This week it’s back-to-school/back to work after summer vacay, the excitement of TIFF has taken over the city and lucky us, there are a bunch of new places and events to celebrate.

Here’s the very latest:

Open:

Café Boulud
60 Yorkville Ave.

One of the most exciting openings of the year is the new Café Boulud, opening today, just in time for TIFF! The new space, designed by world-renowned Martin Bruznizki (The Ivy) is modern, chic and cozy. The new menu is based on Chef Daniel Boulud’s Lyonnais upbringing and features swoon-worthy French dishes that will absolute dazzle you. This is BIG.

I’ll have an inside sneak peek for you soon.

Candyland  
619 King St. W.

The official opening was last night. This new performance art experience is a new kind of dinner theatre (think The Box in London’s SOHO or New York), so don’t call it a club. Instead it features everything from circus performers to "erotic oddities." The performances– guests will see three to four- last roughly 10-15 minutes long. The menu was created by Frank Parhizgar of Frank’s Kitchen with lots of shareables such as Classic Beef Tartare ($15), Moroccan Lamb Sliders ($15), and Crispy Artichokes ($8).

Drinks were designed by Rob Granicolo, formerly of Bar Buca. Note – drinks such as the Sally Bowles ($18 - Hopped Vodka, Martini Sweet Vermouth Biance, cold process grapefruit and grapefruit bitters) are not shaken so that performances are disrupted.

Dinner and a show just took on a whole new meaning.

House of Chan
514 Eglinton Ave. W.

Another epic opening this week – House of Chan finally reopens in its new space!

The renowned steakhouse and Chinese restaurant is opening for dinner only and doesn’t take reservations, so see you in the lineup.

Mean Bao
181A Carlaw Ave.

Bao and dim sum arrive eastside at Queen and Carlaw, the third location for the chain. Only two dishes – small plates – are above the insanely reasonable $3.95 mark. 

If that’s not bonus enough, the Jerk Chicken Bao ($3.95) is exclusive to this location. Woo woo!

Closed:

Cocina Lucero’s last dinner service is this Saturday from 6pm to close, thanks to yet another condo development. Enjoy the last hurrah with tequila shots, food specials and music from Sol de Cuba. Luckily you can still enjoy Lucero’s food at La Mexicana at Yonge and Bloor and up on Bathurst. 

Events:

Starting today and going until September 20th, the city is in full TIFF mode. During the opening weekend, be sure to check out this year’s TIFF Festival Street, complete with food trucks and Restaurant Row’s extended patios.

Check out the Stella Artois Sensorium today until September 27th.

Celebrate a meat-free environment at Veg Food Fest this weekend.

Cabbagetown parties all weekend long with their Cabbagetown Festival.

The west end will be filled with food at Taste of the Kingsway, starting tomorrow and lasting until Sunday.

Enjoy various Sri Lankan dishes at Sunday's Kothu Fest. 

Pass the Table offers a unqiue Chef's Table experience at Thoroughbred on Wednesday.

Still want more? Check out our September calendar of events.

News:

Last night's Omni King Edward Hotel grand relaunch showcased fabulous food and a brand new look. Stay tuned for an inside look and more news!

And lastly:

Catch a celeb at one of these TIFF hotspots.

Star gaze over cocktails.

Just in time: quick and easy recipes for back-to-school. 

Chef Corbin shares awesome recipes for corn.