The middle of January should be a quiet respite after the frenzy of the holidays. Including restaurant openings.

No one told restaurant owners apparently, because I’ve got 17 new destinations for you this week. And the closings continue to roll in. The city’s gone completely bonkers, folks.

Better grab a snack – you’re gonna be here for awhile.

Here’s the very latest: 

OPEN 

Dig into healthy Southeast Asian eats at Basil Box’s newest location in Oakville (2508 Winston Park Drive, Unit C10).

Benazir Restaurant & Grill (2328 Kingston Rd.), where the food is “a cuisine that you define,” includes dishes such as Daal Makhani and Tandoori Chicken Tikka.

Riverdale just got its very own Burger’s Priest (507 Danforth Ave.).

The downtown outpost of Etobicoke’s popular Pizzeria Oro Di Napoli (2312 Lake Shore Blvd W.) is now open. Cafe Oro Di Napoli (75 Jarvis St.) offers their trademark Neapolitan-style pizza and other Italian fare adjacent to George Brown College’s St. James campus.

Brad Smith (Resto Boemo) and Chef Ivana Raca (Ufficio, Resto Boemo) have launched a second spot at Assembly Chef’s Hall (111 Richmond St. W.), Chef’s Table by Boemo.

The 37th location of plant-based power food chain Copper Branch found a home at Mississauga’s Heartland Town Centre (6055 Mavis Rd.). 

Four locations and counting. Crave Healthy Habits latest eatery lands in the Entertainment District at Simcoe Place (200 Front. St. W.). 

Fionn MacCool's (2180 Islington Ave.), known for their Irish-inspired and North American classic pub fare, continues its expansion, this time near the airport. 

Gdous Juicy Chicken House’s second joint (495 Bloor St. W.) allows Annex folks to get in on their fried chicken action.

Donut ever give up. Glory Hole Doughnuts debuts their eastside location (1505 Gerrard St. E.) tomorrow at 9am.  

Drug Salad ($3.99) – YES THAT’S THE ACTUAL NAME!, Kingkatsu ($7.99), and Sliced Ice Octopus with Sour Gochujang ($12.99) are just a few items off the menu at Koreatown’s Her Chef (599 Bloor St. W.). 

Kinoya Sushi & Bar (293 King St. W.) has taken over the old Maki My Way location at King and John. 

East Indian cuisine is now yours in Harbord Village via Matha Roti (141 Harbord St.).

West enders will be grateful for the winter warmups at Pho You & I (3406 Dundas St. W.).

Saigon House (3393 Yonge St.) is serving up Vietnamese and Thai fare in the Lawrence Park ‘hood.

Bubble tea chain from China Song Tea (丧茶) is opening in Richmond Hill (550 Highway 7) on Saturday. To celebrate the grand opening, on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am to1:30pm, the first 100 customers  will receive a free signature drink and gift.

Baldwin Village’s new The Winding Road (5 Baldwin St.) specializes in Northern Chinese and Sichuan fare. 

CHANGES

Arvo Coffee has been trying to open in Liberty Village (31 Atlantic Ave.) for months, but unfortunately had to abandon the project.

Fresh on Front (47 Front St. E.) launched in August, and recently expanded, taking over the space next door. 

CLOSED

Bar Begonia (252 Dupont St.) may have shuttered, but in true Anthony Rose style, it’s being transformed into something new. The man behind Rose and Sons Big Crow Grill, Fat Pasha, Schmaltz Appetizing, and Madame Boeuf and Flea is unleashing new concept Fet Zun soon. Stay tuned.

Pour Boy (583 College St.) was set to re-launch as Beerocracy earlier this week, but has temporarily closed until February or March.

The Toronto location of Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar (101-120 Adelaide St. W.) may have closed, but their swanky 10,000 sq. ft. space at Bay & Richmond opening this summer will be worth the wait. Take a look.  

Lbs. Toronto (100-100 Yonge St.) is all papered up.

Charming French spot Le Notre Bistro (538 Manning Ave.) has shuttered.

Across the street from Lbs., Potbelly Sandwich Shop (83 Yonge St.) also has its windows covered up.

Sunday’s the last day for the Dovercourt location of Luna Café (181 Dovercourt Rd.). Their Junction spot (2800 Dundas St. W.) remains open.

Rush Lane & Co. (563 Queen St. W.) announced earlier this week they’re closing after four-and-a-half years, serving the last cocktail on January 27th.

Smoked & Cracked (516 Mt. Pleasant Rd.) has shuttered after six years. Owner and chef Michael Kash will continue to cook through his catering business, MKCateringCo.

Sushi Bar (701 Queen St. E.) is relocating after ten years, though just a few blocks north. After tomorrow, they’ll be at 348 Broadview Ave. (near Gerrard) starting Tuesday, February 12th.

Trattoria Nervosa (75 Yorkville Ave.) is closed until January 28th for renovations.

EVENTS

Get your tix now for Garden of Eden, a cannabis-infused seven-course meal.

NEWS

Speaking of weed, Greenhouse Juice and Pita Pit and WeedMD are getting in on it.

Keep an eye on your belongings, especially in Annex area restaurants. 

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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. 

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