December 28

This week’s image: Christmas lights in the snow.  Photo:  Irene DeClute.


CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW


LOCAL NEWS

Holiday lights
Congrats to Paul and Thea Sywulych on Spruce Street  - winners in the Cabbagetown Residents Association’s holiday lights contest.  Richard Latch on Amelia won second place and Michael Smith at Sackville and Spruce was third. Check out the Association’s website to see more pictures. 

June Rowlands
Photo: Global News
A long-time Cabbagetown resident, June passed away on December 21 at the age of 93. Her career was marked by a constant series of trailblazing firsts - the first woman to be City Council’s budget chief, the first woman to chair the TTC, the first woman to serve as Chair of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission and the first woman elected mayor of the City, in 1991.  She started her career in public service in the 1950’s at the Association of Women Electors.  During the early 1970’s, she joined the reformers who struggled to preserve and rebuild Trefann Court (Parliament and Shuter).  She was elected to City Council in 1976 and during her time in office, she focused on the needs of the elderly and the poor and on affordable housing, . She lived here, first in her home on Sumach near Riverdale Park and later on Wellesley Street.  
Her family have posted an obituary - click here to read it.  

Porch pirates
Andrew Darlington reports that these petty thieves have been busy stealing parcels from front porches along Wellesley.  A similar report has been posted online by Victoria Hadden on Aberdeen which is listed as a high-risk street.  Although the Christmas rush is finished, it’s still a good idea to ask for a “Signature required” service for deliveries to your home.  

Peter Pan is sold out
Congrats to Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane) for its strong 2017 Christmas season.  The last performances of Peter Pan happen on Sunday December 31 and all are sold out.  Click here for more info.   

Allan Gardens’ Christmas show
To Sunday January 7, daily from 10 am to 5 pm.  Beautiful poinsettia, Christmas decorations, seasonal designs and more.  Allan Gardens Conservatory (Sherbourne and Carlton).  

Brenda’s step classes
Brenda’s schedule is ready for her January step classes at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster).  As usual, she’s offering them on Sunday mornings at 11 am and Wednesdays at 9:15 am.  She’s away on Sunday January 28, so that class is cancelled.  Drop-in’s are welcome. 

Neighbourhood ice rinks
Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview), Regent Park (480 Shuter) and Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne) are all open.
Before you go, you can confirm operating hours and conditions at the City’s website.  

The toboggan hill is back
Kids, dogs and a few brave adults are already shooting down the hill in Riverdale Park (at the end of Carlton, east of Sumach).

Vendors wanted
Organizers for the Cabbagetown Festival have started advertising for early bird vendor applications - the deadline is March 31.  The deadline for regular applications is August 1.  There are several categories including not-for-profit groups and made-in-Canada crafts vendors.  The Festival will take place along Parliament and Carlton Streets on Saturday September 8 and Sunday September 9.  Click here for info and application forms.  

Pucker up
Before Christmas, the BIA ran a contest to pick the hottest kissers in Cabbagetown.  These two didn’t win but they had lots of fun.  
The six mistletoe stations are still there outside local businesses - the BIA Office (235 Carlton), the House on Parliament (454 Parliament), the TD Bank (493 Parliament), Pet Menagerie (549 Parliament), Alice’s Place (554 Parliament) and the Children’s Book Bank (350 Berkeley).  Take advantage of them - and get some practice for next year’s contest.

Remember when ...
It’s cold and blustery in Riverdale Park (Sumach and Winchester) now.  
Just a few weeks ago, the Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market was in full swing.  

IN THE MEDIA

The CBC picks Torontonians of the Year
Photo: Matt Galloway, CBC
The CBC’s Metro Morning has selected the group whose strong conscience and hard work built the overdose prevention site in Moss Park. Last August, they set up a tent stocked with medical supplies, clean syringes and naxolone kits.  They’ve been credited with reversing over 120 overdoses since then.  The CBC has posted a report about the group and its award - click here to see the video and to read the story.    

