Hospitality/Recreation Archives - Bloor News Blog Toronto

Heat Fest Comfort Food Festival Toronto Distillery District

Heat Fest 2015 brings comfort food to Toronto on Monday, February 16

TORONTO, Feb 13, 2015 – On Monday, February 16, 2015, the ‘who’s-who’ of food trucks will celebrate Toronto’s first Heat Fest- A Great Canadian Comfort Food Festival. This event is to raise funds for KidzCan, a children’s charity, which supports disadvantaged children by hosting and funding healthy eating events across Toronto. Sponsored by The Distillery Group, Mavi Travel and Tours and Marty Galin, the highly anticipated family day event will be held at the Historic Distillery District, which will become a winter gathering of some of the city’s most delicious food truck’s, ‘Heatfest Specials” and fitness activities to help families stay warm. The event will begin with Sugar Hoops, followed by Jazz Funk with Gillian Bartoluccia, before moving onto Latin Dance Mix, Yoga Fitness and Creative Movements. Chef and “Spice master” Greg Couillard will be serving up some spicy Fusion Creations with the exciting new catering company Saucy Affairs alongside participating food trucks and restaurants: Mr. Corn, Wickedly Sinful, Buster’s Sea Cove, Mavi Cuisine, Marty G’s Pies, KidzCan and Shalit Food.

“This years goal is to share the enjoyment and excitement of healthy living with families across Toronto. We are expecting to attract over 10,000 tourists and local families,” said Marty Galin President of KidzCan and Selma Gold, President of Mavi Travel and Tours and Vice President of KidzCan.
“It will bring new hope to Toronto children who are struggling with poor eating habits and hunger. It is an opportunity for Toronto’s families, to come together in support young children who struggle daily to have food. We are hoping to raise thousands of dollars to support healthy eating events for young children. We are excited to be apart of such an amazing event!”

EVENT DETAILS: What: Heat Fest Comfort Food Festival

Where: The Historic Distillery District

Who: Toronto ‘who’s-who’ of food trucks, including Wickedly Sinful, Saucy Affairs and fusion dishes by Chef Greg Coulliard.

Why: To raise funds for the KidzCan and support healthy food events for young disadvantaged children across Toronto.
About KidzCan:  It is shocking to know that hungry strikes even our youngest Canadians. According to Food Banks Canada, nearly 900,000 Canadians are assisted by food banks each month. Thirty-eight per cent of those helped by food banks are children and youth and 11 per cent are Aboriginal (compared to 4.3 per cent of the total population). KidzCan supports the health and wellbeing of young children across Toronto through education and awareness around healthy eating. KidzCan continues to encourage children to make healthy food choices while enjoying a healthy lifestyle. Great appreciation goes to Shalit Food that is a major sponsor of KidzCan.

Winterfolk XIII Blues and Roots Festival 2015

Winterfolk XIII Blues and Roots Festival
Returns Family Day Long Weekend
February 13 – 15, 2015
www.winterfolk.com

WHAT: Winterfolk XIII Blues and Roots Festival

WHERE: The Danforth:
Black Swan Tavern (two stages), 154 Danforth Avenue, 416-469-0537 http://www.torontopubs.com/pub/blackswan
Dora Keogh Irish Pub, 141 Danforth Avenue, 416-778-1804 www.allens.to/dora/
Terri O’s, 185 Danforth Avenue, 416-462-0038, http://www.torontopubs.com/pub/terrios
Globe Bistro (upstairs lounge), 124 Danforth Avenue, 416-466-2000 http://www.globebistro.com/

WHEN: February 13 – 15, 2015

$$: Combination of paid and free concert stages

HOURS:
Friday February 13, 7:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Saturday February 14, 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Sunday February 15, 1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

CONTACT INFO: 416-469-0537, info@winterfolk.com

Toronto’s 13th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival is a combination of paid and free concert stages on the Danforth, February 13 – 15, 2015. It’s an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event, where you’ll find the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, emulating a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 150 artists will be performing at four venues and five stages over three days of the long Family Day weekend. The festival will also include special tribute events, an awards ceremony, community stages and various themed musical workshops with something for everyone to enjoy. Winterfolk is the ideal event for music-lovers seeking new and exciting things to do in the Toronto.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ABetterWorldOrg
Hashtag: #Winterfolk2015
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winterfolk-A-Better-World/115302915190784

Flanders Fields, a place to remember, a place to visit

Don’t miss this great opportunity to visit one of the best WWI exhibitions ever presented in North America. Brought to you by Visit Flanders and the Canadian War Museum. “Fighting in Flanders – Gas. Mud. Memory.” opens at the War Museum!

