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: Café Boulud, Samuel J. Moore, and Nota Bene. 

Tables available tonight at:

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(Image: Getty Images)

1. She’s a little rusty on her hometown hot spots
“I realized how much I missed Toronto when I came to TIFF for The Perks of Being a Wallflower last September. The whole cast kept saying, ‘You’re the Toronto girl—show us around!’ I didn’t know if everything I loved was still here. I mean, the Drake Hotel used to be cool—is it still? So it was exciting to rediscover the city. Soho House is incredible. And I had a great time going to Spin with a bunch of friends and playing ping-pong all night.”

2. She’s 24, but resigned to being typecast as a teenager
“Because I started working at such a young age, I grew up faster than some of my peers. I have to keep reminding myself that I look a lot younger than I am. I get carded all the time, for everything, and when I meet with directors, they say I still look like a baby. Which is kind of a good thing, and I’ve accepted it. Maybe I’ll have a longer career because of it.”

3. Her fans are obsessive, but not creepy
“If it wasn’t for the people who are super into the show, we wouldn’t be doing what we do. Most of the fans I meet are gracious and sweet, although people constantly call me by my character’s name, Elena.”

4. Turning her good-girl character into a soulless vampire this season was a challenge
“In the first few seasons, we established Elena as sweet and genuine, so to take away everything that defined her was difficult for me. It almost felt like I was a bad actor all of a sudden, because I couldn’t show any emotion.”

5. She watched the Oscars at Elton John’s house
“At Elton’s party, it’s not just about getting dressed up and sitting around watching the awards. After the show, he does an auction to raise funds for his AIDS foundation, which makes the night feel even more special.”

The post Five things you didn’t know about Nina Dobrev, the star of the teen fangst phenomenon The Vampire Diaries appeared first on torontolife.com.

Below, a countdown of the 10 craziest things about the Rob Ford crack-smoking brouhaha.

10. Gawker broke the story.

9. The Toronto Star, which sat on the story for two weeks then tripped all over itself to lay claim to it, did not.

8. Tom Scocca, the managing editor of Deadspin, is totally hilarious, especially when he’s calling out other Star “exclusives” (like breaking that whole 9-11 thing).

7. A Canadian news outlet made a lowball offer of $40,000 for the videotape that the Somali druglords rejected. Hmm.

6. Washington, D.C. is no longer the only North American city with a mayor who (allegedly) smokes crack.

5. The mayor’s lawyer uses Hotmail.

4. That same, semi-literate, Hotmail-loving lawyer also told the Toronto Sun: “I think unless one has experience in crack cocaine smoking it is very difficult to gauge what a person is actually doing in an alleged video.”

3. CNN’s intrepid Canadian reporter, rather than investigating the story, called Ford’s office asking about a crack tape, thereby alerting Ford’s cronies to the crack tape. Whoops.

2. Rob Ford doesn’t just snort lines of coke, as rich folk usually do, in the privacy of his own home. He smokes it, on video, at his dealer’s house.

1. The Mayor of Toronto might smoke crack!

The post The Top 10 Most Amazing Things About the Rob Ford Crack-Smoking Story (Assuming All Allegations Are True and All Videos Are Fully Authenticated) appeared first on torontolife.com.

By Frances McInnis | Photography by Jenna Marie Wakani

The Financial District is loosening up. Just as stuffy power restaurants have given way to trendy, cocktail-fuelled eateries, stiff suits and dour dresses have been replaced by unbuttoned collars, floral prints and statement accessories. After all, in the modern office, professional no longer necessarily means staid. Here, our favourite looks from a recent trip to the downtown core.

See all the street style photos »

The post Street Style: colourful, casual and decidedly trendy office attire in the financial district appeared first on torontolife.com.

Address: 189 Queen Street East, Unit 2
Neighbourhood: Moss Park
Agent: Erica Reddy, Royal LePage Signature Realty, Brokerage
Price: $849,000

The Place: A one-bedroom unit on two levels with original oak floors, brick walls and exposed wooden beams. It’s one of 11 condos in the Boiler Factory Lofts on Queen Street East.

Bragging Rights: Interior designer Roy Banse had free rein to revamp the unfinished space and the result was recently shown off on an episode of Steven and Chris (begins at the 2:20 mark).

Big Selling Point: Many of the fancy furnishings are included, such as the custom king-sized walnut bed platform and floating side tables in the bedroom, as well as the televisions and bar stools.

Possible Deal Breaker: The frosted glass bathroom preserves the openness of the lower level, but will likely turn off a few traditionalists who think walls should be opaque.

