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All stories relating to Distillery District

New summer food truck event fuels hopes for a Toronto street food revolution

Niagara’s El Gastrónomo Vagabundo will be one of the trucks on site at the July 2 event (Image: Suresh Doss)

Steeltown might have beaten us to the food truck race, but three special events starting this summer are laying the groundwork for a decent street food culture in Toronto. Starting this July, Food Truck Eats will host food trucks and street food stalls featuring some top Toronto chefs in a bid to free up chefs from the substantial legal and health concerns associated with street-side operations. We caught up with Suresh Doss, the event’s organizer and the publisher of Spotlight Toronto, for the details.

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The Dish

From the Print Edition

January 27, 2011 | 8:44 am

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Toronto’s five best cafés

The city’s top spots for lingering over a latte and laptop

1. Rooster coffee house
This out-of-the-way spot overlooking Riverdale Park achieves café perfection. The room radiates homey elegance with a massive tree-trunk table (ideal for Scrabble tourneys) and comfy leather chairs. The baristas are full of scruffy charisma, chatting up customers as they pull espressos smooth enough to compete with the best in town (we’re talking to you, Sam James). 479 Broadview Ave. (at Riverdale Ave.), 416-995-1530.

2. Balzac’s café
This restored 1890s warehouse—a Distillery District icon for the past nine years—looks like it was airlifted in from the set of Amélie. While there’s usually a lineup downstairs, the open second-floor loft has a clandestine atmosphere, making you feel as though you’re squirrelled away in an Old World garret, suffering for your art. Balzac’s custom-roasted beans make distinctive, nutty-sweet coffee. 55 Mill St. (at Parliament St.), Bldg. 60, 416-207-1709; 43 Hanna Ave. (at Liberty St.), 416-534-7372.

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The Dish

Bottoms Up

December 22, 2010 | 12:13 pm

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Toronto to get its very own sake brewer in the Distillery District

(Image: Svadilfari)

When Ken Valvur first tried fresh, unpasteurized Japanese sake, it changed his life. “That’s how I fell in love with it,” he recalls. “When I tasted just-pressed sake, it was an amazing moment for me.” There are few sake breweries in North America (Canada has two on the west coast), so the alcoholic rice beverage is usually pasteurized for its transport over vast distances. Most Torontonians never get to enjoy sake the way it was meant to be. Valvur intends to change all that when he opens the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company, the first sake brewery in eastern North America. The doors are scheduled to open this spring in the Distillery District.

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The Hype

To-Do List

December 1, 2010 | 4:00 pm

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The Weekender: December 3–5

1. ROSS PETTY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
The evil Barnum von Cowell (otherwise known as Ross Petty the other 11 months of the year) is on a quest to rule the forest’s music charts, so he’s been creating pop stars out of musically disinclined woodland creatures. Enter shy Prince Edgar (Degrassi alum Jake Epstein), who makes a deal with von Cowell and gets turned into the Beast for his trouble—and, of course, he meets Beauty (Melissa O’Neil) only post-transformation. Look for the hilarious Scott Thompson as Beauty’s guardian. To Jan. 2. $27–$85. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 416-872-5555, ticketmaster.ca.

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The Dish

Opening

September 7, 2010 | 11:53 am

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Introducing: Stirling Room, the Distillery District’s first and only nightclub

Glow job: Stirling Room's new bar in a classic building (Image: Jon Sufrin)

There are no ghosts in one of the buildings at the old Gooderham and Worts Distillery, at least not according to entrepreneur Albert Rishes. He would know, too, since he and his partner Simo Korac—both veterans from Embassy nightclub—spent months there setting up Stirling Room, the first and only nightclub in the Distillery District. Open for just over a month, the new venture fills the space that once housed A Taste of Quebec and brings parties and live music to a neighbourhood known more for sleepy evenings than pumping nightclubs.

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The Hype

To-Do List

June 23, 2010 | 9:49 am

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The Weekender: for the brave souls staying in Toronto this G20 weekend, eight great things to do

The Toronto FC play LA (Image: Oliver Mallich)

1. DREAM IN HIGH PARK
High Park’s family-friendly outdoor performance this year is courtesy of Dora-winning director Vikki Anderson, who uses one of Shakespeare’s favourite literary techniques—the play within a play—in her interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. A group of bored thespians waiting at a Verona train station pass the time by performing the famous love story using the costumes and props in their luggage. June 25 to Sept. 5. PWYC (suggested donation $20); children under 14 free. High Park Amphitheatre, 416-367-1652, canstage.com/dream.

