How did it get to be almost October already? To help distract you from the sudden chill in the air, I've got 14 openings, and some big celebrity chef announcements.

Here’s the very latest:

OPENINGS

Between the “relaxed take” on modern French fare, extensive list of wines-by-the-glass, and an “absinthe-focused” cocktail program, Bacchanal Bistro (60 Sudbury St.) debuting today, sounds intriguing.

The King West crowd has a new spot for caffeine fixes, juices, smoothies and snacks, thanks to  Bayleys Brew Bar and Smoothie Bar (82 Bathurst St.), set just inside Chill Ice House.

Bangarang Bar (552 College St.) opens tomorrow at 5 pm. Expect fun and games – corn hole lanes (a type of bowling), billiard games you’ve probably never heard of – and a ton of booze, brought to you with love from the folks of Track & Field.

In the mood for Mexican? Head to Cali Mexican Grill (3250 Dufferin St.) for burritos, bowls, quesadillas and tacos. Doors open tomorrow.

American Express opened Cobalt Social, a new pop-up restaurant “designed with social media at its core,” on Tuesday with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, celebrating the new American Express Cobalt Card aimed at millennials. Located in an old Kensington Market grocery store, the restaurant will be open for only a week (reservations are already sold out) and feature menus created by chefs Antonio Park (Park Restaurant) and Matty Matheson (Chef & Vice Canada). Limited quantities of Chef Ramsay’s dish will be available exclusively through UberEats today, complimentary on behalf of American Express.

Yonge Street is home to a whole whack of fried chicken of late. Add one more – Diyijia (512 Yonge St.) – to the list, this time with popcorn, jumbo bone-in cutlet, cheesplosion and Szechuan varieties, and herbaceous slushies and sweet potato fries on the side.

Gyro Bar! Souvlaki Kitchen (1647 Queen St. W.) in Parkdale is now open, just weeks after launching on Broadview and Coxwell as well.

Tiramisu on the go? In a variety of flavours (matcha, anyone)? You betcha. Head to Kiss The Tiramisu (160 Baldwin St.) in Kensington Market.

Starting today, Mast Coffee (68 Shuter St.) has got your caffeine fix, from flat whites to chai lattes.

The eastside beer revolution continues with Muddy York Brewing Co.’s (22 Cranfield Rd.) grand opening party for their new taproom this Saturday.

Japanese rice bowls such as Galbi Don (grilled short ribs, onions, scallions, pickled radish, ginger and raw egg yolk, over soy-seasoned rice) and Sake Lover (salmon sashimi, ginger and wasabi, over seasoned rice) are what’s up at Onnki Donburi (40 Hayden St.).

Located inside Yorkville Village and specializing in healthy salads, The Chase Hospitality Group (The Chase, The Chase Fish & Oyster, Colette Grand Café, Kasa Moto, Planta, Planta Burger) is launching Palm Lane (55 Avenue Rd.) on Monday.

From the team behind Pinkerton’s Snack Bar comes Poor Romeo (1029 Gerrard St. E.), located right across the street. What’s on the menu at the new “RnR dive-diner-bar”? Stay tuned.

Mississauga is so lucky. Seafood City Supermarket opens today at 9 am at Heartland Town Centre (6075 Mavis Rd.). The supermarket chain specializing in Filipino and other Asian goods is just the start the beginning – Jollibee, the largest fast food chain in the Philippines, will be part of the store in a few month’s time.

CLOSINGS

Addio Abbiocco Restaurant (588 College Ave.).

Hungry Amoo (74 Ossington Ave.) is no more.

Chef Ivana Raca’s Raca Café & Bar (1704 Queen St. W.) has shuttered.

NEWS

Chase Hospitality Group and world-renowned chef and owner of Montreal’s acclaimed Park Restaurant, Antonio Park, have partnered to bring new menu changes to Kasa Moto (115 Yorkville Ave.). As the new “culinary leader of the entire building,” chef Park is introducing new dishes and updating the menu at Kasa Moto. From now until October, diners can feast on new dishes including Shrimp Tempura Caesar; Seared Scallop Ceviche, with coconut lime, and plantain chips; and Beef Tataki, Mushrooms, Sansho Miso. Slight changes will also be made to all dishes on the menu.

There are so many exciting food events taking place at the first EDIT: Expo for Design, Innovation & Technology, including the chance to try the famous veggie patty, Impossible Burger this Saturday. Upcoming exhibits include bug snacks, Kids Cook Off! with Chef Cory Vitiello, and an epic Thanksgiving feast for 5,000, with the goal of cutting global food waste in half by 2030.

There’s free coffee at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts this weekend (Friday to Sunday).

Toronto food trucks will be on hand to keep you sated during this weekend’s Nuit Blanche.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast.  Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED. 

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.   

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

With the closure of indoor dining, takeout and delivery is paramount. Promote your menus to an exclusive foodie audience now. *Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available.

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