Lunch was so satisfying today – we ordered classic burgers from Craft Burger. YUM!! One bite and we were smitten. Hands down best burger I’ve had in a really long time. Better than Hero Burger and Gourmet Burger & Co. I still need to try BQM and Oh Boy. Then I’ll make my final decision as to the best burger in the city. JD
Filed under Places To Go
Have you heard of the new Parkdale restaurant/punk bar called Parts and Labour? It’s a marriage between the owners of The Social, Castor Design and Oddfellows (remember the Winnebago party?!). We went to check it out mid-week and were quite impressed with its vibe. Amazing lighting, cool space, lots of beards and plaid shirts. Highlight of the night: a table of cured meat!
How pretty are these flowers?
Check out Parts and Labour yo. 1556 Queen Street W. http://partsandlabour.ca/
Filed under Places To Go
Located on Charles at Yonge, between Yorkville and The Village, 7 West Cafe is our place for everything. Open 24 a day, 7 days a week, it covers everything from brunch to dinner, to 3pm cappuccinos to cocktails. It also the place for a 3am post-party-pizza-binge which is how I was introduced to the cafe. Covering three floors, you can find the atmosphere that suits you or your mood best. After fashion shows and work events, Julie and I head straight to the back patio, I brunched with my mother and my Aunt (who loved the place) on the first floor and this day in particular it was the third floor for a boozy lunch.
A Kir Royal is the best way to start any lunch. Champagne and cassis are the only two ingredients but together it is heaven. These are $9 each. (Yes there was a third person at the table .)
7 West specializes in pastas, pizzas and sandwiches with most being under $10. This is the Pasta Pollo and below is the Biana Pizza. Was delish and enough for two lunches! Next time we may split something.
I decided to give the camera extra attitude over lunch day. This weekend I am going back to Burlington to get my hair ‘did. Saying goodbye to my dark blonde locks. Although I have been toying with shades of blonde over the last 10 years, I always look forward till the next time I sit in Jaime Violo’s chair. He is ‘ze best so no well wishes needed! CM
Filed under Places To Go
Remember the grand birthday parties that were held in your ninth year where everyone would come together to celebrate and just bowl their hearts outs? Well, that is what we did last night for my good friend’s birthday. Making our way out to Bathurst Bowlerama, 18 people met throw down strikes, spares and mostly gutter balls in their cosmic themed alley. We choose to play 10 pin but they also have 5 pin available on another floor.
Bowling shoes will never go out of style. I asked for two spritzes of anti-bacterial spray in mine. Two is better than one! Check out these bowling moves – guaranteed 11th place.
The gang was all there and we had to do a group shot with extra cheese for the occasion. Happy Birthday Erin! CM
Filed under Places To Go
Last Monday night was the BEST Monday night that I have EVER spent in the city. After living in the village for 2.5 years, I did something that I have been talking about doing since I’ve moved here – play Dirty Bingo at Zelda’s. Now located on Yonge Street, Toronto’s favorite rainbow filled restaurant/bar hosts an evening of Dirty Bingo with all proceeds going towards AIDS House. Myself and four friends ventured out to participate in the old game hosted by two witty queens; Lena Over and a brunette, bearded Lady Gaga. I just have to say that by the end of the night we were more intoxicated then we should have been on a Monday and some people (male and female) ended up naked on stage.
BEST. MONDAY. EVER.
How it works is that there are 4 rounds (varies) with 2 games per round. You can change how many cards you play with each round. We started the first round with 5 BINGO cards at a dollar a piece. Inevitably, we were dubbed the “straight, crazy old BINGO ladies” and were heckled for it all night. The “straight, crazy old BINGO ladies” swept the first round. Jokes on you suckas! (No pun intended.) There were many prizes, all of which were completely inappropriate and 100% dirty. Pitchers of Mill Street Organic were a drink special at $14 which made playing more games of Bingo possible.
Zelda’s decor. They don’t look to far off from the Holt’s mannequins. Just a little more fierce.
SJP (yes, those are her initials) took breaks by the patio.
Lena Over, one of the fabulous hosts of the evening.
The brunette, bearded Lady Gaga.
Our fabulous waiter Chris. If you are thinking of going (which I highly recommend you do) make reservation otherwise you might be seated in the back and miss out on the action. I thought I would leave you with the song that started every round that night. Happy BINGO’ing! CM
Filed under Places To Go
My friend Heidi won concert tickets from She Does the City to see Jakob Dylan and Neko Case live at The Phoenix and took me with her! Nothing better than concert tickets on the house. We were mesmerized by Jakob’s coolness and Neko’s passionate voice. CM can tell you a whole lot more about Neko – she is one of her favourite singers. She’s the red-head in this video – or shall I say ginger….
