May 21


A PERSONAL VIEW

Maya Bay

If you’re an old guy like me, the customers at Maya Bay (252 Carlton) are delightful.  I went there earlier this week. There were over 20 people in the place and I was, by far, the most elderly person in the crowd.  Everyone else seemed to be in their twenties.  One woman kept bouncing up and down whenever she tasted a new dish.  Sharing was a common habit. Nobody was picky or moody  and they were all multi-tasking and energetic - eating, talking, looking at their phones.  In fact, they all had phones and they were using them while they waited and while they munched away, They snapped pictures of their dinners.  The food at Maya Bay is great and these customers weren’t sticking to traditional pad Thais. Fun stuff. 

LOCAL NEWS

2026 Garden Tour

Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces takes place from 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday June 7.  This year, nine private properties and four community gardens will be highlighted.  Expert gardeners will be stationed at each one to talk about the gardens and answer your questions.  It’s a self-guided tour and your ticket has a map showing the garden locations. They’re for sale at $25.  Get yours online here. Or shop in person from Saturday afternoon at Akasha Art (204D Carlton), Epicure (473 Parliament), Fairway Market (520 Parliament), Jay’s Garden Centre (360 Gerrard E), Kendall & Co (512 Parliament) and at Davenport Garden Centre (368 Davenport).  


New features

Two new features are available at the garden tour.  Both happen at the Tour Booth (Sumach and Winchester). There’ll be a native plant sale organized by Native Plants from Claremont - $5 per pot.  And there’s a raffle for a free tree or shrub through the Neighbourhood Planting Project.  10 am to 3 pm on Sunday June 7.


Doors Open buildings

Over 160 sites across Toronto are welcoming visitors over this weekend.  There’s plenty of info about each site and about other events online.  About a dozen sites are located here and several more are in neighbouring locations.


  • Old Fire Hall 30 (39 Commissioner St), 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday.
  • 25 Ookwemin Street, 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday.
  • Anishnawbe Health Centre (425 Cherry St), 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday
  • Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane), 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday.                                                                          
  • Toronto Humane Society (11 River St), 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday.
  • KPMG Architects (351 King E, Suite 1200), 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday.
  • Street Haven at the Crossroads (87 Pembroke), 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday.
  • Street Health (338 Dundas E), 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday.
  • Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E), 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday.
  • Jarvis Street Baptist Church (130 Gerrard E), 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday & 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday.
  • St James Cemetery & Chapel (635 Parliament),  10 am to 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday. 

Doors Open tours

Four free tours are nearby - they focus on the new waterfront park.  Registration and tickets are needed - click here for details.

  • The Making of Biidaasige Park (meet at Old Fire Hall 30, 39 Commissioner St), 10 to 11:30 am, Saturday.
  • Biidaasige Park Riverfront (meet at Old Fire Hall 30, 39 Commissioner St), 1 to 2:30 pm, Saturday.
  • Building the Lassonde Art (meet at 51 Commissioner St), Saturday at 2 to 3:30 pm and Sunday at 11 am to 12:30 pm. 
  • Ookwemin Minising, From river restoration to new neighbourhood (meet at Old Fire Hall 30, 39 Commissioner St), Sunday at 1:30pm and 3 pm. 


Forgotten Lawns & Gardens

Sean Clarke has been busy again over the Spring. He’s creating new gardens and renewing existing ones across Cabbagetown. His company offers landscaping services, contracting and property maintenance. He does a great job. Check out his website here.


Hepburn

Hepburn is back for another year, creating, planting and maintaining gardens.  He’s a familiar figure with a well-established reputation.  He’ll be a sponsor again at the 2026 garden tour and he’ll be available to answer your questions at a house on Amelia Street.  You can reach him at (416) 801-4438 and info@hepburnlandscape.com


Workshop and yard sale

There was another successful gardening workshop in Amelia’s Garden (Amelia and Parliament) on  Sunday May 17.  Gardening experts gave practical lessons.  A yard sale happened at the same time - and the proceeds went to Amelia’s Garden.  



