Posts by Tim

Noon Restaurant Enters the Deadpool

Noon RestaurantNoon Restaurant has entered the Deadpool - our new section dedicated to chronicling, celebrating or otherwise remembering some of our favourite (or not so favourite) Toronto places that are no longer with us.

Noon was popular for their Build Your Own Breakfast, a great concept I expect to catch on at other spots in the city. It was busy for brunch on weekends but sadly couldn't bring the business it needed during those slow Mondays and Tuesdays. In a message posted a while ago to their web site, the owner had lamented they were having problems but would seek to turn things around come the Spring and Summer.

Extreme Fitness, Extreme Ripoff?

Extreme FitnessExtreme Fitness loves their direct mail. Every month or so another one of their flyers shows up in my mailbox. They all say the same thing: No Annual Contract! Only $8 month. Offer ends [insert revolving date here].

Marketing such as this has become a hallmark of the fitness industry. As consumers, we have become so conditioned to assume that there will be hidden fees, contracts we can't get out of and a variety of deceptive practices that the new marketing tactics many clubs now employ are designed specifically to address these concerns.

Inside Red Bull 381 Projects

  • Posted by Tim
  • Filed in Arts
  • May 7, 2008
Red Bull 381 Projects EntranceRed Bull 381 Projects is a sweet space. Set up by those energy drink people, the two-story gallery meets chill-out lounge is upstairs from the GAP at the corner of Queen and Peter.

Functioning as both an office for Red Bull Canada as well an an ongoing exhibition space for local artists and creative initiatives, Red Bull 381 Projects is currently host to CONTACT's portfolio reviews and exhibition. It's also home to the HP Gallery where anyone can bring in digital photos and get them printed for free on an armada of high-end HP printers.

First Look: Grace Restaurant

Grace RestaurantGrace Restaurant serves its first dinners tonight. The space on College formerly known as Xacutti has been idle for some time, but after a recent makeover at the hands of owner Lesle Gibson, Grace is ready to introduce the concept of modern farmhouse to Little Italy.

Stepping inside the restaurant for a preview last night, the first thing I notice are the two plush, white banquets on the right hand side of the room. Comfortably seating eight, these are definitely the spots to secure if dining with a larger group. Further inside, smaller tables dot the 60 seat dining room followed by an intimate outside space (pictured above) perfect for a summer's meal for two.

Contest: Win Candy Coated Killahz Prize Pack

  • Posted by Tim
  • Filed in Music
  • May 5, 2008
Candy Coated KillahzThe Candy Coated Killahz, last seen in TO during the Toronto Alternative Fashion Week, have a busy May ahead of them. Next week they're supporting headliner Zaki Ibrahim at a gig at the Mod Club but this Thursday (May 8th) they're out to create some buzz with a CD Release Party at Wrongbar.

We've found ourselves with a bunch of tickets and swag to give away to this week's show. Want some of it for yourself? Keep reading for contest details.

Photo Contest: Between Memory and History

  • Posted by Tim
  • Filed in Arts
  • May 2, 2008
Disappearance of DarknessCONTACT is officially on, and to make the festival this year just a little more interesting, we've partnered with HP Canada on a month long photo contest. It's super-easy to enter and we'll be awarding some killer HP prizes to two lucky winners.

Keep reading for contest details including the theme, prizes and details how to participate.
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