Thornhill Post February 2025

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MEATBALLS & AMORE MASSIMO CAPRA ON THE SAUCIEST SPOTS FOR OLD SCHOOL ITALIAN AND ROMANCE

FEBRUARY 2025

Drake holds which record?

A 100 MILLION ALBUMS SOLD B 100 BILLION SPOTIFY STREAMS C BEST DRESSED RAPPER

do u knowt.o.?

MOVE OVER SQUID GAMES — OUR ANNUAL TRIVIA CHALLENGE IS ALL ABOUT WITS NOT SURVIVAL. HOW HIGH IS YOUR CITY IQ?

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CONTENTS

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©DuaneCole

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©thereformation.com

Welcome to the February 2025 issue of the Post. Sit back & enjoy!

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21 Fashion from the heart This Valentine's Day, wear your heart on your sleeve — or pants, or shoes. Jeanne Beker’s picks will have you falling in love with winter fashion

27 Colin and Justin Dynamic design duo and honorary Canadians Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan talk about how they met and finding a love built to last

28 Do you know T.O.?

31 Meatballs and amore Massimo Capra and Anthony Rose put two Toronto date spots to the test to find the sauciest spot for old school Italian and romance

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| FEBRUARY 2025

Move over Squid Games — our annual trivia challenge is all about wits not survival. How high is your city IQ?

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CITY

London, England, has had congestion pricing for two decades

Toronto needs to try congestion pricing

New patients are always welcome. Book your appointment today!

Premier Doug Ford wants to battle congestion, but the tools and measures that actually make an impact are not taking out bike lanes and billion-dollar boondoggles.

As we have seen in London, England, and most recently New York City, congestion taxes produce incredible results.

Commute times are improving, meanwhile subway ridership is on the way up.

Like Toronto, New York City faces a massive and ongoing budget issue when it comes to public transit. Not only does congestion pricing ease traffic congestion and in turn reduce emissions, it also provides serious and sustainable funding for public transit.

Sure, commuters who left the city in search of more affordable housing are on the hook for increased costs if they continue to commute into the city. But early signs are indicat-

ing that some of those people are shifting to other more sustainable transportation modes.

Like Toronto, New York City has made significant investment in safe cycling infrastructure over the last decade.

Unlike our city, there is no talk in New York City of ripping up bike lanes to ease congestion — perhaps, because those in government south of the border understand that doing so would be like opening a paper umbrella in a tsunami: a useless effort with negligible results.

Toronto, instead of investing billions of our dollars in highway projects and victim blaming cyclists, should at least give this very obvious and productive idea some serious consideration.

RON JOHNSON, editorial director of Post City Magazines.

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d in part lisher.

CITY HACKS I always miss out on celestial events. Where is the best place to watch them, and how can I plan ahead?

Tom Green with Kia (left) and Fanny

Tom Green: Comic legend turns homesteader Iconic Ontario comic back with a trio of new projects on Prime Video by Ron Johnson It’s been a long-and-winding road since the days when Tom Green was humping moose on MTV and getting fired by Donald Trump for a drinking binge with Dennis Rodman. Green escaped Hollywood after more than two decades and squirrelled away on a farm he bought in the Ontario wilds. But, being Tom Green, he made a TV show about it. Well, not just one. There are actually three new Tom Green projects out on Prime Video.

We caught up with Green to find out all about it.

Why a farm?

I wanted to live closer to my family, and, I mean, why not a farm? That's a good question. I love the outdoors and nature. I love the peace and quiet of being in the country, even when I lived in Los Angeles. My house was in the Hollywood Hills, and there were deer walking up and down my street and coyotes. So I've always liked to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city.

How has it been?

was again when COVID happened, and I was kind of isolating at home, and I thought, “You know what? I need to get another dog.”

And does she always join you onstage for your standup?

That's why she's so well behaved. I always bring her onstage.

She's probably the most seasoned standup comedy dog working today.

You started out doing prank videos, something that is now commonplace on TikTok and other social media apps. But you’re the OG, right?

“I THINK THE ONE THING I NEVER REALLY EXPECTED WAS THAT I WOULD GET A MULE AND A DONKEY.”

Well, I'm still killing it on TikTok. I have 1.3 million followers.

And they are all following in your footsteps?

I did have the benefit of being one of the few people trying to do it back in the day. So you know, that made it a very unique thing, and it stood out. It is difficult to stand out today because there's so much media and so many people sort of trying to do the kinds of things that I was doing back in the day on Rogers’s community cable.

I'm really loving it. It's a whole new chapter in my life. And I think the one thing I never really expected was that I would get a mule and a donkey and horses, and that's something that's been new to me.

But since we filmed this, I've become very much sort of attached Would you have followed the same path if you were coming up in the TikTok world? to it.

I'm not sure that I would have done it. I might have tried to do What was the hardest thing to get used to on the farm? something else, like become a farmer or something.

I'd say the biggest challenge has been learning to communicate with Fanny, this incredible mule that I have here now and will What are you hoping people take from the show? be part of the family here for a long time to come. I'd never really I'm very proud of being Canadian and proud to be Canadian, been an experienced rider. So to actually look after these animals and I love this country. I wanted to show off a different type of lifestyle in Canada that's quite common up here, but maybe is a lot of detail, and it's something that I love doing. people around the world don't necessarily associate with Canada.

Your dog Charlie is a star, where did he come from?

Especially today, with a lot of the misinformation in the world Charlie's a rescue from the Bahamas, but I got her in California. It about Canada.

There will be plenty of celestial action in 2025.

The best places to watch them include the historic David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill.

The Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University has seven telescopes including the largest telescope on a university campus in Canada and has five 20-centimetre telescopes available during special celestial events.

In addition, look for spots that are hidden from intense city lights. Think, Tommy Thompson Park, the south side of Toronto Islands and the Bluffs.

For events, mark these down: Total Lunar Eclipse (‘Blood Moon’), March 13-14.

Partial Solar Eclipse, March 29.

Be sure to use eclipse glasses for safe viewing.

Meteor Showers:

• Lyrids: April 22, morning.

• Perseids: Aug. 12-13, peaking at night.

• Draconids: Oct. 8-9.

• Geminids: Dec. 13-14.

Also, look for a Venus-Jupiter conjunction on Aug 12.

| FEBRUARY 2025

ople susdes.

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STREETS OF TORONTO

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STREETS OF TORONTO

ROBOT HEADS

HIDDEN GEMS

Trudeau is stepping down as prime minister.

That got us thinking about two Marks. One, Carney, is taking a run at the leadership. The other, Critch, was last to interview Justin.

Which Mark rules the ring?

Mark Carney

NAME

Mark Critch

Fort Smith, N.W.T.

bORN

St. John’s, Nfld.

Economist

GIG

Comedian

Grew up in Edmonton; father was high school principal

PARENTS

Grew up in St. John’s; father was a journalist

Got serious kudos and a plum gig at Bank of England after steering Canada through 2007 financial crisis

bIG bREAK

Sharpened his political satire teeth at CBC’s ‘This House Has 22 Minutes’

Has spent years advising Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on economic policy prepping for a political run

SNIPER TAlES

Was last person to interview Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before the PM announced he was stepping down

Has declared himself as a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada

NExT bIG THING

Season Four of hit comedy ‘Son of a Critch’ recently premiered on CBC-TV

Three odd and unusual T.O. vending machines Toronto is full of oddities, one of the many charms of the city.

Take vending machines, for example. We don’t just have snack machines. We have ones that offer up everything from vinyl records to tattoos.

Sonic Boom Records is home to the Phono-Mat, a retro-inspired vinyl vending machine.

The Phono-Mat dispenses random records.

Next is the Biblio-Mat, a beloved fixture at The Monkey’s Paw bookstore. Designed by the same person as the PhotoMat, this coin-operated machine delivers random vintage books with a satisfying mechanical clunk.

SPOTTED: KING STREET WEST, JAN.14, AFTER MIDNIGHT NBA legend Steph Curry (left) hit up Silent H on King Street West for some post-game victuals following his game versus the Toronto Raptors a few hours earlier.

Yes, we won! But Steph Curry loves our city and even married one of our own, Ayesha Curry, in 2011.

| FEBRUARY 2025

@patrickmarzouk/Instagram

Rounding out the list is the Get What You Get tattoo vending machine at Okey Doke Tattoo Shop, which opened in 2012.

Customers insert a token into the machine, which randomly selects a tattoo design.

The Monkey’s Paw’s Biblio-Mat 7

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OPINION

NEWS SECTION

Mayor Olivia Chow at city budget press conference

Excess condo units for affordable housing?

Budgets are a time to make choices about where to spend money, and that’s the challenge for Toronto City Council, even within the $18.8 million amount requiring a 6.9 per cent property tax increase proposed by Mayor Olivia Chow and budget chief Shelley Carroll.

I suspect the biggest issue for most residents is whether council will begin to address the issue of the unhoused, something barely touched on in the Chow/Carroll proposal. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario recently reported the number of unhoused in On-

tario has grown 20 per cent in the last two years to 80,000 individuals.

Will city council step forward?

There are plenty of condo units available to rent, and it would cost about $4,000 a month to house someone and provide the services that person would need — a cost of about $50,000 a year per person. Resolving social problems is always expensive. For $50 million, the city could provide housing for at least 1,000 people.

The budget proposal shows an unallocated $300 million to be used for wage

settlements still to be bargained. Council will have to decide if some of that fund should be used for the unhoused.

The police board has asked for $46 million more than last year, something Mayor Chow has already agreed to.

What police Chief Myron Demkiw did not include in the budget request was the salary increases for 2024 or 2025, which were then a subject of arbitration.

The arbitrator decided the police salary increase for 2024 will be five per cent, adding another $50 million to police expenditures. No decision has yet been

made for 2025, but assuming it’s a modest four per cent, that’s another $55 million. If the chief had included these amounts in his budget request, he would have been asking for an increase of 12 to 13 per cent, which would have caused push back.

Does city council give this additional $105 million to the police, or do councillors use some or all of it to address the unhoused? That’s the critical question.

