A street divided by streetcar right-of-way construction, St. Clair West is doing its best to stay on the path to renaissance. The narrowing of sidewalks has made a serious dent in the patio potential, but there will never be a shortage of sports bars in this ‘hood, known for the soccer, ahem, football fervour that takes over every summer, whether it’s Euro Cup or World Cup. And if the golden game isn’t your game, a few new places are braving the stares of the old men and opening up spots where the TV screens aren’t the full extent of the decor scheme. You can thank Luigi, the owner of Caffe 163, for paving the way, though he has closed up shop after three years at St. Clair and Lauder. His new café, Saving GiGi, has just opened at 859 Bloor W.

OLD STANDBYS Regal Heights Bistro (1077 St. Clair W., 416-651-2109) is standing its ground with a spacious corner patio on residential Lauder Avenue, far from the maddening construction. Go for the French resto feel and the live jazz during Sunday brunch, but be prepared: this place is just fancy enough to warrant a linen skirt rather than denim. Looking for less? Head to the back, on Lauder, where you’ll find the adjoining bar and café.

Tricolore Bar Caffe (1240 St. Clair W., 416-654-4228), an establishment on St. Clair since 1967, used to be the kind of place where you’d find yourself looking for the “No Girls Allowed” sign on the door, but something has changed in the last year. Now you’re more likely to be pushing past the strollers to get your panini and espresso.

Another spot that’s been on St. Clair West since 1967 is La Paloma (1357 St. Clair. W., 416-656-2340). We know, we know, it doesn’t have a bar or a patio, but the 60 flavours of gelato (might we suggest a Baci and coffee combo cone?) more than make up for it.

Don’t be mad, St. Clair Avenue, but the best of the best in this neighbourhood still isn’t on St. Clair, and we kind of prefer it that way. The Gem (1159 Davenport, 416-654-1182), just a quick stroll down the Davenport escarpment, has all the best things a bar can have ­­— bartenders sans attitude, a large hedged patio, plenty of beer and food — and none of things you don’t want, like yellow construction barricades blocking the entrance.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK The best example of a European café on St. Clair West is Novecento (1228 St. Clair W., 416-654-9900). With only two (quite discreetly placed) flat screens, this corner café has a patio that seats 50, serves panini, gelato and espresso, and is as close to Rome as you’ll find this side of the Atlantic.

Boom Breakfast & Co. (1036 St. Clair W., 416-657-3447) was worth the trip down to College Street when that was the only location. Now that they’ve opened up on St. Clair, the lineups are often out the door, but the host often serves coffee and muffins to those in line, making the wait even more worthwhile. Their new patio just opened on Glenholme, making this the perfect spot for brunch. A tip: the vitamins and antioxidants in the Very Berry Smoothie plus a Power Breakfast will knock out any hangover.

Still finding their feet after only six weeks on the strip is L & T Bar Caffe (1068 St. Clair W., 416-658-8222). The sign may be new, but the strategy is as old as the men at the bar: four screens, all showing one game or another, coffee, booze and sandwiches. With the intention of serving both morning coffees and nightcaps, they’re open from 8am to 2am every day. The Euro Cup crowd will have taken the sheen off of this place by the end of the summer.

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