Food Tasting

**☕ The Coffee Club at Wychwood** Toronto’s first-of-its-kind Saturday morning coffee and community meetup. Join a group of locals in their **late 20s to 40s** who love good coffee, connection, and conversation. Each weekend we meet at **Wychwood Farmers Market**, grab a coffee, and sometimes **walk to a second café or park** for an easy chat and stroll. It’s a relaxed way to **meet new people**, **build friendships**, and discover **Toronto’s hidden coffee gems** — all while starting your weekend grounded and inspired.

Hi friends, As winter settles in, we’re bringing back something simple and warm a dumpling-making evening that feels just like visiting a friend’s home for the holidays. Address: TBD (155 West Beaver Creek Rd, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1B4 / 80 Acadia Ave, Suite 302, Markham, ON L3R 9V1) Time: Dec 20 · 14:30–18:00 PM Special insider price: $60/person (Originally $88) Here’s what we’ll do together: **14:30–15:30 PM — Tea tasting & Slow Landing** Step in from the cold and warm your hands around a fresh cup of tea. Warm tea, small bites, and friendly faces ease you gently into the afternoon as conversations start to bloom. **15:30–17:00 PM — Make & Eat Dumplings** The event comes alive with flour and laughter. Under Auntie Hong’s gentle guidance, you’ll knead, roll, and fold dumplings of different shapes — each with its own meaning and story. Steam rises from the pot, and we’ll enjoy our creations the moment they’re ready. **After 17:30 PM — Chatting & Cultural Sharing** When the meal winds down, the pace slows again. Stay for unhurried conversations, ask questions, share memories, or simply sit back and listen. **What you’ll walk away with:** • A full dumpling-making experience from dough to feast • Winter traditions and cultural stories behind dumplings • Tea knowledge and a cup that warms from the inside out • New friends, gentle conversations, and a cozy evening It’s the kind of cozy winter evening that lingers. No experience needed — just curiosity and appetite. We look forward to seeing you there. **Booking** Because we need to prepare ingredients, the slot will be confirmed after the full deposit is received (non-refundable).

Celebrate the opening of the Finch LRT by travelling to the end of it. Join us at Clairville where 4 cities meet: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, and Vaughan. The area is mostly industrial, but that's where some good food places lurk, drawn by cheap rents. The cuisine here is predominantly Indian. See the most ornate Hindu temple in Toronto and check out its museum. The nature portion of the hike goes through the gardens and forests of Humber Arboretum (weather permitting). We'll hike through it before sunset. Then, it's on to the neighbourhood defined by Woodbine Racetrack, not to be confused with the Woodbine-Beaches neighbourhood where it was formerly located. It's notable for a mall with an indoor amusement park. The finishing point is at a casual Somali restaurant, which makes an accessible introduction to the cuisine for the uninitiated. Arrive earlier to check out the flea market because we won't be touring it. **Highlights** 1. Dr Flea's Flea Market (entrance N, depart 1:30pm) 2. Mr. Khaman / Chaiiwala Of London 3. Elsa's Bakery 4. Samosa And Sweet Factory 5. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir 6. BAPS Shayona (depart 3:15pm) 7. Gwalia Sweets / La Ciel / Food World Supermarket 8. Humber College Learning Resource Commons (depart 4:15pm) 9. Barrett Centre For Technology Innovation 10. Humber Arboretum 11. Fantasy Fair 12. Xawaash (arrive 5:30pm) **Neighbourhoods** Clairville > Humber College > Woodbine Racetrack **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1dzBpI8sOd557U_jAfOw7kiaxQkQpXQU&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1dzBpI8sOd557U_jAfOw7kiaxQkQpXQU&usp=sharing) If trails are snowy or icy, we will skip Humber Arboretum and go along Highway 27 from Humber College Blvd to Woodbine Mall. The Finch LRT stops close to the start and end of the hike, but a bus transfer is needed: bus 73 from Albion and bus 927 from Humber College. **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. Grab ready-made food, or see the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way. Not sure what to try? Join our omakase for $5, which gives a tiny sample from different restaurants. Payment on the day of event by cash or e-transfer to [globaltorontoeats@gmail.com.](http://globaltorontoeats@gmail.com.) No refunds after orders are placed. Details of sampled food will be uploaded after the hike. Limited cutlery provided. Highly recommended to bring cutlery and containers for omakase and bringing back leftovers. See our [homepage](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info.

