March 26


A PERSONAL OPINION

233 Carlton

Alyshah Hasham has written a detailed Toronto Star story about the delays and failings of City bureaucrats with the women’s shelter at 233 Carlton.  The story quotes an article in The Bridge.  It’s a great example of the way small local media can inspire more stories in the City’s big outlets.  As this story demonstrates, local news has relevance for other neighbourhoods. Congrats to Andre Bermon of The Bridge for his original story. Click here to read Alyshah’s story in The Star.


LOCAL NEWS


Whiskey Jack goes outdoors

Whiskey Jack has lined up appearances in Ontario’s parks over the summer.  They’re performing at Grundy Lake Provincial Park on July 16, at Pancake Bay on July 17, at Marten River on July 18, at Killarney on July 24 and at Killbear on July 25.  These concerts are free. They’re also playing at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville with special guest Sean Cullen on July 26 - tickets will be available after May 1.  If you’re camping this summer, grab a site in your favourite park when Duncan and his pals are there.  It’s a fun event.


Congrats to the winners

Seven local businesses are winners in the Toronto Star’s annual Readers’ Choice awards.  The Distillery District won the #1 slot in the Local Tourist Attractions category. Four more won second place standings - Cabbagetown Barber Shop (Best Barber), Daniel et Daniel (Best Catering), House on Parliament (Best Pub) and Soulpepper (Best Live Theatre).  Jay’s (Best Garden Centre) and Regent Park Aquatic Centre (Best Recreational Facility) each won third places in their categories.


Congrats Billy Bishop

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has been named as one of the world’s best airports in the annual Skytrax survey.  The Toronto Port Authority says, “The Skytrax World Airport Awards are based on the world’s largest airport customer satisfaction survey and are widely regarded as a benchmark for excellence in the aviation industry.”   It ranked 10th among the best regional airports in North America and also 10th globally among airports serving under 5 million passengers annually.  It also achieved a 4-star rating for its customer service, facilities and operational efficiency.

 

 509 Parliament

The developer of this project at 509 Parliament has just lodged an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal.  This takes the decisions about the project out of the City’s hands.  The appeal is based on the repeated deferrals at the Toronto East York Community Council.   Until this appeal, the matter was scheduled for the Council’s next meeting on April 1.  In addition to concerns about garbage disposal, there is still an outstanding question about fire department access to the back of the building.  Broadcast Lane is only 3.6 metres wide and it’s too narrow for a fire truck.


New websites

Two new websites have popped up. The Cabbagetown Preservation Association has an attractive new look. Winchester Park Residents Association has a new site. Follow the links to their Newsletter for updates on important changes in the neighbourhood.


Drop-in Workshops

Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane) is holding Curtain up, in creation lab, a six week free creative drop-in for youth in grades 10 to 12.  Experiment with “storytelling through theatre, spoken word, performance and collaborative art.” Tuesdays at 5 pm until April 28.  Youth can come for one session or all six.  For more info and for registration, click here.


David Arathoon

David’s Spring collection includes Sunflowers in the Ginger Jar - 20” X 16”, oil on canvas, from his Spring collection. Check out his Facebook page and Instagram to see lots of examples of his recent work and links to contact him.


Name the ferries

Toronto is getting two new ferries to carry us across to the Island.  The City has formed a naming committee and it’s holding an informal survey.  You can cast your vote in favour of names for these ships - click here for the short list and the rules.  The survey closes on April 6. 


Update for bird watchers

Christmas trees make a great refuge for birds during the winter.  This one has been a safe place for birds, squirrels and a rabbit in the deepest winter storms.  One of them actually dug a burrow beneath it.  In a few weeks, it'll be chopped into manageable bits and put it out in the yard waste bag collection.

YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS


Monika needs an apartment

Monika is a senior on a budget. She’s looking for a bright one bedroom or a good sized studio with a kitchen and small balcony, for her and her pooch Paris. Perhaps in a private home or a small building in Cabbagetown or very close by.  Budget: $1250 – $1400 ( if utilities not included) or up to $1550 all in. I am a quiet, neat tenant, and non-smoker. Looking for April 1st. Please send her an email if you have an apartment available. 

monikaostby@gmail.com 


IN THE MEDIA


Councillor Moise is reprimanded

Apparently, Mr Moise got into an argument in January 2025 that turned into an exchange of insults with Daniel Tate from IntegrityTO. Mr Tate caught the whole thing on video and later did an online broadcast.  The complaint and the subsequent report both seem somewhat overblown - both parties are tough and experienced public figures. The Integrity Commissioner Paul Muldoon, however, does not agree - he reported that Mr Moise violated Council’s code of conduct about discreditable behaviour but did not recommend any penalties.  For full coverage of the story by CBC News, click here. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor The Canadian Press) 


Heritage betrayal at Saint Luke’s

Paul Dilse, a retired heritage planner, has done a detailed critique of the approval by City Council of the Kindred Works condo at the Saint Luke’s site (Sherbourne and Carlton).  His story appears in the March issue of The Bridge.


COMING EVENTS


Movies at Stout 

Weekly free movie nights at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton). The lineup features family movies - bring your kids. On Sunday March 29, it’s “Planes, Trains & Automobiles”. On April 5, it’s “Star Wars Episode One, The Phantom Menace.”  There’s free popcorn. Sundays at 5:30 pm. To save your spot - send an email to Erin or call her at (67) 344-7676.

erin@stoutirishpub.ca 


Danny Marks

Danny is back at Castro’s Lounge (2116 Queen E) on Saturday March 28 from 5 pm.  He says that this room is amazing.


Allan Gardens Saturday Market

Open every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.  It’s located in the Children’s Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave).  There’s always a selection of delightful vendors. For more details, check out the Facebook page. 


