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Just Opened: El Almacen brings authentic yerba mate to Queen Street West

A slice of Argentina on Queen West (Photo by Catherine Hayday)

Along the still-evolving stretch of West Queen West between Dovercourt and Ossington, Silvio and Estela Rodriguez have quietly opened El Almacen—“the general store”—a café specializing in the South American infusion yerba mate. Made from an evergreen holly of the same name, the drink has a distinctly earthy, barn-ish flavour. Natural food lovers are likely familiar with prepackaged options, but this is Torontonians’ first chance to have yerba in context: served in a cured gourd, drunk through a bombilla (a filter-tipped metal straw), and passed between friends over a lazy few hours of good conversation.

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The Dish

Restauran-TO

January 15, 2010 | 8:43 am

4 Comments

Joe Pantalone swoops in to limit west-end nightlife—again

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Toronto’s would-be mayor Joe Pantalone is coming down hard on one of the city’s most popular nightlife destinations. After similar moves against Ossington and Harbord, the councilman is now supporting a motion put forth by residents living near the busy stretch of Queen West between Dovercourt and Gladstone. The proposal, which seeks to clarify the term “restaurant” and to limit patio sizes, was approved by Toronto and East York Community Council but still has to pass city council. Pantalone claims that this section of Queen experienced “too much change, too fast” and that “a sense of equilibrium was lost.” Perhaps we have a different definition of “fast,” but The Drake, The Social and The Gladstone have been up and running for years (even the Starbucks at Dovercourt, famously graffitied “Drake you ho this is all your fault,” opened in 2005). We wonder what the construction of the Bohemian Embassy and West Side Lofts condo projects will do to that equilibrium.

• In search of more balance on West Queen West [National Post]

The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap

January 7, 2010 | 9:34 am

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West Queen West shopping event launches with deals at Jacflash, Cabaret, Carte Blanche, Morba and more

Still not tired of post-holiday sale shopping? The West Queen West BIA is launching First Thursdays, a monthly shopping event held (surprise, surprise) on the first Thursday of each month. Restaurants, galleries and stores will offer special deals and giveaways to customers who present a “passport” coupon, available for free here on the association’s site. The sales start tonight, with 25 businesses participating, such as Cabaret, Balisi, Morba, Nyood and The Drake Hotel General Store. GreenShag is offering up to 15 per cent off, Carte Blanche up to 75 per cent off, and Jacflash is offering up to 60 per cent off select items.

The Goods

Shop Talk

December 4, 2009 | 10:06 am

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Opening soon: The Drake Hotel General Store in Rosedale

Yuk yuks: humour defines much of the General Store's merchandise (Photo by Karon Liu)

The Drake Hotel launched its General Store in 2008, garnering oodles of media attention for its kitschy Canadiana. This weekend, the Drake brand is venturing out of its West Queen West safety zone with the opening of a second General Store in Rosedale.

Located just north of Rosedale subway station on Yonge Street, the former Shop NYLA space has been transformed into a cozy log cabin in a mere three weeks, with wooden bins of knick-knacks, a rack of dark denim and flannel for urban lumberjacks, and shelves of the Canadian tchotchkes that made the original store such a hit among tourists and locals alike.

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The Dish

Opening

November 12, 2009 | 12:43 pm

5 Comments

Twelve new indie cafés: Toronto’s thirst for coffee poured by hipsters proves unquenchable (for now)

(Photo by Alan Turkus)

As Starbucks attempts to boost profits with its instant coffee and Tim Hortons’ profits tumble, Toronto’s indie café craze just won’t abate. We seem to write this article every few months—and with good reason. In the past 15 weeks alone, at least nine decent new cafés have popped up, with several more scheduled to open before Christmas. We visited the new spots and learned that the only thing they have in common is that they appeal to divergent tastes. From Leslieville to the Junction, here are the 12 latest spots to keep the city buzzing.