From November 7, 2014 until April 26, 2015, find out how Canadians in Belgium adapted to significant First World War battlefield challenges ― from the first lethal use of poison gas in the Second Battle of Ypres to the hellish mud of Passchendaele.

Learn more about the famous poem “In ” and explore how Canadians and Belgians remember and commemorate the First World War (from the early 1920s to today).

VISITFLANDERS is the tourist office of Flanders, the northern region of Belgium. We invest in the development and promotion of Flanders-Brussels as a top tourist destination. Enjoy authentic Flemish food and join Beer Expert, Jordan St. John, for a beer tasting of some of Belgium’s finest beer.

#visitflanders
#brussels
#belgium
#toronto
#WarMuseum
#WWI
#Flanders
#WW1Centenary
#FirstWorldWar
#Poppies
#Heroes
#MemorialDay

CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 2014

THE 38th ANNUAL

September 4 – 14, 2014
LIVE OUTDOOR MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL AGES!
September 6 – 7, 2014 • FREE ADMISSION • RAIN OR SHINE
http://oldcabbagetown.com

The Cabbagetown BIA is proud to present the 38th annual Cabbagetown Festival of the Arts, set for September 4 – 14, highlighting live outdoor music and entertainment on Saturday September 6 and Sunday September 7. Over the two days, the festival will close down Parliament Street from Wellesley Street south to Gerrard Street East to showcase the very best of what the community has to offer. Pedestrians will enjoy delicious food prepared by local restaurants, music by Toronto’s finest talent, live theatre performances, one-of-a-kind artisan vendors, buskers and more!

The festival officially begins Saturday at 10 a.m. and continues Sunday at 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, the festival hosts an opening ceremony at the TD Bank, on the corner of Parliament and Carlton Streets. “This years festival will see bands up and down the streets, children’s zones, artist vendors and every conceivable amusement for all ages,” says Lido Chilelli, festival programmer and co-ordinator.”

This year’s exciting line-up of musical performers will include the sounds of jazz, R&B, funk music as well as all your favourite oldies from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. With over 30 bands performing at 13 participating venues, the weekend promises to bring an eclectic mix of artists sure to satisfy everyone’s musical tastes. Some of our featured artists include: Johannes Linstead, Puente Del Diablo, Nightfly, Neil Chapman, Quincy Bullen, Toronto All Star Big Band, Project Phoenix, Patrick Tevlin’s New Orleans Rhythm, Go Freddy Go, St. Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Orchestra, Imbayakunas and more to follow! For a full schedule of these performances please find below.

To add to the excitement, there will also be a children’s fun zone supplied by Astro Amusements and a sports zone featuring Little Kickers Soccer Camp, Pan American Games Village and Maple Leaf Sports. The festival will also host well-known Toronto buskers like Silver Elvis and Johnny Scat.

This year, the famous 35th Annual Blair’s Run is taking place on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., which brings runners from local streets and all over the GTA in support of the Cabbagetown Youth Centre.

Chilelli and his team will be bringing a festival to remember this September. Lido is a household name in the world of festival and event organizing. He is the founder of the Beaches International Jazz Festival (which now attracts a million plus visitors) and organizes numerous events throughout the province.

In addition to all of the extensive programming at the festival, the Cabbagetown BIA will also host community events leading up to and after the festival. These include; One Night in Cabbagetown Dining Experience on Thursday Sept 4, The 22nd Annual Cabbagetown Short Film and Video Festival on Friday Sept 5 and Cabbagetown Tour of Homes on Sunday Sept 14.

SCHEDULE OF THE 2014 CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
THURSDAY, SEPT. 4
One Night in Cabbagetown Dining Experience
Begins at 7 p.m. until closing time
Now in its third year this event has proven to be a crowd favourite. Experience Cabbagetown’s restaurants and pubs. A $10 ticket gets you four tasty and delicious samples at your choice of participating venues. For details, visit: One Night in Cabbagetown

FRIDAY, SEPT. 5
The 22nd Annual Cabbagetown Short Film and Video Festival
Begins at 7 p.m.
Location: Winchester St. Theatre, 80 Winchester St.
Films from around the world and around the corner. Purchase tickets early, it always sells out! For Advance Tickets, purchase at the Cabbagetown BIA office (237 Carlton Street) between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. For further details visit: www.cabbagetownshortfilmandvideofestival.com.

