Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News April 11-17, 2019

With 16 new eateries, coffee and tea shops, bakeries and a brewery to discover this weekend, there’s a lot to be excited about.

The fact that there’s such a wide range of cuisines, dishes and drinks to try? Another reason to love this great city of ours.

Here’s the very latest: 

OPEN 

The second location of Blondies Pizza debuted earlier this week in the Financial District at Commerce Court West (199 Bay St.).

Bluestone Lane (37 King St. E.), an “Australian-inspired coffee, café and lifestyle brand” is offering free Flat Whites tomorrow at their new digs, 8am to12pm.

Whether you prefer your churros traditional-style, bite-sized, as a sandwich or bowl, Choco Churros has got you - at their new spot at St. Clair and Dufferin (1165 St. Clair Ave. W.) and original home at Yonge and Dundas.

Highpark Brewery (839 Runnymede Rd.) is finally here, featuring ten taps of local brew, with four “one-off creations.”

Scarborough folks have a new Thai option with the arrival of Jatujak Thai (5651 Steeles Ave. E., Unit 7+ 8).

Jonoon by Amaya, “inspired by exotic Indian & Asian culinary flavours,” has landed at First Canadian Place (100 King St. W.).

South Etobicoke’s Leziz Kitchen (418 Horner Ave.) specializes in doners, kebabs, and falafel.

Portuguese tapas bar and restaurant Mercado Negro (1370 St. Clair Ave. W.) in Corso Italia offers a wide ranging menu from petiscos to weekly specials.

Quickies Cup Noodle (51 Jefferson Ave., Unit 201) is an insta-ready cup-o’-noodles shop located in “super secret” gift and stationery shop, I Have a Crush on You.

Pantry by The Food Dudes has debuted a second spot next to their just launched Blondies Pizza on the concourse level of Commerce Court West (199 Bay St.) in the PATH.

Who doesn’t love free ‘za? Parkdale Pizza (1316 Queen St. W.) is celebrating their launch big time. In honour of Parkdale’s 140th bday, they’re offering 140 free pies on Saturday starting at noon until they run out.

Doors opened yesterday for Pi Co.’s latest eatery in the Annex (537 Bloor St. W.). The grand opening takes place on Wednesday with free pi from 12pm- 3:14pm (line is cut off at 2:30pm).

THE SÔS (118 John St.) in the Entertainment District has a selection of pastas including activated charcoal and vegan options, sauces, proteins, salads and desserts (Crack Bark, anyone?).

Surreal Sweets creates Kosher custom desserts in the shape of unicorn cakes, lotus brownie bars, cookie dough pie, and more. Have a peek in their new bake shop (2831 Bathurst St.) open on Fridays 8:30am-3 pm.

Vietnamese street food has landed in Thornhill via Tara Viet Grill (87 Green Lane, Unit 4).

After opening a downtown location last fall, Yi Fang Fruit Tea adds to the fam with an outpost in North York (5425 Yonge St.).

CLOSED

Sunday marks the last day for Lisa Marie (638 Queen St. W.) after six years.

Nomads Resto Bar shuttered the Danforth location (699 Danforth Ave.) a year after launching. The next one will remain eastside at Queen and Broadview.

Wu Jian Dao (29B St Joseph St.) is temporarily closed for renovations.

EVENTS

Restaurateur Jen Agg and Chef Marty Matheson are hosting ‘An Evening of Gravitas,’ a celebration for Taylor Clarke, aka Chef Grant Soto on Monday at the Drake Underground (1150 Queen St. W.).

NEWS 

No injuries were reported after a fire broke out at Lucky Sweets Restaurant in North York. 

Norman Chin, one of the original partners of Sai Woo, passed away. 

Dispatch in St. Catharines is Ontario's first certified living wage restaurant. 

The world's first airport partnership brings Toronto Pearson and Uber Eats together for in-terminal food delivery to Terminal 3 International and Domestic Departures from airport eateries Caplansky's Deli, Fionn MacCools, Paramount Fine Foods, Smashburger, and Smoke's Burritorie.

The Loose Moose turns 30, complete with an interior refresh and new burger menu. 

Not everyone’s into booze before noon.

Speaking of booze, Monday’s Made With Love Toronto Regionals was incredible. Congratulations to all 16 finalists, including the winners:

PUBLIC'S CHOICE

1. Derick Dubblestyne of Antler Kitchen & Bar
2. Adam Karpowicz of The Broadview Hotel
3. John Yohan Ko of Marché Mövenpick Toronto 

JUDGE’S CHOICE (Nick Incretolli, Robin Wynn, and this gal) 

1. Kyle Ferreira of Bar Sazerac Restaurant (Hamilton)
2. Ty Congdon of Bar Sazerac Restaurant
3. Alex Lakusta of Miss Thing's. 

ICYMI

Discover Chef Alison Iannarelli’s latest food book purchase, advice to new cooks, and much more in this month’s #AtThePass interview.

The Feed Vol. 03 is out, complete with where to order kangaroo, find quiet restaurants and offbeat vodkas, and much more. Read it now.

World-renowned Chef Daniel Boulud traveled to Toronto recently. Find out why now.

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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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