Listed in Restaurants
Barsa Taberna sits at the north tip of Market Street's restaurant row that now runs down the west side of the old St. Lawrence Market building. The 85-seat restaurant inhabits a historic building filled with original stone archways and 19th-century beams, with decor that contrasts old world elements with curvaceous bespoke furnishings, 30 foot artworks backlit with LEDs, and rich mosaic patterns.
Patio seating out front will offer room for 75 and its major draw is pitchers of Sangria ($19-$20/half, $33-38/full) in red, white and sparkling Cava variations. Expect to see Estrella Damm, the beer of Barcelona, on tap in the coming weeks.
The tapas-based menu is divided into hot, cold and fried selections, and while many dishes are recognizably Spanish by influence, there are obvious twists and infusions of global flavours. Stuffed piquillo peppers ($13), for instance, are packed with dashi-braised short rib and served with chanterelles and collard greens.
Sea Bream Ceviche ($10) takes on Peruvian flavours thanks to a tiger's milk, chili, and Amarillo paste marinade. Set over avocado mousse and topped with shavings of frozen foie gras, it's a delicate cold dish that plays creamy rich textures against the brightness of the fresh fish.
Banderillas ($9), named for a bull fighter's sword, is little pot of mixed pickles meant to be skewered. Quail eggs and harissa-marinated goat cheese balls join the cast of salty pickled snacks to add pops of creaminess alongside the acidity.While a la carte small plates are generally priced between $9 and $13, there's the option to do a tapas tasting featuring a chef's selection -- six plates at a time for $50 or by the dozen for $100. Better still, order the whole shebang ($240) and try one of everything under the tapas menu (currently 18 plates) plus 3 larger plates.
To share or to hoard as an entree, there are large plates like lobster linguine ($18), chorizo tasting platters ($18) and a striploin steak ($32) over buttermilk mashed potatoes with a knob of blue cheese butter and side of shredded kimchi.
For dessert, a sangria cake ($9) decorated with coconut tres leche, compressed watermelon and grapes, is served with a mango sherbet.
Barsa Taberna opens for lunch daily at 11am. A weekend brunch is set to launch in the coming weeks.
Photos by Jesse Milns
Marben on Wellington at Portland is a restaurant constantly in flux, reinventing itself every couple of years with a cosmetic reno and evolving menu. In its current incarnation, a street-side patio heralds the entrance leading inside to two floors of dining rooms lined with exposed brick and furnished with tinted leather banquettes, distressed woods and eclectic thrift-store artworks.
Catering to a well-heeled after-work crowd, the menu offers brasserie staples like oysters, cheese and charcuterie boards, plus an array of tapas-type sharing plates like patatas bravas ($7) and lobster paella croquetas ($12). 
Tequila ceviche cones ($12) are easy to eat and presented like a trio of canapés. Crisp pastry shells filled with avocado and a scoop of whatever fish is fresh from the market (today it happens to be line-caught halibut) marinated with tequila and lime and sprinkled with roe to finish.
The a la carte menu is supplemented with a list of daily specials; today the short list includes spot prawns ($19) overnighted from B.C, after the fisherman called from the boat to report a good catch. Grilled whole and seasoned simply, you're meant tear them in half, peel and dip into house-made lobster mayo. Head-sucking is optional but recommended.
Smoked risotto ($23) enriched with butter and parmesan is finished with smoked olive oil and topped with crisped Ibérico chorizo, sweet caramelized scallops and seabuckthorn.
The wine list is organized by origin, though bottles outnumber the selections by the glass. On draft, Muskoka and Kensington Brewing Co. are poured 500mL for $7. Cocktails like the Tea & Sympathy ($12) are meticulously crafted with chamomile-infused vodka, ginger syrup, lemon dandelion bitters and frothy egg whites.
Marben is open nightly from 5pm for dinner, with the exception of Mondays. Lunch and brunch run Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30am to 2:30pm.
Photos by Jesse Milns.
Katzman Contemporary is a new art destination on Miller Street nestled amongst working auto-body shops at the very northern tip of the Junction Triangle. Following Jessica Bradley's move to the street in late 2012, Katzman is another well-known name looking for a clean slate. The new space represents a fresh start for 80 Spadina's Katzman Kamen Gallery (formerly Leo Kamen Gallery), a long-time hub for Canadian contemporary painting, sculpture, and print. 
