GIVEAWAY | Brunchin' and Boozin' on the patio at Aroma Espresso Bars

Are you a brunch lover like myself? Then, I suppose you've already hit your favourite brunch spots this summer or maybe found a new gem in your neighbourhood. I love brunch because it's the perfect excuse to go back to the diner that you've been going for years or to discover a new place and catch up with friends over delicious food and coffee. Summer brunches are the cream of the crop, the cherry on top for me since I can eat on the patio and enjoy the warm sunshine that is becoming such a rarity in Toronto (haha). Last weekend, a few girls and I got together at Aroma Espresso Bar's Liberty Village location for some brunchin' and boozin - yes, you read that right.

REVIEW | Patria

Any news about brunch comes as extra exciting for the both of us. It's probably because everyone we try to have brunch, we search high and low for a place that can accommodate or even find that hidden gem that takes reservations. We could barely contain our excitement when we found out that Patria also serves brunch! 

REVIEW| Let's Be Frank

Hot dogs have come a long way in the culinary world. Always the bridesmaid and never the brides at a family barbeque when paired with its hamburger counterpart, and sharing the spotlight with beer and other snacks at a baseball game, hot dogs have finally taken center stage.

Let's Be Frank, a newly opened hot dog bar at College and Spadina has finally given hot dogs the attention they deserve. You may have run into them in the past as they started off on a much smaller scale at festivals, food truck and even a pop up restaurant, they've finally settled down for good. 

EVENT | Impressive cocktails & tasty nibbles to #PayPalIt at the Beverley Hotel's rooftop patio

What goes well with sunny weather and a group of friends? If you guessed patio, you're thinking what we're thinking. Last week, we went on a mini 'patio-hopping' on Queen St. with a group of bloggers and started our night at Fonda Lola. Our second stop was the modern & chic Queen West neighbourhood gem, The Beverley Hotel's rooftop patio - one with a gorgeous view!

Teddy Chau Photography

EVENT | Celebrating National Tequila Day at Milagro Cantina's patio in Queen West

On National Tequila Day, it's only natural that you head to a patio to soak up the sun with Tequila cocktails in hand, or if you had a real bad day at work, shots.  That's exactly what I did - went to the gorgeous patio party at Milagro Cantina on Queen West. 

REVIEW | The Shore Grill & Grotto has a wide range of menu options, delicious food & a great patio!

Patio season is here in Toronto - and it's about time! The sunny afternoon this weekend led me to one of my favourite neighbours in Toronto - Port Credit for dinner and a stroll by the marina.  All the restaurants were bustling with hungry diners or people enjoying a drink or two, soaking in the sunshine.  I made reservations, so it wasn't too long until we got a seat at the Shore Grill & Grotto.

REVIEW | Destingo for Winterlicious 2014 - quaint & casual trattoria on Queen West

Queen West is one of those neighbourhoods where you're bound to find a great place to eat.. on every corner! I have yet to visit Destingo so Winterlicious was a good excuse for me to see what they're all about.  Yes, it's hard to judge a restaurant during this time as service may be compromised, but my dinner at Destingo was close to perfect.

REVIEW | The Grille on Queensway - providing delicious breakfast, lunch & dinner 24/7

I've been going to The Grill for years and years but never got around to writing a review on them.  Every time I go there, I'm in the habit of just enjoying my meal there as a customer so I always forget to take pictures!  Read on to see why this is one of my favourites in the neighbourhood.

REVIEW | Rock Lobster Food Co. - popular Ossington Strip eatery provides creative ways to enjoy your lobster

Who doesn't like lobster, right? Rock Lobster has been creating a stir in Toronto's food scene as the city's very first lobster centric eatery by owner Matt Dean Pettit since its opening in 2011.  It's still seeing long line ups and a huge fan-base with their fresh & creative lobster dishes.

REVIEW | Green Papaya - awesome lunch specials & patio on yonge st.

If you're around a busy area like Yonge & Eglinton, there's always a lot of restaurants to choose from.  However, when I want Thai/ Vietnamese food, I find myself returning to Green Papaya, a cozy little restaurant located just a few blocks North of Eglinton, for its lunch specials.

