By Ron Johnson
Toronto’s medical officer of health has lifted a closure order on Adamson Barbecue after the restaurant defied COVID-19 laws and opened for indoor and outdoor dining three days in a row. The owner, Adam Skelly, was arrested and charged on Nov. 26. Despite closure orders lifting, Adamson Barbecue cannot continue to operate immediately. The restaurant … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Toronto is home to the funniest people in the country, many of whom have taken to podcasting to get their humourous messages out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are 10 of our favourite comedy podcasts to check out: Tony Ho Award-winning sketch comedy troupe Tony Ho just dropped season two of their comedy podcast. The … Continued
By Ron Johnson
JP Adamo is a chef and sommelier with international culinary training. He’s inspired by good wine, travel, and the spaces in which he’s opening his latest ventures: Crosley’s restaurant at 214 Ossington Ave. and Dimes cannabis shop at 1048 Queen St. W. Opening in January, Adamo’s latest restaurant, Crosley’s, is in its unofficial infancy. The … Continued
By Ron Johnson
With so many live music venues shuttered in the city, it’s a special day when news comes of progress on Toronto’s most storied concert hall. Massey Hall was closed down to undergo a massive redevelopment well before the pandemic even hit. The venue recently announced that a new seven-storey tower addition, currently in construction, will … Continued
By Ron Johnson
When the beloved Looney Tunes cartoons moved to HBO Max this year, Canadian Eric Bauza led the way. The Scarborough native is the new voice behind Bugs Bunny and also gives voice to Daffy Duck, Tweety Bird, and Marvin the Martian. Bauza, or rather his vocal talents, will also be front-and-centre in the much-ballyhooed reboot … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Chef Brian Ho of Bar Mordecai on Dundas West knew that the realities of a winter lockdown meant a lot of changes for the restaurant industry. He already adapted to pandemic life with summer collaborations with Venice Beach Bar and Unboxed Market, but the winter lockdown meant a new challenge. Looking at his own restaurant‘s … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Nestled among the small shops on College Street, right by the Ossington intersection, a weathered but colourful awning hangs above what appears to be a new glass window. Barber Shop Patisserie, at 859 College St., is Jill Barber’s first solo venture, a brave business move in the middle of a second lockdown of the COVID-19 … Continued
By Ron Johnson
On Dec. 4, a deal was announced by the LCBO and SkipTheDishes on a new alcohol delivery service set to commence at 15 stores. Over the weekend, an outcry from the Toronto food and beverage industry led by restaurateur Jen Agg was so loud and pointed that the plan was scuttled before the wheels were … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Lockdown has been hard on Toronto, especially local restaurants and bars. As we enter the second phase of closures, many businesses are reduced to takeout-only offerings, or closing their doors again until further notice. Swan Dive, a Dundas Street West favourite, has been running pop-ups on weekends to help support other struggling Toronto businesses, renting … Continued
By Ron Johnson
The pandemic is putting the kibosh on so many holiday traditions it’s enough to think we are all dealing with a new lump of coal every day. But today, one of the city’s beloved Christmas music specials announced it would continue the tradition but also go nationwide with a new two-hour broadcast concert. The 16th … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Some third-party restaurant delivery apps charge as much as 30 per cent to transport food from a restaurant to your home. In the best of times, these fees are a lot for restaurant owners to shoulder but when you add the current pandemic lockdown to the mix, delivery app fees are unsustainable. New legislation delivered … Continued
By Ron Johnson
The city of Toronto issued a news release late Tuesday afternoon relaying the information that it had taken steps to close Adamson Barbecue after the Etobicoke outpost of the restaurant chain opened its doors to indoor dining this morning in defiance of COVID-19 rules. “Despite Ontario regulations requiring all restaurants to be closed, except for … Continued
