Open/Closed for the week of June 29–July 5

Tonight is the first night of Taste of Toronto - one of the biggest food + restaurant events of the year - and tomorrow Summerlicious begins, lasting for three weeks this year.

In case that’s not enough for you, there’s a bunch of exciting news and openings as well.

Here’s the very latest:

Open:

AG Macarons
709 The Queensway

This sweet spot offer 14 macarons flavours (strawberry cream, birthday cake, cotton candy) as well as a “Flavour of the Month.” There are classes as well, should you want to learn to make them at home.

Lucky Shrike Bar
850 Dundas St. W.

When iced tea and lemonade just won’t do, this new watering hole is ready to quench your summer thirst.

Nohohon Tea Room
467 Queen St. W.

Having a cup of tea is said to relax your nerves, lower your risk for heart disease, cancer and provide many other benefits. So get one step closer to a healthier you and head to this new tranquil tea room.

The Pie Commission
887 Dundas St. W. 

This second location on Dundas West quietly opened on Saturday, giving the lucky neighbourhood one more delicious reason not to cook in the hot weather.

Uncle Tetsu’s Japanese Matcha Café
596 Bay St.

In case the frenzy for their cheesecakes hadn’t piqued your interest yet, now you’ve got a whole new Tetsu to get excited about – a bakery dedicated to all things matcha - powdered whole green tea leaves. Baked goods with health benefits!

Closed:

Café Boulud is closed for renovations, but not for long. The new look is being done by award-winning designer Martin Brudnizki, and there’s a new menu too, including French bistro classics such as Quenelles de Brochet, Handcut Tartares (seasoned tableside), Niçoise Salad and Escargots Persillade, as well as Boulud favourites,Crispy Calamari and the Frenchie. An exciting surprise, the restaurant will feature a large rotisserie for meats, poultry and fish. All will be unveiled in September just in time for TIFF, but stay tuned - I’ll have a closer look soon.

Sadie’s Diner last service was Sunday. Dashing our hopes that they’d reopen elsewhere, Saidie’s sold off plates, glasses, equipment, as well as unprepared leftover food on Monday.

Re-opened:

The Windup Bird Café is back open this week, after being closed for renovations. Welcome back!

Events:

Tonight we’ll be at Taste of Toronto. This major food + restaurant event starts tonight and goes all the way until Sunday, so don’t miss out.!And be sure to watch all the mouth-watering action on our Instagram and Twitter.

Tomorrow night, cancel whatever you’re doing - Chefs Adrian Niman and Matt Blondin of Food Dudes are hosting a foragingevening at The Gardiner Musuem.  The fully foraged 7-course tasting menu will showcase local seasonal flavours and ingredients, paired with Southbrook wines. Swoon.

Summerlicious pre-fixe lunch and dinners begin tomorrow. Check out our complete Summerlicious guide  to make your reservations.

Scarborough’s Taste of Lawrence food and cultural festival takes place Friday until Sunday. Scarborough’s largest street festival will have food from around the globe including Somalian, Malaysian, Colombian, Mexican and Carribean dishes. There will also be fair foods such as lobster mac ‘n cheese, beavertails and Tiny Tom mini donuts.

Saturday's Thrill of the Grill is not to be missed! Meet Chef Lynn Crawford, along with the chefs from Allen’s, The Combine Eatery, Das Gasthaus, Factory Girl, Globe Bistro, The Meat Department and Tapas at Embrujo. Eat your way through the nigh, but be sure to stick around until 10pm when the Bloor Viaduct Bridge is officially lit for the first time. Proceeds from Thrill of the Grillbenefit kidney cancer research at the Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre.

This Saturday and Sunday, head out to the free 11th annual Salsa on St. Clair street festival.=In addition to sexy salsa and live music, there will be a wide array of Latin American delicacies for sale, such as arepas, flautas, paletas, empanadas and papusas.

Starting on Monday and going all the way until August 30th, head to Front Street Foods at Union Summer to their new culinary market! Local restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and food producers will be on hand to satiate your hunger and thirst. I’ll have a closer look soon.

On Wednesday, play some ball hockey and support Second Harvest at Yonge and Dundas Square for the Five Hole for Food 6th annual coast-to-coast tour.

News:

Reality TV lovers, get ready – a new Food Network Canada Show is coming your way –The Incredible Food Race. Rick Campanelli from Entertainment Tonight Canada is your host, with Chef Corbin Tomaszeski (Chef Corbin!) taking us through every episode’s cook-off event. Production began this weekend and it’s set to air this fall. I'll have more for you soon!

The Grilled Cheese in Kensington has been in the headlines lately, due to allegations that employees were stiffed their wages.

And lastly:

You don’t need to trudge all the way to a park to have a picnic – just step out the door and enjoy a picnic on the porch!

There’s no sign of rain this weekend, so head out to a patio! We’ve got a whole patio guide ready for you. And don't forget, we'vealsogot the Top 5 backyard patios in Toronto.

Ivy Knight is iconic for so many reasons. Read ‘em all in this no-holds-barred interview. 

Rose Reisman proves that pasta doesn’t have to heavy, in this month’s recipe.