With Black Lives Matter at the forefront worldwide, many local companies are joining the initiative to pledge donations and open their platforms to starting conversations. Companies and brands worldwide as well as in Toronto are clueing their followers in on anti-racism and how to take action. It is simply not enough to show solidarity by posting a black square on Instagram. We must all stand united, to listen, learn, and to teach future generations about equality.
Here are 10 local Toronto brands doing just that.
Tonic Blooms
One of Toronto’s top on-demand flower delivery service, Tonic Blooms, is committed to standing up in the fight against racism. For each bouquet sent until June 12, Tonic Blooms will donate $10 to Black Lives Matter Toronto. On top of that, the company has announced that it will regularly donate bouquets to those fighting racial injustice and highlight their stories on the Tonic Bloom social platform.
MISFITSTUDIO
Beloved Toronto fitness haven, MISFITSTUDIO has created a weekly class in support of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. A letter written by owner Amber Joliat reads, “All proceeds from these classes are donated to an initiative supporting BIPOC that has been selected by the Teacher through their own exploration and commitment to anti-racism work.” The studio is also offering these classes to BIPOC free of charge.
Tanya Taylor
Even though Tanya Taylor is NYC based, the brand originated here and is committing to donating 20% of its net sales to the NAACP. An Instagram posted by the brand reads, “While we wish it could be more, we are a small business recovering from the effects of COVID-19, but are committed to doing our part in other ways in the interim.”
truLOCAL
Meat delivery service, truLOCAL announced the launch of a grant program, with the goal of fueling tech innovation led by Black entrepreneurs in Canada. The company will also donate $5 from the sale of each of its Father’s Day Steak Boxes to the Black Health Alliance, a charity that works to improve the health and well-being of Black communities.
SAANA Yoga
Toronto’s SAANA Yoga is looking to make as big of an impact as possible. The company will be offering a virtual class each Monday to support Black Lives Matter Toronto. Instead of charging yogis for a session, each attendee is encouraged to make a donation and evolve as a community.
Smartiepants Forest Hill
Perhaps the most important people to learn about anti-racism are children. It is crucial that we teach the next generations about acceptance so that they will not need to unlearn racism like many people today. Smartiepants Foresthill, a recreational kids programmer in Toronto, has joined forces with some local moms on “Turning the Page Together”, a resource package to engage kids in conversation about inclusivity and race. What’s awesome is that 100 percent of profits will be donated to Black Youth Helpline, a Canadian not-for-profit organization focusing on health, education, and community development. To purchase the three-book package, click here.
Crywolf
Taking a fashion-forward approach to acknowledging inequality and trying to make a difference is Crywolf. The brand has created a “Black Lives Matter” button and all proceeds from purchases will be donated directly to Black Lives Matter Toronto.
Outer Layer
As soon as Outer Layer noticed that one of the brands sold at the store was allegedly racist, all of its products were taken off shelves. Instead of tossing out the product, the company decided to sell it all and donate 100% of the purchase price to the Women’s Hands Community Health Centre, a health centre that provides primary healthcare services for racialized women living in Toronto and surrounding areas.
Sonic Boom Music
Sonic Boom Music is thankful to the black musicians and culture that helped build the music industry. Many of those musicians were not able to maintain ownership of their work or collect royalties. Not only will the company be posting about those artists and their music on social media, but it will also make monthly donations to Black Artists’ Network in Dialogue (BAND), an organization working to amplify and support the work of Black musicians in Toronto.
18Waits
18 Waits’ first step in the anti-racism movement was to highlight BIPOC owned businesses in Toronto, encouraging its own customers to show support for these businesses. Additionally, 18 Waits will donate 5% of sales from June to Black Lives Matter.
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With long lines to shop at the LCBO and Wine Rack and limited stock available through delivery apps, Toronto’s local restaurants are giving us the opportunity to self-isolate and receive alcohol delivery on demand. This means we no longer have to wonder when the next delivery slot will open up or how we can keep a safe distance while shopping for wine and beer.
