Open/Closed for the week of October 13-19

With all that turkey behind us, we can finally focus on the many openings and closings of the week, as well as the insane number of events available and celebrity chefs in town.

How lucky are we, Toronto?!

Openings:

The Borough
1352 Danforth Ave.

This gastropub brings British comfort fare to the east end. Just in time for when we’ve started to crave pot pies and mashed potatoes...

Buca Osteria & Bar
53 Scollard St.

I gave you the head's up last week, but just in case you were in a turkey coma,  Buca Yorkville as it’s known, opened their doors this Tuesday. The frenzy practically caused an Instagram meltdown, but don’t expect it to die down anytime soon - the wait has been a long one. I’ll have an inside look coming your way shortly. 

Buna’s Kitchen
388 Richmond St. W.

I broke the story of Buna’s eventual opening months back, and while it was reported this week that it softly launched, the opening has in fact been delayed. They hope to welcome you in a few days. I'll let you know.

Korean Cowboy
2368 Yonge St.

If you’re tired of your usual restaurant picks, you’ve gotta go to Korean Cowboy. Their menu offers everything from hot dog stir-fry with ketchup to fried spaghetti. You certainly won’t be bored with this crazy cuisine.

Kujira Japanese Cuisine
12 Cumberland St.

Yorkville has a pretty good hold on sushi restaurants, but new addition Kujira has Japanese tapas. More to come.

Little Fin
4 Temperance St.

Little Fin (brought to us by the same folks as The Chase, The Chase Fish and Oyster and Colette Grand Café) opens their doors this coming Monday, Oct 20th. Offering the same category of foods as Fresh off the Boat that opened last week - fresh seafood sandwiches, rolls, and salads- as you can imagine, they’ll be done entirely differently. I’ll tell you more details on Monday.

Louis Cifer Brew Works
417 Danforth Ave.

Well it looks like the huge space finally has a chance at success, with this place brewing their craft beer on site and selling it in their ‘brew store.’ The long menu of food items doesn’t hurt either. Since they just opened Monday, they’re doing reduced hours tonight (opening at 4pm instead of 11:30am) and then starting full on tomorrow.

Mr Flamingo
1265 Dundas St. W.

You might as well just plant yourself at Dundas West and Dovercourt, because that’s where many new restaurants and bars are setting up shop. This little spot offers wine, cocktails and interesting tapas dishes. I’ll have a closer look soon.

Another location for:

Aroma Espresso
250 King St. E.

The coffee chain continues to spread across the city, this time landing on King East at Princess.

Closed:

Things aren’t looking good for the Entertainment Row’s King West. Paese on King closed earlier this week, just a few months after its neighbour Verona Ristorante shut down, making way, no doubt for more condos. And just down the block, Ultimate Café at 293 King St. W. is no more. 

And over at Queen and Roncey, Hey! closed shop, leaving the first location in the west end and the latest one in the east, should you still need to get your meatball fix.

Events:

Last night, Food Network chef Chuck Hughes interviewed French Chef and innovator Alain Ducasse at George Brown (check out our Instagram & Twitter for pictures). In case you missed out, you can still get a chance to see Ducasse tonight at their French Culinary Market. Check out this week’s article for all the information. 

Tonight is also OktoberFEAST to benefit Canadian Cancer Society at Wychwood Barns. Beer, food trucks and a good cause? What’s not to love?

Looking for a lunch spot on Fridays? Every Friday during the month of October, Annona will be offering a “Ladies Who Lunch” menu, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Willow Breast Cancer Support Centre. The $25 menu includes a glass of sparkling or white wine, alongside items such as:  
- Petite sandwiches: Grilled Lobster and White Cheddar Fingers on Brioche, and Brie and Green Apple on Tiny Kaiser.
- Tasting spoons: Shrimp Mousse with Parsley, and Chicken Salad with Plum.
- Desserts: Mini Earl Grey Cupcakes with Peach Swiss Butter Cream, Cherry Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart, and Peach Macaron.

If you’re voting in the advance polls, check out #HappyVotingHourTO. Untiil Fridayenjoy free beer and appetizers at select bars and restaurants.

Of course, the big draw this week for those of us who are food-obsessed is the Delicious Food Show. I’ll be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow to bring you coverage of this weekend’s epic event, including a guided tour with Mario Batali, Tyler Florence et al.

If you aren’t heading to the show this weekend, you can still meet NYC’s Cronut™ creator, Dominique Ansel at Williams-Sonoma Bloor Street, Saturday at noon. They'll be a cooking demo, tasting and book signing.

Should all of that make you hungry, head on over to a pop up lunch at Bro Appetit at 785 Queen West from 11am-3pm. You’ll get to try food from folks such as Barque, Come & Get It and Matt Blondin’s Junk . And it’s free to get in.

Also happening on Saturday, Das Gasthaus is hosting a silent auction event, benefiting Growl, an organization that rescues only animals with disabilities and seniors. The money we raise will go directly to Veterinarian bills and relocation for the animals. Steve Anthony of CP24 Breakfast Television will host the event, with complimentary food and cocktails from 4 - 8 pm.

For one day only, Saturday, Whisky Live comes to the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. Whisky Live

On Tuesday, Drake One Fifty collabs with Montreal’s Nora Gray`s chef Emma Carderelli, acting as guest chef, for an Italian dinner on Tuesday.  Choose a la carte dishes such as Tortellini with Jerusalem artichoke ($19) and Rosemary Ribs ($26), or enjoy a prix fixe menu of any 4 dishes for $70. 

Also, on Tuesday, learn Handy Knife Skills With Doug McNish or Craft Ciders 101. And don’t forget Eat to the Beat where you get to try dishes from 60 of Toronto’s top female chefs including Lobster Grilled Cheese with Smoked Water Buffalo Cheddar, Caramelized Pineapple and Coconut Cream Tarts and Smoked Duck Breast on a Waffle with Drunken Blueberries. Our own Rose Reisman will be there!

On Wednesday, make reservations for dinner out and help someone in need at Restaurants for Change. I'll be live tweeting from one of the participating restaurants.

And if all you want is to get away this weekend, check out the Bala Cranberry Festival (Oct 17-19). Between the changing leaves and all that cranberry-filled food, you’ll surely leave that city stress behind.

Did you know:

This week’s Best Of is all about unique features and items in restaurants. 

Enoteca Sociale has a fantastic fall menu. 

There is still a ton to do in October. 

Dine.TO is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s KitchenAid Cook for the Cure Culinary Showdown!Help us to raise money for this important cause.