August 25



 CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW




CABBAGETOWN ARTISTS


This site introduces local artists to our local community.  Six artists are featured here.  They’ve been adding new images regularly.  It’s a site where you can happily browse and see works by people you know.  And you can purchase any that appeal to you. (This image: Jack Grunsky, It’s Jenny) 


CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 9 to 11


Blair’s Run 

It’s back and once again, it’s also a virtual event.  That format worked very well in 2021 - over $53,000 was raised last year to support the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club.  Volunteers are needed to organize and canvass for street teams and donations - register online.


Join Blair’s Run 

Participate with the classic 2 km run/walk or choose your own freestyle event.  Teams and participants can do their event together.  Do your stuff from Friday September 9 to Sunday September 18.  Once you’ve decided, register with the details ($20 fee) and start to fundraise for the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (all donations over $20 get a tax receipt.) The cutoff for the team registrations is Sunday September 17 at noon.  There’ll be a celebration in Sprucecourt School yard on Sunday September 18 at 3 pm.  More info is available online at the website and updates on Twitter.


The Cabbagetown Short Film Festival 

Fifteen short films from the USA, Sweden, Spain, France and the UK.  Get your tickets now for the in-person Live Gala on Wednesday September 7 at the Winchester Dance Theatre (80 Winchester). Doors open at 6:30 and the screenings start at 7 pm.  One intermission. The program will also be screened online across Canada from September 8 to 10.  Tickets for either event are $15 - available now. The program details are online at the website. Details and links for the Virtual Screening are also online.


The Art & Crafts show

New this year - entertainment for your kids with Jennifer Kruk. Also new this year - The Duncan Hopkins Trio will play at noon and 4 pm each day featuring Reg Schwager, Chris Gale and Kevin Turcotte.  180 art and craft vendors.  Toronto Public Health will be offering COVID 19 vaccinations during the show. Enjoy a meal from El Nahual Tacos, Haldi and Mis Amigos.  Riverdale Park (Sumach between Carlton and Winchester) from 1 pm, Friday September 9 through Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm daily.   Check the website for detailed listings.


Parkscape Promenade on Parliament - sneak preview  

Come to Parliament Street between 11 am and 8 pm on Sunday September 11 for a day-long entertainment extravaganza sponsored by the Cabbagetown BIA.  Parliament will be closed from 508 Parliament south to Carlton and eastbound Carlton will be closed from Parliament to Exchange Lane.  It’s a new face for the Festival and a final wrap-up for Parkscape.

Musicians have already signed up to perform - flamenco with Roger Scannura and Valerie Scannura from noon to 1 pm, Franks & Beans from 1 to 3 pm, Trombone Charlotte’s Tiger Band from 3 to 4 pm and the Toronto All Stars Big Band from 4 to 7 pm.  More to come!


Poster for the Art & Crafts show

Bill Reddick’s ceramics are displayed on the 2022 poster.  The show’s announcement explains, “Bill found inspiration in the classical ceramic tradition of the Song Dynasty. Through his contemporary expression of this ancient tradition, he has developed original techniques, and his works evoke fluency of form and beauty. Bill individually hand makes all of his works in his studio in Peterborough, Ontario”. He’ll be displaying at the show.  Learn more online.


Volunteer at Parkscape

The Cabbagetown BIA has put out a call for volunteers to help during the September 11 Promenade.  If you’d like to take part, send an email.


LOCAL NEWS


Check out Gerrard Street

Gerrard Street is becoming a shoppers’ destination.  The familiar regulars are now joined by exciting new stores and cafes - Fattoush (253 Gerrard E), Pastor Tacos (245 Gerrard E), Pandan Cake (246 Gerrard E) and the new Le Conciliabule (350 Berkeley). Eclectisaurus (249 Gerrard E) is a highlight. For years, locals have dropped in to Stanley’s (Gerrard E at Ontario) and the Beer Store (227 Gerrard E).  Old Cabbagetown Physiotherapy (255 Gerrard E) takes care of back aches and Hastings Barber Shop (251 Gerrard E) gives you some panache.  Dogs and cats go to the Cabbagetown Pet Clinic and Diggity Dog Grooming (239 Gerrard E) and Dogs in the 6ix (220 Gerrard E) provides daycare, boarding, walking and grooming. (Photo: art by Wajeeha Abbasi at Fattoush, Cabbagetown BIA)


Volunteer at the Waterfront

Waterfront Toronto and the Waterfront BIA are forming a volunteer corps.  It’ll tackle all kinds of projects to make the waterfront cleaner, safer and more vibrant.  The first job is a community clean-up day on September 10.  Visit the Waterfront Toronto online volunteer form.  You’ll be contacted about future projects.


