted regular life for so long. It features a 100-foot long LED healing wall of light and sound alongside the original Lakeshore line of Lake Ontario.

The art project represents a rebirth as it transforms the historic military fort into a light display that symbolizes a brighter future to come.

 

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Krista Kim is a contemporary artist based in Ontario. She is the founder of the Techism Movement, which recognizes technological innovation as a medium of art in itself. It merges art and technology in an experimental and phenomenal way.

Continuum is part of Toronto History Museum’s Awakening program, which is a series of art projects that explore untold stories and awaken new perspectives.  The projects are created by Black and Indigenous artists of colour with themes of anti-oppression, anti-racism and anti-colonialism.

Continuum will be on display for three days only. On Saturday, Oct. 2 and Sunday, Oct. 3, the exhibit will be open to the public from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., and from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 4. For those who cannot attend in person, there will be an online advance preview of the exhibit running on Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.

The project is free at the Fort York National Historic Site, though time-specific tickets must be booked in advance.

7 of the best events around Toronto check out this weekend

By
Julia Mastroianni
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@fallnleavesto

Fall is officially upon us and as sad as that may feel for some (we know others are fully embracing sweater season), this is not the time to despair the demise of sunny days. No matter the season, the city is always awash in things to do and this weekend is no exception. Here are seven things not to miss in the city this weekend.

Sip wine at a fall-themed pop-up downtown

Starting Friday ,Oct. 1 and running until the Oct. 17, the southwest corner of Bathurst and Richmond will be transformed into a fall-themed pop-up experience complete with pumpkin patch for those perfect autumnal selfies. There will be a wood fire BBQ pit and culinary offerings, include fall inspired pizzas, pastas and soups served in a squash or in a pumpkin. Every Friday and Saturday night after dark the pumpkin patch turns into a dance floor with a live DJ.

Explore Geary Avenue

Industrial at first glance, Geary Avenue is sneakily packed with gems (from craft beer to artisanal pasta). Check it out for yourself at the first-ever Geary Art Crawl happening from Ossington to west of Dufferin, this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. Presented by Toronto-based not-for-profit Uma Nota Culture, Geary Art Crawl is a weekend of music, art installations, pop-ups, food and more. The event is free save for the musical performances, and you can buy tickets for those here.

Get spooky at Casa Loma

 

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The grounds of Casa Loma will soon turn into a spine-tingling immersive theatrical experience, starting Friday and running until Oct. 31. Dubbed Legends of Horror, the spooky spectacle has the audience walking at their own pace through a two kilometre trail beginning in the lower gardens of Casa Loma and winding its way through the castle’s tunnels and darkest spaces never before open to the public. You never know what’s going to be around the next corner – so go prepared to be scared.

Harvest some beer

Apple picking not your thing? What if it was cans of beer going into your harvest basket? Coors Organic Beer Picking Farm, a farm-to-fridge experience happening this Saturday in one-hour reservable time slots will be offering visitors the chance to pick cans of Coors Organic while enjoying fall scenery and snapping some harvest pics. Afterwards, head to the Beer Farm Lounge for some fall comfort food and fun activities, paired with cold Coors Organic, of course.

Rediscover the city

Taking place from October 1-10, Attractions Week is a celebration of Toronto’s best attractions, from the larger well-known establishments to hidden gems. This year’s event will feature over 65 attractions across the GTA giving you the change to either discover (or rediscover) some of the best things to see and do in the city. Attractions range from art galleries and museums to food tours and much more.

Check out Forever Fest in the east end

Starting Friday and running through Sunday is Forever Fest, a celebration of Canadian culture at Maple Leaf Forever Park. Stop by to see some local live music (happening all three days), sip on Canadian-made beverages and fill up on Canadian foods (from donair to funnel cakes). Funds raised at the event will be in support of residential school survivors.

Head to Milton for some outdoor fun

Less than an hour from Toronto, Kelso Conservation Area in Milton will be home to the Hops and Harvest Festival Oct. 1-3 (rain or shine). The outdoor event will see local food, beverage and market vendors come together for a weekend of eating, drinking and supporting local businesses. There will also be live music, a campfire lounge and ideally, some fall colours to enjoy.

Toronto is getting a creepy two-week long Halloween cocktail pop-up and it’s free if you wear a costume

By
Christine Hogg
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0
black lagoon
Black Lagoon

A Halloween-themed pop-up complete with a selection of spooky cocktails, rotating burlesque shows, horror-drag and more is coming to Toronto.

