Pipesdreams's Faves | OurFaves.com

The Tap
517 Bloor Street West, Toronto

This pub was built with Annex student slackers in mind. They have table hockey at the back. They have a PacMan table you can play for a quarter. They have 4 busts of Elvis painted to look like KISS. They have chili dogs and poutine and nachos and many other things to help clog your arteries. Nearly everything served in the bar has bacon on it. There's beer galore and frozen Jager and big screen TVs and gruff yet lovable bartenders. The Tap: for all your slackin' needs.

faved on 11/6/2008 5:09:48 PM

Bulldog Coffee
89 Granby St, Toronto

Laziness plays a factor in why I caffeinate at Bulldog Coffee: it's close to a good friend's house. Regardless, the espresso is creamy and rich, the decor modern, and the prices reasonable. Hot chocolate is made with Ghirardelli. Ross, the owner and head barista, wins all sorts of awards for his fern and heart foam art, but he has quite a temper. Some days he loves you, other days you should just get your damn coffee and go. http://www.bulldogtoronto.com/home.htm

faved on 11/6/2008 4:51:58 PM

Bay Street Video
1172 Bay Street, Toronto

Back in 1998, I lived at Bay & Bloor and despaired of walking all the way to Markham to rent a DVD. Eureka! I found Bay Street Video, tucked behind Tim Hortons, just south of Bloor. Little yellow post-its with earnest staff recommendations; the whole Criterion Collection; endless BBC productions on DVD... it was true love. They've grown in size but remain indie at heart, and claim to have Toronto's largest DVD collection. I salute them for giving me 10 years of awesome service.

faved on 11/6/2008 4:51:31 PM

Museum

Textile Museum of Canada
55 Centre Ave., Toronto

I admit it: I'm a craft whore. I knit. I quilt. I sew. The textile arts intrigue me. This museum deserves your attention even if you couldn't care less about those things. In 2006, they exhibited millions of dead tropical insects cunningly pinned in patterns to mimic Victorian wallpaper. These curators are crazy/fabulous. War carpets from Afghanistan, obis from Japan, fur upholstered toys. It's all here, folks, and the gift shop kicks ass. Bring the kids; there's an interactive exhibit, too.

faved on 11/6/2008 4:51:20 PM

Shoe Store of the Gods

John Fluevog Shoes
242 Queen Street West, Toronto

The fact that they have "Satan resistant" soles was enough to sell me on this brand. Beyond that, Fluevogs are Canadian-designed and made (West Side, represent!) They're hipster, but not obnoxiously so. They're like what would happen if Doc Marten and Vivienne Westwood had a naughty lovechild. They're good enough for Madonna. My Fluevogs can beat up your Blahniks, etc. http://www.fluevog.com/

faved on 11/6/2008 4:51:03 PM

Indie Video Game Shop

Game Centre on Yonge

Video game addiction is an expensive habit: I should know. Game Centre makes it gloriously cheap. Hidden inside the mall at Yonge & Charles, near the Dollarama, lies a vast collection of new and used games and consoles, complimented by a treasure trove of Old School goodies. Want a game for your 1980s Sega or NES? Look no further. Seeking a second-hand PS2? Done, for peanuts. They’ve got well-priced used DVDs and accessories, too: Wiimotes were in stock months after they sold out at Best Buy

faved on 11/6/2008 4:50:46 PM

Theatre

Bathurst Street Theatre
736 Bathurst, Toronto

A lovely old church at Bathurst and Lennox (one traffic light south of Honest Ed’s, across from Central Tech) is home to a lovely little theatre space. The building’s been around since 1888, and I bet the congregation back then would have been shocked to know that in 2008, their pulpit has being used to perform “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Footloose: the Musical”, thanks to the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $20 through TicketMaster.

faved on 9/11/2008 9:13:32 PM

Greg's Ice Cream
750 Bloor St. West, Toronto

Greg's is the antidote to Toronto's punishing August heat. When you're schvitzing in 40 degree humidity, make your way to the Jewish Community Center at Bloor & Spadina for a cooling treat. Everyone raves about the Coffee Toffee and Roasted Marshmallow flavours, which is fair since they're freaking DELICIOUS. However, I choose Green Tea, every time. Here's how it tastes in the form of haiku: My tongue darts forward / Catches the creamy dribble / Green tea ecstacy

faved on 9/11/2008 9:08:23 PM

Tiny Korean Pastry Snack

Hodo Kwaja

Hodo Kwaja, aside from sounding like food Yoda would eat, are walnut-shaped baked snacks made in a crazy Korean waffle iron that is the size of a small car. They are served up hot and fresh until 11pm daily in the bakery of the same name, at Bloor & Christie. The pastries are full of tasty walnut, almond or red bean paste filling and at $1 for 6, they make Timbits look expensive. Man, are they ever good. Buttery and delectable, blow $3 and buy the 18-pack to share with friends.

faved on 9/11/2008 9:07:25 PM

Canada Computers
Multiple Locations

Whether you're hunting for parts to build your ultimate Alex Murphy-style cyberman, or just looking for a cheap flash drive, digital camera, USB headet or external hard drive, these guys have the best prices and great selection. So much better than Best Buy or Future Shop, it's not even funny. The College Street location is just north of Kensington, so you can get juice at Rice Bar on your way home with your new toys.

faved on 4/7/2008 7:59:23 AM