The last weekend in July. Sigh. Seems like just yesterday we were ushering in summer, and now we’re essentially halfway through and have still yet to get all the good times out. Ah well. To make sure you don’t go crazy lookin’ for what’s going down in the Big Smoke, here’s your essential weekend roundup…
Thursday
At 191 College Street is where you’ll find Pour Girl, a new pub with cheap drinks, a chillaxed atmosphere, two levels, and a huge outdoor patio. The sister establishment to Pour Boy Pub, Pour Girl features 17 draft beers, apps and entrees all under the $10-mark, weekend brunch, and seasonal drink specials. It’s the perfect spot to while away a balmy Thursday night.
The 2012 Julyna event in support of cervical cancer research is tonight. Taking place at Storys, nosh on delicious hors d’oeuvres, drink mojitos aplenty, jive on the dance-floor to a special guest DJ set, and partake in a silent auction to help raise more funds. Oh, and you can get vajazzled if you’d like… (Yes, it’s safe to say this is a women-focused event, gents…but not women-only…
Friday
PF Chang’s has long-been an American favourite chain: a Chinese Bistro offering delightful dishes far better-than-your-average-take-out, in a fun and casually chic restaurant setting. With over 200 locations worldwide, PF Chang’s is certainly on-point in offering a delicious and unique Chinese dining experience. Head to the new Canadian outpost at the Shops at Don Mills for your Friday night dose of newness.
Keeping en-themed, Happy Endings returns Friday night after a long hiatus, bringing beats, dancing, and a party atmosphere to this edition’s dim sum resto of choice: Bright Pearl. Headlining the happily refunct party is Scuba, the forward-and-to-the-left-thinking producer from Berlin and Britain who has made waves with Personality this year. Scuba surfaces after sets by Toronto’s own beat-producers, Egyptrixx and Exeter. It’ll be an evening of interesting proportions and hot grooves.
Saturday
The Waffle Bar just opened recently in the Upper Beaches at 281 Scarborough Road. With a menu featuring waffles aplenty – no surprises there – Waffle Bar is giving the gourmet treat a revamp. With toppings like whipped cream, berry fusion, caramel sauce, and more, waffle sliders, and waffle cones for decadent ice cream, this is a haven for lovers of proper Liege-style treats. Saturday brunch, perhaps?
Toronto’s Festival of Beer three-day extravaganza of all things barley and hops features a World of Beer Pavilion, Gourmet Grilling Tent, the Brewmaster’s Series, 60 brewers and over 200 brands of beer. You can also catch show-stopping performances by Salt-n-Pepa, Kreesha Turner, The Matthew Brothers, Big Wreck and more. Find it Friday through Sunday at Bandshell Park in Exhibition Place, and you could legitimately find yourself there all three days with something new going on each time.
Sunday
It’s Le Brunch at Brassaii again. This food meets fashion meets fun style of event – insofar as you go to eat a great meal, don’t dress like a schlub, and down vodka by the barrel-ful – is a monthly hit amongst YPs lookin’ to cut loose before the work-week beckons. Not too shabby a way to spend the beginning of your Sunday.
A new culinary tour comes to town July 29th in support of The Daily Bread Food Bank. Ride and Go Feast invites guests to hop on-board the Good Food Bus and head to four mystery locations. It’s like a four-course meal: each stop will either be an app, starter, main course, or dessert. Get your tickets in advance, and help feed those in need while satisfying your own appetite for adventure.
Photo courtesy Waffle Bar