Open/Closed for the week of July 7-13

What another glorious week in the city. And lucky for us, there are a bunch of new restaurants to go along with it!

Check out the latest happenings:

Brush Bar & Grill
106 Front St. E.

When you’re in the mood for pub-style food, you might want to head down to Brush. The menu offers all of the indulgent items you crave – deep fried pickles ($7), chicken balls ($8), wings (1 lb. - $9, 2 lbs. - $16) and stacked nachos ($15), to name just a few. Even the fries ($4) are served with house mayo! 

There are also four salads to choose from, but something tells me, their siren call won’t be as loud as those pickles.

Patois
794 Dundas St. W.

Chef Craig Wong launched his “Caribbean meets Asian Soul Food” restaurant this week.

His fine dining experience is impressive - top honours from the Institut Paul Bocuse in 2005, worked at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée in Paris, followed by Heston Blumental’s Fat Duck Research Lab in England, and then a decade in Toronto’s top fine dining restaurants.

But instead of opening some fancy-schmacy place, Wong drew on his Jamaican-Chinese heritage and his love of all foods, from travels around the world to favourite to Scarborough haunts. The result is his new restaurant, beginning with a fascinating preview menu featuring Seaweed Waldorf Salad, Kimchi Potstickers "Pierogi Style and Dirty Fried Rice. 

The full menu launched this week.

Nam Sandwich
874 Queen St. W.

Banh mi sandwich spots are cropping up all over the city. But this might be the most picturesque location of any, right smack up against Trinity-Bellwoods Park. 

Your picnic lunch just upgraded.

And in other news:

Colette Grand Café isn’t opening for a few more weeks, but in the meantime, you can enjoy a preview and sampling at various spots around town, thanks to the ingenious Tour de Colette. See where and when you can get in on this delicious action before the big day arrives.

Rasa
196 Robert St.

This fantastic new spot launched their new 50 seat patio this week. One more excuse to spend time outdoors.

You're welcome.

Black Irish Whiskey Bar & Oyster Saloon
235 Queen St. E.

Black Irish holds its grand opening tonight, starting at 5 pm. Sample some menu items including Rodney’s Oysters before The O’Deadlys hit the stage at 8 pm and DJ Monty starts the Dance Party at 11.

Bar Mercurio
270 Bloor St. W.

Bar Mercurio launched it’s “Love Our Pizza or it’s Free Challenge” on Tuesday night to the media and the challenge began on Wednesday and goes until August 9th.

To take part, call in for a reservation and say you’d like to take the challenge. If you don’t love their pizza, it’s complimentary.

Events Around Town:

Toronto’s Food Truck Alley

How exciting is this? You’ll finally be able to find food trucks at 141 Queen St. E. (at Jarvis, in the Tire Source parking lot)! During the month of July, two trucks will be there Wed-Fri 11am-4pm.

Be sure to check the calendar + download the app from Toronto Food Trucks for updates.

Pizzeria Libretto at Evergreen Brick Works

Every Wednesday until August 6, Pizzeria Libretto will be making fresh homemade pizzas from an outdoor wood-fired oven from 5:30–8pm.

Items available include: 
- Slice of pizza + local seasonal salad ($3)
- Craft beer ($5)
- Milk and lemonade ($1 ea.) 

All proceeds benefit Evergreen’s children’s food programs at Evergreen Brick Works.

Tasty Thursdays at Nathan Phillips Square launched yesterday and will run until August 28. Enjoy tasty eats every Thursday until then from 11am – 2pm.

The Toronto Underground Market is a fantastic way to try out new foods + meet the folks that create them. They’re back at 99 Sudbury tomorrow. 

Anddon’t forget to:
- vote for your favourite restaurant
- check out our Summerlicious guide and my top 5 choices
- see the Best of Caribbean eats, just in time for the city’s big Caribbean 3-week festival
- read our patio guide and my picks for top 5 patios in the city
- find a spot to watch the rest of the World Cup.