February 11

This week’s image:  Yes!  The days are getting longer and brighter - the sun comes up over St James Town 

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW

FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST 

Alan Waterhouse

Alan first started to paint as an architecture student in Manchester when, long before computer-aided design, proposals were often accompanied by fully-rendered watercolour drawings. Since then, many of his paintings have been rendered on the spot, en plein-air, and enlivened by people and dogs. Others are recollections, abstractions, or watercoloured monoprints. 

Carlton and Parliament

Watercolour on paper 

This is the symbolic “core” of Cabbagetown whose purpose and safety, according to many, are reduced by the presence of traffic. 

CABBAGETOWN CELEBRATES LOVE

Grab a takeout Valentine’s dinner and spend an evening absorbing twelve romantic short films.  The Cabbagetown Short Film Festival is screening a Valentine special.  Streaming starts on February 14 and continues to February 20.  Once you start viewing, you can see each film at your leisure over three days. Tickets $10.  Click here to buy your ticket and to see the program.   

VALENTINES DAY GIFTS

Local news and other regular features continue below.

Spread the love this weekend

It’s a “Quaran-tine Collab” from Spruce (455 Parliament) and House on Parliament (454 Parliament).  Kim and Tania have teamed up to create a terrific gift box.

Limited quantities. 

Your package Includes 2019 Chateau Les Valentines ‘Miss Valentines’ Rosé from Provence, true vanilla bubble bath by Library of Flowers, chocolate red wine cake with chocolate raspberry ganache from Baker Hall Toronto and a pair of hand-dipped, 13” luxury, high-gloss taper candles from Denmark with an 8 to 10 hour burn time.

Pre-order via @hop_to secure for pickup or free local delivery this weekend (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.) $120. Call (416) 925-4074 to reserve.

Blooming Flower Bar

Anji at Blooming Flower Bar (559 Parliament) is featuring pre-made floral arrangements in vases.  You can save 10% by ordering for delivery on Saturday February 13.  Check out her website and select the one that you like best. She’ll be moving her shop to a nearby location in Cabbagetown by the end of the month.  Watch her Instagram page for her final sales and for her garage sale where she’ll sell some of her fixtures.  (647) 350-8076,  559 Parliament. 

Cabbagetown Organics

Organics has lots of chocolates (among other yummy choices) for your Valentine.  Open Monday to Thursday 10 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 8 pm and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.  499 Parliament

Made For Love

Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) makes leather furniture in hides of all colours. This tan butterscotch leather loveseat is their latest arrival. Perfect for sitting side by side to Netfilx and chill. Shop local with Kendall & Co for your Canadian-made furniture, rugs, drapery, window shades and wallpaper. Their design team is available by virtual appointment to help with your furnishings and decorating, noon to 5pm on weekdays. Simply book yours by email or call 416.363.9914 and go online.

Labour of Love

You’ve gotta have a card and Regina at Labour of Love  (223 Carlton) has a big selection.  Check them out online. 

Roselle

The bakery (362 King E) has prepared four desserts for Valentines. The OG For Two - a giant heart sandwich cookie. The Sweetheart cake - Roselle’s seasonal Valentine's mousse cake. Rose heart shortbreads. And raspberry heart meringues. Find out all the yummy details on Instagram.  

Soma Chocolates

The Distillery’s Soma Chocolates (32 Tank House Lane) has limited-edition Wild at Heart dark chocolate cherry truffles with roasted walnuts, cherries and wildflower honey sable. Available for pick-up, delivery or shipping starting February 1.  Order yours today for Valentine’s Day.       

Staij & Co

Lots of choices for you from Staij & Co (552 Parliament).  Hot chocolate bombs, cookie decorating kits, cupcakes, sweetheart popcorn and chcolate crunchie bars.  Check out the website for choices, prices and delivery.  

Gifts from Stout

Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) has put together a gift box with a bottle of Stella Rosa cabernet/shiraz, eight long-stem roses and twelve chocolate-covered strawberries. Pre-orders only by February 10 for delivery on February 13 and 14 by 5 pm or pickups on February 13 and 14, 11 am to 8 pm.  Email Erin with your order.

Terroni Sud Forno Produzione e Spaccio

Terroni (22 Sackville) has a wide range of Domori chocolates available in store. Domori was founded by Gianluca Franzoni in 1997. It’s based outside Turin and is considered one of Europe's finest chocolate makers. Open Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from 8 am to 6 pm and Wednesday to Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm.

