Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News August 1-7, 2019
Thankfully it’s the long weekend. Otherwise, how are you fitting in 17 new arrivals, almost 40 food trucks, and a slew of food events happening around town?
My advice? Start now.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Middle Eastern fusion eatery Azkadenya has locations throughout United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Palestine, and Jordan. The first North American outpost launches Wednesday (235 Queen St. W.).
You may have caught a glimpse of Big Bruce Public House (1963 Queen St. E.) during the Beaches Jazz Fest, but it was just a preview. Soft opening starts today.
Cereal Box Café is popping up next week at Milky’s Coffee (760 Dundas St. W.) Their cereal-infused soft serve drops Tuesday and will be available for a week.
Boba giant Chatime (754 Broadview Ave.) landed at the edge of Greektown on Monday.
Speaking of bubble tea, Taiwanese Chunyang Tea (531 Yonge St.) can now be yours and Yonge and Wellesley.
Juliana Social (387 Broadview Ave.) brings sandwiches, salads, coffee, tea, pastries, and ice cream to Chinatown East across from Riverdale Library. Doors opened Tuesday.
Stephen Payne’s Kung Fu Dawg has held various spots in the city over the years. Currently, he’s taken over the area beside 1162 Dundas St. W. at Ossington, so go get yourself some original recipe hot dawgs (handmade beef and pork), veggie dawgs (made with soy) and hand-dipped corn dawgs now. Psst. Don’t forget the homemade pickles.
Les Epicuriens (2109 Yonge St.) is serving up sorbet, soft serve, and Hawaiian shaved ice at Yonge & Eg. Of particular note: the dips including lemon poppy seed and vegan lavender.
Mi Taco Taqueria (521 Bloor St. W.) launched their second location over the weekend.
Chef Amira Becarevic (Mira Mira at Assembly Chef’s Hall and Mira Mira Events & Catering) debuts Mira Mira Sandwich + Ice Cream Bar (1372 Queen St. E.) today in Leslieville at Queen and Greenwood. On the menu: Unique sandos (Honey Kimchi Chicken), classic desserts with a twist (Ube Banana Split with Condensed Milk & Salted Caramel Peanuts), and Kawartha Dairy ice cream by the scoop.
From Shish Tawook to Muhallaya, Mooring Eats (2481 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) in Etobicoke has got your Mediterranean cravings covered.
Ooshee Mediterranean Oven (9 Charles St.) may not be a large operation, but it did catch the attention of za’atar lover Bella Hadid, possibly in town for The Weeknd.
West-enders can now get their hands on Roselle Desserts famous éclairs, madeleines, and other exquisite baked goods at new shop/HQ at Queen and Dovercourt (108 Dovercourt Rd.). Grand opening celebrations take place on Saturday.
Smoke Bar & Kitchen (638 Queen St. W.) is serving up “Southern BBQ-inspired contemporary comfort food” in the former home of Lisa Marie. Grand opening is Saturday.
Don’t call U3 (425 Queen St. W.) a clothing store. “We are art,” is their battle cry. Thus, the launch for their in-store U3 Refreshment tomorrow will feature striking apparel, accessories, and art, in addition to beautifully crafted beverages.
Toronto Popcorn Company’s second location has landed in The Beaches (1948 Queen St. E.) next to Book City.
Blaze Pizza’s celebrity investors includes LeBron James and Maria Shriver. Discover why they backed the brand at the newest outpost - Oakville’s Winston Park (2500 Winston Park Dr.).
P.S.
Reservations open today for ēst Restaurant by Chef Sean MacDonald, opening in Leslieville on Tuesday, September 3rd.
CLOSED
KT Bar (682 Queen St. E.) has shuttered and been replaced with one of two The John Bars, located next door.
Track & Field (860 College St.) says farewell on Saturday. At least at this location. It turns out they “plan to set up shop in a new location as soon as we find the right space.” Phew.
Change
Wu Jian Dao Shanghai Dumpling (29B St Joseph St.) is now Wonton Kitchen, complete with new menu items.
EVENTS
Tickets go on sale today for Matty Fest, Chef Matty Matheson’s new food and music extravaganza featuring Wu-Tang Clan at Echo Beach on Saturday, September 7th.
The Toronto Food Truck Festival starts tomorrow and last through Holiday Monday.
You’ve got the entire long weekend to dig in at Scarborough Ribfest.
Food Day Canada celebrations take place on Sunday.
Rum-lovers, head to Ontario Place on Sunday for the Toronto Rum Festival.
Taste of India takes over Nathan Phillips Square on Sunday.
Early bird tickets are available now for Toronto Harry Potter Inspired Beer, Cider, and Cocktail Festival happening in October.
NEWS
Serge Ibaka of the Toronto Raptors has partnered with Regent Park Community Food Centre to help support their drop-in meal program.
Air Canada announced earlier today that award-winning Canadian Chef Antonio Park (Park and Lavanderia, Montreal) designed “destination inspired meals that will be exclusively featured on select Air Canada flights to Asia and South America.”
Plastic grocery bags will soon be a thing of the past at Sobeys.
The chain that introduced the world’s first 24-hour vegan drive-thru is coming to Toronto.
NYC’s plant-based eatery by CHLOE announced their first Toronto outpost will launch in the fall. The popular vegan spot isn’t sitting idle until then - a new location debuts today in Midtown Manhattan (1385 Broadway).
ICYMI
Faim de Loup is exquisite from start to finish. Discover what makes this new modern French restaurant so exceptional in The Arrival.
New series Secret Recipe is here! Learn how to make Contra’s Gluten-Free Pistachio Cheesecake with Rhubarb just in time for weekend celebrations.
Okay, so tickets for Antoni from Queer Eye’s single Toronto date sold out in a millisecond yesterday. Obvi. Hearts. Broken. Everywhere. There is a silver pierogi-filled lining though… Stay tuned. Details to come! Hint: Make sure your following Toronto Restaurants on Insta for upcoming announcements. Eeeeeeeee!
FYI
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