The mentions are coming as far off as Ireland, where an article in the Irish Times cites our neighborhood as the “rising area” thanks to our bars and restaurants.

Another recent mention that garnered attention is from the Huffington Post, which calls Toronto “the capital of cool” and mentions Ossington as one of the “once dodgy, but now trendy…neighborhoods” for it’s galleries, shops and restaurants.

This sort of news must come in threes, because Daily Candy, a popular U.S. fashion and lifestyle blog, also visits Toronto and recommends Ossington for its restaurants and shops. Notably highlighted by Daily Candy are Jonathan + Olivia, Delux, Pizzeria Libretto and Camp 4.

So maybe we can expect to hear more Irish and American accents when we shop and eat on Ossington.

Finally, closer to home, new coffee shop Crafted by Te Aro is receiving positive press. We can attest to the quality of their coffees (both hot and cold) and the professionalism and dedication of their staff.  If you follow them on Twitter, you would have read about their very high rating from The Coffee Review. Kudos and welcome to the neighborhood!

Goed Eten used to be in Kensington and had some great reviews for their excellent food.

While the decor hasn’t changed much since Semolina left, Johan explained that he will be growing into the location. Right now the menu is still quite limited, although there is a range of coffees, from very short espressos, to longer Belgian style.  The sign on the front explains that it’s a two step process, with them starting out serving some easier to prepare foods such as fresh made Belgian waffles, house made ice cream, and locally baked breads and pastries.

In a few months he plans to expand his offerings to prepared and packaged meals, as well as selling organic produce from local farmers.

You can keep up with their new offerings on their Facebook page here.

Our coffees this morning were excellent, and we welcome them to the neighbourhood.

This morning “Crafted” opened in the location where Get Real used to be at 135 Ossington.  It is the newest location for the entrepreneurs behind Te Aro Roasted in Leslieville.

We stopped by this afternoon and tried a few of their blends – an iced tea which had a delicious peachy flavour and a cold filtered iced coffee. The people behind Crafted enjoy experimenting with different ways of brewing coffee and have a very funky machine which looks a bit like something I might have played with in a university chemistry class for making the cold filtered coffee. (I’m hoping there won’t be too much caffeine in it or else I’m going to be up all night)

Although they are still shopping for some furniture the interior is already comfortable with warm unfinished wood paneling and a nice table where people can congregate and work – and they even have free WiFi. There’s also a back patio area with a herb garden as a place to enjoy a coffee outdoors.

If you want to buy some of their specialty roasted coffee to take home, you can pack it up and take it with you.

They promised to be teaching some classes and having specialty coffee tastings and they’d tell us about. So keep an eye on the blog for upcoming events at Crafted.

In the meantime, stop by and welcome our newest business to the neighbourhood.

First we have Te Aro Coffee, which is already serving the coffee-mad masses in Leslieville. Both the Facebook account and the Twitter feed for Te Aro have revealed a new location will be open on Ossington in July, and there are hints it will be in the space once home to Get Real Cafe.

Next, Tasteto revealed today that Goed Eten, formerly of Kensington Market, is taking over the lease once belonging to Semolina Bakery. Now, if they serve the waffles and frites as advertised, Goed Eten will be brilliant if they stay open beyond 5pm on weekdays, and if they are open after midnight on weekends, they’ll pack em in!

While not very different from the other markets on Dundas near Ossington, one thing that sets it apart is the selection of Clafouti croissants for $1.99. Yes, Clafouti croissants. And they had a few left at 11:15 on a Saturday. They even sell the fig!

Also open is Crepes and More, at 164 Ossington. The”More” part of the name is no joke! They serve soup, pasta, assorted sandwiches and baked goods too. Someone commented that they found the prices expensive, but the crepes start at $5.95 which seems reasonable to me.

There are seats in the cafe to eat in, or you can take-out. Daylight hours only.

Update: Walking by today we noticed a sign that says it will open this upcoming Tuesday. There are also hours posted in the window. It’s for early risers with weekday openings at 7am. They will also be serving Ideal Coffee, according to a sticker in the window.

It looks like the empty space which once housed Le Bar au Soupe will not be empty much longer. In fact, there is a big “Opening Soon” sign for the new cafe, called Crepes and More. It looks redesigned inside, with a coffee bar and tables and chairs and could be a unique addition to our neighborhood that would fill a void for convenient, “fast” food.

Michael Johnson & The Red Rhythm

One of the real gems of the Ossington Village is the Saturday afternoon Gypsy Jazz show between 4 and 7pm at the Communist’s Daughter, on Dundas just off Ossington. Michael Lewis Johnson holds one of the most unique regular live music shows in in the city. The small 25 seat bar is transformed back in time; Michael sings and plays cornet in songs from the 20s, 30s and 40s while simultaneously bartending and playing gracious host to an always-packed house. It’s an experience that no Torontonian should miss.

But now, if you’re not the type of person who can make it out on a Saturday afternoon (and, I’ll be honest, I’m usually busy during these times), the audio experience has been captured in a new CD put out by Michael and the group, recorded live from a series of Saturday shows. The tracks do a good job of capturing the experience – including Michael’s always entertaining mid-song banter as well as passing the hat around the room. I did find a little YouTube video capturing one of the songs on the CD – a little video hardly does justice to the atmosphere, but it’ll give you an idea of the vibe.

Right now, as far as I understand, the only way you’ll be able to get this is by stopping by the Communist’s Daughter anytime and asking the bartender.

Check it out this afternoon, and every Saturday, between 4 and 7pm and don’t forget to pick up a CD. I’m listening to it now and it’s absolutely worth it.

This is the sign in the window of 214 Ossington: “Our House, opening soon.”  We know there has been a lot of construction going on inside the space, located right next door to our beloved dry cleaners. We had heard talk there was a lounge going in, and we did peek in last week and see a bar inside a long deep room.

The only reports we can find are from a September article in Compendium Daily speculating on another name for 214 Ossington.

That’s all we know, so please, anyone who knows more than us (you’re out there!), do tell! Will we have a new lounge, bar, or combo lounge-bar-restaurant to hang out in soon? We’ll let you know when we do!

When one door closes, another opens maybe? There has been lots of activity right next door to Semolina, but no word yet what is being built behind the papered windows.

The Painted Lady is hosting a SuperBowl party with large screen TVs and a special menu including varieties of hot dogs. They are even conducting a football pool so you can really have something to root for.

Reposado celebrates “Superbowl Stupor” at 5PM with free munchies and $5 tall boys.

The Dakota Tavern continues with their usual live music lineup starting with Lickin Good Fried at 7 and house band the Beauties at 10p.

Communist’s Daughter hosts their regular Sunday afternoon jazz starting 4:30ish.

The Garrison’s Wavelength series continues tonight with bands playing from 9p- late.

You can check out some art at AWOL open til 5 with a new exhibition this weekend.

There are likely more events happening, but this is a start. Have a great Superbowl Sunday!