Yesterday, while browsing along Yonge around Eglinton, I began to feel the need for a snack. A little sign pronouncing the presence of a "Dim Sum Shack" caught my eye and I knew instantly that's what I wanted. So I took the risk and gave Cha Liu a try.

Truthfully, Cha Liu is not much of a shack. It's actually an upstairs oasis in this upscale shopping neighborhood. It's cozy and quiet, with lovely decor that inspires a sense of peace. Fellow diners speak in hushed tones, the sounds of relaxation music help you drift away from the stresses of the day, and there's not a plastic tablecloth in site. For me, the atmosphere alone would make this spot perfect for a post-yoga brunch, or a place of relief after some hectic Christmas shopping on the strip.

Ultimately, however, it's the food that really counts in a restaurant. Fortunately, Cha Liu's dishes are as comforting as the decor - and perfectly delicious.

I love fall. I love the rich colours, the slight crispness in the air, and the crunch of fallen leaves beneath my feet. Those who don't live in Toronto might think that we city folk miss out on such pleasures. But they would be wrong.

Just because Toronto's got an awful lot of concrete doesn't mean it's devoid of a colourful fall season. Yet, while the rest of the city enjoys just a smattering of the lively oranges, reds, and yellows, High Park enjoys an all-out celebration of colour.

If you haven't been to the park lately, now is the time. The pools may be closed but there's still plenty to do: take a few blankets and share a cozy picnic with friends, strike up a game of football on a freshly-mown field, or simply enjoy a run or walk along the many paths.

With the recent talk of Jamie Oliver's "Feed Me Better" success, and the struggles to replace junk food with healthy alternatives in Canadian schools, I've taken to wondering...how do students in Toronto eat?

I didn't grow up in Toronto so I can't vouch for the elementary or secondary schools here. I did, however, go to University here, and if the dining options at the UofT campus are any indication, the situation, to put it kindly, doesn't look good.

In many of the recent discussions on this topic, the concern has been raised that if high school students are denied their preferred snacks on campus, they'll simply go off campus to get them. Here in Toronto, no matter where you live - or go to school - it's doubtful that you have to go far to fulfill your cravings.

Toronto instituted a long-awaited bring-your-own-wine policy way back in January, but how many diners have actually taken advantage it? I know I haven't, and the reason is wrapped up in those three deadly little words: the corkage fee.

Since the point of bringing your own wine to a restaurant is clearly to avoid astronomical mark-ups, it just doesn't make sense to fork over upwards of $30 to have the bottle opened by a scowling server. The deal gets even worse when you're forbidden to take home any leftovers!

Fortunately, while most establishments are busy punishing their clientele for this privilege, Dr. Generosity welcomes wine-bearers with open arms (on Mondays and Tuesdays, at least).

Massive supermarkets selling everything from flowers to furniture abound, and yet little fruit & vegetable markets are sprinkled about our city like toppings on a pizza, adding colour and flavour to our shopping experience. Despite the competition, these minature markets manage to thrive, and that's a good thing.

Bloor West Village owes much of its vibrance to these stores, with their colourful contents spilling out onto the sidewalk, propped up by boxes and crates. But, as usual, not all of the shops are created equal - and a careful shopper must evaluate price, quality and consistency when determining the preferred choice.

For me, that choice is Green Thumb.

If you're a vegetarian, chances are you're already salivating like Pavlov's dog over the impending weekend-long nosh-fest otherwise known as the Vegetarian Food Fair. After all, it's rare to find so many meat-free eats in one place!

But the Veg Food Fair (starting today at Harbourfront Centre) has a lot more than just food; during this three-day event you can sink your teeth into everything from meaty discussions and lectures, to nourishing tai chi, yoga, and mediation lessons, to enriching music and dance presentatins. With a diversity of speakers, vendors, and participants, the Fair attempts to take a (dare I say it) holistic approach to the vegetarian lifestyle.