Gentleman’s Choice: a slim-fitting seersucker shirt
Not all Canadian menswear is built the same. Nor should it be. Just ask Matteo Sgaramella, the 24-year-old Forest Hill designer behind Outclass.
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Tony Aspler’s Weekly Wine Pick: Masi Modello delle Venezie Rosato, 2011
A dry rosé is the perfect summer wine. Not only does it look good in the glass but it’s refreshing, too. This is a versatile wine to match with food — and it’s inexpensive. This blend of Refosco and Raboso is light cherry in colour, with a nose of strawberries and a taste of candied raspberry that finishes fresh and dry. Chill it lightly before opening.
Morning Throwback: please bring back this old-school public washroom from Toronto
The big question on everyone’s mind these days is: where is Canada’s best washroom? If we could vote for any washroom from any era, it would be this one from the 1800s based solely on its Queen and Spadina location. Ah, the good old days: when you didn’t have to sneak into the nearest Starbucks to answer nature’s call.
Massimo Dutti is opening its first North American store at the Toronto Eaton Centre
Want to inject some Spanish style into your casual (and formal) wear? On Aug. 30, you’ll be able to. Spanish clothing brand Massimo Dutti (a high-end concept from the same company that owns Zara) has a picked out a new casa for its first North American location — on the third floor of Toronto’s Eaton Centre.
First Draught: Hops & Robbers IPA
From its humble beginnings, Hops & Robbers IPA has become the little beer that could — get itself into the LCBO, that is. Only eight weeks after launching at the government retailer, it’s now stocked in over 270 stores across the province. That’s more than any other beer that I’ve covered for a First Draught post, even though some have been around for years.
Weekend Warrior: the Celebrate Yonge festival, The Ex, Blue Rodeo, the Ontario Summer Games and the Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibit
A street that was once known as the world’s longest deserves a party. The Celebrate Yonge festival (Aug. 17 – Sept. 16) is a pilot project for a city hoping to infuse energy into the downtown core. Instead of gridlock (for that, you’ll just have to look to the congested surrounding areas), Yonge Street between Queen and Gerrard will feature reduced traffic lanes to make extra room for pedestrians. The festival will also showcase a wide array of events.
Grab of the Week: a kitschy stoneware mug
Back to school is just around the corner (already). Even if you’re not heading back to hit the books, it’s always nice to be reminded that you still know your ABCs and can sing the alphabet at the drop of a hat. This week, grade yourself, a friend or a loved one with an alphabetical mug. In the adult world, you can pretend whatever letter you choose (even if it’s your initial) would get an A grade.
Morning Throwback: the CNE is probably way more fun than this old drawing made it seem
This CNE drawing looks pretty drab, but throw in some horses, rickety rides, bacon funnel cakes and Krispy Kreme hamburgers and you’ve got yourself a party.
Daniel Boulud appoints a chef de cuisine for his upcoming Toronto restaurant
Here’s the latest from Daniel Boulud’s press camp: the celebrity chef has named Tyler Shedden as the chef de cuisine of the upcoming Café Boulud at Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel.
Band of the Week: Egyptrixx
David Psutka, otherwise known as Toronto-based electro recording artist Egyptrixx, offers something rare and unparalleled in the dance music scene. Think of his music as what hipsters might dance to at 3 a.m. in outer space. His celestial sonic dreamscapes have quickly garnered attention from DJs across Europe and North America, likely due to his meticulous construction of electronic music that can only come from both producing and creating.
Drink This: Cocktail Bar’s Manhattan
Heralding the start of our weekly cocktail column is the Manhattan from — where else? — Cocktail Bar. Part of restaurateur Jen Agg’s mini-Empire, this Dundas West watering hole offers up a slew of booze-soaked beverages for the cocktail connoisseur.
What I Wore: print on print with Nowhereland, Christopher Kane, Olivia and Joy, Tory Burch and Chanel
Print on print — I’m still not over it. And since I first tiptoed into the trend, I’ve now made a head-first dive straight in. Perhaps it’s because of the colder weather setting in that I can feel my love for all-black everything re-emerging with a vengeance. But until then, I’m making a point to go balls out with print on print. Like, in an extreme way.