CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

 

This week’s image - Parliament Street at Winchester

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

Airport Consultations

Photo: Global News

The City of Toronto is holding official consultations about the expansion of the Toronto Island airport.  This is your chance to express your opinion.   Monday, January 27 at 6:30 pm, Council Chambers, City Hall (100 Queen St W).  Our councillor, Pam McConnell, does not support the proposal – read her newsletter here.

Heritage grants

Painting: Lisa Crouch/CPA

If you own a designated home and you’re planning renovations, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the City of Toronto.  The grants pay up to 50% of the cost of the work done on the heritage portion of your property, to a maximum of $10,000.  Find out more about this program at a special workshop on Monday January 27 from 6:30 pm in Committee Room 2, City Hall (100 Queen St W).  There’s more information and official forms at the City’s website. The application deadline is 4 pm, March 26.

STUFF TO DO IN THE WINTER

Special offer - cooking at Merryberry

Photo: Jenna M Spence

For the next three weeks, Cyril is teaching an evening cooking class at Merryberry (559 Parliament).  He’s highlighting the themes from his winter menu – cooking with coconut and cayenne.  Classes will be partly demonstrations and partly a hands-on experience.  Tuesdays, January 30, February 4 and February 11.  $45.  Bring a friend (or a spouse, a neighbour or a secret admirer) and enjoy a 15% discount for each person.  Reserve your spot, call (647) 348-0411.

Music at Paintbox

The music program at Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas E) continues to be amazing.  You’ll find all the details and reservation info at the Paintbox blog.

Photo: Rochester Jazz Festival

This week’s event with Diana Panton in the JPEC Flavours of Jazz series is sold out.  You can still reserve tickets at three more events – Maria Farinha (Brazilian jazz and bossa nova) on Saturday February 1, Juno award winners David Braid and Matt Brubeck on Saturday February 8 and Luis Mario Ochoa (Cuban/Latin jazz) on Saturday February 15.  Tickets are $20 for each event and you can buy a three-course dinner for $30 more. 
On Wednesday January 29 at 5 pm, the New Music Concerts begin at Paintbox.  These are monthly one-hour presentations about classical music featuring some of Toronto’s most accomplished musicians.   No cover.

On Sunday January 27 at 7:30 pm, Mike Janzen launches his trio’s new CD at Paintbox.  $20 cover. 

Sunday Jazz at The Local GEST

Callum MacKenzie (sax) and Kyle MacDonald (guitar) appear this Sunday at The Local GEST.  4:30 to 7:30 pm, no cover charge.  Save some time next Thursday night, January 30, at 8 pm for Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin.  424 Parliament.

Movie Nights

Photo: Marina L at Yelp

Under The Table (568 Parliament) is screening “12 Years a Slave” on Thursday January 23 at 8 pm.  Don’t miss Betty’s $4 nibblies as well.

Dominion on Queen (500 Queen E) hosts the Toronto Film Noir Society on Saturday January 25.  This week’s film stars Frank Sinatra in “The Man with the Golden Arm”.    Doors open at 7 pm, $5 cover

Winchester Kitchen & Stage (51A Winchester) has a regular movie night every Tuesday.  No cover – and even the popcorn is free.

On Thursday January 30 at 7 pm, Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) shows “Punch Like a Girl”, the award-winning documentary about women boxers.  $5 cover.

Black History month

Throughout February, three exhibitions at the Daniels Spectrum will celebrate Black History month.  Ghanian-Canadian sculptor Ekow Nimako has used 50,000 Leggo pieces to create Building Black.  Jamaican-born photographer Rose-Ann Marie Bailey explores concepts of beauty and body in Black men and women.  Black Future Month 3014 is a collection from 13 visual artists describing their vision of the distant future for Black people.  February 1 to 28.  Weekdays, 8 am to 9 pm and weekends, 10 am to 6 pm.  Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E at Sackville).

