The top 10 new restaurant openings in Toronto for September 2015

September is a big month for restaurant openings in Toronto as all sorts of new marquee attractions clamour to open in time for TIFF. Find newly opened eateries serving up everything from comfort foods like mac n' cheese and east coast style donair, to over the top ice cream cones and fancy French food.

Here are my picks for the top new restaurant openings in Toronto for September 2015.

The Lockhart
Toronto was instantly bewitched with the opening of this Harry Potter-inspired bar on Dundas West. Craft cocktails and elixirs that nod to all sorts of nerdy references are the main draw, but there's also a short list of tapas on offer including deep-fried jalapeno mac & cheese sliders, and cold salad rolls.

Snakes & Lattes
Toronto's original board game cafe is all grown-up and it's graduated into the huge space that was formerly Andy Poolhall. The sprawling 250-seat establishment is stocked with thousands of games, cafe staples, beers, wines, baked goods, and some pretty ambition snack foods. Any one up for some salmon tartare and a couple rounds of Pit?

Cafe Boulud
Famed French chef Daniel Boulud re-opened his Yorkville restaurant in time to wine and dine celebrities in town for TIFF. A complete overhaul has turned this beacon for fine-dining into a splurge worthy destination for bistro classics and grillades.

The Thirsty Duck
The new public house from the same folks behind Eastside Social has brought a taste of the east coast to the east side. Now open at 972 Queen St. East in Leslieville where Celline Garden Restaurant used to be, the menu boasts Halifax style donair, fish & chips, and fried pepperoni.

Bobbie Sue's Mac + Cheese
Now open at 162 Ossington Ave, this takeout counter from the team behind Poutini's is devoted to the classic Canadian comfort making "craft" dinners like a carbonara mac and a Buffalo blue cheese mac.

Reformma 35
Taco-less Agave y Aguacate quietly transitioned this month into this new casual Mexican cantina after a change-up in management. The restaurant at at 35 Baldwin St. now helmed by Andres Marquez (ex-Fonda Lola) and Keyvan Foroughi (ex-Agave y Aguacate) and on the opening menu you'll find tacos, chilaquiles, flautas, and enchiladas.

The Commodore
Chef/owner Jon Vettraino (ex-Splendido, 416 Snackbar) has opened this new destination for swordfish crudo, smoked mackerel rillette and seafood towers at 1265 Queen St. West in Parkdale.

Rickshaw Bar
Queen West gained a new destination for South and Southeast Asian street foods this month. The menu boasts snack sized foods like paratha tacos, pakora fritters and curries.

Sweet Jesus
The dedicated spot for pimped-out soft serve opened on John north of King amidst a TIFF fueled frenzy. The spin-off from La Carnita is positioned behind the taqueria's third location, and serving up insane ice cream cones like the Elvis featuring banana soft serve, peanut butter drizzle and bacon bits.

Omaw
The long awaited restaurant from chef Matt Blondin (ex-Acadia) in collaboration with The Food Dudes has been operating in dry-run mode this month at 88 Ossington Ave. Expect Southern style cuisine including shrimp and grits.

Frings
Drake and chef Susur Lee debuted their new partnership this month, launching this new restaurant at 455 King St. West where Crush Wine Bar used to be. This first taste was just enough to whet appetites, though the grand opening to the public is still a couple weeks away.

What did I miss? Add your favourite new restaurants in the comments.

Photo of Boulud

by Liora Ipsum via blogTO