Indoor fishing - in a swimming pool - returns to Toronto this coming weekend. The Scadding Court Community Centre will once again be draining their pool and filling it with thousands of rainbow trout to give city dwellers a chance to reel in their dinner. Read more about what the experience is like here.

This year's week-long Gone Fishin' Project also features a Fish Friday that includes fishing in the pool, seafood-themed specials, pop-up vendors and a beer and wine garden. No need to bring your own bait.

The Gone Fishin' Project runs Saturday June 13th until the following Saturday June 20th. The pool is open 3:30pm to 7pm weekdays and 10am to 5pm Saturdays. More info and prices on the Scadding Court web site.

The shipping containers at Dundas and Bathurst continue to draw crowds, especially during these warmer months when street-side seating provides a bit of extra comfort to chow down when the eats are still warm. From bubble tea to pulled pork sandwiches there's lots of great street food to be had here.

Check out the roster of current containers in my profile of Market 707 in the restaurants section.

At last it seems Toronto's east end is getting the attention it deserves. Well, from developers, at least. East of Yonge St. and in to Scarborough, mid and highrise residential buildings are appearing in newly desirable locations that boast convenient access to public transit and, in many cases, a short commute time from the downtown core.

Take Queen and Broadview. Streetcar Developments, headquartered a short distance away, is busily engaged with overhauling two of the intersection's four corners. The Broadview Hotel, a beloved but decrepit former strip club, is becoming a boutique hotel, and a patch of land over the street once dominated by a Toyota dealership is set to be transformed into a neat new neighbourhood.

Here are my picks for the top new condos east of Yonge St.

The Tree House
The stylishly compartmentalized design of the Tree House condos (pictured above,) currently in the pre-construction phase near the eastern terminus of Gerrard St. E., promises to deliver a jolt of modern architecture. The designers, Winnipeg-based 5468796 Architecture, have conceived a two-block residential complex with park-like communal garden and units with an abundance of natural sunlight and open space.

East 55
When it first launched, Brad Lamb's condo at Richmond and Ontario streets promised to bring the "Lower East Side" to Toronto. The branding might have been cringeworthy (it has since changed,) but the building itself looks promising: high ceilings, large windows, and a human-scale, four-storey frontage on Richmond designed by architectsAlliance.

The Southwood
Streetcar Developments has been remarkably active in the city's east end the last few years. The renovation of the Broadview Hotel, the planned Riverside Square community, and The Southwood, among others. In the latter, the Upper Beaches stands to gain a tidy mid-rise building in place of a suburban drive-up restaurant most recently home to Dip 'n Sip Donuts.

The Bartholomew
The mass redevelopment of Regent Park isn't just about replacing old Toronto Community Housing buildings. The master plan for the neighbourhood includes market-priced units, too. The Bartholomew near Dundas and Sackville will offer a mix of townhome and condo-style living set around a lush pedestrian courtyard. Perhaps best of all, units start at a modest $209K.

The Selby
Following in the footsteps of the James Cooper condo tower next door, the builders of The Selby will also shift a historic former Sherbourne St. mansion to make way for a high-rise tower. The result will be something of a rarity in Toronto--a desirable new rental property close to downtown (the project quietly shifted out of condo mode in December.)

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Mac & Cheese Fest, devoted to the cheesy nostalgic comfort food, debuted in Liberty Village this weekend. There were plenty of original takes on the classic dish that combined noodles and cheese in extraordinary ways ranging from deep fried patties on a bun to totally novel desserts like aged cheddar ice cream.

Check out all the gooey action in this photo gallery.

Photo by David Williams in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto will have you snacking on seafood at the Ocean Wise Ceviche Smackdown. Chefs from eight Toronto eateries will be at The Drake battling it out and serving up samples. If you'd rather have some laughs, ALTdot comedy is filling its usual Monday spot with a lineup of local comedians.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Theatre 20 Season Launch Party (Vagabondo)
• Ocean Wise Ceviche Smackdown (Drake Hotel)
• Dear Diary (Supermarket)
• BYOV: Bring Your Own Vinyl (Pour Boy)
• Come Together (Daniels Spectrum)
• ALTdot Comedy Lounge (The Rivoli)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

John Tory has finally come out against carding. In a searching letter delivered to the press on Sunday afternoon, the mayor indicated his intention to cancel the practice permanently at the next meeting of the Police Services Board on June 18.

