Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

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Open/Closed for the week of January 23-29

It used to be no one opened a restaurant in January, much less the end of the month.

Bucking the trend, say hello to 10 new spots to visit this week.

Here’s the very latest:

Open:

Buster's Sea Cove

876 Yonge St.

Fresh seafood on the go is now yours in Yorkville. Doors opened yesterday.

Charidise 

27 Baldwin St.

After lengthy construction, Charidise is finally open.

The food, "steeped very deeply in Taiwanese tradition" includes Clam Chowder ($6.99), Taiwanese Fried Chicken ($8.99), Fish & Chips ($10.99), a variety of burgers and poutine, Taiwanese Minced Pork Rice ($9.99) and Newzland Lamb Chop Spaghetti ($13.99).

Conspiracy Pizza 

176 Wickseed Ave.

You know Adam Skelly’s Adamson Barbecue in Leaside. Now he’s opening up next door with pizza.

He did a preview last weekend and according to IG, "2nd service probably Jan 29. Time TBD. Call (647) 694-3327 to order. 5 18" pies on the menu, no substitutions for now pls."

One pie last weekend featured jalapeño cheddar sausage bombs, Anaheim poblano and banana peppers, red onion, baby leeks, and "pizza moz& fdr."

This likely-to-happen sneak peek is again, just a preview. No word yet on when doors will open permanently, but stay tuned.

East of Brunswick Pub and Kitchen 

720 Spadina Ave.

FAB Concepts latest restaurant opened yesterday just south of Bloor on Spadina.

In addition to 24 craft taps 20 bottled brews and hand-crafted cocktails, the food menu offers a wide variety of pub faves – wings, nachos, poutine, burgers – alongside trendy bites including: Smashed Avocado Toast ($12), Buffalo Cauliflower Bites ($8), Zen Bowl ($14), and Superfood Salad ($15) with baby kale, quinoa, dried cranberries, sunflower and pomegranate seeds, and green curry dressing.

Good Earth Coffeehouse 

198 Jarvis St.

The first Toronto location of the Canadian chain opened Sunday at the corner of Jarvis and Dundas.

The first coffee shop opened over 25 years ago in Calgary and now has locations nation wide.

In addition to coffee, menu items include breakfast (slow-cooked steel-cut oatmeal) and fresh baked items, soups, hot specials, salads, sandwiches, panini, and flatbreads.

Libertarian Public House

235 Queen St. E.

The new pub at Queen and Sherbourne features open mic nights as well as live music events and DJs.

Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brewery 

42 Liberty St.

The "new breed of brewpub, inspired by both traditional European beer halls and contemporary British pubs, and steeped in Canadian quirkiness" is headed by Oliver & Bonacini chefs Anthony Walsh and John Horne, and Big Rock Brewery brewmaster Connor K. Patrick.

The two-level heritage space at Atlantic & Liberty opens Tuesday.

Noce 2.0   

875 Queen St. W.

Italian restaurant Noce has reopened as Noce 2.0.

POP - Pulp on Portland

67 Portland St.

From Mediterraean Detox Salad ($13) to soups, smoothies, desserts and fresh pressed juices and smoothies, your day just got a whole lot healthier.

p.s. all produce comes from an local organic farm.

Tabulè Middle Eastern Cuisine – Bayview Village 

2901 Bayview Ave.

The newest Tabulè location featuring "the exotic flavours of the Middle East" opened yesterday.

Closed:

Bloor Street Diner  in the Manulife Centre has closed to make way for the eventual arrival of Eataly.

Victory Café on Markham St. is closing on Tuesday.

News + Events:

Chef Albert Ponzo announced February 17th will be his last day at Le Sélect after 10 ½ years:"I am sad to leave a place where I spent so much time and called home, but excited at the same time for my new adventure."

Winterlicious starts tomorrowFind out where to get the most bang for your buck and don't forget there are nine unique culinary events happening as well. 

From dazzling seafood to foie gras, BBQ duck buns to classic salt-baked chicken, Toronto restuarants are offering fascinating menus to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Giro d'Italia - Italian Restaurant Week - starts today.

The Toronto Tea Festival  takes place this Saturday and Sunday at the Bluma Appel Salon at Toronto Central Reference Library.

There are still tickets for the Feb 16 Chefs For Change event. Check out coverage of the the January 19 dinner on our Instagram.

And lastly:

Get an inside look at new Italian restaurant Oretta in The Reveal,  with 20 ft. ceilings, long stretches of marble, brass, leather, and more.

Rose Reisman’s recipe this month was inspired by Drake and Fring’s!

Two words: icewine marshmallows. Discover six other delicious uses for icewine now.