Posted by Greg Clow in events, events upcoming on October 17, 2008 at 9:14 am
If you're a fan of craft-brewed beer, then this is the weekend for you, as Volo Cask Days returns for its fourth annual instalment. This celebration of cask-conditioned ales has expanded to three full days this year, with two tasting sessions taking place each day from today through Sunday.
Also this weekend, the Beer Lovers Tour Company is loading up the bus for an Ontario Fall Colours Beer Tour out through Grey and Wellington Counties, with stops at several breweries and dinner at the Woolwich Arms in Guelph. North of the city, the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre in Gravenhurst is hosting "Aromas & Blends", a tasting of various Ontario beers and wines.
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.
ending on 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]
ending on Sat, Oct 18, 2008
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
various locations in Kitchener-Waterloo
various times
various prices
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is a community based Bavarian Festival that is committed to significantly contributing to the social, economic and cultural vitality of Kitchener-Waterloo. Events include concerts, benefit galas, parade, car rally, and of course, the famous beer halls.
[more info]
continuing until Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Chocolate Fest '08
various venues
various times
various ticket prices
The Toronto Chocolate Festival, successfully launched last year to great reviews, is back for its second year. This is the event where chocolate is featured in all its magnificent and tasty forms. Chocolate Fest '08 promises to present several delectable, delicious and simply decadent events. See the festival website for full details.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 17, 2008 -- Sat, Oct 18, 2008
Arab Heritage Day Festival
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
free admission
Discover the magic of Arabia! Arab Heritage Day showcases the cultures and traditions of more than 20 Arab nations that stretch from Morocco and Algeria in the west to Yemen and Oman in the east. Featuring an Arab souk, Arabic sittings, folklore dances, workshops in belly music, food, poetry, and all facets of Arab Canadian culture.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 17, 2008 -- Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Take a Walk on the Riverside
various locations on Queen Street East between Don Valley and Degrassi
various times
various prices
For ten days, discover historic "Riverside Row", a small 'hood with a big personality. Located in one of Toronto's oldest communities, Riverside stretches ten short blocks along historic Queen Street East between the Don Valley and Degrassi Street Bridges. The Riverside Business Improvement Area welcomes you to be entertained, wined and dined, with prix fixe menus, store and service specials and the most delicious drinks ever concocted. Rediscover an old Toronto neighborhood with its familiar storefronts of bakeries, barbers and tailors plus add to the mix, designer clothing stores, unique new restaurants, hip new galleries and bars, our emerging floral scene and the best burgers in town!
[more info]
Fri, Oct 17, 2008 -- Sun, Oct 19, 2008
Bala Cranberry Festival
various locations in Bala
various times
$6 for adults - $3 for children 7-12 - free for children 6 and under
The Bala Cranberry Festival features unique collections of products, gifts and crafts, live entertainment, and food and drink, all celebrating the annual cranberry harvest.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 17, 2008
The Camera & The Gourmet: The Golden Cities - Prague, Budapest & Vienna
lecture: Royal Ontario Museum (Education Classrooms, Level 1), 100 Queen’s Park
dinner: Courtyard Restaurant, 121 Yorkville Avenue
6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
$90 ($80 for ROM members) for single lecture/dinner - $315 ($280 for ROM members) for full 4-week series
Enjoy four evenings of photography, travel and food. Each session begins at the ROM with a talk on the basics of how to take better photographs followed by a fascinating slide presentation about the country featured that evening. Each evening culminates with a gourmet meal at a fine Toronto restaurant. This week, photography topics include: the basics, exposure techniques, choosing the right lens and camera.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 17, 2008 -- Sun, Oct 19, 2008
Volo Cask Days '08
Volo, 587 Yonge Street
various times
various prices - see website for details
Every fall for the past four years, Volo has invited our local brewers to make beer - cask conditioned beer, that is. Cask beer is a traditional method of making beer that is unpasteurised and without filtration. It is then fermented in and served from a cask without gas pressure. Once tapped, cask beer only has a few days to be consumed at its peak. At Cask Days, you can expect some unique ales (and the occasional lager) in a variety of styles and there's always a surprise or two.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 18, 2008 -- Sun, Oct 19, 2008
