Throughout the past few weeks, patios in our city have been packed with patrons who are, once again, eager to eat, drink and socialize. Outdoor dining is considered to be a less risky option than reopening dining rooms, and the city has fast-tracked the creation of new patios that have spilled onto the sidewalks.
If you’re looking to dine out again, remember your mask, practice good hygiene and keep your physical distance. If you’re not quite ready yet, takeout and delivery is always a delicious option.
Here are my picks this week.
Sara
98 Portland Street
(416) 985-5721
sara.restaurant
Sara, the sleek sister restaurant of Rasa by The Food Dudes, recently opened its spacious patio in the heart of King West. With a creative menu of savoury and sweet items, you’ll be satisfied with anything you order. Smear some creamy miso burrata with marinated zucchini and diced peaches onto grilled sourdough to start. Then, refresh your palate with the chopped salad – a texture-rich dish that’s as attractive as it is flavourful. The halibut entrée, with its zippy almond romesco and grilled rapini tossed in green goddess dressing, is heavenly. Dining time is limited to 90 minutes per table, but you’ll enjoy every minute.
Craving more? Check out my past review of Sara.
Chopped salad. 
Halibut with almond romesco and rapini. 
Miso burrata.
Piano Piano
88 Harbord Street
(416) 929-7788
pianopianotherestaurant.com
Owner Victor Barry has successfully combined Piano Piano’s traditional dishes with modern-day food delivery. Order the chopped salad blanketed with cheese, salumi, olives and crispy polenta, the luscious burrata or a magnificent canestri alla vodka. For pie lovers, choose from six varieties, such as The Sweet Hornet. Topped with fior di latte, spicy soppressata, black olives and Dru’s Hot Honey, you’ll get a satisfyingly sweet sting at the end. Speaking of sweets, don’t forget the gluten-free salted chocolate fudge cookies. In fact, order a half dozen because they’re some of the best you’ll ever have.
Takeout from Piano Piano. 
Possibly the best cookie ever.
Ed’s Real Scoop
189 Roncesvalles Avenue (and other locations)
(416) 531-3113
edsrealscoop.com
Ed’s knows ice cream, and each of its four shops in Toronto creates premium frozen treats in small, in-house batches using premium ingredients. From the moment a spoonful hits your tongue, you’ll be able to taste the difference. What’s the key to good ice cream? Recipes are made with a blend of milk and cream and churned at a low speed for an irresistibly creamy texture. Fan favourites include sweet cream, triple chocolate and burnt marshmallow. If you can’t make it into the shop, order a pint to enjoy chez vous, but it won’t last long!
Bon appétit!
Bisous,
Mme. M. xoxo
Does your restaurant want to be featured in Madame Marie’s Weekly Roundup? Are you a diner who wants to share your delicious experience with the city? Contact me.
Operations are subject to change during this crisis so please contact each restaurant for the most up-to-date information.