# So I'm in Toronto... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 17, 2006, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732 "2006-10-17T02:48:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/21 "2006-10-17T04:30:15Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] Alas, they moved the greenhouses. I _think_ they rebuilt them in Allan Gardens, but I could be wrong. :: googles :: Yes, they are [in Allan Gardens](http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/041012-537.asp). [/QUOTE] Sigh. Okay, I guess. But kind of hard to take solace in the greenhouse after you’ve received a bad mark on an essay, if you have to go to Carlton and Jarvis to do so. At least they saved them. That’s something. Aside to **Sunspace** –you seem to be online right now. Give me a call on my cell, if you like. Love to discuss Toronto with you again. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_loblaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@bob\_loblaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_loblaw)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/22 "2006-10-17T04:36:20Z")
a few other things to do while you’re here… take a tour of the [steamwhistle](http://www.steamwhistle.ca/) brewery at the roundhouse. check out the [distillery district.](http://www.where.ca/toronto/article_feature.cfm?listing_id=42) the little italy on college street is another area full of great restaurants and bars. and of course, [casa loma.](http://www.casaloma.org/) ---
**Author:** ![cherry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cherry)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/23 "2006-10-17T08:02:53Z")
[Toronto.com](http://Toronto.com) has a list of events. Richmond Street has a bunch of night clubs open at night for various types of music. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/24 "2006-10-17T11:51:06Z")
Thursday meet-up after 7, wot Dopers? ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/25 "2006-10-17T13:21:11Z")
What a great city! I’ve been to Toronto quite a few times now (almost all for Dope-related gatherings), and I love it! The last time I was there I was wandering up around U.T., and came across a few blocks that were blocked off from vehicles, and there were a ton of shops, restaurants, and whatnot all painted very colorfully. There was a band playing from a rooftop, and it was all very bohemian feeling. It was quite a place; I can’t remember what any of it was called, but might be worth checking out if you’re up in that area. Maybe one of the actual Toronto Dopers knows what the heck I’m talking about. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Carlyjay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Carlyjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carlyjay)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/26 "2006-10-17T13:29:28Z")
If no one has suggested it yet, I think you should go see the _Second City_ show. After all, it’s the original starting place of Second City and SCTV. Second City is located at 53 Mercer St, in the back of Wayne Gretzky’s restaurant. This is conveniently located just off of King St. West, which is close to a lot of the King St, John St, Queen St and Spadina Ave locations that several people have suggested so far. Very much worth it for $25. If you want to see more funny Canadians, the Laugh Resort is on King St. as well, in the same building as the Holiday Inn near Spadina. Excellent quality comedy. Their new talent night is Wednesday, which can be iffy, but is generally good as well. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/27 "2006-10-17T13:30:30Z")
[QUOTE=Kythereia] Thursday meet-up after 7, wot Dopers? [/QUOTE] Sounds good! Where? :: ponders :: Hmm. Most of the places I go to don’t have that much room. How many can we expect? ---
**Author:** ![Carlyjay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Carlyjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carlyjay)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/28 "2006-10-17T13:31:15Z")
Oh, I should also mention. If you want a good list of clubs, concerts and comedy, pick up a “Now” magazine. They can be found in newspaper boxes on corners all over the city and in every subway station. “Eye” is also good for that stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/29 "2006-10-17T13:34:10Z")
I’m working Thursday. Bleh. If you are into the goth/industrial scene, there are some good clubs right near where you’re staying- the Bovine Sex Club, Velvet Underground, and Savage Garden are all within two blocks of Bathurst and Queen. I usually go to Savage. Doesn’t get busy until around midnight. Oooh, you’re right near New York Subway, too! Go in, and ask for a potato and cheese sub. Really. Curried potatoes and cheddar, _don’t_ ask for _hot_ hot sauce. It’s amazing. Actually, everything I’ve had there is very good. Amato’s Pizza is also right in that area. And Shanghai Cowgirl. Many fun late-hour restaurants. I second or third going to the St. Laurence Market on Saturday. It’s lots of fun. Loreena McKennitt got her start busking there. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/30 "2006-10-17T13:40:11Z")
