Nuit Blanche 2017 takes over Toronto once again with scores of installations spread across the city between dusk and dawn. This year has a strong protest theme, so you can expect the streets to be as lively and animated as they've ever been for the event. So far the weather is predicted to be clear and just a bit chilly through the overnight period (11C is forecast). Fingers crossed it stays that way, so we can roam the city in search of challenging art installations and impromptu celebrations of Toronto's creative spirit. How it works The big beast of an art night starts at 6:58 p.m. on September 30 (tonight!) and goes until sunrise. Note well, however, that many major displays start to fizzle out after 4:30 a.m. Human traffic is generally at its peak between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. so heading out before or after this period typically means fewer lines. Beware of the witching hour around 3 a.m. when the city can feel a bit like a drunken orgy. What to see This year there are over 85 projects that have been created by 350 local and international artists. We rifled through the calendar and found the top exhibits to check out to help you manage your night and morning art tour. There are also several renegade events and exhibits worth hitting up over the course of the night. For a wider picture of tonight's offerings, check out the official Nuit Blanche map, and if you're still lost, there are two information centres open for the duration of the proceedings to help point you in the right direction. What to eat and drink There are dozens of late night eats to satisfy your cravings at Nuit Blanche this year. If you need a sit-down moment of rest and pigging out, there's also the finest 24 hour restaurants to make sure you stay nourished and rested throughout your journey. There are also a handful of bars staying open until 4 a.m. to make sure you don't go thirsty. Getting around New this year, the festival is shutting down Queen Street West, Bay Street, and Queen's Park Crescent to make sure people can walk from zone to zone without worrying about pesky cars. The TTC isn't free on the big night, but its hours are extended with Line 1 and 2 trains running every 10-15 minutes from 1:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Sunday. Also, day/group passes will be accepted until 9 a.m. Sunday instead of the usual 5:30 a.m. They'll also be increasing their surface routes on Saturday night around major Nuit Blanche sites, so getting around will be busy, but made as easy as possible. GO Trains are also offering several special homebound trains on October 1 to make sure everyone has a chance to get home safely. Check out their official site for schedules. Photo contest Nuit Blanche is huge photo opp, so why not tag your photos on Instagram for a chance to win prizes? The contest starts when Nuit Blanche does at 6:58 p.m. on Saturday September 30 and the deadline to submit is the end of day October 1. All you have to do is tag your best shots with the #blogTOnbTO hashtag. Not on Instagram? You can also e-mail the photos to us at challenge@blogto.com. The poll will open on blogTO.com October 2 and run until October 8 after which the winners will be announced. Prizes for the top three photos include: 1st place: $200 Henry's giftcard 2nd place: $100 Henry's giftcard 3rd place: $50 Henry's giftcard
by Phil Villeneuve via blogTO
Concerts in Toronto this October honour the spirit of the spookiest month with enough goth, metal and shock rock to fill several graveyards, but there’s also a pleasant dose of pop to cut through all the heaviness. Get your freak on with Marilyn Manson, Gwar, Guns n Roses, Goblin and Twiztid (hey, Juggalos are relevant now), or opt for lighter fare from Halsey, Kid Cudi, Future Islands and Alt-J. If you’re already missing fest season, get your fix with annual punk celebration Not Dead Yet, the Music Gallery’s X Avant XII and Next Music from Tokyo. Events you might want to check out:
Cloverdale Mall seems to be one of those places that Toronto loves to hate (or hates to love, perhaps). The large vacancies left in part by the failure of Target in Canada and and lack of attractive anchor stores tend to make Cloverdale an artifact of an era passed. Having stood in its place for almost 60 years, the Etobicoke staple might finally be receiving a much-needed major makeover. New plans show the vacant section of the mall will be redeveloped and expanded. These design concepts include a food hall replacing the former Target, which has sat empty since the company’s Canadian demise in 2015. A freestanding Movati Athletics and separate retail section will also be built in the parking lot. The food area will be a more modern, vendor-based food hall, similar to the ones that have been popping up at other malls across the city. Early renders show the expansion. Photo via WZMH Architects/City of Toronto. Saks Fifth Avenue, the former Waterworks building, and Assembly Chef’s Hall are all examples of this new trend. Cloverdale’s food hall appears to be based on a similar model that incorporated marketplace features rather than just fast food chains. The new plans, from WZMH Architects, add more than 38,000 square metres of retail space to the mall, as well as an office component. Early designs show a sleek concept. Silver fins stand vertical along the sides of the exterior, which is mainly brick, glass, and metal paneling. This makeover may be just what’s needed to revitalize a longstanding old mall that still features a laid back shopping experience not seen at more popular destinations.
