Open/Closed for February 27 – March 5

March 2, 2017

While this week is unusually quiet for openings, it’s packed with exciting news and events. You don’t want to miss this. 

p.s. And don’t worry – March will prove to be one of the busiest months for openings, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

Open:

Los Chicos Brasa Peruvian Rotisserie Inc.

5308 Highway 7

Rotisserie chicken has taken off in the last few years, but I bet you’ve never tried Peruvian rotisserie chicken before.

The new location in Markham features grain-fed birds cooked over charcoal, with homemade hot sauce on the side. 

Other Peruvian fare is also on offer, including ceviche, arroz con mariscos and picarones. 

Seven Lives Pop-Up

668 Bloor St. W.

No doubt you’ve witnessed and/or been part of the lineups at Seven Lives in Kensington. Now you’ve got a new spot to visit on weekends for antojitos and tacos, and this time there’s booze - cocteles, tequila and mescal. 

The pop-up will take place every Friday and Saturday, starting this Saturday, from 6pm-1am upstairs from Kinton Ramen on Bloor West.

Closed:

Holy Oak has shuttered.

Wildly popular J&J Bar-B-Que has closed. J&J Raw-Vegan will open this spring.

Love Me Tender Steakhouse is no more.

The Mumbai House all papered up.

Stelvio is closed for renovations until April.

News:

Big news this week - Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants  were announced on Tuesday night at the Shangri-La Toronto and we were there to capture it all (check our IG for photos). 

Toronto nabbed the top spot with Alo Restaurant. And 23 other Hogtown eateries made the list, many notably finer dining establishments:

1. Alo

5. Edulis 

7. Buca Yorkville

8. Canoe

9. Dandylion 

12. Bar Isabel 

15. Langdon Hall (just outside Toronto)

16. Buca 

18. DaiLo 

20. Café Boulud 

21. Bar Raval 

23. Nota Bene

28. Scaramouche

52. Canis 

53. Chabrol 

54. Yasu 

58. Leña 

63. Planta 

64. George 

71. Peoples Eatery 

76. Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse 

85. Shoushin 

86. Enoteca Sociale 

87. Momofuku Shōtō

95. Ruby Watchco

Congratulations to all the winners and way to go Toronto!

Cha-ching. If you thought tacos were expensive in the city - New Grand Velas Los Cabos Resort debuted a $25K Taco, the world’s most expensive taco made with kobe beef, beluga caviar & truffle, and served on a gold flake-infused tortilla. Ley.925 Pasión Azteca Ultra Premium Añejo is available for pairing for an additional $150K.

The Great Canadian Baking Show is coming to Canada and the search is on for the nation’s best amateur bakers. Apply now.

Events:

The UK’s Big Feastival is coming to Canada this summer . And in addition to great music, the chef lineup includes: Chuck Hughes, Cory Vitiello, Danny Smiles, Matt DeMille, Derek Dammann, Rob Gentile, Bob Blumer, and many more. In addition to leading chefs, there’s cooking school, table sessions, street food, producer’s market, and activities for the wee ones. I’ll have more for you soon.

Steamwhistle is putting on a great show of artist Erin Rothstein's artwork that centers around food and drink. The show is on until March 31.

Get your tickets now for March 19th’s Persian Supperclub: Celebrating Nowruz New Year. No doubt they’ll sell out quickly.

For more events, be sure to check out our March Food + Drink Calendar

And lastly:

What’s hot in restaurants this year? Restaurants Canada RC Show forecasts the top trends for 2017.

You haven’t had Lebanese food like this before. Find out what makes new restaurant Little Sito stand out in The Reveal.

You may have never heard of Brownes Bistro, but you should go. Discover why.

Where would Grey Gardens chef Mitchell Bates eat every week if he could? Read this month’s Chef Bites to find out.