Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News July 16-22, 2020

🕒 10.5 min read

This week I’ve been wading through the towering backlog while sifting through the incoming news, inundated with daily - sometimes hourly - changes and additions. So much has swiftly come and gone, but what’s truly remarkable: how much continues to open during these wildly unsettling times. 

Here’s an attempt to catch up, alongside the very latest:

OPEN

Home of rainbow bagels, square challah, babka buns, and sprinkle cookies, Aba’s Bagels (884A Eglinton Ave. W.) moved into their new digs at Bathurst and Eglinton April 24. 

Janet Dimond’s Augie’s Ice Pops has been a mainstay at farmers’ markets and gourmet food stores since summer 2011. So the first retail shop in the Junction (3101 Dundas St. W.) was a long time coming (I first reported the May 30 opening in my Ultimate Guide to Ice Cream + Frozen Treats, which you’re going to need this weekend.)

Benares Cucina Indian (49 Front St. E.) landed in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood at the end of March, just days after restaurants were ordered to cease dine-in service due to COVID-19. 

Customers said farewell to Leslieville breakfast/brunch spot Billy’s Diner (99 Pape Ave.) on December 1, but owners Billy Truong and Axelle Compte weren’t so quick to leave it behind. Billy's Burgers debuted May 13 with diner-esque selections of smash burgers, classic sandwiches, sides, shakes, floats and Mexican Coke in the bottle. 

Paramount Fine Food’s new concept box’d (4 King St. W.) arrived mid-June  at a time when contactless ordering is well, paramount. Orders are placed via in-store kiosk or mobile app, then chefs behind the scenes prepare your healthy Middle Eastern meal with modern (truffle oil) and global (chimichurri) touches. You’re notified on your phone that your order is ready for pick up from a digital locker. Stay tuned - a pop-up version is in the works for downtown. 

ISO the “taco of the future”? Cactus Rosado (26 Baldwin St.), which softly opened right before lockdown, claims they’ve got it. 

Bloordale’s newest addition, Caravan Cafe & Tea House (1165 Bloor St. W.), celebrates their grand opening this Sat 10am-1pm. Enjoy waffles and sandwiches for takeout or on the street patio, and free iced tea or Americano. 

Taking over Pancho Y Emiliano’s former digs at King and John, Casa Mezcal (291 King St. W.) is serving up tacos, Mexican-style sushi, and margaritas on the patio. Make that three patios.

Toronto gem Chabrol (90 Yorkville Ave.) was supposed to proceed to their new home (156 Cumberland Ave., previously Caplansky’s) March 14. Then the pandemic struck. Luckily, they settled in a few months ago.

It’s not a proper Open/Closed until there’s a bubble tea shop or two. CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice (3175 Rutherford Rd., Unit 60) softly opened March 19. 

Don Pollo (419 College St.) by Quetzal went live this weekend. The name of the game? Slow-fired Sinaloa-style chicken and sides.

Launched June 25 in Little Italy, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Pizza Bar (760 College St.) boasts an array of antipasto ($5-$25), insalate ($9-$17), pizza ($12-$20) and pasta ($16-$21), alongside options for the kiddos ($6-$8). 

Vegan eatery Haven (366 Bloor St. W.) landed in the Annex in March. Selections include: Night Market Chik’n Nuggets and Jumbo “Prawn” Tempura. 

Chef Aleem Syed of The Holy Grill Food Truck softly opens his first restaurant, The Holy Grill Express (7892 McCowan Rd. on the Markham Executive Golf Course) this Saturday. To celebrate, he’s giving away 100 “Side Chick” sandwiches. Note: You don’t have to be a member of the golf club to dine there.

Indian Desire (469 Bloor St. W.) just opened in the Annex, right next to book mecca BMV, where Little Piggy’s Korean BBQ used to be.

Northeastern Thai eatery Isaan Der in The Junction (2961 Dundas St. W.)  just launched a Midtown outpost (2013 Yonge St.).

Family-run shawarma joint Kababia (1202 Danforth Ave.) at Greenwood and Danforth kicked off service mid-June.

On January 21, a fire broke out at Kensington Fruit Market (36 St. Andrew St.), a family owned and operated business since 1978, While no injuries were sustained, they closed to repair the extensive damage. Doors re-opened Saturday. Welcome back. 

