New project by Top Chef star Janet Zuccarini to combine clean eats and cannabis in LA

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Homegrown restaurateur Janet Zuccarini is going green with her newest venture. Gusto Green, the new company branching off from Zuccarini’s well-established Gusto 54, is set to open its first health and wellness restaurant in Los Angeles by early 2020. They will also be introducing a line of cannabis-infused products set to launch next year in local Californian dispensaries.

Zuccarini has been a top playmaker within Toronto’s culinary culture. With reputable restaurants like Trattoria Nervosa, Gusto 101, Pai Northern Kitchen and Kiin, not to mention her annual appearance as one of the judges on the Food Network’s Top Chef Canada, Zuccarini has definitely made her mark on our city. But while she’s been living stateside, she’s been cooking up some arguably, even more impressive work. Felix, Zuccarini’s Venice Beach collaboration with chef Evan Funke was nominated for a James Beard Award last year, Zuccarini is also opening a new Middle Eastern restaurant with chef Stuart Cameron in Toronto and now she’s teaming up with entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuck to bring us a greener side of Gusto.

Gusto Green’s flagship location will exist on the street level of Gary Vaynerchuk and Green Street’s new “Green Living” building on Hill Street in downtown LA. Working under the same philosophy as the Gusto 54 group, the new project will be a place where community is valued as much as the quality of food. The menu will be created by their new chef Michael Magliano, who is wholly inspired by plant power and enhancing adaptogens. These kinds of ayurvedic ingredients are meant to de-stress, cleanse and balance the body. Staying true to what they know best, Gusto Green will remain in the Italian realm, whipping up clean eats on their large-scale Tuscan grill and wood-fired pizza oven.

“We believe one of the biggest opportunities for normalization in this market is in the health and wellness space — and our intention is to lead by offering a wide range of adaptogen-inspired nutritional products focused on improving overall well-being” says Jeronmino De Miguel, Managing Partner of Gusto Green.

They are in the process of developing cannabis-infused products, including their own honey, chocolate, olive oil and infused-beverages that will be sold through local dispensaries in LA. They will also be featuring their edibles at Vaynerchuk’s Cannabis Trade Show at the Hall of Flowers in Santa Rosa this September.

Hotel Delilah welcomes diners and overnighters in Toronto’s east end

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Samantha Peksa

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Playing Favorites at chef Jonathan Poon’s new Thai BBQ spot on Ossington

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Samantha Peksa

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Hot new restaurants opening in Toronto this August

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lindsaylow

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new Toronto restaurants — The Annex Wine Bar’s fresh new digs

A new midtown location for Kensington’s PIZZERIA VIA MERCANTI, specializing in Neopolitan-style pizza, will soon open at 2075 Yonge St. The spot was formerly Coquine Restaurant, which recently shut its doors after 12 years.

The city’s latest craft brew pub AVLING KITCHEN AND BREWERY (1042 Queen St. E., 416-469-1010) is up and running. The 90-seat dining hall boasts a menu by chef Suzanne Barr of Saturday Dinette fame and is anchored by a huge 30-seat bar with 12 beer taps.

Yonge and Eg just got a taqueria for the lunchtime crowds. CLANDESTINA TACOS & CHURROS (2107 Yonge St., 647-877-8226) is the casual uptown sister to Queen and Ossington’s Fonda Lola restaurant.

A new minigolf club serves up nostalgia with a side of taro chips. PAR-TEE PUTT (26 Duncan St.) is a bar and minigolf course with 27 themed holes, fun drinks and a menu stacked with pizzas, sandwiches and salads. Fore!

PUFFS PASTRIES (2144 Yonge St., 416-901-1944) offers fried dough balls, similar to doughnut holes but drizzled and topped way beyond your average Timbit: think Nutella, white chocolate, coconut shavings and even ice cream.

The new MISS PIPPA’S (1158 College St., 647-479-6913) combines all of life’s greatest little luxuries, including good wine and cheese, flowers and handmade gifts, into one charming package. The cosy Brockton village storefront doubles as a 5-à-7 hangout and flower shop.

