West Queen West

Now that we're a couple of years removed from the rejuvenation of Queen Street west of the mental hospital, a lot of the recent buzz is about what's happening in West Queen West off the main drag. The poster child for this conversation is none other than the stretch of Ossington Avenue between Queen and Dundas.

Still pockmarked by fading karaoke clubs, self-storage depots and auto-repair shops, Ossington is now the setting for the decidedly un-Drake drinking and dining experience that's Sweatty Betty's, The Sparrow or the Crooked Star. Also in the mix are the recently opened Foxley Bistro, friendly Le Bar A Soupe and a number of vibrant art galleries such as XPACE, Gallery TPW, Interaccess and Lennox Contemporary.

One street west, residential Dovercourt hasn't seen much change lately but it's still home to two long-standing neighbourhood gems. Julie's Cuban is hands-down the best Cuban restaurant in the city. Tostones (fried plantain) with guacamole, rope vieja and traditional mohitos draw a packed audience almost every night of the week. A few steps south, Luna Cafe continues to be that cozy "undiscovered" local cafe, perfect for an early afternoon caffeine fix or weekend brunch.

West Queen West also boasts one of the city's most-loved parks. Trinity Bellwoods combines some serious lounging experience (perhaps best experienced with takeout Chippy's) with an array of parks and rec faves including an indoor swimming pool, baseball diamonds and an outdoor hockey rink in the winter. The park is also home to the annual Outdoor Art Show, a new Farmers Market and a drum circle every other Tuesday during the summer.

East of Bellwoods, the original Terroni continues to do brisk business, even among a sea of dining destinations and local favourites such as San, Czehoski, Habitat, Coca and Amuse Bouche.

Fashion is also prominent here. Anne Hung, Fresh Collective, Comrags, The Little Black Dress Shop and Susan Harris Design are all among the city's best bets for locally designed women's clothing. Long-time residents like Delphic and Deluxe Boutique offer more designer duds for those looking for a funkier alternative to the Bloor Street shopping experience.

On the western edges of West Queen West, the stretch also known as the Art & Design District boasts Toronto's most vibrant gallery scene. On Thursdays (although sometimes on Fridays or Saturday afternoons) starting around 7pm, art galleries such as the venerable Katharine Mulherin, Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art and Stephen Bulger Gallery, or new kid on the block Thrush Holmes Empire open their doors (and bars) to celebrate what's new on their walls.

The Gladstone Hotel also hosts art exhibits even if it's better known for the karaoke nights in the Melody Lounge. For more polished sounds, the Drake Underground has a reputation as one of the best live music venues in the city. It's a great spot to check out local or visiting indie bands and DJs, and tends to attract a younger and more local crowd than the main floor lounge or Sky Yard.

While locals and media alike have often speculated what buildings Drake owner Jeff Stober will buy next, current real estate concerns and discussions centre around the proposed development of the Queen West Triangle. The city, local citizens and activist organizations like Active 18 continue to fight to protect this part of the neighbourhood from developers intent on erecting high-rise condos that threaten the unique social and cultural dynamic that is West Queen West.

Some more of our favourite spots include:

The Beaconsfield
Best during the week where you're likely to dine next to k-os or some Much Music VJ (not that we're saying that's a selling point), The Beaconsfield combines a darkly-lit, DJ-infused atmosphere with a tasty line-up of food and drinks, all big portions at very reasonable prices. Try the salmon with spaghetti squash.

SPIN Gallery
More of a party venue then an art gallery, SPIN stages some of the best art openings and alternative nights in the city. There's always a bar, a DJ or live music performance and the art is definitely more avant-garde than most. A recent highlight here was Johannes Zits' Naked Twister. Located upstairs from 69 Vintage and The Social.

Magic Pony
This gallery space meets design store showcases the best of local and international street culture. This is the place to pick up Blythe figurines, creations by Dalek and Derrick Hodgson, hard-to-find printed T's and design books they probably don't stock at Indigo.

Commute Home
One of the best furniture stores in the city (if not the country) for contemporary custom-made tables and other furniture fashioned from lost and reclaimed materials and lush slabs of walnut or Douglas fir. Many enterprising restaurant owners and interior designers rely on these guys for their eye for style and expert craftsmanship. Stylegarage, a few blocks west, also creates some similar stuff.

Sydney's
If there was a Savile Row in Toronto, this store might be it. Owner Syndey Mamane is an expert when it comes to crafting stylish custom tailored suits for guys. He also stocks a selection of off-the-rack designer brands.