Paris girl fashion

9:24 am

A) Pièce de résistance
“This sporty Longchamp neckerchief is a forever piece.”
Andrews, Bayview Village, $125

B) Chapeau chic
“It looks like something right out of the past, but has a modern French flare to it.”
Aldo, Promenade mall, $22

C) Strap in
“These See by Chloe espadrilles are a great shoe to run around in.”
Studio D, 2570 Yonge St., $345

D) Patriotic patterns
“This is a great little sweater to wear out on the golf couse.”
Pink Tartan, 77 Yorkville Ave., $295 (top)
“I could see Picasso wearing this, it’s got that true artistic feel to it.”
Milli Ltd., 231 Avenue Rd., $495 (bottom)

E) Robe rouge
“I love the length of this dress. It’s got a ’40s nostalgic, feminine flare and is light as a feather.”
Sandro Paris, Yorkdale mall, $455

F) Cashmere cool
“A cashmere sweater with some whimsy in it is really cool.”
Snapdragon, 604 Mt. Pleasant Rd., $275

G) Sailor style
“Oh how French can you get! These are the classic sailor pants.”
Andrews, Bayview Village, $475

H) The right stripe
“I love this pinstripe A-line skirt with these big buttons.”
Andrews, Bayview Village, $595

I) Belle blazer
“This is a great tailored jacket. I love the double-breasted style. That’s really back big time.”
Sandro Paris, Yorkdale mall, $545

J) A mini basket
“This little bag is just adorable. A beautiful summer accent piece that makes you smile.”
Zara, Yorkdale mall, $39.90

K) Colonel mustard
“This little ankle strap always looks very French to me, with a great pointy toe.”
Aldo, Promenade mall, $65

L) Off to the ballet
“These Chloe flats are beautiful with the scallopped detailing around the edge.”
Davids, 66 Bloor St. W., $670

M) Buckle up
“This is just mouth-watering. It’s irresistible. It makes such a statement no matter what you’re wearing.”
Milli Ltd., 231 Avenue Rd., $1,695

Local Love: The man behind the BGFG Expo

Andrew Mannsbach

11:50 am

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: shopping while trying to keep the environment, the heart and the wallet all happy can be pretty tricky. It’s so easy to be overwhelmed (and to, well, pretend you’re less aware than you are) that oftentimes donating your hard-earned dollars to Mr. Zara seems like the best bet. (It’s not!) But lucky for us, the Buy Good Feel Good Expo is here to help.

We spoke to BGFG founder Rafik Riad to chat all things feel good — from how those pesky millennials are actually buying for social and environmental good (bless ’em) and how they’re doing their part to keep waste to a minimum at the ole Expo.

When did the idea for Buy Good Feel Good Expo first take seed?
BGFG really came from my work in international development and policy development. Or I should say it came as a reaction to that work! I was watching our development projects fall victim to funding gaps and global recessions and corporate donors that would lose interest in an issue. There was no stability in this model and I watched wonderful projects crumble and all our work to improve lives take two steps back for every advance we made. I just couldn’t keep pushing the narrative of traditional international development. So when I discovered social enterprises I became very excited! Here was a model that combined the strengths of business with the soul of international development. I jumped into the social enterprise and haven’t looked back.

You’ve managed to transform BGFG from a 15-vendor show to one hosting over 100 vendors in just five years. Why do you think it’s being embraced so eagerly?
I think BGFG has seen so much growth because the world is changing its mind about “business as usual.” People are becoming more aware of the impact, whether positive or negative, that business can have on the world. And they’re increasingly demanding that brands not just give donations or plant trees. They want to see a brand build social and environmental good right into their business plan, which is exactly what all our vendors at BGFG are doing. I also have to give credit to the millennials for this shift. They’re demanding accountability and transparency from brands and rewarding the brands that heed this call. Millennials are actually buying for social and environmental good. And the millennials are dragging their parents and grandparents along with them, which is fantastic!

Expos and shows and the like are notoriously good at producing waste — how do you go about making sure yours is as green as possible?
That’s something we keep working on year after year. Hosting the show in the Enercare Centre means we have access to onsite waste streaming, which helps a lot. We offset our carbon emissions resulting from powering the Expo. We also partner with leaders in the field such as Live Green Toronto and learn from their experience.

How do you vet your vendors? What boxes do they have to tick off to sell at the Expo?
Our vendors have to demonstrate to us that their business has social and/or environmental good built into their business structure. We’re less concerned about certifications, although these are valuable, and more focused on seeing how a business is contributing to positive social and environmental change. We want to avoid ‘greenwashing’ or ‘goodwashing.’ We divide the very large category of social enterprise into five different categories: Environmental Impact, Social Impact, Fair Trade, Organic and Local.

Anything else we should be aware of?
Everyone should bring their mothers out to the Expo on Saturday and Sunday. It’s the perfect place to get a Mother’s Day gift and show Mom what a good person you are!

