Photo by WKeefe in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Last month, Dutch clothing chain Mexx announced it would be filing for bankruptcy, leaving the future of its stores (including numerous Toronto locations) uncertain. Now, the company has confirmed what those yellow-and-red "everything must go" signs apppearing in store windows have suggested: The company will be shutting down its stores after its final restructuring bid failed.

The Globe and Mail reports that the chain's 95 Canadian stores - including eight based in the GTA - will be liquidated before being shut down at the end of February. The closures may not be over yet - retail analysts promise a tough year ahead for mid-tier fashion brands with a large Canadian presence, with Jacob and Smart set going under and Danier and Le Chateau on shaky ground.

Winterlicious 2015 is fast approaching, and while the two-week-long, city-wide prix fixe festival doesn't kick off until January 30, 200 participating restaurants have already released enticing menus. Reservation lines will open tomorrow on Thursday, January 15 - start planning now.

Here's a primer of what to expect from Winterlicious 2015.

HOW IT WORKS

Participating restaurants will offer three-course prix fixe lunch menus (priced at $18, $23 or $28) and dinner menus (priced at $25, $35 or $45). Reservations are strongly advised, and can be made directly with each restaurant.

NEW THIS YEAR

There are 25 first-time participants this year, of which a few are particularly noteworthy. They include the following:

• Cluny (menu) - Decadent French fare in the Distillery District.
• Luckee (menu) - Susur Lee's new dim sum palace at the SoHo Met.
• The Saint Tavern (menu) - A modern take on the classic American tavern.
• Marben (menu) - Modern Canadian cuisine with a dash of Spanish influence.
• Hawthorne Food & Drink (menu) - Hearty and heartwarming dishes with a focus on local and sustainable ingredients.

HOT TICKETS

Considering the usual prices and unwavering popularity, these are the places you might want make reservations at - pronto.

• Café Boulud (menu) - Chef Daniel Boulud's restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel.
• Canoe (menu) - The flagship of Oliver and Bonacini 's empire.
• Momofuku Daisho (menu) - David Chang's second floor contemporary Asian eatery.

OLD FAVOURITES

Seasoned participants returning this year include these highlights.

• Nota Bene (menu) - Chef David Lee's global-inspired restaurant on Queen West.
• The Fifth Grill & Terrace (menu) - An elegant steakhouse found on a heated rooftop patio.
• Splendido (menu) - Imaginative dining presented by chef/owner Victor Barry.

VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN OPTIONS

Meatless eaters can partake in the prix fixe menu program, too. Here are some of the standout vegetarian/vegan-friendly options.

• Grasslands (menu) - All-vegan options on Queen West.
• Banu (menu) - Iranian cusine highlighting veg-friendly fare like nan o paneer or eggplant stew.
• Osteria dei Ganzi (menu) - Italian fare that'll bring meat-eaters and vegetarians together.
• Pukka (menu) - Forward-thinking Indian cusine including ample vegetarian options.

CHEAP BUT GOOD

Here are some top picks in the most reasonable Winterlicious price range of $18/$25 (for lunch and dinner, respectively).

• Insomnia (menu) - The Annex restaurant will feature brunch instead of lunch, and comfort foods at dinner.
• Lil' Baci (menu) - The bustling eatery on Yonge will showcase hearty Italian fare.
• Momofuku Noodle Bar (menu) - Pork buns and ramen grace this prix fixe menu.
• Bindia (menu) - The Indian bistro in St. Lawrence Market goes above and beyond the norm with a choice of at least half a dozen mains.
• Destingo (menu) - Casual Italian dining on Queen.

EVENTS

The Winterlicious Culinary Event Series offers 15 ticketed food experiences designed to educated and indulge. Tickets are already on sale.

• Speakeasy at the Palais Royale - A roaring twenties-inspired evening featuring champagne cocktails and a four course meal.
• Celebration of the Black Truffle - Rosewater's Supper Club presents a five course menu featuring the Diamonds of the Perigord.
• The Tin Chef - A friendly "secret ingredient" cook-off at Mildred's Temple Kitchen between a roster of foodies, none of whom are professional chefs.
• Street Market - Food stations at Spice Route will recreate the vibrant sights and alluring smells of a South Asian Street night market.

Did I miss any? Leave your Winterlicious picks in the comments.

Photo of Marben by Jesse Milns.

