Out of all of 2018’s food trends in Toronto, soufflé pancakes deserve the most recognition – for fulfilling not only instagram-worthy shots, but also happy tummies. Soufflés in itself are a challenge to make, but “Fuwa Fuwa” perfects this recipe, proven by eager food lovers lining up at both this and the Bloor-West location for weekends on end.
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After only two years of opening, Cheese Garden has become one of Toronto’s most-coveted specialty dessert shops. Their cheese-centric menu incorporates high quality and authentic flavours from all over Japan, such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Okayama, into their beautifully packaged pastries.
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If you’re debating where to tackle your holiday shopping list this year, the brand new Cactus Club Cafe at Sherway Gardens makes the shiny, freshly remodelled Etobicoke mall an easy choice.
Marking its second Ontario location (the first of which, of course, spans three bustling levels of prime real estate in the city’s Financial District), Cactus Club Cafe opened its doors at Sherway late last month.
Consistent with the ever-growing Cactus Club Cafe brand, the food is comforting and creative – approachable, yet refined and memorable. The menu at the Sherway Gardens location features a mix of reliable favourites and new highlights created by their Test Kitchen, led by world-class chefs including Chef Rob Feenie (Iron Chef America and Iron Chef Canada) and Chef Cory Vitiello, Head of Culinary Development, Toronto.
Mediterranean-inspired Salmon Fresca with fresh herbs, baby gem tomatoes, shaved fennel and hummus
Beloved signature dishes, such as Chef Feenie’s Butternut Squash Ravioli with Prawns and Double-Braised Short Rib, make an appearance on the menu here, as do new quick favourites like Chef Vitiello’s Lobster and Prawn Tagliatelle Nero with pistachio green chili pesto (exclusive to Sherway Gardens), and Mediterranean-inspired Salmon Fresca with fresh herbs, baby gem tomatoes, shaved fennel and hummus.
Personal menu highlights include the Szechuan Lettuce Wraps, the Hunter Chicken (complete with a mushroom demi-glaze and dreamy buttered mashed potatoes), the Baja Fish Tacos, and the beef carpaccio. New vegetarian and vegan menu items include Tofu Lettuce Wraps and the Grilled Tofu Modern Bowl.
To accompany the culinary goodness is an extensive wine (wine by the glass is served in either six-ounce or nine-ounce options) list that will please any palette and a cocktail list that includes both reliable classics and about a dozen creative gems.
The restaurant’s art is worth a visit in itself, and the sprawling space practically doubles as an art gallery, with conversation-provoking pieces from some of the world’s best-known artists gracing its walls. These include pieces from Andy Warhol (no big deal), the influential Jean-Michel Basquiat, Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, well-known LA street artist Mr. Brainwash, and Toronto’s own rising star Daniel Mazzone, whose massive painting adorns the walls of the two-story entrance.
Another talking point of the space – and something that will be appreciated after a summer shopping session – is a large retractable roof. This is one of the largest of its kind found at any restaurant in North America and definitely one of the stars of the show.
The restaurant will offer daily afternoon and late night specials, as well as half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays and Wednesday. Personally, I can’t think of a better place to unwind (with a large glass of red wine in hand) after a chaotic few hours spent in a crowded mall during the holiday season. But be sure to book a reservation in advance.
Photos by Nick Lee
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- Shinan Govani sits with Cory Vitiello
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- Cory Vitiello
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- Mediterranean-inspired Salmon Fresca with fresh herbs, baby gem tomatoes, shaved fennel and hummus
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- Lobster and Prawn Tagliatelle Nero with pistachio green chili pesto (exclusive to Sherway Gardens)
Top Holiday Events for Xmas in Toronto
When it comes to Xmas in Toronto there are so many different events to enjoy. We wanted to help make it easier for you to plan ahead so we’ve created this list of the best things to do this holiday season. Don’t forget, you can check out our amazing restaurant guide too if you are planning to book a table for a family get together or for a surprise treat or even as a way to end a perfect Christmas themed day.
Xmas In Toronto Events Guide
Every year our holiday guide is a big hit and this year should be no exception. We have all our favourite events lists as well as some great new treats for all our readers and they are all listed below so you can find them at a glance.
Xmas at Black Creek:There are a number of great events being organized at the Black Creek Village this year where you’ll be able to celebrate Christmas and experience all the old and new traditions and have a great day out.
Family Xmas Weekends: This family experience will allow you to step into an amazing Christmas wonderful. Experience the sights and sounds of a Victorian Christmas and enjoy some wonderful seasonal activities in the village. Who knows, you might even pick up a new tradition or two to add to your family’s holiday festivities for years to come.
Storytime with Santa: Happening every weekend in December, this is a special treat for all the little ones. They get to spend time with Santa and his helpers as well as gather around Santa’s chair and listen to him tell a classic Christmas story. Children also get to decorate their very own Christmas cookies in the historic kitchen and grownups can warm themselves with a hot apple cider. Remember to bring your camera to capture the memories of this wonderful experience as you create your very own Christmas crafts and explore the holiday village.
Christmas by Lamplight: This takes place every Saturday in December as Black Creek comes to life in the evenings with music, food, and activities all beneath the glow of lamplight. Bask in the glory of the holiday decorations and enjoy an evening of fantastic music and Christmas entertainment.