This picture is blurry but I can assure you Jakob is one fine fellow. His perfectly raspy voice is melt-worthy and his style is that of a laid back cool kat. Any guy that can pull off a hat, and I mean really pull off a hat, has just got it.
It was a serious flashback to the 90s when they played Sixth Avenue Heartache, 1,2,3 Marlena, and One Headlight…reminded me of days spent by the pool with my besty, radio on in the background listening to the Wallflowers and Counting Crows. I heart the 90s. JD
Filed under Places To Go
Dining room at Boehmer
The lounge at Boehmer
We did a little bar hopping recently on Ossington and Queen and discovered some great new places. We started at Our House which was a chic little place with nice decor and fun dance music. It was dead at 9:30 pm so we had a drink and moved on to Boehmer at 93 Ossington. This new to-die-for restaurant has an aura of coolness. It’s a rather wide space for this street and has a good buzzing vibe about it. We sat at the bar, drank gin cocktails, and sampled the tasty fries. They have a mix of communal and stand-alone tables for dinning and a little lounge for drinking. We found the lounge a little too well-lit and a bit lonerish because it’s tucked off to the side – I called it the loner lounge. Next time we’ll stick to the bar.
The Ossington
Our next few stops were The Ossington, Watusi, The Great Hall, and finally Saigon Flower for late night Chinese. You know I’m against late night eating, but I fell into the trap again! Gets me every time. It was delicious and was a great spot to cap off the night. We love this city :) JD
Filed under Places To Go
Friday night was filled with random good times at Oddfellows on Queen West. It was a double birthday party for my friend Julia and I, and since we were born in the 80s we made it an 80s theme complete with outfits, music, and even a party in the Winnebago behind the restaurant!
There’s a Winnebago behind Oddfellows and you can rent it out for private parties – so that’s what we did! It has seating, tables, an iPod docking station, surround sound speakers, and even a real working fireplace.
Before the party got started, we had dinner in the restaurant. The menu is different and delicious – everything looked and smelled wonderful. Christine and I ordered brownies and strawberry ice cream because it was getting too late in the night for a venison burger, but I think I’ll order that next time.
Oddfellows is one of the smallest restaurants I’ve been to – but has a lot of character. I liked this alphabet wall.
And this collection of lights above the bar.
View from the enclosed patio.
Another great fireplace and record player inside the enclosed patio. Stay tuned for Part 2 when we show you some of the fab outfits. JD
Filed under Places To Go
Hoof Cafe
Musa
One of my favourite things to do on a Sunday is go somewhere laid back for brunch followed by a round of vintage shopping with an old friend. A few Sundays back I wanted to try something new so my friend Annie and I went to the Hoof Cafe on Dundas West. For about 5 minutes. It was really cool and adorable inside, but when I saw the menu certain words flashed to my eyes like “tongue, and suckling pig” — we just couldn’t do it. I should’ve checked the menu first (lesson learned). We politely made a fast exit and went on to Musa (my fave!). I also really like Saving Grace which is between the two. All on Dundas West.
Following a big plate of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and toast we ventured to Ossington St. and hit Vintage Mix 1, I Miss You Vintage, and Silver Falls Vintage. We ended up buying matching purses at I Miss You which we coined our “friendship purse” – yes we are 12 years old. These cute red purses only set us back $8 each. Score! JD
Filed under Places To Go, Style
On the weekend we ventured to Marben for our friend’s birthday bash. Instead of a traditional cake he had a mountain of Krispy Kreme doughnuts! We thought this was so great that we couldn’t help ourselves from eating one or two. Oh the donut guilt!
Considering the birthday party carried a 1983 theme I decided to rock my most 80’s inspired top. This white shirt purchased recently at Urban Outfitters for $38 worn with a Forever 21 necklace, $12.95 (from Spring 2009) and a hounds tooth mini from the Gap, $14.99 (purchased 4 years ago). My lipstick is my current pink favorite by Mac named Lustrous.
JD & CM
Filed under Places To Go, Things I Love
Brunch! We love it and wait all week for it. I ventured outside of my Yorkville/Church & Wellesley comfort zone and hit up Bar One with a friend. Found at Queen and Shaw, we sat at a communal table (I love this seating style) for a delicious brunch. What did I love the most? The stylish host offered us coffee while we waited the 5 minutes for our place to be set. How did she know I am a caffeine addict? Next time I will see you at the Hoof…
CM
Filed under Places To Go
Met up with some girlfriends last night for a bite at The Beaconsfield. I love the idea of their five to seven menu. Comfort food and a pint of beer for under $10. Sold! JD
Filed under Places To Go
Julie
Seven Dollar Pants 
