The Danforth is about to get a bit more interesting. If news that Libretto was setting up shop in the east end wasn't enough, this week a sign went up in the old Kokkino space announcing Dolce Gelato's impending arrival to the neighbourhood. They couldn't have picked a better spot. Gelato options are dire on the Danforth with the closest decent place for the summer-time treat being the Leslieville location of Ed's Real Scoop.

No word yet on when Dolce will be opening its Danforth doors. But there's no rush given reports today that cold weather in this city might last longer than we'd like.

Pizzeria Libretto looks to be opening a second location - this time on the Danforth. Toronto Life reports that chef Rocco Agostino and owners Max Rimaldi and Daniel Clark are putting the finishing touches on the lease for a space on the east end strip and will be looking to open at the end of the summer.

The Drake Hotel is getting into the ice cream business. In a move that continues their expansion east along Queen, the Drake will be taking over the space currently occupied by Median Contemporary and opening an ice cream shop called Drake Scoops + Tees. The first day of business is slated for June 12th.

And why Scoops + Tees? That's because the Drake is once again collaborating with the team behind the Shared clothing brand and will be selling their t-shirts in the new shop. So, go for ice cream and buy a t-shirt. Get it? Not sure I do either but they'll be serving Metropolitan (a local brand) so we know that at least there's a local theme tying the two things together.

April brings showers but it also brings lots of business openings as entrepreneurs are looking to cash in on the always important summer months. On Roncesvalles, in the old Boho location that didn't survive the construction, a new restaurant called Blue Plate is set to open soon. The owners are posting updates and photos to their blog, Facebook and Twitter and promise that things are on track to meet their planned April 20th opening.

Something strange is happening on Gerrard between Marjory and Jones. This derelict part of the street near Gerrard Square Mall was best known for not having anything worth visiting with plenty of vacant storefronts and the shuttered Gerrard Cinema among its non-existent tenants. But now the whiff of gentrification is in the air with Great Burger Kitchen scheduled to open this week and a sign in the old cybercafe announcing that Grinder Cafe won't just be on Main anymore.

As we head into the last week of the worst month of the year there are plenty of bars, restaurants and other business about to open in Toronto. In Little Italy, the lactose friendly Korova Milkbar currently under renovations in the space formerly home to Ku (and before that, Pony). Fans of a Clockwork Orange will recognize the name but no word yet whether the drinks here will be laced with opiates.