It’s another gorgeous weekend here in the Big Smoke. OK, so that’s a total lie, but the good news is this Weekender’s chock-full of the city’s best to get through the rainy day and cold weather blues. Here’s what’s up in Toronto the next few days…
Since it’s damp and wet out, head over to one of our favourite gloomy weather joints: Pho Pasteur. This Vietnamese-style restaurant is the perfect cure-all for damp chills, serving up some of the city’s best pho (in our humble opinion, at least). Order a bowl of rare beef noodle soup and a spring roll. Word to the wise, the spring rolls come out piping hot as does the soup broth. Relax awhile as the flavourful smells waft up and slowly enjoy some much needed comfort food.
After you’ve sipped on some tasty pho, head over to the Toronto Underground Cinema for the second opening night “ghoul-a” presentation of Monster Brawl at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. (It starts at 9:45pm and you’ll want to buy your tix online ASAP). The first showing at 7pm sold out like wildfire, so TAD added this second screening to accommodate the monstrous masses. Enjoy the probable cult-film and then head home…one day left until weekend bliss.
Tomorrow night, after you’ve punched the clock and rushed out of the office, make your way to one of our favourite restaurant bars: the lounge at LUMA at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Grab a glass of vino and pull up a stool at the Blackberry charging bar that overlooks King Street. If you’re so inclined, order an app or two, but don’t get too comfortable because for dinner you’ll be heading a slight bit further west to Blowfish at the corner of King and Bathurst. Order up some phenomenal Asian-fusion and bask in the upscale atmosphere. It’s Friday night at its best.
There are two spectacular events on Friday night, and if you’re a circuit god or goddess, you’ll try to fit in both. First, Operanation 8: A Muse Ball will be the talk of the town, with a live performance by international recording artists Rufus Wainwright (Halleluja!) and a special scene by the COC. This really is one of those can’t-miss-by-any-means events of the season. All funds raised by Operanation support the Canadian Opera Company, one of our shiniest cultural gems.
The second event is equally, or maybe a little more, decadent. The Chocolate Ball takes over Palais Royale, and is supporting both Breast and Prostate Cancer Research. This is a swanky event, with luxe chocolate stations surrounding the space and the rich smell of cocoa wafting throughout. If you’re looking for a night that’s both sensory and social, The Chocolate Ball will undoubtedly satiate your cravings.
Normally we’d suggest heading out for brunch on Saturday morning, but instead, we’re directing you to the Delicious Food Show at the Better Living Centre in Exhibition Place. Helmed by the same company as IDS and One of a Kind Show, the Delicious Food Show promises to be packed with the best of the best of culinary experiences, from cooking demos to food vendors to kitchen appliances and everything between. If you’re an at-home cook, this is definitely the spot for you.
In keeping with the foodie theme, the second Toronto Underground Market will see other home chefs packaging their delights and selling them at Brickworks starting at 6pm. This is a great spot to nab some down-home goodness, with treats like mom used to make and eats that can’t be bought anywhere else.
Close out your Saturday with some Michael Jackson redux. The King of Pop may have left us last year, but his music lives on in Cirque du Soleil’s The Immortal World Tour. This spectacle of Thriller proportions has performances at the Air Canada Centre that start this weekend. If you’re a die-hard MJ fan, this is the perfect show to relive his mastery. Saturday night’s performance starts at 8pm, get your tickets in advance.
On Sunday morning, head to brunch at Parts and Labour on Queen West. In case you didn’t indulge enough the day before, order up some buttermilk pancakes with caramelized bananas and let your senses soar. Walk off the calories with some retail exploration down the hip and trendy WQW strip.
At night, make your way to the Al Green Theatre and catch Mike D’Urzo’s Mind Kontrol closing night show. Quite possibly the most unique way to close out your weekend, magician and mentalist Mike D’Urzo’s closing hometown performance will be brimming with sights and spectacles and mind-boggling tricks. Enhance your imagination before heading back home and prepping for Monday morning’s boardroom presentation.