Winterlicious is here

Toronto’s city-wide answer to the stay-at-home winter blues runs from Friday January 31 to Thursday February 13.  Reservations are open now.  Check out the details at the festival’s website. 210 restaurants are participating.  Each offers a three course prix fixe lunch at $15, $20 or $25 and dinner at $25, $35 or $45.
Five restaurants are located in our neighbourhood, four in the Distillery – Archeo ($15 lunch, $25 dinner), Pure Spirits Oyster House & Grill ($20 lunch, $35 dinner), the Mill Street Beer Hall ($15 lunch, $25 dinner) and the Mill Street Brew Pub ($15 lunch, $25 dinner).  In Regent Park, the Paintbox Bistro ($15 lunch, $25 dinner) is also  participating.

RESTAURANT & CLUB NEWS

Ahh – at long last

Virginia and her Smokehouse Team are opening their long-promised 420 Smokehouse (420 Parliament) on Wednesday January 29.  The menu is really attractive – smoked oysters Rockefeller, Caesar salad, smoked salmon remoulade and foie gras pierogees (and those are just the appetizers!)  For mains, there’s smoked meat sandwiches, tourtiere, fried chicken, St Louis ribs, Korean ribs and seafood.  Side dishes include poutine, fries, braised kale and cabbage rolls.  It’s been worth the wait.  Go for it, Ginny and best wishes from a hungry hoard.

Happy Birthday, Erin

Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) celebrates its third birthday on Wednesday January 22.  Erin, of course, is having a party complete with hors d’oeuvres, birthday treats, a wing-eating contest and bingo.  For reservations, email her at erin@stoutirishpub.ca . 

Oysters and bubbly

Photo: Toronto Life

Drop in to the Extended F’Amelia (8 Amelia) for a romantic night in a comfy weather-proof setting. Enjoy half a dozen oysters for $18 and add two glasses of bubbly for $29.  Both F’Amelia and Extended F’Amelia will be busy on Valentines so reservations are open for both spots now at (416) 323-0666.

Congrats to The Scullery

Nine Toronto area restaurants were singled out by blogTO for their exceptional brunch menus.  The Scullery (200 Carlton) is on the list.  You can read the article here. Congrats to Fiona and Laura.

Preliminary info about Dina Martina

The Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) presents four shows in two days with cult sensation Dina Martina, “one of the maddest drag acts ever”.  Maggie Cassella is convinced that these shows will sell out early, so you’d better pay attention and get your tix now or you’ll be left outside.  People who also reserve dinner get priority seating.  Friday February 14 (7 pm and 9 pm) and Saturday February 15 (7 pm and 9 pm).  Tickets are $20 advance and $25 at the door and you can order yours here.

SHOPPING NEWS

Eclectisaurus annual sale

Every year, in January, Leslie unleashes her sale at Eclectisaurus (249 Gerrard E).  It’s been described elsewhere as a very dangerous event.  Irresistible.  The concept is cunningly simple – save 25% on everything in the shop.  Her store is full of beautiful vintage items, artwork and mid-century modern furnishings.  Check out her website.  Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 3 to 8 pm. Saturday noon to 7 pm. Sunday noon to 6 pm. 

Sale at Kendall

Take advantage of more mark downs and more items on sale during Kendall’s seasonal winter clearance.  Home accessories, serving ware, lighting, furniture and rugs are now on sale at up to 40% off.  For more info about the sale, click here. Visit the store to see everything in person – 227 Carlton, 10 am to 6 pm weekdays and 11 am to 5 pm Saturdays.

Pinstripe Nutrition

Sandy Badgley at Pinstripe (214 Carlton) provides natural nutrition counselling that’s tailored to fit your lifestyle.  She works with Cabbagetown Chiropractic Clinic and she’s contributed nutrition tips on Proud FM 103.9.  To usher in the New Year, she’s offering a Winter Bonus – get one extra counselling session at no charge when you purchase a Nutritional Counselling Package before March 31.  That’s six sessions for the price of five.  For more information, check out her website.

St Jamestown Steak & Chops

St Jamestown (516 Parliament) will be back on Tuesday January 28.  Mark’s cavorting in some sunny southern spot and we’re forced to accept his promise that he’ll be back! 

