Marca College-Hair & Esthetics

Rated this place:

2902 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, M4C1M1

Cheap haircuts: After my boyfriend recommended this place to me, I made my way to their Danforth location, a brightly-lit, open space where young, super-friendly students of the college cut your hair for a reduced price. I only paid $8 for a wash & cut, and my hair is long and thick! After the cut, the hairdresser's instructor comes over to make sure she did a good job. My hairdresser, Jenn, did a great job with my layers and I can't wait to go again. I think I'll try the $30 back, neck and shoulder massage at the spa next time I go.

Crepes A Go Go

Rated this place:

18 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4W3Y8

Bon Appetit!: That's what they say after handing you your crepe, which the waiter will unwrap for you while you hold it in your hand. My $6 sugar-and-strawberry crepe (no tax! what's up with that?) made my mouth water, and I'll definitely be back soon to try other things on their menu. Great customer service, and an authentic French feel -- not only do the waiters speak French, but I noticed a couple of customers speaking the language too.

Bill's Garden Ctr

Rated this place:

903 Pape Ave, East York, ON, M4K3V1

small-town charm: Their plants are diverse -- the pussywillow trees tempt me -- and the staff (plus the friendly grey store cat) seem to really put some heart into the place. As a side note, I was impressed by their current spring newsletter. It includes great stories about the victory gardens planted during WWII, tips on growing your own food and an explanation of why earthworms are good for the garden.

Ghazale

Rated this place:

504 Bloor St W, Toronto, Ontario

Location, location, location: This place goes hand-in-hand with a visit to the Bloor Cinema. Why get junky, over-priced theatre food when you could get cheap and delicious Middle Eastern eats here instead? Chicken shawarma, veggies, falafels or samosas -- the space may be cramped, but the food is worth it. And they're open until 4 a.m. to satisfy late-night munchies.

Baitul Muqadas Halal Pizza & Chicken Wings

Rated this place:

2584 Danforth Ave., Toronto, ON

Cheap new pizza place: This little place just opened up around the corner from Main Street Station, and they have the cheapest pizza I've seen anywhere! Get a slice & a pop for $2.00, or a whole medium cheese pizza for $6.99.

The TRANZAC

Rated this place:

292 Brunswick Ave., Toronto, ON

something new every night: This non-profit community arts organization is the loving home of many poetry slams, reading series, CD launches and jazz and folk bands. Many events are free or pay-what-you-can, and you’re likely to find something new on any given night. It has recently become home to the semi-regular, awkwardly-hilarious reading series Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids (www.grownupsreadthingstheywroteaskids.com).

Caffe Demetre

Rated this place:

400 Danforth Av, Toronto, ON, M4K1P3

Dessert spot: This place has great modern decor, an extensive, witty menu that punsters would die for (try the 'Split Personality' banana split!), and the most indulgent desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. Sundaes, smoothies, crepes and specialty coffees -- this only begins to describe the various choices this place has to offer! 'Indulgent' really is the key word here.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• dessert spot

COBS Bread

Rated this place:

370 Bloor Street East, Toronto, ON, M4W 3M6

Bakery: Whenever I visit Cob's Bakery, I always leave in a good mood. The staff here are really friendly and seem to genuinely take pride in their products, making suggestions and offering samples all the time. And the baked goods are so tasty! The plain croissants, my favourite, are soft and buttery, and even a simple multigrain bun is surprisingly good -- I ate it with no butter or filling, and savoured every bite. I hope they open more locations, as there are only two in Toronto so far!

Fresh By Juice For Life

Rated this place:

894 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1G3

Veggie burger: The thai burger, my burger of choice, is made from tofu and veggies, and dressed with fresh lettuce, bean sprouts, various other veggies and a thai peanut sauce that is TO DIE FOR. You can also get the peanut sauce when you order a side of fries, which would probably be equally delicious. Be warned, though, Fresh is not for those on a budget... burgers go for $9.

