This week’s eight new spots - offering mishmash of cuisines and concepts - alongside some interesting news and events , keep things interesting.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

CityPlace dwellers have a new resto and wine bar - Arbar’s doors open Saturday (88 Fort York Blvd.).

Colette Grand Café’s newest location is set right in Holt Renfrew Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.). Chase Hospitality Group’s French-inspired menus and décor will be introduced in Holt Renfrew Edmonton, Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto's Bloor Street locations this year.

Sidle up to Queen and Berkeley’s Crush’d Juice Bar (314 Queen St. E.) for smoothies, juices and coffee.

Chef Susur Lee’s sons – Kai and Levi – have opened Kid Lee, a “combo based health conscious grab and go. Choose your base, protein, and sides” in First Canadian Place. And yes, “the slaw” is available. @chefgrantsoto’s going to have a field day with this.

Find Mississauga’s Naan and Kabob second location right at Yonge and Hayden (691 Yonge St.).

In the mood for Middle Eastern or Mexican? Burritos, burgers, shawarma and souvlaki are the specialties at Parliament Shawarma & Falafel (568 Parliament St., upper level).

Get “Parkdale’s best ice cream and bubble tea” at Star Ice Cream (1428 Queen St. W.).

The Donnelly Group’s new Walrus Pub & Beerhall (187 Bay St.) includes a martini bar “progressive design, and considered music selection.” Stay tuned.

CLOSED

Graffiti’s Bar & Grill (170 Baldwin St.) went out with a song.

NEWS

“Food is King” launched this week.

Best of Japan Restaurant Week starts today in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Until February 24, participating restaurants will be offering one free dish:

- Aka-oni Izakaya - 633 Silver Star Blvd. Unit 108, Scarbrough

- Fukui Sushi - 1612 Bayview Ave.

- Inatei Japanese Cuisine - 9021 Leslie St., Richmond Hill

- Izakaya Ju - 3160 Steeles Ave. E., Markham

- Nami Japanese Seafood Restaurant - 55 Adelaide St. E.

- Omai Restaurant - 3 Baldwin St.

- Shoushin - 3328 Yonge St.

- Tokyo Sushi – 33 St. Joseph St.

Just outside Toronto:

- Masaki Sushi - inside The Moffat Inn - 60 Picton St., Niagara-on-the-Lake

- Sushi Masayuk - 2180 Itabashi Way, Burlington

Help Dixon Hall provide 25,000 meals to those in need - get your tickets now for Dixonlicious, happening Thursday, March 1.

Canada's largest foodservice trade event - Restaurants Canada RC Show 2018 - takes place at Enercare Centre (100 Princes’ Blvd., #1) February 25-27.

The third annual Speed Rack Canada National Qualifiers Ontario takes place this Sunday. The all-female speed-bartending competition raises money for breast cancer research and prevention.

The Broadview Hotel (106 Broadview Ave.) has been selected as part of Travel + Leisure’s 2018 It List.

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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.