Open/Closed for the week of May 18–24

This week shows a slight sign of restaurant openings slowing down, but I’ve got some exciting celebrity news for you and a ton of food events to keep you sated.

Check it out:

Open:

Barque Butcher Bar
287 Roncesvalles Ave.

Part butcher, part bar, BBB opened just a few doors down from the original Barque. The bar and kitchen are open late Wed-Sun, making it easy to satisfy your craving for rotating dishes such as chorizo ribs and poutine waffle with drinks.

Kabuki Sushi Lounge
4 O'Neill Rd.

The city continues to expand its Japanese offerings, including this new one at The Shops of Don Mills. With traditional and modern sushi-art, curries and noodle dishes featured on the menu, the restaurant also provides vegetarian, spicy, gluten free and "sushifit" options.

Closed:

Yorkville is a changin’ – Ciao Wine Bar and Ginza have both closed. 

Events:

Tonight, celebrity chef and all-around-nice-guy Chuck Hughes is in town to play some street hockey against Toronto’s own Parts and Labour owner, Chef Matty Matheson. Chances are, there will be a ton of food talk too. I’ll have more for you tonight.

Also happening this evening. Mealshare celebrates its launch. Stay tuned.

Enjoy superfoods from from Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador (including quinoa, maca, sacha inchi, golden berries, and Pacari chocolate) as well as enticing cocktails at tonight's Andean Flavours - Gourmet Culinary & Pisco Tasting. The event's mission is to "to educate and support the growers of the Andes." 

Tomorrow night, head to the Burroughes Building for the Crave TO Food Festival. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance. Food and drink tix for the 14 local food and drink stations will be available on site.

Mississauga is celebrating Carassauga Festival of Cultures, beginning tomorrow. The festival is host to 28 cultural pavilions this weekend with food, music and entertainment. Get your Carassauga Passport  and visit Brazil, Canada, Macedonia Croatia, Caribbean, Hawaii, Pakistan, India, Italy, Lebanon, Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam, Africa, China, Cyprus, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Korea, Poland, Serbia, South Sudan, Latin American, Malta and Egypt, all in one jam-packed weekend.

On Tues, Café Con Leche hosts the ladies from Phat N' Phull serving Just like Mama Used to Make – a 3-course pre-fixe dinner of "nostalgic comfort food with a touch of finesse." The menu includes shaved crudite salad dressed in herbed buttermilk ranch dressing; their signature triple decker grilled cheese sandwich with tomato jam and 8-year-old cheddar, and for dessert - bruleed banana split with chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice cream, maraschino cherries, whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

On Wednesday, head to Pass the Table’s Seasonal Southeast Asian event at Hawker Bar for enticing tastes from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Also happening on Wednesday, George Brown College’s The Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts holds its famous "In Conversation" series with two of the most famous chefs right now - Corey Lee and David Chang - complete with a reception and book signing. You don’t want to miss this and tickets won’t last long. 

News:

Chris Kalisperas is now Executive Chef at Mamakas Taverna. Most recently Kalisperas was at Paraliaand The Forth.

And lastly:

Just because you don’t have a cottage doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a little getaway. All you need is this week’s Best Of. 

Find out how b. good celebrates local farmers and producers in this week’s Reveal. 

Why haven’t you tried Middleterranean yet? You need to go to District Oven. 

Bymark’s Lobster Poutine is a decadent dish. And now you can impress your guests right at home with Chef Mark McEwan’s recipe. 

Learn how to master your French Press. Finally, thanks to pro Michael Potters.