March 27

A PERSONAL OPINION

Over the next few weeks, I plan to sit down with our local candidates in the federal election.  I’ll write my reactions here.  Please note - these won’t be either endorsements or attacks.  They’re simply my reactions to our conversations.

Samantha Green, NDP

I met Dr Green on Monday and we discussed local issues.  She’s smart, well-informed about our community and passionate about her views.  Her campaign is focused on ways to help people with affordable housing, the cost of living,  expanded pharmacare and the erosion of our healthcare system.  She’s a serious candidate - she’s been actively campaigning since last July.  Samantha is a family doctor working at the Sumac Creek Health Centre in Regent Park and she’s a mom with three kids.  

The NDP headquarters is located at 655 Dundas E.  Samantha has a  website, Instagram and Facebook.  You can phone her at (647) 558-9785 and email her at info@samanthagreen.ca 

LOCAL NEWS

Election info and dates

The advance polls will take place daily from Friday April 19 through Monday April 21. Addresses for the advance polls and for the regular election day polls will be published after April 1.  Election day is Monday April 28.  Our Returning Office is located at 161 Bay St, Suite 2700 - click here for hours, phone numbers and other info. 

Updates about the election campaigns

Samantha Green and the NDP have been well-prepared for this race - signs are already going up across the riding and volunteers are knocking on doors. 

The Liberals have selected broadcast journalist Evan Solomon as their candidate - an appointment made by Mark Carney.  They opened an office at 555 Parliament.

The Conservative candidate is Luis Ibarra.  He’s the founder of Latinos Magazine and a community activist.  Click here for his website.

The Green candidate is Olivia Iheme.  She has an environmental science degree from Trent and experience in the public and private sectors.  Her page on the Green Party’s website is here.

So far, there’s also an Animal Protection candidate, Simon Luis, and a People Party candidate, Nathen Masri.

Forsythia Festival planning committee

Katie Tozier is looking for people who want to get involved in the planning for this year’s Forsythia Festival. It happens in Wellesley Park on Sunday May 4.  It’s a great community event - it’s the launch pad for Spring in Cabbagetown.  This is an exciting opportunity.  If you’re interested, please email Katie.

tozer.katie@gmail.com 

Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

The Market’s organizers are recruiting volunteers to help with its operation during the season. They have three slots.  Market set-up happens between 1:30 and 3 pm. opening hours from 3 to 7 pm and take-down between 6:45 and 7:45 pm.  If you’re interested, email Ellie at ellie@cabbagetownmarket.ca 

Increased street car service

Starting on Sunday March 30, the 505 streetcars will be increased on Saturday mornings and the 506 Carlton car will be increased in the afternoons and early evenings.

Hawks on the Don River

These two redtail hawks were seen in the wetlands on the north side of the new Don River.  Wildlife is returning here, both on dry land and in the river.(Photo:  Waterfront Toronto)

COMING EVENTS

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 March 30, it’s “Coco”.  There’s free popcorn.  Sundays at 5:30 pm.  Please contact Erin to save your spot - (647) 344-7676 and erin@stoutirishpub.ca  

Allan Gardens Farmers’ Market

Vendors on Saturday March 29 will include Murray’s Farm, Oakridge’s Finest, Loco Fields, Link Haus, Fifth Town Cheese and St John’s Bakery.  Specialty vendors include Magic Oven and Spirited Tarts.  10 am to 2 pm, 19 Horticultural Ave.

Seedy Sunday in Allan Gardens

Seed exchanges, workshops, demonstrations and booths in the Allan Gardens Conservatory (19 Hortilctural Ave).  Vendors include Hana Earth Gardens, Urban Harvest, Lehang Trieu, Grateful Flora Flower Truck, Mama’s in the Garden, Toronto Nature Stewards and The Black Planter.  Sunday March 30, 1 to 4 pm, free..

Katrina Couture

Ms Couture is showing her paintings in The Tasting Gallery (248 Carlton) on Saturdays and Sundays for three months until June 1.  Click here to go to her Instagram page to see more of her work.

YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS

The HubTO

The HubTO (208 Gerrard) has a first-floor unit available for lease.  The Hub is a two-storey industrial building with eleven self-contained, locking units.  Unit 2 is now available. It has four-foot double doors, ten foot high ceilings and concrete floors. 650 square feet, LED lighting, soundproofing, upgraded electrical and exposed ducts.  It’s yours on May 1 - $2,395/month plus HST.  For leasing arrangements, click here.

