If you've spent any time on Dundas West over the past couple of years, you've no doubt been served a cocktail or two by Quenton Fortune at Churchill. Or, if you're a little further north, you might have encountered him at the recently opened Rose & Sons, the boutique diner launched by ex-Drake chef Anthony Rose. I popped into Churchill one afternoon before service to speak to Quenton about how he got into bartending and growing up in an ever-expanding Toronto.

Aja Sax is a fixture on the local bartending scene, and one of a number of prominent female cocktail specialists in the city. In the past few years Sax has been behind the bar at the Miller Tavern and the County General and now she is in charge of the bar program at The Emerson, a recent addition to ever-gentrifying Bloordale. We popped into The Emerson before service one afternoon to chat with Aja about her bartending history and her passion for cocktail service.

You may not have noticed that Motel, the cute speakeasy-looking spot opposite Grand Electric in Parkdale, changed hands a year back, but step inside and order an old fashioned and you'll instantly know. Instead of being met with a blank stare, you'll be treated to one of Ryan McVittie's grapefruit old fashioneds, or one of his custom drinks with fresh basil and star-anise or lemongrass-infused simple syrups.

One of several smaller restaurants that have opened up in Roncesvalles Village over the past couple of years, The Westerly serves up a popular fusion of fine dining and comfort food incorporating aspects of French and Italian cuisine. The staff takes pride in its wine, beer, and cocktail list as much as the food menu, offering pairings with wine and beer including a range of mid and higher end wines at an affordable price.