The triumphant return of Kitchen Diaries

Dear reader,

Earlier this week, Michelin announced that Toronto’s list of Bib Gourmand–ranked restaurants grew by four. Among the new inductees are Sunnys Chinese, the slightly more raucous Kensington Market sibling to Yorkville’s Mimi Chinese (click here to go on a food tour of Scarborough with chef David Schwartz), and BB’s, a Filipino diner in Parkdale that happens to be a personal favourite of mine. Whenever I have out-of-town guests stay overnight, the next morning—instead of being the kind of host who wakes them gently to the smell and sound of sizzling bacon—I bring them to BB’s. In doing so, I have created a legion of garlic rice and adobo fried chicken fanatics.

Speaking of Filipino food, in this week’s newsletter, you’ll meet Ryan and Jason Buising, twin brothers and the chef-owners of Kumain Kitchen, a pop-up specializing in Filipino fare with flair. Also, a look at what’s on the menu of DaNico, a super-swanky Italian spot with a Michelin connection, and the triumphant return of Kitchen Diaries, our series that takes you inside the fridges and pantries of the city’s top chefs.

Twin brothers Jason and Ryan Buising act alike and look alike—and now they even cook alike. They’re the chef-owners of Kumain Kitchen, a pop-up restaurant they started mid-pandemic with a menu of twists on the bros’ favourite Filipino comfort food.

The same team behind Casa Loma’s Blueblood Steakhouse and Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890 have turned the old bank across from Sneaky Dee’s into DaNico, an Italian restaurant that gives off some serious palazzo-meets-bordello vibes. Take a look at what’s on the slightly surrealist tasting menu.

Covid put a real damper on our Kitchen Diaries series, in which we’re invited into the homes of food industry folks to see how they stock their fridges and pantries—but it’s back! In the latest instalment, we snooped through the kitchen of Juan Alvarez, head chef of vegan restaurant Rosalinda and lover of hot sauce and Mexican candy.

AI has made it easy for university students to fake their way to a degree. They argue that ChatGPT is just another study tool. But professors are panicking, and the system is unravelling. In our September issue, an inside look at the education revolution. Plus, the untold story of the Bellaria massacre; how a Toronto woman started a popcorn business in prison; where to eat, drink and party at TIFF; and more. Still not receiving Toronto Life at home? Subscribe today.