Quoi faire à Toronto, ON

Mother’s Day weekend calls for experiences that are above average. Veer off the well-travelled restaurant path and check out these local spots to give your mom that extra bit of ambience and pampering. Whether it’s a five-star high tea, buttermilk biscuits, an iconic diner, or plenty of pie and high-grade fare, here’s our top picks for brunch and sweet treats fit for a queen.

Queen West’s top spots for a first-time meeting are an eclectic mix of trendy cocktail bars and laidback watering holes. Get ready to up your dating game with smooth sipping, low lighting and shared plates best suited for two.

Now that the signs of spring are in the air, and maybe you’ve spent more time watching Netflix and ordering in than you’d like to admit, it’s time to spring forward and give your body and mind a boost. Here are some of the top spots in Toronto to reboot, restore, replenish and reset.

No doubt about it: Toronto’s premiere oyster shacks will shuck all your assumptions about land-locked seafood restos and transport seafood lovers to a full-oncoastal bliss. Sourcing plump, sweet oysters from east and west, these local spots celebrate the ocean’s most sumptuous snacks with unique menus and killer drinks to match.

Looking for a bleach alternative that isn’t terrifying? Maybe an all-purpose cleaner that won’t make you bat an eye when you find your toddler licking the countertop? There’s no doubt that the demand for all-natural, biodegradable, and chemical-free cleaning products is on the rise in TO. Lucky for us, the city is home to countless markets and shops with a ton of sustainable goods on offer.

Still in hot pursuit of a brunch reservation for Easter weekend? We’ve got the run-down on who will be toting their three-course prix-fixes, brunch buffets, and good ol’ a la cartes. From a French brasserie in Yorkville to a boutique Hotel on West Queen West, there’s a slew of superb spots to get fed and get festive this weekend family or friends. [Photo courtesy of Café Boulud]

While the weather is getting warmer and we’re gearing up our SS16 wardrobe, the fashion world is already thinking of the next season of fall/winter trends. Every year, Canadian designers hit the runway at Toronto Fashion Week (#TFW) showcasing their coveted collections. Lucky for Torontonians, many of the labels can be found right in the neighbourhood. [Feature image: Hayley Elsaesser]

There’s something very magical about beach weddings that inspire couples to fly to the tropics to tie the knot. Walk down the aisle barefoot to the sound of waves kissing the shore – that picture-perfect scene deserves an equally flawless bridal gown. Shop for that light and carefree wedding dress at these Toronto boutiques.

Iran (previously Persia) is known for its art – from architecture to painting to calligraphy to metalworking. So it’s no surprise that there’s more to their cuisine than the food. It’s a practice of detail, from the pottery to the fresh ingredients. While nobody can beat my mom’s Persian cooking, these TO restaurants cut it close. Each offers an experience of Iran’s culture, past and present. [Feature image: Tavoos Restaurant]

During Persian New Year (first day of spring), known as Nowruz, it’s tradition to set up a table called the “haft-seen.” Seven symbolic items starting with the Farsi letter “s” – with few additions like gold fishes and decorative eggs – are placed on the table to bring wealth, health and happiness to the new year. Guests also get together for sweets and tea for 13 days of festivity. Here’s where to shop for Nowruz essentials.

Makeup is meant to enhance your beauty, not cover it up; and certainly not to clog your pores, make you age faster, and cause cancer. Thanks to the growing awareness about petrochemicals in beauty products, the market for organic, natural, and chemical-free makeup is advancing everyday. So, without further ado, here are a few boutiques in Toronto to discover the good stuff. [Photo courtesy of The Detox Market]

There are two kinds of wine drinkers: those that taste with their palate, and those that taste with their wallet. For those of us in the latter category, you’ll be pleased to find Toronto’s east-end offers a number of budget-friendly wine nights throughout the week, sure to satisfy your inner wino as well as your inner cheapskate.