January 3-5: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend in toronto

It has been super cold here in Toronto the past few days so leaving the house has seemed less and less appealing. However, tomorrow is going to be a balmy -1 and Sunday a nice 0 so maybe there is hope to come out of hibernation this weekend. Here's a few things happening in the city to lure you out of your warm bed/Netflix marathon. 

Do: Saturday nights at Harbourfront Centre is DJ Skate Nights. Starting at 8pm and going until 11pm, tomorrow night, the Brazilian-style Uma Nota crew will be performing with DJ Firecracker and General Eclectic. Best of all, the DJ Skate Nights are free, so lace up your skates and put on your fuzziest winter gear and enjoy a party on the ice. 

See: Until January 12th, The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! is playing at the Panasonic Theatre on Yonge St. Tickets start at $19 for any of their shows. This award-winning, Patron Pick from the 2013 Fringe Festival parodies five classic musicals and is a satirical love-letter to musicals of the 20th century. This show looks perfect to bring out your inner drama geek.  

Eat: Just because it's winter, doesn't mean you can't eat fresh eat locally. Every Sunday from now until February 23rd, Steam Whistle Brewery will have a Winter Farmer's Market from 10am-2pm. This market will have local fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, maple products, honey and beauty product. It's a great way to support local farmers, plus you can pick up some local brews while you're at it. 

Drink: Every Sunday night is F*ck Mondays at the Farmhouse Tavern. With rotating drink specials beginning at at 6pm, it is a great way to not waste a Sunday night dreading Monday morning. They also have $1 oysters starting at 5pm and any food leftover after 9pm is half-price. And since Sunday is going to be the warmest day, you should probably leave the house.

Have a great weekend everyone!

thirsty thursday: my new years cocktail

Happy new year everyone! I hope you all celebrated the new years with the wonderful people in your life. This year, my friends and I opted for dinner out then going back to a friend's place for some drinks and the countdown, and I have to say, it was perfect. Just the way I want to ring in the new year.

So, I thought I would share with you my favourite drink I used to ring in the new year. It was pretty simple too. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't look super appetizing but I promise it was delicious. It also doesn't really have a name, so I think I'll call it the 2014. 

The 2014:
1 oz Smirnoff Blueberry Vodka
5 oz Soda
Frozen Blueberries (we put a few too many in, but whatever floats your boat)

The 2014

I love blueberry vodka and I would normally prefer my vodka with 7Up but this is a little lighter on the calories. The flavoured vodka and the fruit add just enough sweetness. So, if you're looking for a lighter option (to maybe help with your resolution), this drink without the blueberries is about 70 calories, the rest depend on the amount of blueberries you put in. 
I hope 2014 is getting off to a great start for you! Cheers. 

thirsty thursday: union

It's Boxing Day in Canada. It's the day after Christmas, which always makes me think, wow, how is Christmas already done? It was a crazy Christmas in Toronto, following the worst ice storm I remember in the city. I hope you all had a great Christmas and for those in Toronto and other places affected by the ice storm, I hope you didn't lose power for long and for those still experiencing the outages, I hope you get your power back soon! And those who have the patience for the Boxing Day shopping, hope you got a great deal. 

After the craziness that has been this week (or may continue to be this week), you may need a drink. This week's pick is  Union, a VQA from the Niagara region. I tried their riesling chardonnay blend at a party a few weeks ago and picked up a bottle of it at the LCBO. It's a nice white wine, I don't drink a lot of wine but I liked this one a lot. This wine is on the sweeter side and does not have the vinegary after-taste that some whites have. The Union site recommends pairing this with seafood salads or spicy tapas. It's $12.95 at the LCBO and has a 12.5% alcohol content. 

Cheers!

thirsty thursday: beaus lug tread

I am a fan of (some) craft beer and love buying 'local'. This week's beer is Beau's Lug Tread. I say 'local' because this one isn't from Toronto but is still from Ontario. This brew is from Vanklee Hill in Western Ontario, according to their website, it's the Gingerbread Capital of Ontario. I've tried it at a number of events in the past few months including the Tasting Fair, the Delicious Food Show and it's on tap at the Loose Moose on Front St.

 If you read my Hogtown review, you know I'm not a huge fan of overly hoppy beers and this brew is a great craft beer that doesn't leave that hoppy aftertaste. This award-winning beer is great when you're like me and want a refreshing beer that can go with just about anything. The Beaus website does provide some food pairings, in case you're looking for some inspiration.

I took a picture but can't find it... sorry!

