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Event Reviews

Dinner/Mingling at The Granite Brewery
Sun, May 21, 2023
Another great evening at The Granite was enjoyed by all on May 21 with Maureen as our gracious host! This time about a third of our group was new to the dinner which always makes for some interesting conversation. The Granite is a family-run independent brewery and tied house which accounts for the delicious craft beers (Ringwood Ale, Peculiar Ale, Hopping Mad are some interesting examples) and the excellent service. Free parking is offered below in an underground garage.
The food is always high quality. There are appetizers from calamari to buffalo cauliflower, soups and salads, burgers from stout drunken to beet and sunflower, wraps, sandwiches and entrees which are monstrous and delish such as almond crusted salmon. Even the Fish and Chips is superior beer battered and served with fries, salad or other accompaniments. The specials are interesting and numerous.

And this time we were offered complimentary chocolate and whipped cream desserts to share and coffee – a lovely end to another delightful evening!
Brenda W.

Golf Fun Day & Dinner London Gate Pub
Sat, May 20, 2023
Golf Cun Day 1 Click on image for Slideshow
A small but hardy group of five golfers met at noon on May 20 just as a continuous rain through the morning was coming to an end. This was as forecast, but a few other golfers had cancelled their participation during the morning downpour. We teed off in two groups. Further rain held off, but the grounds were wet and there were mid-fairway ponds that had not been there before, enjoyed by the ducks. Geese and their new broods of goslings pecked at the grass, undisturbed by the golf games going on.
Our UK Connexion golfers welcomed first-timer Vijay, who had a marvellous game and beat the rest of us. We all had fun, though, and enjoyed the now sunny and mild weather and the beauty of the green course. We gathered for (mostly soft) drinks in the new clubhouse after the game and reviewed our scores. We then went to the London Gate for a pub dinner, joined by several non-golfers plus the golf dropouts from the morning.

Thank you to Jo-ann, our host, for organizing an entertaining golf day and dinner.
Tony A.

Bier Markt
Sun, May 14, 2023
Bier Markt Click on image for Slideshow
Dinner/Mingling Squire Restaurant
Sun, Apr 30, 2023
Squire Click on image for Slideshow
Dinner/Mingling at the Granite Brewery
Sun, Apr 16, 2023
Twelve of us met for Sunday dinner at the Granite Restaurant and Brewery on April 16, seven ladies and five gentlemen. This is a very comfortable spot to eat and drink with a wide selection of beers including their own with it being a craft Brewery. As a wine drinker I was not left behind and we keep coming back 4for the terrific food. The menu offers a wide selection of dishes and the food is delicious.

Our excellent waiter Ryan added a lot to the light atmosphere of friends old and new together for an enjoyable evening. This is an event I highly recommend.
Marilyn G.

Dixieland Jazz at Grossmans's Tavern
Sat, Apr 15, 2023
Grossmans Tavern Click on image for Slideshow
Saturday afternoon at the legendary Grossman's Tavern on Spadina is back as a UKC event. And a lot of fun was had on April 15 by the 11 UKC members that had signed up with host Peter Warth. Promptly at 3:30 p.m. the Happy Pals band started blasting out their Dixieland Jazz Tunes. The place was packed like never before. But a previously reserved big table allowed most of the UKC attendees to sit together. The 4-ft wide dance floor did allow dancing, but it was difficult not to step on somebody else's toes. One also had to be careful not to dance in front of the youthful trombonist. This Lady in Black looked more like a Mennonite child in her black ankle length dress. She almost struck a dancer with her trombone when she played a very low note. One thing about any jazz band is that they play entirely without notes but never a wrong one!

Even though Grossman's features a well stocked bar at reasonable prices it is not known as a gourmet restaurant. For that reason some members went across the street to the Red Room Restaurant for dinner after the band finished.
Ed S.

Dinner/Mingling Granite Brewery
Sun, Mar 20, 2023
Granite Brewery Click on image for Slideshow
Long-time host Maureen Delaney succeeded in attracting twelve UKC members to this very popular event, including 5 men. One of the men came all the way from Chatham, Ont., to have dinner with us. Our waitress, Natasha, was very responsive to our individual needs and got drinks for members as they arrived That is rare these days of "staff shortages". Popular drinks were the beer called Peculiar, an amber ale, that is brewed in house. After all, the Granite is a brew pub.
The menu provides abundant choice. It is 5 pages long and most everything was available. However, there were only 4 servings of the “crusted cod”. As luck would have it, only 4 members wanted it.

After dinner our waitress surprised us with a free dessert because we were such good repeat customers. Something liked by all: Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Edward S.

Murder Mystery at Theatre Dinner Party
Sat, Mar 18, 2023
Theatre Dinner Click on image for Slideshow
Eight members well-disguised as 1922 members of a theatre ensemble gathered on March 18 to engage at the Full House Theatre to audition for a part in the popular play "Tickle My Fancy" event over dinner. Although the unfortunate victim was identified at the start, none of us knew the who the murderer was, even Victoria Sponge herself, aka Christine! Through an assortment of clues and alibis, along with several incriminating pieces of evidence, laughter abounded and a great time was had by all! We all voted on best dressed, best acted character and cleverest detective.

