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Greater Toronto Area

Experience the Taste of Toronto!

July 15, 2014 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

You know me and local food festivals. Oh, you don’t? Okay, I’ll explain – if there’s one happening, I WILL attend.

The chance to savour new and exciting cuisines. The opportunity to chat one-on-one with world-renowned chefs. The time to learn about cooking techniques, flavours and culinary inspiration. The thrill of purchasing sauces and spices that have yet to make it to market. THAT is why I love food shows.

Today, I’m happy to introduce the FIRST ever Taste Of Toronto, a Taste Festival.

Taste Festivals, an IMG event, is considered the world’s greatest restaurant festival. The festival concept began 10 years ago in London, England, and has rapidly grown into an international event with festivals in 20 cities around the world including Dubai, Amsterdam, Milan, Moscow, Melbourne, Dublin, Mumbai, Sydney, and Johannesburg, to name a few. Everywhere it goes, Taste represents a gourmand’s dream come true: delicious food created by the city’s greatest restaurants, world famous chefs, superb drink and outstanding entertainment, set in stunning surroundings.

Taste Festival, Regent's Park, London, 2008At Taste of Toronto, visitors can participate in a full schedule of cooking classes, demonstrations, chef Q&As, book signings and much more. Several special guests will be mingling with the crowd including Momofuku chef and owner David Chang; French-Canadian chef and television personality, Chuck Hughes; and cookbook author and Canadian chef, Roger Mooking.

With 17 of Toronto’s top chefs offering new culinary creations and over 50 signature small plates from their restaurants, sample the delicious fare over a picnic at the music stage featuring music performances by the likes of Jason Collett and The Darcys, curated by local record label Arts & Crafts. Be sure to tour the producers marketplace, including nearly 70 premium vendors, and visit the Officer’s Mess Kitchen for historical cooking classes for kids and adults alike.

Admission tickets start from $30 and give access to the festival grounds and programming listed below as well as $6 worth of ‘crowns’, the event currency. For more information or to purchase tickets visit tasteoftoronto.com. …

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Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: food festivals, Fork York, Greater Toronto Area, Taste of Toronto

Planes: Fire & Rescue – Win a Family Pass! (GTA)

June 26, 2014 By Lena

If you have Disney-loving offspring in your household, chances are, you’ve got July 18th circled on your calendar. Why? Well, it’s the North American release of Planes: Fire & Rescue, of course!

“Planes: Fire & Rescue” is a new comedy-adventure about second chances, featuring a dynamic crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from raging wildfire. When world-famous air racer Dusty (voice of Dane Cook) learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting.

Dusty joins forces with veteran fire-and-rescue helicopter Blade Ranger (voice of Ed Harris) and his courageous team, including spirited air tanker Dipper (voice of Julie Bowen), heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter (voice of Wes Studi), ex-military transport Cabbie (voice of Captain Dale Dye) and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. The fearless team battles a wildfire and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.

Planes: Fire & RescueI’ve got two little fans who cannot wait to see the new movie, and I’ve got a special surprise for them – we’re attending the advanced screening on July 16th in Toronto! Yup – they’ll get their Dusty-fix before anyone else (which translates to two more days of hearing roaring plane engines for me).

The best news: you can join us! I’ve got one Family Pass of 4 to give away to the advanced screening of Planes: Fire & Rescue on July 16, 2014 in Toronto. The show will take place at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas at 7:15pm.

If you’re interested in treating your family to this epic aerial adventure, simply leave a comment on this post. I’ll randomly draw for a winner on Sunday, July 13th, 2014. Good luck everyone!

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: family movies, Greater Toronto Area, Planes: Fire & Rescue, Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada

The Mighty Meatball

May 16, 2014 By Lena

What is it about a Straight-Up Meatball from Scaddabush that makes me weak in the knees? Topped with garlic chips, melted cheese and perfectly julienned basil; dotted with extra virgin olive oil and placed over a toasted focaccia crostini. Unable to control my craving any longer, I visited the restaurant earlier this week.

Scaddabush MeatballFrom Scaddabush: We love meatballs. And the secret to making them? Our special Sunday sauce. The kind that Nonna would slow cook at the start of the week. Each day we prepare a sauce just like that, adding bits of Parmesan and pancetta for flavour. Our half-pound meatballs are made with Certified Angus Beef, ricotta cheese and parsley, marinated with garlic, black pepper, porcini mushrooms and olive oil. Then it’s into our sauce to be simmered to absolute perfection. Choose between classic or pepperoni and mozzarella-stuffed. Nonna would approve.

Alas, only two locations in Canada at the moment – Square One and Yonge & Gerrard. If you happen to be in the Greater Toronto Area, I do recommend you pop in for the most unforgettable meatball you’ll ever have.

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Greater Toronto Area, meatballs, restaurant review, Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar

This Family Day, Awaken at the Park

February 10, 2014 By Lena

Family: the single most binding element in our lives. Families provide us with a sense of identity and belonging; they are a source of emotional support, nurturing and a shield against self-doubt. The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.