**～English description below～** イベント参加費として、日本人の方(日本で生まれ育ち、現在英語を勉強している方)は$2、日本人以外の方(日本語を勉強している方)は$5頂いております。 皆さんから頂いたお金は、こちらのサイトの維持費や将来のランゲージエクスチェンジ施設利用料やソーシャルイベント等のために使われます。ご理解の程、よろしくお願いいたします。 予約受付開始：土曜日5:00PM(前イベント終了後) 予約取消締切：土曜日12:30PM(当日) 予約受付締切：土曜日1:30PM(当日) スケジュール * 5.15 PM - 5:30PM - チェックイン、グループ分け 5:30 PM - 6:15PM - 日本語の時間［または英語の時間］ 6:15PM - 7:00 PM - 英語の時間［または日本語の時間］ イベント内容 ・対面でのLanguage Exchangeを再開しています！参加者のレベルに応じて、事前にオーガナイザーが3〜4名のグループをつくり、そのメンバーで各45分間、それぞれ英語と日本語でセッションを行なっていただきます。決まったディスカッショントピックなどはございませんので、気軽にフリートークや質問をしながらそれぞれのセッションを楽しんでいただければと思います。 ・体調が優れない方、あるいはここ数日中に体調が優れない人との接触があった方は、申し訳ありませんが参加をお控え願います。 開催場所：Atrium フードコート 地下鉄Dundas駅と直結していますが、多少分かりにくいため、特に初めて参加される方は次の方法で来れることをおすすめします。 1. Dundas駅から地上に出ていただき、Dunsas Streetを西にまっすぐ3分ほど歩いていただきます。 2. Bay Streetとの交差点北東角にある階段を降りてください。 3. 階段を降りた場所にある入り口から入ったところがフードコートですので、そちらでTJEXのサインボードを持ったオーガナイザーにお声がけください。(わからなければメッセージをお願いします！) 予約規約（⚠️重要） ・当日の不参加、もしくは15分以上の遅刻(5:45PM以降)、また予約取消締切後の変更(13:00以降)は原則不参加(No-Show)とみなします。不参加(No-show)が3回になりますと会員登録が抹消され、退会となりますのでご注意ください。 ・イベントに遅れそうな場合は必ずオーガナイザーまでメッセージをお願いします。イベント開始時間にいるメンバーでグループを組み直すこともあるので、連絡なしで到着された場合はイベントに参加できない可能性もあります。原則、30分以上遅れての参加はご遠慮いただいております。あらかじめご了承ください。 キャンセル待ち ・満席の場合、”キャンセル待ち”リスト(waiting-list)にご登録いただくことが可能です。“参加予定”リスト（going-list)中に空席が発生した場合は、”キャンセル待ち”への登録が早かった方を優先に、”参加予定”へ移動いただけます。 ※ご注意※ ・空席ができた際は、自動的に”キャンセル待ち”より”参加予定”へ変更されます。この時にMeetupよりお知らせがあるかはわかりません。 ・システムにより自動的に”参加予定”とされ、それに気づかずに参加しなかった場合でも、不参加とみなされますのでご了承ください。 ・上記の理由により、確実に参加できる場合のみ”キャンセル待ち”への登録をお願いします。予定が入ってしまった場合は、”キャンセル待ち”にいる場合も必ずイベント当日の午後1時までに予め”不参加”リストに移動させてください。 質問 こちら (https://www.meetup.com/tjex-ca/pages/1274142/FAQ/)をご参照ください。または、オーガナイザーまでお問い合わせください。 Instagramアカウント @tjex.ca 最新情報やミートアップの様子を掲載しています。 ぜひこちらもフォローお願いします！ **\*\*\*Although our group is a non-profit organization, we collect $ 5per member for every event. These proceeds are used to run this website, for social events and room booking fees for future sessions. Thank you for your kind understanding.** RSVP open: 5:00 PM (Saturday after previous event) RSVP cancel deadline: Saturday, 12:30 PM (day of the event) RSVP close: Saturday, 1:30 PM (day of the event) * 5:15 PM - 5:30 PM - Check-in and Group placement 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM - Japanese half [or English] 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM - English half [or Japanese] Event Description * This is an in-person language exchange! Members are placed into groups of three or four based on their language level. Each 45 minute session consists of friendly casual conversation, and/or informal study. Event Location: Atrium Food Court * The food court is directly connected to the Dundas subway station, although it is a bit difficult to find. Especially for those who will join our event for the first time, we recommend the following directions, 1. Leave the subway station and walk west for about three minutes along Dundas Street. 2. At the intersection of Bay Street and Dundas Street, you will find an entrance. Proceed down the escalator. 3. The food court is on the basement floor. Please talk to the organizer with the signboard showing TJEX. (If you can’t find them, please send a message to the organizer.) ⚠️RSVP & Late Policy * Failure to show, arriving after 5:45 PM (15 minutes late), and cancelling after 1:00 PM on the day of the event all constitute a "no-show". Members are removed from the group after their third no-show. * If you are running late, please ensure you send a message to the organizer so we can keep a spot open for you. We will rearrange the groups for members who show up on time. If you show up late without letting us know, we will no longer allow you to join so please be mindful of the time. Waiting List: Members can join the waiting list if an event is full. In case a spot becomes available, it will be automatically assigned to a member on the waitlist on a first-come first-serve basis. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Members from the “Waiting” list are moved automatically to the “Going” list by the system when a spot opens up. You may or may not get a notification from Meetup when this happens. So only sign up on the “Waiting list” for an event if you are sure you can come for it. If the system automatically puts you on the “Going” list and you don't show up to the event, you will receive a strike. Group Instagram - @tjex.ca Feel free to follow us! Questions? We have answers! Please see our Frequently Asked Questions (https://www.meetup.com/tjex-ca/pages/1274142/FAQ/) page.