Leo Kamen, who has since left the art world to pursue writing, once famously compared his method of art dealing to gambling, saying he was "much more interested in gambling than art." It seems that under new director Marianne Katzman's watchful eye (whom Kamen sold the rights to his space to in 2011), the brand is taking a decidedly more serious and academic turn. In the 3,200 square foot space, Katzman is distancing herself from any overt commercial associations by presenting "new images and cultural exchanges" with a focus on "curatorial interventions and discursive events." 
Still, with didactic seriousness aside, there's a warmth offered up when entering the space, punctuated by friendly staff (including Katzman's beautiful baby!) and a renewed focus on art that encompasses youth and experimentation. While Katzman's roster of artists remains in line with those of bygone days, showing and representing a primarily Canadian roster (Sarah Nind, Cliff Eyland, et al) she's scooped some promising young talent in multi-media artist Braden Labonte, textile designer Meghan Price, and painters Janet Jones and Colette Laliberté.
The most recent exhibition, Nested Stories, was a CONTACT show by manic installation artist Wyn Geleynse, whose digital installations often subvert the medium -- this time, with immersive diorama projections featuring undirected storytelling in domestic space. The early shows are a fairly good indication of the new turn the gallery has taken, and it will be very interesting to keep tabs on Miller Street in the future. Could this become a news arts enclave it Toronto? It sure sounds like it.
Writing by Jess Carroll / Photos via Katzman Contemporary
Sweet Serendipity opened its doors on Danforth East just a few weeks ago, and is already cheering up the neighbourhood with its treats. The small shop has just two tables in the front, a display area and cashier and espresso machine in the middle, and the rest of the room dedicated to baking ovens and workspace. You can watch the head baker make the sweets right before your eyes. 
On top sit jars full of biscotti ($1.25 or 6 for $7) and cookies ($1.75), including peanut butter, cranberry oatmeal, double chocolate chip, chunky chocolate flavours.
I sunk my teeth into a lemon square ($4), and it was made of perfectly lemon-y custard, tart, not too sweet, with a fine buttery crust. 
The maple butter tart will give you the required sugar rush for the day ($3), the pastry light and crumbly. Loaves, like lemon or blueberry, are $8.
But it seems the forte at Sweet Serendipity is cake - as in cupcakes, and mini cakes and loaves. The cupcakes are the fanciest things there, and even they are kept simple - just moist cake (chocolate, red velvet, and vanilla) in little cupcake papers with a happy swirl of buttercream icing on top and a few sprinkles. Not obscene towers of sugar that make your teeth ache just looking at them, but respectable indulgences nonetheless. You can purchase a mini cake (not that mini, actually - the cakes are about 6" in diameter for $12) or just a slice ($3). 
There wasn't much in the way of abundance - the cases pretty but slightly empty - but I figure it's a new shop in a slow growing area, they are probably just keeping things small and fresh and with an eye on waste. Hopefully as time goes on and foot traffic picks up, there will be need to have the shelves overflowing and the bakery in the back in constant production. 
Photos by Jesse Milns.
TLP is a sandwich shop masterminded by the same team as 
White subway tiles pay homage to the fact the address was once slated to become a premium butcher shop but has since been re-purposed as a short order kitchen. Buttertarts and bags of Mrs Vickie's chips are stocked in a display case, while a marble bar rail offers the only eating space.
Prices have yet to be set, but at the heart of the concept is the idea that $10 should get you a sandwich and a drink. When I visit, the first four sandwiches have debuted at $5 (with a can of pop). "We've got classic Coke, but would've done RC Cola if we could," says Orgera. It's the kind of place that revels in nostalgic, lowbrow favourites. Trendy ingredients like pork belly will not make an appearance any time soon...or ever.
The opening menu is being rolled out slowly, but will feature five regular sandwiches and a cast of rotating specials. A vegetarian option and home-style meatloaf have been promised for the near future.
For now, there are choices like the Charlie Blake, loaded with a saucy mess of tender braised beef on a puffy Portuguese bun that was selected for being especially take-out worthy (it's sturdy enough to endure a trip back to the office). The sandwich is served au natural, the meat's own rich brown gravy supplying all the sauce it needs. Extra condiments are available, but discouraged.
