Hello, welcome and I’m so glad to see you here.

This last week I tried the Japanese Steak from Planta Queen…..and it is truly amazing. The world of vegan food has changed so much (Check out my Instagram post for more info).

This week in the Insider we’re celebrating 10 years of V’s Caribbean Restaurant, highlighting a new dining deal at Bellona Kitchen, and taking a look at McDonald’s latest attempt at a plant-based burger.

For events, there’s plenty to do—from vegan rock climbing and a British-themed drag brunch to a cozy Flow Sessions hangout at Alternity.

On the activism front, an urgent rescue mission is underway for ferrets trapped in a Manitoba breeding mill.

Plus, in global vegan news, Juicy Marbles has launched a new plant-based pork alternative. Keep reading for all the details!

Week of Mar 20 - 26:

News:

• V's Caribbean Restaurant, located at 1221 Weston Road in Toronto, is known for their authentic vegan Caribbean cuisine. Established in 2015, the restaurant transitioned to a fully vegan menu in 2017, offering a variety of Jamaican and Caribbean dishes such as rotis, stews, and desserts. Notably, V's Caribbean Restaurant celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of serving flavourful vegan Caribbean food to the Toronto community. Huge congratulations to them!

• ​Bellona Kitchen, a family-friendly vegan and vegetarian Italian restaurant, invites guests to its Cantina for a special three-course meal priced at $27 per person. The Cantina, inspired by the traditional Italian home's lower-level kitchen, offers an intimate setting for late-night drinks and special occasions. Available at both Bellona Kitchen locations: 276 Jane Street and 680 College Street. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

  Also...did you know kids eat for free on Sundays from 4pm-close??

• McDonald's Canada is testing the McVeggie burger from March 18 to April 14, 2025, in select locations across British Columbia (Langley, Richmond, Surrey), Ontario (Brampton, Windsor), and New Brunswick (Dieppe, Moncton, Riverview, Sussex). The McVeggie features a breaded patty made from carrots, green beans, zucchini, peas, soybeans, broccoli, and corn, topped with shredded lettuce and a mayo-style sauce. It is available in both regular and spicy habanero versions. Notably, the inclusion of a mayo-style sauce means the burger is not vegan and there is no indication it is cooked on separate grills. This initiative follows McDonald's 2019 trial of the P.L.T. (Plant, Lettuce, Tomato) burger, which used a Beyond Meat patty but was discontinued due to limited consumer interest. The McVeggie represents McDonald's latest effort to cater to customers seeking plant-based options. Yes, McDonalds is a terrible company but any large food provider that offers more veggie options is a good thing IMO.

Events:

• Toronto Vegan Climbing - Basecamp Bloor
  📅 Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
  📍 Location: Basecamp Rock Climbing, 677 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
  💲 Cost: $28 admission fee; shoe rental $7; harness rental $7
  🔗 RSVP: Toronto Vegan Meetup

  Join the Toronto Vegan Meetup group for a vegan-friendly social climbing session. All are welcome, regardless of climbing experience. Activities include bouldering, top roping, and using autobelays. First-time climbers can receive pointers on technique, and staff will provide quick orientations for bouldering and autobelays. For top roping, organizers are available to assist with belaying. Climbing shoes are required; please note that rental shoes contain suede/leather. Harnesses are necessary for top roping and autobelays. Participants are encouraged to sign the waiver online or in person before climbing.

• Aunty Em's Pizza Pop-Up at Thirsty and Miserable Bar
  📅 Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025, 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM (or until sold out)
  📍 Location: Thirsty and Miserable Bar, 197 Baldwin St., Toronto

  Aunty Em's Pizza is hosting a pop-up event at Thirsty and Miserable Bar, offering their signature pizza slices alongside a selection of drinks. The event starts at 3:00 PM and will continue until 9:00 PM or until supplies run out. This is a great opportunity to enjoy Aunty Em's plant-based pizzas in a casual bar setting. No reservations are required, but arriving early is recommended to ensure availability.

• 🇬🇧 HunsBrunch: A British-Themed Vegan Drag Brunch
  📅 Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  📍 Location: Houndstooth Bar, 818 College St
  🎟️ Tickets: $60 per person (sold in tables of 2, 3, 4, or 6) – Get tickets here

  🍽️ Enjoy a 3-course vegan brunch, a free drink, and a chance to win a door prize raffle, all while watching a fabulous drag performance! Featuring dessert by Bad Attitude Bread and catering by Chef Mustard (head chef of a popular local vegan spot). 🌈 Don’t miss this exciting event supporting queer artists and local businesses!

• Flow Sessions – Tuesday’s Hang-Out
  📅 Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  📍 Location: Alternity, 333 Bloor St W, Toronto

  🎨 A weekly community gathering at Alternity designed for visionaries and creative minds to unwind, connect, and explore the Flow State. Expect three hours of chill-out sounds curated by OptiiMyst & friends, a Stretch Zone with yoga mats, and a Creative Zone for crafting. Delicious non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are available.