Cabbagetown Arts and Crafts Sale in Riverdale Park
Begins at 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 6:10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 7 7:10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The juried Arts and Crafts Show returns for its 25th edition to Riverdale Park. For complete details visit:
www.cabbagetownartandcrafts.org

Cabbagetown Theatre Company*
7:30 p.m. performance
Saturday, Sept. 6 Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 7 Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
*Shows run 30 minutes.

Live theatre for families of all ages staged in the beautiful chapel at the Necropolis, on Winchester Street across from Riverdale Park. For further information please contact info@cabbagetowntheatre.com or call 416-653-5870. For details visit www.cabbagetowntheatre.com.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 6
Opening Ceremony
The festivities will take place on the northeast corner of Carlton Street and Parliament Street at 1 p.m.

Children’s Fun Zone
10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 7 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A special place just for kids – to have fun and express their creativity, returns to Parliament and Gerrard Streets after its successful inaugural year. A children’s fun zone is presented by Astro Amusements, “The finest in midway entertainment for festivals, fairs and street parties!”

The Riverdale Farm Fall Festival
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 7 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
From a day-long corn roast to a chicken calling contest – enjoy the delights of the Riverdale Farm. For details visit:
www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks/riverdale-farm

MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
Nettleships Hardware, 576 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Warren James
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Silver Elvis
Esso Gas Station, 581 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Hudu Rising Blues Band
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Samba Squad
Pizza Pizza, 560 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Inspired Souls
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. St. Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Orchestra
3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Inspired Souls
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. The Turks
Winchester Hotel, 51A Winchester Street
12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Imbayakunas
LCBO, 512 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Quincy Bullen
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Project Phoenix
Starbucks, 492 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Buskers
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Jim Heineman
TD Bank, 493 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. TABB
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Johannes Linstead
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Snooky Tymes
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Erin McCallum
The Warehouse Mission, 252A Carlton Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. The Warehouse Mission Band
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Johnny Scaggs
Epicure, 473 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Jazz Biscuits
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Puente Del Diablo
House of Parliament, 454 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Go Freddie Go
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Nightfly
Wing Machine, 443 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Cabbagetown Steve and The Code Green Band
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. ZedHead with Neil Chapman and The Fogman
Local Guest, 424 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Best of Local Guest
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sara B and the Booth Boyz
420 Smokehouse, 420 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Discovery of the Arts Combos
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Patrick Tevlin’s New Orleans Rhythm

NOTE: bands and times are subject to change without notice. All performances rain or shine.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 7
Blair’s Run
Registration begins at 8 a.m.
Race time is 9:30 a.m.
The 35th annual mini-marathon kicks off the Cabbagetown Festival of the Arts activities with an early morning run to raise funds in support of the Cabbagetown Youth Centre.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
Nettleships Hardware, 576 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Warren James
Silver Elvis
Esso Gas Station, 581 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Hudu Rising Blues Band
Samba Squad
Pizza Pizza, 560 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Inspired Souls
The Turks
Winchester Hotel, 51A Winchester Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Imbayakunas
LCBO, 512 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Quincy Bullen
Project Phoenix
Starbucks, 492 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Jim Heineman
TD Bank, 493 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Johannes Linstead
Dr. Draw
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Snooky Tymes
Erin McCallum
The Warehouse Mission, 252 A Carlton Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Johnny Scaggs
The Warehouse Mission Band
Epicure, 473 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Puente Del Diablo
House of Parliament, 454 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Go Freddie Go
Nightfly
Wing Machine, 443 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. ZedHead with Neil Chapman and The Fogman
Local Guest, 424 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Best of Local Guest
Sara B and the Booth Boyz
420 Smokehouse, 420 Parliament Street
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Patrick Tevlin’s New Orleans Rhythm
Discovery of the Arts Combos

NOTE: bands and times are subject to change without notice. All performances – rain or shine.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 14
Cabbagetown Tour of Homes
The 2014 tour features several whimsical beautiful interiors. This year, this self-guided tour also steps into the history of public housing in Toronto. Begin and finish at any home on the tour. While strolling the shaded sidewalks, enjoy the variety of exceptional front gardens. A glass medallion in the garden indicates a previous winner of the friendly garden competition called Streetscapes in Bloom. Take a break at the local restaurants many offering special deals to ticket holders. Other special offers from local retailers also appear on the ticket: www.cabbagetownpa.ca.

