Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News March 12-18, 2020

🕒 7 min read

Pandemic schemic. Restaurateurs continue to launch eateries across the GTA with aplomb. Case in point: I’ve got 17 arrivals for you this week, which of course is a crazy amount at any time of year, but especially right now.

Once you’ve dug your way through all that, keep reading for surprising closures, food + drink news, and events.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Boccone Deli & Pizza Bar (1384 Yonge St.) closed last month to undergo a “facelift,” but got back to business as of yesterday.

Tired of traditional round doughnuts? The Box Donut specializes in the square variety. Find them at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.) starting Saturday.

Chatime launched their latest bubble tea shop in the St. Lawrence ‘hood (163 King St. E.) earlier today.

Mississauga just got a new destination for vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, and plant-based lovers. Say hello to Copper Branch at Sussex Centre (90 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W.).

Chinatown’s former Provo FoodBar (and short-lived Lucca) transforms into Dzo Viet Eatery (308 Dundas St. W.) Wednesday.

Fatteh and Snobar Restaurant (4665 Central Pkwy E.) opened earlier this week in Mississauga. Expect an array of Middle Eastern fare including falafels, manakish, and omelette pies.

Cantonese restaurant Flavourful House (280 West Beaver Creek Rd.) celebrates its grand opening today. The Richmond Hill eatery offers an extensive menu including delicacies of Curry Dungeness Crab, Salted Egg Yolk Fried Tiger Shrimp with Pumpkin, Hakka Style Steamed Duck, and Soy Sauce Squabs.

In the mood for roti, curry goat, or jerk chicken? Head to The Islands Caribbean Cookshop at Yonge-Sheppard Centre (4841 Yonge St.).

Jacobs Deli & Smokehouse (1100 Eglinton Ave. W.) took over former barbecue spot, Que. A notable item on the menu: Jacobs Ultimate Platter ($195, for 3-4ppl) Miami ribs, sticky burnt ends, wings, southern fried chicken, fire roasted corn, fries, baked beans, coleslaw, biscuits and gravy.

As you know, I’ve been trying to keep up with all the Kung Fu Tea openings happening across the GTA in close succession. The latest arrival for the Taiwanese bubble tea chain is Kung Fu Tea On Bayview (9665 Bayview Ave., Unit11) in Richmond Hill. Their soft launch on Saturday includes 20 per cent off all drinks.

Assembly Chef’s Food Hall (111 Richmond St. W.) has a new occupant: Oye, a sit-down, full-service Indian resto by Hemant  Bhagwani (Amaya, Goa, Good Karma, Pōpa).

North Yorkers can get their hands on dishes including Durian Kingdom ($22), Japanese Souffle Pancake ($24), and Edible Bird’s Nest ($31), thanks Petit Potato’s extensive menu at Empress Walk (5095 Yonge St., Unit A13 & B10).

Don’t want to interact with humans rn? The Pizza Forno automated pizza oven has landed at Sunnybrook Hospital (2075 Bayview Ave.) of all places, though you may want to wear gloves while operating the touchscreen.

I informed you of Rollian’s closure at Sunnybrook Plaza last week, but they didn’t waste any time reopening. Their new spot uptown (2584 Yonge St.) launched Sunday. 

Scarlett (571 Queen St. W.) cocktail bar at Queen and Portland took over where Bar Altura used to be.

While technically not a new arrival, I think it’s important to note Tom’s Dairy Freeze (630 The Queensway) opens on Wednesday. If that’s not a sign of good things to come, I don’t know what is.

The city’s oldest bar, The Wheatsheaf Tavern (667 King St. W.) kicks off their freshly reno’d digs on Tuesday, which just happens to be St. Patrick’s Day.

CLOSED

Chabrol’s last day at 90 Yorkville Ave. is Sunday. Don’t worry, they’re not going far. They hope to be open in their new space one street over (156 Cumberland Ave.) next week. Stay tuned. I’ll have the details for you then.

Estia (90 Avenue Rd.) announced their sudden closure over the weekend. No doubt hospitality group ICONINK (Akira Back, Byblos, Figo, French Made, Kōst, Mira, Mister C., Patria, Weslodge, The Storys Building) will replace it with another concept shortly.

The blinds are drawn at one of Cabbagetown’s healthy venues Freshed Right Salad and Juice Bar (298 Gerrard St. E.).

Queen City Pizza (1086 Queen St. E.) is papered up, but not for long – they’re closed for renos until April.

The website and phone number are unavailable for sushi eatery Salmon Lovers (294 Dundas St. W.).

Korean finer dining resto Yeon (465 Queen St. W.) debuted just two months ago, but announced their closure last week.

EVENTS

The fifth annual Sugar Shack takes over Sugar Beach this weekend.

The  St. Lawrence Market will finally be open on Sundays, starting this week. 

NEWS 

Reusable cup programs have been suspended across the city due to COVID-19.

Speaking of Coronavirus, stop using vodka as sanitizer. 

While the States deals with an enoki mushroom recall, we’ve got our own problems to worry about – this week, it’s bean sprouts.

There’s a new connect between The Broadview Hotel and Gladstone Hotel.

Restaurant robots are becoming more prevalent (i.e. last week’s Robot Boil House). Keep an eye out for Geoffrey, the new pink delivery robot by Tiny Miles, in partnership with online food delivery platform, Foodora.

ICYMI 

Discover why “sober curious” and “mindful drinking” movements are on the rise in this week’s article.

Perhaps you didn’t know.

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Want to get the word out about your business or service to an exclusively food-hungry audience? Shoot me an email -> writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.

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