With Instagram updates inciting rabid cases of outdoorsy #FOMO, we’re all about trying to one-up warm weather revellers. “How we gon’ do dis?” you (didn’t) ask? By going totally retro and having a booze-fuelled picnic in the park. In this new series, we’re giving you some savvy tips for snatching up prime nosh and tipsy tipples in and around our favourite parks in the city. St. James Park, it’s time for your closeup…
Your Starter
Little known fact: Some of the best guacamole in the city isn’t found in one of the 1,833 Mexican restaurants that have popped up in the past eight months. No, no. You’ll find your new favourite purveyor of creamy green glory down on the basement level of the St. Lawrence Market. Manotas Organics and Fine Latin Foods is a specialty food shop with some of Toronto’s best salsas, spices, empanadas (frozen), and, of course, guacamole. Their ages-old recipe hits the spot that most others miss, and when paired with their crazy crunchy tortilla chips (proper ones from deep-fried tortillas) you’ll experience edible ecstasy.
Your Main
Thanks to the revitalization of Market Street, there’s a bevy of brilliant new restaurants perfect for lazy day noshing. We’re loving Market Street Catch (the latest venture by Buster’s Sea Cove) right now thanks to the wildly delicious lobster rolls. Seriously, these buttered buns are overflowing with succulent chunks of uber-fresh lobster meat. They come with a towering mountain of fries and some creamy slaw, and couldn’t be more apropos for al fresco dining in the park.
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Your Dessert
On the east side of Jarvis, right across from the park, you’ll find G for Gelato – one of the top Toronto shops for this warm weather delicacy. With rotating house-made flavours like s’mores, pineapple coco milk, peach apricot, and avocado, there’s a sweet frozen treat for any palate. Best part? They’ve some excessively sippable espressos and lattes to pair with your spoonfuls of happy.
To Drink
Lo and behold, there be a Wine Rack pretty much kitty-corner to good ol’ St. James Park. Hallelujah! It’s like the big guy upstairs wants us to drank up while the fresh summer breeze caresses our open toes as we lie languidly on tattered old blankets and act ever-so bohemian. Bring a couple mason jars along for your park party, stock up on saccharine coolers or chilled $10 bottles of VQA vino at the Wine Rack, and pour yourself some swizzle sauce while your play date keeps six for the po-po.
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Are you going to have a picnic in St. James Park this weekend? Comment below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe!
