If you haven't seen the commercial where Paris promises it's gonna be HOTT in Toronto tonight....heads up on Queen Street tonight boys, cause Paris Hilton and Elisha Cuthbert are in town to promote their highly anticipated screaming-chick-horror-flick House of Wax. John Street's already blocked off, apparently they're expeciting a bit of a crowd? Yep, that's two "it" girls on one crowded little red carpet, for a "special" live event at 7pm on Much Music. Torontoist... [continue]

It was a strange sight to see. A lineup, outside Jack Astors? A bartender juggling bottles Cocktail-styles outside in a smoking tent? A popular band playing inside? Shocking, yet true. Jack Astors, you say? Why do we care about the opening of a new family joint where the staff sport an obnoxious amount of flare and you're meant to scribble on the paper tablecloth with crayons? Torontoist wasn't sure either. But, Torontoist doesn't often... [continue]

It's a sad day when one of your favourite greasy-spoon breakfast joints closes down. It's an even sadder day when this breakfast joint doubles as a pretty cool nighttime hangout with a good patio, cheap deals, and good atmosphere. And when this place is but a stone's throw away from your apartment? It's almost heartbreaking. So. When Still The Duke of Connaught closed a couple weeks ago, Torontoist knew nothing of its fate. Would there... [continue]

It's not quite a tapas eatery, or a wine bar, or just a cocktail lounge: Canteena is a hybrid lounge. Torontoist would classify it as more of a a drinkery than an eatery, and definitely more of an intimate lounge than a bar --but whatever you call it, it's good. Despite the skeezy corner it rests near (a stone's throw north of Queen on Bathurst), Canteena is more likely to draw a similar crowd to... [continue]

It seems only fitting that during Canada Blooms Torontoist should take a walk down the botony road and explore the wonders of an innnocent super-plant recently brought to our attention. Meet Salvia. Salvia Divinorum that is; she's a multi-purpose plant with powers beyond just smelling and looking pretty. Torontoist first heard of this mysterious "legal drug"/plant by the RnRn. Curiosity piqued...it must be tried. A quick trip to Roach-o-Rama and $40 later, it was straight... [continue]

Schedule http://www.torontoharbour.com/toronto-island-ferry/#ward... [continue]

This just in: at 9:30 PEEE EMM on a Tuesday, most news has conveniently stopped for the day...but not today! The big deal in the courts right now, "the Johnathan Trial" as they call it, is declared a mistrial. Excuse me? With that tight a publication ban? With all that evidence brought forth? With what may as well have been a confession through a taped recording of a phone conversation RIGHT before the murder? How... [continue]

Winterlicious comes but once a year, but there’s no reason the more financially-challenged can’t eat like kings all the time. Case in point: Siegfried’s Restaurant. Located on the premises of George Brown College's renowned chef school, this restaurant is your opportunity to taste the delicacies of Toronto's future five-star chefs at *almost* student-dining prices. Going there may feel like you’re back at school or showing up for parent-teacher interviews, but this is a classroom in... [continue]

In concept, WinterCity has great potential. The city wants us to forget our winter blahs and get out and do stuff--free stuff, tasty stuff, new stuff...the cold-weather version of the summer's Celebrate Toronto Streets Festival. The Winterlicious lineup proves Summerlicious can be equalled in quality, and free entertainment is always a draw. But Toronontist regrets to report, in terms of showcasing our city's "vibrant arts scene" as promised...WinterCity has yet to deliver. My Life,... [continue]

For $30 a ticket and a wad of extra cash to spend on the "desirable" bachelor of your choice, you too can be a philanthropist! Big night tonight at Indian Motorcycle Cafe & Lounge, the "Won't you bid, my Valentine?" Finest Bachelor Auction happens tonight, and it's all in the name of charity...of course. The big winner is the Canadian Diabetes Association, but ladies, you too can be big winners! Torontoist loves the big draw.... [continue]

A hot topic around certain media water coolers this week is definitely George. And for once it’s not Mr. Bush we’re scrutinizing, it’s Mr. Stroumboulopoulos and his new show, The Hour. The formula fits. The CBC needs to nab a younger audience before their mostly-geriatric audience croaks. Hell, we’re all a generation in need of fresh ideas. So, they give themselves a to-do list: - Make a hip new show that happens to cover the... [continue]

Deep in the bowels of downtown, safe from the gale force winds and pelting rain/slush/snow, far from the street sludge of winter and the general unpleasantness of outside, lies a path. Or wait, a PATH. To some corporate types or commuters or general cold-haters, this is their sidewalk, their portal if you will, and they already know it connects a lot of the major business buildings and various other important locations within a 6-10... [continue]

You either stumble upon it or have to hunt for it, and it seems you either love it or you hate it. The unassuming Shanghai Cowgirl Diner is either a great hit or a bad miss. Lucky for us, Torontoist has had only good times at the trendy late night spot on Queen West. Open till 4am on weekends, it's a great place to stop in for a reliable meal or decent drink any... [continue]

Torontoist likes to make our own rules, so when it comes to year end lists and such, there are no rules. Along the lines of Torontoist's kinda-sorta-best-of's for 2004, while out and about we've noticed some good stuff, some bad stuff, and some damn near ugly stuff: The Good: Rediscovering Cheap - it's out there, you just have to find it--on Queen West of course. $2.50 beers at The Queenshead, $3.99 Breakfasts at Still... [continue]

On our endless quest for cool places to go and different things to do, Torontoist can't seem to stray far from the inarguably cool 'hood of Queen Street West. Tequila Bookworm exists relatively unmarked just west of Augusta on Queen, and relies on its cool crowd and loyal regulars to draw passersby inside. Without a huge billboard-style sign out front or a dizzying chalkboard menu above the bar like the impersonal coffee franchises nearby, the... [continue]

Torontoist is well aware that it's officially winter, and while we all want to have some F-U-N, the holiday season has a way of making people officially broke. But broke and cold doesn't mean you can't get out and about! Try any of the following for a warming winter combo of cheap, charming or cheezy: Skate under the lights of Nathan Phillips Square. It's free, and there are fireworks too. And if you like fireworks,... [continue]

**Warning: due to the sexually explicit nature of this post and this place, Torontoist does not endorse taking ones children or prudish friends here, unless for purely educational and nutritional purposes. Diner discretion is advised.** To really GET Laide, you have to embrace the fact that this lounge will satisfy you sensually, rather than physically. Well, they’ll take care of your senses; the rest is up to you. A few doors west of Jarvis... [continue]

The perfect watering hole (by this Torontoist’s definition at least) would be an establishment specializing in the three C-factors; cheap, cool, and convenient. If you’re in need of a place that provides all of the above, look no further. While the Queenshead Pub is worthy of praise any day of the week, it’s their “Shack Up” on Thursday nights that set it apart. Why, you ask? Because Torontoist says so . . . The Queenshead... [continue]

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