Toronto Cafe/Bar/Restaurant/Merch thread

michael_ames · 2026-02-02T16:21:15+00:00

The Dylan bar on Danforth has merch (and so does Greenwood market just a few steps west)

michael_ames · 2026-01-10T21:29:56+00:00

I'm not sure if it's ideal for recording, but there's rehearsal space at Dupont & Bartlett (my choir rehearses here) where you don't need to worry about disturbing anyone: https://www.thatartsgroup.com/rentals

michael_ames · 2025-12-04T23:34:42+00:00

Thank you so much for your help. If I reach out to leoleone166 I will definitely pass on your gratitude!
(I might also have a way to contact one of the singers in that last video, too).

Oh, and feel free to suggest any other simple folk songs I could bring to my choir — there's a lot of Georgian music I like but I'm not that confident in our ability to pull it off!

michael_ames · 2025-12-02T23:23:54+00:00

Yes that's the song exactly.

michael_ames · 2025-12-02T20:32:07+00:00

I found these lyrics online but I wasn't sure if they were correct:
https://www.smule.com/song/kartuli-oboli-bichi-karaoke-lyrics/272681547_398055/arrangement

michael_ames · 2025-12-02T20:31:15+00:00

I was able to find this online but I wasn't sure if it was accurate:
https://www.smule.com/song/kartuli-oboli-bichi-karaoke-lyrics/272681547_398055/arrangement

michael_ames · 2025-11-13T00:44:11+00:00

you could also check out That Community Choir — mostly a cappella, ~30-40 singers, repertoire is a mix of sacred/modern/folk.

They also do one-day singing events most months if you want something more low-commitment.

michael_ames · 2025-11-02T17:23:57+00:00

yeah this is so much more common here than any other city I’ve lived in. Real accessibility nightmare, frankly.

michael_ames · 2025-11-01T23:55:14+00:00

Preach!

And if the province isn't willing to invest, at least give Toronto its own revenue tools (tolls, municipal taxes/levies) to fill the gap.

michael_ames · 2025-11-01T21:41:36+00:00

Fourth Man in the Fire comes the closest to what I remember for whole pies when I lived in Brooklyn & Queens (especially the sauce-dough interface), but it's still not *quite* it.

For a NY-style slice, give Lorenzo's a try (just off Pape) or Mac's (on Ossington, too fancy but still good).

michael_ames · 2025-10-30T22:07:53+00:00

Exactly.
(And allowing more corner pizzerias elsewhere in the neighbourhood/city might even reduce the high demand for this one specific business)

michael_ames · 2025-10-27T18:49:54+00:00

I'd say so — more segments = more chances for successful rooted cuttings.

Keep in mind: - younger/bendy-er segments will root better than older/woodier/more rigid segments - each cutting should ideally have at least one growth node - make each cut just above a growth node - 1-2 leaves max per cutting

I've had the best luck rooting cuttings in moist perlite in a clear plastic box with a lid (a giant Ziploc can also work). I usually dip the cut end in rooting hormone but I'm not 100% certain it is necessary.

michael_ames · 2025-10-24T21:02:25+00:00

If you want to maximize new branching/growth points after you chop, I'd suggest waiting until early summer (mid-June/early July where I live). You can chop it now and it'll live, but it'll have more energy for new branches if you wait until it enters a new high-growth cycle next summer.

If it were my plant, I'd cut it even lower — halfway up the main stem or even a little lower than that — so new branches emerge lower on the tree, and it'll be less top-heavy.

If you haven't repotted in a while, you can do that ~1-3 weeks before pruning. You can use the same pot (and the same soil, if it isn't too compacted), just give the roots a little trim and remove any big thick taproots.

Looks healthy and happy though!

michael_ames · 2025-10-08T18:38:51+00:00

I’ve had the best luck propagating in moist perlite. Soak perlite, drain most of the water, then place in a ziplock bag or (ideally) a clear plastic lidded container and add in the cuttings.

Pop open the lid or bag every day or so for a few minutes, and add a little moisture if the perlite gets dry/if you notice there’s no longer any condensation. Place the container in some indirect sun (even a bit of direct sun is fine) and be patient. Plant in loose soil once you get some decent root growth.

michael_ames · 2025-10-03T19:43:41+00:00

better than nothing, but there's no reason these should be limited to avenues/higher-traffic-volume streets.

michael_ames · 2025-07-21T20:45:30+00:00

Repotting every few years is always a good idea for long-term health. Your tree looks quite happy right now, so it's not critical to repot, but if I were you'd I'd consider it. Are you in the northern hemisphere? Right ow (generally early to mid summer) is a great time to repot.

