A pierogi debate dies, Inniskillin’s Italian glory, bacon cocktails

• The media coverage of the alleged rat infestations in Chinatown has to do with a lot more than health concerns, argues Trinity-Spadina Councillor Adam Vaughan. He claims that the press is showing a “tinge of racism.” [National Post]

• The long Roncesvalles pierogi rivalry between The Straropolska and Café Polonez is over—and the latter wins by default. Straropolska recently unveiled its new interior, menu and name (Bistro 299). According to BlogTO, this disqualifies it from the Polish category altogether. [BlogTO]

• Ontario earned some acclaim from the wine industry’s world cup this week; Niagara’s Inniskillin Wines won top producer at the Premio Speciale Gran Vinitaly in Verona. [National Post]

• It’s not all in our heads: the public health department is closing more food operations than usual. DineSafe lists 19 establishments that were shut down between January and April, which is five more than in the same period last year. [Globe and Mail]

• Toronto isn’t the only victim/benefactor of the bacon explosion. Our city may have bacon cupcakes and bacon chocolate bars, but in Los Angeles, the fatty strips have penetrated the cocktail realm. [LA Times]