The Best Shakshuka in Toronto

The best shakshuka in Toronto perfects this savoury Middle Eastern and North African breakfast staple of runny eggs poached in a red tomato sauce. There are many variations to this hearty dish, but the one constant of eating it is the pleasure of sopping up the eggs and sauce with the bread provided.

Here is the best shakshuka in Toronto.

9 - Souk Tabule

Part of the Tabule family of restaurants, this fast-casual concept in the Canary District is a bakery, cafe and brunch spot all in one. Its shakshuka consists of three local, free-run, omega-3 soft-cooked eggs in a roasted tomato and red pepper sauce, all baked into a pan, served with a scoop of labneh.
11 - Bacchanal

An artful, colourful shakshuka is on the daytime menu at this French neo-bistro on Sudbury Street by West Queen West. Poached eggs in a cinnamon-scented tomato sauce with eggplant and crispy chickpeas are begging to be dipped by the crostini (sliced from a house-made baguette) it’s served with.
5 - Fat Pasha

Restaurant group Wilder and Rose’s Middle Eastern spot on Dupont Street in the Annex makes its shakshuka with a base of chunky peppers, onion, and tomato topped with two eggs and a sprinkling of halloumi. It’s all served in a sizzling skillet with a couple of pieces of challah toast.
3 - Aish Tanoor

This kosher Israeli Middle Eastern restaurant on Eglinton West serves its “stylish” shakshuka (with or without spicy merguez sausage) in an irresistible-looking house-made bread bowl. The dough is risen for two hours before going into the oven. It’s also possible to have shakshuka surrounded by hummus with a freshly made laffa on the side.
4 - Parallel

Found on industrial Geary Avenue, this cafe and tahini-making operation offers up a shakshuka made with ripe tomato sauce and two organic eggs that come with a side salad and organic pita. Also available is the option of adding roasted eggplant, goat cheese or roasted bell peppers as extra toppings. There is also “Hammshuka,” a version of shakshuka on house-made hummus.
6 - Cafe Landwer

Three kinds of shakshuka can be found on the menu at this Israeli chain’s first North American location at Bathurst & Rutherford in Vaughan. There’s the classic Landwer version; the Mediterranean with parsley, eggplant and feta cheese; or the Halloumi, topped with big hunks of the squeaky cheese plus spinach. All come with a breakfast side salad, tahini, labneh and a choice of white or multigrain bread for dipping.
10 - The Green Wood

Focusing on sustainable fare made with local ingredients, this casual brunch joint in Leslieville makes a shakshuka with chickpeas, sour cream and chimichurri in addition to the traditional ingredients. It all comes baked in a skillet pan with pieces of fresh pita.
7 - Lola's Kitchen

Two free-range eggs are baked into a roasted tomato and red pepper sauce for the shakshuka at this brunch destination on Church Street just south of Bloor. Accompanied by a choice of salad, frites or Lola’s home fries along with challah toast, there is also the option for the toast to be gluten-free for an extra fee.
8 - Simit & Chai

This Turkish bakery on King Street West specializes in the two items that make up its name – Turkish-style bagels and tea – but it also offers shakshuka on its all-day brunch menu. Goat cheese, feta cheese, pastrami or prosciutto are all tasty options that can be added to the pair of poached eggs in spiced tomato sauce.

by Christina Cheung via blogTO

The top 7 warehouse sales in Toronto this August

Summer savings are on at the top warehouse sales in Toronto this August. Kitchen Stuff Plus is practically giving it away and there's a massive sale on at the CNE. Swimwear, dresses, shoes and more can be found at these sales—all without the hefty price tag.

Events you might want to check out:

Yates & Co. Blowout Sale (August 1-2 @ Yates & Co)
Designer brands' prices get a slashing at this big summer sale with big savings on Velvet, PJ Salvage, good hYOUman, eberjey, Stark X and more.
Henkaa Warehouse Sale (August 2 - September 2 @ Henkaa Showroom)
Gowns, dresses, wedding attire and accessories are all up for grabs at this sale, with savings up to 50 percent off. Arrive early while the pickings are hot!
Baby Huey Summer Sample Sale (August 9-12 @ Baby Huey)
Summer is just getting started and everything you need to hit the beach from brands like Hurley, Vissla, Arbor and Cobain is all 50 percent off.
Haggar Warehouse Sale (August 15-18 @ Haggar Shoes)
Pick up some fresh new looks for work, school or special occasions with big savings on men's and women's apparel, plus Kenneth Cole shoes.
Mr.B’s Back to School Skechers Sale (August 16-26 @ Mr.B's)
Mr.B's got the shoes of all shapes, sizes and styles on sale for two weeks this month just in time for back to school season.
SaleEvent.ca CNE Warehouse Sale (August 17 - September 3 @ Enercare Centre)
If you're heading to the CNE, there's a massive sale on, with cosmetics from Revlon and Covergirl, plus apparel and home essentials.
Kitchen Stuff Plus Warehouse Sale (August 24-27 @ Kitchen Stuff Plus Warehouse)
Save big on kitchen products, with everything from appliances, furniture, dinnerware, cookware and gadgets up to 90 percent off.

by Lisa Power via blogTO

What's open and closed on the August civic holiday 2018 in Toronto

What's open and closed on the August civic holiday in Toronto for 2018, otherwise known as Simcoe Day in Ontario, is a bit different than your typical long weekend. Most of the city remains open so start planning for the day ahead.

