Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News October 1-7, 2020

🕒 9 min read

There’s a lot to celebrate this week: a new month, sweater szn, and 16 arrivals to satiate an appetite that’s likely to increase due to falling temps.

But I expect you’ll have a lot of feels about this week’s closures.  Some are just temporary, but those gone for good might have you reeling. So cherish all those that remain.

To everyone in the industry working so hard to keep their establishments safe and open in these extraordinary times, thank you. To all those reading this, please support your local restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries, breweries and food + drink shops. Before it’s too late.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Food in cubbies is becoming a thing. First there was Box’d by Paramount Fine Foods. Now Cubby Smart Kitchen (106 Queen St. E.) by Naan and Kabob in Moss Park. Doors open tomorrow.

The best way to start the weekend? African coffee and Toronto-style beignets from Congo Coffee & Toronto Beignets’ (298 Gerrard St. E.) new digs at the corner of Gerrard and Parliament.

Cupcake Central.ca is located right at the water’s edge (inside Lock and Quay - 390 Queens Quay W.). Grand opening celebrations take place tomorrow through Sunday 12-6pm.

COR certified Dr. Laffa launched a North York (2 Champagne Dr.) satellite last week. The Kosher chain also debuted at Gerrard and Church (76 Gerard St. E.) right before lockdown. (Note: this location is currently temporarily closed due to COVID-19, but you can order food for delivery.)

Seasonal outdoor popup Fall n’ Leaves (621 Richmond St. W.) kicks off today. You’ve got until Thanksgiving to get in on the food and wine bars with a “pumpkin patch vibe.”

Stocking up on groceries? The first downtown location of Farm Boy (777 Bay St.) opens today, with a Midtown outpost in the works.

Goûter Patisserie & Café (300 Eglinton Ave. W.) softly opened a second destination yesterday at Avenue Road and Eglinton. 

Hay Sushi (41 Spring Garden Ave.) in North York is serving up “Japanese soul food,” aka a mix of izakaya style fare and sushi. 

The Heartbreak Chef left Parkdale (1316 Queen St. W.) for greener pastures in Trinity-Bellwoods (823 Dundas St. W.). Doors open tomorrow at 5pm. 

Yorkville’s Kibo Secret Garden (154 Cumberland St.,Upper Level), a “high-end omakase and sushi house” from the Kibo chain, premieres tomorrow.

Bloordale’s King Henry’s Pub (1208 Bloor St. W.), boasts comfort fare by way of lots of chicken (roasted, fried, wings, thigh), baby back ribs, burger, and brisket sando, alongside an array of sides and sauces. Fun fact: The spot shares an address with CHKN, which launched last week.

Knockout Chicken’s second outpost (490 Bloor St. W.) has touched down in the Annex. Stay tuned: A branch is on its way to Mississauga.

Sandos and chopped salad from Lambo’s Deli and Grocery (176 Bellwoods Ave.) bundle nicely for a nearby picnic.

Get your first taste of SJCB x Robinson Bread (6 Brock Ave.) in Parkdale starting tomorrow. To celebrate, order new kicks, specifically SJCB x Vans Classic Ultracush Slip-on now. 100% of sales will be donated and matched by Vans in support of Parkdale Community Food Bank. Additionally, 100% of sales will be donated and matched by SJCB in support of FoodShare.

Takumi BBQ & Ramen (1170 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W., Unit 12) in Mississauga celebrates their grand opening this weekend. Starting today until Sunday, enjoy 15 per cent off all orders paid in cash.

CLOSED

Parkdale summer oasis The Caddi (1296 Queen St. W.) is over.

Just down the street, The Heartbreak Chef (1316 Queen St. W.) has moved on. See above.

It’s game over for “Canada's premier Esports centre” The Hive (49 St. Clair Ave. W.) at Yonge and St. Clair. Hope you used your Groupons! Sound on.

Brace yourself. Award-winning Ruby Watchco (730 Queen St. E.) by celebrity chefs Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk has closed after a decade.

Shogun Japanese Restaurant (154 Cumberland St., Upper Level) may have been replaced by another sushi joint, but it will never be the same. The OG of Yorkville established in 1978 – five years before Yamato’s debut in ’83 - was run by John Kim, then Kim San (Terry) and Grace Kim, who passed it on to new owners in October 2018. 

Tom Jones Steak House (17 Leader Lane) has been toughing it out since 1966, but the website is down (if you google it, don’t click on the link – it’s been hacked) and the phone’s out of service.

The hits just keep on coming. The last day for The Walton (607 College St.) is Saturday.

Head’s up: Wayne Gretzky's Toronto is closing. You’ve got until next Thursday to get your last fill of Wayne’s Famous Wings and Grandma Gretzky’s Perogies.

TEMPORARY CLOSURES   

This is new. And I believe necessary. You need to know what’s shut down temporarily due to COVID-19 cases.

These are are addition to the bars and restaurants noted in my article this week, which includes establishments ordered to close by Toronto Public Health and those that have closed on their own for the safety of staff and public.

This week, Don Pollo/Quetzal, Gusto 101, Manita, The Night Baker, Sotto Sotto and Woody's and Sailors closed due to a staff member or members testing positive for COVID-19.

O'Grady's on Church closed on their own as a precaution, not because of any positive cases.

EVENTS

The Oakwood Hardware is hosting a socially distanced outdoor Octoberfest dinner on their heated patio Friday and Saturday.

Tuck into beer, bratwurst and pretzels on Saturday at Octoberfest at Rendezviews.

Don’t miss Mama Akua’s Ghanaian Food Pop Up at Stackt on Sunday.

Get a sneak peek of Portlight on Bloor (946 Bloor St. W.) at The Shameful Tiki Room Pop Up on Sunday.

AsialiciousTO continues until October 11.

NEWS

City council approved new restrictions on bars and restaurants. It could be worse.

Last weekend’s Ramen Fest at Scarborough Town Centre was postponed. 

How cool is this?! Bid on items including a Château Latour 1945 and guitar from legendary rock band Rush while simultaneously helping others - proceeds from the online auction will directly benefit Ontario hospitality front-line workers through the Toronto Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, the Bartender’s Benevolent Fund, and independent Ontario restaurants through SaveHospitalityCA.

ICYMI 

Chef Renelle Joubert of Bar Raval tells all in this week’s At The Pass.

You may have to plan your evenings out a little earlier, thanks to a new rule concerning the sale of alcohol at bars and restaurants. 

PSA: RECENT CLOSURES DUE TO COVID-19 CASES DO NOT REFLECT THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE. For the full story, read this.

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Need help to spread the word about your business without spending $$$? Get in touch.