Thanks go to Taylor Stummi, Victoria Sponge, Juan Iron, Sue Zennywon, Steph O'Scope, Daff O’Dyll & Penny Pincher, all whom deserve prizes for their ability to participate so well! This event had been postponed from a 2022 date when the pandemic played havoc with our schedule. We all agreed it was worth waiting for and will host another Murder Mystery Dinner Party next year, with a different outcome. Hosted by Alex Cited, Front-of-House Manager.
Jackie B.

Dinner, Budapest Restaurant
Wed, Mar 15, 2023
Budapest Restaurant 1 Click on image for Slideshow
A bright sunny evening on Wednesday, March 15 brought nine people to the Budapest Restaurant, where we gathered for delicious Hungarian food and managed to settle affairs of the world with our energetic chatter. For the first time in many Budapest visits the men outnumbered the ladies 5-4.

Thank you all for coming and I hope to see you again soon.
Rosemary

Village Players Theatre
Thu, Mar 9, 2023
On March 9, five UKC members enjoyed the play “Dead Accounts” performed at the Village Players Theatre at Runnymede and Bloor. It was great to be back at this little treasure of an amateur theatre in the west end which has for many years been a UKC favourite venue. The lively production was very well played by the six actors.

Earlier in the evening, we enjoyed delicious meals at the Simply Thai Restaurant across the street.
Vanessa J.

Drinks & Dinner, Elephant & Castle
Fri, Feb 10, 2023
A group of eleven UKC members met up for the Elephant and Castle Pub Night Event on Friday, February 10. It was acknowledged that it had been quite some time since most of us had visited this popular down-town Pub, and we all agreed we were pleased to be revisiting. The conversation was lively, and centred around the coronation of King Charles III in May, the concert that will take place at Windsor Castle the following day, and various films/theatre productions members of the group had attended, and other items of interest. We all enjoyed our various meals, and noted that the waiter service was pleasant and efficient.

With many thanks to Christine for organizing this event, and hopefully there will be more events of this kind in the future months!
Maureen C.

Dinner/Mingling, Squire Pub Restaurant
Sun, Jan 29, 2023
Squire Pub Click on image for Slideshow
The Squire pub was quiet for our January 29 event, most likely due to the forecast of nasty weather. However, nine UKC members did show up, including our intrepid host, Ada, sporting an arm in a cast. We are able to mix and mingle before dinner while enjoying the complimentary on-the-house appetizers and then moving as usual to a long table to continue our conversations during dinner. The service at the Squire is very efficient, and it was well worth the effort of venturing out of the house on a cold snowy evening.

Many thanks to Ada for her valiant hosting.
Vanessa J.

Mingling/Dinner Naan Kabob Afghani Restaurant
Sun, Jan 22, 2023
Naan Kabob Click on image for Slideshow
Dinner/Mingling Granite Brewery
Sun, Jan 15, 2023
Granite Brewery Click on image for Slideshow
Thanks to Maureen for organizing another excellent get-together as we continue to celebrate our new-found freedom to go out to restaurants once again. The venue was the Granite Brewery at Mount Pleasant and Eglinton, which has hosted us many times before, often on their patio, but not at this time of year! Indeed there was a great turnout of fourteen people, including some newcomers, for this event. Some of the attendees had come across the road from the afternoon UKC event held at the Smokeshow.

As usual, the food and drink were excellent, especially their own beer that they brew in-house. The menu staples of Almond Crusted Salmon, Lamb Curry, and other favourite menu items were up to the Granite’s usual high culinary standards. Once again it was an evening of tasty food, great beer and wine, and good company, with lively discussions on many different topics, and an all-around fun evening was had by all.

Well done, Maureen!
Peter W.

Dinner and Scrabble
Sat, Jan 14, 2023
Scrabble Click on image for Slideshow
The evening of Saturday January 14th, eight lovely ladies gathered for a delicious dinner, interesting conversation, and a fun, yet competitive game of Scrabble. The top prize and points earner was Rennie, who also scored a Bingo, which in Scrabble is playing all seven tiles on a turn and earning 50 bonus points for it. Runners up Jean and Penny, also won prizes.

As usual, Jackie our host for the evening, was well organized, warm and welcoming.
Joan M.

St. Lawrence Market Gallery Exhibit
Thu, Jan 12, 2023
St. Lawrence Gallery Click on image for Slideshow
Three of us enjoyed our January 12 visit to the art gallery inside the historic St. Lawrence Market. The art on display represented works purchased by the city from the annual City Hall outdoor art show. This building once housed Toronto's city government for much of the 19th century. You can view the original Mayor's chair. After the tour we had lunch in the market below.

In 2012, National Geographic voted our St. Lawrence Market as the best food market in the world. Fabulous!
Elaine P.

Regency Restaurant
Tue, Jan 10, 2023
Regency Click on image for Slideshow
Japanese Dinner at Katsu Restaurant
Tue, Dec 20, 2022
Katsu Restaurant Click on image for Slideshow
Big Band Swing Jazz at Smokeshow BBQ
Sun, Dec 18, 2022
Smokeshow 5 Click on image for Slideshow
Granite Brewery
Fri, Dec 9, 2022
Chiang Mai Click on image for Slideshow
Friday December 9 was a chilly evening as eleven of us gathered at The Granite pub to enjoy a few drinks and some comfort food. There was a really warm atmosphere in the pub, with lots of customers out for drinks and pre-holiday dinners. Our group was in its usual engaged mood with lots of conversation at the table as well as little visits from our host, Maureen, to see we were doing OK. We had great service from Ada – our server – whose super personality suited us. I find the prices quite reasonable and there is a wide variety of beers they brew on the premises, as well as wine. And there is free parking on the premises.