Velvet Lane Cakes

Beautiful Valentine’s treats available now.  The Goodies Box has red velvet cake bars, marshmallow rice krispies treats, sugar cookies, macarons and chocolate bars.  Check out the Facebook page for more info.  (416) 262-4159.   194A Carlton

VALENTINES DAY RESTAURANTS 

Cranberries

Another great three-course dinner from Siva at Cranberries (601 Parliament).  This time, it’s for takeout - call (416) 925-6330.  Sunday February 14.  Shrimp bisque soup or organic greens to start.  Black Angus striploin and jumbo shrimp garlic or grilled Atlantic salmon or herb crusted chicken breast for your entree. Dark chocolate and brandy truffle with a fruit garnish for dessert.  Check the menu for the delicious veggies and seasonings.  $30 per person. 

Daniel et Daniel Valentines

Choose from two elegant menus at Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton).  “Oh My Cod” - a seafood selection with smoked salmon and caviar to start, caprese salad, black cod entree with forbidden black rice, carrots and chocolate and passionfruit truffles for dessert.  And a box of chocolates.  $145.  “Rarest Love of All” includes smoked scallops and a wedge salad for starters, roast ribeye steak with smoked potato croquettes and a saute of winter greens for the main course and a chocolate fondue for two at dessert,  $135.  

DOVA

DOVA (229 Carlton) has a four-course dinner for your Valentine - scallops crudo, large house-made ravioli, fresh Newfoundland calamari & snow crab on a seafood tomato broth, fresh Baffin Island turbot and tiramarena. It all comes ready to finish at home. Please pre-order by February 13th for pickup by 9 pm on Saturday February 13 or Sunday February 14.  Don’t forget to add your wine.   Have kids? Not to worry. Add on some pasta or pizzas for them to enjoy too.

F’Amelia’s Valentine packages

Three choices for your Valentine. Netflix and chill for two with red or white wine at $150. Romanza dinner for two with red or white wine at $200. $25 for specials for your kids.  Upgrade your order with one of six choices of recommended wines for an extra $10.  See F’Amelia’s website for menu details.  Email your order or call (416) 323-0666. 

Haldi’s dinner for two

Choose from four choices of shareable starters, six entrees and two desserts.  Each dinner comes with two naan, pulav rice and raita.  Click on the image to see the menu details.  Call and pre-order to reduce your waiting time,  (647) 898-5680.  Available Friday, Saturday and Sunday, $75.   568 Parliament.  

House on Parliament

The HoP’s usual wonderful cooking is on display here for the entire weekend.  Valentine’s specials include jumbo shrimp cocktail, pistachio rack of lamb, lobsyer ppperdelle, boneless short ribs and a dark chocolate tart for dessert. Individually priced items.  Delivery and pick-ups.  (416) 925-4074.  Facebook and website.  454 Parliament.

Paintbox dinner for two

Decadent three-course meals, perfect for an intimate home dinner for two. Made by Paintbox’s chef for easy home preparation. Your menu options include a beef Wellington dinner, a lobster agnolotti dinner and a vegan dinner.  Each for $79.  And there are dozens of great gift ideas available as well. Check out the website for order details, deadlines and menus.  Please  order by Friday, February 12 for delivery on Valentine's Day or for in store pick up.  

Stout’s Valentine weekend dinner for two

Available February 12, 13 and 14 from Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton). Two 10-oz New York striploins with Jameson mushroom peppercorn cream sauce, garlic and herb champ potatoes, Cajun roasted carrots, butter French beans and Stout’s house salad.  Two for $75. Add a bottle of Ironstone cabernet sauvignon for $30. Please order by Thursday by email to Madelaine at Stout or call (647) 344-7676.  Pickup after 4 pm. 

LOCAL NEWS

Updates about the Foundry 

Friends of the Foundry are having a rally on Valentines Day morning - 11:15 am, Sunday February 14.  Wear something red and bring a valentine. Dress warmly.  Remember to keep a safe distance and wear a mask.  Corner of Rolling Mill and Palace Street (one block east of Front and Cherry).  

