In her year-end review, Globe & Mail food critic Joanne Kates has listed F’Amelia (12 Amelia) as one of Toronto’s top restaurants of 2011. On Friday December 30, she wrote about F’Amelia’s menu “…impeccable Italiana and charming charcuterie. There are gnocchi like pillows, and tagliolini with perfectly cooked sweet soft clams and mussels in deep, rich garlic-and-chili oil. Rosemary and Parmigiano scent smooth polenta with soft, rich osso bucco. And the pizza! Blasted in the Neapolitan pizza oven for 90 seconds, it comes out crisp and charred, with superb toppings. My personal favourite topping is cold fiore di latte with cold cherry tomatoes covered with a trail of freshly made emerald pesto.” Congrat’s to John, Todd and the staff. http://www.famelia.com/Time to find new inspiration
Regina had a very busy time over the holiday season. Now, she and Sara, Drea and Michelle are going to take it easy for a while. They’re spending fewer hours in the store and more time discovering new products, designers and inspiration for the months ahead. Their new opening hours are Monday to Wednesday 11 am to 6 pm, Thursday and Friday, 11 am to 7 pm, Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm. Keep up with all of her new announcements at http://www.thelabouroflove.ca/ Labour of Love, 242 Carlton.MJG Gallery
Mark at MJG Gallery is exhibiting several artists' work, including Cabbagetowner Bev Jenkin's "Poppy Field" through the month of January. It's part of the gallery’s "Landscapes" show. Various medium and inviting price-points! Wednesday to Sunday 11 am to 6 pm. Follow on Facebook under "MJG Gallery". 555 Parliament.Winterlicious is back
One of Toronto’s most popular food events happens again from January 27 to February 9. It’s a good idea to book early. Reservations are accepted from January 12 (and from January 10 for Amex card members.) All meals are three-course, prix fixe. Two of Cabbagetown’s favourites are taking part:
JAMCafe (195 Carlton, 416-921-1255) has dinner only at $25. Menu at http://www.jamcafe.net/winterlicious-2012
Stonegrill (51B Winchester, 416-967-6565) offers dinner at $35. Menu at http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/se/restaurants.nsf/Winterlicious/0BF4F2BA30AE05768525772F005B1D9A?OpenDocumentAmi at Jet Fuel
Jet Fuel is a Toronto landmark and for many people, it’s a Cabbagetown destination. Ami Spears has been working there for 4 ½ years and she’s been the subject of a blogTO interview. It’s a great look at the way a very busy shop operates and how they keep the loyalty of the people who drop in. 519 Parliament http://www.blogto.com/people/2011/12/get_to_know_a_barista_ami_spears_of_jet_fuel/Street improvements
Over the summer, an increasing number of businesses and residents contributed to the improvement of Parliament Street. This trend is continuing into the winter and the people doing this work deserve our thanks for their efforts.
Barracuda (527 Parliament) has placed two big fresh winter plantings outside the front door.
Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) always has plants and seasonal decorations beside the doorway.
House on Parliament (454 Parliament) has decorated the front edge of the patio.
Peartree (507 Parliament) has continued its great summer splash with lovely winter window boxes.Cabbagetown People
Most of us recognize the oval blue signs in front of many Cabbagetown homes. They indicate that a person of considerable interest once lived there. The signs are part of a bigger program to research and inform us about our past. As they show, Cabbagetown is much more than just a collection of beautiful heritage buildings. We’ve shared our community in the past with astronomers, soldiers, artists, teachers, social acivists and a host of other notable people. A new directory board has just been placed in Riverdale Park (Winchester & Sumach) to tell you who is part of the program and where they lived. For lots more information, visit http://www.cabbagetownpeople.ca/Cabbagetown South Association
The 2012 annual meeting for the Association happens on Wednesday, January 11 at 7 pm at the Ontario Restaurant (Dundas Street between Ontario and Milan.) The main purpose for the meeting is to elect the 2012 Board of Directors. Residents in Cabbagetown South are asked to consider sitting on the Board and also to think about smaller roles that they can play to help the Association’s 2012 projects. For more information about the Association, check out their website at http://cabbagetownsouth.ca/Gretchen and Peter fly our flag in Rome
We haven’t done one of these lovely photos for a while. Thanks to Peter and Gretchen for this great display at the Coliseum in Rome. And it’s also nice to see that Romans love their heritage sites just as much as we do
