Open/Closed for the week of March 2-8

Happy Thursday, Toronto! Our brilliant city continues to evolve with new spots and closed doors.
Check out this week's excitement:

Open:

Chelo & Co. 
811 Queen St W.

This smart-looking Persian spot offers everything from hot and cold mazzeh, soups, salads, kebabs and mains.

The Dirty Bird
79 Kensington Ave.

Chicken and waffles! Chicken and waffles! Really, what else do you need to know other than they are conveniently located in Kensington Market and opened yesterday. Oh, and they do "northern" fried chicken. Stay tuned!

H Bar
859 Queen St. W.

This new spot in the old Sweet Lulu's (which is now at 696 Queen St W.) serves up wings and sliders during the week, and on weekends, benedicts and other breakfasts. I'll have a closer look for you next week.

Nine Restaurant& Bar
9 Roncesvalles Ave.

Fusion tapas gets a posh new home.

Siam Square Hut
660 Eglinton Ave. E.

Leaside residents rejoiced as a new Thai restaurant moved to the hood.

The Vegan Duchess 
2354 Yonge St.

Those looking for all raw, vegan quick serve up at Yonge & Eglinton, your prayers have been answered.

Closed:

As reported earlier this week on our social media, Jamie Kennedy's Gilead is closing.

Le Petit Castor in Rosedale has closed.

The bad news first - Marky & Sparky's has closed. Their FB page mentions it's due to a "a court-ordered winding up." Now the good news - Owner Marcus De Simone isn't moving the business far. He's opening a new restaurant called Marky's BBQ Smokehouse on March 15 at 383 Jane St. Details to come.

Changes:

The Rustic Owl is now called Blackbird Bistro and serves dinner.

Events:

On Sunday night, I attended the most amazing event by Pass the Table. The farm to table dinner was held in Bespoke Butchers in Liberty Village. The table was set up in between display cases and an entincing menu including local charcuterie and courses of duck pate, pork shoulder and deer followed. It was one of the most memorable meals I've ever had. Go and check out Pass the Table's other amazing events and we'll have more exciting news about PTT coming soon!

On Monday night, we were at The Restaurants Canada Show (with what seemed like every restauranteur in the city) where after the show ended, we were treated to an amazing live performance by legendary Downchild Blues Band, who was then joined by Dan Aykroyd on stage. Tuesday morning we went to a breakfast event at the showwith Dan, where he talked about how you will always need a great vodka at your establishment (his owns Crystal Head Vodka) and that more than his Grammy and other awards he's won throughout his long career, he is most proud of his Excellent Taste award in Russia for his vodka.

Tonight and tomorrow, head to the Toronto Sushi Festival at The Japanese Cultural Centre. We'll be there covering the event, so be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

On Friday a new dining series Eat 2 Feed TO launches. It will then continue on the first Friday of every other month. Toronto-based social food enterprise Good Food for Good – which sells fresh, organic, locally-made sauces and spreads in stores across the GTA and donates a meal with every purchase – isin partnership with Southbrook Vineyards and FoodShare Toronto. The first event is happening atthe historic Montgomery’s Inn with a 3-course prix-fixemenu ($45) featuring Mexican and Indian dishes. The best part? 100% of the profits from the series will be donated to FoodShare Toronto to help deliver healthy food and food education to local communities.

On Sunday, Nadege stores celebrate Croissunday! Featuring 15 croissants on Sunday only, the menu includes Pecan Pie, Maple Bacon, Chestnut & Cassis, Rocket & Goat Cheese and Rye & Ginger.Thank goodness for a few more weeks of bulky sweaters.

Starting on Wednesday enjoy TIFF's Food on Film. From March 11 to June 24, TIFF Bell Lightbox brings back its popular subscription series Food on Film for the fourth year.Each month series host Matt Galloway (CBC’s Metro Morning) welcomes celebrated guests from the culinary world to discuss topical and timely food. We'll have an indepth look for you soon.

And lastly:

You're going to want to get to the airport early, thanks to their fab new dining spots. 

This week's Best Of shows that ordering in doesn't mean having to sacrifice the total restaurant experience.

Want to know what Canadian Chefs said were the big trends this year? Find out in a recent survey.

The Atlantic restaurant is forgoing alcohol. At least until it holds only dinner parties. Read more in yesterday's article.

In this month's Drinks column, Patricia Noonan readies us for St. Patrick's Day and new columnist Michael Potters gives us the low down on how to make great coffee.

We'll have coverage for you soon on March Break and St. Patrick’s Day, so stay tuned.