The Black Lagoon is taking place from Oct. 14 to Oct. 31 at 866 Bloor St. West from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. Costumes are encouraged, but they’re not a requirement to enter, although they do waive the $20 entrance fee!

 

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The concept of the Black Lagoon is the brainchild of Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage, after the duo hosted their first pop-up in New Orleans in 2019. After waiting for two years due to COVID-19-related delays, they’re ready to bring the concept of a spooky Halloween soiree to Toronto, and have plans to expand the Black Lagoon through six cities in North America.

“After one of the shittest years in history, we’re putting together the Halloween pop-up of our bestest nightmares,” reads a recent Instagram post by Dolly Trolley Drinks founder and bartender Kelsey Ramage.

Founded in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the female-owned and operated Dolly Trolley Drinks provides high-quality bottle and cocktail kits delivered straight to your front door.

Starting Oct. 14, guests can enter the Black Lagoon, walking in through undersea vines dripping down from the entranceway, through the witch’s lair, where they’ll be seated in the midst of a graveyard full of the living dead.

Of course, the eight featured cocktails are all horrific (in a good way), from the blood-red Gates of Hell with Lot 40, house cherry liqueur, Italian bitters and vermouth, to the Green Monster with Teeling whiskey, melon, pineapple, and fizz.

The Hell or High Water cocktail.

The Darkness is an egg-white-based concoction of Sombra mezcal, tequila Tromba, aloe, lime juice, Scrappy’s black lemon bitters, and soda. The Hell or High Water is an egg white sour cocktail that sees Botanist gin infused with Haskap honey, lemon, and Amaro Lucano liqueur. The Eye For an Eye blends Lot 40 rye with bitter aperitif, house cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters.

All of the drinks are served in custom glassware, which is for sale through the ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ on-site. A green swirling sea-witch, a little skeleton, and the ‘Black Lagoon’ Mai Tai glass will all be available in the store, as well as pre-sale.

A selection of Halloween candy and cookies will also be served.

For more information on the Black Lagoon, click here!

This $4.795 million iconic cottage has 800 feet of frontage on Lake Muskoka

By
Julia Mastroianni
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The cottage at 3 Fairholm Island has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a dry-slip boathouse in the 1900s. The close proximity to the water make this historic property unique and one that can never be replicated again.

Licensed to LAR

Located within the historic Millionaire’s Row area of Beaumaris on Lake Muskoka, the island itself was originally bought by Pittsburgh residents in 1900 and eventually divided into three during the 1920s. The future buyers of 3 Fairholm will be just the third family to own this property since the original owners and its descendants called it home.

The five bedroom and three bathroom cottage has 4,460 square feet of interior living space. The main cottage is unique as it is partly built over the water. Outside, the future owners can enjoy 1.7 acres of land and a whopping 800 feet of shoreline on Lake Muskoka. It’s just half a kilometre boat ride from Mills Rd. Landing and is listed for a fitting $4.795 million.

It also features a 3,000 square foot private guest cottage!

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White walls, flooring and ceilings open up the living room. Glass doors provide unobstructed views of the water. Some of the doors feature the original glass from the period.

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The dining area has enough space for a 12-person table, which is ideal for large get togethers.

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After going through a remodel, the eat-in kitchen is ready for entertaining. It’s designed with custom cabinetry, a massive island and modern appliances.

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It also comes with a lakeside breakfast nook.

The perfect spot on the water for cocktails with sunset views.

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Many of the bedrooms are designed with beachy pastels and white finishes. Four of the five bedrooms face the water and have their own screened sleeping porch, where you can hear the water hitting the shore.

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This bathroom has a soaker bathtub.

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There’s plenty of space to enjoy both sunny and rainy days under the covered porch. It wraps around the cottage and provides close up views of the water.

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It leads to an uncovered area that’s perfect for barbecuing, dining and soaking in the sun.

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This property is a rare find. Its boathouse was originally a single-slip but was upgraded in the 90s to its luxe three-slip status.

3 Fairholm Island is listed with Gord Waites and Tracy Tennant of Johnston & Daniel Rushbrooke Realty, Brokerage, Port Carling.

Sunny’s Chinese just bought a spot in Kensington and is opening a new sister restaurant

By
Christine Hogg
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Sunny's Chinese

First coming onto the Toronto food scene as a pop-up in November 2020, Sunny’s Chinese is finally opening a brick-and-mortar storefront and is also currently working on opening a sister restaurant serving similar fare.

Known for serving up tasty dishes that highlight the distinctive cuisines of China’s different regions, Sunny’s Chinese will open at 60 Kensington Ave. in spring 2022.

