Fatima's Bistro: Warm and Cosy Mediterranean Spot in The Junction

Collage: Fatima's Cafe & Bistro
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Fatima's Cafe & Bistro
3108 Dundas St W (at Clendenan Ave.)
Toronto, ON M6P 2A1
Tel (647) 727-4550
website: fatimasbistro.com
facebook: fatima's cafe and bistro
twitter: fatimasbistro
free WiFi

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Fatima's Bistro and Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so stop by! #junctionto #toronto
twitter.com/fatimasbistro
Fatima's Cafe Bistro
Dec 26th 2009

A Nice Dinner at Fatima's Bistro
By Eleanor Batchelder

We had a nice dinner at Fatima's Bistro the other night. The cuisine here is French, Italian, and Portuguese in creative combinations by owner and chef Maria Fatima Dos Santos, a vivacious woman from Portugal who previously ran the cafe Free Time just down the street.

She wanted to serve a greater variety of dishes so, with the help of her husband, a contractor, she renovated this larger space. It has an unusual layout, with the chef's kitchen open to the view of passersby in the street, and a serving counter with stools for customers between the front window and the kitchen. Fatima likes the airy feel of working where she can see both the street outside and the customers inside. The main room is both spacious and cosy, with brick walls and serene photographs by Christopher Drost (simplequiet.com).

The varied and reasonably priced menu includes quiche, crepes, and pasta, among other dishes (see sample menus at www.fatimasbistro.com). Fatima enjoys creating food, and is happy to accommodate requests. She believes that a bistro is a place for food, drink, and sociability, and hopes that people will feel free to come by for a cup of coffee and some free WiFi on occasion, or to sit at the kitchen counter and have an appetizer. Or, of course, to enjoy a full meal, as we did, complete with flan for dessert.

The restaurant is fairly new, having opened in June of 2009 (http://artjunction.blogspot.com/2009/06/three-secrets-of-fatimas-bistro-food.html). In the past few months, the cafe has hosted a number of events, including live jazz, a wine and food celebration night, and a children's party. There is a full bar, as well as a select wine list.

When you're in the Junction, look for the Ali Baba arches -- there's no reason for these, actually, Fatima just likes them!

2009 © Eleanor Batchelder

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links:
mytowncrier.ca: New Junction café flying high
Portuguese ex-pat loves resto's new home
By Christopher Reynolds
Originally published in our Bloor West print edition(s).
November 23, 2009

To much information: Much talk about Toronto, Clothes, Food and the Weather: The Junction
"FATIMA’S CAFE BISTRO - You can actually have a healthy, tasty brunch here. The food has an european/french delicacy to it. Sometimes there is live music at night."
by nurmisur
November 11, 2009

24th Annual Performance of Nutcracker Presented by Pia Bouman School in The Junction

Poster: Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement and Scotiabank Present Nutcracker 2009
The Lismer Hall at Humberside C.I. December 17 - 20
Photography: Jackson Huang
Design and Art Direction: Odette Ziezold
Credit: piaboumanschool.org

"For 24 years we've shared this seasonal classic and played a part in Toronto's holiday cheer," says Pia Bouman, artistic director and founder of Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement. "My Nutcracker production has never been the same twice, so each year we give our audience a little something different to enjoy in addition to the enchanting story they already know and love."
Holiday Magic Returns: West-End Nutcracker Performance Celebrates 24 Years
Press-Release by Marketwire - Nov. 16, 2009

Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement invites Toronto to be a part of its 24th annual performance of Nutcracker.

Nutcracker

Performances:
Thursday, Dec 17, 7:30 pm
Friday, Dec 18, 7:30 pm
Saturday, Dec 19, 1:30 & 7:30 pm
Sunday, Dec 20, 1:30 pm

Location:
Lismer Hall, Humberside Collegiate Institute
280 Quebec Avenue, Toronto, ON

Premiered: 1985
Choreography by: Pia Bouman
Special attraction: Using over 1,000 props and costumes, this staging of Nutcracker takes community theatre to a must-see level of complexity and professionalism.
With over 100 dancers, a massive effort from performers and volunteers is undertaken to mount this unique production, where dancers often share the stage with siblings, parents and grandparents – and your entrance actually becomes part of the opening scene.
Bouman’s Nutcracker has never been the same twice. Each year brings new variations and embellishments to choreography, costuming, characters and sets, while staying true to the timeless story audiences have come to enjoy at this special time of year.
A community-based Nutcracker, a local politician is often enlisted to make a cameo appearance. Mayor David Miller was a popular guest artist but hasn't been back since the year he and Toronto Star feature writer Kenneth Kidd, recruited as stretcher-bearers, dropped the Mouse King on the stage.
Venue: Humberside Collegiate Institute was established in 1892 as one of the original collegiates of the old townships of Toronto. It is a secondary school of approximately 1050 students with students attending grades 9 to 12. Humberside is a neighbourhood school which draws its student body from the population of the immediate area.

This production by students of the Pia Bouman School is a must-see performance for lovers of the traditional story of the Nutcracker.

