The 4-1-1 this week: I’ve got 11 new places for you - one of which is going to cause a f-r-e-n-z-y - and there’s a slew of news, including a ton of controversy with a few of our restos.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Bay Burger (770 Bay St.) opened Tuesday. “Toronto’s Best Burgers” features Steak with Black Pepper Sauce (single $8.75, dbl $12.75, Chicken with Caramelized Onion (single $8.50, dbl $12.50) and Falafel with Tahini Sauce ($7.50).

If you’re the type of diner that craves variety (dine on ramen, fries, and lobster balls all in one sitting) or you’re really into offal (duck gizzard, beef stomach, “thousand layer” tripe, for example), then you’ll love BSG Hot Pot (3560 Victoria Park Ave., Unit 1-2). Prices are: Adults $26.99, seniors (65+) $20.99, children (7-12) $16.99.

Love seafood? Wanna save some dough? Head to Mississauga’s The Captain's Boil (720 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Unit #3A) and enjoy 10 per cent off during the soft opening.

Pupusa and quesadilla comes together, thanks to pop –up shop Casamiento. In addition to the Pupusadilla, they’ve also got Fried Plantains with queso añejo and crema; Revuelta - Salvadoran chicharrón, refríed Salvadoran "frijoles de seda," and queso; and other good stuff. Find them inside El Gordo Fine Food (214 August Ave.) in Kensington Market.

Big, big, BIG news - The opening of Jollibee Scarborough takes place this Sunday at 15 William Kitchen Rd. starting at 7am! I’ll have more on Chickenjoy, sweet spaghetti studded with ham, ground meat, and hotdog; and hotdogs topped with cheese and ketchup this weekend.

The St. Lawrence ‘hood just got itself an Eggspectation (22 The Esplanade).

You can start digging into authentic Japanese soufflé pancakes as of Monday at Hanabusa Café (77 Kensington Ave.). Choose from matcha, taro, jasmine tea, and whole wheat served with bacon, breakfast sausage, green salad, and Hollandaise sauce. Save room for Japanese Roll Cake, Hokkaido Chiffon, and Matcha Crepe Roll.

Loukoumania Café opened this week in Vaughan (3120 Rutherford Rd.), serving egg- and dairy-free loukoumades – fried dough balls with 30 toppings to choose from - and espresso-based coffees and organic loose-leaf teas.

Ricarda's has opened a second location in Oakville (312 Lakeshore Rd. E.).

FREE WAGYU for everyone on March 31st. That’s the promise from Shinta Japanese BBQ in Richmond Hill (280 West Beaver Creek Rd.), in celebration of their soft opening on Saturday.

Dessert shop, café, and bakery Sweet A La Mode (90 Weston Rd, Unit J107) has launched in the Stockyards District.

CLOSED

After seven years, Combine Eatery (162 Danforth Ave.) calls it quits on their Riverdale location.

Doug McNish's Public Kitchen (561 Marlee Ave.) has come to an end.

Garden Gangsters shuttered their St. Lawrence Market location (12 Market St). The Liberty location’s still open, with another shop launching this spring.

Cabbagetown’s 420 Smokehouse (420 Parliament) has closed. 

NEWS

Two fires hit Bloordale restos this week – Brock Sandwich and South Indian Dosa Mahal Restaurant.

News of animal rights and vegan protestors outside of Antler Restaurant, and chef and co-owner Michael Hunter butchering a deer leg in the window, reached all the way to the Washington Post this week.

Some Christians aren’t on board with the name Sweet Jesus.

Saigon Flower Restaurant on Queen West isn’t going anywhere. Yet.

Have you noticed a pricier dinner bill lately?

Canada’s got the world’s best Camembert.

Beginning this April, 87 new independent and large grocery stores will sell beer and cider. Find a store near you

Please support local businesses whenever possible. 

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

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