The top 5 new cafe patios in Toronto

New cafe patios in Toronto have arrived just in time for summer: there are few better activities than lounging in the hot, hot sun with an ice cold coffee. 

Here are my picks for the top new cafe patios in Toronto.

Jimmy's 100

The newest Jimmy's cafe is in the midst of opening officially and there's tons to be excited for — namely the new front and back patios, but also the 1960s record player that will spinning on the second floor. 

The patio at Daily Grind is fenced off from the street. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Daily Grind

This charming little coffee shop in Bloordale Village has a sweet sidewalk patio with wooden fencing and little tables to match. It's the perfect place to post up with some work or friends to soak in those summer rays.

The seating at Think It Cafe consists of two big picnic benches. Photo by Tanya Mok.

Think It Cafe

Located in Harbord Village, this cute cafe has a patio of sturdy picnic benches where you can sip on some refreshing drinks (big plus: they rarely charge extra for iced drinks, like tons of other cafes out here.) 

There's a mural dedicated to Toronto by Cafe Serano's patio. Photo by Tanya Mok. 

Cafe Serano 

Serano Bakery has opened up a coffee shop just down the street. The sleek new space has a side patio decked out by mural art by BamBam that's big enough to host 15 guests as they sip on espressos and nom on delicious Greek pastries. 

The little patio outside of Filosophy is shaded from the sun. Photo by Tanya Mok. 

Filosophy

Treat yourself to some explosive loukamades and sweet Turkish Delights at this Greek spot in Bloorcourt, where you can post up at a pretty little pair of seats in front of the cafe that's perfect for people-watching. 

by Tanya Mok via blogTO

Here's a map of all the parks with free sunscreen in Toronto

With great sun comes great responsibility, to protect your skin that is. 

After last year's very successful pilot project that saw free sunscreen in five Toronto parks, the city announced in early May that they'd be expanding this year and including more parks where the community can get their (sun) protection on. 

You can #BeSunSafe in #Toronto even when you forgot the sunscreen 😎 pic.twitter.com/O2u4ElGSZu

— Kennedy Road (@TO_Kennedyroad) June 19, 2018

In addition to sunscreen being available at Kew Gardens Park; Sherbourne Common (south); Harbour Square Park; HTO Park (east) and Little Norway Park, the city said that there will be 50 dispensers available at parks all along a 50-kilometre stretch of the Toronto waterfront, from Marie Curtis Park to Rouge Beach. 

Here's a map of all the parks that have these dispensers with SPF30 on offer until the end of September. 

by Lisa Cumming via blogTO

The top 5 vegan breakfast in Toronto

The top vegan breakfasts in Toronto won’t let you starve on just greens alone — unless that’s what you want. Go crazy on meat-, gluten- and dairy-free bennies, fake chicken and waffles and huevos rancheros (minus the eggs).

Here are my picks for the top vegan breakfasts in Toronto.

Hello 123

West Queen West’s newest go-to healthy restaurant has a sizeable menu that lasts all day with items like the Benny Benny, made from kale and tofu ricotta, and Irene’s Massive Breakfast: an indulgent affair of pancakes, home fries, and chickpea-kale omelettes.

iQ Food Co.

There are plenty of locations of this vegan spot in and around the Financial District, so you’re covered if you work anywhere nearby. You’ll find vegan options like chia pudding, baked goods, tons of smoothies, and of course, toast — namely avocado and a peach gazpacho kind.

Mythology

This popular Parkdale spot has a weekend menu with ridiculously decked out meals that you won’t believe are vegan. Benedicts, chocolate peanut butter waffles, and platters of tofu eggs, tempeh bacon and cashew milk butter (yum).

Cosmic Treats

This Kensington favourite has a breakfast menu that’s all-day, all-vegan. Cornmeal waffles and oatmeal pancakes are all morning options, with tofu scrambles subbing the eggs in huevos rancheros or a veggie quiche.

