This Week in Food: The Happy Hooker, The Guild, Northwood, TUM, Foreign Dumplings, Maple Madness

This Week in Food rounds up the week's food news, restaurants openings and closings, chef movements and upcoming food events in Toronto. Find us here every Friday morning.

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS

• The Happy Hooker is now open at 887 Dundas Street West serving up casual seafood fare like oyster sliders and tuna tacos. Currently the 'Hooker is open weekdays from 11am-9pm and weekends from noon until 8pm but that will be extended until 2am once they receive their liquor licence.
• The Guild Restaurant at 1442 Dundas Street West has opened its doors for brunch and lunch. Dinner service will be added in the coming weeks and plans are in the works for Monday night guest chef pop-ups.
• Northwood (815 Bloor West) has quietly launched a soft opening phase. The new café and bar comes from the team behind Mr. Pong's Bar and will offer café staples and brunch while a full menu can be expected in the weeks to come.
• Mill Street Brewery plans to open The Beer Hall this April in the Distillery District. Elizabeth Rivasplata (Frank) has been appointed executive chef of this new restobar that plans highlight a rotating selection of Mill Street suds.
• Que Supper Club is set to open this spring at 364 Queen Street East with plans to serve up an internationally inspired BBQ menu. The restaurant will also offer Friday and Saturday night dancing and a twice-a-month Sunday brunch.
• Capitano Burgers and Gelato recently opened at 645 Yonge Street, and is serving up its eponymous (and unusual) combination.
• Big House Pizza and its Rob "The Jerk" Ford pie has opened on the Danforth.
• According to their Twitter stream, Cafe + Bar + Pasta (1588 Dundas West) is pushing to open March 20th.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• The Toronto Underground Market is back on Saturday, March 9th from 5 to 10pm at the Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Avenue). If you're thinking "been there, done that" it should be noted that this month's market features a whole crop of new vendors like Liko's Hawaiian Barbecue, Prairie Sweet Bakehouse and dRoks Kitchen to name a few.
• The Rusholme Park Supper Club presents Squiggfeast - Traditional French Twisted by Robin Squiggy Dutt at The Depanneur (1033 College Street) on Saturday, March 9th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $40 as always and feature a 3-course meal inspired by traditional French cuisine.
• Nick Liu of GwaiLo presents Foreign Dumplings on Monday, March 11th at The Beer Academy (75 Victoria Street) from 6 to 10pm. Tickets are $58 and include a sample beer and 6 internationally inspired dishes like gnudi, kreplach, and potstickers.
• The GE Café Chefs Series: Masters of Food series continues this month with Maple Madness taking place from 6 to 9pm on Tuesday March 12th at the Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Avenue). Chef Matthew Demille (PEC's Pomodoro Trattoria, Enoteca Sociale) presents a maple-inspired menu. Tickets are $75.
• Jamie Kennedy and Dillon's Small Batch Distillers join forces for a cocktail edition of the ongoing Local Food Movement Series from 6:30pm to 9pm on Thursday, March 14th at the Gilead Café (4 Gilead Place). $5 Dillion's cocktails and a small plates menu will be on offer. Reservations not required.

CHEFS

• Former sous chef Amancio dos Santos is now in heading up the kitchen at Hoof Raw Bar following the departure of chef Jonathan Pong.

OTHER NEWS

• The Yukon has begun new weekly night, Pint & Pretzel Tuesday featuring fresh baked pretzels and pints of Beau's for $7.
• Splendido (88 Harbord Street) will start serving Sunday brunch starting March 31st from 11am to 2pm.