New food fest hits Danforth in fall
If you miss the Taste of the Danforth, don’t worry as there’s a new foodie festival on Danforth Avenue in September.
The Danforth Mosaic Business Improvement Association recently announced a three-week long food festival, “Mosaic Does … Dine Around the Danforth,” which will run Sept. 10–30 and will involve 65 multicultural restaurants from Jones to Westlake Avenues on the Danforth.
Festival chair Litsa Kostouros says the idea came out of talks with hospitality marketing consultants dine.TO, which is also a business in the neighborhood.
“Honestly we needed to do something to help the businesses,” Kostouros says.
The area is in a transition period now, she says, and while it’s gentrifying, not as many people are supporting the businesses on the Danforth strip.
The exterior of some of the shops and restaurants also discourage residents from trying them out, Kostouros says. The three-year old BIA will qualify for façade improvement funds once it turns five, she says, but for now the goal is to get the word out about all the great places to eat along the strip.
“This is completely an awareness campaign,” she says.
Many residents don’t know there are so many ethnic places to dine along the Danforth that are kid- and family- friendly, she says, which include everything from Mexican to Ethiopian to Moroccan, Thai, Tunisian and more.
“We want to make a big splash,” she says. “We’re really proud of our multiculturalism.”
Restaurant owner Yolanda Paez, also chef at El Sol Mexican Gallery Restaurant, says she thinks the festival is a great idea.
“We need to take care of the street with busy activities.”
Most of the participating restaurants will be offering discounts and prix fixe menus alongside their regular menus for the festival period.
There will also be a contest for a trip and regular entertainment, including a Mosaic Barbershop Quartet that Kostouros is part of. They will be serenading diners and giving out Mosaic Bucks to shop in the area.
Participating restaurants and menu options will be listed at www.danforthmosaicbia.com after August 15.
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