Also on a bun: crispy calamari battered with hot sauce and cornmeal before taking a bath in the fryer. Golden rings are piled high and, in this case, dressed up with lemony mayo slathered onto the bun and sprinkled with chopped onions and cucumber. It's a good sandwich, perhaps even my fave, though the mayo kind of disappears into the bun. I wouldn't mind if they had drizzled extra over top. 
TLP is open daily from 9am - they'll even throw an egg onto your peameal for breakfast. The place aims to capture the weekday lunch crowd, so don't expect it to be open super late - maybe 'til 6pm or so. After all, these guys do have a serious steakhouse to run.
Photos by 
Dundas and Carlaw took over from the old Lolabar space at; you guessed it, Dundas and Carlaw. The space has been transformed with white subway tiles, vaulted ceilings with chandeliers, a wooden bar, and several black two-top tables for grabbing a perch. It is part café, part bar, open from 7am until late, with further food options still to come. Whether you find yourself chatting up the daytime barista, or the nighttime bartenders, you'll find staff amiable and charming, with answers to your questions.
Stop in early for a coffee and a snack, use the wifi do to a little work or get some sun outside on the large patio. They use 
The best feature is that night or day, the patio is amazing. It makes for a great transition into an evening of cocktails. I stopped by one warm night and sampled some of their featured cocktails, a beer and pink lemonade with a dot of grenadine that's like a primo shady- refreshing and great for the sun ($9.25). Pints (Rolling Rock, Liberty Village are two of ones on currently) are $7 and they have the usual collection of bottles and bar rail. 
Their twist on the Caesar is a totally macked out version that comes as a double with a stacked skewer looming over top for $14.25. The skewer has a huge dill pickle, a pepperette, several olives and a dilly bean which makes it more of a meal than a drink. As soon as one of these impressive drinks would come out of the bar to the patio, it would catch the eyes of new customers, until the whole patio was full of these towering Sleazers on every table. 
As stated, a full menu is set in the coming weeks, but if the barbecue I spot is any indication, there's more than just drink action promised for the patio. While it's a little noise with all the construction and development in the area, the people who eventually move into the neighbourhood will be thankful to have a hangout like Dundas and Carlaw set and ready to go. I suggest getting in now, while there is still room. 
Photos by Jesse Milns
Miraj Hammam is tucked away on the fifth floor of the 
The spa gets its name from its signature feature - a marble-panelled hammam steam room that lets visitors sweat out stress at temperatures of up to 120 F. It's also the site of their most popular treatment: the gommage, a mega-exfoliating full-body scrub. Spa director Daryll Naidu adds their slate of wine-extract facials ($165-275) and body treatments ($115-155) are also popular. 
In addition, there's also a manicure and pedicure area that boasts three manicure areas, five pedicure areas, and a view overlooking University Ave. Several private treatment rooms contain tables suitable for facials, massages and body treatments, including the aforementioned barrel-tub room (a self-contained suite that includes a shower/mini steam room and washroom, which Naidu says is a favourite with celebrity guests).
On my visit, I try out the signature hammam and gommage ($130 for a half-hour treatment). Since the rooms aren't shared (unless a couple or a group chooses to book it), I've got the huge, grotto-like space all to myself. The woman handling my treatment leads me into the low-intensity part of the room, and I'm hit with a wave of heat, followed by a sinus-clearing blast of eucalyptus. I'm not sure whether I can stand the temperatures - but after a few moments in the low-intensity chamber, then in the steam-filled high-intensity area, that worry subsides (the glass of cold water they provide helps). 
The therapist shows me to a marble bench within the fog, saying she'll be back after my 15 minutes is up. I spread out on the stone surface (lying on top of your sarong is recommended, unless you enjoy the feeling of being suctioned to a marble slab) and get acclimatized to the strangely cozy, secluded feeling of being shrouded in dense, eucalyptus-infused vapour, alone in the silence except for the occasional hum of the steam generator. (Bonus activity for fellow overactive imagination-havers: imagine yourself in some kind of lost temple underneath a volcano!)
I'm brought back into the low-intensity part of the hammam for the gommage scrub. The therapist slicks on some of the eucalyptus-scented black soap, then gives me a very, very thorough scrubbing with an exfoliating mitt. The scrub ranged from ticklish to wince-inducing (though it's possible I may just be a wuss when it comes to exfoliation), but the therapist made this relative spa neophyte feel quite at ease (and not judged for giggling).