Thanks, Maureen, for a great event. I hope you’ll consider doing this again on a Friday in the coming year.
Christine Q.

Chiang Mai Restaurant
Wed, Dec 7, 2022
Chiang Mai Click on image for Slideshow
On Wednesday, December 7, eleven of my friends and I enjoyed a delicious meal at Chiang Mai, a restaurant located on the Danforth Ave near Chester Ave. Amongst the many tasty and beautifully platted Thai dishes were exotic salads, chicken satay, green curry, crispy chicken and my favourite calamari. The setting was welcoming, the prices were reasonable and the staff were friendly. Much laughter and conversation were shared throughout the evening.

Thank you Jackie for hosting. What a great night!
Anice P.

Hot House Cafe
Wed, Nov 25, 2022
Hot House Cafe 3 Click on image for Slideshow
A small group of us enjoyed dinner and conversation at this comfortable downtown restaurant. We were placed at a big round table near a window, nabbing "the best seats in the house" so to speak (pun intended!) It's always a relaxed environment at Hot House and the menu selection varied and interesting.

Special thanks to the member who shared an extra dessert!
Elaine P.

Dinner/Mingling Granite Brewery
Sun, Nov 20, 2022
Granite Brewery 5 Click on image for Slideshow
Smokeshow BBQ & Brew
Sun, Nov 20, 2022
Smokeshow 4 Click on image for Slideshow
Dinner/Mingling Bier Markt
Sun, Nov 13, 2022
Bier Markt Click on image for Slideshow
Tranzac Club Play "Comic Potential"
Fri, Nov 11, 2022
After two and a half years, the NAGs Players at the Tranzac Club returned to the stage with Alan Ayckbourn's play "COMIC POTENTIAL", a satirical science fiction love story about robots in 2050. It promised to be "A strong dose of comedy" - and it delivered! All the actors were fantastic - able to keep a straight face while being robot actors (called Actoids) acting numerous ridiculous parts: an eager young man falls in love with the pretty robot nurse actoid but when they elope they are tracked down frantically by the highly-strung director and tech team who are supposed to operate the robots but clearly failed to control the nurse as she escaped. Their efforts to evade them are so funny I haven't laughed so much in years.

Six UK Connexion members attended on November 11 after having dinner nearby and one member said "I hadn't realised they are so good - I am going to make sure I see their other productions" with which I totally agree.

Watch out for their next productions: their unique and always-funny pantomime (Cinderella in February 2023) and their next play in May 2023 - Google The NAGS Players.
Ann G.

Regency Restaurant
Tue, Oct 25, 2022
Regency Click on image for Slideshow
Dinner and Scrabble
Sun, Oct 23, 2022
At the “Dinner & Scrabble” event on Sunday October 23, UK Connexion members matched wits during a couple of games where the winners were Rennie and Jean - again!

Great challenges were had before and after our chicken dinner which went down with lots of laughs and great camaraderie!
Jackie B.

Dinner at the Budapest Restaurant
Wed, Oct 19, 2022
Budapest Restaurant 4 Click on image for Slideshow
Smokeshow BBQ & Brew
Sun, Oct 16, 2022
Smokeshow 3 Click on image for Slideshow
Golf Fun Day
Sat, Oct 15, 2022
Golf Fun Day 6 Click on image for Slideshow
UKC golfers final fun golf outing for the season occurred on Saturday October 15th at Scarlett Woods Golf Course. The morning showers quickly turned to sunshine for the afternoon with typical fall temperatures making it an ideal day for golf. Many trees along the fairways were dropping leaves profusely making it more difficult to find golf balls that landed in large swaths of fallen leaves along the fairways. The intermittent winds resulted in leaves scattering across the fairways and greens making it more difficult to maintain intended direction of golf swings. Everyone persevered and completed all 18 holes before enjoying a refreshment by the club house.

Afterwards, the group was joined by other UKC members for dinner at the London Gate Pub. This place provides the perfect ambience for an after golf gathering allowing the golfers to share the highlights of their golf game through great conversation and camaraderie. The hearty food served was appreciated by everyone. The dinner concluded and members parted ways as the final UKC golf event of the season ended.
Jo-ann D.

Leisurely Walk in High Park
Wed, Oct 12, 2022
High Park Walk Click on image for Slideshow
October 12 was a beautiful day for a walk in High Park. The autumn leaves and wildlife didn't disappoint, providing lots of opportunities for photos. Midway, we stopped for a coffee at the Grenadier Restaurant.

By the time we arrived back at the subway almost 2 hours later, we all agreed we'd had a pretty good workout.
Elaine P.

ROM Walk Through the Rosedale Area
Sun, Oct 9, 2022
Walk Rosedale Click on image for Slideshow
Thank you to Filomena for inviting us on an invigorating ROM walk of the prestigious Rosedale neighbourhood. Four of us met on October 9 on the north side of Park Road and Bloor St. E and followed our ROM Volunteer as we explored this tree-lined neighborhood of homes with epic grandeur, mostly built between 1900’s to 1930’s. The focus was on Victorian, Georgian and Arts & Crafts architecture. Linda, Eileen, Filomena and I delighted in the manicured gardens, climbing vines, autumn colors and stunning brick exteriors. Solid Georgian homes, constructed mainly for bankers project a presence.

