Sidecar Bar And Grill

Rated this place:

577 College Street, Toronto, ON, M6G1B2

Fabulous Cocktails: This college eatery has a retro vibe that imbues your dinner dates with extra charm. The varied menu offers everything from seared tuna and tempura to risotto and lamb chops, so there is something for nearly everyone’s tastes.The cocktail and food pairings are a cute idea and appropriate too, considering it would be a crime to leave without sampling the Rooibos #1, a delectable blend of gin, pimms #1 and rooibos tea or the namesake of th3e restaurant- the classic sidecar.

Trevor Kitchen & Bar

Rated this place:

38 Wellington Street East, Toronto, ON, M5E 1C7

Comfort Food with a Twist: A fabulous cocktail and wine list and ambient candlelit atmosphere make dining at Trevor a solid Saturday night choice. Comfort foods are given gourmet twists, such as macaroni & asiago cheese with seared foie gras and truffled goat cheese poutine. I also love their kobe sliders, which can be ordered off the lounge menu. Celebrating birthdays are made even more festive with a baked alaska banana split dessert which is left ignited at your table.

Bagel World Coffee Shop

Rated this place:

336 Wilson Av, North York, ON, M3H1S9

bring on the cream cheese and lox platter!: This no-frills restaurant is popular for take out on a weekend morning but people also line up to sit down for some eggs with their requisite scrumptious bagels or flagels (flat bagels- so good- trust me!) Bring a few friends and nosh on your cream cheese and lox or tuna platters with all of the fixings. Their poached eggs are always soft and runny and old timers lust after their scrambled eggs and onions.

The Harbord Room

Rated this place:

89 Harbord St., Toronto, ON, M5S 1G4

Fresh flavours and delightful atmosphere: It’s easy to walk by this inconspicuous-looking row house on Harbord but you’d be sorry to miss this gem of a restaurant if you didn’t walk in for a closer look. A delight for foodies, Harbord Room offers an imaginative menu with crisp fresh ingredients in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. A series of small, medium and large dishes allow you to sample a variety of flavors. I recommend the salt cod fritters, applewood smoked cheddar grilled cheese, aerctic char salad and the succulent grilled veal chop. The back patio is a charming spot in the summer but go early to avoid line-ups.

Torito

Rated this place:

276 Augusta Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5T2L9

Tapas and a nice glass of cava: This Kensington eatery is a popular spot for young couples and large groups of friends to share delectable small plates of Spanish-style tapas. A nice selection of sherry, sangria and cava accompanies the menu’s exotic flavours along with some more unusual bottled beers, including blanche de chambly.The beet, lentil and goat cheese salad is delicious and the patatas brabas and chorizo is super filling. Finish it off with the figs, benedictin cheese and mil flores honey dessert and you’re good to go.

Agostino Ristorante

Rated this place:

2497 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M4P 2H6

Franco has done it again: Owner Franco, of Banfi fame, has opened a new Italian eatery with a homey atmosphere and delectable menu.Great service and a central location make Agostino's a no-brainer for midtown couple's in search of a delicious and low-key dinner.Portions are hearty and you’re likely to see the owner Franco greeting patrons with handshakes and smiles.My favourite is the mixed fried calamari, zucchini and shrimp appetizer and the Bucatini all'Amatriciana.

Mars Uptown Restaurant

Rated this place:

2363 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4P2C8

Classic Diner Feel: This yonge and eglinton standby is a no-fail greasy spoon with a classic friendly diner feel. Bacon and eggs are easy no brainers here, but if you’re dining with someone who’s watching their waistline, Mars offers a lovely baked apple dish with granola. If you’re dining with me, however, than it’s a Grand Slam breakfast all the way- just please put the pancake on a separate plate.

Aunties & Uncles

Rated this place:

74 Lippincott St, Toronto, ON, M5S2P1

retro charm: Guaranteed line-ups can dissuade many, but hard core fans of Aunties & Uncles still flock to this hipster hangout for weekend brunch (especially on a nice day when the patio beckons.A charmingly eclectic vibe with retro touches matches the comfort factor of the delicious menu. The breakfast sandwich served up with their herb-heavy potato salad hits the spot but my favourite is the fluffy yet crispy french toast with poached pears.

