Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News for Dec 20-26, 2018
The last roundup of the year does not disappoint. I’ve got ten unique openings (Drink yer custard! Order pizza from a machine! Eat an Air Jordan?!), a lot of movement happening on the Danforth (is it really “Greektown” anymore?), and get ready for an insane amount of closings (big ones, too).
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Doors opened Saturday for Taiwanese tea chain The Alley at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.). Looking to satiate your sweet tooth? Their limited edition “Deerioca Puff” oughtta do it – a drink containing sweet custard pudding blended until smooth.
Brodflour (8 Pardee Ave.) has landed in Liberty Village with breads made with fresh-milled flour from premium Canadian grains.
The new Farm Boy Oakwoods Centre (1907 Ironoak Way) in Oakville is a staggering 23,500 square feet. Up next: a location in Leslieville, launching this winter.
Flame Plus Design Store+ Café (2197 Bloor St W.) launched on Saturday with a collection of plateware, glassware, coffee and tea sets, aprons, and other food and drink items. Flame Restaurant and Grill Bar is set to follow.
Tomorrow marks the soft opening of Iqbal Halal Foods Superstore (4099 Erin Mills Parkway) in Mississauga. The grand opening will take place in the new year.
Pho Brothers (2555 Dixie Rd.) in Mississauga offers +100 authentic Vietnamese dishes in a bright, uncluttered space.
Can’t stop, won’t stop. Automated pizza oven company The Pizza Forno is rapidly expanding across the GTA – the first one took place in November, then one last week, and just now, Dixie Outlet Mall (1250 S. Service Rd.). Watch this space, there are plenty more to come.
Fusion Asian kitchen and café Simple Fresh (630 Danforth Ave.) has arrived at Pape and Danforth with dim sum, noodles, stir-fries and much more.
Velvet Lane Cakes (194A Carlton St.) in Cabbagetown may look like a typical modern bakery and café at first glance, but take a closer look: striking items include Nike’s, Mexican fare, a record player, and a bottle of Casamigos, to name just a few.
Woodlawn Public House made its debut on Monday in the former home of The Monk's Table (1276 Yonge St.)
CLOSED
Asteria Souvlaki Place (679 Danforth Ave.) is all papered up.
Café Frappe (519 Danforth Ave.) has a new owner and is currently closed for renovations.
After moving half a block east and a long, extensive renovation to the former space of Tex-Mex Coyote Willie Tex-Mex, Pulp Kitchen (689 Queen St. E.) has closed. A sign on the door reads: “Pulp Kitchen Closure. The store is permanently closed effective immediately. Thank you for your patronage!! It has been a pleasure to provide healthy juices, smoothies and vegan food to the Riverdale Community for the past 10 years.”
Parkdale’s BBQ and beer destination Electric Mud BBQ (5 Brock Ave.) shuts down at the end of the month.
Luckee by Susur Lee (328 Wellington St. W.) shutters Sunday.
Nota Bene’s (180 Queen St. W.) final night is December 31st. On the menu: a roundup of dishes from the last decade.
Parts & Labour (1566 Queen St. W.) is closing up shop after ten years. The final night is New Year’s Eve.
Also closing operations on the last night of the year: Pusateri’s Oakville location (240 Leighland Ave.).
EVENT
Chefs Robbie Hojilla (previously Lake Inez) and Rudy Boquila (Lamesa Filipino Kitchen, Lasa) are throwing an epic Kamayan Dinner on December 30th.
NEWS
There’s trouble brewing in Kensington over a liquor license.
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The Open/Closed will return in the new year on January 3, 2019. In the meantime, Happy Holidays!
Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Let me know – writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.