The only catch? Though restaurants are now offering alcohol delivery, most are still selling at the dine-in menu’s list price. Luckily, there are a few spots offering half-price bottles of wine and other great deals.
Here are nine restaurants offering half-price bottles of wine so that we can stay home, stay safe, and enjoy a glass of vino.
Note: As per the AGCO rules, all beer/alcohol purchased through restaurants must be ordered with a food item.
Rasa
Aside from Rasa offering delivery for the first time ever, this hard-to-get-into restaurant on Robert St. is offering all of its wines at half-price, seven days a week from 5:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. when you call-in your order for pick-up or delivery. Make sure to add the resto’s famous chopped salad to your order!
Il Fornello
Open for both takeout and curbside pick up at four of six locations — Danforth, Ajax, Richmond Hill, and Oakville — the franchise is offering family value meals and Canada Takeout Day features. Il Fornello is also offering 50% off wine and beer (but only at The Danforth location, so keep that in mind before placing your order)!
Cactus Club Cafe
Cactus Club Cafe has changed its half-off wine offer. Not only can you get 50% off bottles two days a week as per usual, but the chain is also now offering this deal every day during social isolation! At this restaurant, you’ll find fan favourite wines and hard-to-find sommelier picks. Don’t forget to check out the resto’s happy hour specials, too.
Ufficio
Aside from Ufficio’s $58 dinner for two special, you can add any wine on the menu to your order for 50% off of the list price. The Dundas West restaurant offers curbside pickup and delivery Thursday through Saturday.
EVOO
For those in the Annex and Yorkville areas, consider grabbing your wine from EVOO. While you won’t find the restaurant on any delivery apps, the restaurant is offering takeout and delivery services in-house. All wines are 40% off when you order a dish off the resto’s takeout menu.
King Taps
We all miss hanging out and eating on King West, but luckily you can still grab your favourites from King Taps and add on the wine of your choice for 50% off the list price. In addition to wine, you can add on single or six-packs of beer to your pickup order and take advantage of the two for $27 mix-and-match deal for pizza, salad, burgers, and more.
Mezza Notte
Mezza Notte is a restaurant that recently launched a grocery delivery service and also offers wine and beer. While prices aren’t advertised as 50% off, the wine available for delivery is about half-off the restaurant’s menu prices. Case in point: you can find a bottle of merlot for $17 compared to $34 on the regular menu.
The Federal
The Federal on Dundas St. West recently launched the Bread and Wine Club. Each week, you can shop a curated selection of wine packages. You’ll get six bottles of wine at 50% off the menu price, plus bread and a bag of Doritos. Direct message the restaurant on Instagram to put in your order.
Earls
Another King West staple offering a deal for half-price wine delivery and pickup is Earls. All wine prices listed online and SkipTheDishes are 50% off the menu price. Not to mention, the chain restaurant offers 20% off all online orders made through its website, which includes its drink menu that features sparkling, red, white, and rose wines, as well as cocktail kits, beers, and spirits.
Honourable Mention: Gusto 101
While this deal isn’t technically half-price, we thought it deserved an honourable mention. Gusto 101’s house pinot grigio and cabernet sauvignon are now available in bags of two different sizes: 750 mL and 1.5L. These wines are typically $1 an ounce, but when you order for pickup or delivery, you can get them for $0.75 to $0.80 an ounce.
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Mothers Day will be different this year given that we’ll all still be self-isolating. In years past, mothers everywhere have looked forward to a day just for them, where expectations go out the window and they can pamper themselves without guilt. Usually what this means is no cooking, no cleaning, and a lighter load of “mom duties”… but not this year. The kids will be home ALL day, the house will likely still be a disaster thanks to all the homeschooling and arts & crafts, and the mountain of dishes will still be there. If you’re wondering what can you do this year to make Mother’s Day special for your mom or spouse? Get takeout or delivery from her favourite restaurant. And you’re in luck — many Toronto restaurants have amazing specials on just mom’s special day!
Here are 10 Mother’s Day specials from Toronto restaurants that you can get via takeout or delivery.
