Engine Gallery

Rated this place:

1112 Queen W, Toronto, ON, M6J1H9

Art gallery: Steven Schwartz shares his spiritual and relationship philosphies, his encouragement, and his flask. His gallery is frequented by those too intimidated to walk into other galleries on the strip, and he throws great parties. His walls decorate Queen West West.

Sassafraz

Rated this place:

100 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON, M5R1A6

Mojito: After a day of impulse shopping at Tiffany's (yes, a day) I can drown my sorrows in a sweet concoction of mortar and pestle ground mint leaves, rum, sugar and other secret ingredients. I can also sit at the bar alone, drink a lot and make an assortment of well-to-do and wanna-be-well-do-do friends. I have tried this in Glasgow and Stockholm and ended up with no friends and a large tab. Let's hope they can be fire free for awhile.

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

Rivoli Classic Pool

Rated this place:

334 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M5V2A2

Karaoke night: The host of Kick Ass Karaoke, Carson, Kicks Ass in tight leather pants while drinking gin and singing back up where appropriate. Carson has an ear for music and an ecclectic following of professional and amateur songsters. Famous for his tounge-in-cheek one-liners, his favourite and the true testament of his character? "And don't forget to tip your bartenders!"

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• karaoke night

Frou Frou Vintage

Rated this place:

1616 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6R1A8

Vintage clothing store: 1. The store owner walked in his galoshes from Queen and Broadview to his store location just East of Sorauren in the middle of a 30 cm snow storm so he could shovel his sidewalk. 2. He dressed me for both a film festival and a Fashion Week emergency. At the film festival a US stylest asked for my number, at fashion week I sparked an impromptu photo shoot. 3. He is the most darling little man who flatters with a slight blush and tears up when you buy one of his favourite garments.

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