This week's photo: Amanda & Colin at the new patio at Hey Lucy

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW



IN THE NEWS
 
Nighisti Semret’s murder
Photo: Toronto Police Services
Toronto Police Service have announced that murder charges have been laid against Adonay Zekarias for both the murder of Nighisti Semret and of Rigat Essag Ghirmay.  The official press statement from Toronto Police Service is here. 
Police are seeking information from the public about his possible motive for this brutal murder and for information about the location of Ms Ghirmay’s remains.  Forensic evidence, gathered first from Ms Ghirmay’s murder and then linked to Ms Semret, has resulted in these charges being laid against him.
 
Settlement for fire damage
A class-action lawsuit by tenants over personal injuries and property loss from a six-alarm fire in September 2010 at TCHC’s building at 200 Wellesley has been settled and the awards have been announced.  The Toronto Star reports that over 600 tenants (out of 1200 residents in the building at the time of the fire) will share $4.85 million.  You can read it here. The building is one of the largest social housing complexes in TCHC’s inventory. A large mural has been painted on the Wellesley Street side to commemorate the fire and the building’s restoration afterward.
 
COMING EVENTS

Yonge Street Mission open house
Saturday October 5, 11 am to 3 pm. This is the first-ever open house offered by the Yonge Street Mission.  YSM is one of Toronto’s oldest charities, focused on help for the city’s most vulnerable people.  The Open House tour includes a trip through 306 Gerrard, the Evergreen Centre at Yonge and Gerrard and the new YSM facility in St James Town.  You’ll ride an antique trolley, meet the staff and the new YSM president, Angie Draskovic, and enjoy a free barbeque lunch. Please RSVP if you’re interested in attending. 
 
Corktown heritage walking tour
Photo: Ontario Heritage Trust
Ontario Heritage Trust is hosting a walking tour through Corktown on Saturday October 5 from 11 am.  The starting point is Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (106 Trinity St).  Highlights include Little Trinity Anglican Church, the Parliament interpretive centre and the Distillery.  Space is limited so reserve your spot at sam.wesley@heritagetrust.on.ca.  Tickets are $10 adults, $8 students.
 
Nuit Blanche

Toronto’s annual all-night art whoop-up happens on Saturday October 5 from 6:51 pm until sunrise.  For a full listing of the events across the city, visit the official website.  Two installations are happening nearby.  In the Distillery, the Deaf Centre (34 Distillery Lane) presents Identity in Place with Julia Lee Patterson. At the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E), Dreaming the Luminous Numinous by six local groups is an interactive installation with music, performances and events throughout the night.
 
Jo Schwartz at Redline

Our Cabbagetown friend, Jo Schwartz, has a collection of her photographs at Redline Coffee & Espresso Bar (354 Queen E) in Corktown.  Her exhibition runs to October 31. On Facebook, Redline says that her photos of her recent trip to Burma are spectacular. 

Whiskey Jack celebrates Arlene Zock 
Photo: Whiskey Jack
On Sunday October 6, Duncan Fremlin and Whiskey Jack will celebrate Arlene’s life and voice at The Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen West).  There’s an impressive lineup – Mark Ripp, Colin Bradley, members of the George Lake Big Band, George Meanwell and Daniel Kushner from the Gala String Quartet and former Whiskey Jack members Rob Whitehead and Chris Whiting along with John Switzer.
 
Moss Park Hockey League
Megan Takeda has asked for help to locate a sponsor for one team in the MPHL.  The League offers a free program for at-risk kids between the ages of 4 and 14.  Sponsorship covers the cost of some equipment and the banquet at the end of the season.  In return, sponsors name the team and get a logo and a link on the League’s website.  http://mphl.ca/  For more information, contact Megan at mossparkhockeyleague@gmail.com

Get ready for Thanksgiving
 
St Jamestown Steak & Chops
Photo: Nick & Hilary
Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is taking orders now for your Thanksgiving dinner – turkeys, hams, beef.  And he’s got the accessories that you’ll need for a great meal. 

Cranberries
For two days over Thanksgiving weekend, Cranberries (601 Parliament) is offering a three-course prix fixe dinner at $27.  It’s a traditional Fall feast with butternut squash soup or mixed green salad, roast turkey with mashed potato, seasonal veggies, cranberry sauce and homemade stuffing and apple or pumpkin pie for dessert. 