Afterwards, I take my thoroughly-scrubbed self down the hallway to the after-treatment lounge, which is Naidu says is meant to "give the impression of guests leaving the city". Large, bed-like booths filled with cushions line the lounge. It's late on a Tuesday, and I've got the place to myself; someone brings by a piece of baklava, some grapes and a small glass of tea, and I alternate between flipping through magazines and gently dozing.
While the exfoliating treatment just might not have been for me (I really didn't notice much of a difference in my skin the days after my visit), the peaceful, gorgeous environment and unique steam facilities really do make Miraj Hammam feel like a world away from University Ave. - it's a perfect place to get away from it all.
Photos by James C Lee.
Portland Variety has taken over the coveted spot at the corner of Portland and King formerly occupied by 
The cafe portion of Portland Variety is a tight space, with a few marble counters for standing and grabbing a quick snack, so keeping things streamlined with the Mod Bar is a wonderful idea. 
I ask Nunes to make me an Americano ($2.43, while lattes and cappuccinos are $2.70, drip coffee $1.45) He used Las Chicas beans; the result was a smooth, gorgeous, tawny crema that lingered with no trace of bitterness. 
They're trying out the Las Chicas for now, but expect a revolving door of beans at Portland Variety as they find the best around. 
Coffee aside, the dove-gray room is floor-to-ceiling windows on two corners, bringing in a wonderful natural light to the space, enhancing the colour of the gray and white marbled counters, and inviting passersby to notice the fine baked goods on offer right at the window. 
Peek inside the glass cases, and you'll see those 
I commend Nunes on his unusual selection of treats. Often it's just a muffin overload, but at Portland Variety, along with financiers and soufflés, I see a lemon bichon ($2.70), nookie cookies ($1.25), and drool-worthy chocolate bombs ($3.75) - molten lava cakes made of 60% Belgian chocolate. I had a sampler of a breakfast croissant, a chocolate soufflé, an apple Danish ($2.70) and a chocolate cookie ($2.50), and everything tasted even better than they sounded. 
If you are nervous about those kinds of waistline-expanding indulgences, there are several yogurt and fruit parfaits ($3.75), fresh juice ($3.80), and granola ready to go. 
Omelettes and other light egg dishes will be available as soon as the back restaurant area opens up.
Photos by Jesse Milns.
Evolution Food Co. is located midway down 
The menu features six signature dishes that balance wholesome ingredients with big, globally inspired flavours. The Cabo Cobb ($12), for instance, is loaded with avocado, corn, spiced black beans, pico de gallo, cilantro, shredded monterey jack and dressed with cilantro ranch and jalapeño vinaigrette. It can be customized to order with a hearty base of brown rice, quinoa or greens. A choice of chicken, tofu, or tempeh is already included, or can be upgraded to shrimp or salmon for $2.50.
Cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, husked chickpeas, feta, sunflower seeds and parsley, dressed in lemon honey vinaigrette, make up the Moroc ($12), which is finished off with tahini and harissa-spice hummus. Skip the cheese and make it dairy-free by subbing in avocado for 50 cents.
Beverages options include made to order smoothies ($6.50-$7), and cold pressed juices ($6-$8) and house-made almond milks ($7.50) bottled to avoid oxidixation. The rainbow of flavours includes juices like the Energize Me, made with orange, pinapple and grapefruit, and smoothies like the Cookies and Cream, blended with dates, banana, raw pecans and almond milk.
I'm here too late in the day, but the breakfast menu looks really right up my alley. Not only are there sweet oat bowls and fruity Greek yogurt options, but the morning menu ventures to the savoury side, too. The Sunshine Bowl ($6.50) is loaded with quinoa, sauteed kale, shallots and mushrooms, then topped with an egg, while the Salmon and Dill ($6.25) yogurt bowl is garnished with dill, red onions, cucumbers and St. Urbain bagel chips.
Evolution Food Co. is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30am to 7:30pm.
Photos by 
Brownstone Bistro has been on the corner of Yonge and Gloucester for 15 years, making it somewhat of a landmark in the ever-changing landscape on the country's longest street. After a stint on Restaurant Takeover in 2012, a revitalized Brownstone opened with a menu big on comfort classics and boozy cocktails. 