After, we enjoyed coffee and a lovely meal at Terroni Italian restaurant near the Rosedale subway. What a lovely afternoon!
Gail M.

Hot House Cafe
Fri, Sep 30, 2022
Hot House Cafe 2 Click on image for Slideshow
Six of us gathered on September 30 for a meal, drinks, and lively conversation on the heated patio of the Hot House Cafe. This is a very popular spot for diners who enjoy an evening out downtown. The entree choices were so splendid that only one of us went for the Friday fish 'n chips special!

It was a pleasant way to say goodbye to the month of September.
Elaine P.

Golf Fun Day
Sat, Sep 17, 2022
Golf Fun Day #5 Click on image for Slideshow
UKC golfers played a great game of fun golf on Saturday September 17th at Scarlett Woods Golf Course. It was a beautiful summer day with bright blue skies and the occasional passing cloud. Some trees along the fairways were beginning to show brilliant fall colours; luckily there were not too many leaves on the course that would impede locating lost golf balls. Several flocks of geese were spotted overhead flying in formation readying to make the journey south for winter. Some golfers also spotted a large turtle in the waterway the golf course. It was an enjoyable game of golf with successful completion of 18 holes by all.

Afterwards, the group was joined by several other UKC members for dinner at the London Gate Pub. There was great conversation and laughter as refreshments were served. The hearty food served was appreciated after completing 18 holes of golf.

The dinner concluded and UKC members parted ways as this final weekend of summer ended.
Jo-ann D.

Mussels Monday Patio Lunch, Hot House Cafe
Mon, Aug 29, 2022
Hot House Cafe Click on image for Slideshow
Hot House Cafe was the site of a small but pleasant afternoon get-together on August 29. It was a hot afternoon but a breeze picked up and cooled us off sufficiently that we chose not to move indoors to air-conditioning. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of mussels and other tasty selections. The patio's wall of greenery and flowers made for a nice setting and helped buffer the noise of some nearby street-work.

As always, we were treated to great service by the friendly staff.
Elaine

Le Papillon Restaurant
Fri, Aug 26, 2022
Le Papillon Click on image for Slideshow
What a Delightful, Fun Evening! Trip the light Fantastic! Four of us sat down to an amazing array of wonderful tastes of exquisite dishes as we sipped on our wine with anticipation of the next dish.

The elegant setting and perfect ambience set us on an evening of sharing stories and connecting. As we sat and chatted and laughed at our life experiences, I felt a glowing warmth of being in good company.

Thank you, Filomena, for arranging such a beautiful evening.
Paulette S.

Golf Fun Day
Thu, Aug 18, 2022
Golf Fun Day 4 Click on image for Slideshow
UKC golfers played their latest game of fun golf on Thursday August 18th at Scarlett Woods Golf Course. It was a beautiful summer day with bright blue skies and the occasional cloud passing through. We were met by gaggles of geese several times grazing on the fairways and flying overhead. In addition, a few eagles were spotted high in the trees along the course.

After successful completion of all18 holes, the group enjoyed well deserved refreshments by the club house to end the day.
Jo-ann D.

Squire & Firkin
Sun, Jul 31, 2022
Squire and Firkin Click on image for Slideshow
The Squire and Firkin is one of the UKC's favourite venues. It is popular because we can mix and mingle before dinner and enjoy complimentary on-the-house appetizers. On Sunday, July 31 there were 15 in attendance (5 men, 13 women).

We all had a nice dinner with a great menu choice. Our waitress Rita took excellent care of us all.
Cheri W.

Dinner at the Pheasant & Firkin
Thu, Jul 28, 2022
Sometimes less is more... although only two members registered for the Pheasant on Thursday, July 28, it turned out to be a lively evening. We sat outside and enjoyed a lovely cooling breeze, the setting sun, and muted conversation from other diners. After ordering our drinks, Vivienne, Chris and I (host) engaged in intelligent and amusing talk, ranging from current travel through the USA, to life in Britain's northern counties in the 50's and 60's, to the current goings-on worldwide. Anyone walking along Upper Avenue looking for a place to eat will find the Pheasant and Firkin a pleasant place to sit and enjoy a reasonably priced "pint" and some pub grub.

Thank-you to Samantha and staff. See you in August!
Christine Q.

A Stroll in Hogs Hollow
Tue, Jul 26, 2022
Hogs Hollow Click on image for Slideshow
Dinner at the Granite Brewery
Sun, Jul 24, 2022
Granite Brewery Click on image for Slideshow
We enjoyed another wonderful evening at the Granite Brewery on July 24 with Maureen as our delightful host. We were on the back terrace which has a very high tented roof with large fans and which overlooks gardens with gigantic white hydrangeas in full view. Perfect late July evening temperature as well.

We enjoyed not only craft beer made by the facility but wines and really great food. A popular choice was crab cakes, dip and salad. Pastas, wraps and salmon were other great entrees. Our lively waitress, Sheena, told us a little of the history of this "tied" family run brew pub started in the same spot at Eglinton and Mt. Pleasant in 1991. Oh, and free parking below in an easily accessible clean and private parking garage – great!