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The Dish

Culinary Curiosities

April 28, 2010 | 10:10 am

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New opera scams kids into healthy eating

Terror related to the childhood obesity epidemic has infected almost all media—radio, TV, newspapers, the Internet—but this is the first evidence we have of it making it all the way to opera. The Distillery District is presenting Get Stuffed (With the Good Stuff!), a “comic opera about serious decisions—making healthy food choices.”

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The Goods

Shop Talk

April 22, 2010 | 10:41 am

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Details magazine takes on Toronto, barely leaves 501 streetcar

The Queen streetcar: delivering shoppers to shops, one stop at a time (Image: Anthony Easton)

Details magazine has named Toronto a mecca of “modern-art galleries, high-concept restaurants and fashion-forward boutiques,” but judging from the choices, it appears the writer barely got off the Queen streetcar. Don’t get us wrong—most of the choices are pretty good. The magazine lists Sydney’s (Queen and Manning), Klaxon Howl (Queen and Euclid) and The Gladstone Hotel (Queen and Gladstone) as three of its seven picks. Two others are Nomad (a block from Queen on Richmond) and Jonathan and Olivia (on Ossington, just steps north of Queen). The remaining two options are the furthest flung: Sam James Coffee Bar, all the way north on Harbord, and the Black Hoof, the wildly popular charcuterie hot spot on Dundas.

Look, it’s all right if Details doesn’t want to send its readers to other great areas—like Leslieville, Liberty Village, the Distillery District and Roncesvalles—but if it’s going to do a shopping guide, at least throw Yorkville a bone.

• Where to shop in Toronto [Details]

The Goods

Shop Talk

April 14, 2010 | 12:23 pm

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And on the seventh day, man created the mall: retailers fight to open on holidays

Apparently there isn’t enough time to shop these days. The Star reports that the question of whether or not to allow stores to open on holidays, such as Christmas and New Year’s Day, is up for debate next week before city council makes a decision next month. Malls like Yorkdale and Sherway Gardens are among the retailers hoping to stay open during the long weekends (currently, only the Eaton Centre, Yonge Street strip, Yorkville, Harbourfront and the Distillery District have permission to do so).

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The Dish

Restauran-TO

March 27, 2010 | 11:47 am

2 Comments

Seven standout food deals for Easter and Passover

Whether you celebrate the slaves’ escape from Egypt, the resurrection of Christ or the annual arrival of Cadbury eggs, these seven restaurant events—with Passover- and Easter-themed menus—can help make next weekend memorable.

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The Goods

Weddings

March 1, 2010 | 12:02 pm

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Ask the expert: one of Toronto’s best wedding planners

Part therapist, part clipboard-wielding tyrant, a wedding planner keeps the peace between feuding family members, bustling vendors and manic couples. Melissa Haggerty, one of the city’s best, makes sure the big day runs smoothly

(Photo by Vanessa Heins)

What’s the shortest window of time you’ve had to plan a wedding?
One week. But it was November, so it was easier to plan quickly. After that one, I felt like I could plan anything.

What’s your favourite venue?
The Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District is great because it’s a blank slate. I love The Carlu, but it’s quite a masculine space. The most beautiful venue in town is the new atrium at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Any tricks of the trade?
I carry safety pins, anti-static spray and double-sided tape, which helps women with ill-fitting shoes and loose bra straps. And you can rub white chalk on dresses to cover up smudges during the photos.

Is the bride always your main point of contact?
No. A lot of my brides live outside Toronto but are holding the wedding here. A key question on my client questionnaire is “Who is paying for this wedding?” That’s the person with the decision-making power. It’s refreshing when the couple is paying for it, because then it’s only about what they want.