Activism:

• In January 2025, Animal Justice released undercover footage exposing distressing conditions at David Holden Ferrets, a Manitoba-based ferret breeding facility. The footage revealed ferrets confined in small, unsanitary cages within poorly maintained sheds, lacking proper insulation against extreme temperatures. The facility reportedly housed approximately 500 ferrets, including 200 one-year-old females used for breeding. Issues highlighted included disease outbreaks, predator attacks leading to severe injuries, and the use of a makeshift gas chamber for euthanasia.

  In response to these findings, a major U.S. rescue organization pledged $50,000 to aid in rescuing and rehabilitating the affected ferrets. This development underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and oversight of pet breeding operations in Manitoba to ensure animal welfare standards are upheld.

The Toronto Vegan Restaurants Guide 2025

World Vegan News:

• ​Juicy Marbles, a Slovenia-based startup renowned for its plant-based whole-cut meats, has unveiled "Pork-ish," a 6.4-ounce plant-based pork cut priced at $10 per pack. This addition expands their innovative Meaty Meat line, which includes products like marbled steaks, tenderloins, and ribs with edible bones. Pork-ish offers a versatile flavor profile, allowing home cooks to explore a wide range of traditionally meat-based dishes. Designed for everyday use, it boasts a quick seven-minute cook time and can be sliced, chunked, shredded, or cooked whole, providing a juicy, meaty texture and ample protein. This launch aligns with Juicy Marbles' commitment to enhancing the nutritional profiles of plant-based meats, aiming to match the protein, iron, and B12 content found in traditional meats.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• Toronto Vegan Drinks – Slushy Nuttea Spring Vibes
  📅 Date: Friday, March 28, 2025, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  📍 Location: Nuttea - Nut Mylk Café, 637 Bloor Street West, Toronto
  🎟️ RSVP: Meetup Event Page

  🍹 Join fellow vegans and friends for a casual evening of socializing at Nuttea, a plant-based tea shop known for its bakery items, bubble tea, coffee, homemade nut mylk, and nut cream. This month's event features a special pop-up by Hey!Mom Onigiri, offering made-to-order plant-based onigiri. Whether you're vegan or simply curious, all are welcome to enjoy the fun. Please note that only vegan food and drinks are available for purchase. Indoor capacity is limited due to fire code regulations, so RSVPs are capped at 100 to ensure a comfortable experience. Name tags will be provided to facilitate mingling. Come ready to share your interests, favorite recipes, and more!​

• Vegan Dungeons & Dragons Session
  📅 Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 2:00 PM
  📍 Location: Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, 600 Bay Street, Suite 305, Toronto, M5G 1M6
  🎟️ Registration: Wishbone AR Lab Events Calendar (Please check for availability)

  🎲 Join fellow enthusiasts for an immersive Dungeons & Dragons session with a vegan twist. This event combines role-playing adventures with themes of animal rights and ethical living. All levels of experience are welcome. Snacks and materials will be provided.

• Small Plates, Big Flavor: Plant-Based Mezze Cooking Class
  📅 Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
  📍 Location: Animal Liberation Kitchen, 100 Broadview Ave., Toronto
  🎟️ Tickets available now: Register Here

  Join Chef Tanya Spasic of Animal Liberation Kitchen for an interactive evening learning to prepare a variety of Mediterranean mezze dishes. This hands-on class offers participants the chance to cook and enjoy small-plate dishes that are staples in Mediterranean cuisine. Wine and beer will be available for purchase, with sodas and juices included in the ticket price. All attendees will receive recipes and instructions to recreate the dishes at home. Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate experience, so early registration is recommended.

• Thai Cuisine With Seitan Class
  📅 Date: Sunday, March 30, 2025, 1:00 PM
  📍 Location: Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, Toronto
  🎟️ Tickets available now: Eventbrite

  🍽️ In this hands-on class, participants will learn to make seitan, a plant-based meat alternative, and incorporate it into popular Thai dishes.

• 🚶‍♀️ 3rd Annual Anti-Vivisection Walk
  📅 Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
  ⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
  📍 Location: Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland St, Toronto
  🔗 Event details: Facebook Event Page

  Join this annual walk to raise awareness about animal testing and vivisection. The event aims to educate and advocate for cruelty-free alternatives while fostering a compassionate community.

• Planted Expo Toronto 2025: Canada's Largest Plant-Based Event
  📅 Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:00 AM
  📍 Location: Enercare Centre, Toronto 

  🎟️ : Planted Expo Tickets

  Planted Expo Toronto is confirmed for May 10, 2025. Note: There will be no BC edition this year. Discover over 200 plant-based, vegan, and sustainable exhibitors, brands, and services at this family-friendly event. Hear from insightful speakers and explore a variety of products and services.

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