Tory wants a "fresh start," which means he'll also call for the expungement of records relating to previous carding interactions that have been stored in a police database. "The personal stories I've heard in recent months and even before, the words, laden with deeply-felt emotion, have been building up in my conscience and they have stuck with me," the mayor wrote in explanation of his change of heart.

It's worth noting that the mayor refers directly to Desmond Cole in his statement of intention. Cole, you will remember, wrote a powerful piece on the detrimental effects of carding and has fiercely advocated for its end in Toronto. Tory and his staff, it would appear, were listening.

Read Tory's full statement below.

--

I want to start by saying that I believe in the men and women of the Toronto Police Service. I believe in their professionalism. I believe in their good intentions. I believe they are good people trying to do a very difficult job.

I also believe we have to find a more acceptable way to engage the community because that is a good thing -- and by engaging the community I mean the police having a great relationship with people, every single citizen in the City of Toronto -- and the police need to do this in order to help keep our city safe.

The fact is, however, the best investigative tool the police have is the trust of the people that they serve and protect.

There are a number of ways to reduce crime, but the best way is when the police and the community work together.

The issue of community engagements, or carding as it has become known, has eroded public trust to a level that is clearly unacceptable.

As mayor, it is up to me to do whatever I can do to restore ‎that trust.

I believe that our police can do their jobs and keep this city safe through improved tools and stronger mechanisms -- through stronger relationships with the communities they serve, greater transparency and better training -- but carding wont get us there.

And so I am announcing today my intention, at the next meeting of the police services board on June 18, to seek the permanent cancellation of carding once and for all.

I will also be seeking to further the work already done by Chief Saunders with a goal of putting in place strict measures dealing with the treatment of collected data. I think most of this as it relates to random encounters with innocent citizens could in fact be eliminated.
As many of you will know, a moratorium on carding has been in place since January and Chief Saunders has been working to significantly reduce random encounters unconnected to any criminal activity.

It is my intention to see that carding is cancelled permanently and that we start fresh, building what Torontonians and the world would expect of us, this very special place. And that is a way of working together befitting a country whose values are founded on respect for individual and human rights and befitting a safe city that is a model to the world in respecting diversity and building a bias-free community -- rules and procedures which rest on that foundation and ensure that the police can do their job.

But to get there, it has become obvious to me that we have to start with a clean slate.
I have said before, this issue has been among the most personally agonizing for me during my short tenure as mayor.

What I had hoped to do, my original intention, was to give the process time to bring forward a new and better way of addressing police-community engagements and delivering on our universally shared goal of bias-free policing, a goal I know that our police chief and our police officers all share.

I believed in light of the stalemate that I inherited when I took office that some policy that moved us forward was better than the stalemate and the vacuum that I found when I got there. I thought putting in place some oversight was crucial. And I thought we could make progress on real reform, but that progress was elusive despite the good-faith efforts of many.

The personal stories I've heard in recent months and even before, the words, laden with deeply-felt emotion, have been building up in my conscience and they have stuck with me.
And the impact has been magnified by my very longstanding, close and mutually-respectful relationship with our own black community. I don't have a relationship that is as important, or any more important to me, than the relationship, the friendship that I have built up over many years with that community.

And so after great personal reflection, and many discussions -- highlighted by a very candid, thoughtful discussion with a number of people including Desmond Cole and others -- I've concluded that time has gone on too long and that it was time for me to say, enough.

It was time to acknowledge that there is no real way to fix a practice which has come to be regarded as illegitimate, disrespectful and hurtful. It was better to start over with a clean slate.

Over the next few months, I am hopeful that my board colleagues ‎and I can work with Chief Saunders and with the police officers and with the community to achieve our shared objective of putting in place an approach that will both help keep crime low in every neighbourhood in this city, while protecting the fundamental rights of every citizen at the same time.