Virtually every study done about policing in North America makes the point that giving more money to police does very little to address issues of crime, which in Toronto remains at one of the lowest levels of all cities in Canada. Housing the unhoused helps to reduce many costs.

If the police service got only a bit more than the $46 million asked for, it would be required to find ways to save money to pay for the salary increases, something it has generally been unwilling to do in the past.

If it substantially reduced the use of two officers in every car after dark, it could save $30 to $40 million. It could save money by using more civilians to ticket cars, manage traffic and help with demonstrations and parades.

Many unhoused people are ill and in crisis, and their attempts to survive cause discomfort among homeowners and transit users. They aren’t criminals.

I hope city council will make the right budget decision and put at least $75 million into housing the homeless, while asking the police to become more efficient.

JOHN SEWELL is a former mayor of Toronto.

The beautiful wildlife seen in Toronto is something we should be proud to have in such a large city that’s often viewed as just a concrete jungle. Unfortunately, wildlife faces a growing threat that cannot continue to go unaddressed: rodent poison, also known as black boxes of death. These poisons, while targeting pests in our city, are inadvertently introduced into our food chain, causing harm to a broader spectrum of wildlife.

Our rats and mice are consumed by birds of prey and other predators, who then suffer the deadly consequences of these lethal chemicals. These poisons do not only affect wildlife but also cause serious illness and death in pets, such as cats and dogs, who tend to play with or eat rodents.

Recently, we have seen a heartbreaking manifestation of this cycle. Multiple beautiful snowy owls perished at Tommy Thompson Park, all showing signs of poisoning, such as vomiting blood before their deaths. A nec-

ropsy was performed on the owls, and the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was found, which is another dangerous issue for our birds and even for us.

Since avian flu can easily infect other birds and is known to affect humans, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC), which conducted the testing, stated that rodenticide poisoning as a cause of death is still a "possibility," but CWHC said no further testing can be performed after avian flu is found.

Rodenticides, or black boxes of death, are the largest threat to our raptors and predators and have caused countless deaths. Yet, people continue to buy and even hire contractors to install and maintain these death traps, which are seen practically everywhere in our city.

Just because we cannot see what is really happening after rodenticides are ingested does not mean we can ignore the consequences. There are many safer alternatives to poison, such as live traps, snap traps and birth

control methods. By using these methods and keeping garbage where it belongs and sealed, we can control the rodent population without killing the wildlife that makes this city so unique.

The loss of our wildlife is something we cannot stand by and accept, knowing that with minor changes and adjustments we can make a huge difference. If we don't protect our wildlife, they may vanish, becoming just a memory in old photos.

Please join me in requesting the City of Toronto to ban the use of rodent poisons, promoting instead humane and environmentally safe pest control methods.

Protecting wildlife of all species is not only vital for them but ultimately for ourselves and our planet.

STEVEN SHPAK is a wildlife photographer known for his captivating images of animals in their natural habitats.

| FEBRUARY 2025

Toronto snowy owl deaths a reminder wildlife is under attack

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NEWS

Stay in her lane?

Unlikely.

At St. Clement’s School, we don’t believe that education is always a straight path, or that one size fits all. Through the St. Clement’s School learning experience, we encourage each student to explore and define her own unique education journey.

Help start her journey today. www.scs.on.ca Actor Cameron Mathison

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| FEBRUARY 2025

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Toronto stars’ homes destroyed in L.A. fires Former Thornhill resident Cameron Mathison, of General Hospital fame, lost his home in last January’s wildfires in Los Angeles.

“Thanks to all who reached out and checked in. Can’t respond to all so wanted to give an update here,” said Mathison, on a social media post. “Sending so many prayers to everyone being affected by these fires.”

Other Canadians impacted include Schitt’s Creek star and North Toronto native Eugene Levy, who also lost his home to the Los Angeles wildfires.

The actor, 78, evacuated his home in the Pacific Palisades community as a brush fire raged into an “inferno” and spread throughout his neighbourhood.

He told the Los Angeles Times that he almost found himself stuck as he attempted to flee.

“The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon,” Levy said. “I couldn’t see any flames, but the smoke was very dark.”

Photos show that all that remains of Levy’s property is a stone chimney and a charred row of hedges.

Levy has long called Rosedale home. It’s where he raised his family, including his son and fellow actor Dan Levy.

Actors Adam Brody and

Leighton Meester reportedly lost their $6.5 million home in the Pacific Palisades. Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran said that her Tahitian Terrace community in the Palisades has been devastated.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, as of Jan. 20, the Palisades fire had burned more than 23,000 acres and destroyed at least 1,280 structures in the area, making it the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles County. To date, eight people have lost their lives to the fires.

Canadians are also joining in the fight against the Los Angeles fires. Shortly after the fires started, Prime Minister Trudeau said that Canadian water bombers were already in action, and 250 firefighters were ready to be deployed.

Federal government officials added they were co-ordinating with provinces to deploy more than 60 firefighters from Alberta and B.C. Los Angeles was still under a red flag warning in late January as the most destructive fire season on record continued around the same time that the President, Donald Trump, in a tragic irony, pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement on climate change. —Nisean Lorde

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NEWS

Rendering of North York General Hospital’s new tower

North York hospital advances largest expansion in 56-year history will be reviewed in order to shortlist teams with required design and construction experience and the financial capacity to deliver on a project of this size and complexity. Shortlisted teams will be invited to respond to a request for proposals, which is expected to be released in the summer of 2025.

Once complete, the new tower will include 11 new floors of patient care spaces. The tower will connect to NYGH’s existing building and will be located right across the street

“This growing com-

munity can access the right care, in the right place.” from NYGH’s groundbreaking 528-bed long-term care development that is planned to be built at 4000 Leslie St. and be connected to community-based services delivered by NYGH and organizations across North York.

“Our government continues to make record investments to build a health care system that will connect people to the care they need, when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and Ontario’s minister of

health. “Today’s milestone brings us one step closer to getting shovels in the ground for North York General’s new Patient Tower and is another way our government is expanding capacity to ensure that families in this growing community can access the right care, in the right place, for years to come.”

The new tower will house up to 317 private patient bedrooms, expanding NYGH’s inpatient capacity by approximately 100 new beds.

The massive expansion will also provide space for specialized services, including a large, modern emergency department, expanded critical care and surgery programs and a new birthing centre, including a neonatal intensive care unit.

“This modern space will build on NYGH’s position as a leading academic community hospital known for exceptional quality and personalized experiences,” said Dr. Everton Gooden, president & CEO, NYGH. “As we create a bold 10-year Vision and new Strategic Plan for NYGH, this extraordinary new space will be integral to how we will improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in our communities and beyond.”

—Ron Johnson

We are presently not holding open houses.

We welcome you to book a private tour.

Kindly call the school.

Celebrating 44 years | FEBRUARY 2025

North York General Hospital (NYGH) and Infrastructure Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario government, is taking the next step on an advanced New Patient Care Tower with the release of the request for qualifications to form a project team.

The new Patient Care Tower is part of NYGH’s largest expansion in its 56-year history and will increase its capacity to serve a diverse and rapidly growing population that is projected to exceed 500,000 in 10 years.

“The Request for Qualifications marks a pivotal milestone in NYGH’s journey to build a transformative new Tower to deliver the highest standard of care to future generations of patients and families,” said Mitch Frazer, chair of the NYGH Board of Governors. “Together with our partners — the Ontario Government, Infrastructure Ontario, the City of Toronto — and with the unwavering support of our donors and community, this advanced tower will help redefine our hospital’s impact on the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

The RFQ is the first step in the process to select a team to deliver the project. Submissions

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NEWS

LEARN DEVELOP GROW powersoccer.ca

416-425-6062 Norman Jewison

| FEBRUARY 2025

Iconic Bayview filmmaker honoured

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In a heartfelt tribute to one of Canada's most influential filmmakers, Pinewood Toronto Studios has officially named one of its sound stages the Norman Jewison Stage in honour of the late award-winning director and producer from Toronto.

The news was announced in January to mark the one-year anniversary of Jewison's passing.

“Norman Jewison’s extraordinary contributions to film and storytelling are revered around the world, and it is with great pride that we celebrate his legacy here at Pinewood Toronto,” said Sarah Farrell, general manager of Pinewood Toronto Studios.

“Naming a stage in his honour is a fitting tribute to his remarkable achievements.”

Jewison, born in Toronto in July 1926, was renowned for his bold storytelling and pioneering approach to filmmaking. His career spanned several decades, with some of his most iconic works, including The Russians Are Coming, The Thomas Crown Affair and the groundbreaking 1967 drama In the Heat of the Night, which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Other memorable films in his portfolio include Fiddler on the Roof (1971), which was filmed at Pinewood Studios in the U.K. Jewison was a passionate ad-

vocate for the Canadian film industry, and in 1986, he founded the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) in Bayview to help foster the next generation. The CFC opened its doors in 1988 and has since played a pivotal role in shaping Canadian cinema.

Humberley Gonzalez attended CFC in 2018, and the star of Ginny & Georgia and the new Star Trek film Star Trek: Section 31 can’t say enough.

“I do feel the program is such an accelerator for the talent that we have in Canada,” said Gonzalez. “They were really nurturing the next wave of Canadian talent.”

Jewison’s legacy extends far beyond his films. Through the Canadian Film Centre and his advocacy for Canadian talent, he helped shape the future of filmmaking in Canada.

“Our family is deeply touched to have the Norman Jewison Stage at Pinewood Toronto Studios. Norman was born in Toronto and was passionate about supporting the Canadian film industry,” said Lynne St DavidJewison, the filmmaker’s widow.

“He would have been incredibly proud of this recognition for his work and dedication.”

—Ron Johnson

13

NEWS

Installation of bike lanes on Eglinton is ongoing

Allen Road and Eglinton intersection still issue for new bike lanes off access for local residents.

"It's the kind of traffic where for three hours of the day you can't get out of your driveway — it's that bad," Matlow explained.

"Unless they shut the Allen, drivers will continue to want to go to the Allen and back. So they’re either going to take Eglinton or they’re going to go through the neighbourhoods — one or the other."

