Where to eat near the Rogers Centre

A new series on Torontolife.com, “Where to Eat Near…” recommends great places to eat before, during and after a major event—be it a festival, parade, concert or, in the case of our first instalment, baseball game. When the Jays take on the Oakland Athletics this weekend, here are some alternatives to peanuts and Cracker Jacks.

Place: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way
Time: Friday 7:07 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1:07 p.m.

1) Pre-game dinner
Milagro, 5 Mercer St., 416-850-2855, www.milagrorestaurant.com
Share such entrées as stuffed ancho chilies ($19.95) and pulled pork ($18.25) with your baseball buddies as you sip high-end tequila selected from the large menu. If you’re really hungry, opt for the three-course set menu at $28.95. Closed Sunday.

2) Pre-game dinner with the kids
Pizza Rustica, 270 Wellington St. W., 416-260-0200, www.pizzarustica.ca
Take your lil’ sluggers to this trattoria serving such casual Italian fare as pastas, panini and, of course, gourmet pizzas (12-inch, thin-crust $10–$15), which are baked in giant ovens in front of diners.

3) Seventh-inning snack
Fresh and Wild, 69 Spadina Ave., 416-979-8155, www.freshandwild.ca/spadina.htm
This grocery store is stocked with healthy snacks (many items are organic, vegan and gluten-free) and fresh produce that’s sure to make other sports fans salivate as they choke down nachos with processed cheese. There’s also a café serving sandwiches, wraps and pastries from local bakeries. The Rogers Centre does allow food to be taken into the stadium, but within reason, so axe the watermelon, folks.

4) Post-game dinner and drinks
Arriba, 1 Blue Jays Way, 416-341-5045, www.arribarestauranttoronto.com
Celebrate the Jays’ win (or, more likely, wallow in their defeat) at Arriba, located in the Renaissance Hotel. Since the restaurant (mains $15–$34) and bar overlook the field, there is a $50 minimum charge ($75 when the Yankees or Red Sox play). Open until 1 a.m. every day.

5) Pre-game lunch/brunch
Le Sélect, 432 Wellington St. W., 416-596-6405, www.leselect.com
For those taking in a weekend game, check out the breakfast staples at this French bistro: eggs Benedict ($12.95, served on a croissant with asparagus) and French toast ($11.95, stuffed with apples and cranberries). There’s even foie gras ($17), a lamb burger ($15.95) and mimosas ($6.95). Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.