Taking an old-fashioned elevator up to the 6th floor at the Burroughes building brought us into a lively charity party surrounded by 300 fashionably fabulous people in a fun and entertaining atmosphere complete with a DJ, photo booth, silent auction, casino and carnival games and premium bar. There was even a giveaway for a Vegas trip.
What is Portland Variety? Is it a bakery? A café? Or maybe a restaurant? Or a bar? Well, as the name suggests, it’s actually all of the above. The idea is that the place transforms throughout the day, changing food and function to fit the needs of the neighbourhood and its people. In the day, it’s a bakery and café, and a breakfast and lunch spot. By evening, it’s a happening tapas restaurant and bar. Is it possible for one place to be all of these things and still be great? One July 8th, we found out that it most definitely can.
Stratford, Ontario is known not only for its theatrical and artistic flair, but it’s been widely heralded as a culinary destination for food lovers alike. After all, this little gem houses the renowned Stratford Chefs School; many talented individuals have passed through its studious kitchens and the rigorous standards upheld by their Chef instructors. Alumni such as Top Chef Canada winner Carl Heinrich have marked their place in the culinary echelons of this ever evolving industry.
I got the chance to attend an intimate cocktail reception and gourmet dining experience hosted by Samsung Canada. We learned about the latest and greatest in home appliance innovations in the new top-of-the-line Samsung Chef Collection at a spacious pop-up showroom near King St and Church St on June 19, 2014.
From the owner of Fishbar, William Tavares has quietly opened Ossington Stop last month, a snack bar near Dundas and Ossington. It’s all about comfort food, cheap drinks, and a kitchen open until 4am making it a prime late night destination at Dundas West.
Due to popular request, here are some of my photos from that hectic weekend last month with MMVA lounges, Rock Star Hotel and the Luminato Festival Closing Party.
Surely one of the finest and most memorable cocktail hours I’ve attended, Bombay Sapphire invited a select few media to experience the Cinq a Sept happy hour at a whole new level with cocktails in the sky.
With the brilliance of summer ambiance filling the city, the 2014 SummerWorks Performance Festival kicked off with a unique and remarkable launch party at Toronto’s Campbell House. Over 10 artists converged on the grounds this historical residence, bringing together a night of beguiling performance art in support of the festival.
In the midst of this beautiful sunny weather, who doesn’t love hitting up patios? To help you maximize your patio time this summer, Jack Astor’s has expanded their patio menu and boasts taking “extreme patio measures” including providing complimentary sunscreen, beer coasters that double as “rain guards” and a chance to win a spontaneous plane trip to one of the greatest patios in Muskoka.
Summers are absolutely amazing in Toronto, and Torontonians love to spend it outdoors. So when there’s a new entrant in Toronto’s vibrant patio scene, we take notice. La Libre is this next exciting entrant, officially opening its doors last week.
Hosting the largest licensed outdoor patio, the Bacardi Festival Libre will celebrate Cuban-inspired music, dance, cuisine and art. It takes place this weekend for 3 days starting today at Toronto’s Distillery District spanning Trinity Street, Tank House Lane, Case Goods Lane, Distillery Lane and Gristmill Lane.
On June 25th, we had a “One Night Stand” at EFS nightclub complete with DJs, dancers, balloons, free flowing libations, and a silent auction. Well, not to be confused with a certain clandestine intimate activity, we are obviously referring to the 5th annual One Night Stand: Take a Stand for Children’s Mental Health.
Executive Chef Eric Wood, formerly of Hawthorne Food and Drink, and Fabarnak, now heads the kitchen at the Beverley Hotel’s restaurant. On June 25, we were fortunate to be one of the guests to be treated to the chef’s new summer menu at this young boutique hotel in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood.
It was a night of all-black everything for The Sinai Soiree 2014, a black-tie gala where guests dressed their best in black.
