Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News December 19-31, 2019

As predicted, this week’s Open/Closed doesn’t disappoint with a whopping 15 arrivals, and almost as many closures and announcements of pending closures. And then alllll the holiday events. Oof.

This year I wrote about thousands of restaurants and I expect to cover even more in 2020. I know, right?

While there will be no Open/Closed on Thursday December 26 (the next one drops Thursday January 2), stay tuned for exciting new features and coverage before year’s end.

In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to the fab Toronto Restaurants Newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest resto news + events, receive exclusive content, get in on contests, giveaways, and more, and be sure to follow Toronto Restaurants on Insta and FB for big announcements in the new year.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Taiwanese tea chain The Alley nabbed a spot on the PATH (120 Adelaide St. W., Unit R3 ). To celebrate, enjoy 10 per cent off all drinks at this location until December 31st.

Aunty Lucy’s Burger Shop (96 Ossington Ave.) by Undisposable and Extra Burger softly opens their gourmet take on the In-N-Out Burger experience happening this weekend.

Bone Soup Malatang (522 Yonge St.) specializes in individual hot pots. Huh. That happens to be a part of the new concept next door that debuted just a month ago, too.

Dine and Dim (633 Gerrard St. E.) has taken over where Pearl Court Restaurant reigned in East Chinatown. The menu is relatively the same downstairs - sushi will be served upstairs at a later date. 

Introducing Gatsby (82 Bathurst St.),“Toronto’s first duelling piano bar.” Uh, okay.

Healthy Indian chain Good Karma has landed at Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.).

Jollibee debuts tomorrow at Vaughan’s Promenade Mall (1 Promenade Circle). If you’re not already in line, better hurry.

The Leslie/Lakeshore ‘hood has changed considerably in recent months. First Farm Boy, now a big LCBO (1015 Lakeshore Blvd. E.), just in time for the holidays.

Libertad Mexicana (133 Jefferson Ave.) in Liberty Village uses local meat, sustainable fish, and boasts a zero food waste kitchen. They also happen to have Braised Duck ($6), Fried Cauliflower ($5), and Braised Beef Tongue ($6) tacos, Spicy Braised Beef Cheek Quesadillas ($9), and Orange Duck Egg Flan ($6) for dessert.

Little Caesars (457 Carlaw Ave.) of all places (they’re still around?), has cropped up next to a No Frills in Leslieville.

Masala Guys is the newest tenant of The Annex Food Hall (384 Bloor St. W.).

OV Sweets (542 Oakwood Ave.) opened earlier this week. The Oakwood-Vaughan shop offers vegan sweets including cakes, cookies and candy.

Gluten-free Colombian-style empanadas Real Empanada Co (825 Dundas St. W.) have arrived in Trinity Bellwoods. Doors officially open Saturday.

Find That Freakin Greek (291 Harbord St.) in the colossal space once home to Smoke Bourbon BBQ (the private event space alone accommodates 100 guests). Their “authentic Greek cuisine” includes an array of starters and sides (Feta Block $11.95, Hot Dog Poutine $8.95), alongside traditional souvlaki, gyros, rotisserie chicken, and hearty mains (Moussaka $16.95, Pastistsio $15.95, Kokkinisto Beef Stew $16.45).

Doors opened Monday for Unicorn Café (561 Bloor St. W.) at Bloor and Bathurst. The unicorn-themed spot courtesy of the folks behind “Toronto's first toilet-themed dessert bar” Poop Café , offers sweet and savoury options against a pastel backdrop awash in unicorns and other “cute” items. There’s also an option to eat a “potted plant” while wearing “a nice and cozy unicorn outfit.” Jesus.

CLOSED

Bean and Baker (326 Harbord St.), “Toronto’s only soda fountain malt shop,” is shutting down after five years. You’ve got until December 24th to visit.

Canoe (66 Wellington St. W.) will be closing for renovations after service on December 31st. They will resume service in March 2020.

Java Joe’s (180 Dundas St. W.) at Dundas and University is currently undergoing renovations.

L’Unità’s (134 Avenue Rd.) last hurrah takes place New Year’s Eve. The new concept by David Minicucci and Chef Rob Rossi (also of award-winning Giulietta) is set to debut Spring 2020.

After eight years, La Société at The Colonnade (131 Bloor St. W.) takes its final bow on December  31st. INK Entertainment will replace it will another resto concept “in the near future.”

On the move for a bigger space, Schnitzel Queen (211 Queen St. E.) says “Auf Wiedersehen” to its Moss Park digs on December 27th. 

The Spoke Club (600 King St W.) is temporarily closing January 1st for “a full venue renovation.”

Earlier this week, Tequila Bookworm (512 Queen St. W.) announced it’s closing at the end of January due to a “recent rent hike.”

T&T Supermarket (222 Cherry St.) is also set to close in January.

Due to “restructuring in Canada.” Four 3 Brewers Canada locations are ceasing service, effective December 31st: Adelaide (120 Adelaide St. W.), Richmond Hill (125 York Blvd., Unit 135), Mavis (5860 Mavis Dr.), and Liberty Village (2 Liberty St.). The remaining GTA locations – Yonge (275 Yonge St.) and Oakville (2041 Winston Park Dr.) - will continue to operate.

EVENTS

Nog Your Socks Off, Toronto. Like you mean it, this time.

Do yourself a favour and don’t miss the Bar Ape Holiday Pop-Up tomorrow and Saturday. Droooool (and I don’t even like gelato).

Head to the Village tomorrow for a Vegan Holiday Party.

Hurry, The Thirsty Elf Pop-Up Bar at Fairmont Royal York wraps up Saturday.

Countdown the holidays with 12 Beers of Christmas at The Gladstone Hotel on Sunday

Toronto Christmas Market continues until Sunday.

The Holiday Market at Evergreen’s Winter Village takes places all weekend.

Holiday Fair in the Square is on until Monday.

Drink all the way to Boxing Day at Miracle Toronto.

Sippin’ Santa at Project Gigglewater goes until the end of the year.

You’ve got until January 5 to enjoy the Aurora Winter Festival at Ontario Place.

NEWS

InterContinental Toronto Centre has a new exec chef, Tim Dunnill, whose last post was at Pusateri’s.

Select Beer Store locations will be open on Boxing Day.

Winterlicious announced their events and restaurants for January, but isn’t it time for something new and more inclusive? Stay tuned.

A perfume e-tailer launched Christmas “bespoke fragrances” including: Scent of Stilton “with notes of buttermilk, cheese and phenols,” Eau Christmas Pudding, and Pigs in Blanket Parfum. P.U.

ICYMI

If you love bubble tea, cheese, being the best gift giver EVER, Nashville Hot Chicken, Popeyes, and Migos, you're going to love this month's issue of The Feed.

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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.