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Toronto needs The Free Times Cafe
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What an afternoon I have had with my dynamic host, owner Judy Perly, describing what The Free Times Cafe means to herself and, of course, to the city of Toronto. This is a restaurant with a huge and diverse menu of Jewish, Middle Eastern and Canadian foods, served up to just as diverse a crowd. This is also a warm and lovely bar, with fresh roses adorning the counter this very day. This is a venue for a carefully selected array of entertainment, presented each night of the week. This is a caterer who will be hands-on to help you arrange and budget a memorable meal that your guests will talk about for many holidays to come.
The Free Times Cafe is also a cultural icon on Toronto's College Street. Here, city, government and world events are discussed. There are poetry readings. There are art shows. There are cultural gatherings too numerous to mention. To take it all in, it's best to go to the source and look at The Free Times calendar of events.
"This is our 28th year", Judy tells me, "and we've enjoyed holding the record for being the longest running 7-nights-a-week musical showcase in Toronto". On Monday nights, The Free Times is all about the open stage. "We have a process of sorts, of moving people up, inviting them back to play again, or eventually asking that new person to host", Judy reveals. "so the list of our close musical friends is therefore perpetually growing and changing". I tell Judy I've been a rock and roll drummer for 35 years. Any chance for me here? “Uh, you know, probably not”, she says politely, letting me down ever-so-delicately. The music at the Free Times is played mostly acoustic. The atmosphere almost calls for it.
Warm wooden booths adorned in earthy greens and browns are spread throughout the cafe. The adjacent room is a long row of booths and cozy tables for two or four (or more...just slide them together!) with a large picture window facing the street. The walls are covered in original artworks from the local community. As one enters the restaurant, the top of the wall opposite the bar is completely covered with articles of praise about The Free Times from every newspaper in the city.
Now...let's talk about the food, shall we?
Where does one start? OK...how about with the infamous Montreal smoked meat? "I am serving an exclusive Montreal-style smoked meat, the 'Goldin's' brand", Judy tells me. "The Goldin company was created by two Montreal brothers. They have formulated their own recipe, and we carry it exclusively. I must say, I've had no complaints", she laughs, "even when we have had visitors from Montreal. It very tasty, I highly recommend it". Judy tells me that simply everything at the Free Times is 100% home made. From the appetizers to the fantastic latkes (Judy had already taken holiday orders for 1,500 before 2pm), to hand cut french fries (with the skin still intact, of course) and home baked desserts, Judy will be found in the kitchen as often as she is out greeting her customers. She will even take care to "always" taste the soups before they are given the final OK for serving. Breakfast is served every Monday to Saturday morning beginning at 10am for $6.95, and it is, of course, served with organic "fair trade" coffee (guaranteeing coffee growers a negotiated pre-harvest price).
However, the star of the show is Sunday, when The Free Times Cafe serves up the "Bella! Did Ya Eat?" brunch. A thirteen year award winner for "Best Brunch In Toronto" by the venerable and worthy NOW magazine, "Bella" offers up an authentic Jewish brunch without parallel. The brunch runs from 10:30am-3pm, and there are are two seatings. Children 12 years and under are half price, and the little ones 3 years and under are free.
During warm seasons there is a sidewalk patio to enjoy. "We create various summer drinks every week. We have real fresh squeezed lemonade, as well as our summer cocktail varieties like the pomegranate spritzer", she says, "that was very popular last year. Our rail alcohol features only the best quality liquors. For instance, the vodkas we serve are Grey Goose and Stolichnaya. There are $5.00 tax-in cocktails every night, and $5.00 tax-in beer, always. Judy informs me that "The Free Times was also one of the first bars to carry organic microbrewery beers".
In the warmer months, one can sit on the Free Times patio in the College Street sun watching streetcars and students from the University of Toronto pass by, or spend the time gazing at the people who emerge from Kensington Market, located directly across the street. The Free Times is a great place for a memorable, mellow evening with great food, drinks and friends. A perfect section of Toronto, and The Free Times Cafe is simply the icing on the cake.
More info:
On Tuesday, December 15th, The Free Times Cafe celebrates their 29th Anniversary with a free vegetarian buffet (lunch 11:30-2:30, Dinner 5:30-9:30). There will be free drinks, free Hors d'oeuvres (3-5pm, then 10pm-close) and free entertainment from 7pm to close.
The Free Times Cafe is located at: 320 College Street, 1 and 1/2 blocks West of Spadina Ave. Their phone number is (416) 967-1078. Their hours are Monday to Saturday 10am-2am, Sundays 10am to 12am
http://www.freetimescafe.com/
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