Wellesley Street construction

During this construction project, traffic flow will be reduced to one lane, westbound only.  The bike lanes and the eastbound traffic lanes have been removed.  Construction work occurs in two groups -  between Parliament and Ontario and between Sherbourne and Jarvis.  This work will go on for a long time. In both sections, watermain work runs from mid-May to mid-July and the rebuilding the road surface happens between mid-July to mid-December. For public consultations, call Steven Zeigler at (416) 392-2896.  During the construction, the 94 Wellesley bus running east on Wellesley will detour at Jarvis south to Carlton, then east to Parliament and north to the Wellesley subway.


230 Fightback

This group, together with members of the Toronto Tenants Union, picketed a lunch held by the Toronto Board of Trade on Thursday May 14.  They planned to confront Mayor Olivia Chow and demand action on their plan for the City of Toronto to buy the land at 214 - 230 Sherbourne.  They want the City to construct non-profit and affordable housing there.  They didn’t meet the Mayor.  They did get to Councillor Chris Moise and apparently, “he provided no productive information as to his position, or the City’s, on the acquisition…” Click here to read about the event on their website. (Photo: The Bridge)


Shop2Win

Congrats to Meggie, the Week Six winner.  She earned $500 and $500 more went to The Wing House (420 Parliament). 

The $1500 grand prize winner was also announced - congrats go to Jeanne who used a receipt from Absolute Bakery (589 Parliament) for her winning ticket. The raffle has been a big success - over 6400 receipts were submitted.


Congrats to the Children’s Book Bank

The Book Bank celebrates its 18th birthday in May.  During this month, someone will receive the 2-millionth free book.  The Book Bank says, “To help us celebrate, we invite you to share your birthday wishes and favourite memories of the Book Bank. Please email karlylynne@childrensbookbank.com—we'd love to hear what the Book Bank has meant to you!” Regent Park (555 Dundas E, Suite 260) and Sherbourne (561 Sherbourne, Level P3).  


Enrolling now

Kumon (194A Carlton) is taking new students - book your free assessment.  Call (416) 939-2300. Start between now and June 30 - save $80. 


OUTDOOR MARKETS


Cabbagetown Farmers Market 

The weather has turned warmer and the produce at the Market is amazing.  Tuesday from 3 pm in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester). Click here to see details about each vendor.


Underpass Park Market 

The market is open every Thursday in Underpass Park (29 Lower River St).  Click here for info about the Market and its vendors.


Allan Gardens Saturday Market 

From 10 am to 2 pm every Saturday outdoors at the Children’s Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave). For more info, click here.


COMING EVENTS


Movies at Stout 

Weekly free movie nights at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton). Sundays at 5:30 pm. The lineup features family movies - bring your kids. On Sunday May 24, it’s “Shrek2”.  On Sunday May 31, it’s “Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse”. There’s free popcorn. To save your spot - call Erin at (647) 344-7676 or send her an email to Erin at erin@stoutirishpub.ca


Winchester Fun Fair

The annual Winchester School Fun Fair (15 Prospect) returns on Saturday May 23 from 11 am to 3 pm.  There’ll be plenty of games, inflatables, crafts and activities for your kids.  Food and drinks.  Check out the Silent Auction with over forty amazing items.  The auction continues until May 25 - click here.


Spring celebration

Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester) presents a day of celebration - Saturday May 23, 9 am to 5 pm.  Sheep shearing demo, goat demo and carding, spinning and weaving.  Free.


Enoch Turner Schoolhouse

Patrice Dutil is the speaker at the Annual Meeting.  He’ll talk about the decline in history education in our schools and its impact.  Tuesday May 26, 6:30 pm.  Free - please register here. 106 Trinity 


Distillery

Fashion Art Toronto returns at 6 pm on Tuesday May 26. 

 

The Spring Live Music Series happens every Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5 pm on the Trinity stage.  Check out the schedule in the Weekly Calendar (below).


Outdoor movies.  Friday May 22, Kung Fu Panda 4. On Saturday May 23, Bad Guys 2.  On Sunday May 24, Megamind.  On Monday May 25, Chicken Run.  11 am each day, on the Trinity Stage. Free.


