Now Open

Opened just a month ago, and surrounded by construction, you wouldn't think to head into this indoor alleyway in the Distillery District. But then you would be making a serious mistake. For hidden at the end of this alcove is a plethora of goodness courtesy of The Sweet Escape (55 Mill Street, # 47). With an on site kitchen, and a pastry chef as co-owner, one can be assured of the best quality and taste. Sandwiches are served on house made bread, and sold alongside pumpkin brittle, gourmet condiments, and sweet and savory shortbread. Not to be missed are the rotating flavours of homemade ice creams and sorbets.

The nice thing about Parkdale is that it has yet to become too trendy, i.e. you can still afford to drink when you go out. At The Ossington (61 Ossington Avenue), expect $5 glasses of wine. The space is a minimalist and raw take on the DIY bar; accents are scattered pieces of used furniture and a line of swivel chairs facing the front window. This addition to the strip may lack the boisterous punch of its area dwellers, but it squeaks by on its ensemble energy, good-natured neighborly feel, and surprising degree of warmth.

Midpoint (1180 Queen Street W) has opened. Here, the focus is more on the food than binge drinking. Sober up with Mexican eats into the late hours of the night. Expect a mix of entertainment, from live rock acts and house DJs to enjoy while sipping on $4 beers.

Once upon a time, the only tail known in the area of West Queen West was that of Stone’s Place famed Saturday night Shake your Tail party. Now, Cock and Tail (1168 Queen Street W) comes to the ‘hood in the former Edaas creative art space. Yet another bar competes with the neighboring hotel/art/dining/drinking powerhouses. Adopt the indie spirit and show your support to fight the man, and more specifically, dot com billionaires.