Open/Closed for the week of Feb 23-March 1

How did it get to be the end of February already? The good news is that the warm weather will be here soon(ish) and restaurants keep opening in a flurry, giving us an excuse to head out no matter what the insane temperature.

Here’s this week’s awesome news:

Open:
Milano Espresso Bar
266 Adelaide St. W., Unit 2

Vancouver’s award-winning beans have found a home in the Financial District, so go on and feed that caffeine fix of yours.

Sliced Gourmet
718 Queen St. E.

The second location of Sliced over on the east side, offers sandwiches, salads and juices. Saldly, their half sandwiches - one of the best ideas ever - haven't hit the Leslieville shelves yet.

Schnitzel Queen
211 Queen St. E.

The queen has found a new home just a few doors from the old spot. Long live, Schnitzel Queen!

Tacorrito
320 Richmond St. E.

Satiate your craving for Mexican. And watch for a second location soon to arrive on Church St.

Closed:

Lettieri Espresso Bar and Café closes tomorrow, due to the construction of the Minto Yorkville Park condominiums about begin. Lettieri opened at the corner of Cumberland and Bellair in December 1996.

News:

Announced on Instagram earlier this week, A3 Napoli Pizzeria e Friggitoria is a new joint collab between Pizzeria Libretto and Porchetta & Co. coming to College Street. Between this and their spot to open on King West this summer, you’ve better invest in some bigger pants. You’re going to need them.

One’s new Chef de Cusine Darby Piquette showcased some of his exemplary dishes on Tuesday night. Check out our Instagram and Twitter for pics, and stay tuned for more from this talented chef.

Congratulations to the amazing Alexa Clark and Neilesh Daji, who have been appointed Toronto Taste 2015 Co-Chairs by Second Harvest!

Events:

Tonight there’s a fab event on at The St. Lawrence Market for a very good cause. And all your favourite chefs will be there!

And today marks the first day for both Savour York Region Restaurant Week and Savour Mississauga Restaurant Week.

Tomorrow we’re heading to the final Chefs for Change Midwinter Feasts at Propeller Coffee Co. We'll be live tweeting from the event, so be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter to watch all the exciting action!

Auberge du Pommier is holding an exclusive four-course dinner with pairings from Louis Jadot fine burgundy wines on Friday. The menu features B.C. scallops, black truffles and venison, and includes 1997 Beaune Premier Cru and 2003 Corton Grand Cru. Dinner is $200 including tax and gratuity.

Saturday, L is for... Eyal Liebman and Kew Vinyards hold the 6th Sweet & Savoury Chocolate Dinner at The Richmond, hosted by Abbey Sharp of Abbey's Kitchen. All proceeds of the dinner, as always, are donated to Second Harvest.

The Saint launched Sausage Sundays  - get a select sausage in three sizes (12, 24, or 36 oz) with a $5 pint special every Sunday. Making the links is Chef Jesse Vallins, a three-time Sausage League champion. Chef Vallins also happens to be one of the only people in North America to hold both the titles of Sommelier and Cicerone. And we are extremely lucky to have him as our new columnist. Watch for his first post in the next couple of week!

Toronto’s Lunarfest happening Saturday and Sunday at Harbourfront Centre, includes lots of Asian fare including Dumpling Fest! 

Sweet tooth craving? Take a trip on the Tasty Tours’ Kensington Market Sweets Tour. 

For a fun adventure just outside of Toronto, head to the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival happening from Saturday until April 6.

And don’t forget the Restaurants Show. Come by and say hi at one of our two booths! The show is open Sunday and Monday 10am-5pm and Tuesday 10am-4pm.

And lastly:

Since winter is here for a bit longer, you’re going to need a stiff drink – or five. Here are Toronto's top 5 whisky bars. 

And here are two fab comfort food dishes to make this weekend – Chef Mark McEwan’s Pumpkin Ricotto Gnocchi Dough  and Rose Reisman’s Black Bean Soup with Avocado. 

Take a peek inside the stunning new NAO Steakhouse. 

Wait until you hear where all the celebrities are hanging out on the Danforth. 

Okay, start gearing up: March Break is just over a week away and you’ve got 18 days to get ready for St. Patrick’s Day...