🎄✨ **Holiday Party @ Rivals! Dinner • Gift Exchange • Karaoke Fun!** ✨🎤 It’s that time of year again — time to eat, sing, laugh, and unwrap a little chaos! 🎁 Join us at **Rivals** for a cozy (and slightly cheeky) **holiday party** filled with dinner, a *warped* gift exchange, and karaoke for those brave enough to grab the mic. 🎶 Ugly Christmas sweaters are *highly encouraged* — the louder, the better! \*\*\* 🕕 **Schedule for the Night:** **6:45 PM:** Meet outside the restaurant — look for **Mathew and his famous 🫎 Moose Hat!** **7:00 – 8:30 PM:** Dinner and mingling 🎅 Enjoy great food, festive vibes, and maybe a few new friends! **8:30 – 9:30 PM:** *The Infamous* 🎁 **Warped Gift Exchange** Don’t show up empty-handed! Bring **one wrapped gift** valued **between $15–$20** (nothing from the dollar store, please!). Choose something **fun, weird, or universally awesome** — something anyone could enjoy! 🎲 **How It Works:** * Everyone gets a number. * When your number is called, pick a gift from the pile. * Love what you got? Keep it. * Want someone else’s? You can *steal* it instead! 😈 * The next person can steal yours... and so on. It’s merry mayhem! **9:30 PM – Late:** Karaoke & Holiday Cheer 🎤🎶 Time to sing your heart out, sip something festive, and soak in the holiday spirit. 💲 **Save Your Spot Fee:** $25 – E-transfer within 24 hours of signing up to \*\*[mathewmaclean@hotmail.com**] 👉 Once you arrive at the event, you’ll get **$20 back** ($5 goes toward supporting the group). No refunds or exchanges — this helps make sure everyone who signs up *actually shows up!* \*\*\* 📍 **Location:** Rivals Restaurant 🕕 **Meetup Time:** 6:45 PM (outside – look for the Moose Hat!) 🚪 **End Time:** Whenever the carols stop 🎶 📱 **Stay Connected:** Join our WhatsApp group 👉 [[CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JpUbpvfPcNuFzTJ1VqTLZO)] ⚠️ Sometimes things happen! Please check for updates in case of cancellations or changes. 👤 **Organizer:** Mathew Questions? Post on the event wall or email: \*\*[torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com**](http://torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com%2A%2A/)

