Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News December 24, 2020-January 6, 2021

🕒 8.5 min read

On December 26, the entire province moved into lockdown for 28 days. That hasn’t slowed openings any. In fact, I’ve got a whopping 20 new arrivals for you. I’d say I can’t believe it, but now it just feels normalish. 

The Open/Closed will return on January 7. That said, keep it locked here because there’s exciting things to come. In the meantime, Happy New Year and thank you for your support. It means a lot. Especially in a year like this. And whatever you do this week, please support local restaurants, bars, breweries, cafes, and shops in whatever way you can.  

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Azhar Kitchen & Bar (96 Ossington Ave.), a new collab by industry vets Janet Zuccarini (Gusto 54 Restaurant Group) and Chef Stuart Cameron (Mira, Patria, Byblos) isn’t fully opening until next month, but you can shop the Middle Eastern marketplace now for fire-baked breads, housemade dips, spices, and local goods. 

Baba Calzone (7600 Weston Rd., Unit 37) in Vaughan celebrated their grand opening yesterday. The new eatery specializes in Mediterranean calzones. Wondering how they differ from the Italian version? There’s only one way to find out.

Montreal bagel house, Bagel Time (551 Bloor St. W.) celebrated their grand opening in the Annex two days before Christmas.

Dim sum is a basic necessity at the best of times. These days, it’s a lifeline. Thus, the return of Bao Bao Express (2298 Bloor St. W.)  in Bloor West Village is greatly appreciated. 

BBs Diner (76 Lippincott St.) may be gone (sob), but BBs Rotisserie is here to save your New Year’s Eve with their Litson Manok and all the fixins. #blessed

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice is taking over the world. Or so it would seem with all the openings lately, including one just a few weeks back. Just added: Thornhill soft opened yesterday (700 Centre St., Unit 260) and another debuts in Scarborough at McCowan and Steeles (5651 Steeles Ave. E.) today. 

Dav’s Hotspot in Mississauga (1365 Mid-Way Blvd., Unit 22) specializes in decadent comfort food: Mac and cheese, rasta pastas, seafood (lobster, crab legs, jumbo shrimp), and wings. Little Italy has one to call its own now (713 College St.). Doors opened in September.

With the new year comin’ in hot, the arrival of low carb and gluten-free café The Haven (2256 Queen St. E.) in The Beaches may be just the motivation you need to reach your health goals. 

Hub Sushi (7398 Yonge St., Unit 1-3D) in Thornhill solves the dilemma of having to choose between izakaya fare or sushi. Their follow up, Hub Sushi & Pork (420 Highway 7, Unit 26) in Richmond Hill, is similar, but with pork hocks (Reg $33, BBQ $35, Spicy $35, Bossam $33). 

KX Coffee Bar (263 Davenport Rd.) arrived mid-August. New additions include a gym and bar.

Korean comfort food HQ, Mamma Lee’s Korean Kitchen (16 Yonge St., Unit B), arrived near Queens Quay a few months ago.

Thai inspired drinks and sweets from Namwan Thai Cafe (713 Gerrard St E.­) in Chinatown East (previously Elvy & Flo) are just what days like these call for. 

Since the pandemic clearly ain’t over, the carbs/sweets sitch is here to stay a while longer. Thus, the arrival of Chef Marc Thuet’s Petite Thuet (284 Carlaw Ave., Unit 101) in Leslieville today is where we live now. Psst: Live on the west side? Experiencing serious FOMO? Their holiday popup at Dundas and Ossington (1134 Dundas St. W.) just got extended until the end of March. All the confetti. 

Holiday popup Sweaters n’ Snowflakes (621 Richmond St. W.) has been extended until January 3.

Shuyi Tealicious (630 Yonge St.) at Yonge & Wellesley offers teas of all kinds, including milk, fruit, yakult, and grass jelly.

If you like Basil Box, you’ll love Street Kitchen by Basil Box, their delivery-only eatery serving “comfort foods with a Southeast Asian Basil Box twist” to North York dwellers. 

Halal Pakistani and Indian resto Taza Kabab took over Burgatory’s digs (719 College St.) in September. On the menu: kabab combos, curries, rice dishes and naans galore.

Two Hot Babes Coffee (1069 Bloor St W.) - a popup at Wenona Lodge by Nancy and four-legged companion Pez - arrived in Bloorcourt on December 1, but it’s not too late for warm welcomes, pour over coffees, and baked goods.

Chef Victor Barry (Piano Piano, Café Cancan) launched two concepts at 88 Harbord St: Victory Burger (currently open) and Victory Pizza (reopening January 6). 

CLOSED 

Ave & Dav’s longtime occupant, EVOO (138 Avenue Rd.) has said addio.

Fran’s on Front (33 Yonge St.) closes for good New Year's Eve due to an “uncooperative landlord.”

Sam James Coffee Bar across from Trinity Bellwoods (917 Queen St. W.) packed it in Christmas Eve.

Greektown has been losing businesses to the pandemic, left and right, including St Louis Bar & Grill (561 Danforth Ave.).

Tertulia Espresso Bar (711 Queen St. E.) at Queen and Broadview shuttered December 24.

NEWS 

Kevin Hart fell hard for local juice bar Green Press Inc. 

Ontario temporarily capped food delivery fees, but it doesn’t apply to all restaurants: This one does.

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Restaurant Brands International Inc., one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant companies (they own Tim Hortons, Burger King, and Popeyes). The Canadian company’s corporate office is in Toronto. 

In a fascinating twist, Chef Chloe Coscarelli has regained part ownership of By Chloe, the company she co-founded over five years ago. ICYMI: The buzzy vegan chain out of the U.S. recently filed for bankruptcy. The single Canadian outpost, located at Yorkdale, continues to be temporarily closed due to the lockdown.

Is Netflix running out of ideas? Best Leftovers Ever!?

There’s a bucatini shortage in the U.S. You won’t believe why.

This is probably the only time in my life I’ll wish I lived in Anchorage.

ICYMI 

The TR Holiday Gift Guide is here! Shop outstanding gifts for food lovers from 50 Toronto chefs, restaurants, bars, cafés, bakeries + breweries now.

Wondering what to do this off-the-charts New Year’s? Toronto restaurants have come up with creative, enticing options to ring in the new year, all for under $100. But you’ve gotta act fast.

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