It's kind of cartoon-y -- a giant thimble stacked on top of giant, colourful buttons, with other massive buttons spilled over around it. It takes a while to realize what you're looking at, but once you do, and clue in to the fact that it's the Fashion District, it's a hoot.

It really is the most beautiful view in town. The panorama is south over the Museum, the trees at Queen's Park, and out to the downtown skyline, with the lake on either side of the buildings and the CN Tower.

There are great, non-traditional and above all FUN baby clothes (like onesies and Ts) at shops like Genesis One (on St. Andrew's Street; with prints that say "Rasta Baby," or "B is for Bob" with a photo of Bob Marley, or "Crawl the Line -- Johnny Cash") and Exile (two locations on Augusta; with prints like "All Mommy Wanted was a Backrub.")

They make it look so easy, drawing pretty designs on your morning coffee just by pouring the milk in a certain way. The baristas are some of the best in town -- they even stole one of my favourites who used to work at B espresso bar.

It's got a great feel without attitude. Free wireless connection. Bright and sunny. Huge plank table in the middle gives you room to spread out and at the same time a communal kind of feel.

A big portion of rich mushrooms on a light slice of brioche, to soak up the sauce. So good.

Oh my. So big, and smothered in thick tomato sauce with lots of peppers and onions. Bring a friend -- the sandwiches are easily big enough for two. Eggplant sandwiches, and focaccia sandwiches are great (and huge), too.

It's a bit of a drive if you live downtown, but there's no other sports bar as big or as well equipped to watch a game. And since it's so completely devoted to watching whichever game is playing, the atmosphere is great.

This place carries every kind of car roof rack, trailer hitch, and accessory, for every kind of car. When you have two kayaks and two bikes strapped to your roof, doing 120 down the highway, it's good to be sure that the rack system is the right one. They seem to specialize in Thule and Yakima.

Honest Ed's is a hoot. But even if it's not your idea of a good time, there's no better place to go for household essentials like cutting boards, colanders, utensils, and stainless-steel mixing bowls. With this kind of thing, why pay more?

If you're going to splurge on a night at the movies anyway instead of renting something, may as well pay an extra couple of bucks and get treated well. Ordering from your seat, and the massive seats and tables to rest your popcorn, really do make it a better experience.

it's an entire store specializing in barbecues, grills, smokers and accessories. I can't believe it took me as long as it did to find it. Good service, too -- no snobbery, whether you're going for propane or charcoal, whether you want a $5,000 grill or a portable picnic grill. Tons of spare parts, for pretty well every make and model. Even found parts for my six-year-old Home Depot BBQ.

it's super rich and just a little bit spicy.

It's a great way to see movies you'd never see otherwise. You show up once a month, on Sunday morning, and don't know what's playing until the curtain rises. Could be a blockbuster (like "Big Fish") or a Tunisian feminist film about belly dancing (it's happened). Put on by the Film Fest people.

they're big and hot and homey.

the location itself is unpretentious, the service is warm and unstuffy, and the food is terrific. Get the mushrooms on brioche as an appetizer, and pretty well anything as a main.

The toasted marshmallow ice cream is out of this world, and unlike anything you'll find anywhere else.

it's got just enough of a legit retro feel and menu, but with better food and service. Breakfast burrito is awesome.

sooooo good! And really unusual things, like salmon with a dollop of kiwi salsa, as well as the more traditional.

they have interesting-but-not-freaky frames (they have freaky, too), and Joe, the owner, has a knack for putting the right frames on your face.

snazzy/casual lines like Quick Reflex and Esprit, and great prices -- men's dress shirts for $15! Twice a year, in May and November.

unbelievable baked French toast made with croissants. It's really more like bread pudding.

it's cheap, good, and the service is super. I always go for either the "bun" with the BBQ pork and shredded pork, or the chicken curry noodles.