Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News March 4-10, 2021

🕒 9 min read

With warmer weather on the approach and stay-at-home orders possibly lifting in Toronto and Peel, it feels like a bit of a reprieve. Well, for you maybe. Here at TR Headquarters, it’s as bonkers as ever with 20 arrivals.

And did you know I bring you openings and resto news across the site throughout the week, not just here in the Open/Closed? Did you miss my news about a celebrity chef’s new restaurant launching imminently in The Tip Off? (found exclusively in the newsletter delivered to your inbox Tuesdays) Better subscribe for this week’s issue (no spam or selling of your info ever). And there was another exclusive in this week’s At The Pass that probably passed you by…

It’s a LOT, I know. But it’s just the beginning. I’ve got a slew of places I’ve had to push back to next week already. I mean, I’ve got to leave my desk at some point.

No one does it bigger or better. See for yourself.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

I told you about the new owners of The Ace (231A Roncesvalles Ave.) back in January. Great news - Maggie and Rafael Stackpole opened their doors earlier tonight.

French classics are the name of the game at Jean-Pierre Centeno’s Bicyclette Food & Wine (290 Harbord St.). French Onion Soup ($13/1L), Croque Monsieur ($9), Salade Niçoise ($11), and Chicken Tourtière ($26) on spesh? Oomph.

The grand opening for The Biryani Walla in Mississauga (3021 Argentia Rd.) kicked off today at 11:30am.

St. Catharines import The Bull BBQ Pit moved into Boneyard Grill’s former digs (1216 St. Clair Ave. W.) with boldly named handhelds (Between the Sheets Burger, The Horny Chicken Sandwich, The Fidel Castro), and cholesterol busters like the Redonkadonk Sandwich with smoked brisket, pulled pork, bacon, grilled onions and fries piled high with ‘Bullslaw’ on a bun.

Commo (242 King St. E.) offers Betty’s on King’s (240 King St. E.) full takeout menu - Betty’s Wings, the Betty's Burger, Pub Curry, and Deep Six Dip and Chips - in addition to frozen entrees, booze, and other goodies.

Halcyon (2196 Bloor St. W.) softly opened in Bloor West Village yesterday. The triple threat café is serving up Hot Black Coffee, a selection of vino, and ‘za from hidden pizzeria within, Bello Pizza.

Virtual kitchen Holy Pizza Oakville delivers 12-inch pies with anything but angelic names (Cheesus, Holy Moly, Fear of God, Texan Preacher) alongside those with more customary monikers (Thai Oh My, Almost Vegan, Pineapple Belongs on Pizza).

Jollibee has been busy this last while. In fact, the location opening Saturday in North York at Centerpoint Mall (6464 Yonge St.), marks ninth in the province, third to open in 2021 (it’s only just March), with more on the way. Stay tuned.

Rachel went to Humber for pastry and worked in multiple bakeries over the last seven years before launching her home-based bakery Juniper Cakes & Desserts, at the beginning of the year. Shop special occasion cakes, cookies, and tarts available for pickup and delivery in North York (Toronto delivery is extra).

Kibo Sushi House has been sprouting up all over the GTA lately. The newest satellite just landed in North York at Keele and Lawrence (2300 Keele St.).

You’re going to need to clear some counter space for your haul from La Boulangerie (1134 Dundas St. W.) at Dundas and Ossington. I suggest Alsatian Sourdough, Chocolate-Filled Beignets, Sesame Baguettes, and Tourtiere, for starters.

La Cubana’s popup at Snakes and Lattes’ Midtown location (45 Eglinton Ave. E.) includes made-for-lockdown-life Date Night Combos ($45-$55) complete with food, drinks and a board game.

There’s no bad time to open these days. Case in point: Naan & Chai launched their Mississauga outpost (10 Kingsbridge Garden Circle) on December 24 at 5pm.

Radar alert: Eugene Paik bakes cookies ($4 ea.) to order in unique flavours. Yuzu Chocolate Cookies? Peanut Butter Cookies with a hit of white miso, then filled with injeolmi (roasted soy powder) cream? Here. For. It. Paik's Bakes offers savoury items as well: Kalbi-j Jim Pot Pie ($10-$25) boasting Korean braised short ribs in a savory sweet sauce studded with carrots, potatoes, chestnuts, and dates, enveloped in a handmade puff pastry crust - available fresh or frozen. Menu items will change every few months and proceeds from sales with be donated to Rainbow Railroad, a Canadian charitable organization helping LGBTQIA folks escape persecution and violence. p.s. That’s his lovely dog Finley on the logo.

ISO freshly baked patties? Head to Patties Express new spot in Mississauga at The Food District Square One (100 City Centre Dr.). The third location debuted Tuesday.

Chefs Erich Mrak and Hunter Glaude are making sumptuous handmade pasta kits (Braised Duck Sun Ravioli Kit ftw), sourdough pizza kits (Pesto Potato, Fennel Sausage) house made cheeses, and other WFH essentials at their new food co. Saucy, currently based out of Beaches Brewery (1953 Queen St. E.).

The Simple Kitchen (137 Lakeshore Rd. E.) in Oakville helps balance out all those burgers and hot chicken sandos you’ve been smashing lately, with a does of healthier fare by way of avocado toast, chia bowls, smoothies, and the like.

Triple O’s been making headlines this week. The B.C. “premium quick service burger” chain with locations across British Columbia and Asia, announced earlier this week plans to launch 30 locations in Ontario over the next five years - six in the GTA in 2021-2022. The first debuted in Mississauga (1520 Courtneypark Dr. E.) on Tuesday, with another soon to follow in Vaughan.

Patties at Markham’s 6ix Burgers (6001 14th Ave.) are named after local thoroughfares -Yonge St., College St., Dundas St., Front St. – in similar fashion to North York’s recent arrival Yonge Burger.

Yaksha South East Asian Eatery (2109 1/2 Yonge St. ) might be a slip of a place, but this Midtown spot is one to watch.

CLOSED

Chef Paul Kim’s Boonsik, that closely followed DOMA in December 2019, shuttered Friday.

EVENTS

Enjoy three-course menus from top Toronto restaurants during LocalLicious through to Sunday. One dollar from each meal with go to a local charity.

You’ve got until Saturday to get in on Taste of Oakville.

NEWS

Tap Phong Trading’s founder, Dat Chuong Tran passed away. He was 100 years old.

There was a fire at the St. Lawrence Market earlier this week. No injuries were reported.

Zach Kolomeir, chef/owner of Toronto’s Dreyfus and Taverne Bernhardt's, is featured in Today’s Special: 20 Leading Chefs Choose 100 Emerging Chefs by Phaidon, released yesterday.

Restaurants and bars in B.C. are finally permitted to buy alcohol at wholesale prices. It’s Ontario’s turn.

ICYMI

Pompette’s chef/co-owner Martine Bauer has an exciting new project in the works. Find out more in this week’s compelling At The Pass.

Wednesday is the new Friday thanks to an exhilarating new concert series featuring local artists and top Toronto restaurants.

Make Chef Michael Hunter’s Roast Duck with Maple Baked Beans and Grits this weekend.

Ordering in this weekend? Do this first.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

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Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the Open/Closed.

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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.