Open/Closed: week of June 7-13, 2018

In case you’re not aware, the city is BLOWING. UP. RIGHT. NOW. Last week: 10 openings. The week before: 19. And now this: 16. I’ve never seen anything like it.

That’s in addition to a whack of awesome fests offering a great excuse to indulge in a mess of grilled cheese, tacos, the best salads in the city, and much more.

Hungry? Damn striaght. Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Obsessed with wings? Anchor Bar claims to have created them back in 1964. Go get ‘em at their new spot at Mississauga’s Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) opening today.

From the folks of Peruvian hotspot Kay Pacha (744 St Clair Ave. W.) comes Bar Altura (571 Queen St. W.), featuring modern Italian fare, an array of alluring cocktails, and drop-dead décor, natch. Stay tuned for a closer look.

King West is getting one heck of a patio. Stella Artois debuts Café Artois today. The European-inspired patio space along King will feature a special "Stella Artois & Starters" menu, as well as entertainment including: live music, games and chalice engraving. Participating restaurants:

- Bier Markt (600 King St. W.)

- CIBO Wine Bar (522 King St. W.)

- Elephant and Castle (212 King St. W.)

- Fynn's of Temple Bar (489 King St. W.)

- Spice Route (499 King St. W.)

From Freddo Cappuccinos and Prasopita (leek pie) to Pernerli Chicken (soft bun filled with chicken and cheese), Cafe Serano (1055 Pape Ave.) has got all your Greek comfort food cravings covered.

Early Bird Brew has a sleek new location in the Financial District at Brookfield Place (181 Bay St.).

Just in time for summer - Eva’s Original Chimney’s famous cakes and cones (15 dairy and vegan soft serve options) are now available at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.) in #SWEETMRKT on the upper level.

Chef Mark McEwan nabs another prime spot in the Financial District, with the second location of his popular Italian resto Fabbrica inside the TD Tower (66 Wellington St. W.).

Former home of Spacco for a gazillion years is now The Fix Resto Bar & Patio (2415 Yonge St.). The patio, pool tables, and pizzas remain.

Four Barrel Holly’s (150 Eglinton Ave. E.) - a “restaurant, bar and coffee roastery” - offers over 200 seats, complete with wine tasting bar, and dishes ranging from toasts (Avocado $13) and burgers (Duck $25) to five pizzas ($16-$23).

Grand opening celebrations for Kage Nikkei Restobar (3038 Hurontario St., Unit 9) in Mississauga begin Saturday at 5pm. Kage (pronounced Kah-Geh), specializes in Nikkei fare – Japanese flavours and techniques with “cuisines from other regions” - ceviche, tiradito, and mini donuts dusted with matcha sugar, to start.

Martins Churrasqueira & Grill House has expanded. Their famous Portuguese fare is now available just west of the Stockyards (2700 St. Clair Ave. W., Unit 1).

Add “Korean tapas” to your to-do list this weekend, thanks tobrand new Mezu (1375 Dundas St. W.).

Pulp Kitchen’s new digs one block west (689 Queen St. E.) offer lots of seating and soon, brunch.

Third time’s a charm with Strange Love Coffee’s latest spot at Queen and Bathurst (627 Queen St. W.).

Speaking of coffee, get everything from true flat whites to Anzac cookies and Lamingtons at Aussie-centric stunner, The Sydney Grind  (2883 Lake Shore Blvd. W.).

Parkdale’s Yak Cafe (1504 Queen St. W.) offers Tibetan fare with a twist including: “juicy momo,” “hot shaptak,” and “sizzling gumma.”

CLOSED

Corktown Kitchen (354 King St. E.) has shuttered.

EVENTS

Tickets are selling fast for Taco Fest, one of the summer’s biggest festivals. It’s no wonder – who doesn’t want to chow down on tacos, guac and churros all weekend?

Canada’s first Artisan Cheese Night Market takes place tomorrow at St. Lawrence Market.

This weekend’s festivities includes A Tavola, a modern Italian food festival, complete with breakfast options.

One of the best weeks ever? Negroni Week!

And if you love grilled cheese, you don’t want to miss this Saturday’s challenge.

Have you been to Summerhill Market for your FLOCK Salad yet? They’re only available until June 30th, so go now. And wait ‘til you see who’s coming in July…

NEWS

Good news for Parkdale dwellers – more restaurants may be coming your way.

Opinionated About Dining released their first North American Restaurants lists: Top Restaurants, Gourmet Casual Restaurants, Heritage Restaurants, and Cheap Eats. Congratulations to Toronto winners Actinolite, Alo, Bar Isabel, Bar Raval, Buca, Canoe, Chabrol, Dandylion, Edulis, Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse, Lai Wah Heen, Opus, Rodney’s Oyster House, and Scaramouche.

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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 – writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.