The only approach that is acceptable is one that achieves both of those goals.
‎We will work towards the goal of bias-free policing, implement better training, improve accountability and find ways to broaden and deepen police-community relations.
Across North America, cities are dealing with issues of safety and trust -- especially when it comes to interactions between police and racialized communities.

‎And while the practice that I will now seek to replace has been shown to often negatively and harmfully affect those communities in particular, issues of trust, issues of respect and issues of public safety affect all of us, in every neighbourhood, in every part of this great city.
Toronto has always led the way when it comes to issues of diversity and inclusion and respect, as well as excellent, effective and respectful policing. We have been leaders in those areas always.

And today, I am here to assure the public that with the help of the community and the men and women of the Toronto Police Service, Toronto will continue to lead the way. We'll be able to put something in place that will, again, be a model to the world of how it can be done and how it should be done.

All four lines of the TTC's rapid transit system were shut down for more than an hour this morning due to a massive communications system failure. Just before 6:30, both the primary and back-up radio systems the TTC uses to communicate with its subway vehicles suffered a server malfunction, Mayor John Tory said. As a result, all four lines were closed, and no buses shuttle buses were deployed.

Station buildings across the network were closed to prevent overcrowding, leaving thousands on the street in the pouring rain. It's not clear at this stage whether storms last night and this morning had anything to do with the system failure. John Tory said there were not enough spare TTC buses to initiate a shuttle service.

All four subway lines were restored shortly after 7:30 a.m. with residual delays across the system. TTC spokesman Brad Ross said riders should expect to wait for their next train while service is being restored.

Tory said there would be an "intensive investigation" into the "highly unusual" failure.

"I think the decision was correct, as frustrating as it was, to close the subway," the mayor told Breakfast Television. "Operating the subway without radios is kind of like trying to operate the airport without radios."

Currently, the TTC uses radio to communicate with its drivers. The system is currently in the process of being replaced.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: memeyer/Twitter.

The three hour getaway from Toronto allows you to leave city life completely for backwoods adventures and islands retreats. There's a ton of gems across Ontario -- both hidden and well-known -- within this driving distance. From geocaching to voyageuring to just plain relaxing, weekend escapes abound when you're willing to put the city in the distance.

Here are my picks for the top weekend getaways three hours from Toronto.

Get back to nature at Algonquin Provincial Park
Detox the metropolis out of your system by spending a week at this Ontario gem. Algonquin offers a variety of experiences, from backwoods camping and canoe trips, to ranger cabin rentals and even car camping for those feeling less adventurous. This is the rugged northern landscape at its finest, where almost every vista looks like a Group of Seven painting.

Go geocaching in Bayfield
Charm and historic status aren't the only things going for this small town off the coast of Lake Huron. It's also known for its geocaching -- which, for those who don't know, is a complex but fun sort of modern-day treasure hunt. This is one of Ontario's hotbeds for the activity, which requires a GPS system to track down a hidden cache left by other players.

Sail and scuba at Amherst Island
This little island on Lake Ontario just east of Kingston is a great place to spend a day or weekend on the water. Sail around the island and stop at its many ports (the hamlet of Stella is, according to some, one of the prettiest towns in the country), or explore underwater (there's a shipwreck graveyard off the island's south shore). There are a host of picturesque bed & breakfasts at which to stay.

Be a voyageur in French River
It is, after all, called "the land of the voyageurs." Rent a trailer or cottage or pack a tent and retreat to this scenic spot that's far enough north to feel rugged and completely removed from urban life. Explore the water, and stop by the French River Trading Post, one of the country's oldest gift shops. Camping is a good bet, but so too are cottage rentals.

Press your internal refresh button at Gail Springs
This holistic wellness retreat centre is located in an old, ivy-covered, castle-like estate near Bancroft that'll win your heart before you even step inside. They offer three- to 22-day retreats with various goals, like the "Body Detox Cleanse," the "Energy Regeneration," and even the hefty "Life Transformation."

Thanks to the Subaru 2015 XV Crosstrek for sponsoring our weekend getaway adventures.