By the Numbers:
• $849,000
• $679.81 in monthly maintenance fees
• 1,800 square feet
• 2 bathrooms
• 1 bedroom
• 1 private rooftop terrace
• 1 built-in Miele coffee system
• 1 wine fridge

The post Condo of the Week: $850,000 for a two-level unit in the Boiler Factory Lofts on Queen Street East appeared first on torontolife.com.

The post A new seafood spot named Geraldine is moving into Cowbell’s previous Parkdale digs appeared first on torontolife.com.

Cocoa raspberry shortbread (Image: Distill Design)

Chocolate Brunette Pastry Company recently opened at Ave and Dav, selling truffles, Italians sweets and their own whipped-cream-and-mousse cupcake bombs. The boutique food shop’s hedonistic creations, like the sweet revenge cupcake filled with toasted walnuts and milk chocolate ganache and the vanilla coconut cupcake topped with mascarpone coconut mousse, look like they could rival the nearby, newly opened, Prairie Girl Bakery’s cupcakes in their epicurean insanity.

Chocolate Brunette Pastry Company. 182 Avenue Rd., 416-834-9711, chocolatebrunette.com

The post Chocolate Brunette Pastry Company brings more gourmet cupcakes to Yorkville appeared first on torontolife.com.

(Image: Facebook)

First, Crossroads Diner, a food truck covered in painted images of 1950s American icons and serving kitschy diner food, popped up in Toronto two weeks ago. Now, a roving restaurant with a ’60s California surf culture theme has hit the city’s streets. The Beach Boys Food Truck is painted aqua blue and sunshine yellow and is serving classic American greasy spoon dishes, like mushroom garlic burgers and chicken fingers and fries.

Beach Boys Food Truck, beachboysfoodtruck.com, @beachboystruck

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Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay (Image: Deejay D)

In this edition of The Long Weekender, Ashbridge’s Bay fireworks, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony and three more things to do in Toronto.

EVENT
Victoria Day Fireworks at Ashbridge’s Bay (FREE!)
The annual fireworks display in the city’s east end lights up the sky with over 2000 pyrotechnic wonders. The night is supposed to be clear and the temperature could hit 20 degrees Celsius. One tip: walk or take the TTC (big crowds make traffic and parking a nightmare). May 20. Ashbridges Bay Park, 30 Ashbridges Bay Park Road

FESTIVAL
Toronto International Circus Festival (FREE!)
Harbour Kids is hosting a three-day showcase of acrobats, daredevils, buskers and more at the Harbourfront Centre. There’s a shadow puppet workshop, a boulevard of magic and the main event—The Big Show on the Big Stage with Canada’s Got Talent finalist and contortionist Aygul Memet, former Olympian and Cirque du Soleil aerialist Mary Sanders and acrobat Jen Georgopoulos. May 18-20. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com/harbourkids/

MUSIC
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
George Daugherty’s popular concert piece returns after a sold out run in 2011. The Kitchen-Waterloo Symphony performs Carl Stalling’s original scores live, while Bugs Bunny cartoons play on the screen. $44-77. May 18. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street E., 1-855-872-7669, sonycentre.ca

THEATRE
The Mousetrap
A combination of 1950s English comedy and a classic Christie murder-mystery, the Agatha Christie play is often credited as the world’s longest running. This is the last weekend to see the production. $40-50. April 25-May 19. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100 A Ossington Ave., 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com

FESTIVAL
MEC Bikefest (FREE!)
Mountain Equipment Co-op hosts its national celebration for bike aficionados in 14 cities across the country. The Toronto festival is at Trinity Bellwoods Park with skill clinics, demos and workshops, as well as bikes and new gear for sale from Toronto shops. Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen St. W., 416-340-2667, events.mec.ca

The post Five things to do in Toronto on the long weekend May 18-20 appeared first on torontolife.com.

The buyers: Sarah Greer, 33, and Scott Perfonic, 34, who both work at the financial services firm Raymond James.

The story: Greer and Perfonic met at a conference in Lake Louise in 2005. She was living just north of Toronto in Bradford, he in Vancouver. They hit it off and dated long distance—for almost seven years—until he moved to Toronto last year. The couple rented a townhouse in Riverside, which they liked for its proximity to the beach, and to restaurants and pubs. Before their year-long lease was up, the couple was married and looking to buy in the neighbourhood. They wanted a place with room for kids, a front porch for relaxing on summer evenings and a large backyard for their two cocker spaniels. And they wanted that dream home for no more than $600,000. They looked at 20 houses before they made their first—and only—offer.

Option 1: Boulton Street (at Dundas). Listed at $629,900, sold for $630,000.

Greer and Perfonic looked at a few houses on this street, which had become a favourite during their search. This three-bedroom row house had recently been renovated, and still had lots of character—Greer especially liked all the little reading nooks—but the kitchen was small and they’d need to finish fencing in the backyard for their dogs. It also exceeded their budget, so they moved on.