FOR YOUR BODY


Cabbagetown workouts

Body sculpt weights, boxing and boot camp aerobics.  A certified instructor will guide you through your exercises.  Body sculpting happens at 7 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester)  There’s boot camp on Tuesday and Thursday - in Regent Park (500 Dundas E) at 7 am and in Riverdale at 5:30 pm.  On Saturday in Riverdale, there’s boxing at 9 am and boot camp at 10:30 am.  Boxing also happens in Riverdale at 5:30 pm on Monday and Wednesday.  For more info and for booking, text/call (437) 241-2760.  $25 per session, cash only. 


RESTAURANT NEWS


Congrats to Viet Bites

Viet Bites (246 Gerrard E) started as a tiny bakery offering banh mi. Its menu has expanded considerably to other main items and desserts.  blogTO has written a lengthy and positive review of the restaurant.  Click here to read it.  (Photo: Fareen Karim, blogTO)


Trivia at Cafe Zuzu

“I Know This One” is a trivia and comedy event that turns Monday into a night you’ll look forward to.  Test your knowledge about the Marvel Universe, Disney Classics and famous movies.  Monday May 25, 6 pm.  Click here for more info and for tickets. Cafe Zuzu (555 Dundas E)


Meet Your Match at Cafe Zuzu

Femme4FemmeTO presents an evening of matchmaking and connections for sapphic femme4femme babes aged 25-40ish.  Tuesday May 26, 6 pm.  Cafe Zuzu (555 Dundas E)

Jazz at Johnny Gs

Johnny Gs (478 Parliament) is presenting its Jazz Nights from Thursday at 8 pm to Sunday at 5 pm.  Cover charge is $10 - all proceeds go to the musicians.  Enjoy dinner while you’re there.


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 MAY 21 TO SUNDAY MAY 31


THURSDAY MAY 21


Distillery

7 pm, Jazz jam with Jordan O’Connor, Sam Broverman & Ilana Waldston and Peter Hill


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


FRIDAY MAY 22


Distillery

11 am, Free movie, Kung Fu Panda 4


Decoy

7 pm, DJ Brendan Canning


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live Jazz with Raoul Bhaneja & Jesse Whiteley


Super Bargain

9 pm, DJ Shadow Brown disco dance party


SATURDAY MAY 23


Distillery

11 am, Free movie Bad Guys 2

2 pm, Spring Live Music with Clerel & Nick Tateishi


Bisou

Noon to 4 pm,  DJ Antony during brunch


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Sandra Bouza


Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live music with Sarah Fazackerly

8 pm, karaoke


SUNDAY MAY 24


Distillery

11 am, Free movie, Megamind

2 pm, Spring Live Music with Melanna Orr


Johnny Gs

5 pm, Live jazz with David Durowaye


Old Flame Brewery 

2 pm, live music with Benji Crane


Stout Irish Pub

5:30, Sunday movie night - Shrek 2


MONDAY MAY 25


Distillery

11 am, Free movie, Chicken Run


Cafe Zuzu

6 pm, I Know This One Trivia


Stout Irish Pub 

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia


TUESDAY MAY 26


Cafe Zuzu

6 pm, femme4femme


La Gloria

4:30 pm, Practice your Spanish


Stout Irish Pub 

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia


WEDNESDAY MAY 27


Golden Pigeon

8 pm, Trivia with Rachelle Lauzon


Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, Trivia night 


Stout Irish Pub 

7 pm, Euchre night


Super Bargain

9 pm, Karaoke


THURSDAY MAY 28


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live jazz


Mill Street Brew Pub

7 pm, Trivia with Quizmaster Jess 


Old Flame Brewery 

7 pm, open mic with City Love


FRIDAY MAY 29


Decoy

West of the Moon & East of the Sun


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live jazz


Mill Street Brewpub

Noon to 4 pm, live music and DJ with brunch


Old Flame Brewery 

7 pm, live music


SATURDAY MAY 30


Distillery

2 pm, Spring Live Music with Jordo Arnott


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live jazz


Old Flame Brewery

2 to 6 pm, live music

8 pm, Karaoke


SUNDAY MAY 31


Distillery

2 pm, Spring Live Music with Sarah Fazacker


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live jazz


Old Flame Brewery 

2 pm, live music


Stout Irish Pub 

5:30 pm, Sunday movie night - Spider Man Into the Spider Verse


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

Spirit of York - 12 Trinity, (416) 777-0001

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