OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News April 22-28, 2021

My iconic OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of restaurant openings (virtual/brick-and-mortar/popups/allll the things) and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕒 13 min read

This week might have felt like a long one, but I could have used more time - my 25 findings below are just the beginning, so stay tuned. I’ve got lots more to come.

p.s. If you haven’t signed up for the TR newsletter yet, do it now. This week’s edition includes an exclusive discount for subscribers to use at a brand new restaurant - with more exciting offers, deals, and giveaways to follow. You don’t want to miss it! 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

I let you in on Asukal last month. Starting Tuesday, the bakery’s teaming up with chef Hiram Sales’ Bunso for an exciting Filipino popup (420 Queen St. W.) It’s on until May 1, but you really should pre-order to avoid disappointment. 

Luca Lanzafame and Luli Lavdari met working at Buca. The restaurant manager and assistant general manager, respectively, were laid off when the pandemic hit in March. Sharing a passion for food in general, they both enjoyed cooking. “Growing up in Italy, fresh pasta it's always been a big part of our life, Luca says. “Lots of our friends gave very good feedback when we made pasta for them, so we decided to launch Back To The Pasta.” The duo offers a selection of homemade pastas and sauces for delivery in Toronto. Currently there’s Hand Cut Tagliatelle ($10), Mortadella & Rapini Ravioli ($14), Gluten-Free Spaghetti ($13) ready to bake pastas (Prawn & Zucchini Lasagna $20/$40), and this week’s special: Asian Pear, Apple & Sicilian Pecorino Doppi ($30) with herb infused brown butter and walnuts.

In need of a getaway? Chef Erwin Joaquin’s evocative Polynesian fare transports you to the island state. Get in on his Big E Hawaiian Grinds prix fixe menu including Kona Coffee Chicken Spring Rolls, Kalua Pig and Hawaiian Butter Mochi. There are a la carte options too, such as Spam Musubi and Salmon Poke. Orders must be in by tomorrow noon.

Chachu's (41 Lebovic Ave.) is serving up paratha rolls, pulao and traditional peshawari kebab in Scarborough. Find them in a spot  shared with Avengers Burger in the Lebovic Food Court. Bonus: The Pakistani street food eatery is 100 per cent halal and open until 4am six days a week, helping satisfy those late night cravings.

There’s been a lot of movement in Parkdale lately. The newest arrival? A second outpost of popular taqueria Gus Tacos (1533 Queen St. W.). Doors opened Saturday.

Javitri Indian Cuisine (1708 Eglinton Ave. W., 647-571-9745) in York has a phenomenal lineup that holds up well for takeout including Lasooni Cauliflower, Paneer Butter Masala, Lamb Roganjosh, Goat Biryani, and Chilli Garlic Naan.

I was the first to tell you about chef Jon Klip’s Toronto Bento. So natch I had to let you in on this: Ordering opens tomorrow for Sara Restaurant’s You, Me + Sara collab happening April 30-May 1. A limited number of bentos ($75 ) will be available, so act fast.

Taiwanese bakery La Petite Colline (3355 Steeles Ave. E., Unit C5-6) has got you for a lot of drool-inducers: Nama Shokupan, Scallion Buns, Short Rib Omurice, Katsu Curry, Basque Burnt Cheesecake, and Breakfast Toast – an epic creation stuffed with ham and swiss cheese, sprinkled with melted cheese and onions across the top.

There aren’t nearly enough Hakka restaurants downtown. So Mannat Indian Hakka and Bar (839 College St.) at College and Ossington (where Southern Accent was), “here to burst your taste buds with flavour,” is a welcome addition. Bonus: Save 10 per cent on takeout orders Monday-Thursday.

Mess Hall is launching a Sweet Shop Pop Up (1386 Gerrard St. E., Unit 4) featuring independent chefs and small-batch bakers Saturday 10am-1pm. Shop gourmet brownies, cookies, grazing boxes, butter tarts, alfajores, cakes, homemade jams, power bites, and chocolates from Butter and Spice Bakeshop, Cassis Bake, Do Good Donuts, Fresca Dining, The Graze Anatomy, Hot Shot Chocolate, Mom Flavor Inc., and Pistacia Bakery.

It’s no surprise pre-orders for Mini Konbini, a Japanese convenience store themed pop-up shop featuring katsu sandos, next Friday are already sold out. (More than a week is not nearly enough notice in the age of Insta.) That said, there’s limited availability for walk-ins (Tallboys 838 Bloor St. W.) from 3pm-6pm. All you can do is try. Cash only.

Yonge and Eglinton is the latest nabe for Monkey Sushi (75 Eglinton Ave. E.).

Muddy Crops is back for the season with their renowned Ontario grown produce and preserves, in a new home nestled in the Stockyards District (100 Symes Rd., Unit 112). Stay tuned. I can’t wait for No Hassle Boxes.

It's been a week - and it's only Thursday. Philly Cheesesteaks and Shawarma Poutine from Mr. Hummus (1808 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-546-6382) in York will put things right.