With a decent selection of domestic and imports on tap, clever cocktails, and wines by the glass and bottle, having a liquid lunch is pretty easy to accomplish here - especially with the sunny corner patio overlooking Yonge beckoning. A pint of Steam Whistle ($7) hit the spot, as did the sunny Hawaiian Lemonade ($6.50), which packs a nice punch with vodka and pineapple juice. 
Father and son Adel and Mark Yacoub run the show, including the kitchen, which is staffed with line cooks. The menu takes influence from informal tastings from regulars and recipes that were supplied by Restaurant Takeover, but make more fiscal sense as a rotating special and not a menu addition. You'll find usual suspects like burgers, sandwiches, salads, and brunch on weekends. 
The menu takes pub classics and puts a different spin on them, like the deconstructed brushchetta ($10). This assemble-it-yourself bruschetta comes loosely dressed with arugula, bocconcini, a drizzle of balsamic and a lattice weave of beet curls. Whole tomatoes make the bites a twitch more awkward than the traditional diced tomato approach, but it was a small sacrifice for the punchy and fresh flavour. 
Goat cheese salad ($13) comes dressed similarly to the bruschetta, with more decorative beets thrown in for good measure. Under all the purple hides a slightly melted portion of goat cheese resting on a warm portobello mushroom. While it's a little smallish in terms of portion size, it's definitely a good bet as a light starter. 
After eating such a healthy lunch, digging into some dessert seems like a no-brainer. Cherry cheesecake ($6.50) although not made in house, is still rich and decadent, although a tad overdone with the whipped cream and chocolate syrup garnish. Coffee ($2.50) is topped up regularly by the attentive servers. 
Patties Express is a tiny Jamaican patty takeaway outlet situated on Elm off Yonge in near proximity to the Ryerson campus. Owner Daniel Cheng learned the trade from his parents' bakery, 
Leave your farm-to-table philosophies at the door, because the veggie option is made up of corn, peas, beans and carrots, all of the frozen variety, and I don't ask (don't want to know) where the meat comes from. Fillings stay true to the genre and are available mild or spicy, laced with scotch bonnet peppers. 
Considering a single patty sells for only $1.89, there is no point in finding faults - you'd be hard-pressed to find a cheaper lunch on the Yonge Street strip. Order two at a time with a can of soda for $4.39, or have any patty nestled into a sweet, puffy, house-baked coco bun for $3.39. 
Patties Express is open weekdays from 10:30am to at least 7:30pm, while on weekends the shop opens at 11am. 
Photos by 
Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery is an offshoot of the notoriously fabulous 
If you are familiar with any of the Bakerbots products you're probably aware of how things work, especially when it comes to ice cream and cookies. You choose an ice cream flavour to be wedged between one or two cookies, picking from the various types for an innumerable combination of flavours. What results is one of the best ice cream sandwiches I've ever had. Half a sandwich (one cookie) is $4.50; a full sandwich (two full cookies) will both blow your mind and run you $7.
As for the ice cream: Sandwiches aside, you can get it in a cup, in a traditional or sugar cone, or in a take-home tub. A kiddie scoop is $2, while a single is $4 and a double $5.50. Take home tubs are $8. A quick scan of the menu - 
Other fantastic flavours include burnt toffee, orange cardamom, London fog, halva (white sesame), and lemon meringue, among others. They also make dairy free chocolate and dairy free raspberry gelatos. 
I tried the London fog, the burnt toffee, the lemon meringue and the Bellwoods stout, as it was hard to pick just one. Each reflected their flavouring to a tee, the lemon tart and bright, the stout earthy and almost chocolatey, and the burnt toffee had a definite stress on the burnt - browned sugars sweetened just below the point of acridity. 
They have a little espresso machine for making coffee and affogato as well, and your choice of scoop with espresso will run you $4.75. Warm summers evenings produce quite the line up, but it moves pretty fast, so get in that and get an ice cream and take a stroll through the neighbourhood, or head to the park and just gorge on a tub.
Photos by Jesse Milns.
Yauca's Lounge is a new 
We had the benefit of getting a good rundown of the menu from our server, an extremely friendly fellow, who as it turns out was also one of the co-owners. He shared that their recently launched Senegalese dishes have been popular, but on this visit we went without, as they are currently only available on weekends. 