Take action - stop the demolition

Friends of the Foundry has set up a website and Facebook page.  They’re continuing to pressure the provincial government and to pass along the latest news.  Over 22,800 people have now signed its petition.  Donations are welcome to pay for the court costs - by Thursday, over $27,600 has been raised.  Almost 1,400 people have used the Friends’ suggested letter to Premier Doug Ford - it’s on the website and there are photos and updates to use on your personal Facebook and Instagram pages. (Photo:  Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

The WINK is open

Weather conditions have been great and the new community skating rink in Winchester Park (Ontario and Prospect) is open for skaters of all ages.  COVID rules require limited numbers of skaters at one time. Make your same-day reservation (available at 8 am daily) at the WINK’s Facebook page in its About section - one household at a time, one reservation per household per day, maximum five skaters.  The ice is shovelled and flooded every day.  Wear a mask.  Kids under 12 must wear a helmet.  It’s natural ice - the rink is subject to temperature changes.  Don’t forget the skate exchange - donate your skates in the box at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament).  There’s a GoFundMe drive underway to defray costs - click here. 

St James Town Steak & Chops

Mark is closing next week between February 14 and 21 for repairs and annual cleanups.  He’s reopening on Monday February 22.  Until then, check out his Facebook page for his Valentine’s specials.  

Pop-up testing clinic

If you have worrisome symptoms or think you may have been in contact with someone who’s sick, visit the COVID testing clinic. From 1:30 to 4 pm on Wednesdays, February 17 and 24.  40 Oak Street in Regent Park.  Bring an OHIP card (if available) or some other identification.  No appointment needed.  It’s a free service.  

City of Toronto skating rinks 

Riverdale Park East, Regent Park and Sherbourne Common are open from 10 am to 10 pm daily. During the COVID restrictions, outdoor rinks are still open with a 25-person limit. Change rooms and lockers are closed. You can make a reservation and confirm that the rinks are open at the City’s website. (Photo: Waterfront Toronto) 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Two bedroom apartment needed

“We are looking for a two bedroom, furnished, pet friendly home in Cabbagetown May to October while our home is renovated. We need access to a backyard and are smoke/pot free, no friends over and exceedingly clean.  Please email fionn@istar.ca" 

IN THE MEDIA

The Kielburgers reply

Craig and Marc Kielburger gave an interview to the CBC’s Fifth Estate about the scandal and downfall of their WE organization and described themselves as a “political football”.  In a frank discussion, they tell their side of the story.  They’re scheduled to appear again at a Parliamentary committee at the end of February.  Click here for this story.  (Photo:  Harvey Cashore, CBC News)  

COVID-19 at Seaton House

Twenty homeless men living in Seaton House (339 George) have tested positive for COVID-19 by January 21.  Last Thursday, CBC News reported on the outbreak, the steps taken to handle it and the vulnerability of homeless people. (Photo: City of Toronto)   

FOR YOUR KIDS

Cookie kits

Staij & Co (552 Parliament) has DIY cookie kits for your kids.  Each kit includes icing and sprinkles.   

Special offer on Kumon classes

Kumon Cabbagetown (543 Parliament) is offering free registration (save $50) for the month of February. Virtual classes are available. Please call (416) 939-2300 or email for more info.

Donation day at the Book Bank

The Children’s Book Bank (350 Berkeley at Gerrard) is holding a book donation day on Saturday February 13 from 11 am to 2:30 pm.  Bags and boxes can be left on the wooden pallet inside the gated driveway.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Go to the restaurants’ websites and Facebook pages for the menus from your favourite places - click here for the contact list.   

Tasso is back

Mike and Olya are again offering their marvellous croissants.  Check their website each week to see what’s available.  Pickups are open on weekends from 10 to 11:30 am.   Place your orders early because they sell out - if it’s not listed, it isn’t available.  540 Parliament.   

Cyril’s soups 

For Saturday February 13, he’s making vegan chilli.  3 to 9 cups at $3/cup and 10+ cups at $2.50 per cup. His juice will be pear and pomegranate - 2 cups at $9.  He’s offering his soup containers in 2 cup, 3 cup and 4 cup sizes (minimum 3 cups).  You can also place bulk orders for freezing, banquets and special orders (minimum 10 cups) and save 50 cents per cup.  Email him to place your order.  

CONTACT INFO 

COVID regulations for retail stores 

There’s a business directory on the Cabbagetown BIA website with the COVID details listed beside each store’s info.  

Food services 

A comprehensive listing of our local food services is now available in our new Cabbagetown Directory. The list includes bakeries, coffee shops, delis, restaurants and pubs. Each entry gives the name, address, phone number and a link to a Facebook page or website. Click here to find your favourite.