“I think their

concerns are valid.

This isn’t bike lanes versus cars.”

Matlow believes that without a functional solution to this traffic choke point, the eglintonTOday Complete Street project could inadvertently make things worse, not better.

"I think their [the residents’] concerns are valid, and I think that needs to be figured out," he said.

"This isn’t bike lanes versus cars. I just don’t think they [city staff ] have presented a plan that’s functional yet."

Matlow has been advocating for a new solution to the issue: a pedestrian and bike bridge over the Allen Expressway. He believes that this infrastructure could remove the need for the

traffic signal at Eglinton and the Allen, which would improve both traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

"I’d like to see a pedestrian and bike bridge that could remove the signal at the Allen," Matlow said.

"It would be far preferable to just have constant in-and-out flow, rather than signals creating more of a traffic logjam."

Matlow pointed to global cities such as Tokyo, where pedestrian and bike bridges are a standard part of the urban landscape, to show this is a feasible solution.

“If we choose to do things, we can do things right,” he added.

“Why not build a bridge that serves both pedestrians and cyclists, makes it safer and relieves some of this traffic congestion?”

Though Matlow is pushing for better solutions, the city’s current plans for the eglintonTOday project focus more on adding protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks and Vision Zero Road Safety Plan features.

Cycling advocacy group CycleTO supports the plans.

“We support this project,” said Alison Stewart of CycleTO (in a previous Post article). “There are lane reductions, there’s building safe-separated bike lanes, and using street beautification and greenery to basically improve the streetscape and make it safer for everyone.”

—Ron Johnson

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As the City of Toronto pushes ahead with the eglintonTOday Complete Street Project, one critical issue is rising to the surface: how to handle traffic congestion at the notoriously clogged intersection of Eglinton Avenue West and the Allen Expressway.

Local residents and city officials are growing concerned about the potential gridlock that could result from narrowing Eglinton to just two lanes in this key location.

For city councillor Josh Matlow, the intersection has become the focal point of the debate.

Matlow has long been an advocate for innovative solutions to traffic flow and believes the proposed plans for Eglinton Avenue in this area may not be enough to alleviate the problems that residents face daily.

The Eglinton and Allen Expressway junction is a very problematic spot in Toronto. It causes serious congestion, and local residents have long complained that so much traffic cuts through local neighbourhood streets that people sometimes can’t even get out of their driveways during rush hour.

Matlow is concerned that reducing Eglinton to just two lanes near the Allen will worsen this already severe congestion, creating mile-long traffic jams and cutting

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MAIN STREET NEWS

A boys’ clothing one-stop shop, indoor golf for midtown & more Dogleg Left Golf has opened at

Yonge and Eglinton, and it will be the perfect place to chase away the winter blues. Offering an advanced golf simulator experience, visitors to 250 Eglinton Ave. W. can enjoy instant swing feedback and access to world-class courses. Dogleg Left promises state-of-the-art simulators that will have you ready to hit the green running when spring comes around.

Entertainment complex Playdium is new to Fairview Mall

NorthBoys has opened in the 905, bringing upscale boys’ clothing to Hillcrest Mall. The locally based retailer is focused on filling a niche for exclusively boys’ fashion in the Canadian market, offering everything from casual wear to formal suiting. The store can also do alterations, making it a one-stop shop. NorthBoys stocks a variety of trending brands, from Psycho Bunny to Diesel, at the new 9350 Yonge St. location.

Playdium has opened at CF Fairview Mall, and the new entertainment complex has filled 22,000 square feet with video games, bowling, classic arcade games and more. Visitors to the location can also win points from games and redeem them for prizes. The venue, located at 1800 Sheppard Ave. E., will also have private rooms for birthday parties or corporate events.

Dior, Saint Laurent and Moncler will be bringing a little

more luxury to Yorkdale at 3401 Dufferin St. Set to open mid2025, all three will be flagship stores in the mall’s new luxury wing. Dior’s shop, covering 10,700 square feet, will also include a Parfums Christian Dior boutique, and Saint Laurent’s flagship will span 11,000 square feet. Moncler will be relocating from Yorkdale’s old luxury wing to the new one in a 4,200Nutbar is opening another lo- square-foot space. cation in Toronto, expanding its empire into midtown. Set to Twilight Cafe is opening soon at open soon at 2592 Yonge St., Yonge and Eglinton, and the the café is known for colourful new location will offer the same “superfood” smoothies and board game fun to residents health-focused snacks. With a alongside an extensive menu that cult following that includes ev- includes breakfast options, buberyone from celebrities to so- ble waffles, specialty drinks and cialites, the additional location bubble tea. The new spot at is sure to attract new fans in the 2429 Yonge St. is still under construction, so it’s unclear when neighbourhood. they’ll be opening their doors to the public.

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CRIME NEWS

TORONTO BREAK-INS WHERE

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OLD YONGE ST. AND MILL ST.

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FINCH AVE. W. AND MADELINE RD.

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TIME OF DAY

| FEBRUARY 2025

WHEN

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NEWS

Amanda Lang on where housing is headed now Joining Post City and Rotman’s Real Estate Roundtable this year for the first time is awardwinning business journalist Amanda Lang. Ahead of the event on March 5, we got her take on the Toronto market.

and we don't have any plans to move — because there aren't great options for us. If only some of the boomers who are aging out of their big homes around Toronto could move down into downtown apartments, but they [developers] didn't build them that way.

They built them as soulless, tiny, box-like things, and so we don't want to live there either.

What’s the overall picture looking like for the 2025 market?

The expectations from experts is that we are going to see strong sales growth — over eight per cent on the residential side. And we've seen more building in the multi-family segment. But the big caveat is there have been developers that have run into trouble; investors have lost money, and projects will not be completed. That may start to right itself because of interest rates.

We may see a shift and see financing open up a little bit again — other people might come in and complete projects.

What’s a housing issue we should be talking more about?

We have financialized housing, and until and unless we de-financialize this market, we are

What’s the solution?

Amanda Lang predicts sales growth in 2025

not going to solve the problem.

Until you get a politician with the courage to say solving housing affordability means your home is going to get less valuable, we are not getting close to the heart of the problem. When something is more valuable because there's less supply, you can bet your boots that the people

who want value will make sure there's no supply.

How is this city’s affordability problem changing our demographics?

The house I'm in, for instance, is the perfect example of a midlevel home that a family could move into. But we're still in it,

We've missed the boat in Toronto on the waterfront and on condo development, but it's not too late. Looking at the older four- or five-storey apartment building built for families in the middle of Toronto. How do we make more of that happen? Developers say, we can't make the math work. Well, what do we need to do to make it happen?

Though I question this idea that developers need help. When we were castigating grocers for their two per cent profit margin rates, developers with double digit profit margins were coming cap in hand to the government, saying, “We can't make it work.”

I’m just not buying it!

In a stagnant condo market, only quality sells

| FEBRUARY 2025

With a glut of condo inventory on the market and prices expected to drop further, Toronto’s condominium segment is seeing very little movement. But although demand is low for the investor-favoured studio and one-bedroom units, are the larger, family-oriented two- and three-bedrooms bucking the trend?

“It depends on what you mean by larger units — in 2004, that meant 1,500 to 2,500 square feet,” said David Fleming, broker of record of Bosley Toronto Realty Group. “Now I have a three-bedroom coming to market, and it’s 875 square feet.”

Fleming noted that this change in layouts, driven by de16 velopers who aren’t building for

The condo townhouse market is still moving

users, but investors, is likely part of the reason why two- and three-bedrooms aren’t selling at a much higher rate than smaller units.

“What’s moving are functional, livable units — that’s not

a 780-square-foot three-bedroom in a building that has 40 other units for sale and 120 for lease, or one with a bad floor plan and micro appliances and no closets,” he said.

There are some properties

that Fleming said are always going to move, even in a down market. “It comes down to functionality: the condo townhouse market is always going to move because it’s a unique product.

Same with the loft market.”

Recent data shows Fleming is right — a report by Zonda Urban found townhouse sales stayed resilient in the GTHA in 2024, accounting for their largest share of annual volume in over a decade at 43 per cent.

Of the 21 new condominium apartment projects that opened for sale in 2024, only 19 per cent sold at opening, down from a 2023 rate of 38 per cent. Of the 58 townhouse projects that opened for sale, 58 per cent sold at opening, up from 55 per cent in 2023. — Julia Mastroianni

Is the Landlord and Tenant Board broken?

As if the Toronto rental market wasn’t already difficult enough, the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is making it worse — backlogs and delays abound.

68,084 The number of applications landlords filed with the LTB during the 2023–2024 fiscal year.

7,176

The number of applications tenants filed with the LTB during the 2023–2024 fiscal year.

46,632

The backlog of active, unresolved cases as of July 31, 2024.

80.1

The average number of days it takes to get a first hearing for landlords filing for eviction or collection of rent — between July and September of 2024.

233

The average number of days it takes to get a first hearing for tenants filing an application — between July and September of 2024.

325

The average number of days it takes a landlord to get an order of eviction or collection of rent — between October and December of 2022.

427

The average number of days it takes to get an order for tenants filing an application — between October and December of 2022.

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FEBRUARY’S GREATEST HITS Hot shows in Toronto this month include a night of standup with the one-and-only Kumail Nanjiani, three thundering concerts from music legend Jack White and a big new musical take on Live Aid. By Ron Johnson

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JACK WHITE

THE WOLF IN THE VOICE

KUMAIL NANJIANI

MARDI GRAS MAMBO

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RHUBARB! FESTIVAL

Kumail Nanjiani, best known for his role in TV series Silicon Valley and his Academy Award–nominated screenplay for The Big Sick, as well as the most recent Ghostbusters movie, will bring his incredible humour to the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres on Feb. 8.

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a high-energy Mardi Gras party at Koerner Hall, featuring the Grammy Award–winning Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, followed by an after party with Red Hot Ramble on Feb. 14.

Nigerian-French singersongwriter Aṣa will captivate Toronto audiences with her soulful blend of R & B, Jazz, Afropop and more during a live performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre scheduled for Feb. 9.