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The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap

September 29, 2009 | 4:24 pm

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Sales roundup: Nuit Blanche sales, denim trunk show at Lileo, Jeremy Laing sample sale

FASHION AND BEAUTY

AXI SPA
In Yorkville, Nuit Blanche means late-night shopping (and a little bit of art). Save on products (until midnight) and services (until 10 p.m.), get a hand massage and enjoy wine, cocktails and food in the courtyard. October 3. 162 Cumberland St., 416-923-4772.

CAPEZIO
The shoe retailer is offering 10 per cent off all store products for Nuit Blanche. October 3. 70 Bloor St. W., 416-920-1006, capezioshoes.ca.

CLUB MONACO
Men who try on an item from the store’s new suit collection, will receive 15 per cent off any menswear purchase. Until September 30. Various locations, clubmonaco.com.

ELEVEN
One of the neighbourhood’s splashiest new boutiques is extending its hours and offering 20 per cent off all merchandise for Nuit Blanche. Pick up womenswear by Linda Lundström, Joeffer Caoc and Brandon Dwyer, and check out art installation The Crystal Conversation, a coat that Lundström designed with over 15,000 crystals. October 3. 7 p.m.–midnight. 116 Cumberland St., 416-966-3935.

FIORIO
Ready for a new look this fall? Head to Fiorio during Nuit Blanche for a free cut and colour consultation and 20 per cent off some hair products. October 3. 416-964-5737, fiorio.com.

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The Dish

Restauran-TO

September 23, 2009 | 2:49 pm

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Cuban festival turns Queen Street into Castro Street—sort of

Viva! Cuban food and drink come to Little Portugal (Photo by Omid Tavallai)

This weekend, West Queen West goes Cubano with the second annual Havana Cultura Festival. There will be music, cigar rolling and, most importantly, Cuban-inspired culinary experiences from 16 restaurants and bars along Ossington, Queen and Dundas. One unlikely participant this year is Poutini’s. For the first time since opening, they will be offering something other than their standard menu dish: a “Cuban-style frijole” poutine consisting of black beans, onions, garlic, peppers, tomato and herbs over fries, and topped with sour cream and cilantro (it’s traditionally served over rice). On Saturday night, the staff will be manning a booth across the street in order to serve the same frijole over a baked potato instead of fries.

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Toronto International Film Festival 2009

September 21, 2009 | 12:47 pm

1 Comment

The White Stripes under dimmed West Queen West lights: Jack and Meg hit the Beaconsfield

Go west: Jack and Meg White head to Queen Street to celebrate the documentary White Stripes Under the Great White Northern Lights (Photo by James Helmer)

Go west: Jack and Meg White head to The Beaconsfield to celebrate the documentary White Stripes Under the Great White Northern Lights (Photo by James Helmer)

Not only do they dress in the colours of our flag, but the Detroit duo Jack and Meg White of The White Stripes has done what few Canadian bands have ever done: they toured every province and territory (including a show in Iqaluit). A documentary film crew followed them across Canada; on Friday, the elusive ex-husband and -wife were at the Toronto International Film Festival to screen and celebrate the resulting movie, The White Stripes Under the Great White Northern Lights. Note to all high school geography teachers looking for cool cred: this film is a cross-country journey that offers some original perspectives on Canada. If theatrically released, this would be just about the best class trip ever.

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The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap

September 15, 2009 | 11:30 am

1 Comment

Sales roundup: 50 per cent off at Jacflash, 20 per cent off at Uncle Otis, 20 per cent off sofas at Restoration Hardware

FASHION

BEAN SPROUT
Don’t panic, but the kids’ boutique is having a pre-season snowsuit sale (emphasis on the pre-, please). Take 20 per cent off all suits and 60 per cent off all final summer clearance items, including Geox sandals. 565 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-932-3727, beansprout.ca.