Muslim Heritage Weekend
Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
included with regular ROM admission
The ROM proudly presents two days of Muslim heritage celebration with Islamic artefacts, food, prayer facilities, hands-on activities for kids and more.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 18, 2008
Bonnie Stern: "Friday Night Dinners"
The Cookbook Store, 850 Yonge Street
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
free admission
Book signing with Bonnie Stern.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 18, 2008
Nuit Rouge
Tequila Bookworm, 512 Queen Street West
7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
$40 per person - $35 if you bring a friend(s)
A Saturday Night Wine Soiree, hosted by "The Wine Enthusiasts" Ange & Pax from iYellow Wine Club, and featuring delicious French-themed wines from Louis Jadot, Chateau Des Charmes, Peninsula Ridge, Southbrook's delicious Framboise fruit wine, as well as giveaways from Cote du Rhone and more.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 18, 2008
Ontario Fall Colours Beer Tour
depart/arrive at York Mills Subway Station
depart at 8:45 AM
$199
This bus tour will include a Fall Colours ride on the Simcoe Steam Train between Tottenham and Beeton; stops and tours at Neustadt Springs Brewery (including lunch), Formosa Springs Brewery and Wellington County Brewery; and a four course dinner paired with a selection of local brews at the Woolwich Arms in Downtown Guelph.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 18, 2008
The Taste of Place: Chefs Andrew Eade & Rose Reisman
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, Oct 18, 2008
Aromas & Blends: A Celebration of Wine and Beer
Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre, 821 Bay Street, Gravenhurst
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
ticket info t.b.a.
Sip on fine Ontario wine and beer as you experience the majesty that is Muskoka in Autumn. Vintners and breweries in attendance will include Colio Estates, The Grange of Prince Edward, Maxxium, Vincor, Steam Whistle, Sleeman, Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery, Pelee Island and more. Funds raised will support the Muskoka Steamship and Historical Society, a not-for-profit charitable organization with a mandate to preserve the traditions of the steamship, boat building and tourism heritage of Muskoka.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 18, 2008
Wild Dogs Tea
Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley Street
performance at 2:00 PM - tea at 3:30 PM
$30 - free for Berkeley Street Theatre passholders and supporters - call (416) 944-1740 ext. 8 to reserve
Indulge in excellent theatre, opulent teas and delicacies in an intimate afternoon tea with Helen Humphries and Anne Hardcastle, creators of Wild Dogs. The afternoon will feature a performance of the play, followed by tea in the Waterfall Team Room.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 18, 2008
Winemaker's Dinner featuring Henry of Pelham
The Little Inn of Bayfield, 26 Main Street North, Bayfield
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
$100 - call 800.565.1832 to reserve
Enjoy a gourmet wine tasting dinner courtesy of Chef Joseph Watters, designed to showcase select vintages from Niagara's Henry of Pelham Winery. Sharing his intimate knowledge of wine with the chef, the winemaker helps create a menu that reflects the notes of the wine in the taste of the food. Acting as host for the evening, the winemaker then creates an atmosphere of wine appreciation, heightening wine knowledge for guests and explaining the intricacies of each glass.
[more info]
Sun, Oct 19, 2008 -- Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Edwardian Tea
Spadina Museum Historic House & Gardens, 285 Spadina Road
sittings at 12:00 noon, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
$17.50 - call 416-392-6910 to reserve
Enjoy the elegance of a bygone era at Spadina's annual afternoon teas. Savour tea sandwiches and treats made on site from Edwardian cookery books from our collection.
[more info]
Sun, Oct 19, 2008
Apple Harvest Tea
Montgomery's Inn Museum, 4709 Dundas Street West
1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
$6
Celebrate the harvest with freshly-baked apple crisp, and take home some goodies from our bake sale.
[more info]
Sun, Oct 19, 2008
Pear Canning Workshop
Hart House Kitchen, Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle
2:00 to 4:30 PM
$33 for Slow Food Toronto members - $40 for non-members
Presented by Slow Food Toronto. Preserving the harvest, and our culinary heritage. Guided by Hart House Executive Chef Marco Tucci, we will work together to create 6 jars of pears per participant.
