Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News November 28 – December 4, 2019

PSA: I’m changing the name of my Toronto Restaurants to Open/Closed until further notice because as of today, I’ll have written about 111 NEW RESTAURANTS JUST IN NOVEMBER. And that doesn’t include the insane amount of closures, news or events.

JK, I’m not actually changing the name. But 27 arrivals and 11 closures this week alone is a LOT for any time of year, and especially at the end of November.

FYI - December is going to be crazy too, so watch this space. So much more to come. Don’t want to miss out? Follow Toronto Restaurants on IG, FB and subscribe to the newsletter.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN 

Animal Liberation Kitchen (100 Broadview Ave., Unit 202) has softly opened around the corner from its former digs on Queen East.

Doors opened yesterday for Blackbird Baking Company’s eastside location. The Riverside spot (635 Queen St. E.) is the second retail shop for the brand (Kensington Market remains the OG). Can’t make it to either one? Bet you didn’t know you can pick up their handcrafted breads and pastries at 70(!) shops, bars, cafes and restos throughout the city. 

Kingston Road has really transformed in the last few months. One of the latest arrivals: healthy Indian eatery Bowl of Karma (1036 Kingston Rd.).

Calling all oenophiles - Brix + Mortar Wine Co.’s Holiday Pop-Up Shop And Wine Bar takes place this weekend at College and Ossington (426 Ossington Ave.).

Burger Factory just landed in Streetsville (200 Queen St. S.), steps away from last week’s arrival, Butter Chicken Roti.

Looking for a jolt of java in The Junction? Stop by Claudia’s Coffee (3079 Dundas St. W.).

It should come as no surprise by now that bubble tea shops continue to infiltrate the downtown core. Recent inceptions include CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in Koreatown (630 Bloor St. W.) and Cuppa Tea Drinks and Pastries at Bloor and Spadina (346 Bloor St. W.) which incidentally just launched a shop in Markham last week.

Carbo-loading just got easier, thanks to Dal Moro’s Fresh Pasta To Go newest outpost at Yonge Eglinton Centre (2300 Yonge St.).

Ethica Coffee Roasters opens today near MOCA (213 Sterling Ave., Unit 104).

To find Flor Dois Tapas & Supper Club (722 College St.), head inside the Camões Radio Building, next to the Portuguese Walk of Fame.

Grape Witches Holidaze Pop-Up - the natural wine bottle shop of your dreams - arrives at Milk Glass (1247 Dundas St. W.) on Tuesday.

Happy Coffee Co. landed just east of the Stockyards (1754 St. Clair Ave. W.).

Hello Baked debuts their Toronto Holiday Pop-Up (1006 Dundas St. W.) near Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday.

Kinka Izakaya Harbour X York’s (110 Harbour St. Unit 108A) grand opening celebrations tomorrow night includes $3 Sake Bombs, $10 Lobster Sashimi, and $10 Wagyu specials. 

The Krys Milktea Bar, Toronto’s “only tea shop which is 100% powder free” opened up on King West just last month, but didn’t waste any time expanding. Check out their latest spot launching today near Harbourfront (110 Harbour St.).

Swiss chocolate lovers, you’ve got two new destinations: Visit Läderach Chocolatier Suisse (2nd Level, near the tree) at CF Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St.. (2nd Level, near the tree) and York Mills Shopping Centre (2536 Bayview Ave.) to satiate your sweet tooth and stock up for the holidays. 

If you know, you know. Lazy Bones Snack Bar (64 Spadina Ave.). Now you know.

Singapore noodle bar Makan Noodle at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.), is brought to you by restaurateur Trevor Lui (Kanpai Snack Bar) and Lion City Restaurant in Mississauga, which specializes in Singaporean fare.

Mississauga dwellers, get your hands on roti buns now, courtesy of PappaRoti’s latest addition (4208 Confederation Parkway).

Quebec’s Rock'n Deli just added a second Toronto location at St. Clair and Jane (2575 St. Clair Ave. W.).

