🕒 9 min read

Mid-August used to be high season for vacations and frozen cocktails, not restaurant openings. If anything did launch, it was rare and not publicized while issues got ironed out. 

August 2020 is nothing like that. I’ve got 27 new arrivals, with everything from Egyptian fare to preserved jellyfish.

Here’s the very latest: 

OPEN 

Leave it to Charles Khabouth and Danny Soberano of INK Entertainment to transform the dark den of La Société (131 Bloor St. W.), into Amal Toronto, all 5,230 square feet awash in white, just in time for summer dining. The modern Lebanese restaurant with executive chef Rony Ghaleb at the helm, debuts Tuesday. 

Authentic Hong Kong resto Beefing With 7 just added to their roster with an outpost in Chinatown (382 Spadina Ave.), complete with patio. 

Chef Nuit Regular, executive chef and co-owner of Kiin, Sabai Sabai, Sukthothai, and PAI Northern Thai Kitchen, launches By Chef Nuit Pop-Up next week at Kiin (326 Adelaide St. W.). Expect Thai classics (Yum Yai Salad), alongside modern riffs (Pad Gra Prow Burger, Pad Thai Wings). 

Carlo’s Bakery Express Cake ATMs debuted in the 6ix last winter. If you follow TR on Insta  (the best way to get breaking news), you’ll have seen another just got added at College Park. Psst. Also find new cake ATMs at Hillcrest Mall, Scarborough Town Centre, Square One, Toronto Premium Outlets and Upper Canada Mall. Pro tip: Buy stretchy pants while you’re at the mall. You’re gonna need ‘em.

Daldongnae says it’s “the best Korean BBQ in Toronto.” Judge for yourself at their latest spot (5211 Yonge St.), near Empress Walk.

Strolling around Yorkville this weekend? Stop in at Dice Fruit Bar and Cafe (162 Cumberland St.), which quietly launched last month.

Doors opened for independent coffee shop East Toronto Coffee Co. (2318 Danforth Ave.) in May.

Toronto's first exclusively plant-based Middle Eastern restaurant Eat Nabati (160 Baldwin St.) ticks a lot of boxes.

Four Four South Village (3280 Midland Ave., Unit 23), known for their Taipei beef noodles, just launched a Scarborough location at Midland and Finch.

Staycationing just got a whole lot better thanks to Gerrard East Market (GEM) on the east side. Leslieville’s newest haunt at the corner of Gerrard St. E. and Marjory Ave. includes an expansive beer garden and patio. Created by Two Cats Cannabis Co., The Dive Shop, Poor Romeo, PYMBO Investments, and The Vatican, vendors include Com Tam Pho, GB Hand Pulled Noodles, La Cubana, and Yard Sale.

Ikune (1166 Queen St. W.), the latest popup concept by Après Wine Bar, features Asian fare “inspired by our travel and memories,” including Rapini Goma-ae Salad ($9), Truffle Tuna Maki ($15), Ebi Katsu Sando ($12), BBQ Lamb Ribs ($12), and Chirashi ($30).

Mississauga’s Karioka Fine Egyptian Cuisine (1675 The Chase, Unit 17) held its grand opening on March 14, three days before all restaurants in Ontario were ordered to close due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Katsuya boasts seven eateries across the GTA and one in Coquitlam, BC. The latest satellite of the Japanese fusion resto to land in the 6ix: Vaughan Mills (3175 Rutherford Rd.) over the weekend, and Markham (3229 York Regional Rd 7, Unit E3) which launched at the beginning of June. 

Taiwanese bubble tea shop Kung Fu Tea deployed what seemed like a gazillion locations across the GTA in the last year. Keeping me on my toes, they just added Commerce Gate Plaza in Richmond Hill (505 Highway 7, Unit 8). 

Get your caffeine fix on KX Coffee Bar’s sleek patio (263 Davenport Rd.). Stay tuned: a wine bar is in the works. Clink.

Latino5Spice - aka Steve Gonzalez, executive chef of Baro – has  popped into Kensington Flea Market (214 Augusta Ave.). Menu items will change, but for now, get in on those $3 Tacos Al Pastor. 

Magic BBQ & Seafood (660 Eglinton Ave. W.), in Mississauga has it all. Roasted duck, cuttlefish in soya sauce, pickled pig hock, and preserved jellyfish, for starters.

Artisanal gelato shop Mizzica Gelateria & Cafe (29 McCaul St.), debuted August 1, with dairy and vegan options. 

Nam Vietnamese Restaurant in Richmond Hill just got a sister location in Markham (8360 Kennedy Rd., Unit C7).

Naru Izakaya (399 Church St.) replaced JINYA Ramen Bar at the end of June.

Find Pita and Hummus (537 St. Clair Ave. W.) right at Bathurst and St. Clair.

Your weekend plans just got a whole lot brighter, thanks to Rasta Pasta Bar & Lounge (63 Kensington Ave.) by Rasta Pasta (61 Kensington Ave.).

Roti Mahal Indian Cuisine’s (554 Queen St. W.) grand opening takes place tomorrow, with celebrations – including ten per cent off -  beginning at 11am.

Gerrard India Bazaar’s newest occupant, Thirsty Loon (1489 Gerrard St. E.), is serving up a mix every kind of pub fare and comfort food you can imagine. No, really. e.g. Perogies, Philly Steak Melt, Quinoa Salad, Chicken Florentine Penne, Thai Green Curry Bowl, All-Day Breakfast, Jerk-Fred Cauliflower, and French Onion Soup.

Toto Sushi (1455 Gerrard St. E.), just down the street from The Thirsty Loon, premiered three weeks ago.

Hey Mississauga, you can get your hands on Uncle Tetsu’s Japanese Cheesecake at Square One’s Food District (100 City Centre Dr.) now.

CLOSED

After three years on Queen West, Ama (930 Queen St. W.) closes Saturday. The last evening is already sold out, but another location is reportedly in the works. Stay tuned. 

Brickyard Bistro (1289 Gerrard St. E.) announced their last day of service will be August 30.

deKEFIR (333 Bay St.) in The Path has shuttered. The Liberty Village location remains open until August 31st.

Fine dining resto Don Alfonso 1890 (19 Toronto St.) has decided to close, but is “actively looking for a new location to reopen.”

JINYA Ramen Bar (399 Church St.) has already been replaced. See above.

Sweat and Soda (1091 Queen St. E.) is changing gears. Stay tuned for The Side Kitchen.

Sticky Rice (1489 Gerrard St. E.) arrived July '18, but has already vacated the premises. See above for what’s taken its place.

The only Canadian Virtuous Pie location outside of B.C. (611 College St.) has closed “indefinitely.”

Shabestan Café (6123 Yonge St.) is closed after failing a Public Health Inspection on July 31.

EVENTS

The Stop's Farmers' Market has returned to Artscape Wychwood Barns.
STC x Street Eats Summer MRKT Series continues this weekend with Toronto’s first ice cream festival.

Order tickets now for this year’s Terroir Virtual Symposium and Taste of Terroir Box.

NEWS 

Mahjong Bar on Dundas West apologized for patio crowds.

Finally, a mask made for eating.

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