Well…we lost to the other team with the cool red and white flag. But…we still qualified for the next round of the World Cup! So…yay?

Aside from soccer, change is in the wind for the West End. Local legends Erin and Joe are passing the torch at the Urban Gardner in the Junction Triangle, but don’t worry! They’re passing it directly to beloved store manager Miah. If you want to raise a toast (or a slice of grams pizza) to them, you can do so tonight, 5pm-8pm at Dupont and Edwin. Also, Defina Woodfired closed up shop abruptly on Sunday. Going to miss their Portuguese chicken pizza.

But it’s not all tearful change! Shoutout to Nigel for tipping me off to the new all-day breakfast joint on Roncy called Toasted. Looks phenomenal, and I tip my cap to them for their rejection of the bougie brunch culture that’s pushed out all the greasy spoons.

And as always — events up the wazoo!! We’re talking a pet fair, a portrait workshop, a Pride block party and so much more.

But before we get to those — updates!

How many health infractions is too many for you to tolerate? One? Two? I’m more of a three guy myself (strong stomach). But what about 3×3? And what if two of those were “crucial”? Unfortunately that’s precisely how many Libery Village’s OEB Breakfast Co. recently received, forcing it to close indefinitely.

The nasty infractions consisted of "failure to protect food from contamination or adulteration" and "food premise maintained in manner permitting health hazard." But it also had significant ones such as, oh — I don’t know, how about “failure to protect against the harbouring and breeding of pests.” It’s going to take more than a few Mimosas to wash that thought away.

Read more here.

When one door closes due to 9 health infractions, another opens (in the Junction). In this case that door is The French Kitchen (you’ll never guess what food they serve) helmed by celebrated chef Didier Leroy, formerly of LSL, where a tasting course menu would run you a whopping $680 bucks.

Luckily for lovers of fancy French food, a five course menu at The French Kitchen is only going to set you back $148 per person, which — while hardly thrifty — brings this food into the realm of “treatchoself, once a year, fancy date night” territory.

Read more here.

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Thanks to everyone for making us merch-minded! T’s and Totes were the most popular options, but in truth Ts, Totes and Hats were all practically tied. Stay tuned for merch updates in the future!

But returning to our regularly scheduled polling, I have the following question for you Best Enders fond of fresh produce:

This is that nice house you walk past when you head north from Lansdowne station!(Usually with a blessed vintage car in the driveway). It’s actually kinda like two houses conjoined by way of a beautiful courtyard. Lots of natural light and architecture going on here.

I’d imagine if you owned this place you’d probably swap your wardrobe with flowing linen-y type of stuff. Maybe get a puka shell necklace.

On sale for $8.9 million, and actually it’s been on the market for a while. It was previously up for $9.75 million - I think they’re primed for a lowball. Say it with me: “Hi, is this still available?”

Listing here.

Plague Crystals exhibition by Natalia Romik @ Koffler Gallery - Thurs 12:30pm. "We will welcome Polish artist, architect, and researcher Natalia Romik to Koffler Arts to present her exhibition Plague Crystals." Details.

THE PEG BAR - Animation Mix 'n' Mingle @ The Wych - Thurs 6pm. Pop by The Wych after work for a pint and some community building with fellow animators. Details.

Mock Trial: A Zach & Jess Mocumentary @ The Royal - Thurs 7pm. "Mock Trial is a semi-scripted, semi-improvised ensemble mockumentary about the passions that burn bright when we're young - and how those glory days shape who we become." Details.

Comedy X Storytelling: Not Safe For Work @ Free Times Cafe - Thurs 8pm. If normal comedy isn't raunchy enough for you check out this EXTRA spicy set. Details.

Kids PA Day: Last Day of School Pottery Class at Dundas @ 1221 Dundas St W - Fri 9am. "Celebrate the last day of school with a hands-on, screen-free pottery adventure at our Dundas Studio in Toronto! Designed for kids ages 6–12, this fun-filled PA Day experience gives children the chance to get creative with clay, explore new skills, and kick off summer in the best way possible." Details.

In Sage's Honour Film Premiere @ Super Wonder Gallery - Fri 7pm. Come check out an indie film premiere. I hear it's super wonderful! Details.

TOPS presents Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie at Christie Pits @ Christie Pits Park - Fri 9pm. Come watch the most Toronto movie ever made in this writer's favourite park (take that High Park heads!) Details.

HOT STACKS – A Strictly Vinyl Basement Party @ BSMT254 - Fri 10pm. ALL VINYL. ALL...BASEMENT? Details.

Family Pride Block Party @ George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre - Sat 10am. Join us at the George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre for an all-ages, sober PRIDE BLOCK PARTY — a perfect rest stop during the parade celebrations! Details.

