New Entrance to Queen's Park TTC subway station

At the south-east corner of University and College.

Kops 2 record store opens on Bloor Street

Independent record store Kops 2 has opened at 592 Bloor Street West, just west of Bathurst.

McDonalds open at Ossington and Bloor

McDonalds is open for business at the south-east corner of Bloor Street West and Ossington Avenue. The address of the restaurant is:

885 Bloor W, Toronto, ON M6G 1M4

This address was occupied by Tommy Chang's Black Belt World Taekwondo academy, which not occupies part of the second floor of the building.

The McDonalds is a 24 hour establishment and includes a McCafe. The next closest McDonalds is in Dufferin Mall, and also at the corner of Dupont and Dufferin, right by the Galleria shopping complex.

This McDonalds opened in Fall 2013, as did the largest McDonalds in the province of Ontario in downtown Toronto. 

Creepers open at Dufferin Mall for Halloween

Yauca's Lounge and Churrasqeira Nova Lisboa opening soon

 

On Dovercourt just north of Bloor Street West.

Eco-Market Tuesdays on Gladstone Avenue

New Richtree Market Restaurants food court in Toronto Eaton Centre

This is a beautiful new food court on the first floor on the south side of the Eaton Centre. Richtree Natural Market Restaurants (Richtree) opened the doors of their new flagship market restaurant concept in Toronto Eaton Centre (TEC). This state-of-the-art marketplace features a collection of 11 unique eateries, all serving up natural and organic food from local sources - a significant departure from the ordinary and often unhealthy options afforded in other quick service restaurants.
"Richtree Natural Market Restaurant is 'Where Good Comes Together,' said Robin Michel, CEO. "To us, that means bringing together delicious fresh food, made with only natural or organic ingredients sourced from local purveyors, then leveraging the latest technology to create a completely new restaurant experience that has something for everyone. Our vision for Richtree Natural Market Restaurants is to make it easier for consumers to find good food, that's good for you, and good for the earth."
The new Richtree Natural Market Restaurants offer fresh food that is made from natural or organic, fresh, and clean ingredients. If it's not good, it's not at Richtree; locally sourced ingredients make for meals that are good for people, good for the earth, and good for our community.
"Of all the good things the new Richtree Natural Market Restaurant has brought together, nothing makes us more proud than our incredible team of people," said Shige Hatanaka, SVP, Operations. "They're as excited about this new journey as we are and their enthusiasm is contagious. The most rewarding part of preparing for the opening of this new Richtree is working with so many people who truly care about doing something good. The technology and the food are nothing without the people who bring it all together."
"The Richtree experience was created to incorporate the latest technology without sacrificing quality or customer service, establishing a contemporary environment that is inviting for both kids and adults," said CIO, Joshua Sigel. Richtree Natural Market Restaurants prides itself in being a place where families can come together. The high-tech kids area features an interactive video wall and projections to engage Richtree's youngest customers. When entering Richtree, Mrs. Green, a state-of-the-art hologram hostess, will greet guests. "With the hologram, we want to educate our guests on the Richtree experience and make a statement to all of our visitors that they are now entering an innovative, engaging, and technologically advanced space."
These efforts are brought to life through the Richtree Market Pass Mobile; a response to the conventional payment card systems found at most establishments. A component of this unique ordering system, succinctly described as "Grouping", provides a groundbreaking solution for group ordering. The Market Pass allows any number of phones to be associated with one Market Pass account, allowing one person to pay for a group of people without requiring everyone to order from the same eatery or at the same time.  Those without mobile phones are supplied with a wooden market pass card that allows participation in Grouping.
To celebrate the grand opening of its new restaurant, Richtree teams will hit the streets of Toronto handing out "promotional eggs". Eggs can we redeemed at Richtree Natural Market Restaurants' Toronto Eaton Centre location for a chance to win daily prizes. For every egg returned to the restaurant, Richtree will donate $1 to Second Harvest.
HIGHLIGHTS
What makes Richtree Natural Market Restaurant different?

• All natural
• Locally sourced whenever possible
• Antibiotic & Pesticide Free
• Only organic produce used in our meals and in our salad bar
• Only wild caught seafood
• Boiled bagels and fresh baked muffins every day
• Pastries are never frozen
• Restaurant quality food using exclusive recipes
• No artificial anything—EVER!