Hope to see you next time!
Brenda

Golf Fun Day
Thu, July 21, 2022
Golf Fun Day 3 Click on image for Slideshow
UKC golfers played a great game of fun golf on Thursday July 21st at Scarlett Woods Golf Course. It was a very hot day and the group completed the 18 holes successfully prior to the extreme heat and humidity of the day. We were met by gaggles of geese several times grazing on the fairways enjoying their serene surroundings. A number of golf balls made their way into the sand traps and waterways during the game but our persistent golfers successfully retrieved them and continued the game.

After the game, the group enjoyed refreshments by the club house to finish the day.
Jo-ann D.

Dinner at the Budapest Restaurant
Wed, Jul 20, 2022
Budapest Restaurant 3 Click on image for Slideshow
Hike in Palgrave Forest
Sun, Jul 17, 2022
Palgrave Hike Click on image for Slideshow
On Sunday, July 17, Dorothy, John, Keith and Ron joined Mary and Zaki for a hike at the Palgrave Forest and Wildlife Area. While it was a hot afternoon, most of our hike was on shady trails and periodically cool breezes made for a comfortable hike. After the hike, we ventured to the Toby Jug in Bolton for lunch and lots of conversation. A good time was had by all.

Thank you Mary and Zaki for arranging the hike.
Ron K.

Textile Museum and Lunch
Wed, July 13, 2022
Textile Museum Click on image for Slideshow
Four of us were enthralled with the art waiting for us at Ann Garnett's outing to the Textile Museum on July 13. Aida Muluneh's "Water Life" series showing her interpretation of the arid salt flats in Dallol, Afar, in Northern Ethiopia are vibrant and thought-provoking as they address the impact of living without access to clean water on local girls and women. Her work shows images of women wearing magnificent garments of flowing reds, yellows and blues, inspired by traditional regional Ethiopian dress.

The next exhibit which wowed us all was “Double Vision: Jessie Oonark, Janet Kigusiuk and Victoris Mamnguqsualuk”.

Profiling three ground-breaking artists from Nunavut, this exhibit shines a light on a highly distinctive art form called nivinngajuliaat that developed out of government-sponsored craft programs in the arctic in the 1960s. The wall hangings were conceived by the seamstresses of the community and are brightly stitched textiles featuring graphic appliqued images, often enhanced with embroidery, entering on the dynamics and interrelationships between people and animals.

Our delightful adventure was complete with a delicious lunch at a neighbouring Chinese restaurant where the heaping portions of their reasonably-priced lunch specials could provide enough food for the whole day!

Many thanks go to Ann who organized this lovely day, all before taking off for her next adventure the same day in Stratford!
Jackie B.

Mussels Monday, Hot House Cafe
Mon, Jul 11, 2022
Mussels Monday Click on image for Slideshow
Really good to get out and mix with people again after dealing with COVID for so long. Six lovely and interesting people to chat with again. Good food, good company.

Thanks Elaine.
Louise K.

Mingling & Dinner at the Bier Markt
Sat, Jul 10, 2022
Bier Markt 3 Click on image for Slideshow
Queens Jubilee Tea
Fri, Jul 1, 2022
Queens Jubilee Click on image for Slideshow
Eight of us sat down to a scrumptious afternoon tea to celebrate Canada Day and Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee year on the throne. After a warm welcome from our host, Jackie, who worked hard to set a lovely table and serve us warm cheese scones, coronation chicken, smoked salmon spirals, cucumber sandwiches along with piping hot tea. After that she served us fancy cupcakes, Empire biscuits, chocolate biscuit cake (a favourite of Prince William) and strawberry tarts. Then we toasted our beloved Queen Elizabeth with glasses of delicious sparkling wine. During the tea, we watched highlights from the concert held at Buckingham Palace. Afterwards we sat and played a Canadian general knowledge quiz, our host asking the questions in a most professional manner. While there were two distinct winners - Helen and Linda - not all of us would pass the Citizenship test if we were to take it today :) The game caused much hilarity and was good fun. It was a great way to celebrate Canada Day and the Queen's Jubilee.

Thanks, Jackie, for a delightful afternoon.
Christine Q.

Dinner at the Pheasant & Firkin
Thu, Jun 30, 2022
Pheasant Click on image for Slideshow
What a lovely evening was spent with Christine and eight guests at The Pheasant and Firkin on Avenue Road on Thursday, June 30th. The British style pub was pretty crowded but we managed to sit outside on the patio and enjoy the warmth and sunshine of the early evening. The Pheasant has a good variety of food and drinks and everybody was satisfied with their choice of meal. It was nice to meet up with other UK Connexion members who hadn't seen each other in a while and catch up with their news and a lot of good conversation and laughter ensued.

Thanks again, Christine, for hosting such a great evening.
Maureen D.

Budapest Restaurant
Wed, Jun 22, 2022
Budapest Click on image for Slideshow
Smokeshow Jazz
Sun, Jun 19, 2022
Smokeshow Click on image for Slideshow
Golf Fun Day
Sat, Jun 18, 2022
Golf Fun Day #2 Click on image for Slideshow
A group of UKC members enjoyed a fun golf outing on Saturday June 18th at Scarlett Woods Golf Course. It was a very sunny day with some very strong wind gusts that occasionally had an impact on the golf ball's velocity and direction resulting in surprising and unanticipated results. At the 17th hole we were met by a group of Canada geese enjoying the day pecking at the green grass and sauntering into the pond for a relaxing swim while searching for food. Luckily, there were no encounters between the geese and golf balls. Light refreshments were enjoyed at the golf club house to conclude the day.

