Toro's 8th Birthday; Stock Up on Villa Mexico Salsa

SOUTH END — Toro is celebrating its eighth birthday with a party this Sunday, December 15th, beginning at 10pm. Owners Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer will be joined by chef friends around town for a potluck. [BostonChefs.com]

BACK BAY — Missing Villa Mexico Cafe? The shop might be gone, but the salsa lives on. Get your hands on some fresh jars tomorrow (Saturday, December 14th) at Williams-Sonoma at Copley between 11am and 4:30pm. [FB]

BRIGHTON CENTER — Smoken' Joe's is back in business tonight, reopening after several months of repairs due to damage from a water main break. Go lend some support, eat barbecue, and hear live blues. [FB]

KENDALL SQUARE — The new Sunday brunch ("Marky Mark and the Funky Brunch") at Commonwealth is being extended all day long (10am-7pm) to accommodate the "poor industry souls" who have to work brunch elsewhere and then have nowhere to eat brunch, chef/owner Nookie tells Eater. There will be dollar oysters, $5 mimosas, chicken fat biscuits, fried chicken, and Marky Mark until 7pm, and then the day is done. So, no dinner service on Sundays; get in early. [Official Source]
[Photo: Toro/Cal Bingham]