On the evermore boisterous strip of Bloor west of Dufferin sits Karelia Kitchen, a cheerful ode to all things Scandinavian. The bustling space, with its Marimekko-clad walls, is home to a seemingly endless parade of fare from Europe's north: house-smoked fish, brightly coloured smørrebrød and an assortment of mouthwatering desserts (the cheesecake is particularly hard to say no to).

The drinks menu is short but sweet, placing the focus on vodka and its lesser-known cousin, akvavit, a grain-based spirit reminiscent of vodka in taste and traditionally tossed back in shot form. At Karelia, the manner of consumption is slightly less violent; brunchers can sip from a carefully composed selection of 'tails, of which our pick is the Midnight Sun ($7.50). Award-winning Aalborg Jubilæums Akvavit is paired with soothing hibiscus and ginger iced tea, and jazzed up with some freshly squeezed orange juice for a tipple that tastes unnervingly healthy.

As co-owner Donna Ashley says, "People are always asking, 'Did you put alcohol in that?'" Did they ever.

Karelia Kitchen, 1194 Bloor St. W., 647-748-1194

Karolyne Ellacott is a features editor at Post City Magazines. She pedals around town in heels, eating sandwiches and drinking cocktails. She writes about that, and about other stuff too. She is also on Twitter.