Afterwards some UKC members in addition to the golfers enjoyed dinner at London Gate Pub This venue is a favourite with UKC golfers for several years. The good food was appreciated after completing 18 holes of golf in addition to good companionship and conversation enjoyed by all.
Jo-ann D.

Dinner at the Squire Pub Restaurant
Sun, Jun 12, 2022
Squire Pub Click on image for Slideshow
Squire: Young nobleman acting as attendant to a knight.
Firkin: Small cask formerly used for liquids, butter, or fish.

The evening was hosted by the very noble lady Ada. Fifteen Lords and Ladies turned up to the event. Members and guests were greeted upon arrival by the host Ada and attendance was taken. New members and guests were introduced to the regular members. Everyone was made to feel welcome and a lot of mingling followed. A platter of Samosas and Fries whetted the appetite for the main dinner. Dinner followed a short time after and more mingling followed. The food was fantastic as was the atmosphere.

Attendees were so happy that life is slowly returning back to normal following the pandemic and this added to the jovial mood of the evening. Everyone had a fantastic evening.
Vijay S.

Supper at St. James Gate
Fri, Jun 10, 2022
St James Gate Click on image for Slideshow
Opera by the Lake
Sat, Jun 4, 2022
Opera by the Lake Click on image for Slideshow
Seven UK Connexion members and 3 guests enjoyed Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana on June 4 at the Fleck Dance Theatre at Toronto’s Harbourfront. Toronto City Opera engaged the audience with an intense and dramatic story while the soloists were truly impressive with their beautiful voices and operatic skills. UKC member, Beverly, who is part of the TCO chorus, organized the event attended by members Marilyn, Joy, Linda, Maigii, Irene and Maureen. It was fun to dissect the characters and plot after the opera at The Goodman Pub and Kitchen over drinks and tasty dishes.

Looking forward to this opera company's next production.
Beverly G.

Dinner/Mingling, Granite Brewery
Sun, May 29, 2022
Granite Brewery Click on image for Slideshow
One of UKC's favourite events of the month is this Sunday night dinner hosted at this brew pub virtually every month by Maureen D. The event on May 29 again attracted 13 members, two of whom were newcomers.

Mingling before dinner has always been a favourite UKC pastime so that everybody can talk to everybody else and, in particular, meet the new members. So once everyone had a drink in their hand it was suggested to mingle and we mingled! Meanwhile our very redheaded waitress had taken our dinner orders from the very diverse menu to the kitchen. We sure mingled for quite a while during which time our dinners were prepared. Once the meals arrived it didn't take long for everybody to sit down and eat their favorite dish, whether it was soup and crab cakes or lamb curry. Empty plates were a sign that everyone was happy with their choice of an excellent meal.

One other feature that members who drive from afar enjoy at the Granite Brewery is the free underground parking, especially on a rainy day.

On behalf of all attendees I would like to thank Maureen D. for hosting this popular event again.
Ed S.

Pheasant and Firkin
Thu, May 26, 2022
Pheasant and Firkin Click on image for Slideshow
A group of six UKC members got together at the Pheasant and Firkin on Thursday May 26. The weather looked a bit "iffy" so after sitting outside for a while, we moved inside to eat. The tasty "pub grub" was welcome and we all enjoyed our choice of drinks, while discussing holiday plans and current affairs. Hopefully our June get together will be outside in the evening sunshine!

Thanks to our wait-staff, Christine and Samantha.
Christine Q.

Golf Fun Day and Dinner
Sat, May 14, 2022
Golf Fun Day #1 Click on image for Slideshow
The UKC golfers had the initial outing for the season on Saturday May 14th at Scarlett Woods Golf Course. It was the first time to play this season for many but it did not take long for the expert golfing skills to comeback after the first few holes. It was a very beautiful and sunny day with many trees fresh with new leaf and the golf course well manicured to begin the season. Everyone played hard and successfully completed 19 holes despite some balls finding their way into sand traps, water holes or thick bushes. Light refreshments were enjoyed at the golf club house to conclude the day.

Afterwards several UKC members enjoyed dinner on the patio at London Gate Pub for the first time in 2 years. The venue has a wide selection of beers available and good food that has kept the group coming back in past years.

Good conversation and camaraderie was had as hearty meals were served and enjoyed by all.
Jo-ann D.

Dinner at the Squire
Sun, May 8, 2022
Dinner Squire Click on image for Slideshow
Dinner at the Bier Markt
Sun, May 1, 2022
The Bier Markt Click on image for Slideshow
Thanks to Edward Stahlberg for organizing another excellent get-together as we continue to meet in person, instead of on Zoom. The venue was one of our favourite haunts; the Bier Markt on The Esplanade, attended by seven members of the UK Connexion.

The evening got off to a bit of a rough start as, even on a Sunday night, the place was absolutely jam packed with a crowd that the staff had clearly not anticipated! I believe that the Toronto Blue Jays game had finished up late in the afternoon, at the Rogers Centre, and crowds had descended on the local restaurants. As a result the restaurant staff were rushed of their feet and wait times were lengthy. Some members resorted to going up to the bar to get a drink - even better was to go to the Goose Island brewery bar, which is co-located in the same building, to pick up a beer brewed on site.

