Oh February. A month filled with expectations of romance. We’ve got your date plans covered this month with a foolproof suggestion: head over to JAMcafé.

It’s cozy, it’s welcoming, it’s romantic and best of all, they are offering a great deal for a free appetizer. If you didn’t receive this offer in the mail, email us and we will hook you up.

At the unassuming corner of Carlton and Ontario Streets, JAM is a gem. It has that local feel mixed with just enough special that whether it’s Valentine’s Day or “I need a glass of wine and a nibble after the day I’ve had” day, you’ll be satisfied. We sat down with owner Av Atikian to talk about the restaurant and Cabbagetown.

Opened 5.5 years ago, JAM is a bistro with a focus on good food paired with good wine.They offer a thoughtful menu with many locally sourced meats and produce as well as popular wine tasting evenings (there’s one this month!). How good is the wine? Well for starters, they source wines you can’t find at the LCBO. Want to bring your own bottle? Sunday nights they offer free corkage so head down to the cellar and grab something special. Perhaps have it with Av’s personal favourite menu item: the duck confit; a classic prepared with an asian influence.

The location itself holds a lot of history. Over 150 years old, it was built when Carlton was a dirt road travelled by horse-drawn carriages. While all the grand homes in the area were being built in the area it was the local cafe for workers. They even have some customers that have been eating in the same building through it’s various incarnations for over 60 years. There’s dedication for you.

Av has watched the neighbourhood change over the years, especially the influx of families with young kids for the first time in recent memory. The shift in the area is positive and he enjoys the strong sense of community that Cabbagetown holds.

The restaurant doubles as an intimate venue for private functions. With capacity for up to 60 people, they’ve held all sorts of events and are up to 7 weddings and counting.

And Av’s favourite way to enjoy cabbage? His mother’s cabbage rolls, hands down.

For more information:
Web: http://www.jamcafe.net/
Twitter: @Jamster195
Phone: 416-921-1255
Real Life: 195 Carlton Street

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