The Sporting Life 10k #SL10K road run happened this past weekend in support of the incredible Camp Oochigeas that allows kids affected by childhood cancer to go to camp. 25,809 participants ran on Sunday, May 10th. I’ve never run a 10km road race before, or been part of such a massively wonderful event.
Gourmet pizzas have traditionally been the domain of dine-in restaurants, but Za Pizzeria, a new takeout and delivery pizzeria in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood, is helping to change that. On May 4th, owners and husband-and-wife team Jason and Lisa Constantini welcomed us to their new restaurant to sample some of their creations.
On Thursday April 23rd, the Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies hosted its annual Bonham Centre Awards Gala – this year honouring the “Power of Inclusion” from global sport leaders.
Check out what Mark had to say about coming out as an Olympic athlete, the Pan-Am games and the study of sexual diversity.
The scenic Panorama Lounge on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre has been a long-time highly sought after destination in Toronto for event planners and celebratory occasions.
Still under the same ownership at Eatertainment headed by Sebastien Centner, the destination now has a focus as a Los Angeles inspired dining experience with influences from Centner’s travels while also growing it’s image as an upscale cocktail lounge.
Two decades ago, a “small gem of a museum” was built to showcase the history and vision that went into shoes. On the evening of May 7th, over two hundred well-heeled guests gathered to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Bata Shoe Museum (BSM), the only museum in North America dedicated exclusively to the significance of footwear and related artifacts.
As we mentioned before, on April 28 2015, “Wonderful Women” were celebrated at an intimate affair with 250 guests with inspiring and successful featured speakers including Olympic gold medalist Marnie McBean and more.
It was a glorious sunny spring day on April 28, and on this day we headed to the penthouse suite of the Thompson Hotel for an event with Pinnacle Vodka. Why the penthouse suite you ask? Because it’s the perfect setting to learn all about how to host a successful social gathering in your own home. We’d learn from entertaining experts about three important elements of successful hosting – the drinks, the decor, and the food, and today we would do it with a French twist.
The WORKS Gourmet Burger Bistro kicks off a fun rock-n-roll themed menu for this long awaited spring. Aptly titled, Patty Like a Rockstar, we taste tested a few of the items from this new, limited time only menu.
Back by popular demand is celebrated Canadian writer and director Robert Lepage’s highly visual theatre piece, Needles and Opium. Presented by Canadian Stage and running at the Bluma Appel Theatre, this production of a two-man act surrounded by a spinning 3D stage proved to be visually stunning.
On April 29th, 2015 we attended the launch of Oliver & Bonacini’s newest venue, the Aperture Room. Located on the third floor of historic Thornton-Smith heritage building, it derives its name from the building’s most prominent tenant, the Toronto Camera Exchange, which at one point was the country’s largest photograph store.
Returning after last year’s inaugural launch of Yelloweek in Toronto, this year certainly made a bigger splash as the bubbly festivities made its mark at the Thompson Hotel Rooftop for a perfectly sunny evening reception with Veuve Clicquot.
On April 30th, 2015, celebrating their 10th iteration of the Sharp Book for Men party for the Spring / Summer 2015 bi-annual issue, there was a dazzling plethora of booths to explore how to live the refined life of a Sharp man.
Coming up on May 11th, 2015 is the annual Terroir Symposium, a gathering of food and hospitality industry personalities to exchange ideas and foster an environment of creativity and collaborations. Past food celebrities who have attended include Daniel Boulud and Momofuku’s David Chang.
And for those who just want to enjoy great dining experiences at great rates sponsored by Samuel Adams, there’s the Terroir Dinner Series featuring 6 special collaborative dinners on May 12th and May 13th.
This year the 2015 Terroir Symposium theme is about “Pioneering Change”. So we talked to Scott Vivian of Beast Restaurant and Trevor Lui of the new Kanpai Snack Bar about Terroir Symposium and their involvement in the dinner series.
The 22nd edition of the Paris to Ancaster (P2A) cycling race went off last weekend. This year, a record number of riders, 2,350 to be exact, took part. This sure sign of spring on the Ontario cycling calendar offers a chance for the pros to shake out the winter cobwebs with a fast ride on cyclocross or mountain bikes, and an opportunity for casual riders to challenge themselves over the 20, 40, or 70 km distances.
