December 5

CHRISTMAS NEWS

Christmas carolling

An epic event is back - Christmas carolling in the pub.  This year’s singing will happen in Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday December 15.  Jeff and Noah will be there to accompany our vocals.  Louise will be our MC.  There’ll be an open mic and lots of audience participation.   It’s time to bring your family, enjoy a break from the pre-Christmas stress and see your friends and neighbours in this comfy spot. It’s a pay-what-you-can event.  (Photo: Jeff, Noah and the crowd at the sing-a-long in 2014!)

Wellesley Ave looks good

The lights have gone up again on Wellesley Avenue.  These are amazing decorations - you can see them from the end of the street and they get better as you walk toward them.  Thanks to Bill and John for another good job.

Holiday in the Patch

The Cabbagetown BIA kicks off its Christmas season on Saturday December 7, noon to 4 pm.  There’ll be holiday music, kids games, a Treasure Hunt (with $1500 in prizes), an outdoor apres ski lounge and karaoke at Carlton and Parliament, photo sessions with Santa at 237 Carlton and a toy drive with the police from 51 Division.  It’s a busy day - click here for the schedule. 

Business specials in the Patch

During the Holiday in the Patch events on Saturday, scores of businesses are making special deals.  Over a dozen restaurants and food stores, another dozen retailers and special services will hand out discounts, gift certificates, retail specialties and more.  There’s plenty for kids - including a free basketball.  Click here to see the list and plan your route for Saturday.

Toy drive

The police officers at 51 Division are holding their annual toy drive over the weekend.  They plan to give them to kids with HIV/AIDS, kids living in Toronto Community Housing and to newcomers to Canada.  Please bring an unwrapped toy to the bin at Carlton and Parliament.  Saturday, noon to 4 pm. 

Christmas tree in Riverdale Farm

The big tree in Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester, east of Sumach) will be lit on Saturday December 7, 6:30 to 8 pm.  There’ll be carol singing, crafts, cookies and hot chocolate.

Amelia’s Garden celebration

Join the people who have worked so hard to restore the garden.  There’ll be hot chocolate, garden tours, carol singing and more.  Saturday December 14, 2 to 4 pm.  Amelia and Parliament.

Carolling for cans

Singers from the Winchester Street neighbourhood will once again be carolling.  This year, the group will stand in front of 89 Winchester from 2 from 4 pm on Sunday December 15.  You’e invited to join them and bring a food donation for the Allan Gardens Food Bank.  If you would prefer a porch pickup right at your home, scan the QR code on the flyer to make arrangements.

Enoch Turner Christmas Dinner

The Schoolhouse (106 Trinity) is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year.  Its Christmas event includes a traditional Canadian dinner with hors d’oeuvres and roast turkey, a heritage champion award and entertainment by the Brian Taheny Band and Catherine McKinnon.  Friday December 6, 6:30 pm.  $150.  Proceeds go to the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation.  For tickets and more info, click here.

Distillery’s Winter Village

The huge Christmas tree has been lit at the Distillery. Santa, the Elves and the Carollers will be on site from 3 to 8 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 1 to 9 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The cabins are open for your shopping - Sunday to Thursday, noon to 9 pm,  Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 pm.  You’ll need a ticket on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday after 4:00 pm - starting next Thursday, December 12, you need a ticket every day after 4:00 pm, $15. Check out Santa’s timetable and the other attractions online here.

Toronto Centre Holiday Party

Councillor Chris Moise is hosting a year-end party on Wednesday December 11 at 6 pm.  It’s at St Lawrence Hall (157 King E).  During the dinner, the winners of the Community Builders awards will be honoured.  Tickets are free and available online.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING NEWS

St Jamestown Steak & Chops

Mark’s Christmas supplies are ready - turkey, smoked ham, honey glazed ham, capon, beef tenderloin and prime rib roast.  Drop in and order yours now.  516 Parliament.

Pop-up at Double Take

You’ll find vintage and up-cycled treasures at Double Take’s Pop-Up Market (310 Gerrard E).  Saturday December 7, 11 am to 6 pm.

Daniel et Daniel

Check out Daniel et Daniel’s holiday sample menus.  Four seasonal menus are online here - cocktail reception, holiday buffet, Christmas dinner and a celebration dinner. 250 Carlton.

Kendall & Co

This Saturday, there’ll be live music, hot apple cider, and ornament giveaways for the kids. Discover Toronto’s best selection of Christmas décor—ornaments, nostalgia, and gifts that sparkle with holiday magic. Drop in to the store (514 Parliament) and go to Kendall’s website. 

Timeless Collective Toronto

Timeless Collective Toronto (574 Parliament) is kicking off the holiday season in their new space.  Throughout December, celebrate the season with a nostalgic journey through their stunning holiday pieces - the perfect vintage gift or a little something special for yourself.

LOCAL NEWS

Flying our flag

Bianca has just returned from a trip to Nepal where she participated in a study at Tilicho Lake, coring and mapping lake sediment.  In her photo, Annapurna I is the peak at the left in the background and Tilicho Peak is on the right.  Of course, she took along our flag and sent us this remarkable picture.  Thanks, Bianca.

Marilyn’s nail clinic

Marilyn from Diggity Dog Grooming is back for her monthly nail trimming clinic at Pet Valu (240 Carlton).  9 am to 4 pm, Saturday December 7.  $15.  Please call her for an appointment - (416) 920-6814.

