Our first stop most mornings is for coffee. Crafted by Te Aro has a lovely back patio that not many people seem to know about. Again this weekend, there were lots of empty seats in the east facing space.  They are open all day, and serve soups, sandwiches and baked goods in addition to the caffeinated beverages. There are about as many outdoor seats as there are inside, so you’ve got a good chance of enjoying the fresh air here.

Just down the street from Crafted, Rua Vang Golden Turtle Vietnamese, has a big corner patio on Argyle Street. It may be the well-priced pho, but I think the outdoor environment also draws the crowds. My favourite part about this patio is the quote painted on the wall: “In the infinite moments it takes to read this you’ll have lived forever”. Those are some heavy thoughts to chew on while sipping their delicious Pho.

See you outside!

the back patio at Union Restaurant.

Teo was out serving the best hamburgers and sausages I think I have tasted in a while, with some great condiments. Mike Layton, our Ward 19 counselor,  stopped by and chatted with Teo, explaining that these are the kind of local places that we need in the neighbourhood.

Right now, but current bylaws, Union cannot open their patio to the public, so they will need to go to the Committee of Adjustment. During these hearings, letters of support from locals can be helpful.

Teo’s goal for Union is to be a refuge for both farmers and patrons, and he has wanted a patio since he began his journey to ownership. The idea for the patio is that it would serve a maximum of 24 people, and also house his composting area as well as a charcoal barbeque. Produce from local farmers will also be showcased along the wall. It will close at 11pm, so as not to disturb local neighbours.

He is asking for letters of support so if you can email him at chefteo@gmail.com a letter noting your support, he can then use that at the committee meeting.

We also know that Union wants to open their patio and is still waiting for the city’s approval. Would be nice to share that prime rib for two al fresco, non?

In the meantime, we have news about another patio on Ossington that is going to expand.

Those who follow us on Twitter likely already know the news that BQM is planning to renovate their front patio and add a back patio on Rolyat Street. This southern facing patio gets a lot of sun and is busy for lunch, dinner and drinks, so customers will likely approve the expansion.

Don’t forget, we began a patio guide earlier this spring, put it on hold after weeks of rain, but we’ll be back with more very soon!

I-Deal Coffee – has a nice outdoor space, if a little unkempt at times. Only last year did they fence it in and clean it up a bit, as it was getting used in the years prior. Don’t expect service out there, as you’ll have to get your coffee inside, but it’s one of the best spots on Ossington to catch some rays, being on the north side of Foxley.

BQM – This burger joint on Roylat and Ossington also has a south-facing patio and this Saturday, early in April, people were out having drinks and burgers. At BQM, you will get full service, and it’s also licensed. The wooden benches aren’t always the most comfortable at BQM, but there are umbrellas to keep parts of the patio in the shade.

Currently on Ossington there is only one boulevard license belonging to Painted Lady, and two that face onto sidestreets at Roylat -  BQM and Crooked Star. Bohmer is blessed with a bit of a boulevard space in front of their property as well as having front windows that open right up onto the sidewalk. Now that there are signs of the upcoming patio season, hopefully this will go through quickly and we’ll have another place on Ossington to sit outside and enjoy some drinks and, in this case, really nice food.

First up, Our House has generated some positive press for it’s feel-good vibe, laid back staff, and fun menu.  It may be the press, but the place does seem to be drawing some healthy crowds on the weekends.

Bohmer, which opened a few months ago, is ready for it’s reviews! Everybody loves the space and some like the food too.

So maybe Pizza Libretto started a trend! Another restaurant has opened for lunch on Ossington, and Delux gets a thumbs up!

Finally, blog.to has it’s patio guide of just our hood (and a little bit further east) including the newly-opened patio behind Foxley!

Appropriately, our first profile is on Sweaty Bettys, one of the first hip places to be on the strip. Sweaty Bettys has been around since before Ossington was known by the rest of the city, and was an out-of-the-way place often frequented by celebrities who wanted to find a more secluded place to go. It’s still small and quaint, but busier with a broader audience. It’s still one of my favourite patios in the city.

So here it is: 8 questions with Pol Cristo-Williams, from Sweaty Bettys:

What’s your business?

Sweaty Betty’s

How is your business unique?

We tell people to piss off and they still keep coming back. Totally unique.

How long have you been in business here on Ossington?

5 years for Sweaty Betty’s, and my wife had an art gallery at the same location for two years before that. And we had The Sparrow Restaurant for a couple of years before it became Delux.

What drew you to be in the neighbourhood?

My wife. She’s cool. (see above)

What changes have you seen since your business has been here?

People shoot each other way less.

How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?

Probably knocked down and turned into a Starbucks. That, or it’ll be full of aging hipsters who don’t really like Betty’s, but agree to still go there because the beer is cheap and it’s walking distance from home.

What is your favorite spot on Ossington (other than your own, of course)?

Downtown Lumber. They sell everything. And Jaiden’s Petals. Flowers are nice.

Any other thoughts on the neighbourhood you’d like to add?

Um, if Pantalone leaves, do we get our street back?