The Carbon Bar
Treat mom and the entire family to a $47/person special at The Carbon Bar that’s available for pick-up from May 7 through May 10 from 3 p.m to 9 p.m. The three-course menu will include a cucumber salad, a pitmaster platter that comes with ribs, chicken, sausage, pulled pork, fries, coleslaw, pickles, and lastly, Granny’s apple crisp dessert. Thirsty? Throw in a bottle of bubbly prosecco for an extra $21.
MARBL
For every occasion you can count on MARBL to offer the ultimate meal. For Mother’s Day, there are two options. First up is the “Tulip and Moet For Mom” package that offers an $80 tulip bunch and two gold Moet goblets with the purchase of any 750ml bottle. The second, “Tulip, Brunch, and Moet For Mom” includes a complimentary tulip bunch valued at $30 when you purchase the “Every Day is Brunch” package, which includes a mini Moet, OJ, a champagne flute, and ready-to-eat brunch of eggs, potatoes, bacon, and sausage.
NODO
NODO is doing something different with a special offer at both its Hillcrest and Leslieville locations. For a limited time, you can get a gift with purchase — spend $50 to receive a $10 gift card, spend $75 to get a $15 gift card, and spend $100 to get a $25 gift card.
Mary Be Kitchen
Mary Be Kitchen is offering a Mother’s Day brunch box including brunch for four, as well as a Mother’s Day card from local brand Swell Made Co., and a stylish plant-baby from Jomo Studio. The box will contain a challah french toast kit, housemade berry compote, maple syrup, and more. Want to keep it a surprise? The boxes will be delivered on May 9, and you’ll receive a discrete text message when it arrives at your door so that mom won’t find out about the sweet surprise too early!
KOST
KOST will be offering a Mother’s Day basket complete with DIY coconut pancakes, a bouquet of tulips, macarons, Veuve Clicquot, and complimentary champagne flutes with an option to add on baked eggs. Base pricing is $70 for two and $125 for four.
French Made
With four items per box, French Made is offering customizable build-your-own pastry boxes. Options include butter croissants, blueberry danishes, cinnamon buns, chocolate cookies, walnut amaretti, and more for $15. To step it up a notch, optional Veuve Clicquot and tulips are being offered at $50 for 375mL and $100 dollars for a 750mL bottle.
Miku Toronto
If mom is a sushi lover, treat her to a meal she’ll never forget! Available on only May 9 and 10 is a very special Mother’s Day special from Miku. For $110, the special features a bottle of Giulio Straccali Pinot Grigio, paired with wagyu beef & foie gras, lobster ravioli, sushi, and a mini green tea cake. This offer is available on UberEats, Ritual, and directly from Miku, where guests will save 10%!
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Brunch in a box is now available for you to pick up, cook, and enjoy at home for Mother’s Day thanks to Mildred’s Temple Kitchen. The restaurant is offering its signature Mrs. Biederhof’s Buttermilk Pancake Dry Mix for four with additional add-ons available that include ready-to-bake buttermilk biscuits, smoked salmon, wine, Walter Craft Caesar Mix, and much more. Plus, you’ll also receive a complimentary copy of the restaurant’s cookbook when you spend over $100.
Earls Restaurant
Earls’ King Street location is offering a takeout brunch kit with instructions. The kits available are a chocolate chip buttermilk pancake kit, avocado benedict kit, and chorizo hash kit. Make sure to pick up your order directly from Earls to take advantage of 20% off!
Place an order for a Mother’s Day prix fixe lunch to go with Tutto Pronto. The menu includes the choice between a quiche, smoked salmon platter, roast chicken, and multiple additions. Orders must be placed by noon on Friday, May 8 and cost $69 for two people and $129 for four people.
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Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean we need to be cooped up inside all of the time. Though it can be nice to spend time by the fireplace, cozied up on the couch, once in awhile it’s fun to check out an all-season patio. Toronto has awesome options for year round indoor-outdoor dining and some of our favourite restaurants are included in this list.