Let’s get this par-tea started

Andrew Mannsbach

9:07 am

1) WINNER: LIBRARY BAR AT THE ROYAL YORK
“These to me, at first glance, look the best. These are certainly the tastiest sandwiches, and I like the macarons and the key lime tart,” says McEwan.
100 Front St. W., $50/person

2) SORELLE AND CO.
“There’s a big assortment of pastries. The macarons are very good, and the chocolate crinkle cookies are very nicely done,” says McEwan.
1050 Rutherford Rd., $50/person

3) MoRoCo
“This is definitely the most modest. The curry chicken salad sandwich tastes good, and the macarons are pretty good too,” says McEwan.
215 Madison Ave., starts at $16.95/person

4) T-BUDS
“The scones here are very traditional and are the perfect size. The sandwiches also have a nice look to them,” says McEwan.
3343 Yonge St., 2nd Floor, $30-$32/person

11 Davisville Village & Leaside business owners share their secrets to success and love for the neighbourhood.

3:28 pm

Post City X Davisville Village & Leaside

Davisville village and Leaside are vital lifelines of our community. Their shops are some of Toronto's finest, and their business owners are some of Toronto's most exciting entrepreneurs.

Every year we run a special section dedicated to these local shop owners who are as proud of the service they provide as they are of the community in which they work and live.

Here are their stories…

Avadra Laser Studio
Radha Sehgal, Owner
327 Eglinton Ave. E., 416.505.4592

What is going to be hot this spring? This spring, the trends continue to focus on treatments and skincare that are non-invasive and give a fresh, natural look. We are also seeing younger clientele who seek out preventative skin care regimes, so they can avoid potential issues as they age. Skin protection is always essential and products that are chemical free are always sought after. We have brought in a new sunscreen line that is chemical-free called Alumiere. This line is proving to be a popular one amongst our clients.

Greatest advice you ever received? Do your research! There are hundreds of products and procedures on the market today that claim they are the best. At our studio we only offer ones which we have researched ourselves and have been scientifically proven. This allows us to stand behind all of the procedures and products that we offer to the public.

Who is your inspiration/role model? My mother. She taught me to be honest and hardworking in order to achieve your goals. To always have a passion for what you choose to do, no matter what that may be.

Describe your team: Our team consists of medical professionals who specialize in skin care and a physician that provides injectables.

Dolly Jewellers
Alex & Bev Simmons, Owners
1699 Bayview Ave., 416.247.5436

What has been your proudest moment in business? We are very proud when new customers come into the store based on referrals from their friends and family. This tells us we are doing our job well.

Greatest advice ever received? From Dad, “Always be honest and fair with your customers.”

Describe your team: Our team is simple, ”Mom” Bev, “Pop” Alex, our son Chasen, and of course our two resident pooches, Jessie and Lola.

What’s your favourite thing/place in the area? It’s the community of Leaside. We have met so many wonderful people who have become not only clients, but friends. We are truly humbled by the trust they put in us.

What’s your secret to success? Our success is based on honesty, expert product knowledge, good advice, fair pricing, and in providing exceptional customer service. We strive to provide a great experience.

How long have you been in business? We first opened in May of 1946; exactly 72 years ago. We have been the proud owners of our family business since our parents’ retirement in 1992.

Full Education
Michelle Fullerton, OCT
416.305.3001

What’s going to be hot this spring? Studying! With final exams just around the corner, now's the time to make sure your students know how to prepare.

What has been your proudest moment in business? Any time students graduate it's a proud moment for us. They are like our family, so finding out that they got into a post-secondary
program of their choice is so incredibly special.

Greatest advice you ever received? "Feel the fear and do it anyways." It's my mantra for business and for my students: if we don't push ourselves we will never truly know what we are capable of achieving.

What makes your business unique? We understand the needs of students and their families, and work hard to not only ensure that students are learning in a meaningful way, but to fit the needs of their busy lives as well.

Describe your team: We have the best teachers in the business: they're creative, passionate and knowledgeable about how students learn. They love teaching so much that they choose to teach after school too!

Integracare Inc.
Lee Grunberg, President & CEO
396 Moore Ave., 416.421.4243

What has been your proudest moment in business? The proudest moment that I have had as the President & CEO of Integracare was the day that my grandmother was able to return home at age 95 from Bridgepoint Rehab Hospital. Integracare provided my grandmother personal support services, nursing care and physiotherapy after a fall that she had experienced. With Integracare’s services she was able to recover to full health, return home and celebrate her 96th Birthday with all of her grandchildren.

Greatest advice you ever received? Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” I try to bring passion and enthusiasm to every single thing I do at work or in my personal life. At Integracare, our caregivers share an enthusiasm to provide the highest quality home healthcare possible.

Who is your inspiration/role model? I have two books on my desk. The first book is my grandmother’s life story which I transcribed. It includes her escape from Germany prior to WWII. Her perseverance, integrity, strength and loyalty are all characteristics that I try to emulate. The second book is “Four Seasons, The Story of a Business Philosophy” by Isadore Sharp. The culture at Integracare is based heavily on the principles set out in his book. Despite having never met Mr. Sharp; we owe a great deal of our success to him.

