Toronto Restaurant Openings: Reds Midtown Tavern, Pukka, Carbon Bar, Lipstick Dynamite, Ricky Ricardo's

Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

OPEN NOW

• Reds Midtown Tavern is now open at the base of the new Aura building at 382 Yonge Street at Gerrard. The restaurant offers a broad selection of decadent bar foods along with steakhouse worthy mains and lighter fare too.


• Pukka, a new Indian restaurant, is now open daily for dinner at 778 St. Clair Avenue West.


• Gourmet Gringos first (of many) brick and mortar locations opens on Friday, November 1st at 1384 Bathurst Street. Another location is already in the works at Bayview and Wellington.

OPENING SOON

• Carbon Bar, from chef David Lee and the same team behind Nota Bene is opening at 99 Queen Street East in early December.


• Lipstick Dynamite is set to open at 992 Queen Street West and offer a vegan, vegetarian and omnivore menu along with booze, board games and weekend brunch.


• Vicki'z Vegetarian Eatery at 421 College Street is papered over. Soon to open in its place, a ramen shop from the same team behind Cabbagetown's Kingyo.


• Ricky Ricardo's Restaurant and Mojito bar is in the works at 423 College Street.


• Also coming to the Aura building at 382 Yonge Street is Scaddabush, the Italian kitchen and bar that launched its first location earlier this year in Mississauga. The second location is due to open in early 2014.

CLOSED

• Keriwa Cafe at 1690 Queen Street West in Parkdale will not reopen since falling victim to major water damage caused by July floods. (via The Grid)


• Sugo Trattoria on Church is reportedly shuttered, the phone number is no longer in service. (via Chowhound)

OTHER NEWS

It's All GRK now does delivery via Special Delivery bike couriers.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to liora@blogto.com

Photo of Reds Tavern

by Liora Ipsum via blogTO

Condo of the Week: 201 Carlaw Avenue

This unit at 201 Carlaw Avenue is part of the Printing Factory Lofts condo project, which took home the 2011 Paul Oberman Award for outstanding achievement in the the field of architecture and design. From the outside, it's one of the more visually appealing residential adaptive reuse projects around town, having been built on the site of the former printing presses of Rolph Clark Stone. In fact, the original three-storey building from 1913 remains an integral part of the condominium, with an eight-story tower that rises above the historical podium. The unit in question (#129) benefits from this historical element, with the bedroom located in part of the old building, a feature which gives an air of authenticity to what otherwise might be characterized as something of cookie-cutter contemporary loft.

SPECS

• Address: 129 - 201 Carlaw Ave.


• Price: $428,000


• Bedrooms: 1 + 1


• Bathrooms/half baths: 2


• Storeys: 2


• Parking Spaces: 1


• Monthly Maintenance: $539

NOTABLE FEATURES

• 10ft And 12ft ceilings


• Exposed brick


• Exposed ductwork


• Open concept living/dining Sets


• Granite counters


• Converted heritage structure

GOOD FOR

As a one bedroom plus den, this this united is geared toward the young professional (or young professional couple) who have yet to enter into the wonderful world of child rearing. While the living, dining and den areas are part of the new building, the main bedroom (it's not fair to call it a master) is located in the remaining heritage portion of the project, which will surely appeal to buyers motivated by a desire to own something that deviates from the tens of thousands of units spread across the city that, quite frankly, look alike. The cost of this cachet is, however, that your sleeping area is on the small side.

Area-wise, Queen and Carlaw leaves little to desire with the exception of subway proximity. The site of numerous developments over the last decade or so, this stretch of Queen benefits from the gradual gentrification of both Riversise and Leslieville, a process which means that you'll never be short on brunch options or watering holes.

MOVE ON IF

You know the space doesn't comfortably accommodate more than two, but other drawbacks to be taken into consideration include the near featureless main bathroom and the relative lack of space in the bedroom. If you're keen on the idea of occupying a heritage structure, this is the inevitable price to pay, but the pay-off isn't exactly profound either. How much is a bit of exposed brick worth to you?

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Read other posts in this series via our Toronto Condos and Lofts Pinterest board .

by Derek Flack via blogTO

Is this the end of the line for BIXI in Toronto?

BIXI Toronto must strike a deal with the city before council meets in November or risk going bankrupt, says Cllr. Denzil Minnan-Wong. The bike share company has been struggling to make payments on its $4.8 million startup loan, which was financially backed by the city and has around $3.9 million left to pay.

BIXI has said it needs to add at least 2,000 more bikes in Toronto in order to remain financially viable. The system currently has 1,000 bikes spread between 80 stations, mostly in the centre of the city. 4,600 people are currently registered.

Councillors have been floated several ideas, including integrating the bike share program into the TTC or allowing developers to install stations instead of parking spots, to keep the company solvent.

Minnan-Wong says he is unhappy BIXI "changed the terms" of a private deal recently arranged with the city but didn't offer any more details. "The city is trying to save BIXI. We're not sure it is possible to save BIXI," he said outside yesterday's executive committee meeting. "We're going to continue to negotiate. The clock is ticking."

Do you think the city is really interested in saving BIXI? Do you believe expanding the program could help it become a viable means of transportation? Does it matter if BIXI fails?

