It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t love cupcakes. And it’s also getting hard to find a neighbourhood in Toronto that doesn’t have its own gourmet cupcake shop. The latest addition to the oh-so-sweet fray is The Cupcakery, freshly opened at 1034 St. Clair Avenue West. Some of the more interesting flavours promised on their website include Lemon Popp (”Moist Lemon Poppy Seed Cake topped with Lemon Frosting”), PB & C (”Rich Chocolate Cake smothered w/ Peanut Butter Icing”) and Goin’ Bananas (”Banana Cake loaded with Butterscotch Chips topped with creamy Caramel Frosting”). I think I’m getting a sugar rush just from reading those…

On the more savoury side of things, the long-anticipated arrival of Belgian bakery-café chain Le Pain Quotidien is finally almost upon us, with the first Toronto location opening on Wednesday, March 26th at 508 Eglinton Avenue West. Three more locations are planned to open throughout the city before the end of the year, including a spot in Thornhill near Bathurst and Centre, and a downtown location in the PATH near Union Station.

Those looking for a taste of Mother Russia can now find it in South Riverdale, where Rumen Dimitroff, one of the co-founders of Pravda Vodka Bar, has branched out with his wife Maria to open Rasputin Vodka Bar (780 Queen Street West). The opulent interior is reminiscent of pre-Communist Russia, the vodka list features some of the best quality selections from around the world, and the small but solid food menu includes platters of smoked fish, charcuterie, and cheese, plus the obligatory caviar.

A few blocks east, Leslievilleans are lamenting the impending loss of Cajun Corner (920 Queen Street East), as the shop and lunch counter known for featuring the best tastes that New Orleans has to offer is shutting down and heading north to Leaside. The good news, though, is that the new location (214 Laird Drive) will be a full-service restaurant with a liquor licence and jazz brunches on Sundays.

Changes are also afoot at Prego Della Piazza (150 Bloor Street West), the Yorkville eatery that’s been a popular spot with the film fest crowd for over 20 years. The Toronto Star reports that owner Michael Carlevale declared bankruptcy on January 31st, and the high-end Italian restaurant has since been taken over by Balbir Ahluwalia, former partner in the now-closed Tabla and investor in Y-Not Lounge. Ahluwalia has closed the room down for remodelling, and will be reopening towards the end of the month, with new chef Farokh Chiniforoush promising more seasonal items and a less-spendy lunch menu.

Also closed for renos is Bistro & Bakery Thuet (609 King Street West). The closure started last weekend, and will continue until this coming Friday, with all guests at the grand reopening dinner service on Saturday March 22nd receiving a complimentary sweet yam and maple-infused martini, which sounds like it could be really tasty or really disgusting.

If you have a scoop to share about the local food & restaurant scene, please let us know so we can include it in a future edition of T.O. Tidbits.