EVINTRA Fashion Night: Toronto

EVINTRA Fashion Night: Toronto – more pictures

To celebrate the end of another season of Fashion Week, Madflower Creative Group has joined forces with Hangrz.com to launch a fashion showcase, EVINTRA FASHION NIGHT, in a build up to the end of their world tour returning to Toronto in October 2014.

This exclusive fashion showcase takes place on Friday, March 21st at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton, Toronto Hotel. This closing reception is set to be the grand finale of the 2014 Toronto Fashion Week, with the red carpet (sponsored by Lotus) commencing at 9:00 pm, welcoming our city’s fashion elite. Local socialites Megan Mane and Phillip Princeton will host the red carpet, interviewing local celebrities as they make their way into EVINTRA FASHION NIGHT.

The host for the evening, Canadian supermodel Stacey McKenzie, will lead VIP guests to the VIP reception, sponsored by Kraken Rum and 1800 Tequila. Throughout the evening, Stacey McKenzie will introduce the showcasing designers as they present their collections.

Proceeds from the event go towards partnering charity, Kids Help Phone, which offers vital, innovative, and professional counseling services to children and youth across Canada.

WINDSOR ARMS HOTEL fashion showcase by Venao Swimwear

WINDSOR ARMS HOTEL celebrate the amazing year that has passed.

Wednesday, December 4th

Windsor Arms Hotel (18 St. Thomas Street)

Featuring the sounds of Carlos Morgan & DJ Fizza (Saturday resident at Buonanotte)

Also featuring a fashion showcase by Venao Swimwear

More pictures

No Hot Dog On Bloor St

After a $20 million dollar upgrade, the trendy stretch of Bloor Street between Yonge and University, vendors selling hotdogs and items from carts, who formerly dotted this area, now find themselves evicted and no longer welcome here. The renovations and enhancements sponsored by the local BIA feel that the hotdog vendors no longer fit the feel or look they desire for this elite section of Bloor Street. If you’re walking through this area looking for a hodog vendor, you’ll have to travel down the street to find one. “The bylaw that we go by contains measurements from street planters and trees,” said Bruce Robertson, the director of licensing services. This section of Bloor Street that has recently undergone an extensive remodelling, a $20-million redesign, which was funded by the local business improvement association, widened the sidewalks for the city. With the street planters in place the vendors no longer have “3.66 metres of free space around the cart in all directions to allow for free pedestrian traffic,” Robertson said. When questioned, many of the vendors stated that they had already expected this to occur. In fact, they have not been allowed on the street since 2008. “It was in 2008 that the reconstruction started and they were apprised that it would all be under review when the reconstruction is complete,” Roberston said. But Nagib Amed, who runs a hotdog cart a block away, says the decision is a hard one for the vendors to swallow. “I think it’s not a good idea,” he said. “I feel sorry for them.” Hotdog connoisseurs Mark Walley and Mike Gray agree. “I don’t like the idea, I think they should be allowed,” Walley said. “It’s regrettable for the vendors,” said Gray. “I think having carts adds to the charm — or did add to the charm — of Bloor Street while they were able to sell their hotdogs there.” The city says it’s trying to find new spots — away from that specific section of Bloor Street — for the turfed vendors. Apparently, Bloor Street no longer relishes hotdogs.

Nuit Blanche: End Of The World

The “Museum For The End Of The World” that you will find in various locations around the city, predominantly around Toronto City Hall and the City Hall grounds itself, is an artistic expression focusing on Doomsday and end-of-the-world prophecies.

To quote artist Barr Gilmore “One of the greater ironies of human existence is the persistent anticipation of its end. Dates are named and dates pass. Ancient texts are read with an eye to temporal alchemy, and whether the result of monster waves, unstoppable pandemics, nuclear calamities, machines on the rampage or the sun ceasing to shine, the idea of Doomsday – that revelatory moment of the end of the world – can be at once the fire of speculative lamentation and the spark of insightful creativity.”

Indeed, the link between creativity and the apocalypse has a long history, from Noah’s shipbuilding and organizational skills to the literal bean counters buried deep beneath the mountains of Norway, stockpiling all the seeds across the globe for a post-apocalyptic garden. In this way, the very idea of the Wunderkammen, with its princely mission of amassing, cataloguing, and displaying was fueled by a fear of the end of the world. “Museum for the End of the World” at Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2012 is a provocative, critical rumination about the end times and a world in transition.

