Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

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Open/Closed: week of January 11-17, 2018

This week offers a little bit of everything cuisine-wise and a slew of not-to-be missed news.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Calling itself “Canada's Premiere Amsterdam Style Café,” Café 66’s (66 Fort York Blvd.) menu includes: "Capo"ccino ($3.40-$4.20), Matcha Latte ($4-$5), Hot Chocolate ($3-$4), and you guessed it, weed.

Brought to you by Pizzeria Defina, Defina Wood Fired (1485 Dupont St.) launched Tuesday evening.

Five 2 Five Grillhouse and Pub has landed at 525 Mt. Pleasant Rd. On the menu: Comfort food (Mama’s Meatloaf, Garlic Parm Tenders, and Burgers) with modern presentation.

Harbour Eats by Mercatino (1 York St.) is now open. The first Toronto location for the Calgary market-style restaurant offers mains, salads, sandwiches, coffee and more.

Kona Grill opened in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1998, specializing in “contemporary American favorites, award-winning sushi, and specialty cocktails.” Since then, the brand has expanded with dozens of locations, including Canada’s first, now open in Vaughan (6210 Hwy 7).

The Café Dipomatico team is behind new Posta Italbar Cucina (31 Lakeshore Road East, Unit 102) in Port Credit.

For modern Indian cuisine with a “traditional Indian environment and open kitchen concept,” head to Spice Indian Bistro (320 Richmond St. E.).

Dig into Cambodian and Asian eats at Tuk Tuk Canteen (397 Roncesvalles Ave.). Doors opened yesterday.

p.s. Refuel Juicery has moved down the street from 1633 Bayview to 1581 Bayview Ave.

CLOSED

After decades at various locations, and the recent passing of head chef Steve Siuta, The Court Jester (681 Danforth Ave.) has closed.

Dufflet’s Beaches location (1917 Queen St. E.) has shuttered.

NEWS

Reservations for Winterlicious (January 26- February 8) start today.

Food Editor for the New York Times, Sam Sifton will be discussing Toronto’s food landscape on Monday. A Toronto Tasting With The Times panel will include Times food reporter David Sax and Syrian chefs and restaurateurs.

After a press release was issued stating the official grand opening of Pick 6IX Restaurant was to take place this week, the date has since been delayed and “will be released at a later time.” In the meantime, I can confirm that Antonio Park (Park Restaurant) is chef and co-owner. I’ll have more for you soon.

A Toronto sushi restaurant has come under fire for serving live octopus chopped into pieces.

The Financial Post and CBC report on how Ontario's minimum wage hike is going so far.

The second annual Drake Barn Burner Hockey Game  returns this month with top chefs from Toronto and Montreal competing for top spot on the ice, with dinner to follow at the Drake Devonshire.

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Let me know.