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

Silver Snail Comics

Rated this place:

367 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON, M5V 2A4

Storefront display: Whether it's Indiana Jones, Princess Leia or Hellboy, the Silver Snail always has the most impressive window displays with life-size statues and elaborate backgrounds. I hope they're paying a pretty penny to the guy who designs their displays!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• storefront display

Adrenaline

Rated this place:

239 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON

Live storefront display: Live lingerie models at Misbehav'n be damned - at the Adrenaline tattoo parlour, they put their customers in the windows instead. Passersby, feel free to watch as brave souls have their skin stained. Lingerie may come and go, but tattoos are forever (or at least really expensive and painful to cover up).

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• live storefront display

Dub Linn Gate Irish Pub

Rated this place:

50 Interchange Way, Vaughan, ON, L4K5C3

Irish pub: This Irish pub has a beautiful, authentic-looking interior design, with wooden panelling, chandelier lighting and little touches to remind you of Ireland – not to mention the waitresses wear a kilt as part of their uniform! The brie and apple chicken sandwich is fantastic, and their tasty fries or Irishmen’s bread alone make it worth the visit. 50 Interchange Way, Vaughan (near the AMC theatre)

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

Old Spaghetti Factory

Rated this place:

56 The Esplanade, Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1A7

Spaghetti on the streetcar: It's all about the decor -- some tables are in a restored streetcar, and others are in a (non-functioning) carousel. Not only is it fun, but you can get a full meal for about $11-15 that includes soup or salad, bread, your spaghetti/pasta choice, coffee or tea AND ice cream for dessert! A great first date for pasta lovers.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• fun meal, great deal

Buskerfest

Rated this place:

92 Front St E, Toronto, ON, M5E1C4

summer festival: Happening every August at St. Lawrence Market, Buskerfest will make you feel like you've fallen down the rabbit hole! All four days, Front Street from Jarvis to Yonge are overrun by street musicians, contortionists, clowns, magicians and artists of all kinds.

Eliot's Bookshop

Rated this place:

584 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4Y1Z3

Used bookshop: Three floors packed with books, books, books at prices marked down so low I can hardly bear to leave without getting something. The old-fashioned wooden shelves and early editions of classic literature are an English major’s dream come true! (They have cheap popular novels too.) They even have those sliding ladders you can climb to reach the top shelves, like Audrey Hepburn does in Funny Face. Plus, the staff is always helpful, with a good sense of humour.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• used bookshop

Lettuce Eatery

Rated this place:

140 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5V 2L4

Salad bar: This place has great, healthy, affordable options! Get a salad ($5.95) or a salad wrap ($4.95), and choose all of your options from a checklist on a handy-dandy little clipboard while you wait in line. My favourite is a custom salad wrap with iceberg lettuce, tofu, chick peas, diced tomatoes, mandarin oranges and raisins - and sundried tomato dressing! Just hold on tight, it can get messy!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Salad bar

401 Richmond

Rated this place:

401 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V3A8

Garden rooftop patio/lunch spot: Until today I didn't know of anywhere pleasant I could bring my homemade lunch to eat! This sprawling rooftop garden is a true paradise in the midst of the urban jungle. Take the elevator (or the stairs) to the fourth floor, step outside and find yourself a bench to sit and relax on as you eat your lunch. Bring a friend, they'll thank you for it (thanks friend)!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• garden rooftop patio/lunch spot

Hollywood Scoops

Rated this place:

3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M6A 3A1

Gelato: After 21 years of being more or less oblivious to gelato, sticking instead to the more traditional ice cream, I will never go back. Fresh fruit flavour is packed to its purest at Hollywood Scoops - the mango gelato makes me feel like dancing! Plus, at $2.95 a scoop, their prices beat Dolce on College St.

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

Toronto Islands

Rated this place:

Toronto, ON

Daytrip: A day spent walking or biking around the islands is a great mini-vacation! Enjoy the spectacular view of the cityscape during the short ferry ride there. Then, bring a homemade picnic to enjoy on the lush grass as ridiculously carefree people around you play ultimate frisbee. Alternately, enjoy a carefree game of ultimate frisbee while others enjoy a picnic on the lush grass! And don't forget to visit the donkey and geese at Centre Island.

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