Around 80,000 EDM fans gathered at Electronic Nation’s Bud Light Digital Dreams 2014 in a state of music-induced euphoria during two days of the Canada Day long weekend. Now in it’s third year, the festival offered an expanded site at The Flats at Ontario Place (plus Echo Beach) including the addition of a 4th stage.
Needless to say, the festival was full of non-stop loudness thanks to an incredible lineup of top DJs. Digital Dreams 2014 was as impressive as ever.
For two days, on June 18 and 19, Perrier Canada held its Pop Up with Perrier event, transforming the space at the Burroughes at Queen West into “the first adult playground of its kind.”
Synonymous with citrus groves, the scenic Valencia is home to many Spanish delicacies, including a new Tempranillo debuting at the LCBO with the distinctive name, Radio Boka. Last week at iYellow Wine Cave, I had the pleasure of tasting this versatile red with the makers of the wine.
Here’s just a few photos I took from yesterday’s Digital Dreams 2014. Getting ready to head out for the second day soon! For those of you who are going, hope to see you there at Echo Beach!
Joining 20 Taste festivals from around the world, the “World’s Greatest Restaurant Festival” is coming to Toronto for the first time! Taste of Toronto will bring top chefs including Mark McEwan and David Chang (Momofuku) and more for gourmet food festivities. Click here to learn more from our preview of Taste of Toronto.
And Best of Toronto has teamed up with Taste of Toronto to give away a pair of tickets!
Beneath the sheltering sky and surrounded by the soaring pines of Southern Ontario, rests the magnificent McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Last Saturday, lit by the jeweled stars of an early summer night, we had the pleasure of attending the McMichael’s premier fundraiser, Moonlight Gala 2014, held on the spectacular forested grounds of the gallery.
When you combine a pants off party with open bar, it obviously turns into quite a riot.
The North by Northeast (NXNE) festival is generally known for its music, but on this night art took centre stage. On June 18, Samsung Canada hosted the NXNE Art opening reception at the NXNE Art Lounge in Toronto’s entertainment district.
With a feast for your eyes, a banquet to fill your belly, and a cause to warm your heart, the food and beverage purveyors at The Stop’s Night Market showcased their best last week, in support of The Stop Community Food Centre.
In celebration of Pride in Toronto, perhaps it’s time to get a little bit naughty whether you’re gay, straight or whatever with great gift ideas or just for yourself during Pride. We asked Katrina McKay, sexpert and owner of adult boutique store Ohhh Canada, about her top picks to embrace and celebrate sexuality of all kinds.
In support of cancer research, almost a dozen firefighters strutted their stuff on stage at Tattoo on Queen West, to promote the Toronto Firefighter Calendar. Hosted by 103.9 Proud FM’s Mike Chalut, and joined by judges Natalie Deane from Cosmo TV and Liza Stinton from Big Brother Canada, this naughty bash got a little steamy.
Guests dressed in all-white for this year’s 13th annual Scrubs in the City gala dubbed “Soiree Under the Stars” in support of the SickKids Foundation.
Over 50 chefs participated at this year’s Toronto Taste at the beautiful Corus Quay on Sunday June 8, 2014.
Set on a shoreline overlooking Toronto’s iconic skyline, the annual Digital Dreams Music Festival is an event unlike any other in the Canadian music scene. As the largest EDM festival in Canada, Digital Dreams boasts an impressive line-up of some of the biggest DJs in the world including Tiesto, Eric Prydz, Flux Pavilion, Nervo, and Fredde Le Grand to name just a few.
The Forth is a new, upscale restaurant on Danforth near Pape spanning 8,000 square feet in a three-story building with Chef Chris Kalisperas, previously the executive chef at Brassaii. The concept is classic Canadian cuisine with a contemporary approach.
Walking through the entrance in the decorated lobby with an elevator, you can tell that this restaurant destination is different than the usual Danforth dining options. The modern décor and spacious open concept provide a welcoming atmosphere for a fresh dining experience.
The Mad Hot Ballet gala is always one of Toronto’s most elegant of soirees at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.