January 10

This week’s image:  welcome Pho Pas (480 Parliament) - the final touch on the renovated business strip south of Parliament and Aberdeen.

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW


Pho Pas opens
Photo:  Aerik and Jonathan welcome guests to Pho Pas’s new bar area.
At long last, Pho Pas (480 Parliament) has opened.  It offers a full menu of French and Vietnamese fusion cuisine.  Oyster tastings are available daily.  The lovely new interior is reminiscent of a French bistro with added touches that bring an Oriental emphasis.  It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday for dinner - takeout orders are also available.  Happily, the liquor licence arrived on Wednesday, just in time for the official opening.  Menu details are available online.  

LOCAL NEWS

Winchester Jr & Sr Public School
F’Amelia and Todd Vestby are sponsoring a fundraiser on behalf of Winchester Public School.  All funds will go toward the school’s programs and supplies.  Lots of good food and drinks.  Monday January 21, 6:30 pm, F’Amelia Ristorante (12 Amelia), $100 at todd.vestby@gmail.com.

Local real estate news
Nick Humphries from Nick & Hilary at Sage Realty (538 Parliament) has produced his annual review of prices and sales performance for Cabbagetown homes.  As usual, he tells the total number of transactions, the average and median sales prices and the length of time on the market.  He divides the market into two areas - east of Parliament from Wellesley to Gerrard and west of Parliament from Wellesley to Shuter.  In each category, he compares 2017 and 2018 statistics.
Check it out - it’s good news for local homeowners.  Sage Realty has his report online here. 

Jennifer Snowdon’s yoga schedules
Jennifer is offering drop-in classes - she’s renamed them to Yoga for Life.  She teaches whoever shows up - so beginners and more experienced practitioners are all welcome.  Monday evenings from 7:30 pm, Wednesday from 9:30 am and Saturday mornings from 9:15 am.  On Wednesday evening from 5:45 to 7:15 pm, she offers Yoga for Life+, a slightly longer session that ends with a discussion about the philosophy of yoga. $20 for a single class, $85 for a 5-pack and $150 for ten.  Her studio is located at 58 Rose.  
Check out Jennifer’s website for lots of info about the other sessions on her schedule.  

Brenda’s step class
Brenda’s classes on Sunday January 13 and Wednesday January 16 are both cancelled.  She’ll start again on Sunday January 20 at 11 am and continue after that on her regular schedule.  Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster behind the Beer Store).

Harry’s Cabbagetown Tails
It’s a new book from noted author and bon vivant, Harry - a yellow Labrador retriever.  He gives his unique dog’s eye view of his neighbours and his adventures around Cabbagetown.  Thanks go as well to Harry’s pals Michael Petrie and Peter Lyn.  Available at Amazon. Read a sample, see the table of contents and buy your personal copy online here.     

Stolen bike
Tim, a bike courier, suffered a diabetic seizure at the corner of Spruce and Dyer Lane and emergency services were called.  When he recovered and came back to the corner, his bike - a rusty black Peugeot - had been stolen.  After a brief search, he decided that it was gone forever.  The neighbours then got together and offered to buy a replacement.  He declined, saying that they should give that money to someone who needed it more than he did.  Thanks to Rick Walker for this report.

Skating rinks
The City of Toronto operates three skating rinks near our neighbourhoods. 
Regent Park Skating Rink (480 Shuter) is located at the Regent Park Athletic Grounds.
Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) is at the north end of the park overlooking the Don Valley.
Sherbourne Common/Paul Quarrington Rink (5 Lower Sherbourne) is on the waterfront and skaters enjoy marvellous views of the lake and downtown Toronto.
You’ll find up-to-date notices about these rinks and others throughout the city at the official website.  

There’s a rainbow here
It’s there in the picture. It's pretty but it’s very faint. The pot of gold is somewhere in Riverdale Farm.

IN THE MEDIA

Man attacks Porsche dealership
Photo: Victor Biro, Toronto Star
Rakhmatullo Sotvoldiyev drove his Honda into the Porsche dealership window (68 Parliament) on Monday night.  He caused about $20,000 damage to the window and another $75,000 damage to three Porsches inside the building.  After the collision, he stayed around and wrote graffiti on undamaged cars.  It appears that all of this may have happened because he wanted to be arrested and because of problems that he had with his girlfriend.   The Toronto Star’s Alexandra Jones has written about his dramatic gesture.   