Here's what's open and closed on the August civic holiday in Toronto.

General

Closed

• Government offices
• Libraries
• Banks
• Post offices

Open

• The TTC will operate on a holiday schedule.

The TTC is operating on a holiday schedule for Simcoe Day. Photo by Jason Cook.

Food

Closed

• It's worth calling ahead to restaurants before heading out — many consider Mondays a day off.

Open

• Grocery stores are open citywide, though many will operate on holiday hours. Check online or call for individual store hours.

Drink

Open

• Select LCBO locations
• Select The Beer Store locations
• Indie bottle shops

Indie bottle shops will be open on Simcoe Day. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Malls

Open

• Malls are open citywide, though many will operate on holiday hours. Check online or call for individual hours of operation.

Attractions

Open

• Aga Khan Museum (77 Wynford Drive) - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas Street West) - 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Canada's Wonderland (1 Canada's Wonderland Drive) - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• CN Tower (301 Front Street West) - 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Gardiner Museum (111 Queens Park) - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Hockey Hall of Fame (30 Yonge Street) - 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Movie theatres
• Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Road) - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (288 Bremner Boulevard) - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queens Park) - 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Toronto Zoo (2000 Meadowvale Road) - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

by Jaclyn Skrobacky via blogTO

Rob Ford's old house is now for sale

In the market for a piece of history? An Etobicoke bungalow owned by the one of the most notable Torontonians this century to date just hit the market for roughly $2.5 million (which is a steal, really, as far as landmarks go.)

Yes, it's true, Rob Ford's house is up for sale, and you can live there just like the late politician did during his tenure as Mayor of Toronto and beyond — but you'll have to act fast.

Ford's three-bedroom home at 223 Edenbridge Drive is already attracting "a fair amount of interest," according to real-estate agent Mike Donia, despite only hitting the market a few days ago.

The foyer of late former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Image via RE/MAX.

Donia told The Globe this week that he's selling the house on behalf of Ford's widow, Renata Ford, who earlier this year filed a $16.5 million lawsuit against her late husband's brother, current Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

That lawsuit, filed just days before Doug was elected leader of the province, alleged that he put Renata and her children in a "highly stressful and unfair financial position" during their period of grief following Rob's cancer-related death in March of 2016.

An informal for sale sign was erected on the lawn of the Etobicoke house in early June, shortly after news of Renata's lawsuit went public, though nothing was listed through MLS and calls to a number on the sign went unreturned.

The kitchen of late former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Image via RE/MAX.

The public could only speculate, up until now, as to how much the home would be sold for. It had last been assessed at $888,000 as of 2014.

As of right now, the property is being billed as a "signature address" in a "once in a lifetime location."

"When only the best will do," reads the RE/MAX listing. "Surrounded by James Gardens on two sides, 80-foot frontage pie shaped lot. Fully reno'd family home with total privacy in backyard."

The backyard of late former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Image via RE/MAX.

What goes unsaid is the fact that TV crews routinely camped out in front of the house like paparrazi to catch a glimpse of Ford at the height of his "crack video" scandal (among other colourful moments during his tenure as mayor).

Thanks to Donia and his real estate firm, interested members of the public can now take a virtual 3D tour of the house and experience 223 Edenbridge Drive from beyond the edge of a driveway.

The white-brick bungalow isn't huge, and it's only got a walk score of 35, but it does have six parking spaces and is said to be in Etobicoke's "absolute best neighbourhood."

One of three bathrooms in the house of late former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Image via RE/MAX.

Donia told the Globe that he thinks Rob Ford's legacy will add to the home's value, as "a lot of people loved him."

True say. Showings are by appointment only.

by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO

Private dispensaries and LCBO might both sell cannabis in Ontario

Cannabis is set to be legalized country-wide by mid-October, but there might be some delays. 

Since Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced sales would no longer be controlled by the LCBO, as was originally planned, experts are saying rollout might take longer than expected.

"We still need to get exact details but ... given the tight deadline for Oct. 17 for cannabis legalization it might be the case consumers will need to buy online until retail stores can be finalized," said Rod Elliot, senior vice president at Global Public Affairs. 

However, Ontario Finance Minister Vic Fedeli says there is no need to fear, and that stores will be operational by the October 17 legalization date. 

