LOCAL NEWS
Election news - our candidates
The official list of our candidates for the provincial election is now available. The Green Party has selected Andrew Massey. The Liberal Party has named local resident and political activist Holly Rasky. Kristyn Wong Tam, the NDP candidate, is the incumbent MPP seeking re-election. Ruth Farkas is the Progressive Conservative candidate. Sana Ahmad and Cory Deville are each running as independents and Steve Hoehlmann represents the New Blue Party. After February 14, the location of the advance polls and the location of the election day polls will be finalized.
Seaton House men’s shelter
The City of Toronto intends to replace the shelter with a new building. It’ll house 80 emergency shelter beds, 100 transitional shelter beds, 124 long-term care beds and a 2,269 square metre community hub. The new building will be ten-storeys high at 309-349 George Street. A community consultation meeting is scheduled for Tuesday February 25 from 6 to 8 pm at the John Innes Community Centre (150 Sherbourne). For more info, contact Corinna Prior, the senior project manager in the Planning Division - Corinna.Prior@toronto.ca
Black History Month Event
To celebrate Black History Month in Toronto Centre, BGC Toronto Kiwanis (101 Spruce) has partnered with Marci Ien MP to recognize members of the Black community. Local residents were invited to nominate individuals for Achievement Awards. Two amazing recipients came from Cabbagetown. Celebrate these extraordinary Cabbagetowners on Wednesday February 19 at 6 pm at the Boys and Girls club (101 Spruce). Great snacks and refreshments will be served.
CPA Board members needed
The Cabbagetown Preservation Association is recruiting new Board members. If you’re interested in community and heritage activities, then this is an ideal project for you. The CPA organizes the Tour of Homes, the Garden Tour, Cabbagetown Walks, Cabbagetown Talks and a variety of annual recognition awards. Its Cabbagetown People program highlights individuals whose contributions have been significant - the blue plaques in front of our local homes are part of this program. The people that you’ll be joining on the Board are all interesting and friendly. In short, it’s a worthwhile group doing important community events. For more info, click here.
Urban gardening
The Friends of Allan Gardens are organizing three workshops to show how urban gardens can grow and flourish - garden planning on Monday February 17, seed starting on Sunday March 2 and seedling care on Sunday April 13. Each event runs from 1 to 3 pm at the Children’s Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave). Suggested donation, $25.
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Applications are now open for vendor spaces at the 2025 Farmers’ Market. Please reply by February 28. Click here to get the online form and to read the rules for the space.
Allan Gardens Farmers’ Market
Vendors include Murray’s Farm, Oakridge, Loco Fields, Link Haus, Ilknur’s Bee Yard, Fifth Town Cheese and St John’s Bakery. The special guests include Street Health. Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm at the Children’s Conservatory (150 Gerrard E).
St Jamestown Steak & Chops
Mark and his staff at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) are taking a week’s holiday from Monday February 19 to Sunday February 24. The store will reopen on Monday February 24 at 10 am.
Outdoor rinks
On Thursday February 13, all three local outdoor rinks are subject to service alerts, probably snow clearing on the ice - Regent Park (480 Shuter), Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne). Moss Park Arena (140 Sherbourne) has an indoor rink that’s open despite the weather outside. Check out the City’s map to learn the rinks’ status before you go.
Red tail hawk
Peter snapped this incredible photo through his back window. It’s a fun story, “… we have a bird feeder cylinder off our bedroom balcony… lots of woodpeckers, cardinals, chickadees, etc… When I woke up the other morning, there was a red-tailed hawk sitting on the balcony railing (he’s been a regular sight soaring over the area). He wasn’t after the little birds but watching squirrels which are abundant in the neighbourhood. I took the photo from bed with a my iPhone which explains the poor quality. And then it was gone.” (Photo: Peter Kent)
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Office space available
Lovely and bright courtyard office space available in historic building on Carlton Street. For more information, contact Daniel Bloch at the Bloch Real Estate Team, (416) 441-2888. MLS® Number: C10408829.
VALENTINE’S IN OUR SHOPS
Anji’s Valentine’s special
Valentine’s Day florals are now available - click here to see your choices. Orders placed between February 10-14 can only be picked up in person at Anki’s popup location on the main floor of Nordstrom, Eaton’s Centre or delivered anywhere at regular delivery prices.