“Sunny’s will be taking a small break before picking back up in Spring 2022 at our brand new digs,” reads a recent Instagram post. “We’re excited to be operating out of such an iconic Toronto location where we’ll be able to serve you the Sunny’s flavours you know and love. Here, we’ll focus on the wok and charcoal grill along with beer slushies and natural wines.”

In the meantime, Sunny’s will be working on opening its sister restaurant, Mimi Chinese. While there’s not yet a website or a menu listed for the new venture, Mimi’s Instagram page confirms that the spot will offer regional Chinese cuisine committed to “exploring the history and depth of China’s many provincial food cultures.”

 

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“Mimi was conceptualized before Sunny’s was even a twinkle in our eye,” the same post reads. “It’s been 2.5 years in the making, and it’s finally starting to feel like the timing is right. The MIMI menu will focus on regional Chinese cuisine with an emphasis on southern Chinese food, paired with great wine, sake, and cocktails. We know that those of you who have enjoyed Sunny’s will equally enjoy this new experience.”

Stay tuned for more details!

Jamaican favourite Patois is expanding with a new next-door venture

By
Christine Hogg
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0
Patois

Popular Jamaican restaurant Patois is expanding its brand in the Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood.

“Our new next-door space will be under the Patois umbrella, but patrons should expect different offerings,” a spokesperson for Patois confirmed to Post City.

The blue-grey two-story building located at 796 Dundas St. West was most recently occupied by Ciccio’s Pizza & Pasta, which has been permanently closed since 2020. The spot features an outdoor patio with space for approximately 20 diners if merged with the existing Patois patio space, which reopened for outdoor dining in June.

Patois is located at 794 Dundas St. West and is currently open for indoor and outdoor dining.

Stay tuned for more details!

 

We try out the Kardashian-approved medispa treatment coming to Toronto

By
Ron Johnson
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medspa bus

EmSculpt—the newest body contouring medispa technology for those seeking crunch-free six-packs and Brazilian-looking butts sans surgical lift—has made cameos on The Real Housewives, Bling Empire, and Keeping up with the Kardashians. Currently, EmSculpt’s only offered at a handful of medspas in Toronto, but this week you can try the $850-a-session procedure for free.

YOUTH MediSpa recently bought one of the $300,000 machines, which uses a patented technology called “HIFEM” (high-intensity focused electromagnetic field) to force muscle contractions. Basically, in just 30 minutes, your muscles do the equivalent of 20,000 crunches. Or squats, if it’s your derrière you wish to tone. It can even target smaller areas such as thighs, arms, and calves.

To announce YOUTH MediSpa’s big new purchase to the city, the EmSculpt bus has rolled into town (from here, it will continue on with its Canada-wide tour before returning to the U.S.). On Sept. 30, they’re inviting skeptics and keeners to come and try out the machine.

Inside the medispa bus

I am neither a skeptic, nor a keener. I’d probably say I’m a dreamer. I am hopeful the device (that J. Lo’s rumoured to use to chisel her abs) can return my definition. Over the pandemic, I’ve lost my motivation and my gym visits have slipped from daily to sporadic. So, when YOUTH MediSpa offered me a special EmSculpt sneak peek, I didn’t hesitate to book my session.

The only thing that prepared me for the experience was Kim Kardashian’s assessment: “It feels like you’re doing stomach crunches, but you’re not. I’m into it.” And while that didn’t sound too bad, here’s what it actually felt like:

Conjure in your mind a cicada’s tapping song. Now, imagine it’s coming out of a giant plastic paddle strapped to your abdomen. Laying on the table, I braced myself for something unpleasant to follow the sound. A weeks’ worth of workouts condensed into one short session would surely be painful. Instead, it wasn’t bad at all! It felt like I was sucking in my belly while simultaneously exhaling at the same time. The apex of the convulsion was akin to the tail-end of a one-minute V-sit—when your core begs your brain to release the pose.

EmSculpt station

Blood tests have shown that a 30-minute EmSculpt session releases endorphins, and although I didn’t have a runner’s high by the end, my abs certainly felt like they’d been put through the wringer. Thankfully, there was no lingering soreness. Each EmSculpt session is punctuated with lactic acid massages (which feel more like a gentle tummy tapping than a Swedish pulverizing).

All in all, mildly uncomfortable, but not unbearable in the least. If this is all I had to endure to obtain a mythical six-pack… Well, no wonder reality T.V. stars are worshipping at the EmSculpt altar.

For YOUTH MediSpa’s Sept. 30 EmSculpt event an RSVP is required. Contact [email protected] to book.

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