Mabel's Fables Bookstore
Eleanor LeFave & Mabel III, Owner
662 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416.322.0438

Why is there a cat in the owner’s photograph? Eleanor LeFave, has owned the bookstore for the last 30 years, but the real boss is Mabel, the cat. Cat owners are a long tradition in real bookstores.

What is your favourite book? All of them. Even though we have two floors of children’s books and a dynamic adult fiction department, we don’t have room for anything that isn’t excellent.

What is your secret to success? We offer a pleasant reading experience for our loyal customers. Our unique signature baby baskets are a wonderful gift and start to create a great reader for life. And with our bookstore arranged by age, all children can grow up discovering all the best from our age departments. Also, customers can always choose that perfect present and we have fancy (and free) gift wrap.

Describe your team: All the Mabel’s booksellers are equally crazy about reading, books, people and their children, and of course, cats. With such a deep knowledge of the books, they are wonderful to listen to and customers thank them a lot.

Do you have a name? Of course I do, I’m Mabel the III. We are approaching our 30th anniversary and planning a big celebration in September. Everyone will be invited.

Mathnasium of Leaside
Kate Murray,Owner
856 Millwood Rd., 647.924.MATH (6284)

What’s hot this spring? Math is always hot! But in the springtime, we definitely see a rush of students coming in hoping to finish the school year strong and ace their exams. As our families look forward to summer, they’re also making sure they carve out some time at Mathnasium to avoid the summer slide!

What has been your proudest moment in business? A student leaned over to me and whispered, “Kate…I think it’s happening…I think I’m becoming crazy about math!”

What makes your business unique? We are math specialists – that’s what we do! We use math as a tool to help build confidence, inspire learning and develop great study skills that can be applied in all areas of life. We make math make sense!

Describe your team: Our team is, quite simply, awesome! A group of awesome people who love math and love helping kids become crazy about math. They are passionate, inspired, funny, creative, warm and, of course, incredibly smart.

What’s your favourite thing/place in the area? I’m quite partial to my neighbours – Today’s Menu helps me feed my family on busy weeknights, and Avoca helps feed my sweet tooth!

Nurse Next Door
Laura Harris and Kris Aiken,Owners
1213 Bayview Ave., Unit 3, 416.836.0563

Describe your team: Our team of caregivers ensures happiness & happier aging are integrated into each of our client's lives. Our doors never close – our centralized booking centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure there is always a real person whenever needed. We have a nursing coordinator available 24/7. Our team consists of Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, Personal Support Workers and Physiotherapists.

What’s your secret to success? One of our core values is a passion for making lives better. We work closely with families to guarantee a perfect caregiver match. We allow daughters to be daughters and sons to be sons. There was a time in my life where running my business, caring for my family as well as my aging parents led to a very hectic life full of struggling to find a work-life balance. My parents needed me full-time and I was overwhelmed with guilt when I couldn’t be with them 24/7, juggling between them and my own family’s needs. Nurse Next Door gave me relief as their experienced caregivers were able to care for all of my parents' needs, allowing me to focus on being their daughter and not their care provider too. Nurse Next Door’s caregivers assisted with hygiene, dressing, meal preparation, housekeeping, and more so I could enjoy quality visits with my parents. My own personal experience allows me to truly understand the needs of our clients.

Pet Valu
Ruthe Schipper, Jerry Rotstein and boss Sophie the Yorkie, Owners
95 Laird Ave., Unit 3, 416.425.7387

What makes your business unique? Our Leaside store boasts over 7,000 products including holistic and premium brand products. We provide pet owners with the best selection of pet care items at competitive prices together with friendly and knowledgeable customer service.

Describe your team: Our wonderful staff understands that your pet is a part of your family because we are pet parents too. In addition, all of our staff are trained in pet care and nutrition and use their knowledge and experience to help all of our customers find the right solutions for their pets.

How long have you been in business? In total, 20 years. After 17 years on the Danforth we decided to spread our wings and we opened our second store in North Toronto back in 2012. Since then, with the help of Sophie, our Yorkie and Harley, our Morkie, we have seen our business successfully grow in the heart of this wonderful community called Leaside.

What has been your proudest moment in business? Both Jerry and I have always tried to give back to the community, in the past we’ve partnered with rescues and charities for in-store pet adoptions and pet food bank products. It’s a chance for us to help out and give back to this great community.

The Ritz Men's Haircut
Eli, Owner
1693A Bayview Ave., 416.551.2129

What has been your proudest moment in business? It happens all the time, but I still always feel proud when I hear the wives of my clients say their husbands have received the “best haircut ever” after coming to see me! I know I’ve done a good job if the wife approves!

What makes your business unique? I think it’s the personalized service I provide. I make sure to take my time with each customer, listen to them, and build a relationship. I want to make sure that everyone who leaves my barber’s chair is happy!