"Map is not to scale." Anyone who's every peered at the TTC's subway route map will be familiar with this disclaimer, one that leaves urban geography nerds curious to know what the actual distances between subways stations are. William Davis has provided a useful to-scale version of the TTC map, which helps to clarify but not to solve the debate over the longest and shortest gaps between stations. William Davis's to-scale TTC map. It's not so difficult to sketch such a thing out using online distance calculators, though it is a challenge to peg exact numbers based on the architectural layout of stations underground. While entrances are typically located near main intersections, platform positioning varies significantly. The shortest distance between two stops on the TTC, for instance, is between St. Andrew and Osgoode stations. Although the TTC map makes it look as though the trip between King and Queen would be equidistant, the platform at Queen is located north of the street after which it's named, while Osgoode dips south toward Richmond. With the proviso that this isn't based on official TTC numbers, here's a guide to the longest and shortest distances between TTC stations. Shortest St. Andrew to Osgoode - approximately 300 metres Bay to Yonge - approximately 350 metres Other Line 1 stations south of Queen - approximately 400 metres Other Line 1 stations south of Bloor - approximately 500 metres (with the exception of Queen's Park to Museum, which is approximately 750 metres) Longest Line 1 stations between Eglinton and Sheppard - these average just over 2 kilometres each Wilson to Downsview - just over 2 kilometres Yonge to Bayview - just over 2 kilometres Victoria Park to Warden - approximately 2.4 kilometres Warden to Kenneday - approximately 2.5 kilometres St. Clair West to Eglinton West - approximately 2.7 kilometres
Steak is big in Toronto, even if the city might embrace the moniker Hogtown. While the old guard steakhouses specialize in splurge-worthy cuts, you'll find some more modestly priced options all over the city at French bistros and other casual restaurants. Here are my picks for where to get a great steak in Toronto by neighbourhood. Annex Head to Le Paradis if you're looking for a great steak at a reasonable price. The Bavette aux Echalotes ($21) is a flank grilled with a shallot demi glace. It comes with frites. Church & Wellesley Carmen's is an historic Toronto steakhouse that is the place for prime cuts (try the 14oz Canadian ribeye for $52) and an abundance of classic sides including asparagus with hollandaise, mashed potatoes, and truffle fries. Danforth Allen's isn't just a great destination for burgers. Among their dinner specials you'll find their 10z striploin steak cooked on their charcoal grill and served with gorgonzola butter. Distillery District Cluny is a massive French bistro where steak frites is a staple on the menu. Served with lemon garlic aioli and fresh cut frites, the menu offers affordable options like an 8oz hanger steak for $25, and a 10oz striploin for $36. Steaks are slathered in a garlicky chimichurri at Branca. Photo by Morris Lum. Dundas West The main attraction at the Argentinian grillhouse Branca is the selection of meats from the grill. The skirt steak ($24) is an 8oz inside cut, seasoned and char-grilled. If you're looking for something more substantial there's always the 48oz tomahawk ($140). Eglinton West House of Chan is a Chinese restaurant where the rib-eye (48.50/12oz.) and porterhouse ($68.50/24oz.) take pride of place over the chow mein. Etobicoke Classic steak frites ($32.50) is what you'll find on the menu at the French bistro Merlot. It's