RESTAURANT NEWS – LOTS OF CONGRATULATIONS

Hey Lucy
David Langley, Hey Lucy general manager
The amazing renovations at Hey Lucy (229 Carlton) are complete. The interior has comfy furniture, a nice bar area and a wood burning pizza oven, all behind large front windows that open the restaurant right onto the street.  The back patio (long considered the best courtyard space in Cabbagetown) is now generously landscaped with big overflowing flower pots, small cedars and hanging vines.  The menu offers plenty of pizza and pasta choices at reasonable mid-range prices.  There’ll be a Martini Wednesday with over 20 choices for $4.49 and Wine Thursdays offering 5 wines, 5 oz for $5.  Open from 11:30 am weekdays and 10:30 am for brunch on the weekend. 


Meet Javier at The Local GEST
Javier is the third member of The Local GEST family being introduced to us with a favourite recipe. He’s unveiling his Traditional Mexican Green Salsa.   (Last week, Andrea told us about lychee martinis and two weeks ago, Emerald stuffed her tomatoes with guacamole.)  You can read all of their recipes on Facebook – click here. 
 
The Scullery
The Scullery (200 Carlton) has just had a good review in The Grid – “Adorable spot…” “Different but solid choices every day of the week.”  “Sure to become the neighbourhood favourite.  Go before the lines form.”  It’s high praise.  You can read the full review here.  Open 7 am to 7 pm, brunch available on the weekend.
 
The Extended F’Amelia
Photo:  Toronto Life
More congrats for John and Todd.  Their latest project is next door to F’Amelia.  They rescued a tired little building that featured a front yard full of weeds and turned it into an amazing little room with a new brick patio.  It’s a great design.  In the winter, the brick-lined walls and warm woodwork will be a cozy inviting bar with a private side room.  In the summer, one of Cabbagetown’s best patio spaces will be even bigger and more welcoming.  On top of all this, they’re bringing F’Amelia’s fine appetizer selections into the room along with a dozen wines (by the glass or bottle) and a rotating list of signature cocktails.  Toronto Life has a brief description here.  The Extended F’Amelia (8 Amelia), 416-323-0666.  Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 6 pm to 2 am.
 
Under the Table
Chowhound at chow.com has just published a rave review for Under the Table (568B Parliament).  You can read it here - the author offers lots of details about several dishes on the menu. This is the little room with deep roots in Jamaican cooking and comfort foods.  “I just enjoyed a very cheap, very cheerful and very tasty meal in a basement in Cabbagetown.  Chef Betty definitely can cook!”

SHOPPING NEWS

Location, location, location
The staff at Kendall & Co (227 Carlton) want to tell us about hot properties that they’ve got here in Cabbagetown.  You can live large with their Luxury Suite in the Sky (a serving platter).  And empty nesters can rightsize to the Terrace Condo (dinner plates).  First-timers can flip into a Bachelor Suite (appetizer plates).  All are microwave and dishwasher safe ceramics – a wise investment.  Check out these lovely plates at Kendall’s website. 
 
Farley Month is here
Photo: Cabbagetown Pet Clinic
The Cabbagetown Pet Clinic (239 Gerrard E) is again taking part in Farley Month throughout October, joining over 300 veterinary clinics across Ontario to raise funds for the Farley Foundation.  The Foundation provides support for families who need veterinary care but can’t afford it.  It was established and administered by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association.  If you’d like to donate, drop by the Cabbagetown Pet Clinic and also put your name into the raffle for two big gift baskets full of treats.  The Clinic has a great Facebook page (click here) covering everything from alerts about poisonous hotdogs to the adventures of Mew, the new foster kitten found outside the Clinic’s door.
 
Dollarama is coming
As expected, the space once occupied by The Bargain Shop (429 Parliament) has been taken over by Dollarama.  For several weeks, black plastic sheets have covered the windows but now, logos are going up across the plate glass and a big green sign is attached.  No news yet about the exact opening date.
 
Have you noticed?
The lower end of Cabbagetown’s retail district at Parliament and Gerrard is perking up.  Rumours are that a new restaurant/takeout service offering tacos and Mexican goodies will be located in the old Mr Sub site across from Anniversary Park.  Dollarama is opening soon.  The 420 Smokehouse is almost ready to go.  Spruce is celebrating a four-month anniversary.  The Local GEST is alive and very well.  Reports from the House on Parliament are really enthusiastic about the new rooftop patio.  Paths to Vitality have a clean, attractive new clinic. There definitely are some bumps along this road to gentrification.  Some landlords who own beautiful heritage properties are letting them decay and there’s still the empty building at 456 Parliament.  Retailers in this area, however, are beginning to make a difference.
 
