Toronto’s Junior Battles are a hard working band. In the last three years they’ve released three 7-inch records, toured extensively through Ontario, Quebec and the Eastern United States and recently released a full-length record, Idle Ages, on the upcoming American label Paper + Plastick.
Most people are oblivious to the intricacies of Japanese knives, but chef Ivan Fonseca (of Messis) and Olivia Go intend to change that with their upcoming store, Tosho Knife Arts. Japanese knives are considered an art form; traditionally, there is a knife for every task — like peeling chestnuts, say — unlike European knives, which are less specialized. Tosho, currently an online store, sells samurai-sword quality knives from Blacksmith Takeda and Konosuke-Sakai.
Although I don’t know who Mad Tom is, or why he’s got his dander up, I do enjoy Muskoka Brewery’s new India Pale Ale named in his honour. Mad Tom is billed as a traditional India Pale Ale, meaning a full-flavoured, lip-smacking romp through hop-ville. In this case, a dry hopping with Cascade and Centennial varieties is used to help complement the citrus and floral notes.
Toronto trendsetters were buzzing this weekend when tweets began to circulate about a new collabo between Club Monaco and Michael Williams, founder of the popular menswear blog A Continuous Lean. Initially, rumour had it the Bloor Street store was going mens-only, which must have been a relief for local dudes who won’t be able to shop for khakis at the city’s first J.Crew, a ladies-only location.
This Saturday, Relish Yo’ Mama is kicking off a series of canning workshops at the St. Lawrence Market Kitchen, including a tutorial conducted by chef Luis Valenzuela of Torito. We caught up with the tapas master — who learned about canning while seeking to preserve Canada’s various seasonal delicacies — to chat about canning, cold weather and Canadiana.
Queen West’s The Social may have ended its six-and-a-half year run earlier this month, but when one door closes, another one opens. Or in this case, two doors. Owners Richard Lambert and Jesse Girard are planning on opening a British pub in The Social’s space, and they’re are also working with Kenny Hotz (of Kenny vs. Spenny) and Embrace Productions on The Hoxton, a new nightclub set to open August 6.
Picture this: a lecture about Lars von Trier, the Danish film director who recently spoke of “sympathizing” with Hitler, held in Toronto’s downtown Jewish community centre, the Miles Nadal JCC. Having a reaction? Got something to say? Good. Film critic Adam Nayman chose von Trier to kick off the second round of his controversial directors series for that reason.
Wasn’t everything better in the ‘50s? Actually, having seen Midnight in Paris, we know that we’re just inherently dissatisfied with the present. Still, we’re intrigued by the latest project from Table 17’s Erik Joyal and John Sinopoli: an upcoming restaurant and wine bar in Leslieville that’ll offer up lots of house-made pasta while paying homage to a bygone Italian era.
It would be understatement to call the team behind The Good Bike Project —Toronto artists Caroline Macfarlane and Vanessa Nicholas — busy. The duo are probably best known for their paint jobs on abandoned bikes, and after somewhat ironically receiving Rob Ford’s support, the women hit Regent Park earlier this month and held a bike-painting day in the community. They also debuted a bike in time for Pride’s festivities. We spoke with Nicholas about what’s next for the team.
Only a short distance from Millionaires’ Row on Lake Muskoka, this magnificent $5.95 million estate is currently the priciest property on the market in Muskoka. The two-storey cottage has three bedrooms and seven rooms, and enjoys 422 feet of frontage. According to the owner, it has remained in the Buttler family since Queen Victoria issued the original deed in the 1870s. The sprawling 114-acre estate was first farmed and later became a lodge. That it’s located in namesake Buttler Bay is not a coincidence. Situated high on the lake, facing southward, the cottage offers a tranquil retreat, complete with its own beach (listed by Michael Laceby of Laceby Real Estate Limited).
In the Rheinhessen region, winemaker Fritz Hasselbach has fashioned a bargain-priced Riesling without sacrificing quality. Deeply coloured with a spicy peach bouquet, the wine is medium-bodied, off-dry with flavours of honey, peach and lime. It really fills the palate and is a delicious summer drink. Food match: pork chops or Thai dishes. (Vintages #216366)
What should you say to those who tell you not to eat pizza because it will make you fat or that those who celebrate sexuality are promiscuous? “Bite Me!” Toronto’s International Body Image Film & Arts Festival is back for its second year. Celebrating body diversity, the festival commences tonight at the National Film Board of Canada.
