I've only been in once, and I didn't buy anything, but it's one of my favourite places in the city? Why, you ask? Because of the guy out front who chants "active surplus, you never know what you'll find" over and over and over, day in and day out. Except the one time I walked by with my cousin and his new amp from Steve's, at which point he briefly altered his script to exclaim "HEY! TUBE AMP! NICE!"

This is one of my faves at any time of day, but should you inexplicably (ha!) find yourself hungry and roaming the streets of Toronto late at night, this Yonge/Bloor area cafe on Charles offers terrific food, amazing soups, and the prices aren't altogether unreasonable. Give it a shot!

I argue with my friends that, while Cora's is the best breakfast in Toronto, it's still only three stars. My argument is that nobody's come up with a good breakfast restaurant yet. It's the most ignored meal of the day. But I digress, Cora's does a good job at putting together a tasty day starter, including something called "Gargantuan Feast" that scares me to even know about...

Challenging, but so much fun. This is a relatively new set of two courses, one offering the authentic old European style of play, the other a more traditional North American style. Both will make you work to succeed, but you'll have a great time doing it!

There's a reason people line up for an hour to spend $9 on gelato - it's that good. I can't bring myself to buying it often, but it's a great treat when I'm feeling thin and rich.

Sometimes the well-known one is still the best. Toronto has a lot of comic stores but I still enjoy this one the most, for simple selection and for their extensive collection of toys. The first stop every Free Comic Book Day. I still remember their Lord of the Rings mockup using Muppets figurines.. classic!

Great Italian food, but the big draw here seems to be their extensive rare beer collection. They've got a number of them on tap, usually something on cask, and a ton of bottles to try. Once a year you can enjoy Cask Days, a cask beer festival where local brewmasters brew up a one-off version of their beers.

I've started a new ritual in this place. I buy a tequila shot before every show, and wait until the band hits that first note before dropping it back and throwing the shot glass up on a speaker. Not sure why, but you should give it a shot, it's exhilarating. :)

The drinks aren't cheap but the appetizers are. One of my favourite summer treats is happy hour with a Waterloo Dark, two or three appetizers, and their nicely located patio across from Roy Thompson. Great stuff.

Amazing formal and authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of the valley in Bolton, about 30 minutes north of the city. I've become friends with the owner through my visits and can speak for the passion and authenticity of the food here. Absolutely the best patio in the GTA!

Just north of the city this 15km trail is unbelievable in that it offers so many different styles and terrain of trail you'll think you're transporting. It's not incredibly difficult, and best of all, it's packed with Geocaches. It's worth the drive to Bolton.

If you've picked another Americano as your favourite you haven't been here yet. It's so good not only would I drive over an hour to taste it, but I'd run over whoever got in my way en route. The owner is a Barista ninja from the mecca of coffee - Seattle - and does it right in this former post office on the main drag in Collingwood.

Lots of fun, but I highly recommend the ghetto location out by CityTV to get the full experience. Those new sexy ones near Yonge/Dundas and Yonge/Bloor are just too sharply dressed to fit the bill just right. ;)

Great gathering amongst mobile professionals, usually monthly and thus far at the historic Fort York. Great speakers, rousing crowd, exciting atmosphere. Still relatively new so it's a good sized crowd to make contacts with.

Hands down the best music store in the Toronto area, and it has to have been thanked in more liner notes than any other. I'm a frequent visitor, love the prices, love the selection. I could literally waste a day in that acoustic room.

Stumbled in here by fluke one day when nothing was open on a Monday and we decided to eat at the first place that was open on our left. We've returned many times, terrific thai food at very reasonable prices.

Check in advance because tours don't happen every day but you'll never see anything like it. The basement is some old caverns situated on the original crystal springs, complete with damp brick walls, dull lighting, and albino spiders. Andy and Val are great and their beer is excellent. Don't miss it!

The brewmaster does a great tour, and his attention to detail is stunning. There's no better replica of an authentic Czech Pilsner to be found outside the Czech Republic, and their Dark is one of my personal favourites. Drop by their brewery, take a tasting and a tour, and check it out!

The Belgian Frites - with smoked ketchup and mayo - are the best in the city. Nobody else even comes close!

It's old school, comfortable, and the acoustics are the best.

One of the best restaurants north of the city, hidden away behind the McDonald's, but extremely popular for lunch and dinner. The jambalaya - served fusilli instead of rice - is my "go-to" dish.