December 13-15: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend

Happy Friday the 13th. I hope you're day is lucky. There's so much going on this weekend, hopefully your weekend is great.

Do: Christmas is just around the corner and if you're looking for special Christmas gifts there are a number of local markets to check out to get great gifts. The Toronto Market Crawl is all weekend and mostly in the downtown core, it includes 6 markets, some only available on Saturday. Support your local artists and get some unique gifts at the same time.  

See: Harbourfront Centre's NextSteps dance series presents WinterSong. Shows are tonight at 8pm and tomorrow at 2pm, tickets can be purchased online and range from $22 to $39. The show celebrates the holidays and winter solstice traditions around the world.

Eat: From the people that brought you "Toronto Poutine Fest", Joylister has created a passport to poutine. For $20, you get 6 poutines from Toronto "poutineries". This pass is a great way to try poutines throughout the city and decide once and for all if you are a purest or if you love the extras. Quanties are limited, check the site for details and restrictions. 

Drink: Tonight is 12 Beers of Christmas at the Gladstone Hotel. For $5, wear your ugly Christmas sweater and get ready to sample some delicious local beer. The cheesiest Christmas tunes you know and love will be playing in the Melody Bar from 7pm-10pm tonight. It should be a great night. 

Have a fantastic weekend everyone. Be safe, it's supposed to be slippery!

thirsty thursday: hogtown brewers

I wanted to try to do only holiday themed posts but sadly I did not have time in the last couple days so I'm going to share an awesome local beer I tried recently.

I've seen hogtown brewers at a few festivals in the past, but I finally tried them. I was really happy I did. I love supporting small breweries, particularly ones from Toronto but I always have the problem that most craft beers are too hoppy for my liking. 

This was a great beer. It had a bit of a bite to it but didn't leave that funny after-taste that some beers will do. I was so happy to find this beer at a festival, but it is available at the LCBO. Next time you're looking for a delicious craft beer from Toronto, definitely grab a couple cans of Hogtown Ale. 

December 9-12: what to do/see/eat/drink in toronto this week

As always, there's so much going on in the city. Here's a few ideas for this week!

Do: If watching the Leafs game at home is just too boring for you, try Tall Boys on Bloor St. This Wednesday, they'll be showing the game with full audio as the Leafs take on the Kings. As part of "Hoppy Night in Canada" there will be in-game entertainment, raffle prizes and food. Fun way to experience the game with other fans without paying an arm and a leg for tickets. 

See: The Canadian Opera Company has free concerts in the afternoon throughout the month of December. The majority of them are early afternoon, but on Wednesday there is a show at 5:30pm. There is a number of different types of shows and are from up-and-coming artists as well as established musicians. All shows are at the Four Seasons Centre.

Eat:I tried Famoso this weekend for the first time and it was delicious. I went to the Bloor & Spadina location, there's also one at Yorkdale. The location in the Annex has a pizza and pint for $10 on Thursdays. This special applies to their smaller size pizza, which I found to be more than enough anyways. A delicious way to spend your Thursday.

Drink: If you can't make it to Famoso on Thursday, every week, they have Vino Wednesday. While you enjoy your delicious pizza, you can get a bottle of wine for $15 off. With their prices, it means you can get some of their reserve bottles for less than $25. Definitely a great date night.

December 6-8: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend in toronto

It's the first full-weekend in Toronto, which means there is lots of Christmas activities going on, and as always, lots of non-holiday things as well. Here's a few ideas!

Do: Have you ever wanted to have your picture taken in a giant Ferrero-Rocher? Chances are you haven't considered it but this weekend, Yonge-Dundas Square has made this availlable for that great event you didn't know you needed. From 9am-8pm tonight and 9am-6pm Saturday, you can have you picture taken inside a giant Ferrero Rocher. On Saturday, Sean Jones will perform holiday classics on stage. 

See: I recently learned about Tafelmusik, after speaking to people at work and apparently it's very popular. Tafelmusik is an award-winning period orchestra from Canada. They offer discounts tickets for the under-35 crowd. Tafelscene's goal is to bring the experience to a new generation, with tickets beginning at $15. On Saturdays between 6pm-7pm, there is also the option of Pay-What-You-Can Saturdays. It is a great way to experience something new at a reasonable price.

Eat: It's definitely the Christmas season (somehow, I'm not really sure how we're a week into December) but you're probably looking for delicious holiday treats. For this, I suggest Toronto.com. They have pulled together a list of the best places to get gingerbread, including delicious donuts, houses and cupcakes. 'Tis the season!

