Stephanie Dickison's Blog, page 47
April 22, 2020
COVID-19: Thank You Toronto BIAs
Once a week, Toronto Restaurants will be celebrating local folks dedicating their time and energy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This week: A shout-out to all Toronto BIAs.
The employees and volunteers at the +80 organizations representing more than 40,000 business and property owners, have been working overtime to keep us up-to-date on what’s happening throughout communities across the city.
Informing the public on what restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries, breweries, and food shops are open and closed, in addition to ongoing news, events and promotions in their respective neighbourhoods, our BIAs are covering what traditional and digital media simply cannot.
Thank you to everyone at our local Business Improvement Areas for all your hard work and perseverance during this unprecedented time. We couldn’t get through this without you.
April 19, 2020
April 16, 2020
COVID-19: How to help others during the COVID-19 crisis
Navigating all the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is overwhelming. There are so many people in urgent need of help. Good news: Toronto individuals, businesses and organizations are coming together to support one another during this challenging time.
From feeding frontline healthcare workers to getting food to our most vulnerable, there are numerous ways you can help:
Mission: The non-profit financial resource for bartenders, servers and FOH support staff working in the hospitality industry in Canada. We provide funding for those who have fallen under serious financial hardship and our mission is to work in earnest to ensure that those in need can make ends meet.
Our mandate is offer support to the hospitality industry, by the hospitality industry: our grants are awarded anonymously by local hospitality professionals from each market.
Way to help:
Ways to help:
Mission: The Canadian not-for-profit aims make a difference in the lives of fellow Canadians who are in need of assistance with securing nutritious food and regular balanced meals, and reduce food waste.
Ways to help:
Mission: To provide meals to Toronto healthcare workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic.
By purchasing a meal, you will help fuel the extraordinary efforts of our city’s healthcare workers and support our local restaurants and their employees with a single donation.
Way to help:
Mission: To support West Queen West local shops. With each purchase of a Locals Goodie Bag, a donation will be made to Daily Bread Food Bank to support our locals who need it most.
Way to help:
Mission: Creating and cooking healthy meals for those in need. For every $5 donated to Community Food Centres Canada, Victor Dries’ Chef Chris Brown and his team will make one healthy, heartwarming meal.
Way to help:
MARINARA BOYS: A FUNDRAISER TO FEED THE FRONT LINE
Mission: To raise money to to feed front line workers. The Marinara Boys – staff from Baldassarre, Bar Ape, Sugo, The Sovereign Café – are are donating their time and kitchens. Your donations go towards all food purchases (from local suppliers and restaurateurs). We are determined to keep it up with these meal deliveries and cannot do it without you.
Way to help:
MEALS FOR FRONTLINE ICU NURSES AND DOCTORS
Mission: To raise money to feed frontline hospital staff in Toronto and GTA during this stressful and dangerous COVID-19 crisis.
The initiative is by chef Michael Hunter, owner of Antler Kitchen Bar.
Way to help:
Mission: We want to brighten the days of hospital staff on the front lines while also giving back to the small businesses that are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meals TO Heal raises donations through the local Toronto community. All donations are used to purchase meals from local restaurants and coffee shops. Meals are delivered to hospitals to help fuel staff on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.
Way to help:
Mission: Create food boxes that will be distributed to seniors and other vulnerable people.
Ways to help:
Donate non-perishable food donations - contact andrew@dreammind.com
Mission: Canada’s largest food charity recovers fresh, unsold food to protect the environment and provide immediate hunger relief.
Ways to help:
Mission: We help small food businesses that are struggling in this time of crisis. We match them with people who want to fund meals for frontline healthcare workers. We don’t take a cent.
Ways to help:
If you are a small food business, please complete the contact form to be added to our list of food providers. You will be matched over email to supporters in your area.
If you are an individual or business able to buy meals for frontline healthcare workers, please complete the contact form to be matched with food providers.
TORONTO RESTAURANT WORKERS RELIEF FUND
Mission: To raise money for laid-off restaurant/bar workers living in Toronto. Recipients will receive weekly grocery assistance for 12 weeks.