We ordered the Cameroonian-style braised chicken with fried plantain ($12.99) - two pieces of dark meat, which unfortunately tasted like leftovers hastily re-heated in the grill. The lightly charred skin had a nice flavour, but otherwise the chicken was bone dry and far too tough. It was a disappointing start. 
Next was the tilapia and three-side combo plate ($19). The fresh-tasting fish was grilled whole and served tender and flaky. For the sides we opted for red rice, steamed veggies and roasted potatoes - and all were fairly underwhelming. 
We were nearly halfway through the dish when our server brought a tomato and onion topping that was meant to accompany the tilapia. Despite the missing garnish, this was still the best dish of the night and a good enough value at less than $20. 
Yauca's is likely to get busier during the 
Photos by Marni Wolf.
The Pedal Stop is nestled at the northeast corner of Ossington and Argyle, just south of Little Portugal's gateway, west of Trinity Bellwoods. Plain and unassuming from the outside, the shop inside is a bonafide bike garage with the centre area draped with all kinds of bikes ... that aren't for sale. 
I saw only one Jamis road bike for $1600, which is about the current retail price. But apart from that, and an awesome classic road bike collection (Basso, F Moser and Legnano) hung like dioramas on the wall, all the other bikes were repaired and ready to be picked up. 
"Oh, for sure, we do custom build," says Galvez - you can get a decent looking single-gear starting at $550. The price goes up based on the included components - one they were working on had cool blue rims that could easily be tagged at $800+ elsewhere.
TPS partners with national distributor Damco, who supplies their single-gear builds and outfits the store with most of its accessories. Brand names like Infini, Ming Tay and Velo are part of a no-nonsense gear and accessories wall, which runs the gamut from locks to lights. It's not a place for spandexers looking for selection - but they do proudly offer a range of well-made bags and panniers exclusively from Toronto original, YNOT. 
"Repairing bikes is about feeling it out first, then determining what the real problem is," Galvez says - which of course makes total sense. But he points out that TPS doesn't really price repair work in neat little service packages. This unpretentious, chilled mantra has made TPS a personal favourite of mine. 
"A tuneup is $50, and that includes full bike assessment, basic cleaning, chain/pressure check and truing," Galvez says. A guy came in for a tube change, and that was $20. I asked about an adjustment to my derailleur and he said that if it's a simple tweak to align then that could be $5-$10. Wow. What year is it?
Zen and the art of the local Toronto bike shop: that's The Pedal Stop.
Writing by Autom Tsaga. Photos by Jesse Milns.
Stowaway Vintage is a sweet little shop tucked into Melanie Machado's front room. The little shop at Dovercourt and Hallam, just south of Dupont Street, is crammed full of more weird and wonderful vintage treasures than I've seen in one shop in a long while.
A few steps up and into the shop, and you might have the pleasure of meeting Machado's superlatively cute daughter Avielle. As she plays amongst the rack of long '60s and '70s dresses, Machado tells me she and her husband have been collectors for the past 10 years. Machado always wanted to open a shop, but she didn't know it would be so soon, or would be located in her home. But her front window display, which she changes up on the regular, drew in neighbours, who in turn suggested the idea.
The shop, though tiny, is a good fit for the growing neighbourhood. 
Alongside the carefully curated and accessibly-priced clothes and accessories (a '70s clutch goes for $9, bangles are $3, and dresses run for around $30), you'll also find bins of records. I spot mostly long-treasured classics like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads, Johnny Cash and Elvis, and all appear to be in good shape (and priced around $15-$30, which gives some downtown record stores a run for their money).
On the walls, you will find the strangest knick knacks and creepy toys from decades gone by. Terrifying '60s dolls and figurines (prices range, but many can be had for around $12) stare down at you alongside Disney treasures that look like they've escaped from nightmares. It may sound like I'm hating on these freaky little items, but I'm not. They're creepy in a unique, special way, and I haven't seen anything like them elsewhere in Toronto.
Other treasures include vintage cigarette tins (which are great for holding weed, and which run for as little as $15), as well as sunglasses, beautiful old photos and postcards (5 for $3), and tons of beautiful Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ paraphernalia to assuage the Catholic in you.
