Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

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Open/Closed: week of June 22-28, 2017

Bored with your usual go-tos? You won’t be after this week’s round up. These 11 new spots vary far and wide.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

You need to check out Chef Charlotte Langley’s new Bibs & Bubs.

In the mood for Asian fare? Chop Chop’s (771 Dundas St. W.) got you covered with a selection of dumplings, fried rice and noodles.

The Goodman Pub & Kitchen (207 Queens Quay W.) offers everything from Ahi Poke Bowl ($16) and Loaded Nachos ($18) with Wild Boar Chili (+ $5) to Bayou Jambalaya Pasta ($19) and Chipotle Beer-B-Q Ribs ($26).

Starting today at 11 am, cool off with Häagen-Dazs ice cream at their new month-long  pop-up (600 King St. W.) There’s new flavours to check out, as well as old faves.

Love fried chicken? Then you’ll love Home of Hot Taste (658 Bloor St. W.) where KFC – Korean fried chicken – is the house specialty. Doors opened Monday.

Toronto’s first charcoal ice cream shop (it’s a thing – check your Insta feed) ihalo Krunch (915 Queen St. W.) debuted this week, bringing with it massive lineups for the IG-ready ebony cones.

What do Ernest Hemingway, Charles Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde, Vincent Van Gogh and Marilyn Manson have in common? They all loved to tipple absinthe. Try it for yourself at new L'Absinthe Bar (488 College St.), located above Coq of the Walk. The high-in-alcohol, anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals is served in the old style (with sugar cube and droplets of ice water), in addition to more modern ways.

Lox + Schmear (1030 St Clair Ave. W.) has got all kinds of house smoked salmon, bagels and cream cheese to fulfill your breakfast, brunch and lunch needs. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available.

Etobicoke’s Morocco House (876 Brown’s Line) opened on Tuesday. On the menu: tagines, couscous, Moroccan subs, kebabs, shakshuka and much more. There’s even a kid’s menu. Stay tuned.

Rita’s Italian Ice (347 College St.) features Italian ice and frozen custard made daily with real fruit. The 65+ flavours include Alex’s Lemonade, Swedish Fish and Strawberry Starburst. Doors open tomorrow.

The second location of organic, vegan café Tori’s Bakeshop (430 Front St. E.) has landed eastside in the Canary District.

CLOSED

The Acme Burger Company (500 Bloor St. W.) has closed up shop in The Annex.

You’ll have to go somewhere else for pad thai now that Just Thai (534 Church St.) in the Village is no more.

Arrivederci Quattro 4 Ragazze Ristorante (1792 Danforth Ave.).

Harbord Village wasn’t as into the Taiwanese fried chicken trend as the rest of the city it seems, as Wonder Chicken (96 Harbord St.) has shuttered.

NEWS

Summerlicious is almost here (July 7 to 23,) but reservations begin today. With over 200 restos and over 20 new additions this year, you’ll want to get your faves on the books ASAP.

The Stop’s Night Market event last week was a resounding success, raising over $300,000 – a record amount! – for their critical food access and community-building programs.

Will restaurants close due to the minimum wage increase? These restaurant owners say yes.


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