🕒 12.5 min read

It’s been… well, forever since the last Open/Closed on Thursday March 12. The world has changed inconceivably since then. I thought it was busy before. It turns out, that was nothing.

There has been an unprecedented amount of breaking news, especially concerning the hospitality industry, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, I’ve been working around the clock to report on the news, doing deeper dives into the issues such as the recent patio relaunch and delivery apps, creating Neighbourhood Food + Drink Guides and other resources both for the industry and public at large, for starters. Simultaneously, I launched two large initiatives: The #TAKEOUTTORONTO #DELIVERYTORONTO Project and Petition to Cap All Third-Party Delivery App Fees, to try and help save restaurants right now and in the days ahead.

With policy and by-law changes unfurling at breakneck speed, the industry has had to pivot quickly. Though openings and closures took on a new significance during this period, outlining the developments of the ‘new normal’ as they’ve unfolded and shifted were paramount. And continue to be. That said, our restaurants and neighbourhoods have been forever altered, and they too, require immediate attention. Thus the return of my long-running Open/Closed. 

I’ve been tracking the comings and goings of establishments this whole time, but as it’s been almost four months, there’s a colossal backlog - I won’t be able to fit it all in this first one back. What you see below isn’t everything, just what time allowed. In fact, these 25 arrivals are just the beginning (remember how insane my weekly lists used to be?). In no time, we’ll both be all caught up - I don’t plan on giving up my title of most comprehensive listings in Toronto/GTA anytime soon. In the meantime, please be patient. I’m working on it.

And of course when I say ‘open,’ I mean for takeout, delivery, and possibly a patio, until dining indoors in permitted.

You may have surprised to learn: Though many businesses shuttered, a shocking number have launched - and are about to. You would think something like a global pandemic would dissuade folks, especially when the industry has been decimated. But hospitality folks are a passionate, hard-working, stubborn bunch whose dreams won’t be waylaid by a crisis of epic proportions. It’s a sign of hope, that things are still moving forward, and dreams are being laid out. Something we can both hold onto to help get us to the other side of this.

Here’s a start at catching up and the very latest from A-Z: 

OPEN

Projected to open in April, Abu Hummus (199 Baldwin St.) was understandably delayed until recently. The Kensington Market eatery dubbing itself “Toronto's most authentic hummus restaurant,” launched last Thursday.

Kensington has seen significant changes during this period. The Arch Café (293 Augusta Ave.) for example, announced their new digs on June 21. Menu items include Persian Omelette ($9.99), Dutch Baby ($11.95) and Jeweled Rice ($15.99) and Carrot Juice with Saffron Ice Cream ($9.95).

Scarborough destination Art of BBQ Smokehouse (2478 Kingston Rd.) brings barbecue and soul food under one roof. Doors opened mid-April.

Aunty Lucy’s Burgers moved into a former brewery in Parkdale - Duggans’s and then Vegandale (1346 Queen St. W.) - a month ago, but it didn’t last due to a rent dispute. Find them at their new digs in The Annex hotel starting Wednesday.

Beach Hill Smokehouse (429 Danforth Ave.) kicked off celebrations for their second location Saturday.

Blondies Pizza is one of many eateries to debut a delivery-only location during the pandemic. The Davenport outpost (265 Davenport Rd.) launched June 16.

Little Italy’s French-Korean bakery Bonne Nouvelle (655 College St.) at College and Bathurst debuted April 27. Discover an array of ever-changing fine pastries including drool-inducing Madeleines, Canelès, Financiers, Opera Cake, Kouign Amann and Bostock.

College and Ossington’s Pray Tell made way for the second installment of Italian eatery Buono (838 College St.) on July 4. 

The folks behind Mercado Negro (1370 St Clair Ave. W.) got the keys to their new venture Casa Portuguesa (682 Caledonia Rd.) on March 15. Despite the immense challenge of launching during the harrowing first days of the pandemic, they decided to forge ahead. Doors opened June 14.

You’ve got until Saturday to get in on Danny Barna’s Larb Shack (746 Queen St. W.), the Laotian and Thai pop-up happening at Canis.

Egg Bird (1595 Bayview Ave.) got underway Saturday. The eatery by restaurateur Hemant  Bhagwani (Amaya, Goa, Good Karma, Oye, Pōpa) specializes in burgers, shakes, Belgian fries, and frozen custard. 

Donuts are so 2016. It’s churros you should be holding onto. Get ‘em at El Habanero & Churrobar inside McEwan Foods Café at CF Shops at Don Mills (38 Karl Fraser Rd.).

On May 29, Parkdale’s Tennessee Tavern (1554 Queen St. W.) transformed into Gianna’s Patties & Pies with a selection of Detroit-style pan pizzas ($26-$35), classic diner burgers ($9-$12), apps and sides ($5-$15), wine, beer, cider and liquor.