LISTINGS - CLUBS & PUBS
 
THURSDAY OCTOBER 3 TO SUNDAY OCTOBER 13

Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088
Cafune, 194A Carlton Street,  (647)748-7884, Facebook and http://cafune.ca/
Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 368-6893, www.dominiononqueen.com  
Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St, (647) 347-6567, www.pubaret.com
The Local GEST, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425,
https://www.facebook.com/thelocalgest
Paint Box Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Que Supper Club, 364 Queen St E, (647) 748-1783, http://www.quesupperclub.com
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676, www.stoutirishpub.ca  
Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester St, (416) 323-0051, www.winchesterkitchen.com

If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, we’ve listed the prices. Otherwise, the event is free.
 
THURSDAY OCTOBER 3

Cafune
6:30 pm, Henrique Matulis (guitar) & Kim Ratcliffe, Brazilian jazz, free admission
Dominion on Queen
7 pm, Wee Folk Club, $10
Flying Beaver
4 pm. Lobster dinner specials, $19.95
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Karaoke with Jason Rolland

FRIDAY OCTOBER 4

Dominion on Queen
9 pm – Havana to Toronto, Afro-Cuban jazz, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Jenny Payne PRS fundraiser with Sharron Matthews, George Masswohl, Linda Luztono & Rick Jones, $20 advance/$25 door
9 pm, Liz Tansey with Ted Quinlan, $15 advance/$20 door
Que
10 pm, DJ Night
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Illusions of grandeur
 
SATURDAY OCTOBER 5
 
Cafune
8 pm, Henrique Matulis (guitar), Artur Miranda & Vince Macc, Brazilian jazz, free admission
Dominion on Queen
9:30 pm, Sonic Blues Series, Daniel Buxton, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Comedy with Richard Ryder,  $10/advance & $15/door
9 pm, Kate Rigg & Lyris Hung “Slanty eyed mama”, $15/advance & $20/door
Paintbox Bistro
8 pm, Cuban vocals with Dayme, Jane Bunnett & Hilario Duran, $55 three course prix fixe dinner & show, $25 show only.
Que
10 pm, DJ Night
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Illusions of grandeur
 
SUNDAY OCTOBER 6

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly brunch with the Cosmotones
Flying Beaver
4 pm. Lobster dinner specials, $19.95
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Beau’s presents Open Mic with Porter
 
MONDAY OCTOBER 7
 
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm Win-Prov
10 pm,  Industry Night

TUESDAY OCTOBER 8

Dominion on Queen
8:30 pm, Hot Club of Corktown “Django Jam”, pwyc
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Epic movie Tuesday
 
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 9
 
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
8 pm, Corktown Ukelele
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, TV trivia night
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
7:30 pm, Winchester Trivia smackdown
10 pm, Karaoke with Jason Rolland
 
THURSDAY OCTOBER 10
 
Cafune
6:30 pm, Henrique Matulis (guitar) & Reg Schwager, Brazilian jazz, free admission
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Jeffrey Straker & Anna Gutmanis, $10 advance/$15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Loser karaoke with Jason Rolland
 
FRIDAY OCTOBER 11
 
Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Swamparella, Toronto’s premier Cajun Zydeco band, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, HSSE fundraiser cabaret hosted by Chris Brazeau, $5 advance/$10 door
9 pm, Lee Lindsay with James Cronyn, $10 advance/$15 door
Que
10 pm, DJ Night
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Karaoke with Jason Rolland

SATURDAY OCTOBER 12
 
Cafune
8 pm, Henrique Matulis (guitar), Laura Fernandes & Trevor Giancola, Brazilian jazz, free admission
Dominion on Queen
9 pm – Al Lerman blues, $10
Flying Beaver
9 pm, Jay Harmony, $10 advance/$15 door
Que
10 pm, DJ Night
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Naked rebel party

SUNDAY OCTOBER 13

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly brunch with the Cosmotones
Flying Beaver
8 pm, Savoy Howe’s Gangsta Drag Karaoke, $10
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Naked rebel party
9 pm, Beau’s presents Open Mic with Porter