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is set to host the 46th Annual Rhubarb! Festival from Feb. 12 to 16, featuring 13 groundbreaking performances by both local and international artists, with daring new works, including Transpophagic Manifest, by Renata Carvalho.

The legendary lead vocalist and guitarist of the White Stripes, member of Dead Weather and Raconteurs, as well as founder of Third Man Records, Jack White hits town for three massive shows, two at Massey Hall, Feb. 7 to 8, and one at History, Feb. 6.

Tarragon Theatre presents the world premiere of The Wolf in the Voice, an intimate exploration of the singer's voice as the first musical instrument, featuring Neema Bickersteth, Jane Miller and Taurian Teelucksingh, running from Feb. 4 to 23.

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BLACK HISTORY

JUST FOR ONE DAY

BOB MARLEY TRIBUTE

WINTER FEST

NAOMI WOO

A Celebration of Black History Through Music, features the U of T Gospel Choir, Juno Award-winning gospel artist Sharon Riley and an exciting blend of gospel, West African music, and dance on Feb. 8, at the Meridian Arts Centre.

Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is a celebration of the iconic 1985 global music event, featuring songs by legendary artists like Queen, U2 and David Bowie.

The show runs at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto until March 16.

Celebrate Bob Marley's legacy at Toronto’s 19th Annual Bob Marley Birthday Tribute on Feb. 8, at Lee’s Palace. Featuring top acts from the city’s Roots Rock scene, this event honours the life and influence of one of history's most iconic artists.

Wavelength Winter Fest runs from Feb. 27 to March 1 at St. Anne's Parish Hall. This three-night festival features a dynamic lineup of indie, punk, hip-hop and experimental artists, including Owen Pallett, Ducks Ltd. and many more.

Experience the Royal Conservatory Orchestra with Canadian conductor Naomi Woo on Feb. 7 at Koerner Hall. A rising star in the symphonic and operatic world, Woo will lead an unforgettable evening showcasing her artistry and dedication to music.

COMEDY RAILROAD

The Underground Comedy Railroad comes to Comedy Bar Danforth on Feb. 14 with a special Black Valentine’s night of comedy featuring Rodney Ramsey, Tamara Shevon, Daniel Woodrow, and Keesha Brownie. Expect hilarious performances. 19 | FEBRUARY 2025

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FASHION

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FASHION FROM THE HEART I. VEST Preloved, $109, getpreloved.com J. BOOTS, 100% Silk Shop, SALE $355, 1558 Dupont St. K. PUFFER, Bimba y Lola, SALE $297, farfetch.com L. HAIR CLIP, The Stylish Daisy, $15.99, etsy.com/ca/shop/TheStylishDaisy M. PULLOVER, Lemonwood, $795, 1224A Yonge St. “This looks handmade and oversized and very cosy. That red heart looks great against the soft background.”

N. EARRINGS AND RING, Dean Davidson, Ring: SALE $117, Earrings: SALE $135, 145 Berkeley St. “These enamel hearts are so beautiful — such a modern and sophisticated look but still with a touch of whimsy because of that heart shape!”

O. LOAFERS, Maguire Shoes, $240, 760 Queen St. W.

Jeanne Beker | One of Canada’s most trusted authorities on fashion, now watch her on TSC or tune in to her podcast Beyond Style Matters.

| FEBRUARY 2025

A. KNIT SWEATER, Carriage Trade Shop, SALE $199, 2984 Bloor St. W. B. DOUBLE HEART KEYCHAIN, Roots, $48, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr. C. FRONT TIE TOP, Reformation, $218, 87 Yorkville Ave. D. JEANS, Ssense, SALE $239, ssense.com E. SHOULDER BAG, TNT, SALE $268, 394 Eglinton Ave. W. F. SUNGLASSES, Anine Bing, $325, 3401 Dufferin St. G. WRISTLETS, The Cashmere Shop, $125, 24 Bellair St., Unit 5 H. LOCKET, Lisbeth Jewelry, $140, lisbethjewelry.com “I always like the idea of a locket, and this classic silver one has modern feel to it but is still a little old fashioned because it actually opens!”

@TSC

This Valentine's Day, wear your heart on your sleeve — or your pants or your shoes. These oh-so-romantic and stylish picks, curated with Jeanne Beker's help, will have you falling in love with winter fashion again.

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FASHION CURRENTS

What T.O.’s top influencers are wearing Lexson Millington

Top 2025 fashion prediction:

Co-founder of vintage store LBros Finds

I think people are tired of impersonal, algorithm-based, behaviourally optimized online buying. I think we’re going to see more people shopping in person, reconnecting with local businesses, trying on clothes and questioning their origins.

What he’s wearing: Glasses

thrifted from Black Market Vintage, H&M x Rokh collab trench coat, Cos cropped beige jacket and trousers, Guess belt, Gucci shoes, shirt and tie from the local thrift, Spencer Badu bag.

Best style advice: I encourage

troduced me to thrifting at our local Value Village and Salvation Army around the summer of 2017. These spots quickly became a place to experiment with different styles on a budget, and it was a great way to make new friends. Since then I’ve ventured into taking styling more seriously, started documenting my fashion journey on socials and that led to where I’m at today.

Top 2025 fashion prediction:

Oversized tailoring!

Personal style in three words:

’70s, vintage, preppy

Best style advice: Focus on the emotional connection to your garments, e.g., “I’m wearing this because it makes me feel confident/cool.” Invest in quality garments. Create a versatile capsule wardrobe! I always consider whether a new purchase will work with my current collection of clothes before buying.

Irene Kim

Stylist, writer of award-winning fashion Substack In Moda Veritas What she’s wearing: Cos

pants, Jil Sander flats, Proenza Schouler White Label sweater (from Vert boutique in Summerhill), Sacai dress (from a second-hand shop in Tokyo).

Her take on Toronto fashion:

There’s so much creative talent in this city. What’s challenging is that we’re a big city, but we don’t have the market size for retailers to take risks with a consistent stream of innovative, fashion-forward brands. I admire boutiques, like Absolutely Fabrics who are trying!

Toronto’s latest trend? Swap till you drop It’s almost time for some spring cleaning, but instead of just tossing away or donating old clothes and buying new ones, there’s an even more sustainable option. Clothing swaps have been growing in popularity in the city — and two local swaps are making the initiative even easier.

Leaside clothing swap event She Shops Swap launched in 2020 after founder Vicki Hall found herself frustrated by the lack of options for consignment.

“There seemed to only be designer consignment, and then donating your clothes. There was nothing in the middle — a lot of women purchase midmarket fashion,” she says.

Unlike some other swaps, Hall personally curates the en-

She Shops Swap in Leaside

tire collection by hand. The result is an event space set up like a store, with a “wall of denim” the swap has become renowned for, some local vendors and, new to the event, “rail sales.” Attendees receive a ticket for every

item they drop off for the swap, and the ticket becomes their currency — one ticket for any one item at the swap.

Since Annex-based T.O. the Good Swap founder Lisa Amerongen launched her monthly

swap in 2022, the event has regularly sold out (attendees must reserve their spots in advance).

The rules are simple: bring up to 10 preloved items, shop the items at the swap and bring home anything you’d like, though attendees are asked to take an amount similar to what they brought. Amerongen says a clothing swap can be the “first step” for those in that mindset to understand there are other ways to approach consumption.

“For those who are feeling the need to buy new clothes, they’re getting that need met — but they’re swapping for a new wardrobe rather than buying.”

The next She Shops Swap will be in late spring, and the next the Good Swap will be in February. —Julia Mastroianni

Rock ‘N Karma in Yorkville

Triumphant & stylish return to Yorkville Yorkville has a new pulse — and it’s beating to the bold rhythm of Rock ‘N Karma. The iconic Toronto fashion brand has returned to its original neighbourhood, unveiling a flagship boutique after eight years on Queen Street West.

For this brand, the move marks not just a relocation but a triumphant homecoming.

Rock ‘N Karma began as a small operation run by co-founder and designer Naomi Shapiro and her sister Devorah and has evolved into one of Toronto’s most distinctive fashion labels, expanding through kiosks at Yorkdale mall, Pearson Airport and the Eaton Centre before opening their first boutique in Yorkville.

“Now, we’ve come full circle,” Shapiro reflects. “Yorkville has always been part of our DNA. It’s the perfect setting for showcasing the brand’s evolution — luxurious, vibrant and unapologetically stylish.”

Rock ‘N Karma is known for its personalized details, from intricate embellishments to bold painted graphics. “The handpainted elements in Rock ‘N Karma designs are a true labour of love,” Shapiro says. “These aren’t just clothes — they’re wearable art.”

For those ready to elevate their wardrobe, Rock ‘N Karma’s Yorkville boutique is open seven days a week at 132 Cumberland St. —Lauren DiBenedetto

| FEBRUARY 2025

How he got involved in fashion: My best friend Liam in-

people to have certain key foundational pieces to be the building blocks of their wardrobe. If you’re often saying, “I have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear,” or, “I keep wearing the ‘same’ outfit over and over again,” this is usually related to not having those foundational pieces. Also: buy what you love but for the life you have!

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Find thermal bliss a short drive from T.O. Take the plunge this season with hot and cold therapy spas across Ontario. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway or a day of solo relaxation, check out these spots a short drive from Toronto, featuring Finnish hydrotherapy circuits and themed hot and cold rooms.

