Caffe Artigiano

Rated this place:

763 Hornby Street , Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1S2

Americano: I have pretty high standards from some of the fantastic independent coffee shops around Toronto - but even I was blown away by the flavour and artistry at Caffe Artigiano. If I were Starbucks, I'd be afraid of this chain.

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

Fratelli Bakery

Rated this place:

1795 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC

Cupcake: They're made fresh and have a custard filling.

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

Massey Hall

Rated this place:

178 Victoria St., Toronto, ON, M5B1T7

Major concert venue: It has great acoustics and charming architecture - leave the stadiums for the sports games.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Major Concert Venue

Ontario Science Centre

Rated this place:

770 Don Mills Rd., Toronto, ON, M3C1T3

Place to take the kids: It's lots of fun for grown ups too! The sports arcade is the best place to challenge your friends - throw baseballs, race wheelchairs and bikes, and see who can jump with the least impact. They also have a great educational music exhibit.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Place to Take the Kids

The Reef

Rated this place:

1018 Commerical Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L3W9

Carribean food: Their rotis are amazing. It's rare nowadays that 'hot' actually means hot - The Reef gets it right. The flavour in the hot sauce and Jerk marinade is fantastic.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• carribean food

Sweet Somethings Gallery

Rated this place:

33 Manzanita Road, Unit 4, Galliano Island, BC, V0N 1P0

Jewelry: The shop is an adorable and unexpected find on galliano island full of Canadian designed t-shirts, jewelry and gifts.

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

J S Bon Bons -- CLOSED

Rated this place:

163 Dupont St, Toronto, ON, M5R1V5

Chocolates: The flavour combinations of these chocolates are intensely creative, and even the most bizarre combinations work. Chipolte sesame lime? Lavender? Tarragon Black Pepper? All delicious!

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

La Palette

Rated this place:

256 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T2L9

Bistro: A few glasses of wine and some pre-dinner trickery could have convinced me I was back in Paris. Very cute little restaurant in Kensington that had all the best that you'd find in a Montmartre bistro - except with friendly waiters

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

Souz Dal

Rated this place:

636 College St, Toronto, ON, M6G1B4

Patio: It's small and dimly lit with votive candles and strands of lights.

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

Stillwater Spa

Rated this place:

4 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON, M5R2E8

Spa: They do the best facials and stock Dermalogica brand products.

H&M

Rated this place:

1 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON, M5G 1Z3

Cheap fashion: I can go in and buy a whole outfit - complete with accessories - for the same price as a pair of pants in some of my other favorite stores.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Cheap Fashion

Kensington Market Organic Ice Cream

Rated this place:

650-1/2 Queen West, Toronto, ON, M4M1G5

Ice cream: It's made with real, fresh, quality ingredients - rather than the synthetic flavour syrups at your local Baskin Robbins - and it really makes a difference! I'm looking forward to trying a few more flavours this summer - but I'm already a fan of the Cardamom Vanilla/Blueberry Lavender mix.

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

The Press Club

Rated this place:

850 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON, M4M3G4

Bar, Neighbourhood bar: I'm a sucker for mismatched furniture and beers from Quebec. The bartenders are really chatty and friendly and the bar is always filled with eccentric locals. I've seen many an interesting local band here. The patio around back has just been redone with the privacy of built in banquettes and lattice walls that block out the view of the alley.

They have a good beer selection, friendly staff, and lots of seating.

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

XO Music Studio

Rated this place:

693 Bloor W, Toronto, ON, M6G1L5

Thing to do at 3 a.m.: It's nice to have your own room embarass yourself in front of just your friends - and to not have to wait for strangers to embarass themselves in between.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Thing to Do at 3 a.m.

Stella Luna

Rated this place:

1627 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M6R1A9

Vintage clothing store: While everything is vintage, the owner fills her shop with carefully chosen vintage that reflects current trends.

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

Buddha's Vegetarian Foods

Rated this place:

666 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, M5T1H9

Cheap vegetarian meal: The imitation duck is fantastic (while nothing like duck). Ambiance is lacking but portions are huge and prices are low.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• cheap vegetarian meal

Canadian Opera Co

Rated this place:

227 Front St E, Toronto, ON, M5A1E8

Deal on tickets: Twice a year they run a special seat sale for those under 30. Expensive opera tickets for $20 each. They put you right at the back, but there isn't a bad seat in the new opera house. The date for spring ticket sales is January 21st - and while the deal is for under 30's - your guest can be over 30. This season they're doing The Barber of Seville, which is a great opera to see if you've never been.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• deal on tickets

69 Vintage

Rated this place:

1100 Queen St West, Toronto, ON

Vintage clothing store: The owners enthusiasm and chattiness is contagious. After being there a few minutes she had wrangled me into a discussion with a fellow shopper on shoe opinions for an outfit.

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

Fresh By Juice For Life

Rated this place:

894 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1G3

Sweet potato fries: They're amazing with the thai peanut sauce. Extra enjoyable when paired with a crossword and someone special to get the answers you don't know.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• sweet potato fries

Whole Foods Market

Rated this place:

87 Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON, M5R3R9

Grocery store: It's a little pricier than some, but the perks are definitely worth it. The produce is fresher, the staff friendlier, and they have a policy that you can try anything in the store before you buy just by asking a salesperson.

Communist's Daughter

Rated this place:

1149 Dundas West, Toronto, ON, M4M1S3

Dive bars, Martini: The jukebox is fantastic and the crowd that frequents there knows how to to pick them. I spent all night saying, "I love this song". Also, the bartender makes a mean martini.

The bartender has discovered the magic equilibrium of vodka and vermouth that makes them go down so easy. Combined with the awesome jukebox, this place makes for a great late night - if you can get a seat.

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

Dark Horse Espresso Bar

Rated this place:

682 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON, M4M1G9

Coffee shop: They're always playing great music and the shop is bright and beautifully decorated. The communal table is a great idea. And, of course, the coffee is excellent.

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

Embassy

Rated this place:

223 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T2L4

Summer cocktail: While a Pimm's Cup is an ubiquitous summer drink in England, there are few places that make it right in Toronto. Embassy does it perfectly with strawberries, mint, and cucumbers. And, once you're done, there are few places better for spending a summer afternoon in than Kensington Market.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Summer Cocktail

The Cloak and Dagger

Rated this place:

394 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1S7

Sunday night music: The band that plays there on Sunday nights is fantastic. They get everyone singing along with their amazing covers. You're not going to feel great on Monday anways... might as well have an excuse.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Sunday Night Music

Wychwood Branch Public Library

Rated this place:

1431 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON, M5R3J2

Public library branch: I'm a huge bibliophile and, as much as I love to buy books, I can't always afford as many as I'd like to read. This branch is not only close to my house, but a heritage site with beautiful architecture

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Public library branch