Alright YPs, it’s time for your Weekender. Which, of course, means we’re about ready to rejoice in some much needed R&R, YP-style. Here’s the rundown of what’s worth your attention this weekend…
Tonight’s a big one, with two events that are most definitely notable. First is the ladies-centric What a Girl Wants in support of the Canadian Liver Foundation. This fundraiser, touching base at 99 Sudbury, will present a slew of drinks, nibbles, and networking while raising much needed donations for the CLF.
The second is Put Up Your Dukes, so guys, you’ve got one for yourselves too. This event supports Duke’s Place, a new lounge for young people at CAMH that will open in 2012. The Fifth Social club will be a hotspot filled with gourmet food, drinks, and Wild Strawberries (the band, in this case).
Tomorrow after work saunter over to Queen and Bathurst and grab a spot (if you can find one) at 416 Snack Bar. This chic dive bar boasts a delicious no-cutlery menu, and we have to suggest ordering the Smorgasbord with some of the best foie gras you’ll ever taste. Grab a glass off the small but perfect wine menu – the Fielding Chardonnay is particularly enjoyable – and relax as you ready yourself for an evening out.
On Saturday morning head down Queen West to Keriwa Cafe, a resto that opened mid-summer and boasts a menu inspired by Aboriginal cuisine. The little joint has some killer crepes and will be a fantastic start to your gourmet day…
We say gourmet day, of course, because the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo is on this weekend, and is typical with events of this kind, Saturday is sure to be the best day to attend. Running tonight through Sunday, GFWE is focused on – surprise, surprise – delicious food and wine, with over 1,500 different wine, beer and spirit varieties on sample.
After an afternoon lightly imbibing, head over to No Bull Burgers which opened just a couple weeks ago on Parliament Street in Corktown. This new gourmet burger bar boasts organic, fresh, and local suppliers for some amazingly scrumptious patties.
Sunday morning, head over to the Thompson Diner at the namesake hotel which recently starting offering brunch. You’ll want to do an earlier round of breakfast poutine or waffles because your afternoon kicks off early. (PS Fill up on coffee or tea, you’ll need some added warmth…)
Then, 12:30pm marks the start of the monumentous, once-a-year Toronto spectacle children and adults of all ages flock to the streets for…the 107th Santa Claus Parade (psst…the pic above is from the 60s, a nice little bit of history) takes the city by sleigh. We know, we know, it’s kitsch but it’s one of those ‘community’ events you can’t help but love. This year’s route starts at Christie Pits, heads west to Avenue, south along University (and circles on the east side of Queen’s Park, FYI), down to Wellington, and ends at the St. Lawrence Market. We suggest making friends with a co-worker that has a DT condo with a great view…just saying…
Spend the rest of the day running your pre-work week errands and grab some pho and Vietnamese spring rolls at the Golden Turtle on Ossington to warm up after your day oot-and-aboot…we’re Canadian, eh?