Wander the Spa

| FEBRUARY 2025

Ontario’s first lakefront nordic spa has just launched on the grounds of Wander the Resort in Prince Edward County, featuring a 10,000-square-foot thermotherapy circuit. Start off in the 32-seat dry heat sauna, steam room, hot soak pool and exfoliation room, then brave the cold plunge — set at 10℃ — to take full advantage of the wellness benefits of hydrotherapy. A lakefront nordic spa also comes with some perks — the spa is located near Whisper Beach on West Lake, and visitors will get access to 200 feet of waterfront, exclusive to spa guests, a natural cold plunge experience, two additional saunas and Hygge Huts. wandertheresort.com/spa

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Go Place

A luxury wellness experience just 45 minutes outside of Toronto in Markham, Go Place spans 68,000 square feet. With your one-time admission fee ($71.95),

you can technically stay at the spa from 7 a.m. all the way until 2 a.m. — and you might, considering how much there is to explore! Known for Go Place’s themed rooms, you can wander from a heated volcanic rock room to a far infrared area to a bit of cold therapy in the ice room. Soak in a Jacuzzi bath, unwind in the steam room and add on a massage for the ultimate relaxation. With a restaurant serving up sushi and dim sum and a gym on site, you can rest, relax, refuel, work out and repeat all day! goplace.com Vettä

Take a day trip to Horseshoe Valley in Oro-Medonte for this authentic Finnish spa experience.

Surrounded by trees, you’ll feel immersed in nature — and with no phones allowed, you can unplug too! Vettä’s hydrotherapy circuit features steam rooms, saunas, stone rooms and hot pools for heat, cold plunges and buckets for cold and warm pools, hammocks and Muskoka chairs by wood-burning firepits. It’s recommended you end off each cycle with an exfoliating salt scrub. Add on a massage or book a table at the Finnish-inspired restaurant for a full day of resting and recharging. vettaspa.com —Julia Mastroianni

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CURRENTS ADVICE

Dear Sangita: My partner’s ex is sending me weird messages Dear Sangita: My partner's ex is sending me suspicious messages on Instagram, and I think she's hinting at some unfavourable things about my ex. At first I ignored it, but now I'm getting too curious. Is this opening up a can of worms or is this potentially valuable information I need to know?

—Ignorance is bliss?

Dear Bliss: It depends on how long you’ve been dating — if it’s a new relationship, I would want to know what the ex has to say; maybe I am with the wrong person! You may want to have a conversation with your partner first.

If you ask about why they broke up and don’t really get an answer or they behave weirdly, that will tell you a lot about them. At that point, I would see what the ex has to say. It’s not great to go into a relationship feeling that your partner is a bad person. But I know part of your curiosity is wanting to know if there’s something you haven’t noticed in your

partner that you should be aware of. That makes sense.

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Dear Sangita: My wife and I recently decided to move my mother into our basement. I have always been fearful of her becoming the overbearing mother-inlaw trope. Since she's moved in, that's exactly what she's become.

She criticizes our parenting, is always cleaning places we just cleaned as if we didn't do a good enough job, etc. I'm starting to get fed up, and my wife is too, but I also feel like I have no options.

I chose to move her in — how anybody at the hospital. I needed could I now ask her to move out? to take care of myself and my — Roommate regrets baby. She agonized over it at the time, saying she didn’t know what Dear Regrets: I would ask her she would say to them, but I told if she's happy in the house, and her that it had nothing to do with give her the power to say if she her or them — it was about me would prefer to live on her own. and my child. And the second If she says, “No, I love living with time we had a baby, that never you guys, and I’m happy in the happened. So if there are some basement,” then you can talk boundaries you decide you need about the things that are bother- to set, you have to be prepared to deal with the drama to find a soing you.

Older people sometimes feel lution.

Regardless of how the converlike they have to prove their worth, and that’s what it seems sation goes, you made the decilike she’s doing. She hasn’t been sion to take her in — you cannot overbearing before, but now she’s now send her out unless she debehaving this way almost to cides she’d prefer to move out. prove that she deserves to be there. So I think you can ap- Have a relationship or life proach the conversation from question for Sangita? Send it to advice@postcity.com. that angle.

If the annoyances continue, you either let it go or you be up front about it. I remember when we had our first child, my mom SANGITA PATEL is our advice columnist and was previously said all the aunts and uncles are a host on ET Canada. coming, and I said I didn’t want

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CURRENTS GROWING UP T.O.

FAST FACTS NAME:

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Little Italy FAVE T.O. ACTOR/ARTIST:

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As the youngest in his family, Toronto actor Aaron Abrams remembers being a kid who always liked attention. That’s where acting came in.

“It became a way of getting attention that wasn’t making me insufferable,” he says.

The Hannibal, Blindspot and Rookie Blue star recalls drama class being the only one in school that ever really “caught” him, enough that his parents decided to put him in an acting class by the time he was eight.

“I went up and did an impression of my parents, and I remember people laughing and sort of discovering that something so personal could be universal at the same time,” he says.

“That was the first itch.”

Abrams scored bit parts in movies starring the likes of Michael Douglas, Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger until he landed his first “break” — alongside Canadian royalty.

“It was on a show called Slings and Arrows, and it was my first character where I had a name. I joined for the third season, and I was already such a fan, so to be accepted as a part of it, while doing scenes with Paul Gross and Sarah Polley, was such an honour.”

Often cast as the antagonist, Abrams says it was a big shift to take on the role of a well-meaning, sensitive and loving sitcom

father in Children Ruin Everything. Now on its fourth season, it’s clear the comedy is resonating with viewers in Toronto (where the show is set) and beyond.

“It’s definitely an ode to all the family sitcoms we grew up on, but modernized — the dad isn’t a ding dong who just wants to watch the game; the mom isn’t the sheriff of the house,” Abrams says. “On this show, they’re a team, and they’re in love!”

Despite the show’s name, he says acting alongside his young co-stars (Mikayla SwamiNathan and Logan Nicholson) has been nothing but wonderful. “They’re not only extremely talented and smart and fun, but the show also writes them to just be kids,” he says. “So they’re just little weirdos, and they’ll throw a new thing at you, and you get to be very alive for those moments.”

And although the show is all about the constant emotional and financial hardships of being a parent, Abrams says he’s been pleasantly surprised by how all kinds of viewers, from child-free adults to kids themselves, have been connecting with the show.

“It’s a testament to the writing,” Abrams says. “[Series creator] Kurt [Smeaton] cracks his heart open and puts it on the page and makes every storyline so remarkable.”

— Julia Mastroianni

POS

Sh

Tip

JER

Jere and and prac tiff p

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CURRENTS HOW THEY MET

Canada’s design duo Colin and Justin on a love built to last Dynamic design duo and honorary Canadians, Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan have been gracing our TV screens for 25 years, from home heists to log cabin renos. Now, they’re taking on a new challenge with Colin & Justin’s Sub Zero Reno, premiering on Paramount Plus on Jan. 31 — renovating their Haliburton home in the middle of a frigid Canadian winter. The couple shares the details of their awkward disco encounter and idyllic honeymoon.

How they met

Back in the ’80s in Glasgow, we were sitting in two booths next to a pulsing disco dance floor. After five minutes of sideways glances and furtive smiles, a sweating, topless lady plonked herself down between us, breathing heavily from the dance floor. Erupting into awkward laughter at the arrival of our new scantily clad guest, this was the ice breaker that turned into love. Aye, breasts brought us together!

We lived in Chelsea at the time and had our reception at the Wolseley on Piccadilly, our favourite London hangout. We took a house in the hills above the Four Seasons in Nevis in the Caribbean for our honeymoon and did a shoot for OK! magazine in Britain, fed monkeys outside our windows every day and had a local chef cook lobster on the beach as we quaffed chilled champagne.

The family L-R: Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister have been together for 40 years

The first date

In May 1985, we met up in Squires, a Glasgow gay bar, for lunch. After a couple of pints, we had a quick snog, only to be told by the barman that the bar was only gay in the evenings and currently full of straight business people. So could we, erm, stop!

flight back, got talking about getting hitched. There was no going down on one knee. It was just a conversation about our future that kind of grew. The lengths to which two intercontinental designers will go for Bulgari rings!

The wedding and honeymoon

We got “married” — it was a civil The proposal partnership back then — on Feb. We had been working on a TV 15, 2008, at Chelsea Town Hall, show in Australia and, on the on the King’s Road in London.

being very different people also bonds us together like glue. We love shared time and are very seldom apart. We have one cellphone and one email address. Our friends think this is weird!

Balancing careers and a relationship

It’s funny, we don’t really look for a balance because we’ve figured out that making money from your vocation is the true path to happiness — 2024 was our 25th year in television. In 2023, we made a show called Colin and Justin’s Hotel Hell and have a new show coming out called Sub Zero Reno. We show no signs of slowing down and have no desire to stop.

We have two fluffy feline sons, Beamer and Brutus, who travel with us, and also many nieces and nephews. We also have two goddaughters, Tallulah and Jasmine.

We thought about having a family when we were in our 30s but moved to Canada instead. You The future together Bring on the crystal ball and let’s could say Canada is our baby! get to it! Who knows what’s lurkThe secret to success ing around the corner; it’s imporThe secret to successful couple- tant to live in the moment and dom is to never ever let your part- always stay buoyant. But there’ll ner see you on or near the toilet. always be fun, adventure, cocktails Having a lot in common but and cats.

POST CITY X DIAMOND & DIAMOND

Sharing the Road Safely with Snow Plows Tips from Jeremy Diamond and Sandra Zisckind of Diamond & Diamond Lawyers JEREMY DIAMOND Jeremy Diamond is a lawyer and member of both Ontario and Florida Bars. Jeremy practices in the area of Plaintiff personal injury litigation.

Don’t Attempt to Pass Although it may seem tempting to pass a snow plow to get ahead, it’s dangerous. Snow plows are slowmoving, and roads near them can be slippery and poorly cleared.

Additionally, plows sometimes block multiple lanes or suddenly veer to one side, creating potential hazards.

Keep a Safe Distance If possible, wait for the plow to Snow plows often move slowly, move over or for a section of road clearing snow and salting roads. that’s been cleared before passing.

When driving behind a plow, it’s important to maintain a safe following Watch for Turns distance. Snow plows can throw and Lane Changes snow and ice, reducing visibility, and Snow plows often make wide turns may make sudden stops or turns. "A to clear snow from the road’s edge. good rule of thumb is to stay at least They may also change lanes without ten car lengths behind a snow warning. Drivers need to stay alert plow," says Zisckind. "This gives you to avoid accidents when plows enough space to react if the plow need to clear all lanes or shift posisuddenly stops or changes direc- tions to deal with changing road tion." conditions. "Snow plows frequently Plows also tend to create snow make unpredictable movements, clouds behind them, making it har- especially when clearing snow from der to see, so keeping your distance the shoulder or turning onto smaller is crucial. roads," explains Zisckind.