Acclaimed Toronto-based designer and artist Barr Gilmore RCA MDes has created an environmental graphic design for the “Museum for the End of the World”.

Ristorante Roma 1090 Bloor West Toronto

It was pure pleasure to return last month to one of my favourite spots for dining in the late 80’s and 90’s! It had become a tradition for a group of us to either eat there at lunchtime or unwind with good conversation and good snacks after work. A that time it was known as Pizza Roma, and I’m sure many still affectionately call Roma Ristorante by that name. For lunch most of us had the tasty veal sandwich, or a soup of the day and a Caesar salad, but at our after work limes (social gatherings) it was their famous pizza often accompanied by some Moretti beer or a few glasses of red wine. Sometimes, especially if the conversation was good or we were on the patio on a warm sun shining day, we would have more than a few drinks. Mind you, most of us lived in the area or just hopped on the train at the Dufferin subway to go home!

I don’t want to lose you in my reminiscences but I had to share with you some of the early days of what one could almost call a venerable institution. I say this simply because Ristorante Roma is still managed by the owners from over 25 years ago, and with its beautiful more contemporary makeover it still retains its early warm atmosphere. One of its most pleasant waiters is still his cheerful youthful self! And the owners are still inviting and unrushed when they greet you by the bar or on the patio.

And on the patio was where I tried the veal sandwich again after returning from my winter sojourn in Barbados, and it did not disappoint! But there was a twist – the bun was tastier. Again a few weeks later when I returned to the patio with a few friends for dinner I noticed the bread was different, so I asked the waiter the reason. She said, “We bake our bread daily”. This time I had the bread with a Greek salad and a Fettuccine Seafood Primavera, while someone had a Linguine Veneziana, and another the Penne Salmone. We were certainly in a seafood mood. The portions were ample and whether it was the salmon, mussels, squid or shrimp each was flavourful indeed.

In early June I decided to take my good friend Stedson Wiltshire (stage name is Red Plastic Bag and 8 times Calypso Monarch of Barbados) who was in Toronto to perform at the 6th annual Barbados Charity Ball for a relaxing supper at Roma. Both of us decided to have one of the special features of the night, the Veal Picata in a lemon sauce. Wow wow, we were both delighted with the presentation and the flavour of the veal with the mashed potatoes, carrots and green beans. Mouth wateringly superb! Although I offered my friend to have one of their assorted cheesecakes (an item I shared regularly with another special friend in the “old days”) or some tiramisu or carrot cake, he was too satiated to do so. Actually I was glad he did, so I could decline too in order to give me another reason to return before this month is over.

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Zembaba Restaurant: 838 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Zembaba Restaurant: 838 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Anyone who dines at an Ethiopian Restaurant will likely see an item of the menu- Cha Cha Tibbs, a sizzling lamb dish marinated with onions and peppers. At Zembaba Restaurant, we met Roman, the creator of this dish, which has gained popularity, appearing in Ethiopian eateries worldwide. Roman’s Grandparents personally cooked for the King of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, so she comes by her talents in the kitchen honestly. My friend and I shared the tasty signature dish, surrounded by a flavorful array of vegetarian sides and dips. The meal was served in Naan, a moist, crepe-like Ethiopian bread, used to grab the food with ones hands. We washed it down with one of the four available Ethiopian beers, which was light, crisp and less than four bucks. Zembaba also offers “Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Service”, a ritual using a specially designed urn and pasteries on the side for sharing. Tasteful and traditional artwork adroned the walls and the spicy aroma added to the warm feeling of the small room. The service was excellent. We were taken care of by Roman herself, who was helpful, informative, friendly and very welcoming. The twenty dollars worth of tasty food, every bite a new experience, was more than enough for two people. 12pm-2am’

Get More Food Reviews a Review-Rated.com Here!

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Review by Melissa Peters

Queen of Sheba Traditional Ethiopian Cuisine: 1051 Bloor St W Toronto

We hope you will find this truly different and exciting dinning experience, breaking the same bread and eating from the same plate has social significance in the Ethiopian culture as they say it strengthens the bonds of friendship and personal loyalty. It is said that people who eat from the same plate will never betray one another. The cuisine of Ethiopia is based on an exotic blend of spices both robust and subtle. To help you make a choice, we offer these descriptions.

