La Veranda Osteria

Easter Bunny set up shop at the corner of Royal York and Bloor and the adoring throngs were queing up for a glimpse of the mythical pre-paella pseudo diety entertaining the public on a sunny holiday weekend.  Live keyboard entertainment boomed out from the corner scene and did good noise battle with the roaring bus traffic passing through RY Station. The patio of La Veranda Osteria seemed the perfect spot to take in the day and fuel up with my 5 year old dining companion (a massive fan of the Easter Bunny).  This location was formerly known as Cru, which was a promising spot with really good tasting food - I recall that the "overall experience" of Cru was missing 'something' though, not sure what exactly ....
La Veranda has a simplified classic Italian look and menu and has made a concerted effort to create a euro-esque outdoor patio space - tobacco smoke encounters and all.  We got comfortable under an umbrella and paroused the lunch specials; Jr. went for the minestrone soup, I chose the veal parmagiana with penne and we shared an antipasto plate. The outdoor liquor license wasn't yet in effect so the singing , dancing Bunny show was safe from Blues Brothers style saloon pelting for at least one more meal.

The food was all pretty decent and the prices weren't bad  - I enjoyed killing a couple hours on 'the Veranda'.  A few chocolate eggs compliments of the big guy himself made everything right again. Inside LVO definately looks different than Cru - seems a good place for gatherings, parties, celebrations.

Price: $28
Rating: B-

946 Royal York Road

(416) 231-3800