Something new and special has started to happen around Dundas Street West and Ossington Avenue. The once rather derelict strip is gaining a new life with numerous restaurants, bars and swanky shops popping up here, there, and everywhere. It all starts at Dundas and doesn’t stop until Queen Street.
The transformation began about two years ago when a couple of late-twenties artists, Pol Cristo-Williams and his wife Selena, decided to open up a small neighbourhood watering hole, tenderly named Sweaty Betty’s just north of Queen Street on Ossington. Betty’s soon morphed into a favourite local spot. Its modest interior and quaint patio were often full beyond comfort levels. Somehow the crammed quarters added to the charm of the bar, as did the menu, which offered cheese whiz sandwiches, I have yet to try one.
With the success of Sweaty Betty’s, Pol and Selena decided to open The Sparrow restaurant. About six months ago the couple was given an offer they couldn’t refuse for the space, and Delux Restaurant came into the mix. Delux opened it’s doors earlier this month, and become a welcome addition the strip.
The interesting thing about this little strip is the comradery of the neighbourhood. It’s not a strange sight to see Pol stepping into Baby Huey’s, a new bar that opened in late 2007, to borrow bar straws and likes. It is without question that Sweaty Betty’s began the transformation of Ossington Avenue between Dundas and Queen Street, and it’s not stopping. In 2007 alone over half a dozen new bars and restaurants opened their doors to a welcoming community. And the interesting thing is, each offered something different.
Foxley, offers a tapas of delicious Asian-Fusion, Delux has its take on rustic French food, The Levac Bloc offers a quaint candle lit ambiance in the front and live music in the back, Baby Huey’s has different nightly Dj’s and a laid back vibe, The Dakota Tavern offers loud live music with no pretension, the list just goes on.
But it’s not just bars and restaurants. The strip is now home to many vintage and design shops. One worthy of note-- and that has been in the media quite a bit lately-- is the Ministry of the Interior. Not only are its wares innovative and unique, the shop itself is a sight for sore eyes.
But it’s not just bars and restaurants. The strip is now home to many vintage and design shops. One worthy of note-- and that has been in the media quite a bit lately-- is the Ministry of the Interior. Not only are its wares innovative and unique, the shop itself is a sight for sore eyes.
It was once a dilapidated auto-body shop, and now it is arguably one of Toronto’s most forward thinking industrial and interior design shops.
What I am really trying to say here is my little neighbourhood is growing up. Once upon a time the Communist’s Daughter, a wonderful tiny little bar just west of Ossington on Dundas, that seats about 15 comfortably, was the only option for a drink in area, unless Portuguese sports bars were your thing. Now the choices are enough to make your head spin, in a good way.
And the great thing is, it doesn’t look like it is stopping. This little strip off Dundas is a force to be reckoned with, and I am happy to watch it grow from start to finish.
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