Dear reader,

In this week’s edition of Table Talk: a sort-of secret Greek cookout in Yorkville, a look at Bottega Volo’s new streetside patio menu, a Q&A with Pizza Pizza CEO Paul Goddard about bringing the Canadian brand to Mexico, and an outdoor bar on Ward’s Island that has the kind of ramshackle charm one would expect from a beach town somewhere much nearer to the equator than Toronto.

If you’re in the Yorkville area this weekend and you smell smoke, follow your nose to Souvla. The sister spot to Mamakas and Bar Koukla is now wheeling barbecues out to its patio every weekend and hosting alfresco Greek feasts of things like spit-roasted pork, beef kebabs and grilled shrimp. Though it’s not quite a seat at yiayia’s table, Souvla is the next best thing. Just try not to break any plates. 

Paul Goddard took over the CEO role at Canada’s top pizza chain following the death of Pizza Pizza founder (and his father-in-law) Michael Overs. Since then, he’s guided his company to record profits and recently opened a location in Guadalajara, Mexico. He spoke to us about expansion, the internet-famous dip roller and al pastor pizza.

Bottega Volo—Bar Volo’s concession stand of beer lovers’ dreams inside the Royal Theatre—now has a sweet streetside patio set-up and a new menu of small plates, sandwiches and cocktails to go with it. 

Ward’s Island may not be part of a tropical archipelago, but this tiki bar–inspired spot encourages us to pretend. Castaways Rum Shack, a brightly coloured weekends-only outdoor bar, serves up frozen piña coladas and a rotating selection of other tropical cocktails and snacks Did someone say staycation? It’s just one of the city’s best summer street food destinations.

Toronto used to have one of the best transit systems in North America. Now it’s crowded, unreliable, underfunded and dangerous. And—despite all of that—it still costs the city more than $2 billion a year. In our July issue, the inside story of what went wrong and who’s to blame. Still not receiving Toronto Life at home? Subscribe today.