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M’Eat Resto Butcher (Butcher + restaurant) opened up at 806 Queen St E on July 19th, 2018.  They are a boutique butcher shop that doubles as a meat-forward neighborhood restaurant from executive chef and owner Cam Nelson. Their focus is on local farm-to-table-fresh meat and seasonal offerings for their butcher shop and meals for lunch, weekend brunch, and fine-dining evening crowds.  Read on to get the facts on M’Eat and ‘m’eat’ their chefs!

The Restaurant

• Lunch is served weekdays Tuesday to Friday, 11.30 am to 4.00 pm.
• Dinner is served Tuesday to Saturday, 5.30 pm to close.
• Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, beginning mid-August. Inquire for more details.

The Butcher Shop

• Weekdays Tuesday to Friday, 10.00 am to 5.30 pm, and Saturdays 10.00 am to 5.30 pm.
• The butcher shop consists of two essential elements: the M’Eat program and the retail shop.

The M’Eat program

• The foundation of the butcher shop. Chef Nelson takes inspiration from the nose-to-tail movement as he will purchase and butcher whole cows from hand-selected farms that abide by the H.A.W.P. principles: hormone-free, animal per acre, winter feed and pasture raised.
• Selling through one whole animal at a time, it is important to Chef Nelson to ensure that every bit of the animal is used.
• In partnership with Flanagan Foodservice’s Carve program, select cuts will be available for purchase to highlight different breeds of premium Ontario beef.
• Duck, a fantastic alternative red meat, will be available raw, smoked, and in confit.
• Carefully-selected varieties from select Ontario game farmers will also be available for purchase.

The retail shop

• Features complimentary products to the meat-forward options: salts, marinades, rubs, sauces and truffle products co-curated by Chef Nelson and Local Line from across Ontario and Canada are the perfect purchase to complete the farm-to-table neighborhood shop.
• Hearty, healthy oven-ready options prepared on the premises, including beef-based stews, pot-pies, lasagnes and sauces are available for the busy professionals and families who wish to participate in the delicious and sustainable movement.

Suppliers

• Local Line
• Blackbird Baking Co.
• Arrowhead Farms

The Chefs

Cam Nelson is an experienced chef with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. A native of rural Alberta, Cam’s path to the kitchen was inspired by his surroundings – an environment which fostered a deep understanding and appreciation for food – how it’s raised, how it’s grown, and how it makes its way from farm to table. Since re-locating to Toronto seventeen years ago, Cam has worked in the kitchens of the city’s best restaurants, with stints at Oliver and Bonacini’s Jump and Canoe, Mark McEwan’s Bymark, Roger Mooking’s Nyood, and most recently as head chef at Le Notre Bistro on Harbord Street. Beyond the kitchen, Cam spent time developing his business expertise, consulting on restaurant operations for locations across the city. Now residing in the city’s east end, Cam is ready to open his own place in his new neighbourhood. Inspired by his farm-to-table roots, M’eat Resto Butcher, located at 806 Queen Street East, is a neighbourhood butcher shop fused with a meat-forward restaurant.

Rudy Boquila is a born-and-raised Toronto chef who is passionate about his craft. Starting his career in the industry at The Bamboo (now Cube Nightclub), Rudy then moved to the acclaimed Queen-West Oyster Boy joint. Seeking a new adventure, Rudy left the Toronto restaurant scene to tour with Live Nation, where he cooked for global powerhouses such as U2, Bon Jovi, AC/DC and Aerosmith. In 2012, Rudy returned to Toronto, where he co-founded Lamesa Filipino Kitchen. Most recently, Rudy held the position of Executive Chef at the historic Gladstone Hotel. Joining Chef Cam Nelson at M’Eat, Rudy will bring the traditional Filipino nose-to-tail cooking style to fuse with the butcher & resto shops farm-to-table values, making the two talented chefs a perfect match for this new Queen East venture. For Rudy, cooking is a labour of love – and it shows.

For more information about M’Eat please contact Briana Le Goaix or Susan Willemsen at The Siren Group Inc. Tel: 416-461-5270. Email: briana@thesirengroup.com or susan@thesirengroup.com. 

Getting ready for the day you say, “I DO” is certainly exciting but it’s no easy mission. Fortunately, in Toronto’s romantic Riverside neighbourhood, you’ll be able to check everything off your list of wedding needs from cute stationary and gifts to beautiful and one-of-a-kind bridal gowns and award-winning florists.

After you’ve curated the perfect wedding folder with inspiring ideas, worked out your budget, picked the wedding party, and sorted out the guest list it’s time to shop, choose your party venues, reserve dates, and send your invites – and Riverside let’s you do it all within a convenient 10 blocks walk!

Whether you’re looking to get married in Riverside, host a wedding shower here, and/or get your party’s hair and makeup done, here is everything you need leading up to the big day…

Wedding Venues

The Broadview Hotel 

With an extensive assortment of unique spaces and a talented culinary team, The Broadview Hotel is a great place to celebrate your wedding as well as host engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, and post-wedding brunches. The hotel can also facilitate a private bridal suite and groom’s lounge, as well as preferred room rates for guest accommodations. If you’re looking for a fairytale wedding at Toronto’s hottest historic hotel, then look no further.

