I think I love the Roxton. It's not the kind of adoring love where I send them roses, write little love letters and make up poems that don't make any sense. Rather, it's the distant romance. The one that I know is good for me and has almost everything I desire even though I may not show them much affection.

While I don't visit very often, I almost always suggest the Roxton to friends who ask me for a reco where patio, beer and good (but not too pricey) food are the prerequisites.

On my most recent visit, my friends and I claimed some seats on their front patio. To accompany our rounds of Amsterdam Blonde, I ordered a spinach salad topped with feta, roasted red peppers and sauteed mushrooms. At $9.99 it was filling enough to make a meal, and the flavours were all just about perfect, enough to convince me that with the beers I'd stumble out of there having consumed a balanced diet.

Sitting across the table sat one of the Roxton's famous burgers (also $9.99). Cooked just right with a crusty bun, side salad and roasted potatoes, it didn't last past the conversation where we wondered whether it was pumped full of hormones, grass-fed or massaged by virgins.

Rounding out our order was a side of roasted potatoes (both regular and the sweet variety). My friend who ordered this originally asked for onion rings or fries but the Roxton doesn't do anything deep fried so he had to settle for this. Lucky him. Herb crusted and cooked just right they went down nicely (and quickly) with the provided mayo.

The menu at the Roxton changes daily. We were told the chef shops mainly in Kensington Market and simply buys whatever looks fresh that day. Although there are a number of recurring staples (like the burger, salads and burrito), new items crop up on the menu all the time. Not all are award winners though. On a previous visit I sampled a massive turkey leg which was merely ho-hum.

During the summer the patio is definitely worth table-waiting for. But in cooler seasons (or when the weather is otherwise non-cooperative), indoors presents a cozy if not romantic alternative. The restaurant is open late with bar service continuing until last call.