We are so fortunate to have so many different cuisines available to us in the city. In between all the extreme burgers, ramen, and grilled octopus, there are actually quite a few new options on the scene. Below is a quick intro to just a couple:

Temaki Express
269 Danforth Ave.

For all those tired of regular sushi offerings, I’ve got exciting news:

Toronto’s first Temakeria offers both Japanese selections and Temaki, a popular street food in Brazil (Brazil has one of the largest population of Japanese outside of Japan). This hand roll (cone shaped nori filled with rice and other ingredients) is similar to the Japanese version except with unique ingredient combinations.

First you select your temaki base – salmon, tuna, shrimp, white fish, scallops or vegetables. Then you pick your flavour – they include Almonds (mushrooms, cream cheese and almonds), Mozzarella (cucumber, tomato, basil and bocconcini) and Tetaki (chives, mayo and masago).

We're always eating on the run. Now we can do it Brazilian-style.

Liko’s Hawaiian BBQ

While we have yet to get a Hawaiian restaurant in Toronto,thanks to Liko’s Hawaiian BBQ, you can now get an authentic taste of the islands at trade shows like the recent Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, and markets such as the Pickering Markets Food Court (that’s reason to go alone).

Hawaiian Barbecue is a term used to stylize the Hawaiian islands' plate lunch, which often has a meat entrée or seafood (where available), 2 scoops of white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad.

With choices of Kalua Pork on a bun, Haiwaiian BBQ skewers and Spam Musubi (grilled spam on rice with nori around it like Japanese omusubi), you’ll be feeling the warmth of the islands no matter what our Canadian winter brings.

These are of course in addition to:

- Toronto's only authentic Roman pizza at Falasca’s – not just one, but two kinds: Pizza Al Taglio (square) and Rotonda (round) 
- Borealia’s menu that draws inspiration from the "historic foods of the natives, early settlers, and subsequent immigrant groups who arrived in the 18th and 19th centuries," such as Chopsuey Croquettes, L’eclade (mussels smoked in pine needles), and Pigeon Pie
- Mr. Ciao, not only the only Italian restaurant in Chinatown, but only one’s doing"pizza fritta" (fried pizza), their version of the traditional Neapolitan-style street food.

There are many more. This is just a small sampling of the variety of what's available. Our city has always been filled with intriguing food, but it's never been more exciting than right now.

I can't wait for what's to come.