It’s 4 p.m. on Friday, and you don’t have a dinner reservation. Still, there’s no need to fret (or waste your night waiting for a table). We just called some of the city’s hottest restaurants and found three that can squeeze in two for dinner tonight. Now it’s up to you to get dialing and snag a table before they’re all gone. Today: Harbord Room, Stack and L’Unità.

Tables available tonight at:

Legoland is coming to Toronto! Not Toronto proper, but it’s going to be at Vaughan Mills mall, approximately 7 kilometres away from Steeles and Highway 401 (so, close enough to the city). Lego models will be made in studios around the world to fill the amusement park, which will outfit play areas that include a 4D cinema, brick pool, rides and special rooms for birthday parties. Legoland is slated to open next spring. Don’t tell Playmobil.

Get excited about Toronto’s Legoland by taking a look at one that already exists »

Chef and co-owner Greg Argent (still in his civies) readies the bar for a busy Friday night service (Image: Signe Langford)

The landlord of 1212 Queen Street East wasn’t the only one to lose out when the owners of Tomi-Kro packed up and left; the neighbourhood also felt the void. But with the arrival of The East Ender in the space, the healing has begun—after all, what can’t a pork belly slider make right? (That’s the hope, at least.) Chef and co-owner, Greg Argent (Rain, Cru, Forte Bistro), with co-owner Hieu Nguyen (Forte Bistro, Cru) have moved into the 55-seat space, and, says Argent, the team has “done a lot of cleaning, but didn’t change too much.”

Inside, both rooms retain the same genteel rustic feel: exposed brick walls, splashes of sage green, worn, glowing plank floors and comfortable silvery-green banquettes. Gone, however, are the white linens: “We wanted to make the room more family-friendly and casual,” Argent told us. “We got rid of the tablecloths, and we’re picking up some highchairs today, so families feel more welcome here.” It’s been open since the end of April, the place has been packed most nights—Argent believes his formula of offering reasonable prices for “stepped-up” comfort food will serve him well in this neighbourhood.

Argent describes his menu as “global cuisine with influences from North Africa, Asia and Canada.” Everything on the menu is under $20, and most wines are under $45, and are all available by the glass. The ethos is local, sustainable and naturally raised wherever possible. “I go to St. Lawrence Market and buy what’s freshest, what excites me,” he says. “I buy my seafood from Diana’s, game from La Ferme, Japanese ingredients at Sanko, Asian at T & T, and my meat from a butcher just up the street.”  When Argent cooked at Cru, diners took note of his bison carpaccio with truffled popcorn, and his whimsical handling of luxe ingredients is still very much at play here. Seared, pole-caught Albacore tuna from B.C. sits on a tangy Asian slaw, with a few cheeky wasabi green peas dotted around the plate ($11). Desserts (all $9) are executed by another Rain (and Ame) alum, Robert Gonsalves, and include a flourless chocolate torte with peanut butter foam, raspberry coulis and candied peanuts (don’t get too attached, though: Gonsalves is only on board for the launch). Once Argent returns from a honeymoon trip to Scotland, brunch will start and he’ll finally get to realize his dream of a self-serve Caesar bar, laden with all manner of extras for a truly custom hair of the dog: pickled quail eggs, pickled veggies, poached shrimp, dulse, wasabi, smoked salts and, of course, an array of hot sauces.

The East Ender, 1212 Queen St. E., 647-346-3278, theeastender.ca

(Image: Vlad Litvinov)

As the federal government promised nearly a year ago, a massive stretch of the Rouge Valley will become Canada’s first urban national park, with the help of $144 million in federal funding. The government will mete the money out over the next decade to create Rouge National Urban Park, a 47-square-kilometre green space bordered by Lake Ontario, Toronto, Markham and Pickering. The exact boundaries of the park haven’t been decided yet, but so far the proposed space is about 15 times larger than Central Park and within easy reach of seven million Canadians—a fifth of the country. At an announcement today, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said the government will seek consultation from the public and hopes the space will be a “people’s park” (which is convenient, since some parkgoers will soon be taking the “people’s highway” to get there). [Globe and Mail]

Sure, it totally sucks that The Real Jerk was booted out of its spot at 709 Queen Street East after 24 years in business. But a new location’s been earmarked—and it’s super close to the old digs. Like 350-metres close. The Caribbean eatery will be moving down the street to 625 Queen Street East, a mere five-minute walk away according to Google Maps. So while Riverside might be gentrifying, there’s still room on the street for some old-fashioned roti. And let’s hope they get along better with the new landlords. [CityTV]

(Image: Dominic Bugatto from the Torontolife.com Flickr pool)

Last summer, Robert Pattinson and Sarah Gadon were out and about shooting scenes for David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis, and it was announced today that they’ll be coming back for the premiere on  June 4—they’ll be in town for a press junket, and some will walk a small red carpet before the movie. Locations are being kept super-top secret for now, but their arrival means there will be a bevy of pretty young things in the city all at once in June: Pattinson, Gadon and Jake Gyllenhaal—who is in town filming—will all be here. It might be wise to just carry your camera and autograph book around with you at all times.

