Do you love hitting the jackpot and finding a restaurant that is so good that you’re torn between shouting from the rooftops and keeping the find to yourself? Yeah, we have that problem too. However, living in Murano practically gives you the right to know the best lunch joints in its proximity. So, we’ve decided to share, but just don’t go telling everyone at once!

Matagali is tucked under a row of townhouses, on Elm Street, steps away from Bay and Dundas. Perfect for a casual lunch, or an informal business meeting, Matagali is an Indian-Thai spot that is welcoming to all and that is decorated with elephants in an attempt to join the two cultures: but don’t worry about the décor, you came here for the food. 

Ensuring that customers are well fed for a decent price, the menu offers a range of hearty items that are either Indian- or Thai-inspired. With a big enough portion to enable sharing, the Indian Vegetable Pakoras ($5.95) are filled with lots of flavour and have just the right amout of crunch on the outside. The Thai Basil Lamb ($13.95) is served perfectly cooked with a tasty oyster sauce, red peppers, and rice. Fresh Naan is an obvious no-brainer when dinning at an Indian restaurant, and the Naan ($1.25) served at Matagali is fluffy and delicious. Although many enjoy Mango Lassi ($3.95) as a dessert, we went for it and slurped while we ate our meals. 

Whether you’re grabbing a quick bit to eat, treating your parents to dinner in the city, or going out for a movie and dinner date- Matagali is a go-to restaurant that you can rely on. Located at 69 Elm Street, it is open Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays. 

Sources:

http://www.matagali.com/

http://www.torontolife.com/listings/restaurants/indian-and-sri-lankan/matagali/

http://www.torontolife.com/features/matagali/

Image c/o Urban Toronto

It’s no secret that Toronto has become one of North America’s prime real estate cities. Condominium projects have been popping up for the last couple of years. Two popular sister projects have been the Murano and Burano, both developed by Lanterra and designed by architectsAlliance. The interior design was done by Munge Leung Design. Today’s image shows us both towers, standing side by side.

The Murano was completed in 2010, while the Burano is just about to reach completion. For more information on either of these projects, please feel free to contact us!

Sources:

http://www.urbantoronto.ca/news/2012/08/photo-day-lanterras-burano-murano

Image c/o Design Quarters.

There are definitely a few pieces of furniture that you can invest in and be sure will last a lifetime.

A comfortable sofa
The sofa is a large part of your home. It often defines the style and tone of your entire living space. This is why it is important to find a piece that fits your personal style. Investing in a traditional and well-built piece can save you money in the long-run. Recovering the upholstery is always cheaper than replacing the piece in toto.

Art
A great art collection can do a lot for any space. Not only will the rights pieces of art reflect your style and personality, but they will also make your space much more aesthetically pleasing.

A classic dining table
Family discussions and memories take place at and centre on the dinner table. It’s also an important piece for people who enjoy hosting parties and friendly get-togethers. Invest in a well-made wood piece that can last for years.

A versatile bench or ottoman
A versatile piece like this one is ideal to function as backup seating for guests, or it could be the spot people use to comfortably remove their boots by the front door.

Lighting 
Lighting is what creates the atmosphere in your living space. Workspaces require brighter lighting, while your living room may require a dimmer light for relaxation. Light fixtures and lamps can also act as pieces of art in their own right, it’s important to pick out ones that reflect your personal style.

Now that you know what pieces to invest your money in, here are a few helpful tips to make choosing the perfect pieces a breeze.

Frame
The frame of a good piece should be made of quality material like solid wood, or strong metal. This will ensure that your piece will last for many years to come.

Picking a reputable manufacturer
Usually, pieces made in North America or Europe are of much better quality than pieces made in other places. Sometimes it’s worth dishing out the extra cash to ensure quality.

Antique pieces
Picking up an antique piece could also be a good idea. Brands like Shaker, Beidermier or Tiffany & Co. are known for their quality and exquisite style and are excellent choices for antique investments.

Working with other pieces you own
It’s also important to make sure the piece you choose fits nicely with other pieces in your possession.