ActiveTO - Bayview is closed again

Bayview from Rosedale Valley Road south to Lawren Harris Square and River Street down to Bayview will both be closed on the weekend - Saturday from 7 am to Sunday at 7 pm.  Check last minute details online.


Our two Farmers’ Markets

Think tomatoes.  Think gazpacho, tomato sauce and lively salads.  Fresh tomatoes are here at both markets. And corn, melons, eggplant, new potatoes and greens, The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market In Riverdale Park West (Sumach at Winchester) is open every Tuesday from 3 to 7:30 pm. Underpass Park Farmers’ Market (29 Lower River Street) in Corktown is open on Thursdays from 4 to 7:30 pm.


Food for The Fridge

Buy some extra produce and leave it at the Volunteer Tent at the Cabbagetown Farmers Market.  You’ll be supporting The Community Fridge - a great project to provide food for those in need.  Join the volunteer team at Community Fridges TO - click here. 


Repair & Run

This pop-up service for bike repairs is open in the Distillery on Case Goods Lane every Sunday until October from 9 am to 2 pm.


Local market at the Distillery

Every Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm, Gristmill Lane in the Distillery.  Enjoy local produce and flowers. The market will continue to Sunday October 9.


Spotted at Shuter and Sherbourne

Congrats to Sophon Chou for this fine photo and thanks for sharing it.


Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit

By Sally Gibson.  The most popular photograph of boys swimming in the Don River in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century is this shot by photo-journalist William James. “Sandy Banks” was located beneath Sugar Loaf Hill, once the site of the Simcoe’s 1790s summer home, Castle Frank. It’s  just north of the Viaduct, seen in the upper left corner, that arrived around 1918. Here the boys – all boys – are stripped down and waiting during a swimming lesson conducted by a City instructor. The boys really couldn’t swim. George Rust-D’Eye reveals in Cabbagetown Remembered that they were held by their belts, some of which can be seen here. The boys showed no shame in swimming naked, but proprieties were maintained. When a train lumbered along the Canadian Northern track, the normally tart-tongued old Cabbagetowner Gordon Sinclair recalled, “we would either kneel in the water, or stand with hands in front of ourselves.  (Photo:  Swimming Lessons and Skinny-dipping at Sandy Banks ca. 1918   CTA 1244-7339)


IN THE MEDIA


Time for a laugh

Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley wrote a sarcastic Tweet mocking Parkscape. Both sides of the argument then jumped in.  blogTO picked it up and had some fun.  Click here.


COMING EVENTS


Cafe Caribbean

Featuring food vendors, live music and entertainment. It’s part of the Moss Park Market.  Saturday August 27, 11 am to 3 pm.   260 Queen.  


Boat tours of the waterfront

Last chance to take a watery ride with Waterfront Toronto’s one-hour boat tours of the waterfront. August 27 at 1:15 pm.  Meet at the York Slip at the MV Shipsands boat.  Early demand for a ride was very strong.  Reservations are not available - seats are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.


Moonlight Market in Regent Park

On-going event. Thursdays and Saturdays from 5 to 10 pm, to September 17.  Local crafts, food, entertainment.  The east patio beside The Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  


Park Yoga

Every Thursday from noon to 1 pm at Riverdale Farm (Sumach and Carlton) up to Thanksgiving.  Sarah Elder is the instructor.  PWYC. For listings of other locations and dates and for last minute info about rain cancellations, check out the website.


KIDS NEWS


Register at the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre

The Fall season starts on September 12 at the CCAC (422 Parliament).  The music program is at the heart of its activities.  There are one-on-one lessons in several instruments.  Music theatre is returning and there’s an adult class on Poetry in Motion.  Group programs include art and music theory.  Go to the website for details, schedules and fees.


THEATRE NEWS - AUGUST 2022


Ticket sales open at Canadian Stage

Tickets for individual plays in the 22/23 season are now on sale. They’re “presenting vital, joyful stories, mounting large-scale plays …and welcoming back some of our favourite artists”. For info about each play and for tickets, click here.


Queen Goneril - on stage now

On stage August 25 to October 2.  King Lear’s daughters in a man’s world. Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery).  For more info about the play and for tickets, click here.