We have rounded up 9 Toronto patios that stay open year round.
Baro
If you love South American inspired food, this is the patio for you to check out this winter. With a stunning tropical interior and a patio located on the roof, you can stay warm in Baro’s fully enclosed and heated space while munching on tacos, ceviche, and its famous Mac Empanada!
The Fifth & Terrace Restaurant
For over twenty years, The Fifth & Terrace has been known for its romantic rooftop outdoor patio. Guests enter through a century old private elevator where they can either be seated in the dining room or check out the city’s CN Tower and beautiful skyline outdoors.
Barrio
Not to be confused with Baro, Queen Street hot spot Barrio will keep you warm all winter long. Featuring Mexican food and a great neighbourhood feel, bring your friends to share some guac no matter the season.
Cactus Club Cafe
Located in the West Mall in Etobicoke, this Cactus Club Cafe location has a rooftop deck with one of the largest retractable roofs of any restaurant in North America. Huge bonus is the half price wine offered all day every Tuesday and Wednesday!
Hemingway’s Restaurant & Bar
Arguably one of the most popular patios in Toronto, Hemingway’s is open 365 days a year and so is its huge heated patio. With draught beers on top, weekly social events, and live music on Fridays, there is always a reason to stop by for awesome shareable fun food.
Falcon SkyBar
To be honest, SkyBar at Hotel X is not actually outside, but it may as well be. With unobstructed 360° views of Toronto’s skyline and floor to ceiling windows, you can enjoy delicious apps and feature cocktails year round at one of Toronto’s coolest hotels.
Gusto 101
Also not your traditional patio in the winter, Gusto 101 closes its retractable roof in the colder months but still maintains the “outside vibe”. You can see the snow on the glass roof but the interior remains rustic with wood and greenery unchanged from summer.
El Catrin
This Distillery District’s authentic and modern Mexician restaurant El Catrin claims to have the number one patio in the city. Featuring the art of three Mexican artists on the interior, the restaurant is absolutely stunning and features a tequila bar with over 120 different labels. A huge highlight is the heated patio that is open year round and requires no reservations.
Bar Raval
Bar Raval’s casual Spanish tapas menu is ever-changing and absolutely delicious. The standing room-only Spanish themed bar has a small capacity but a large menu of small plates and a variety of creative cocktails.
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Wondering what to do on New Years Eve? We’ve got you covered. While there are lots of restaurants to choose from, we’ve done some digging and found the best meal deals to ring in the new year. No matter what you’re looking to eat, if it’s at any of these Toronto restaurants, you know it’ll be delish.
We have rounded up the top 8 Restaurants worth making a reservation at on New Years Eve 2019.
Oretta
For one night only, Oretta will transform into a Venice Carnival and will offer two, four-course dinner seatings as well as a countdown celebration. The first seating will be at 5:00 p.m. for $55 and will be served with prosecco, while the second seating will be at 8:30 p.m. and is available for $95, which includes late night snacks and a champagne toast at midnight. Skipping dinner or eating at home? No problem! The Oretta NYE celebration only tickets starting at 10:00 p.m. are available for $45 and includes carnival dancers, complementary masquerade masks, and more.
La Société
Say it ain’t so! New Years Eve will be the last evening ever to dine at La Société, Yorkville’s Parisian style bistro. Make a reservation to celebrate the restaurants last night of service and enjoy a $100 prix fixe menu starting at 7:30 p.m., along with a DJ and complimentary sparkling wine at midnight.
STK
Instead of the standard prix fixe menu offered at most high end restaurants, STK is offering diners a selection from its New Year’s a la carte menu. Options include the delectable Wagyu beef carpaccio, STK’s famous beef board, and much more.
Montecito
Montecito’s Palm lounge will offer half-price champagne all night long as well as a live music performance that starts at 8:00 p.m. While there won’t be a prix fixe option but you can enjoy all of your favourite signature dishes from the seasonal menu.
MARBL
Head to Marbl on King West for MARBBLanc, presented by Belvedere Vodka, is offering a four-course prix fixe menu filled with exclusive items and complimentary bubbly. There will be two seatings available at 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. for $95 per person.
