CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
A PERSONAL VIEW
HOLIDAY NEWS
Dinner is served on Christmas Day at Cranberries (601 Parliament). It’s a memorable three-course meal with butternut squash soup or garden salad, turkey and the traditional trimmings, fresh veggies and apple crumble for dessert. There’ll be two sittings - 3 pm (tentative) and 7:30 pm. The 5 pm sitting is already sold out. These special dinners are very popular and everyone who goes is always pleased. Reserve your place now at (416) 925-6330.
Christmas dinner at Cranberries
Pajama party at Stout
Erin is hosting her annual Christmas Eve pajama party at Stout (221 Carlton). Come in your PJs and win a shot of Jameson’s. Open late. Trivia will happen at the regular times on Monday and Tuesday - brunch both days as well.
More Christmas Day nibbles
Johnny Gs (478 Parliament) will open from 8 am to 3 pm. Alice’s Place (554 Parliament) is open from 3 pm to 2 am. The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) will be open for beverages from noon to 3 pm on Christmas Day.
Cabbagetown lights
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Longslice Brewery and The Aviary (484 Front East) join forces for New Year’s Eve from 8 pm to 2 am. Free hors d’oeuvres, open bar for Longslice draft and bubbly at midnight. Advance tickets to December 30, $60. Tickets at the door, $75. Contests and prizes.
The Aviary
Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie
New Year’s Eve specialties include roasted elk Wellington, whole roasted dover sole and chocolate chestnut cake. Complimentary glass of Moet et Chandon at midnight. Reservation. 35 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Dominion Pub & Kitchen
Countdown to midnight with party favours, happy hour deals and a glass of bubbly. 500 Queen E
DOVA
Four course dinner with several choices for each course. $89 per person. Check out the menu and book your reservation online. 12 Amelia
Five course tasting menu. Reservations available online. (416) 901-3501. 229 Carlton
El Catrin
Chef features and specialty cocktails. DJ to 1 am. Late night snacks and complimentary midnight tequila. Check out Facebook for reservation details. (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery)
F’Amelia
House on Parliament
LOCAL NEWS
The fire at Number 9 Audio Group (222 Gerrard E) started around 7 pm on Saturday. Although the fire department responded quickly, the blaze spread rapidly through the control room and beyond. George Rondina, the owner, has been an important member of the Cabbagetown community. He served actively for several years on the BIA’s Board. He approved a mural for the side of the building. Number 9 held an annual toy drive with the Yonge Street Mission. Our hopes for a full recovery from this awful event go out to George and his staff. (Photo: Enzo Arimini / Global News)
Fire at Number 9 Audio
Follow-up to Holiday in the Patch
Matt at the Cabbagetown BIA (237 Carlton) is buried beneath the clean-up for the Holiday in the Patch. It was a fun event. The BIA is now figuring out your reactions to it with a survey that you can complete to provide your feedback and insights. It’s quick and easy and you’ll be eligible to win a gift basket from The Epicure Shop (473 Parliament).
Welcome Teddy
Teddy arrived this week in Cabbagetown. Cuddly? He invented the idea! Congrats to Sandy and Lou - he’s a winner.
Save the date - skating event
The Friends of Regent Park are hosting a community skating event. From 1 to 3 pm, Friday December 30, in the rink at Regent Park. (480 Shuter).
Outdoor skating rinks
The City of Toronto operates three rinks in our area - Regent Park (480 Shuter), Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Sherbourne Commons (61 Dockside). Check the City’s lists before heading out to the rink - weather conditions may affect the ice.
IN THE MEDIA
The sound studio at Number 9 Audio (222 Gerrard E) suffered a disastrous fire on the weekend. George Rondina, its owner, told Global News that the damage is “absolutely devastating”. Ryan Rocca at Global News has written a detailed account of the fire and its aftermath. (Photo: Enzo Arimini / Global News)
Fire at Number 9 Audio
Cathy Crowe is retiring
Ms Crowe has served as a street nurse for over three decades in this area and in other downtown neighbourhoods. She has advocated for more housing, better health care and a compassionate public policy toward homeless and poverty stricken people. In a closing statement for her nursing career, she spoke to CBC News about the changes that are needed today. (Photo: Martin Trainor, CBC)
Housing in the Port Lands
Mayor John Tory has released his blueprint for housing, noting that Waterfront Toronto must include greater density in its plans for future development in the Port Lands. Waterfront Toronto has welcome his comments. Click here to read about the future impact of the new policy. (Photo: Waterfront Toronto)
IN OUR STORES
Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) have decorated the interior of the store with hundreds of decorative Christmas ornaments. Step inside and enjoy the display. And the window, as always, is one of Cabbagetown's best displays. 
The Foodshop window
Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) always bring a tasteful touch to Carlton Street at Christmas.
Christmas with Kendall
Naomi Store
North Africa is definitely the theme in these exotic window designs. 416 Parliament.
The Great Mallard
Laila Venesi-Cunningham owns Essentials Me Time Shop. It’s a health and wellness company that produces all-natural hand-made soaps, candles and body products. Sean is the farmer, owner and chef at Belfountain Estate, a 100 acre farm in the Caldon hills with landscaped lavender fields, vineyards and orchards. They joined The Great Mallard for the Holiday in the Patch. Chef Sean's wonderful hand dipped chocolate treats were made right in the shop for kids and adults to enjoy!
To December 23, Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane). “Set in a West Indian hair salon in Toronto, it untangles the triumphs and tragedies of the women who sit in Novelette's salon chair … unforgettable, moving, and hilarious stories.” For tickets and more info, click here.
THEATRE & DANCE NEWS - DECEMBER
‘da Kink in My Hair
Extended run to January 7
To January 7, Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane). Soulpepper says this Alice is “a new adventure for all ages. Bad Hats Theatre’s contemporary spin on Wonderland takes us down the rabbit hole with Alice, a girl with a lot of questions.” Click here for tickets and info.
Alice in Wonderland
RESTAURANT NEWS
Playground (492 Parliament, side door) has built two lovely displays outside the front door on Aberdeen.
Graceful doorway at Playground Cafe
Great lights outside
And good food inside. Both Phosome (480 Parliament) and Johnny Gs (478 Parliament) have arranged lights to highlight their windows.
Tree-lined patio
L’Avenue (583 Parliament) used the trees on its patio for a very dramatic effect.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY DECEMBER 22 TO SUNDAY JANUARY 1
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 22
Dominion
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, Group drumming classes for beginners with Anna Melnikoff
FRIDAY DECEMBER 23
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY DECEMBER 24
Dominion
7 pm, Live music
Stout Irish Pub
Pajama party
SUNDAY DECEMBER 25
Cranberries
Three-course Christmas dinner, 5 and 7:30 pm. Reservations at (416) 925-6330
MONDAY DECEMBER 26
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY DECEMBER 27
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 28
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
THURSDAY DECEMBER 29
Dominion
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, Group drumming classes for beginners with Anna Melnikoff
FRIDAY DECEMBER 30
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY DECEMBER 31
New Year’s Eve - see the listings above.
SUNDAY JANUARY 1
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Dominion - 500 Queen E
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain, 441 Parliament
