L’Unità has been a mainstay of the city’s glitziest ’hood for some five years now. With exposed brick walls, dark woods and Fellini flicks playing behind the bar, this inviting Yorkville space affords an intimate setting for after-work cocktails and chitchat.

We opted for the blueberry soda ($13), one of the most popular drinks on the seasonal cocktail menu. Pairing well with any of the assaggini, the concoction is the work of bartender Courtney Shanahan.

“Gin is just so summery,” she says, citing a particularly scrumptious cover of the LCBO’s Food and Drink mag as inspiration.

The cocktail stars muddled Ontario blueberries, along with Bombay Sapphire gin, freshly-squeezed lemon, a dash of tonic water and a flag of fresh basil ($13). With fall rapidly approaching, Shanahan says she plans to debut a pumpkin-based beverage soon. We’ll be waiting.  

L’Unità, 134 Avenue Rd., 416-964-8686