86’D With Ivy Knight: Check out a double bill at the at the Drake Lounge. First, a throw-down for the ultimate hangover cure: the Bloody Mary versus the Caesar. Second, a watermelon-eating contest. The Drake, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042. Find out more »
Piola’s Monday Night Mixer: A weekly aperitivo italiano with cocktail and beer specials and complimentary snacks. 1165 Queen St. W., 416-477-4652.Find out more »
Tuesday, July 3
Escape the City—Canoe and Beach Dining Adventure: Paddle to the island with the Culinary Adventure Company for a gourmet beach picnic. 416-565-1730. Find out more »
Weekly drop-in dinner: Stop in for a $9 bottomless bowl of something tasty at The Depanneur’s weekly casual dinners. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990.Find out more »
Wednesday, July 4
Best Buys $20 and Under: The LCBO hosts a wine tasting for bottles that are both delicious and affordable. Kingsway LCBO, 2946 Bloor St. W., 416-239-3065. Find out more »
A Chef Tour of Little Italy: Join the Culinary Adventure Company on a behind-the-scenes tour of Little Italy’s finest kitchens. 416-565-1730.Find out more »
Thursday, July 5
Not-So-Shy Whites: Explore a wide variety of white grape varietals at this LCBO-led tasting. LCBO Summerhill, 10 Scrivener Sq., 416-922-0403. Find out more »
New Summer Menu: The Drake launches its new summer menu. The Drake, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042. Find out more »
Marvelous Macarons: Le Dolci’s Maddy provides a tutorial on how to whip up those fancy French treats using everyday items found in an everyday kitchen.Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas St. W., 416-262-3400. Find out more »
Little India Food and Cultural Walking Tour: Explore the neighbourhood’s restaurants, markets and food shops and learn about Indian culture. Culinary Adventure Company, 416-565-1730. Find out more »
Shop the Market: Celebrate an early Bastille Day by cooking a three-course Provençal meal. Veteran St. Lawrence Market chefs are there to serves as guides in the market and in the kitchen. St. Lawrence Market, 92 Front St. E., 416-392-7120.Find out more »
Indulge:Enjoy a Thursday afternoon of international tastes with a backdrop of live music (R&B, roots, jazz, country and pop) from Toronto-based musicians.David Pecaut Square, 55 John St.Find out more »
Friday, July 6
Get Your Grill On: Chef Carrie Rau offers a grilling lesson that goes beyond the traditional backyard fare. The menu includes hot-and-sweet-rubbed Cornish hens and grilled banana splits with chocolate espresso sauce and strawberry sour cream ice cream. Dish Cooking Studio, 390 Dupont St., 416-920-5559. Find out more »
Global Wine Tour— Exploring The Wines Of Portugal and Spain: Taste a flight of eight Portuguese and Spanish wines paired with meats and cheeses. Global Wine Tour Harbour Square Suite, 33 Harbour Sq., 416-909-0460. Find out more »
Summerlicious: Celebrating 10 years of three-course prix fixe menus across the city, this year’s Summerlicious includes a whopping 181 restaurants (dinner at Canoe for $45, anyone?). Various locations.Find out more »
Wedding Cupcakes: Learn how to craft elegant mini-cakes suitable for any wedding table (take home a dozen, too). Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas St. W., 416-262-3400. Find out more »
World Café at the Harbourfront Centre: The smorgasbord of ethnic treats returns for 2012 with new vendors every week. This weekend: Latin cuisine from Mis Amigos Festival Catering, Indian fusion from Konkan Delite and a taste of Brazil, with a focus on that country’s cocktails.July 6-8. 235 Queens Quay West at the Harbourfront Centre, Lakeside Terrace.Find out more »
Bar Gilead Series: A Friday evening series at Jamie Kennedy’s Gilead that explores tapas and cocktail culture. Gilead, 4 Gilead Pl. 647-288-0680. Find out more »
Saturday, July 7
Discover Greektown on the Danforth Walking Tour: Sample Greek mezes, indulge in Greek wines and shop gourmet while exploring a rapidly changing neighbourhood. Culinary Adventure Company, 416-565-1730. Find out more »
Riverside/Leslieville Food and Cultural Walking Tour: Take an epicurean tour of Queen Street East—taste Ontario wines, oysters, olive oils, cheeses and more. Culinary Adventure Company, 416-565-1730. Find out more »
Stop Market Café: Enjoy a meal sourced from ingredients found at the farmer’s market next door. Proceeds from food sales are reinvested in The Stop’s programs. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Green Barn, 601 Christie St. Find out more »
