Open/Closed for the week of January 12-18

This week, the abundance of Italian fare continues andsome new bars open featuring fantastic menus (That oughtta make the winter a little easier).

And don’t forget - Winterlicious reservations start today.

Here’s what’s new this week:

Open:

180 Secondi
21B St Clair Ave. W.

Always wanted to make your own pizza? At 180 Secondi, they make that dream come true, thanks to the self-serve, assembly line set up.

Ace & Ale Taphouse
566 Queen St. W.

This pub located on Queen near Bathurst serves up Eastern Eurpoean comfort food alongside a host of drinks. Tuck into classics such as Goulash, Perogi, Cabbage Rolls, Schnitzel and Chicken Paprikash. Perfect for these cold months.

East of York Gourmet Food Co.
1904 Danforth Ave.

Chef/Owner Ashvin Gehani offers take out nibbles from this spot between Coxwell and Woodbine. The menu changes frequently and many dishes have an Indian bent (Indian Spiced Pulled Pork with mango glazed oranges on freshly baked ciabattini, Chicken Curry on rice, Pakora Burger). Vegan options are also available, such as a Vegan Coconut Carrot and Ginger Soup.

Easy Catch Fish & Chips
1446 Yonge St.

Yonge & St. Clair gets a new fish and chip shop. Along with the usual offerings, this one includes gourmet selections such as Crispy Shrimp Burger with avocado aioli, and Pan-Fried Cajun Spiced Basa with blue cheese, lettuce and tomato on a toasted onion bun.

The Four Seven
1211 Bloor St. W. 

This new bar in Bloordale/Brockton Village in the old Ortolan spot, is named after the 47 Landsdowne bus, and has a whole whack of great stuff on tap as well as an intriguing tapas-y menu that includes: Dandelion, Cuttlefish, Fishcakes and Chickpea Crepes filled with Lamb or Eggplant. Mmm.

Jack Tan’s
770 Bay St.

If you’re in the mood for Asian Fusion, head to this new spot at Bay and College. The added bonus here? A comfortable cocktail bar and lounge area.

Taverna Mercatto
120 Bremner Blvd., Suite 100

The newest Mercatto opened in SouthCore on Monday. Nestled right next to the new Delta Hotel, this take on an Italian tavern includes a variety of apps and sharing plates, pizzas, pastas and whole fish and chicken dinners.

Closed:

Petite & Sweet Bakery in Leslieville has packed up their brick-and-mortar store, but don't worry, you can shop for their sweets online. 

Hudson Kitchen announced via Twitter  on Tuesday that they are no longer open, proving once again that no matter how great the reviews are, it's not enough to keep the door open.

News:

Oliver & Bonacini acquired The Carlu and J.P. Challet left the Windsor Arms Hotel again.

Also, expect a lot of change ups with chefs in the next weeks and months. A handful told me earlier this week they’re leaving their current spots. Stay tuned!

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Events:

Chefs for Change

For 4 evenings throughout January and February, over 25 chefs will gather at Propeller Coffee Roastery to cook together in support of Community Food Centres Canada and their mission of providing good, healthy food for all. We're very excited and heading to one of the dinners. Are you coming?!

Nota Bene is offering a special prix-fixe menu until January 31st for their “Raise a Glass to California Wines” event. The menu includes a Hamachi Crudo with shaved fennel, citrus, puffed rice, olive oil; White Corn Soup with salt cod fritters; Braised Beef Short Rib with pumpkin seed gremolata or Alaskan Black Cod with wild mushroom broth, potato foam, and Artisanal Cheeses. The menu is $65 and with wine pairings $93.  Get the pairings, so you can enjoy everything from a 2013 Coppola Chardonnay to a 2011 Edmeades Zinfandel from Mendocino.

To celebrate their seventh anniversary, The Harbord Room is running a social media contest throughout the month, with a mesmerizing prize! Simply post a picture of your favourite memory (dish, party, cocktail) from the restaurant’s past seven years or repost an image of their famous burger to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #theharbordroom7. The winner will receive- get ready for it - a private dining experience for them and six friends prepared by Chef Cory Vitiello himself. Better start posting now!

And lastly:

Want to know what’s on this month? Our January Calendar of Food + Drink Events will help you fill your schedule. 

Check out the Top Dishes and Top Restaurants of 2014, according to Alan Vernon.

Head out for brunch this weekend. 

And whether you can’t get enough cake or bread, here are the best 5 bakeries in the city right now. 

While a cup of hot chocolate might feel like it’s warming you up, you’re better off with a ginger tea or steak with kale. 

Seafood restaurants are a plenty in the city. One of the best? Fishbar on Ossington. 

Rock Lobster’s Corporate Chef Deron Engbergs shares his favourite cookbook and his biggest culinary influence in this month’s Chef Profile.