Cllr. Kristyn Wong-Tam hopes the Stollerys building at Yonge and Bloor can be rescued from demolition by the city's heritage staff.

She says a loophole on the provincial building code that gives the owners of commercial properties the ability to clear their land without submitting plans for a replacement structure could see the iconic store vanish sooner rather than later.

Mizrahi Developments, the new owners of the cluster of buildings on the southwest corner of the intersection, filed for permission to clear the site on Jan. 7. Under the current rules, the request may automatically be granted within 30 days.

"I felt that the corner of Yonge and Bloor deserved greater respect than a large open space, which [Mizrahi] could just pave over and leave dormant for years," Wong-Tam says.

She likens the situation to the one faced by the city over the World's Biggest Bookstore. The Yonge St. building was torn down late last year and the land may become a surface parking lot while plans for a new building are ironed out.

"I think there's an assumption that heritage buildings that look like they should be protected are protected, whether they're listed or designated. And oftentimes we learn that it's not," she says.

There are no guarantees heritage staff will find the Stollerys building worthy of protection, however.

The upscale menswear outlet has been operating at Yonge and Bloor for 114 years, making it one of the city's longest running businesses. The current building, which was erected between 1923 and 1929, was bought by Mizrahi Developments along with several of the surrounding properties in 2014.

Sam Mizrahi, the company's president, told the Toronto Star in October he would like to build a 75-storey condo tower he calls "The One" on the site. Wong-Tam says she expects an application of that nature, but so far nothing has been submitted save for a request for a demolition permit.

Photo by Chris Barker

What does a $1 million house look like around the globe? From Toronto to Hong Kong, the real estate market is a pricey one with the top players seeing a surge in million dollar properties year after year. There's less new listings, higher prices and in some cities, the $1 million to $2 million range is now considered the average. Nowadays, you can buy a fixer-upper for a mil or a tiny two bedroom with no parking. Take a closer look at the housing market in Toronto and beyond.

Here's what a $1 million listing looks like in 10 cities around the world.

Toronto
So what do you get for $1 million in Toronto? This detached property in East York wants $989,000 for a three bedroom, three bathroom dwelling. Although the interior could use some work, the home sits on a large lot (40x227 ft) and includes parking and a rare urban outdoor pool. In prime neighbourhoods around the city, $1 million will get you a fixer-upper in Wychwood ($999,000), a three bedroom semi in the Annex ($1,029,000) and a rooming house on Dundas East ($1,000,000).

Vancouver
The city's real estate market has reached a new record high, the result of a rapid population and economic growth. There's plenty of house porn and it looks like the Vancouver housing bubble isn't popping anytime soon. This modest four bedroom is listed for $999,000, located in an average-priced neighbourhood.

Los Angeles
In Bel-Air, it seems you can't even buy Fresh Prince's garage for $1 million. The city's most expensive real estate includes areas like Bel-Air and Beverly Hills, filled with over-the-top celebrities mansions and everyday billionaire estates. This Bev Hills mansion was recently listed for $220 million, the most expensive property for sale in the U.S. Houses near the beach and downtown L.A. are cheaper and comparable to a house in Toronto. Here's a two bedroom townhouse going for $1,000,168 CAD. It's located in a neighbourhood made famous by O.J. Simpson in the '90s.

New York
New York is made up of 5 boroughs--the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island--with some very pricey real estate. Manhattan has some of the most expensive properties in the world, while the other boroughs are more modestly priced. Brooklyn has become more fashionable as of late with some areas coming close to Manhattan prices like Park Slope, a great neighbourhood for young families. In Manhattan, don't expect a large space for $1 million-- here's a small two bedroom listed for about $1, 077,015 CAD on the Upper East side.

San Francisco
San Fran was recently ranked number one for the "most unaffordable housing market in the U.S. for the middle class." A city of neighbourhoods and a tech boom in Silicon Valley, the price of real estate is sky high. The market's been on a steep incline for the past three years with luxury properties surging in the Bay area, and more neighbourhoods becoming less affordable. Here's one in the Bay area literally on the water for $1,018,798 CAD.

London
With some of the world's most expensive properties, London's real estate market is booming. In 2014, the largest single property real estate transaction occurred with an estate that was valued at a mind-blowing $1.58 billion. East London which was once a pretty desolate area, is now starting to become more trendy with properties in the $1 million range or less. This two bedroom flat in London's Brick Lane neighbourhood is comparable to the Junction in Toronto.