King Lear - on stage from Saturday

On stage August 27 to October 1.  Goneril’s father near the end of his reign.  Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane).  For online info and tickets, click here.


Fair Use

Native Earth presents “contemporary Canadian vocal music around a theme of cultural reference and quotation … the majority of these pieces will be both world premieres and new commissions.”  Saturday September 10, 7:30 pm, Aki Theatre (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E). For more info and tickets, click here.


Bad Parent

On stage September 15 to October 9. Ins Choi, creator of Kim’s Convenience, shows how Charles and Norah figure out who they are in relation to each other, their son, and the audience. A humorous and honest story about the rocky rite of passage into parenthood. Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane).  For online info and tickets, click here. 


IN OUR STORES


Naomi Store

Ahmed is working at Naomi Store (Parliament). The store has been renovated and now has a handsome interior.  It’s selling Sudanese furniture, spices, crafts, coffees, teas and lots more.  It’s well worth a visit.


ENTERTAINMENT


Musical performances at Parkscape

Performances happen on the Parkscape stage in front of Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament) unless otherwise noted. Joseph Landau is an accordionist and singer - he’ll perform folk hits from around the world on Thursday August 25 from 4 to 7 pm.  On Friday August 26, the Sean Stanley Trio will perform jazz, swing and blues from 4 to 7 pm.  Malia Love brings her powerful voice and dynamic range to sing the music of our greatest artists as well as her own original songs on Saturday August 27 from 4 to 6 pm.  The Power of Soul will perform soul, funk and blues from the 60s and 70s on Sunday August 28 from 2 to 5 pm.  The Tim Collins Band returns on Wednesday August 24 from 5 to 8 pm.  Check the website for times and details.


Buskers in the Distillery

The busker performance program has been extended to early October.  Every Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 pm.  A new performer appears very day.


Headscratchers’ Trivia

Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is hosting its popular Headscratchers Trivia every Monday and Tuesday night from 7 pm.  Reservations are recommended.  Board games are available daily.  (647) 344-7676.  Free.


Karaoke at Alice’s Place

Friday night karaoke happens at 9 pm every week at Alice’s Place (554 Parliament).  Thousands of songs.


Live music and DJs

The Dominion (500 Queen E) brings you live music and DJs every Saturday night from 7 to 11 pm through the summer.  


RESTAURANT NEWS


Le Conciliabule

Welcome to Manon and Charles.  Their new bakery/cafe,  Le Conciliabule, (350 Berkeley) has set up at Berkeley and Gerrard.  Their pastries and menu are prepared with a wonderful French touch.  Future plans include a liquor licence, small group events, curated cheese offerings, special meals on Fridays and Saturdays and a Sunday brunch. Their in-store shop is offering olive oil, vinegar, sauces, herbs, prepared foods and coffee.  They also plan a wine shop with 120 labels on sale.


Win $200 from the HoP and $150 from Epicure

Enter the Give Away Draw to win.  The House on Parliament, the Epicure Shop and Bosley Real Estate have teamed up.  The deadline is midnight, August 31 and the draw will take place on September 1.  Check out Instagram to find the rules and to enter the contest. 


Welcome back El Paisa

Delicious Mexican street food. Javier and Sarah prepare it every Saturday from noon to 7 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm.  They’re working with Super Bargain (441 Parliament) as part of its CafeTO patio. 


Summerlicious is back

Summerlicious continues to Sunday August 28.  Participating restaurants offer prix fixe three-course menus at lunch and dinner.  Lunch prices range from $20 to $55 and dinner from $25 to $75. Local restaurants include The Aviary (484 Front St E), Mengrai Thai Restaurant (82 Ontario St) and Butter Chicken Factory (560 Parliament).


Cyril’s soup

This week, it’s sweet potato, ginger and lime - Cyril says, “it’s got a beautiful bright colour, the familiar taste of sweet potatoes, and the Thai touch that coconut milk, ginger, lime and lime leaves bring to the dish.”  3 to 9 cups at $3/cup and 10 or more cups at $2.50/cup.  His juice is apple, mango and passion fruit at $9 for 2 cups.  Email him with your order.  

