Whether you’re looking for a great spot to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup, take Dad out for dinner on Father’s Day, check out a new restaurant or go to a fun festival, I’ve got a list bursting of exciting places for you to choose from. Here's to a great weekend!
 

Open:
The Good Son
1096 Queen St. W.

The Good Son opened to the public on Wednesday, in the old Nyood location on Queen West at Dovercourt.

Chef Vittorio Colacitti, Top Chef Season Four contestant, launches his first restaurant with what he’s calling "Toronto cuisine." You and I might call it "international," due to jerk shrimp ($13), depuy lentils ($12), and Italian classics such as agnolotti ($15) and wood-oven pizzas ($10-$19) being on the menu.

Speaking of pizza, the wood-burning oven is used to cook other items, imparting a great smokiness and depth to the dishes. Mmm.

The ambiance is warm and cozy - despite the theatre-sized space - thanks to various seating areas that have been created. That, and the crowded antique tableaus including an entire wall of grandfather clocks, and another of just plates.

All this happening under one roof? No doubt this will be one of the hottest restaurants this season.

Pssst - To give you a sneak peak, I’ll be posting pics of the food + drinks throughout the weekend on our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages throughout the weekend.

The Rolling Pin
3429 Yonge St.

Opened just Tuesday, The Rolling Pin bakery makes fresh pies, cakes (including wedding cakes), donuts and pastries. They have seating and coffee so sit a spell, stay awhile. Their grand opening will follow in a few weeks’ time.

Closed:
Delux
92 Ossington Ave.

Delux serves its last meal tonight. It was one of the first places on Ossington to draw a crowd and it helped set the tone for the street for some time.

Expansion:
Tapas at Embrujo
97 Danforth Ave.

Tonight, this great Spanish resto launches their new downstairs Tapas Bar Lounge - just in time to feature Spain's quest for a third straight World Cup!

Shops:
YamChops
705 College St.

A new “vegetarian butcher shop” and prepared food shop has arrived in Little Italy. What is a vegetarian butcher shop you ask? I'm not sure other than they offer items such as Carrot "Lox" - organic carrots cured in a secret marinade, topped with capers, red onion, dill and cashew sour cream.

Ohhh...

Events:

- This weekend, check out this year’s Halal Food Fest Toronto, held at The International Centre in Mississauga. 

- It’s Ontario Craft Beer Week . I had you at beer, didn’t I? 
 
- Taste of Little Italy starts tonight at 6 pm and goes all weekend until Sunday at 10 pm. Mangia! 

- Boehmer Restaurant hosts Grey County Chefs’ Forum Farmer's Market this summer, starting tomorrow from 9 am to 1 pm.  With food and drink on hand, you’ll be able to shop for pheasant eggs, lamb chops, tons of seasonal organic vegetables and fresh maple syrup. This one-of-a-kind indoor farmer’s market goes until August 30th.

In Case That's Not Enough:

We’ve got a great list of places to watch the world cup.
And if you’re still trying to decide where to take Dad this weekend for Father’s Day, I've got some suggestions.