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

🕒 6.5 min read

There’s so much to talk about. But before you do anything, you need to catch up on Part 1. Then, settle in, maybe grab some snacks, because Part 2 is no slouch.

Here’s a continuation of the very latest:

The stretch of Kingston Road between Main and Victoria Park has been undergoing quite a transformation in the last year: I was the first to share the arrivals of Somun Superstar and Ivan Sushi & Tea last fall, followed by Lighthouse 1971 earlier this year. An outpost of Canadian chain Kibo Sushi House (906 Kingston Rd.) joined the Upper Beach nabe this week. 

LGU Bakery Inc. popped up at The Food District in Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) a few weeks back. Now, the empanada, alfajor, and gourmet churro shop is calling the Mississauga mall home. Grand opening was November 14.

ISO Halal meals and desserts? Look no further than Scarborough’s Milky Lane Urban Bistro (876 Markham Rd.), which launched November 14.

The striking space in the heart of the Entertainment District, Minami Toronto (225 King St. W., Suite 100), is courtesy of Aburi Restaurants Canada - the group behind three Vancouver eateries (including west coast counterpart Minami Yaletown) and Toronto’s Aburi Hana, Aburi Tora and Miku. Doors opened November 18.

Mishwar Restaurant (675 Danforth Ave.) near Pape celebrated their grand opening on November 14. What to expect: An array of dishes including Grilled Lamb Chops served with rice or fries and hummus, Shish Tawook (grilled marinated chicken breast fries, pickles and garlic sauce), and vegan Ful Medames (garlicky fava beans served with pita).

Another branch of PAI Northern Thai Kitchen landed at Yonge & Eg (2335 Yonge St.) above neighbourhood fixture The Rose and Crown on November 16. (Bonus points if you remember it as Berlin Nightclub back in the day.)

East York’s Parkview Pizza (803 O’Connor Dr.) debuted last week with a bit of everything: pizza, ribs, burgers, and souvlaki, for starters. 

An outpost of Pita Lite just landed at Church and Bloor (175 Bloor St. E.).

Saints Island Pie, previously known as Pabalos Island Pies, moved into what was very recently Wallflower (1665 Dundas St. W.) in Brockton Village with their Detroit-style pies boasting “a little island flavour.”

Argentinian supper club AMA at Queen and Shaw is now Silk Road Lounge & Restaurant (930 Queen St. W.). 

Sohmer’s Pizza. If you know you know. 

Korean restaurant SungWon (4431 Hwy 7 E.) in Unionville is offering 20 per cent off during grand opening celebrations. 

Sushi & China Garden (2326 Danforth Ave.) at Woodbine and Danforth offers an extensive array of affordable Japanese, Szechuan and Hakka fare, with items from $1 to $24.95. 

Taste D West Indies inside Loch and Quay (390 Queens Quay W.). has got you for roti (chicken, goat, veggie) and pelau.

What was forever and a day Louis Meat Market is now West Side Burger (449 Danforth Ave.). In addition to five types of burgers, choose from a selection of sandwiches, poutine, sides, milkshakes and ice cream. 

Xing Fu Tang, Taiwanese brown sugar boba beverage giant, just touched down at CF Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave. E.).

CLOSED

The new King’s Diner (906 Kingston Rd.) premiered November 2019, but was put up for sale this past August. Find out what took over above.

Kobi Barbecue on Yonge near Bloor (710 Yonge St.) may have closed, but you can get your fix at four locations across the GTA.

Maracas’ Kensington Market location (181 Augusta Ave.) is done, but new things are in the works. Stay tuned. 

The colossal space Montecito Restaurant (299 Adelaide St. W.) shuttered after six years. An online bottle shop quickly followed.

Award-winning gem of Corktown Odin Cafe + Bar (514 King St. E.) said farewell on August 30, but quickly remerged as Odin Coffee Roasters.

The Office Pub (at King and Yonge (7 King St. E.), along with neighbouring Thai Express, Rusi, and others that were housed in a mini food court, have vanished as is the case with many businesses in the Financial District. 

Thanks for the memories, Penelope Restaurant (225 King St. W., Suite 100). The celebrated Greek restaurant that set down roots in the Entertainment District these last years, spent time across the city since its first appeared on the scene +25 years ago. 

Rickshaw Bar (685 Queen St. W.) stuck it out at Queen and Bathurst for five years before shutting down.

Riverside’s teeny Siddhartha (734 Queen St. E.) is temporarily closed. Visit their spot in Gerrard India Bazaar, Gautama (416 Gerrard St. E.) 

Wallflower (1665 Dundas St. W.), established 2012, is already something new. See above.

EVENTS

Pro Tip: Don’t miss Crosley’s at Bar Piquette (1084 Queen St. W.) this weekend.

FOR MORE EVENTS, NEWS, ETC.

See Part 1.

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