January 2


LOCAL NEWS

Stained glass windows

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association is looking for people who have interesting stained glass windows in their homes.  Your windows will be included on a walking tour with a small audience during Heritage Month in February.  Send a picture and an email to info@cabbagetownpa.ca

Cabbagetown lights contest

Voting in the popular photo contest run by the Cabbagetown Residents Association is finished.  The votes are in and the tabulation is underway.  We’ll get the results by next week.  If you can’t wait, go the Association’s Facebook page and watch for the announcement.

The Winter Village at the Distillery

The Winter Village is open from 10 am to 9 pm on Thursday January 2,  from 10 am to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 10 am to 9 pm on closing day, Sunday. Admission to the Winter Village is free.

Marilyn’s grooming 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 January 4.  $15, cash please.  Please call her for an appointment - (416) 920-6814.

Congrats to the Children’s Book Bank

Remarkably, the Book Bank gave 140,305 free books to kids and their families in 2024.  Two branches of the Book Bank operate here - one in Regent Park (585 Dundas E) and the other at 561 Sherbourne Street. It takes money to do all of this and they rely on our donations.  If you want to know more about their operation, click here.  To make a donation, click here.

Green Thumbs Growing Kids

Green Thumbs Growing Kids (585 Dundas E, Third Floor) cultivates environmental stewardship through hands-on gardening and food education for urban children.  They operate in three school gardens - at Sprucecourt, Winchester and Rose Ave schools. They’re expanding to Eastdale Collegiate (701 Gerrard E) just east of the Don. Click here to learn more about their programs and here to make donation.

Outdoor rinks

On Thursday January 2, 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.

Riverdale Farm tree

Several local people commented that the lights on the beautiful tree in Riverdale Farm should continue to shine well into January.  It appears that the Park's staff agree.  It’s still glowing and it’s worth a visit.

Well deserved thanks

Marzena and Peter always place water bowls in front of their home for dogs who are passing by.  On Tuesday, they received a bouquet of flowers and an anonymous note to thank them.  Well deserved. And thanks to Mary Spence-Thomas for telling us about this and sending along the picture - as she says, “Gotta love Cabbagetown.”  

Groan

Helen has reported a disturbing incident  “… at the little green food bank on the laneway that leads to the parking lot for No Frills.  I had just placed two bags of sun-dried figs in the box and a pair of men’s leather gloves and continued on to No Frills. As I was walking back up the lane, a blue Honda stopped and the woman got out and took both bags of figs!! I yelled at her that the food in the food bank was for the homeless, to which she replied “oh, really”! The sign on the green box clearly says FOOD BANK!”


COMING EVENTS 


Danny Marks

Danny is back at the Smoke Show (744 Mount Pleasant) on Sunday from 3 to 6 pm.  It’s a great location and, of course, Danny puts on a terrific performance. He appears here on the first Sunday of every month - save the dates.

Brenda’s step class

Brenda’s classes had a holiday break over Christmas.  She’s coming back on Wednesday January 8, 9:30 am at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster).  Watch the announcements in the right hand column for updates and schedules.

Winter walk in Corktown Common

Saturday January 11, 10 to 11 am, met at Front and Bayview.  Sponsored by the Canary District Neighbourhood Association. “…Corktown Common is much, much more than "just" a park? It's also flood protection, a haven for native plants and pollinators, and a site with a rich industrial history. It boasts a series of interconnected outdoor environments that humans, animals, birds and insects can enjoy.” 

Allan Gardens Saturday Farmers’ Market

The Market will return on Saturday January 11. It will then resume until April on Saturdays. From 10 am to 2 pm at 19 Horticultural Ave.


IN THE MEDIA


Changes in Regent Park

Toronto Today has published a series of maps from 1884 to 1912 showing change and redevelopment in Regent Park. Click here to see them. 


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: Maya Bay Thai)

Tasso

Tasso’s (540 Parliament) next bake will happen on Saturday January 18.  It’s a pop-up style bakery.  Whenever there’s a bake, they post the available items on their website.  You place your order there and pre-pay it.  Their bakes usually sell out before the pick-up date.

Lesbian Lit Lovers speed dating

The Aviary (484 Front) is holding two speed dating nights.  On Sunday January 5 from 3 to 5:30 pm, it’s for ages 40+ and on Sunday January 12, it’s for ages 28 to 39.  Bring a book you love, swap it with someone new, and share why it’s so special. It’s fun, flirty, and the perfect way to spark meaningful connections.

Decoy

Decoy Bar (370 Queen E) is closed until January 9.

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 JANUARY 2 TO SUNDAY JANUARY 12

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


THURSDAY JANUARY 2


Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, open mic with City Love


Pisac

1/2/price bottles of wine


FRIDAY JANUARY 3


Alice’s Place

Karaoke night.


Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, live entertainment with Murray Drive


Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz


SATURDAY JANUARY 4


Old Flame

2 pm, Sydney Reilly plays


SUNDAY JANUARY 5


Cafe Zuzu

5 pm, 1/2 price wine bottles


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 Sunday with live music and brunch

3 pm, Lesbian Lit Lovers ages 40+


MONDAY JANUARY 6


Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia


TUESDAY JANUARY 7


Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia


The Aviary

8 pm, Bird Brain trivia


WEDNESDAY JANUARY 8


Cafe Zuzu

5 pm, 1/2 price wine bottles


Golden Pigeon

8 pm, Trivia with Rachelle Lauzon


Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Euchre night


The Aviary

8 pm, Karaoke and wing Wednesdays


THURSDAY JANUARY 9


Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, open mic with City Love 


Pisac

1/2 price bottles of wine


FRIDAY JANUARY 10


Alice’s Place

Karaoke night.


Decoy

10 pm, DJ Double Denim


Old Flame Brewery

8 pm, live entertainment


Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz


SATURDAY JANUARY 11


Old Flame

2 pm, live entertainment


SUNDAY JANUARY 12


Cafe Zuzu

5 pm, 1/2 price wine bottles


Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment


Super Bargain

3 pm, Paint nite with Tayaba, $45


The Aviary

11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz Sunday with live music and brunch

3 pm, Lesbian Lit Lovers, ages 28 to 39


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