The Jam FactoryTO

The owners of this remarkable space have not only preserved many aspects of The Jam Factory’s historic charm, but they’ve also upgraded washrooms, refreshed the catering prep space, and installed a new flooring showing off the venue’s glamorous jazz-age industrial decor. With stunning sunsets overlooking the Don Valley, this Riverside gem is a gorgeous spot to get married and host a reception. Special event packages include ample pre-event time to settle in and personalize the space with your own decor. A dedicated team of venue managers will also be on-hand to help ensure a sweet and seamless affair.

Before or After-Parties

There are lots of private venues available in Riverside for engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners and more! Here are a few places you should definitely consider for either large or intimate parties:

Jasper Dandy

A new pub steps east of Broadview on Queen St E, Jasper Dandy has three flexible event spaces with a total capacity of 270, including a pub style sports bar area at the front perfect for eating and lounging, a full bar area with booths, and a live music stage and party room. The style is local sports pub meets Toronto music memorabilia for an edgy vibe.  Great for your full wedding party or bachelor’s night out.

I’ll Be Seeing You Bar

With a pink neon sign on the outside, charming decor on the inside, and cocktails with names like Disappearing Unicorn, this Riverside restaurant and bar right on Queen St East couldn’t be more perfect for a bachelorette party.

Boxcar Social

With delicious charcuterie boards on the menu, a huge selection of whiskeys, beers, and wines, and enough room to accommodate up to 60 guests, Boxcar Social on Riverside’s Boulton Ave, just off Queen E, is a great spot for an engagement party.

Prohibition Gastrohouse

Whether you’re looking to rent the whole restaurant for your full wedding party, or get cozy with your besties in the Remy Room overlooking Queen Street East, Prohibition can cater to all your pre- and post-wedding party needs.

Eastbound Brewing Co.

This brewery, beer shop, restaurant and kitchen on Riverside’s Queen Street East right at Broadview Ave is a perfect spot for bachelor parties but with enough room for 120 guests, it’s also great for wedding receptions. You can rent the whole space or just part of it.

Saulter Street Brewery

With a warm ambiance, great acoustics, lots of board games, and enough room for up to 60 guests, Saulter Street Brewery makes for a charming venue to host any wedding-related party.

Ruby Watchco

Celebrate your engagement with celebrity chefs Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk at Ruby Watchco in Riverside. Designed for special occasions, like rehersal dinners, the restaurant’s private upstairs dining room can accommodate up to 24 guests around two large harvest tables.

The Peasant Table

If you’re hosting an intimate affair, perhaps a small engagement party or rehearsal dinner, check out the quaint private dining room on the 2nd floor of this stylish Riverside restaurant. With enough room for up to 100 guests, the main floor is ideal for larger parties.

Gowns

Sash & Bustle Bridal Boutique

This beautiful bridal boutique carries a small, carefully curated selection of mostly exclusive wedding gowns, along with gifts, accessories, and bridesmaids gowns all of which will make shopping for your dress an event that is fun for everyone.

Cake & Catering

Sugar Loaf Bakery & Cafe

From classic cakes to signature cakes and all the delectables before the cakes, this Riverside bakery offers a range of sweets, treats, cakes, and catering options to best suit your wedding celebrations.

Bonjour Brioche

Quiches, cakes, flans, pissaladieres, salads, baguettes, fruit trays, fruit tarts, croissants, and chocolate croissants. All of these delicious pastries and savoury treats would make the perfect addition to any bridal shower, anywhere in Toronto.

Tabule

Whether you’re hosting a wedding reception that calls for pre-selected platters or a buffet style feast of Middle Eastern treats, Riverside’s Tabule will create a sophisticated and memorable menu that is perfect for your event.

Stationary & Gifts

BRIKA

From balancing face mist toner by Mullein Sparrow to cocoglow body oil by Baja Zen, this sophisticated and well-curated artisan boutique in Riverside has a fantastic selection of bridesmaids and bridal shower gifts you’ll want to buy for yourself, too.

Arts Market

With leather wallets and accessories for him, candles that smell like buttercream icing for her, and endearing one of a kind stationary for everyone on your guest list, the Arts Market is basically a one-stop shop for all your wedding gift and stationery needs.

Token

From body wash and beard oil to candles and roller perfumes this adorable gift shop located on Queen Street East is a great spot for fun gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen. You’ll also find a great selection of cards.

Hair & Makeup

There is no shortage of high-end hair salons and beauty boutiques in Riverside. Hair Code , Untitled by Flaunt, Lone and Co, Hill Studio and Album Hair are popular salons featuring some of Toronto’s best colourists stylists to suit any hair type. For all your other hair (removal) needs, there’s WAXON Waxbar! For a lovely mani-pedi for anyone in your wedding party check out Riverside’s natural nail salon, Barefoot Beauty.

Flowers

Quince Flowers

Whether you’re going for a wedding style that is low-key elegance, nostalgic, fun, or formal, you can count on this talented Riverside florist to take care of all the bells and whistles when it comes to your bouquet and flower arrangements for the big day (p.s. if they can do TIFF every year, they’ve got you covered!)

DO YOU HAVE OTHER HANDY WEDDING SPOTS IN RIVERSIDE YOU’D LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT? WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!