TIFF is not the only thing happening this week (as you’ll note by the number of restaurants opening and closing), but it’s certainly captured our attention. Check out:

- Colette Grand Cafe for sipping on TIFF-worthy cocktails (complete with recipes, so you can have your own star-studded gathering!)
- Best places to catch a glimpse of a celeb
- With the amount of A-listers regularly dining at One in Yorkville, the odds you’ll see some TIFF movie stars are pretty good.
- TIFF’s opening weekend extended patio along Restaurant Row.

Okay, now that you’re set for TIFF, let’s get you ready for what’s happening elsewhere in the city!

Open:

Branca
1727 Dundas St.W.

A new Argentinian BBQ restaurant opened their doors yesterday in Little Portugal, after a yearlong reno of converting a residential three-storey building into a “bistro-inspired” restaurant.

Using the traditional fire-roasted cooking methods, here the dishes will be made with “locally grown produce and naturally raised, hormone free livestock.”
 
I’ll have a more in-depth look for you shortly. In the meantime, hurray for the arrival of more Argentinian food in the city! Bring it on!

Saturday Dinette
807 Gerard St. E.

Opening tomorrow in Hammersmith’s old location at Gerrard and Logan, Saturday Dinette is a modern diner in Leslieville, focusing on healthy diner classics such as “fried” chicken that’s been baked, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

They will be open for dinner the first week of opening and then launch into brunch and lunch the following weekend.

I got a chance to sit down with Chef Suzanne Barr, who has an amazing story. I’ll have that to you soon.

NODO
2885 Dundas St. W.

I first introduced you the soon-to-be Italian restaurant a few months back and lucky for us, the doors are now open. Homemade Italian dishes with a host of pizzas, pastas and a hearty wine selection? Welcome to your new date night stop!

America at Trump Tower
325 Bay St.

INK Entertainment and Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants spent only five days making the former STOCK restaurant into the poorly named America. Of course this was in time for TIFF. 

In fact, the reservation I made earlier in the week for tonight was canceled by the restaurant as they “are booked out for a private event.” Apparently us regular folks are to wait until after the celebs have eaten.

Neighbourhood Watch: 

Why you should be heading to Koreatown - This burst along Bloor West has had some exciting openings as of late. Chinese Dumpling House features made-to-order fresh dumplings (available for dine in, take out and delivery), Kimchi Tofu celebrated their grand opening (grab a bowl of pork bone soup after wielding your way around Honest Ed’s!), and Ave Maria Latin Café & Groceries not only offers fantastic daily homemade specials such as tacos al pastor, Cubanito sandwich and empanadas, but Latin pantry items so that you can try and recreate the dishes as home.

Re-Opened:

Bar Mercurio re-opened Tuesday after a weeklong kitchen reno. I can’t wait to check out the new digs.

Closed:

Mr. Greenjeans closed this Tuesday after 34 years. Fun fact – You might be too young to remember, but back in the early 80s, they were one of the first eateries in town to serve homemade potato chips (“Buffalo Chips” on the menu) alongside their burgers and chicken fingers.

Red Sauce posted a lease sign last week after being open less than a year. This caused people to still lament the loss of Acadia. Really? I’m excited for something new.

Events:

Tonight at 6pm, enjoy “Cultural Exchange, Fun, Food, and Drinks at ICHIMOKUKAI!” at Manpuku Japanese Eatery. No further information was available, but “Ichimoku-kai” means the first Thursday meeting, and it has an exclamation point and fun right in the title. What more do you need?

With just $10, you can enjoy a wide range of food and drink at One Night in Cabbagetown tonight. Some of the participating restaurants – newly opened Ronnie B’s, old favourite Peter’s Cajun Creole Pizza, as well as Young Thailand, Stout Irish Pub, The Irv, Flying Beaver and Kingyo. And don’t leave the hood just yet – the phenomenal Cabbagetown Arts & Crafts Fest is this weekend!

Coming up:

We’re launching a bunch of new and exciting features and columns over the next couple of months. And of course, we’re working hard to bring you the newest restaurants and latest news before anyone else! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, so you’ll know as soon as it happens, and check here every Thursday for the week's list of openings, closings and events.

In the meantime, we’re posting daily news in the What’s New section on the homepage, so be sure to check in often. Don’t want the hassle? Sign up for our newsletter, mailed out every Thursday morning, with all of the week’s news and events. It’s easy. Just click on “Sign Up” on the homepage and in a couple of seconds, you’re done!

Just because it’s September doesn’t mean it’s time to bundle up just yet - there’s still time to enjoy sangrias and patios.

And don’t forget to cast your vote for your favourite restaurants!