Tokyo
Tokyo has one of the most unique housing markets with tiny apartments and crowds of people. The city makes great use of its space--it's not uncommon to see houses built in back alleys and laneways, even in the busiest commercial areas. This small complex is almost $1 million and located in the Harajuku neighbourhood, a trendy area featuring designer shops and modern architecture.

Athens
Despite the financial crisis in Greece, the price of luxury real estate in the capital of Athens doesn't appear to be available at sell-off prices. Perhaps the idea of living in close proximity to the Acropolis hasn't deterred foreign investors from buying properties. Here's what you get for a $1 million in Athens (and check out that great staircase).

Hong Kong
With no where else to build on the island, Hong Kong is among the most expensive real estate markets per square foot in the world. It's not uncommon to see a $1 million property just under 500 square feet. Just check out this tiny space with barely a bedroom, located in a popular tourist area.

Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is sometimes referred to as the Paris of South America with good reason. With wide boulevards, decadent restaurants and upscale hotels like the Alvear Palace www.alvearpalace.com/v3/, BA has much of the appeal of Paris but without the prices. The area is known for being reasonably priced in the real estate market. Although this large three bedroom needs some work, it's located in the popular Recoleta area, and a steal at $720k U.S. The Recoleta is one of BA's most expensive neighbourhoods and also the burial place of Argentina's most famous resident Eva Perón.

How do you think Toronto stacks up? Let us know in the comments

Want to buy the first issue of Charlie Hebdo in Toronto? The controversial French publication whose offices were the site of a tragic attack last week has flown off newsstands in Paris and other European cities since its release this morning. The publication announced that it has drastically increased its print-run following the attack, now with over 5 million copies expected to be produced.

It will, however, still be difficult to get one's hands on the issue in Canada. At present, 1,500 copies are expected to hit shelves here, with fewer still destined for the Toronto market. Five Toronto stores have confirmed they will be carrying the magazine, which is set to be released Friday. Gateway Newsstands at Yonge & St. Clair and BCE Place have reportedly already sold out of the issues they've ordered.

Two Presse Internationale stores have also ordered the issue (537 Bloor St. W. and 2068 Queen St. E.), though they are selling out fast. At the time of writing this, International News (79 Front. St. E.) still has some copies unaccounted for, assuming that they receive the 60 on order. In other words, you better act fast. Otherwise it's off to Ebay, and that will already cost you.

Are you going to try to track down a copy? Let us know in the comments.

A nude portrait series shot by a Toronto photographer has garnered worldwide attention for its body-positive message and unflinching take on the female form. Launched last week by Jennifer Toole and Australian actress Caitlin Stasey, Herself features photos of women of all sizes, ages, ethnicities, and gender expressions.

"Herself is a gesture to women for women by women, a chance to witness the female form in all its honesty without the burden of the male gaze, without the burden of appealing to anyone," Stasey writes on the site. Alongside each photo series, visitors will find candid interviews with each of the women on topics like religion, puberty, sexual orientation, and their own bodies, upping the intimacy of each photo series further.

The portraits (all currently shot by Toole, and many of which feature women from the Toronto area) are compelling odes to the female form; subjects are shot in a variety of settings - in nature, on apartment balconies, in photo studios - but are all visibly at ease with themselves and their bodies, creating a body of work that's both empowering and illuminating. Check it out at herself.com (link NSFW).

The best new brunch restaurants in Toronto for 2014 went way beyond bacon and eggs. From Middle Eastern morning foods and cross-cultural fusions to traditional English breakfast and indulgent delicacies, this new batch of destinations is just fuel for this city's ongoing obsession with brunch.

Here are the best new brunch restaurants in Toronto for 2014.

See also:

The Best New Brunch Restaurants in Toronto, 2013
The Best New Brunch Restaurants in Toronto, 2012
The Best New Brunch Restaurants in Toronto, 2011
The Best New Brunch Restaurants in Toronto, 2010

The Beer Store is under serious fire these days. First, Kathleen Wynne advisor and high profile Toronto banker Ed Clark suggested that the conglomerate should have to pay more money to main its monopoly, and then a pub owner in Burlington filed a class action lawsuit against the company. Even a move on the Beer Store's part to open up its ownership opportunities appears to have mollified few.