SAVE THESE DATES


Art Matters

Students at Winchester School (15 Prospect) are displaying and selling their art works.  Thursday April 23, 5:30 to 8 pm. There’ll be a silent auction with proceeds going to the school’s funds.  This year, there’ll also be works by local artists and live music along with tasty snacks and drinks.  (Photo: Architectural Conservancy Ontario)


Spring is in the air

Save the date.  Green Thumbs Growing Kids is organizing a family friendly afternoon at Allan Gardens’ Children’s Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave).  Sunday April 26, 1 to 4 pm.  There’ll be kids’ activities, a Spring plant sale, live music and a silent auction. It’s free. 


BUSINESS NEWS


Shop to Win

It’s back.  Save your receipts and send them every week.  If you win, you’ll split a $1000 prize with the store where you shop and you’ll be entered in the $1500 grand prize. It starts next Monday and prizes are given out every week.


Cannabis store

Thanks to Keith for this tip.  The cannabis store at 368 Gerrard E has been closed by the police because of its unauthorized sale of cannabis under the Cannabis Control Act. The same sort of closures happened at the cannabis shop at 464 Parliament.  Operators there repeatedly reopened. And this pattern has happened widely across the city. In the meantime, another store, Growers Retail (492 Parliament), has closed.  It was one of the first to open here and it was followed by a wave of other stores.


Vendor applications

The Distillery has opened applications for small businesses, makers and artisans if you’re selling fresh flowers, artisanal goods, seasonal specialties and farm-fresh produce. The market runs from May 15 to October 12 on selected dates.  For more info and an application form, click here.


FOR YOUR BODY


Outdoor skating rinks

Three local rinks have closed for the season - Regent Park (480 Shuter), Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne). The programs at Moss Park Arena (140 Sherbourne) are continuing into the summer. 


RESTAURANT NEWS 


Free coffee

Congrats to Jet Fuel (519 Parliament) - John is celebrating his 34th anniversary on April 1.  Drop by to say hello and get a free coffee.


Happy Hour at Bisou

Fou de Joie returns to Bisou (350 Berkeley) on Saturday April 4 at 4 pm.  Prince Patrick with DJ Moon Hymns.


Trivia and comedy

Cafe Zulu (555 Dundas E) is hosting Sayo Osakoya for an evening of comedy and trivia.  Monday March 30, 6:30 pm, For tickets and more info, click here.


Super Bargain

Messy Margaret is back at Super Bargain (441 Parliament)  with drag bingo.  From 7 pm.  


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 26 TO SUNDAY APRIL 5


THURSDAY MARCH 26


Johnny Gs

8 pm, Soul Jazz Night


Mill Street Brew Pub

7 pm, Trivia with Quizmaster Jess


Old Flame Brewery 

7 pm, open mic with City Love


Super Bargain

8 pm, All Vinyl Night


Zero

7 pm, Trivia with Nathan Manning


FRIDAY MARCH 27


Johnny Gs

8 pm, Jazz Night


Zero Cocktail Bar 

7  pm, cocktail class


SATURDAY MARCH 28


Bisou

Noon to 4 pm during brunch, DJ Antony


Decoy

10 pm, Trust the Process DJ


Johnny Gs

8 pm, Jazz Groove


Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live music with Mark Villamore


Zero

6:30 pm, Drinks & Drag sober birthday


SUNDAY MARCH 29


Old Flame Brewery 

2 pm, live music with Shawn Steinhart


Stout Irish Pub

5:30, Sunday movie night - Planes, Trains & Automobiles


MONDAY MARCH 30


Cafe Zuzu

6:30 pm, I Know This One, trivia and comedy


Stout Irish Pub 

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia


TUESDAY MARCH 31


La Gloria

4:30 pm, Practice your Spanish


Stout Irish Pub 

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia


Super Bargain

7 pm, Messy’s drag bingo


WEDNESDAY APRIL 1


Jet Fuel

All day, 34th anniversary


F’Amelia

5 pm, Wine Wednesday with half priced bottles


Golden Pigeon

8 pm, Trivia with Rachelle Lauzon


Johnny Gs

Musicians’ hang night


Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, Trivia night 


Stout Irish Pub 

7 pm, Euchre night


THURSDAY APRIL 2


Johnny Gs

8 pm, Soul Jazz


Mill Street Brew Pub

7 pm, Trivia with Quizmaster Jess 


Old Flame Brewery 

7 pm, open mic with City Love


Zero

7 pm, Trivia with Nathan Manning


FRIDAY APRIL 3


Decoy

Corey’s Sweet 16 (X3) birthday party


Johnny Gs

8 pm, Jazz Nights


Old Flame

7 pm, live entertainment with Freddy on Guitar


Zero Cocktail Bar 

7  pm, cocktail class


SATURDAY APRIL 4


Bisou

4 pm, Fou de Joie with Prince Patrick & Moon Hymns


Johnny Gs

8 pm, Jazz Groove


Mill Street Brewpub

Noon to 4 pm, live music and DJ with brunch


Old Flame Brewery

2 to 6 pm, live entertainment with Jordan Arnott

7 pm, Karaoke


SUNDAY APRIL 5


Old Flame Brewery 

2 pm, live entertainment with Sarah Fazakerly


Stout Irish Pub 

5:30 pm, Sunday movie night - Star Wars, Phantom Menace


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

Epos Coffee - 290 Gerrard E

Falcha Fusion  - upstairs, 568 Parliament, (416) 926-9141

F’Amelia - 12 Amelia, (416) 323-0666

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

Poopathi Mess - 585 Parliament, (416) 923-4243

Rayah - 505 Parliament, 

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

East Coast Donair - 314 Parliament 

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

Eataly - 21 Trinity

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