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS

Cranberries
Open to 11 pm and has its 3-course roast beef dinner for $22 along with its regular menu.
601 Parliament, (416) 925-6330

F’Amelia
Four amazing courses make up this spectacular menu.  $65 per person. 
Start with roasted beet with whipped chèvre, garlic chip and reduced balsamic & burrata caprese with pickled tomatoes and basil oil. For your antipasti, choose either arancini or lobster latte or veal parmesan carpaccio. Your choices for the primi piatti include 48-hour braised short rib on creamy speck polenta with grilled vegetables and crispy shallots, or roasted pheasant and butternut squash tortellini with roasted vegetables in a brandy & cranberry cream sauce, or vanilla butter-poached lobster ravioli in a tarragon butter sauce, or pan seared portobello mushrooms with fire roasted potatoes & green beans in a Bernaise sauce.  The dolci selections are olive oil cake with lemon custard, topped with whipped cream and candied rosemary or egg nog profiteroles with rum raisin ice cream and brown butter caramel or a flourless chocolate torte with Chantilly cream and berry compote. 
12 Amelia, (416) 323-0666

House on Parliament
Photo: TripAdvisor
Enjoy an elegant dinner in either a four-course prix fixe at $90 or a three-course vegetarian option for $65.  Starters include white onion cider soup or kale, arugula and nasturtium salad. The second course has beef carpaccio, seared sea scallops or seared duck.  For the main course, choose beef tenderloin, seared black bass, boneless lamb loin or butternut squash and mascarpone ravioli.  There’ll be a selection of desserts.  Your meal will include a champagne cocktail and a special tarot reading by Mystic Michael.  
454 Parliament, (416) 925-4074

The Irv
Dinner for two at $99 includes your choice of soup or salad, a 32-oz tomahawk steak with fresh veggies and two glasses of prosecco.  The regular men is also available.
195 Carlton, (647) 350-4787

The Local GEST
The chef is preparing special dishes for the evening, individually priced. Start with Mexican shrimp cocktail or mussels and frites.  Follow this with prime rib, chicken supreme or salmon fettuccini for a main course.  There’s black forest cake for dessert. The pub’s regular menu is also available.
424 Parliament, (416) 961-9425

Mill Street Beer Hall and Brew Pub
You have two options at Mill Street.
The Beer Hall is having a whisky soaked tomahawk dinner or the a la carte menu along with a DJ, casino tables, prizes and dancing - all on a Prohibition theme.
The Brew Pub’s dinner includes a beer-paired menu, live music and a complimentary midnight toast.
Both restaurants - 21 Tank House Lane, Distillery,  (416) 681-0338

Peartree
As always, Peartree combines great cooking and reasonable prices.  Dinner for two is $75.
At this year’s dinner, the appetizers include two soups, two salads or tiger shrimp.  The main course offers black Angus strip loin and lobster tails, classic peppercorn steak, salmon with Champagne cream, chicken supreme, seafood classic or vegetable agnolotti.  For dessert, there’s carrot cake, chocolate royal cake, super caramel crunch and red velvet cake - all with whipped cream.  
507 Parliament, (416) 962-8190

Other restaurants
The Distillery’s restaurants are open longer hours and offering their regular menus - El Catrin, Pure Spirits and Cluny. (Archeo is closed). 
In Regent Park, , Paintbox is closed.
Corktown’s Cocina Económica is open to 10 pm.  The Corktown Cafe, Impact Kitchen and Fusilli are closed. 
In Cabbagetown, Kingyo is open to 9 pm, Butter Chicken Factory to 10 pm, Silk to 10 pm, Thai Room to 10 pm,  Kibo to 10:30 pm, Hey Lucy to midnight and Zakkushi to midnight.   
Rashna’a, El Charro, Under the Table, Salt & Tobacco, and 420 Smokehouse are all closed for the evening.

Pubs
Alice’s Place (554 Parliament) is holding its popular Sunday night karaoke.
Dominion Pub & Kitchen (500 Queen E) has music and dancing with DJ Money and complimentary bubbly and bites at midnight.
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is offering Hoppy Hour prices to 11 pm and a toast at midnight.

SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

Charity window at The Beer Store
New Year’s Eve traditionally results in a few empty bottles… take yours to the Gerrard Street Beer Store (227 Gerrard E at Ontario).  The Cabbagetown South Residents Association has set up a charity window.  Just walk in, ignore the lineups and donate your bottles to the guy at the cash register.  All proceeds go to local charities.  It’s a great idea.

Dixon Hall
Dixon Hall has been serving the downtown east community for nearly 90 years, offering over 60 programs for community members in need. With our support, they can ensure no one is left out in the cold this holiday season. When you donate to Dixon Hall, your gift will provide  - shelter for homeless men and women,  warm and nourishing meals for low-income seniors, and community and connection for individuals who are socially isolated.
For online details and donations, click here

Salam Cabbagetown
A group of Cabbagetown residents formed Salam Cabbagetown in 2016 and have sponsored a Syrian family in Canada.  The family has been here for a year and is doing well.  They have two adult sons living as refugees in Turkey who are eligible to come here as part of their family’s reunification. 
Salam Cabbagetown, working with the Mennonite Central Committee, has started a campaign to raise $15,000 to sponsor them.  If all goes well, the two sons should be here in eighteen months.  
Details about the family in Canada and a donation page for the new campaign are online here.   

