Posted by Greg Clow in magazines, news and media on September 14, 2008 at 2:46 pm

Is it just me, or is the cover of the October, 2008 issue of Toronto Life really drab and boring? I guess they're going for a silver and gold thing, but the silver looks more like grey, and the whole thing just isn't very eye-catching.

Going past the ugly cover, though, there's some good stuff inside. The not-yet-online Best of Fall cover feature includes lots of tips on what's hot this season in movies, books, shops, arts - and most importantly for this site, food & drink. There are Q&As with chef Anne Yarymowich about her new restaurant at the AGO (opening in November), and Paul & Selena Christo-Williams about their new Dundas West bar Red Light, plus quick "coming soon" blurbs about Mildred's Temple Kitchen, A Taste of Quebec, Oasi, and a new lounge space above The Citizen.

Also in this issue: James Chatto enthusiastically profiles Nota Bene; David Lawrason gives some tips on food and wine pairing; Bread Bar is chosen as this month's hot spot review; Eric Vellend compares the traditional tacos at La Tortilleria and the high-end version at Marben; and Signe Langford checks out the unique usage of chocolate on the menus at Vertical, Colborne Lane and Sequel.

Also out now is the September/October issue of City Bites, available in paper form at selected restaurants and food shops across the city, and online as a PDF download. Highlights include: Leanne Delap on Susur's long goodbye; Adam Pesce's tips on eating in Indonesia; tomato recipes from five of Toronto's top chefs; Stephen Beaumont on American beer that doesn't suck; a preview of next weekend's Canadian Chef's Congress by Dick Snyder; and wine tips from Konrad Ejbich & John Szabo.