It should also be noted that personnel agency @RandstadCanada was directed by the Ontario Cannabis Store to continue hiring for retail positions following Thursday’s announcement #onpoli

— Alanna Sokic (@alannasokic) July 31, 2018

Along with this update, there are unconfirmed reports that the Ontario Cannabis Store ― the wing of the LCBO that was meant to sell weed under the scrapped public ownership plan ― may remain in the retail business after all. 

I've been told by someone familiar with the situation that the Ontario Cannabis Store has been interviewing individuals for store positions as recently as yesterday.

— Harrison Jordan (@harjord) July 31, 2018

The Ontario Cannabis Store has reportedly been told to continue its hiring process. Some experts believe there may be a public-private hybrid approach to cannabis sales in the province, but nothing has been confirmed or announced by the Ford government.

We asked #Toronto what they think of #DougFord's plan to take cannabis sales away from the #LCBO in favour of privately owned dispensaries #Ontario pic.twitter.com/Wd5ziLPFQp

— blogTO (@blogTO) July 28, 2018

If the stores are not in fact operational by then, you can always purchase online!

by Michael Ott via blogTO

Rental of the week: 10 Sylvan Avenue

This former Toronto community housing building has been completely renovated, and now it’s stunning. This 1888 historic home backs onto Dufferin Grove Park, and everything from the stained glass windows to the reclaimed wood panelling is beautiful. The kitchen, living, and dining room are open-concept, with soaring 10-foot ceilings and lovely hardwood floors. It is a bit of a gutter alley but it will look less so as soon as you put furniture in it.  

The brand-spanking-new kitchen has ample storage and stainless steel appliances. The granite counter and backsplash are a nice touch as well.

One thing that could be problematic with a roommate is the single bathroom. The being said, there's still a waterfall shower.

Both bedrooms are very large and bright. There’s also plenty of closet space.

The home is also in a great location. You’re just steps from Little Portugal and Dufferin Mall.

Specs

• Address: Unit 1 - 10 Sylvan Ave.
• Type: Apartment
• Rent: $3,750 / month
• Listing agent:  Corinne McCabe
• Furnished? No
• Utilities: No
• Air conditioning? Yes
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 1
• Parking: 1
• Laundry? In suite
• Outdoor space? Private balcony and terrace
• Pet friendly? Yes

Good For

Two professionals who love historic homes. Plus the best thing about this place is that it's newly-renovated, so you don’t have to suffer all the usual challenges of an old home.  

Move On If

You need your own bathroom. Sharing a bathroom has its challenges and this bathroom is a bit on the small side. It doesn’t have a lot of storage space, so if you and your roommate are Sephora addicts you might have a hard time fitting everything in there.  

by Misha Gajewski via blogTO

10 things to do in Toronto today

The dog days of summer in Toronto are here, but there's still lots of events happening throughout the day. Coco and Game Night get outdoor screenings, while a photography exhibit is on at the Gladstone. There's also a comedy show and several musical performances.

Events you might want to check out:

Open Roof Festival (August 1 @ Sterling Road)
With only a few Open Roof dates left for the season, now's the time to drink, eat, listen to local artist Terrell Morris and watch Game Night under the stars.
Bikes vs. Cars (August 1 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
The debate around safer streets takes the spotlight during this screening of Bikes vs. Cars (featuring Toronto), followed by a panel discussion.
Rich Aucoin (August 1 @ The Rec Room)
Halifax's own Rich Aucoin is making his way around Canada with his light-as-a-feather voice and indie pop rock sound.
Under the Stars (August 1 @ Regent Park)
Regent Park's Under the Stars film series continues with a screening of Coco, plus music, yoga, rugby drills and dance classes before the show.
CKY (August 1 @ The Opera House)
We all remember the movies that planted the seed for Jackass and spawned a band. Well, they're here now, alongside Slaves and Royal Thunder.
Every Woman Campaign (August 1 @ Gladstone Hotel)
Film producer Jess Lewis uses photographs to create a gallery of images that *every* woman can see themselves reflected in.
Emancipation Day Celebration (August 1 @ A Different Booklist)
August 1st marks Emancipation Day in Canada, and A Different Booklist is hosting a celebration with readings from Kathy Grant and Cheryl Thompson.
Hump Day Comedy Show (August 1 @ Comedy Bar)
This $5 Wednesday night comedy series returns with a variety show of sorts featuring Sophie Kohn, Classic Humans, Kinsey Fail and Chakra Khan.
Cavern of Swimmers (August 1 @ Bovine Sex Club)
Pulsating guitar, thrashing heads and... opera? This Venezuelan duet is known for setting soaring vocals overtop their fast-paced heavy metal tunes.
Kids Stuff (August 1 @ Burdock)
Confabulation is back with an evening of six storytellers recounting all-true tales about the good old days of childhood.

by Lisa Power via blogTO