Option 2: Bertmount Avenue (near Dundas and Jones). Listed at $689,900, still unsold.

The couple’s first thought about this three-bedroom semi was that it would be perfect for raising a family. It had the porch they wanted, as well as a finished basement with what Greer calls “the most beautiful shower I’ve ever seen.” But the bedrooms were small, as was the yard—and it was almost $100,000 more than they wanted to spend.

The Buy: Howie Avenue (near Broadview and Queen). Listed at $539,000, sold for $582,626.

Greer was driving home from a weekend away with her family when she spotted an open house sign at Queen and Broadview. She called her husband and the couple rushed to see the house. The semi had everything they wanted—three large bedrooms, a big yard, and that unquantifiable feeling that it was the right place—so they put in a bid of $572,600 that day. But other house hunters had the same idea, and the couple found themselves embroiled in a five-way bidding war. Two rounds of offers later, Greer and Perfonic topped out at $582,626—and after killing a couple of tense hours at a nearby Starbucks, they had a house. “We think we won by that $26,” says Greer.

The post The Chase: long-distance lovers win a bidding war on the perfect house near Queen and Broadview appeared first on torontolife.com.

Feel giddy about your city? Us too! We love that the Jays are back in the swing of things, we love that our new premier isn’t full of it, we love that Torontonians love to walk to work, that night markets are multiplying, that a swimming pool can change a neighbourhood, and that Chris Hadfield, the coolest person in the world, is out of this world. Those, and other odes in our fifth annual mash note to Toronto. Get the June issue—on newsstands now!

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(Image: Emilian Robert Vicol)

Dear Urban Diplomat,
My wife and I have new neighbours who love to barbecue, which is fine, except that it’s almost always pork, which is not fine, because we don’t eat it for religious reasons. The heavy smell wafts into our backyard and makes my wife feel nauseated. I don’t want to tell them what they can and can’t eat, but I want my family to be able to enjoy our space. What’s the best way to deal with this?
—Hamstrung, The Junction

The city has bylaws to deal with neighbourly disputes over property lines, loud animals, unfettered weeds and raging parties, but inconvenient odours? You’re on your own. Your neighbours have as much right to enjoy their backyard as you do. If they were hosting regular pig roasts on an open pyre, I could see you lodging a complaint. But if they’re just grilling the odd pork chop, plug your nose, go inside or retreat to the front porch. Cities are smelly. If you can’t hack it, move to the country.

Send your questions to the Urban Diplomat at urbandiplomat@torontolife.com

The post Dear Urban Diplomat: Our neighbours’ barbecue fills our backyard with unpleasant smoke. Can we complain? appeared first on torontolife.com.

Interviews by Amy Stupavsky | Photography by Miguel Jacob

Some of the city’s savviest sartorialists interpret the trends you’ll see everywhere this spring, from double-breasted suits and bondage details to seventies florals and sheer fabrics.

See all the trends »

(Styling by Corey Ng for P1M.ca. Hair and Makeup by Vanessa Jarman using Rimmel London and TRESemmé Hair care for P1M.ca)

The post Model Citizens: 22 stylish Torontonians demonstrate how to wear the season’s top trends appeared first on torontolife.com.

(Image: TJ Tindale)

Name: Ardor Bistro
Neighbourhood: Ossington
Contact Info: 59 Ossington St., 647-351-5100
Owners: Brothers Ivan Tarazona and James Bailey (Celestin)
Chef: Ivan Tarazona

The Food: A modern take on traditional Latin American food. Dishes include fish ceviche, grilled octopus salad and Peruvian riffs on classic bistro mains, like steak frites with chimichurri, duck confit with quinoa and sous-vide chicken with yellow pepper sauce. There’s also a six-course tasting menu for $45.

The Drinks: Cocktails are mixed with pisco, a Peruvian spirit similar to brandy, and house-made bitters, like key lime, orange-cranberry and charred tea. A handful of South American wines and bottles of Dos Equis and Negra Modelo beer are available (Peruvian brews are in the works).

The Place: A decidedly unfussy interior with dark wood, exposed brick and black marble-slab tabletops salvaged from the yard behind the restaurant. Jugs of Bailey’s house-made bitters sit in recessed shelves above the bar.

The Numbers:
• 22 seats (plus 10 more once the chef’s table is installed up front)
• 14 varieties of pisco (once they clear customs)
• 30 days to steep the charred tea bitters, which are infused with hickory, oak and bergamot
• 7 years chef Tarazona lived in his native Peru before emigrating to Canada
• 2 chunky wooden benches inherited from Charles Khabouth’s bistro-bar Spice Route

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