Ways to help:
*** Note: This article will be updated throughout the COVID-19 crisis. If you have a food-related business, foundation or initiative raising money or donating food - or know of one that should be included - please send the name and website to Toronto Restaurants .
April 14, 2020
April 11, 2020
7 reasons to order wine, beer, and spirits directly from local restaurants, bars, and breweries
It’s the long weekend and the LCBO is only open one day. If you thought the lineups were long before, wait ‘til you see them today.
That’s just one of the many reasons why you should be looking to your local restaurants, bars, and breweries for all your wine, beer, and cocktail needs.
Here are six more:
Support local businesses
Instead of handing your money over to big corporations, keep local haunts open by buying directly.
Not only will you help keep their doors open, the money can go towards paying staff, donations to local charities and hospitals, and keeping our neighbourhoods alive and vibrant.
Little to no waiting time
The LCBO is currently facing a serious backlog. And it’s not likely to die down anytime soon.
Presently, same-day pickup is not available, and Canada Post is no longer delivering packages directly to your doorstep - instead, now you now receive a notification to pick it up at your local post office.
Due to the high volume of orders, home and store delivery may take two weeks or more to ship.
And since the Beer Store’s online ordering is temporarily unavailable, you’d have to go out to get it anyway. Why not pickup or get delivery from your favourite spot instead?
Many local restos, bars and breweries offer curbside pickup and same- or two-day contactless delivery. Fringe benefit: Most likely, delivery is free.
Pay less
The LCBO charges $11.95 + tax for standard home delivery, which usually takes 2-4 days, but may be up to two weeks now. The same goes for their next business day home delivery ($16.95 + tax).
Save yourself the headache – and your hard-earned cash - and contact your favourite restos and watering holes for all your drink needs. You’ll have a cocktail in hand in no time.
Speaking of cocktails, a slew of bars and restaurants have put together cocktail kits, with all the ingredients you need to make Old Fashioneds, Gin & Tonics, and elevated tipples from some of the city’s top bartenders.
Suddenly, self-quarantining doesn’t seem so bad.
Apps haven’t caught up
Two weeks after licensed bars and restaurants were given the go ahead to sell liquor with food delivery and takeout, delivery apps still lag behind on the addition of alcoholic beverages.
Only select restaurants have been allowed to add their boozy offerings to their menus on Uber Eats. And while DoorDash is better, the selection is still small compared to what’s actually available from local businesses.
The other factor to consider is that restaurants pay up to 30 per cent fees per order on these apps. They certainly can’t afford those high costs now.
Food’s included
Since licensed businesses are required to sell liquor alongside food for takeout and delivery, you can get your shopping done in one fell swoop. That means your drink orders arrive flanked by appetizers, snacks, full-on family dinners, desserts - whatever your heart desires.
And some venues have turned into full grocery operations, with everything from hand sanitizers to fresh produce and pantry items available, making shopping all that much easier.
You can’t get any of that from the liquor store.
Better selection
The LCBO doesn’t carry everything, you know. So head to your neighbourhood hangs and purchase local brews that haven’t made it onto shelves yet, wines and champagnes previously only available at restaurants, and cool home bar cart additions that will take your cocktails to the next level. You’ll never want to shop the old way again.
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The better option is always to order directly from the businesses themselves. This goes not just for long weekends and holidays, but every day.
Save our small businesses. Support our restaurants, bars, and breweries. Shop local.
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ATTN RESTAURANTS, BARS + BREWERIES:
Do you offer takeout and/or delivery? Use hashtags #TAKEOUTTORONTO and #DELIVERYTORONTO to help people find you on social media.
ATTN DINERS:
Use hashtags #TAKEOUTTORONTO and #DELIVERYTORONTO to show your support of local businesses and share your orders. Coming soon: Contests and giveaways!
Find out more about Toronto Restaurants Citywide Initiative #TAKEOUTTORONTO #DELIVERYTORONTO here.
April 10, 2020
Toronto chocolate shops for Easter and beyond
Photo courtesy of Chocollata Gourmet Brigadeiros.
April 7, 2020
Toronto Restaurants Food + Drink Guide: Midtown Yonge
Photo courtesy of Transform Cafe.
