Initial plans to open the first Toronto outpost of the popular Vancouver chain Guu (meaning 'viscous' in Japanese) as an automat were scrapped when the tiny Japanese serving droids took longer than expected to convert to 120v resulting in the loss of an entire crop of tapas. Now employing human servers, Guu still offers some of the tastiest Japanese inspired small plates to an izakaya starved city that's quickly turning tapanese.

Not to be confused with the labour movement of the same name, there's just as much power in this Union owing to chef Teo Paul's commitment to exploring local produce and creating simple, tasty fare. You had me at "elk sliders," Teo, you had me at "elk sliders."

Continuing along Italian lines, our next restaurant stakes its claim along the well-heeled stretch of King West and ready to catch some overflow (and no doubt some of the few remaining expense account ducats) from such local stalwarts as the Spoke Club. Former McEwan understudy Rob Gentile offers some creative takes on pizzas and re-imagines some Italian classics.

The western edge of the Junction represents with the inclusion of a pizza joint that takes their pie back to first principles and builds a simple tasty, classic slice (which sadly contains no actual Buddha). Walk in through the door and ask the person at the counter to "make me one with everything," I dare you!

Traditional Ethiopian dishes with a modern presentation are on offer at this well appointed space. Share huge plates heaving with Misto Misto with 13 different items to appeal to every taste and mop it up with the giant, chewy, homemade injera.