Toronto FC's 2011 season is set to kick off on Saturday against MLS newbies the Vancouver Whitecaps, and nobody is quite sure what to expect. Former Director of Football Mo Johnston once infamously alluded to a "5-year plan," which I'm quite sure did not include getting canned by MLSE at the end of year four after failing to make the playoffs for 4 consecutive seasons. The end of season four was not without drama. Going down with the S.S. Johnston was head coach Preki, leaving a gaping hole in the organization.

Carlaw Avenue has always been a bit of a sleepy street. From Queen to Dundas there's never been anything much except some work/live spaces, the Wrigley building and, more recently, some new loft developments. A couple of weeks ago, a new cafe opened to service the influx of new residents. Its open space and relaxed atmosphere suit the area just perfectly.

Read my profile of Haarlem Espresso Bar in the cafes section.

Parkdale has always had its pizza, falafel and, more recently, Indian food. But now, in the space that was formerly home to Kingly, a new late night option has surfaced selling ice cream, soup and gourmet sandwiches until 3am.

Read my profile of Mangez in the restaurants section.

The sign on the wall says it all. Since gourmet tea is the new gourmet burgers (or something like that) I just had to check out this cozy new tea shop that opened earlier this summer across the street from Mercury Espresso in Leslieville.

Read my review of Majesteas in our tea section.

These days it seems almost every neighbourhood has a gourmet tea shop. And while Tealish was one of the originals, its location on Walnut meant more people were likely to discover them at a local farmers market than on a shopping excursion along West Queen West. Recently open in a new location just next to the Japanese store on Queen will their move to a higher rent but way more visible space pay off?

Read my review of the new Tealish in our Toronto tea stores section.

A new coffee destination has opened in the old Get Real Cafe space on Ossington and it has a familiar name. As the second location of Leslieville's popular Te Aro, this alternative to the sparse I Deal Coffee a block north means that allegiances for local indie cafe favourite are now being staked.

Read my review of Crafted by Te Aro in the cafes section.