Non-Food 30 Day Challenge

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I can't review food places? or liquor stores? Eeps. But then I wrote a list and BOOM. I had bookmarked 72 places of where I've been. BRING IT.

 1. Art Gallery of Ontario

317 Dundas St W
Toronto, ON M5T 1G4
(416) 977-0414

Category: Museums

Neighbourhood: Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  2/8/2012

What fun! The first time I went here was in 2007 for Nuite Blanche (which was an interesting and cool yet kind of weird party) but it was still under construction.

In 2011, I had the opportunity to check it out three times and even get a private tour…More »

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 2. Withrow Park

725 Logan Ave
Toronto, ON M4K 3B9

Categories: Parks, Skating Rinks

Neighbourhood: Riverdale

4.0 star rating
  2/7/2012

I'm biased because I live near this park, but it's quite wonderful.

VIBE
It's usually unassuming and relaxed. Lots of leafiness and sometimes tai chi or yoga takes place here.

I've brought my nieces here and I don't know what it is but man, the…More »

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 3. Courage My Love

14 Kensington Ave
Toronto, ON M5T 2J7
(416) 979-1992

Categories: Used, Vintage & Consignment, Jewellery

Neighbourhood: Kensington Market

4.0 star rating
  2/6/2012

4.5 STARS
How can you not LOVE Courage My Love?!
This place has been a mainstay of the Kensington and Toronto vintage scene for over 30 years.

VIBE
Vintage. Well, those mannequins on top of the bright blue roof give it away non? I love the racks…More »

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 4. Roots

356 Queen Street W
Toronto, ON M5V 2A2
(416) 977-0409

Category: Sports Wear

Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Queen Street West, Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  2/5/2012 First to Review

100 BLOOR ST ADD BUSINESS LOCATION

Disclosure: Roots helped sponsor our Cool Hand Toque tweetgasm event. That said, I'll try to keep this as un-biased as possible because it's about the goods.

VIBE
This is one cool looking Roots store. You've got an…More »

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 5. Jacob

55 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M4W 1A5
(416) 925-9488

Categories: Lingerie, Accessories, Women's Clothing

Neighbourhoods: Yorkville, Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  2/4/2012

If it's one store the US doesn't have it's a Jacob store. And for those looking for the basics and classics, this is the store to go to. That said, like many stores recently I feel like the quality has dropped.

VIBE
This location in particular is…More »

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 6. Pink Eye Optical

1030 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M6J 1H6
(416) 534-2235

Categories: Eyewear & Opticians, Optometrists

Neighbourhoods: West Queen West, Beaconsfield Village

4.0 star rating
  2/3/2012 First to Review

Another FTR! Do I get a prize? *Wink. Appropriate segway....

Pink Optical (I think their original name was Pink Eye Optical --probably a good idea on the name change)  is a boutique provider of customized eye wear. I was lucky to attend the opening…More »

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 7. Ossington Subway Station

883 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M6G

Category: Public Transportation

Neighbourhood: Dovercourt

3.0 star rating
  2/2/2012

VIBE
From Old Grandmother to Professional Pretty Girl to Plaid-clad. They're all waiting for the 61.

SERVICE
Waiting for a bus in the amount of time it can take me to walk from Bloor to Dundas is not cool. That would be about 20 minutes, if you're…More »

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 8. Holy Name Church

71 Gough Avenue
Toronto, ON M4K 3N9
(416) 466-8281

Category: Religious Organizations

Neighbourhoods: Greektown, Riverdale

4.0 star rating
  2/1/2012 First to Review

First Non-Food Yelp Review! Woot. 30 Day challenge. BRING IT!

I'm biased. I've been going to this church since I was born. Give it up for baptism!

Lately, I haven't been going as much. This is mainly due to the non-traditional formats the masses have…More »

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 9. Toronto Music Garden

475 Queen's Quay
Toronto, ON M5V 3G3

5.0 star rating
  2/9/2012

One of my Toronto secrets.
It's so peaceful here on a weeknight during the summer and I highly recommend it if you need some quiet time.

THE GOODS
Jennifer said it well: "Live performances Thursdays and Sundays, mostly Classical and world music.…More »

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 10. Rbc Royal Bank

650 Danforth Ave
Toronto, ON M4K 1R3
(416) 465-5404

Category: Banks & Credit Unions

Neighbourhoods: Greektown, Riverdale

4.0 star rating
  2/10/2012 First to Review

I won't talk about the 25% interest rate RBC used to rape me. I guess their service makes up for the ridiculous service fees. They're getting paid right?!