In order to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape at this time, I’m creating a guide of restaurants, bars, breweries, bakeries, cafes, and food shops for every neighbourhood in Toronto/GTA. Use them to locate nearby shops, discover restaurants offering take out and delivery, and support local businesses.
MIDTOWN YONGE EDITION
The stretch along Yonge from Merton to Soudan boasts a myriad of restaurants, markets, cafes, and shops.
Take a look:
***COVID-19 UPDATE: BUSINESSES LISTED BELOW MAY BE CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. PLEASE CONTACT ESTABLISHMENTS DIRECTLY FOR HOURS OF OPERATION.***
Balsamico Ristorante
Italian Restaurant
2029 Yonge St.
647-348-0337
The Bull and Firkin
Pub
1835 Yonge St.
416-485-2290
The Butcher’s Son
Butcher
2055 Yonge St.
416-901-9414
Clandestina Tacos & Churros
Mexican Restaurant
2107 Yonge St.
647- 877-8226
Echo Sushi
Japanese Restaurant
2036 Yonge St.
416-322-8861
Fionn MacCool’s
Pub
1867 Yonge St.
416-484-1867
Five Doors North
Italian Restaurant
2088 Yonge St.
416-480-6234
Flaming Stove
Middle Eastern Restaurant
21 Davisville Ave.
416-644 5051
Fresh Buy Market
Fruit & Vegetable Market
1913 Yonge St.
416-489-3800
Friends Fine Food & Groceries
Grocery
1881 Yonge St.
416-480-0222
Fruits Basket
Fruit & Vegetable Market
1919 Yonge St.
416-901-8581
Hasty Market
Convenience Store
21 Davisville Ave.
416-487-8675
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Japanese Restaurant
2057 Yonge St.
647-351-1163
JJ’s Cafe & Deli
Café & Deli
1881 Yonge St.
416-322-4886
Khau Gully
Indian Restaurant
1991 Yonge St.
647-347-9993
Kramer’s Bar & Grill
Bar & Grill
1915 Yonge St.
416-483-0697
La Salumeria
Grocery Store & Deli
2021 Yonge St.
416-486-8327
Little Sister Indonesian Food Bar
Indonesian Restaurant
2031 Yonge St.
416-488-2031
Lola Sushi
Japanese & Korean Restaurant
2070 Yonge St.
416-932-0290
MAA Variety
Convenience Store
2100 Yonge St.
416-487-5717
Mariachi’s Restaurant
Mexican Restaurant
2084 Yonge St.
416-481-7111
MIA Brunch Bar
Brunch Restaurant
2140 Yonge St.
416-322-5553
Mr.Sub
Sandwich Restaurant
1881 Yonge St.
416-483-3993
My Roti Place
Indian Restaurant
3 Glebe Rd. E.
416-322-9559
OysterMine
Oyster Bar
2035 Yonge St.
416-519-8535
Pasta Pantry Fine Foods Inc.
Prepared Foods
1997 Yonge St.
416-482-4848
Phyllo You Bakery
Bakery
1919 Yonge St.
647-349-6111
Pizza Pizza
Pizzeria
1923 Yonge St.
416-967-1111
Pizza Shab
Pizzeria
1978 Yonge St.
416-551-4999
Punto Gelato
Ice Cream Shop
2076 Yonge St.
647-346-0125
Rachel’s Coffee House
Café
2011 Yonge St.
416-545-0000
Reuven International Ltd.
Food Importer
1881 Yonge St.
416-929-1496
Second Cup Coffee Co.