August 18

 CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD

REVIEW



A PERSONAL VIEW


Usually, this space is reserved for my opinions.  This week’s comment comes from Beth Kaplan who wrote an email to the Cabbagetown BIA and copied me.  “I rode my bike to Parliament Street today to see what music was on. It was George Crotty playing his cello, the magnificent Bach’s Unaccompanied. I sat and enjoyed an hour-long concert of such fineness, it brought tears to my eyes. Traffic roaring by, passersby paying no attention, and the world’s greatest music pouring out in the middle of Parliament Street.  Thank you! It was an incredible treat. I love the park, love the music; it’s fantastic what you’re doing…”

 

CABBAGETOWN ARTISTS


This site introduces local artists to our local community.  Six artists are featured here.  They’ve been adding new images regularly.  It’s a site where you can happily browse and see works by people you know.  And you can purchase any that appeal to you. (This image: Victoria Hadden, The Yellow Table) 


CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL WEEKEND


Blair’s Run 

It’s back. Over $53,000 was raised last year to support the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club.  You can participate with the classic 2 km run/walk or choose your own freestyle event.  Teams and participants can do their event together.  Do your stuff from Friday September 9 to Sunday September 18.  Once you’ve decided, register with the details ($20 fee) and start to fundraise for the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (all donations over $20 get a tax receipt.) The cutoff for the team registrations is Sunday September 17 at noon.  There’ll be a celebration in Sprucecourt School yard on Sunday September 18 at 3 pm.  More info is available online at the website and updates on Twitter.

   

The Cabbagetown Short Film Festival 

The in-person Live Gala happens on Wednesday September 7 at the Winchester Dance Theatre (80 Winchester).  The program will also be screened online from September 8 to 15.  Tickets for each event are $15.  Gina Dineen says that there are lots of comedies on the program. Tickets will be available next week and the website with program info will be launched soon as well.


The Art & Crafts show

Riverdale Park (375 Sumach between Carlton and Winchester). It starts on Friday September 9 at 1 pm and continues through Saturday and Sunday.  180 art and craft vendors and nine food vendors will display their works.  Jazz musicians will play at noon each day.  Food from Cabbagetown rstaurants.  Check the website for detailed listings. 


Cabbagetown Festival on Parliament  

Come to Parliament Street between 11 am and 9 pm on Sunday September 11 for a day-long entertainment extravaganza sponsored by the Cabbagetown BIA.  Franks & Beans have already signed up - from 2 to 5 pm.  More to come! The photo is a trip down memory lane.  This year, it’ll have a new face and it'll be a final wrap-up for Parkscape.


LOCAL NEWS


Register at the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre

The Fall season starts on September 12 at the CCAC (422 Parliament).  The music program is at the heart of the CCAC’s activities.  There are one-on-one lessons in several instruments.  Music theatre is returning and there’s an adult class on Poetry in Motion.  Group programs include art and music theory.  Go to the website for details, schedules and fees.


Boat tours of the waterfront

Waterfront Toronto is organizing one-hour boat tours of the waterfront on August 20 and 27 at 1:15 pm. Meet at the York Slip at the MV Shipsands boat. The tour will touch on waterfront history, the revitalization and the vision for the future. Early demand for a ride was very strong. Reservations are not available - seats are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.


Volunteer at the Waterfront

Waterfront Toronto and the Waterfront BIA are forming a volunteer corps.  It’ll tackle all kinds of projects to make the waterfront cleaner, safer and more vibrant.  The first job is a community clean-up day on September 10.  Visit the Waterfront Toronto online volunteer form.  You’ll be contacted about future projects. 


Good news - ActiveTO

Great routes for cyclists and pedestrians. Bayview from Rosedale Valley Road south to Lawren Harris Square and River Street down to Bayview will both be closed on the weekend - Saturday from 7 am to Sunday at 7 pm.  Check last minute details online.


Our two Farmers’ Markets

Both markets also have plenty of fresh farm produce - peaches, corn, tomatoes and green veggies are all arriving now. The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market In Riverdale Park West (Sumach at Winchester) is open every Tuesday from 3 to 7:30 pm. Underpass Park Farmers’ Market (29 Lower River Street) in Corktown is open on Thursdays from 4 to 7:30 pm. 