Now, another lawsuit has been launched against The Beer Store monopoly, this time by local lawyer and entrepreneur Michael Hassell, who wishes to open a number of stores specializing in craft beer, but is unable to do so under current provincial law. The suit characterizes the current legislation as "an unreasonable restraint of trade, contrary to equitable principles of fairness."

It remains to be seen if Hassell will have any luck taking this longstanding monopoly, but the challenges are starting to add up, and that's got to pose at least some worry to the folks who benefit from the current structure of beer sales in Ontario.

Photo by Steve Chui in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Lunch delivery services like Hurrier and online ordering platforms like Just Eat have made countless jam-packed days at the office a little bit easier, but what if you could order your lunch just by firing off a single text? That's idea behind Gob, a new Toronto-based subscription service, which partners with local restaurants to bring subscribers daily lunch options that they can accept with a push of a button.

Here's how it works: Each morning, you'll get a text with the name of that day's restaurant, plus two available lunch options and the price per dish. Answer "A" or "B", and they'll deliver your chosen entree to your workplace by 12:30pm. About 20 restaurants have already signed on to supply lunches, including Banh Mi Boys, IQ Food Co., Ravi Soups, Sukhothai and Burger's Priest, and meals start at just $7, including taxes and delivery.

Photo of Banh Mi Boys by Peter Henderson.

Oh, Presto. Why are you so behind the times? If it isn't the painfully slow roll-out that's drawing the ire of transit users in and around Toronto, it's things like a recently announced three-day website shutdown that's fuelling the fire. Yes, that would be three days. The reason given for the outage is updates related to the Union Pearson Express (itself a controversial subject), which is itself quite a ways down the road (rail?).

So two thumbs up for being prepared early, and two thumbs down for putting users in the unfortunate position of having to load up their credit prior to a prolonged delay that will cause widespread inconvenience for those who inevitably don't learn in advance that the service is set to be suspended for 72 hours.

Most websites will shutdown for a few hours overnight when making upgrades, which seems to be the main issue taken up by commenters on this Reddit thread devoted to the subject. So, Presto users, you better load up your cards by end of day tomorrow, or you're out of luck until the 19th.

Sometimes things make me feel old. A good example of this would be when I discovered today that Evan Fong, a 22 year old from Toronto, owns one of the most popular channels on YouTube with over 10.5 million subscribers, an audience he has built up recording himself and his friends playing videos games like Grand Theft Auto.

Having watched my own friends do this (possibly while under the influence), I can understand that there'd be some mindless appeal in the vicarious experience of another person's gaming, but this guy is more popular than Justin Bieber for playing video games (ok, maybe that part makes sense).

According to an unnamed source contacted by the Canadian Press, Fong could pull in upwards of $300,000 a month for his exploits on YouTube collected at the Vanoss Gaming channel. Perhaps television really is on the way out because that's a staggering amount for offering the precise type of viewing product that TV can't or won't touch.

Next thing you know videos of people opening hundreds of Kinder Eggs will go big. Oops.

After 31 years as the leading gay and lesbian alternative weekly in Toronto, Xtra is shutting down its print edition and moving exclusively online starting next month.

In a press release Pink Triangle Press, Xtra's parent company, said the Vancouver and Ottawa editions would also be closing at the expense of 12 full-time employees from its publishing and administration divisions. PTP says it will focus on its resources on DailyXtra.com and Squirt.org, the company's gay adult dating website.

David Walberg, CEO of Digital Media at PTP, said the change would allow the company to "hone [its] journalism focus."

Xtra becomes the second major Toronto alt weekly to disappear from newsstands in as many years. The Grid, Star Media's successor to the defunct Eye Weekly, abruptly shut down in July last year amid declining ad revenue. Free evening newspaper t.o.night ceased publication last June.

Tabloid-style Xtra Toronto debuted in February 1984, joining Pink Triangle Press' monthly magazine The Body Politic. The latter closed in 1987, leaving Xtra as the city's principal LGBT publication.

The final print issue will be published on February 19.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Today in Toronto, go back to a time with Iggy was just a common name for a pet lizard with Clueless at The Royal Cinema thanks to The MUFF Society (Monthly Underground Female Film Society). In contrast, Alliance Française is screening tense and disturbing La Haine (with English subtitles) for PWYC.