Lost Creeks of Mimico: Discovering D’eath Creek @ 260 Berry Rd - Sat 10am. "Walk with us to discover the history of the Mimico neighborhood, the ecological history of Mimico Creek - and discover forgotten creeks” Details.

High Tea and Tapas @ St Clair Avenue Baptist Church - Sat 12pm. An all ages tea party, and the perfect time to bust out that fancy hat you've been saving for special occasions. Details.

Geary Art Crawl Summer 2026 @ Geary Avenue - Sat 12pm. Come for the art, crawl because of how many pints of Blood Brothers you enjoyed. Details.

Black Belt Cinema: ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA - 35th Anniversary Screening! @ Revue Cinema - Sat 9:30pm. 35 years since we got to watch a bunch of colonizers get kung-fu'd in this martial arts gem. Details.

Scotland Made the World @ Paradise - Sat 8pm. A bold claim indeed! But come for laughs and a little history, if it strikes your fancy. Details.

Alternative Karaoke -- June Edition! @ The Alpine - Sat 9pm. Another night of weird Karaoke! Time for those Ska classics you've kept in your back pocket. Details.

Throat Coat Karaoke @ Danu Social House - Sat 9pm. I'm not sure what's coating your throat here. Beer perhaps? Regardless, come sing at one of the hippest joints in town. Details.

Artists25 - 6-hr Portrait Workshop @ A 25 Nonprofit Studio - Sun 10am. Got 6 hours to kill? Come learn and practice portrait painting with some West End artists! Details.

Bees and Beers @ Samara Brewing Co. - Sun 11am. "Celebrate Pollinator Week with a Rooftop Beekeeping Experience at Samara Brewery!" Details.

The Caged Bird Sings, The Blue Bird Savours @ Ossington Ave (Meet at Rooms Coffee) - Sun 11am. A morning-to-evening community amble up and down the ever-popular Ossington Ave. Details.

Double Feature: La Cage Aux Folles & Some Like It Hot @ Paradise - Sun 1pm. Dude, I'd come for Some Like It Hot alone. But anyways, back to back "disguise" movies for your pleasure! Details.

Soccer Park Party @ Santa Chiara Parkette - Sun 1pm. Inexplicably NOT related to FIFA, this is a fun for the whole fam celebration of the beautiful game. Details.

AfroBollywood Day Party at Afrobeat Kitchen @ 1510 Queen St W - Sun 4pm. "This summer season 2026, AfroBollywood Day Party is honoured to be hosted inside the legendary Afrobeat Kitchen + back patio! We can't wait for you to try their mouth watering cuisine and cocktails!" Details.

Standup Show In Bed With Fox: Summer Heat @ Comedy Bar - Sun 7pm. "In Bed with Fox: Summer Heat" is a wild mix of stand-up comedy, spicy conversations, crowd interaction, and late-night energy hosted by comedian and producer Olena Fox. Details.

Saigon Sundays Retro Pride Soiree Dance Party @ The Piston - Sun 7pm. "Celebrating community and music for Pride Weekend featuring many fave LGBTQ2S+ artists." Details.

Klezmer Jam & Yiddish Dance! @ High Park Nature Centre - Mon 2pm. "Grab your instrument and join us at Taco, Taco for Rad Yiddish & Marching Disorder's inaugural Klezmer Jam & Yiddish Dance! Not a musician? freygl gertsovski will lead Yiddish dance. NO experience necessary!" Details.

Party 4 Paws Pet Fair @ Trinity Bellwoods Park - Mon 12pm. It's a pet fair! What more do you need? Bring your fam and furry friend for some fun. Details.

🎵We Were Sharks (Pop Punk) @ Sneaky Dee's - Thurs 6:30pm
🎵Vacations (Indie Pop) @ The Garrison - Thurs 7pm
🎵Leenalchi (K-Pop) @ Lee's Palace - Thurs 7pm
🎵Jhariah Trust (Rock) @ Drake Underground - Thurs 7pm
🎵Tourist (Electronic) @ The Mod Club - Fri 7pm
🎵Sook-Yin Lee (Alternative) @ The Baby G - Fri 7:15pm
🎵Ryan Gaio & Friends (Indie Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Sat 9pm
🎵DJ NIHT - DI Auger (Dark Synth) @ See-Scape - Sat 10pm
🎵Mei Semones (Alternative) @ The Mod Club - Sun 7pm
🎵Bricknasty (Irish Hip Hop) @ The Dance Cave - Mon 7pm

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, please enjoy our West End Pet(s) of the Week! Submit yours by responding to this email, with your preferred name/nickname/initials and neighbourhood for a chance to be featured. (Calling all bird, lizard and fish people — I like ‘em weird!)

As always, if you know a friend or family member who might be interested, please share the newsletter with them: www.westendraccoon.ca

Hope you folks have a fantastic weekend.

Cam Smonk & Xavier