Torontonians love their city year round- and yet we all need to leave it once in a while. The annual pilgrimage to Florida, Mexico or a Caribbean island has become part of many of our itineraries; but for those who can’t get away, we need to seek out places that trick ourselves into believing we’re in the islands. Look no further than Rhum Corner.

Rhum (that’s “rhum” not “rum”, for those of us not fluent in French Creole) is a happening joint serving up incredible food from Haiti. The air is punctuated with upbeat authentic Caribbean music, and filled with the smells of simmering curries and deep fried delights. Fried bananas are addictively salty, the macaroni and cheese is delightfully rich, and goat and oxtail both melt in the mouth. Each entrée is served with “picklese”, a spicy house made coleslaw, in a little mason jar. You can order a host of beverages here, but the name is Rhum Corner, so get yourself a rhum cocktail- might I recommend the Dark and Stormy? Spicy, sour, refreshing. Made with the good stuff- none of that Bacardi you used to slam back at university which now haunts your dreams.

The restaurant is owned by famed Toronto restaurateur and women’s-rights-in-restaurant-kitchens activist Jen Agg, and was inspired by her Haitian husband, painter Roland Jean. His cheeky murals adorn the walls, adding to the vibrancy of the milieu. This is a spot which is bound to improve even the dreariest of days.