Bolshoi Ballet [The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia]:
The Nutcracker: Snowflakes; Clara - Natalia Arkhipova; Prince - Irek Mukhamedov
by dancie October 19, 2006

links:
Backstage Pass: National Ballet of Canada: Karen Kain and Washington Post Critic Sarah Kaufman discuss The Nutcracker on CBC Radio’s Q
nutcrackerballet.net: Humberside Collegiate - The Nutcracker produced by Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement.
This annual production has been embraced by the Parkdale and High Park communities for the last 20 years! Although the story remains the same it is re-choreographed each year by Artistic Director Pia Bouman and is performed by the school's students aged 8-18 years with special adult guests. It is a real example of what can be accomplished with a youth company and with the support of parent volunteers to organize the costumes, sets, and props. For information online: www.piaboumanschool.org
blogto.com: Nutcracker
academic.ru: The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the book called "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" written by E.T.A. Hoffman. In 1891, the legendary choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Tchaikovsky to write the music for the Nutcracker Ballet. In 1892, the first showing of the Nutcracker took place at the Mariinsky Theatre of Russia, home of the Kirov Ballet. The Nutcracker made its way to Western Europe in the 1930's and to America by 1940, performed by Ballet Russe. The first American full length Nutcracker was performed by the San Francisco Ballet, choreographed by W. Christensen. The Nutcracker has since become an annual Holiday tradition.
Christmas Stories: 'The Nutcracker'
by Eta Hoffmann

Are You Ready to Meet Santa Claus? Meet Santa in the Junction at the Train Station this Saturday

Poster: Santa in the Junction Event
December 12th from 11 - 1 pm at the Train Platform
Dundas Street West and Pacific Avenue
Credit: The Junction BIA: Shop the Junction Where Old Meets New!

The Junction BIA invites you and your family to the

Santa in the Junction Event

Saturday, December 12th from 11 - 1 pm

at the Train Platform
2960 Dundas Street West
Dundas Street West and Pacific Avenue

The Junction has become one of West Toronto’s most child friendly neighbourhoods. Joining Santa Claus at the "Santa in the Junction Event", we will have The Baker Street Victorian Carollers, directed by Richard Crossman, The Creative Children’s Dance Centre, the Junction Fire Department, and hot chocolate. Please bring a donation for the Firefighter’s Toy Drive and join us to celebrate this holiday season with your friendly neighbourhood businesses of the Junction. Stroll the area and vote for the best decorated Christmas window. Don’t forget your cameras!

This community event is brought to you by the Junction Business Improvement Area (BIA). The Junction BIA consists of over 150 businesses serving The Junction and High Park communities. Before or after visiting Santa we encourage you to do some Holiday shopping for gifts or for your home.

Our unique businesses offer many products and services for children including comic books, games, clothing, dance classes, music classes, daycare, and child friendly restaurants/cafes: everything to meet their needs to enjoy a full and active lifestyle.

With an impressive selection of ethnically diverse dining combined with early morning eateries, organic cafes and markets, the junction offers a variety of choices. Our thriving selection of home decor stores, offer you antiques, reclamation, as well as new furnishings, lighting, framing, and art.

Pamper yourself at one of our many health and beauty businesses by getting your nails done, hair cut, holistic treatments, attend Pilates, and dance classes. You can treat yourself or give a gift certificate to someone you care about.

Everything you need is at your doorstep in the Junction: Where Old Meets New.

The Junction BIA
3042 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6P 1Z3
Tel: 416-767-9068
Email: info@thejunctionbia.com

links:
junctionparents.ca: Santa in the Junction! Saturday, December 12, 11-1
Organized by the Junction BIA
toronto.com: Where to See Santa in Toronto

Celebrating Christmas Around the World Festival at Toronto's City Hall Today and Tomorrow

Poster: Christmas Around the World festival
at Toronto's City Hall Rotunda, December 5 - 6, 2009
Credit: The Community Folk Art Council of Toronto (CFAC)

Community Folk Art Council of Toronto presents

Christmas Around the World
annual festival held at Toronto's City Hall Rotunda

Starts: December 5, 2009 12:00 PM
Ends: December 6, 2009 05:00 PM

The Community Folk Art Council of Toronto (CFAC) and its member groups will be bringing together over 15 different ethnic community Christmas displays at the 45th Annual Christmas Around the World Festival at City Hall Rotunda

Admission is free.

Address:
Toronto City Hall - Rotunda
100 Queen Street West
Bay and Queen

TTC: Exit Queen or Osgoode subway station.

MAIN STAGE PROGRAM - Saturday, December 5, 2009

12:00 – 12:30 Lithuanian - Atzalynas Cultural Arts and Folk dance Group
12:30 – 1:00 Swedish – Toronto Swedish Folkdances and singer
1:00 – 1:30 Polish –Biedronka polish dance ensemble
1:30 - 2:00 Slovenian-Mladi Glas Slovenian Dance ensemble
2:00 – 2:30 Scottish- Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
2:30 – 3:00 Scottish - Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
3:00 - 3:30 Serbian –Oplenac Serbian Cultural Association
3:30 - 4:00 Polish –Cracovia Polish Dance ensemble
4:00 – 4:30 Serbian- Academy of Serbian Dance
4:30 - 5:00 Croatian – Jadran Croatian Dance Ens.

MAIN STAGE PROGRAM - Sunday, December 6, 2009

12:00 – 12:30 Scottish - Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
12:30 – 1:00 Scottish - Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
1:00 – 1:30 Slovenian - Mladi Glas Slovenian Dance ensemble
1:30 - 2:00 Hawaiian - Hawaiian Pacific Polynesian Music and Dance Assoc.
2:00 - 2:30 Ukrainian - Yavir Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
2:30 - 3:00 Filipino -Fiesta Filipina
3:00 - 3:30 Polish - Radosc Joy Polish Ensemble
3:30 - 4:00 Hungarian _ Kodaly Hungarian Dance Ensemble
4:00 - 4:30 Columbian - Casa Culture di Colombia
4:30 - 5:00 Serbian – The Bohemians

For more information please call or visit CFAC's website:
www.cfactoronto.com
phone: 416-368-8743
email: cfac.toronto@sympatico.ca