Happy December! The race to open before Christmas has begun.

And it’s going to be like this right up until the end of the year, so get ready – you’ve got a lot of eating to do.

Here’s the very latest:
 

Open:

Angolino Restaurant & Catering
1595 Dupont St.

This sweet Italian spot in The Junction opened just last night. The menu features braised wild meats, handmade pastas, tasting menus and the bar is stocked. See you there.

b. good 
573 Queen St. W. 

Opening today, b. good at Queen and Portland will offer the same menu as the Front St. location (kale & grain bowls, salads, burgers and sandwiches, smoothies, etc.) and be sourcing ingredients locally. 

Captain’s Boil 
476 Yonge St. 

The second location of the popular seafood boil-in-bag restaurant opened just last night.

It arrives less than a month after the first one up in North York. Lucky for us, this one’s right downtown.

Chabrol
90 Yorkville Ave.

J’adore! The old Le Trou Normand location in Yorkville is staying French. 

The new restaurant is brought to you by the owners of Cava. Doors opened Friday.

Dominion Pub and Kitchen 
500 Queen St. E.

What you used to know as Dominion on Queen is now Dominion Pub and Kitchen. Opened just Monday, this new spot  under new management offers lunch, dinner and drinks. 

With Jalapeño Honey Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese Tuesdays, a whole lot of beers on tap and drink specials, you are set.

Loaded Pierogi 
1044 Gerrard St. E.

The second location of Loaded Pierogi, where your favourite comfort food awaits, opens today at 11am.

Nawab Express
1753 Avenue Rd.

Love Nawab Fusion Grill? Then you’re going to love their smaller, healthier outpost.

See-Scape 
2840 Dundas St. W.

If you live/breathe video games, you’re going to love this - Toronto’s first sci-fi themed café and bar has arrived in The Junction.

Spiceman Mexicana
600 College St..

People are reporting that Spiceman Mexicana is open. Hmm, yes but not full-time yet. Owner Paolo told me, it’s only "open Fridays and weekends," and "Raymond is the manager and responsible for the kitchen." 

The fast-casual Mexican restaurant offers dishes such as Chili Bang Chili, fish tacos, and tacquito "sliders."
 
The Wickson Social 
5 St. Joseph St.

As you would expect from the owners of The Queen & Beaver and The Oxley, the space is stunning, with various seating areas throughout. 

The menu features small plates to share.

Closed:

In recent weeks, there have been a ton of closings – Buster Rhino’s which just opened earlier this year, Citta, Grasslands, Porzia, Simple Bistro, and well, too many to list. And many more are set to shutter at year’s end – Splendido, Sam James on Ossington.

Stay tuned for more news. And get ready – there are some serious heartbreakers on their way.

Events:

Yes, it’s totally okay to celebrate this Saturday's National Comfort Food Day all week long! Find out where to get the city’s top cold-weather dishes in this week’s Best Of now. 

Tomorrow head to Sounds of the Season (SOTS), CBC Toronto's annual charity drive to benefit the Daily Bread Food Bank and the Ontario Association of Food Banks. There’s music, a silent auction, and much more.  Cash and food donations welcome. 

The Toronto Christmas Market continues. 

News:

Chef Craig Wong of Patois is opening up a second spot in Dubai called Ting Irie, serving modern Jamaican cuisine. This is one of the most anticipated openings of early 2016 as it will be the first Jamaican restaurant in Dubai - located downtown directly across from the Burj Khalifa. Max Römer (previously GM & Sommelier at Bricco) and Lindsay Haddock (previously Pastry Chef at Scaramouche, Luma) will be joining the team.  They're hiring staff directly from Jamaica and Canada, with interviews already in progress.

And lastly:

Actor Bill Pullman loves bacon, makes his own applesauce and has the coolest stove ever. Find out his favourite cookbooks + much more in this month’s At The Table celebrity interview! 

Want to give back, but don't know how? Don't have time? Here are some ways you can help. 
 
Rose Reisman’s pot stickers recipe this month is ideal for holiday entertaining.  

You should be eating at Hapa Izakaya. 

You’ve got to try the addictive pizza and wings at Peter’s Cajun Creole Pizza. And don’t forget the alligator! 

Party planning is a breeze with our Holiday Guide.