Pan Am snacking
The culinary diversity of the North and South American continents is celebrated this weekend at the first-ever Pan American Food Festival at Harbourfront Centre. The three-day event starts Friday (September 20) and features cooking demos by Frida’s José Hadad, Bloom’s Pedro Quintanilla, La Cocina de Dona Luz’s Luis Barreto and a host of others. Admission is free. For more info: panamfoodfest.com.
Fare well
Across town in Leslieville, Brad Clark’s Fare Bistro at 1097 Queen East has seared its last duck breast, never having caught the momentum of previous tenant Verveine. Watch for a new outfit called Brooklyn Tavern (brooklyntavern.ca) to launch in the space come November. Since every new restaurant in town seems to be called Something-or-other Kitchen – Harvest Kitchen, Hudson Kitchen, Dundas Park Kitchen, not to mention Frank’s Kitchen, Miss Country Kitchen and Mildred’s Temple Kitchen – we’re surprised they didn’t go with Brooklyn Kitchen.
Drake date
After several delays, Drake One Fifty (drakeonefifty.ca) at York and Adelaide will finally open its doors to the public on October 2.
The downtown annex of the west-side boutique hotel promises a similar menu to the original, a 94-seat curbside patio and regular art installations. Let’s hope the TTC finishes ripping up the streetcar tracks before the launch.
Big stink
The third annual Toronto Garlic Festival returns to the Brick Works on Sunday (September 22). The all-day tribute to the stinky rose includes appearances by chefs like La Palette’s Brook Kavanagh and Gilead Café’s Jamie Kennedy, screenings of Les Blank’s Garlic Is As Good As Ten Mothers and garlic galore. Admission is $5, and shuttle buses run to the site every 10 minutes from just north of Broadview subway station. For more info: torontogarlicfestival.ca.