Rolltation, home of “Toronto's newest hybrid food,” has landed at One York St. (2nd Floor of The PATH, Unit 220).

No need to send noods. Go get ‘em at Sansotei Ramen (30 Adelaide St. E.) at Victoria St. Stay tuned. Up next: Union Food Court.

“Bubble tea redefined” chain Tru Tea (314 Spadina Ave.) has softly opened a boba destination in Chinatown. Grand opening celebrations to follow next Friday.

Executive Hotel Cosmopolitan’s (8 Colborne St.) new resto, VIV at The Cosmo, is under the same ownership and management as former spot, Wildfire Steakhouse. This time ‘round, the menu by Executive Chef C.J Sheppard offers an array of Leaves ($17-$18), C’Food ($17-$23), Individuals ($21-$36), Rabbit Food ($14), Carne ($15-$19), and Sweet Indulgences ($12).

Wild Wing (246 Queens Quay W., Unit 11 & 12) at Harbourfront opens today at 11am. 

CLOSED

You’ve got until Sunday to visit Leslieville’s Billy’s Diner (99 Pape Ave.).

Buon Appetito (685 Lansdowne Ave., Unit 2) is papered up.

After extension renos and new ownership, Café Frappe reopened this summer, however the space is currently for lease.

Cookie Martinez’s Market 707 (707 Dundas St. W.) stand may be gone, but you can dig into insects and other Colombian fare at her other spot, Colombian Street Food by Cookie Martinez (1565 Dupont St.).

Nitrogen ice cream doesn’t have a great track record in the 6ix. Thus, Cool N2 (412 Queen St. W.) has shut down.

Do Eat in Koreatown (623 Bloor St. W.) is papered up.

Chef Paul Kim’s DOMA (50 Clinton St.) has closed, making way for his new Korean street food concept, Boonsik. Stay tuned.

Sushi Couture (456 Bloor St. W.) in The Annex is for rent. 

Wildfire Steak House at Executive Hotel Cosmopolitan (8 Colborne St.) has been replaced with a new vision (see above).

East coast pizzeria Yeah Yeah’s Toronto (1210 Yonge St.) has shuttered.

The last day for Yitz’s, one of Toronto’s most iconic eateries, is Sunday. 

EVENTS

Evergreen’s Winter Village kicks off on Saturday.

Ezer Mizion’s Shuk Machane Yehuda takes place his weekend.

The Toronto's Chanukah Market  arrives Sunday.

This Sunday, head to Famous Last Words to learn how to make Game of Thrones cocktails. 

NEWS

After closing due to last week’s fire, Chantecler’s Butcher Shop reopens today.

Pick 6ix Sports posted on social last week it closed due to flooding. Again. The Toronto Star reports it’s actually because of unpaid rent. 

Compass Group Canada - who works with foodservice companies including Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Quiznos, Subway, Boston Pizza, Thai Express, Mucho Burrito, Pizza Pizza, Teriyaki Express, Booster Juice – announced earlier this week it acquired majority ownership of  Assembly Chef’s Hall last month. 

KFC Canada tested out Plant-Based Fried Chicken by Lightlife yesterday, while A&W is launching plant-based chicken nuggets by Lightlife on Monday.

You can get brekkie for $1 at IKEA tomorrow if you’re willing to fight the Black Friday crowds.

Sukiyabashi Jiro, by sushi chef Jiro Ono of Jiro Dreams of Sushi fame, was recently stripped of its Michelin stars.

ICYMI

Cannabis edibles just became legal. Now what? To discover the latest THC- and CBD-infused food and drinks hitting Toronto shelves this winter, read this.

ALISON ROMAN IS COMING TO TORONTO!!! To find out more and get her insanely addictive pasta recipe, read on.

FYI   

Do you have an upcoming food, drink or chef event coming up? Get the word out to the right audience. List your event in a few seconds for FREE.

Be sure to follow Toronto Restaurants on Insta and FB - big announcements coming soon!

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Want to partner with Toronto Restaurants? Send me an email - writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.