Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News May 30-June 5, 2019
The city is blowin’ up. Construction and condo developments aside, restaurants are arriving and departing as swiftly as Real Housewives’ cosmetic procedures.
Enough chitchat. With this week’s 15 arrivals, you’ve got a lot of dining to do.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Konjiki Ramen just launched downtown a few weeks ago. Introducing its sister spot: Akimitsu (41 Elm St.), a tempura-centric concept “softly” opening this Sunday, with grand opening celebrations to follow on June 9th.
Gluten-free cafe and bakeshop Almond Butterfly (792 Dundas St. W.) expands with a second outpost in Trinity Bellwoods.
Liberty Group (BlueBlood Steakhouse, Don Alfonso 1890, Cibo Wine Bar) adds new nightclub Arcane (461 King St. W.) to its portfolio. The 8,000 square foot space (formerly Brassaii) is here for all your top-shelf spirits, signature cocktails, and VIP bottle service needs. Resto Xango, featuring “global cuisine” by Chef Claudio Aprile of MasterChef Canada, is set to launch in July. Stay tuned.
Doors opened Sunday for Beiteddine Lebanese Restaurant (513 Danforth Ave.) smack dab in the middle of Greektown.
My work here is done; the name says it all: Bellwoods Coffee + Gelato (1006 Dundas St. W.).
The first Canadian location of Crazy Crepes (366 Church St.), a leading chain from Japan famous for over 50 varieties of Japanese crepes, boasts both sweet and savoury selections.
Vietnamese DeMen Bistro (500 Queen St. W.) is in soft opening mode for a few weeks.
Flock’s first North York eatery - and sixth for the brand - opens today at Yonge Sheppard Centre (4841 Yonge St).
Morning Parade Coffee Bar (1952 Gerrard St. E.), Beach Hill’s newest spot for coffee and fresh baked goods, is mighty pretty with vibrant murals by local artist Justin Rousseau.
My Dosa Place (12 Queens Quay W.), brought to you by My Roti Place, fulfills all your dosa dreams.
Speaking of My Roti Place (12 Queens Quay W.), MRP joins in on the festivities with their popular stuffed flatbreads right next door.
What was forever Eat My Martini (est. 1999!) in Little Italy is now Pimentas Grill (648 College St.). a Portuguese churrasqueira with a wide-ranging menu of sandwiches, salads, pasta, meat, fish and seafood.
Restaurants rarely turnover in Summerhill, so anything new is exciting. But this - Sash Restaurant & Wine Bar, a fine dining restaurant and wine bar by Sash Simpson, is downright exhilarating.
W&B Home (620 Mt. Pleasant Rd.) has over 36 retail shops. In addition to home décor, housewares, and cosmetics, you’ll find a café with an assortment of coffee, pastries, and lunch items.
Calgary’s heathy eatery Wise & Wright has set up shop right downtown (777 Bay St.). And while you’ll find the usual wellness go-tos – elixir smoothies and lattes, healthy bowls and superfood salads – instead of just avocado toast, they go one step further with Mushroom, Holy Poke, and Millennial Built Up Toasts.
CLOSED
Brassaii (461 King St. W.) opened in the early aughts. It was time. Now it’s Arcane (details above).
Chef Craig Harding and wife Alexandra Hutchison’s Campagnolo (832 Dundas St. W.) closes Saturday after a decade of rave reviews and crowded dining room. What’s next, you ask? Watch this space.
Today’s the last day for Cookie Scoop (1115 Castlefield Ave.) To mark the occasion, all cookies are $1 each (limit: 12). Doors open at noon.
Dumbo’s Snack Bar (1704 Queen St. W.) in Parkdale launched in February 2018 and shuttered over the weekend.
Friday was the last day for eastside’s Kaboom Chicken (722 Queen St. E.).
Katz’s Deli & Corned Beef Emporium (3300 Dufferin St). closes tomorrow after 49 years of epic food and memories.
Mount Pleasant is all over the place these days. Recently, Birch Bistro closed and now Kūkŭm Kitchen has shuttered. They posted a message on social May 23: “…relocating to a much larger venue with a more central location to better serve YOU!” A notice on the door dated May 21 states they were locked out for non payment of rent.
Chef Marc Thuet’s Petite Thuet on King may have closed (244 King St. E.), but the Rosedale shop (1162 Yonge St.) remains open.
EVENTS
Tomorrow marks the beginning of Burgermania.
Union Summer returns to Union Station tomorrow.
Riverside Eats & Beats is happening all day Saturday with 50+ local eateries and shops along Queen East with fab food, sidewalk sales, and live entertainment.
NEWS
Dining out has never been more expensive.
Ritual is all about pickup and takeout. Uber Eats, known for their on-demand food delivery service, added a pickup feature yesterday.
King West watering hole Locals Only was the only Canadian spot to land on the top 10 ‘Most Instagrammable Washrooms’ list.
ICYMI
The boys are back! Check out The Arrival for the all the deets on the triumphant return of Brock Sandwich, and what you should order on your next visit.
Food & Liquor has launched a new Patio BBQ Series for summer. Don’t miss it.
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
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