The first round of news focuses on bars and restaurants, reflecting where Torontonians spend their time in the winter.

We may have been the first to note the opening of restaurant Yours Truly, but we are not the last. Many are lauding the food and the men behind it, and liking the bar scene – check it out yourself at 229 Ossington.

Singer Emily Haines listed The Dakota Tavern as her favorite go-to for live music in Toronto.

Blogto has been profiling bartenders, starting in our area with The Garrison and The Ossington.

We were there when they were, and now you can read and watch a behind-the-scenes look at new GlobalTV series Bomb Girls when they were on location at The Dakota Tavern last fall.

Soon-to-open new restaurant The Grove, next to Churchill on Dundas at Lakeview, is already getting preview attention for its English menu.

The local art scene is also getting some coverage, starting with a story about art which mentions some street art on Queen near Ossington. It’s a cool picture – definitely want to check it out!

Liss Platt’s exhibit at MKG127 just opened and received a nice write-up for her photography in constant.

Last week, Toronto Life recommended Pinkalicious, the children-targeted musical which has been running every Sunday at Lower Ossington Theatre.

 Did we miss any news about the neighborhood? Let us know in the comments.

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!

So, let’s get it over with. Robert Pattinson sightings have been fast and furious ever since his film started shooting at The Lakeview. Bloggers from Hollywood to Toronto have obsessed over where he hung out on Ossington, and the results are in: Crooked Star and the Dakota Tavern. Good choices, vampire.

Speaking of The Lakeview, the owners are being lauded as starting a new trend of restaurateurs opening food shops, as they’ve done with the well-stocked take-out and grocery, The Lakeview Storehouse.

Opera Bob’s is turning into a destination for baseball fans in Toronto. With the introduction of “Jays Days”, where they duplicate the ballpark experience for away games, with a hot dog/beer/popcorn vendor, special menu, full sound and big screens, they are getting rave reviews.

Also getting rave reviews, from Joanne Kates no less, is Bohmer restaurant. She loves the beautiful space, and if you haven’t been, they have early evening specials and serve Sunday brunch.

The Lower Ossington Theatre started a weekend cabaret series this June and comes recommended by the music critic at The Star.

The Churchill on Dundas gets a recommend as an alternative patio to the too busy Drake Sky Yard. Looks like we need to update our Patio Guide!

Opera Bobs Public House at 1112 Dundas Street West, just east of Ossington, begins a Jays Days promotion with “Opening Night” next Friday, June 17 for the Jays vs. Reds game. For this series of 6 away games, Opera Bobs will reproduce the live viewing experience in the comfort of their bar, with ballpark hot dogs (free on Opening Day!) and bagged popcorn, a host, and the volume turned up on the game. They will also have food and drink specials, and a comfortable atmosphere to watch. The National Post has called Opera Bobs “one of the best bars in the city to watch a baseball game” and these Jays Days specials will likely add to fans’ enjoyment.

Down on 93 Ossington, Bohmer Restaurant is adding some early evening bar specials to the menu. As of this Thursday, June 16, they are launching $4, $5 and $6 drink specials and some 1/2 prized nibbles at the bar or in the lounge. This promotion will run every Tuesday through Staturday night from 5:30PM-7PM until further notice.

So, if there weren’t enough reasons to get you over to Ossington Village for some enjoyable evenings, maybe these two very different options will.

This just in! Delux Restaurant at 92 Ossington has announced $1 oyster Tuesdays starting tomorrow, June 13. This special will run every Tuesday from  6P-close and applies to all the oysters they have.

If you know of any other specials or special events in the vicinity, tell us in the comments or via email.

Cosmopolis is the upcoming feature film from Canadian director David Cronenberg, and from a book by Don Delillo. Other stars (who you may see on location) are Juliette Binoche, Paul Giamatti and Samantha Morton. Similar to the last film shot around here, Toronto stands in for a big American city. Based on the photos, Toronto is filling in for the Big Apple.

Let us know if you spot any celebs in the neighbourhood.

Yesterday’s Now Toronto issue was all about Toronto’s best brunch. Along with a cover photo of one of Delux‘s top dishes, the duck confit picadillo hash, the issue recommends brunch at many neighborhood spots. Goed Eten gets noted for the Belgian waffles, and The Dakota Tavern‘s popular Bluegrass Brunch is also highlighted (hint- go early! Also – this may be busier than ever this weekend).

On nearby Dundas, newly opened E.L. Ruddy gets pointed out for it’s all vegetarian menu, and Lakeview Lunch also gets a mention.

The Chicago Tribune sent an intrepid reporter to brave the cold up here in Toronto, and many of her favorite eats in the city were from right around our neck of the woods. She enjoyed dishes from the well-known Italian eatery on Dundas, Enoteca Sociale, and also a local Portuguese restaurant, Casa de Ramboia.

Lush and Lavish Salon and Spa is the first spot mentioned in a Toronto Star article about green and organic spas.

T.o.night newspaper (?) did a piece on Dundas West bar-restaurant The Port. Definitely go for the steak on a sword!

Tonight, Bohmer restaurant hosts a fundraiser dinner for Japan. With lots of well-respected chefs and wineries donating their time and talents, this sold out fast, but also got a lot of attention.

We already covered it when it happened, but it’s such a nice story, we like mentioning it again. Three bakery workers on Ossington won millions in the lottery and the press ate it up! (get it? bakery, eat?)

And it’s nice to see one of our local art galleries get some attention. The Globe and Mail highlights a recent exhibit at Gallery TPW.

I thought it was cool as I was flipping through Metro this morning to see the ad featuring Virginia’s bag. She’s hit the mainstream with this one. Open a newspaper, or visit the Shoppers Drug Mart website, and you will see a brightly coloured tote ”created by Canadian textile designer Virginia Johnson” being offered as the special gift with a $125 or more beauty purchase. That is a good value.

The bag is representative of Johnson’s bright, casual style. Her store on Ossington, and all the other retail locations which sell her products, offers beach bags, totes, hats, dresses and more in summery styles and colours.

Virginia Johnson’s home base is at 132 Ossington Avenue.

For those of you walking down Ossington from Dundas smelling baking bread, that’s coming from Ontario Bread Co, which is in the alley behind and north of the Home Hardware.

We have a lot of bakeries in the neighborhood, but this one is the bakery itself, with no retail space, unlike Nova Era, Venezia and others.

Again, we say congrats, and enjoy retirement!

First, local news outlets have given attention to More Than Pasta, with stories on the spelt pasta on offer.

Another hot topic is the upcoming Motif Lofts and Townhomes development at Ossington and Rebecca.

This week The Bay announced they will be the first Canadian retailer to offer England’s TopShop brand, which was a surprise to those of us who have been to Jonathan & Olivia, which has been selling Topshop since spring 2010.