Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News March 6-12, 2017
Get out your calendars – I’ve got a staggering and record-breaking 17 new openings this week and a ton of exciting news and events.
Here’s the very latest:
Open:
ASAP City
1801 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough
213 Church St., Toronto
Wow, that was fast - two locations a week apart. And another’s launching in April on the Danforth. The new sandwich chain specializes in burgers and stuffed-to- the-brim pita with ingredients including eggs, chicken and vegetables.
Bar Cru
20 Market St.
The St. Lawrence Market is your new one-stop-shop for all things sushi, ceviche and poke. Doors opened on Friday.
Barbecue Times
1900 Fowler Dr., Mississauga
Enjoy charcoal BBQ at the table at this brand new spot in Mississauga.
Café de Paris
4186 Finch Ave.
The North York café offers towering fruit cups called Bonbons, cakes, coffees, and drinks topped with fruit. And not just a single wedge or cube – half a freakin’ grapefruit.
Captain’s Boil
1800 The Queensway
The newest location for the trendy Cajun/Asian seafood boil restaurant is now open at Sherway Gardens. Ahoy Matey.
Chez Nous Wine Bar
798 Queen St. E.
Wine bars are making a comeback and this one in Leslieville is carrying only Ontario selections. Doors opened Friday.
Figures
137 Avenue Rd.
Comic book fans will want to head to Yorkville to check out Figures, opening Tuesday. To get a better idea, check out their IG. The restaurant is brought to you by co-owners Nader and Patrick Marzouk (&Company Resto & Bar); executive chef Ron Stratton (&Company); and mixologist James Bailey (Furlough by BarChef).
H Mart
773 Yonge St.
This amazing Asian grocery store now has a location right on Yonge at Hayden. Pick up everything from eggs to ice cream, kimchi to sushi, fresh produce to Korean pancake mix. And the best part? They’re open 365 days.
Mayura Inspired Indian Dining
200 County Ct Blvd., Brampton
Chef Ranveer Brar (Judge, Master Chef India; Banq Restaurant in Boston) is cooking up a storm in Brampton. Doors opened yesterday.
Nando’s
671 Danforth Ave.
Flame-grilled peri peri chicken is now eastside at Pape and Danforth.
Pizzeria Libretto
589 College St.
PL’s new spot in Little Italy, taking over A3 Napoli’s location, is the first one to offer delivery – available to the surrounding area only. Doors open Friday at 5pm.
Poke Eats
118-4750 Yonge St.
I told you the poke trend wasn’t over yet. Executive Chef Ray Choo has created four Signature Bowls ($10.99), with BYOB (build your own bowl – snack size $6.99/reg $10.99) also available.
Royal York Meat Market
392 Royal York Rd.
Etobicoke’s newest butcher carries only meat that is grain fed and raised without the use of antibiotics.
The SaltWater Shack
214 Augusta Ave.
Pete Levecchia’s seafood spot features an enticing menu – Mussels, Classic Turf, Fisherman’s Catch Chowder in both red and white, and Garlic Fries – made with local ingredients. Stay tuned.
Strange Love Coffee
101 Spadina Ave.
Coffee is often accompanied by a snack. That’s taken seriously here with signature pairings, including Orange is the New Black ($6) Orange Licorice Truffle with Pink Lemonade Macaroon and Watson and Holmes ($6) Whisky Caramel Bon Bon with Pecan Butter Tart.
Whale Juice & Blends
105-4750 Yonge St.
Thirsty after all that Poke Eats? A variety of fruit juices await you just a few steps away.
Closed:
A bailiff’s notice has been posted at Brigantino's on the Danforth.
The gaming bar trend seems to be over, with yet another closing - Good Game at Yonge and Eglinton.
Harlem at 67 Richmond St. E. closes this Sunday.
Leslieville’s Reliable Fish & Chips, established in 1930, is papered up.
News:
Yesterday Madison Group, Westdale Properties and Nobu Hospitality announced their plans for Nobu Toronto , “a dynamic project featuring the first Nobu branded high-rise residences, to be developed and sold by the Madison Group, and Canada’s first Nobu Hotel and Nobu Restaurant.” Nobu Restaurant Toronto will feature “an approximately 15,000 square foot, two-level restaurant which will include a signature bar lounge, outdoor seating and chic private dining rooms.”
Victor Dries is coming. A collab “between visionary chefs”, Chris Brown (founder/chef of Citizen Catering) and Grant van Gameren (founder/chef of Bar Isabel, Bar Raval), this dynamic duo will soon be “delivering an elevated, unparalleled catering experience based in Toronto.”
Events:
On Friday, cater to your inner-Seinfeld with Cereal Box Pop-Up from 5-10pm at 867 Dundas St. W.
Birreria Volo is hosting Péché Day this Saturday. Enjoy 6 versions of Péché Mortel on Nitro, as well as 20 special stouts on tap.
Sugar Shack TO returns this Saturday and Sunday.
Winterlicious seems forever ago, so get back into swing with Beach-a-Licious, taking place on Tuesday until March 27. This year, 14 restaurants are participating
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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