Byblos
Head over to either Byblos location for its Midnight in Marrakesh party that has seatings until 7 p.m. at $90 per person, or after 8 p.m. at $125 set menu with complimentary bubbles. Keep the party going because there’s a huge bonus at the downtown location! Show your dinner receipt to get free entry to the Weslodge after party.
Piano Piano
This is a special one because over here at Piano Piano, it’s a prix fixe menu with choice options. With three seatings available at 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9p.m., optional items will include your choice of pasta, pizza, or main course as well as a glass of Mumm Cordon Rouge for $89.
Rosalinda
If vegan is more your vibe, then Rosalinda has your back with it’s tasty Mexican dishes. The folks over at Rosalinda are keeping the kitchens open late and will be serving up its full menu of plant based eats. To keep the party going, cheers the evening with the restaurant’s feature ‘Holiday in the Tropics’ cocktail that’s made up of Cocchi Rosa, Cranberry Gin, guava and citrus. Yum!
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The winter has endless opportunities for fun, but it can be daunting trying to find the right activity for your family. There are hundreds of markets and outdoor festivals taking place this winter, but let’s not forget about all of the family-friendly fun to be had indoors while staying cozy.
We have rounded up 8 Family-Friendly Indoor Outings To Go On This Winter.
The Dr. Seuss Experience
Located across from Square One in Mississauga, The Dr. Seuss Experience is an interactive installation that will take you on an imaginative experience through nine different popular Dr. Seuss books. On now through January 5th, 2020, the experience is suitable for kids of all ages and children under age three get in for free!
Cineplex Community Day
For this year’s 9th Annual Community Day, Cineplex is offering movie-lovers the chance to enjoy a morning of free, festive movies! Cineplex concession items including popcorn, soft drinks, and select candy will be sold for just $2.50 each, with all proceeds from donations and select concessions going towards the Boys and Girls Club of Canada. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Second City Improv Showdown
From December 13th, 2019 to January 5th, 2020, Hotel X Toronto is partnering with the comedians from The Second City Toronto to host a holiday show appropriate for the whole family! The hotel has a 250-seat cinema, and the 60-minute show can be seen multiple times as the plot is ever-changing. In this type of show that’s 50% improv and 50% scripted, anything can happen!
The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays
With showings from January 1st, 2020 to January 5th, 2020, the whole family can check out this mind blowing illusion experience. This is the show for you if you love magic with illusions including, escapes, close up magic, mentalism, and more, this show will not disappoint!
Toronto Marlies Game
The Toronto Marlies focus on making every game a family-friendly experience. With many games offering the first 3,000 in attendance free takehomes like player bobbleheads and rally towels, kids are in for a ton of excitement. If you don’t happen to be one of the first 3,000 fans, you can still check out Marlies Alley 90 minutes before puck drop. Marlies Alley is open for every game (outside of school days) and features interactive games such as bubble hockey, hockey shooting challenge, foosball, and more. Get tickets here!
The InterContinental Toronto Centre’s Gingerbread Build With Habitat For Humanity
This year, the InterContinental Toronto Centre asks you to join them for a free afternoon while you build your #HabitatSweetHome by assembling a gingerbread house with decorative icing. This one day event will take place December 6th, 2019 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Register for your gingerbread kit now!
Winterlicious
Perhaps one of our favourite events of the year, the annual Winterlicious celebration will include over 200 restaurants all across Toronto. From January 31st, 2020 through February 13th, 2020, make sure to check out a prix fixe lunch or dinner at one of Toronto’s hot spots.
Mariposa Santa Brunch Cruise
For one day only, on Sunday December 8th, 2019, join Santa Clause for a magical brunch cruise aboard the Northern Spirit and experience fun for the whole family! Enjoy 2 hours of cruising through the Toronto Harbour with Santa and his elves while enjoying an all you can eat buffet. Plus you and the fam can score a complimentary family photo with Santa!