The New Pie Company by Shiela Labao and Miguel Hernandez is popping up at Lit Espresso (221 Roncesvalles Ave.) on May 1, with PB Treats, Banana Foster, and Buko Pies. Pre-ordering starts this Sunday at noon and are sure to sell out fast, so act fast.

Not Just Butter Chicken (1307 Danforth Ave.) at Danforth and Greenwood is the sixth venture by chef/owner Gurinder Bedi (Butter Chicken Factory). On the menu: Delhi street style appetizers, tandoori, tikkas and kababs, traditional curries, biryanis, and of course butter chicken.

Pantry by The Food Dudes has expanded again, this time inside Columbus Centre (901 Lawrence Ave. W.) located on the Villa Charities campus. Doors opened yesterday. 

Ration Snacks by Ration Food Lab touched down at The Beverley Hotel (335 Queen St W.) earlier this year. Their latest on-site concept: bottle shop Pour Taste.

Rico Burrito has kept me on my toes in 2021, launching five locations in a matter of weeks. So their latest in the downtown core (1075 Bay St.) is par for the course.

Saaviche is a family owned Ecuadorian-style ceviche delivery only restaurant. It all started because Frank Saa, who arrived in Canada in the ‘70s, missed his Ecuadorian culture so much, he began making ceviche for his family. It wasn’t long before Pamela, Ruth, and David got involved. Two varieties - shrimp, vegan/vegetarian – are currently available, with more in the works, prepared by food handler certified members in a commercial kitchen. Delivery to the GTA is free for a limited time. 

Shanghai Alley Gourmet (191 Lakeshore Rd. E.) in Oakville specializes in Shanghainese-style sang ji bao, xiao long bao and yangchun noodles, in addition to an array of dim sum and other enticing fare. Warning: Perusing the lengthy menu to consider your options will cause hunger pangs - West Lake Minced Beef Soup ($6.95), Mixed Mushroom Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Noodles ($16.99), Mapo Tofu ($20.99), Salt & Pepper Squid ($20.99) … See what I mean?

Shatter Abbas, established 2011, landed at Yonge and St. Clair (1440 Yonge St.), in Mean Bao’s former digs. This marks the fifth outpost for the local Persian restaurant chain.

Calling all empanada fans: Super Empanada (922 Queen St. W.) at Queen and Shaw kicks off tomorrow with six selections – Spicy Beef, Chicken & Olive, Ham & Cheese, Corn & Spinach, Provoleta & Mushroom, Caprese – and three desserts.

The city’s long been in need of more Georgian restaurants. So the arrival of Tiflisi (1970 Queen St. E.) in The Beach last weekend is reason to celebrate - as is their current offer: 10 per cent off the entire menu, including pkhali, kuchmachi, khachapuri, khinkali, and chashushuli.

I told you all about the first Triple O’s last month. The follow up destination for burgers, fries, and shakes debuted in Vaughan (7990 Highway 27) Monday.

CLOSED

Not ideal, especially when the szn’s just getting underway, Brett’s Ice Cream (1698 Queen St. E.) at Queen and Kingston Rd. shuttered this weekend, due to the building scheduled for demolition. Watch this space for their new addy. 

Chef Hyun Jung Kim’s fine dining restaurant Core Restaurant (896 Queen St. E.),  in Leslieville,  that transformed to a Korean kitchen during the pandemic, has closed - but not for long. Psst, it’s reopening as Core Bubble Tea. I’ll have all the deets for you soon.

You know I don’t write about the big fast food chains unless it’s warranted. Tim Hortons Innovation Café (130 King St. W.) arrived in the Financial District last summer, but despite the design (“one of a kind”) and exclusive items (Draft Lattes, Mexico Chiapas Iced Latte Brown Butter and Sea Salt Dream Doughnut, Italian Muffuletta Sandwich, Lobster Bisque), the one-off shuttered last week.

EVENTS

Taste of Mississauga is on until May 10.

NEWS

Chef Nelson Fernandez, who worked in many Toronto restaurants including the buzzy (and long closed) Nyood Restaurant and Lounge, has passed away.

The country’s largest restaurant group says the industry requires “sector-specific support” in order to recover.

I alerted you to news of Ontario’s Globally Local’s first Toronto location and opening back in 2019. Canada’s first vegan fast food restaurant, is now the world’s first vegan fast food resto to go public.

Earlier this week. I wrote about eating in cars. August 8 took the concept to the next level with an All You Can Eat Drive-In.

The government says paid sick days are coming, but places such as Krave Coffee are doing it on their own.

Bubble tea without tapioca? Brace yourself, the North American boba pearl shortage has reached Canada.

ICYMI

Small operations like Randy's Patties are putting out unbelievable, unforgettable grub.

With the current stay-at-home orders in effect, you’re likely spending more time at the stove. Elevate your stir-fry game with chef Nuit Regular’s enticing Pad Gra Prow, a best seller at PAI one of the renowned Thai restaurants she and husband Jeff own and operate. Learn how to recreate the simple, yet deeply satisfying dish in this month’s Secret Recipe.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

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