Winter brings snow and icy roads, making snow plows a crucial part of keeping highways and streets safe.

However, sharing the road with these large machines requires extra caution. Isaac Zisckind, a founding partner at Diamond & Diamond, offers valuable advice for staying safe when driving near snow plows.

Avoid Tailgating in Winter Conditions Tailgating is never a good idea, but it’s particularly dangerous during winter. Snow plows are clearing icy or slippery roads, and getting too close to a plow can lead to accidents, especially if the vehicle in front suddenly stops or encounters an obstacle. Maintaining a safe distance ensures you have enough time to react if the road conditions change suddenly.

Yield to Plows When Necessary Snow plows are doing important work to keep roads clear, so drivers should give them space. If a snow plow needs to stop to discharge salt or sand, drivers should be prepared to slow down or stop. It’s also essential to yield the right of way when needed, especially when plows are working in tight spaces. "If a snow plow is operating, be prepared to stop or slow down," advises Zisckind.

"It’s important to let them do their job and give them the space they

need to clear the road safely.” When snow plows are actively clearing roads, patience is key.

Share the Road with Plows Safely Sharing the road with snow plows requires patience, awareness, and caution. By maintaining a safe following distance, avoiding tailgating, and being prepared for snow plows to move unexpectedly, drivers can ensure their safety and contribute to safer winter driving conditions for all road users.

If you find yourself in a motor vehicle accident or require legal guidance, Diamond & Diamond is here to assist you. Stay safe on the roads this winter, and remember: exercising caution around snow plows can prevent accidents and save lives.

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WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL TRIVIA EXTRAVAGANZA! TEST YOUR CITY IQ AND WIN PRIZES!

A LAVA HAY

A TORONTO ARGOS

B HUMBER

B FRONT

B SPARROWS

B TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

C KEATING

C KING

C SUGAR SHOPPE

C TORONTO HUSKIES

D TADDLE

D BLOOR

D MYNAH BIRDS

D TORONTO ST. PAT’S

ANSWER: IKEA

ANSWER: B

7. This neighbourhood attempted to separate from Canada in the ’60s.

9. City Hall made a brief appearance in which iconic TV show?

10. A video for a song from this Toronto band was the first played on MuchMusic.

A ODDFELLOWS

A YORKVILLE

A STAR WARS

A RUSH

B LA PALETTE

B RATHNELLY

B BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

B BLUE RODEO

C ROSEBUD

C KENSINGTON MARKET

C STAR TREK

C HONEYMOON SUITE

D BLACK HOOF

D BEACHES

D DR. WHO

D THE ROMANTICS

ANSWER: B

8. Toronto-bred Sphynx cats were made famous thanks to this series of movies.

ANSWER: A

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: AUSTIN POWERS

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: A

11. What is the name of Toronto's first lighthouse, the oldest on the Great Lakes?

12. Which famous Irish musical group actuallly formed in Toronto?

13. Who scored the first-ever basket for the Toronto Raptors?

14. A massive white statue of what animal sits in a Christie Pits front yard?

15. Who did Toronto play against in the first-ever PWHL game in 2024?

A QUEEN’S WHARF

A THE POGUES

A VINCE CARTER

A RACCOON

A NEW YORK

B YORK TOWER

B CHIEFTAINS

B DAMON STOUDAMIRE

B LION

B BOSTON

C GIBRALTAR POINT

C IRISH ROVERS

C ZAN TABAK

C ELEPHANT

C CHICAGO

D ASHBRIDGES

D THIN LIZZY

D ALVIN ROBERTSON

D BISON

D MONTREAL

A POSSUM

A AXE THROWING

B JAMES BOND

B BAT

B ULTIMATE FRISBEE

C SHERLOCK HOLMES

C OWL

C BADMINTON

D HARRY POTTER

D RACCOON

D 5-PIN BOWLING ANSWER: D

ANSWER: D

DVP CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND, MISS A TURN

20. Drake made his concert debut opening for which hip hop icon?

A VANILLA ICE

19. Name the first comedy film (pictured above) Toronto’s Ivan Reitman directed.

ANSWER: MEATBALLS

18. In 1909, Toronto's Tommy Ryan invented which sport cum leisure activity?

B COOLIO C ICE CUBE D KOOL HERC ANSWER: C

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: D

17. Toronto has more of which nocturnal animal than any city in the world?

ANSWER: C

16. Toronto Reference Library has a room dedicated to which fictional character?

ANSWER: A

ANSWER: C | FEBRUARY 2025

A LAKESHORE

5. Instant replay was first used in a 1955 game featuring this Toronto team.

6. What was celebrity chef Matty Matheson’s first restaurant in Toronto?

A ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

28

A DON

4. Iconic actor Victor Garber was a member of which T.O. folk music group?

ANSWER: C

LEAFS WIN THE CUP, MOVE AHEAD A SPACE

1. Name the Toronto store that the monkey Darwin wandered into one day in 2012.

3. Toronto's waterfront actually used to begin at which street?

ANSWER: B

S T A R T

2. Along which river will you find Toronto's most famous flying saucer?

TTC IS ON TIME, MOVE AHEAD A SPACE

29

into two teams and alternate turns asking questions. For every correct HOW TO PLAY: Split answer, move forward one space. First to the finish line wins!

Score one point for SINGLE PLAYER: every correct answer

Send us your best T.O. trivia question and enter to win a $500 getaway at Deerhurst Resort or a Streets of Toronto hoodie! Bonus ten entries if you send a pic of you playing the game! Send to: doyouknowto@streetsoftoronto.com.

26-40: LOCAL PRO

You’ve got a lot to learn about what makes this city great.

You live and breathe Toronto; go forth and share your joy!

24. In the ’80s, this Toronto tennis star was a teen icon on the court and in movies.

22. A Toronto concert by which singer is considered the official end of the Beatles?

You might not know everything about T.O. but you’re trying.

25. Which iconic Toronto sitcom launched the career of Simu Liu?

A BABY POINT

A JOHN LENNON

A HELEN KELESI

A KING OF KENSINGTON

B BEACH

B PAUL MCCARTNEY

B CHRIS EVERT

B LETTERKENNY

C JUNCTION

C YOKO ONO

C PATRICIA HY

C KIM’S CONVENIENCE

D CARLING BASSETT

D SCHITT’S CREEK

D RINGO STARR

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: A

ANSWER: LEE’S PALACE

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: C

28. The cover for Drake’s 2011 album Take Care was shot in which restaurant?

29. Who was the T.O. sprinter stripped of his Olympic gold due to steroids?

30. In Kensington Market, there is a famous garden growing out of what?

A PREACHERS

A JOSO’S

A BEN JOHNSON

A CAR

B FIREFIGHTERS

B SOTTO SOTTO

B DONOVAN BAILEY

B ROOF

C BLACKSMITHS

C THE REAL JERK

C CARL LEWIS

C SIGN

D CANOE

D CHRIS CHEETAH

D MANHOLE COVER

D POLICE

ANSWER: THE HANDMAID’S TALE

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: A

31. What is the name of the ancient lake that extended to Davenport Road?

32. Which team did the Maple Leafs beat to win its last Stanley Cup?

33. What is the first and only album Prince recorded while living in Toronto?

A RANGERS

A MUSICOLOGY

B MATCHEDASH

B CANADIENS

B PURPLE RAIN

C TARENTO

C BRUINS

C SIGN ‘O’ THE TIMES

D WYANDOT

D

D CONTROVERSY

ROCHESTER ROCKET NIAGARA C PENINSULA D MAPLE LEAF A

34. This comedy duo were regulars at Citytv’s Speakers Corner.

B

ANSWER: A

ANSWER: THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATES

ANSWER: B

RED WINGS

35. What was the name of the first Toronto ferry operating in 1833?

38. This Toronto park has a hidden archery range open to the public.

39. Which Toronto journalist was a founding member of Greenpeace?

40. Which famous actor grew up in Yorkville and was a minor hockey goalie?

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: A

36. The other Toronto Maple Leafs team plays which sport?

A ULTIMATE FRISBEE

A SUNNYBROOK

A DAVID SUZUKI

A MIKE MYERS

B E.T. SETON

B PAUL WATSON

B KEANU REEVES

C CEDARVALE

C AL GORE

C RYAN GOSLING

D TRINITY BELLWOODS

D BOB HUNTER

D JIM CARREY

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: Danny Dichio

C SOFTBALL D FIELD HOCKEY

37. Name this player who scored the first-ever goal in Toronto FC history.

ANSWEB: B

B BASEBALL

RACCOONS GET INTO YOUR GARBAGE, MISS A TURN

DRAKE CANCELS CONCERT, MISS A TURN

A IROQUOIS

ANSWER: A

26. This hit TV show is adapted from a novel by Toronto’s Margaret Atwood.

27. The Circus Riot of 1855 involved clowns fighting with which other group?

ANSWER: A

D ROSEDALE

23. This iconic mural can be found outside what Toronto music venue?

F I N I S H

RAPTORS WIN IN OVERTIME, MOVE AHEAD TWO SPACES

| FEBRUARY 2025

21. What was Toronto’s last alcohol-free neighbourhood, lasting until 2000?

0-12: NEW NEIGHBOUR 13-25: RAD RESIDENT

29

ANSWEB: B

30

PRESENTING SPO ONSOR:

31

TASTE TEST

FOOD

I LOVE YOU FROM MY HEAD TO-MA-TOES

SECTION

Valentine’s Day is here, and chefs Massimo Capra and Anthony Rose are on a mission to pick the best old school Italian spot in the city. Will it be Sugo, the Instagram-famous contender, or Grazie, the classic where Toronto’s first dates have been happening for 35 years? See which won them over.

OUR JUDGES Chef Massimo Capra Chef Anthony Rose

GRAZIE 6464 Yonge St. & 9100 Jane St. Founded in 1990

VS.