Grasshopper

With locations in the Junction and Little Italy, this vegan restaurant is a fave for morning meals which include ‘chik-un’ and waffles made with quinoa and chia seed pancakes.

by Tanya Mok via blogTO

Canada Day events in Toronto for 2018

Events in Toronto for Canada Day 2018 promise a heckin' good time for a hot day in the city. There's an outdoor film screening, the return of Union Summer, Electric Island and lots of fireworks. Don't forget to check out what's opened and closed, too.

Events you might want to check out:

Electric Island (July 1 @ Hanlan's Point)
Electric Island returns for a Canada Day celebration with DJs and performances by Anna, The Martinez Brothers, Jackmaster and more.
Canada Day Celebration (July 1 @ Downsview Park)
Downsview Park is hosting a family-friendly Canada Day celebration complete with activities, live entertainment and ending with a fireworks display.
Moscow Apartment (July 1 @ The Distillery District)
Toronto's own Moscow Apartment blends indie and hard rock with folk, while serving as a backdrop for Brighid Fry and Pascale Padilla's raw vocals.
Christie Pits Film Festival (July 1 @ Christie Pits)
The Canada Day edition of CPFF takes a look at Toronto's Little Portugal with Porch Stores, paired alongside Whatever Happened to Jackie Shane?
Canada Day BBQ (July 1 @ People's Pint)
Toronto's DIY brewery is throwing a big Canada Day bash with free barbecue and burgers alongside fresh brews outside on the patio.
Tomorrow's Top Comics (July 1 @ Comedy Bar)
Up and coming comedic talents show off their stuff at this showcase featuring Patrick Fishman, Jennie Steer-Welbourn and James O'Hara.
Union Summer (July 1 - August 19 @ Union Station)
This huge summer market shows off the best of the newly renovated station with vendors, shopping, programming and events all summer long.
Scarborough Night Market (June 29 - July 1 @ Agincourt Mall)
The Canada Day celebrations warp up today but not before lots of food, music, shopping and a singing contest.
Queen's Plate Festival (June 29 - July 1 @ Woodbine Racetrack)
Dress your best for this weekend-long festival of horse racing, big hats and performances by country singer Brad Paisley.
CITE Opening Weekend (June 30 - July 1 @ The Bentway)
It's not too late to check out what The Bentway is up to for the summer as this outdoor party continues in celebration of skateboarding arts and culture.

by Lisa Power via blogTO

How the Ale Yards became Toronto's unofficial beer district

In an area of Toronto best known for animal slaughterhouses and processing plants, change is afoot. 

The historic Stockyards, as its name entails, has long been recognized as the section of the city that once housed Canada's largest livestock market.

Spanning across St. Clair between Runnymede and Old Weston Road, the distinct stench of livestock and the occasional anti-slaughter demonstration will tell you that a part of the Stockyards remains an active meat packing district today. 

But on Symes Road, there's a new district in the making, completely unrelated to cattle and poultry: the Ale Yards. 

Junction Brewing occupies what used to be an old garbage incinerator. Photo by Hector Vasquez. 

A trio of breweries, all within two-minutes walking distance from one another – have joined together to create an informal coalition that may have a lasting impact on Toronto's brewery scene. 

"We were all looking for ways to work with each other and help each other," says co-founder of Junction Craft Brewing David Hayes, referring to his informal partnership with the folks at neighbouring Shacklands and Rainhard. 

Rainhard Brewing was the first brewery to set up shop in the Stockyards. 

Three years ago, Rainhard was the only brewery in the Stockyards, brewing its hoppy IPAs solo at 100 Symes. Just a year later, Shacklands brought its Belgian ales to the same building. 

Then, six months ago, Junction moved from Cawthra Avenue into the Stockyards, transforming an old art-deco garbage incinerator that had sat unused since 1998 into the airy, Plant-designed space it is today – and the trifecta was complete. 

And while the term Ale Yards was a term that sprung up organically, the trio have wasted no time in trying to make the new moniker stick.

Shacklands specialies in Belgian ales. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Last year the three breweries collaborated to create the official brew of Toronto Beer Week 2017, and naturally, they called it Aleyards – a fruity, hoppy IPA that used Junction's signature Kiln Amber malt. 

They're also planning some events for this summer, says Hayes, "an Ale Yards Oktoberfest" of sorts. 

