College/Bloor West

May 13, 2009Steven Davey

$$$ = expensive

$$ = moderately priced

$ = inexpensive

Just opened

Negroni

492 College, at Palmerston, 416-413-0005. $$ Casey Bee and Bill Sweete’s budget-minded bistro Sidecar was the unequivocal hit of last year’s patio season. The savvy duo look to make it two in a row with this Manhattan-inspired all-day Italian sandwich café. “It’s laughable that you can’t get decent panini in Little Italy,” says Bee, who launched Negroni last week down the block from his other resto. “We’re doing bufala mozzarella with basil pesto and slightly oven-dried tomatoes, and roasted chicken breast with Asiago and arugula. A bottle of wine goes for 20 bucks. “And we’ve just bought an ice cream machine. Our first batch of peanut butter was amazing!”

Cool

Saving Gigi

859 Bloor W, at Roxton, 416-531-1538. The spinoff of popular Dundas West brunch spot Saving Grace and cousin of the late 163 Café on St Clair, this laid-back coffeehouse brings downtown quirk to the newly gentrifying nabe. Unlicensed. $

Classic

Cafe Diplomatico

594 College, at Clinton, 416-534-4637. Celebrating its 41st anniversary, this old-school Italian trat features an equally old-school menu of pasta, pizza and panini. Its location at Little Italy’s busiest intersection makes the Dip a great spot to soak up the sun. $$

Great Food

Madras Masala

796 Bloor W, at Crawford, 647-342-4359. Despite a deck overlooking Christie Pits, this recently launched south Indian eatery has yet to find an audience for its tasty vegetarian-friendly lineup of dosas and curries. Bonus: free parking! $$