Open/Closed: week of June 15-21, 2017
The flurry of restaurants continues with 13 new spots this week.
Here’s the very latest:
OPENINGS
Tuck into doner sandwiches and dinners at Babas Doner House (1120 Queen St. W.) on West Queen West.
Canary & Fox Micro Market (778 Annette St.) is now open, so get your ice pops, gelato, drinks, and starting this Saturday, fresh baked Lina’s Lucifero Loaves and granola.
East York has a new local: Frog And The Crown Grill & Bar (1871 O’Connor Dr.) at Vic Park and O’Connor. Menu items include Coconut Shrimp ($11.95), Philly Steak Melt ($14.95) and Chicken & Ribs ($28.95)
After launching in the Junction just a few weeks ago, Hooked is expanding yet again, this time to the east side (1246 Danforth Ave.). Grand opening is tomorrow.
Jerk Paradise (296A Gerrard St. E.) is the newest Caribbean restaurant to open.
Lit Espresso Bar (2196 Bloor St. W.) opened yesterday at Bloor and Runnymede. But before you groan, “Great, just another coffee shop,” know that this location comes complete with Neapolitan pizza, and soon to follow: booze! Will other coffee shops follow suit?
Speaking of pizza, Pi Co.’s newest eatery opens at Yonge & Eg (2177 Yonge St.) today.
Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery (1219 Niagara Stone Rd.) is now open in Niagara-on-the-Lake. “The Great One” doesn’t just do wine either – he just released Wayne Gretzky No 99 ‘Red Cask’ Canadian Whisky.
From Chicken Matzo Ball Soup ($5.95) and Gefilte Fish ($8.95) to Challah Grilled Cheese ($11.95) and Liver & Onions ($14.95), Zelden’s Deli and Desserts (1446 Yonge St.) satiates all your deli cravings.
‘Playa Bacardi’: Pop-up Island Rum is a one-day only affair. On Monday June 19, Barrio Cervercia (884 Queen St. E.) will be home to rum cocktails, steel drums, Latin dancers, and much more. Tickets are available at playabacardi.com.
For one day only, Chase Hospitality Group’s Planta Burger Bar is taking over Little Fin (4 Temperance St.). This pop-up includes the unveiling of two new Planta burgers, with 100% of net proceeds donated to SickKids. The festivities start at 11 am and will run until they sell out.
From Friday, June 16 to Tuesday, June 27, you’ll be able to shop IKEA items and nosh on Swedish fare at the The IKEA Play Café (336 Queen St. W.) pop-up.
There’s a new market launching this week. Yonge + St. Clair Midtown Market takes place behind 40 St. Clair Ave. W. (next to the Delisle – St. Clair Parkette) starting this Tuesday, June 20, 11 am to 7 pm (Dates to follow: July 18, August 15 and September 19). The market will include local produce, flowers, freshly baked goods, artisan cheeses, preserves and crafts, along with an array of food cooked fresh on site. Food vendors include Thai Style Ice Cream Rolls, Holy Cannoli, Living Chocolate, Cheese Boutique and Queen Arepa.
CLOSURES
Chef Anthony Rose has said goodbye and farewell to Rose and Sons Queen Street (892 Queen St. W.). But he’s got more spots in the works, so stay tuned.
Left Bank Grill & Wine Bar (2015 Avenue Rd.) has shuttered.
NEWS
Friday’s five-alarm fire caused a reported $2M in damages at Ryus Noodle Bar (33 Baldwin St). Neighbouring restaurants Platito Filipino Soul Food (35 Baldwin St.) and Kon-nichi-wa (31 Baldwin St.) have closed temporarily as well.
Sam Panopoulos, the Canadian inventor of Hawaiian pizza, has died. He was 82 years old.
Check out the latest update on the hookah ban.
Thanks to the upcoming North by Northeast Music Festival and Conference you can now drink ’til 4 am from June 16 to June 25, 2017 at the following bars, pubs and restos: The Baby G, Bovine Club, Cameron House, Cherry Cola’s Rock and Roll, Comedy Bar, Drake Hotel, The Garrison, Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Hard Luck Bar, Horseshoe Tavern, Monarch Tavern, Nest, Nocturne, The Paddock, The Painted Lady, Rancho Relaxo, and Sneaky Dee’s Downtown.
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.
Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.
Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook.
Forward and share using the icons below. #supportlocal