Latin America Emporium

Rated this place:

243 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T2L8

Restaurant: I'm always disappointed being at a restaurant and ordering something that I would have made at home. I've only helped make pupusas once and I've never done tamales so this place is an adventure each time. Charmed by the homemade food and the terrible seating section (crowded and poorly heated) -these things work on me.

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

Toronto Reference Library

Rated this place:

789 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4W2G8

Library: Go online and you can search and reserve resources from any library in Toronto and they will ship it to your local branch for you to pick up. It's a lot of fun to reserve a great book, forget a couple of weeks later, and then have the library call you to tell you it's ready for pick up. This is how I discovered graphic novels (go for Sacco's Gorazde, Tezuka's Buddha, and Miyazaki's Nausicaa). Read now (also you can borrow movies).

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

Gandhi Roti

Rated this place:

554 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M5V2B5

Restaurant, roti: Pricey considering their overhead but you get a lot of quality roti. Also, they do not f*ck around with the spice. Most places in the city have watered down their "hot" level so that Torontonians feel strong. Ghandi's is out to set the record straight. Spice like having a loaded gun pointed at you; you sweat and start re-evaluating your life's choices. Of course you can ask for no spice but then everyone knows you're not the chosen one.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Restaurant, Roti

Buddha's Vegetarian Foods

Rated this place:

666 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, M5T1H9

Restaurant, cheap eats: Cheap. Large portions (one dish will feed two). This place is a long way from glamouros and I love that. You won't be bombarded by music, television, ads or trendy atmosphere. It's simple and functional. I've had some of my favourite conversations here. My crew consistenly orders the Singapore Curry, Imitation Duck and Spring Rolls, if more people come we add the Vegetable and Cashews dish. My Gods, I want to eat there right now.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Restaurant, Cheap Eats

Unit 102 Theatre Studio

Rated this place:

46 Noble Street, Unit 102, Toronto, ON, M6K 2C9

Theatre: The first time I performed here (stand-up comedy) a cat jumped on the stage and I knew this would be my favourite venue. Liz and Luis, who run the place, have big hearts and no business sense. They're beautiful people and extremely supportive. It seats about fifty so it's perfect to pack the place for an intimate show.

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