IN THE MEDIA


An architectural guide

The Financial Times has published a spin-off called FT Globetrotter.  This issue highlights architectural gems in the city.  Three of them are right here - The Cube House (1 Sumach Street),  the Cabbagetown neighbourhood and the Allan Gardens Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave).  It’s a fun story - read it here. (Photo:  Nathan Cyprys) 


St James Cemetery

Tracey Tong has written about the history and activities in St James Cemetery (635 Parliament).  It’s Toronto’s oldest functioning cemetery where more than 224,000 people are buried.  Recently, repairs and rebuilding have improved the slopes in the grounds and upgraded the crematorium.  Read her Toronto Star article here. (Photo:  Wikipedia)


Linda Manzer’s Sunflower Guitar

Brad Wheeler has picked up the story of Linda Manzer’s guitar for the Ukraine.  He describes its journey through the hands of several musicians and its fundraising purpose.  His article appeared in the Globe & Mail. A thanks, again, to Brenda Brown McNee for the tip to this story. (Photo:  Handout)


COMING EVENTS


Cabbagetown Walks

Sunday August 21, 10 am.  Gilles Huot is leading another of his insightful and amusing Cabbagetown walks. Highly recommended - he knows his topics well and he has a light touch throughout his presentations. Meet at the Cabbagetown People’s board in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester). Free. The photo - which may or may not have anything to do with this walk - shows Toronto General Hospital, north side of Gerrard between Sackville and Sumach, 1856 to 1922, Toronto Digital Archive.


Music in Allan Gardens

Sunday August 14 - the final Sunday performance. The Counterpoint Community Orchestra presents free concerts in Allan Gardens (Carlton and Sherbourne).  3 to 4 pm every Sunday to August 14.


Moonlight Market in Regent Park

On-going event. Thursdays and Saturdays from 5 to 10 pm, to September 17.  Local crafts, food, entertainment.  The east patio beside The Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  


Taste of Regent Park

Every Wednesday. Community meals prepared and cooked right in the Park, local vendors and entertainment every Wednesday from 5 pm until September 21.  The Big Park (620 Dundas).


Park Yoga

Every Thursday from noon to 1 pm at Riverdale Farm (Sumach and Carlton) up to Thanksgiving.  Sarah Elder is the instructor.  PWYC. For listings of other locations and dates and for last minute info about rain cancellations, check out the website.


THEATRE NEWS - AUGUST 2022


Ticket sales at Canadian Stage

Tickets for individual plays in the 22/23 season are now on sale. They’re “presenting vital, joyful stories, mounting large-scale plays …and welcoming back some of our favourite artists”. For info about each play and for tickets, click here. 


Queen Goneril

On stage August 25 to October 2.  King Lear’s daughters in a man’s world. Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery).  For more info about the play and for tickets, click here.


King Lear

On stage August 27 to October 1.  Goneril’s father near the end of his reign.  Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane).  For online info and tickets, click here. 


ANNOUNCEMENTS


Tell the world what you want.  Do you need a parking space, or a tenant for your apartment, or an owner for a lost cat?  Whatever.  Meg recently ran a request for a short-term rental.  Here’s what she says, “…we found an apartment, not from your ad in the newsletter, but I just got an email from someone who offered me their place (sadly, too late) that otherwise would have been a great fit.” Email Doug - your Announcement will run for two weeks at no charge.  Yup, free.   


KIDS NEWS


Learn Indigenous painting

Saturday August 20, noon to 3:30 pm.  Philip Cote is a renown artist and his class will teach Woodland-style art.  Ages 10 to 18, parents welcome.  Free - lunch is provided.  Daniels Spectrum, room details to be announced (585 Dundas E).  Registration is required.  


Wayo Children’s Festival

Thursday August 18 to Saturday August 20, 4:30 to 6:30 pm daily.  Meet at 250 The Esplanade.  “The festival is designed as an arts journey through Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage with 10 different arts performances at every corner including an aerial show performance, a stilt walk, storytelling, music, dance, face painting and more.”  The program is one hour long.  It’s free but you need to register online.


The final Mud-Day at Allan Gardens

Mud-Day Monday morning for your kids on August 22  from 10 to 11:30 am.  Allan Gardens invites your family to drop-in (no advance notice needed) and stay as long as you wish.  Great for children 2 to 7, siblings welcome, accompanied by a care giver.  Your kids can nibble on plants, look at bugs, plant some seeds, make nature crafts and go on scavenger hunts.  It all happens in the Edible Garden at Allan Gardens (Carlton and Jarvis).


IN OUR STORES


Naomi African Food

The Naomi group of stores is opening a downtown Toronto outlet at the former Pear Tree location (509 Parliament).  Details will come soon. In the meantime, check out its website for details on food and produce.  


