CABBAGETOWN
NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
This
week’s image: Ice storm damage
NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
Storm damage
Our area dodged much of the suffering that others experienced from last week’s ice storm. For the stores on the west side of Parliament at Wellesley, there was a problem with damaged telephone and internet cables from Rogers.
At Under The Table (568B Parliament), Betty Ann and Kimberley found that customers are worried that they had gone out of business. In fact, they’re still alive and well and they want us to remember the NOW Magazine review that praised their hospitality.
LGBTQ family planning
courses
The
Sherbourne Health Centre and the Queer Parenting Programs at the 519 are
holding three series of courses for family planning through the early New
Year. Daddies & Papas 2B runs on
Wednesdays from February 19 to May 7.
Dykes Planning Tykes covers the same period, February 19 to May 7 plus
there’s a Dykes Planning Tykes intensive weekend on April 25 to 27. Find out more at the website.
In the media
Photo: Ben Peterson selfie, Toronto Star
The Toronto Star published several stories about
“People to watch” in 2014. Cabbagetown
resident Ben Peterson was featuered for his work on Newsana, a service that
gathers significant, high-quality news stories, analysis and ideas.
Photo: Toronto Star
The Star’s architecture writer,Christopher Hume, summed
up his reactions to 2013 achievements and applauded the new Bridgepoint
hospital (14 St Matthews Rd) as a reinvention of hospital buildings. He also singled out the Ontario Elementary
Teachers Federation building (136 Isabella) for its beauty, sustainability,
sensitivity and intelligence.
Photo: Waterfront Toronto
In
the Globe & Mail, architecture writer Alex Bozikovic singled out Corktown
Common as a breathtaking vision - a beautiful park, a significant protection
against flooding in downtown Toronto and a neighbourhood facility for Corktown
and the new Pan Am village area.
Congrats Nagesan
Nagesan
is the son of Nages and Raj at Absolute Bakery (589 Parliament). He’s popping up behind the counter to extend
his friendly service to everyone walking in the door. That’s his in-between work. In real life, he’s just graduated from
McMaster and is now applying to medical schools. Best wishes and well-deserved congratulations
for your success so far.Good news about the Don Valley Trail
Photo: Cycle Write Blog
Keith
Lawrance at the Cabbagetown Residents Association points out that the City of
Toronto is asking for bids for architectural and design services for the
reconstruction of the pedestrian and bike trail along the Don River from
Pottery Road south to Corktown Common. The City’s description is very
encouraging. The project will attack
difficult areas along the trail and provide extra access points at Gerrard and
Dundas. The project can be seen at the
City’s website.
New music programs
The Local GEST (424 Parliament) is introducing a jazz
program on alternate Sundays from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. The first event was held last weekend with
Nathaniel Hiltz. Salsa nights will
happen on Saturdays. Watch for specifics in the next few weeks.
Photo: Ariane Smolderen
Paint Box Bistro (555 Dundas E) has announced an
ambitious jazz series starting with Randy Weston’s African rhythms on January
11. Six events (plus a separate CD
release) are lined up through to February 15.
The evenings are a joint project with the Jazz Performance Education
Centre. Before each performance, students from Ontario’s jazz colleges will
perform from 6:30 pm Paint Box has a jazz and dinner package with a 3-course
prix fixe dinner for two at $110 per person.
Holiday hours
Several
businesses are taking special breaks over the New Year’s season. Paint Box (555 Dundas) is closed until
January 6. Merryberry (559 Parliament)
is open for shorter hours from 11 am to 3 pm for lunch and brunch until January
5. The Shop at Daniel et Daniel is
closed until January 5.
Cabbagetown South
Residents
Photo: Cabbagetown South Christmas party
The
association is holding its 2014 Annual General Meeting at 7 pm on Wednesday
January 8 at Retsina (209 Gerrard E). Don Purvis, the current chair, is
stepping down so there’ll be an election to replace him along with other Board
members. If you’re interested in serving
on the Board please email info@cabbagetownsouth.ca This is a very
lively group that's made a steady contribution over the past year. Our thanks and congrats to Don and his
colleagues for their efforts.Theatre announcements
The Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley, 416-364-4170) will
stage Christopher Fry’s “The Lady’s Not for Burning” from January 24 to
February 8. Ticket info available
here.