What did I miss? Add your favourite getaways three or so hours from Toronto in the comments.

Photo of an Algonquin ranger cabin by Kevin Morris

Frustrated Toronto commuters who tried to summon an Uber car during this morning's epic TTC shutdown found fares hiked by as much as five times the normal price, making the minimum fare an eye-watering $75 from some midtown addresses.

Uber refers to the practice as "surge pricing" and says it's a way to encourage more drivers to hit the streets during times of unusually high demand. Customers on the other hand often feel cheated and exploited by the unpredictable price fluctuations, especially in times of crisis.

The company apologized for jacking fares during the December hostage crisis in Sydney, Australia, when thousands of people were trying to flee the city's central business. This morning's subway incident doesn't compare in severity, but the sentiment on social media was the same.

Many confused and frustrated messages were posted to Twitter during the shutdown.

The people of Toronto defended yall and when the subway goes down you take advantage you companies are so greedy @Uber

— Guwop™ (@MattyRS_) June 8, 2015

Although fares were five times higher in some areas, in the Port Lands, northwest Etobicoke, and Scarborough the surge amounted to between 1.4 and 1.6 times the normal cost.

When TTC is down you can count on Uber to save the day at 5 times the cost. Take a taxi if you can find one. pic.twitter.com/fclwbi2G7e

— Jim Jackson (@actionjax25) June 8, 2015

Should Uber rethink the practice of surge pricing in Toronto while it's embroiled in public PR and legal battles, or do you think it's a fair way of responding to increased demand?

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: @actionjax25/Twitter

Toronto Taste took place lakeside last night at Corus Quay. Celebrating its 25th year, the Second Harvest fundraiser went off without a hitch, featuring loads of finely crafted cuisine. The lineup of food and drink stations was a who's who of culinary talent in Toronto, and given tickets were all inclusive, the biggest challenge was deciding what to eat first.

Check out all the deliciousness in this photo gallery.

The best baristas in Canada will duke it out for glory this week at Propeller Coffee in Toronto. The battle is part of the Canadian Barista Competition and will determine who gets a spot in the nationals this fall in Vancouver.

Coffee making might not seem like the most natural spectator sport, but when you throw in coffee and beer tastings, food trucks, and some outlandish latte art, it becomes far more of a party than, say, your average food fest in Toronto.

The competition takes place all day on June 11, with an after party at the new Reunion Island coffee shop on Roncesvalles at 7:30pm. Coffee buffs will rejoice at the opportunity to rub shoulders with industry insiders, while those who are more into food and beer can fill up with a little bit of entertainment on the side.

Even as Toronto is embroiled in the debate over the eastern section of the Gardiner Expressway, the future of rapid transit in Scarborough remains a hot topic for discussion. Following on the heels of a report that draws into question the sustainability and worth of a new subway line based on density and projected ridership, an alternative option is starting to get a little traction.

Dubbed SmartSpur, the proposal modifies John Tory's SmartTrack plan by using the existing GO rail corridor that runs partially alongside the SRT to service Scarborough Town Centre and possibly beyond. This proposal would cost way less than both the current subway plan or the previously proposed LRT and provide direct rapid transit to Union Station.

"Costs of the connection to STC from the SmartTrack line, using the east-west part of the current SRT corridor, were calculated at $425-million in 2010 dollars, with the full route to Malvern via Centennial College's Progress Campus for around $1.7-billion," writes transit blogger Stephen Wickens.

"That's about $2-billion less than preliminary estimates for the Eglinton-McCowan subway idea with a fourth station added."

The proposal isn't without complications. Right of way conflicts would need to be managed on the tracks for one, but there's also the question of what kind of service frequency can be attained using the GO corridor here. That said, it's a simple idea that's worth some more thought.

Check out a high resolution version of the above map here.

