Dufflet Pastries

Rated this place:

787 Queen W, Toronto, ON, M6J1G1

New york style cheesecake: There is nothing that can compare to a cake from dufflet's. period. new york style cheesecake in a rich shortbread crust; topped with real raspberry compote, 'crusted' with white chocolate flakes. wow, definitely one of the smoothest cheesecakes i have ever tried, and tons more that are on my wish list!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• new york style cheesecake

Exile

Rated this place:

20 Kensington Ave, North York, ON, M2M1R6

Funky finds: Exile has made its mark on the retro fashion scene with a jaw-dropping collection of 1940's, 50's, and 60's vintage, alongside favorite well-worn and perfectly faded Levi's jeans. exile has become the premier vintage-shopping destination for celebrities, international buyers, fashion and movie stylists, and most importantly, for those who don't let the size of their bank account dictate their style. visit them online at www.exilevintage.com

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• funky finds

Caffe Demetre

Rated this place:

400 Danforth Av, Toronto, ON, M4K1P3

Iced espresso drink: As they say at caffé demetre, "when the child in you wants to play, caffé demetre is the perfect ice cream dessert store for adults" ... they couldn't be more right about that. caffé demetre offers such a wide selection of homemade ice cream, waffles, cakes, pies etc. my favourite is their iced espresso with ice cream, mocha sauce, and whipped cream on top. it's deadly.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• iced espresso drink

Eggspectation

Rated this place:

220 Yonge, Toronto, ON, M5B2H1

All day breakfast: Definitely a summer fave! what more could you want on a weekend, but delicious breakfast style food all day? i highly reccomend a "vegetarian dream" crepe (mushrooms, spinach, sweet red onions, asparagus and three cheese) and a "pink perfection" smoothie (raspberry, strawberry, yogurt blended with cranberry juice and ice) ... and if its past noon, why not opt for a pitcher of sangria!? egg-ceptional!!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• All Day Breakfast

Kid Icarus

Rated this place:

75 Nassau Street, Toronto, ON, M5T1M6

Screen printing: The staff and artists at studio xix are so incredibly friendly! they have such talent even with tasks such as colour choices and will even create ink samples pre-print. not only do they do their own work, local talent is also shown in store. bianca and mike are the pro's to talk to when it comes to anything art-related.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• screen printing

Leather & Sewing Supply Depot Ltd.

Rated this place:

7 Vanauley, Toronto, ON, M5T 2V9

Sewing supplies: They don't have a website and im not sure of the address, but it's really easy to find. running north from queen just walk a couple blocks from spadina st. there's a yellow board sign on queen st, then when you walk north, it's the building right beside the parking lot on your right. there's also a yellow square sign protroding from the building and a set of stairs to bring you down to the store. the selection is mind blowing and prices are more than reasonable.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• sewing supplies

7 West Cafe

Rated this place:

7 Charles St W, Toronto, ON, M4Y1R4

Late night eats: Open 24/7 how can you resist fantastic food at any hour of the day? well, i cant. especially when it comes to the "pasta what?" promising fresh pasta in a medeterranian tomato sauce with veggies, feta cheese, and kalamata olives. for a gigantic serving it only puts you out $12.00, and it is 100% worth the investment. if you have room i would suggest the "dulce de leche cheesecake" which is next on my list of indulgences to try. for a perfect date spot, try dining on the 3rd floor.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Late Night Eats

Global Cheese Shoppe Ltd

Rated this place:

76 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T2K1

Cheese shoppe: Even if you don't like cheese the employees at global cheese will find something that tickles your fancy! ask for samples before you commit or even if you are just curious ... there are a million kinds to try. my new fave is the irish cheddar with guinness, the intense flavour mixed with smooth texture will blow your mind! ps. for those shorter than 6 feet tall i would suggest bringing a step stool. their extensive selection is known for blocking the counter haha

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

Rainbow Cinemas

Rated this place:

80 Front Street East, Toronto, ON, M5E 1T4

Tuesday night date: Without a doubt the only thing left to do during the evening for under $10.00 for two. thats right, with $4 tuesdays big ticket movies are cheaper to see in theaters than to rent from blockbuster! not only can you now invest in popcorn, if the movie is a bust you can play the baby grand sitting in the main entrance. truely a unique and must have experience!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Tuesday night date

Winners

Rated this place:

17890 Yonge St, Newmarket, ON, L3Y 8S1

"designer" steals: Where else? ok, there are lots of other places around t. that can easily compete with the winners prices. however, having such a broad and shallow selection of garments truely is unbeatable anywhere else. although their "designer" is not necessarily REAL designs from the authentic lines, it still has a brand name to make materialistic shoppers feel like they are getting a deal. front st and bloor locations seem to have the most upscale setting and recognizable brands. shop on retail scavengers!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• "designer" steals

macFAB

Rated this place:

600 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J 1E3

Fabric store: The best place to go for unique little goodies to add to any garment. their fabric selection is out of this world! and the prices reflect the high end workmanship in the elaborate textiles. shears and tools are reasonable, and the staff is incredibly helpful. definitely not fabric land ... thank goodness

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

Mill Street Brew Pub

Rated this place:

55 Mill Street, Building 63, Toronto, ON, M5A 3C4

Melted brie quesadilla: Found amongst the historic elements of toronto is mill street brewery, east toronto's first commercial brewery to open in more than 100 years! not only can you find their 13 tap beers (featuring organic options) they also have an astoundingly broad "pub style" menu. although it is quite a laid back atmosphere, the high ceilings, sky lights, and patio make for a lovely sunday afternoon lunch. cheers!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• melted brie quesadilla

