Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

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Open/Closed for the week of January 2-8

Over the holidays, restaurant openings continued with a flurry of activity.

What used to be a time when no restaurant would think of opening, a record-breaking 16 new spots made their debut.

Take a look what happened while you were away.

Here’s the very latest:

Open:

Al Amana Meat Market 

155 Dundas St. E.

A 24-hour certified Halal butcher shop and convenience store combo has opened near Ryerson.

Ashpazkhoune  

214 Augusta Ave.

Kensington Market’s newest resto features authentic Persian cuisine.

Fiorentina Restaurant 

463 Danforth Ave.

Reopened in their new spot just a bit further east along the Danny, Fiorentina serves lunch on weekdays and brunch on weekends.

They’ll be open for dinner as soon as the liquor license arrives.

Cider House

391 Roncesvalles Ave.

Choose from 26 ciders, 14 craft beers, hygge-ready dishes of schnitzel and raclette, and brunch offerings on weekends.

Don't Call Me Cupcake Bakery 

864 Broadview Ave.

Another cupcake shop? Wait, this one has rum cupcakes. Two kinds: Coconut Rum and Rum Rum No Raisin.

El Local Loco 

9 Chruch St.

A new taberna Mexicana is now open at the foot of Church Street.

"It’s not only acceptable to #GetLoco, but encouraged" at this "urban spot for upscale Mexican fare."

El Tenedor 

909 Yonge St.

Opening Friday in Rosedale, El Tenedor’s menu, created by chef and owner Cesar Penalver (formerly of Leslieville’s Hola Tapas & Wine Bar) is "inspired by Spanish and Latin ideas and traditional flavours, with a modernist twist."

Dishes include:

- Liquid Olives ($10), inspired by El Bulli chef Ferran Adria

- Falso Risotto ($32) Jicama, fennel and cauliflower risotto, served with clam fennel foam and scallop

- Espuma de Crema Catalana/Foam of Catalan Cream ($14) for dessert.

Stay tuned.

Halibut House

2814 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

The fish and chip chain – that also happens to serve breakfast – specializes in fresh cut halibut, skinned and filleted in the restaurants, lightly battered and crispy, served on home cut French fries from local potato farms.

Their newest location in Etobicoke holds its grand opening on Tuesday, with a great deal: buy one, get one free Halibut & Chips all day on the 10th (available dine in only from 11am-9pm). Breakfast service will be available starting Wednesday.

Homestand 

834 Bloor St. W.

A contemporary sports bar has opened at Bloor and Ossington, complete with nachos and chicken wings.

Go team go.

Hotmess Tex Mex Tavern 

615 College St.

The food menu might be small (four items, from Ont. Peanuts $2 to Chips and Salsa $6) but there’s lot of drinks on hand, including: Cadillac Margarita ($12), Texas Tea ($9) and Paloma ($11).

La Banane  

227 Ossington Ave.

Chef Brandon Olsen's new French concept resto opened just Tuesday.

More to come soon.

Lake Inez 

1471 Gerrard St. E.

Chef Robbie Hojilla has created share plates both big and small on his new menu influenced with Asian flavours.

From Sunchoke Skewer ($6) and Ocean Perch Kinilaw ($15) to start, to large dishes of Homemade Egg Noodles ($22) and Crispy Duck Leg ($24), there are 17 selections to choose from. Save room for dessert: Chiffon Cake ($9) and Coconut Sorbet ($9).

Poke Wrap 

354 Yonge St.

Get your fill of fresh poké rolls & bowls just north of the Eaton Centre.

They opened Dec 28.

Rollipub

598 College St.

"Toronto's Original Sushi Burritos" are now available in Little Italy.

Shalom 

587 Parliament St.

Cabbagetown’s Shalom opened just last week, offering authentic Ethiopian fare available all day.

Wok & Roast Chinese BBQ 

349 Broadview Ave.

The former Ka Ka Lucky Restaurant is now Wok & Roast, complete with BBQ in the window and a menu this long.

Closed:

Blue Bay Café served its last meal December 19. It opened in 1985.

Baldwin Village continues to undergo change with Bocca On Baldwin now shuttered.

Eat Your Words cookbook and kitchenware store on Annette is closing. A 30 percent off everything sale is on until the last day January 12. The movers arrive January 14.

Southern Accent has closed on Markham and will soon re-open at 839 College St.

Event:

Winterlicious resos might not be available until Jan 12, but you can get tix now for nine distinct, interactive + historical dining experiences celebrating Canada’s 150th bday.