Richtree Natural Market Restaurant's 11 eateries include:

• Coffee Station - choose from fair trade organic coffee and a selection of teas
• Custom Grille - Ontario natural beef and turkey burgers
• Salad Bar - organic mix and match salads
• Queen Street Deli - deli sandwiches, handmade Paninis, homemade soup
• Street Eats  - Mexican: tacos, bowls and burritos
• Bosco Hearth Pizza - pizza, gluten-free crust available
• Happy Bowl - Asian-inspired bowls with rice or noodles, and a variety of veggies, protein and sauces
• Sweet Surrender - never frozen, all natural desserts, as well as gelato
• Foundation Bar - fully licenced with a selection of local, organic and/or biodynamic wine, beer and premium spirits, order your favourites from any food station
• Express pick-up - order online and pick up at a time that works for you!
• Market grocery - all natural products, uniquely available at Toronto Eaton Centre

Technology highlights include:

• More than 50 LCD screens in-store
• 23 foot video wall
• Virtual hostess, Mrs. Green, a hologram that welcomes customers to the Richtree experience
• Touch screen kiosks allow for multi-kitchen ordering, helps busy customers avoid line-ups
• High-tech kids area features an interactive video wall and projections to engage Richtree's youngest customers
• Market Pass app for iOS and Android, for mobile payment and collecting rewards

Light Up Bloordale Lantern and BBQ Festival

Dynamite opening soon in Dufferin Mall

"My House" opening in Dufferin Mall

 

Rexall has a new location at the south-west corner of College and Spadina. It's a 24 hour store which is two stories. The second floor has more pharmaceutical type of products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

La Bella Managua Restaurant Toronto (Nicaraguan Food)

 

La Bella Managua Restaurant at 872 Bloor St West, just steps east of Ossington Avenue, brings traditional Nicaraguan dishes to Toronto. The restaurant has gained good word of mouth and has a strong turnout every night. The restaurant has great beef, chicken, and fish dishes. But if you're a vegetarian, a good dish to try is the Yuca Mixta. The yuca cassava like-taters taste like potatoes, and the fried cheese is delicious, which works well with the avocado salad with salsa and sour cream.

 

 

 

Gold City Fruit Market

New, small, but good fruit market at 1001 Bloor Street West at Westmoreland Avenue, just a block West of Dovercourt.

 

 

 

Fort York Festival

 

Festival of Fort York takes place September 21st and 22nd.

 

Fort York is an area of Toronto the government is pouring millions into to develop. Right now there's nothing too much going on, but there are several condos being developed with The Yards, Garrison, and WaterPark City. Living in this area does give great access to the Waterfront or Harbourfront, Water Trails, just a short walk to Billy Bishop Airport, close proximity to King Street West, as well as easy access to the Bathurst TTC Streetcar.

 

 

Toronto SoHo Metropolitan Wahlburgers opens early 2014

Wahlburgers, the restaurant burger chain of Mark Wahlberg, Donnie Wahlberg, and Paul Wahlberg is coming to Toronto in early 2014. The brothers were promoting the chain around the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2013. The burger joint will be located at the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel at 318 Wellington St West in downtown Toronto.

Vicki'z Vegetarian Eatery provides healthy meals for Torontonians

NOW CLOSED** 

 

  

Vicki'z Vegetarian Eatery has one of the healthiest meals you can find in Toronto: the Mighty Kale salad, which consists of kale, sprouts, goji berries, red peppers, zucchini, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and avocado.

 

This Mediterranean inspired vegetarian eatery is located at 421 College Street, just a few doors east of Bathurst. There are delicious wraps, burgers, falafels, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and drinks.

 

Some other popular items on their menu aside from the Mighty Kale salad are:

 

Vicki'z Mediterranean salad

(quinoa, cabbage, black olives, cukes, tomatoes, and mini falafels on greens)

 

Grilled Vegetable and Tofu

(grilled tof steak, sprouts, zucchini, avocado, red bell peppers, arugula, and garlic mayo)

 

Kale Mary

(bulgur, shredded kale, sprouts, cabbage, zucchini, sweet potatoes, goji berries, roasted pumped seeds with tofu or mini falafels)

 

Kale, Avocado, Banana, Spinach Smoothie

 

 

Toronto Reference Library adds TVs to first floors

There's a dozen television sets which have been added to the Toronto Reference Library's first floor, with some seating to view various news and interesting events and programs from across the world. A nice touch to the library near Yonge and Bloor at 789 Yonge Street.

