Robbie Burns Night Celebration 2010

Time to address the haggis once more, as Toronto celebrates the 250th anniversary edition of Robbie Burns Day this Monday, January 25 with fine Scotch whiskey, Cock-a-Leekie soup, shortbread and of course haggis. Here are some of the events going on around town.

Until January 25: Robbie Burns Day Feature Menu at the Irish Pubs as well as Mill Street Brew Pub (to January 24) in the Distillery District, featuring Scotch broth, Lancashire cheese dip, Sausage & onion baguette, Traditional cheese & onion pie, Horseradish & oat-crusted Arctic char and Deep-fried Mars Bar. The Irish Pub family includes:

• The Brazen Head (165 East Liberty)
• The Pour House (182 Dupont)
• Murphy's Law (1702 Queen East)
• The Foggy Dew (803 King West)
• Pogue Mahone (777 Bay)
• Watermark (207 Queen's Quay West)
• Ned Devine's (575 Ontario Street South in Milton)

Until January 31: Robbie Burns Festival at the Duke Pubs, with special menus and featuring Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky and Deuchars IPA, as well as Robbie Burns Day Address to the Haggis. Check the individual websites for schedules and details.

• Duke of Somerset (655 Bay)
• Duke of Westminster (First Canadian Place)
• Duke of Devon (TD Centre)
• Duke of Richmond (Eaton Centre)
• Duke of Kent (2315 Yonge)
• Duke of York (39 Prince Arthur)

Friday & Saturday, January 22 & 23, 7 p.m.: 16th annual Robbie Burns Banquet (Granite Brewery, 245 Eglinton East, 416-322-0723). $50 pp incl. tax+tip. Pipers, a full meal and the traditional haggis ceremony.

Saturday, January 23, 11:30 a.m.: LCBO Scotch Sampling (LCBO Summerhill Store Event Kitchen, 10 Scrivener Square at Yonge & Summerhill). Tastings of Bowmore Islay 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Auchentoshan 12-Year-Old Triple Distilled Lowland Single Malt, as well as sampling of haggis accompanied by Highland dancing and piper Jack Jackson, attired as Robbie Burns, who will pipe in and address the haggis.

Sunday, January 24, Noon to 4:30 p.m.: Robbie Burns Day at Mackenzie House (82 Bond Street, 416-392-6915). Live music, storytelling, shortbread and haggis. Admission: Child: $3.50 Youth & seniors: $4 Adult: $6

Saturday to Monday, January 23 to 25: Robbie Burns Weekend at The Monk’s Table (1276 Yonge, 416-920-9074). A three-course prix fixe menu, with optional beer pairings selected by Josh Rubin of the Toronto Star. $40 pp+tax+tip, not including drinks. Menus:

• January 23: Cock-a-Leekie soup, Choice of Haggis millefeuille with parsnip & black pudding mousse or Fisherman’s pie with scalloped cheddar potato. Dessert: Cranachan with strawberries & gingerbread
• January 24: Cauliflower & cheese soup, Choice of Haggis & salmon duo with leek & ginger bullion & horseradish potato or Dundee lamb chops with colcannon. Dessert: Peach oatmeal crumble & Caledonian cream
• January 25: Oxtail & onion soup, Choice of Haggis & kedgeree duo with neeps & tatties or Venison strip loin with Dalwhinnie Scotch sauce. Dessert: Raspberry & Drambuie cheesecake

Monday, January 25: Burns Supper Specials at The Auld Spot Pubs (633 College, 416-645-0285 and 347 Danforth, 416-406-4688). There will be a traditional Address to the Haggis with complimentary haggis and crackers at 8 p.m. (College Steet) and 9 p.m. (Danforth). The menu choices include Ploughman’s Lunch, Cock-a-Leekie, Kedgeree, Steak and kidney pie, and the lethal-sounding Deep-fried Mars Bar trifle.

Monday, January 25, 6:30 p.m.: Traditonal Robbie Burns Supper & Scotch Nosing (The Foggy Dew, 803 King West). Scotch egg, Cock-a-Leekie soup, Haggis, Filet mignon topped with Dalwhinnie Scotch sauce, served with neeps & champit tatties, The Bard's Ice Cream Sensation and Scottish shortbread. $39.99 pp+tax+tip.

Monday, January 25: Burns Night at Allen's (143 Danforth, 416-463-3086). A three-course traditional menu with music by the The Scarborough Pipes and Drums, songs by Diane Raeside and highland dance performances by The Sheryl Joiner Troupe. Address to the Haggis at 6:30 p.m. $60 pp+tax+tip (reservation required).

Tuesday, January 26, 6:30 p.m.: Traditonal Robbie Burns Supper & Scotch Nosing (The Pour House, 182 Dupont and Murphy's Law, 1702 Queen East). Scotch egg, Cock-a-Leekie soup, Haggis, Filet mignon topped with Dalwhinnie Scotch sauce, served with neeps & champit tatties, The Bard's Ice Cream Sensation and Scottish shortbread. $39.99 pp+tax+tip.

Wednesday, January 27, 6:30 p.m.: Traditonal Robbie Burns Supper & Scotch Nosing (Pogue Mahone, 777 Bay). Scotch egg, Cock-a-Leekie soup, Haggis, Filet mignon topped with Dalwhinnie Scotch sauce, served with neeps & champit tatties, The Bard's Ice Cream Sensation and Scottish shortbread. $39.99 pp+tax+tip.

Thursday, January 28, 6:30 p.m.: Traditonal Robbie Burns Supper & Beer Tasting SOLD OUT! (Mill Street Brew Pub in the Distillery District). Scotch egg, Cock-a-Leekie soup, Haggis, Filet mignon topped with Dalwhinnie Scotch sauce, served with neeps & champit tatties, The Bard's Ice Cream Sensation and Scottish shortbread. $49.99 pp+tax+tip.

Feel free to post additions to this list!