Cantine Restaurant Bar

Rated this place:

138 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON, M5R2H6

good for gabbing over your brunch...: Great atmosphere and a varied menu keep crowds returning to Cantine for weekend brunch. Vibrant art work and cozy armchairs set the stage for a delightful meal – perfect for catching up with your girlfriends over cappuccinos. If feeling decadent you can indulge in a ham and brie omelette but the crepes, frittatas and benedicts are excellent as well. Smaller portions are served and beware- try not to eat all of your toast at the start of the meal!

Boom Breakfast & Co

Rated this place:

1036 St Clair Ave. W., Toronto, ON, M6E1A3

massive menu for finicky diners: A massive menu covering sweet to savoury and everything in between is guaranteed to please a big crowd. With a couple of other locations around the city, the St Clair outpost is my favourite for its tight-knit community atmosphere and steady service. Plenty of health-conscious options are offered in addition to the usual benedicts, omelettes, pancakes and more, but it’s too hard to resist those crispy frites! I always enjoy the tuscan eggs (poached eggs with roasted tomatoes on dark rye) with a creamy iced capacino but I’ve been known to dive into the blueberry pancakes too!

School Bakery & Cafe

Rated this place:

70 Fraser Ave., Toronto, ON, M6K 3E1

A Lesson in Good Brunch: The owners took the title theme of this Liberty Village hot spot and ran with it! The décor of School transports you back into homeroom, complete with chalkboards, vintage typewriters and other educational paraphernalia that is meant to make patrons chuckle. The creative menu (typed on lined paper attached to clipboards no less!) offers amazing sandwiches, waffles, pancakes and other favourites with a unique twist. Try the chipotle biscuit sandwich if you want salty or the Georgia peach pancakes if you'd like to treat yourself to some sweet.

Avenue Road Diner

Rated this place:

222 Davenport Rd, Toronto, ON, M5R 1J6

Feel Like a Kid Again: Stop by this narrow neighbourhood favourite and grab a stool at the counter or a seat at the smattering of tables for an old school diner experience. Nostalgic décor makes you feel like a kid again, and the bevy of shakes, floats and other treats on the menu only reinforces that old school feeling. If you’re not into bacon and eggs- try the tuna melt with fries!

Steve's Family Restaurant

Rated this place:

3788 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON, M3H 3M9

amazing home fries...: A family restaurant through and through, it’s hard-pressed to walk into Steve’s on a weekend and not see strollers and kids running around in all three sections of the busy establishment. Loyal patrons swear by their greek salad, but unless it’s lunch time I stick with good old bacon and eggs or a club sandwich accompanied by some of my favourite homefries in Toronto.

Senior’s Restaurant and Steakhouse

Rated this place:

1397 Yonge St., Toronto, ON

Old School Flavour for Saturdays Only: Open for over 40 years, this yonge and st clair steakhouse is pleasantly old school with its dim wood paneled dining room and worn in feel. Veterans and youngens alike enjoy their amazingly simple breakfasts without any pretension or pomp and circumstance. Their thick-cut bacon and perfectly cooked eggs slide around on your plate waiting to be mopped up with your delicious buttery toast. It’s just classic greasy goodness. The only drawback is it’s only open on Saturdays.

L'Atelier

Rated this place:

1224 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4T1W3

Tempting Treasures: It’s not easy to walk out of L’Atelier empty handed.Sleek lacquered consoles, angular end tables and vintage desks are topped with amazing accessories begging for a new home on your coffee table.Prices are not outrageous but not quite for bargain hunters. A 1960s lucite bar cart is $1,400, tall mercury glass candlesticks are $39 and a striking rock crystal vase is $1,239

Constantine Interiors Inc

Rated this place:

1110 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4W2L6

Famous for Fortuny: The city’s best selection of john derian decoupage, plenty of fortuny lamps and unique furniture pieces make Constantine a favourite of Toronto designers and stylists.Throw pillows, garden stools, trays and other accessories are mixed in with streamlined sofas and some larger interesting storage pieces.Look out for the stunning aquariums!

Decorum Decorative Finds

Rated this place:

1210 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4T1W1

Murano Lamp Heaven: Decorum Decorative Finds is where both modern and traditional mix in a conclave of vintage chic. Stunning pendant fixtures and chandeliers can either add class or quirk to your space.A hot bed of murano and glass lamps, stop by Decorum first when looking for interesting table lamps in all shapes, sizes and colours.Make sure you visit the upstairs section before calling it a day – you never know what could be waiting for you up there!