Drink: There are two new country bars that opened this week. They apparently both have a mechanical bull. I love country music and can't wait to try both of these places out. Boot N Bourbon is at Queen and Broadview. Opening in the Entertainment District is Rock N Horse Saloon on Adelaide, East of John. Get your boots on, and get down, go to town and do the boot-scoot boogie. 

thirsty thursday: canoe christmas

I want all my Thirsty Thursdays in December to be Christmas or holiday related. Today, I 'invented' a drink to meet this requirements. Necessity is the mother of invention and I present to you, the 'canoe christmas'. 

The only liquor in this comes from the beer so it is not as strong as a typical cocktail. I used the 'light' beer Cracked Canoe. It is brewed by Moosehead, their lighter beer is under 100 calories. I mixed it with President's Choice Cranberry Gingerale. I love just about everything on the PC menu that comes out at the holidays and this is no exception. I used a 16oz cup and filled it about half and half. You could adjust if you'd like. Depending on your mix, you may not taste the beer, just depends how much beer taste you'd like. 

This delicious drink is great, perfect as mentioned if you're looking for something a little lighter and would like a cocktail without the hard liquor. I'd love to hear your beer cocktail ideas! Let me know in the comments.

As we get into the holiday season, remember that there's no excuse for drinking and driving. Have a great time but make sure its a safe time, don't drink and drive. 

December 2-5: what to do/see/eat/drink this week

Somehow it is the first week of December, which means the city will be buzzing with activity, mostly Christmas related. Here's a few options for this week.

Do: The One of a Kind Christmas Show is on until December 8th. Happening at the Direct Energy Centre, its a great place to get unique gifts for people on your Christmas list. There will be over 800 artisans selling a variety of one-of-a-kind items.

See: Trailer Park Boys fans will be happy to know there is a Christmas show just for them. The story follows the story of of Bubbles trying to spread the meaning of Christmas. The show is this Thursday at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at the Ex.

Eat/Drink: I love a place that has some kind of special going on, no matter what day of the week it is. I'm not saying your Friday special has to be as good as your Tuesday special but give me something! The Lakeview is giving you something. They have a beer and liquor special every night of the week, so if you're looking for a place to have a couple of beverages this week, this is your place. They also have an amazing looking menu, including twenty-four hour breakfast. I love a place that doesn't restrict when I can have breakfast food. 

Enjoy your first week of December, friends!

November 29-December 1: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend

December is this Sunday and that means Christmas events galore in Toronto. Here's what's kicking off the 12th month in the city.

Do: This event could literally fall under any category and fit perfectly. The Toronto Christmas Market starts this weekend, running until December 15th. Go back in time at the distillery district,  with Santa's village, shops, food and licensed areas. Its beautifully decorated, lots of things to do and a great way to get into the holiday season.

See: Cavalcade of Lights is Saturday night at Nathan Philips Square. It is the official lighting of the city's Christmas tree. There will be musical performances, skating and fireworks. Another great event to kick off the season.

Eat: Swine 'n Dine is happening this Sunday, it's an all-you-can-eat hog roast. For $25, you get your swine, potatoes, cabbage and a pint of beer. Be sure to call to reserve your spot, it will likely fill up. 

Drink: Sunday is the Canadian Artisan Tasting Fair. From 11am-4pm at the Wychwood Barns, there will be samples of local cheese, charcuterie and freshly baked goods. The event will feature a number of craft breweries and your $35 ticket includes samples, coupons and take-home environmental products. 

thirsty thursday: rolling rock

It is know that I am a beer lover. Tonight I am going to a kitchen party. For non-newfoundlanders or non-maritimers a kitchen party is basically any gathering of people. When maritimers get together for any type of party, it always ends up in the kitchen. Possibly because that's where the food and beer is, so why would we need to move? Well this evening I'm going to a large-scale kitchen party, the Great Big Sea concert. I've honestly lost count of the number of times I've seen them so when my friend said she had an extra ticket I said yes of course. So this evening's thirsty thursday is rolling rock. Sorry, I know it took me a while to get there but you had to understand kitchen party. 

Rolling Rock is actually an American beer. I first started drinking it when St. Louis had them in a mini-pitcher special. That was a while ago but I still drink it. It's a nice beer that isn't too strong. It also isn't too weak, it's 4.5% so I wouldn't consider it a light beer. I'd consider this beer a people-pleaser. If you're looking for a nice beer that isn't as expensive as a heineken or stella but will be easy to serve at any party. 

