Even though June 21 officially marked the beginning of summer, it's only when certain flavours begin making their way into my meals that it really feels right. Ontario strawberries are one of these foods, and they have started popping up at grocery stores and farmers' markets across the city (and now all markets that have been affected by the strike will re-open).

Their season begins in mid-June, and it peaks in early- to mid-July. The season really only lasts about 6-8 weeks, so it's time to start thinking picking up some of these bite-sized heart-shaped beauties.

It's back to the east side for bar #17 in our round-up of 50 essential bars in Toronto. Found near Queen and Broadview, this one is a welcome contrast to Jilly's just down the street.

Today's bar: The Comrade

On Victoria Day, the City of Toronto launched its long anticipated and hotly debated A La Cart street food program. It's a program, overseen by the city, that is supposed to expand our street food options and bring more diversity to our otherwise hot-dog-saturated market. A La Cart is beginning its three-year pilot program with eight vendors.

On the day of the launch, I visited each of the four carts slated to be opening. At the end of the day, I was only able to sample food from three.

So this past week I bebopped and scatted my way around the city to try the remaining five carts. The trouble was, I could only find two of them. The other three were missing in action. Has anyone else had this problem?

As we all know, Toronto civic workers are on strike and the garbage is piling up, but those hardest hit may have been the local farmers who depend upon the city's farmers' markets to sell their fresh, local fruit and vegetables. As of Thursday (July 2nd), all farmers' markets at Toronto Civic Centres will be open for business, thanks to an agreement between city councillors, city staff and CUPE locals 416 and 79.

Farming is hard enough without labour disputes and those of committed to eating local count on our local markets, especially now that strawberries are coming in fresh daily and it won't be long before we see berries, garlic and the ultimate: tomatoes. With an end to the strike not in sight everybody involved would lose out without these markets, especially in the locations outside the downtown core where farmers' markets are a bit fewer and further between.

A special market for affected vendors will take place today, July 2nd, from 8am -2pm at Yonge-Dundas Square. Look for some fantastic strawberries along with some fantastic seasonal greens. The affected market schedule is below.

For bar #16 in our round-up of 50 essential bars in Toronto it's back to Ossington where we head below ground to one of the more unique live music venues to open in the city in recent memory.

Today's bar: The Dakota Tavern

In the feature "You Are What You Eat" I talk to Toronto personalities, musicians, artists and other interesting folks about where, how and what they eat. After all, food is the window to the soul.

For this edition, I caught up with Chef Matthew James Matheson (or Matty as he is more commonly known) who heads up the kitchen at Oddfellows, the communal eatery at Queen & Shaw.