[more info]
Mon, Oct 20, 2008
Grapes for Humanity: A Burgundian Feast
Four Seasons Hotel, 21 Avenue Road
6:30 PM
$500 - contact Kristin Card at 416-975-8575 to reserve
Maison Louis Jadot celebrates its 150th anniversary next year and to kick off the celebrations Director Pierre Henry Gagey has donated 120 bottles of white and red Burgundy valued at more than $100,000 for this gala dinner to raise funds for Afghan civilians who have been injured by landmines while assisting our troops. The evening will feature a Champagne reception followed by dinner and the silent rare wine auction.
[more info]
Mon, Oct 20, 2008
Harvest Celebration: Preparing for Winter
Toronto Sprouts, 720 Bathurst Street
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
$65 (+GST) - call 416-428-1039 or email erika@powerofraw.com to reserve
Raw food expert Erika Wolf will lead you on a whirlwind tour through the wild world of fermented and live-culture cuisine. These vital foods provide incredible health benefits and are delicious and easy to make. This workshop is a Harvest Celebration of Local Foods with a focus on old fashioned food preservation methods - timely as we focus more on local and in season foods. Erika will demonstrate how to make sauerkraut, kimchee and a dehydrated flat bread. As always we will treat you to a harvest feast of local foods, including a scrumptious soup, main course and dessert.
[more info]
Tue, Oct 21, 2008
Introduction to Wine
Crush Wine Bar, 455 King Street West
6:30 PM
$200 for four-week course (Tuesdays, Oct 21 to Nov 11)
Introduction to Wine is a class for all wine lovers to expand their wine knowledge and entice their wine palates. The course is aimed at those who wish to gain a good grasp of the basics of wine by exploring their knowledge of countries, regions, aromas and flavours. Learn the five steps of wine tasting - colour, swirl, smell, taste and savour. From the Cabernet grape of Chile, Australia, Lebanon, Southern California and France, to the Malbec grape of Argentina and Chile, your tastebuds will be treated to a mini wine tour.
[more info]
Tue, Oct 21, 2008
Anthony Sedlak: "The Main"
The Cookbook Store, 850 Yonge Street
5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
free admission
Book signing with Anthony Sedlak.
[more info]
Tue, Oct 21, 2008
World Tour of Autumn Curries
Culinarium, 705 Mount Pleasant Road
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
$60 - call (647) 430-7004 to register
Jennifer MacKenzie will prepare an autumn menu from her new book the Complete Curry Cookbook, highlighting Ontario produce cooked into warm curries perfect for the season. We'll start our tour in India with Zucchini Pancakes and Pickled Peach Chutney then a stop in the Caribbean with Jamaican Chicken Curry and Sweet Potatoes accompanied by Golden Curried Cauliflower with Green Peas and Spinach Rice Pilau. We'll finish off with a Ginger-Lime Autumn Fruit Compote. Signed copies of her book will also be available.
