A touch of class for any man's wardrobe: Sydney's carries really classy, really beautiful menswear. Hip international designers mix seamlessly with the store's own label. They carry beautiful shirts in textures and colours that will add a touch of class to any man's wardrobe. For spring 2009, Sydney's has an array of Marc Jacobs hightop sneakers that look so classy you could wear them instead of dress shoes and not look silly.

Sydney's isn't cheap, but when you put on one of their beautifully tailored shirts you'll understand the value you're getting.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Men's shirts
• Men's shoes
• Designer men's clothing

Daily bike rentals: The Community Bike Network is one of those amazing non-profits that should exist in ever major city. They refurbish donated bikes and rent out bikes and trailers at reasonable rates.

They used to offer monthly memberships, but these days it's a daily rental place. Still, prices remain totally reasonable. It's $15 for the first day, and $10 for each day following. There's a weekly $50 rate as well, which is a pretty sensible transport option for visitors who want an eco-friendly and fun alternative to seeing the city in rented cars or on the subway (which, while it may be quick and efficient, is not terribly scenic).

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Green Transport
• Daily bike rentals

Indie movie house: Everything about the Revue is so adorable. It's a community run non-profit, it's a second run art-house cinema in a cool neighbourhood, and it's been around for about a hundred years. The folks who run it (the Revue Film Society) do a solid job programming fun stuff. Plus, since it was renovated and reopened, it's cushy, comfy and very inviting.

Member tickets are only $6.50, and they have a $5 deal on Tuesdays that reminds me of the days when Tuesday nights at the movies were actually cheap as opposed to just slightly less expensive than usual.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• independent movie theatre
• Pop Corn

Slices that can't be beat: Since the demise of so many locations of Amato's around the downtown core, Pizzaiolo has really stepped up to corner the 'cheap gourmet slice' market. They offer a wide variety of tasty pizza slice options for $3-5. If you're in the mood for something with a wheat crust, an exotic cheese (like gorgonzola) on it or just a plain pepperoni slice that's tastier than the competition, Pizzaiolo has it.

I'm sure they also make entire pizzas for takeout or delivery but I only ever think about them as the best slice place in town. Thank god they've stepped in to pick up the slice slack around Queen and Bathurst because I often find myself around that 'hood and in desperate need of something cheesy and covered in prosciutto and ricotta.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Gourmet pizza slices
• Cheap pizza

Video store: Ever since the Queen Street location of Suspect went tragically up in flames I've been even more adamant about supporting the Markham Street flagship. Not that it requires a lot of convincing to get me to go there, since their selection is usually head and shoulders above the rest of the city's video stores, and full of the weird, eclectic, foreign and forgotten (but worth remembering).

Suspect's stock is arranged by country of origin, by director and by genre, so it's easy to find what you're after on your own (though there's always the knowledgeable staff to fall back on). In addition to videos, they also carry books, comics and other neat stuff to delight the cine-geeks in all of us.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Video rentals

Latte-licious: This new-ish coffee place at College and Bathurst serves great esspresso based drinks as well as really amazing regular filter coffee. The croissants are deadly delicious - as buttery and soft as any you can find in the city. Scones, cookies and other baked goods also don't disappoint.

I stop by at Manic on my way to work most mornings because I can't resist the coffee and pastries. It's not the cheapest cup of joe in town, but it's ethical, it's delicious, and it's worth it.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• latte
• coffee
• croissant
• scone

Great Bloor West dry cleaners: Terrific dry cleaners! They're efficient, quick and the staff are always really friendly. I use this place when I have to clean something that I really don't want to ruin, because I know I can trust them to do it right. If you've got a special occasion coming up and your suit or dress needs a refresher, Kembass is always reliable.

