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Yorkville’s favourite ice cream parlour is getting a makeover
L-R: Mezza Notte’s patio and one of the restaurant’s many pizza offerings
Cherished North York restaurant relocating Mezza Notte says ciao to its home of two decades by Jennifer Schembri Following a successful 20-year run, popular Italian restaurant Mezza Notte is shutting its doors at 5304 Yonge St. Thankfully for the trattoria’s long-time customers, the restaurant will reopen in a new space approximately 20 minutes from the original location According to co-owner Robert Savonarota, the restaurant is moving to a former Bank of Montreal located at 3169 Dufferin St. The current strip mall the restaurant has called home for more than 20 years, is being redeveloped to make way for a 33-storey building with 265 units with retail on the ground level and more than 100 parking spaces. The new digs will be roughly the same size as the current location (approximately 2,500 square feet) with seating for 120 diners. There will also be a private dining room in the basement — as opposed to the main
floor. “We did a complete renovation and completely gutted out the space,” Savonarota says. The Yonge Street location is slated to close by the end of March with plans to reopen in the new space around April 11, following Easter weekend. Although the restaurant won’t see a complete overhaul, Savonarota says there are some changes coming as they want to stay true to their roots. “We are going to introduce some new dishes and there will be a slight change to the menu,” he says. As for the decor of the new restaurant, Savonarota says that the space will have urban, industrial and modern elements where guests can enjoy all the classics while listening to traditional Italian music. In the warmer months, diners will be able to enjoy dining alfresco, thanks to a patio
that will be located on the side of the restaurant. And fans of the eatery’s extensive takeout menu need not fear: Savonarota says the restaurant will be able to keep the current delivery area relatively intact. If all goes according to plan, in the summer of 2024, plans are in the works to add a rooftop patio. Savonarota says that all of the structural work has already been completed. Until March 25, diners will have the opportunity to dine at the restaurant owned by siblings Robert and Gus Savonarota. Over the last 20 years, the brothers have built a large and loyal following of diners, thanks to their menu of classic Italian fare, including pizza, panini and pasta dishes, like fettuccine Siciliana and orecchiette aromantica. Mezza Notte is also known for its extensive wine menu, which pairs perfectly with any dish, as well as its hand-crafted cocktails and a variety of beer.
Summer’s has been scooping up the most incredible natural ice cream in Yorkville since 1991, and now, the iconic parlour is getting a makeover. Plans are underway for public washrooms (the current ones are located in the back parking area), as well as a new customer service area. “We’re also freshening up the space, repainting the entire store, adding new tables and redoing the sign boards,” says shop owner Ron Tolkey, who added that Summer’s had just renewed its five-year lease, hence the renovations. Founded by Len and Helka Tolkey in 1984, Summer’s started as a small storefront on Cumberland Street — a tradition in Helka’s family that began in Czechoslovakia in the late 1930s. The couple’s eldest son, Ron, eventually took over the business and over the last 25 years he’s seen the family business expand from one location to four — including a retail and production hub in the west end. The shops eventually amalgamated to a single storefront on Yorkville Avenue. Tolkey also says he hopes to expand with a new store either in Oakville or at King and Portland. “There’s a row of restaurants there where I think we’d do well,” he says. The shop closes each year during the winter season, and Tolkey says customers are already asking when they’ll be able to get their mitts on a delicious cone. “There’s always a lot of hype in the springtime for us,” Tolkey says, adding that new flavours are in the works, including pina colada and pineapple as well as more smoothie offerings. Summer’s is located at 101 Yorkville Ave. —JS
Dine with your dog at the Bernese Barista The menu was created with love for your pooch by Marcus Mitropolous
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The Bernese Barista is a coffee shop located in Markham that gives dog owners the chance to enjoy a cup of java with friends, while accompanied by their four-legged pals too. Co-owners and friends Victoria Chan and Chanice Dryden decided they wanted more than just an average nine-to-five. And so the pair quit their jobs (at the same employer) and opened up the pet-friendly café last year. “We have dogs and so do our friends, and during the pandemic we used to joke around and say, ‘Oh if only there was a dog-friendly place where we could go, hang out and bring our dogs,’” Dryden says. “We decided to take our joke to the next level.” Once Ontario’s Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, which Dryden says has “a soft spot for dogs,” was passed and loos48 ened the rules on dogs on patios, the duo wanted to implement a
café menu that both stood out and catered to local customers. “Victoria really loves her coffee, so she took charge in terms of making sure we have great options to serve,” says Dryden. Dryden and Chan have an auto industry background, an environment that Dryden says revolves around starting your day with a coffee run. The Bernese Barista offers café staples alongside some classic Asian treats. Dryden says that the most popular order is “a pup cup for the dog, a pineapple bun for the human and usually a latte or cappuccino.” The Bernese Barista is located at 6 Nipigon Ave. and is open Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The coffee shop welcomes all pooches — regardless of their size!
A Bernese mountain dog at Bernese Barista