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Jamie Hedworth/blogTO Flickr pool.

by Chris Bateman via blogTO

Morning Brew: Sandro Lisi arrest documents to be released, Ford's approval rating slumps, Toronto split on subway vs. LRT, a raccoon invasion, and Drake sells up

Today could be a long day for Rob Ford. Yesterday a judge ordered the release of papers related to the arrest of the mayor's long-time friend and occasional driver Sandro Lisi. It's believed (though not actually confirmed) the documents will touch on the mayor. In fact, the judge said Lisi was not the target of the police investigation.

Need help with all the characters in this saga? The Star has you covered.

Looks like there's trouble in Ford Nation. A new poll by Forum Research says the mayor's approval rating has dropped a massive 10% to almost its lowest recorded level. 61% of those surveyed said they disapproved of the job Ford is doing as mayor - 39% of responders agreed he is "one of Toronto's worst mayors." Yikes.

Also in polls, Toronto is almost evenly split in the subway vs LRT debate with light rail coming out as the preferred choice for Scarborough by a very slim margin. People were asked whether they preferred an LRT to either of the two current subway plans. When only the subways were compared, the longer option to Sheppard was the favourite.

Raccoons and other critters have invaded the roof of City Hall. For over a year, animals have been gnawing at the insulation under the soffits of the building at Queen and Bay. "There is raccoon shit all over the place," said the contractor hired to fix the problem.

A team of divers over in Oswego, N.Y. have found the wreck of a Canadian steamship sunk while hauling wood across Lake Ontario in a storm. The hull of the ship had been at the bottom of the lake since 1916. Two drowned and seven survived by clinging on to driftwood.

If you're planning to hand out Rockets, the colourful little puck-shaped candies, among your Halloween treats tonight then congratulations, you're participating in a little bit of Toronto history. Turns out treats were once produced on Queen St. W. in 1963 until 1988, when the business moved to New Jersey. The old building is now the Candy Factory Lofts condos.

Finally, Drake has sold his Yorkville condo for $3.75 million. The three-bedroom, 3,600-square-foot unit with panoramic windows and heated balconies was mostly viewed by middle aged couples looking to "downsize," according to the real estate agent.

IN BRIEF:

• Porter named best small airline in the world by Condé Nast Traveler [Globe and Mail]


• Missing Edith Peltinovich's body found, police believe [CBC]


• Toronto set to launch city's first-ever mobile food market [CTV News]


• Toronto Raptors win season opener 93-87 over Boston Celtics [CTV News]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Jonathan Castellino/blogTO Flickr pool.

by Chris Bateman via blogTO

Santa Claus Parades in the Greater Toronto Area

Many people know about Toronto's big Santa Claus Parade which takes place every November, but there are also community Christmas parades elsewhere in Toronto and Santa Claus Parades in other cities in the Greater Toronto Area.

by via About.com Toronto: What's Hot Now

Toronto Theater for Young Audiences

Learn about the many theater companies in Toronto which offer special shows aimed at children and their families.

by via About.com Toronto: Most Popular Articles

Radar: David Cronenberg, Sheezer, Fantasia Rising, Church Street's Halloween Block Party, Rocky Horror

Toronto events on Thursday, October 31, 2013

FILM | From Within: The Films of David Cronenberg

A retrospective on one of Canada's greatest filmmakers begins tonight with the launch of "From Within: The Films of David Cronenberg." Introduced by Jeremy Irons, a screening of Dead Ringers launches this series of Cronenberg films that will continue throughout the month in conjunction with the Evolution exhibit that opens tomorrow. While you're at the Lightbox, steal a peek at the fourth floor Body Mind Change exhibit presented by the CFC Media Lab, where you can get your own Cronenberg-esque POD implant. TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West) 6:30PM prices vary

ART | Fantasia Rising

Girlhood obsessed Toronto artist and musician Rebecca Fin Simonetti's solo show at Huntclub opens just in time for Halloween night. Simonetti will debut her short film installation Part of Your World, a video installation showing the artist performing a song from Walt Disney's The Little Mermaid to Chinese factory workers. Sculptural taxidermied works and drawings will also be on display. Huntclub (709 College Street West) opening October 31, 7pm - 11pm, exhibit runs October 31 - November 17, free

THEATRE | Rocky Horror Picture Show

For those who like a little freak with their horror, Bloor Hot Docs Cinema presents the return of the Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast performance and screening tonight with two back-to-back Halloween screenings. Watch the cult classic on the big screen as a cast of Toronto actors performs a satire of the film onstage. Don't forget your supplies (bread, newspaper, and such) and sit in the first few rows to really soak up all that sexual science fiction action. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor Street West) 7PM/10PM $15 regular, $10 member

MUSIC | Sheezer

Toronto's favourite Weezer cover band is back for their annual Halloween show at Lee's Palace with their secret group costume all ready to go and some friends to sing along with. Doors are at 9PM with an opening set by Unfinished Business followed by 60s/90s girl band Patti Cake. As always, Sheezer will be playing the Blue Album and Pinkerton only because why mess with a good thing?

Lee's Palace (529 Bloor Street West) 9PM $12.50 advance, $15 door

PARTY | Church Street's Halloween Night Block Party

Church Street is shutting down tonight for a Halloween block party that isn't all rainbows, orange and black. The entire street will be closed until 2:30AM for thousands of people to roam in costume, dance and drink. Costume competitions, bar-hopping and parties will be sprawled out over three blocks and all are welcome to join. Church Street and Wellesley Street, 6:30PM Free

For more Halloween events, check out our Toronto Halloween Party Guide.

ALSO OF NOTE:

• Laugh Sabbath

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Still from David Cronenberg's Dead Ringers

by Lauren Pincente via blogTO