Esso

Rated this place:

540 Evans Avenue, Toronto, ON

Best car wash: For only $4.99 with gas purchase, the attendant personally hoses down and brushes off your car before your choice or cloth or touch-free!

Dana Jordan Inc

Rated this place:

2901 Bayview Ave, North York, ON, M2K1E6

Quirky store: They carry hilarious stuff for practical and fun use. In the past, I've seen everything from Bobblehead Jesus to Hebrew keyboard stickers and a giant golden pig. Great kitchenwares, jewellery and housewares including Alessi and Pilones. I recently purchased a cute Samurai vegetable peeler for $25.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• quirky store

Pasquale Brothers Downtown Ltd

Rated this place:

217 King St E, Toronto, ON, M5A1J9

Cheese shop: Really affordable and large selection of imported cheese! Also, great olives and gourmet groceries. The only problem is they close at 4:30 Mon to Fri and are not open on weekends. But this place is WAY cheaper than Cheese Boutique.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• cheese shop

Atomic

Rated this place:

965 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J 3X5

Vintage store: They carry brightly-coloured home accessories, furniture, kitchenware, and clothing. Everything is in immaculate condition and in most cases, items reflect the best of industrial design of each era. I found chunky bracelets & cuffs for $25, an art-deco-inspired 80s clutch for $35, Scandinavian tripod dining chairs ($600 for 3), and Scandinavian icicle-inspired glassware and vase. Atomic is conveniently located at 955 Queen West in the Chocolate Lofts, across from Trinity-Bellwoods park.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• vintage store

Frock

Rated this place:

97 Roncesvalles Av, Toronto, ON, M6R2K9

Indie clothing boutique: I found fabulous navy patent Sam Edelman shoes, Ted Baker lined wool trousers for only $108 (it must have been a mistake!), and a whole range of colourful tights at $12 a pair! They also carry Dagg and Stacey, Portolano, and other great names. And, it's right beside Cherry Bomb and Tinto for great coffee!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• indie clothing boutique

Sweet Olenka's

Rated this place:

2834 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke, ON, M8V1H7

Ice cream: Terrific flavours and mostly consistent texture year-round! Great prices, too! I also love their chocolates - and much cheaper than most chocolatiers. You must try the brandied fig goat cheese ice cream.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Ice cream

Elmwood Spa

Rated this place:

18 Elm St #200, Toronto, ON, M5G1G7

Spa: Services are frequently discounted - check the website. I recommend the Deep Siam massage. Use of indoor pool, steam rooms, hot tubs, lounges, teas, etc. are all included with ANY service. Tip : book one service per visit and stay for several hours to enjoy the water therapies!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Spa

Studio Brillantine

Rated this place:

1518 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M6R1A4

Home decor store: Good selection of practical yet modern objects you just can't live without. Industrial design at its finest.

Village Butcher

Rated this place:

2914 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke, ON, M8V1J4

Meat shop: Mark not only provides high quality aged beef and berkshire pork but also dating advice! www.thevillagebutcher.ca They are at Lakeshore and Islington in Mimico.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• meat shop

Chasers' Fresh Juices

Rated this place:

2391B Lake Shore West, Etobicoke, ON, M8V1B7

Juice bar: Affordable - 16 oz of fresh juice (choose your own ingredients!) for only $4.50. Biodegradable cups. Chasers is take-out only and located in Mimico, just off Lakeshore Road, across from the new Valu-Mart.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• juice bar

Distill Gallery

Rated this place:

55 Mill Street, the Distillery District, Toronto, ON, M5A3C4

Indie fashion collective: They sell clothes by Allison Wonderland and other Canadian designers, scarves made from recycled Air Canada blankets, quirky jewellery inspired by our subway stations, and fun housewares like owl salt 'n' pepper shakers!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• indie fashion collective

Franny Vintage

Rated this place:

1394 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6K 1A1

Vintage clothing store: I found a perfect red patch suede hobo bag for $30 and a cute red crochet vest for $26. I can't wait to go back! It's located just west of Shopgirls on West Queen West.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Vintage Clothing Store

Shopgirls

Rated this place:

1342 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6K1L4

Indie fashion collective: The all-Canadian designers actually work in the store! You have to check out the chunky Pricila Gomes sweaters as well as great finds from Thieves, Lousje & Bean, and many more locals. Interesting accessories, art and fun furniture, too! It's located on West Queen West near Brock, in Parkdale.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• indie fashion collective

The Devil's Workshop

Rated this place:

955 Queen St West, Unit 112, Toronto, ON, M6J 3X5

Jewellery: One-of-a-kind silver creations and classes in which even total beginners can feel successful. Really popular wedding band workshops - my friends made their wedding rings there! I get so many compliments on my earrings -- I have more than 5 pairs from there!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• jewellery

Trixie

Rated this place:

2313 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON, M6S1P1

Indie clothing boutique: I only visit twice a year because I always walk out much poorer and happier. Reasonable prices on must-have classic yet trendy items.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• indie clothing boutique

Via Allegro Ristorante

Rated this place:

3-1750 The Queensway, Suite 443, Etobicoke, ON, M9C5H5

Thin crust pizza: Sofia pizza is delicious and covered with bocconcini, basil and tasty sauce. Great crust! Even better service. All for only $17 plus tax and tip.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• thin crust pizza

Denise & Company

Rated this place:

2338 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S1P3

Clothing boutique: What selection! Whenever I need a new outfit in a hurry, I run to Denise (usually at Sherway) for a guaranteed hit. Reasonable prices and great sales - I once got a Ted Baker skirt for only $29!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• clothing boutique

Birds & Beans Boutique Cafe

Rated this place:

2413 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Etobicoke, ON, M8V 1C5

Coffee shop: Tasty freshly-roasted beans make a great latte! Yummy yet healthy breakfast scones. Plenty of seating and good atmosphere.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• coffee shop

Hammam Spa

Rated this place:

602 King St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V 1M6

Pedicure: For $50 you may as well enjoy a full-service spa atmosphere including tea and snacks in the lounge, private headphones for movies, and polish that lasts for a month without chipping!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Pedicure

Pho Pa

Rated this place:

698 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6R 2H6

Indie clothing boutique: They always have something I love to wear, like my Dagg&Stacey girly trench!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• indie clothing boutique

SOMA Chocolatemaker

Rated this place:

55 Mill St. (Building #47), Toronto, Ontario, M5A3C4

Chocolatier: Perfection! I love the Mayan hot chocolate concentrated shot - it's rich, thick and sinful!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Chocolatier

Vertical Restaurant & Bar

Rated this place:

100 King Street West, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E1

Seafood restaurants: For only $32-$35 you get the best cooked whole fish in the city with delicious, fresh sides and fabulously attentive service! Fantastic patio! You must try the scallop appetizer, too.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• seafood restaurants