I don't use dry cleaners often, but when I do I like to be assured of good quality, a reasonable price and a quick turnaround. Kembass delivers.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• dry cleaning

A Koreatown staple: There are many awesome restaurants in Koreatown, all of which have their own specialties and charms. I frequent a lot of them, but Korea House is kind of the default. Usually, I go with a bunch of friends so that we can order a whole bunch of dishes and many bottles of soju. Korea House keeps the assorted complimentary sides flowing endlessly, so you can practically fill up on delicious kimchi, but really, save some room for the BBQ.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Kimchi
• Korean barbecue
• Soju

Late night eats that can't be beat: Of all the Chinatown restaurants that are open until 4:00am or 5:00am, New Ho King is the first one that ever comes to mind when I think about a late night feast.

Favourites on the menu include the garlicky Chinese eggplant, Hunan tofu, seafood chow mein and of course the unbelievably delicious and delicately crispy deep fried squid with spicy salt. I've never had anything on the menu that I really didn't like, but those are the standards that I have a hard time not ordering every single time I go in.

Service is curt but efficient, and really when it's nearly dawn and you find yourself in a crowded restaurant ordering noodles, that is precisely the kind of service you want to receive.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• late night Chinese food
• Hunan tofu
• Spicy squid

Great Bloorcourt Diner: In a neighbourhood filled with a wide variety of exciting, multi-ethnic food and shopping options, sometimes it's nice to just go to a plain, no-frills diner for bacon and eggs, a decent club sandwich or a plate of fries. Billy's provides just such an experience. Plus, their Greek salad is surprisingly delicious.

It's cheap, it's pretty delicious, and it's very quick. If you only have 20 minutes to spend and you want a hot meal that'll cost you about $5, this is the place to go. There's even a tiny patio to sit on in the warm months.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• cheap breakfast
• Good diner food

Sushi in the Annex = Sushi on Bloor: Great sushi, good prices. There seems to be a new sushi place in the Annex opening up nearly every single day, but Sushi on Bloor remains pretty great even with all the competition. The fish is buttery, smooth, flavourful and always fresh. I love the sashimi and the spicy tuna maki, but I recently discovered that Sushi on Bloor has invented a new and even more amazing way to enjoy spicy tuna - there's an appetizer on special there sometimes called a flying saucer. Essentially, it's a dollop of spicy tuna on top of a piece of deep fried eggplant. Heavenly.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Spicy tuna
• Sashimi and sushi

Sports bar in a mall delivers good vibes: I've always been curious about the large, weird bar inside the otherwise pretty desolate Galleria Mall at Dufferin and Dupont. I finally checked the place out recently with a bunch of friends, to watch a UFC fight night, have some drinks and eat some deep fried snacks.

There are tonnes of TV sets in the rather spacious bar, as well as what appeared to be a private betting room. The vibe was raucously friendly, and the overwhelmed waitresses managed to keep their cool and remember all our orders. The food was decent (I had the tower of onion rings and some chicken wings) if a bit pricey, but the overall atmosphere was fun and jovial.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Tower of onion rings
• Place to watch UFC

Fabric and supplies for the novice or pro: This huge fabric shop in the heart of Parkdale has everything you need for a sewing project, whether it's clothing, home decor or anything in between. The fabrics range from very cheap to upscale and pricey, but if you dig hard enough, you can always find something in your range.

In addition to fabrics, they also have a very comprehensive supply of trims, accessories, beads, buttons, sewing patterns and everything else you might need to complete a project.

Actual designers really do shop here, a testament to the quality and diversity of the fabrics they carry. For the amateur and/or sewing enthusiast, it's really the one stop shop for whatever project you're working on.

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

Organic Food Box Delivery: I've been curious for years about getting a box of organic vegetables delivered to my door instead of grocery shopping. The idea of getting local, seasonal produce on a weekly or biweekly basis makes sense from so many perspectives, but I was always worried that I'd end up with three pounds of beets and no idea what to do with them.

As it turns out, Wanigan understands my fears and they've come up with a box for everyone - there are large and small versions, ones that are all fruit or all vegetables, and even one that includes all local produce.

