Located in the Village on the Grange food court, Karine's offers both reasonably priced all-day breakfasts and a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes. And, to complete the experience -- or ruin it! -- patrons are treated to a sort of 50's style banter from a chef who I can only guess is Karine herself.

Read my review of Karine's in the restaurant section.

Jane and Finch is known mostly for its troubles: drive-bys and high rises, gangs and guns. But Mainsha Plus, with its unique pairing of Caribbean and Khmer food, is a veritable diamond in the rough. And with meals starting at 3 bucks, it's also wonderfully cheap.

Read my review of Mainsha Plus in the restaurant section.

The Annex Live is all about small plates. With choices like Watermelon or Mixed Greens Salad, Yukon Gold Gnocchi or Egg Yolk Tagliarini, Roasted Sea Scallops or Cornish Hen, along with a selection of premium ice creams, the $25 Prix Fixe caught our attention but missed a few notes.

See my review of The Annex Live in the restaurants section.

Dundas Square has never been my favourite place. Maybe it was the years of construction, or maybe it's the crowds. More likely it's the Eaton's Centre, a place I avoid until Christmastime, at which point my cell phone invariably dies, requiring me to wait hours in line at the Rogers store.

Whatever the reason, Yonge/Dundas is an area that sees me on a need-to-go basis only. When young friends from Ireland, or visiting ESL students tell me they're going there, I inwardly smirk. Tourists. I'm similarly smarmy when academic-darling Richard Florida lauds the area. Newbie. As far I've been concerned for a long, long time, locals avoid Dundas Square as much as they can.

Although initially excited by the affordable offerings at this King and Portland rotisserie joint, my visit threw me a few surprises in the form of poorly described menu items and dishes overpowered by boatloads of salt.

Read my review of WOW Rotisserie Chicken in the restaurant section.

The Queen and Beaver Public House near Yonge & Dundas offers solid traditional British treats in a beautiful dining space. Prices, however, seem to be reflective of the décor and real estate value of the location as much as the quality of ingredients and flavour of the food.

See my review of The Queen and Beaver pub in the restaurant section.