Just in time for the lazy heat of August, the BARBQ FACTORY is open (1559A O’Connor Dr., 647-352-1979). Enjoy this Texas-style barbecue joint.

A new GOLDEN BUBBLES (D2-11000 Yonge St., 905-237-1260) is open in Richmond Hill. The Hong Kong waffle shop is known for its wacky flavours, including mac and cheese waffles and takoyaki waffles.

The Annex Hotel has launched the ANNEX CAFE AND WINE BAR (296 Brunswick, 647-694-9868), which offers shareable plates, inspired by chef de cuisine Hoon Ji’s Korean upbringing and French training. Plus: wine galore.

NOMADS RESTOBAR (701 Queen St. E., 416-551-1553) is a globally inspired casual dinner and drinks spot with a menu designed to take you on a trip around the world, minus the carbon emissions associated with air travel. Instead, head to this neighbourhood joint for some steamed bao, bison sliders, piri piri chicken or whatever else your wanderlusting heart is after.

Historic hotel celebrates 90 years with opening of Reign restaurant in Toronto

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Samantha Peksa

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Toronto’s top gourmet burgers

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Samantha Peksa

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King Ferdie footlongs make a comeback in Muskoka

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Samantha Peksa

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11:19 am

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Five years in the making, this hot dog house has finally had the resurgence it’s been waiting for. King Ferdie footlongs and hand-mixed milkshakes were once a thing of the past, but thanks to Julia Richmond and the team at Huntsville Bowl you can finally indulge in all the Tasty Creem treats you’ve been missing.

Back in 2012, when Huntsville Bowl decided they needed a revamp, the previous owners transformed the party room into a full-service kitchen, and purchased the rights to the legendary drive-in, Tasty Creem. Serving their famed franks along with the rest of the iconic menu, Julia Richmond decided that it was time for the general public to know that Huntsville Bowl was more than just strikes and gutters. After changing up the signage and calling to cottage goers over Moose FM radio, Tasty Creem is finally getting the kudos it deserves.

This landmark was a beacon of fast-food favourites for cottage goers and overnight campers for almost 50 years, until it closed in 2006. The menu was the ultimate compilation of summer snack foods; burgers, milkshakes, soft-serve, and of course their legendary line-up of franks. Tasty Creem had all the fix-ins to make your summer’s day even sweeter.

Today, the menu at Huntsville Bowl features all the classics of the original Tasty Cream, minus the soft-serve ice cream. All the King dogs are present on the menu, along with a selection of banquet burgers, hand-mixed milkshakes and even some healthier options.

Since reopening, patrons have travelled from far and wide to get their hands on this nostalgic nosh and Richmond hopes to see more familiar faces come through the doors.

“We want people to know Tasty Creem is alive and well and we don’t plan on shutting our doors anytime soon,” says Richmond.

With an Instagram account in the works and plans to have a mobile unit that will take Tasty Creem to the festival circuit, it’s just the beginning for this little restaurant that could.

Huntsville Bowl’s Tasty Cream kitchen is open everyday from 11 a.m to 9 p.m.

Serena Williams and Eugenie Bouchard return to Toronto for Rogers Cup 2019

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Erin Neilly

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The 2019 Rogers Cup is bringing the best of women’s tennis to Toronto at the Aviva Centre in North York from Aug. 3 to 11. Hometown favourite Bianca Andreescu will be making an appearance after withdrawing from Wimbledon with a shoulder injury. Another Canadian favourite, Eugenie Bouchard will also hit the hard court.

The tournament has confirmed that tennis superstars Serena Williams and Simona Halep will be joining the competition. Spectators could bear witness to a rematch of the Wimbledon final — will Halep defend her title against one of the greatest tennis players of all time? Will Williams’s pal the Duchess of Sussex be cheering her on from the sidelines again? Probably not, but the tennis will still be top-notch.

Piano Piano is getting a second location uptown

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Nikki Gill

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4:03 pm

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Davisville Village is about to get a big dose of colour. After the loss of Birch Bistro, the French-inspired spot that called the corner of Mount Pleasant and Manor Roads home, midtown residents can rejoice in knowing a Victor Barry project will be filling the space.