**Advanced Speakers on the Hill (ASotH)** is proud to be a ***premier club*** operating in the best Toastmasters tradition of providing a supportive and positive program that empowers its members to achieve greater self-confidence and personal growth. **To become a better communicator and leader,** you need warm and supportive people to help you along your way. This is where ASotH excels because we’re a club packed with committed and experienced Toastmasters. **One way in which we help each other to grow is by means of thorough speech evaluations.** In most Toastmasters clubs, each speech receives a 2-3 minute evaluation – end of story. Here your speech will be evaluated for fifteen minutes, which includes input and discussion from among *all* the members present. Imagine how much you can benefit, even when you are not the speech maker. You will hear a detailed evaluation and listen to what other members think. You will then have the opportunity to add your thoughts to the evaluation circle. And, since the speaker’s prime evaluator is also evaluated, you will learn how to improve your own evaluations. All this occurs in a typically supportive and fun atmosphere. **ASotH Club meetings are held on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Saturdays of each month.** Visitors are most welcome, so drop by and experience the **ASotH advantage** first-hand! ***Our meetings are now in-person at Bayview Hill Community Center. Details can be found [here](https://advancedspeakersonthehill.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html).*** **Membership Eligibility:** You must have completed Level 2 in Pathways, or the first ten speeches in the Toastmasters Competent Communication Legacy manual in order to join our advanced club. Hope to see you soon!

Hello everyone, I'd like to invite you out to our **Christmas** **Dinner with Friends** get together. -Reserved seating, friendly people, good conversation and great food awaits! So please plan to join us if you can :) \*Joined by my other groups too; so we can anticipate a fantastic evening \-\-\-\-\- **Where and When to Meet us?** **Location: Smoke Show 744 Mt. Pleasant Rd)** (Just mention Steve from Meetup when you arrive- to find our reserved section) **Date:** Sunday December 21st, 2025 **Arrive between:** 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm (if you can) (Dinner Menu Provided) Event Details Bellow: Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host) Event Details: **Christmas Dinner with Friends! (Sunday, December 21st)** -The great thing about this dinner party is you're free to move around to different tables and meet the other members too throughout the evening **Dinner Party Topics** may include but not limited too: The Holidays, Travel, Culture, Spirituality, Relationships, Modern Dating, Work/Life balance, Art, Technology, Economy, Music, Movies, Sports, Fashion, Hobbies, Books, Psychology, Philosophy, the Future, History, Pop Culture, Theatre, etc.) **Arrival Time:** \*Join us any time between 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm (if you can) for a fun and highly interactive evening as we get to know the members over dinner and great conversations (of your choice) Event goes until roughly 9:00 pm **Event Fee:** 5 dollars (cash only please) (HST included) or in advance by e transfer to **[steveflemming11@gmail.com](http://steveflemming11@gmail.com/)** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Friendly Reminder:** \*One beverage or appetizer minimum to support the venue- this is greatly appreciated :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Parking Available:** \*Plenty of parking on Mt. Pleasant **Close to Subway Station:** Just a 2 minute bus ride from Yonge and Eglinton Station \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

**Get festive and enjoy a chill Saturday afternoon** of holiday themed trivia played in teams (winner shares a bottle of wine)! 📅 **When:** Tuesday\, Dec 20\, 2025 \| 2:00PM – 8:00 PM 📍 **Where:** Pizza Rustica (37 Blue Jays Way Toronto, ON M5V 9G9) ✨ **What:** Come to our social to make new friends and play live trivia (to win prizes!)! You can order food & drinks on site - Pizza Rustica has a great and affordable selection! 👥 **Who:** Open to **singles and couples**, ages 19+ 🎟 **Tickets:**[ ](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-event-hub-holiday-trivia-social-mixer-on-st-clair-ave-midtown-tickets-1976091350424?aff=meetup)[\[Sign Up Here\]](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-event-hub-x-pizza-rustica-holiday-trivia-social-mixer-tickets-1975646611197?aff=meetup) \- Free entry with purchase of food/drink \- **Limited spots so sign up on Eventbrite.** 🔗 Follow[ ](https://www.torontoeventhub.com/)**[Toronto Event Hub by Andrea Lo](https://www.torontoeventhub.com/)**[ ](https://www.torontoeventhub.com/)for upcoming social mixers and trivia events!

Hey Toronto! This is your weekly escape into global cultures. [Click this WhatsApp Groupchat Link to join ](https://l.gourl.es/l/4ed7dff035771e7de7cc448f4403465c1b8d1f99?u=7709345) Every Saturday at 7:30 PM, people in their 20s and 30s gather for a mix of language practice, travel stories, and community. Whether you’re new in town or born here, this is where world citizens connect. No judgment, no pressure — just pure, human interaction.