ENTERTAINMENT


Musical performances every day at Parkscape

Performances happen on the Parkscape stage in front of Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament) unless otherwise noted. On Thursday August 18 from 6 to 8 pm, bring your friends and your ukulele and sing along with WeJam Toronto - in front of Jet Fuel (519 Parliament). On Friday August 19, Ella Frank, a local Cabbagetowner, will sing her own songs as well as crowd favourites - 2 to 5 pm.  On Saturday August 20 from 2 to 5 pm, the Sean Stanley Trio will play jazz, blues and swing.  JV’s Boogaloo Band will be back on Sunday August 21 from 2 to 5 pm.  On Monday August 22, flamenco guitarist Roger Scannura will return from 3 to 6 pm.  Crowd pleasing Toronto All-Stars Big Band will encore on Wednesday August 24 from 5 to 8 pm.  Joseph Landau is an accordionist and singer - he’ll perform folk hits from around the world on Thursday August 25 from 4 to 7 pm.  Check the website for times and details.  And watch for announcements for the weeks to come - the schedule is filling up with exciting groups. 


Buskers in the Distillery

Every Saturday and Sunday until August 28.  Noon to 4 pm.  A new performer appears very day. The Distillery invites musicians and outdoor performers to take part in the program.  Contact them online here.


Headscratchers’ Trivia

Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is hosting its popular Headscratchers Trivia every Monday and Tuesday night from 7 pm.  Reservations are recommended.  Board games are available daily.  (647) 344-7676.  Free.


Karaoke at Alice’s Place

Friday night karaoke happens at 9 pm every week at Alice’s Place (554 Parliament).  Thousands of songs.


Live music and DJs

The Dominion (500 Queen E) brings you live music and DJs every Saturday night from 7 to 11 pm through the summer.  


RESTAURANT NEWS


Happy birthday Fattoush

Fattoush, the Middle Eastern cafe (263 Gerrard E), is celebrating its first birthday. The party will include live music by Kazdoura, a special menu and free snacks and drinks.  Saturday August 27, 6 to 9 pm, tickets are $10.

  

Tastings at The Aviary

Saturday August 20, 5 to 6:30 pm.  The Aviary and Longslice Brewery (484A Front E) have teamed up with Bocage cheese for a guided cheese, charcuterie and beer tasting. Taste four cheeses paired with a flight of Longslice Brewery beers and a selection of premium charcuterie. Tickets $20, available on Eventrite.


Anniversary party at The Aviary

August 22, 5 pm.  Celebrate The Aviary’s 4th birthday and Longslice Brewery Bricks-And-Mortar 3rd birthday. Special beer deals, raffle prizes and a slice of cake!  484A Front E.


Le Conciliabule on Gerrard

We have another yummy cafe-bakery - this one themed as a French bistro.  Le Conciliabule (350 Berkeley) has set up at Berkeley and Gerrard in the former location of the Children’s Book Bank.  Early reviews are rave reactions - the pastries and menu are very exciting.  Best wishes to them for their new business here - more details soon.


Dominion’s Tasting Flight for Two

Enjoy a dinner for two at the Dominion (500 Queen E).  Menu includes a shared appetizer (cannellini bean hummus, cauliflower bites or nacho),  one entree for each person (falafel hippie bowl, Dominion burger, truffalo chicken sandwich or fish & chips) and shared chocolate cake for dessert.  $55. Continues to Saturday August 31 at 10:30 am.  Make a reservation online. 


Stout’s doggy menu

Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is now inviting dogs to join their owners on their patio. (They have a separate patio for humans only.) blogTO has written about the whole doggy experience - click here to read about it.


Summerlicious is back

Summerlicious continues to Sunday August 28.  Reservations are now open. Summerlicious restaurants offer prix fixe three-course menus at lunch and dinner.  Lunch prices range from $20 to $55 and dinner from $25 to $75. Local restaurants include The Aviary (484 Front St E), Mengrai Thai Restaurant (82 Ontario St) and Butter Chicken Factory (560 Parliament).


Cyril’s soup

This week, it’s a chunky “soup au pisto” - basically a minestrone with pesto.  Lots of veggies - tomatoes, corn, peas, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, green beans, celery, summer squash - finished with a generous dollop of garlic and basil pesto, tomato paste and Parmesan.  Add you own pasta or have a baguette rubbed with garlic and cheese.  There are no nuts.   3 to 9 cups at $3/cup and 10 or more cups at $2.50/cup.  His juice is cherry nectarine at $9 for 2 cups.  Email him with your order.