This Family Day, how will you celebrate your loved ones? Will you plan a special day together outdoors? Or will you take in one of the city’s family-friendly attractions? How will you make it memorable? Here’s how.

First, immerse yourself in one of the world’s most multicultural cities as a distinguished guest at Park Hyatt Toronto. Perfectly situated in the heart of the fashionable Yorkville area, and encircled by high-end retail stores and five-star restaurants, the hotel is within walking distance to some of downtown’s most renowned sites, including the Royal Ontario Museum.

For Family Day weekend, take advantage of Park Hyatt Toronto’s Awaken at The Park package – starting at just $199/night, you’ll receive overnight accommodations and a full breakfast for two in the acclaimed Annona Restaurant (children subject to additional fees).

Spend the day in beautiful Yorkville, and enjoy upscale shopping and five star restaurants, all within walking distance from Park Hyatt Toronto. You’ll also discover family friendly attractions that are conveniently accessible from the hotel, including the Bata Shoe Museum, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, Ontario Science Centre, St. Lawrence Market – plus all downtown Toronto landmarks and attractions.

Back at the hotel, while the kiddos are unwinding from the day’s activities, mom can sneak away to Stillwater Spa. The full-service spa features 17 treatment rooms, a couple’s massage room, aqua therapy room, steam room, sauna and whirlpool, and tea lounge for relaxing before and after Stillwater Spa treatments. A fitness center equipped with the latest equipment is available to spa guests. Stillwater Spa also offers an extensive menu of massage therapies, body treatments and salon services to customize your spa experience….

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Family Day Activities, Greater Toronto Area, luxury Toronto hotel, Park Hyatt Toronto

What’s for Dinner? Try Dinnerit.

December 4, 2013 By Lena

Friends, it’s officially December. Ho-Ho-HOLY Toledo! Where did the time go? This month is, and will always be, the month that passes by way too quickly.

End of year commitments. Holiday decorating and baking. Christmas plans. School concerts. Shopping.

The fact is, for this home-cooking affectionado, I have thrown takeout menus on the table for the last three nights straight. And it kills me! I love cooking, and honestly, can make the time to get it done. But what I don’t have: recipe inspiration, the right ingredients in my fridge, and the perfect complimentary foods to make a well-balanced meal.

Paging Mr. Chow. Yes, I’d love an extra order of egg rolls for $1.99.

Sigh. Does this sound like your household? Well, if you live in the GTA, I just may have the solution for you.

Dinnerit is a friendly subscription service that provides the freshest dinner ingredients and inspiring nutritionist-developed recipes direct to your doorstep each week. Simply order a Family Bag ($139/week) or Medium Bag ($99/week) online, and the ingredients – plus recipes – will be delivered by their friendly drivers in a temperature-controlled environment. (Below: Denise Fernandes, Co-Founder of Dinnerit.)


So, how is this different from a meal delivery service? Well, first and foremost, you cook the meals yourself. That means that you have complete control over the ingredients that go into your meal, and you have insight into the freshness and quality of those ingredients. Second, you’re paying less than you would to have the meal made for you; the Dinnerit Family Bag works out to $6.95 per meal per person for the week. When you consider that you don’t have to spend time making lists, grocery shopping and seeking out recipes, and that the entire meal is balanced nutritionally, the service starts to make sense….

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: dinnerit, Greater Toronto Area, meal delivery, review

FAB Deal Alert: Disney on Ice, Princesses & Heroes

November 23, 2013 By Lena

Here’s a nifty deal for my friends in the Greater Toronto Area. Have a little Disney fan? Now, you can see the iconic Disney On Ice presents Princesses & Heroes for 40% off the ticket price!

“After touring the world for two years, Disney On Ice presents Princesses & Heroes returns to North America in 2013 and is coming to Canada for the first time. High flying jumps, daring acrobatics, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends are just a wish away as Disney On Ice presents Princesses & Heroes makes its Toronto debut this December at Rogers Centre for 17 performances from December 20 to December 29, 2013. Ticket prices range from $28 to $93.” << But thanks to our friends at PeachyBuy.com, YOU can grab tickets for less!

Save 40% on tickets to Disney on Ice presents Princesses & Heroes with ticketmaster.ca discount code ROYALPEACH. The seats are only $26 (regular price $43), and the promo code is valid for ALL performances. Simply redeem the promo code at www.ticketmaster.ca. There is a 4-seat minimum required for discount, and regular Ticketmaster fees still apply. For more information visit www.peachybuy.com.

I’m excited to take my boys to the show, as we know they’re fans of both Princesses and Heroes! Enjoy the show!

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Disney on Ice presents Princesses & Heroes, Greater Toronto Area, ROYALPEACH, www.peachybuy.com

Ticket Giveaway: Dora the Explorer Live!

November 14, 2013 By Lena

“If there’s a place you gotta go (Dora the Explorer Live) I’m the one you need to know!”