Michael Cavanaugh in the Tasting Room

On Saturday, Michael Cavanaugh will be part of Holiday in the Patch at his exhibition at The Tasting Room (250 Carlton).  There’ll be hot chocolate, cookies and colouring fun.  Saturday December 7, 10 am to 4:30 pm. His art is on display every Saturday and Sunday until mid-February. It’s a great show and worth a visit - his strong urban images show well in this space. (Photo: Crescent Town). bookings@danieletdaniel.ca

Congrats Gilles

Gilles Huot was awarded the 2024 Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Award by La Société d'histoire de Toronto “in recognition of his perseverance and commitment to community activities at several levels.”  The citation notes both his lengthy volunteer work at the Royal Ontario Museum and his contributions through the Cabbagetown Preservation Association.  He’s well known in Cabbagetown and his award will be well supported here.  Congrats, Gilles. Thanks to Victoria Hadden for her post about Gilles. 

Cabbagetown Preservation Association

The CPA’s Fall meeting on November 28 was a success.  Bracha Stettin, the guest speaker, talked about Cabbagetown’s environmental past. Steve Yeates, the CPA Chair, said, “Her lively, illustrated talk kept the full room engaged and sparked a barrage of comments and questions afterward.”   The 2024 Recognition Award went to Gale Moore, the past Chair of the CPA, for her outstanding work for the group. The  Peggy Kurtin Restoration Award was given to L’Avenue (583 Parliament) for their work on the former Barr’s Dairy building.  A watercolour painting of the building done by Rosie Shepherd was presented to the owners.  The CPA’s Fall 2024 Newsletter is now available online. (Photo: Christina Jackson)

Eclectisaurus

Leslie has reopened her store selling mid-century modern, 20th century design and vintage items.  Her new location is 410 Dundas E, on the corner at Berkeley.  She’s been missed and her new location is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.  Drop by and check out her stuff.  You can also go online and see what she’s currently offering.

Brews & Clues

Des Ryan organizes a writers’ meeting in Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton).  Visiting authors talk about their books - true crime stories and crime fiction.  His guests this month are Irene Fantopolous, author of Luck of the Draw and award-winning author Joyce Woollcott.  The next meeting will be on December 12, 6:30 to 8 pm. Everyone welcome.

Bike storage

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.

Outdoor rinks

There are three outdoor skating rinks in our area - Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview), Regent Park Athletic Grounds (480 Shuter) and Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne).  And the Moss Park Arena (140 Sherbourne) has an indoor rink.  On Thursday December 5, Regent Park and Moss Park are open. Sherbourne Common and Riverdale Park East are closed. Check out the City’s map to learn the rink’s status before you go.

Get your shots

Flu shots and the latest covid vaccines are now available at both Rexall (539 Parliament) and Shoppers Drug Mart (467 Parliament, 565 Sherbourne and 593 Dundas E).

IN THE MEDIA

Olympic women’s rowing

The newsletter Inside the Games has written about the challenges faced by the Canadian women’s eight rowing team at the Paris Olympics.  Included in the article are insights from Sydney Payne who is now a veteran Olympian.   

YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Room for rent

Wellesley and Sackville area. Furnished with a 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.

COMING EVENTS 

Corktown Chamber Orchestra

Annual holiday season concert - 7 pm, Friday December 6. The program includes a special 35th anniversary performance to honour the national day of remembrance and action on violence against women.  Little Trinity Church (425 King E).  $25/pwyc

Save the date - pancake breakfast

Join the Regent Park community at a pancake breakfast presented by the Friends of Regent Park.  Saturday December 21, 9 am to 1 pm.  There’ll be pancakes, games, crafts and a visit by Santa.  Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter)

Allan Gardens Saturday Farmers’ Market

The festive farmers’ market happens on Saturday December 7, 14 and 21.  As well as the usual vendors, the market will feature special events for the whole family.  Open on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm at 19 Horticultural Ave. For more info, visit the Markets’ Facebook page.

RESTAURANT NEWS 

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: Stout Irish Pub)

Mill Street food drive

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.

Cafe Zuzu and Aki Studio

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).

WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS

THURSDAY DECEMBER 5 TO SUNDAY DECEMBER 15

For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page. 

THURSDAY DECEMBER 5

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, City Love open mic

FRIDAY DECEMBER 6

Alice’s Place

Karaoke night.

Decoy

8 pm, Rust Belt Electrical Services with Detroit techno and DJs J Paris and Fleetwood.

Old Flame Brewery

6 pm, Jay Blues Trio plays

Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz

SATURDAY DECEMBER 7

Decoy

2 pm to 2 am, Burdock Brewery tap takeover with DJ Recall

Old Flame Brewery

2 to 6 pm, Jordan Arnott plays

SUNDAY DECEMBER 8

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, Genevieve Cyr 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 9

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY DECEMBER 10

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

The Aviary

8 pm, Bird Brain Trivia

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11

F’Amelia

Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price

Golden Pigeon

8 pm, Winter Trivia with Rachelle Lauzon

Old Flame Brewery

6:30 pm, Trivia night

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, euchre night

The Aviary

8 pm, karaoke and wing Wednesday

THURSDAY DECEMBER 12

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, open mic with City Love

FRIDAY DECEMBER 13

Alice’s Place

Karaoke night.

Decoy

Holiday Market with special vendors, lots of music and food.

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, live entertainment with Late Nite Drive

Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz

SATURDAY DECEMBER 14

Decoy

Holiday Market with special vendors, lots of music and food.

Old Flame

2 pm, Murray Drive plays

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15

Decoy

Holiday Market with special vendors, lots of music and food.

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, Boat House Blues 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

Tasty Sip n Bite - 432 Parliament, (647) 344-8938

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