Toronto Life August 2024

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Consuming Passions Our annual restaurant rankings always get jaws wagging. Aside from a few random kvetchers (How could you put X 10th? Why oh why is Y not on the list?), there was mostly praise for the feature. “I can confirm Mhel is stellar.” —zzy335, Reddit “Way to go Fish and Loaf—a very obscure location. Nice to see it included.” —rjmackellar, Reddit “Worth scrolling for the always stunning TL photography if nothing else.” —theleverage, Reddit “I very much enjoy reading your magazine. However, your list of Best New Restaurants shows once again that there does not appear to be much interest north of St. Clair. Toronto’s border does extend up to Steeles.” —Robert Herscovitch “How is it possible that many of the restaurants listed in your recent feature are completely…

Many homeowners don’t mind this behaviour. Under different circumstances, I wouldn’t either: I adore dogs and know that nature sometimes calls without warning. But the lawn is where my kids play, and nothing ruins a good playdate faster than soiled clothing. To make my point of view unambiguous, I’d installed a handsome little sign of a dog, its back distinctively arched, over the word “No!” What the sign may lack in taste is made up for in clarity of messaging. At least that’s what I thought—until this villainous pooch did his business one inch from it. My question is this: When did dog owners decide they answer only to themselves (and Satan)? I know I sound per-snickety and entitled, but I’m not alone in my bafflement. In this city, dogs…

“You could argue that Toronto’s WNBA team has been 28 years in the making”—Teresa Resch, p. 16 The first ripple of the blue wave that pundits have been predicting landed in June. With the retirement of long-time Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, a seat opened up, and what a seat: Toronto–St. Paul’s, a Grit bastion since 1993. Both sides sent in big guns to rally voters—and it was a nail-biter. The call came just before 4 a.m. Conservative Don Stewart had won by 590 votes. It was a stunning turn for Justin Trudeau and his once unbreachable Toronto stronghold. Unsettling for Mayor Chow and Premier Ford too, whose ambitious plans are predicated on billions in Liberal funding. Mostly, though, it was a resounding victory for CPC leader Pierre Poilievre, but he’ll…

Toronto is getting a WNBA franchise for the 2026 season. Seems like it came together pretty fast, no? Actually, you could argue that it took 28 years—that’s how long the WNBA has been in existence, and many groups have tried to purchase a Toronto team over that time. But, today, with the rise of women’s pro sports in North America, the timing is perfect. Finally, we have the fan base and the finances. And yet, last spring, MLSE walked away from a bid. Were you dejected? No. The WNBA had identified Toronto as a potential expansion city well before the pandemic. It was just a matter of finding the best ownership group. And then Larry Tanenbaum stepped up. When he asked me to be president of the team—that was the…

SARAH DOUGLAS SAILING Hometown: Toronto Age: 30 Did you know? Her brother, Greg, is a two-time Olympic sailor Biggest win: Gold at the 2022 Sailing World Cup, making her the most successful woman sailor in Canadian history “Sometimes when I don’t perform well, I almost forget there’s a little kid in me who just loves skateboarding. But, when I hear people cheer, I remember how far I’ve come” FAY DEFAZIO EBERT SKATEBOARDING Hometown: Toronto Age: 14 Day job: She starts Grade 10 in September Good luck charm: A feather in her helmet from Richard, one of her two pet ducks Biggest win: Gold at the 2023 Santiago Pan Am Games Did you know? She started skating at age six in a church basement on Broadview QUINN SOCCER Hometown: Toronto Age:…