Bookstores! The World’s Biggest Bookstore on Edward Street a block north of Dundas. The original ‘big-box’ bookstore, it’s been there forever (in other words, since the seventies at least). The Beguiling, on Markham Street just south of Bloor, just west of Bathurst. Two storeys of comics. One of the best comics stores I have ever seen. Anime Extreme, on the east side of Spadina about two blocks north of Dundas. A very good anime store, with models and videos and books. The Silver Snail. Comics, games, and SF. _Used_ to be one onf my favourite places; I bought a lot of art books there. But then they went more towards games and I lost interest. Bakka Books. On Yonge Street somewhere around Wellesley. The legendary SF bookshop, which used to be on Queen West. Libraries: The Toronto Public Library ias becoming known for its architecture, interestingly, as well as its books. 99 branches. The Lillian H Smith branch (College just east of Spadina) has a very good childrens’ collection and a research-level collection of SF and fantasy. The Runnymede Library (Bloor just east of Runnymede subway) has a beautiful building which has been tastefully enlarged. And check out the Reference Library (789 Yonge Street). ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/31 "2006-10-17T13:45:14Z")
Bakka has moved back to Queen West, about two blocks west of Bathurst. Perfect. I didn’t like the space they were in on Yonge. Pages, at Queen and John, is a neat independent bookstore, and so is the Book City in the Annex, at Bloor in between Spadina and Bathurst. The Cookbook Store (just north of the Yonge/Bloor intersection) is fun, too. Knowlegable staff. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/32 "2006-10-17T14:44:56Z")
[QUOTE=Kythereia] Thursday meet-up after 7, wot Dopers? [/QUOTE] Thursday is actually good for me. How would Tortilla Flats (at their “new” location, north side of Queen, west of Spadina) sound? Not too busy, decentish Tex-Mex and has a minor Dopefest connection (drinks after a meal with KitKatt). Also, good margaritas and not too pricey. ---
**Author:** ![mischievous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mischievous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mischievous)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/33 "2006-10-17T15:06:23Z")
Well, I realize I’m the guest here, but I would second a Tortilla Flats meet on Thursday. It sounds like everyone but **Lissla Lissar** could make that work. Hey **Lissa** , I am indeed into goth stuff - do you want to meet up at one of the clubs? Here’s a [pic](http://christopherlovenguth.com/upload/naiche/DSC_4470.jpg) of me, if you see me out at night. mischievous ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/34 "2006-10-17T17:28:22Z")
[QUOTE=Lissla Lissar] Bakka has moved back to Queen West, about two blocks west of Bathurst. Perfect. I didn’t like the space they were in on Yonge. [/quote] Yay! Must go back… > [@Lissla Lissar](#): > > Pages, at Queen and John, is a neat independent bookstore, and so is the Book City in the Annex, at Bloor in between Spadina and Bathurst. The Cookbook Store (just north of the Yonge/Bloor intersection) is fun, too. Knowlegable staff. And on the east side of McCaul just north of Queen there is or was a nifty hole-in-the-wall place that sold architecture and design books. Tortilla Flats sounds good for meeting. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/35 "2006-10-17T19:19:07Z")
I will absolutely do my best to make it, but I may in fact have no energy left from this week whatsoever. Count me (cautiously) in. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/36 "2006-10-17T22:53:44Z")
Hmm. I’ll talk to my gothclubbing friends about it. We usually go on Saturday, and to Savage Garden, which plays EBM/New Wave/Industrial. KMFDM, VNV Nation, Wolfsheim, New Order, Mlada Fronta, Stromkern- stuff like that. We used to go Fridays, but there’s a new dj who plays perky-techno-goth, which is weird, and not danceable. I remember you from the pic thread! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2006, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/37 "2006-10-17T23:04:07Z")
The Toronto Zoo used to be outstanding - I don’t know if it still is. It’s a _long_ haul by subway and bus from downtown, though. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2006, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/38 "2006-10-18T00:32:25Z")
[QUOTE=Lissla Lissar] …there’s a new dj who plays perky-techno-goth… [/QUOTE] :: brain seizes up :: I’m sorry. I have a hard time dealing with “perky” and “goth” in the same sentence. Perhaps I need to be enlightened… ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2006, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/39 "2006-10-18T00:37:42Z")
I enjoyed the tour of the [Parliament.](http://www.ontla.on.ca/Side_bar/visitor_information/out/visitors/visiting.html) ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2006, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732/40 "2006-10-18T01:06:16Z")
On Queen St W, across the street from MuchMusic, there is a fantastic small restaurant that sells crepes and paninis. You can either get takeout from the counter or go in an sit down. It is **well** worth checking out either for lunch or a lighter dinner. There are some really interesting shops on Queen St W. On King St W, if you’re interested in antiques there is the Toronto Antique Centre. It’s essentially an antique mall. Also, on King St. W there is a small restaurant called the Kit Kat Italian Bar and Grill (or something like that)that has good food. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-toronto/376732.md?page=3)