Rating: NNNNN
Ninth Gate (11 Jarvis, at Front, 416-981-1919) When first-time restaurateurs Steve and Michelle Lee took over the Golden Griddle across from the St. Lawrence Market to open their Korean fusion resto a few months back, they also acquired a street-side patio with Toronto’s most archetypal view. From this Modernist terrace, diners look straight down Front Street to the Flatiron Building and its looming backdrop of office blocks and the CN Tower. Make sure to bring your camera so you can duplicate the tourist shot used on the cover of nearly every Toronto guide ever published.
Panorama (55 Bloor West, at Bay, 416-967-0000) The lounge on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre features two awesome outdoor decks, one facing north toward tree-shrouded Rosedale, the other south to the downtown core and islands beyond.
Spices (4 Temperance, at Yonge, 416-364-6276) If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, take in those same skyscrapers from the tiny patio at this terrific Indian takeaway.
Lago (207 Queens Quay West, at York, 416-848-0005) If serene is your scene, head down to Queen’s Quay Terminal, where Il Fornello has annexed the former Spinnakers next door and transformed it into a surprisingly sophisticated resto cum lounge right on the water. Kinda like Ultra-on-the-lake. Here’s even more of a shocker: Lago doesn’t do pasta or pizza!
Dairy Queen (1040 Broadview, at Pottery Road, 416-425-2261) Seriously. An equally impressive view of the city can be seen from the raised deck behind the DQ. Picnic tables overlook historic Todmorden Mills and the Brickworks in the Don Valley below.
Hard Rock Cafe (279 Yonge, at Dundas, 416-362-3636) A more futuristic vista can be found on the Hard Rock Café’s patio, where the flashing electronic advertising towers that soar above the square look just like Tokyo Shibuya or New York’s Times Square by night.
