Giovanna Trattoria on the corner of King and Bathurst is a fantastic little spot for pasta. They always serve exactly what I expect of a dish, no more and no less. Their pasta is made fresh and cooked to a precise al dente, with a gentle firmness to its bite. Using simple ingredients, their sauces are appropriately modest: an authentic tomato-basil is favoured over the more, dare I say, sophisticated truffle-inspired sauces. Atop with five large meatballs, their spaghetti is a to-die-for classic of Italian cuisine. Unfortunately, they removed their pesto linguine from the lunch menu, another dish that stole my heart with its lightness and simplicity -- almost reminiscent of a pasta aglio e olio. Served in an oversized, plain-white deep plate and sprinkled with chopped parsley, it looks as deceivingly understated as it tastes.

Eating well is truly one of the greatest pleasures of life.

On King, there are various restaurants with outdoor patios sprawled across cobblestone alleyways. Walking past them, you'll hear friends and co-workers laughing over a beer or a mid-day glass of wine, juxtaposed with the gong of the streetcar and the slash of rollerblades on the pavement. And some cafes are hidden underground in the crevices of the street with seemingly little importance; but inside Bakerberry's, for instance, one finds a bold red, low and lean leather L-shaped bench, making this petite cafe quite the chic treasure. Just down the street is Susar, which, if I am not mistaken, is the pride and joy of executive chef and restaurant owner, Susar Lee. Between restaurants, find design firms and fashion innovators working from the top floors of old buildings with tall windows. The area is vibrant, creative and dynamic. Great part of town to spend my summer.