CHRISTMAS NEWS
Cranberries Christmas feast
Cranberries (601 Parliament) is open on Christmas Day. Their three-course meals are a very popular seasonal highlight. Start with butternut squash soup or organic green salad. Your main course includes roast turkey, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, fresh veggies, gravy and cranberry sauce. There’s warm apple pie and ice cream for dessert. $50. Three seatings - 2:30 pm, 5 pm and 7:30 pm. Call now to reserve your spot - (416) 925-6330.
Erin is opening Stout (221 Carlton) from 11 am to 10 pm on Christmas Day. Brunch starts at 11 am. There’ll be a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings.
If you get thirsty or lonely, drop in to the HoP (424 Parliament) from noon to 5 pm. Bar service only - the kitchen is closed.
The Mistle Tones will sing from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday along the business streets and in stores. Organized by the Cabbagetown BIA.
The popular photo contest run by the Cabbagetown Residents Association is under way. Nominate a neighbour’s house or even your own before December 26. Snap a picture of a lighting display and send it along - click here to see the system. You can cast your vote now for your favourite and the winner will be announced on December 26.
For fifteen years, kids in Sprucecourt and Winchester schools have joined this annual Christmas card contest. This year, over 600 kids entered. There are four winners. Congrats all - you can see their work hanging in Epicure (473 Parliament).
“Bw” - a concerned Cabbagetown resident - has written to various civic officials asking that the lights on the big tree be left on until January 6. “The Riverdale Farm Christmas Tree is greatly admired by both residents and visitors. Its beauty glows at nighttime… We ask that the Riverdale Farm Christmas Tree lights be left ON until January 6, which marks Epiphany and the traditional end of the Christmas season.” If you agree, drop a note to Councillor Chris Moise and to the Parks officials - Councillor_Moise@toronto.ca and farm@toronto.ca (Photo: Marc Lostracco)
Christmas carolling
Last Sunday, a crowd gathered at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) to sing their favourite Christmas carols. They performed for over two hours, with Louise leading them on vocals and Jeff and Noah on strings. It’s a longtime Cabbagetown event and its organizers are really pleased at the turnout and the enthusiasm. It’ll be back next year.
On Saturday December 14, over 70 people dropped in to the new project at Amelia’s Garden (Parliament and Amelia). L’Avenue donated pizzas. The afternoon included carolling, hot chocolate and cookies and a slide show. It was a celebration of the good work that volunteers have achieved since the summer. The weeds and brush are cleared away. New soil has been distributed. Pathways are laid and decorative areas are in place. Next year, the garden will be ready for planting and there’ll be blooms in every corner.
Singers from the Winchester Street neighbourhood were carolling last Sunday on behalf of the Daily Bread Food Bank. They earned $150 in donations and gathered up three full Daily Bread boxes of food.
The Cabbagetown Preservation Association is looking for people who have interesting stained glass windows in their homes. Send a picture and an email to info@cabbagetownpa.ca
Richard was definitely ready to join the celebration at the Amelia’s Garden party. He’s been an outstanding volunteer on this project throughout the Fall. (Photo: Chris Hallett)
On Thursday December 19, the rinks at Regent Park (480 Shuter) and Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne) are open. The hockey pad is open at Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) but the leisure rink is closed. Moss Park Arena (140 Sherbourne) has an indoor rink and it’s open. Check out the City’s map to learn the rink’s status before you go.
Pancake breakfast
Friends of Regent Park are holding a community pancake breakfast. 9 am to 1 pm, on Saturday December 21. Along with breakfast, there’ll be games and a visit by Santa. Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter). Free.
Santa will visit the Farmers’ Market on Saturday December 21 from 10 am to 2 pm. Check out the displays in the greenhouses and pick up a last-minute gift at the Market. It’s the last Market for 2024 - it’ll resume on January 11. Open on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm at 19 Horticultural Ave. For more info, visit the Markets’ Facebook page.
Solstice drop-in program
2:30 to 5 pm on Saturday December 21 in the Children’s Conservatory in Allan Gardens (Jarvis and Carlton), presented by Taiaiako’n Historical Preservation Society and the Friends of Allan Gardens. Donna Powless and her family will share traditional Haudenosaunee teachings and stories around the fire. Catherine Tammaro will lead a demonstration on making your own wreaths and sun crowns.
St Jamestown Steak & Chops
Mark’s Christmas supplies are ready. If you ordered your turkey in advance, you can pick it up from Friday onward. On December 24, the shop will be open only in the morning and will close at noon. 516 Parliament.
Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament) has space available for bike storage over the winter. It’s a great way to make space in your house, to keep your bike safe and dry and to have it prepped for the Spring. Click here and scroll down the page to learn the details.
Stop by Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) to take advantage of their 25% off holiday sale…wreaths, stockings, tree skirts, and many more Christmas home décor items are on sale. Click here to visit Kendall's website.