Even though they're located in Brampton, Wanigan delivers to the entire GTA, so downtowners need not despair. This is truly a delicious and convenient way to get groceries.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Organic food delivery
• Grocery delivery service
• Fresh local produce
• Seasonal fruits and vegetables

A cozy spot to watch a movie in the beaches: Since it was refurbished and reopened, The Fox has become one of the most comfortable and charming places to see a film in the city's east end. The theatre shows an array of second run and artsy fare, as well as putting on unique and interesting events such as the Shock and Awe series, which treats audiences to an all night, five film marathon of cult faves and b-movie classics. The programming is creative, and the plush red seats are fabulously comfortable.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Rep Cinema
• second run cinema

Care for your leather goods: I've known for a long time that The Sandalman is a good place to buy leather goods, but only recently have I used them for actual leather care. They do great repairs, and offer their service at very reasonable prices. It's actually kind of incredible how well (and how many times) a leather shoe or jacket or bag can be patched up to look good as new before you have to start thinking about getting a new one. They do alterations, fix rips and tears, restore and reupholster. The Sandalman will triple the life of your leather goods.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Leather Goods
• Sandals
• Leather repair

A market like no other: There are so many things to do, buy and look at in the St Lawrence Market that it’s hard to pick a favourite. I love it for the Saturday morning farmers’ market, where incredibly fresh local produce, meat and eggs are all available (at quite reasonable prices, considering the quality).

On the other side of the street, where the permanent shops and stalls are, I love going to stock up on fancy mustards (try the samples at Anton Kozlik's stand and you’ll be converted forever) and eat giant veal sandwiches. Plus, it’s a terrific fish market where everything is always fresh, and the quality is top notch.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• veal sandwiches
• Anton Kozlik's mustard

Summer fun for everyone: In the summer of 2008 I went to The Ex for the first time in my life. It was unbelievably fun. I went on rides, ate candy apples and corn dogs, strolled through a variety of crazy pavilions and tried to win some stuffed animals.

I love country fairs, and the CNE in summer is essentially like the Big Daddy mega-fair that has so many rides and fun things to see you basically have to go two or more times just to fit it all in.

It's not exactly a cheap date - once you've paid your entry fee, bought some ride tickets and had a snack or two, it's actually quite a pricey day out, but it is so worth it. The Ex gets five stars for making me feel as gleeful as I ever was when I was a kid going to an amusement park.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• amusement park
• Cotton candy
• Place to go in summer

Summer swimming: One of my favourite tests of whether the summer has truly begun is all about outdoor swimming. Sure, the city’s public outdoor pools might open at a particular time, but that doesn’t mean it’s boiling hot enough to actually want to dive in. Once the heat does arrive, I love going to the multi-pool complex in Christie Pits park, which has a wading pool for kiddies, a shallow lane swimming pool, a deep diving pool (complete with slide) and a smaller pool that I think of as “the chill out zone”. The temperature varies between the multiple water stations, and there’s something for everyone. Sometimes it seems a bit too prescriptive – each pool has a specific purpose that’s hard to escape, but for the first outdoor swim of summer it’s exactly where I want to be.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Public swimming pool
• public park

Greenery and groceries: Farmers’ markets are a great alternative to grocery stores, and we’re lucky in Toronto to have so many awesome ones. The year-round market at Dufferin Grove park is open rain or shine, every single Thursday from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. They have an array of mostly organic fare with an emphasis on local products.

Plus, if you’re feeling puckish while you shop, there are always snacks available, from venison kebabs to cinnamon rolls. The awesome weekly market is just one of the many reasons why Dufferin Grove is such a fantastic spot in the city.

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

Bananas for brunch: Hands down, the best brunch in town! I say that often, because I love brunch probably more than any other meal, but it's really true in the case of this small, cozy Dundas Street spot.

