Calico

Rated this place:

1226 Bloor St West, Toronto, ON

Gourmet vegan: Calico is a fairly new restaurant that focuses on vegan cuisine, with some vegetarian and raw items. We went for a Friday evening dinner and the menu included a soup, two appetizers, two entrees ($13 each) and two desserts ($7 each), plus beverages. Between us we got both entrees and both desserts, and enjoyed them all. My entree, grilled tempeh served with polenta fries and a raw kale red pepper salad, was satisfying without being heavy. I picked the raw mango tarts for dessert and there were two small tarts, with a macadamia coconut crust and a mango mint filling, served with a side of blueberries and strawberries. My dinner companions found the blueberry cobbler good but slightly too sweet. That being said, we all enjoyed our meal and intend to return. Be forewarned that the portion sizes are on the small side – good for not overeating, definitely, but just an entree likely won't be enough, so make sure to plan on combining your main with a soup, appetizer or dessert.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Vegan
• vegetarian
• raw

Cefiore

Rated this place:

362 Bloor St. W. , Toronto, ON, M5S1X2

American chain hits Canada: There are apparently frozen yogurt wars going on south of the border between Cefiore and competitor Pinkberry, with our very own Yogen-Fruz entering the fray as well. Here up north, this single location of Cefiore is the only outpost - maybe they're gathering intelligence for a full-scale invasion? We picked up a "medium" tub of the original flavour of frozen yogurt to serve with raspberry pie, and I have to say, I was impressed with the texture considering it's meant to be quite low in calories, and it had a pleasingly tart yogurt-y flavour. (The website tells us there are 25 calories in an ounce - let me know if you can figure out how many ounces there are per tub, because the sizes on the website don't correspond to the shop.) I don't know how "healthy" it is per se - active bacteria or none, sugar is sugar - but if you're looking for a tasty frozen treat while watching your calorie intake, it's not a bad choice. Just watch out for some of the toppings. (And note that despite the Bloor St address, it's actually located on Walmer, across from the subway entrance.)

889 Yonge

Rated this place:

889 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, M4W 2H2

yoga... with lockers!: Maybe it's just me, but I find it beyond odd that yoga studios never offer lockers - even the studios that discourage you from bringing your things into the practice room. (My trust in my fellow yogis doesn't go that far, I'm afraid.) So when I went to 889 Yonge for the first time yesterday, it wasn't the clean, beautiful space or great customer service that first impressed me - it was the lockers in the changeroom, complete with key so you don't need to bring your own lock. 889 Yonge excels in details like this - another example is that your first class is free - and it's just a nice space to be in. And most important, the Ashtanga class I took with Marla Joy was excellent (I'm sore now) - her instructions were top-notch, adjustments were enlightening, and savasana was accompanied by her beautiful chanting.

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

Rawlicious

Rated this place:

3092 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M6P 1Z8

Raw and cosy: As a flexitarian vegetarian, I've been raw-curious for a long time now, and make it to Live (which is closer to my house) fairly often. Now that the weather's bike-friendly, I decided to make the trip out to the Junction to try out Rawlicious and I'm glad I did. My group of four had a great experience - friendly service, an extremely comfortable and peaceful patio, and, above all, great food. We started with the nachos and nori rolls - both good - and each got different entrees: the lasagna, two kinds of wraps and pizza all got positive reviews. For dessert we split the pecan pie (with a date-based filling), chocolate-walnut brownie (with a magical agave-coconut icing) and my favourite, the mocha "cheesecake" - so light and fluffy that you'd swear it included egg whites or dairy. What I love most about eating at places like this is the absence of the post-meal heavy feeling - you feel nourished, rather than feeling like a nap. If you live in the Junction, make use of Rawlicious - I only wish it could be my neighbourhood hangout. See Full Post

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• patio
• Raw Food
• Vegan

Frank Restaurant

Rated this place:

317 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5T1G4

splurge on brunch: Had Sunday brunch here this weekend after running the Toronto 10-Miler (we had calories to replenish!) and it was an excellent experience. The service was as good as it gets and the food was stellar. Cappuccinos were amazing, and the cocktail list looked good too but I abstained. When planning what you're going to eat, remember that they will bring you bread that's too good to turn down. We shared artichoke fritters (yum!) and I had blueberry pancakes served with a yummy lemon mascarpone cream. We were unfortunately too full for dessert but eyeing the goat milk cheesecake. Frank is pricey for an everyday brunch but for special occasions, I recommend.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• brunch
• cappuccino

Kula Yoga Toronto

Rated this place:

304 Brunswick Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S 2M7

Hot yoga in the Annex: As the hot yoga trend continues to spread, hot yoga studios are popping up all over the city. Kula Yoga is one of the new ones - the Bloor and Brunswick location (above Futures Bakery - look for the entrance on Brunswick just past the Futures patio) is their second location, after the first in Oakville. And the demand was obviously there - I attended an 8:30 "hot flow" class last night and the studio was packed with probably 30 or 40 students. Despite the crowd, I didn't find it overwhelmingly hot - I suspect they keep the temperature lower than at some studios - and enjoyed a one-hour practice with Josie, who was subbing for the regular teacher, Colin. The space is sparse in a good way, changerooms include showers, and they rent mats and towels and even Mason jars if you forget your water bottle - all for $2 each.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Hot Yoga
• anusara yoga

Joe Rockheads Climbing Gym

Rated this place:

29 Fraser Ave, Toronto, ON, M6K1Y7

Open spaces: The story goes that climbers who want to be strong climb at Rockhead's. I don't know how true that is but the attitude in the gym is definitely one where they take themselves seriously. The gym is spacious and offers a variety of routes for beginners through experts. There are also areas for bouldering only. Changerooms are clean and include lockers (although the presence of only two hooks in the women's perplexes me).

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• rock climbing
• bouldering

Toronto Climbing Academy

Rated this place:

100A Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON, M4M3H3

Go east: As a west-ender, I've only made it to this other-side-of-the-Don gym once, but I had a good experience and would definitely visit more if it were in my neighbourhood. They offer all the standards: climbing and bouldering, changerooms and lockers, courses for beginners and challenges for advanced climbers. Longstanding rumour has it they'll be relocating due to condo development but I've yet to hear any firm information.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• rock climbing
• bouldering

Moksha Yoga Downtown

Rated this place:

577 Wellington St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V 1G3

Moksha with style: This is the fourth Moksha studio I've tried in Toronto and it's definitely the sleekest, with lots of black and dark wood. The changerooms are clean and relatively spacious, with two (not very private) clean showers in the women's. There's a water station outside the practice room complete with cups, and a sitting area past the reception for waiting before or after class. As in all Moksha studios, they'll rent you mats and towels (take advantage of the latter to avoid having to pack a soggy towel home with you). The class I attended (Thursday at 6) was extremely packed, but judging by people's reactions it was abnormally so, and it didn't detract from the experience. The staff and teacher were friendly and helpful.

Rock Oasis

Rated this place:

27 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5V2P1

The tallest walls in Toronto: Rock Oasis is where I started climbing and I continue to go back regularly. It's a great place for beginners - call ahead to book a lesson - and they offer kids' birthday parties (which I do recommend avoiding if you're not part of the party). They have the highest climbing routes of any of the indoor gyms in the city, in two 60-foot towers, and several bouldering areas. The changing area includes lockers (bring your own lock), changerooms, washrooms and showers, and they sell some snacks and drinks at the front desk. Beginners can rent shoes (bring a pair of thin socks) and a harness.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• rock climbing
• bouldering

Moksha Yoga

Rated this place:

372A Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4K 1N8

Friendly and convenient: I just dropped in at this Moksha location for the first time the other day and had a great experience. The staff and teachers that I met were super friendly and helpful, the space is nice (although yes, the women's changerooms are small) and the heat was just right (believe it or not, not all Moksha studios are at the same temperature). The practice space is a bit tight - get in the back row if you don't want to watch yourself in the mirror from two feet away - but I had a great session and will be back for more. Bonus: The studio is practically next door to Coxwell subway station.