[more info]
Tue, Oct 21, 2008
Great Wines for Cozy Evenings
The Richmond, Unit 104, 477 Richmond Street West
7L30 PM to 9:30 PM
$75 + GST - call 416.368.2801 to reserve
As the days get cooler and the nights longer, the lure of the hearth and a glass of wine increases. Join top sommelier Anne Martin for a tasting of wines guaranteed to warm your heart and help you embrace the autumn season. Paired with the comfort food we all crave in cold weather, this will be a tasting not to be missed.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 22, 2008
Vintages Finest & Rarest Wines Auction - Pre-Auction Tasting Gala
Carlu, 444 Yonge Street
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
$275 - call 416-365-5767 or 1-800-266-4764 to reserve
This year, with so many exceptional wines, Vintages in association with Ritchies Auctioneers will be conducting two large auctions of fine and rare wines. This pre-auction gala will be a great opportunity to try fabulous fine wines.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 22, 2008 -- Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Planet in Focus Film Festival
various venues
various times
various prices
The ninth edition of Canada's premiere environmental film festival, Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival, will feature over 80 of the world's best films on a wide range of environmental themes and subjects by Canadian and international filmmakers. Planet in Focus showcases films and videos in all forms: documentary, drama, animation, experimental, new media. This year's timely Spotlight Program is "Food: The Big Picture". It will highlight the local and global concerns about food production, food security, food policy, its cultivation, manufacture, handling, distribution and, ultimately, the direct connection between the state of the environment with what, and how, we eat. The festival will also host panels and discussions in an exploration of the global food crisis as well as recent developments within Canada.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 22, 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 22, 2008
Local Lunch at Palais Royale
Palais Royale, 1601 Lake Shore Blvd West
12:00 noon to 3:00 PM
admission by donation - proceeds to The Dancing Classrooms Project and Evergreen
Chef Steffan Howard will be purchasing locally grown products every Wednesday at the new Evergreen Brickworks Chef's Market. Created in partnership with the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, this new market will connect local farmers with chefs in Toronto. The market will provide our chefs with easy access to locally grown food, to simplify distribution channels, and to strengthen networks between chefs and local growers. To show support for this great initiative by Evergreen, Steffan will be preparing a totally Ontario grown lunch for Palais Royale staff on Wednesdays in October and November, and we want to invite you into our kitchen, meet our staff and have lunch with us. We can inform you about buying and cooking locally and at the same time get to know our neighbours.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 22, 2008
Top Wines of Argentina
Hilton Toronto Hotel, Carmichael/Jackson Room, 145 Richmond Street West
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
$52 for TVC members - $62 for non-members
Toronto Vintners Club presents some of the best wines of Argentina, produced in the Uco Valley of Mendoza. There is a strong influence from French winemakers as well as those from Spain and Argentina. The Mendoza region is responsible for some of the best wines from the southern hemisphere. We have an opportunity to sample some flagship Malbec wines as well as a few Bordeaux-style blends.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 22, 2008
Harvest Wednesdays: Final Harvest Table Dinner
Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
seating at 6:30 PM - dinner at 7:00 PM
$48 - call (416) 531-4635 to reserve
Come celebrate the end of the harvest season! Enjoy a casual communal dinner with dishes inspired by peak season produce. Share a table with some old friends or make some new ones as you pass along delicious platters. Enjoy! Talk! Eat!
[more info]
Wed, Oct 22, 2008
Brown Bag Wine Tasting
Crush Wine Bar, 455 King Street West
6:30 PM
$35
Want to quiz your palate? Test your wine region knowledge? Be part of the Brown Bag wine tasting phenomenon. Once a month, Crush will host a blind tasting of six wines. From the Bordeaux wines to the Pinot Noir wines, you never know what grapes or regions will be displayed. This is an ideal class for wine lovers who want to test their knowledge. After tasting the wines and discussing their aromatic flavours the wines will be revealed. This course may expose you to new wines that you might have never tried.
[more info]
Thu, Oct 23, 2008
The Variety Show: Part Two - Frankly Franc
Vineyards Estate Wines, 228 Queens Quay West
7:00 PM
$15 for single seminar - $48 for series of four
The Variety Show is a series of four wine tasting seminars presented by sommelier Glen Siegel. Part two: Cabernet Franc is a superstar red grape here in Ontario but treated like a second cousin elsewhere around the world, often used only in blending. Its thicker skin allows it to ripen well in cooler, damper climates and as a wine it tends to be lighter with a delicious peppery finish. Come explore the range of characteristics and flavours that a VQA Cabernet Franc can show... including its exquisite dessert side, Icewine!
[more info]
Thu, Oct 23, 2008
Chateau Haut-Brion Structured Tasting & Dinner
Splendido, 88 Harbord Street
tasting at 6:15 PM - reception at 7:15 PM - dinner at 8:00 PM
SOLD OUT
Chateau Haut-Brion has the historical distinction of being among Bordeaux's original four designated First Growths in the classification of 1855. Join Vintages as we celebrate the wines of Haut-Brion with Estate Manager Jean-Philippe Delmas at an exclusive event. The event will feature a structured tasting led by Mr. Delmas, followed by a Champagne reception featuring Dom Perignon 2000, and dinner in the refined and inviting atmosphere of Splendido.
[more info]