Local commissary Goods Pantry (899 Bloor St W.) debuts Saturday in Bloorcourt. 

HotBlack Coffee (1993 Yonge St.) added another venue to its roster, this time between Eglinton and Davisville. Doors opened June 20.

Mango Like Desserts (280 Augusta Ave. Unit B.) is a haven for fruit lovers. The “mango-inspired café” from Scarborough set up shop in Kensington on June 27 with an extensive array of items including: mille-crêpe cakes, mochi, pockets, puddings, sago pearls, tasting boxes, and even a not-so-secret secret menu.

Mehfill Indian Cuisine (2687 Kipling Ave.) arrived in Etobicoke last month. The self-proclaimed “finest kitchen in Canada” is open 365 days a year.

Nani's Gelato food truck got a brick-and-mortar outpost (6 Charles St. E.) just south of Yonge and Bloor at the end of May.

Nazareth Bar (969 Bloor St. W.) has returned, though the kitchen remains closed. Drinks on the patio however, are in full effect.

Little italy’s latest arrival is French resto Pompette (597 College St.). Très bien.

Ruby Soho Bar (587 King St. W.) nabbed prime real estate at the corner of Portland and King (formerly Portland Variety), complete with spacious patio.

Samaira’s Kitchen (1086 Queen St. E.) - formerly Queen City Pizza - does pizza, wings, burgers, fries, salads and more.

Tacos Gus (616 Gladstone Ave.) launched a second location mid-April at Bloor and Dufferin.

Street food focused Ubon Thai (557 Mount Pleasant Rd.) is situated just two doors north of the historic Regent Theatre. So dinner and a show… eventually.

Seafood-centric Zicatela (285 Augusta Ave.) took over where Big Fat Burrito long reigned (HOT TIP: be on the lookout for BFB opening across the street at 238 Augusta Ave. where Hibiscus Café previously held court).

CLOSED

Golden Thai Restaurant (105 Church St.)  is “officially closed for business and will not reopen,” as stated on their website.

Eastside mainstay Lucky Star Restaurant (739 Queen St. E.) closed May 30.

Broadview and Danforth’s popular New York Cafe (757 Broadview Ave.) has shuttered after 16 years due to COVID-19. The building has been restaurants since the 1950s.

The midtown location of Pizzeria Via Mercanti (2075 Yonge St.) is up for lease.

RIP for now, PrettyUgly Bar (1237 Queen St. W.). 

If you were a fan of Queen City Pizza (1086 Queen St. E.), you’ll like the new place (see above).

Roselle’s new west-end location and “Headquarters” (108 Dovercourt Rd.) was short-lived.

Sorelle & Co. shuttered their IG-worthy Yorkville spot in November, followed by operations in Vaughan last month.

Kelsey Ramage and Iain Griffiths announced Friday, Supernova Ballroom (330 Bay St.), one of the city’s most celebrated new bars (where did they store the glassware with all those awards?) closed permanently due to the pandemic.

Tennessee Tavern (1554 Queen St. W.) may be gone, but the new concept is worth a looksee (see above).

I can’t remember a time when True Love Café (290 Dundas St. E.) wasn’t around. It’s currently for lease.

Scarborough’s legendary Wexford Restaurant (2072 Lawrence Ave. E.) closed up shop after 63 years. 

NEWS

There’s no way to get to it all here, but recently:

Foodbenders owner Kimberly Hawkins has been making headlines recently for many statements she’s made, including Zionists are not welcome at her store.

A tweet by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) confirmed the suspension of Goldie’s liquor licence and delivery of a Notice of Proposal to “revoke the licence” after a secret bash was held on the premises indoors.

The Rivoli is for sale.

ICYMI 

Patios relaunched recently, but is it enough? I did a deep dive into the issues the industry is currently facing. 

I also delved into how the pandemic is affecting food trucks. 

A new series highlighting Black-owned businesses is just the beginning. 

To combat this intense heat, chill out with with ice cream, bingsu,  halo halo, paletas… With +100 destinations in The Ultimate Guide to Ice Cream + Frozen Treats in Toronto/GTA, you’ve def got options. 

Take your cocktail game to the next level with this recipe by bartender extraordinaire Farzam Fallah.

In order to support chefs during this time, my monthly series At The Pass is now weekly. Get caught up.

Reopening your restaurant, bar, cafe or foodservice business? I’ve compiled a list of resources.

If you haven’t already, please sign and share my Petition to Cap All Third-Party Delivery App Fees to help restaurants now and in the coming months. 

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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 to an exclusively food-hungry audience? Get in touch.