Toronto Christmas Market: This is something not to be missed. Toronto Christmas market is one of the leading Christmas markets in the world and the annual event brings with it all the tradition, heritage, and charm you’d expect to find at a Christmas market. It’s also where you’ll find unique local handcrafted products and gifts for all the family. The day is filled with friendly entertainment, musicians, carolers, children’s choirs, and holiday-themed stage productions. There’s even a visit from Santa and his elves to enjoy. The Market is held right up until the 23rd of December and opens from 12pm to 9pm weekdays and 10am to 10pm at weekends.
Bloor Yorkville Holiday Magic: This is the annual community concert event that supports the Canadian Foundation of AIDS Research (CANFAR) and it’s free. It features the official “Flick the Switch” lighting ceremony along with exciting live music performances from some of the best Canadian stars.
Illuminite: This is a wonderful evening of music and dance where visitors get to experience the wonder and joy of the holiday season in the heart of Downtown Toronto. There’s live music that will have you dancing as well as a special tree lighting performance followed by live singing in the square of all your favourite Christmas songs.
Fallsview Casino Resort Entertainment: Fallsview Casino resort features some of the best in entertainment for your holiday seasons with over 250 shows every year. This includes some big international stars like Steven Tyler, Adam Sandler, Kelly Clarkson and more. You can enjoy blackjack, roulette, slots, and more while catching a show too. There are a number of land-based casinos in Toronto but if you don’t want to travel, there are online casinos and Torontonians can play online casinos here and enjoy all their favourite games for real money prizes.
Toronto Santa Claus Parade: What’s Christmas without Santa Claus? Take your kids to this event where Santa is welcomed into town. The parade is the highlight of the Toronto Xmas Events calendar and has been in operation since 1913. You’ll get to see amazing floats leave the corner of Christie and Bloor Street accompanied by marching bands, dancers, and a myriad of characters all dressed up as they lead the way along the 5km route. The parade lasts for approximately 2.5 hours and starts at Christie Pits Park and ends at the St. Lawrence Market.
Swedish Christmas Fair: This is a two-day holiday event that includes children singing carols at the Lucia Pageant as well as the story behind the IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad. You can try your hand at folk dancing, craft making, and more. You even get to try out some of the delicious Scandinavian foods and drink glogg. There’s a range of imported handmade gifts, unique Christmas decorations, and much more.
Cavalcade of Lights Toronto: This is a free event that has been running for more than 50 years in Toronto. It marks the official start to the holiday season and features the illumination of Toronto’s official Christmas tree. Musical performances by some of the top Canadian talent as well as a fireworks display are not to be missed. And there’s a DJ skating party in the outdoor rink as well. It’s fun for all the family and takes place in Nathan Phillips Square.
The Nutcracker: If you want to enjoy a family Christmas classic, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is a must visit. Running until the 30th of December you can see the stunning Nutcracker come alive on stage in this visual extravaganza.
As you can see, when it comes to Xmas in Toronto there really is so much to fill your schedule with. From treats for the kids to family fun and casino entertainment for adults, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season.
Amidst a rising wave of cyber-attacks that have had a devastating impact on companies across the globe, Toronto is aiming to establish itself as a cybersecurity hub. The annual Toronto Cybersecurity Conference that is set to take place in March 2019 hopes to contribute to the country’s defenses against hackers by raising awareness and providing an impetus for training.
Two Toronto Cybersecurity Conferences to Take Place in 2019
The Toronto Cybersecurity Conference is organized every year by Data Connectors, a company that specializes in cybersecurity events and has been in the business since 1999. According to their website, the next Toronto Cybersecurity Conference will take place on March 21, 2019 from 8 am to 5 pm. It will feature three sessions, with a strong focus on web security. Topics will include security in cloud environments, how to protect email and social media accounts, security across LAN and wireless networks, VoIP, as well as the impact of USB tech on security. A specialized audience ranging from developers and network engineers to CEOs and managers will hear from three distinguished speakers that represent industry leaders.
Although there is no entry fee, those interested need to register to be able to attend. Attendance is estimated to be between 2000 and 5000 delegates, while they will also be able to engage with at least ten other exhibitors during the conference. The event builds on the work of its 2018 predecessor, which took place in March 2018 and focused on similar issues. Data Connectors are also planning a second edition of the Toronto Cybersecurity Conference, which will take place on October 17, 2019. Entrance is again free and includes access to the exhibit area, which will host more than 30 exhibitors, as well as to 12 educational sessions and one central keynote speaker session.
Why Discussing Cybersecurity Matters
The organization of cybersecurity events seems all the more crucial, since as of November 1 companies are required, by virtue of the provisions of the Digital Privacy Act, to inform their clients of data breaches. Considering it results in bad publicity, this arguably means that Canadian companies are looking for ways to beef up their data security by uncovering hidden risks, correctly classifying and safeguarding sensitive data, and complying with regulatory requirements like the recent GDPR EU rules. After all, for Canadian companies, the stakes are high: As CBC.ca reported on October 15, 2018, a recent Statistics Canada survey revealed that 20% of Canadian companies suffered a hacker attack in 2017, and only 1 in 10 of victims have reported it to the police.
In total, Canadian businesses spent a whopping $14 billion in cybersecurity last year. Of that number, $8 billion went to specialized personnel, $4 billion was channelled to cybersecurity software and hardware, and only $2 billion went to prevention and mitigation measures. Statistics Canada has also released information about how companies are impacted by cybersecurity breaches. 54% of enterprises have stated that they were impeded in carrying out their day-to-day operations, 53% had issues with access to resources or services, and 30% complained that incidents required additional funds for recovery and repair.
Against this bleak landscape, cybersecurity events like the Toronto Cybersecurity Conference seem all the more important for business leaders and IT professionals alike.