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **Join the Toronto City Brunch Club and make new friends!** Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier. \* Discover new restaurants in your city, together. \* Curated lunch venues with good food and vibe. \* If you hit it off with your group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards. **Note:** RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) is only a placeholder. This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

**Join [TILE.]** at the **most popular Saturday Language Learning Social Event & Party in Toronto! 🍁** **[TILE.] = Toronto International Language Exchange [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tilelearning/)** **[TILE.]** now has a **2-for-1 special event,** which includes: **1.** From **[6:30 - 7:15 PM](https://www.meetup.com/english-class-with-certified-award-winning-teacher):** An optional new $5 small group 45-minute **[English language class](https://www.meetup.com/english-class-with-certified-award-winning-teacher)**[ ](https://www.meetup.com/english-class-with-certified-award-winning-teacher)led by a certified language teacher **2.** From **[7:15 - 11 PM](https://www.meetup.com/biggest-language-party-event-social-in-toronto):** Our usual huge group **[BIGGEST LANGUAGE EXCHANGE SOCIAL EVENT AND PARTY IN TORONTO](https://www.meetup.com/biggest-language-party-event-social-in-toronto)** (Cost: *$0-$5\*, see below)* Both events happen Saturday on the 2nd floor of the Madison Pub (14 Madison Avenue). ***Attend either or both events!*** Meet Toronto locals and international friends. Talk to language teachers and speakers to learn English, French, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and much more! Join us for board games, conversation, dancing, singing, and more! Make sure to get a nametag from one of our helpers. *You **must** read the full event description below before attending. By attending, you agree to all the terms listed.* **[TILE.] Toronto International Language Exchange** event details: * We are on the 2nd floor of the Madison pub on the patio with all the international flags! *The dance floor opens around 10 PM, and the live piano bar singer start around 10:30 on the 1st floor.* * With our night ride promotion, the second event (the 7:15- 11 PM Party & Social event) is **FREE** for women who will be traveling alone at night to promote inclusion and equity\*. This event normally $5. * The cost for the first event (the 6:30 - 7:15 PM English Language class) is $5 for everyone. **PAY** **$5** right at the event by **CASH, CREDIT, or DEBIT**, or **SEND $5 E-TRANSFERS** to: **TILETORONTO1@GMAIL.COM**. You can also support the bar by buying a drink or appetizer. **\*** The second event ends late at night. It is 100% your own responsibility to ensure you get home safe. We can simply waive the $5 event entry/cover fee for women who will be traveling home alone so that they may instead put this money towards taking a safe ride home. \-\-\-\-\-\- **IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER – Meetup Group** By attending any TILE events, including these ones, you acknowledge and agree to the following: * *The organizers and hosts of TILE events are are not liable for any loss, injury, damage, or other unforeseen outcomes that may occur before, during, or after any event.* * *Participation in TILE events is entirely voluntary and at your own risk. You are solely responsible for your own safety, personal belongings, transportation, behavior, and well-being. It is your responsibility to assess the risks involved in any activity or location and to act accordingly.* * *TILE and its organizers do not provide insurance and cannot guarantee the safety, accuracy of information, or quality of venues, third-party services, or other attendees.* * *By attending, you release TILE, its organizers, and affiliates from any and all claims or liability, and you agree to conduct yourself respectfully and in accordance with local laws and venue rules.* * ***If you do not agree with this disclaimer, please do not attend TILE events.***

I've supported this local popcorn business for 30 years. It is my pleasure to introduce you to this family-owned, made in house, gourmet popcorn! (note: the official nat'l popcorn day is the 19th but this store is bombarded that day, lol) **TASTING:** The staff can answer every question you have about popcorn. They have a tremendous assortment of 65 sweet and savory flavors, including their classic Columbus Mix (white cheddar/vanilla butternut mix), Pizza, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Buckeye, Buffalo Ranch, and Green Apple. I challenge kids to not try to blow a bubble when they taste the Bubble Gum flavor! ***The owner knows we're coming by and offers complimentary taste testing! BRING YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS!*** **AFTERNOON SNACK**: Bring along $**5.00** cash for a variety of pizza slices to munch on next door at Grandads Pizza. While we wait on our pizzas, we can share Popcorn we purchased at Al's. ## HISTORY OF NATIONAL POPCORN DAY Did you know that the corn we eat and the corn we pop are two different varieties of maize? In fact, the corn you’d find on your dinner table is most likely unable to pop at all! Only one variety of corn is able to become popcorn: Zea mays everta. This particular corn variety has small ears, and the kernels burst when exposed to dry heat. **[Al’s Delicious Popcorn](https://alspopcorn.com)** is a family owned and operated business located in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1985, we have over 30 years of popping experience! During the past 3 decades, we’ve worked hard to perfect our popping techniques and recipes. Our dedication has paid off and today we are proud to offer popcorn lovers over 65 varieties of delectable gourmet popcorn! Being a small, family run operation, we put our heart and soul into what we do. Each and every order is hand prepared, right in our own store, not in some remote processing facility.