S.H.I.B.G.B's has a huge line up of punk bands, while Villa Toronto will be proceeded by some solid art openings. Is your singing voice sometimes meh, sometimes great, but mostly just good enough? Good Enough's live karaoke band will be at the Garrison every Thursday this month, and admission is free. Sing your heart out with a live, Buck-65-approved backup band January 15, 22 and 29. For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Film: La Haine (Alliance Française)
• Film: Clueless (the Royal Cinema)
• Music: Hank Wood & The Hammerheads, S.H.I.T., TV Freaks (S.H.I.B.G.B's)
• Art: Mexican Painting from the 80s (Diaz Contemporary)
• Art: Oliver Husain: beside the point (Susan Hobbs Gallery)
• Art: Satanic Panic (Videofag)
• Music: Good Enough Live Karaoke (The Garrison)
• Music: Clara Engel, Moonwood & more (Johnny Jackson)
• Film: Shorts That Are Not Pants (Carlton Cinema)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Jen Mann in studio via her website

Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

OPEN NOW

• Vino Rosso, a new Italian restaurant and bar, has opened at 995 Bay St., serving pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and salads for lunch and dinner.
• Sumac Kebab Kitchen is now open at 250 Dundas St. West at McCaul.
• Ace & Ale Tap House has opened for business at 566 Queen St. West - expect a Euro-style pub menu featuring pierogi, cabbage rolls, schnitzel and beef goulash.
• The Sleepy Baker at 7 Coxwell Avenue at Queen will open next week on Monday, January 19. Free coffee and cookies will be on offer from 8am to 2pm for the occasion.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

• The Stone Pizza
• Village Juicery
• Diwan
• Easy Catch Fish and Chips

OPENING SOON

• Annette Food Market is opening at 240 Annette St., formerly Sagra in The Junction. The soon-to-be-open restaurant is petitioning for public support to get its liquor licence.
• D&T Sushi looks soon to open at 2861 Dundas St. West where Phil's Espresso Bar used to be.

CLOSED

• Hudson Kitchen (800 Dundas St. West) annouced its closure via Twitter this week. The restaurant debuted in 2013 amidst a buzz of TIFF-driven fanfare.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to liora@blogto.com

Vegetarian restaurants in Toronto are bountiful and growing in numbers - it's to the point where too many good ones go unrecognized. This list acknowledges the longstanding establishments that having been servicing meatless before it became cool, and a handful of newer spots that are serving up fresh takes on veg-friendly take-away.

Here are my top picks for vegetarian restaurants in Toronto you may not have heard of.

See also:

The Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Toronto
The top 10 vegan non-vegan restaurants in Toronto
The Best Veggie Burger in Toronto

Ital Vital
This vegan takeout counter and juice bar in Scarborough specializes in meatless West Indian Creole combos featuring wholesome stewed root vegetables, chow mein noodles and barbecue tofu.

Irie Veggie
This bare bones take-out on Eglinton at Keele is a reliable source for cheap Caribbean-vegetarian eats that adhere to low sodium, anti-additive Ital principles. The menu boasts hearty vegetable stews, mains, and sides, plus fresh natural juices.

Govinda's
Found in the Hare Krishna Temple on Avenue Rd. this hot table is devoted to vegetarian Indian fare including golden puris, succulent sabjis and decadent desserts.

Green Earth Vegetarian
This family run vegan restaurant in East Chinatown prides itself on offering a diverse line-up of international cuisines. The menu lists everything from rice bowls and Asian noodles, to Italian pastas, burgers and sandwiches.

Tenon Vegetarian
Meat-free Thai food is the specialty at this vegetarian restaurant on Kennedy Rd. The menu lists noodle and rice dishes, along with protiens that mimic shrimp, chicken, duck and beef.

Thrive Organic Kitchen
On Lakeshore in Etobicoke, this eatery is dedicated to serving up all-natural, locally-sourced superfoods that satisfy every day cravings. The menu list all day breakfast options, tacos, sprouted burgers and pizzas, plus wholesome brown rice bowls packed with a vibrant array of vegetables, crunchy seeds and granola.

The Goods
The lunch delivery service operates a raw, vegan take-out counter on Dundas West to accommodate walk-ins looking for organic salad bowls, hot cereals, smoothies and soups. The sweet potato soup is a must try, as are signature shakes like the Insteada, a nutrient packed coffee alternative.