Coffee Shop
1881 Yonge St.
416-481-3434
Sobeys Urban Fresh
Grocery Store
22 Balliol St.
416-485-1022
St. Louis Bar & Grill
Bar & Grill
2050 Yonge St.
416-480-0202
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
1909 Yonge St.
416-486-7160
Subway
Sandwich Restaurant
1910 Yonge St.
416-482-9434
Sushi Supreme
Japanese Restaurant
1995 Yonge St.
416-544-0777
Sushi Zone
Japanese Restaurant
1992 Yonge St.
647-968-5588
Tabule Middle Eastern Cuisine
Middle Eastern Restaurant
2009 Yonge St.
416-483-3747
Tailor Made Café
Café
1867 Yonge St.
416-899-9921
Tamasha Social Club
Indian Resto-Bar
1835 Yonge St.
647-508-4455
Thai Express
Thai Restaurant
1881 Yonge St.
416-483-3993
Tim Hortons
Coffee Shop
1910 Yonge St.
416-481-0209
Transform Café
Café
2025 Yonge St.
416-481-0444
The Wallace Gastropub
Pub
1954 Yonge St.
416-489-3500
Yonge Seafood Gourmet
Seafood Shop
2044 Yonge St.
416-546-7277
Zezafoun Syrian Cuisine
Syrian Restaurant
4 Manor Rd. E.
416-322-7707
Zucca Trattoria
Italian Restaurant
2150 Yonge St.
416- 488-5774
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Explore other Neighbourhood Food + Drink Guides.
Please contact establishments directly for more information.
Names, addresses, phone numbers and websites subject to change.
With thanks to Midtown Yonge BIA.
April 6, 2020
April 5, 2020
Toronto Restaurants Food + Drink Guide: GreekTown
Photo courtesy of Souv Like.
April 2, 2020
Operation Ramzieh: Feeding the vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis
Three days after shuttering all of his restaurants and nightclubs in Ottawa and Toronto due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbis Mahmoud launched into action to help the most vulnerable.
He established Operation Ramzieh to help get food to those who need it most.
Community first
The newly launched initiative named after his mother, creates crisis relief kits - food boxes assembled by employees of Mahmoud’s company DreamMind, and assorted volunteers - originally designed for seniors, a group at high risk of contracting the virus.
Operation Ramzieh team members including founder Abbis Mahmoud (top right).
With mandated social distancing, restaurants and other services shuttering until further notice, self isolating, insufficient funds or computer skills to order online, the elderly are especially vulnerable right now. “These members of our community will have the most difficulty acquiring items they need during this dire time, and we have a moral obligation to help,” he stated in a press release issued yesterday.
It didn’t take long for the team to realize that these lifelines also apply to a much broader group of people - those with a weak immune system, not enough money to purchase food, single mothers, people facing mobility or transportation obstacles, and other issues preventing them from being able to shop at stores in person or online - so anyone in need can request a box.
Food on the table
Each box is designed to last for 8-10 days for individuals/family of four for three days, and includes pantry items (spaghetti, tomato sauce, rice, beans, vegetable soup, cereal, granola bars), one protein (i.e. corned beef), milk, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables (carrots, potatoes), toilet paper and sanitizer.
Crisis relief food boxes contain fresh fruit and vegetables, in addition to pantry items and other essentials.
Team members take every health precaution - staying 6 feet apart, wearing masks and gloves to assemble and deliver boxes, and leaving kits on the doorstep minimize contact.
Team members pack boxes adhering to strict COVID-19 guidelines including wearing gloves, masks and staying two metres/six feet apart.
Donations needed
Mahmoud kicked off the project using his own $40K to buy essential food and other necessities at cost. With the generous help of volunteers (including famous faces such as Mark Holmes, lead singer and bassist of Canadian 80s rock band, Platinum Blonde), and vehicles provided by various companies, the initiative can feed roughly 1200 people at approximately $30 per box.
Mark Holmes, lead singer and bassist of Platinum Blonde, helps deliver food boxes across the city.
At that rate, they can donate food for about ten days. With COVID-19 measures set to last another 12 weeks, it’s not enough to keep up with the demand.
In addition to donating to the initiative, they’re also looking for restaurants, other venues and suppliers, and partners to donate food and services to support our most vulnerable citizens
The crisis relief team recently set up a home base here in Toronto at comfort food resto, Old School on Dundas West, to service the immediate area, and are looking to set up across the GTA shortly.
5 ways you can help now
1. Donate.
2. Know of someone in need of a Food Relief Kit? Register. (Note: The recipient's confidentiality is of the utmost importance; their information is required for delivery purposes only.)
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For more information, visit operationramzieh.org.