After 10 years at Splendido, Barry opened up Piano Piano at 88 Harbord St. — Toronto’s favourite colourful and whimsically decorated Italian restaurant. The Annex couldn’t get enough and so chef then opened Café Cancan, a French café also on Harbord Street.

Now the love is spreading north. Piano Piano’s second location, Piano Piano Uptown, will be at 623 Mt. Pleasant Rd. and Barry has confirmed that it is slated to open in October.

Four out-of-town theatre festivals worth the drive from Toronto

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lindsaylow

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2:48 pm

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Stratford Festival — The ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Summer weekends are ideal for road trips, and for those into theatre, this time is a great opportunity to check out different theatres outside the city. Here are our top picks for getaway-worthy stage sessions.

Avon River style

We can’t talk about summer theatre in Ontario without mentioning the venerable Stratford Festival, home to three theatres — although one is temporarily out of commission.

This season, there are numerous incredible works from which to choose. Billy Elliott is a wonderful piece, directed and choreographed by the incomparable Donna Feore and starring Nolan Dubuc as Billy. There will be many moments of laughs and tears in this fulfilling production.

But don’t count out Little Shop of Horrors. This quirky cult classic is backed by some serious star power, including the always awesome Dan Chameroy as the Dentist, a character made famous by Steve Martin in the 1986 movie. Gabi Epstein’s portrayal of Audrey is something special. Of course, the Bard is also well-represented with a modern take on Othello as well as Henry VIII and The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Pro tip: Stay for the weekend at a bed and breakfast such as the Queen and Albert, a renovated old butcher shop, and be sure to check out Red Rabbit for dinner and Revel for coffee.

Wine and song

The Shaw Festival has the decided advantage of its Niagara-on-the-Lake location, a short drive out of Toronto, down the QEW and into wine country.

Like Stratford, it is home to three theatres, this season is offering works such as the musical Brigadoon, set in Scotland, as well as Ladykillers, starring the talented duo of Damien Atkins and Chick Reid.

Pro tip: Grab a place at the 18-seat chef’s bar inside Backhouse restaurant and get ready for a serious culinary adventure from one of the best restaurants in the country.

Rural roots

Blyth Festival is certainly one of the best-known summer theatre destinations outside of the big two — Stratford and Shaw.

Blyth has a history of celebrating its rural roots on the stage, which is a good thing. This season, one of the works getting a lot of attention is Sean Dixon’s Jumbo.

Anyone who has spent some time in southwestern Ontario is familiar with the giant Jumbo statue in the town of St. Thomas and the story of the time P. T. Barnum brought his Greatest Show on Earth through the area, only to have his superstar elephant drop dead right there in town. The new play dramatizes the tragic incident.

Looking for a show that celebrates rural living, while also sending it up for a few good laughs? Try The Team on the Hill from the very funny Dan Needles, who also penned the hilarious Wingfield series.

Pro tip: The town of Blyth is also home to Cowbell Brewing, one of the best craft brewers in southern Ontario.

Lakeside laughs

Port Dover’s Lighthouse Festival Theatre continues to offer a full slate of summer favourites with a wide enough selection to appeal to pretty much everyone.

Lunenberg is a warm-hearted comedy opening on Aug. 21. It’s the story of a woman’s trip to Nova Scotia to visit a house she inherited, while accompanied by her close friend.

Pro tip: The north shore of Lake Erie has blossomed into something of a destination for wine lovers. Burning Kiln Winery is just one of many worth a visit.

Wu-Tang Clan to play chef Matty Matheson’s music and food festival in Toronto

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Samantha Peksa

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10:33 am

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Toronto’s most bombastic celebrity chef and internet personality is holding a food-fest fit for the overindulgent.

Matty Matheson threw the first MATTYFEST as a birthday bash for himself in the basement of his now-shuttered Parts & Labour. The entire hard-core music and food festival was supposed to be a one-off weekend of festivities to celebrate the Parkdale patriot, but now he’s taking it to the big time.

