Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News September 17-23, 2020

🕒 6.5 min read

Local chefs dedicating their off-hours to making ice cream and falafels. A fine dining restaurant in Yorkville that managed to stay completely under the radar (until I uncovered it). Smash burgers, bottle shops, fried chicken, and negronis all week long. Do we live in the best city or what?

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

You best head to Liberty Village tomorrow to secure your spot at the opening of Drop Shop by Burger Drops (116 Atlantic Ave.). Smash burgers and fries will be doled out starting at noon.

How an encrusted jewel such as Enigma Fine Dining (23 St. Thomas St.) set across from the Windsor Arms, eluded local fooderati is beyond me. Choose from contemporary French Afternoon Tea or seasonal Tasting Menu (starting at $185 per person) for dinner. Things to note: there’s valet parking, children are not “accommodated,” and deposits are required to secure reservations ($30 pp for tea, $50 pp for dinner). Doors open tomorrow.

Found Coffee (324 College St.) has taken over what used to be Hopper Coffee. What’s new: streamlined drink menu, expanded food items, and socially distanced spaces. Up next: Australia 2021.

Shopping at Rutherford Market Place in Vaughan? Stop by Fuwa Fuwa (9342 Bathurst St., Unit 11-A1) for Japanese soufflé pancakes.

Grocery Africa (4679 Kingston Rd., Unit 10) has Caribbean, Ghanaian, and Nigerian items available for pick up and delivery now, with hot food and prepared items set to launch in a few weeks. Stay tuned!

Hikari Sushi Bar (893 Pape Ave.) shares an address with Tzatziki in Pape Village.

Kofuku Sushi (48 St. Clair Ave. E.) has supplanted On A Stick.

Leslieville Pumps moved from their gas station digs (929 Queen St. E.) to a quaint spot a few doors west (913 Queen St. E., formerly Delica Kitchen), but managed to keep the rustic, old-timey feel intact. Doors opened earlier this week.

Keep the summer vibesss going with Parlour Tricks Ice Cream by Chef Georgia Zimbel. The new biz launches today, with three new flavours dropped every Thursday. 

The new Pizza Forno at U of T Scarborough (1265 Military Trail) in the Humanities Wing pairs well with late night studying.

Chef Haan Palcu-Chang of Favorites Thai BBQ (141 Ossington Ave.) has an exciting new side hustle: Safta’s Falafel, currently popping up every 2-3 weeks, with a brick-and-mortar coming in the “not-to-distant future.” Made fresh and fried to order, they’re crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, served with homemade tahina and hummus, then stuffed inside fluffy homemade Israeli/Palestinian pitas baked fresh every day. Check it out this Sunday at The Caddi (1296 Queen St. W.) at 4pm.

Tommy’s Wine Bar (1977 Dundas St. W.) debuted just days before the city ordered all restaurants and bars in Ontario to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. The quaint bottle shop and café in the west end offers wine, craft beer, coffee and select food items in the Gallery District. 

CLOSED

One location of Calii Love has closed temporarily due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19. The worker at the King and Spadina outpost (367 King St. W.) last worked September 11. 

Dampa Filipino Restaurant (168 Eglinton Ave. E.) closed its doors.

Hopper Coffee (324 College St.) has transformed into something new, though still coffee-related. See above.

CHANGES

Wonton Chai Noodle rebranded. They answer to  Big Trio Wonton Noodle now.

Zucca Trattoria held court at 2150 Yonge St. for 25 years. Find them in their new home just a few blocks south at 2110 Yonge St. (formerly Rag Doll Eatery, Noorden Food Bar, and Quince). 

EVENTS 

Negroni Week has arrived! Though truth be told, I started “celebrating” in November… 

Get Not Even Coffee pour overs at Milky’s Pop-Up at Holt Renfrew (50 Bloor St. W. Concourse Level) until September 24.

This weekend’s Fried Chicken Fest is the latest offering by STC x Street Eats Summer MRKT Series.

Black Foodie Week – a week-long event dedicated to  celebrating Black chefs, food, and culture - kicks off Sunday.

On the menu at Another Room’s Another Burger Joint on Sunday: Pennie’s mini cheeseburger extravaganza and other “treats.”

Barbecue on the patio is what’s up at the Chau Pop-Up patio takeover at Food & Liquor.

AsialiciousTO is on until October 11.

NEWS 

Patio season just got extended.

DineOutTO is one of many new initiatives in the city to help local businesses. Restaurants can add their listing here.

The “world’s first pizza subscription service” just launched in the 6ix.

Jollibee is opening this winter in Square One.

Taco Bell just launched Jalapeño Noir Wine. Sigh. No, I’m not kidding.

ICYMI 

Have you tried the Impossible Burger yet?

See what you missed at this year’s Terroir Virtual Symposium.

 Meet the new chef de cuisine of Momofuku’s Kōjin, Eva Chin.

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Need help to spread the word about your business without spending $$$? Get in touch.