As good as a pizza is, though, we're always looking forward to dessert. Xococava has now opened, ready to satisfy our sweet tooth. Cava, the tapas bar at Yonge and St. Clair, has been Chef Chris McDonald's baby since 2006. Now, the restaurateur/chef has expanded to a separate place focusing exclusively on candy and chocolate desert items. The name seems to explain the place perfectly; choco for the ice cream, truffles, espresso and chocolate shots which are served, and cava to tie in to the original place (located next door) while signifying the tapas style portions. Word has it that one wall is decorated with smashed china from Mcdonald's days at Avalon. An expression of pent up rage perhaps?

Finally, a hot new café. Franco Agostino holds a relatively low profile in Toronto, though he has been an owner at more than one commonly recognizable place in the city. A former proprietor of Il Posto Nuovo in Yorkville, and Rosedale hotspot Café Doria, he is the current owner of Imperia (also in Yorkville). Now he is continuing his gradual move uptown with a more personal venture: Franco's. Serving up salads, pastas, and panini to the Yonge and St.Clair crowd, go there for a lazy Sunday brunch of a Mediterranean omelette, a traditional veal sandwich, or a salad of roasted pepper and goat cheese, with big chunks of both.

Out with the old and in with the new. It should be quite an interesting season for diners and bar patrons alike. See you there.