Then, all of a sudden, the big crowds from earlier seemed to disappear and the place settled down while UKC members in attendance enjoyed the generous portions of the excellent food provide by the Bier Markt, while chatting on a variety to topics. An all-around fun evening was had by all.

Well done Edward!
Peter W.

Dinner at the Pheasant & Firkin
Thu, Apr 28, 2022
Pheasant and Firkin Click on image for Slideshow
I'm very happy to have joined Christine and her group for the first time at her great local pub, The Pheasant and the Firkin. It was a Thursday evening and pretty busy around the bar plus a large dining room at the rear of the pub where we were seated. I saw a large patio too which will be just the place on a summer evening. There were seven of us in our group, and four chose the delicious shepherds pie which was truly the best I have eaten. Being a British style pub there was a wide selection of beers on tap and bottled. April 28th was the night of game VI of the basketball playoffs with the Toronto Raptors and it was very lively and loud at times, plus we we were seated in front of a large television. This was a fun evening and we all had a great time.

Thank you to our host Christine, and excellent server Mila.
Marilyn G.

Dinner/Mingling Granite Brewery
Sun, Apr 24, 2022
Granite Brewery Click on image for Slideshow
Thanks to Maureen for organizing another excellent get-together as we continue to meet in person, instead of on Zoom. The venue was the Granite Brewery at Mount Pleasant and Eglinton, which has hosted us many times before. Attendees were surprised to see that there were people who were sitting outside, dining on the back Patio – although the patio there is well covered and has gas heaters. Our UKC group was not quite that brave, but maybe next time! As usual, the food and drink were excellent, especially their own beer that they brew in-house. The UKC group was smaller than usual but those of us who attended enjoyed each other’s company, with discussions on many different topics, and an all-around fun evening was had by all.

Well done Maureen!
Peter W.

Dinner at Regency Restaurant
Thu, April 21, 2022
On Thursday April 21, Tony welcomed seven UKC members to the Regency Restaurant. We enjoyed an array of spicy dishes, including chicken curry (so good!), chicken and shrimp biryani just to name a few, along with vegetables done in spicy sauces, a wide variety of rice, naan bread, yoghurt, and a sweet little dessert to follow. And all at very reasonable prices. There was also beer and wine available. The Regency is located on Gerrard, just east of Greenwood, in the heart of a lively and thriving community – also referred to as Little India – consisting of many ethnic restaurants and stores. Some of the shop windows displayed a variety of bright and beautiful traditional garments and jewellery. Such a treat just to wander around and browse! The service at the Regency was excellent. Thank-you to our server, Komari, who made the evening perfect.

And a big thank-you to Tony for hosting this event. We hope he’ll do it on a regular basis!
Christine Q.

Dinner at the Budapest Restaurant
Wed, Apr 20, 2022
Budapest Restaurant Click on image for Slideshow

Big Band Swing/Jazz, Smokeshow BBQ & Brew
Sun, Apr 17, 2022
Smokeshow Click on image for Slideshow

Dinner at Squire Pub Restaurant
Sun, Apr 10, 2022
Squire Pub Click on image for Slideshow
A number of UKC members gathered on a Sunday evening, April 10, to resurrect a longstanding tradition; dinner at the Squire. Prior to sitting down for the meal, we socialized at the back, where some free eatables were provided. We haven't been together there for over two years. Our "thank you for coming" and "nice to see you" was shared by all as we enjoyed our meal.

A pleasant congenial time.
Gayle T.

Bata Shoe Museum
Thu, Apr 7, 2022
Bata SHoe Museum Click on image for Slideshow
Five members enjoyed a pleasant afternoon at the Bata Shoe Museum on April 7. It was a new experience for most of us to explore this wonderful venue. We were fascinated by the vastly varied displays, from pre-historic to modern times all around the world, including shockingly tiny Chinese women's bound-foot shoes, Sumo wrestlers' footwear, beautifully decorated indigenous moccasins and boots, and shoes used through the ages by rich and poor alike. We were especially amused by a pair of French chestnut-crushing clogs. Afterwards we dashed across the street through a warm spring shower to a pub to enjoy a drink and share a plate of nachos.

Thank you to Ann for her enthusiastic hosting.
Vanessa J.

Dinner at The Pheasant
Thu, Mar 17, 2022
The Pheasant Click on image for Slideshow
Nine members and the host celebrated St. Patrick’s Night at The Pheasant and Firkin on Avenue Road. While the pub was packed and quite hectic, we were able to seat 6 at one table and 4 at another. No one seemed to mind being separated. Most of the crowd in the pub wore some form of green and our group enjoyed conversations about “way back when” and a few laughs along with a pint or two of Guinness. As a rule, the pub is not that packed but everyone wanted to be out to celebrate St. Patrick, the beginning of the end of COVID (we hope), and the beginning of the warmer weather (again, we hope!).

Thanks to Samantha and her bar staff who worked really hard. Slange! See you again in April.
Christine Q.

Bier Markt
Sun, Mar 6, 2022
Bier Markt Click on image for Slideshow
Nine UKC members ventured out to the Bier Markt on a day when things suddenly warmed up. For many it was our first time eating out in a long time. We had drinks at the bar and while several of us selected cod and chips, a spectacular looking pork schnitzel and a hand-made pizza also arrived at the table. It seems almost half of us had trips planned back to the UK or elsewhere in the coming months, with others looking to book to be away too.