Tribes
by Nina Raine is next up at the Canadian Stage (26 Berkeley,
416-368-3110) from February 2 to March 2. Info here.
At
Soulpepper
(50 Tank House Ln, 416-866-8666),
Idiot’s Delight runs from January 23 to April 1. The Norman Conquests come back on February 10
to April 8. Two concerts in the Salon series, Berlin to Broadway and Aboard the
Orient Express, are on stage February 13, 15, 25 and 26. For tickets and info, click here.
George Brown College presents The Country
Wife from February 5 to 15 at the Young Centre (50 Tankhouse Ln,
416-866-8666). Tickets and info
here.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Here’s a listing of who’s doing what on Tuesday night and who’s open or closed on Wednesday. Reservations are often recommended.
Restaurants & pubs
Alice’s Place (554 Parliament, 647-931-9088) Archeo (31 Trinity St, Distillery, 416-815-9898)
Best Breakfast (434 Parliament, 416-924-5266)
8
am to 6:30 pm, NY Eve. Brunch, 9:30 am
to 2 pm, NY Day
Butter Chicken Factory (556 Parliament,
416-964-7583)Lunch 11 am to 3 pm and dinner 5 to 10 pm, NY Eve. Closed NY Day.
Cranberries (601 Parliament, 416-925-6330)
Closed NY Eve. Brunch and regular menu, 11 am to 11 pm, NY Day
F’Amelia (12 Amelia, 416-323-0666)
Regular menu plus butter poached lobster, venison or truffle risotto. Enjoy dinner here and then party next door, 5 pm to 10 pm, NY Eve. Closed NY Day
Extended F’Amelia (8 Amelia, 416-323-0666)
Ring in the New Year here with parties and surprises, 5 pm to 2 am NY Eve. Closed NY Day
Gilead Café & Wine Bar (4 Gilead Place, 647-288-0680)
Regular service from 5:30 pm on NY Eve. Closed NY Day.
Ginger (252 Carlton, 416-923-7979)
Regular menu, 11 am to 10 pm, NY Eve and NY Day.
Hey Lucy (229 Carlton, 416-901-9777)
11:30 am to closing, NY Eve. Brunch and $3.99 caesar’s to 2 pm, $4.49 martinis all day, open 11 am to midnight, NY Day
House on Parliament (454 Parliament, 416-925-4074)
Reservations available, 3 and 4 course prix fixe with a glass of prosecco, $60 or $70, Dunc’s Midnight Dance Party, from 6 pm, NY Eve. Regular hours with brunch from 11 am to 3 pm, NY Day.
Johnny G’s (478 Parliament, 416-928-1358)
Brunch and regular menus, 8 am to 5 pm, NY Eve and NY Day
Kibo (533 Parliament)
Regular menu, noon to 11 pm, NY Eve. Closed NY Day.
Kingyo (51B Winchester)
Regular menu, 5:30 to 11:30 pm NY Eve. Closed NY Day
Local GEST (424 Parliament, 416-961-9425)
Glass of bubbly and 3 course prix fixe dinner at two seatings, 6 and 9 pm, $55. Bar service plus music by DJ Mike Reid, no cover. 6 pm to closing, NY Eve. Bar service only, noon to 6 pm, NY Day.
Merryberry (559 Parliament, 647-348-0411)
Lunch and brunch, 11 am to 3 pm, NY Eve. Closed NY Day.
Omi (241 Carlton, 416-920-8991)
Regular menu, lunch from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm and dinner from 4:30 to 10:30 pm, NY Eve and NY Day
Peartree (507 Parliament, 416-962-8190)
3 course dinner for two, $60, 11:30 am to midnight, NY Eve. Regular service and brunch, 10 am to 11 pm, NY Day.