(Images: Robert Pattinson, Eva Rinaldi; Sarah Gadon, Canadian Film Centre; Jake Gyllenhaal, Lwp Kommunikáció)

According to Amiel, press coverage is only good if you’re Kim Kardashian or a Nobel laureate (Image: Charles LeBlanc)

Since getting out of jail, Conrad Black has rejected all media requests save a chat with CBC News anchor Peter Mansbridge. Thank goodness Barbara Amiel agreed to write a firsthand account for Maclean’s on bringing Black to Toronto. The lengthy article brims with candid recollections (“We had both become marginally bonkers in our caution and pessimism”), personal details (apparently, Black left jail with foam earplugs, four chewed-up pens, a tube of lip balm and a battered comb) and—of course—multiple dog references.

A roundup of some of the best bits:

• Before Black’s release, the ever-stylish Amiel was worried about Black’s health—and her wardrobe. She envisioned their reunion thusly: “I would stand at the gates of the Miami Federal Correctional Institution in a pretty dress in one of the colours the prison rules had never allowed when visiting—which was pretty much every colour that looked any good on me except for black.” But because she couldn’t meet him at the prison, she just wore jeans and got her hair did.

• Black didn’t seem to mind Amiel’s outfit. According to her, his first words to her: “My brave sweet duck. The night is over.” (Further proof that terms of endearment between partners should stay between partners.)

• Amiel manages to completely trash her husband while explaining her reticence about the press. She says media coverage is fine “if you are Kim Kardashian or a Nobel laureate but not if you are coming out of prison with a haircut that reads bad Liberace, a complexion that makes pastry dough look in good health and a figure that has gone due south.” Ouch.

• Amiel insists that her husband received no special treatment in being granted a return to Canada. She was treated like a “toxic area” at parties and snubbed by politicians of different stripes, including Jason Kenney and Bob Rae. “Being connected is only a guarantee of scrutiny,” she writes, pointing out that “someone in the civil service who was clearly opposed to the decision to give him a TRP leaked the information to the Globe and Mail in advance of Conrad’s return.”

• Amiel’s love of her dogs is manifest. Though Black’s health took a hit in jail, Amiel says his constitution is like that of her kuvasz Arpad, who rebounds quickly. And the non-descript grey Chrysler they used to drive away from to Toronto airport unnoticed was borrowed, because all of their cars have been modified for her dogs.

• Barbara Amiel on getting Conrad home [Maclean’s]

The Rosée d’Hibiscus from Montreal’s Dieu du Ciel (Image: Bernt Rostad)

Back in February, we told you about the spring release at the LCBO that had beer geeks buzzing. The summer releases, on the other hand, tend to be biased toward wheat and fruit beers, and can be the weakest of the seasonal offerings. But continuing on the improvements from the last few seasons, there’s enough variety this year to whet even the more discriminating whistles. Returning favourites include Rosée d’Hibiscus from Montreal’s Dieu du Ciel, a herbaceous beer brewed, yes, with hibiscus flowers, and Lindemans’ Gueuze Cuvée René, an excellent example of the traditional Belgian style that blends young and old Lambics and is then further aged to intensify the dry, fruity and sour characteristics (Lambic beer is fermented using ambient native yeast as opposed to the carefully cultivated yeasts in most other beers). Rounding out the more refreshing summer sippers is New Morning, a saison from Italy’s Birrificio Del Ducato. Selections should start appearing on store shelves this week with some bottles, including both Rosée D’hibiscus and Cuvée René, delayed until mid-June.

Notably absent from this season’s list are any Ontario craft beers, but with several being added to the general listings there’s much to look forward to from the LCBO’s fastest growing segment: Wellington’s Russian Imperial Stout, Double Trouble’s Hops and Robbers IPA, Spearhead’s Hawaiian Style Pale Ale (a west coast–style IPA brewed with actual pineapple), Amsterdam’s Boneshaker IPA and Kensington Brewing Company’s Augusta Ale, all of which will become available in the coming months. Also available at select LCBO outlets (and the brewery’s retail store) in very limited quantities is the outstanding 25th Anniversary Robust Porter from Great Lakes Brewery—maybe not the best choice for a sunny afternoon on the patio, but with a dark chocolate sweetness balanced with a roasted coffee bitterness, it’s one of the better expressions of the style out there.