Doug's Public Kitchen
Doug's organic, vegan, gluten-free kitchen near Glencairn station is the answer for meatless eaters looking to brunch on indulgent fare like pumpkin waffles, bagel and faux lox platters, and banana split sundaes.

Lipstick & Dynamite
This divey pub on West Queen West has got a low key vibe and all vegetarian menu. Find vegan po'boys, chili cheese fries and portobello reuben sandwiches.

Lotus Pond Vegetarian Restaurant
This sit down Chinese restaurant in Scarborough offers an extensive menu of meat-free selections including dim sum, congee, hot pot, noodles and rice dishes.

What did I miss? Add you favourite vegetarian gems in the comment section below.

Photo of the Goods by Jesse Milns

How do you throw a bachelorette party if you're a Charlotte but you wish you were a Samantha? Sexy life drawing, courtesy of a gang of perfectly sculpted (by the gym, naturally) male models, and the women behind startup Graphite Stallions. As wedding season begins, the new group offers bawdy private life drawing sessions that leave nothing to the imagination.

Also offering birthday, gay bachelor, retirement, and divorce parties, plus snacks, Graphite Stallions have set up their easels conveniently close to Queen Street West at Artscape Youngplace, and charge $65 per guest - a step up from the usual fees at regular (though still sometimes sexy - see Dr. Sketchy's) Toronto life drawing sessions.

I asked co-founders Martha Malloy and Kirstin Bojanowski how they chose their visual stimulants. "We hire models and actors who have the total package using casting calls and personal interviews. Each candidate is carefully evaluated based on "PECS", our rigorous model standards: Professional, Easy on the Eyes, Charming, Sophisticated." Resume fodder if I ever heard.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens at Graphite Stallions may last longer than your vows. Learn more on their website.

Target has announced it will be pulling out of Canada, liquidating all of its Canadian stores and filing for creditor protection. The company announced the decision in a statement this morning, with CEO Brian Cornell saying they were "unable to find a realistic scenario that would get Target Canada to profitability until at least 2021."

The chain's 133 stores (including nine in the GTA) will be shut down this year, leading to the loss of 17,600 jobs across the country.

The mega-retailer, beloved for its whimsical household items and collaborations with big-name designers, has been dogged by poor financial performance since it moved north - the company posted a $1 billion loss in 2013. (The outlook's so poor, the company said it will actually cost them as much as $600 million to shut down.)

The Canadian expansion took over spaces formerly occupied by Canadian superstore chain Zellers - without yet another major chain looking to move in, it's unclear what tenant (or tenants) might be able to fill those spaces, including the spot earmarked by the chain for a massive new anchor store in the South Core.

Photo by Greg's Southern Ontario on Flickr

Matthew Del Degan's Lovebot design is slowly taking over the world. The art project that began in Toronto with a popular series of stickers evolved into an army of concrete statues shaped like robots in 2013 and will eventually culminate in a DIY plastic toy. Each appearance of the Lovebot, Del Degan says, represents an act of love or kindness.

Despite making the jump to 3D, the stickers remain popular. A quick search on Instagram reveals Lovebots in New York City, Costa Rica, England, and Long Beach, California, as well as locations in Ontario and the Maritimes.

Here are 10 photos of the Toronto Lovebot around Canada and the world.

Berlin. Lovebottherobot/Instagram.

Exeter, UK. Theorangutan_/Instagram

New York City. joeweegee/Instagram.

Long Beach, California. matthewdeldegan/Instagram.

Indianapolis. jspanbauer/Instagram.

Costa Rica. _eth_x_/Instagram.

Wawa, Ontario. matthewdeldegan/Instagram.

Niagara Falls. _eth_x_/Instagram.

McMurdo's Lane, St. John's. wysevegan/Instagram

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Lead image: nothingisknown/Instagram

Like the Feisty Jack, Gourmet Gringos and Food Dudes before them, it looks like Kal & Mooy is about to go bricks and mortar. Toronto's first East African food truck has announced plans to open up a permanent eatery at 238 Queen St. West, setting up shop in the Queen St. Market alongside Bakeryhaus.

Set to open February 1, the restaurant will give a permanent home to their menu of Somali street foods, which include sabaya flatbread wraps, stewed meats over rice, samosas, and homemade hot sauces. The truck will still be on the road when the summer weather hits - until then, you'll be able to warm yourself up with some East African home cooking.