Describe your team: I’m a one man show! I do everything from hot towels, shaves and haircuts.

What’s your favourite thing/place in the area? Do I have to pick just one? The area has so much to offer like Cumbrae's, Olive Oil Emporium and Dolly Jewellers. And Flowers Plus has the most beautiful flowers!

What’s your secret to success? My secret to success is a very simple philosophy: Always be happy, keep healthy, and be nice to people.

How long have you been in business? Over 40 years.

Real Estate Sales
Heide Heemsoth
416.571.1901

What’s going to be hot this spring? Davisville is a vibrant neighbourhood with everything you need and more. The house prices remain resilient this spring and condo sales will continue to be "hot." New developments continue to create great opportunities for first time home buyers and empty nesters/downsizers.

Do you have any celebrity customers? My clients' privacy is very important in maintaining trust. I am not only their realtor, I am their confidante. I treat all my clients as if they were "celebrities". Regardless of status, everyone I work with is of equal importance.

What has been your proudest moment in business? I left a company I was with for 24 years to pursue a career in real estate, and one of my first clients wrote me a letter after the sale to tell me how happy they were with the service I provided them, and how I had surpassed their expectations. It was great reassurance!

Greatest advice you ever received? "You must be passionate, you must dedicate yourself, and you must be relentless in the pursuit of your goals. If you do, you will be successful."

Who is your inspiration/role model? My inspiration is my family. They encourage me to be my best self and each one inspires me with their own unique traits.

Sport Swap
Alan Chow, Owner
1541 Bayview Ave., 416.481.7927

What’s going to be hot this spring? The Lower Don Trail reopened after several years of inprovements. The multi-use path connects to downtown, the beach and Lake Ontario.

Do you have any celebrity customers? Over the years we’ve had a few Provincial Premiers shop with us.

What has been your proudest moment in business? A while ago we had a customer drop off her bike for a tune up. She had just been declared cancer free after two years of treatment and the first thing she wanted to do was to go on a bike ride.

Greatest advice you ever received? When dealing with customers you’re building a relationship, not just making a sale.

What makes your business unique? We put the local in local bike shop. We live in the neighbourhood and share the same paths, trails, and roads that our customers and neighbours use.

Who is your inspiration/role model? I have a pretty awesome wife.

Describe your team: We have a great mix of experience and youth. We’re always curious and always willing to learn from our customers’ experiences and needs.

Restaurant Review: Tanto

Andrew Mannsbach

11:34 am

When I was in Saigon a couple of years ago, I made it a bit of a project to eat banh mi, the Vietnamese pork sandwich that I had learned to love at Toronto’s Banh Mi Boys. I figured if it’s good in Toronto, it’s gotta be great in Saigon.

But no. My Saigon banh mi sandwiches were blah. Dry pork and not enough of it. Meagre fixings, insufficient flavours. Which made me wonder whether perhaps it’s a matter of money for high-end ingredients, and we’ve got more of it in Toronto, so the cuisine evolved when it emigrated.

’Twas thus in my almost three weeks in Argentina this winter. I, being an unrepentant carnivore, had so looked forward to the famous Argentine BBQ, called parilla, which they pronounce parijha. We ate it almost daily, sometimes in small-town casual places, sometimes in de luxe white tablecloth restaurants and once in someone’s backyard.

A typical parilla meal was sausages, lamb and beef cooked slowly on a banked-down wood fire. I wanted to love it. But no, it was the Saigon banh mi all over again. Pretty much every night the meat was tough.

Dry. Meh.

It was thus with less than fervent enthusiasm that I went to Tanto, the new Argentine resto on Ossington. The chef/owner is Julian Iliopoulos who learned his chops at the marvellous Cava and left his job as chef there in 2016 to go travelling in South America where he was inspired by Argentine food. Chef got his backing from the Cava guys, who also own the lovely Atlas and Chabrol.

The first clue that Tanto isn’t pure Argentine is the menu, full of variety and not so meat-centric. I loved the empanadas in Argentina – good thing there was something to love! – but Tanto’s are better: Lightly smoked ricotta is warm and oozing inside the flakiest possible dough. Gnocchi made of long-cooked leeks with mushrooms and melted taleggio cheese are equally soft and sexy.

Then there’s a breathtakingly remarkable cabbage item. Cabbage! They blanch a thick slice of cabbage and then char it on the wood fire, serving it topped with many small dots of thick sous-vide egg yolk, pesto and crisped shreds of guanciale. Chef barely grills squid and graces it with puckery/sweet burnt almost salsa, pancetta and vinegary preserved mushrooms.

But the pièce de résistance is short ribs with chimichurri and grilled lettuce. These short ribs are what might have happened if brisket bred with filet mignon with a little foie gras DNA thrown in for texture. The short ribs are heavily marbled, succulent, sweet, perfectly cooked and finished on the banked-down wood fire. Had there been meat like this in Argentina I might not have come home. Add the perfect chimichurri and almost-erotic wood-grilled gem lettuce, and it’s heaven on a plate.