JACFLASH
Summer merchandise at this West Queen West store that caters to both teens and adults is discounted by 50 per cent. Already discounted items in their “garage sale”—house, naturally, in the former garage at the back of the store—are all under $50. 1036 Queen St. W., 416-516-8766.

LINEA INTIMA
The lingerie shop is having a mother-daughter sale: when both buy bras, the panties are free. Print off the coupon here. Until Sept. 30. 1925 Avenue Rd., 416-780-1726, lineaintima.com.

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The Dish

Restauran-TO

August 25, 2009 | 4:34 pm

1 Comment

Anthony Rose and Alida Solomon team up for The Drake’s outdoor eat-fest

'Cue up: The Drake's outdoor eating area is like a secret dinner club, minus the secret (Photo by Daniel Williams)

Despite being one of the most talked about West Queen West bars, the Drake Hotel always creates an atmosphere of being at our best friend’s cottage. Well, maybe not our best friend, but certainly our coolest one. Chef Anthony Rose is extending that famous chilled-out vibe right out the door and around the corner, to the urban garden he’s planted behind the hotel. Tomorrow night, he’ll host his second party in the space, which he calls I Never Promised You a Rose Garden. About 40 guests are expected for the event—and there’s room for a few more, he says.

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The Dish

Opening

August 13, 2009 | 11:03 am

3 Comments

Just Opened: Madras Pantry

The view from here: a market and circus theme is present even looking out the window at Madras Pantry (All photos by Catherine Hayday)

The view from here: a Ferris wheel sits in the window at Madras Pantry on Queen Street West (All photos by Catherine Hayday)

When Hanif Harji was a kid, his grandmother used to roll up dosas—southern Indian rice flour crêpes—so that he could manage them with one small hand. More recently, when looking for a new food project to open with his friend Ryan Fisher, it occurred to Harji that his grandmother’s child-friendly solution could provide the backbone of a whole business. A one-handed dosa leaves the other hand conveniently free for a beer. Thus, Madras Pantry was born.

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The Dish

Opening

August 5, 2009 | 4:06 pm

14 Comments

Just Opened: Nadège Patisserie

Great white hope: Nadege brings Paris's cool minimalism to Queen West

Great white hope: Nadège brings Paris's cool minimalism to Queen West

Back in 2008, a for lease sign went up in the window of Trinity Bellwoods’ Art Photo Studio, making some West Queen Westers a little nervous. Would the prime location price out all the little guys? Apparently not. This spring, the studio’s decidedly dated green tiles were replaced by a white exterior and bright sign announcing the arrival of Nadège Patisserie—a high-end bakery and café that opened in early July.

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The Goods

The Find

July 31, 2009 | 9:00 am

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Caught necking: scrap the scarf for this artful collar

With her asymmetrical lace collars, Vancouver designer Heather Martin gives Victoriana a mod update (Photo by Carmen Cheung)

These handmade lace collars from Heather Martin may look avant-garde, but Kasha Bilobram, owner of the chic Fawn boutique, disagrees. “Put it on with a simple dress or jeans a blazer, and you’re instantly dressed,” she says. “It’s effortless, and they make an ordinary outfit interesting.”

We like them because they’re an artful mix of the trendy chunky necklaces we’re seeing everywhere and the lightweight scarves that Torontonians can’t get enough of.

$195 at Fawn. 967 Queen St. W., 647-344-4703.

The Goods

Shop Talk

July 24, 2009 | 8:00 am

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Two major shopping events launching this weekend

Every Friday, torontolife.com publishes The Weekender, a roundup of the city’s best weekend events. We usually cover major festivals, concerts, plays and perhaps a foodie event or two, but the latest column will be of particular interest to Style readers.

Two new shopping initiatives are launching in the city: Frugal Fashion Week, which includes a West Queen West shop crawl on Saturday and Sunday, and Portobello East, a monthly market at the Distillery District that showcases local designers and artists. Read The Weekender here for more information.

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