VIBE
Think of a bank. It's like that. They got a cool new electronic chalk board for…More »

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 11. Town Shoes

2283 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4P 2C6
(416) 489-7474

Category: Shoe Stores

Neighbourhoods: Mount Pleasant and Davisville, Yonge and Eglinton

4.0 star rating
  2/11/2012

What I love about Town Shoes is that if you're having a birthday party, you can rent out the store for your girlfriends and have a shoe party. It is so.much.fun.

VIBE

One of my friends did this.So it was fun .

You don't have to pay anything but you…More »

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 12. Trinity Bellwoods Park

1053 Dundas St W
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
(416) 392-0743

Category: Parks

Neighbourhood: Trinity Bellwoods

5.0 star rating
  2/12/2012

Once home to the original Trinity College at UofT in Toronto, this is park is the creme de la creme if only for the people watching.

VIBE
Hipster chic. In the summertime this is the place to watch hipsters playing bicycle polo or hanging out on their…More »

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 13. Banana Republic

80 Bloor Street W
Toronto, ON M5S 2V1
(416) 515-0018

Categories: Accessories, Women's Clothing

Neighbourhoods: Discovery District, Yorkville, Downtown Core

3.0 star rating
  2/13/2012

VIBE
It's on Bloor Street so it's impeccably clean here. I like the set up on the main floor. Not sure how I feel about women's being in the basement.
Service is nice. Unlike other stores, associates at Banana Republic will actually get your…More »

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 14. Hockey Hall of Fame

30 Yonge St
Toronto, ON M5E 1X8
(416) 360-7765

Category: Museums

Neighbourhoods: St. Lawrence, Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  2/14/2012

I was here for a private party. It's probably the only way you'd get me here. Ironically one of my friends works for the NHL and I never watch hockey. But she was not at this event.
Anywho, if you have a guy-centric event you want to plan, this is a…More »

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 15. Madfactory Boutique Salon

537 Mount Pleasant Rd
Toronto, ON M4S 2M5
(416) 461-8741

Category: Hair Salons

Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant and Davisville

3.0 star rating
  2/15/2012 First to Review

I had a WagJag here last year and I remember my appointment vividly.
The reception was very good. They called and reminded me of my appointment and were very friendly and knowledgeable regarding the specifics of my coupon. They were very prompt in…More »

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 16. Gladstone Hotel

1214 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M6J 1J6
(416) 531-4635

Categories: Hotels, Lounges

Neighbourhoods: West Queen West, Beaconsfield Village

4.0 star rating
  Update - 2/24/2012

Melody Bar Burger - 3 Stars

So I had the burger here and thought I'd share for my burger diaries.
It was a solid burger. They cook it medium but it's stll a bit pink inside.
It's paired with some fancy mustard and lettuce.
I was not impressed that…More »

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/16/2012

    Nothing beats a staycation like sleeping at the Gladstone, ordering some pizza to eat in your hotel… Read more »

 17. High Park

1873 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M6P 3K7

Categories: Parks, Zoos, Playgrounds

Neighbourhood: High Park

4.0 star rating
  2/18/2012

High Park holds many memories for me, especially childhood ones because I use to run races here all the time. If you're doing the Spring Run Off 8 km, be prepared to sweat. It's a good race. You will need a very, very long bath afterwards!

VIBE
High…More »

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 18. Moksha Yoga Danforth

372 Danforth Ave
Toronto, ON M4K 1N8
(416) 778-7744

Category: Yoga

Neighbourhood: The Danforth

3.0 star rating
  2/18/2012

This is a great location  for Moksha but there are a few things.  Note: the last time I was here was Summer, 2011 but I went a few times to this studio during their generous one week pass discount. I would give this more of a 3.5 star and it's mainly…More »

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 19. St. Michael's Cathedral

66 Bond St
Toronto, ON M5B 1X2
(416) 363-7133

Category: Churches

Neighbourhood: Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  2/19/2012

If you are a fan of gothic architecture, this is a good place to do it. Stained glass windows, high ceilings and echo acoustics abound. It's gorgeous here and right around the corner from the Eaton Centre.

VIBE
Catholic. It's St. Mike's Cathedral…More »

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 20. Club Monaco

157 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M5S 1P7
(416) 585-4101

Categories: Men's Clothing, Women's Clothing

Neighbourhoods: Discovery District, Yorkville, Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  2/20/2012

VIBE
Design Porn Alert! Yes, at Club Monaco. the books ---designy --pictures on the walls. If you want design inspiration for your home, wandering through here when you have some time is the perfect way to do so.