One does not, in these high-fat circumstances, normally order dessert. But who can resist coconut tres leches cake with a sweet/tart jellied passion fruit roof, or milles-feuilles of banana panna cotta and dulce de leche custard? Clearly the milles-feuilles have been assembled at the last minute, so crispy crunchy is their pastry; as for the two custards, inhale and swoon. My two bywords for dinner at Tanto.

Tanto, 74 Ossington Ave., 416-546-3022, tantorestaurant.com

David Suzuki on the Kinder Morgan pipeline

Andrew Mannsbach

9:23 am

On March 31, an underwater pipeline carrying oil to a refinery in Balikpapan, Indonesia, broke, spreading crude oil over 20,000 hectares of Balikpapan Bay. Some of it ignited, killing five fishermen. Area residents experienced health problems, including nausea, vomiting and respiratory difficulties, and marine life and mangroves were also devastated.

In mid-January, an Iranian tanker carrying more than 111,300 tonnes of natural gas condensate hit a cargo ship, caught fire and sank in the East China Sea in one of China’s richest fishing grounds. The accident killed all 32 of the tanker’s crew and left an oil slick bigger than Paris — more than 100 square kilometres. Researchers say the spill and fire killed phytoplankton, marine mammals, fish and birds and will have long-lasting consequences.

Meanwhile, in North America and elsewhere, pipeline accidents continue to spew gas and oil into the environment, polluting air, water and land and affecting wildlife and habitat, as well as human communities.

In the midst of it all, we have Canadian provincial and federal governments claiming that expanding oilsands production and pipelines is not only in keeping with our national and international climate commitments, but is actually necessary to them!

If short-term economic gain, a relatively small number of jobs and the priorities of shareholders in mostly foreign-owned companies are more important to the national interest than ensuring that people and ecosystems here and around the world remain healthy and alive, something is wrong. Most discussions among governments, industry and media about Texas-based Kinder Morgan’s pipeline project don’t even mention climate change.

One can sympathize with the federal government, which is already facing some provincial opposition to its climate policies and is likely to face more after a number of upcoming provincial elections. The Alberta government is also in a difficult position, struggling to hold power in a province where many people are blind to the realities of global warming and have an overblown sense of the oil industry’s relative, and declining, importance.

For the federal government to argue that the pipeline is necessary to keep Alberta on board with its climate plan is short-sighted when the party leading in Alberta polls opposes key elements of the plan.

We must stand together against the Kinder Morgan pipeline project and all fossil fuel expansion. We have better ways to create jobs and economic opportunity.

Paul Soles is an epic 90-year-old roommate

10:59 am

Longtime actor Paul Soles was on the ground floor of television in Canada in 1953. He has graced the stages of Toronto and Stratford, Ont., and he’s now starring in CBC’s hilarious web series My 90-Year-Old Roommate.

But back in the 1940s, he attended a now closed Toronto institution called Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute, and it was there that the theatre bug bit him for the very first time.

“There were many great teachers that encouraged me to succeed,” he recalls.

It was around that time that he also began to discover the importance of good scriptwriting.

“If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage.” Soles jokes. “It’s the job of the actor to create a credible human being out of the writing of the author, so it’s hard to make great theatre out of bad writing.”

After high school, Soles went off to university but says all he wanted to do was perform. So he did.

After a few years of performing plays and musicals at the London Little Theatre, London, Ont., Soles got into radio at CFPL where he hosted a daytime current affairs show called Take 30 for 16 years.

There he interviewed Sir Robert Watson Watt, the man who invented radar, and Shorty Bauers, the voice of the American space station in the 1960s.

Finally in 2001 he was able to put the Stratford Festival on his resumé when he landed the iconic role of Shylock in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

In part, he credits his eventual acceptance to Stratford to his performance in a remount of Macbeth, with Christopher Plummer in its title role.

Soles is now trying his hand at a very interesting web series, with an oddball premise and an equally unpredictable process.

My 90-Year-Old Roommate, features Soles, playing a 90-year-old widower, who takes in his wayward 31-year-old grandson Ethan, played by Ethan Cole.

The show is entirely improvised and navigates modern issues with some very compelling multi-generational viewpoints.

For instance, what would your grandparents think of Tinder, or “ghosting”? And how would mall walking with the elderly be augmented by the presence of a cocky thirtysomething? Needless to say, it’s silly, yet poignant stuff. The binge-worthy second season started streaming on April 26.

Soles has acted in many great roles on the big and small screen, and he’s a noted voice actor and personality, but through it all he sees a thread of continuity.

Regardless of the medium, the method or the particulars, it’s still just telling stories.

“First it was film, then videotape, then digital. Other than that, not much has changed. We’re still trying to prove the honesty of the character, still trying to compel the audience. Regardless of the medium, the stories are the same,” he says.

Property Brother Drew Scott’s upcoming nuptials

Andrew Mannsbach

10:21 am

Everyone’s fave real estate and renovating twins (and Post City contributors) stole our home decor hearts years ago, but one is about to be off the market.

