Pure & Simple

Rated this place:

2375 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4P2C8

Pure and Simple: the 'Urban Renewal' facial is an amazing reward after a long day, week, or month of work. The staff is extremely knowledgeable, using only natural products on clients. Sign-up for the Pure and Simple e-newsletter to get amazing monthly deals sent direct to your inbox.

Green Room

Rated this place:

296 Brunswick Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S2M7

The green room: Toronto's best kept secret for cheap eats and good drinks. It's difficult to find as you have to go through a back alley to find it and crawl through a tiny door - just ask a local when you're in the neighbourhood.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• the green room

Cafe Diplomatico

Rated this place:

594 College St, Toronto, ON, M6G1B3

Cafe diplomatico (since 1968): Cafe Diplomatico is an amazing traditional Italian Restuarant, rumoured to have the oldest patio in Toronto. Try the 'Uncle Paul's" antipasto before diving into one of the delicious pasta selections, or, the best chicken parmigiana in the city. Get there early, it's usually jam-packed.

GoodLife Fitness Clubs

Rated this place:

25 Peel Centre Dr, Brampton, ON

Goodlife fitness: It's incredbily spacious, clean and the equipment is new. The staff is very friendly along with the folks who 'go to war' on their bodies in the club. I haven't attended, but the excercise classes also look very well run. I actually drive from downtown just to go to this Goodlife location.

Peartree Restaurant

Rated this place:

507 Parliament Street, Toronto, ON, M4X1P3

Cabbagetown, The pairtree restaurant: It's an amazingly close and friendly community, nestled amongst amazing victorian homes and wonerful community-based restaurants.

The brunch is crazy-good. Try the eggs Benjamin for the best benedict in town. It's served with a bowl of fresh fruit and as a side, try the fresh squeezed orange juice. The restaurant is busy on weekends and rather loud so get there early and ask for a seat in the 'solarium'.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Cabbagetown
• The Pairtree Restaurant

Roy's Square (Closed)

Rated this place:

Toronto, ON

Ginger: It's a great little 'hole in the wall' serving cheap Thai/Vietnamese food. The atmosphere is chaotic, with a loud crowd of students from near by U of T, adult entertainer from the near by Brass Rail, tourists and Torontonians. It's a great little experience. Get there after 8 pm to hear the 'Dalyla' radio show blaring over the loud speakers!

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

Gerrard Spaghetti & Pizza

Rated this place:

1528 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, M4J1N4

Gerrard pizza: If you want a 'down home' Italian restuarant, with family cooking in the kitchen and serving patrons, this is the place. Gerrard Pizza has the best vodka sauce I've had in the city. The staff are friendly and are happy to chat - especially about the restaurant and their 30 years in business. Check it out.

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

Gladstone Hotel

Rated this place:

1214 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M6J1J6

The gladstone hotel: It's crowd is a great mix between urban hip, bohemian and suburbanite. The various events, bar and restaurant capture the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Parkdale at it's best. Check out the live entertainment by visiting the Gladstone Web site in advance: http://www.gladstonehotel.com/

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• The Gladstone Hotel

New Lahore Tika

Rated this place:

1365 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON, M4L1Z3

Lahore tikka house: If you want the BEST traditional Pakistani/Northern Indian cuisine, this is THE place to go. Located in Toronto's Gerrard East/Coxwell "Little India", Lahore provides an amazing cultural experience - live music, a large grill room, and extensive menu 'to boot'. Go for the butter chicken, naan and vegitable dishes. You will not believe the prices and the quality of the food. As a tip, do not wear anything you don't want to smell like a bbq afterwards.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Lahore Tikka House

Albany Medical Clinic

Rated this place:

200 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4K 1N5

Albany medical clinic: The integration of Dr.'s (especially Dr. Bernard) and walk in clinic, provide a 360 degree medical eperience. For instance, you can go for your check up, then walk down the hall for bloodwork, exrays or fill a perscription. This is a great place, with friendly staff.

Don Valley Park

Rated this place:

Toronto, M4G3A1

Don valley running path: It's an amazing run through the heart of the city, amongst trees and greenery. The DVP running path is an excellent way to clear your mind after a long day at work.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Don Valley Running Path

George Brown Restaurant and Cafeteria

Rated this place:

300 Adelaide Street East (Chef School), Toronto, ON, M5A 1A1

George brown restaurant and cafeteria: It's freshly prepared gourmet meals at non-gourmet prices. The meals are prepared fresh by the students in the culinary chef program and are absolutely amazing. If you're having a dinner party, be sure to get there in the early afternoon for a great selection of 'appies' and desserts at 1/3 the prices at upscale grocers. Enjoy!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• George Brown Restaurant and Cafeteria

Le Petit Dejeuner

Rated this place:

191 King Street East, Toronto, ON, M5A1J5

Le petit dejeuner: The brunch and lunch are freshly prepared in a quant and fun little restaurant. Get there early on Saturday's and Sunday's or you'll be waiting in a line up down King Street.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Le Petit Dejeuner

Toronto Institute of Bartending

Rated this place:

487 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 1T4

Toronto institute of bartending (torontobartending.com): The team at "TIB" are amazing and will help provide you with all the practical knowledge and practise to pass the Ontario Smart Serve Certification. If you're a people person and starving student, a Smart Serve Certification permits you to serve alchol beverages in Ontario in a restaurant or bar. It's a ton of fun if you have a month of Thursday's to sacrifice!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Toronto Institute of Bartending (torontobartending.com)

Golden Thai Restaurant

Rated this place:

105 Church St., Toronto, ON, M5C2G3

Golden thai restaurant: It's very New York, with exceptional service and very good food at very low prices. For more information, visit Toronto.com's write up at the following URL: http://www.toronto.com/restaurants/listing/212805

Gonoe Sushi Japanese Restrnt

Rated this place:

1310 Don Mills Rd, North York, ON, M3B2W6

Ganoe sushi: Incredibly made and presented sushi at none incredibly made and presented prices.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Ganoe Sushi

Betty's

Rated this place:

240 King St E, Toronto, ON, M5A1K1

Betty's: The atmosphere, people (layed-back), absolutely the best patio and the beer selection is great.

Mamma's Pizza

Rated this place:

420 Hwy 7 E, Richmond Hill, ON, L4B3K2

Mama's pizza: The selection of thin crust pizza is to die for. Try the chicken pesto pizza - gourmet pizza at it's best.

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

Mountain Equipment Co-op

Rated this place:

400 King St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V 5K2

Mountain equipment co-op: The service team is extremely knowledgeable about anything outdoor. With a $5.00 lifetime membership you gain valueable advice from outdoor experts handy for any of your global travels.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Mountain Equipment Co-op

StyleXchange

Rated this place:

181 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario, M5B1M8

Style exchange: They carry an amazing selection of G-Star, Energie clothing - my fav brands because of their style and fit.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Style Exchange

Autobahn Collision Centre

Rated this place:

37 Parliament Street, Toronto, ON, M5A 2Y2

Autobahn body shop: Harry and his team are an amazing bunch of autobody experts. They fixed my car quickly and did a quality job.

Kensington Market

Rated this place:

S. of College St., W. of Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON, M5L1G4

Courage my love, Temptations: ...a good selection of vintage clothing classics. ...seriously, check this store out.

The atmosphere, people, good food and awesome patio. Check out the on-tap beer selection, grab a pint and people watch on the great patio amongst one of Toronto's most bohemian neighbourhoods.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Courage My Love
• Temptations