Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News November 12-December 2 | Part 1

🕒 11.5 min read

This is the first ever double edition, covering all the happenings for two weeks, as I have been away from work this last while.

Because this one’s so vast, I’ve divided it into two parts to make it easier to take it all in. It’s a LOT, I know. This week, the news alone is dramatic, to say the least.

After this twofer, I’ll be back to tracking down everything a week at a time, as per usual. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Head to Arvo Coffee’s stunning new digs at Universal Music Canada HQ in Liberty Village (80 Atlantic Ave.) for stellar coffee, wine, and brunch to go. #worththetrip 

Atto Sushi softly opened at Woodbine and Danforth (2231 Danforth Ave.) on November 16 in what was until recently, Hollandaise Diner. Menu items include seared and “semi torched” sushi, alongside sets featuring “Levi’s recommendations” and seasonal fish.

In the mood for Japanese eats and drinks? Boku in the Distillery District produced a second outpost at Yonge and Wellesley (530 Yonge St.) in a gigantic space that’s seen many concepts over the years, including a health club and Sobeys Express.

The Burger Bros kicked off their Halal burger spot in Brampton in April, followed by a joint in Mississauga (1059 Dundas St. W.) on November 6.

There are many reasons to visit Bloordale’s Caravan Cafe And Tea House (1165 Bloor St. W.), including standout dishes by popup Afrobeat Kitchen.

Bubble tea lovers, there’s a CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice (2520 Eglinton Ave.) near Mississauga’s Erin Mills Town Centre now.

District Pizza (32 Gristmill Lane), the newest arrival to the Distillery District, commenced Wednesday. The concept by The Distillery Restaurants Corp. (Archeo, Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie, El Catrin Destileria, Madrina Bar y Tapas, Pure Spirits Oyster House & Grill) features pizza made with unbleached 00 Ardent flour topped with sauce made with tamari to “boost the rich umami flavours without adding any salt,” and wings free of antibiotics and hormones brined in sugar and salt, then cooked sous vide in an immersion circulator.

Fresh Restaurants has been doing plant-powered fare since 1999, but in recent years has expanded across the city like never before. The last two weeks in particular: one dropped in Mississauga (5031 Hurontario St., Unit C2) on November 19, and another two on Thursday as part of Ultimate Kitchens by Recipe Unlimited Corporation - home to almost 20 Canadian restaurant chains - in Leaside (18 Banigan Dr.) and Leslieville (461 Carlaw Ave.). 

In addition to typical rotisserie options, Hangry Pirates Shawarma at Village By The Grange (109 McCaul St.) offers shrimp and wings. 

The folks behind newcomers King Henry’s Pub and CHKN just launched a wings and ribs joint Holy Belly. All three concepts are available at the same address (1208 Bloor St. W.). 

How lucky is Scarborough right now? They just scored their second Jollibee (1900 Eglinton Ave. E.),* this time at Warden and Eglinton. Doors opened Friday. *The first one’s at Kennedy Commons.

Juicy Dumpling’s affordable mini soup dumplings, pan-fried and deep-fried fare have a cult following. So naturally you should get yourself to their second outpost (2150 Yonge St.), just south of Eglinton. 

Kettlemans Bagel, the wildly popular Montreal-style bagel chain from Ottawa est. 1993, landed at Alderwood Plaza (847 Brown’s Line Rd.) in Etobicoke mid-month. Pro tip: They’re open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, so shop off-hours to avoid long lineups.

Koh Samui Thai Kitchen (588 Danforth Ave.) near Pape offers an extensive menu with dishes from $2.99 (Jasmine Rice) to $999.00 (Combo for 100 ppl). They’re currently offering 25 per cent off takeout orders during grand opening celebrations.

The first Leela Indian Food Bar touched down in The Junction back in 2017. Another followed in Gerrard India Bazaar (1386 Gerrard St. E.) this September.

Chicken tenders are the name of the game at Legal Tenders, inside The Shameful Tiki Room (1378 Queen St. W.). p.s. Jason Momoa is a fan. p.p.s. Not sure of the difference between tenders, fingers, strips, etc.? Here’s a quick rundown.

CLOSED 

Danforth’s long-standing Athena Bakery (598 Danforth Ave.) is for lease.

Barcelona Tavern (109 Atlantic Ave.) in Liberty Village has closed due to the pandemic .

