Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News January 24-30, 2019
The iconic OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of restaurant openings – virtual, brick-and-mortar, pop-ups, allll the things - and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #iykyk
This week’s roundup is lonnng (13 new dining options!), but exciting: enticing Egyptian and Russian fare, the return of classic dishes (Dover Sole Meunière, anyone?), a “secret” omakase restaurant, and upscale conveyor belt sushi, to start.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Adelina Russian Restaurant & Bar (538 Manning Ave.) is here with modern Russian cuisine, an “eclectic” roster of cocktails, and “selective list of wines.”
Just last month, Egyptian restaurant Papryus launched on the Danforth. Aegyptus Café & Grill has arrived just a few blocks away (426 Danforth Ave.). Doors opened Tuesday.
After long delays, The Annex Food Hall (384 Bloor St. W.) “softly” opens Friday with “most” of the vendors ready for business.
Arthur’s Restaurant (22 St. Clair Ave. E.), a “contemporary North American grill” debuts today, brought to you by Chase Hospitality Group (The Chase, The Chase Fish & Oyster, Colette Grand Café, Kasa Moto, Palm Lane, Planta, Planta Burger, and soon Planta Queen).
There’s a fancy new Chinese restaurant in Richmond Hill. Stave off the winter chill with meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes served in earthen cookware at Clay Pot King (9021 Leslie St., Unit 3).
Club Fed (151 Bloor St. W.), a prison-themed pop-up by Dave's Killer Bread and chef Marc Thuet launches Monday. Sandwiches and sides are available until February 10th. Fifty percent of proceeds from each will go “towards charities that give ex-cons and at-risk communities a second chance.”
Attention crepes lovers: Crêpes de Luxe Café’s first Canadian location has landed at Erin Mills Town Centre (5100 Erin Mills Pkwy.)
Kibo Sushi House launched two concepts at 1415 Bloor St. W.: Kibo Market + Catering, an Asian grocery store and market, and omakase restaurant. Kibo Secret Garden.
Yesterday marked the first day of “soft opening week” for Milky’s Coffee (760 Dundas St. W.).
I know what you’re thinking: What’s a luxe rug store in Summerhill doing on the list? But Thirty Six Knots (1212 Yonge St.) comes complete with its own stunning café.
Tora at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (3401 Dufferin St.) boasts sushi delivered on a sleek conveyor belt and +100 menu items to choose from including Aburi Oshi (also available at their restaurant Miku). Exclusive to Yorkdale: EdoPrime Nigiri with premium Japanese seafood. Find them in the southwest corner, upper level.
Head to Bloor and Ossington’s Varsity (914A Bloor St. W.) for Japanese and Korean food, which a staffer warns is “spicy.”
CLOSED
Eastside watering hole Aft (686 Queen St. E.) launched for a second time after renovations back in September, but has closed again. Thankfully, owner Paul Campbell’s other hangout KT Bar (682 Queen St. E.), is right next door.
Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse Uptown (150 Eglinton Ave. E.) is currently closed for renovations, set to re-open this Spring. All other locations remain open.
Iconic Italian restaurant Grano (2035 Yonge St.) - est.1986 - has ended its +30 year run.
Gusto 101 (101 Portland St.) is closed for renovations until February 3rd.
Corktown’s The Healthy Road (518 King St. E.) is papered up.
Hiro Sushi (171 King St. E.) is closed for “winter vacation.”
One of the city’s most popular restaurants Quetzal (419 College St.) is temporarily closed. Stay tuned.
Mr Roc’s Crawfish (416 Spadina Ave.) has served its final freshwater crustacean.
Sunday is the last day for cocktails at Rush Lane & Co. (563 Queen St. W.).
Statler’s (487 Church St.) in the Village has bid adieu.
NEWS
Beloved neighbourhood restaurant Detroit Eatery (389 Danforth Ave.) was “destroyed by flames” early Tuesday morning. A GoFundMe page has been created to help restore the +60-year-old restaurant.
Canada’s new food guide dropped this week, with a ton of changes.
Find out who took home top prize at the 2019 Canadian Whisky Awards.
Toronto’s own Kinton Ramen is expanding to the U.S., debuting their first two locations in Chicago this spring.
The Finale 2019 of Bocuse d’Or takes place in Lyon on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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