If spag bog is a weekly staple in your kitchen, it’s time to let loose and get saucy.

After all, Italy’s staple food deserves more than a basic ragu.

At Scorcia, in the York Mills area, you’ll find a selection of pasta sauces (from $8) that would impress even the pickiest of nonnas. And for an Italian dinner that’ll knock your Tod’s off, don’t miss out on the antipasti, flavoured oils and aged balsamic vinegars.

One bite, and you’ll feel like you died and went to Rome.

Scorcia, 3421 Yonge St., Toronto, 416-787-8426, www.scorcia.ca

If your bloke’s got swagger, there may be a few bow ties hanging in his closet already.

Up the ante on his collection with a stunning York Wu bow tie handmade with couture grade leather, silk or chiffon.

York, an interdisciplinary designer who spends his time between New York and Toronto, told the New York Times style magazine recently that he wants his Noeud Papillon ties to be the equivalent of a Lanvin dress,  “structured and strong on the inside, elegant and effortless on the outside.”

This is one gift you’ll want to steal.

Price upon request: www.wuyork.com

It doesn’t take a lot to make us happy—white peonies, a French interiors magazine or freshly pressed sheets.

A website called kiss my spatula has the same affect. The photographs alone on this delightful food blog are enough to make you want to dive into your screen with a giant spoon.

Indeed, an abundance of delicious recipes await, from almond-plum galette to satsuma sorbet to freshly baked breads. Blogger Giao Trac even makes music suggestions to pair with each dish.

You know what else makes us happy? Warm baguettes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

www.kissmyspatula.com

Step inside Ladan Pastry and Nuts and face a welcome assault of smells and colour.

This tiny Lawrence Avenue East shop is stuffed with pistachios, pecans, dried food and spices. Shelves are lined with traditional Persian pastries, and hard to find food products like quince jam, yellow fava beans and barberries. The chickpea dumplings and almond baklava are delicious.

Warning: don’t shop on an empty belly.

Ladan Pastry and Nuts, Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough, 416-288-0253.

This summer, if you can’t get to a Tuscan table, bring the table to you.

Packed with mouthwateringly fresh recipes from peaches and zabaglione to strawberry risotto, Recipes from an Italian Summer is the perfect way to bring a little dolce into your summer vita.

The images are breathtaking, and the recipes are culled from popular holiday spots such as Tuscany, Sicily and Sardinia.

Tonight, it’s faro and shrimp salad, with lots and lots of vino bianco.

At the Cookbook Store, 850 Yonge St.,Toronto, 416-920-2665, www.cook-book.com

Once he realized we were raiding his wine cellar, a friend’s father began to label the bottles “Drink this,” “Not this” and, “This is your inheritance.” We had so much to learn.

Enter Enoteca Sociale from the creators of Pizzeria Libretto. Here, nearly every one of the over 80 wines is available for tasting so you can sample your heart away (from $4).

Order food a la carte or try the tasting menu ($45). We recommend starting with the lightly battered zucchini flowers and pea shoots, topped with shaved ricotta ($11)—a seasonal dish, so pounce while you have a chance. The flavourful pappardelle and braised rabbit ($13) and the spicy bucatini all'amatriciana ($12) also hit the spot but necessitate a sweet finale. Try the zeppole with hazelnut pastry cream ($8). It is molto light and lovely.

Top tip? Ask to sit on tree-covered patio, just off bustling Dundas, for the best atmosphere.

Enoteca Sociale, 1288 Dundas St. W., Toronto, 416-534-1200, http://www.sociale.ca

We scoured our cities (all in the name of research, of course) for divine wines. Uncork these fantastic summer sippers just in time for patio season.

Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief
If you love aromatic whites like I do, make it your Mission to score the very first Viognier released by Mission Hill Family Estate (only 1,000 cases were produced). With a gorgeous scent of orange blossom and a peachy palate, it's like summer in a bottle. $18.99 at www.missionhillwinery.com

Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
On behest of a server at The Corner Suite I tried Domaine Uby’s Colombard-Ugni Blanc, a refreshing, citrusy French white and was wildly surprised by both the taste and the price tag. $11.99 at www.bcliquorstores.com

Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor
Cannonball’s label reminds us of spending summers at the lake and catapulting off the dock into the cold water. The Cabernet Sauvignon’s big, bold taste is also perfectly paired with anything from the grill. $29 at Bin 905 Wine and Spirits, 2311 Fourth St. SW, Calgary, 403-261-1600, www.bin905.com

Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor (English edition)
Produced at Tawse’s organic gravity-flow winery, Robyn’s Block Chardonnay 2006 will have us chirping for joy all season long. $47.25 at SAQ Signature, 677 Ste-Catherine W., Montreal, 514-282-9445, www.saq.com

Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor (French edition)
We can’t miss this white from South Africa: Viognier Rustenberg Brampton Coastal Region 2007. Its delicate peach and orange peel scents are perfect with grilled veggies with ginger, fish brochettes on the grill or with a shrimp sauté. Cheers to summer pleasures. $17.50 at www.saq.com

Julie Whelan, Toronto guest editor
Still hooked on Pinot Gris? Our latest fave is from Bodega J&F Lurton. It’s a lovely, dangerously easy-drinking white that tastes like a fortune but rings in at a bargain. $10.95 at www.lcbo.com

On our recent outing to the oh-so-hot spot Parts & Labour, we were torn about which was prettier, the crowd or the setting.

Communal tables and statement lighting signal the OddFellows design influence but we loved the bar—stretching the length of the vast space—most. Perch on a stool and nibble tasty starters and sides with your pint: moist braised pork belly ($10), fingerling potato salad ($8) and salty chips ($6). A downstairs venue, The Shop, ups the ante after 11 p.m. with live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. 

As for the space vs. face beauty contest, we'll call it a tie.

Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-588-7750, www.partsandlabour.ca
 

The FIFA World Cup kicks off next week in South Africa. Follow all the action at one of Toronto’s favourite sports bars.

With Beckham injured, our five favourites to watch are: Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Thierry Henry (France), Fernando Torres (Spain) and Kaká (Brazil). 

(They’re not bad players either.)


Remember the six-hour time difference means mostly daytime games and some as early as 7:30 a.m. Early risers can enjoy the match with breakfast at Plaza Flamingo on College. 423 College St., Toronto, 416-603-8884, http://plazaflamingo.com

Some bookies are predicting that this is England’s year. Join the Brits over at Scallywags on St. Clair, likely to be one of the busiest spots in town. 11 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto, 416-922-3737, www.scallywags.net

The Irish may not be represented in the tourney, but The Brazen Head pub in Liberty Village will be a major hub for fans of all nations. 165 East Liberty St., Toronto, 416-535-8787, http://www.brazenhead.ca/

Meet Toronto FC fans at The Football Factory or over the road at Toronto’s oldest tavern, The Wheat Sheaf, 667 King St. W., Toronto, www.thefootballfactory.ca

What would childhood be without multi-coloured dollops of ice cream smothered in goopy chocolate sauce?

Surprise your inner kid with a Sunday afternoon visit to the new and improved Big Chill ice cream parlour. With resplendently tasty flavours (Cherry Bordeaux, Funky Chunky Chocolate, Dutch Apple Pie) and a charming retro-vibe, this Little Italy mainstay is one of our favourites.

The new space is lined with cozy booths, but we’ll take our Banana Split to the toy cars outside.

The Big Chill, 367 Manning Ave., Toronto, 416-960-2455.