Mercantile

Rated this place:

297 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6R - 2M3

Pumpkin fudge: This long, narrow wonderland of naturally yummy gourmet goods is worth a browse. Just don't get stuck in the back while someone with a baby carriage is getting rung through at the til - you're not getting out. Good side - gives you time to eat more samples of the perfectly pumkin-y creamy fudge squares they're featuring for fall.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• pumpkin fudge

Stem Open Kitchen

Rated this place:

354 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M5V2A2

Diner: I really appreciate the simplicity and kitsch of a real-deal diner. Stem hasn't changed a thing in decades, and that's as it should be. Sliced chicken on toasted brown with lettuce, mayo and a pickle on the side is my perfect nostalgia sandwich. A booth or counter seat here is a great place to get down to basics, or even business, if you happen to work nearby.

King's Noodle Restaurant

Rated this place:

296 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T2E7

Chinese noodle soup: Sweet pork slices, tender duck leg, crisp greens, the most succulent and generously stuffed pork and shrimp wontons and masses of thin egg noodles, together in one bowl, makes me very happy.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Chinese Noodle Soup

Bright Pearl Seafood Rstrnt

Rated this place:

346 Spadina Ave #200, Toronto, ON, M5T2G2

Dim sum: A trip to this massive emporium of Chinese bite-size treasures is a treat. Cart service, and an evening dim sum menu are rounded out with discount happy hours. From the shumai, to the ha gow, to the chinese broccoli, stuffed beancurd skin and curried squid - everything is delicious, hardly greasy, and served with care and stealth (I defy you to notice each time one of your baskets is whisked away). Also, the jasmine tea is actually delicious - no dishwater tea here.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• dim sum

Lileo

Rated this place:

55 Mill St. (Building 35), Toronto, ON, M5A3C4

Clothing boutique: Gallery meets fashion boutique at this - one of my fave spots for a truly satisfying browse, a treat of a clothing purchase, or a kick-ass gift for a fashionista or pop culture-keener friend. Check out the installations of vintage levis, vid stations, design-focused lifestyle and decor items, and stand-out books on things like the history of rock tshirts, or photographs of women in the morning. Everything in this store is hot. Except for the cool cool drinks at the adjoining juice bar.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• clothing boutique

The Local Pub & Restaurant

Rated this place:

396 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6R 2M9

Chili: This chili is the stuff of legend - the recipe was passed down from national chili-champ father to friend-of-The-Local son, and for just $8 you can cozy up to your own delicious bowl o' red and check out the story of two guys with a Canadian chili dream, printed on the menu for your reading pleasure.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• chili

Granowska's

Rated this place:

175 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON, M6R2L3

Donut, Poppyseed cheesecake: These Polish treats have been rated among the best donuts in the city, and for good reason. Wonderful chewy old-school (i.e. yeast) donuts filled with things like poppy seed, custard, sweet cheese, rosehip, or plum and frosted lightly with a lemony glaze will make you remember why people ever started eating fried dough in the first place. 'Cause it can be truly delicious, that's why. And it still is, at Granowska's.

Euro cheesecake layered over a thick base of poppyseed and pastry? opiate class dessert people. it will make you feel good.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Donut
• poppyseed cheesecake

Cafe Diplomatico

Rated this place:

594 College St, Toronto, ON, M6G1B3

Antipasto: For a substantial snack or shareworthy mini meal, you can't beat the antipasto diplomatico. A generous platter of olives, pickled eggplant, sundried tomatoes and marinated mushrooms plus cheese and calabrese bread of this size could scarce be bought at the grocery store for the 8.45 it costs to have it delivered to your umbrella table on one of the most well-appointed patios in Little Italy.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• antipasto

Toronto Centennial Park Ski

Rated this place:

256 Centennial Park Rd, Etobicoke, ON, M9C5N3

Toboganning hill: Just the right geometry for a fast and furious descent. and one serious workout of an ascent. earn your hot chocolate people.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• toboganning hill

Kitchen Stuff Plus

Rated this place:

2887 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M4P2C6

Cheap housewares: They have tonnes of attractive tableware at really reasonable prices - great for every day stoneware needs, impromptu dinner party plates, and supplemental holiday dishes. Also other great housewares for kitchen and bath, including some decent furniture, glassware, fixtures and fun little extras like kitchen gadgets and an array of fridge magnets.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Cheap Housewares

Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre

Rated this place:

189 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, M5B1M4

Theatre: This is one of the last remaining Edwardian double decker theatres (i.e. two separate theatres, one atop the other), and man does it warrant taking a peek (if not taking in a performance). Check out the faux hanging garden that festoons the ceiling, and marvel at the elaborately painted balcony boxes. Feast your eyes on some vintage costumes, cased in glass. An enchanting place.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Theatre

Embassy

Rated this place:

223 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T2L4

Summer cocktail: Their Pimms and lemonade is authentically delicious.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Summer Cocktail

The Dakota Tavern

Rated this place:

249 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON, M6K3A1

Cheap drinks, Monday night mexican musical entertainment, Sunday brunch: Well, we all like cheap drinks because they're cheap. but you gotta love the down-home feel of a place like the dakota. it's a good place to put those drinks back.

Mariachi Mondays people. Mariachi Mondays! A trio of honest-to-goodness Mexican crooners with bling-less sombreros, and funny-lookin guitars graces the Dakota stage each Monday (almost). There is always a Mexican contingent in the house, supplementing the consistent posse of locals. Members of this contingent have been known to take to the stage and sing (well!). Other members have been known to initiate rug-cutting. Bank on good times. And too many beers for a Monday.