a New York striploin with maître d’hôtel butter and fries. Financial District Hy's Streakhouse is where Bay Street traders and big spenders go to blow big bucks on fat cow. Pair the steak and lobster ($71.75) with some delectable sides. Harbourfront Near the waterfront, Harbour Sixty Steakhouse is a premiere destination for surf and turf along with top shelf steaks including a double porterhouse ($160) and marbled Japanese Kobe ribeye (MP). Suggested add-ons include king crab, Atlantic lobster or jumbo prawns. Jacobs & Co is one of Toronto's top steakhouses. Photo by Jesse Milns. King West Expect to splash out when dining at Jacobs & Co., the distinguished steakhouse that attracts hockey players, celebs and suits. Top cuts of meat (MP) aged in-house are the main draw, while the Caesar salad is among the best in the city. There's also a dozen or so classic sides. Leslieville If you like your steak on the leaner side, The Tulip is for you. The 12oz sirloin ($23.95) is juicy, filling and will satisfy all of your meat filled cravings. Ossington Boehmer is your destination on Ossington for a great steak frites. Their Grilled Bavette Steak ($27) is served atop house cut fries and lathered in a chipotle green onion jus. Queen West If you go to Jules Bistro and don't order their cote de boeuf ($64), you're seriously missing out. The platter for two consists of a 24-ounce Angus ribeye, fries, salad and ratatouille. Riverside Aft sous vides a 12oz flank steak for its steak frites ($22) which means you're guaranteed to get a perfect rosy centre and seared exterior. The dish is served with crispy frites and a tangy red chimichurri. Roncesvalles Village The Ace has been featured on popular television shows like Diners Drive Ins and Dives and that's thanks to their eclectic menu. A real standout is their steak frites ($24) served with red wine jus. Carens Rosedale knows there's no such thing as too much better on your steak. Photo by Hector Vasquez. Rosedale The steak frites ($36) at Carens Rosedale is a must order. Here it comes in the form of a sizable, seared 10oz striploin with a thick disc of herb butter on it, all over top a bed of hand-cut fries accompanied by aioli. Scarborough Smith Bros. Steakhouse Tavern specializes in 28-day, wet aged steaks and local craft beers. The steakhouse prides itself as being an affordable option, serving up 7oz. sirloins for $24 and 10 oz. New York striploin for $32. St. Clair West BlueBlood can be found inside Casa Loma. The space boasts a stunning interior along with a hefty menu of steaks including a centre cut filet ($65/8oz.), a bone-in ribeye ($100/16oz.) and even cuts of wagyu. Thornhill The Octagon has been a landmark for premium steaks for years. The menu boasts top cuts including a 8oz filet mignon ($53.95), a 16oz ribeye ($58.95), and a 24oz porterhouse ($69.95). A steak with all the fixins is the way to go at Barberian's Steakhouse. Photo by Hector Vasquez. Yonge & Dundas Barberian's Steakhouse isn't just one of Toronto's last surviving old guard steakhouses, it's a right of passage. Go for the centre cut top sirloin ($42.50/9oz) but don't miss out on the classic starters including Caesar salad, escargot, and jumbo shrimp cocktails. Yonge & Lawrence Miller Tavern has its very own steak lover's menu. On it you'll find everything from a Kanas City steak ($32/8oz.) topped with sauteed mushrooms to a 14oz New York ($46) strip inspired by Frank Sinatra. Yorkville STK is one of Toronto's swankiest steakhouses and has an impressive menu of grilled meats. Steaks are available in sizes of small, medium, large and extra large - that's where you'll find their dry aged porterhouse.
