Toronto restaurant openings highlights the latest food news in Toronto and gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

Open now

• Bacchanal, a French neo-bistro that features an absinthe-focused cocktail program, officially opens at 60 Sudbury St. today, taking over the space that was very briefly Recess Diner.
• Poor Romeo, a dive-diner-bar from the team behind Pinkerton's Snack Bar, is currently in soft launch mode at 1029 Gerrard St. E. – just across the street from Pinkerton's.
• Butter Baker, a French patisserie and sister bakery to Butter Avenue, has opened at 120 Dundas St. W. next to Pablo. It's baking creative offerings like lemon meringue croissants.
• Kanda Izakaya, a Japanese ramen, sushi and sake bar, is now open at 2140 Yonge St., replacing C'est Bon.
• Chinese chain Dagu Rice Noodle has opened its first location at 20 Gibson Dr. in Markham, with a downtown location (previously Bareburger) by Bay & Dundas to follow.
• Croutons has replaced a Lazeez Shawarma at 652 Spadina Ave. (at Harbord).
• Mocha Cafe and Pastry is open at 1290 Danforth Ave., a couple of blocks east of Greenwood Ave.

Recently reviewed

• Northern Maverick
• Galata Cafe
• H Cafe
• Gare de l'est
• Planta Burger
• Max's Restaurant
• Sotto Sotto

Opening soon

• Apiecalypse Now will be bringing the vegan pizza love over to the east side of town, with a plan to open at Pape & Mortimer in East York for Halloween.
• More vegan good news: a posted sign announcing a second location for Hogtown Vegan has appeared at 382 College St., which was previously Montreal Bar and Grill, and Windup prior to that. It's set to open next month.
• Muddy York Brewing is officially opening its taproom in East York at 22 Cranfield Rd. this Saturday.

Closed

• Hungry Amoo on Lower Ossington has shuttered after about a year in business.
• Untold, the soup and salad bar that also served Romanian-style ice cream cones (similar to Eva's) at 1581 Bayview Ave. didn’t last long; its opening was just reported here two weeks ago!

Other news

• Chocolates by Brandon Olsen, a.k.a. CXBO, is launching six signature chocolate bars at its fairly new Kensington Market location today at 193 Baldwin St.
• Chef/Vice celeb Matty Matheson (Maker Pizza) has parted ways with Parts & Labour and The Social Group.
• The Sweet Potato, a natural and organic grocery store that also makes prepared foods, has moved from Dundas St. W. to 108 Vine Ave. in the Junction.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com