Photos by Derek Flack
Sourced & Salvaged is a small specialty design shop where owner Darius Armstrong sells a delightful mix of found and reclaimed antiques. The 
Aside from these lovely, unaltered items sold in Sourced & Salvaged, Armstrong also sells many of his own creations made from repurposed materials. Hanging lights made from antique mason jars can be had for $45 (and up). "I make lots of lights, but so far I haven't burned anything down. I've shocked myself," Armstrong says.
I'm not too shocked, as he clearly has a natural aptitude to take what would be piled of old junk to some and turn it into glorious one-of-a-kind pieces. And, given the craftsmanship and unique nature of his creations, they are priced very reasonably, at least compared to much of what one might find in 
A few more wonderful things: stunning coffee tables and benches made from the wood of 150-year-old row-house roofs; a huge collection of antique glass bottles (which go for as little as $5), and a series of antique steamer trunks and chairs.
Where does he get all of his fabulous materials? Alongside his creativity, Armstrong is also blessed with more than your average amount of tenacity. He trolls auctions, estate sales, and goes picking and cold-calling.
"If I see a house that's crammed full of stuff, I'll knock on the door and say, 'Hey, are you interested in selling anything?' He said hoarders can be delicious providers of under-appreciated antiques and materials.
Sourced & Salvaged is a must if you're into antiques and reclaimed materials. As I said, the prices are more than fair, and Armstrong is a charming dude who also offers custom pieces. My only caution is the hours: they're open from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday til Saturday. But that's because Armstrong runs the operation all by himself, from the sourcing and building of the items to the selling of them, and he works in a restaurant all day, too, which basically means he works on a constant basis. I would recommend carving out some time in the evening and popping in to say hi.
Photos by 
Los Colibris is perched on top of sister restaurant 
Another cozy semi-private room up front looks dead onto Roy Thompson Hall and can accommodate up to 15 around a long harvest table. 
Across from the bar, a lounge offers space to enjoy a cocktail - like Zoma Rosa ($12), a margarita blended with Tromba Blanco, flor de jamaica, basil and mint.
The menu boasts four types of ceviche, from which I choose two to try. The Ceviche Callo de Hacha ($15) balances the sweetness of scallops and tequila-compressed watermelon with the heat of jalapeño and mild cucumber and avocado.
The Ceviche Blanco ($13) is more like a cold shrimp salad, studded with crunchy jicama and dressed in creamy coconut milk, with serrano chilis for a little heat. Taro root chips supplied on the side act as a vessel to spoon each bite in my mouth.
Unlike downstairs, there are no tacos on the menu, though the Queso Fundido ($15) will satisfy that craving, and offers the chance to enjoy awesomely fresh, still steaming, house-made corn or flour tortillas. Essentially, it's a Mexican cheese fondue, served bubbling in a skillet with chorizo - greasy, but in all the right ways.
More substantial fare is available too. There are hearty plates like the Tesmole de Pollo ($21), which showcases confit chicken, pulled meat and crispy skin with a jalapeño tomatillo sauce. Hidden under the meat and an assortment of seasonal vegetables is a sweet corn dumpling that soaks up all the juices. 
Dessert should not be overlooked; Herrera is an accomplished pastry chef (formerly of 
Los Colibris opens weekdays at 11:30am for lunch and dinner, while on Saturdays the restaurant opens at 5pm for dinner. Sunday brunch is soon to be launched. For the pre-theatre crowd, there is a three-course prix fixe on offer for $35 that can take the worry out of making the opening curtain.
Photos by 
I Have A Crush On You is a gift shop meets gallery meets workshop that found its first home in Liberty Village at the end of May. If you need a sassy greeting card for your friend with an offbeat sense of humour, or a piece of antique china with Rob Ford's confused face printed on it, you've found your haven.
"Smitten kitten means a girl that's in love," explains Kwong, who was spending her birthday on duty at the store. "After racking my brain forever, I'm like well obviously, Smitten Kitten, I Have a Crush on You - it just goes hand-in-hand."
It's pretty clear that the space is a labour of love. From the gold tinsel-covered wall to the little typewriter cards that explain why I Have A Crush On You carries each product, Kwong's personality and taste are front and centre. "Everything I bring in, I bring in because I love it," she says.