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.

IN THE MEDIA

Mill Street Brewery

Mill Street’s parent company Labatt’s is moving Mill Street’s brewing facility into its London plant.  Until this time, Mill Street has operated independently from its North York facility.  Its small-batch beers were produced in its brewpubs.  By 2021, all of its brews were based on organic grains.  All of this has been called into question with the possibility that the product lines will be cut or eliminated altogether. Jennifer Schembri has written about these moves in Streets of Toronto.

BUSINESS NEWS

AAA Accounting

Owen at AAA Accounting (Parliament) is preparing tax returns for his clients.  It’s a busy year.  There have been changes to the tax regulations and filing dates.  He’s informed and can guide your decisions through the current confusion.  Check out his website and contact him when you’re ready to file your return.

https://www.aaatax.ca/home.html

Kendall & Co

Now more than ever, supporting local matters. Every piece of custom furniture, drapery and window shade Kendall & Co offers is proudly Canadian-made right here in Toronto by family-owned businesses.  514 Parliament.

RESTAURANT NEWS 

Garage sale at Fattoush

Fattoush (253 Gerrard E) will close on Sunday March 30.  There’s a chef’s garage sale on the weekend starting on Friday March 28 from 10 am to 4 pm - kitchenwares and other restaurant fixtures.  Best wishes to everyone for your delicious food during your time on Gerrard. 

Bisou

Music and dinner, Friday March 28 at 6:30 pm.  There’ll be DJs and a special a la carte menu.  Email for your reservation - reservation@bisouto.com or text at 437-971-7150

Wine & Social night

Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is holding a wine tasting night on Thursday April 3 at 7:30 pm.  There’ll be wines from four major regions.  It’s a perfect way to sip and socialize. Click here for tickets and more info. 

Super Bargain’s throwback ‘90s party

90s music, dancing, DJ Shamz.  Friday March 28, 8 pm.  444 Parliament

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 MARCH 27 TO SUNDAY APRIL 6

THURSDAY MARCH 27

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, open mic with City Love

Zero Cocktail Bar

8 pm, Open mic

FRIDAY MARCH 28

Decoy

DJ Kieran Petrasek

Alice’s Place

Karaoke night.

Bisou

6:30 pm, Conci’s music and dinner

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, live entertainment with Jammers Waffle House

Los Gyros

7 pm, Decar Gascon

10 pm, DJ Vaenca

Super Bargain

8 pm, Throwback ‘90s party with DJ Shamz

Zero Cocktail Bar

7 pm, Cocktail class

SATURDAY MARCH 29

Los Gyros

7 pm, Luis Maldonado

9 pm, DJ Vaenca

Old Flame

2 pm, live entertainment with Mark Villager

Zero Bar

7 pm, Live music with John Ian

SUNDAY MARCH 30

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment with Sean Bienhaus

Stout Irish Pub

5:30 pm, Sunday movie night - Coco

Super Bargain

3 pm, Paint nite with Tayaba

MONDAY MARCH 31

Decoy

8 pm, Movie night - How to get Ahead in Advertising

TUESDAY APRIL 1

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY APRIL 2

Golden Pigeon

8 pm, Trivia with Rachelle Lauzon

Lisbon Hotel Bar

7 pm, Trivia night with Dana Schiemann

Old Flame

7 pm, Trivia night

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Euchre night

THURSDAY APRIL 3

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, open mic with City Love

Zero

7 pm, Open Mic night

FRIDAY APRIL 4

Alice’s Place

Karaoke night.

Los Gyros

7 pm, Decar Rascon

10 pm, DJ Vaenca

Old Flame Brewery

6 pm, Roast Chicken Ramblers

Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz

Zero Cocktail Bar

8 pm, Cocktail class

SATURDAY APRIL 5

Los Gyros

7 pm, Luis Maldonado

10 pm, DJ Vaenca

Old Flame

2 to 6 pm, live entertainment with Erin Blackstock

8 pm, line dancing

Zero Cocktail Bar

7 pm, Live music with John Ian

SUNDAY APRIL 6

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment with Benji Crane

Super Bargain

3 pm, Paint nite with Tayaba

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

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

Los Gyros - 501 Queen E

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