I hope you all have a fabulous Thursday. Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans, Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating and be safe on Black Friday. 

November 25-28: what to do/see/eat/drink this week

Somehow we're in the last week of November. Here's a few events happening this week in Toronto before we start December!

Do: Cardinal Rule has you covered again this week with another weekly event. Wednesday night is trivia. This is a general trivia so no need to memorize tv and movie quotes. They have drink specials (sometimes the best part of trivia) and prizes so be sure to test your knowledge. As Cardinal Rule says "Its not what you know, its what you learn along the way". Don't forget, they also have a huge selection of gluten-free and vegan options.

See: It's the last week of "David Bowie Is" at the AGO. This exhibit features interactive performances as well as his diary, set lists, stage costumes and instruments. 

Eat: If you love the oysters, the Windsor Arms has you covered every Tuesday night. If you order a dozen or more, your oysters are only $1.25. Great date night? I think so. AGO advises visitors to book their timeslot in advance as it could sell out. 

Drink: Located near Queen and Dufferin, The Beaver has you covered for cheap drinks on a Tuesday night. Every Tuesday night they offer $4 well-drinks between 11pm-2am, so if you're looking for a late-night weeknight bar, here is your option.

November 22-24: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend

It's the weekend again and there's so much going on in Toronto. With the holiday season just around the corner, the events and activities are really getting into high gear.

Do: As mentioned, there's no getting around the fact that Christmas is fast approaching. This weekend, everything for Christmas decorating and gifts will be part of the Seasons Christmas show. This show runs Friday to Sunday, tickets start at $12 online and they will accept donations of prepackaged diapers at the show to be donated to Peel Children's Aid. 

See: Planet in Focus is happening this weekend. It will be a great selection of movies happening at two awesome venues in the city. Tickets are still available for films and fest forums. Be sure to also follow the blog and twitter for updates happening throughout the weekend. 

Eat/Drink: Ice, Wine & Dine is a fun event happening tonight near Yonge-Dundas Square. It is part of a series in Winter Magic with a variety of community events celebrating the holiday season. This event runs from 4pm-10pm, there will be food samples as well as licensed patios for wine and cocktail tastings. 

thirsty thursday: proper snakebite

A few years ago, I had the amazing experience of living in Australia. It was while living there that I learned about the "snake bite". When I came home, I obviously wanted to have it again. I'd order it in a number of places and it was never quite right, particularly the time the bartender gave me a shot of tequila and jack daniels mixed together (I may have given it to an unsuspecting friend). After so many failed attempts, I excited to find that Hemingway's in Yorkville would make me a snake bite the way I want it.

The snakebite I know is:
Half cider of your choice
Half beer of your choice
And a splash of grenadine (usually the missing ingredient)

You could obviously make this drink quite easily at home, but its still nice to be able to buy it in a bar and not get a crazy look.

November 18-21: what to do/eat/see/drink this week on a schoolnight

Monday again, but that's ok, because as always there is so much going on in our great city. Take a look at a few ideas of what's coming up.

Do: This Tuesday, test your sense of humour and humanity by playing the popular game "Cards Against Humanity" at Cardinal Rule in Roncesvalles. If you've never played this hilarious game, you're in for a treat. You can go by yourself and join a group or go with friends. The idea of the game is to fill in the blanks with the most ridiculous, offensive and hilarious results. They have drink and food specials, they also have a pretty extensive gluten-free and vegan menu.

See: Thursday night is opening night to the Planet in Focus film festival. It is the largest film festival of its kind in Canada. Congratulations to all the winners of the contests and thanks to Planet in Focus for providing those passes for my winners. Be sure to follow the blog and twitter for updates as I will be writing from the festival all weekend.

Eat: The Drake Hotel is the place foodies will want to be tonight. It begins at 8pm and admission is free, it allows anyone to become a food judge. There will be competitive cook-offs, do-it-yourself food art and a pickle competition. It will certainly be a unique experience.

Drink: This Thursday, The Office Pub on John St will have a great fundraiser for Movember. #AfterWorkDrinksTO is $10 online or $20 at the door. There will be great drink specials, prizes, silent auction, karaoke and dancing. It promises to be a great party for a great cause.

November 15-17: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend in toronto

There is so much going on in Toronto this weekend, and I expect that it will only get crazier as we head into the holidays. Here are a few things going on:

Do: The final Toronto Underground Market of the year is this weekend. The event takes place at the Evergreen Brickworks. There will be a variety of food, beer and wine vendors at this outdoor event. This event will also feature food trucks for the first time. It's an interesting event and a great way to learn about local vendors that are just starting out. This is a 19+ event and you can purchase tickets in advance online.