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The Dish

Pantry Raid

February 18, 2010 | 8:24 am

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Fresh and Wild jumps on the “convenience food” bandwagon

As we reported a few months ago, the trend in food shopping is toward streamlined shops that offer prepared food for busy urbanites. Longo’s is doing it, Loblaws is doing it, Mark McEwan is doing it, and now Fresh and Wild is doing it. Construction is underway at the Distillery District location as Jason Rosso, ex-chef at Sassafraz and Rosewater Supper Club and currently the director of operations of the Distillery Restaurant Group, is giving the grocery store a makeover to make it more accessible to the neighbourhood, as well as to hungry travellers. “Our primary focus is on prepared foods, like roast chickens and oven-fresh pizzas. We also started a salad bar where you can pick and choose from 30 items.”

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The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap

November 17, 2009 | 11:31 am

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Sales roundup: 90 per cent off at William Ashley, 80 per cent off athletic wear, Rita Tesolin sample sale

FASHION AND BEAUTY

ATHLETIC LOCKER OUTLET
Find holiday presents for sporty family members at this 25th-anniversary warehouse sale that includes up to 80 per cent off clothing, running shoes and skates from such brands as Fila, Airwalk and Wilson. Winter jackets start at $35, and footwear starts at $15. Nov. 18 to 22. 6085 Belgrave Rd., Mississauga, 905-361-0110, athleticlockeroutlet.com.

DOLL FACTORY BY DAMZELS
In honour of its third anniversary, the Leslieville frock shop is celebrating by offering guests 10 per cent off all purchases, gifts with purchases over $150 and free cocktails. Nov. 19. 6–9. 1122 Queen St. E., 416-598-0509, damzels.com.

LILEO
For anyone who has ogled the amazing Japanese denim at this Distillery District boutique, pay attention. For two evenings, Lileo is hosting Guys and Girls Night Out, with 25 per cent off most items, vodka shots, wine, desserts and free facials. Nov. 19 and 20. Noon–9. 55 Mill St., Bldg. 35, RSVP to 416-413-1410, lileo.ca.

RITA TESOLIN
The Toronto jewellery designer (her multi-strand pearl necklaces are stunning) is hosting a holiday sample sale with deep discounts on baubles and belts. Nov. 20 to 22. 63 Wingold Ave., Ste. 110, 416-784-1221, ritatesolin.com.

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The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap

September 22, 2009 | 12:11 pm

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Sales roundup: 80 per cent off designer eyewear, sample sale at Stylegarage, bridal warehouse sale

EVENTS

BEYOND THE SPA OPENING
Guests will be treated to champagne, wine, nibbles and free treatments (a mini-facial or lime-coconut scrub) at the opening party for Beyond the Spa. Oct. 3. 2–4 p.m. 13 Church St., Ajax, thebestspa.ca.

THE CLOTHING SHOW
The fall version of this Toronto institution runs this weekend, with plenty of fashions (including vintage and locally made) to stock fall wardrobes, plus art exhibits and runway shows. $8–$10. Sept. 25 to 27. Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, 195 Princes Blvd., 416-516-9859.

EYEWEAR SALE
All eyewear (including prescription glasses and sunglasses) at Anders and Flynt Optician’s annual back-to-school sale is 40 to 80 per cent off. Snap up discontinued Tag Heuer sunglasses for $99 or save 50 per cent off prescription lenses. Sept. 25 to 27. 2215 Steeles Ave. W., 416-667-8887.

PORTOBELLO EAST MARKET
The once-monthly fashion market began this summer in the Distillery District, with a $5 admission charge. Starting this Sunday, Portobello East is moving to the Burroughes Building on Queen Street West and dropping the entry fee. Look for Toronto-made jewellery, clothing and handbags. Sept. 27. Burroughes Building, 639 Queen St. W., portobelloeast.com.

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The Goods

Shop Talk

July 24, 2009 | 8:00 am

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Two major shopping events launching this weekend

Every Friday, torontolife.com publishes The Weekender, a roundup of the city’s best weekend events. We usually cover major festivals, concerts, plays and perhaps a foodie event or two, but the latest column will be of particular interest to Style readers.

Two new shopping initiatives are launching in the city: Frugal Fashion Week, which includes a West Queen West shop crawl on Saturday and Sunday, and Portobello East, a monthly market at the Distillery District that showcases local designers and artists. Read The Weekender here for more information.

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