In Search of the best Tradespeople

I, like many people I know work from a rolodex , a compilation of who's who in the world of services, but in my rolodex are the names of tradespeople tried and true!

I also have a discounted connection for Paint (house that is) Para and Benjamin Moore.

If you are needing a fence built or some drywall done, a painter or a lead glass window maker an upholsterer a refinisher a cabinet maker, a shoe repair or shoe shine for that matter, Leather repair.

How about a baker, a pasta maker a window company, iron railings firm, a landscape architect, Interior designers, Real estate agent, superb stagers, a singer that has lots of airplay time on the radio even!

You get the idea, I have people that I would recommend because they do excellent work don't break the bank and have reliability built in.

this is the short list there is also a tiler and carpenter, caterer, massage therapist, portait painter, hair stylist and colourist..you name the field I think I've used or have seen their work and tracked them down.

If you ever need a recommendation feel free to ask.



Thanks

Share Toronto- My Dining Experience - Terrazza

Tonight is the first in a series of restaurant reviews focusing on intimate dining spots around the city.

First of all, I'd like to talk about Terrazza, a hidden gem of an Italian restaurant on Harbord Street .

I first discovered this spot over the summer and have been back many times since.

I've introduced a number of friends to Terrazza's menu & we've enjoyed so many of their offerings. The gratis appetizer of olives and bread present a bowl of the freshest and most garlic-laden olives I have ever had! Make sure you have a parsley tree in your pocket.

My favorite pick on the menu is the Caesar Salad followed by their Chicken Penne Pasta which are both absolutely delicious!

Frankie, the head chef always makes the food fresh from scratch. You can taste the quality and the care that has gone into the preparation.

Frankie often delivers the food to your table, though they are staffed with a nice-looking, friendly group of servers.

Frankie seems to enjoy meeting the customers.

The chicken in the pasta is moist and tender, delicately balanced in a creamy tomato and goat cheese sauce.

Terrazza's patio is a natural late night summer's date spot.

It's hidden from the traffic, behind ivy laced with white fairy lights and tables that are spaced nicely apart to provide privacy with candle votives that create very intimate spaces for the many couples that have discovered this place.

If you aren't particularly in the mood for pasta, Terrazza has a great burger called the Lips burger, a meaty, moist delicious burger definitely not for the dainty eater!

This is a big burger with big flavour, or you can design your own custom calzone or pizza, lots to choose from and definitely worth the trip.

Free parking after 6pm, a rarity in the downtown west area, makes this a must try spot!

Terrazza Restaurant (more...)

647-343-3283

372 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON, M6G1H9

Toronto Auction Action

In keeping with loving the area around the Flatiron building, I did a bit of exploration around the eastern area of King Street tonight and was struck by some fond memories.

For the better part of 25 years I found myself drawn to auction houses around King, Sherbourne and Richmond Streets, at first lost in the sea of stuff that seemed to overflow from estates, stores and dealers who just needed to move dead stock! Then, eventually I would happen upon some great deals, and a few duds, though mostly I was getting a great education in the arts, in furniture construction and learning how to identify quality over crap.

For the past 10 years, Toronto (and for the most part the rest of the industrialized world) has seen a decline in auction attendance as well as the quantity of the product found at auction houses.

The current trend towards "Edit Your Life" design has kids snubbing their noses at that solid wood dining table that their parents wanted them to take as a hand me down or the old teak sideboard that was in the basement since they were kids.

It just seemed like the old stuff was baggage. Instead, we as consumers head out and buy that sleek looking fiberboard console from some trendy Queen or King Street furniture shop or some chain store, when we could have taken that sideboard & lamp-table and called the best independant refinishing shop in Toronto Johnny's finishing on Advance off Islington Avenue. That sideboard could look good as new for less than $300.00 and the table would have been around $250.00 to be redone in the oh so current Wenge stain!.

Suddenly these pieces arrive back to you looking more like they were purchased in a boutique shop than any mass-made product found in every store.

I haven't attended any general estate auctions for at least the last 5 years, so was surprised to find a "new" Auction House on King Street East (197 King Street East -The Auction House) operating for about 6 months; housed in a building that was built in the 1880's currently in a state of ongoing renovations.

Owner Francis Satto has big plans for this spectacular space but is still working on drawing in crowds for his regular Wednesday auctions first.

Auctions start at 7 pm every Wednesday and usually are finished by 9pm.

By the time I arrived there were about 10 people in attendance, however sparse crowds often mean great opportunity for good deals on any item you might have your eye on.

There were approximately 150 lots ranging from dishes to dining sets, art and collectables.

By the time of my arrival they were at lot # 135 a large rectangular coffee table, passed over because it was too big for those 600 square foot apartments but perfect if you have a cottage and wanted a $20.00 deal!

I missed most of the items that I would have considered bidding on though did catch the frenetic paced bidding on a carved wood rocking horse 3' tall which eventually sold for $55.00.
I watched as a vintage light fixture from the 30's with classic style (one that's knocked off by lighting suppliers and sold in retail stores for about $350.00) sold for $25.00.

In the end I didn't buy anything but was tempted by a couple of pieces that went well below what they would be in any retail store.

I'm thinking that Toronto needs to find a resurgence in these types of general estate auctions, the original ultimate in "Green" retail. If you're a person with a good eye you could have had a great marble side table, a super chandelier and an original piece of artwork, all for less than $150.00. Now that makes for smart shopping and a guarantee that you will have a signature space when you are done decorating your new home.

King Street continues to reveal some great spots, but next week the posting will move to the west end as I feature a great date spot - see you then.

Cheers,

Philip

Meet Phil

After over forty years of living in what I consider to be the best city in the world, it's fair to say I've come to know it like the back of my hand.

I've come to be known amongst my friends and acquaintances as the 'go-to' person for where to find whatever it is you're looking for - services, restaurants, unique boutiques and product sources.

This blog is my way of sharing the best the city has to offer. My focus will be on independently owned businesses with fantastic customer service.

I'd love to hear your feedback if you've had personal experiences with any of the venues discussed, and hear from you if you have a business that you feel deserves a mention!

This photo shows one of my favourite spots in the city - backing onto the iconic Flatiron building, the fountain has been used in many commercials and as a bathing site for many of the homeless in the downtown core :)

Occasionally, somebody with a sense of humour throws dish detergent into the fountain sending clouds of foamy bubbles down Front Street.

This neighbourhood is about to see a considerable amount of change, what with the new L Tower Condo project by Castlepoint Developments and the just started launch for Berczy Park Condos by Concert Properties- this will be an area to live, work and play.

Home to some very unique shops such as the best Christmas store in the city - The Christmas Market owned by Ted Genova, this business has been going strong for more than 30 years! His store imports some truly unique christmas and seasonal gifts, definitely worth the trip downtown just to see what he has in stock.

Some other notables in the neighbourhood - Nicholas Hoare bookstore, The Sultan's Tent and Le Papillon (restaurants), and of course Saturdays at the St Lawrence Market, on Sunday the Antique Market in St Lawrence North Market full to the brim with Treasures, Trash and collectables.

If the area is unfamiliar take a stroll down here on any Saturday or Sunday in the summer the outdoor patios, and busy street life make this a very unique spot in Toronto.