See: If you're an early riser, and love movies this event is for you. Cineplex theatres is hosting Community Day again this Saturday. The movies begin at 9am and they are free! You can also get many concession snacks for $2. Popcorn for breakfast sounds like the best idea ever. Best of all, all of the proceeds will go to the Canadian Olympic Foundation. I love an event that supports a good cause.

Eat: The Gluten-Free Garage is being held this Sunday at the Artscape Wychwood Barns near Christie and St. Clair. Admission is $10 and kids under 12 are free. There will be three speakers covering topics related to healthy gluten-free living. There will be a number of vendors sampling their product as well as local health experts and representatives from the Canadian Celiac Association. Whether you're new to gluten-free or have been explaining it to people for years, this event is for you.

Drink: The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo is this weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. General admission is $20 for Friday and Sunday and $25 for Saturday. There is a large number of wine, beer and spirit vendors at the event as well as a variety of food vendors. Sample tickets are $1 each and can be used for food and drinks, samples vary between 1-6 tickets. This is also a 19+ event, its a great way to try products you may not want to commit to without tasting. You may find your new favourite things. 

thirsty thursday: aretha franklin

I stopped in to Joe Mama's because they had a $5 martinis. They had a pretty big menu selection of 'martinis'. I tried one delightfully named Aretha Franklin.

It was shaken cocktail with:
1.5oz of vodka
0.5oz of peach schnapps
lime cordial
splash of cranberry.

It was a good martini and the price was so right, there was no complaining. If you're down on King St, check if their special is running, or maybe just whip up a bunch of them at your next party (the holidays are coming!)

November 11-14: what to do/see/eat/drink on a schoolnight

Do: It is the second Tuesday of the month so that means Simpsons Trivia is happening at Cadillac Lounge at Queen and Dufferin. This monthly event gets really busy but is really great for the die-hard Simpsons fans, it covers up to season eleven. Compete in teams of up to six people and see if you're able to get a least half the questions right. There is also three episodes screened, this month's theme will be Edna Krabappel, in honour of the late Marcia Wallace. Trivia starts at 7:30pm but be sure to get there early, it fills up quickly.

See: If you like short films and free - the Air Canada enRoute Film Festival is just for you. This event takes place on Wednesday between 7-8pm at the Varsity Cinema. There will be four short films screened. This festival gives film makers a chance to showcase their work. Following the festival, the films will be available on the in-flight entertainment on Air Canada flights.

Eat: If you're in the West End and in the mood for a burger, the Gladstone has you covered. They have their burgers and veggie burgers on for $5. It's only between 5-8pm so make sure you head there right from work and eat deliciousness. 

Drink: Since you'll be eating a burger, you'll need to wash it down with a delicious beer. The Gladstone has you covered as well. They have pints on special for $5. This means you can get dinner and a nice cold one for $10. Sounds like the perfect way to get over the Monday blues. 

November 8-10: what to do/see/eat/drink this weekend

It is Friday! Another week come and gone. Here's some ideas if you haven't already made plans for the weekend!

Do: Here I go with the Gladstone again but this weekend they're hosting the Toronto Indie Arts Market. This event will have arts, crafts, fashion, food and more made my local Torontonians. It's Saturday from 10:30am-4:30pm and admission is $5. Part of the proceeds go to Not Far From The Tree, a non-profit supporting urban farmers and the community. Great place to start your Christmas shopping.

See: The Buffer Festival is coming to Toronto. This festival running all weekend takes place at various theatres in the entertainment district. This unique film festival features the work of famous YouTubers. YouTube has changed the way the world sees videos and this festival is the great way to showcase this medium. There will be two types of shows, one based on a genre and one based on famous YouTubers. Definitely a fun festival to check out.

Eat: The Drake Hotel brought back its LobsterFest Sundays in October due to demand. For $36.95 you get a maritime lobster, sides, pint of Mill St and dessert, the sides alone sound mouth waters. Be sure to give them a call to reserve your spot.

Drink: This Saturday is #BeerHikeTO, a pub crawl with a 'hike'. You can register on online, they are asking for a minimum donation $20 and all proceeds with go to Camp Oochigeas. The event will begin at 4pm at the Cloak and Dagger. The crawl will visit six pubs and finish at C'est What. The event is opening anyone willing to pub crawl for a cause. And as we know, I love an event with a good cause attached.