Baby Bundles
Photo: Paul Borkwood, CBC News
This new Regent Park program has been set up for expecting Indigenous mothers and is run by Indigenous midwives and St Michael’s Hospital.  It’s creating a welcoming atmosphere that includes respect for Indigenous cultural traditions in the hope that this support for the mothers and their children will reduce the number of Indigenous kids who end up in child care systems.  Philip Lee-Shanock wrote a story about it for CBC News. 

Congrats Kaitlin Vandenbosch
Photo:  Steve Russell, Toronto Star
Kaitlin has just been announced as Mill Street’s new head brewmaster.  She began her career at Mill Street in September 2011 after graduating with a Master’s degree from Scotland’s Heriot-Watt university. As a brewer, she started Mill Street’s distilling program with bierschnaps and with whisky. Check out Christine Sismondo’s article in the Toronto Star - click here.  

COMING EVENTS
Listed by starting dates

Block Party
The exhibition has been extended to Saturday January 12.  Laird Kay and Raymond Girard use 50,000 LEGO bricks to build their installation at Akasha Art Projects (204D Carlton).  10 am to 7 pm.

Happy birthday Staij & Co
It’s been two years, already!  Staij is celebrating by giving away birthday cake macaroons to their customers.  Saturday, January 12.  Staij prepares delicious designer pastry treats - cakes, cupcakes, cookies, macaroons and more.  Check out the latest treats at 552 Parliament.

Somali buffet
The Regent Park Catering Collective is sponsoring a Somali buffet at the Paintbox (555 Dundas E).  Along with the meal, you’ll see the Marketplace  with the Regent Park Sewing Studio, the Regent Park Jewelry Collective and various Henna artists.  Tuesday January 15, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, $10.  

Suze Morrison community meeting
Suze Morrison is our provincial MPP.  She’s holding a community meeting on January 17 from 7 to 8:30 pm.  She’ll be reporting on the work she’s doing at Queen’s Park and on the services that her office can do for you.  Centre for Social Innovation, Third Floor, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  

Discovery Days at Riverdale Farm
Discovery Days are a fantastic one-day experience for children ages 6 through 12 years - fun and interactive activities and games highlighting agriculture, leadership, teamwork and crafts. The next one happens on Friday January 18 from 9 am to 4 pm.  
Call to register at (416) 338-4386 or 311.  $70.  Riverdale Farm (Winchester east of Sumach)

RESTAURANT NEWS

Sip happens at F’Amelia
F’Amelia (12 Amelia) is holding its annual wine tasting party on Monday January 14 from 6 to 9 pm.  It’s always a popular event full of good food, wine samples and lots of friendly gossip.  Reservations required - call (416) 323-0666.  $50.  

Boards & Beers at Dominion Pub & Kitchen
Monday January 14, 7 pm.  As usual, Boards & Beers will bring the games and rules.  Come learn new games and make new friends! $6 for unlimited play all night!  Dominion (500 Queen E)

Wine tasting at Fusilli
Another notable evening at Corktown’s Fusilli (531 Queen E).  Enjoy a four-course dinner with matching wines paired to each course.  The wines include Trebbiano to start with the salad, sangiovese with the fondue, shiraz with the pork medallions entree and a port cocktail with the amaretto tartufo for dessert.  Tuesday January 22, 7 pm, $75, reservation at (416) 214-5148.  

Winter menu at Peartree
From January 10 to February 10, Peartree (507 Parliament) is offering another seasonal special - a three-course prix fixe for $25.  A great menu - salads or soups to start, your choice of black angus steak, Atlantic salmon, chicken with pasta and lamb shanks and four selections for dessert.

Congrats Salt & Tobacco
Jennifer Gault has written an online story in Dine Magazine about Toronto’s top five picks for vegan pizza lovers.  Salt & Tobacco (521 Parliament) is included on her list - “Yummy”.  She notes several available vegan pies and says that the staff will prepare vegan versions of the other regular items. 

Tasso is back
Croissant fans have had to endure several weekends without their favourite buttery injections.  Relief is here.  Olya and Mike are back at Tasso (540 Parliament) this weekend.  Open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to “sold out”.  

Winterlicious reservations are now open
Reservations for the participating restaurants opened on Thursday January 10. Winterlicious takes place between January 25 and February 7.  Local restaurants include F’Amelia (12 Amelia), Boku Noodle House (42 Gristmill Lane, Distillery) and Archeo (31 Trinity, Distillery). For the full list of participating restaurants and contact info, go to the official website. 