THE GOODS
It's all about the…More »

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 21. CN Tower

301 Front St W
Toronto, ON M5V 2T6
(416) 868-6937

Category: Landmarks & Historical Buildings

Neighbourhood: Entertainment District

4.0 star rating
  2/21/2012

4.5 stars
My review of the CN TOWER EDGEWALK From http://Where.ca
Reviewed in July when it first opened//media preview
Video included in link:
http://www.where.ca/bl...

The CN Tower's latest attraction, EdgeWalk, takes thrill seekers to new heights…More »

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 22. Sangiuliano Frank Dr Optomtrst

692 Av Danforth
Toronto, ON M4J 1L1
(416) 466-2794

Category: Optometrists

Neighbourhoods: The Danforth, Greektown, Riverdale

5.0 star rating
  2/22/2012 First to Review

Just east of Pape beside a glasses store is a small door. On the side of the wall, you'll see Sangiuliano's name.

VIBE
When you go up the stairs, it's very 60s looking and has a distinct yet clean smell. You're greeted by the lovely Jaquie who will…More »

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 23. Pape Subway Station

Pape and Danforth
Toronto, ON M4K 1R2

Category: Public Transportation

Neighbourhoods: Greektown, Riverdale

3.0 star rating
  2/23/2012

VIBE
Under construction. Ah man, it's bad. It's literally a maze to get around from the bus terminal inside. It's way less crowded with two bus routes instead of three (Update: back to three).  I'm excited to see the tech-savvy upgraded Pape station…More »

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 24. Town Shoes

131 Bloor Street W
Toronto, ON M5S 1P7
(416) 928-5062

Category: Shoe Stores

Neighbourhoods: Discovery District, Yorkville, Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  2/24/2012

VIBE
They have a nice selection here and a colourful display window.
I found the staff here on my visit to be wonderful. I initially wasn't going to try anything on but the girl asked so I decided to give it a whirl.
She was super patient and…More »

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 25. Zara

50 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M4W 3L8
(416) 916-2401

Categories: Accessories, Women's Clothing, Men's Clothing

Neighbourhoods: Yorkville, Downtown Core

3.0 star rating
  2/25/2012

Ah, Zara. Cheap for chic. But you've got one bitchy sales associate. I came back again and I think he has "karma face." It's not good.

VIBE
Overheard in the ZARA Dressing Room by the Sales Associate who looks like the black guy Jonathan from 1 Girl,…More »

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 26. Toronto Underground Cinema

186 Spadina Ave
Toronto, ON M5T
(647) 992-4335

Category: Cinema

Neighbourhoods: Alexandra Park, Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  2/26/2012

I feel like this is one of Toronto's underground secrets (pun totally intended).

VIBE
You can enter off of Spadina and walk down this hallway to get there. Usually there's a sandwich board outside advertising the cinema, I think.
It's very old…More »

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 27. Intrepid Travel

523 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M5S 1Y4
(416) 531-8795

Category: Tours

4.0 star rating
  2/27/2012 First to Review

The Intrepid store on Bloor is now called My Adventure store, specializing in adventure destinations. Same thing, different brand.

VIBE
Colourful! Lots of gorgeous photos of the exotic destinations Intrepid promotes surround the walls. I think there…More »

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 28. Riverdale Park East

550 Broadview Ave
Toronto, ON M4K 2P1

Categories: Parks, Tennis

Neighbourhood: Riverdale

4.0 star rating
  2/28/2012

4.5 STARS
If you want one of the best views of the Toronto skyline, this is where you go.
Plus, it's right across the street from The Rooster Coffeehouse (my favourite coffee joint in the city).

VIBE
Fun. If you get super snow, this is a wonderful…More »

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Review votes:
333 Useful, 205 Funny, and 250 Cool

Location

East York, ON

Yelping Since

September 2011

Things I Love

cheese.

Find Me In

my blog Near.Afar. (@nearafar)or Sympatico's Luxury for Less Travel Column

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Toronto, ON

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http://www.nearafar.wo...

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I am a freelance writer & get paid for this kind of stuff. Huzzah!

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I've done this gig professionally

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http://www.joannagodda...

The Last Great Book I Read

Catcher In The Rye

My Favourite Movie

I'm kind of a fan of Clueless. As IF you aren't too!

My Last Meal On Earth

Mother's lasagne and probably a mix of favourite dishes globally.

Most Recent Discovery

Bellwoods Brewery

Current Crush

Local Kitchen & Winebar . Those chandeliers! Swoon.