The Coast House for rent
The Coast House is a thoughtfully restored, beautifully designed home perched atop the hills of Grantham’s Landing in BC's Sunshine Coast with spectacular views of the ocean. It’s a short 40-minute ferry ride from Vancouver. The Sunshine Coast offers adorable main streets and shops, great grocery stores, coffee shops, gyms and restaurants and a hospital is a short drive away. With average temperatures around 7°C, you can spend your days walking the beach or hiking in the forest. The house has 2 bedrooms with comfy king-size beds and an additional home office with very fast wifi. It also has a dishwasher, washer dryer and a wood-burning fireplace. The Coast House can be rented weekly ($1500 inclusive) or monthly ($4000 inclusive). Available until May. For more information email info@thecoasthouse.ca. You can also find more details about the property here.
Wellesley and Sackville area. Furnished with double bed, dresser, night table and closet. The house is shared with the homeowner and another tenant in the basement (TMU student). $1200/month includes utilities. First and last month payment is required along with work/school references. Contact Bob at (416) 320-7935 for more info and a visit.
A revised list
For your convenience, the Contact Info at the bottom of this page has been revised. Over 85 restaurants, food shops and pubs are listed. (Photo: Friday night karaoke at Alice's Place.)
Live music at The Distillery
Next weekend, the Distillery presents live music outdoors on the Trinity Stage. On Thursday December 26 - Teddy Hawkins & The Roots Down trio. On Friday - the Rider Raiders. On Saturday - Polskatonic. On Sunday - Trombone Charlotte. On Monday - Colonel Tom & The Outsiders.
Mill Street Brew Pub (21 Tank House Lane) is accepting non-perishable food items on behalf of Daily Bread Food Bank. The drive continues to December 31.
Show your same-day theatre ticket for any event at the Aki StudioTheatre (585 Dundas E) and get a 15% discount on your food and non-alcoholic beverages at Cafe Zuzu (555 Dundas E).
THURSDAY DECEMBER 19 TO SUNDAY DECEMBER 29
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 19
Distillery
7 pm, Christmas classics with Myriad Ensemble
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, City Love open mic
FRIDAY DECEMBER 20
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Decoy
9 pm, Kok and A Hectic Space with DJ Record Detective
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, Kalye Luna plays
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY DECEMBER 21
Old Flame Brewery
2 to 6 pm, Sarah and Matt duo
SUNDAY DECEMBER 22
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, Roast Chicken Ramblers plays
Super Bargain
3 pm, Paint Nite with Tayaba, $45.
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band
MONDAY DECEMBER 23
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY DECEMBER 24
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
The Aviary
8 pm, Bird Brain Trivia
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25
CHRISTMAS DAY
Cranberries
2:30, 5 and 7:30 pm - Three course traditional Christmas dinner
House on Parliament
Noon to 5 pm - bar service.
Stout Irish Pub
11 am to 10 pm, brunch in the morning and traditional Christmas dinner
THURSDAY DECEMBER 26
Distillery
4 pm, Teddy Hawkins & The Root Down trio on the Trinity Stage
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, open mic with City Love
FRIDAY DECEMBER 27
Distillery
4 pm, Rider Raiders on the Trinity Stage
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, live entertainment with Cale Crowe
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY DECEMBER 28
Distillery
4 pm, Polskatonic on the Trinity Stage
Old Flame
2 pm, Benji Crane plays
SUNDAY DECEMBER 29
Distillery
4 pm, Trombone Charlotte on the Trinity Stage
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, Bianca Rollo plays
Super Bargain
3 pm, Paint nite with Tayaba, $45
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band
CONTACT INFO
Alphabetical lists for restaurants in Cabbagetown, Canary District, Corktown, Distillery and Regent Park.