The caramelized banana french toast (made with delicious, crispy baguette) is probably the only sweet brunch dish I ever order anywhere. I'm more of a savoury eater, but this dish is too incredible for words. I also love the baked egg specials available on weekends, and the delicious corn cakes with spicy mango salsa.

On top of the menu of fantastic food, the coffee Saving Grace serves is incredible. I always have more than I should. Plus, the staff are friendly and sweet, and always seem to intuitively know when it's a just coffee sort of day and when my girlfriends and I are in need of a round of spicy caesars.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Banana french toast
• Corn cakes with spicy mango salsa
• baked eggs
• brunch specials

Mini pitchers and good vibes : There are lots of bars in the city that are fun and cheap, but Bistro (or ‘the beast’ as it is affectionately known) is hands down the best. They’ve got everything you could possibly want in a local dive: lovably surly staff and the uniquely bistro-esque $12 mini pitchers of mixed drinks. There are other places which have picked up the mini pitcher trend, but Bistro is the one, the only, the original inventor of this awesome concept. At first, you might think the pitchers aren't mixed too strongly, but drink two (or three) and then tell me there's not a lot of booze in there. Getting wasted shouldn't necessarily be your goal when you go to a bar, but at Bistro you can get it done more efficiently and cheaply than a lot of other places.

The house lager is available on tap for a steal, and even though everyone warns against ordering the impossibly cheap stuff, I’ve never felt any ill effects. Best nights to go are Thursdays, when they have a drink raffle. On weekends it’s worth arriving early, because it’s a small place and gets crowded fast. There’s a patio which is open when weather allows, and that fills up faster than than you can say “pitcher of gin and tonic”.

Title: Coach House has been tucked into the charming bpNichol Lane on the University of Toronto campus for a long time. They've been publishing and printing innovative fiction and poetry (and occasionally non-fiction too) since 1965. One of Canada's most awesome (and venerable) presses, Coach House has put out the work some of our biggest literary names, including even bpNichol himself.

Coach House is the ultimate one stop shop. They print, assemble and publish everything with their own awesome printing presses and old school machinery. It's entirely worth finding out when they've got an open house in order to get a tour of their facilities.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Local press
• Small press
• Publishing and printing house

Let yourself be tempted: This Kensington Market joint is the perfect place to take a break from shopping or stop in for a weekend brunch, especially in summertime when the substantial patio is open and you can complement your eggs with a pitcher of sangria. For lunch or dinner, the best bets include the avocado and brie sandwich and quite decent burgers. Mostly though, it's a good place to go for a beer (or eight) and people watch or just chill out with your friends.

Really though, the reason to go into "The Temp", as everyone calls it, isn't the food. It's the great vibe and casual atmosphere. The regulars all know each other, and the owners have an awesome aunt-and-uncle-of-the-neighbourhood relationship with just about everyone who drifts in and out of the place.

I once spent a summer tending bar at The Temp, and got to really love the 'local' atmosphere. Plus, I got completely addicted to the free (yes! free!) foosball machine. There's also a pool table in the back, but that costs a buck or so.

The Last Temptation is one of the few places that, in the face of a rapidly changing Kensington Market, still reminds me of the old days when I was a wide-eyed teen strolling the exotic streets in search of cool vintage outfits and of course, downtown adventure. It's a bit of a dive, but it's a dive that feels like coming home.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Pitcher of sangria
• Avocado and brie sandwich
• free foosball
• Great local bar

Campus cinema thrives at Innis: This theatre is located on the University of Toronto campus and is used by the school’s cinema studies department. It’s also used by numerous festivals and groups for various screenings and cultural events.

My favourite events at Innis are the Cinema Studies Students’ Union (CINSSU for short) Free Friday Films, which have been going on for years. The programming is always creative and interesting, and with a 7:00pm start time, it’s the perfect way to kick off a Friday night of fun.

Occasionally, Innis has sneak preview screenings of upcoming attractions, and special screenings of new films with special guests in attendance. It’s worth keeping an eye on their calendar.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Cinema
• Free Friday Films