# Save the date! FUTURE MEETINGS! [](https://www.meetup.com/funandfood/events/299189211//attendees/) [Hosted By](https://www.meetup.com/funandfood/events/299189211//attendees/) [Dara T.](https://www.meetup.com/funandfood/events/299189211//attendees/) This listing is information only. Each event will be scheduled individually. ## DO NOT TRY TO SIGN UP ON THIS LIST! January 12 , 2025 - Greek epiphany: Blessing of the Waters, Mad Greek Restaurant February 9, 2025 - Valentine's Day in Germany, Hillgarten Beer Garden, Hilliard March 15, 2025, Indian Holi Festival, Aab India Restaurant April 6, 2025 - Chinese: Hanchi / Qingming Festival May 4, 2025 - Japanese Golden Week, Akai Hana Japanese Restaurant June 8, 2025- Hawaiian King Kamehameha Day, Ohana Grill Hawaiian Restaurant July 5, 2025, 60's Nostalgia: Dance to the Moonbats, JT's Restaurant (Fabulous pub food and great beer, as well as dancing music). They play British Invasion music. Dining Out Fun Times Make New Friends ## Photos (1) [See all](https://www.meetup.com/funandfood/photos/34336422) Add photos

Join us for pizza, drinks and conversation! Gatto’s Pizza began in a small shop on North High Street in the neighborhood of Clintonville, Columbus, Ohio. It was 1952 and the brothers, Joe and Jimmy Gatto, opened the pizzeria to serve their community, using family recipes to make fresh dough, sauces, meatballs, and Italian sausage.

This is "***New Members Night***." If you are one of the many folks on the fence about coming to your first wine tasting with the *Hilliard Wine Club*, this is the night to come. There will be many other new people, so you won't be alone. And the regulars will be there to help make you feel welcome. We're a relaxed and warm group. We hope to see you. **SIDE NOTE:** New members are welcome to ALL our Friday night wine tastings, but this night is a special overture to those who don't want to feel that they are the only new person in the room. Don't worry. You won't be. And don't hesitate to RSVP to other events. **OLD MEMBERS NOTE**: Hey Old Members! You're not excluded from this event. We expect to see you there to help make the new members feel welcome. **Sample 4 different wines** this Friday for $15 (*Cash or Venmo only please*). Glasses are provided. Bring a snack to share. Bring a bottle to share if you care to. See all the details below for the Hilliard Wine Club Wine Tasting. In Person. In Real Life. Actual Wine from glass bottles with corks and everything. **Wine**: Tastings will be $15 for four samples as always. And you are welcome to bring a bottle of your favorite wine to share with others. Participation in the wine tastings is optional. But since you’re going, I will buy enough wine to cover you. If you bring your own wine and do not participate in the tasting you will only pay $10 to cover the door charge. **Parking**: There are several public parking lots near the Alive614 hall. Please be careful to NOT park in private parking lots. They do tow. Check Google maps to scope out your space. Anyone who is early could easily find a parking space on the street nearby. **Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass! **Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing. **Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions. **Extra Wine**: After everyone has had their samples, we remove the pouring spouts and any remaining wine is poured freely to whomever wants it. I hate having leftover wine. **Queen of Hearts**: The Queen of Hearts raffle is a fundraiser for the club and a Barnum and Bailey type extravaganza - minus the dancing ponies, clowns, and actual circus. Bring your ***cash*** as the Queen does not accept American Express or other plastic. **After the lights go out**: After the last sip of wine, when we clean up and turn the lights out, if you still haven’t had enough of us, it is typical for a group to get together and go to a local eatery for food and/or drinks or coffee. Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends. Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***, **Red 1 Realty** *Your Hilliard Wine Club Host* **DISCLAIMERS**: The Hilliard Wine Club is just that, a club. It is not a commercial venture nor a non-profit organization [501(c)(3)] and as such does not provide commercial services such as accepting credit cards or retailing wine or other products. The weekly Queen of Hearts Raffle is a fund-raising event for the club to cover special events, entertainment and frequent cost shortfalls such as when more people RSVP than show up after wine is purchased to accommodate a larger group or when people show up on freestyle night without any wine to share (please don’t do that). Personal responsibility is the minimum we expect from our members who are encouraged to limit their alcohol intake as needed to allow for an enjoyable evening for everyone. Wine is the primary focus and choice beverage of the wine club. Hard liquor consumption is highly discouraged. On occasions when someone has consumed more alcohol than is allowed by law to operate a motor vehicle, members are encouraged to use a ride-share service, a taxi, a sober friend or a designated driver. Your safety and well being are of great concern to the leadership of the club, but are ultimately the responsibility of the individuals. Photographs and videos taken at the club by individuals and/or leadership of the club are the property of their creators and may be used as desired as long as their use is compliant with the law. In photographic privacy terms, you have the same rights as you do walking down a public street (near zero). Please do not attend any of our events if you are not aware of and in agreement with our disclaimers and policies. Members who behave in an anti-social manner can and will be banned from the club and barred from entry if needed (don’t test me on this), though admittedly it is a rare instance in which someone’s behavior necessitates being banned for life. Since 2017, there have only been a few. [Last updated on April 2, 2025]