Up until May of last year, when Kwong took over the 700 square feet at the top of a flight of wooden stairs, the unit had navy blue and beige walls, and heavy blue carpeting. It took five coats of paint to get it to what it is today - bright, inviting, and worthy of the natural features, like an exposed beam that divides the space right down the middle.
After designing and printing stationery for almost 10 years, Kwong liked the idea of finally combining her workspace with a retail location in her favourite neighbourhood.
"Crush-worthy" Smitten Kitten products line the right-hand wall - two have won LOUIE Awards (which recognize outstanding greeting cards). In addition, Kwong has carefully curated gifts, knick knacks, books, accessories and décor items from all over the world. She visits trade shows in New York, Chicago and Toronto, and makes a few items in-house that are sold exclusively at I Have A Crush On You, like the aforementioned decorative Rob Ford china ($60 for a plate, $45 for a bowl, with a portion of the proceeds donated to CAMH).
Another of Kwong's outstanding products: the ID Coasters ($18 for 12), which are wine glass coasters that stick to your glass and do double duty as wine markers. She is also excited about the Phonekerchief ($28), which blocks your cell phone's signal and lets your date know they have your full attention.
Kwong packed a lot of what she calls "thoughtful products" into her little retail and work space. She loves simple items with special packaging and a special purpose. 
I Have A Crush On You is open Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Photos by James C Lee.
The Good Son restaurant, from chef Vittorio Colacitti (of Top Chef Canada fame), is now open at Queen and Dovercourt at the address formerly inhabited by the clubby 
Leather wingback chairs and tufted booths furnish the lounge, while the kitchen at the back of the room overlooks a 18-seat harvest table. Faux heirlooms like ornamental dishes and a collection of chiming clocks adorn the walls.
The menu features dishes like the steak tartare ($19), which pay tribute to Colacitti's mentors and the melting pot of cuisines found in Toronto. Done in the style of 
Hamachi crudo ($13) crowned by lotus root chips is complemented with vibrant flavours of tomatillo puree, pickled radish and jalapeno slaw. 
Crispy potato-wrapped jerk shrimp ($13) are served three per order, with a tart Thai green mango slaw and a garnish of fresh peanuts. 
Pizza, overseen by sous chef Andrew Leblanc (formerly of 
From the bar, try cocktails like the Run, Tommy, Run ($14), a blend of Tromba Tequila, agave, lime, basil and chilis. 
The Good Son is open Wednesday to Friday for dinner from 5pm, while lunch will be offered on weekends from 11:30am. To compliment the restaurant, a New Orleans speakeasy-style cocktail lounge named Wayward is slated to open on the floors above.
Photos by 
MADE Clothing Co. is a made-to-measure and bespoke tailoring studio worthy of every Toronto man's attention. To find it, you need take an elevator up to the fifth floor of 134 Berkeley St., above 
What makes MADE special, aside from their studio, is the way they simplify the suiting process, by categorizing their fabrics and styles into four price points, ranging from $895-$1895. They also set themselves apart through their quick turn-around time of 3-4 weeks, with a 'rush' option available, if needed. That's an extremely impressive time frame compared to other bespoke tailors, who typically require 6-8 weeks. After you get your suit or jacket, there is a five-business day grace period where you can wear the garment in real-life situations to make sure it's up to your expectations. 
To keep things fresh, MADE's fabric swatches are seasonally dictated, meaning 70% of the swatches change with the season, while the remaining 30% of swatches are the classic stock (which is always available). These includes staples such as navy, charcoal and medium grey, and black. 
For all you poised gents, MADE can custom-make self-tying bow-ties with your choice of pattern. (If you've never learned to tie your own, it's pretty much like tying your shoe laces.) If you're looking for a completely accessorized look, they offer also 'accessory bundles,' custom designed to give you a complete outfit. There's also accessories from 
As unique as the studio is, my favourite feature was definitely the two giant skylights strategically placed to improve your fitting experience. Just outside the fitting room, there's a three-way mirror with a skylight illuminating you from above, creating great lighting to accurately see colours and shapes. No more "is this blue or black?" questions due to crummy lighting. 
As a bonus, the staff at MADE are knowledgable and courteous. Without being controlling, they hold no reservations about steering clients away from distasteful combinations, and tend to suggest subtle alternatives if they feel your outfit might not be top-notch. 
Writing by Jacob Martella. Photos by