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY JANUARY 23 TO SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2

Contact info

Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088

Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 368-6893, www.dominiononqueen.com  
Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St, (647) 347-6567, www.pubaret.com
Local GEST, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, https://www.facebook.com/thelocalgest
Mill Street Beer Hall, 21 Tank House Ln (Distillery), (416) 681-0338, Facebook and http://toronto.millstreetbrewpub.ca/
Paint Box Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676, www.stoutirishpub.ca
Under the Table, 568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533
Winchester Stage & 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 JANUARY 23

Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Julie Michel’s solo show, $15/advance & $20/door
Under the Table
8 pm, Movie night with “12 Years a Slave” and $4 appetizers and nibblies
Winchester Stage & Bar
9 pm, Loser karaoke with Jason Rolland

FRIDAY JANUARY 24

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Gary Krawford & Charlotte Moore “Noel & Cole & Irving & Steve”, $15/advance & $20/door
9:30 pm, Dance Party with DJ Jacqie Jaguar, $5 (no cover if you attend the 7 pm show or if you have dinner.)

SATURDAY JANUARY 25

Dominion on Queen
7 pm, Film Noir Syndicate “The Man with the Golden Arm”
9:30 pm,  Blues and troubles
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Judy Marshak & Carolyn Scott “Two Ukes, Four Hands”, $15/advance & $20/door
Paintbox Bistro
SOLD OUT - 8 pm, Diane Panton with Don Thompson & Reg Schwager in the Flavour of Jazz series, $20

SUNDAY JANUARY 26

Alice’s Place

4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly brunch with the Cosmotones
4:30 pm, Toronto Art Orchestra, $10
Flying Beaver
11 am, Psychic brunch
7:30 pm, Sarah Strange & Katie Beetham “2 Divine”, $10/advance & $15/door
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Callum MacKenzie (sax) & Kyle MacDonald (guitar)
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch
Paintbox
8 pm, Mike Janzen Trio CD launch, $20
Winchester Stage & Bar
7 pm, Magic at the Winchester, $10

MONDAY JANUARY 27

Winchester Stage & Bar
9 pm Win-Prov
10 pm, Indie music Monday

TUESDAY JANUARY 28

Dominion on Queen
8:30 pm, Hot Club of Corktown “Django Jam”, pwyc
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
Winchester Stage & Bar
10 pm, Games & movie night

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
8 pm, Corktown ukulele jam
Paintbox
5 to 6 pm, The New Music Concerts monthly series, no cover
Stout Irish Pub
6 to 10 pm, Stout’s third birthday party
Winchester Stage & Bar
7:30 pm, Smart ass trivia
10 pm, Open Mic with Porter

THURSDAY JANUARY 30

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Savoy Howe presents “Punch like a girl”, $5
10 pm, Sing-a-long with Joe the (incredibly handsome) Piano Guy
Local GEST
8 pm, Music night with Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin
Under the Table
8 pm, Movie night with $4 appetizers and nibblies
Winchester Stage & Bar
9 pm, Loser Karaoke with Jason Rolland

FRIDAY JANUARY 31

Dominion on Queen
7 pm, food, 9 pm, D B Buxton “Sonic Blues BBQ” $10, midnight, after party.
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Jeni Walls as Jeni Walls, $15/advance & $20/door
9 pm, Ryan G Hinds, “Comedy, cabaret & coffee talk”, $10/advance & $15/door

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1

Dominion on Queen
9 pm, The Diamond Drapes “Steeltown Rockers”
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Maggie’s Mish Mash no cover talent show
9 pm, Dale Miller & Ron Kelly, “Dudettes, A year gone by”, $15/advance & $20/door
Paint Box Bistro
8 pm, Maria Farinha (Brazilian jazz & bossa nova) in the Flavour of Jazz series, $20

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly brunch with the Cosmotones
Flying Beaver
4 pm, SuperBowl Party
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday Jazz
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with the Tyler Yarema Trio
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
7 pm, Magic at the Winchester, $10