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Food & Drink

3 best patios for food east side

1. Lahore Tikka House

1365 Gerrard E, at Highfield, 416-406-1668, lahoretikkahouse.com. Though the renovation of this rambling Taj Mahal still isn’t complete (will it ever be?), the fleet of 18-wheelers that provided temporary housing is long gone, replaced by a 400-seat patio tented with billowing sari fabric. Regulars know to pair tandoor-fired Pakistani-style kebabs and whole boneless red snapper with sizeable platters of rice biryani before finishing with house-made pistachio kulfi ice cream washed down with plastic tumblers of squeezed-to-order sugar cane juice. Weekend pedicab rides, too! Unlicensed.

2. Batifole

744 Gerrard E, at Howland, 416-462-9965, batifole.ca. Former Sassafraz toque Jean-Jacques Texier jokingly refers to his romantic Riverdale bistro as the best French restaurant in Chinatown (east division). He’s far too modest. We’d say one of the three best in the city, no small feat when most mains are priced at a budget-minded $18, sides $8 and desserts just $6. Voulez-vous manger avec moi ce soir? Closed Monday, Tuesday, holidays.

3. NEW! Pizzeria Libretto on the Danforth

550 Danforth, at Carlaw, 416-466-0400, pizzerialibretto.com. Though the original Libretto on Ossington famously doesn’t take reservations, the east-side outpost of Toronto’s favourt pizzeria more than gladly does. And you’ll need them to guarantee a two-top on its small curbside terrace. Same amazing pastas ‘n’ thin-crusted pies, substantially shorter wait.

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