What I've Been Up To Lately - Summer 2025

Finally! It's summer, and I’m spending as much time outside as humanly possible—hanging out in the park with my dog, picnicking at Trinity with friends, and eating every meal I can outdoors.

I also made it to Quebec twice—first to Montreal to celebrate a friend’s birthday, and then to Mont-Tremblant to cheer on my sister as she completed an Ironman (so proud!). The food, culture, and scenery in Quebec are seriously unbeatable—and the best part? It’s just a short drive from Toronto.

If you’ve still got room in your summer calendar, I’d definitely recommend planning a visit!

What I Ate

It’s finally patio season and I’m all about soaking up every second of it—eating outside and making the most of all the seasonal food.

• Lately, my desk snack of choice has been Ontario berries with a sprinkle of sugar (yes, with a side of paperwork).

• Mornings out have included the soft scramble at Manita on Ossington—a great way to start the day. The grilled sourdough really pulled the meal together, and I love a breakfast that sneaks in some veggies.

• Union continues to be elite at preparing vegetables and topping them with the most delicious soft cheese. Their asparagus and radish dish hit every high note.

• After showings, one of my favourite rituals is grabbing a bite to debrief—if you’re in the east end, Descendant Pizza is a perfect stop.

• My version of girl dinner? Dips and pita from Parallel. It’s walkable from my place, open all the time, and the dip selection never disappoints.

• For a quick lunch, Noctua is a gem—Daniel Saez is making some of the best baked goods in the city, and now he’s doing gelato. Last time I was given a flight, and the mango was 100%. Paired with their egg salad sandwich? Perfect.

• The patio at Dotty’s is always a good idea. A Rum Runner with shaved ham and pickled peppers makes a great appetizer.

• When I was in London visiting my sister for my niece’s ninth birthday, she made the most perfect tiramisu cloud cake—it disappeared in record time.

• Martine’s Wine Bar is newly-ish opened and gets top points for the Chef’s Bar Seat. The bone marrow was a standout dish, and you have to get the fries with aioli too.

• At home, Miami short ribs have been a summer staple—super quick to cook and easy to prep a day ahead.

• In the mornings, I’ve been adding a splash of buttermilk to my smoothies. It adds a tangy note, and with fresh strawberries, it’s giving dessert vibes.

• Summer = ice cream. Current favourites: Death in Venice’s Thai Iced Tea and the granita from Futura Granita. On my last visit, I tried mango passionfruit paired with Carosello cucumber (yes, cucumber!). It had subtle melon notes and was incredibly refreshing.

• And after a long flight home? Straight to Donna’s for breakfast. Their potato tortilla is soft, eggy, a bit spicy, and sells out fast—so get there early.

What I Did

This summer has been full of road trips—two back-to-back weekends to Quebec. One to celebrate a friend’s birthday in Montreal, and the other to cheer on my sister as she crushed the 70.3 Ironman in Mont Tremblant.

Road trips aren’t complete without snacks, so for Montreal I pre-made dough balls the night before and baked them up fresh in the morning. I wanted something healthy-ish, so I went with Anytime Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies—packed with nuts, seeds, and, of course, chocolate.

In Montreal, we stayed at Hôtel William Gray in the downtown core. The pool area was cute, and the water spa was super convenient. We also checked out Bota Bota—a boat converted into a spa. It was spacious, right on the water, and had so many relaxing spots. Plus, it was the perfect excuse for a mini phone detox since devices aren’t allowed inside.

Our first food stop was Arthur’s Nosh Bar, a breakfast spot I’ve been wanting to try for ages. The pancakes live up to the hype, and they even have a mini “for the table” stack so you can taste without committing. I couldn’t resist their lobster sandwich either. Eating outside made it all taste even better.

For coffee, Cafe Olympico was the move. Their iced drinks hit the spot during a heatwave—especially the café crema and iced coffee.

Brunch at Larry’s meant another round of soft scramble (paired with a cold glass of white wine—no regrets). Dinner highlights included La Violin, where the desserts were some of the best I’ve had in a while, and Vin Mon Lapin, where the tomato-lobster dish is still living in my head. Pro tip: make reservations for both.

On the way out of Montreal, we grabbed donuts from Bernie Beigne—fluffy, perfectly glazed, and hanging in the window like a work of art.

Then it was off to Mont Tremblant, but not before a stop at Ga-Ga Patates for some classic Quebec snacks. That’s where we discovered the all-dressed hot dog—mustard, onions, relish, and coleslaw. It sounds questionable, but trust me, it works.

The highlight of Tremblant was watching my sister absolutely crush the Ironman. A huge accomplishment—and one we made sure to celebrate properly with champagne. 🍾

What I Read

Toronto Life - $3.7 million for a Rosedale charmer with a buffet of bay windows - One of our listings was recently featured in Toronto Life, it's always so nice to see our beautifully staged homes in the media!

Toronto Stare - How a DIY approach has made Toronto condo buildings a better place to age - Condos have a bad rap sometimes, but when communities form within, it has the power to transform the whole building for the better.

Wirecutter - How to Install (or Remove) Those Renter-Friendly Peel-and-Stick Tiles - Looking to upgrade your tiles in your rental apartment? Look no further than a bit of assistance on how to make them look perfect, even if you aren't a pro.

That's it for this month! 👋