Drew Scott will be saying “I do” to his longtime partner Linda Phan in Italy this May.

Much of their wedding planning process has already graced the small screen in the couple’s show, Property Brothers at Home: Drew’s Honeymoon House, and viewers will be able to watch the actual wedding go down too.

Drew and Linda Say I Do will air on TLC this June.

After the nuptials, the duo will be off on their honeymoon to Ecuador with the We movement.

They’ve also asked their guests and fans to make a donation to We in the place of gifts.

The couple loves to give back and their goal is to provide clean drinking water for 50,000 people.

A mixologist, a chef and a restaurateur on how they’re celebrating Mother’s Day

Andrew Mannsbach

1:56 pm

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and there’s no better way to show her how much you care than treating her to a meal with the family.

We chatted to three of the city’s best restaurants to find out what Mother’s Day means to them and how they’ll be celebrating with their customers.

Whether you’re doing the spoiling or being indulged by your kids, these three Toronto favourites are sure to make memories that last long after Sunday, May 13.

Pho King Fabulous
Kevin Hoang, Owner
2411 Yonge Street, 647-352-5288

What’s your favourite thing about your neighbourhood? Yonge and Eglinton is one of the best neighborhoods to live and to work in Toronto. You can find everything you need within walking distance; great restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. The one thing I like most about this neighborhood is that it is very lively and uplifting, even during the cold winter months.

Did your mother teach you to cook? When I was young, I used to stayed home with my mother helping her cook, while my older brothers and sisters went to school or work. My mother taught me how to cut vegetables, cook rice and soup. She passed away years ago but my memories of those days were still very vivid.

What’s the key to running a successful business? Pho King Fabulous has become known as one of the best pho places. We were awarded Top 100 Best Restaurants, as well as Top 10 vegan non-vegan restaurants in Toronto. Our secret weapon: we continually strive to keep customers happy by maintaining a high quality of food and providing fast and friendly service.

Do you have any famous or interesting customers? Pooja Handa visited us last year and told us she really loved our Vegetable Noodle Soup. We have very good vegetarian dishes on our menu and, for that reason, we were selected as one of The top 10 vegan non-vegan restaurants in Toronto by BlogTO.

Camarra’s Pizzeria & Restataurant
Elisa Camarra Valentini, Owner
2899 Dufferin Street, 416-789-3221

What’s the greatest business advice your mom ever gave you? The greatest and most enduring advice my mother Domenica constantly reiterated was “work honestly and work to bring your best to your customers every day.” This was the family business’ bedrock principle from my early childhood days when my parents operated our family business in our hometown of Popoli, in Abruzzo.

Have you ever worked with your mother? My mother Domenica and I worked shoulder to shoulder for many years, first in Italy, where I learned much of the fundamentals of our business as a well as generational recipes she and my grandmother Agata cooked daily. These are the recipes we use today. We also worked together to build our business here in Toronto from 1958 to 1970.

Do you have any Mother’s Day traditions? Our Mother’s Day is spent in service as we work to make Mother’s Day at Camarra’s special for all our customers. My girls take me out for a special brunch the following Sunday or sometimes we go for High Tea on the afternoon before. Either way, Mother’s Day is always very special to me.

What’s the key to running a successful business? It’s been my experience that longevity in business is really a function of tenacity, courage and commitment. You must be tenacious in your effort to be you, to not let others dictate what you do and who you are as a businessperson; you must be courageous in your pursuit of excellence; and you must have total commitment to your customers.

What makes your business unlike any other? Camarra’s celebrates its 60th Anniversary in business here in Toronto…and its 85th anniversary as a brand (it operated for 25 years in Italy before coming to Canada). We owe this incredible milestone to our amazing customers! We are humbled by their appreciation and their loyalty. We are committed to them as they are to us. Cheers to them all!

What Mother’s Day specials do you have?Every Mother’s Day, we prepare a number of special menu items which we offer alongside our regular menu. We also have a special floral gift for all the moms.

East Thirty-Six
Julien Salomone, Co-owner and mixologist
36 Wellington Street East, 647-705-0006

What Mother’s Day specials do you have? We offer $5 mimosas and $5 caesars for our Mother’s Day. Brunch until 3pm, and for dinner we will be offering 1/2 price bottles of wine.

Where are you taking your mom this Mother’s Day? My mom is still back home in France. We visit every summer and we always make sure to go out for a nice dinner to celebrate all the holidays missed!

What’s the key to running a successful business? You need to be a good problem solver. Every day there’s a new problem or issue that will arise, so always be looking for the solution.

Have you noticed any changes to the neighbourhood since you opened? This neighborhood continues to flourish and change. We love being just steps to both St Lawrence market and the financial district, and that fabulous new dog fountain across the street in Berczy Park has brought lots of new people to the hood!

How long have you been in business? I have been in this business over 20 years. I started back home in the South of France, working in 5 star hotels in Cannes and other cities along the riviera. We opened East Thirty-Six in 2014, and it’s been a great 4 years!