French Country Inc

Rated this place:

6 Roxborough St W, Toronto, ON, M5R1T8

Provence or bust!: Are you aching for a charming life in Provence filled with pastel dishes and cloche jar-covered pastries? Look no further than French County, a lovely little shop tucked away on a side street off of the Rosedale décor strip on Yonge.Bee-engraved glassware, pewter accessories, hotel silverware and stoneware are just some of the multiple tabletop offerings.Although the store has recently been downsized, it is still a must-visit for all lovers of country and shabby-chic.

Absolutely Inc

Rated this place:

1132 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4W2L8

Absolutely Worth A Visit...: Nosing through the wares at Absolutely Inc. can be hit or miss, but when seeking out a finishing touch for your space it’s always a worthy stop on your decorating mission.Hide pillows, vintage trays, and decorative boxes can be mixed and matched for interesting vignettes. I am personally aching for a quirky set of three sea urchin ornaments for $129 but could very likely end up with a single lucite and lacquered box for $79.

Putti

Rated this place:

1104 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4W2L6

Delightful displays of beautiful things: Filled with both antiques and more affordable reproductions, Putti is a choice destination for décor enthusiasts, designers and shopping-addicts alike.If you’re looking for a hostess gift, some accessories to spruce up your bath or powder room, or even a unique French flea market find: Putti is your store.Stocked by frequent sourcing jaunts to New York and Europe, Putti carries fine antiques, linens, chandeliers, crystal, murano glass, apocathary products, tableware and more.Perfume bottles mingle with antique dishes and glassware on the shelves of multiple antique armoires while pretty beds and sofas are stacked with sumptuous pillows and quilts.Tucked into a niche is a gorgeous display of stationary and greeting cards, wrapping paper and magnets- making it a literal one-stop shop when sourcing a gift.Signature lines include Lamp Berger , Cire Trudon candles, Currey and Co. Lighting and more.

Hope Street Cafe

Rated this place:

324-326 Lonsdale Rd., Toronto, ON, M4V 1X4

hope floats with a side of citrus hollandaise: This Forest Hill Village eatery is a popular spot for locals to enjoy their eggs Benedict and infamous sweet potato fries. A cozy atmosphere inside with an equally tight narrow patio in the summer, there is often a bit of a line to get a table. The food is not too cheap, but the portions are very generous (they don’t call them jumbo omelettes for nothing!) My personal fave is the California omelette with its fresh plumb tomatoes, creamy avocado and gooey cheddar cheese.

Stemz

Rated this place:

783 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON, M4M 1H5

Beautiful and bright!: This breathtaking floral design studio is pure delight for the senses. The narrow sun-lit space houses interesting floral and plant arrangements with old school chalkboards listing prices. Stemz services customers walking in off the street but they specialize in weddings and special events. There are also workshops offered for people looking to develop their floral skills (perhaps a sweet mother's day activity to try...)

Phil'z

Rated this place:

792 queen st east, Toronto, ON, M4M 1H4

Vintage Mishmash: A mishmash of vintage furniture and accessories from various styles and era makes visiting Philz a worthy stop for any design enthusiast cruising the Queen East strip.Some of the mid-century modern pieces have been refurbished and prices reflect their makeovers, including a show stopping 3-piece curved sofa and ottoman for just under $6,000.One fault is the prickly staff – being reprimanded for turning over price tags and being watched like a hawk while browsing never makes for an enjoyable browsing experience…

Pazo Modern Furniture

Rated this place:

781 Queen St East, Toronto, ON, M4M 1H5

It's a Mod Mod World at Pazo: Enthusiasts of mid century modern and Scandinavian classics should take a peak inside Pazo.George Nelson clocks, a massive collection of Fornasetti plates and works by architect and designer Gaetana Pesce round out the selection of both used and new modern designs.

Jackson Falk

Rated this place:

1096 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

Stately charm and character: Formerly Orleans, this antiques shop has many large pieces and quirky accessories looking for new homes.Early 20th century Alabaster table lamps ($650) are a classic pick, while a pair of painted night tables ($750) would look at home in a Parisian-inspired boudoir. Vintage metal canisters add historic charm to a kitchen and a stunning Louis-XVI leather-top desk is the perfect centerpiece for a study.