Artisan MRKT
Artist Wynn Yau from Ink by Wynn will be in the store on Sunday February 16 from 1 to 4 pm. She’s creating doodle portraits - drop by and have your personal doodle drawn as you wait. $10 for 1 or 2 people and $15 for a group of 3 to 5 people. And while you’re there, be sure to play the Artisan Raffle for a chance to win a gift card. 503 Parliament
Daniel et Daniel
Their limited edition Valentine cookies are on sale now at the Food Shop (248 Carlton).
Fair Trade Jewellery
FTJCo (576 Parliament) has a Referral Points program where people who refer clients to them plus the clients themselves can accumulate points toward future purchases. Their 14K gold and silver Parliament Collection is an excellent way to use these points. For last minute gifts, check out the Ready to Wear collection.
Soma Chocolatemaker
Soma’s exceptional chocolates include truffles and a strawberry love heart. Click here to see their Valentine’s specials. 32 Tank House Lane.
St Jamestown Steak & Chops
Mark is giving away his popular chocolate covered strawberries as a special Valentine’s gift. 516 Parliament
Terroni
The bakers have made a special dolce for the occasion - Torta al cioccolato e nocciole with hazelnut mousse, hazelnut cremeux, chocolate sponge and glaze and hazelnut sable crumble. 22 Sackville
VALENTINE’S IN OUR RESTAURANTS
Menu details are online here on Facebook.
Bisou
Bisou has invited chef Nonna Negroni into the kitchen to prepare an a la carte menu and a set menu for $68. February 14 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. 350 Berkeley at Gerrard.
Cluny
Cluny (35 Tank House Lane) is offering an intimate Valentine's dinner with mimosa carts, handcrafted cocktails and decadent dishes.
Cranberries
On Friday February 14, Siva is preparing another outstanding three-course meal. There’ll be two seatings - at 5 pm and 7:30 pm. $50 per person. Please call for your reservation at (416) 925-6330. 601 Parliament.
El Catrin
El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane) has a tasting menu with six courses from Friday to Sunday along with cocktails paired for each course. $68.
F’Amelia
On February 14, F’Amelia (12 Amelia) is serving an imaginative four-course dinner. $85. Call (416) 323-0666 for your reservation.
Fusilli
Fusilli’s special Valentine’s a la carte menu is available on Friday February 14 and Saturday February 15. Two seatings - 5 and 8 pm. Make your reservation online. 531 Queen East.
House on Parliament
On Valentine’s, enjoy a beef tenderloin, rack of lamb, black cod or chicken supreme. Michael, the Love Guru will read your tarot cards on Saturday. 454 Parliament.
Reyna on King
Their ricotta fritters with a touch of orange blossom are sweet, unique and irresistible. 354 King E.
The Blake House
The Valentine’s weekend menu for February 14 and 15 includes several choices at each of its three courses. $55. 449 Jarvis. Click here for your reservation.
IN THE MEDIA
Moss Park controversy
The controversy at Moss Park Arena has pitted local residents and the Arena Board against Councillor Chris Moise. It came to a head last week when the Councillor presented motions at City Council’s Executive Committee and then at City Council itself. As is normal in these arguments, the main points are complicated and clouded by personal differences. Gabe Oatley has outlined the events and issues in his Toronto Today article.
Rental price increases in Regent Park
Laura Hull has written a story in The Bridge about a pattern of rent hikes at Evolv (25 Nicholas Avenue), a rental building owned by the Daniels Corporation. The Regent Park Tenants Association has tracked the increases and their impact on people living in the building. (Photo: The Bridge)
COMING EVENTS
Valentine’s skate by the lake
The Waterfront BIA will host a skate in Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne) on Friday February 14 from noon to 6 pm. There’ll be free skates and hot chocolate.
Family skating
The Friends of Regent Park will host a Family Day Skating event on Saturday February 15 from 1 to 4 pm at the Regent Park Ice Rink (480 Shuter). Free skates, helmets and skating aids will be available. A few volunteers will help on the ice and a DJ will get you grooving. There’ll be hot beverages, refreshments and games.
