Patio season is in full swing (Photo by IntangibleArts)
With the summertime gods finally smiling, we took another look around town for patios that have sprouted up this season. Here, five brand new places to satisfy the craving for fresh air and fresh fare.
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen recently debuted its 40-person garden patio. The landscaped loggia faces west, so diners can catch the sun as it sets over Liberty Village. The house maragarita, made with a drop of blue curacoa, can help fuel the after-dark mood, which stays healthy until midnight on weeknights and up to 1:30 Friday and Saturday.
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, 85 Hanna Street, 416-588-5695, templekitchen.com.
The Harbord Street bistro Loire put the polish on its boulevard cafe about three weeks ago. The 40-seat cedar-planked terrace is semi-private: a fence keep things quiet but doesn’t block the breeze, and a canopy protects diners from the rain. Chef Jean-Charles Dupoire’s romantic French fare is available until 10 p.m.
Loire, 119 Harbord, 416-850-8330, loirerestaurant.ca.
Before Burger Quality Meats owner Saeed Mohamed got his own patio, he had to borrow outdoor digs from Sweaty Betty’s to hold his Sunday barbecues. Now he has his own south-facing deck, where guests can enjoy their burgers and watch the Ossingtonians go by. Local beers like Creemore, Wellington and Kawartha Lake Brewing Company’s raspberry blend make for agreeable outdoor companions.
Burger Quality Meats, 210 Ossington Ave, 416-850-1919, burgershoppe.com.
The newest addition of the Mercatto family, which just opened on College Street, will unveil a 50-person terrace in early July. The area will be shielded from the street’s hubbub by trees, while a northern exposure saves power-lunching suits from the strong midday sun. In the post-work hours, the resto serves signature prosecco and blood orange juice cocktails.
101 College Street, 416-595-5625, mercatto.ca.
Jamie Kennedy’s Gilead Café introduced open air seating last month. The small, shade-dappled patio has room for about a dozen people to enjoy the aromatic wafts from the café’s kitchen. While the secluded alleyway spot is fenced in, the final stages of some construction down the road make for noisy neighbours. The café is beer-friendly, but the patio isn’t licensed, so tippling is indoors only.
Gilead Café, 4 Gilead Place, 647-288-0680, jamiekennedy.ca.
A Taste of Quebec will be opening a patio in the Distillery on Friday for people to enjoy tasty Quebecois food. Headed up by chef Pierre Robillard of Cafe du Lac. Unlicensed yet but soon to be.
July 1, 2009 at 2:40 pm | by KjPop Bistro in Riverside (Queen & Broadview) has the most amazing gem of a back patio! The best in the hood!
July 7, 2009 at 8:19 am | by PhotogirlLoons on Roncesvalles has a great patio along with a decent selection of beers and pretty good wings.
July 7, 2009 at 11:01 pm | by Coleminer