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Dundas West is known as an exciting strip for all things shopping, beauty, food, and nightlife. One of the best parts for us locals is that this strip isn’t a tourist trap like other spots in the downtown core. And just because it’s getting colder outside, it doesn’t mean that you can’t go exploring around a new-to-you part of town. Whether you’re looking for a new nail salon, unique gifts, a cocktail, and anything in between, odds are you can find it all on Dundas West.
Keep reading for our top 10 spots on Dundas West worth checking out even in the winter!
Tips Nail Bar
If you’re needing some TLC, make sure you step into Tips Nail Bar on Dundas near Ossington. Known as one of Toronto’s premier nail bars, Tips not only offers super fun nail art done by its many talented nail techs, but it also takes nail health super seriously. Not in the mood for a mani? You can also get facials, waxing, lash lifts, tints, and more done here, too.
La Palma
There’s a reason why La Palma is one of Toronto’s top restaurants. Between the gorgeous decor and good vibes is the stellar food. The open concept and airy, lounge-like space offers Italian inspired cuisine, creative cocktails, and an awesome retractable window that opens in the summer months. Some of our favourite items on the menu include the lobster rolls and the 100 hundred layer lasagna.
Ziba Style Bar
Hair, lashes, brows, and makeup, Ziba Style Bar offers it all. This innovative salon is equipped to bang out the best hair and beauty services for every hair and skin type. Ziba focuses on an experience that takes care of every woman’s beauty needs, so that they’ll leave feeling confident, empowered, and represented. In addition to the incredibly stylish space, great music, and friendly staff, you can even score complimentary rosé!
Armed
Jewellery shop Armed is by far one of our favourite spots to purchase locally designed jewelry in the city. Each unique piece available is intended to be worn in everyday life, all while making a serious fashion statement through stacking and layering rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
Agaboshi
If you want to style your baby or toddler in simple designs made from high quality materials, Agaboshi is the place to shop. Each item is carefully curated by a Toronto mom who keeps in mind what mom’s need and want are for their little babes. The store has recently branched out into homeware and bedding, while still focusing on simplicity at its core.
Easy Tiger Goods
Looking for unique knick-nacks or fun holiday gifts? Take a peek inside Easy Tiger Goods that’s situated on Dundas near Gladstone. This lifestyle store supplies folks with an expertly curated selection of home décor items, paper goods, leather goods, unisex accessories, and jewelry.
Mahjong Bar
Known as a hideaway on Dundas West, Mahjong Bar is located behind a pink bodega and is a gorgeous 2,000 square foot space. A huge highlight of this spot is the 36-foot custom mural painted by a local Toronto artist named Gabriella Lo. In addition to its great cocktails, Mahjong also has a comprehensive menu of Chinese small plates like steamed buns, wontons, spring rolls, fried rice, and more!
A-game Café
Head to A-Game Cafe for limitless stay-and-play for just $8 bucks per person. In addition to all sorts of fun games, you can also get your hands on some quality food here too. Choose from an assortment of sandwiches, burgers, nachos, and more. Open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, this is a great spot to hang out, play games, and enjoy coffee, beer, and cider.
#Hashtag Gallery
This is one of Toronto’s most special spots, with a focus on showcasing incredible Canadian talent. The goal of #Hashtag Gallery is to provide a space where the online art community can go to actually show and see art in real life.
The Dog Bowl
The Dog Bowl is perhaps the best spot to shop for your pup in Toronto. The store curates each and every product in-store by personally using for their own pets. The folks here select only the best items so that pet owners can shop with confidence and know that any item for sale has been both pet and owner approved.
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With millennial spending on subscription boxes in Canada being on the rise, new subscription companies keep launching and it’s becoming even more tough to decide which subscription services are actually worth it. With hundreds of subscriptions boxes, like Fab Fit Fun, available to ship quarterly, monthly, and even weekly, how can we decide which ones are worth our precious dollars? Global subscription spending is growing at 30% annually so we should probably be a bit more careful, and avoid the subscription trap. It happens to the best of us because when you sign up for a subscription, we often forget about it, and it renews and renews, racking up a $150 per month credit card charge for the average Canadian subscriber. So back to my original question, is there a subscription box that is worth it? The answer is yes.
