Open/Closed for the week of November 16-22

host of exciting new places have opened, making it even harder to decide where to eat this weekend.

Good problem to have, I say.

Here’s the very latest:

Open:

Campechano Taqueria
504 Adelaide St. W.

In the mood for Mexican? You’re in luck. Sweet new spot Campechano Taqueria at Adelaide & Portland has opened for lunch and dinner. 

Cresta 
118 The Esplanade

Formerly Pastizza, the new Cresta comes from the new owners but goes in a completely new direction, with the focus less on pizza and pasta with a more well-rounded menu and Californian influence. The new spot opened Tuesday and serves both lunch and dinner. Stay tuned.

Imanishi Japanese Kitchen 
1330 Dundas St. W.

A stunning little Japanese spot opened very quietly on Dundas West from the guys that used to do their awesome Nagoya Style Pork Ribs and Ebi Cream Corokke Sandos at Churchill down the block. I’ll have more soon.

Loka
620 Queen St W.

Loka by Chef Dave Mottershall (Chef Rouge) is Toronto’s first Kickstarted dinner-only restaurant.

Open to the public for the first time last night, the opening menu included Leek Ash Cavatello ($16) with cherry bomb broth and smoked fennel; Pheasant & Pig Eat Ragout ($21) with augot potatoes and whey carrots; and for dessert, Chocolate Beet Cake ($10) with vanilla goat yogurt and Newfoundland partridge berry.

Cool feature? You can try the whole menu for $100. Way to go, Dave.

Pizzeria Libretto 
545 King St. W.

King & Portland just got their own Pizzeria Libretto. Doors open to the public Monday.

The new location is decidedly cool with a Brooklyn feel, thanks to being housed in an former garment manufacturing warehouse with cement floors and black subway tiles.
 
I’ll have a full inside look for you on Tuesday.

The Shameful Tiki Room   
1378 Queen St W.

After a long wait, doors finally open tonight for The Shameful Tiki Room’s Toronto grand opening (Vancouver has one too), happening all weekend long. Starting at 7pm, partake in rum tastings and listen to live surf band The Hang-Ten Hangmen.

Roughly 40 cocktails and dishes such as crab Rangoon pupu platters head up the menu.

Your winter evenings just got more tropical. Hallelujah.

TOT the Cat Cafe
298 College St.

Toronto finally has a cat café.

Sip on tea, coffee and juice and watch the little cuties jump and play or interact with Chairman Meow and Mr. Whiskers if you like.

The café has partnered with the Toronto Humane Society in the hopes of helping each cat find a new home, so consider your holiday shopping now complete.

Events:

Starting today, the 2016 Milk Calendar by Dairy Farmers of Canada will be distributed free in newspapers. The reason to get excited? The recipes! Since launching in 1974, the calendar has recipes that many home cooks have used time and again and that you’ll no doubt come to count on this winter. This year’s tempting recipes include Comforting Chicken Tamale Pie, Homestyle Lemon Cauliflower Orecchiette and Deep Dark Chocolate Cake. Want to make sure you don’t miss out? You can get it at Kensington Market & St. Lawrence Market on Saturday and Union Station on Monday.

Head to the 21st annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo this weekend. We’ll have highlights for you tomorrow.

Tilde is celebrating their first anniversary this Saturday by giving away free tacos from 6-9pm (1 per person, while supplies last). Also included in the mix - $5 sangria and pints of Ontario craft beer, cake, gift bags and more.

Palate of Portugal - a week-long culinary event - kicks off on Monday Nov 23 at Portland Variety. Executive Chef Matt Cowan will feature Portugal's various regions in a $35 four-course prix fixe menu, alongside superb ports and wines of Portugal.  Bonus? All Palate of Portugal diners will be entered to win round-trip flights for two anywhere in Portugal, courtesy of SATA Azores Airlines.

And lastly:

Lunch can be so boring. Rev it up with my top 5 picks in this week’s Best Of!

Fogo Island Fish is revolutionizing the way we fish cod. 

Take a peek inside the new Japanese restaurant Shoushin, serving only omakase menus.

Chef Corbin’s quick + easy bread recipe is a must. 

Make the switch to Pu-erh tea - the health benefits are amazing.

Goodfellas serves more than just pizza and pasta.