Trambusto Pizza and Pasta Opening Locations in Toronto

Trambusto Pizza and Pasta are opening several locations in Toronto, including one at Dovercourt and College, which was occupied by Hadleys. Trambusto is also hiring at all these locations.

Trambusto Pizza and Pasta serves pastas such as Bucatini, Tagliantelle, Rigatoni, Recce, and Cavatelli. On the pizza end of things, they have the classic Margherita, as well as Pollo Tuscano, Affumicato, Smoked Proscuitto, Salsiccia, Patate, and Verded. Trambusto also had Italian salads including the Misticanza, Arugula, Roasted Radicchio, Panzanella, and Romaine.

Best places to get coffee on College Street in Toronto

Going from west and moving towards the east:

The Brockton Haunt
The newest of the four. Small but very attractive looking in the inside and great coffee. Some nice art adorns the walls of the café west of Dufferin.
1150 College St

The Common
Known for great medium and dark roast. Excellent lattes.
1071 College St

Lit Espresso Bar
This place is a classy and comfy espresso bar just east of Ossington.
810 College St

Manic Coffee
Great coffee and treats, and they even offer gelato too.
426 College St

Cheapest place to get coffee in Toronto

The cheapest place to get coffee in Toronto is Sadie's Diner, which offers fair-trade coffee on Wednesdays before noon for only 25 cents. Sounds like a story from someone recalling the glorious past, "Back in my day we used to be able to get coffee for a quarter". But it's in the present moment as well at Sadie's Diner at 504 Adelaide St West, which is in between Bathurst and Spadina.

The Brockton Haunt brings java jolt to College and Dufferin

 

 

The Brockton Haunt Espresso bar, at 1150 College Street West, opened it's doors to the public this summer and has made a strong impact in providing high level coffee to the community. The establishment, just a few steps west of Dufferin on the north side of College Street, is a vibrant espresso bar which is quite bright and sleek with its white walls. It's new so very clean; there are stools by the large window at the front of the shop so one can look outside as they sip their espresso. The view outside of traffic along College Street isn't the best but the area is up and coming, and this classy espresso bar is one of the indications that the district is on the rise. Aside from the stools inside, there are four placed outside along the store for visitors who want sit out front on the sidewalk.

 

The dark hardwood flooring works well with the white brick walls and both the dark brown and clean white pattern is what encompasses most of the café. There are three steps which lead to a small second seating area which can accommodate a half dozen patrons. It's a cozy classy dining room type of setting with the one table housing four seats; and there's a nice mirror which is combined with a coat rack along the north wall. It's a small-tine art gallery feel as art is adorned on the walls. Many up and coming espresso bars are looking similar but this is second elevated seating area is a unique touch.

 

The baristas are professional and kind, and the coffee house has a good deal with it's $2 Americanos. The pricing is similar to other espresso bars with a latte and mocha for $3.50 and cappuccinos for $3. The espresso is of high quality and their mocha drink is executed very well and quite flavorful. The muffins, tarts, croissants, and cookies are also a sweet indulgence.

 

This espresso bar can act as an alternative to The Common, which is a very popular joint just a few meters along the other side east of Dufferin. The Common is often to capacity so The Brockton Haunt can be another choice if one is looking for a seat to rest and drink at the same time.

 

The café has a buy five drinks and get one free card, which is a good deal. The café has added some spice to the Brockton area and continues to push forward as they have extended their hours and now run: Mon-Fri 7am-10pm/Sat 8am-8pm/Sun 9am-5pm.

7-Eleven now serving pizza and wings

 

7-Eleven is no long a joint just for slurpees, drinks, and other confectionary items customized for convenient stores. The store now serves pizza and wings as advertised in the images above taken from the 7-Eleven at the corner of Spadina and Bloor Street West in Toronto.