Last year was the inaugural Yelloweek Toronto presented by luxury champagne brand, Veuve Clicquot, and now this year it’s back again. It aims to be a multifaceted week long tribute to “Let Life Surprise You” including creativity, classy moments and of course, some fine bubbly, giving you a glimpse into the world of Maison Veuve Clicquot.
Yesterday, on April 29th, 2015, the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games clothing collection was unveiled at the Glen Gould Studio by Hudson’s Bay alongside Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees.
Last December, The Carbon Bar opened for lunch for a limited time, giving the lunch-time crowd a chance to sample some of the dinner favourites. Now, and just in time for the warm weather, lunch is back with ‘Mail It In’ Fridays with some new dishes from Chef Hidde Zomer and boozy cocktails.
How often do you get the opportunity to wine and dine on the home turf where the Toronto Blue Jays play? It’s baseball fun and carnival games for charity at the Curve Ball Gala where guests are treated to baseball themed entertainment and food while mingling and getting autographs and photo ops with the roster of the Toronto Blue Jays.
The AGO MASSIVE party lived up to it’s name once again in it’s 11th year opening the doors for a massive after dark art party at the Art Gallery of Ontario on April 23rd, 2015.
And it was a line-up outside the door for ticket holders as the AGO let in 1,900 art lovers and partygoers who were lucky enough to buy a coveted ticket to this sold out or nearly sold out affair.
In celebration of the Starlight Children’s Foundation’s 20th Starlight Gala, this year’s fundraising gala theme was the “Roaring Twenties”, a prohibition-themed affair at the Fairmont Royal York complete with plenty of entertainment, flapper dresses, feathers and pearl necklaces, decor and a speakeasy after party including a giant cage.
Raw, haunting, and provocative, renowned Russian choreographer Boris Eifman and his groundbreaking ballet company returned to Toronto with his acclaimed signature piece – Anna Karenina. We had the opportunity to see the riveting performance at the Sony Centre last week.
Running seems to be the ‘it’ sport in Toronto this year. So many are talking about training for at least one race this season, which is great because many of the runs benefit a great cause. If you’ve already signed up for a run or are interested in partaking, there’s a unique running experience right around the corner: Red Bull’s, one-of-a-kind, Wings for Life World Run on May 3rd 2015 in Niagara Falls. Registration closes on April 28th!
Carnivor Wines introduced their 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from California with UFC fighter, Elias Theodorou at Shark Club at Dundas Square on Thursday March 26, 2015.
I couldn’t think of a better ‘guys night out’ with good food, good wine and good company.
In the latest supercar news, a private event attended by exotic car aficionados and automotive industry guests gather for the introduction of the new 2016 McLaren 570S which took place at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Toronto on Thursday, April 21st, 2015.
Last year, the inaugural Taste of Toronto was held at the Fort York National Historic Site. This year, the festival returns for its second year from July 2 – 5, 2015, and promises to be bigger and better than ever. On April 21, a group of us went on a taste safari to discover six of the restaurants participating at this year’s taste festival, and get a preview of the dishes to expect.
Last Friday, April 17th, 2015 it was a ton of fun as the the Pink Pearl Foundation hosted its 9th annual fundraising charity party “Black, White and a Touch of Pink” at the Airship 37 in the Distillery District.
After watching the dazzling equestrian show, Odysseo, I met up with friends to dine at The Keg on Esplanade. It’s a short, easy drive (or cab ride) from the big white tents at the Port Lands along Lake Shore Road. Parking is also easy at the large parking lot near St. Lawrence Market.
(Don’t forget our amazing Cavalia + Keg giveaway ends tomorrow!)
The arrival of spring marks the first film festival of the season. The Canadian International Documentary Festival, or simply Hot Docs, premieres this week. This year, an outstanding selection of 210 documentaries from 44 countries will be featured at the festival, running from April 23rd to May 3rd. To help zero in on that list, here are our 5 movie picks that you can’t miss at Hot Docs.
In case you haven’t heard, the most anticipated show of this spring is finally here. Entertainment giant, Cavalia, brings a unique theatrical event with performing horses to Toronto’s Port Lands. Aptly named Odysseo, this rare and extravagant equestrian show takes audiences on a beautiful journey that surpasses imagination.
Porzia launched its new spring food and cocktail menu to a packed house on April 15th. Chef Basilio Pesce constructed a new menu that is fresh and flavourful and balanced, suited for the warm weather to come. We visited to sample some of the new items, and did not leave disappointed.