Two special culinary events take place in the Distillery. These reservations are also now open. 
Archeo (31 Trinity) has two evening dinners on “The Art of Food Preservation” - Friday January 25 at 6:30 pm and Sunday January 27 at 5:30 pm, $125.   Five-course menu, wines and cocktails, demonstrations.
Boku Noodle House (42 Gristmill Lane) offers “Beer vs sake, a pairing journey of bites ad libations.”  It’s a three-course meal with tastings from Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines.  Thursday January 31, 6:30 pm, $65.  

Cyril’s back and delivering his soup
Cyril has a new email address - abeautifulbowl@gmail.com. Please use it for both your orders and e-transfers.
This weekend’s choice is a lentil, sweet potato and tumeric soup. Plus a few veggies, thyme, ginger and coconut milk.  Tuesday’s choice is a blended tomato and ginger. Both selections are $8.
Order deadline is 7 pm on the day before delivery.  He delivers his soups (in Cabbagetown). He’s accepting payments by e-transfers and cash.  Place your orders at his new email address, abeautifulbowl@gmail.com. 

JANUARY THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS
Listed by starting dates.

Rose: A New Musical
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
Thursday January 17 to Sunday February 24
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666

Top Girls
Alumnae Theatre  (70 Berkeley)
Friday January 18 to Saturday February 2
Website and tickets here.  (416) 364-4170, ext 1

Virgin Trial
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
Saturday January 19 to Sunday February 3
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666

Slow Dance
Toronto Dance Theatre
Winchester Theatre (80 Winchester)
Wednesday January 23 to Saturday February 2
Website and tickets here.  (416) 967-1365

This Shape, We Are In
Toronto Dance Theatre
Winchester Theatre (80 Winchester)
Thursday January 24 to Saturday February 2
Website and tickets here.  (416) 967-1365

A Day of Light
Dance Ontario’s DanceWeekend 2019
Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre
Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront (235 Queens Quay W)
Sunday January 27
Website and tickets here.  (416) 924-5657

Skow
Citadel + Compagnie
Ross Centre for Dance (304 Parliament)
Wednesday January 30 to Saturday February 2
Website and tickets here. (416) 364-8011

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY JANUARY 10 TO SUNDAY JANUARY 20

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 JANUARY 10

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Comedy night with Dave Burke and Danish Anwar 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

FRIDAY JANUARY 11

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

SATURDAY JANUARY 12

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

SUNDAY JANUARY 13

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Tilted Dog 
4:30 pm, Sunday Afternoon Jazz will return in later January

MONDAY JANUARY 14

Dominion
7 pm, Boards & Beers, $6
F'Amelia
6 pm, Sip happens - wine tasting, $50
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY JANUARY 15

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter

THURSDAY JANUARY 17

Dominion
8 pm, DJ Dash
Mill Street Brew Pub
5 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Open Mic with Robert LaBell

FRIDAY JANUARY 18

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

SATURDAY JANUARY 19

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

SUNDAY JANUARY 20

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Cranberries
11 am, Psychic brunch, $42
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
4:30 pm, Sunday Afternoon Jazz will return later in January

CONTACT INFO

ALICE'S PLACE
554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, 
ARVO
17 Gristmill Lane, Distillery,  (647) 352-2766
CORKTOWN KITCHEN
354 King St E, (46) 901-1188
CRANBERRIES
601 Parliament St, (416) 925-6330, 
DOMINION PUB & KITCHEN
500 Queen St E, (416) 366-5555, 
EL CATRIN
18 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 203-2121, 
HOUSE ON PARLIAMENT
454 Parliament St, (416) 925-4074, 
IMPACT KITCHEN
573 King St E, (416) 306-1986, 
THE IRV
95 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, 
JOHNNY G’s
478 Parliament St, (416) 928-1358
THE LOCAL GEST
See below - The Tilted Dog
MILL STREET BEER HALL
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, (416) 681-0338, 
MILL STREET BREW PUB
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, 
ODIN
514 King E, (647) 350-6346,
NEW TOWN
413 Parliament Street
PAINTBOX BISTRO
555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555
QUINCY AFROKITCHEN & BAR
326 Parliament, (647) 989-9127, 
SOCIAL SMITHS
574&1/2 Parliament
SOULPEPPER
Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 866-8666,
STOUT IRISH PUB
221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676,
THE TILTED DOG
(Formerly The Local GEST)
424 Parliament. (416) 961-9425