After months of (really) enjoying Circles & Squares baked goods all around town, Alyssa and I felt like we needed to go on a butter tart-centric mini-vacation. We headed out to Markham to see where the quality baking all goes down.

See my profile of Circles & Squares in the bakery section.

Cool Hand of a Girl in The Junction offers organic coffee, soups, sandwiches and sweets. After a somewhat uninspired breakfast, Alyssa and I tried (and recommend!) the sweets.

See my profile of Cool Hand of a Girl in the cafe section.

A new cafe in Bloordale Village (at "Blansdowne"), Starving Artist is an artistic hub run by photographer Tobias Wang, and creative director Bryan Jackson. They aim to get art on their walls and in the street, and waffles into the bellies of hungry creative types.

See my review of Starving Artist in the cafes section.

The Holy Oak Cafe is just one of the many new establishments popping up in Bloordale Village. Alyssa and I headed back to the old hood on Monday to check it out, and learned that they have quality coffee, fresh baked goods, Finnish Pancakes on Sunday mornings, and weekly live music sessions.

See my review of The Holy Oak Cafe in the cafes section.

The Communal Mule is yet another cafe to recently pop up on Dundas West. Sandwiched between Little Italy and Queen West, on the north side of Trinity Bellwoods Park, the cafe is the latest endeavour of Peter Primiani (of Toronto DJ duo Peter and Tyrone fame). So how's the cafe business treating him? So far so good!

See my review of The Communal Mule in the cafe section.

Rebas Café and Gallery in the Junction is no place for the hurried. The pace of this place is important. I'd rather no one disturb the carefully prepared plates of food, and the staff and conversation that engaged us for forty-five minutes before we even ordered.

See me review of Rebas Café and Gallery in the cafes section.