Summer is in full swing so it’s time to test out Toronto’s new patios. The sun is shining and the days are long, so bring your sunscreen, have a drink, and enjoy the rays.
Assembly Chef’s Hall
At 4,000 square feet, this is Toronto’s biggest new patio. No need to line up or wait for a harried host to seat you. It’s all self-serve, so just pull up a chair on the patio, which has a bar converted from an Airstream trailer. There are 18 restaurants inside, all self-serve, including DaiLo, Ramen Isshin, and more, plus a second terrace at the back. There is some communal seating, some tables for two and a few loungers, with one area partly covered. This place has something for everyone’s tastes.
111 Richmond West, at York, 647-557-5993, assemblychefshall.com
The Rooftop at the Broadview
If you love stunning 360 views of Toronto’s skyline and fun cocktails with cute names, this romantic place is for you. There are snacks to share, charcuterie and cheese boards, beef tartare, pork buns, salmon ceviche, and other treats. The rooftop brunch is available every day until 3 p.m. Sun is plentiful, and with 140 seats, you have your pick of tables for two, for four, plus bar seats.
106 Broadview Ave., 416-362-8439, thebroadviewhotel.ca
Gare de L’Est
If the Broadview Hotel scene is too crowded for your taste, this under-the-radar brasserie, run by the same people who did the food program at the Broadview, is just a few minutes away at Queen and Carlaw. Open from lunch until late night, sink into a handsome blue-cane bistro chair and enjoy an aperitif or a Saulter Street pilsner brewed only a few blocks away. If you’re going to a show at the adjoining Crow’s Theatre, there’s a $36 prix fixe dinner.
1190 Dundas East, at Carlaw, 416-792-1626, gdlbrasserie.com
Drake Mini Bar
While the Financial District can feel soulless, this sunny outdoor terrace is an oasis, with plenty of greenery and a real waterfall. Drake’s latest venture also has an indoor “patio” space, with colorful banquettes and tropical palm fronds, topped with a pergola that you can enjoy in the winter, watching the snow outside. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails are available, so sit under one of the umbrellas and savour the weather.
150 York, at Adelaide, 416-900-0992, thedrake.ca/drakeminibar
Dumbo Snack Bar
Located at the former Raca Café and Bar, this cozy back patio is a full-blown party spot, complete with fire pit, pop-up bar and a jam-packed events calendar (including movie screenings and silent disco nights). Want something different and potent? Try a teapot cocktail, served in weird vintage pots sourced from the restaurant’s patrons. Nightbirds can revel here until 2 am!
1704 Queen West, at Roncesvalles, 647-867-7282, dumbosnackbar.com
Northern Maverick
If you didn’t check out this beer hall’s large patio at the end of patio season last year, now’s your chance. Its front terrace has 100 seats of prime beer-drinking real estate, where you can sample a flight of house-brewed beers and shucked oysters, a buck-a-shuck on Sundays. Lots of afternoon sun, with seating for two, and four.
115 Bathurst, at Adelaide, 416-540-4030, northernmaverick.ca
K?ST
With dizzying city and waterfront views of Lake Ontario from 44 stories high, a swimming pool to pose at for selfies, pitchers of sangria, and Baja California-inspired dishes, Kost holds court on the rooftop of the new and ritzy Bisha Hotel. All-white patio sets grace the poolside real estate, where you can soak up the sun on loungers. This is not for those on a budget: Kost margaritas and fancy G&Ts run a cool $16 and $17, respectively.
80 Blue Jays Way, 44th floor, at Mercer, 437- 800-5938, kosttoronto.com
Constantine
The fancy, clubby lobby lounge at the Anndore House has an equally swank patio, ideal for people watching. With navy-hued planter boxes, modern chairs, and fern fronds overhead, there is some protection from the sun from an overhang. Savour the Mediterranean menu from Constantine, Chef Craig Harding, including lamb burgers, wood-fired pizzas, Fogo Island cod, and inventive cocktails and huge wine selections.
15 Charles East, at Yonge, 647-475-4436, constantineto.com
Lot 30 Brewers
The old Landsdowne Brewery has been transformed into Lot 30 Brewers, with a sun-drenched 36-seat front patio. There are five communal tables where you can sample their nine brews, all brewed in-house. Guzzle their new releases, like a NEIPA hopped with Simcoe and Mosaic with upcoming strawberry kiwi and boysenberry sours, under their sizeable umbrellas.
New releases, like a NEIPA hopped with Simcoe and Mosaic and upcoming strawberry kiwi and boysenberry sours, are made to guzzle sleeveless and behind polarized shades. July will mark the up is a piña colada brew, obviously.
303 Lansdowne, at College, 416-588-1641, lot30brewers.com
Café Cancan
A pastel dream of a place, Victor Barry’s Harbord bistro has a 30-seat back patio that has everything…fairy lights, a floral print mural, and wicker bistro chairs. Open for a leisurely weekend brunch, a hearty dinner, or late night cocktails and light snacks.
89 Harbord, at Robert, 647-341-3100, cafecancan.com
Featured Image: Instagram/ @kosttoronto
Have you checked out any of these new patios in Toronto yet? Let us know in the comments!
