1. Harbord Room
89 Harbord, at Spadina, 416-962-8989, theharbordroom.com. Since it opened five summers back, Cory Vitiello and Dave Mitton’s jewel-box of a spot has consistently proved one of downtown’s top kitchens, never more so than in summer, when the 32-seat room nearly doubles its capacity with a super backyard garden. Who else would deep-fry soft-shell crab and serve it in a po’ boy dressed with pickled cabbage slaw and sided them with house-made barbecue potato chips?
2. Sugo
582 Church, at Dundonald, 416-929-9108, sugotrattoria.ca. Better known as that bar in the village where it’s always ladies’ night, this rambling Victorian not only sports two large patios – one on the curb, the other out back – but a more than creditable southern Italian card from owner/chef Lia Buggemi as well. We’d gladly switch teams for a plate of her deep-fried sausage meatballs stuffed with olives.
3. Il Posto
148 Yorkville, at Avenue Rd, 416-968-0469, ilposto.ca. A favourite of the expense-account set and local politicians – same thing, really – this fancy-pants Italian trat in a beautiful Yorkville courtyard is definitely a trip back in time. Under sun-dappled umbrellas, the well-heeled nosh on the retro likes of Provimi calf’s liver and vitello tonnato served by an army of formally dressed pros who likely make twice what you do. Triple.