Open/Closed: week of April 12-18, 2018
From bougie hotels to burgers and baked goods, you’ve got a ton of enticing options for dining this weekend – 10 to be exact.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Get a taste of the Mediterranean at Liberty Village’s Barcelona Tavern (109 Atlantic Ave.). Chow down on burgers, tapas, and paella, while sipping on draught brews and sangria.
The Burger's Priest adds a second location on Queen West, this time near Dovercourt (1120 Queen St. W.). Doors open Saturday.
Stop by Café Bon Bon In Richmond Hill’s Times Square (550 Highway 7 East, Unit 89-90) and enjoy 10 per cent off during their soft opening.
New boutique hotel The Anndore House (15 Charles St. E.), boasts 113 contemporary rooms and as of today, Constantine - a restaurant by the same folks behind La Palma: Craig Harding and Alexandra Hutchison (Campagnolo), Jack and Domenic Scarangella and Steve Christian (Mercatto). The main dining room features 145 seats (including room for 18 at the Chef Bar), with an additional 50 seats at The Bar at Constantine. A 40-seat outdoor patio will follow in late spring. On the menu? A mix of Mediterranean, Italian and Middle Eastern fare. Stay tuned.
Fresh-baked cookies ($3 ea, 2/$5, 6/$15, $26/12) and milk (shot/$1, cup/$3) at Parkdale’s Craig’s Cookies (537 Queen Street West is just the thing to get us through this last bout of winter.
Soi Thai and Shanee may have closed, but Nopphawan (a.k.a. Sherry) and Pablito Papa are bringing their refined Thai fare midtown, with the launch of Dee Thai Cuisine (2013 Yonge St.) on Friday. Stay tuned - sneak peek coming soon.
Hotel X Toronto by Library Hotel Collection (111 Princes' Blvd.) has softly opened, featuring Maxx’s Kitchen. Nespresso Café’s set to open tomorrow, with Falcon SkyBar & Rooftop Pool scheduled to launch June 1st.
Avenue Road and Lawrence got seriously lucky this week, with the drop of Maker Pizza’s second location (1537 Avenue Rd.). Drool.
Pop-up 6ixtriangles (127 Jefferson Ave.) offers “approachable Indian cuisine” weekdays in Liberty Village. Choose from starters, sides, a la carte selections, 11 Basmati Bowls served with rice, chana masala, zeera aloo and katchumber salad ($15.95-$17.95); and Mumbai Fried Chicken (3 pcs) with Masala Fries ($15.95).
CLOSED
Boots & Bourbon (725 Queen St. E.) may have shuttered, but it won’t be long before the same owners launch a new spot in its place. In the works - a “proper” restaurant featuring live music.
Dolly’s (1285 Bloor St. W.) has closed for two months to “undergo renovations and overhaul of space to our restaurant.”
NEWS & EVENTS
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud (Michelin-starred flagship Daniel in NYC, Boulud Sud in Miami, Maison Boulud in Montreal, Café Boulud in Toronto, to name just a few of his 16 restaurants worldwide) tells Haute Living why the world should pay attention to Canada’s culinary scene.
Speaking of Canada, Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants revealed this year’s winners earlier this week. Toronto topped the list with Alo coming in at number one, but just 18 of our restos made the cut. Take a look:
4. Buca Yorkville
5. Langdon Hall (Cambridge, Ont.)
9. Edulis
12. Dandylion
15. Canis
16. La Banane
18. Canoe
25. Bar Isabel
29. Brothers
36. Scaramouche
42. Café Boulud
43. Grey Gardens
44. Buca
49. Bar Raval
61. Skippa
67. Actinolite* (tied)
73. Shoushin
78. DaiLo* (tied)
Have you got your tickets yet for this weekend’s Toronto Coffee & Tea Expo? This Sat April 14 + Sun April 15, sample tea and coffee, take a class or a workshop, and shop for pro tools to use at home. And be sure to check out the second annual Best Coffee Competition this Sunday at 3pm, where Toronto’s indie roasters compete for first place. I’ll be joining Danielle Coffee and Angela Henrique at the judge’s table, alongside our host Shahir Massoud. You don’t want to miss it! Get tix now - $15 ($20 at the door, pending availability).
Food Truck’n Friday launches tomorrow.
Second Cup sets out to serve chronic over coffee.
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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 – writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.