Riverdale’s GEM: Our newest collaborative-run beer garden

Article and photos by Fleur Boomsma

It’s all about the beachy vibes: the sand lot, hanging barn lights, and the sunset orange picnic tables along with Muskoka chairs really make you feel like you’re on vacation in Mexico. Gerrard East Market, also known as GEM is your new family and pet-friendly outdoor summer patio.

Since there is limited indoor and outdoor dining space available on Gerrard St East, GEM highly benefits local restaurants such as the Pinkerton, La Cubana, and Poor Romeo. These vendors offer so many different variety-style meals that everyone with different taste buds can enjoy. GEM doesn’t target one specific audience; it invites everyone with open arms.

Riverdale is one big community, and this is an ideal way to bring the local restaurants and its residents together to support each other during these difficult times.

This outdoor patio is also highly supported by Mayor John Tory and Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher.

Of course, social distancing measurements are enforced. You’ll find plastic coverings between the picnic tables, contactless delivery from these local restaurants, and masks are mandatory upon arrival until you’re seated. The staff are helpful and will serve you quick with your drinks while you wait for your online order to be delivered.

How does it work?
Since it’s a walk-in only, you’ll have to wait in line outside of GEM. Each restaurant has their own QR codes attached to your table for easy ordering and contactless and cashless payment. You just have to ensure that you put your right table number in your order! Drinks can be ordered directly from the GEM staff using their pay-per-round method.

We hope GEM can be an eye-opening and pleasurable experience and makes you want to visit their local restaurants in the fall. The pop-up outdoor patio is open Thursdays to Sundays. Since the pop-up is part of the CafeTO program, you can expect GEM to run until November of this year.

Opening hours
Thursday: 6-10pm
Friday: 6-11pm
Saturday: noon-11pm
Sunday: noon-10pm

1014 Gerrard St East, Toronto, Ontario

GEM’s vendors

Hype Food Co.
This local restaurant and bakery offers an allergy-friendly menu. Those who may have a nut and/or a gluten allergy will find great options here. Their kitchen is free from gluten and priority allergens such as peanuts, fish, diary, and wheat.

Pinkerton’s
This retro snack bar offers Asian-inspired small plates called bao, which are meals packed away in a white, warm, soft bun. They offer a variety of bao options along with a few vegan options and other snacks such as duck fried rice and king mushroom nappa rolls.

La Cubana
This family-run restaurant offers home-made Cuban comfort food. Their GEM menu includes a variety of dishes such as their Cuban plates such as Guava BBQ beef short ribs and pork shoulder. All of their dishes are greatly seasoned and there is an option for everyone in the family.

Poor Romeo
They serve all kinds of delicious comfort foods at GEM including dishes such as Buffalo cauliflower and smash patty burger and fried chicken called the ‘Southern man’. Classic meals with a twist. The perfect comfort food.

The Vatican Gift Shop
Although you might think this is a gift shop, they’re actually known for their hand-tossed pizzas (and cocktails). Trust us, their variety of pizzas won’t bore you. You’ll have the option of ordering 10” personal pizzas or 13” regular pizzas.

The Dive Shop
This local bar offers a variety of options including jerk chicken wings, Barbacoa tacos, lemongrass pork skewers, and even spicy garlic shrimp. Their food and their location give you a beachy vibe. They’re a perfect fit for GEM.

Yard Sale
As this retro bar usually attracts the hippies, disco queens, and boogie kings, they will now attract all kinds of locals because of their cultural and flavourful options. Are you feeling some Mexican food? Grab their Mexican corn salad. Or are you feeling some Thai food? Grab their Bangkok pad Thai. There are enough options for everyone. Yard Sale also offers icy snow cones and ice pops for those who want to cool off!

Com Tam Pho 168
They serve true authentic Vietnamese cousine. With their affordable menu prices you’re able to grab a few snacks like deep fried shrimp rolls, spring rolls, and Vietnamese sausage rolls.

GB Hand Pulled Noodles
The name of the restaurant says it all. They serve heaping ramen bowls of steamy handmade Lanzhou-style noodles, such as the Zha Jiang Noodles and special beef Lanzhou beef noodles. You also have options to order their classic chow mein (with your choice of protein) and dishes like bok choy and kimchi.

241 Pizza
Their main ideology is to serve pizza with the freshest ingredients at an affordable price. They also use GMO free flour to make their pizza dough.