Do your research
Look up prices and brands before walking into a store. Although it’s a good idea to spend a little extra on a good quality piece, you don’t want to break the bank either. A good piece doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

Sources:

http://www.chatelaine.com/en/blog/post/35279–six-home-decorating-investment-pieces-you-won-t-regret

http://www.examiner.com/article/furniture-101-investment-pieces

http://www.designquarters.co.za/tag/investment-pieces/

Murano was the developer Lanterra’s first venture on Bay St. This project boasts 45 floors in the first tower and 35 in the second. It serves as a welcome modern addition to the Bay St. Corridor.

It is a boon to the typical doctors, nurses, professors, and UofT students that value the building’s proximity to hospitals and the St. George campus.

Almost all units provide very generous outdoor balcony space and all have floor-to-ceiling windows, making almost all units very bright.

This building has the added benefit of being steps away from Bay & College and Yonge & College, where you not only have access to the subway, but both a Metro and the new Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens, as well as a Winners, and a Pharma Plus drugstore. Keep in mind that you are also within short walking distance to the Eaton Centre, as well as Yorkville to the North.

If you’re interested in purchasing a unit at Murano, give me a call today at (416) 929-1660 or contact me via email at resupport@axoncaptialrealty.com. I’d be happy to assist you in your condo search!

Image c/o blogTO.

Book lovers should check out NDJ books, one of Toronto’s well-known used bookstores. Located at 504 Yonge Street (between College and Wellesley Streets), it is very close to Murano condos.

Owner and operator Nebojsa Knezic is always around, helping every customer whenever he can. There’s a selection of books on art, history, cooking, as well as great classics and a good collection of vintage magazines.

It’s the perfect shop for book lovers who do not want to spend a fortune – NDJ offers used books at a low price. Look out for the $1 bargain bin at the front!

There are lots of trendy shops and restaurants around Murano. If you’re thinking of moving to the area, contact us for more information! Reach us at (416) 929-1660 or email us at resupport@axoncapitalrealty.com. We would be happy to help you find that perfect condo.

Sources:

http://www.blogto.com/bookstores/ndj

http://www.torontolife.com/guide/good-stuff-cheap/books-and-music/ndj-books/

Image c/o dine.to

Segovia is a Spanish restaurant that has been serving Toronto for 16 years. Conveniently for Murano residents, Segovia is located at 5 St. Nicholas St.

The menu consists of authentic Spanish cuisine. Appetizers include salads and soups. There are tapas as well. Main dishes include: Grilled Fresh Salmon ($22), the Filet Mignon ($25), and the Roasted Loin of Lamb ($27).

For private events, Segovia also has the Prado Lounge, located upstairs. It can hold up to 150 guests.

Hours of Operation:

Lunch Service
Tuesday – Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm

Dinner Service
Tuesday – Saturday from 5 to 10 pm

CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY

The charming Segovia is just one of many great spots around Murano. If you would like more information, feel free to contact us at (416) 929-1660 or email us at resupport@axoncapitalrealty.com. We would be happy to assist you in your search!

Sources:

http://www.segoviarestaurant.ca/

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/99583

Image c/o blogTO.

Darvish Restaurant is located north of College St. on Yonge St. In addition to providing generous servings of their delicious and authentic Persian dishes, they also offer a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. 

Some of their most popular dishes include:

• Mast-o-Moosyr ($4.99) – Homemade yogurt with Persian diced shallots
• Chelo-kabob Joujeh ($12.99) – Chicken breast marinated in saffron, lemon juice and herbs
• Gheymeh-polo ($10.99) – Fine pieces of beef with split peas and dry lemon in a tasty tomato sauce topped with cinnamon and your choice of friend potato or eggplant, served with steamed Basmati rice

Murano is surrounded by great shops and restaurants like Darvish Restaurant.  If you would like more information, feel free to contact us at 416-929-1660 or email us at resupport@axoncapitalrealty.com. We would be happy to help with your search for that perfect condo!

Sources:

http://darvishrestaurant.net

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/darvish-restaurant-tempus-toronto