While we can’t all make it up north for May two-four weekend, we can inject that Muskoka spirit into our daily lives this summer with some countrified eats and al fresco activities right here in T.O.
Northern tastes
HOT TIMES, S’MORES IN THE CITY: When there’s no campfire, you have to improvise. Enter the city slicker’s take on a s’more — the double-chocolate s’more doughnut by Glory Hole. It’s dipped in chocolate and house-made marshmallow and topped off with a cookie crumble. Who needs a campfire anyway? 1596 Queen St. W., 647-352-4848
BURGERS ALL DAY, EVERY DAY: Nothing spells quick, easy and delicious like a good ol’ hamburger. (It’s no wonder we eat them all day and night at the cottage.) For those stuck in T.O., there’s always Holy Chuck. 1450 Yonge St., 416-962-4285
COUNTRY COMES TO THE CITY: If you’re on the lookout for locally grown goods, try these local farmers’ markets: Evergreen Brick Works farmers’ market, 550 Bayview Ave., and the St. Lawrence Market’s farmers’ market. Both set up camp every Saturday.
TIME TO GET CRAFTY, BEER WISE THAT IS: Taste an array of spring beer from Toronto’s finest local breweries. Our top pick? Bellwoods Brewery’s Bounty Hunter Strong Porter. 124 Ossington Ave., 416-535-4586
COLD SANDWICHES PICNIC: A picnic shouldn’t be without deli sandwiches, fresh fruit and a bottle of Prosecco. Grab made-to-order Italian sammies from Senisi Fine Foods, which boasts a rotating selection of cured meats such as prosciutto, coppa ham and Genoa salami. 1080 College St., 416-875-1996
IT’S ALL IN THE SMOKE: Surrender to your southern barbecue craving and head to Stack Restaurant — one of the city’s best smokehouses. 3265 Yonge St., 647-346-1416
A SPIN ON ROASTED MARSHMELLOWS: They’re toasted on the outside and gooey on the inside — it’s hard to beat a flame-roasted marshmallow. But if you’re not in front of a fire, pick up the next best thing: roasted marshmallow ice cream from Greg’s. 750 Spadina Ave., 416-962-4734
RUSTIC FARE: This nostalgic “gas station meets BBQ” joint is a snapshot of the country in the city. Leslieville Pumps turns out tasty corn fritters and a mean brisket sammy with crispy onions. 929 Queen St. E., 416-465-1313
PIT STOP: The Island Café is a taste of idyllic bliss a mere ferry ride away from downtown. Tuck into veggie-friendly eats and suck back brews in the pretty garden setting. 20 Withrow St., Ward's Island, 647-567-9691
Games People Play
GAMESMANSHIP: Make the most of a rainy spring day: grab a latte, get cozy and play a board game. Settlers of Catan is always a goodie — or test out something new from the selection of over 500 games at Castle Board Game Café. 454 Spadina Ave., 647-748-1955
BUILD YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: Adventurous types can hop in a heritage freighter canoe, similar to those used by the early Canadian settlers, muck about and return to a picnic-style feast, featuring local produce, back at shore. Culinary Adventure Co., 283A Queen’s Quay W. 1-877-317-4870
FLOWER POWER: Champion your creativity and bring the outside in with floral design classes, held at the Toronto Botanical Gardens. 777 Lawrence Ave. E., 416-397-1340
Fresh Air and Fun
MAKE LIKE A TIGER: There’s a plethora of public golf clubs across the GTA. Check out: Angus Glen, 10080 Kennedy Rd., Markham, 905-887-0090; Eagles Nest, 10000 Dufferin St., Maple, 905-417-2300; Bathurst Glen, 12481 Bathurst St., Richmond Hill, 905-773-4334
DISCOUNT GOLF: Also known as Frisbee golf, disc golf is a fun and inexpensive activity for the whole family (those bizarre metal structures, sprouting up from the grass on Ward’s Island are the golf holes). Ferrydocks, 9 Queen’s Quay W., 416-397-2628
HORSEBACK HIJINKS: The CNE goes country starting July 28. Kids get the chance to see the horses and go for a wagon ride. HorseCapades at the Canadian National Exhibition, 200 Princes’ Blvd., 416-393-6300
Our Natural Habitat
LIKE A FLY ON THE WALL: Calming, mildly aerobic and a whole new way to snag the big one, fly fishing abounds in Toronto at the Credit River, Scarborough Bluffs and Leslie Street Spit. Wilson’s on Queen offers various instructional courses and all the equipment you need. Wilson’s, 199 Queen St. E., 416-869-3474
KAYAK: There’s no need to be in cottage country to enjoy the lake. Strap on your vest and head to the Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre. 283A Queen’s Quay W., 416-203-2277
EVERBODY'S GOIN' SUP-ING: Make like a Californian and hit the (slightly colder) waves. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) blends the radness of surfing with the self-propulsion of canoeing, with private and groups lessons available at Kew and Woodbine beaches and Bluffers Park. www.wsuptoronto.ca
ROUGH TERRAIN: Extreme mountain bikers need not worry, the Don Valley Trail — in the city’s core — contains over 70 kilometres of intermediate-to-advanced mountain biking track. Enter at the Thomas Hauser Memorial Trailhead in the parking lot of Loblaws, 11 Redway Rd.
SPOT THE URBAN GETAWAYS: Don your best swimsuit and hit the pavement (briefly) in order to escape the hubbub of city life. These nature-embracing urban getaways are our favourite open-air hangouts around town: Sugar Beach, 11 Dockside Dr., 416-214-1344; Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat, 100 Humber Bay Park Rd. W., 416-338-4386; Toronto Music Garden, 479 Queen’s Quay W., 416-973-4000.
Campfire Jamborees
FIELD TRIP: Head up to Fort York's Garrison Common for a two-day music fest. Interpol and The Kills headline night one on June 7 and catch Broken Social Scene's only gig of the year with Constantines night two June 8.
TURF: The Toronto Urban Roots Fest, also at Garrison Common, is slated for July 4-6 weekend. There will be 44 acts spread over three stages that include Jeff Tweedy, Neutral Milk Hotel and Sam Roberts Band.
TIME: The TIME Festival returns Saturday July 19. You can still get earlybird tickets for $25 for a bill that features Grimes, Death Grips and Action Bronson among others.