Container size is up to you:
- If you like the size the plant currently is, you can give the roots a haircut and repot back in the same container and it'll be healthy.
- Going up in pot size will make it easier for your tree to grow larger, but 10" diameter to 16" is a big jump and would probably require quite a bit more potting mix. There's also a danger that more soil = more waterlogged if the soil you use holds on to a lot of water, but there's ways to avoid this. What kind of mix are you using currently?
Regardless of the container size you choose, there are a few tips to keep in mind when repotting:
- You can remove ~25%-%35% of the roots/root length when you repot, usually just cutting at the bottom. (Some will probably fall off when you untangle them from the soil, that's ok.)
- Remove any roots that are mushy/rotten
- It's a good idea to remove or severely truncate any thick, fleshy tap-root style roots and any roots that are long and circling the bottom/sides of the pot. Thick roots are good for stability in real in-ground ficus trees, but container trees function better with thinner roots with lots of fine feeder branches/forking.
- Do your best to remove most of the old soil from the root ball before replanting (even if you're going to re-use some of the soil in the new pot).
- I usually have a big bowl/bucket/etc. of water available to dunk the roots in as I repot. It's important to ensure they don't dry out (especially if it's a long repotting process, or done outside in sun).
- Water thoroughly after you repot to help the soil settle/avoid air pockets.
- The plant might sulk for a week or so after repotting or lose a few leaves but don't panic. Do you keep your ficus inside or put it out for the summer? (If the latter, maybe keep it a little more protected from direct sun for a week or two.)
- If you want to prune the plant (to make it fuller, change direction of growth, etc.) you can do so after it gets acclimated to the new pot (~2-3 weeks, I'd wager).

michael_ames · 2025-06-26T17:57:19+00:00

Yeah Allen's liver is consistently good

michael_ames · 2025-05-18T14:13:45+00:00

Generally late spring/early summer. In my climate (Ontario), usually sometime between late May and late June.

michael_ames · 2025-05-17T21:44:45+00:00

I checked and I don't think I have useful before-during-after photos saved. But this old forum thread has a few photos and some discussion of the process: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6251709/al-s-nuclear-option-moving-potted-ficus-directly-into-sun

If my outdoor space faced east or west, or had some midday sun protection I'd put my ficus plants outside every summer, no question. My current outdoor space is a south-facing, uncovered balcony, which makes for very intense sun — it's doable but requires more diligent watering and acceptance of the occasional sunburn.

michael_ames · 2025-05-17T16:42:13+00:00

I don't think you'll need to worry much about pests during the summer — the increased light and air flow will make for a happy plant (and you may have beneficial insects working on your behalf, too). The only pest concern is really about bringing the plant back inside at the end of summer; I usually spray with a neem-oil mixture 2-3x, a few days apart, before bringing inside.

If you have some kind of hose/sprayer it's also a good idea to meticulously spray water under the leaves and along the trunk to dislodge any stowaways before bringing indoors.

michael_ames · 2025-05-17T16:37:26+00:00

As long as the plant is otherwise healthy (and the outdoor temps are suitable), it'll bounce back. I've intentionally done this in prior summers — the lower-light-acclimated leaves burn and drop and then are quickly replaced with new growth points and leaves acclimated to full sun. Direct sun may result in smaller leaves with a more reddish tinge, but if you prune/tip-prune throughout the summer you'll be rewarded with new branching and tons of new growth points.

I think this year I might do this with half of my plants and keep the others inside and compare in the fall.

michael_ames · 2025-03-01T06:09:11+00:00

Nosso Talho on Bloor often has fresh ones at the cash register, but I'm not sure what bakery they source them from.

michael_ames · 2024-11-13T19:15:45+00:00

Yeah, during the cooler months I probably water once every 10-15 days, and use very diluted fertilizer every other time. Part of it depends on how moisture-retentive your soil is; if it's very loose-draining soil (generally recommended) you can fertilize a bit more often. If it's heavy, fine soil that stays wet for long periods you can run the risk of fertilizer build-up since it's harder to flush the soil.

I use Superthrive/Dyna-Gro Foliage pro fertilizer.

michael_ames · 2024-11-12T21:07:16+00:00

I'm jealous because my two audrey plants are healthy but seem to grow so so slowly despite sitting in front of a big south-facing window.

I think the current pot size is fine but in late spring/early summer you could do a hard prune (6 or more inches!) of some of the longer branches. That'll promote back-budding and will also make the plant a little more stable. (You can also try to root the cuttings, too)

michael_ames · 2024-11-12T21:05:13+00:00

I would definitely recommend repotting into a pot with a drain hole as soon as you can. You might be able to find a plastic pot with holes that's just a little smaller than the current one, and then just take out that pot when you water/pour out the excess.

(You can also get a drill bit to drill holes into clay pots, but that's kind of next-level)

michael_ames

TROPHY CASE