Families across Canada can rejoice! Koba Entertainment is proud to bring audiences its newest theatrical production starring the adventurous little explorer, Dora! One of the most anticipated shows of the year, Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys will sweep the nation this fall 2013.

Dora is embarking on her most important mission yet in Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys. Dora has lost her teddy bear and the search is on to find him. With help from the audience, Boots, Map, Backpack, Diego and more, Dora uses her directional, counting, musical and language skills to successfully pass through the Number Pyramid and the Mixed-up Jungle to reach the City of Lost Toys. But watch out! You never know what that sneaky fox Swiper might be up to along the way!

Families will delight in this 70-minute live theatrical production that invites audiences to think, sing and play along. Dora is designed to teach kids to explore, communicate, overcome obstacles, solve puzzles and discover a diverse and exciting world – all while having a lot of fun!


Click here
for a complete list of tour dates across Canada. Dora the Explorer Live!  Search for the City of Lost Toys plays nation-wide right up until December 18th. And, if you live in the Greater Toronto Area, you can win 1 of 3 Family Packs (4 tickets each) here!

Here’s what is up for grabs:

1 x Family Pack for the Dora show on Sunday, December 8 at 4 p.m. at Living Arts Centre in Mississauga
2 x Family Packs for the Dora show on Friday, November 29 at 3:30 p.m. at Sony Centre in Toronto 

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling us who’s the Dora fan in your life, and if selected, which show you’d like to attend. I’ll randomly draw for three winners on November 21st. Good luck, and for all those attending Canada-wide, enjoy the show!

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Dora the Explorer Live, family entertainment, Greater Toronto Area, Koba Entertainment, Nickelodeon

The Promenade: Go on A Shopping Spree… With Me!

October 9, 2013 By Lena

For all my readers who’ve ever jokingly (or not-so-jokingly) asked, “Take me shopping with you!” or “Can you be my personal shopper?”… it’s your lucky day!

I’ve teamed up with The Promenade once again, and this time, we’re hosting an ah-maz-ing contest – and if you live in the Greater Toronto Area, you simply must enter.

It’s the Style the Season contest! One lucky winner will receive a $500.00 Cadillac Fairview shop! card gift card; a one-on-one shopping session with Lena Almeida from Listen to Lena (that’s me!); a complimentary hair cut, style and makeup application at a participating salon; and dinner at Pickle Barrel with one (1) guest on Sunday, October 27th, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Whew! Sounds like a fabulous way to spend a Sunday afternoon – wouldn’t you agree?

And even if you don’t win, there’s still an awesome reason to visit The Promenade on October 27th: from 1:00pm to 3:00pm you can attend the “Style the Season” event in their Centre Court. In addition to sitting in on a free style session by yours truly, you can also enjoy samples, fashion and beauty demos and enter to win a $100.00 Cadillac Fairview shop! card gift card.

(Plus, a few hot men known as the Vaughan Fire Fighters will be there to sign their 2014 calendar. Just sayin’.)

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: contest, Fashion, Greater Toronto Area, Style the Season, The Promenade

GTA: Looking for Adventure? JoyRide 150 Indoor Bike Park

January 15, 2013 By Lena

When I first started blogging, I often featured events in and around the Greater Toronto Area that may be of interest to my readers – especially if they’re family friendly and an affordable way to show the kids a good time. Thing is, over the years my readership expanded, and I felt kind of weird just speaking to my local friends.

However, I’ve decided that this year, I’d like to (somewhat) return to my roots and feature 1-2 local family events per month. Just my way of staying in tune with my community and keeping my blog relevant for long-time fans.

Now my first featured event is something I know boys of all ages dream of – joyriding with bike pros.

WHAT – Specialized is inviting kids of all ages from across the GTA to ride with three pros who are pushing the limits and redefining what it means to get air on their bikes. Daniel Dhers, Mike Montgomery and Darren Berrecloth are three of the top Freeride Mountain Bikers (BMX, Dirt Jumps, Big Mountain) and GTA kids will have a chance to ride with their idols at Joyride 150 – Canada’s best and most popular indoor mountain bike park.

WHEN – Friday January 18, 2013: 7pm Screening of “WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS”, Q&A with Darren Berrecloth
Saturday January 19, 2013: 10:00am – Ride with Specialized Athletes; 3:00pm – Autographs
Sunday January 20, 2013: 10:00am – Ride with Specialized Athletes; 3:00pm – Bike Giveaway

WHERE – JoyRide 150 Indoor Bike Park, 150 Bullock Drive, Markham, ON  L3P 1W2

COST – Day Pass – Weekend (Sat-Sun) $28; 2-Day Weekend Pass (Sat+Sun) $44

*There is a one-time-only $5 start-up fee the first time you register at Joyride150 – this covers the cost of the waiver, processing, photo, and club card (which never expires!)…

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Daniel Dhers, Darren Berrecloth, Greater Toronto Area, Indoor Bike Park, JoyRide 150, Mike Montgomery

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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