Fab Fit Fun is most definitely worth the hype and here’s why.
The Value Is Great
The way Fab Fit Fun works is that you receive a customized box every season, four times per year. Each box is valued at over $200, with some boxes nearing $400. Essentially, you end up paying $200 for $800-$1200 worth of product — amazing, right?! You receive about 8 items per box and though you wouldn’t necessarily pay retail prices for these sometimes overhyped fad items, getting them at a small fraction of the price is really fun!
It’s all customizable
Right from when you sign up to the service you fill in an extensive survey that covers everything from your beauty, fitness, and other lifestyle preferences. From whether your hair is coloured and how often you exercise, to whether you prefer lipstick or lipgloss, Fab Fit Fun tries to cover everything. On top of that, before each box is mailed, you get to customize even further! Each box comes with three to four items which every subscriber receives. There are an additional few items that you get to select from based on your lifestyle or can keep it a surprise — it’s totally up to you!
You can always regift
One thing I absolutely love about Fab Fit Fun is that I’m constantly discovering new brands. Sometimes they are a hit and sometimes they are a miss though. For example, if every box receives a tea pot, for example and you don’t drink tea, then you end up with a tea pot that is going to go to waste — unless you regift it! Since these products are all full size and always on trend, you will almost always have someone to regift these unopened, never used popular products to.
There are add ons
Before each Fab Fit Fun box gets sent out to you, there is a period of a couple weeks where you are able to “add on” to your order. The add on section of the Fab Fit Fun site offers full sized products that you may have ran out of from a previous box, or a wider product range to some of the brands subscribers loved from previous boxes. The best part? These add-ons come in your upcoming box so there are no added shipping fees!
There are members-only discounts
The last perk? Each box comes with a little “magazine” that highlights each product, its uses, and other additional info you may find interesting. At the back of the magazine you’ll find discount codes for most of the brands in the box, so that you can order what you love direct from those brands at any time.
**Please note: prices listed above are in US dollars, shipping and duties may apply.**
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Let’s get real. We live in a world where we want to share everything we do with everyone on social media. From trying on clothes in change rooms (even if it’s just to prove skinny mirrors are, in fact, a thing) to making pit stops around the city solely based on backdrops, we’re doing a lot for the ‘gram these days. Oversharing is caring, #AmIRight?
And because we are city that loves brunch just as much as we love those likes, we’ve rounded up the most Instagrammable brunches in Toronto.
Bonus: these meals are just as tasty as they look.
Here are my picks for the most Instagrammable brunches in Toronto.
Mariposa Cruises
Cruise the Toronto Harbourfront and capture the perfect Instagram shot with city as a beautiful backdrop. There is no better way to get a view of the iconic Toronto skyline or the city’s attractions, including the Rogers Centre, Queen’s Quay Terminal, Harbourfront Centre, and more. Weekend brunch packages range between $61 and $65 for two hours on the water and a delicious all-you-can-eat brunch.
Sofia Restaurant & Bar
Located in the heart of Yorkville, Sofia was designed to provide the feeling of a contemporary home, with three different areas of deep blue, bold red, and stark white. This luxe space offers the opportunity for multiple backdrops and the brunch options are pretty darn good, too.
Oretta
One of the trendiest spots on King West, Oretta’s Italian-Inspired menu offers authentic and modern day Italian classics in a beautiful ambience. Highlights of the menu include the pizzetta Nutella and the burrata and truffle eggs.
Café Boulud
This French brasserie, located in the Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville, offers a seasonally-changing menu that highlights famed Chef Daniel’s family meals from Lyon. With both traditional and contemporary dishes, the weekend brunch menu is on the pricier side, but definitely worth it for the food and the photo.
