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Hot Dining: Mother’s Day Brunches in Vancouver

Photo copyright Fotohunter/iStockPhoto

Mom’s the word on May 13, which is Mother’s Day in North America. It also happens to be one of the most popular days of the year to go for brunch, so reserve ahead. Treat your marvellous mama to a delicious spread at Bacchus Restaurant and Lounge, Coast Restaurant, Fleuri, Horizons Restaurant or Raincity Grill. She’ll love it almost as much as she loves you.—Kristina Urquhart

Editor’s Picks: Best Choices for Mother’s Day 2012

Victoria Conservatory of Music Garden (Photo: Maureen Flynn-Burhoe)

Victoria

Mother’s Day Paint-In
At this arts and crafts fair at Hatley Park National Historic Site, browse the works of local artists, purchase plants and locally made jewellery, food items or beauty products and more. Other diversions include bands, face-painting for kids and tours of the historic Hatley Castle and gardens.
Hatley Park, 2005 Sooke Rd., 250-391-2666; May 13, 10–4; May 12 and 13, 10–4; free. (more…)

Hot Dining: Sleek, Chic Downtown Dining at ARC Lounge

Dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients fill the menu at ARC Lounge

Nestled in ARC The.Hotel, ARC Lounge is a chic gem. This downtown restaurant manages to be both sleek and cozy, and is the perfect place for a business meeting over lunch (it’s also a go-to for a romantic dinner or after-work drinks). Known for fresh and local seasonal menus that blend sophistication and creativity, this is a place that is generating increasing buzz. Head over in the morning and order the Arc French Toast — oat and cinnamon crusted cranberry focaccia with maple syrup and orange butter — for a nice wake-up call. 140 Slater St., 613-238-9998.

Weekend Roundup: April 6 to 8

Friday: See Hudson the polar bear, then enjoy some Easter-themed family fun (photo courtesy of the Toronto Zoo)

Friday, April 6
Treat the kids this long weekend with a trip to the Toronto Zoo. In addition to admiring animals from around the world, including a brand new baby polar bear named Hudson, kids can take part in the annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza, which offers a lineup of fun activities as well as the Beary-Bunny Easter Parade at noon and 2 p.m.

Hilarious comedy troupe The National Theatre of the World brings back its side-splitting Carnegie Hall Show to The Second City. The award-winning improv production features four of Toronto’s best comics acting out scenes based on mundane everyday activities. Also enjoy special performances of dance, Burlesque and even acrobatics.

Calling all music lovers! Grammy-nominated British duo The Ting Tings are set to rock the Phoenix Concert Theatre tonight, in promotion of their latest album, Sounds from Nowheresville. Perhaps you’ve heard of their hit, “Shut Up and Let Me Go”?

Saturday: Examine the patterned works of Marlis Saunders at the Design Exchange

Saturday, April 7
There are more than 100 colourful works to view in Marlis Saunders’ exhibition, entitled Stop, Drop, Repeat, at the Design Exchange. The German-Canadian artist is recognized as a pioneer of the Bauhaus school, and her patterned works are exemplars of that style.

A response to the classic play A Raisin in the Sun, Clybourne Park is a story of race and real estate set in a Chicago neighbourhood and spanning two generations. The dark comedy starts out in 1959, as a black family looks to move into an all-white neighbourhood, then fast-forwards to 2009, when a white family moves into the same house in what has become an all-black area.

Enjoy homegrown drama as renowned Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor brings Was Spring to the Tarragon Theatre. It’s a story of three generations of women who confront each other about a tragic event from their past.

Sunday: Ajax and Little Iliad is on stage at Harbourfront Centre

Sunday, April 8
The latest production in Harbourfront Centre‘s popular World Stage series, Ajax & Little Iliad sets out to define the “theatre of war” for civilian audiences. Only 30 seats are available for each performance of this intimate show; each audience member listens through a pair of headphones for a truly personal experience.

The end is near! The end of the Royal Ontario Museum’s Maya exhibition, that is. After calling the institution home for the past four months, the Maya: Secrets of Their Ancient World mega-show moves on Monday. Take advantage of your last chance to discover priceless Mayan artifacts, learn about their sophisticated rituals and explore the mysterious end-of-days legend.

And if you don’t feel like venturing into the kitchen this Easter weekend, Toronto has plenty o’ places that’ll do the work for you, especially for that most comforting of meals—brunch. Check out some of the restaurants offering a holiday-Sunday repast here.

Where in Toronto: Easter Brunch Brings Us Together

There's nothing like a holiday brunch to bring family together (photo by Groovehouse)

We all have busy lives and my family is no exception. Whether we’re working or running off to various extra-curricular activities—not to mention the fact that we’re scattered across different cities—it’s hard to find time to gather as a group. Fortunately we have holidays like Easter to bring us back together; breaking bread with one another is a great way to facilitate this communal catching-up. (more…)

7 Up and At ‘Em Montreal Breakfast and Brunch Spots

Olive+Gourmando storefront. Photo by Dana McMahan.

By Marcella DeVincenzo

Montrealers are huge breakfast-goers. Get going in the morning with seven of our favourite breakfast and brunch restaurants. (more…)

Many Mouths to Feed: Our 2011 Dining Guide

Whether your palate is daring or demanding, Toronto’s incredibly diverse dining scene satisfies every craving.

Toca

FOR TRUE NORTH TASTERS
With the continuously growing influence of North America’s local- and slow-food movements, it’s only natural that sustainable, regionally appropriate cooking has taken hold in Toronto.

On the menus of many restaurants you’ll now find a profusion of Canadian-sourced and responsibly farmed ingredients, from Alberta’s renowned beef to East Coast seafood to vegetables harvested in Ontario’s fertile “Greenbelt.” And though simple meat and potatoes still offer us comfort on a plate, Canadian cuisine can also be very classy. (more…)

Hot Dining: Great Brunch Spot

Jak's Kitchen has a variety of tasty, fresh brunch dishes.

Anyone who loves brunch (and really, who doesn’t?) should make a stop at Jak’s Kitchen. This isn’t your average pancakes-and-eggs joint though: open Tuesday to Sunday, this restaurant offers a variety of tasty, unique breakfast and lunch dishes daily. Some favourites include the C’est Bon omelette (smoked salmon, goat cheese, arugula, and spinach), banana bread French toast, and the Croque Monsieur (capicola, gruyere, and diablo sauce). Even better, it’s a great bang for your buck, with dishes ranging from $7 to $13. Also open for dinner. 479 Bronson Ave., 613-230-2088.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

 

Poached Breakfast Bistro. Photo: Penny McKinlay

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is our series highlighting the best local restaurants across Canada. Have a tip for your city? Let us know on Twitter or on Facebook. Today we are featuring top restaurant picks in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

BREAKFAST

Poached Breakfast Bistro shares a downtown location with late-night hangout Flint, and it’s got some really inventive and delicious brunch food that is beckoning line-ups out the door. Recommended by Saskatoon-based food blogger Penny McKinlay, this bistro serves up a few must-have dishes. (more…)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Saint John, New Brunswick

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is our series highlighting the best local restaurants across Canada.  Have a tip for your city? Let us know on Twitter or on Facebook.  Today we are featuring top restaurant picks in Saint John, New Brunswick.

The patio at Saint John Ale House.

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