A part of every entree is the traditional bread of Ethiopia, injera, this large, flat slightly tangy pancake is both the serving plater and your utensil when eating Ethiopian style. Break a small piece and place it on the stew of your choice while simultaneously pinching with your fingers to pick up the amount you desire. The bread can also be used to soak up the savory sauce that is essential to every dish. What literally means stew. These hearty dishes are distinctive for their use of berbere, a favorite Ethiopia seasoning based on red peppers. Berbere is combined with niter Kibbeh (spiced up butter the Ethiopian way), and onions and numerous other spices to give the dishes an unforgettable flavor.

Alecha is the more delicately seasoned dish. alt does not contain berbere but is flavored mainly with niter Kibbeh and other more sutel spices.

Some entrees may be ordered fitfit-style which means that the the lnjera is delicately pre mixed in the stew served with additional lnjera for handling.

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Walk Bloordale – Enjoy the Light, Art – Food Event

Walk Bloordale – Enjoy the Light,
Art – Food Event

LAF is a light, art, food event with artists, store and restaurant owners collaborating to turn Bloor Street from Lansdowne to Dufferin, into a late-fall walking destination on cold, dark November 21, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Everyone is invited. Over 20 restaurants are opening their kitchens, many with taster menus at marginal cost. There couldn’t be a better time to restaurant hop and try everything.

Retail stores are also transforming their shop windows with light and art projects. Artist Orest Tataryn is making a light sculpture for the corner of Bloor St. and St Clarens Ave. Artist Dyan Marie is having a nightlight creation party at 1211 Bloor. Galleries are staying open. Cafes are providing music. For a complete list of activities see www.bloordale-bia.com.

LAF is an initiative of the Bloordale BIA and artist Dyan Marie. Spiro Koumoudouros the BIA chair says, “This is a wonderful opportunity for families to walk out, explore and support local business while making new discoveries”. Musician and LAF co-ordinator Dougal Bichan says, “After producing the BIG on Bloor festival this summer, it is very important to continue sharing the attractions of this interesting neighbourhood. “

LAF is a DMP / Bloordale BIA initiative, a Cavalcade of Light, City of Toronto BIA Participant and a Transcultural Exchange proposal for The Art Of Collaboration

Images from The 1st annual Bloorcourt Arts and Crafts Street Fair on Saturday August 13, 2011

Bloor Court Arts and Crafts Fair Guide

Broken Arrow rock it out at the The 1st annual Bloorcourt Arts and Crafts Street Fair on Saturday August 13, 2011

Rauch From Long & McQuade

The 15th Annual Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival has a dancer from The DESNA Ukrainian Dance Company pose for a picture

2011 Roncesvalles Polish Festival North America’s Largest
annual fall celebration of Polish art.

Pets From Earth Echoes

2011 BIG On Bloor Fest. July 23/24, Dufferin – Landowne

Big on Bloor July 23-24 2011

BIG On Bloor Fest. July 23/24, Dufferin – Landowne

Bloordale, from Dufferin to Lansdowne celebrates business, community, arts and culture with a unique community and city-building festival featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions. Three stages will fill with performers, musicians, singers, dancers, theatre, and karate. More than 300 participants feature table exhibitions that line the street and present their projects, products, consumer goods, information or events. Community awards are presented to honour exceptional citizens and there are interactive games

craft tables and attractions for families and children. BAAF: Bloor Alternative Art Fair brings art institutions, collectives, galleries and artists to our street. Crafts, story-telling, face painting, green and social information, dog shows and much more will take place. Strolling buskers and parades weave through the crowds. Our famously diverse restaurants – East African, South Asian, Somali, Vietnamese, Caribbean, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, Mexican, Italian and Canadian host food, music and dance, some with outdoor extended licensed patios. The Responding Festival culminates its month-long activities of art, architecture, poetry and performance at the Kent school-grounds.

The Responding Festival

Kent School playground directly edges Bloor Street but is separated by a 12 foot high chain-link barrier fence. This summer we open the playground area of the school and offer it as a Bloor Street public space. We will transform the empty space into a public art environment, a collision of art and architecture, performance, poetry, landscape, discussions and playgrounds made by artists and architects, cultural collectives and community participants. The intention is to make a non-stop swirl of activity, a site for evolving experimental forms and new ways of creating in a shared place that responds to the city, the community, each other and being here now.

You can download the Big on Bloor guide here!