Photo from greenpapayatoronto.com

REVIEW | JaBistro - Toronto's Japanese hot spot takes Sushi to the next level

Who hasn't heard of Toronto's new sushi hot spot, JaBistro by now?  Opened by James Kim, the man behind Guu Izakaya and Kinton Ramen (we also love those places) in late 2012, this place has been serving top-notch sushi and modern Japanese culinary creations.

We finally set out to try this talk-of-the-town last week!

REVIEW | Osteria Dei Ganzi - hot new East-End venue featuring a kickass patio & a unique 'Italian Experience'

After hearing about how awesome the new Italian restaurant with a killer patio was, I had to try it out for myself.  Osteria Dei Ganzi, better known as Ganzi Toronto is right on Jarvis St. and Wellesley.  It's about a 5-10 minute walk from Wellesley Station.  We went at an awkward time of 2:30pm for a late lunch, so there weren't too many people as the kitchen closes at 3pm.  I actually liked that it wasn't busy and we were able to enjoy ourselves freely.

REVIEW | Crush Wine Bar - a great way to end Summerlicious 2013

My dinner at Crush Wine Bar ends my 2013 Summerlicious adventures.  I think I did pretty well this year given a hectic work schedule and just overall lack of energy after a day at the office. I managed to try 3 different places and I just realized I had fish as a main for all three of them… I guess my appetite for fish dishes is growing. 

REVIEW | Rosewater Supper Club - good menu for summerlicious

Rosewater Supper Club is another restaurant by the Liberty Group (Spice Route & Ciao Wine Bar are also under that umbrella).  I've been to the Rosewater for a PR function a year or two ago and I remember the food & service being great so I had to revisit during Summerlicious this year.

REVIEW | Ciao Wine Bar - a good place for Italian & wine in Yorkville

I've been to Ciao Wine Bar a few times and had both good and not-so-good experiences. However, I always find myself returning here and recommending this Italian Restaurant/ Wine bar to my friends. For the most recent dinner I had there with a girlfriend, we had a great time with some delicious pizza, pasta and wine.

  

Image from Ciao Wine Bar

REVIEW | Summerlicious at Globe Bistro: think global, eat local.

With Summerlicious finally here in Toronto, Clara and I were super excited to try a few restaurants that we haven't been to.  The very first visit was to the Globe Bistro on the Danforth (at Broadview Station) right before you hit Greektown.  Looking at the menu, we went with high expectations.

REVIEW | Apricot Tree Cafe - more than just a cafe in Mississauga

Eating out in Mississauga isn't as interesting as eating out in Toronto because there are so many different option downtown. Whenever my friends and I eat out in Mississauga, it's usually the typical chain restaurants like Jack Astor's, Milestones etc..

A great place to change from the usual is a little cafe in the Sherwood Forest Plaza called Apricot Tree Cafe.

REVIEW | Snug Harbour - Port Credit's restaurant with an unbeatable view

Patio season has arrived in Ontario, Canada (it's really about time)!  With the weather getting warmer everyday, there's more of a reason to dine Al fresco at restaurants with outdoor spaces.  And what makes Snug Harbour special? They've located in Port Credit Marina, overlooking the water, where you can enjoy great food with a great view.

REVIEW | 3 Brewers - Oakville's newest addition!

 Oakville recently got a new restaurant called The 3 Brewers  in the Winston Park plaza. It's a great location because the theater is there so it's perfect for date night! They also have a location downtown at Yonge and Dundas.

REVIEW | Spice Route - who said $1 sushi nights can't be fancy?

When I think about the times I had sushi because of its low price (you know the ones I'm talking about on Bloor Street), I can tell you that the quality usually suffers, which explains why they can sell at such a low price.  However, when we found out that Spice Route, Asian Bistro & Bar had $1 sushi on Thursdays, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to try it as we knew this place isn't a cheap-eat.

The entrance is very dramatic and grandeur- when you go inside the restaurant, it's even more dramatic with the lighting, open concept booths, asian-inspired walls, furniture and floor to ceiling glass windows.