Food Diaries: Staging a culinary adventure

Andrew Mannsbach

10:47 am

Actor Alana Bridgewater stars in the upcoming Soulpepper production of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the ever-relevant, award-winning 1982 play about race and civil rights. She filled us in on what she ate while rehearsing and putting the finishing touches on the show. Catch Alana onstage in her role as Ma Rainey starting May 4.

Friday, April 20: Texas BBQ at Beach Hill Smokehouse
In the early part of the week I usually make dinner, but Friday is definitely a takeout day.

After a long week, I went to Beach Hill Smokehouse (172 Main St.) where I enjoyed the Austin, a tender brisket sandwich drizzled with a signature Texas BBQ sauce and topped with a rib. The brisket is beautifully smoked. It is so good, in fact, that the BBQ sauce is optional.

On the flip side of my meaty adventure I picked up a vegetarian stew from Nicey’s (2290 Markham Rd.) that same evening as my sister (a pescetarian) was in town from New Jersey. The stew is made from cooked-down soya chunks in a tomato-based gravy with bell peppers and onions with Caribbean spices.

Saturday, April 21: Rehearsals but not before Ackee and saltfish
Saturday was for family time. Although my rehearsal started at 10 a.m., I was up making breakfast for the crew. Ackee and saltfish (cod), fried dumplings and cornmeal porridge were on the menu. This is a traditional Jamaican breakfast and is reserved for guests staying at our home.

The cast and I had a healthy lunch because we were getting revved up to do a full stumble-through of our show. Usually halfway through the rehearsal process we run the whole show to see what needs work or where there are holes.

We all descended upon Wildly Delicious (11 Tank House Ln.). I had the arugula salad with chicken, a simple-but-tasty light option and Ontarieau sparkling water.

Sunday, April 22: Errands and French onion soup at Cluny
Breakfast: Avocado.

I teach on Sundays at Daniels Spectrum [community cultural hub], so I headed to Cluny (35 Tank House Ln.) for a hearty lunch before the studio. My favourite meal there is the French onion soup, simply called “Gruyère” on the menu. The broth is rich and sweet, complementing the ample amount of salty cheese.

Dinner was care of my friends Steve and Colleen. Steve made a gourmet pasta with garlic, feta, olive oil, asparagus and sun-dried tomatoes.

The flavours were a treat for the senses and the plate was colourful.

Monday, April 23: My hidden gem, jerk chicken at Island Spice
Breakfast was avocado, bacon and scrambled eggs.

Back to Wildly Delicious for lunch. The beef chili is homemade and is authentically meaty — no filler, just real ground beef topped with a dollop of sour cream.

For dinner I headed back up to my local haunt for barbecued jerk chicken with rice and peas at Island Spice (361 Pitfield Rd.). This hidden gem is one of the best Caribbean restaurants in the city. Locals line up for the unbelievable specials and the friendly staff.

Tuesday, April 24: a lunchtime steak Cobb salad at Mill Street Brewery
I was back in the Distillery starting my day at Arvo (17 Gristmill Ln.) with the date latte with soy and the smashed avocado toast. The toast is made with the same sense of artistry that the whole district conjures.

It was almost too good-looking to eat, but I found the strength. It was absolutely delicious.

For lunch I went to Mill Street Brewery (21 Tank House Ln.) for the steak Cobb salad. It was a hearty offering with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, blue cheese, avocado, bacon, eggs and a grilled medium steak.

Then, I started my detox after a week of food debauchery with dinner. It was a hearty Greek salad with a chicken breast.

12 ways to spoil Mom (under $300)

1:41 pm

Shaynee’s Gift Selections carries one of the most extensive collection of Michael Aram in Toronto. The Palm Collection is inspired by the beauty of the palm tree. Each piece is lovingly made using traditional techniques, including the antique gold finishes of this collection. Michael Aram Palm Bowl.
SHAYNEE’S GIFT SELECTIONS 3501 Bathurst St, 416 787 4497; 441 Clark Ave. W, 905-709 0430
Price on request

Founded in 2010 MOTHER denim plays off the idea of duality; nurturing or a cuss. From core fits, to stripes, destruction and everything in-between, we are sure you will fine the fit and style you’re looking for. Prices start at $266/pair.
PAOLA DI 3357 Yonge St, 416 322 0430

Celebrating 35 years of your "support". Dedicating ourselves to educating women about fit, function, & comfort. “Tom” is the Marie Jo L'Aventure classic. For spring this trendy stylish denim tweed is the height of refinement. This Mothers Day, give the gift of great style & support! Marie Jo L'Aventure “Tom” in Denim
LEGS PLUS & BRA BOUTIQUE, 5867 Leslie Street, 416 497 2350
$121

Visit Matsu for an array of North American handmade jewellery. 20-30% off storewide or buy online 15% off (use coupon code MOTHER2018) May 5-13, 2018. This Isla de la Perla ring is $215.00 (regular price).
MATSU JEWELLERY 9 Castlefield Avenue 416 487 6345