Photo by Len Lim in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today Toronto will please your musical palate, no matter what your taste. Colin Stetson will take the stage at The Great Hall with his duet partner Sarah Neufeld. If classical music is more your style, Casa Loma has got you covered with its Symphony in the Gardens.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Colin Stetson (The Great Hall)
• Alma Cassels & Friends (The Rivoli)
• Ladies Night (Holy Oak Cafe)
• Symphony in the Gardens (Casa Loma)
• The Soul of Portugal (The Burroughs Building)
• Live Reggae Tuesdays (Seven44)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Breaking a two week streak, the are no closures to report this on DineSafe from the last seven days. The list of less severe infractions does, however, include more than a few familiar names, including Dundas West butcher Medium Rare and the newly opened Apiecalypse Now pizzeria and snack bar.

See what other establishments landed yellow cards this week on DineSafe.

Pho Phuong Hoang (College St.)
Inspected on: June 2, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Churrasqueira Costa Verde (370 Oakwood Ave.)
Inspected on: June 2, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Terroni Bar Centrale (1095 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: June 3, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1,)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Medium Rare (5241 Dundas St. West)
Inspected on: June 3, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Apiecalypse Now (735 Bloor St. W)
Inspected on: June 4, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Significant: 2, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to provide potable water supply. Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Ted's Collision (573 College St.)
Inspected on: June 4, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

The Grilled Cheese (66 Nassau St.)
Inspected on: June 4, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Employee fail to wash hands before commencing work.

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.

Arts and Crafts' two-day Field Trip music festival visited Fort York for a third year this past weekend. Adding more of everything for 2015, it was impossible to be bored. Multiple stages with packed lineups meant music for everyone, over 20 food vendors meant eats for everyone, and drinks were never far from hand.

Kids were taken care of, given their own stage, bouncy castles, crafts and hula hoops. Art installations, comedy performances, virtual reality demonstrations...it was a lot to take in. And they managed to convince The Pixies to play their afterparty at The Horseshoe with $20 tickets. Not sure how they top it next year, but everyone wins if they manage to.

Check out all of the action in this Field Trip photo gallery.

Writing and photos by Matt Forsythe

Tacos in Toronto aren't exclusively a Mexican affair. In fact, when seeking inspiration, Toronto kitchens look even further than the popular Southern California style to add their own cross-cultural twists.

Here are my picks for the top fusion tacos in Toronto.

See also:

The best tacos in Toronto
The best fish tacos in Toronto

Malaysian Tacos
Soos on Ossington offers pulled chicken kapitan tacos ($8) on house-made shells. The shredded curry chicken gets finished with napa cabbage and carrot slaw and drizzle of cooling tzatziki.

Indonesian Tacos
Little Sister offers a couple unique takes on tacos featuring flavours from the Indonesian archipelago. Find Rendang tacos on the menu loaded with beef, coconut crema, lettuce and pickled red onions, or try the Balinese shredded chicken taco with lettuce, pickled cucumbers, crispy shallots, and sour cream. Each sells for $4.75.

Japanese Tacos
Hapa Izakaya offers a take on Halibut Tacos ($7.49) featuring tempura battered fish with house-made bacon bits, shoestring potatoes, and roasted jalapeño tartar sauce on a flour tortilla. Find chicken teriyaki tacos too among the rotating daily features.

Korean Tacos
From the Playa Cabana family of restaurants, Barrio Coreano is a taqueria that melds Mexican and Korean flavours. Try the Chicken Kampungki ($5 each) with chipotle-sesame gochujang salsa and wasabi aoili. Banh Mi Boys is better still to get that Korean taco fix. The fast food joint crafts tacos ($4) on paratha-like shells and loads them up with choices of kalbi beef, fried tofu, or squid.

Indian Tacos
Tea N' Bannock, the Aboriginal cafe on Gerrard, bills "Indian tacos" on fry bread with a choice of veggies or meat. With a drink for $10, these tacos come topped with steaming taco sauce, cheese, lettuce, red onions, sour cream, and salsa.

Bengali Tacos
Tilde considers "international tacos" its forte, and the menu boasts unusual options like this crispy, curry-battered fish taco topped with coconut salsa, fresh cucumber and raita.

Jerk Chicken Tacos
Pacific Junction Hotel is home to all sorts of irreverent takes on tacos. Enjoy a four at a time for $13, dressed with shredded jerk chicken, mango salsa, lettuce, and lime crema.

