The top 10 new restaurant openings in Toronto for December 2014

Things may have started winding down for the year in December, but for Toronto's every evolving restaurant scene, it was business as usual. December saw the openings of a few new brunch destinations, Italian (both authentic and irreverent), a vegan public house and more cheap eats.

Here are the top 10 new restaurant openings in Toronto for December 2014.

Borealia

Historic recipes get modernized on the menu of this newly opened Ossington restaurant that pays tribute to the culinary traditions of Canada's native peoples and early settlers. Take a trip through time to discover dishes like pemmican bresaola and pigeon pie.

Scratch Kitchen

Yonge and Lawrence got a new brunch destination in December, and there's a lot to like about this place. The menu is entirely made from scratch (even the bread is baked in house), brunch is served week-round and until late in afternoon, and best of all, it's licensed (Caesar cocktails are among the specialties at the bar).

Queen Street Warehouse

The sophomore outpost in Toronto follows the wildly successful opening of El Furniture Warehouse in The Annex. Say what you will about the rowdy staff and frat party vibe - the entire food menu (like at the first location) is still $4.95.

Uncle Tony's

Taking over the Wellington Ave. address formerly occupied by Swish By Han, this casual Italian trattoria is a throwback to '60s-style eateries where tables are covered in chequered cloths and candles drip wax over chianti bottles. The menu majors in Italian American comfort foods like mozza sticks or spaghetti and meatballs stuffed with smoked mozzarella.

Sully's Sandwich Kitchen

Newly opened on Gerrard in East Chinatown, this lunch counter is devoted to making "consciously crafted food" - specifically, lovingly-made sandwiches featuring thoughtful combinations of ingredients. Standouts include the shrimp po' boy with southern slaw and creole aioli, or the carnita-like porchetta dressed with crackling, roasted poblano peppers, pickled onions, queso fresco and tomatillo sauce.

Eulalie's Corner Store

This quirky, eclectic new neighbourhood hangout in Little India is home to a menu loaded with comfort foods. Alongside a daily roast special, there's fixtures like rabbit pie and fried chicken with potato waffles.

Citta

The new Italian eatery has attracted top talent in the kitchen, with former The Grove chef Ben Heaton executing a menu of rustic Southern Italian fare, including wood-fired pizzas and house-made pastas. The new restaurant is a welcome addition to CityPlace with brunch, cocktails and, eventually, patio space to the neighborhood.

Mean Bao

The second location of Mean Bao is now operational on Bathurst south of Queen, and the compact kitchen is slinging steamed buns and dumplings at exceptionally reasonable prices.

Porter House

Now open on Dundas West, this vegan public house has taken over the former address of the Brockton General, serving up chips and curry, beer battered potato dumplings, and lentil and ale pie.

CJ's Deli

The Court Jester has relocated down the street to the former home of Zorba's and embarked on renovations that turned the space into a pub and deli. The menu is an amalgamation of pub grub staples (think wings and nachos) and smoked meat sandwiches with Jewish comfort foods peppered throughout.

by Liora Ipsum via blogTO