Thanks to Susan who did a great job hosting and organizing us.
Edwina M.

Dim Sum Lunch
Thu, Feb 17, 2022
Dim Sum Lunch Click on image for Slideshow
Cold and rainy outside but warm and cozy inside Rol San Restaurant on Spadina Ave where seven UKC members got together for dim sum on Thursday February 17 at 11 am. Our host Lily had the advantage of her Cantonese to get us great service. Each of us selected a dish of special interest.

Delicious flavours of shrimp dumplings, beef rolls, sticky rice, fried shrimp, pork dumplings etc. satisfied our dim sum desire until next time.
Polly C.

Dinner at the Granite Brewery
Sun, Feb 13, 2022
Granite Brewery Click on image for Slideshow
On Sunday evening February 13 nine of us lucky UKC members met our lovely host Maureen for dinner at the Granite Brewery. The restaurant has a great and varied menu with interesting specials, and the food good enough to keep us coming back. Plus for our beer lovers it is a Brewery too with an excellent selection plus of course their own blends.

Now things are opening up we will be able to have more than ten people attend and I highly recommend this for a fun night out.
Marilyn G.

Zoom Happy Hour
Fri, Feb 4, 2022
Zoom Happy Hour Click on image for Slideshow
Once again Susan held her Zoom meeting on February 4th and gathered together 12 people. We all enjoyed seeing each other and listening to everyone's opinions on different subjects. This time - at Ed's suggestion - it was our favourite foods and whether we liked to cook them. It seems that during the pandemic some people had become quite culinary adventurers but most preferred not to cook but to order in (or eat out if possible), it made us feel very hungry.

We all appreciate Susan holding these Zoom get togethers and maybe she will continue in the future – many of us hope so.
Maureen D.

Dinner at The Pheasant
Thu Feb 3, 2022
The Pheasant Click on image for Slideshow
On February 3 six enthusiastic members gathered at The Pheasant on Avenue Road, just south of Wilson, to enjoy each other's company and share dinner selected from this British-style pub's varied menu. Shepherd's pie, fish and chips and mixed fried seafood looked tempting, smelled delicious – and lived up to expectations! Quite a lot of laughs ensued and conversation was flowing and entertaining. Due to the snowy night, the place was quite empty with just the sound of our table and the basketball game on the TVs surrounding us.

Many thanks to Christine for organizing this event: such a treat for us all after a month of "no indoor dining"! We look forward to the next occasion at the pub towards the end of the month.
Jackie B.

Jerk Chicken Cooking Challenge
Sat, Jan 22, 2022
Jerk Chicken Cooking Click on image for Slideshow
In spite of Zoom setup difficulties, which eliminated some of the participants, this event went ahead with a few who were able to reach Polly and Lily and carry on. Some had received the recipe ingredients beforehand and had marinated the chicken in Jerk Paste overnight. Polly and Lily guided us through the details of the recipe and we reached the end of our zoom call just before ringing off and getting to the eating. Photos attached of the cooked chicken and the meal with a salad added. Polly wrote a lovely apology to participants the following day. We still all need lessons in Zooming.

Thanks for your efforts, Polly!
Liz McG.

Zoom Happy Hour
Fri, Jan 14, 2022
Happy Hour 2 Click on image for Slideshow
On January 14, eleven UKC members gathered, virtually, for a Zoom meeting from the comfort of their homes – some members using fake backgrounds featuring exotic locations possibly, like the author, to hide a messy home!. With drinks in hand to toast each other, the topic for the evening was books that members have been reading to help them through the Covid lockdowns. There were many different kinds of books mentioned, but many members had a predilection for murder-mystery books. Among the recommendations for reading were the following:
- “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" by Bill Brewster, tracing the history of the DJ from its origins to the present time and the roles the DJ has played in society.
- “Beyond Belfast", a 500 Mile Walk Across Northern Ireland” by Will Fergusson, and the title pretty much sums up the real-life story of the author’s Journey.
- “The Missing Millionaire” by Katie Daubs, a true-life story set in Toronto about the disappearance, in 1919, of millionaire Ambrose Small.
- “Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel about the struggles of a group of actors following the collapse of civilization after a pandemic!
- “Grand Hotel” (1929) by Vicki Baum about the lives of the characters staying in a Hotel in Berlin in the 1920s, subsequently made into a movie.
- “A Fabulous Kingdom” by Charles Officer and Jake Page about the quests, successful and otherwise, to explore the North, and reach the North pole.
- The eleven book police fiction series, by Val McDermid, featuring Policewoman Carol Jordan and Profiler Tony Hill.
- The murder mystery books of Elizabeth George; many featuring Inspector Linley.
- The murder-mystery books of Scandinavian Jo Nesbo featuring character Harry Hole.
- “The Future of Money: How the Digital Revolution is Transforming Currencies and Finance” by Eswar Presad.
Peter W.
Zoom Happy Hour
Fri, Jan 7, 2022
Happy Hour 1 Click on image for Slideshow
It was great to see so many UK Connexion friends (and a few new people too) at Susan's first Zoom meeting of 2022 on Friday January 7th. Altogether there were 16 participants relating all their adventures and pastimes during the period between lockdowns! These Zoom meetups are very enjoyable and always entertaining and enlightening.

Thank you for doing them, Susan, we really appreciate the time you give to this event.
Maureen D.