All three breweries are located on the highly industrial Symes Road. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Steve Werbin, the co-owner of Toronto Brewery Tours, runs mobile craft brewery tours on weekends and says the introduction of the Ale Yard district has added a new dimension to his tours.

"The vibe of the area is gritty, raw, dirty," he says. There are broken roads and massive trucks driving by, and it smells like meat. "That's part of the charm, though."  

Werbin says he hopes to see the Ale Yards receive an official designation from the city in the future, especially as the Stockyards begins see a shift at the behest of nearby residents who are pushing for more green spaces and less slaughter houses. 

"Ale Yards represents the modernization of an old economy," he says. "Let it modernize." 

by Tanya Mok via blogTO

HTO Park is Toronto's other fake beach by the lake

Take some sand, a few colourful umbrellas, and views of the lake, and what do we have? An urban Toronto beach. 

HTO Park, just like its counterpart Sugar Beach further east, is home to a manmade beach replete with a boardwalk, Muskoka chairs, and giant yellow umbrellas. 

HTO Park was built in 2007. 

Built in 2007 by some of Toronto's most well known architects (Hariri Pontarini, JRALA and Montreal-based ingenue Claude Cormier), HTO's name is a remix of two terms: H20 (the chemical formula for water) and T.O. (Toronto, of course). 

The project transformed large swaths of industrial land - parts of which had been empty since the 1980s – into something far more useable, helping to revitalize the harbour into the tourist-friendly area that it is today. 

Water taxis take passengers around the lake from the Harbourfront Centre Marina.  

Located not far west from the Harbourfront Centre, the docks surrounding the park are hotspots for visitors embarking on water taxi adventures that take you from dock to dock. Further to the western edge of the park you'll find stored canoes with boats and canoes for rent. 

The eastern portion of the park includes HTO beach. 

The park takes up 4.3 acres of land and consists of two major areas: its eastern portion on Maple Leaf Quay, which includes the faux beach area marked by yellow umbrellas, and the western portion on what used to be the Peter Street Slip. 

From an aerial perspective, the park's grassy hills are meant to resemble a putting green, golf course-esque sort of pattern. By foot the mounds lose their patterned effect, though the trees and the shade they offer can still be appreciated in the summer. 

The granite Fallen Firefighter Memorial pays respect to Toronto Firefighters who have died in service. 

Home to a collection of fun summer events, from artisanal markets to giant beach balls as part of the Redpath Waterfront Festival, you'll also find the Marine division of the Toronto Fire Services station on HTO Park East.

Expect this park to get busy in the summer, as it's one of the closest attractions to the main drag of Harbourfront. Try your best to get there early so you can save a spot under one of those coveted umbrellas. 

by Tanya Mok via blogTO

The top 5 warehouse sales in Toronto this July

Warehouse sales in Toronto for July 2018 give you the chance to get a lot for a little and save big on top brands. Step up your workout, shoe, kitchen, clothing and yarn game at any of these huge sales happening this month.

Events you might want to check out:

Lucid Sample Sale (July 5 @ Erin Tracy Studio)
Save big on brands like BRIKA, Cheeky Monkey, Stray & Wander and Yoga Culture with 20 per cent of proceeds going to Second Harvest Food Rescue.
Yarns Untangled Summer Sale (July 5-9 @ Yarns Untangled)
Yarn and lots of it is on sale this month with special deals on individual yarns, needles, hooks, fibre, notions and more.
Athletic Locker Warehouse Sale (July 5-15 @ Athletic Locker Outlet)
If you're looking to beef up your workout wardrobe, tons of items from Asics, FILA, Wilson and Oakley is on sale for up to 90 per cent off.
Designer Shoe Warehouse Sale (July 7-8 @ Markham Farigrounds)
Improve your shoe game without breaking the bank as brands like Cole Haan, Dr. Scholls, FrancoSarto, Rider are more are all on sale for up to 80 per cent off.
Kitchen Stuff Plus Warehouse Sale (July 20-23 @ Kitchen Stuff Plus Outlet)
That stemware you've had your eye on is on sale for up to 90 per cent off, plus appliances, furniture, dinnerware, cookware and more.

by Lisa Power via blogTO