Mike's Music

Rated this place:

105 Danforth Ave., Toronto, ON, M4K 1N2

Used cd store: They have tons of used CDs to choose from, and since it's a smaller store in the east end, they haven't been completely rifled through.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Used cd Store

Leslieville Cheese Store

Rated this place:

891 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON, M4M 1J4

Cheese store: They allow you to sample their goods, plus they teach cheese classes right there in the evenings and on weekends. You can also pick up fresh bread, fruit compotes, gourmet salts, dressings and more!

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

Hemingway's Restaurant

Rated this place:

142 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON, M5R1A8

Sweet potato fries: They serve up big, heaping plates of sweet fries -- and they go perfect with beer.

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

Riverdale Perk

Rated this place:

633 Logan Ave, Toronto, ON, M4K3C4

Sweet treat: Their key lime tart is to die for.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• sweet treat

Loomis Art Store

Rated this place:

2056 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, M4C 1J6

Art supply store: They always have sales!

Shanghai Cowgirl

Rated this place:

538 Queen Street W, Toronto, ON, M5V2B5

Late night restaurant: They make a mean veggie burger.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• late night restaurant

Eye Spy

Rated this place:

1100 Queen St E, Toronto, ON, M4M1K8

Gift store: You can always find a fun, funny and unique gift for a friend, from retro dishes to George Bush paper dolls.

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

Gerrard Square Shopping Centre

Rated this place:

1000 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON, M4M3G6

Shopping centre: It looks sketchy from the outside, but inside there are brand new stores like Staples, Suzy Shier, La Senza, a health food store, Payless Shoes, Zellers, Home Depot and even a brand new Winners!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Shopping Centre

Stonesplace

Rated this place:

1255 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M6K1L5

Saturday night dance party: The monthly Shake-A-Tail party is always a good time! It's 60s soul night... how could you not want to dance?

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Saturday night dance party

Asteria Souvlaki Place

Rated this place:

679 Danforth Av, Toronto, ON, M4J1L2

Greek restaurant: It's a quiet Danforth alternative, just far enough from the main strip of Souvlaki spots and has a cozy little patio in the back.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• greek restaurant

Magic Oven

Rated this place:

788 Broadview Ave., Toronto, ON, M4K2P8

Pizza: It is delcious, organic and they deliver!

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

Doll Factory

Rated this place:

1122 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON, /Reposado-Bar-Lounge-Toronto

Baby gift, Dress shop: They have the most adorable "rocker mom" and baby T-shirts. My favourite: "I'm only a baby until my band gets signed."

Their Damzels clothing line is full of the CUTEST dresses and they're all very well made and original. Check out their babie's clothes as well... they're perfect for "rock & roll" babies.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Dress Shop
• baby gift

Reservoir Lounge

Rated this place:

52 Wellington St. E, Toronto, ON, M5E 1C7

Saturday night swing dance party: The band is just that good. Tory Cassis and Tyler Yarema have been playing there Sat. nights for almost a decade and people of all ages pack the place to go crazy. It's a nice, classier dance party for older crowds.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Saturday night swing dance party

The Richmond Rogue

Rated this place:

284 Richmond E, Toronto, ON, M5A1P4

Guinness pour: The bartender will draw a Homer Simpson face in the foam!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Guinness pour

Tango Palace Coffee Co

Rated this place:

1156 Queen St E, Toronto, ON, M4M1L2

Coffee shop: They have free wireless internet and a cozy little decor. They have a cranky vibe going on too, which makes you leave feeling slightly abused, but somehow it's endearing.

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

Soundscapes

Rated this place:

572 College St, Toronto, ON, M6G1B3

Music store: If you don't know what you feel like buying, they generally have amazing albums on the wall to sample, and fantastic staff picks. It's my favourite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon. As well, unlike Rotate This, you won't be criticized for your purchases when you approach the cash.

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

Allen's

Rated this place:

143 Danforth Ave., Toronto, ON, M4K1N2

Beer choices: They have a whole wall full of choices and it's a fun, casual place to sample new brews.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Beer Choices

Dark Horse Espresso Bar

Rated this place:

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

Americano coffee: It's delicious! It's also a great creative space, if you're like me and like to get your writing done in coffee shops. They have a giant table where everyone sits together, or a side "anti-social" corner.

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

Hanoi 3 Seasons

Rated this place:

588 Gerrard St. East, Toronto, ON, M4M1Y2

Vietnamese restaurant: It is hands down the best Vietnamese cuisine in the city with the friendliest staff. I once went there three times in the same week because I couldn't stop thinking about it. It's also great for people who have mild nut allergies, as their entrees arent covered with nuts and peanuts and can be ordered without.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Vietnamese restaurant

Okay, Okay

Rated this place:

1128 Queen St. E., Toronto, Ontario, M4M 1K8

Brunch spots: The food is always fresh and their scramble of the day always unique. Plus, the server has a photographic memory. Try him!

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

Riverdale Farm

Rated this place:

201 Winchester St., Toronto, ON, M4 X1B8

Summer sunday adventure: You forget you're in the city! You can look at the animals, the beautiful flowers, walk through the little cottages and trails, and escape the chaos of the city -- while being right beside the DVP!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Summer Sunday adventure

The Dakota Tavern

Rated this place:

249 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON, M6K3A1

Mint julep, Ossington bar, Roots music venue, Sunday brunch: Careful! It's killer....

I love The Dakota and I would even go as far as saying it’s one of my favourite bars in the city. The crowd is generally amazing, it feels like a little small town tavern and the owners are super sweet. They scope out musical acts themselves so only the city’s finest can take their stage.

They have a lonely little country stage and it feels like a real saloon. The owners weed through musical acts before they’re allowed to play there.

I'm from a small town and Dakota Tavern's one-table bluegrass brunch makes me feel right at home. They put all their tables together and you sit next to strangers, make new friends and watch all the kids bust a move on the dance floor. It's so charming!!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Sunday brunch
• mint julep
• Ossington bar
• Roots music venue

Thrift Fashion

Rated this place:

607 Danforth Ave., Toronto, ON, M4K 1R2

Thrift store: They have cheap finds (some new, some used) and the downtowners haven't caught on to it yet!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Thrift Store