While the weather hasn't yet gotten cold enough for people to start longing for the tropics, there are a few events happening in the next week that will give Torontonians a taste of the south.
Already underway and running until Sunday at various venues along Queen Street West is the Havana Cultura Festival, celebrating the art, music, culture, food and drink of Cuba. Today features two public events in the schedule of the Caribbean Week trade and media conference: a free Caribbean Fair at Yonge-Dundas Square, and a ticketed Rum & Rhythm party at the Westin Habour Castle. And next Wednesday is the annual Chilean Wine Festival in the Distillery District, followed by a Chilean Winemaker's Dinner at reds on Thursday.
The full list of happenings for the next week follows below, and as always, our Events page has more information on these and many other upcoming events in Toronto and area.
continuing until Sun, Sep 28, 2008
Niagara Wine Festival
various locations in the Niagara region
various times
various prices
Enjoy more than 100 events including winery tours and tastings, concerts, Niagara cuisine, artisan shows, wine seminars, family entertainment and one of Canada's largest street parades during the 57th Niagara Wine Festival.
[more info]
continuing until Sun, Sep 28, 2008
Havana Cultura Festival
various locations on Queen Street West between Shaw and Brock
various times
various prices
The Cuba Tourist Board in conjunction with Havana Club Rum are proud to present the first annual Havana Cultura Festival, created to celebrate the passionate Cuban essence of life. This celebration will incorporate a broad range of Cuban influences straight from Havana, from music and dance, to art and cuisine.
[more info]
continuing until Sat, Oct 18, 2008
Lakeshorelicious
various restaurants in South Etobicoke
various times
various prices
Experience the styles and flavours thast make the Lakeshore community so diverse, as 13 unique restaurants in South Etobicoke offer a prix-fixe dinner menu.
[more info]
Fri, Sep 26, 2008
Caribbean Fair
Yonge-Dundas Square, corner of Yonge & Dundas
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
free admission
Welcoming you to the Caribbean is the focus of this vibrant attractive live showcase in downtown Toronto. Immerse yourself into a totally Caribbean branded environment as you enter the square to take in local food and entertainment enticing you to travel to the Caribbean. Some 50 plus vendors, representing the Spanish, Dutch, French, and English island nations will transform Toronto's epicentre into a fully tented Caribbean market place.
[more info]
Fri, Sep 26, 2008 -- Sat, Sep 27, 2008
Global Wine Tour: Exploring The Wines Of Italy
Fine Wine Reserve, King Street West and Spadina
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
SOLD OUT
Join one of Canada's foremost wine experts, Steve Thurlow, on a one evening tour of Italy's most important wine regions. This interactive evening will have you tasting 8 different wines and learning about the different wine producing regions of this very celebrated wine producing nation. Over the course of the evening, you will learn about the unique wine making styles and grape varieties that makes it one of the world's most important wine producing nations. You will also learn about how to match food to the types of wines coming from there. A small sampling of dainty morsels will be provided to assist in the learning of matching food with wine.
[more info]
Fri, Sep 26, 2008
Rum And Rhythm
Westin Harbour Castle (Frontenac Room), 1 Harbour Square
5:30 PM to 11:00 PM
$65 - call 416-935-0707 to reserve
Sample dozens of award-winning Caribbean rums at this exclusive inaugural event. Enjoy traditional party fare from Dutch, English, French and Spanish Caribbean chefs performing on-site demonstrations and sway to the beat of a variety of Caribbean music - from salsa to reggae, from soca to compass.
[more info]
Fri, Sep 26, 2008
The World According to Monsanto
The Gardiner Museum, 111 Queen's Park
6:45 PM
PWYC ($7 suggested)
Painstakingly investigated and researched by French journalist and independent filmmaker Marie-Monique Robin, The World According to Monsanto takes a hard look at one of the world's largest biotech and chemical corporations and puts together the pieces of the company's history, calling on previously unpublished documents and numerous first-hand accounts. Misleading reports, collusion, pressure tactics and attempts at corruption: the history of Monsanto is filled with disturbing episodes. Behind its clean, green image, Monsanto is tightening its grasp on the world seed market, striving for market supremacy to the detriment of food security and the global environment.
[more info]
Sat, Sep 27, 2008
Grape & Wine Festival Tour
depart/arrive at Vineyards Estate Wines, 228 Queens Quay West
9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
$100
Join iYellow Wine Club for an unforgettable day in Wine Country sampling delicious award-winning VQA wines, making new friends and getting VIP access as you meet the wonderful people behind the labels. Escape T.O. and experience Niagara's spectacular vineyard wonderland - all during the Harvest Season. We'll be visiting Henry of Pelham, St. Catharines Grape & Wine Festival and Thirty Bench Winery.