Where else can you sit around a communal table, sharing brunch with perfect(ly cool) strangers? break some bread while you break some ice. a nice weekend treat with a great community feel.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Sunday brunch
• Cheap Drinks
• Monday night Mexican musical entertainment

The Rushton

Rated this place:

740 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto, ON, M6C 1B3

Restaurant ambiance: Cultured stone walls, embossed tin roof, picturesque patio, cool black and white photographs, and a cozy bar - I would live here if I could. A lovely summertime feature - the front widows open completely to give an al fresco dining feel to the front-most tables. Waitstaff is attentive and consumately professional while totally friendly.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• restaurant ambiance

Japango Sushi & Noodle Rest

Rated this place:

122 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON, M5G1P5

Sushi: I lived three years in Japan, and this place makes the grade. It's a true replica of bona fide Tokyo sushi-ya, from decor to staff to cuisine and its presentation. Try the signature Japango roll (california roll with grilled scallops and roe), or anything made from the chef's recommendation of the day's best fish. Other faves - the seaweed salad, agedashi tofu, and black sesame ice cream. Mmmm. Thank you Japan(go).

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Sushi

Gladstone Hotel

Rated this place:

1214 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M6J1J6

Boutique hotel, Local food extravaganza: From the honkey tonk karaoke guy to the well-curated calendar of events, to the amazingly creative artist-designed rooms, to the whole philosophy behind revitalizing this hotel mindfully and collaboratively, I think the Gladstone is pretty great.

This perfect marriage between local farmers, brewers, winemakers, and local chefs produces the most tasty, seasonal, sustainable food offerings you can imagine. From affordable hor d'oeuvre tastings to all-out multi-course feasts, each Wednesday night from now til fall harvest boasts a feild-to-table foodie event sure to delight. Ticket info here: http://www.gladstonehotel.com/harvest.htm

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Boutique Hotel
• local food extravaganza

Bonjour Brioche Bakery Cafe

Rated this place:

812 Queen St E, Toronto, ON, M4M1H7

Beef and brie baguette, Coconut macaroon: Here you have one full foot of sandwichy delight to ward off the lunchtime doldrums - from the garlic-rubbed crispy soft French stick to the homemade mayonnaise, to the thinly sliced roast meat to the creamy brie, this sandwich is gourmet comfort food a la francaise.

These sweet cakes of tender toasted coconut meat are caught my eye from their perch atop a cake rack behind the cash. And I am grateful. Other macaroons will forever pale in comparison.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• beef and brie baguette
• coconut macaroon

Le Gourmand

Rated this place:

438 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 3S6

Gourmet to go: The Spadina location is a one-stop shop for a tantalizing picnic spread, lunch to-go, or a no-cook dinner. Substantial salads (goat cheese with walnuts and honey over field greens, potato and green bean with mustard dressing, sesame broccoli, etc.), the upper crust of sandwiches on thuet breads (carmelized onion and beef, smoked salmon, ham and brie, grilled veggie, etc.), decadent pastries, oven fresh quiches and thin crust pizza. Plus a mini gourmet grocery with international specialty foods.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Gourmet to go

The Film Buff

Rated this place:

73 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6R 2K6

Video shop: A great selection of cult and other classics, docs, foreign film, horror and campy goodness, festival selections and all the best new releases fill the shelves; the owner and the gang behind the counter are friendly and knowledgeable (and know you); and there's an great cafe and ice cream parlour right inside. It's a winning combo that has made this place something of a local hangout in the warmer months, with the benches and steps outside full of neighbourhood folks, fams, couples and dogs.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Video shop

401 Richmond

Rated this place:

401 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 3A8

Rooftop garden: It's a bona fide urban oasis. a great place to escape the sea of concrete below and make friends with a plant or two instead. or some other friendly lunchers. chill. eat. pet the resident dog. breathe deeper. leave fortified.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• rooftop garden

Awenda Provincial Park

Rated this place:

Box 5004, Penetanguishene, ON, L9M 2G2

Summer daytrip: It's a really beautiful spot, with gorgeous hiking, a string of interconnected beaches with beautiful clean water and sandbars that let you walk out in the lake forever. the campsites are really large, well-treed and private. you can rent canoes as well. great even as a day trip.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• summer daytrip

Communist's Daughter

Rated this place:

1149 Dundas West, Toronto, ON, M4M1S3

Neighbourhood bar: Good crowd of sufficiently friendly and interesting regulars of the youngish/hippish variety, crokinole boards galore, and one of the best juke boxes around - if you can get a seat at this no frills watering hole, you'd be advised to take it. i hear the pickled eggs are also very good. if you're into that kind of thing.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• neighbourhood bar

Diesel Playhouse

Rated this place:

56 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON, M5V 2G3

Comedy event: The Sketchersons weekly comedy sesh is a great way to finish off any weekend in the city. Great guest hosts, clever satire and solid character acting courtesy of the regular cast, funny video bits and a little live band action between sketches make for a laugh-worthy evening's entertainment.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• comedy event

Nathan Phillips Square

Rated this place:

100 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON, M5H2N1

Street food festival: For the first time ever, some of Toronto's top chefs will be sharing their inspired takes on what street food could be, now that the stringent health regulations for food kiosk proprietors (that have limited Tdot street food to cooked meat products) are about to loosen up August 1st. Bring on the street stall gourmet!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• street food festival

The Cheltenham Badlands

Rated this place:

1401-1999 Olde Baseline Rd, Cheltenham (near Caledon), ON

Gta daytrip: Just about an hour up Hwy 10, out toward Caledon, in a little place called Claude, there is a crazy geological wonder called the Badlands. Turn left onto Old Baseline Rd, and within a few minutes you'll find your way to a Mars-esque landscape of climbable red undulating hills and furrows carved out by mountain rivers of prehistory. Neato.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• gta daytrip