LOB, which stands for “Love of Bocce” is the genius idea of founder, and Torontonian, Ryan Dolan. After working in New York and living in Brooklyn, he decided to leave his corporate job and return to his roots with this fun venture. Indoor bocce tracks in New York were his inspiration for bringing this concept home in this 10,000 square foot space. Combined with local brewery offerings (right across the street) and great food we’ve already visited twice.

How it works? Groups of up to four players at a time step up to the nine-track course (Track 10 is the bar/pub you’ll want to linger here). Each “fairway” has it’s own slightly different challenges with slopes and obstacles. Players are given two bocce balls in a ball sack (jokes are inevitable) to carry around the indoor course. Taking turns, you’ll want to get your balls close to the pole. Earning points as you go…or losing them if your ball falls into the gutter. All in good fun.  The game itself takes about one hour to play.

On our second visit we celebrated a girlfriend’s birthday and started off with nachos and wings (the apple butter bbq is so good we had to put in a second order) along side a few drinks. By the way, there are vegan options on the menu as well. The food is created by Executive Chef Kyle McClure and it’s all worthy of sharing throughout the night.  The menu is described as “classic pub fare that’s not complicated” with everything made in-house using local producers and suppliers.

We watched the steady flow of players step up to the first hole and we joined in when we were ready. There wasn’t much waiting between games plus…you can walk around with your drink in hand as there are multiple spots to rest your glasses…and balls. Yep. Go there.

While walk-ins are welcomed, it’s wise to book a table ahead of time for some warm up snacks before or stay after your game. Great for parties, date night, corporate team building events, and girls night out. We’ve also learned that families with kids over the age of 10 are also welcomed here — we would suggest earlier hours for kiddies. Games are $15 per person.

LOB Toronto is located at 101-100 Broadview Avenue (just half a block south of Queen Street East). For more information visit www.lobtoronto.com

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The original 4-storey building opened in 1891 was constructed for Archibald W. Dingman, an influential entrepreneur in Alberta’s early oil-drilling industry and a principal in Pugsley, Dingman & CO., a Toronto-based soap manufacturer. It was created to be a social club for the neighbourhood. The Canadian Bank of Commerce was also originally located at street level. In 1907, Dingman sold the building to Thomas J. Edward who converted it into the Broadview Hotel a year later. Since then it had gone through several changes.

But in more recent years, most Torontonians have known it as the former home to the gritty Jilly’s strip club (yes, we know you have stories). As explained by the architectural and design teams at Streetcar, it was shuttered a few years back for the building’s safety concerns. Apparently former owners thought to take down interior support beams to make for um…better viewing.

But locals could see the value of this landmark property. Luckily Streetcar Developments purchased the building in 2014 and their architectural team began the restoration process with eyes on turning the building into a boutique hotel. ERA is the firm that is taking care of the meticulous restoration of the romanesque style building.

The facade is gorgeous but because the building was structurally unsound and they couldn’t keep any of the existing floors or walls. All of the red brick and sandstone and window openings have been kept. We were told that the old Jilly’s didn’t have many rooms but it had drop ceilings in the auditoriums that were revealed during the restoration.

The Tower at the corner of the intersection will be the jewel in the crown of this property with it’s vaulted ceiling and historical arched windows. This space will serve as an intimate setting ideal for private dinners.

Interior decor elements include wall treatments that have been newly designed based on the original wallpaper revealed. Other treatments include a tongue in cheek nod to the past (think leggy fishnet stockings) and a fun drapery design incorporating urban wildlife that caught our attention. Really looking forward to when this is all pulled together.

The building will also house a rooftop terrace and bar that will offer a stunning and unobstructed view of Toronto’s skyline. It will have a 360 degree glass, pyramid skylight.

Broadview Hotel will have 58 guest rooms each outfitted with luxurious linens, decor, a vinyl record player and a mini-bar that will feature locally sourced goods.

The hotel is set to open this summer. Pretty sure it will be another hotspot during TIFF. You can get a virtual reality tour now at thebroadviewhotel.ca

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Check out the Walkable neighbourhood of Riverside. Just few blocks from downtown Toronto, on the other side of the Don River valley and the busy parkway which bears its name, lies a vibrant neighbourhood with a unique small town in the big city atmosphere that makes it a draw for residents and visitors alike. Best known for heritage buildings, award-winning restaurants, and the street that inspired the internationally renowned Degrassi TV series, Riverside’s attraction also lies in its artisans and community builders of many sorts.

Extending along Queen Street East from the Don to just past famed Degrassi Street, Riverside is a great example of a neighbourhood that is drawing on its history as impetus and inspiration for its new development. The pride of ownership in both the new and old is evident throughout in award-winning beautification and revitalization projects that include new pedestrian lighting and painstakingly detailed restorations of historic façades made of the city’s distinctive red brick.

The rejuvenated buildings provide the perfect settings for the plethora of shops and international restaurants that have recently sprung up in the area, but the urban renewal has not distracted the Riverside community from maintaining its original friendly charm. The eclectic mix of every day shops and services with artsy and fashionable boutiques encourage people from all walks of life to mingle and enjoy together.

One of the best ways of experiencing Riverside is by walking its history laden streets. Saturday, October 26th is one of the best times to check out the Riverside for the first time, as it is their and wildly popular Riverside WalkFEST. This annual event showcases Riverside through 9 unique walks lead by local personalities, where tasty treats, insider info, and historical anecdotes are shared.

More info on the Riverside WalkFEST and the Riverside District can be found at: www.riverside-to.com

Anjuli Solanki
Riverside BIA Director of Marketing and Public Programs

Experience the Riverside District in Toronto

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RiversideTO

Website: http://www.riverside-TO.com

Twitter: @riversideBIA

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