SUGO

1281 Bloor St. W. Founded in 2017

ROUND 1 - MEATBALLS Anthony and Massimo both thought Grazie’s meatballs were a solid pick, but Massimo wasn’t sold on the cheese, saying it was a little too much.

As for Sugo’s meatballs, they were a hit for both — bold flavours all around. Massimo did think they could’ve used a little more sauce, though.

VS.

Grazie: Anthony: 7, Massimo: 6 Sugo: Anthony: 7, Massimo: 7.5

ROUND 2 - GNOCCHI Both Massimo and Anthony thought the sauce on Grazie’s gnocchi was a bit too dense and overcooked, but they liked how rustic it tasted.

Anthony especially enjoyed the chunky texture of the gnocchi. On the other hand, Sugo’s gnocchi had more zest and was full of flavour. Although Massimo felt it could’ve been a bit softer, he thought it was much fresher overall.

Grazie: Anthony: 6, Massimo: 5 Sugo: Anthony: 7, Massimo: 7

VS.

6 Anthony Rose

ROUND 3 - TIRAMISÙ

VS.

8

Grazie: Anthony: 7, Massimo: 7 Sugo: Anthony: 8.5, Massimo: 8

Massimo Capra

FINAL SCORE - Grazie: Anthony: 20, Massimo: 18 Sugo: Anthony: 22.5, Massimo: 22.5

OLD SCHOOL ITALIAN CHAMP

SUGO

| FEBRUARY 2025

Massimo mentioned that Grazie’s tiramisù had some issues with the savoiardi (ladyfinger) cookies not being soaked enough, but overall, it was still creamy and tasty. He also shared that tiramisù was one of the first things he learned to make back in 1975, when he started his first job in Venice, so he knows his stuff. As for Sugo’s version, Anthony really liked the darker cocoa powder, saying it had way more flavour, and he was a fan of the extra mascarpone.

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FOOD

L-R: Sarah and Alex have curated T.O.’s top brunch spots since 2018

Celebrate love with brunch and the Babes The Brunch Babes, Sarah Ballou and Alex Mladen, have built a huge following on Instagram with their spot-on recommendations. This Valentine’s Day, skip the candlelit dinner and celebrate love with brunch!

Here are the Babes' top picks.

leave. Trust chef Patrick Kriss to deliver culinary perfection.

Must-Try: Lobster brioche as an appetizer, French toast, and, of course, it would be illegal to leave without having the coconut cream pie. 51 Camden St.

1. Manita

Annabelle is a charming Italian restaurant that has become a beloved neighbourhood eatery.

The menu is seasonally inspired and rotates with three fresh new pastas every week.

Must-Try: Start with a breakfast martini then share the pesto scramble & ricotta and the breakfast carbonara. 909 Davenport Rd.

This cosy Ossington gem is at the top of our list for Manita’s warm and intimate space and of course, the delicious brunch.

Must-Try: We recommend you share the breakfast sandwich made with the best aïoli, the Mediterranean plate filled with our favourite dips and a side of Manita’s french fries. 210 Ossington Ave. This charming French bistro transports you straight to Paris with its intimate ambience and meticulously crafted menu.

Must-Try: Start with the French onion soup and end with the amazing croque madame. 798 Bloor St. W.

| FEBRUARY 2025

5. Casa Madera

Casa Madera offers a luxurious brunch blending Mexican-inspired and Mediterranean coastal cuisine. The stunning interior transports you to paradise, while Casa Madera DJs and performance artists create a vibrant atmosphere.

Must-Try: Kobe A5 wagyu, churro French toast and the 3. Alder signature Casa margarita, Celebrate any occasion at which includes an unforgettaAlder, a breathtaking restau- ble fire show! 550 Wellington rant in the Ace Hotel. With St. W. live music every Sunday and a cosy, bonfire-like ambience, it’s — Sarah Balou and Alex Mladen a place you’ll never want to 2. Chantecler

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4. Annabelle Pasta Bar

33

FOOD

Rick picks the good, the bad and the overhyped in T.O. Toronto’s dining scene is a whirlwind of new spots and mixed reviews. Enter Rick Silver (@dicksworld), the city’s no-nonsense food influencer.

Known for his blunt, honest critiques, Rick’s voice stands out in a sea of younger influencers. When he says “run, don’t walk,” you’d better listen.

Here’s Rick’s unfiltered take on four Toronto spots — the must-tries and those that might not live up to the hype.

1. Public Gardens: This newly opened American-Italian spot is THE place to be on King West, with Manhattan vibes and an epic patio. The salads, apps and fresh-made pastas are all great, but we thought the pizza was the real star. 577 King St. W. The Rating: 8.4/10 Take-away: Make a reservation

Rick Silver’s reviews are genuine, not influenced by free meals

3. Jatujak: This Thai spot, with three locations,

was one of the few restaurants that got us through the pandemic — and we’ve been ordering from it ever since. The pad kee mao is packed with veggies, has great noodles and just the right amount of heat.

We’re consistent with our orders, and they’re consistently delivering top-quality dishes. Locations in Scarborough, North York, Richmond Hill.

The Rating: 9.2/10 Take-away: Worth a try

TRENDING BITE

2. Matty’s Patty’s: Toronto is lucky to have a handful of Matty Matheson's restaurants. While landing a reservation or splurging at spots like Prime Seafood Palace might be a challenge, anyone craving a mouth-watering smash burger can always swing by Matty’s Pattys. 923a Queen St. W. The Rating: 8.8/10 Take-away: Tasty burger, spectacular bun

4 Jimmy John’s: With over 2,700

locations across 43 U.S. states, this chain recently ventured into Canada with its first location in Etobicoke.

The sweet chili chicken was great, but we weren’t as impressed with the other three subs we tried. To be fair, it was only day one of opening, so maybe the meatball sub that left us cold has been sorted out since.

197 N. Queen St. The Rating: 6.6/10 Take-away: Jersey Mike’s is better

Silver's top Instagram reel, with 1M views, calls T.O. spot Sumaq's shawarma one of the best he's had.

RICK SILVER is a Toronto food influencer, always on the hunt for the best eats in the city.

POST CITY X BOULBY WEINBERG FISHMAN

Travelling with Children After Divorce or Separation

Reviewing Your Parenting Agreement or Court Order

Each family’s situation is unique, and the specifics of your shared parenting arrangement within your separation agreement or court order play a critical role in determining what steps you must take before travelling with your child. Some agreements or court orders may require advance notice for the nontravelling parent, sometimes weeks to months before a trip. They may also restrict travel to certain destinations, limiting a parent’s ability to travel to specific geographic areas without prior approval.

Regarding holidays, parenting schedules may also outline which parent has priority for holiday travel in a given year.

Parental Consent & Travel Letters

With international travel comes complexity. Border and immigration authorities in Canada and abroad

are increasingly vigilant when children travel without both parents, primarily due to concerns about international child abduction or other potential issues. It is crucial for separated or divorced parents to carry specific documentation when travelling with children. Parents should have a valid passport for each travelling child (both parents’ consent is typically required to obtain this), a travel consent letter (preferably notarized to ensure the nontravelling parent’s signature is authentic), and proof of parenting arrangements (such as a copy of a court order or separation agreement/parenting plan).

Although domestic travel within Canada does not require passports or special entry permissions, parental communication remains essential. Even if written consent is not expressly required by the parties’ parenting agreement or court order, having a travel letter signed by the non-travelling parent is advisable to avoid issues with authorities, whether the child is travelling with a parent or on their own.

This letter should detail: ● The child’s name and date of birth; ● The destination, purpose, and travel dates; ● The travelling parent’s contact information; and ● The non-travelling parent’s signature (ideally notarized).

Preparation Paves the Way for Seamless Travel

Arranging a trip with your children can be an opportunity for bonding and memory-making.

However, failing to adhere to the legal restrictions in your particular case can lead to conflict between parents and, occasionally, result in the need to involve the court, which may impact future travel. arrangements.

By ensuring you have the proper documentation, comply with any parenting agreements or court orders in place, and have facilitated clear communication with the other parent, you can ensure smooth travel and an enjoyable trip with your children.

BOULBY WEINBERG FISHMAN LLP 661 YONGE ST. SUITE 500 TORONTO, ON M4Y 1Z9 647-494-0113 BOULBYWEINBERG.COM Kenneth A. Fishman has exclusively practiced family law since 2009 and advises clients on all related issues, including parenting, support claims and property disputes.

He has been recognized multiple times by Best Lawyers.

| FEBRUARY 2025

For separated or divorced parents, travelling with children across borders can present unique challenges. Legal and logistical considerations must be considered, whether for a family visit, a much-anticipated vacation for a school or holiday break, or even a quick weekend getaway. Understanding your rights and obligations as a parent can help ensure your plans proceed smoothly while prioritizing your child’s best interests.

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FOOD

Le Bisou’s menu includes all the classic French favourites

| FEBRUARY 2025

Bakery brings golden touch to Forest Hill

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Le Bisou Pâtisserie is one of has replicated some of France’s Forest Hill’s latest French bak- most beloved patisserie items in eries, conveniently located beside her storefront, showcased via a the soon-to-open Forest Hill glass display case.

On the menu, you’ll find clasTTC station.

Created by pastry chef Anna sic pastries, like eclairs made with Kang, Le Bisou has quickly be- choux pastry, madeleines, croiscome a welcome treat for com- sants, macarons, quiche and muters, offering authentic, Paris-Brest. Other favourites inhomemade French pastries using clude a selection of muffins, the finest ingredients. Com- cookies and tarts, including the mitted to transparency and up- best-selling almond raspberry holding the highest culinary tart, made with fresh raspberries, raspberry mousse, almond standards, Le Bisou lists all of cream and raspberry the ingredients of its purée and topped exceptional products with an edible online, where pasLIT LAYERS golden chocolate try lovers can rest Before becoming a leaf garnish. assured their fapastry chef, Anna Lunchtime opvourite French Kang studied Russian tions include a vatreats are free literature in Korea riety of sandwiches from artificial flaand Moscow. made on housevours or additives. made focaccia or ciaOutfitted in natural batta bread or croissants. wood panelling, the café proA selection of espresso-based vides seating for roughly 15 guests, including a table for three drinks and teas can be ordered at at the front window, which the bar, including specialty lattes, makes for the perfect sipping like the Italian meringue chocolate latte, which is topped with spot to people-watch.

