There’s plenty to keep us going this week.
Before we get into the other stuff, there’s a big announcement from the Nuit Blanche organizing group.
The committee needs your proposals for your contemporary art installation ASAP. The deadline is February 18. This year, the event happens on Saturday, October 3. You can get the details from http://www.cabbagetownnuitblanche.ca/ This is a good website – you can pick up the application form and you can also see entries about 2008’s event. Congratulations again to the committee for building on last year’s success.
So, what are our restaurants doing on Valentine’s Day?
Here’s a list with some links to your favourite places for Valentine’s. For those heading out onto the town, our restaurants have a wide range of special menus for the night. Or, you can buy some roses, have a great meal at home with lobster, strawberry mousse, and a Valentine’s gift box. And you can slip out for dessert and poetry. Lots of good choices.
Watch for this link. It will take you at any time to our restaurants and pubs:
Cabbagetown eats
The Cobourg, 533 Parliament St, (416) 913-7538
Chocolate, Wine, Poem. Handmade dark chocolate lace heart nestled on a bed of wild cherries tumbled in dark chocolate served with a glass of bubbly or ice wine. Delivered by the proprietor who will read you a love poem at your table. Chocolate by Soma. Poetry by Shakespeare, Neruda, Ondaatje. $25. Regular hours to 2 am. Here’s the link: Cobourg.
Ben Wicks, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425
Special four-course menu, items are individually priced. Regular hours to midnight. Here’s the link: Ben Wicks
Big Mamma’s Boy, 554 Parliament St, (416) 927-1593
A candle-lit evening in our Victorian dining room. The regular menu plus several specials, individually priced. Regular hours to 11 pm. Here’s the link: Big Mamma’s Boy
Brass Taps, 221 Carlton St, (416) 966-9440
Special Valentines menu plus the regular menu items. Regular hours to 2 am. Here’s the link: Brass Taps
Cranberries, 601 Parliament St, (416) 925-6330
Three-course Valentine’s dinner, $34.99 Two seatings: 5:30 pm & 8 pm. Here’s the link: Cranberries
JAMCafe, 195 Carlton St, (416) 921-1255
Three-course Valentine dinner, $70 for two. Two seatings: 5 & 8 pm. Here’s the link: JAM
Omi, 241 Carlton St, (416) 920-8991
Valentine’s dinner specials, prix fixe, $70. 5 to 10:30 pm. Here’s the link: Omi
Peartree, 507 Parliament St, (416) 962-8190
Special Valentine’s menu with individually priced items. Regular hours. Here’s the link: Peartree Piccolo, 226 Carlton St, (416) 944-3738
Three-courses, prix fixe. $40. From 5 pm. Here’s the link: Piccolo.
Provence Delices, 12 Amelia St, (416) 924-9901
Three-courses, prix fixe, $45. 6 to 10:30 pm. Here’s the link: Provence
Stonegrill on Winchester, 51B Winchester St, (416) 967-6565
Three-courses, prix fixe, $50. 5 to 11:59 pm. Here’s the link: Stonegrill
Snuggling up at home on Valentine’s?
These guys have the finishing touches to make your meal a success.
Absolute Bakery, 589 Parliament St
Daniel et Daniel, 248 Carlton St
The Epicure Shop, 473 Parliament St
St Jamestown Steak & Chops, 516 Parliament St
Our specialty shops can add just the right touch to your evening.
Here’s the link: Cabbagetown Specialty Shops
And while we’re talking about Valentine’s 
Don’t forget roses. Merion Clement at Simmons (Parliament) will take care of your roses – you handle the romance.
Sharon’s 
It’s true, of course, that cake and cookies are just fine but jewelry really makes romantic magic. Sharon knows that – so she’s just brought in a line of Turkish necklaces, bracelets and earrings plus silver rings and silver earrings from Israel. You can also watch for her new winter hats plus some red and white evening gloves and accessories.
(503 Parliament)
Home Hardware 
A really interesting renovation is happening on the façade at Royal Home Hardware (485 Parliament). The top storey is being refaced in copper – around the windows, the facia and soffits. Special rounded eavestroughes will emphasize the building’s Victorian style. The slate has been crumbling and is being removed with additional copper being applied to the building front.
The JavaVille site
The building’s owner appeared at the City’s Committee of Adjustment on Wednesday. He received permission to go ahead with the two variances that he needed: on the parking and on the change from residential to commercial usage upstairs. Now his plans are being examined for the final Site Plan approvals.
Kidist 
A couple of weeks ago, we introduced Kidist Paulos Asrat, a freelance website designer with a background in graphic design, photography and new media. She creates websites for non-profit groups, individuals and businesses. Since then, people have been in touch with her and she’s pleased with your responses.
She has a special 15% discount on her packages and a sale offering buy-one, get-one-free on her services. For Cabbagetown businesses, she also has a $50 bonus payable toward any of her services.
Because of your interest, she’s continuing these sales into February. You can contact her for more information at (416) 939-0585. Her website is at http://www.kidistdesigns.com/ and her email is info@kidistdesign.com
Pie to die for... 
Absolute Bakery (589 Parliament) has been doing a roaring business. They’ve been developing a few new products and they asked us to test their new sugar pie. Wow – that really is a sugar hit. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, get up there now and buy one.
Winterlicious
The Epicure Shop
473 Parliament. This week, Patty’s returning to her youth – she’s offering five items at 1980 prices: black forest ham ($0.95/100 g), liverwurst ($0.79/100 g), corned beef ($1.19/100 g), havarti ($1.89/100 g) and potato, coleslaw and macaroni salads (.49/100g or $2.22/lb).
Very good prices. She’s too young to remember 1980 - so, when you’re in the store, remind her about “truth in advertising”.
She also has two marvelous Niagara cheeses back in stock – Niagara Gold and Comfort Cream.
Advance notice - Carolyn Matthews returns to the Ben Wicks (424 Parliament) for a launch of her latest book, True Stories of Rescue & Survival. Save the date and time: March 1, 3 to 6 pm.