Mela

Rated this place:

7 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4W1L1

Italian vegetarian: I'd been meaning to try Mela for a while - I'm always on the hunt for good vegetarian restaurants - and finally made it for lunch this week. My friend and I both ordered the lasagna (about $8), and it was brought to our table quickly. The ingredients were fresh, not heavy, and the ricotta they used in the filling was so good I could have eaten it on its own. It unfortunately wasn't as hot as it could have been (looks like everything is premade and reheated) but for a quick lunch on a workday, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make in exchange for something quick and healthy in a vegetarian locale.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• italian
• vegetarian
• fast service

The Market by Longo's

Rated this place:

111 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1P7

Groceries downtown: Longo's is a local grocery store chain better known in the 'burbs, but they've now opened their second downtown "mini" location near Dundas and Bay, and for anyone who lives near there it's a godsend. The store is small but packed with goods, including the basics like produce and meats plus lots of ready-made food for when you don't feel like cooking. (Much healthier than takeout.) They have a huge cheese section (and apparently the staff are extremely well-trained to give you cheese tips), a bakery, a salad bar, amazing chocolates and even a Starbucks so you can sip a coffee while you shop.

Freshii

Rated this place:

53 Bloor St E, Toronto, ON

Good, healthy food: Freshii (formerly Lettuce) is a busy place, but the lines move fast, and the order sheets make it easy to custom-pick your ingredients with zero hassle. For lunch, they have fully customizable salads, wraps, burritos and bowls with a good range of fresh ingredients, and you can check the nutrition info online too. I ordered a Fiesta Burrito and substituted chickpeas for chicken to make it vegetarian - according to the website, this saved me 100 calories (down to about 430), and it was delicious, too. Just beware the snacks along the counter - while they look delicious, they're packed with sugar and fat, like the (small!) bag of pecans that was something like 500 calories. They also offer soups, frozen yogurt and a breakfast menu that includes breakfast wraps and oatmeal with a selection of toppings.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• salads
• wraps

National Ballet School

Rated this place:

404 Jarvis St, Toronto, ON, M4Y2G6

Ballet for grown-ups: Aside from a year-long stint doing "jazz ballet" as an 11-year-old, I never took dance classes as a kid. But I always wanted to, so a few years ago I signed up for beginner adult ballet at NBS. The classes are fantastic, whether you're a true beginner as I was or are picking ballet up again. They're all pre-registered, so you progressively learn new things every week, and are taught in the amazing Jarvis Street facilities with professional teachers and a live accompanist. 7+ years of levels means you can keep learning for a long, long time, and you wouldn't believe how many compliments I get on my posture now that I've learned to stand tall.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• dance classes
• ballet
• ballet classes

Dufferin Grove Park

Rated this place:

875 Dufferin St., Toronto, ON, M5H2N2

Friendly and year-round farmers' market: Dufferin Grove is really a classic of Toronto markets. It's open year-round and has a wide selection of vendors selling not just produce but also eggs, cheese, chocolate, meats, even flowers, as well as plenty of ready-made foods. It also serves as a pick-up location for organics boxes from Plan B. Come with a big bag and lots of cash and practical shoes if it's been raining - it can get muddy. The only downside is the hours – if you don't have to be at work Thursday afternoons you're lucky, otherwise sneak out as early as possible to get what's left.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Place to grocery shop
• organic market

Live Organic Food Bar

Rated this place:

264 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON, M5R1V7

Get it raw: The word unique is overused but in the case of Live it fits. It's its own niche in the Toronto restaurant landscape - (mostly) raw and vegan food prepared with care and attention to detail. Drop by to pick up a smoothie or dessert to go, or stop in for a nice dinner or Sunday brunch. For dinner, try the raw combo plate to get a sampling of various dishes. They also have a selection of crackers, cookies and bars that are prepackaged - try the kale and red pepper chips, they'll satisfy your salty craving and nourish at the same time.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• smoothies
• Raw restaurant
• Vegan
• raw

Nike Runner's Lounge

Rated this place:

110 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M4T 1W4

Run with friends: The Nike Runner's Lounge is a great place to meet friends for a run, or to make new ones. They have lockers and bathrooms (but no showers, unfortunately) so you can get ready for your run and stash your stuff, and they back onto parkland with tons of fun trails. The staff can recommend different routes to try. They also offer different programs like women's night (with a post-run yoga class) and will lead runs (for fun or training) around the area. They also have lots available for you to try out, including shoes, clothes and the Nike + tracking system. Just make sure to call ahead for hours, as they're not open 7 days a week.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• running
• training
• lockers

Yoga Plus

Rated this place:

40 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M4P3A2

The wisdom of experience: Yoga Plus's predecessor, The Yoga Studio at Bloor and Spadina, was my first studio in Toronto and many of its best teachers are still teaching at Yonge and Eglinton, including Michael and Christine. I don't make it up there now as often as I'd like but I'd still recommend to anyone for whom the location is convenient. Michael's classes (if you're lucky enough to have a flexible schedule - he mostly works days) are a fantastic workout and will build your strength, while Christine's hatha classes are more inward-focused. If you're looking for prenatal classes, I highly recommend Christine's classes - she also does prenatal teacher training so she knows what she's doing!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• anusara yoga

Octopus Garden

Rated this place:

440 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON

Yoga with a community feel: Octopus Garden is a cute little yoga studio in the Annex. They're very welcoming and friendly and the practice space is bright and spacious, although it can get a bit humid on rainy days. There are some accessories for sale, including clothing and towels, and they're part of the Passport to Prana program. The only downside is the bathrooms and "change rooms" (curtained-off areas) can get a bit crowded. Try Ian's Monday night Ashtanga class for a relaxing yet invigorating start to the week.

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

Liquid Nutrition

Rated this place:

346 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 2A2

A meal in a cup: I first discovered this chain during a business trip to their home city, Montreal, and fell in love with their nutrition-packed drinks. They have a wide selection of smoothies, catering to different tastes and needs: some are dairy-based, some soy and some just juice. They also have tons of supplements to add to the drinks, such as protein powder and vitamin C or even chia, ginseng or omega 3. The whole menu (including calorie counts) is available on the website - and be careful! Some of the smoothies are high enough in calories that you really want to make them more of a meal than a snack. Besides the smoothies, they also offer a selection of snacks, bars and light meals.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• smoothies
• snacks

Saving Gigi

Rated this place:

859 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6G 1M4

Bring your laptop, stay a while: Saving Gigi, sister restaurant to Saving Grace on Dundas, is my go-to neighbourhood spot for an afternoon with the laptop (they have free wifi) and a good cup of coffee. The space is bright and relaxing and conducive to getting some work done, but it's also a nice place to drop in and grab a bite to eat - I love their sandwiches (on awesome thin-sliced bread) and muffins, and for breakfast, the toast with chevre and cherry jam (it's big enough to share). They also have great smoothies, a full coffee bar (including soy milk) and a huge selection of teas. Note that they're closed on Tuesdays.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• coffee
• smoothies
• Sandwiches
• Wifi

Lettieri

Rated this place:

77 Wellesley, Toronto, ON, M5H 2M9

Good eats, friendly service: Lettieri is one of my favourite spots to pick up a coffee or a snack. This isn't the coziest location but the food and service are good. Last time I was in here I noticed they were carrying desserts from Dufflet - just try to resist them - but they also have sandwiches and my favourite, smoothies. I love that their smoothies come in sizes so you can go small when you just want a snack, and you can pick your own combo of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and mango.

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

Nancy's Cheese

Rated this place:

260 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON

Good things in small packages: Nancy's is a small store but the selection of cheeses and other goodies is extremely well curated. Looking for a stylish appetizer? Try the Sauvagine from Quebec, a soft and creamy variety, with the pumpkinseed crackers (it won't last long), or pick up some buffalo mozzarella or sheep feta from Ewenity (my favourite salad topper). Nancy knows her stuff and if you're not sure what you're looking for, she'll help you through her selection - with samples. Closed Mondays.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• cheese
• local
• crackers