Cafe Bernate , 1024 Queen
St W (tel 416/535-2835). The steam
machine is in full swing at this
neighbourhood spot, and the sunny
yellow walls are hung with local
artists' work. The menu offers 29
plump sandwiches for all tastes,
and those drinking regular coffee
get free refills. Streetcar: Queen
(#501).
Bonjour Brioche , 812
Queen St E (tel 416/406-1250).
This patisserie/cafe draws hoards
from all over the city to sample
its jewel-like fruit tarts,
buttery croissants, puffy brioche
and its delectable pissaladiere
, a variation on the pizza from
the Provence region of France.
There's always a line for Sunday
brunch, and almost everything is
eaten by 2pm. Streetcar: Carlton
(#506).
Goulash Party Haus , 498
Queen St W (tel 416/703-8056).
This Hungarian cafe/bistro serves
- what else? - goulash, along with
other Eastern European staples
such as cabbage rolls and
schnitzel. The prices are
reasonable and regulars like to
bring along newspapers and books
for a good, long visit. Streetcar:
Queen (#501).
Gypsy Co-op , 817 Queen
St W (tel 416/703-5069). An
eclectic mix of old-time candy
store and traditional Muskoka
lodge, with a hip dining space
downstairs and a space for
jukebox, jitterbug dance fiends
upstairs. The creative, light-fare
menu caters to everyone from
rare-steak eaters to vegans, and
the atmosphere is agelessly cool
and poseur-free. Streetcar: Queen
(#501).
Insomnia , 563 Bloor St
W (tel 416/588-3907). Internet cafes
have not sprouted throughout
Toronto like they have in other
cities. Nonetheless, this one is
staking a strong claim. Eight
terminals with Net access, a full
bar and an international menu
which includes pastas, and Asian
finger foods keep them coming
until the wee hours of the night.
Subway: Bathurst.
Jet Fuel Coffee Shop ,
519 Parliament St (tel
416/968-9982). One of the oldest
independent coffee establishments
in town, this place is the
unofficial hangout of Toronto's
bicycle couriers. It only serves
beverages that can be made with an
espresso machine (tea included),
and imports a few baked goods for
dunking. An excellent choice for
relaxing with a huge, inexpensive
latte and a newspaper. Streetcar:
Carlton (#506).
Kensington Cafe , 73
Kensington Ave (tel 416/971-5632).
The international
soup-and-sandwich menu here gives
a nod to the Middle East. A small,
cosy place to slip into if the
hectic pace of Kensington Market
gets to be too much. Streetcar:
Dundas (#505).
Last Temptation , 12
Kensington Ave (tel 416/599-2551).
A locals' kind of place where
gossip and pool are the main
sources of entertainment. The
terrace caters to people-watching,
and the bistro-style menu features
a good selection of appetizers, as
well as basic sandwiches, stir
fries and pastas; don't miss the
on-tap microbrews. Streetcar:
Dundas (#505).
Cafe Nervosa , 75
Yorkville Ave (tel 416/961-4642).
A delightful Yorkville address
perfect for sipping coffee and
watching the world pass by. The
remodelled decor is broadly
Mediterranean, as is the food,
whose major emphasis is meal-sized
salads, pastas and small pizzas
baked in a wood-burning oven. The
terrace is the place to be and be
seen in summer. Bay subway.
Zelda's , 76 Wellesley
St E (tel 416/922-2526). An
unpretentious neighbourhood joint
with a menu that runs the gamut
from burgers to Asian-fusion
salads. The interior is purposely
kitschy and heavily
Elvis-inspired. Subway: Wellesley.
