1. Balzac’s Café
In the entrée to the yet-to-be-finished Toy Factory Lofts, Balzac’s romances condo dwellers with all the requisite touches: broad chalkboards, cane-backed bistro chairs and potent espresso. Lots to sate the francophile: croissants from Clafouti, citron pressé and fancy tea from Mariage Frères. 43 Hanna Ave., 416-207-1709.

2. Maro
A sprawling resto from club czar Marc Kyriacou, Maro feels like a giant bento box, all lacquered surfaces and savoury nibbles. The trendy menu (lobster latte is a shot of bisque topped with nutmeg foam) comes courtesy of Nectar chef David Adjey. 135 Liberty St., 416-588-2888.

3. Circles and Squares
Dufflet be warned: this bakery (supplier to the new Opera House) seduces with a pageant of goodies delish enough to unseat the city’s reigning tart dealer. Cappuccino- and chocolate-mint-flavoured cupcakes are a forte; a 10-inch, 10-pound carrot cake is a heavyweight champion; and chocolate chip banana bread is the best in town. 171 East Liberty St., Ste. 133, 416-534-1511.

4. Suzanne Gardner
Though new to the nabe, this graceful florist has been flogging blooms for 22 years. Painterly arrangements favour the finest: Yves Piaget old English roses, petite Ecua­dorean calla lilies, and cattleya orchids. 171 East Liberty St., Ste. 157, 416-530-0065.

5. Oro Café
Even the bottled water here (Goccia di Carnia) comes from Italy. Owner Antonio Sorrenti named his café after a northern Italian coffee company, outfitting it with terrazzo floors and photos of Friulian piazzas. To satisfy a bustling lunch crowd, chef Maria Lanzillotto conjures up panini with roast chicken, rapini and sweet onions, among other delectables. Tip: Oro offers free wi-fi (a rare treat in this town), so you can linger over lattes and your laptop. 171 East Liberty St., Ste. 165, 416-588-7688.

6. Dekla
Exclusive carrier of Italian brands Scavolini and Agape, this kitchen-porn paradise lures condo buyers with cupboards in the shiny, saturated colours of vintage Vespas, and Venetian glass mosaic back­splashes that make ceramic seem desperately staid. 171 East Liberty St., Ste. 106, 416-961-2929.

7. Casa Life
Industrial designer Rob Whitfield was an early settler in the neighbourhood when he opened this sprawling shop four years ago. Here, everything is cleverly suited to the space-challenged: the Juliet is both couch and chaise; the Liberty drawer bed is ideal for hidden storage; and the newest “condo sofa” has arms that double as CD drawers. 171 East Liberty St., Ste. 170, 416-922-2785.

8. Atelier Thuet
The passionately curated takeout enterprise from Marc Thuet, who declares Liberty Village the “sexiest address in Toronto,” casts the spotlight on Cumbrae’s meats, his own loaves, wedges from the Cheese Boutique and an evolving seasonal menu of best-of-Thuet mains. And to the whimpering delight of pooches, artisanal dog biscuits are made with garlic, cognac, port, veggies, eggs and double-stage duck stock that takes him five days to prepare. The finishing touch: Thuet glazes the bones with a foie gras reduction. 171 East Liberty St., Ste. 155.