If you missed the Shop for the Cause this weekend in Leslieville – where local merchants like Nathalize Roze & Co. raised funds for the Haiti emergency – never fear, there is much going on in the ‘hood and many chances for you to make your dollars count. Here’s a quick guide to East End things that are so interesting/current/new, they just have to be blogged about!
Dining:
A Taco King is set to open shortly at 988 Danforth. It actually looks like authentic food, not fast food…definitely one to keep an eye on!
Family-friendly coffee house Small World Café (1755B Danforth Avenue) has been sold, and word on the street says that the new owners are planning to convert it to an Ethiopian restaurant.
Have you checked out Better Bulk at 2035 Danforth yet? OK, so it’s not really dining – or maybe dining for the DIY. What it IS is a clean, nicely laid out bulk food store with organic, wheat and gluten free sections and products. The prices and food are great!
Dough Bakeshop at 173 Danforth has been getting rave reviews – at least when their products are stocked. They’re getting a reputation for beautiful breads and goodies baked from scratch, right on the premises; coffee, ice cream, gluten-free options, and daily specials like the organic sunflower spelt bread.
Chino Locos has been in Toronto for a year and the location at 4 Greenwood has been so successful, they’ve opened up another one on Church Street. Come see what made the original in Leslieville famous – on the menu you’ll find options such as a burrito filled with Asian slow roast pork and green onion ginger relish and the famous The Finest – a burrito stuffed with fish and chipotle chino black bean sauce.
Entertainment:
A RoundLetters concert is happening Saturday, February 6th at 9 p.m. at The Only Cafe, 972 Danforth Avenue. Headlining is the folk country band Flashlight Radio (they’ve played some festivals and other shows around town recently). Opening for them are the Ghost Trees and Two Zebras. There is no set price to the show, but a bucket will be passed around while the bands are playing…
Recreation:
Applegrove Community Complex’s 4th annual Yoga-Thon is happening at Leslieville School (254 Leslie Street, just north of Dundas) on Saturday Feb 6, from 1- 3:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to do up to 108 “Salute to the Sun” sequences, led by professional yoga instructors, then relax with complimentary refreshments. The suggested fee is just $20 in pledges or donations.
Bring your own yoga mat if you have one. Childcare is available for $5 per child, only if registered by February 2. Plus there are prizes for early registration and top fundraisers! Why bother? Proceeds will support Applegrove services such as early learning activities for children up to age 6; pre- and post-natal nutrition, information and support; and therapeutic play with a group for parents. For more information and to register, email Applegrove@applegrovecc.ca or call 416-461-8143.
Moksha Yoga at 372 Danforth holds one-hour Friday evening Karma Classes (pay-what-you-can with a minimum $5 donation) as a good way for newbies to test the proverbial waters of Moksha’s trademark hot yoga. By contrast, a regular drop-in class costs $17. The money is donated to charity, and it adds up fast. Moksha Danforth has donated $15,000 to various charities in the past two-and-a-half-years.