The longer you live in Toronto, the easier it becomes to have an actual life in Toronto. From expertly navigating the TTC to knowing where all the free fun can be found, there are tons of little tricks that'll save you time, money and so many headaches. Here are 25 hacks to make life easier in Toronto. 1. It's pronounced "Churrono" not "Tor-on-to": the quicker you lose the proper pronunciation, the quicker people will think you're a local. 2. Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card. A Toronto Public Library card not only gets you access to in-house resources, you can also use it to download e-books and digital albums. You can even use it to get free access to the Zoo! 3. There's an easy trick If you get disoriented coming out of a subway station. Generally downhill is south, uphill is north. Left of the CN tower is east, right is west. You'll never get lost again. 4. Download Transit for iPhones or Transit Now for Android to plan TTC routes. Never wait in the rain at a bus or streetcar stop for 13 minutes again. 5. Use The Path when it’s cold outside. You can travel between six subway stations, 20 parking garages, and more than 50 downtown office buildings without ever feeling the sting of winter on your face. 6. Can’t find a place to pee? Hit up a hotel. The Royal York, the Hyatt on King, The Drake Hotel and many other swanky spots have great bathrooms you can use for free, without hassle, at any time, day or night. 7. At the end of the month people put their old furniture out on the street because they're moving. You can furnish an entire apartment this way. 8. Buy a cheap bike and an expensive lock if you want a reliable form of transportation in the downtown core. Bike Share Toronto memberships are also a great investment. Either way, cycling is cheaper, faster and a heck of a lot more fun than driving in this city. 9. You can book a Toronto Greeter for free. Whether you're new in town or you've been here your whole life, you can use a Toronto greeter to fill you in on your neighbourhood and answer any questions you have. 10. Avoid strangers with clip boards who compliment your hair and ask if you “have a second to chat.” They want money, and it’ll take you a lot longer than one second to get away from them. See also: Fake monks. 11. Spadina Road and Spadina Avenue are NOT the same thing. Same goes for Kennedy Road and Kennedy Avenue and Danforth Road and Danforth Avenue. 12. Layer up. Because Toronto is located on a lake and weather conditions can change in a snap if you’re travelling between neighbourhoods. An umbrella in your backpack is never a bad idea. 13. When getting on a streetcar at a busy intersection, walk one block in the opposite direction that you're travelling and get on without the crowded changeover. 14. There are free shuttles to Vaughan Mills, Toronto Outlets, Ikea and the Brick Works. Don't try picking up a Malm dresser on rollerblades. This is better. Trust me. 15. If you're in a complete rush on the TTC, you can transfer at Spadina Station. It's typically considered a rookie mistake, but it is definitely faster if you jog the tunnel connecting the stations. 16. Avoid these tourist traps. 17. Linger around Yonge & Dundas Square and you can get free stuff almost everyday. 18. When looking for a specific address remember even numbers are on north and west sides and odd numbers are on south and east sides of the street. 19. Plan your late night drinking around events with extended last calls. TIFF, Nuit Blanche, NXNE, Canadian Music Week, Pride and Fashion Week all have extended 4 a.m. last call permits extended as part of their programming. 20. You don't have to pay for on street parking until 1 p.m. on Sundays. You can leave a car overnight on most main street between 9 p.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. on Sunday for free. 21. Use laneways to bypass crowds of tourists on busy days downtown. Many of the city’s alleys are covered in wicked street art, providing us with both endless shortcuts and nice Instagram snaps. 22. You can get free stuff on your birthday. Just go to these spots and made sure to bring ID. 23. Loblaws and No Frills are owned by the same company. You can buy a lot of the same things they have at Loblaws at No Frills for cheaper. This is especially true for canned and dry goods, produce and household essentials. 24. At yoga studios your first class is almost always free. Same goes for your first workout at the city's gyms. 25. Don't sit in the empty seat on a busy streetcar if others are people are standing. There's a reason that seat is empty, and while it may not be readily apparent, you'll wanna trust your fellow transit-goers here.