[more info]
Sat, Sep 27, 2008
Explore Toronto's Culinary Neighbourhoods: Kensington/Chinatown
meet at York Quay Centre, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
$40 for single tour - $125 for all four - call 416-973-4093 or email learning@harbourfrontcentre.com to register
A four-week series of tours through the city's fantastic culinary hot spots, markets and neighbourhoods. Get the insider's scoop with a cultural perspective, and learn the personal stories of Toronto's food experts. This week, sample treats and sweets, and discover the cultural customs of shopping, dining and getting around in the city's busiest area.
[more info]
Sat, Sep 27, 2008
The Taste of Place: Chef Tawfik Shehata
Brick Works Farmers Market, Don Valley Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue
10:30 AM to 12:00 noon
$25 - email events@evergreen.ca or call 416-596-1495 x242 to register
The Taste of Place food workshop series features a stellar lineup of chefs who will guide you through a world of food - from field-fresh produce to the masterpiece on the plate. First, you'll shop the Evergreen Brick Works Farmers' Market with one of Toronto's finest chefs. With bounty from the market, participate in a hands-on cooking workshop in our new Chef's Corner, and enjoy the delicious results while chatting with the chef. You'll take home recipes, tips and a new appreciation of how our food goes from field to table.
[more info]
Sat, Sep 27, 2008
TASTE! A Celebration of Regional Cuisine
Crystal Palace, Picton Fairgrounds, Picton
11:00 PM to 5:00 PM
$15
TASTE! is an annual one-day wine and culinary event featuring regional chefs, gifted growers, wonderful winemakers and the best beers, cider and cuisine Prince Edward County has to offer. The historic Crystal Palace and surrounding tents will be alive with aromas to tempt the taste buds, fabulous jazz entertainment.
[more info]
Sun, Sep 28, 2008
Pedestrian Sundays Kensington: Earth! Global Harvest Traditions
various streets in Kensington Market
1:00 PM to 10:00 PM
free
Come eat, dance, and play in the streets together to sow the seeds of community. In celebration of the bounty of the earth, we'll exchange seeds, meet our farmers, and enjoy a feast of local foods, and learn a harvest dance.
[more info]
Sun, Sep 28, 2008
Brunch With Cause
Bite Me! Restaurant, 609 King Street West
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
various prices (a la carte menu)
You are invited to the third annual Brunch With Cause at Bite Me! Restaurant (formerly Thuet). A portion of all proceeds and all gratuities contributed to the bar will be donated to Nellie's Shelter, a hard-line shelter in Toronto that assists women and children of domestic violence.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 01, 2008
Chilean Wine Festival
Fermenting Cellar, Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill Street
7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
$55 - email tickets@forefrontcom.com to reserve
Over 450 wine lovers, an array of Chilean wineries, and hot, live Chilean music will add a little zest to the Distiller Historic District as the Chilean Wine Festival heats up Toronto. Making an impact on Toronto's dynamic event scene, this dynamic fiesta provides an authentic Chilean setting where guests can educate themselves on Chile's important role in the wine world.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 01, 2008
Bountiful Wednesdays
Stonegrill On Winchester, 51B Winchester Street
seatings start at 5:00 PM
$40 (plus taxes & gratuities) - call (416) 967-6565 or reserve online
Every Wednesday, Stonegrill On Winchester teams up with Henry of Pelham family estate wines and Riverdale Farmer's Market, to produce a menu featuring organically raised fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. The 3-course prix fixe menu features local seasonal dishes and desserts feature organically grown Ontario strawberries. Experience the true taste from farm to table.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 01, 2008
Harvest Wednesdays: Late Harvest Prix Fixe Dinner
Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
seatings at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM
$35 - call (416) 531-4635 to reserve
Enjoy a special three course dinner. Each week Chef Marc Breton will create a new menu inspired by the bountiful harvest of our CSA farming partner and featuring local fish, meats or poultry. Seasonal cocktails and suggested wine pairings from local vineyards will be priced separately.
[more info]
Thu, Oct 02, 2008
How To Taste: Part Three
Vineyards Estate Wines, 228 Queens Quay West
7:00 PM
$15 for single seminar - $48 for series of four
How To Taste is a series exploring wine tasting in four parts, based on the book by Jancis Robinson, and presented by Sommelier Glen Siegel. Part three: Learn how different food flavours both compliment and work against your wine.
[more info]
Thu, Oct 02, 2008
Chilean Winemaker's Dinner
reds Bistro & Wine Bar, 77 Adelaide Street West
6:00 PM
$130 - contact 416-398-3335 Ext. 3 to reserve
Mix and mingle with eight top Chilean Winemakers and Principals at an exclusive dinner hosted by Wines of Chile and the Trade Commission of Chile. Executive Chef Michael Steh, will be serving a Chilean inspired five-course meal, paired perfectly with a selection of Chilean wines.
[more info]
