Fireflow Yoga

Rated this place:

172 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, ON, M4P 1A6

Fireflow yoga yonge eglinton ashtanga studio: I just started taking yoga classes at Fireflow Yoga. It's a great boutique studio with excellent instructors who are welcoming and encouraging to this ashtanga newbie. I liked Kathleen's Tuesday 6:30pm class and Livia's 5:30pm Friday class. Both of these are all-levels classes, perfect for beginners. So far, I've nailed child's pose.

Extreme Fitness

Rated this place:

110 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, ON, M4P 2Y1

Fitness centre: I'm a long standing Dunfield member, for too many years to admit here. Love this gym. Marilyn's Sat 9am Total Body Sculpt, Joanna's Tuesday 5:30pm Ball Blast and Leigh's Thursday 5:30pm Ball Blast class are the ones I try to attend each week. All three are seasoned instructors who give a total body workout with lots inspiration and fun thrown in.

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

Kahnert Furs Ltd

Rated this place:

1702 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M3Y4

Fur store: Oh how I love checking out this shop. Nothing compares to the luxurious feel of fur.

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

Lobster Trap Restaurant

Rated this place:

1962 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M4A1

Lobster restaurant: A north Toronto stable for I don't know how long. A seafood lover's delight.

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

Fortunes Fine Jewellery

Rated this place:

1901 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M3Z9

Jewellery studio/gallery: A bauble or two from Michael Da Costa and his team at Fortunes Fine Jewellry will brighten any day.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Jewellery studio/gallery

Rosenberg, Miriam Dds

Rated this place:

1746 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON, M4G3C4

Dentist: Dr. Miriam has been my dentist for a number of years. She is very thorough, careful and makes all her patients feel safe and comfortable. I never hesitate to recommend her when someone I know if looking for a dentist.

Market Four Seasons Inc

Rated this place:

2032 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M4A4

Best selection of fresh cut flowers: This local spot just gets a better selection each year. I can recall a number of years ago this place being a convenience store that carried a few buckets of flowers. It's transitioned into a happening flower/plant shop. It's our go-to place to grab some last minute flowers when we head out on the 401 to visit friends. There is also an extensive selection of potted plants. From spring pansies to fall mums to pumpkins to Christmas trees, they seem to have all the bases covered.

Dickson Pro Hardware

Rated this place:

2028 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M4A4

Hardware store: It's handy to have a hardware store just a few doors down as our local Dickson Pro Hardware store is. It's quite a hopping joint on the weekends. Great service, good selection and fair pricing make it our pick.

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

Paprika Bathurst St Eatery

Rated this place:

3450 Bathurst St, North York, ON, M6A2C4

Wiener schnitzel: The schnitzel at this no-frills family run Hungarian restaurant is an amazing find. Portions are huge. We usually get take-out and I can get two meals out of one order of schntizel. The wiener schnitzel overwhelms the plate. The dumplings are excellent; order them instead of the fries. The goulash soup and cabbage rolls are both excellent. The decor is very modest. Think red checkered table cloths and Hungarian nicknaks all over the place. Heads up that they only accept cash.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Wiener Schnitzel

Pheasant & Firkin Restaurant

Rated this place:

1999 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M4A5

Local pub: This Firkin is our local. Martin likes the Guinness on tap. I like the complimentary water with lemon that I order as the designated driver. A friendly crowd of regulars makes for a good vibe. Plus, Martin likes the Guinness on tap. Oh, I said that already didn't I?

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Local Pub

Safari Bar & Grill

Rated this place:

1749 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M3Y8

Local restaurant: A large summertime patio and a man-size hamburger make this a favourite stop for us. Danny and the crew are very hospitable. We've even booked upstairs for birthday parties. Great spot.

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

Stillwater Spa

Rated this place:

4 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON, M5R2E8

Local spa: A top notch spa. Awesome place to unwind.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• local spa

Take-A-Boo Emporium

Rated this place:

2064 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON, M5M4A6

Antiques store, Christmas ornaments: We love Take-A-Boo because it's our baby. That's right we own it. As small business owners we work very hard to source out great antiques and vintage finds at affordable prices, create an unassuming environment and provide furniture restoration, caning, cording and rushing repairs. We love old stuff so much that Martin teaches a monthly Antiques 101 course to guide novices into the wonderful world of antiques.