Northern Maverick Brewing
The menu at Northern Maverick Brewing highlights local ingredients that make for a delicious tasting menu with beer pairings, an oyster bar, and house-made charcuterie. The 11,000-square-foot facility houses a 400-seat restaurant, a bar, and a retail store, offering many backdrops for the perfect shot. Plus you can’t beat the $5 mimosas and lagers the restaurant offers on Saturdays and Sundays!
Maple Leaf Tavern
Check out this refined tavern in Leslieville and take all of the natural light photos you can. Inspired by the English countryside, they offer freshly baked scones and jam, a hashbrown BLT, sweet and savoury buttermilk waffles, and more. My mouth is already watering!
Baro
Baro is the perfect spot for an Insta-worthy weekend brunch. Whether you grab a table in the stunning main floor dining room or the bar on the all-year rooftop patio, the King West restaurant delivers with its South American-inspired savoury Machetero (pictured above) or sweet pancakes with guava and ripe plantains.
MARBL
First thing’s first, everything looks good on a marble backdrop so every table acts as your own personal studio space. Add hearty yogurt and berry granola bowls or fluffy French toast and you’re bound to get an Instagram-worthy pic. The eggs Benedict with fresh lobster flown in from the East Coast will definitely make your followers jealous.
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen is a no brainer for the perfect brunch pic. Mrs. Biederhof’s blueberry buttermilk pancakes were created to “make people happy.” Served with a wild blueberry compote, organic maple syrup, and whipped cream, these fluffy pancakes taste even better than they look (if you can believe it)!
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There are so many restaurants in Toronto that would be affordable if only it weren’t for the $18 dollar glasses of wine and $20 cocktails. With most things in our city being on the pricier side of things like gas, groceries, and rent, the last thing we need is our wind-down cocktail to cost an arm and a leg. Our number one tip to keep dining out affordable is choosing restaurants in Toronto that let you bring your own wine.
We don’t mean just any BYOB spot though as you need to find the hidden gem spots that offer free corkage. Since most restaurants make most of their money on alcohol sales, corkage fees can bring your bill up by $50, plus tip, tax, and plus the amount you already spent to purchase the bottle! The problem? Since the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) initiated the BYOW program in 2005, restaurants offering BYOW are on the decline, making it even harder to find free corkage. Years ago we were seeing free corkage at all over the place but those restaurants have either closed their doors or have stopped offering BYOW for free.
We have rounded up our top 7 Restaurants in Toronto where you can bring your own wine!
Tabule
Downtown Middle Eastern, Tabule offers BYOB with no corkage fee on Mondays and Tuesdays. Make sure to limit yourselves to two 750 mL bottles per group in order to enjoy this benefit.
Blu Ristorante
Serving contemporary Italian cuisine is Blu Ristorante and it’s there that you can bring your own 750 mL bottle and enjoy with no fee on Sundays and Mondays every week. This is a great date spot, so if you’re looking to impress your date, bring your own vintage and save some cash.
Globe Bistro
Head to Globe Bistro each week and celebrate Wine Wednesday with free corkage! This stylish spot on the Danforth offers Canadian farm-to-table cuisine that can get pricey quickly, so this is a great way to enjoy while keeping costs down.
Paese
This is a good one, folks! Serving classic Italian cuisine is Paese and everyday except Saturday, you can BYOW! There is no corkage fee on the first bottle, but the corkage fee on additional bottles and on Saturday’s is just $25.
Spencer’s at the Waterfront
Want to sip wine while gazing at a gorgeous view? Head to Spencer’s At The Waterfront for free corkage on Thursdays. Located on the Burlington lakefront, Spencer’s glass-walled dining room is the perfect spot to enjoy. You stock it, they pop it!
Tapas at Embrujo
Another spot on the Danforth offering free corkage is Tapas at Embrujo. On Monday and Tuesdays, you can BYOW and watch exciting flamenco shows while indulging in delicious paella knowing that saving on the booze!
La Luce Ristorante
Located at the border of North York and Vaughan is La Luce and regardless of if you’re celebrating a social occasion or just having a casual night out, why not BYOW? The best part is that there’s no set day, you can bring your own 750mL bottle in any day of the week!