ummer just wouldn't be summer without dining, drinking and flirting al fresco, draped louchely over a hard-to-get table at the latest hot new spot. And new spots are certainly in abundance.

Starting in the quaint Queen Street East locale, it's obvious that this area is pretty rough around the edges. The very first thing you see as you cross Queen and Broadview is Dangerous Dan's, whose store front isn't exactly classy; unfortunately, it doesn't give the proper impression about the resto itself, nor the area in general. It's obvious that the area is on its way to a better reputation, and with two newcomers on the way, the area is sure to earn even more street cred.

The seemingly endless construction around the soon-to-be Pic Nic hasn't really made for a lovely aesthetic addition to the street – but wait! I assure you that the paper-covered front will have been worth it when the surprisingly classy wine and cheese bar opens up in a few weeks. Patience is a virtue, and good things happen to those who wait, or something like that.

I kid you not, these ovens are magic – how else would they be able to make the city's best pizza? Not only that, but it's an oven that cares

Pretty much across the street is an equally mysterious Table 17. Seriously, the only thing giving remotely any clue as to what's in store is a sign with Table 17 written with a picture of a rooster next to it. Working within a clever formula, but with a liberated twinkle, owners Erik Joyal and John Dawson definitely know how to pique pedestrians' curiosity – who wouldn't be wondering what this restaurant could possibly be? A breakfast place? (rooster = eggs). A Popeye's style fast-food chicken place? Something totally un-chicken (or rooster) related to throw us off? Well the latter is totally the right answer – Table 17 is set to be a European bistro, fine-dining-styles, but only food-wise. The menu will cover all bases (brunch, lunch, dinner, extensive bar list) with Italian, Spanish and French fare. The atmosphere, though, will not be stuck-up in the least, and will have a casual and relaxed European environment. With pretty much the whole crew moving over from the owners' previous restaurant, Izakaya, it's easy to predict that it will be smashing success and a lovely new addition to the growing community.

If we make out way a little north and a little west, we hit Carleton and Parliament. I know, the first thing you probably think of is: unsafe and grungy. That whole area has developed a pretty nasty reputation, especially for girls who are alone after dark. Keeping with the whole idea of renovating neighbourhoods, this area seems to be trying to get a fresh start. Chew Chew isn't exactly fine dining, but can maybe help this area to move up in categorization from greasy to cute. The name might not come as a surprise when you see the façade, completely covered in a mural of a train. See, they're even making cute puns!

Although Little Italy, way farther down College Street, is by far a better locale than the aforementioned, some of its Italian restos are so mama's spaghetti, and less… cool. Sorry mama. An old Italian resto of the sorts just closed down in order to bring a new air of excitement to the area with Cornerstone Pub. They will be providing some much-needed upper-scale pub food and – get excited, music-lovers – this is set to be a venue for the (hopefully) melodic sounds of live bands.