Tattoo Rock Parlour

Rated this place:

567 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 2B6

Rockin' beats: It is just as the name implies ... a bar plus tattoo parlour, with the same operating hours. therefore if getting loaded and getting your body inked sounds appealing than all the power to you! in the mean time the rest of us can be found head banging to prodigy, the killers, rolling stones, steppenwolf, arctic monkeys ... you get the idea. regardless the decor is beautiful, music is amazing, the crowd is fantastic and the bartenders are more efficient than many i have come across. rock on!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• rockin' beats

The Foundation Room

Rated this place:

19 Church St, Toronto, ON, M5E 1M2

Cosmopolitan: Foundation room is the place to be if you are looking for an understated place to relax and listen to some cool vibes after dark. the seating is less than ideal for extended periods of time however, the moroccan style stools and lighting really make it feel exotic. mixed house music keeps the scene as fresh as delicious drinks (if paying $13 for a cosmo floats your boat). ladies should dress to impress, although staying clear of mini dresses and platform sandals. save it for metro girls!

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

Hot House Cafe

Rated this place:

35 Church St, Toronto, ON, M5E1T3

All you can eat brunch: How can you possibly resist an all you can eat brunch? especially when options range from waffles, to lentil pilaf, to smoked salmon. not to mention the spectacular jazz band to serenade you. also great for people watching on a hot sunny day!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• all you can eat brunch

My Market Bakery

Rated this place:

172 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON, M5T1L8

Spanagles: The ultimate spinach and feta bagel made not from dough, but soft and warm pastery. although it really isn't a bagel, i appreciate the creative name and suppose it is fitting considering the shape. regardless, it is a kensington necessity (for under $2.00)

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

Spring Rolls Restaurant

Rated this place:

693 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4Y2B2

Pan-asian tapas: Spring rolls is amazing because you can literally find any cuisine from thai, chinese, vietnamese ... etc. my favourite combination is the mango ginger spinach salad, cold veggie spring rolls, grilled eggplant with deep fried tofu, and deep fried bananas with black sesame green tea ice cream. DELISH!!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• pan-asian tapas

EQ3

Rated this place:

222 King Street East, Toronto, ON, M5V2B5

Modern loft style: They have an absolutely amazing selection of sophisticated, yet mod furniture and home sccessories to add a funky twist to any decor. they also have a fantastic online site that allows you to play interior decorator with their online room builder. how cool is that?!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• modern loft style

Ikea Canada

Rated this place:

15 Provost Dr, North York, ON, M2K2X9

Home accessories: Any student should know that ikea is the one stop shop for home essentials. kitchen, bed, bath, and pretty little things are all accessible as long as you can follow the neon green arrows painted on the floor. attention all ikea lovers, new location opening at king and church july 31st 2008!!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• home accessories

Lick's Homeburgers & Ice Cream

Rated this place:

3315 Fairview, Burlington, ON, L7N3N9

Nature burger: Im not sure how they do it, but licks sure has made it to my top 3 with their nature burger. it's as big as your face and it tastes amazing compared to some i have tried ... which are about as appetizing as eating the cute little box they come in! now available at grocers such as: a&p, dominion, food basics and ultra.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• nature burger

Mamma's Pizza

Rated this place:

420 Hwy 7 E, Richmond Hill, ON, L4B3K2

Gourmet pizza: What more could you possibly ask for? feta, goat cheese, sun dried tomato, zuchini, roasted red peppers, pesto ... you name it. mama's does it all, and on a fantastically nutricious whole grain crust. yum.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• gourmet pizza

Centre Island

Rated this place:

Toronto Islands, Toronto, ON, M5J1A1

Summer concert spot: In june i saw young galaxy, rogue wave, the stars and death cab for cutie play on olympic island! it was my first concert and the best i could have ever imagined! although it gets crammed when 17, 000 groupies are trying to cross the bridge in pairs, it's totally worth it in the end ... if just to see the sunset over the toronto skyline. usually ferry fare is included in the ticket price too!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Summer Concert Spot

Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar, Restaurant

Rated this place:

9 Church St., Toronto, ON, M5E 1M2

Yukon gold fries: I literally made a point of going out one night just to have the potato fries at jamie kennedy. they are perfection. not only do they come in fabulously large portions, they are divine when paired with the lemon dill mayo and a glass of pinot noir and live jazz.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• yukon gold fries

Pravda Vodka Bar

Rated this place:

44 Wellington Street East, Toronto, ON, M5E1C7

Green apple martini: Pravda is fantastic because anyone can find what they are looking for. with over 70 different kinds of vodka alone, it is always easy to mix things up. apart from the famously yummy martini's, pravda also is home to an oh-so-talented chef who just happens to make the best portobello perogies on the face of the earth. between a handful (or three) of corn nuts and dancing with the bongo man, your night is more than complete.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• green apple martini

The Yoga Lounge

Rated this place:

103 Church Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, M5C 2G3

Vinyasa yoga class: There is nothing like a vinyasa yoga class with sara to bring you down after a hard week. her firm expectations give your body the crunch it needs but her calming voice sets you into the deep sleep your body craves. for an added punch get a fresh made drink at their smoothie bar and catch up with their cute and cuddly kitten!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• vinyasa yoga class