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The Etsy Trend Guide is a compilation of fresh trends their experts monitor Etsy and the beauty industry as a whole: what sellers are creating, what shoppers are loving, and what’s hot right now in the wider market. These trend predictions for 2018 are based, in part, on past top searches across categories on Etsy.com.
1. Realistic Tattoos
Pineapple Tropical Metallic Temporary Tattoo by PAPERSELF
Move over flash-tats, these temporary tattoos have stepped up their game just in time for the summer festival season. Currently, on Etsy there are over 18,000 search results for temporary tattoos. Etsy has so many beautiful modern pieces of temporary art that embody each person’s individuality, giving shoppers the opportunity to test out a style before committing to permanent ink.
Price: $13.56 (CAD)
2. Natural Beauty
Natural Facial Spray -PURE HYDRO-Neroli Hydrosol & Bergamot, Setting Spray, Plant Derived, Glow, Vegan, Retro Summer Essential, Glass Bottle
We know that dewy, glowing skin is very on trend right now and this summer season Etsy wants you to showcase your luminous skin using all-natural products. These products will not only give you a shimmering, natural glow, but they will actually do good for your skin!
Price: $22.95 (CAD)
3. Crystal Craze
Lime Lavender Rosemary Bath Salts | Bath Soak | Herbal Bath Soak | Lavender Bath Salts | Rosemary Bath Salts
Crystals seem to be everywhere these days and Etsy is jumping on board to incorporate them in your makeup bag. Make sure to try crystal-infused serums, gemstone face rollers, quartz-charged bath bombs and so much more. Whether you’re focused on balancing your chakras or just like the appearance of the products, there’s no reason not to get on top of this trend.
Price: $28.62 (CAD)
4. Superfood Spinoffs
Turmeric Face Mask | Matcha Face Mask | With Manuka Honey and Bentonite Clay | Clay Mask for Anti Aging, Skin Brightening, and Acne
You don’t have to jump on the new superfood train by walking down the health food aisle at the grocery store. Treat your skin right and swap the golden milk latte for a turmeric face mask, or channel your favourite vegan sticky bun with a cinnamon-swirled bar of soap.
Price: $34.07 (CAD)
5. Shower Steamers
Shower Fizzies – All Natural ? Vegan ? Non-GMO ? Colorant from roots ? Essential oils
We don’t always have time to take a nice long relaxing bath but that doesn’t mean we should give up on bath time pampering. Enter shower steamers, a lower-commitment take on ever-popular bath bombs. Just place the steamers on the floor of the shower and let the aromatherapy go to work. Make sure to choose ones with energizing natural ingredients like dried orange rind and grapefruit for an invigorating addition to your morning routine.
Price: $24.53 (CAD)
6. Embellished Eyelashes
Sweetheart Glitter Eyelashes
OK, these might seem extreme but before you write these off, think music festivals – eyelashes sprinkled with glitter, sprouting tiny flowers, or dusted with feathers, and they might just fit in perfectly.
Price: $12.56 (CAD)
Featured Image: Instagram/@etsy
What do you think of these trends? Let us know in the comments!
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To make this a truly special trip, dare to do something different – No need to lose hotel room keys, or even pay for flights at all – try out the RV life. Find yourself far away from daily life, we recommend cutting communication and constant wifi to take time and really enjoy the company (and views) around us. Cultivate a learning experience by making stops at cultural sites, museums, and attractions along the way. Make stops for local food and specialty dishes that are common to the region. Keep checking for festivals or concerts going on during the summer months in areas around Canada.
We know everywhere in Canada is obviously extremely beautiful for very different reasons, but we wanted to help you determine the perfect spot to choose to start on your road trip:
Yukon: Discover jaw-dropping mountain vistas, wild rivers, abundant wildlife and crystal clear lakes.
Saskatchewan: Find endless skies, the waving fields of wheat, and brilliant sunsets.
Quebec: Known for its rich history, geography, and culture.
Prince Edward Island: View the red sandstone cliffs, and enjoy the fresh East Coast seafood.
Ontario: Explore sculpted islands, turquoise lakes, rolling hills and lots of forests.
Nova Scotia: Embrace the Maritime culture, gorgeous landscapes, ocean views, and adorable multi-colored houses.
NW Territories: Known for its endless arctic skies where the northern lights dance and the midnight sun shines.
Newfoundland & Labrador: Adventure through the quiet coastal villages and appreciate the whales, icebergs and unique scenery.
New Brunswick: See the world’s highest tides that rise and fall the size of two-stories. Filled with rivers, mountains, forests and the Bay of Fundy which is known for extreme tides and whale-watching.
Manitoba: Uncover the incredible wildlife, rivers, lakes, and forests around the province. Don’t miss out on Manitoba’s Arctic coastline.
British Colombia: Awe-inspiring landscapes, dramatic seascapes, and pristine wilderness.
Alberta: Observe Alberta’s stunning rugged mountains and the only place in North America where the prairie, boreal forest and mountain ecosystems collide.
It’s time to rediscover your #wildhood – join the list.
Featured Image: Instagram/@GoRVingCanada
Do you have any travel story ideas or advice? Email me at julia@styledemocracy.com.
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