Monday December 29th at 6PM we'll be meeting up dinner at the Pies & Pints at Easton. Feel free to bring guests. Sandwiches run about $15 and large pizzas run $20-30.

**White Elephant Gift Exchange** (WEGE): This may be your only chance to re-gift that “undesirable” bobble or whats-it that you got for Christmas. Every year for Christmas my evil ex in-laws would give me the exact same gift that properly symbolized how well they knew me and how much they cared. For 24 years I received a bushel-basket sized bag of white tube socks from Gabe’s, a local discount/factory seconds store based in Morgantown, WV. If I were still married, that’s what I would re-gift in this gift exchange. No worries. I have since recovered emotionally and all my socks match and are all the same length. Goodwill was the lucky recipient of my 24-bushel sock collection quite some time ago. Things are better now. If you have nothing that merits being re-gifted, please try to keep the price limit to around $15. Remember, no one is required to participate in the gift exchange. You can watch and still have fun. The way this works: Each person bringing a gift will get a pretty yellow ticket (just like the ones we use for the Queen of Hearts). When the gift exchange starts I will draw a ticket and read the number. The person with that ticket may select a gift from the table. Being first is not a true victory in this instance. The next person whose number is drawn will chose a gift AND if they don't like it, they can exchange it for (steal?) the one the previous person selected. It goes on and on as mayhem ensues. Only one exchange. Exchange for any previously selected gift. Got it? Good. **On Freestyle night** \- just bring a bottle to share\. There is NO formal wine tasting like on other weeks\. Door charge is $10 \(cash or Venmo only please\)\. We may have some left over wines to clear out\! Glasses are provided\. Take Care\. See you there\. **Parking**: There are several public parking lots near the Alive614 hall. Please be careful to NOT park in private parking lots. They do tow. Check Google maps to scope out your space. Anyone who is early could easily find a parking space on the street nearby. I am told that the Chase parking lot is safe after hours. **Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the EMPTY glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please do not make me hunt down your empty glass. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass! **Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing. **Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions. **After the lights go out**: After the last sip of wine, when we clean up and turn the lights out, if you still haven’t had enough of us, it is typical for a group to get together and go to a local eatery for food and/or drinks or coffee. Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends. Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***, **Red 1 Realty** *Your Hilliard Wine Club Host*

Take a break from the craziness of the holiday season and relax at The Lion with us. This is an new (to me) place in Bexley that serves cocktails, beer and wine, coffee, tea, pastries, snacks, caviar--a little bit of everything. The cocktail they made for The Drexel to sell for screenings of "Wicked For Good" was one of the best cocktails I've ever had. Their tea list is also impressive. Take special note of the Emperor's Private Reserve Pu-erh! https://www.thelionbexley.com/menu I don't know how large the place is, so it's possible we might find places to sit, or we might need to stand. This is an informal event to explore this interesting location.