Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

View Original

Open/Closed for the week of November 3 - 9

This week is bursting with exciting news! Wahlburgers is open, The Cookbook Store is back, and well, you’re just going to have to read on to find out the rest!

Open:

Loaded Pierogi
9 ½ Church St.

Loaded Pierogi could not have arrived at a better time. Opening yesterday, just when the weather has cooled and we’ve tired of poutine, these scrumptious gems have finally arrived. Choose either classic or crispy, and then choose from over 15 of the enticing dishes - Buffalo Chicken ($12.50), Wild Mushroom & Truffle ($12), there’s even a dessert option – Sweet Apple & Caramel ($6.50). You can also choose your toppings a la carte.

Top it off with flights of vodka or craft beer and you’ve got yourself the perfect autumnal meal.

Pearl Diver
100 Adelaide St. E.

Closing for renovations for only six weeks, Starfish is now Pearl Diver.

Open for lunch, dinner, late night eats, ‘Zinc & Drink,’ and soon brunch, Guinness World Record oyster shucker Patrick McMurray has created a warm, engaging space with some of the city’s best dishes. 

There are salads and non-seafood dishes on the menu now, but something tells me you’ll be tucking into the sustainable seafood specialties just the same - Chowdah ($7), Pickled Spanish Mackerel ($6), Atlantic Haddock Fish & Chips ($18) and Organic PEI Halibut ($26).

Queen Margherita Pizza
772 Dundas St. W.

Dundas West continues to be a destination with the new addition of the third QMP location. Now you’ve got two floors and an added snack bar, along with your ‘za.

South St. Burger Co.  
260 King St. E.

This new location in Corktown is of note as it serves wine and craft beer.

Wahlburgers
46 Blue Jays Way

Wahlburgers has opened! We’ll have a closer, inside look for you soon. In the meantime, the Grand Opening is November 15th and maybe, just maybe, the boys will come to town to celebrate!

Closing:

Ortolan
1211 Bloor St. W.

This little spot will be serving their last meal tomorrow.

Events:

Lavazza’s new mobile café will be scooting around the city until Sunday with complimentary cups of their new specialty-blend drip-coffee. They’ll be in the Yonge-Dundas Square, RBC Plaza or the Yorkville District throughout the weekend. Check their Facebook page for where they’ll be and when.

Pairing wine with Indian food can be a challenge. So head to Pukka on Tues, Nov 11 for their educational wine dinner - Progressive Pioneers: Henry of Pelham’s Pursuit of Excellence

Chef Marchetti of Ristorante Boccaccio announced this week that white truffles are now arriving weekly at the restaurant. Not to be missed? Their grand finale themed dinner for 2014 on Friday, November 28th. The menu is based on the Lazio region.

And in other news:

Remember the Restaurants for Change event last month?   That evening, in nine cities across Canada, 25 restaurants donated all or part of the proceeds from their dinner service to support CFCC and local partners. This week, it was announced, in total, participating restaurants and sponsors raised more than $100,000 to help fund programs that bring people in low-income communities together to grow, cook, share and advocate for good food for all. Next year’s event is already in the works!

Have you tried one of Toronto’s mobile dining apps? It means you no longer have to wait for the bill.

In celebration of it being Ocean Wise month, we’ve got a Best of Sustainable Seafood for you.

Our Drinks columnist Patricia Noonan helps you become a whisky pro in no time

We take an inside look at Colette Grand Café.

All the Best Fine Foods partners with Alison Fryer of The Cookbook Store

And if that’s not enough, I’ve put together a calendar of food events for November and the best cookbooks for fallall by Toronto writers and chefs.

Looking for a finer dining experience? Our Distinguished Guide is a carefully curated list of upscale restaurants.

Mmm, brunch. Check out our brunch guide for some great options.

Eep! You don’t have long to plan your holiday events. But don't worry, we’ve put together a holiday guide to help you.

Dine.TO is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s KitchenAid Cook for the Cure Culinary ShowdownRead all about this year's celebrity chefs and help us raise money for this important cause.