Mr. Toronto

The weather has been gorgeous these past few days in Toronto, and whoever hasn’t been glued to the hockey playoffs (this IS Canada, after all) has been hanging out at one of the City’s fantastic outdoor patios. Nothing like sitting in the sun (or shade – I’m an equal opportunity patio lounger) and quaffing one of our fine Canadian brews while watching the world go by.

Some of the best places to do that include:

• The Black Bull at 298 Queen Street (a hangout for everyone from bikers to punkers to jocks)
• The Madison at 14 Madison (with FIVE levels of patios!)
• The Wheat Sheaf Tavern at 667 King W (Toronto’s oldest, open since 1849)
• Polson Pier at 11 Polson (formerly known as “The Docks”, it is probably the largest patio in the City, with definitely the most awesome view)
• Café Diplomatico at 594 College (a Little Italy institution)
• Sweaty Betty’s at 13 Ossington (had to throw that is because I LOVE the name, and no list would be complete without mention of the hip Ossington strip)
• Hemingway’s at 142 Cumberland (in the heart of Yorkville – quite a different crowd than the Black Bull)

And my two very favourite out-of-the-way hideaways (worth the schlep):

• The Gem Bar & Grill at 1159 Davenport, a very hip neighbourhood hangout that usually has great free live music to boot
• The Rectory Café on Ward’s Island – this one you have to take a ferry to- catch it from the foot of Yonge St. next to the Westin Hotel; you’ll feel like you’re on an island retreat (wait a minute – you ARE!)

Wanted to tell you about these early in the season, so you’ll have time to try them ALL! And feel free to let me know about your favourites, too.

Cheers!

Mr. Toronto

I find myself apologizing again for taking way too long between blogs….don’t blame it on me, blame it on this fabulous City, that is keeping me way too busy going to new concerts, plays, restaurants, events (it’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it…). At any rate, no more excuses. I am turning over a new leaf to write more frequent (and consequently, most likely, shorter) entries…

Thought I’d share a couple of things with you this time around. First, my local neighbourhood mag, the Village Post, just came out with their list (courtesy of Joanne Kates, Toronto’s most famous dining critic) of the “100 Best Restaurants” in Toronto. Here are the top ten (no time or space to go into details, so I’ll just list and you can Google):

1. Pastis
2. Scaramouche
3. Nota Bene
4. Black Hoof
5. Centro
6. Cava
7. Hashimoto
8. Mistura
9. Hoof Café
10. Splendido

Secondly, Yonge-Dundas Square, which has become the heart/central gathering place of Toronto (think Times Square), has unveiled its extensive schedule of FREE activities for the spring/summer. Every Wednesday from now thru mid- October (we like to still consider this summer – it hasn’t started snowing yet), “Serenades in the Square” take over from 12:30-1:30. Different jazz, folk, and roots performers every week; bring a picnic lunch and sit at one of the many tables available (if you’re lucky!). Friday nights from 8-10pm is the “Global Grooves” program, with funky bands representing sounds from around the planet. Tuesday nights at sunset, there are outdoor films on a ginormous screen; the theme this year is “Safecracker Cinema”. And every Friday, Saturday and Sunday there is a weekend Artisan Market, with vendors of unique handcrafted items. For detailed info on all these invites, go to www.ydsquare.ca

Talk to you again soon – promise!

Mr. Toronto