Movie nights at Stout
Weekly free movie nights are happening at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton). The lineup features family movies - bring your kids. On Sunday February 16, it’s “Finding Nemo” and next week, “Despicable Me”. There’s free popcorn. Sundays at 5:30 pm. Please contact Erin to save your spot - (647) 344-7676 and erin@stoutirishpub.ca
Family Day at Riverdale Farm
There’ll be farmers’ demonstrations and weavers at work on Family Day, February 17, Riverdale Farm (Sumach and Winchester). Your kids can check out the sheep (10:30 am), the horses (12:30 pm) and the goats (1:30 pm) in the Lower Francey Barn. The Farm will be open from 9 am to 5 pm.
Corktown Chamber Orchestra
Come hear the beautiful butterfly lovers violin concerto with the talented Jessica Chung as well as lots of great music from CCO member ensembles. Friday February 21, 7:30 pm, Little Trinity Church (425 King E), $25 or PWYC, kids free, tickets at the door.
Coldest walk of the year
Tanya at F’Amelia is walking for the Fort York Food Bank on February 22. Your support with her will fight food poverty. She’s set $4,000 as her target and so far, she’s closing in on her goal - almost $3,900.00 has been collected. “Let’s change the tune for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because it’s cold out there. You could be helping your fellow Cabbagetowners!” Click here to make your donation.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Tax holiday
Our restaurants and pubs have enjoyed an HST tax holiday since mid-December. It comes to an end this weekend.
CafeTO permits
Restaurants who want to set up curbside patios over the summer can apply now for a permit from the City of Toronto. The application period for renewals and new permits will close on Wednesday February 19. For more help, contact the Cabbagetown BIA - bia@cabbagetownTO.com
Fireside in the Distillery
Every Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 pm until March 16. Sip a hot chocolate, roast a marshmallow and warm up by a fire. This is a fireside experience for the whole family. Hot chocolate will be served at Soma, Cluny, Jardin, El Catrin, Balzac, Sweet Escapes, Boku, Mill Street Brew Pub and Wildly Delicious. Prices vary depending on the hot chocolate. Get updates on Instagram.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
Here’s your list, day by day, of events and specials in our clubs and pubs for the next ten days. For contact info, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13 TO SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13
Winterlicious ends today
Decoy
9 pm, William A Davison & New Time More Words with DJ Record Detective
Golden Pigeon
7 pm, RPG Writing Circle - character design
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, open mic with City Love
Stout Irish Pub
6:30 pm, Brews & Clues book discussion with Jass Aujila, Scott McKinnon and Reva Leah Stern.
The Aviary
5:30 pm, Paint and Sip night
Zero Cocktail Bar
8 pm, Open mic
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 14
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Old Flame Brewery
5 pm, live entertainment with Jay Blues Trio
The Aviary
7 pm, Sapphic plant addicts - speeddating
Zero Cocktail Bar
7 pm, Cocktail class
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15
Old Flame
2 pm, live entertainment with Cale Crowe
Zero Bar
7 pm, Live music with John Ian
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment with Sean Beinhaus
Stout Irish Pub
5:30 pm, Sunday movie night - Finding Nemo
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz Sunday with live music and brunch
2:30 pm, PWHL sapphic watch party
MONDAY FEBRUARY 17
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
The Aviary
8 pm, Bird Brain trivia
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19
Golden Pigeon
8 pm, Trivia with Rachelle Lauzon
Old Flame
7 pm, Trivia night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Euchre night
The Aviary
8 pm, Karaoke
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20
Decoy
9 pm, Ghostlight live
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, open mic with City Love
Zero
7 pm, Open Mic night
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Corktown Chamber Orchestra
7:30 pm, butterfly lovers violin concerto
Old Flame Brewery
5 pm, live entertainment with Kanye Luna
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Zero Cocktail Bar
8 pm, Cocktail class
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22
Old Flame
2 to 6 pm, live entertainment with Benji Crane
Zero Cocktail Bar
7 pm, Live music with John Ian
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment with Sarah Faz
Stout Irish Pub
5:30 pm, Sunday movie night - Despicable Me
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz Sunday with live music and brunch
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
Zero Cocktail Bar - 223 Carlton, (416) 920-9376
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, (416) 360-1209
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