East Coast Tacos
This very Maritime take from Rock Lobster on Queen West sees corn tortillas topped with morsels Nova Scotia Lobster, fennel, onions, and a drizzle of lemon sour cream for $6.

Smokehouse Tacos
Barque on Roncesvalles does smoked duck tacos served two at a time for $8. These tacos come dressed with pickled radish and hoisin BBQ sauce.

What did I miss? Add your favourite fusion tacos to the comments.

Photo from Soos by Jesse Milns.

Outdoor film screenings will return to Regent Park this summer as part of the eponymous film festival's Movies Under the Stars series. Preceded by a food market between and community meal (6:30pm-8:30pm) each Wednesday between July 15 and August 19, screenings start at 9pm and tend to feature thought-provoking films.

The 2015 lineup is as follows:

July 15: Dear White People

July 22: Bend it Like Beckham (co-presented with Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival)

July 29: Boyz N the Hood (co-presented with Manifesto)

August 5: Big Hero 6

August 12: Bollywood Movie Night

August 19: Do the Right Thing (co-presented with Caribbean Tales International Caribbean Film Festival)

The movies are free, though you should probably buy some popcorn and a drink to help support the festival. It's hard to miss the outdoor screen when headed to Regent Park for one of these movies, but if in doubt, head for 620 Dundas St. East.

Photo via the Regent Park Film Festival's Facebook page.

The top patios on Queen West will have you mixing and mingling in the heart of downtown Toronto. Whether you're looking for a laid back sidewalk spot to split a pitcher with friends or a rooftop nightclub to sip a martini, Queen West has got you covered.

Here, in no particular order, are my picks for the top patios on Queen West.

For more patio ideas, check out our Toronto Patio Guide or download our iPhone or Android app.

Rock Lobster
Rock Lobster has got the Canadiana theme locked down with their back patio. Featuring not-so-subtle homages to our country (like a giant image of a beaver) this is the best place to embrace your national pride while you enjoy some lobster and lager.

Black Bull
Black Bull is a Queen West old and faithful. The expansive sidewalk space offers a prime view of Queen West and is accented with branded umbrellas and a large but friendly crowd.

The Rivoli
The Rivoli may not have to most exquisite looking patio, but it's a favourite of many. With no-frills decor and decent sun exposure, it makes for a great summer alternative to the dimly lit indoor space.

Cube Nightclub
If nightclubs are your scene, this rooftop offers an outdoor alternative that ticks all the right boxes. The space is complete with plush outdoor sofas, upscale decor and its own bar. You can mix, mingle and sip your cocktails in style with a stellar view of the skyline.

Bovine Sex Club
Looking to escape the city? Head to back patio at the Bovine Sex Club for a tiki-themed retreat. With colourful masks, accents of straw, and, of course, its own tiki bar, this patio will have you living the island life without even leaving the GTA.

Beverley Hotel
The rooftop at The Beverley offers a chic retreat from the tourist-clad streets of downtown Toronto. The lounge seating, spa-worthy decor, and impressive view make it a warm weather favourite.

Java House
This sidewalk patio is the ultimate kick back space and is extremely popular with locals. Featuring plastic furniture and friendly staff, this low key spot is great for a cheap pint and some sun.

Queen St. Warehouse
The second Warehouse location in the city sports a laid back sidewalk patio that runs along the side of the building. The budget friendly food menu (everything is $4.95!) and more than enough drink options are bonuses.

Peter Pan
If you're looking to dine outside in style, look no further than Peter Pan. Offering a menu filled with everything from duck ravioli to fried chicken, this picturesque outdoor eatery makes for the perfect spot when the sun comes out.

Queen Mother
Tucked away from the busy streets of Queen West, this mid-sized back patio offers a retreat from chaotic sidewalk out front. Featuring a healthy dose of greenery, lanterns, and the occasional umbrella for shade, this patio makes for the perfect outdoor escape.

Thanks to Strongbow for sponsoring our 2015 Toronto Patio Guide.

Did I miss any? Add your favourite Queen West patios to the comments.