Congratulations for Daniel et Daniel
Daniel Megly and four staff members are just back from Catersource in Las Vegas – the largest catering educational event in the industry with 5000 people from 25 countries attending. The CATIE awards are the conference highlight. Daniel et Daniel won the CATIE’s Best Single Plate Presentation with their chocolate mousse Faberge egg covered with a spun sugar cage. Stop by the Food Shop (248 Carlton) and see why they’re such winners.

Still more congratulations
This time to Aberdeen Ave Residents, Cabbagetown South residents and The Ben Wicks for the fine evening held last Wednesday with Sonia Day, the Toronto Star columnist. The residents’ groups have worked very hard this past winter with art tours, walking tours and this gardening talk. The Ben Wicks (424 Parliament) provided an amazing meal. The side room there is a very good venue for group events and meetings.

More free food
St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is again hosting a sampling event with Doug Copping on Saturday. He’s got an outstanding line of olive oils and vinegars. Drop in for a tasting – you’ll want some right away.

Sharon’s new lines
Sharon has lots of new men’s and women’s selections ready for you. She has Docker’s shirts and Tee’s for men priced from $14.99 to $24.99. She’s especially pleased with her new silk chiffon scarves for women. For men, there’s Thermos light weight, wind resistant outer jackets at $79.99 (selling elsewhere at $135 and more.) For everyone, there’s a new line of beautifully painted greeting cards at $4.95 – on a rack just inside the door, don’t miss them. 503 Parliament

Easter supplies at Epicure
Patty’s got everything that the Easter bunny needs this year. Check out her fresh hot cross buns, home made shortbreads and gingerbread cookies. She’s just received her new 2010 maple syrup from Quebec – bottled just days before shipment. A quick advance notice – she’s closed for Good Friday this week. 473 Parliament

Forsythia Festival
We know that Spring is coming when the Forsythia Festival arrives. This year’s event is being announced just now so mark your calendars: Sunday, May 2. The parade collects at 9:30 am at Riverdale Park (Sumach & Winchester) and launches at 10 am to Wellesley Park where the festivities continue until 2 pm.

Welcome, Thai To Go
Our newest Associate Member is Thai to Go at 452 Gerrard Street East. Prasai and Dale have an innovative restaurant that provides good Thai food at great prices. A couple of years ago, they took a derelict spot and turned it into this cheery, clean location offering mainly takeout and delivery services. At the BIA, we regularly refer to them as a model for people who want to help restore seedy places, enjoy lower rents and make a big splash in their community. They have a web site with menus, reviews and other nice info here: http://www.thai2go.ca/
Within the past few days, they’ve been listed in NOW Magazine as one of T.O.’s greenest restos: http://www.nowtoronto.com/food/story.cfm?content=173786 They won this listing for their policy of giving discounts to customers who recycle their takeout containers back to the restaurant.
They’ve also been listed on blogto as one of Toronto’s best places for pad thai: http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_pad_thai_in_toronto/
Congratulations everyone for the recognition – and welcome to our BIA.

Thanks, Heather
Heather McKenzie has just announced that she’s leaving her restaurant, Big Mamma’s Boy (554 Parliament). For the past five years, she’s been a partner there with Michael whom we recognize as the restaurant’s fine chef (he’s staying.) Heather wants a chance to do new projects and to travel.
We owe her a ton of thanks for her wonderful contributions to our community. She’s always been ready to help the BIA and to work with other restaurants to promote Cabbagetown.
All our best wishes, Heather, for your future efforts.

Barracuda’s Spring planters
The Spring 2010 planters have arrived at Barracuda (527 Parliament). The store is jammed with inventory and they’re ready now for your Spring planting and garden designs.

Spring at Number 9 Audio
To celebrate, Number 9 (222 Gerrard East) are offering special prices on all their core services through March and April: recording your vocals, having your album mastered and running off CDs for your band. To find out more and to learn about their new video and audio post-production services, click here: http://www.number9.ca/exciting-new-spring-specials-at-number-9/

At Once, Twice
Presented by the Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester), Christopher House and Joe Moran each perform this new solo work by Deborah Hay. The audience will witness two contrasting interpretations as each one adapts her highly specific choreographic instructions. Thursday to Saturday, April 3, Winchester Street Theatre at 80 Winchester at 8 pm. $22 ($17 for students and seniors). For reservations and the box office call (416) 967-1365 or http://www.tdt.org/

Sweet Creamery
Emilio has been developing new recipes for custom made cakes. He’s made a birthday “Bowling” cake and a Tiffany Box cake and he’s hard at work now on monsters and other special creations. Bring your imagination and he’ll make your personal cake for your event. 521 Parliament.

Tees in Africa
Shirley and Alan have been traveling the world for several years on assignment with CESO. They’ve just finished a tour in Cameroon and they took their Cabbagetown Tees with them. These two photos show Shirley with the Traditional Council and Alan hard at work in the kitchen.

It’s just occurred to us that our flags and Tees have really started to travel the world – Cuba, Mexico, Lake Superior, Norway, Guatemala and Cameroon – all within the last two months.

Still more congratulations.
This time to Bob Rae, our federal MP and a BIA member (his office is at 514 Parliament.) We can’t quite figure out what he could possibly have done, but somehow he drew a nice crowd to his doorstep waving colourful banners and placards at noon on Friday. Our BIA gives awards every year to those who attract folks from outside Cabbagetown into our area – and we saw some of these visitors later on shopping at the LCBO and in restaurants nearby. Keep up the good work Bob, we’ll give you a prize for it.