Cheap designer clothing in Toronto is everywhere - provided you know where or when to look. Toronto's consignment stores are a huge trove of designer scores - the time served by that 3.1 Phillip Lim dress in someone else's closet can translate to major savings for you. Here are my picks for the top stores for cheap designer clothing in Toronto. VSP Consignment A relative veteran on Dundas West, VSP stocks smashing secondhand goods with a careful eye. For discerning bargain hunters, that means pieces from the likes of Céline, Balmain, Hérmes and Prada marked down as far as 80%. Fashionably Yours This Queen West consignment store is a favourite spot for those looking to ditch – and replace – their designer duds. You can find luxury bags from the likes of Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, YSL, Givenchy and lesser-known celeb cult favourites like Les Petit Jouer. Tom's Place This Kensington Market suit retailer, open since 1958, is famous for its excellently-priced designer men's wear selection and unparalleled level of customer service. On-site tailors can help you find (and fit into) brand name business apparel, formal wear and accessories here. Marshalls I once found a Proenza Schouler PS1 bag at the John and Queen Street location of this chain for less than half price. It's also a hotspot for discount denim. You can also score designer jeans from the likes of Hudson, J Brand, Citizens of Humanity and Paige, quite inexpensively. Common Sort With locations in Leslieville, Parkdale and The Annex, this cool consignment shop sells designer duds for dudes and ladies alike. You can buy high-end labels, like Miu Miu and Escada at stunning prices here, and they'll purchase your old (mint-condition) threads too. Winners Sure, it's home to plenty of no-name sweaters and juniors-sized jeans, but the discounted "Runway at Winners" pieces step up the thrill of the hunt. Designer pieces seem to hang around longest at the College Park, Bloor and Queen and Portland locations. Kind Exchange You may need a little luck and patience to get to the designer gold at this chain of Toronto consignment stores, but the steals are worth it. You can also sell off your old clothes at one of KE's four shops across the city in exchange for cash or store credit. Off The Cuff Designer Menswear Specializing in slick, eclectic designer threads, this Broadview Ave. consignment store is for men, by men, and one of the best places in Toronto for fashion-forward dudes on a budget. You can find everything from Armani suits to racks on racks of unique ties here. Haute Classics Near Yonge and St. Clair, Haute Classics focuses on barely-worn designer pieces - from the last three years or newer. That means one of the largest stashes of gently-used designer bags in the city, with Balenciaga, Vuitton and Miu Miu among the offerings. HazelLily This boutique near Yonge and Lawrence is a designer-driven fashion head's budget conscious dream. With a mix of obscure vintage, popular contemporary brants like Marc Jacobs, and pure classics such as Chanel, the collection is finely curated by owner Vanessa Stein.
Lake Shore Drive is home to some of the nicest properties in Toronto. While many look unremarkable when viewed from the street, it's their phenomenal lakefront backyards that make these houses so special. This recently sold home at 231 Lake Shore Drive in South Etobicoke was advertised as a Mediterranean Villa, which sounds wholly inappropriate when you consider the interior, but far more accurate in terms of its lovely garden and waterfront views. The decor is dated here, to be sure, but the location is spectacular for anyone who's dreamed of having a cottage-house hybrid. Updates can always be made inside, but the view is already a thing of beauty. There just aren't that many lakefront homes in big cities like Toronto. The Essentials Address: 231 Lake Shore Dr. Type: Detached house Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Lot size: 50 x 151 feet Hit the market at: 1,988,000 Sold for: $1,910,000 Why it sold for what it did Location and size. Place this house on the north side of the street, and you can peel off a ton of money from the list price. Was it worth it? Considering that it basically sold for asking, the buyer and seller were aligned on the value of the house. It had originally been listed at $2.2 million in August before a price reduction led to it getting snapped up in September.
Renegade Nuit Blanche exhibits and events during this year's big art crawl take place both in and beyond the major zones designated by the city. You might not even realize they're happening until you're in middle of a light show, a forest rave, or a top secret mermaid security camera show. Events you might want to check out:
The once-popular College Street Bar was shut down earlier this year amidst a sexual assault investigation that left its owners embroiled in controversy – and it looks like that business is gone for good. Fortunately for local music fans, the venue itself will get another lease on life when it opens under new ownership this November as "Mrs. Robinson." Coo-Coo-Ca-Choo! Created by the same team behind The Addisons Residence and The Good Son, Mrs. Robinson will be a cocktail bar "with a strong focus on live music." The Little Italy establishment will also serve food, we're told, but it won't bill itself as a restaurant. "The focus is on great cocktails at affordable prices and it'll provide Toronto with a much needed new music space," according to a PR rep for the bar. We don't have an exact opening date at this time, but a launch party is scheduled for November.
