sister's is the kind of place to take your co-workers for the office christmas party...jazz music and ample seating complete the family atmosphere. the food is pretty traditional; roasts, potatoes, salad and veg, but very delicious and high quality.

coffee hut is a nice, sit-down cafe with a huge long food bar and lots of menu items. they offer radly enormous bagels with sandwich stuff inside as well as tons of hot lunch and dinner options. the people there are so nice and friendly and you can usually grab a seat by the window for good people watching!

boite noir is a fantastic video store that seems to carry every film ever made. a great selection of foreign, art and experimental films bounce out the thousands of other titles. helpful staff, a nice layout and each membership comes with a gigantic book listing virtually every movie on earth!

suspect is rad. they have any weirdo, old, unusual movie you could imagine, including an extensive collection of vintage pornography. they sell books, comics, toys, zines and collectibles as well. the staff is a teensy bit on the pretentious side, but come on, wouldn't you be if you worked here?

tortilla flats was a place i went to often in high school. every tuesday and thursday they have specials on daiquiris or margaritas and that is the real appeal! there is a great patio and ample seating, but the food isn't anything to write home about.

a favourite hangout of many torontonians, squirlys offers really good food at a reasonable price in a relaxed, cool atmosphere.

this is another small place, right on bathurst, south of st. clair. they sell lots of handmade knitted items like sweaters, hats and mittens, as well as yarn and wool. i have never actually shopped there, but it looks inviting and cute from the outside :)

romni is definitely the giant of the toronto knitting circle...their store is jammed from floor to ceiling with yarns, supplies, patterns and books. the staff tend to be a bit standoffish, but that is the exception rather than the rule. there are some great bargains to be found for the patient hunter and the vast selection is actually a very inspiring thing in itself.

this great little shop sells all kinds of specialty wools and yarns. the store is incredibly cute and the owner is very nice and helpful. the prices are a little high, but that comes with the territory when you are looking for high-quality yarn.

i wandered onto the patio one day with a friend and was delighted to find another restaurant in toronto with authentic mexican food, straight from the d.f. (distrito federal - mexico city!). they offer all the traditional mexican taco-stand food as well as mexican beverages that aren't easy to find at most places. incredibly delicious and easy on the wallet too :)

i wish there was an alternative grounds in my neighborhood...they roast their own coffee beans and offer several incredible varieties. they also have a cafe with lots of great items and are very community oriented. they participate in local events and often showcase local artists' work.

i recently had my first experience here and was very surprised by the quality and low prices! there are lots of delicious toasted paninis for lunch in addition to the huge sweet and savory crepe menu. a surprisingly charming interior as well, looks just like a classy french bistro in paris!

this place has two locations because the demand was overwhelming after they opened the first one on peter. for good reason! they offer burritos and quesadillas with vegetarian and meat options including the tantalizing halibut burrito. topped with traditional toppings and grilled until toasty, these are crazy filling and very delicious!

ok, so it's not that unusual, but cora does offer a few slices with semi-wacky ingredients. located two doors down from papa ceo's, cora's is really the only proper choice. lots of variety, really tasty slices and space for about two and a half people at a time!

my brother is a fried chicken lover from the womb and he freaking adores popeyes. he tells me that even though they are a chain just like all the other fast food joints, the crispy chicken and the fact that you can get mashed potatoes and biscuits just elevates this place to a whole new level.

that's what i call taco bell! i eat here once a week minimum and really can't get enough of their crazy concoctions. as a vegetarian, i order whatever i want, substituting refried beans for beef and the choice is amazing! a particular favourite is the cheesy gordita crunch. sabrosisimo!

the wheat sheaf is actually toronto's oldest pub and located right downtown at the corner of king and bathurst. pop in for a pint or a bit to eat with some friends and imagine what it would have looked and smelled like a couple of hundred years ago...scary!

worth the money just for the sheer excitement of the 'regulars,' medieval times is a riot. they serve you a tin plate of pre-determined medieval style food with no cutlery and offer refills of "dragon blood" all night long. the fans go wild for their particular jousting knight and i have been informed in all seriousness that the jousts that take place are real competitions and not actually staged!

black creek pioneer village is just what it sounds like; a re-enactment village of pioneer times featuring all the professions of the townspeople. you can visit an old house, schoolhouse and farm, a blacksmith or candlemaker or a seamstress. there is an old printing press and mapmaker, plus tons of tasty foods to try and great gifts and collectibles to buy at the gift shop.

featured in the beloved adam sandler comedy, billy madison, riverdale farm is a great place to spend an afternoon, especially with the kids! there are a variety of farm animals on the property as well as a small petting zoo. there are tours and workshops based on farm life and culture and are often events as well. you are able to try your hand at spinning wool or, if you are lucky, maybe milking a cow!