Open/Closed for the week of Sept 29 - Oct 5
Happy October! This week is bursting with new restaurants and an insane amount of events.
With only 90 days between now and the new year, you’re going to want to pack in as much as you can.
Open:
Gaslight
1426 Bloor St. W.
If you’re looking to whet your whistle between Dundas and Landsdowne, check out this new cool spot.
Maha’s
226 Greenwood Ave.
If you want something a little different for brunch, go Egyptian! They serve it both during the week and on weekends.
Mare Pizzeria
158 Baldwin St.
This slip of a spot in Kesington offers up the usual take-it-to-go fare: pizza, panzerottos and sandwiches.
New & Expanded:
The Keg’s new spot on King West opened on Wednesday afternoon, right in the midst of the Entertainment/Fashion District.
And Sukothai opened their third location on Dundas, near Ossington.
Closed:
Yours Truly served their last meal on Tuesday evening. Stay tuned for more to come from this team, just in another location.
And though not a restaurant, I still can’t believe Eater Toronto closed. With so many Toronto restaurants opening and closing, you’d think they would have been swamped.
Announcements:
Yesterday, INK Entertainment and Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants sent out a press release annoucing the official launch of America. It’s been open since TIFF, and well, read Alan’s review today about his thoughts of soft openings and his experience there.
Did you miss Toronto icon Ivy Knight’s launch for her The Everyday Squash Cook (co-written with Rob Firing & Kerry Knight) on Monday night at The Drake? Don’t fret. The book - which is so going to be your go-to book this winter (because really, how many ways can you think of on your own to prepare it?) goes on sale on Tuesday.
Tonight, Farmhouse Tavern is closed as they are cooking a collaborative pop-up dinner at The Quicky Carrot. Their sister restaurant, Farmer’s Daughter Eatery will be open.
Dufflet launched a line of gluten-free products.
Joey announced they that plan to open in Sherway Gardens by the end of 2015 and that their Eaton Centre location now has new a large private dining room.
First Canadian Place has an exciting new food court in the works. In the meantime, until November 28, you can enjoy The Ghost Pepper Fiesta at Mucho Burrito, available in burritos, tacos and quesadillas.
Events:
Bob Blumer is the MC over at The Gourmet Games tonight. On the schedule, over 50 award-winning wines and how to pair wine with food.
Did you know that there are Master Charcutiers? At tonight’s Charcuterie Tasting Dinner at Café Boulud, try the handiwork of Master Charcutier Gilles Verot via a 3-course tasting menu including a terrine, quenelles, warm torte and dessert, complete with wine pairings.
Tonight Matty Matheson (Executive Chef of Parts & Labour) launches his travel & food show,'Keep It Canada' with VICE, at Parts & Labour. No doubt it’s going to be epic.
You may have missed the pop-up dinner at Linda Modern Thai with chefs Yong Soo Do and Chris Jang on Tuesday, but hopefully there will be more to come. Stay tuned.
You can however, head to King Catering’s one on Saturday, where Caribbean food meets Ontario Wine. Here’s the incredible 5-course menu: Coconut Curry Pumpkin Soup, Deep-Fried Shark (!), Pulled Jerk Duck, Rum Cake Poppers & Currant Rolls, with Aloo Pie for dessert.
Starting tomorrow and going until Saturday, OktoberFest gives you yet another excuse to go beer crazy. Urp.
On Saturday, show off your mad eating skills at Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship. There’s also free poutine for those who just want to watch.
And the big weekend event is of course, Saturday's Nuit Blanche, starting at precisely 6:53pm. With all that stimulating art, you’re going to want to stop for a bite and discuss, so I went and made you a list of my top 5. And the bonus? Many of them just happen to have spectacular drinks too.
If you missed Soupalicious last week and you feel like getting away, head to the Holland Marsh Soup Festival on Saturday.
And because it’s that time of year, when buying your turkey this holiday, buy a second to feed a family in your community. Drop off a turkey (or cash equivalent) at your local food bank. Join the conversation using #BOGOTurkey.
If you want to get more involved in the fight against hunger, Tuesday’s Love Food Fest might be just the thing.
And should you be wishing to plan further ahead, here's a short preview of events happening later this month.
And lastly:
We’ve launched #FallMenuWatch, so get ready for a whole season of tantalizing dishes coming your way over the next few weeks!
And new restaurants. Like you wouldn’t believe. I’ll have weekly updates for you here, and more timely ones on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Don’t forget, we’re posting articles 7 days a week now, so check the ‘What’s New’ section on the site including weekends. Don’t want to miss anything? Sign up for our newsletter, emailed every Thursday am, on the top right hand page of the homepage under ‘Sign up.’