Toronto Venue Cassette Opens Queen West With Dinner Drag Shows

Toronto’s West Queen West neighborhood welcomes Cassette, a new retro-themed restaurant and performance venue opening in the former Melody Bar space at Gladstone House, combining classic diner aesthetics with modern touches and featuring a menu that balances comfort food with fresh twists, alongside an ambitious martini and cocktail program. Cassette aims to be a hub for creative expression, hosting live music, cultural events, and a monthly Dinner & Drag Show starring Toronto icon Tynomi Banks. In Burbank, Amor a Mi de Mexico Para El Mundo offers a unique Mexican fusion dining experience, notable for its creative breakfast menu including the "Frenchicano Toast" and innovative dishes blending traditional Mexican flavors with unexpected ingredients, complemented by a non-alcoholic beverage program. Meanwhile, a food truck named El Alteno in Wichita combines authentic Mexican cuisine with Indian street food, impressing with its goat curry despite average taco offerings, and highlighting the potential of fusion street food ventures. In Port Charlotte, Fusion Cantina repurposes a former spa into a vibrant cantina with a menu inspired by global cuisines but grounded in Mexican flavors, emphasizing fresh, scratch-made dishes that remain affordable to encourage frequent visits. These diverse dining spots reflect a broader trend of culinary fusion, cultural celebration, and community-focused dining experiences across North America.