Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News October 17-23, 2019
Photo courtesy of by CHLOE.
Despite the short week, I’ve got a whack of new spots for you to try - 14, to be exact – and enough food events to keep you in track pants. All. Weekend. Long.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Aviv Restaurant boasts a new name - Aviv Immigrant Kitchen - and new digs (779 St. Clair Ave. W.).
Craving a burger midtown? The Burger's Priest has got you with their latest outpost at Yonge & Eg (2 Eglinton Ave. E.). Doors open Saturday.
Last night I got a sneak peek of by CHLOE. at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.), the first Canadian branch of the chef-driven vegan chain out of the U.S. Doors open to the public tonight at 6pm, with the first 250 customers getting a free Guac Burger.
Dac Hoa (368 Broadview Ave.) may be located in the same space as Boba Boy, but the counter at the back is actually a completely separate entity. Though the employees describe the food “fusion,” it’s actually just a collection of cuisines under one roof. Select from Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese fare. Menu items range from $5.95 for Spring Rolls to $69.95 for Dinner Specials for Six.
Head to DonerLand (217 Roncesvalles Ave.) for Mediterranean cuisine.
Admittedly, Dunk ‘n Dip Resto & Chocolate Lounge was a mouthful, so it’s no surprise they’ve changed their name to Dunk Burgers and Chocolate. Joining the first location in Mississauga (600 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W)., the Richmond Hill location (9737 Yonge St., Unit 211) reopened under the new name a few weeks ago, while an additional eatery debuts downtown (696 Queen St. W.) last week. Next stop: Windsor.
Fahrenheit Coffee adds a third outlet to their roster. Visit their new digs at Assembly Chef’s Hall (111 Richmond St. W.).
The name says it all: HAPPY Coffee and Wine (1304 King St. W.).
Grand opening celebrations take place on Friday for Etobicoke’s newest nightclub, Kahlo Tequila Lounge (3473B Lake Shore Blvd. W.).
The Living Vine’s Not A Wine Shop, Pop-Up Wine Shop (96 Ossington Ave.) launches today. You’ve got until Tuesday to get your hands on their hard-to-get selection of natural, organic and biodynamic wines.
Masala Canteen (6045 Mavis Rd.) has landed at Mississauga’s Heartland Town Centre. The brand boasts locations in India, Qatar, and England.
The Momo House (1422 Queen St. W.) opens today at 5pm in Parkdale’s Little Tibet.
Doors officially open today for the newest member of the Playa Cabana fam - Playa Cabana Taqueria at Yonge & St. Clair (21 St. Clair Ave. E.). On the menu: everything from elotes and ceviche to tacos and burritos.
Another lab-themed fruit and milk tea shop has landed. Find YGO Lab nestled in Harbord Village (100 Harbord St.).
CLOSED
Pandora Volkova opened Rag Doll Eatery (2110 Yonge St.) mid-November. About a month ago, news came that “Due to ongoing issues with the construction next door we have to remain closed,” but all signs pointed to them reopening. It was announced yesterday that “Unfortunately due to circumstances out of our control, Rag Doll will not be re-opening.”
Real Thailand Restaurant (570 Bloor St. W.) is papered up. The Bloor and Bathurst eatery - originally located at Bloor and Spadina (350 Bloor St. W.) - was amongst the first of authentic Thai restaurants in Toronto.
After more than a decade, Unlovable Bar (1415B Dundas St. W.) is closing at the end of the month.
EVENTS
The Diwali Market kicks off at Square One today.
Savour: Food Culture in the Age of Enlightenment launches today at the Gardiner Museum.
Head to the Gardiner Museum tomorrow for The Enlightened Feast, with speakers including Laurie Woolever - co-author of Appetites: A Cookbook with Anthony Bourdain, and co-host of podcast, Carbface for Radio.
The 15th annual Cask Days takes over Evergreen Brick Works this weekend.
Watch folks stuff their faces during Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship Saturday at Yonge-Dundas Square.
If you love chocolate, cake decorating, candy, and baked goods, you’re going to love the Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show at The International Centre this weekend.
Have you got your tickets for Tuesday’s Eat to the Beat?
NEWS
Toronto is currently the only Canadian city to be offering Rachael Ray To Go dishes via Uber Eats starting today. Stay tuned.
Lapinou may not be open yet, but they’re currently taking reservations. Stay tuned.
ICYMI
Syrian café Soufi’s shut down earlier last week, but reopened on Friday.
Why wait until the next holiday to indulge in your love of turkey? I found 25 restaurants across the GTA that offer it year-round.
Anjum Anand, Founder of The Spice Tailor, dishes on everything from the biggest misconceptions about Indian food to the modern day challenges of trying to get dinner on the table in this compelling Q&A.
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