Xococava is doing some crazy things with chocolate. Sweet and savoury truffles feature ingredients like chorizo sausage, salted caramel and fennel pollen, and the hot chocolate is rich and delicious. An offshoot of Chris McDonald's Cava restaurant, the Yonge & St.Clair takeout-only sweets shop also sells artisanal ice cream, churros, chocolate bars, cakes, pastries, and espresso.

Check out my review of Xococava and start your sweet tooth cravings now.

Bringing southern comfort food staples like fried chicken, brisket, and pie to Dundas east of Yonge (a part of Toronto that's starting to show signs of new restaurant life), Smokin' Bones has the right idea. It's currently take-out only, though owner Orlando has plans to offer delivery soon. In the meantime, he's grilling up some meat that's worth the walk.

Check out my review of Smokin' Bones in the restaurant section.

The best new cheap eats in Toronto can just about be summed up in one word: sandwiches. Gourmet burger places continue to open all over town, but they're up against some stiff competitors who really know their way around a panini press. That being said, there are a few outliers on the list this year, proving that Torontonians crave a good poutine or bowl of ramen just as much as they love tasty stuff on bread.

Duggan's Brewery is the brainchild of Toronto brewmaster Mike Duggan. The new brew pub on Victoria between Richmond and Adelaide (in the former home of Denison's Brewpub, which closed back in 2003) is making creative, delicious, surprisingly cheap beer and serving it up with high quality pub grub.

Check out my review of Duggan's Brewery in the restaurants section.

Guu Izakaya, a popular Vancouver restaurant, has opened its first Toronto branch in the south end of Church Wellesley Village. Excellent, modern Japanese food (mostly small plates), plentiful sake, and friendly and raucous kitchen staff make for a fun visit.

See my review of Guu Izakaya in the restaurant section.

Liberty Noodle serves a great bowl of rib-warming noodles, for about ten bucks, to peckish patrons in Liberty Village.

I used the recent frosty weather as an excuse to hunt down a plate of delicious gyoza, doubly garlicky noodles, and a big, delicious bowl of piping hot curry beef ramen.

See my review of Liberty Noodle in the restaurant section.