Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News October 22-28, 2020

🕒 7 min read

 This week’s arrivals are all over the place, both geographically and in their offerings. Which, seven months into the pandemic (and with many more ahead), is what we neeeed so desperately right now.

Bonus: It’s rare that I uncover eateries ranging from A to Z in a single week. Three restaurants with names that land at the end of the alphabet? This might be a first.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN 

Aroma Food Hall  (639 Yonge St.) at Yonge and Isabella specializes in a mélange of items: milk tea, fusion crepes and spicy stews. Doors opened Tuesday.

Say hey to Parkdale’s newest occupant: Batibot Filipino Store (1483 Queen St. W.).

Brought to you by the folks behind Love Chix, Century Park Tavern (33 Powerhouse St.) debuted in Davenport Village this weekend. Satiate every craving with selections including: Dill Pickle Fries ($10), Confit Duck Poutine ($13), Margarita Flatbread ($11), Classic Beef Burger ($18), and Signature Fish & Chips ($19). 

Finer dining Modus Ristorante (145 King St. W.) in the Financial District has transformed into City Farm Sandwiches & Co. (145 King St. W.) with an array of sandos: veal, meatball, sausage, chicken parm, brisket, and roasted veggie.

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in anything but lazy. The bubble tea chain launched a shop last week, following up with a satellite near Scarborough Town Centre (60 Brian Harrison Way, Unit 4) earlier this week. 

Act fast macaron lovers. The Ladurée Carriage Pop-Up at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) is around for a limited-time.

If phrases such as “Duck Party” and “BBQ Beef Rib Party” excite you, get to know Noble House (46 Noble St.) in Parkdale by Dustin Gallagher, executive chef of 416 Snack Bar (and Peoples Eatery, RIP) and runner-up on Top Chef Canada: Allstars and Flo Leung.

Mississauga’s Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) is also now home to Mexican ice pop maker, PalettAmerica Canada. Choose fruity, gelato, or gourmet selections, dips, and toppings.

Salvo (5 St Joseph St.) has replaced The Wickson Social. The new Italian-inspired spot opened Monday with an array of enticing fare: Garlic Knots ($7), Preserved Albacore, Bean & Red Onion Salad with Saffron Mayo ($14) House Rolled Gnocchi With Butternut Squash Cream & Walnuts ($15), Wild Mushroom-Tarragon Risotto With Ricotta & Truffle Oil ($14), Macaroni With Lobster & Fennel Cream ($16), and selection of pizzas ($10-$16), for starters. 

Sushi, but make it dessert. Chef Jessica Meyer’s Sweet Sushi (262 Marlee Ave.) starts with Rice Krispie batter, rolled with other ingredients to make up the sweet maki and nigiri. The Rainbow Roll for example, boasts a fruit leather exterior, with candy licorice center.

Zayka Grill Indian Bistro (516 Danforth Ave.) opened earlier this week in Greektown, taking over from pandemic casualty District 34 and neighbourhood stalwart Pan on the Danforth.

Zet’s Restaurant has been serving up steak, souvlaki, and burgers since 1967. A second location just launched at Damiani Plaza (15 Jevlan Dr.) in Woodbridge earlier this week.

The second outpost of Ziba Doner, home of the “first fusion Döner Kebab in the 6ix,” landed at Church and Wellesley (556 Church St.) late last week.

CLOSED

Firefighters were called to a three-alarm fire at Emporium Latino (243 August Ave.) this weekend. A campaign to raise money for the family has already reached more than $24K.

Head’s up: Fahmee Bakery (584 Lansdowne Ave.) is leaving their spot in The Junction November 14 or sooner. 

If you thought the end of summer was harsh, add the closure of one of the city’s best patios, Gerrard East Market (1018 Gerrard St. E.).

Saturday is the last day to raise a glass (or three) at I’ll Be Seeing You (747 Queen St. E.) in Riverside.

Yonge & St. Clair’s 1378 Yonge St. was home to Jingles II, and before that, Spiga Ristorante. The Health Shoppe recently moved in, relocating from across the street.

Pete's Corner Grill (1582 Queen St. W.) in Parkdale said farewell to loyal and longtime customers this weekend.

EVENTS

Broadview-Danforth BIA’s Fall Thrill of the Chill launches Saturday. Visit any of the BIA’s outdoor restaurant patios and receive a complimentary thermal blanket and $5 Broadview Danforth gift certificate to be used at any BIA business including restaurants, retailers, salons, and food services.

Get tickets now for UNCORK UNTAP UNWIND, a virtual food and wine experience hosted by celebrity chef Lynn Crawford in support of West Park Healthcare Centre. 

First & Last Café (346 Dupont St.)’s patio is where you want to be on Saturday for Hong Kong street food, rum cocktails and good times.

ICYMI 

Matty's Patty's Burger Club, a burger popup by celebrity chef Matty Matheson and Pat Tenore, launched last week but sold out in an instant. If you follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram, you would have got the head's up earlier this week for the next drop. 

Give Chloe Wilde alllll the wine.

Ask me (almost) anything.

Please support your local businesses. 

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With so much happening every week, you’ve probably got some serious catching up to do. Check out previous editions of the Open/Closed.

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