Friends of Allan Gardens
The Friends have launched a fundraising campaign.  It follows on the heels of their new vision statement, Refresh, that lists future improvements that they’ll be working on for the park.  They’ve received an Ontario Trillium grant and hired a full-time person to work on the Friends’ business.  
They’ve posted a lively Facebook page and an informative website as well.  
You’re encouraged to donate.  The park is a landmark in our community and the group has a good future program lined up.  To make your contribution, click here.  

RESTAURANT NEWS

Thanks Merryberry 
Saturday December 30 is Cyril’s last day at Merryberry (559 Parliament).  He’s had a shorter menu for the past week and on the weekend, he’ll have our favourites.  He posted on Facebook, "MerryBerry recently turned 7! It has been quite a ride and I feel lucky to have spent the last 7 years cooking food I enjoy for people who seemed to enjoy it as well. It has also been 7 years of getting to know customers who now feel like friends.”
Thanks Cyril - it’s been great. 

THEATRE & DANCE CALENDARS 
Addresses, online info and current events.

SOULPEPPER
20th Anniversary Season
Young Centre for the Performing Arts
50 Tank House Lane, Distillery District
(416) 866-8666

Peter Pan by J M Barrie/Bad Hats Theatre
Performances on December 28, 29, 30 and 31 are all sold out.
Onstage to December 31

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY DECEMBER 28 TO SUNDAY JANUARY 7

For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.  
If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 28

Mill Street Brew Pub
6 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

FRIDAY DECEMBER 29

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke 
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SATURDAY DECEMBER 30

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
10 pm, Nairobi Nights, $10

SUNDAY DECEMBER 31
NEW YEAR’S EVE 

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion
8 pm, Black & White Affair, DJ Money Jane, bubbly and complimentary bites at midnight
House on Parliament
Dinner for two. 4-course prix fixe $90 and 3-course vegetarian $65, prosecco, Mystic Michael reads tarot.
The Irv
Tomahawk steak for two. Regular menu also available.
The Local GEST
Special dinner menu
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Prohibition New Year’s Party with DJ, casino tables, dancing and prizes.  A la carte and special menus.
Mill Street Brew Pub
9 pm, No Hassle New Year’s Eve party with live music, a beer-paired dinner menu and complimentary Midnight toast.
Peartree
Seatings at 5, 7 and 9 pm. Dinner for two, $75 - appetizers, main course and dessert.  
Quincy
10 pm, Reggae Sundays, $10

MONDAY JANUARY 1
NEW YEAR’S DAY

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY JANUARY 2

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 3

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Local GEST
Smart Ass Trivia with Porter - will resume next week, January 10
Quincy’s
Latin Wednesdays with DJ Fight - reggaeton, merengue, rumba salsa, Afromusic and more.  $10.

THURSDAY JANUARY 4

Local GEST
8 pm, Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin
Mill Street Brew Pub
5 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

FRIDAY JANUARY 5

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SATURDAY JANUARY 6

Dominion
9 pm, Your Girl Flav
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SUNDAY JANUARY 7

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Local GEST
Sunday afternoon jazz will resume next week, January 14
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
10 pm, Reggae Sundays, $10

CONTACT INFO

ALICE'S PLACE
554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto
ARVO
17 Gristmill Lane, Distillery,  (647) 352-2766
CORKTOWN KITCHEN
354 King St E, (46) 901-1188
CRANBERRIES
DOMINION PUB & KITCHEN
500 Queen St E, (416) 366-5555, https://www.facebook.com/DominionTO/
EL CATRIN
18 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 203-2121, https://www.facebook.com/elcatrin.ca
HOUSE ON PARLIAMENT
IMPACT KITCHEN
THE IRV
95 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, https://www.facebook.com/theirvpub/
JOHNNY G’s
478 Parliament St, (416) 928-1358
THE LOCAL GEST
424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, http://www.thelocalgest.com/
MILL STREET BEER HALL
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, (416) 681-0338, http://millstreetbrewery.com/toronto-beer-hall/
MILL STREET BREW PUB
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, http://millstreetbrewery.com/toronto-brew-pub/
ODIN
514 King E, (647) 350-6346, https://www.facebook.com/odinhus
NEW TOWN
413 Parliament Street
PAINTBOX BISTRO
555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555
QUINCY AFROKITCHEN & BAR
326 Parliament, (647) 989-9127,  https://www.facebook.com/cometoquincys/
SOULPEPPER
Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 866-8666,
STOUT IRISH PUB
UNDER THE TABLE
568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533,