THE ROOF LOUNGE 

The Park Hyatt Hotel, 4 Avenue Road, Toronto, On., M5R2E8, (416) 925-1234, Open for Lunch, Dinner and Late Night

Went to the roof lounge for drinks after a nice meal in Yorkville.  We arrived at the 18th floor bar and were quickly seated in the leather couches in the bar area.  Our waiter handed us a menu of drinks available.

We ordered some wine. After the wine we had several elderflower martinis, pairing Grey Goose La Poire with St. Germain artisinal elderflower liqueur, finished with prosecco and a sliver of bosc pear.  They were absolutely wonderful!!

Once a space was available on the outside patio we were seated at a view that is nothing short of spectacular. It is very mesmerizing and beckons one to linger!!

After our drinks we were shown the cigar menu!  Tom had one of the shorter cigars - a nice touch!!

If you find yourself near Bloor and Avenue Road, we recommend you have a libation at the Roof Lounge it is well worth the visit!!
http://parktoronto.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/TheRoofLounge.html?itemDesc=fboutlet&itemId=1003224

COCO LEZZONE 

137 Avenue Road, Yorkville, Toronto, (416) 975-1717, Lunch Tues.-Fri. 11:30 am to 3:00 pm. Sat. 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Dinner Mon.-Sun. 5:00 pm to close, Valet service Fri. and Sat. $12

Went to Coco Lezzone on Avenue Road (a recent addition to the area from Little Italy) on a Saturday evening in May.  It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day and we had an early reservation for 7.  As soon as we arrived we were immediately ushered to a wonderful table with open windows facing the street.  It was a great spot for exotic car and people watching.

We began by reviewing the menus for food and wine.

For our wine we ordered a reasonably priced Montepulciano.

Shortly after we were seated a wonderful basket of assorted breads arrived, along with a dipping bowl of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. They were replenished later during our meal.

For our appetizers, we ordered a very nice cold cut board with a variety of salamis, cheeses and pickled vegetables.

The four of us nibbled on these.  Mark, our son ordered the beef carpaccio that was very good.

For her main, my wife Trudy ordered the Chilean sea bass which was pan fried and came with lemon and a caper and dill aioli. It was quite a large portion and we all had our first taste of it.

Mark ordered the gnocchi arrabiatta with hot banana peppers and parmigiano cheese in a pomodoro sauce.

Thomas, our son ordered the tagliatelle with double smoked bacon, mushrooms and garlic in a light cream sauce.  He found it delicious and very filling.

 For my main I had the pasta special which was capellini with lobster in a light rose sauce.  There were some large pieces of lobster hidden in the pasta and it too was very filling and delicious.

The staff here are friendly and efficient and create a welcoming environment. Our waiter was very quick and efficient. The food was delicious and the dishes were well presented and filling.  We will be back to try more of their interesting menu.  Their website has extensive pictures of their glamorous interior.  We really enjoyed our dinner here!

http://www.cocolezzone.com/

RED CROW COFFEE 

211 James Street South, Hamilton, Ontario (905) 521-2124, for hours of operation see there website provided below.

Went to Red Crow with my son Tom for their Brunch and a coffee.  He had been here before and suggested we try their brunch.  It included a selection of omelettes, so we both selected their mushroom and potato omelette.  We were going to order an americano coffee, but Bob at the counter suggested we try their Red Crow version.  It was very strong and satisfying version that was just the way Tom and I like our coffee.

 The Brunch selections were written in a blackboard, and today the omelette selection was $5!  

It was accompanied by a nice salad, watermelon, and a multigrain toast.  It was a tasty brunch that was not greasy, but very tasty and good value for $5.  There are a variety of seating choices and it was quite full on a Victoria Day holiday Monday.

We sat at a bar table at the front window overlooking James Street South.

The inside is typical of many independent coffee bars.

The menu is posted on a board:

We found Red Crow friendly, inviting and reasonably priced.  The Red was a great coffee and we will definitely return.  It has a relaxing atmosphere and a good variety of food choices.

http://www.redcrowcoffee.com/

DIMMI BAR AND TRATTORIA 

140 Cumberland St.,  Yorkville, Toronto, On. (416) 975-1100, Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week

Three of us went to Dimmi late on a Sunday evening in May.  It was Mother's day and we arrived at about 8:30 to find the restaurant packed with patrons.  It was a very warm evening and the front patio was quite busy so we went inside.

side patio

There is a front and side patio.  The doors were open this evening and there was a mild breeze.  The inside was full of patrons at 9 o'clock.

We ordered a very nice, reasonably priced Chianti.

A nice selection of bread arrived that went well with the herbed olive oil at our table.

Mark (http://www.markallen.ca/) my son ordered the scallop dish on a bed of creamed chick peas and black olives drizzled with a reduced balsamic vinegar, for an appetizer and it was delicious.

He ordered gnocchi for a main and it was tender and a good portion.

My wife ordered the salmon.  It came with a wonderful salad that had a very tasty dressing.

I chose the evening's pasta special.  It was outstanding.  It included a half lobster tail, artichokes and calamari in a rose sauce that was fabulous. The fetuccine was perfectly cooked and melted in your mouth.

The three of us enjoyed our meals immensely.  The food was well presented, nicely cooked and very tasty.  The service was quick and efficient and the atmosphere was busy but at the same time unhurried. The prices were reasonable for the quantity and quality. We will definitely return to try other menu items here.

Well done Dimmi.

http://www.dimmibar.com/yorkville/home