M!LK Vegan Gelato (536 Queen St. W.) can be found inside Pizzeria Du. 

The Oud and The Fuzz (21 Kensington Ave.) was all set to launch March 28. The Armenian bar finally opened to the public June 27.

Brazilian bakery Padaria Toronto (5 Manor Rd. E.) threw open their doors two months ago. Pro tip: Check out the incredible pantry section, filled with Brazilian goodies including: Batata Palha, De Mello Palheta coffee, Farofa Yoki, Carioca Beans, Guava Paste (Goiabada), and Bolo de Rolo.

Head to Peacher Peacher (674 Yonge St.) at Yonge and Isabella for ice cream and gelato, fusion bubble ta and “fresh-fruit related fusion tea.”

The second outpost of Piccolina Gelato (1192 Queen St. E.) debuted June 19 in Leslieville. Find them conveniently next to their big bro, NODO Restaurant.

Scarborough’s PizzaLand Halal & Grill added a Missisauga venue (5019 Spectrum Way)  to their roster, complete with turkish pide, shish tawook, kufta kebab and other Middle Eastern delicacies.

Find PukkaPukka (2633 Yonge St.), the more casual version to upmarket sister resto Pukka (778 St. Clair Ave. W.), smack-dab between Eglinton and Lawrence.

Consider your summer vacay now complete: Rodney’s Oyster House (469 King St. W.) launched in Muskoka a few weeks ago.

After initial delays, and then the pandemic, one of the city’s best burger joints, Rudy (1330 Danforth Ave.) finally opened their third instalment April 13 at Greenwood and Danforth.

Neighbourhood butcher Stock in Trade moved into Doodle’s Market (1324A Gerrard St.) May 1. In addition to the butcher counter, find prepared foods, veg, and other pantry items. 

Season Six (216 Ossington Ave.) is a fast-casual concept pairing wood-fire grilled meats and mushrooms with sides inspired by the six seasons of produce. 

Filipino eatery Tala (249 Dundas St. W.) took over the Salmon Lovers sushi spot back on April 1. On the menu: kamayan kits packed in pizza boxes, for one.

CLOSED 

Queen West stalwart The Beaver (1192 Queen St. W.) announced their departure earlier this week.

Big Sushi (388 Bloor St. W.) in The Annex is up for rent.

Brothers (1240 Bay St.) delivered a big blow via social on Monday. That said, they may not be done done, after all. Long rumoured to be opening another location, part of their message reads, “know that we have every intention of re committing to this work & feel we have a lot left to contribute.” Fingers/forks crossed.

The Queen and Spadina outpost of Butter Avenue (477 Queen St W.) wrapped up mid-May.

Owner of Daves on St Clair (730 St Clair Ave. W.) Liz Guerrier said a final goodbye to customers across social on May 22.

Leslieville’s cottage-inspired The Dock on Queen (932 Queen St. E.) won’t be delivered any lakeside vibes this summer.

Gandhi Roti (554 Queen St. W.) may have shuttered after 25 years, but a new roti eatery by the chef will soon replace it. Stay tuned. 

Hokkaido Sushi (245 Eglinton Ave. E.) was around for seemingly forever (I dined there in the late 90s or early oughts, not long after it opened). But hidden by Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction for eons and then COVID, it’s no wonder they couldn’t continue.

Pancho Y Emiliano announced closure of their towering Entertainment District location at King and John (291 King St. W.) on April 30. 

After 19 years, Live Organic Food Bar (264 Dupont St.) said goodbye to their Dupont haunt. 

Scallywags (11 St Clair Ave W.) - established 1997 - announced their closure on June 23.

True True Diner (169 King St. E.) is officially closed. Chef Suzanne Barr claims the closure came as a surprise, posting on social, “The decision was made for us by partners who intentionally kept us in the dark.” 

NEWS 

From coffee to cannabis, Second Cup is on the move.

Food delivery platform Facedrive Inc. replaces Foodora.

The latest restaurant to not comply with social distancing protocols on the patio? King West’s MARBL.

Vegandale’s “first ever vegan poolside patio summer series” arrives next month. 

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