Cabbagetown
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament, (647) 931-9088
Bisou - 350 Berkeley (at Gerrard), (437) 971-7150
Blondies - 419 Parliament, (437) 341-1555
Butter Chicken Factory - 560 Parliament, (416) 964-7583
Chew Chew’s Diner - 186 Carlton, (416) 323-0068
China Gourmet - 235 Carlton, (416) 515-0088
Church’s Texas Chicken - 537 Parliament, (416) 519-3846
Desi Bit3S - 568 Parliament, (416) 928-9731
East Coast Donair - 314 Parliament
Epos Coffee - 290 Gerrard E
F’Amelia - 12 Amelia, (416) 323-0666
Fattoush - 253 Gerrard E, (416) 922-5006
Good Gang Ice Cream - 540 Parliament
Gushi - 296 Gerrard E (at Parliament), (437) 241-1710
Hakka Bistro - 398 Parliament, (416) 944-3033
Hakka & Jerk - 296A Gerrard E, (647) 643-5405
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament, (416) 925-4074
Jet Fuel - 519 Parliament, (416) 968-9982
Johnny G’s - 478 Parliament, (647) 368-3877
Ju Sushi Bar - 383 Dundas E, (416) 594-0383
Kibo - 533 Parliament, (647) 352-3788
Kingyo Fisherman’s Market - 51B Winchester, (647) 748-2121
L’Avenue - 583 Parliament, (647) 368-8008
La Gloria Mexican Coffee - 453 Parliament, (647) 806-6383
Luis H - 556 Parliament, (416) 964-1000
Madras Curry - 178 Carlton, (416) 323-0000
Maya Bay - 252 Carlton, (416) 924-8989
Mikaku Udon Bar - 229 Carlton, (416) 323-0033
Momo Ghar - 568 Parliament, (416) 920-8224
My Pandan Cake - 246 Gerrard E, , (416) 276-6698
New Retro - 193 Carlton, (416) 519-8511
New Town - 413 Parliament, (437) 777-8260
Noushe - 200 Carlton, (416) 466-9595
Pastor Tacos - 245 Gerrard E, (647) 687-1175
Phosome - 482 Parliament, (416) 551-6395
Pisac Peruvian Bistro - 195 Carlton, (416) 515-0989
Playground Cafe - 492 Parliament, (437) 799-5248
Red Cranberries - 601 Parliament, (416) 925-6330
Saigon Pai - 446 Parliament, (416) 920-8424
Salt & Tobacco - 521 Parliament, (647) 348-2993
Shalom Ethiopian - 587 Parliament, (416) 964-7271
Souvlaki Express - 484 Parliament, (416) 637-6777
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton, (647) 344-7676
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament, (416) 266-6471
Tasso - 540 Parliament
Tender Trap - 580 Parliament, (416) 920-5147
Thai Room - 243 Carlton, (647) 352-8424
The Golden Pigeon - 424 Parliament, (416) 392-1039
The Vibrational Apothecary - 243 Gerrard E
Urban Thai - 415 Parliament, (416) 513-1020
Wing House - 420 Parliament, (416) 968-0294
Wing Machine - 443 Parliament, (416) 961-1000
Zakkushi on Carlton - 193 Carlton, (647) 352-9455
Canary District
Aviary - 484 Front East, (647) 352-7837
barBurrito - 464 Front E, (416) 601-1777
Cherry Street BBQ - 275 Cherry, (416) 461-5111
Fuel+ - 469 Front E, (416) 306-6480
Keating Channel - 2 Villiers, (416) 572-0030
Region - 475 Front E, (416) 864-0800
Souk Tabule - 494 Front E, (416) 583-5914
SukhoTHAI - 460 Front, (416) 777-2092
Corktown
Banknote Bar - 474 Adelaide E, (416) 367-7327
Berkeley Cafe - 262 The Esplanade, (416) 825-0504
Decoy Bar - 370 Queen E
Figs - 344 Queen E, (416) 913-7205
Fusilli - 531 Queen E, (416) 214-5148
Gusto 501 - 501 King E, (416) 477-5647
Impact Kitchen - 573 King E, (416) 306-1986
King Solomon & Queen of Sheba Ethiopian - 360 Queen E, (416) 368-9002
Ladybug Wine Bar - 514 King E, (437) 222-0142
Lisbon Hotel - 19 Lawren Harris Square
Mengrai Thai - 82 Ontario, (416) 840-2754
Signature Bar - 320 Queen E, (416) 996-6004
Reyna - 354 King E, (416) 546-3155
Sumach Espresso - 118 Sumach, (647) 351-3833
The Rosebud - 498 Queen E, (647) 531-1388
Wood 900 Grill+ Bar - 372 Queen E, (416) 363-1571
Distillery
Arena Coffee Bar - 15 Tank House Lane
Arvo - 17 Grist Mill Lane, (647) 352-2786
Balzac - 1 Trinity St, (416) 207-1709
Boku Japanese - 42 Gristmill Lane, (416) 368-8686
Brick Street Bakery - 27 Trinity St,
Cluny - 35 Tank House Lane, (416) 203-2632
District Pizza - 30 Gristmill Lane, (416) 815-9898
El Catrin - 18 Tank House Lane, (416) 203-2121
Jardin Kitchen & Juice Bar - 28 Gristmill Lane, (416) 203-2363
Madrina - 2 Trinity St, (416) 548-8055
Mill Street Brew Pub - 21 Tank House Lane, (416) 681-0338
Old Flame Brewery- 45 Tank House Lane
Pure Spirits - 17 Tank House Lane, (416) 361-5859
Scooped by Demetres - 46 Gristmill Lane,(416) 988-2482
SpiritHouse Toronto - 16 Trinity St, (416) 948-9926
Young Centre Cafe - 50 Tank House Lane, (416) 866-8666
Regent Park
Cafe Zuzu - 555 Dundas E, (416) 815-2660
Liberty Pizza - 657 Dundas E