Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

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Open/Closed for the week of June 22-28

This week's new restaurants offer a bit of everything - including ox tongue! - along with a host of enticing events to satiate your appetite.

The summer is in full effect - it's time to get out there and enjoy it, so go somewhere new, try something different!

Here's the very latest:

Open:

Aka Teppan
394 Bloor St. W.

The menu is fascinating – roasted ox tongue, chilled marinated tomato, dressings including numbing spice, hand grinded pepper and thousand island. You won’t find any sushi selections here, but you will experience Japanese food in a completely new way. Stay tuned.

Bac Ky Vietnamese Canteen
567 King St. W.

The Fashion District gets a cool new Vietnamese restaurant, giving office goers a welcome change from overpriced sandwiches and pastas.

Cibo Wine Bar
2472 Yonge St.

The second Toronto location for Liberty Group’s Cibo Wine Bar opens today, landing right in the old Centro/Vita Sociale spot up at Yonge & Eglinton.

The Italian menu by Executive Chef Saverio Macri's features both traditional classics and modern staples, infused with new additions from the recently launched Cibo South Beach including new menu items, wines and Cibo lager. The space get a new modern feel thanks to the addition of industrial elements. I’ll have a closer look soon.

Flock Rotisserie + Greens
338 Adelaide St. E. 

Opening today at 11am, at the base of the Peter Street Condos, The Harbord Room's Cory Vitiello is going to make our summer with his naturally raised without hormones or antibiotics rotisserie chickens and sophisticated, healthy salads. Say hello to your go-to lunch and dinners for years to come.

Refinery Public House
3039 Lakeshore Blvd. W.

Craft beers, jenga and a menu where everything is $6.95 all day, every day? 'Nuff said.

Closed:

Sigh. Brazilian sushi just didn’t catch on, so Temaki Express is all papered up.

Closing:

Sadie’s Diner last day is Sunday. They've been serving fantastic vegetarian and vegan fare since 2006.

We were one of the first to break the news that Table 17 announced their last service will be July 11th. But the story doesn’t end there. Stay tuned.

For Sale:

Beleaguered restaurant Back of House is for sale on Kijiji.

Events:

Summerlicious  reservations are now available. And starting July 3rd, you get three weeks this year to enjoy pre-fixe menus, so start planning now. I’ll have a more in-depth look at this year’s offerings soon.

Tonight, head to Pass The Table’s BYOB Supper Club – The Canteen by Preserve Indulgence. This first time supper club by Chef Cindy Fung, is sure to be quite the event. She trained under Alvin Leung at the famed Bo Innovation in Hong Kong.

Tonight is the launch of The League of Extraordinary Chefs events that go all the way until October. You don’t want to miss out on these one-of-a-kind experiences.

CC Lounge & Whisky Bar is holding its first annual Christmas in June event tonight. This charity affair held six months before Christmas is in support of St. Joseph the Worker and OVERT (Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team). Tickets to tonight’s event includes a premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres by Chef Brent Richardson, celebrity bartenders and DJ. Tickets can be purchased over the phone, at the door or here

Chef Eyal Liebman and Sommolier Rebecca Meir-Liebman's dinner tonight at Berenson Fine Art (212 Avenue Rd.)  is a contemplation of food, candy and art.

Tomorrow and Saturday, Mambo Lounge holds its annual Cuban Carnavale. The festival includes a live Cuban band,  Havana dancers, Traditional Cuban Pig Roast, Cuban cigars and tapas.

Starting Saturday and going all the way to Canada Day, indulge in your love of ribs at
 Toronto Ribfest 2015 at Centennial Park. To round out your experience, there’s a ton of beer and music too.

News:

Pastry Chef and Chocolatier David H. Chow launched his stunning new collection of chocolates and sweets at All The Best Fine Foods on Tuesday, now available for purchase. Stay tuned for drool-worthy details.

Congratulations to Mildred’s Kitchen owner and Chef Donna Dooher, who has been named Restaurants Canada CEO. 

Councillor Mary Fragedakis of Ward 29 is working to strengthen Toronto's food and beverage industry. Last term Council approved her motions regarding a culinary food trail and a food industry business incubator, and she reports "Both of these projects are moving along nicely."
 
And lastly:


Tired of the same old, same ol’? This week’s Best Of reveals some of the city’s best secret menus.

Jesse Vallins, Executive Chef at The Saint Tavern, also happens to be a wine pro. He shares his favourites for the 'cue this month and it’s amazing.

If you’re going to get your hair or nails done, it should be with a cocktail and macaron in hand.

Get outdoors with our new patio guide and the best backyard patios in Toronto.