The global crisis has claimed a lot of businesses this year, including Kensington Market’s The Boat (158 Augusta Ave.), established 1976 and known for dance parties and $5 drinks. Remember dance parties?

After eight years in Etobicoke, Buster's Kitchen x Bar (3747 Lakeshore Blvd. W.) bid farewell.

The space formerly home to Café Tangier’s (1385 Danforth Ave.) is for lease.

I told you about the arrival of Camel Restaurant (675 Danforth Ave.) in Greektown last winter. They’ve since closed and the location is already occupied by another eatery. See above for details. 

One of the best bars in the city, Cold Tea Kensington (60 Kensington Ave.), has closed after a decade. Their other spot at Queen and Dufferin (1186 Queen St. W.) better make it through all this. 

The Delaware (946 Bloor St. W.) arrived in Bloorcourt spring ‘19, but packed it in at the end of summer 2020.

Disgraceland has been a fixture in Bloorcourt for 13 years. (965 Bloor St. W.). Make that was. The vegan eatery was issued a Termination Notice by the landlord. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched.

The world’s first brick-and-mortar GarfieldEATS restaurant dropped into Toronto’s Bloorcourt (995 Bloor St. W.) back in summer ’19, but closed recently. Founder of Garfieldeatsapp Nathen Mazri, posted a number of tweets on his own account and is quoted in a post on the website claiming disagreements with the building’s landlord. “We have always paid the rent and ready to disclose bank statement and proof of transfers made to the landlord since the lockdown in March 2020, but he wanted more, more, & more. He is simply greedy after we updated his entire filthy building.”

There’s a Landlord’s Distress Notice on the door of Green Lady Thai and Chinese Restaurant (1176 Danforth Ave.). 

Höm Cafe shut the doors on their tiny Yorkville spot after three-and-half years. 

CHANGE OF ADDRESS 

Budapest Restaurant’s last day at their home of five years at Woodbine and Gerrard (1959 Gerrard St. E.) was on October 27. The Hungarian eatery quickly relocated to a spacious spot on the Danforth east of Woodbine (2183-2185 Danforth Ave.). Their first day was November 24.

EVENTS 

Mean Bao is popping up at The District Kitchen in The Food District at Square One November 20-22 and 27-29.

What's Under the Chefs' Hat takes place online Monday November 30.

Get involved in this year’s Toronto Miracle by donating +/or volunteering. 

NEWS

Adam Skelly, owner of Adamson Barbecue, opened his Etobicoke location for indoor dining last week, despite lockdown orders by the Province.  

Former employees of Toronto vegan chef Doug McNish recently spoke out about his alleged behaviour.

The founder of Ripe Nutrition, Alexandra Baird, released a statement regarding her products after Evelyn Kwong, a digital producer at The Toronto Star, tweeted her disgust. 

Two Toronto chefs announced their departure from King Street Food Company, the Toronto-based hospitality group that runs Bar Buca, Buca, Buca Osteria & Enoteca, CXBO Chocolates, Jacob’s & Co. Steakhouse, and La Banane, and recently obtained creditor protection on November 6: Rob Gentile has moved on from Buca after 11 years, and Brandon Olsen says he and co-owner of CXBO Chocolates and La Banane Sarah Keenlyside, parted ways with the company in June. 

Restaurants Canada is calling on Premier Ford to set up an industry survival taskforce. 

The Depanneur launched its Adopt-A-Recipe Kickstarter campaign for a new cookbook on Thursday. At press time, it had reached +$36K of its $20K goal.

The Ontario government is proposing a cap on third-party food delivery fees. If the legislation is passed, it would apply to “the largest delivery companies in the province.”  Note: I’m particularly excited about this, as I launched a petition for a 15 per cent cap six months ago, two months after the first lockdown.

Business owners: You may be eligible for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS). 

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara paid a visit to Riverside vegan restaurant, Animal Liberation Kitchen. 

ICYMI

I could use a drink. Or three. Thank god for Dave Mitton and his exceptional cocktails.

Meet Sakai Bar’s chef Matt Parker Max Taylor in this week’s At The Pass.

The #TAKEOUTTORONTO #DELIVERYTORONTO Project was  launched to help support restaurants and other food/drink businesses offering takeout and delivery. Now more than ever, they need your support. Another way to show your support and have fun? Take the Takeout/Delivery Challenge.

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Stay tuuuuned. Part 2 of the Open/Closed is on the way. Psst. Read it here.

Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the Open/Closed.

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.   

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