Paint Box (555 Dundas E, 647-748-0555)
Closed until January 6
Pho-U (398 Parliament, 647-865-7118)
Regular menu, 11 am to 9 pm, NY Eve. Closed, NY Day.
Rashna’a (307 Wellesley E, 416-929-2099)
Regular menu to 7 pm, NY Eve. Regular hours and menu, NY Day.
Under the Table (568 Parliament, 647 – 351-1533)
Regular menu to 6 pm, NY Eve. Regular hours and menu for lunch and dinner, NY Day.
Young Thailand (446 Parliament, 416-920-8424)
Regular menu, 11 am to 10 pm, NYE. 4 pm to 10 pm, NY Day.
Entertainment &
New Year’s Eve Parties
Dominion on Queen (500 Queen E, 416-368-6893)Hot Club of Django with Wayne Nakamura, 8:30 pm NY Eve. Closed NY Day
El Catrin Destileria (Distillery, 416-203-2121)
NY Eve chef’s tasting menu at $110 pp ($90 pp vegetarian option), drink pairing option $60 and $90 pp and after party from 10:30 pm, $35 pp.
Flying Beaver Dining Room (488 Parliament, 647-347-6567)
Regular menu, no cover. Dancing after 10 pm, $5, 3 pm to 2 am, NY Eve. Lunch 11 am to 3 pm, NY Day.
Flying Beaver Cabaret (above contact info)
Maggie Cassella “Because I said so” at 8 pm, dinner specials, complimentary bubbly at midnight, dance party. $25 show tickets plus $30 dinner/drinks. Closed NY Day.
Mill Street Brew Pub (21 Tank House Ln, 416-681-0338)
Full menu with chef’s special and live music by Shane Thomas to 3 am, NY Eve. Open 11 am to 2 am on NY Day.
Mill Street Beer Hall, (21 Tank House Lane, 416-681-0338)
4-course dinner with beer pairings by the Brewmaster and music by DJ Humble Mike, to 3 am NY Eve. Open noon to 11 pm, NY Day
Photo: Toronto Star Sabrina Melchiori
Stout Irish Pub
(221 Carlton, 647-344-7676)New Year’s Eve party with hors d’oeuvres, party favours and champagne, $10, NY Eve. Brunch from 11 am, NY Day.
Winchester Stage & Bar (51A Winchester,
416-323-0051)
Geekalicious
New Year’s party, no cover, 9 pm, NY Eve.
Karaoke with Jason Rolland, 10 pm, NY Day
Basic supplies,
coffee and bakeries
Absolute Bakery (589 Parliament, 416-929-2700)7 am to 10 pm, NY Eve and NY Day
Beer Store (534 Parliament, 227 Gerrard E, 41 Mill St Distillery, & 28 River)
10 am to 6 pm, NY Eve. Closed NY Day
Cabbagetown Brew (552 Parliament, 416-353-5551)
Specialty lattes, pizza, Italian eggs and grilled cheese, 11 am to 4 pm, NY Eve. Closed NY Day
Café Olya (540 Parliament, 416-833-4248)
Closed NY Eve. Open regular hours, NY Day.
Daniel & Daniel bake shop (248 Carlton, 416-968-9275)
7:30 am to 5 pm, NY Eve. Closed NY Day to January 5.
Food Basics (238 Wellesley E)
Open to 6 pm NY Eve. Closed NY Day
Freshco (325 Parliament)
Open to 6 pm, NY Eve. Closed NY Day
Jet Fuel (519 Parliament, 416-968-9982)
Regular hours, 7 am to 8 pm, both days
LCBO (512 Parliament)
9 am to 6 pm, NY Eve. Closed, NY Day
No Frills (449 Parliament)
8 am to 6 pm, NY Eve. Closed NY Day
St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament, 416-925-7665)
9 am to 4 pm, NYE. Closed NY Day and January 2.
Scullery (200 Carlton, 647-748-5000)
Closed on NY Eve and NY Day
Starbucks (490 Parliament)
6 am to 7 pm, NY Eve. 8 am to 9 pm, NY Day