Since the departure of our favourite Parkdale pourhouse, Matheson has been cooking up some major moves with Live Nation and People’s Champ Canada. On Sept. 7 at RBC Echo Beach, Matheson and Live Nation present, MATTYFEST 2019. This full day food-a-thon will be packed with some of the city’s best culinary wizards along with music from some of the top artists of our day, (the headliners are none other than all surviving members of the Wu-Tang Clan). Toronto’s most notable names in Canadian food culture will be serving up some fantastic fare. The festival brings together Toronto’s hottest restaurants, including Buca, Canis, Pinky’s Ca Phe, Superpoint, Imanishi, and Cherry St. Bar-B-Q.

Globally renowned American pitmasters Billy Durney from NYC, Pat Martin, the king of Tennessee BBQ, and Sam Jones from North Carolina, will be heading up the event showing off their superior smoking skills. Meanwhile artists like Danny Brown and Descendants, as well as Toronto’s own Jennifer Castle, take to the stage to make sure you dance off your first meal to make room for the second.

Matheson will kick off the weekend on Sept. 6, with an exclusive Charlie’s Burgers dinner at Stackt Market, where Matheson and esteemed colleagues will be serving a private menu in celebration of all things Matty. The tickets and menu will be announced at a later date, but they’re expected to be very limited.

Tickets for MATTYFEST go on sale Aug. 1 at matty-fest.com.

Enjoy Ontario outdoor festivals, but know your rights if injured

By

Jarrod Daley

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10:00 am

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See all posts by Diamond and Diamond Lawyers

It doesn’t matter what your interests might be, chances are you will find an outdoor festival dedicated to them in Ontario, Canada. Festivals dedicated to music, food, beer and other themes will be going on throughout the summer with at least two of them allowing attendees to bring cannabis onto the event site. Festivals bring together large crowds of people in relatively confined areas, which could lead to injuries no matter how much effort promoters put into their efforts to safeguard attendees. Before heading out to your first festival of the season, take a few moments to learn about your rights should you be injured.

What is premises liability, and how does it apply to outdoor festivals?

Premises liability is a principle of law making the owner of property responsible for maintaining it in a condition that keeps it free from dangerous hazards that could cause injuries to people entering upon the property. Common premises liability claims include a customer injured by a hazardous condition in a retail store, a person slipping and falling on an icy sidewalk, or someone injured in a fall due to inadequate lighting of the stairway of an office building. It can also include injuries suffered by people attending an outdoor festival.

The law defining the obligations of property owners and the rights of individuals injured on another party’s property in Ontario is the Occupiers’ Liability Act. Under the act, occupiers of premises, which includes land and the structures build on it, owe a duty to people to take reasonable measures to keep them safe while they are on the premises.
Occupier under the act is defined as someone in physical possession of premises. This could include a homeowner. It goes on to include in its definition of occupier the following parties who might not necessarily be in physical possession of the premises:

Anyone responsible for or in control of the condition of the particular premises;
Anyone responsible for or controlling activities at the premises; or
Anyone controlling the people granted access to the premises.

A promoter of an outdoor festival might obtain permission from the owner of the event site, such as a farmer or other type of property owner, to use it. The promoter could be liable as an occupier of the premises for injuries to festival attendees for accidents caused by conditions existing at site as someone controlling access to the premises and also as someone in control of the activities being held on it.

Report any injuries immediately to someone in charge

You might be injured in an accident caused by the condition of the festival site, or you could be the victim of an assault at the festival due to inadequate security provided by the promotor. In either event, you must document the incident and your injuries by reporting it to the police and to festival officials.

It’s a good idea to write down the date, time, location and a summary of what took place, including the names and contact information of any witnesses. Include a description or photos of your injuries. If you reported the incident to the police, ask them for a copy of the written report they prepare.

After your injuries have been evaluated and treated by your doctor, contact an Ontario personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can evaluate the circumstances of the accident or incident in order to determine what options you have for obtaining compensation and the identity of all parties who might be held responsible.

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