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Can anyone give us more hints into this Greek mystery? At this point it really is all Greek to us.
To start, head over to 121 Ossington for an Open House on Sunday, February 12th from noon until 3 pm. Guests will be able to enjoy tastings of their newest line of Gluten Free products, new line of artisan pastas, and some new sauces, all while relaxing with a complimentary cappuccino. For a romantic Valentine’s Day, they’re selling a “Dinner for Two” gift basket which will be a complete meal with a selection of condiments, oils, bruschetta, fresh bread, fresh pasta (Gluten Free, Traditional Artisan, or their own signature line of high protein pastas) and sauces. Plus, there’s going to be a draw for two $25 gift certificates. More Than Pasta is celebrating a year in their Ossington location. To celebrate, they are offering any Ossington Village readers 10% off purchase as long as you use the magic words “I love More Than Pasta.” Valentine’s is just over a week away! We’ll be posting more suggestions on where and how to spend the day soon.
The gift: Holiday Blend Coffee. Te Aro makes delicious coffee, and this coffee will be more than just tasty! Every bag sold sends a gift of one dollar to Coffee Kids, a non-profit organization that works with coffee-farming families in Latin America to improve their lives and livelihoods. Where to get it: Crafted by Te Aro, 135 Ossington Ave. Price range: $15 Who would like it: Coffee lovers and people who believe in helping others this time of year.
Gallery TPW tops the Art category as Best Independent Art Gallery citywide and for Queen West. Show & Tell Gallery won the same category for Dundas West. Not surprisingly, our neighborhood had a few Citywide Winners in the food category: Pizzeria Libretto for best pizza, The Dakota Tavern for best bar and pub, The Lakeview for best diner/greasy spoon. All three are also the tops in the Dundas West neighborhood. Pizzeria Libretto, The Lakeview and The Dakota are repeat winners in these categories – they were voted Toronto’s best in 2010. 2011 is a good year for The Dakota Tavern, which won a second award as the Best Blues Club city-wide. There are many more winners now that they’re awarding every category in every neighborhood, so to see if your favourite is there, just look up Dundas West or Queen West. Congrats to all the winners! We have news on updated hours, menus and special events for restaurants on Ossington. Of course, we will continue to update you as we learn more news from the street. Fishbar has announced they are extending their hours, starting next week. Lucky you if you are around the Ossington area during the day, as you will now be able to dine at Fishbar for lunch and happy hour! This is all according to their Twitter feed:
More Than Pasta announced new hours AND a special event. As of September 26, More Than Pasta will be open 7 days a week from 11AM-7PM. Plus, they will hold an Open House on Sunday, October 2 between 1P-4P. Everybody is invited to drop in and sample some new products, like their new high quality pasta lines, cold salads, and hot take-out meals. Boehmer is organizing a fundraiser to help Eigensinn Farm back on their feet after a recent fire. Happening on Sunday, October 23 at 2PM, the meal will be created by eleven chefs including Paul Boehmer, John Higgens, Jamie Kennedy, Hiro Yoshido, Anthony Rose and others, plus 12 wineries, Creemore Springs beer and a jazz band. Cost per person is $275 including tax but not gratuity. Call Noboyu at Eigensinn to book 519-922-3128, cash or cheque only.
We look forward to the next business to take over the location.Will someone bring sushi into the neighbourhood? Other neighbourhood rumours: The now closed dentist’s office next to Churchill on Dundas is rumoured to be a new restaurant led by one of Mark McEwan’s sous-chefs from Bymark. Also on Dundas, the old location of Note: Correction – it wasn’t Tampered Press that closed, but The Communal Mule. Tampered Press is alive, well and still serving great coffee! (apologies to anyone who listened to my mistake)
We’ve tweeted about this one, but it’s worth repeating here: The much lauded new restaurant, Fishbar, offers a weekly special each Tuesday called #flexyourmussels. This is one for the tech-savvy – you need to check in on Foursquare to get a big bowl of mussels for $8. They are also doing an oyster special called UncleWillyWednesday on Wednesdays: pay for 9, get a dozen.
More Than Pasta is expanding their offerings, with a special event coming on July 28 from 6-8:30PM. World renowned Culinary Olympic Gold Medalist, Executive Chef Roderick Strike will be cooking a special prix fixe 4 course dinner including wine showcasing their wholesome product and healthy ingredients. Cost per person is $75. Contact gabriellaAThollywood-foodsDOTcom In a city that loves the stuff, BQM Burger’s “Poutine Throwdown” is sure to attract hungry mouths and curious onlookers. This event is scheduled for July 27 at 7PM. Wear a bib! (?) Summerlicious started on Friday, and Watusi at 110 Ossington is participating in the $25 dinner. See the menu here. More prix fixe menus: Bohmer is beginning a summertime prix fixe tonight which will run Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It’s a three course $35 menu: there’s a sample one posted here. This is New chefs have been announced or begun work at two Dundas Street West restaurants: Enoteca Sociale announced that Chef Matthew Demille is joining their team, and nearby Brockton General may have lost Chef Guy Rawlings (he’s not going far!), but they’ve gained Alexandra Feswick, most recently of Earth. See what I mean about lots going on? Now all that’s left is to decide where to eat!
The good news is that most of the businesses which opened a year ago are still going strong. Joe Fuda opened his photography studio, Oz Studios, over a year ago, and marked the anniversary by publishing his own book. LAB Consignment has been open for just over a year, sharing it’s space with Silver Falls Vintage. Goed Eten also opened this time last summer, and has changed quite a bit from a late night spot to it’s current status as a popular brunch and lunch eatery. Telegramme Prints and Salt Wine Bar will also celebrate a year on Ossington later this summer. So Happy Birthday, Crafted, and many more to come!
I spoke with Gabriella, the passion behind the growing enterprise, and she answered the questions for our Business Profile series. If the photos are whetting your appetite, More Than Pasta is located at 121 Ossington, just south of Argyle.
What’s your business?
How is your business unique?
How long have you been in business here?
What drew you to be here on Ossington?
What changes have you seen on Ossington since your business has been here?
How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?
What is your favorite spot on Ossington, other than your own? and why?
As last weekend was our first summery weekend, lots of people were enjoying the sunshine on Ossington patios. Our first stop most mornings is for coffee. Crafted by Te Aro has a lovely back patio that not many people seem to know about. Again this weekend, there were lots of empty seats in the east facing space. They are open all day, and serve soups, sandwiches and baked goods in addition to the caffeinated beverages. There are about as many outdoor seats as there are inside, so you’ve got a good chance of enjoying the fresh air here.
Just down the street from Crafted, Rua Vang Golden Turtle Vietnamese, has a big corner patio on Argyle Street. It may be the well-priced pho, but I think the outdoor environment also draws the crowds. My favourite part about this patio is the quote painted on the wall: “In the infinite moments it takes to read this you’ll have lived forever”. Those are some heavy thoughts to chew on while sipping their delicious Pho.
See you outside! |
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