February in Toronto was full of ups and downs (temperature wise anyway). When it comes to restaurant openings, things are just looking up as this newest batch of eateries is heavy on brunch, salads and pierogi.

Here are my picks for the top restaurants that opened in Toronto last month.

Basil Box
The quick service eatery at the base of the Ryerson Student Learning Centre deals in mix and match noodle bowls, rice boxes and salads. Kind of like the Chipotle of Southeast Asian cuisine, the menu offers choices like lemongrass chicken, chili lime shrimp and coconut curry tofu in customizable formats.

Hastings Snack Bar
The compact snack bar in Leslieville (re)opened this month and is now serving coffee daily and Polish breakfasts and comfort foods on weekends. Order Hungry Tata's Lunch Plate for a thorough sampling featuring pierogi, cabbage rolls and kielbasa.

Provo Foodbar
Across the street from the AGO, this casual restaurant dishes out an array of nibbles including antipasti and crostini, plus hearty meat and seafood entrees like Provimi veal liver and calamari pomodoro.

Beaumont Kitchen
The new Oliver & Bonacini restaurant adjacent to Saks Sherway Gardens spotlights Canadian products with West Coast influences. Expect plenty of seafood and vegetable options including the luxe king crab toast and a Tuscan kale Caesar salad.

Boil Bar
The seafood restaurant similar to The Captain's Boil opened two locations - one near Midland and McNicoll and the other on Yonge near Wellesley. Which restaurant is superior? You be the judge.

Simit & Chai
This new bakery and cafe on King West specializes in Turkish style street bagels and loose leaf teas. Sample the signature baked goods in sandwich form loaded with toppings like cream cheese and smoked salmon or pastrami with fava bean puree and dill.

The Baro
Queen West gained this eatery devoted to chopped salads this month. On the menu are veg-heavy meals including the Kale Caesar, Cobby Blues and Greek Freak salads.

Sugar Loaf
The bakery cafe in Riverside is well stocked with fresh baked goods, but best of all it serves breakfasts like egg sandwiches on brioche buns and weekend brunch fare including Dutch Baby pancakes in a skillet loaded with caramelized bananas and salted caramel sauce.

Flock
The second outpost of Cory Vitiello's fast casual concept devoted to rotisserie chicken and greens opened in Harbord Village in February. Third and fourth locations are already in the works.

Love Me Sweet
Japanese cheesecake fanatics in Markam no longer need to travel downtown to Uncle Testu. The newly opened dessert house specializes in light and fluffy Japanese cheesecakes that have already proved so popular that selling-out is not uncommon.

Photo of Hastings Snack Bar by Hector Vasquez.