Kang, who moved to Canada Italian meringue filling and in 2013 and graduated with a torched before serving.

All of Le Bisou’s patisserie culinary management degree from Niagara College shortly items can be enjoyed in-store or after in 2016, has worked at sev- ordered online and delivered via eral well-known patisseries in UberEats.

Le Bisou is located at 866 Toronto and continues to refine her skills as a pastry chef with the Eglinton Ave. W. opening of Le Bisou, where she — Christine Roberti

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Michael’s on Simcoe team unveils new Yorkville steak house

Ridge Hill Drive $3,295,000

Heath St W $1,995,000

Demand Upper Forest Hill! Spectacular 4+ bedroom. Family room, walk-out to large deck. Stunning kitchen centre island and breakfast rm. Fully finished lower level.

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Walk to the Village. Spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath. Renod Kitchen/breakfast, excellent cupboard space. Insuite laundry. Large enclosed balcony. 2 parking, 24 hr. concierge. Larry Blumenthal*

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Lower Forest Hill! Exceptional design, open concept and spacious main floor.

4+ generous bedrooms. Custom kitchen, oversized Quartz Island. Perfect for entertaining. Julie Gofman*

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Huge Eat-In Kitchen, Large Centre Island + Walk-Out to garden. Walk to the Village, Schools and Shops. Julie Gofman*

Spadina Road $1,729,000

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FOREST HILL – Right in the Village!

Rebuilt in 2015 (Ethan Allen Design).

Great Attention to Detail. Approximately 1,700 sf. Of ideal living space. Private drive.

Perfect Condo Alternative. Howard Lende*

Unique opportunity to live directly on the park. Cul-de-sac, steps to Forest Hill Village. 2 Storey 3 bedrooms 3 baths lavish primary bedroom, Private Terrace.

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*Sales Representative

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**Broker

| FEBRUARY 2025

Menu offering from the now-closed Michael's on Simcoe, 50 Scollard

Big news for Toronto’s steak lovers. Salt Grass & tail that will define both the menu and the atRare, a sleek, modern steak house, is set to open in mosphere.

Yorkville in mid-2025. If you’ve dined at the Although specifics of the menu remain under Butcher Chef, Oliver’s Steakhouse or the now- wraps, chef Von Raesfeld will helm the kitchen, closed Michael’s On Simcoe, then you’ve already bringing his culinary expertise to what’s bound to had a taste of what restaurateurs Michael Dabic be a meticulously curated experience. With a knack for blending tradition and innovation, Von and Derek Von Raesfeld can cook up.

Salt Grass & Rare will take over the ground Raesfeld’s touch promises a dining experience as refined as the atmosphere. floor of 50 Scollard St., home to ultra-luxury Salt Grass & Rare’s home at 50 Scolresidence, 50 Scollard, by Lanterra Delard is a fitting match. The Norman velopments, designed by world-rePOWER PAIR Foster–designed building is already nowned architect Norman Foster, of Dabic ran Harbour turning heads as one of the most anFoster + Partners. The restaurant 60 for 10 years before ticipated additions to Yorkville’s promises to match the building’s opening three restskyline, with a design that’s degrandeur with a stunning design, aurants, with Von scribed as blending “timeless elecombining an elegant dining room, Raesfeld as chef. gance with contemporary a sophisticated bar and lounge and a sophistication.” grand terrace surrounded by lush greenThe lush terrace will offer a retreat from ery and picturesque water features.

Beyond its striking design, 50 Scollard offers a the hustle and bustle of Yorkville while the refined level of luxury that will enhance the entire Salt bar and lounge provide a backdrop for pre-dinner Grass & Rare experience. With amenities like cocktails or a nightcap.

Renderings and the full menu are expected to chauffeured house car service, valet parking, a pet spa and an exclusively stocked wine lounge, this be revealed in spring 2025, giving Toronto foodies a sneak peek at what's to come. Salt Grass & Rare building is a true testament to opulent living.

“Salt Grass & Rare represents a distinctive ap- will open alongside the completion of 50 Scollard, proach to fine dining in Yorkville,” Dabic says of adding an exciting new dining destination to Yorkthe new venture, emphasizing the attention to de- ville.

— Jennifer Schembri

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| FEBRUARY 2025

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Chef David Schwartz drew inspiration from his mother’s Shabbat

of homemade pickles and dill tomatoes, it sets the tone for what’s to come. The bread is soft and fluffy, begging to be torn, dipped and shared — a communal beginning that mirrors the spirit of a family table.

When it comes to mains, Linny's has some wonderful options to choose from —

think house fish that rotates, tripe schnitzel, shake-and-bake chicken and many more. Leaning into the Jewish side of the menu and skipping the steak entirely, the meal was mostly brilliant, with one misstep.

The shake-and-bake chicken is a showstopper. With a light breading that doesn’t over-

whelm, it’s a crispy, tender ode to the 1970s dinners of countless Toronto families.

The much-talked-about online pastrami, however, fell slightly short. At $49, it’s rich in flavour but a bit too fatty for my taste. In most delis, you can choose your meat to be fatty, medium fatty or lean, which would be a great option for this dish.

Dessert is not to be missed.

The chocolate babka, a staple of eastern European Jewish cuisine, is served warm with a scoop of ice cream. Its layers of chocolate are rich but not cloying, making it the perfect dish to share among four people. It’s a decadent yet comforting conclusion to the meal.

Linny’s is the city’s best new restaurant. It’s not cheap — $330 for dinner for four — but think of it as more than just a meal. It’s like dinner and tickets to a show, with chef David Schwartz as the Andrew Lloyd Webber of your evening. His mother must be very proud.

— Carl Tuttle

All-day breakfast eatery opens in North York In North York, Chillax Eatery & Mart offers a fresh take on all-day breakfast and Asian fusion. Created by husband-andwife team Allen Li and Ning Jia, it combines delicious food with a unique grocery twist, just south of Yonge and Sheppard.

“We wanted to create a space that combined the best of both worlds,” says Li. “The first floor is all about retail — offering unique snacks and ready-to-eat items that we personally love.

The second floor is the restaurant, where people can sit, relax and enjoy our all-day breakfast and fusion menu.”

The spot puts a unique spin on brunch, offering classic favourites with a fusion twist.

The breakfast menu includes

Chillax offers a variety of breakfast and dinner options

dishes like chicken and waffles.

After 4 p.m., the menu transitions to Asian fusion options like salty egg yolk fried chicken wings and rice and noodles.

Jia, with her culinary background from George Brown

College, ensures every dish meets her high standards. She's also a certified Q Grader, giving her an expert edge when it comes to coffee.

The mart downstairs offers a curated selection of Asian

snacks and drinks, including ready-to-go items like sushi, rice balls and buns. For something extra special, Chillax also carries exclusive teddy bears from Teddy House, a popular brand from Thailand.

Chillax Eatery & Mart is the next step in Li and Jia's journey, following the success of Chillax Coffee (opened in 2019) and Chillax & Co. in Richmond Hill. They’ve now brought their vision of great food and community to North York.

"We want to create spaces where people can connect, whether over a meal or discovering something new," says Li. Chillax Eatery & Mart is located at 4679 Yonge St., North York.

— Jennifer Schembri

Chef Keith Pears

Chopped chef debuts Asian spot in 905 Chef Keith Pears is back, this time with Pears Restaurant in downtown Markham, and it's everything we love about his cooking — bold, inventive and effortless. After winning over crowds at Glass Kitchen, Pears brings the same passion and creativity to this new space, where refined Asian flavours are served in an approachable way.

Pears grew up in Vancouver surrounded by chefs, his grandmother’s Chinese-Western café sparking his love for fusion. With experience at the Teahouse and W Hotel, he’s earned accolades like on Chopped Canada and a spot in the Bocuse d'Or Finals in Lyon.

At Pears Restaurant, the menu reflects his diverse influences, combining Asian flavours with Western culinary techniques.

Standout dishes include crispy broccoli with whipped feta, lobster mapo tofu and char siu. Dessert doesn’t disappoint either, with options like basque cheesecake and baked Alaska.

Inside, the restaurant feels like a curated blend of modern design and cultural nods. High ceilings give the space an airy feel, and towering trees and quirky art, like the iconic maneki-neko (the lucky cat with the beckoning arm), add personality.

Pears Restaurant is located at 170 Enterprise Blvd., Markham.

— JS

| FEBRUARY 2025

Chef David Schwartz has created something unique: a steak house–deli hybrid inspired by his mother’s Shabbat.

Linny's isn’t just a restaurant.

It’s dinner and a show — a space to gather with friends and for many Torontonians to be introduced to the most wonderful elements of the city's Jewish past.

From the moment you step inside, the love letter begins.

Schwartz’s mother’s recipes hang proudly on the walls, framed like treasured artifacts, as if you’ve entered a New York eatery lined with autographed photos of legends.

Linny's is as much about telling a story as it is about feeding you. That story traces Toronto’s Jewish community from its roots on Spadina Avenue to Thornhill, with key spots like Ossington and Bathurst in between.

For starters, the show begins with what they call challah service. The domed, warm and homemade egg bread is a revelation. Served with fresh cream, house-made jam, a side

© Daniel Neuhaus via @linnysrestaurant

This steak house–deli mashup has T.O. talking

© Insta @keith_pears

FOOD

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BEFORE & AFTER 42

Before you go... take a look at how much our city has changed over the years.

1898 vs.

2025

The Gooderham ‘Flatiron’ Building is still one of the most photographed structures in the city, due to its unique shape.

1900 vs.

2025

Since 1803, the St. Lawrence Market has been bringing people together through the experience of food, community, culture and heritage.

| FEBRUARY 2025

1983 vs.

2025

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Canada’s first discount retail store, Honest Ed’s, opened in 1948 and quickly became a major feature of the Bloor West streetscape.

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