Stars at the New Farm: Take in Toronto indie darlings Stars play a benefit for The Stop at the New Farm, as local chefs pair Southern Ontario-sourced grub with locale wines and beers. The New Farm, 9783 Sideroad 6 and 7. Find out more »
Introduction to Baking: This intro to the fundamentals of baking beings with the basics of learning how to use your oven correctly. The class also includes lessons on proper mixing techniques. Bonnie Gordon College, 868 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-440-0333. Find out more »
Chocolate and Cheese Crawl: ChowBella Culinary Experiences hosts a chocolate and cheese tour of Queen and King West’s food shops. Find out more »
Toronto Underground Market: A bacchanalia of food and alcohol at the Evergreen Brick Works. Tickets tend to sell out—time to start trawling Craigslist. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue. Find out more »
Rusholme Park Supper Club: Alexandra Albert continues her tour of Southern American cuisine with a dinner focusing on South Carolinian dishes, including frogmore stew (a low country shrimp boil with smoky Andouille sausage). The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »
10,000 Tastes, Ten Billion Reasons: Vegan food producers, from Daiya to Silk, descend on Yonge-Dundas Square to hand out samples of their products, starting at 11 a.m. Yonge-Dundas Square. Find out more »
Sunday, July 8
The Stop’s Beer Garden: This week, beer by Black Oak and food by Rock Lobster Company. Green Barn, 601 Christie St. Find out more »
West Queen West Tasting Tour: ChowBella founder Trina Hendry’s food tour of burgeoning west Queen West. Tour stops include a tea demonstration, an olive tasting and a sampling of Parisian delights. Find out more »
Cake Pops and Whoopie Pies: Learn to make and decorate these trendy treats. Bonnie Gordon College, 868 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-440-0333. Find out more »
Designer Cupcakes: Students learn how to work with fondant and professional food dyes to create designer toppers like Louis Vuitton handbags and Tiffany’s jewelry. Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas St. W., 416-262-3400. Find out more »
Rusholme Park Supper Club: High Park Nature Centre educator Katie Krelove and Top Chef Canada editor Nick Taylor prepare an Italian-inspired meal with greens, herbs, fungi and berries foraged in the Toronto core. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »
Farmers’ Markets:
Sorauren Farmers’ Market: Monday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the field house at Sorauren Park. 50 Wabash Ave.
East York Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 850 Coxwell Ave.
Riverdale Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 201 Winchester St. (in Riverdale Park)
Ryerson University MyMarket: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Gould St., east of Yonge
SickKids Hospital Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 555 University Ave.
Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Northwest corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park near Dundas St. W. and Shaw St.
401 Richmond Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 401 Richmond St. W.
Nathan Phillips Square Farmers’ Market: Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 100 Queen St. W.
Queens Quay Terminal Farmers’ Market: Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 207 Queen’s Quay W.
Bloor-Borden Farmers’ Market: Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Green P Lot, Lippincott St. and Bloor St. W.
Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 873 Dufferin St. (in Dufferin Grove Park)
East Lynn Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 1949 Danforth Ave.
Metro Hall Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. David Pecaut Square, 55 John St.
North York Civic Centre Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
Toronto Botanical Gardens Organic Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 777 Lawrence Ave. E.
St. Lawrence North Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. 92 Front St. E.
Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 550 Bayview Ave.
The Stop Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St.
Withrow Park Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 725 Logan Ave. (in Withrow Park)
Junction Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Green P Lot, 385 Pacific Ave.
NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY
Sign up for Table Talk, our free newsletter with essential food and drink stories.