A nice selection of vintage and reproduction Christmas ornaments can be found in our shop. We stock the Grampus and pickle ornaments which originated in Germany. The Grampus ornament was displayed to keep unruly kids in line as the season drew near and the pickle ornament was hidden in the tree and the child who found it got an extra present.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Christmas Ornaments

Celestin

Rated this place:

623 Mount Pleasant Rd., Toronto, ON, M4S 2M9

French restaurants, French restaurants: This is by far our favourite restaurant. We've celebrated five wedding anniversaries and assorted birthdays here. Jeff Dinan takes care of the front of the house in a masterful way. Pascale Ribreau is the outstanding chef. We've always had a lovely meal, been greeted warmly and treated wonderfully with every visit. An added bonus is that the place is so beautifully lit that everyone looks fabulous.

Outstanding food. Our favorite restaurant hands down.

Karbouzi Bar & Grill

Rated this place:

2048 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M4A6

Greek restaurant: Karbouzi's is our local greek place. Love the service, cute little patio. Nick and Jimmy have been a North Toronto institution for years.

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

Diane Kroe

Rated this place:

1693 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M3Y3

Indie clothing boutique: Diane Kroe is a local designer who makes versatile clothes. Her 10-in-1 dress is a big hit. She has an awesome travel collection. Lots of great colours.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• indie clothing boutique

Frame Of Mind Gallery

Rated this place:

2074 1/2 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M4A6

Art gallery: Frame of Mind Gallery, one of the city's leading fine art galleries, has been around since 1981. The gallery features contemporary fine art including a variety of original oil and acrylic paintings, lithographs, serigraphs, giclees, watercolors, limited edition prints and posters, and sculptures. The gallery staff is very approachable and helpful.

Allegro Music

Rated this place:

2045 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M4A7

Indie music store: Since 1963, Allegro music has been a full service North Toronto music shop. They do it all - instruments and gear, books and DVDs, lessons, rentals and repairs.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Indie Music Store

Avenue-Lawrence Car Detailing

Rated this place:

1537 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M3X3

Car wash: This busy North Toronto car wash does a thorough, quick cleaning of our wheels.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Car Wash

Perla's Skin Care Clinic

Rated this place:

2044 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M4A6

Local spa: Perla's Skin Care Clinic has great service, a very clean environment and carries my favourite Dermalogica products.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• local spa

Pino Bakery Inc

Rated this place:

2068 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M4A6

Bakery: Pino Bakery is an excellent little neighbourhood bakery. A small and quaint establishment where everyone knows your name.

Zola Shoes

Rated this place:

1726 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M3Y6

Shoe store: All the fashion forward brands are represented here, from Patrick Cox to Missoni. Shoe-aholics will need to be restrained.

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

Half Price Books

Rated this place:

1615 Dundas E, Whitby, ON, L1N2L1

Indie bookstore: A independent local bookstore on Avenue Road with a nice selection of books. Plus I love any place with "half price" in their name.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• indie bookstore

Linea Intima Lingerie

Rated this place:

1925 Avenue Rd, North York, ON, M5M4A2

Lingerie: Lili Mann and her crew are tops for lingerie. Her bra empire has grown to four locations in Etobicoke, North Toronto, Bayview Village and Unionville. She floats amongst the shops. Her staff are knowledgeable, can fit anyone big or small, plus they do mastectomy fittings. The shop also has a full selection of sleepwear.

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

Herschey's Family Restaurant & Bakery

Rated this place:

1943 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON, M5M 4A2

Family restaurant & bakery: Herschey's is a new family restaurant in our neighbourhood. Hersch bought up some equipment and booths from the old Bregman's Bakery at Yonge & St. Clair. He's also brought some of the former Bregman's staff up to Avenue Road. It's a go-to spot for a weekend brunch or an all-day breakfast. The bakery selection is robust and tasty.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Family Restaurant & Bakery