The Ayurvedic Facial and Indian Head Massage is the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenating detoxification. Treat Mom to an inner journey of awareness, full rejuvenation of the mind, and cleansing of the skin customized for Mom’s individual experience, mind and body type. Ayurveda Facial and Indian Head Massage Rejuvenation, $160
AYURVEDA RITUALS 1081 Bathurst Street, 426-504-6049

This beautiful t-shirt nursing bra comes in peony (pictured) and spruce. Available at Evymama in cup sizes B to J. Perfect for the expectant or new Mother. Bella Materna sexy t-shirt nursing bra, $125
EVYMAMA 1345 St. Clair Avenue West 416 465 9991

For women who want to wear a comfortable sandal but still want them to be fashionable, the Luna sandal made by Papillio is for you! This brand is part of the Birkenstock family & shares the same contoured, natural cork and latex footbed design. The Luna sandal features a platform sole is adjustable and beautifully designed. $189.98 plus tax
CIRCLE SHOES 2597 Yonge Street, 416 4894379

What your Mom wants most is to spend a little time with the ones she loves. So, this Mother's Day, dress her up and take her somewhere special! Our comfortable, stylish and Canadian-made Keaton dress takes care of the 'dress her up' part. Now, where are you going to go?! Keaton Shift Dress, $168
MANDALA DESIGN 1024 St. Clair Ave. W, 647 346 6225

Kaneshige's new line of knives, the Kaeai V-Gold, is the perfect gift for mothers who love to cook. With a tsuchime (hammered) stainless steel finish & custom oak & ebony oval handles, choose from the santoku (all-purpose) & the nakiri (vegetable) knife. Kaneshige Keiai V-Gold Santoku or Nakiri $275
TOSHO KNIFE ARTS 934 Bathurst St, 647 722 6329

Give mom the gift of style this Mother’s Day from Blowdry Lounge – Toronto’s premiere 'Blowdry' salon. Designed to maintain healthy and styled hair in between haircuts and colours, treat Mom with our Mother’s Day Gift Package Special – purchase 5 signature blowouts and save $25! Packages starting at: $200
BLOWDRY LOUNGE 3 Locations

Discover a new obsession.. And a perfect gift for Mom. Dana Jordan presents MacKenzie-Childs. For the Love of Home. Fresh, Witty Design. A charming kettle with a steel under- body, covered in an ivory and onyx hand-painted enamel checkerboard. Courtly Check Kettle $209
DANA JORDAN 2901 Bayview Avenue 416-512-2474

This Mothers Day let your mom experience a whole new feeling of renewed skin with The Award Winning HYDRAFACIAL MDTM. Lets treat her to one of our best kept beauty secrets to match how stunning she is inside. Free manicure with the purchase of a HYDRAFACIALTM. From $199
JOLIE BEAUTY BAR 1896 Avenue Rd. 416 782 8897

Editor's note: Toronto will overcome, it’s what we do

12:58 pm

I’m writing this column two days after the tragic, violent attack on Yonge Street that left 10 people dead and many more injured. It’s overwhelming to think about, and impossible to ignore. It will shape us for years to come.

What makes it particularly challenging for me to write about this is that the magazine in which this editorial will run won’t be out for another week. So it’s an interesting exercise to imagine how far we will have come by then. Here is my hope for where we will be.

We will begin the process of healing and reflection and hug the heck out of our loved ones. There was a vigil scheduled for the night of Sunday, April 29, and I expect there was a massive outpouring of support and solidarity.

We may have already begun the important task of memorializing those we lost.

And I hope we will take the time to recognize the amazing amidst the awful. Within moments of the tragic events, along with overwhelming grief, anger and sadness, stories of hope emerged.

We learned of the incredibly brave police officer Ken Lam facing down the suspect as well as the dozens and dozens of first responders on the scene and the people of all shapes, sizes and colours helping other people. Neighbours pulled neighbours out of harm’s way, letting them into their homes to relax and collect themselves, passing out bottled water in the heat and so much more.

It’s what we do.

Along with honouring those we lost, we should take the time to salute the heroes we found.

I hope we will all decide to turn toward each other instead of turning away.

By now, many will have seen a very short news clip of a man who, when asked if his day-to-day life was going to change, responded with warmth and honesty that he “feels the need to be kind to people, to go out of my way not to miss opportunities to do good.”

By the time you read this, maybe you’ll have experienced this rise of Toronto the Good in your own lives and in turn paid that forward. I know I will.
It’s what we do.

I hope the anger does not get the better of us and we don’t lose the opportunity to talk about what we can improve upon. This is an opportunity to talk about the mental health crisis in our city and about how important it is to not leave people behind, to make sure they don’t fall through the cracks. And to talk more seriously about keeping people safe in our public space.
If any city can bounce back from something like this, it’s Toronto and area because we are all in this together. We learned a long time ago that we are stronger when we are united.

It’s what we do.

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