Words by Kevin Naulls | Photography by Jenna Marie Wakani

Trinity Bellwoods Park is but a shell of its former self these days, physically speaking at least. Back in the very early 1900s, it was the home of Trinity College, Garrison Creek Ravine and the Crawford Street Bridge, but those iconic city landmarks have long since been relocated or buried. Similarly, the community’s style has seen many iterations, from the dignified dress code of the well-to-do residents occupying beautiful Victorian homes in the early 1900s, to the humbler trappings of the working class community that followed in the 1960s. Today, when we think of Trinity Bellwoods, we think of slacker fashion: the jorts and jeans of a could-be hacky sack crew, a sunning beauty in a T-shirt and a plaid-shirted and barefoot acoustic guitar–playing dude with his bohemian babe. And that’s exactly what we found, with the exception of a few new characters: a fashionable jock, a hula hooper and a hot pin-up goth mom taking care of her adorable child (the park is still a family-friendly space, despite the number of empties produced daily in the summertime).

For some, the park itself can be a cash cow, as long as the cops aren’t around: beer can collectors troll the grounds, hiding their eyes and head from the sun with practical brimmed hats and sunglasses. Others take the opportunity to get some sun, and despite the lack of an outdoor swimming pool, we spotted a smattering of park inhabitants wearing just a bathing suit and a smile (it’s certainly a brave choice in conservative Toronto). Ultimately, Bellwoods is an inclusive environment, and while it isn’t rare to see groups of friends stake out a spot with a blanket in tow, there aren’t any clique-based rivalries to report—an older European gentleman in a conservative button-up, an all-gay birthday fête with party hats and matching Popsicles and a shirtless frisbee-throwing sporto all seem to live in harmony.

Click to check out the street style at Trinity Bellwoods Park »

(Image: woodleywonderworks)

Josh Matlow has backed away from trying to lift Toronto’s street hockey ban, mostly because he has gotten tons of flak from fellow councillors and the media. Most complained that the proposed regulations were overly complicated (would-be Gretzkys could only get an exemption if they had 80 per cent neighbourhood support and their street met a whole bunch of speed and traffic requirements), could start feuds between neighbours and could leave the city liable if kids got injured in car accidents. Calling it an “awful 24 hours,” Matlow said his plan wasn’t as convoluted as everyone said, but added  “if there isn’t support for adopting staff’s suggested compromise, then we should let it be.” Sounds like a plan. [Toronto Star]

Last year, for the first time in history, the United States consumed more wine than any other country (even out-tippling France and Italy), and most of it came from California. Golden State wine is booming beyond U.S. borders, too. Global exports totalled a record-breaking $1.25 billion last year, and in Canada, sales of California wines were up 21 per cent over 2010 as our loonie hit parity with the U.S. dollar. There are some great new Rhône-inspired syrahs and grenaches from the rapidly growing Paso Robles region, but by and large California is sticking to what it does best—chardonnay, cabernet, merlot, zinfandel and pinot noir—but with more refinement. Winemakers are matching grapes to their ideal micro-climates, using sustainable growing practices to ensure healthier soils and correcting the over-oaking and excess alcohol heat that has marred the state’s signature wines. Many of these sophisticated standards are now hitting LCBO shelves. Here, nine of my favourites.

Sterling 2009 Merlot Vintners Collection
$15 | Central Coast | 89 points
Sterling is known for premium merlots, but they can be over-oaked and overpriced. This more affordable version from south of San Francisco is a better bet. It’s complex and well integrated with flavours of raspberry jam, fresh fig, mocha, herbs and leather. Best now to 2015. LCBO 622837

Wente 2009 Morning Fog Chardonnay
$17 | Livermore Valley | 87 points
Wente planted California’s first chardonnay vines in 1936, and this white is a direct descendant. It’s fermented in oak barrels for seven months and then in steel tanks for another seven months to produce a fine balance of fruit and oak. The apple and butter flavours shine in a smooth texture. LCBO 175430

ADDRESS: 33 Charles Street East, Unit 4601

NEIGHBOURHOOD: Church-Yonge Corridor

AGENTS: Cameron Weir and Scott Hanton, Keller Williams Advantage Realty

PRICE: $2,299,000

THE PLACE: A southeast penthouse in the two-year-old Casa Condominio Residenza, a glassy downtown tower with an eye-catching overhanging concrete roof and nighttime lighting scheme.

BRAGGING RIGHTS: Pretty impressive: the owner of the unit was part of a founding team for Zynga, a.k.a. the company behind our Farmville addiction. Even more impressive: the views from the wraparound balcony and rooftop terrace, which look over the city all the way to the lake.

BIG SELLING POINT: Location-wise, this building is pretty hard to beat. Bloor Street shopping, Yorkville and the Royal Ontario Museum are within walking distance and the business district is a very brief commute away.

POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER: The photos of the view were enough to have us swooning with jealousy—and dizziness. You might have to supply a fainting couch in the sunroom for guests that can’t handle heights.

BY THE NUMBERS:
• $2,299,000
• 3,200 square feet
•1,300 square feet of outdoor space
• $1,292.99 in monthly maintenance fees
• 800-square-foot rooftop terrace
• 500-square-foot wraparound balcony
• 46 floors up
• 3 bathrooms
• 2 bedrooms
• 2 levels
• 2 parking spaces
• 1 sunroom