The top 10 new restaurant openings in Toronto for October 2014

October was a good month for restaurant openings in Toronto, with an impressive new crop of kitchens finally ripening in time to take advantage of the fall harvest. Among the list of new dining destinations are also a number of hotly anticpated spin-offs from well-established favourites - namely, Buca's Yorkville outpost and Khao San Road's sophomore effort.

In no particular order, here are 10 Toronto restaurant openings that made me drool in October.

Buca (Yorkville)

Rob Gentile's third Buca outpost debuted posh new digs in Yorkville mid-month. The new all-day destination has already become instantly popular for scrupulously-crafted pizzas, pastas and seafood specialties.

Schmaltz Appetizing

Anthony Rose opened this little retail gem behind Fat Pasha this month, where Jewish delicacies like schmears, spreads and smoked, pickled and cured fish are available by weight for take-home bagel brunching, or crafted into thick sandwiches for quick consumption.

Fresh Off The Boat

Making a splash on Queen West, this new seafood-centric sandwich shop totally impressed me with overflowing Maine lobster rolls and deep-fried soft shell crab. It was an easy sell with Torontonians, considering the menu is big on three main things; seafood, deep-fried stuff and Sriracha.

Nana

The new spin off from Monte Wan of Khao San Road is now open on Queen Street. Serving up street food-style spins on Thai staples, the menu features an incredibly addictive Southern fried chicken laab as well as deep bowls of boat noodle soup.

Little Fin

This playful but pricey new take-out shop, from the same folks behind The Chase, hopes to get the Financial District hooked on fresh seafood for lunch. I thought the sandwiches were prohibitively expensive as a daily option, but I can get 100% behind the take-home lobster dinners on offer.

The Borough

October marked the first month for this new haven for locavores on the Danforth. The menu features the hallmarks of Brit-style gastropubs: chicken pot pie bites, bangers n' mash, and mini Yorkshire puddings with seared beef.

Buna's Kitchen

Lunchtime on Richmond and Spadina got a whole litter better this month with the arrival of this new eatery. On the opening menu, expect to find soups, salads and sandwiches stacked with toppings like duck confit and fried egg.

Louis Cifer Brew Works

The Danforth brew pub opened its doors this month to mixed reviews when it cames to the namesake beers, though the food menu, featuring stick-to-your-ribs-type pub grub (think wings, nachos, burgers and pot pies) has been well received. Kinks aside, it seems likely to do well in Greektown thanks to its comfortable, laid-back atmosphere and family-friendly attitude.

Bobbette & Belle

The Leslieville patisserie branched out this month with a second location on Yonge, north of Lawrence. Stocked with cupcakes, cookies and confections, the bakery-cafe has been only open for mere weeks and has already attracted a steady local following in love with its made-from-scratch offerings.

Gourmet Gringos

Beach(es) residents are probably rejoicing at the arrival of this well-established taco truck turned multi-location chain of express Mexican kitchens. The newest outpost can be found on Queen East, making top notch burritos, empanadas and quesadillas available for dine-in or take-out.

Photo of Buca Yorkville by Jesse Milns.

by Liora Ipsum via blogTO