Your friendly neighbourhood crackheads and millionaires continue to mix and mingle along the stretch of Parliament from Dundas to Wellesley, where storefronts vary from cheque-cashing outlets to high-end antique stores, but everyone goes to the same LCBO.
OLD STANDBYS Just off Parliament is Margarita’s (229 Carlton, 416-929-6284). From the front, it’s just a cheesy Tex-Mex kind of place, but walk through the restaurant, and then through the kitchen, to get to the spacious and shaded back patio. With six different flavours of margarita and standard Mexican fare, it’s a perfectly good place to while away the afternoon or evening.
For better people-watching, head to The House on Parliament (456 Parliament, 416-925-4074). A sunken sidewalk patio awaits, along with friendly waiters, fail-safe food and all the beer variety you’d expect in a bar that’s been taking care of most of the neighbourhood for years.
NEW(ISH) KIDS ON THE BLOCK The Cobourg (533 Parliament, 416-913-7538) is a traditional wine bar that has the feel of a cozy gentleman’s club but with comfy vintage chairs and free live jazz. Its beer counterpart, Chapter 11 (557 Parliament), seems to have closed down despite plenty of neighbourhood love — the rumour mill whispered something about a landlord-tenant disagreement.
The Stone Grill (51B Winchester, 416-967-6565) has survived its first year and the good reviews keep pouring in for their meats, cooked at your table on slabs of volcanic rock heated to 750 degrees. Check out their live jazz brunches every Sunday, even though the omelettes come on a regular old plate.
Finally, a breakfast diner alternative to Johnny G’s in Cabbagetown! Chew Chew’s Diner (186 Carlton, 416-924-7583) offers an all-day breakfast with the usual suspects like eggs Benny and Florentine, making it worth the stroll towards Yonge.