Open/Closed: week of September 14-20, 2017
Normally the middle of September isn’t crazy-busy with openings. With school back in session and TIFF taking over the city, there’s already a lot going on.
Leave it to Toronto to add to the frenzy with 14(!) new eateries this week.
Here’s the very latest:
OPENINGS
Avo Alley (Graffiti Alley, behind 476 Richmond St. W.) is a two-day only avocado-themed pop-up restaurant hosted by Becel and chef Matt Dean Pettit. Seating is limited. Reservations for the set menu are available today and tomorrow only.
York U students now have a healthier option, thanks to Basil Box’s new location right on campus (The Quad At York University – 105 The Pond Rd., Unit R130).
The Beach House Bar & Grill (1953 Queen St. E.) offers live music and a massive menu with everything from Crab Cakes ($14) to Osso Buco ($20). There’s even a separate brunch menu and options just for kids.
CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice (372 Yonge St.) celebrates their grand opening this weekend – be one of the first 100 folks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and receive a free Pearl Milk Tea. Don’t want to get up early? Buy one, get one free is on from September 15 to 21.
The grand opening for Vaughan’s Giro D’Italia Ristorante (8740 Jane Street, Unit 16) is Monday.
Gyro Bar! Souvlaki Kitchen (1050 Coxwell Ave.) in East York is now open. Soon to follow: a third location on Queen West (there’s also one at Broadview and Danforth).
Looking for an elevated dining experience? Hexagon (210 Lakeshore Rd. E.) in Oakville is serving modern French fare for dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Say hello to Toronto’s first LuWei snack bar! Hoja Luwei (615 Bloor St. W.) uses authentic Taiwanese cooking techniques for their braised bowls. Stay tuned.
Mahjong Bar (1276 Dundas St. W.) is opening this weekend. When exactly is yet to be determined, but it’s going to happen (check their IG for date and time). We’ll have a closer look in The Reveal soon, but in the meantime, go for drinks and Chinese food (in collab with Soos on Ossington). If you can find it (hint: it’s hidden inside a pink bodega).
Your office commute just got a little easier – Pilot Coffee has set up in First Canadian Place (100 King St. W.).
Pilot coffee and Venezuelan arepas? Pomarosa Coffee Shop & Kitchen (504 Danforth Ave.) near Coxwell is serving up this dreamy duo.
QJD Peking Duck Restaurant (7095 Woodbine Ave.) has been around since 1864. They’ve got a whopping 110 locations. The first flagship restaurant in North America just opened in Markham and is now accepting reservations.
Get out your phone – your Insta is about to fill up. Sweet Jesus is now at Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.).
Urban House Café (718 Queen St. E.) closed at Yonge and Wellesley almost a year ago. They’ll be back serving up pints at their new home at Queen and Broadview tomorrow.
CLOSINGS
Abbiocco Restaurant (588 College St.) has shuttered.
NEWS
Another server dress code issue has arisen, this time concerning underwear.
A local wine festival drew some fire this week.
Pinkberry frozen yogurt is now available at four select Second Cup cafés: 2592 Yonge St., King & John, Heartland Centre, and Toronto Premium Outlets.
This is the last weekend for TIFF, so there's still time to spot celebs.
The latest item to get on the charcoal bandwagon – Jimmy’s Coffee Goth latte.
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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Let me know.
https://www.yellowpages.ca/articles/openclosed-week-of-september-14-20-2017