OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News April 29-May 5, 2021

Photo courtesy of Chiang Rai.

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

🕒 12 min read

The 25 arrivals below illustrate the intense creativity going on right now, IRL restaurants and their virtual counterparts.

Combined with last week’s findings, you’ve got 50 new destinations to discover in person and from the couch. And you didn’t think you had anything going on this weekend.

Psst. If you haven’t already subscribed to the newsletter, now’s the time. Get The Tip Off, a sneak peek at the upcoming OPEN/CLOSED (because who doesn’t want to be the first to know?), and fab deals and special offers from restaurants and local businesses (because who doesn’t want to save money?), all exclusive to subscribers. Exciting announcements coming soon!

And for all those celebrating this weekend, Happy Easter.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Jonesing for croissants? Virtual patisserie The Bakery Dealer will hook you up. Choose from Signature Almond, Strawberry Shortcake, Walnut Carrot Cake, and this month’s feature: Almond Custard Tart Croissant.

Bobacha arrived in the GTA around this time last year. The bubble tea café recently expanded to Etobicoke (675 The Queensway) with a lineup of signature beverages and desserts.

If the name Chiang Rai Thai Kitchen sounds familiar, you might know their Markham spot that debuted in 2019. An outpost just touched down in North York (2070 Avenue Rd.). Did you know? Chiang Rai is the sister eatery to Chiang Mai and Imm Thai Kitchen. 

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice boasts 4500 locations around the world. Make that 4501. An outpost in Etobicoke (180 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Unit 6) softly opened Tuesday. 

This one’s a bit of a matryoshka sitch, so bear with me. Chef Javier Barraza’s latest ghost kitchen, Flor Mexicana, focuses on Mexican style street food inspired by Leonor. This follows sourdough pizza concept Pizza Azul that launched at the end of last year, and Bird Box Toronto - a franchise of Bird Box London two months prior. All ventures are available in Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St W.), which is temporarily closed but live online - listen to the latest Lulaworld Records release and dance up a storm in the living room.

From the fine folks of Union Restaurant and Côte de Boeuf comes Heart's Tavern and Bar (235334 Grey Road 13) in Kimberley, Grey County, two hours north of the city. They’re currently open for takeout, with lots of great wine and beer.

A second Hey Wey! just landed at Dufferin and St. Clair (1165 St. Clair Ave. W.) with rich stews (Beef Alambre, Chicken Tinga, Pineapple Pork, Chorizo with Potatoes, Rojas con Crema), Gorditas, Tacquitos Dorados, Tacos de Guisado, Quesadillas, and Tres Leches Cake.

From cigkofte and sujuk to kadayif and mulberry molasses, Turkish grocery store Home Sweet Home in North York (3715 Keele St.), has all your pantry needs. 

It’s been a busy year for Kibo Sushi House. The latest satellite is smack-dab in CityPlace, across from Rogers Centre (325 Bremner Blvd.).

Kitaya is a li’l haven of sushi, green tea soft serve, mochi, croffles and uni. Where to find this sweet Japanese takeout spot? Inside C&C Supermarket (888 Don Mills Rd. Unit 100), of all places.

Grocery shopping can be such a chore these days. Change it up with prepared foods and pantry items from Oakville’s Le Dome Fine Foods (1173 North Service Rd. E.).

Macao’s BBQ (5418 Yonge St., Unit 19) in North York has a fantastic lineup, including: BBQ Chashu, Soy Sauce Tofu, Roasted Duck, Marinated Black Fungus, Thai Style Chicken Feet, and Build Your Own Scallion Oil Lo Mein.

Family owned and operated Mi Gusto Es debuted February 1 in York (1269 Weston Rd.). The menu features Mexican kits (Albondigas, Enchiladas, Pastor, Sopes, Pambazo, Birria and Barbacoa $28-$38) and weekly specials. (this week: Beef and Pork Meatballs in Chipotle Tomato Sauce, accompanied by pot beans.) Items are vacuum sealed to guarantee freshness - and allows you to consume dishes throughout the week. Pickups are on Fridays, with delivery on Saturdays.

While you’ll have to wait a while longer to get behind the controls of Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter II at arcade/bar FreePlay (300 College St.), you can get your hands on Montreal smoked meat sandos – deconstructed or ready to eat piled high handhelds – and poutine via MTL Smoked. Meat is trimmed, aged and smoked in Montreal, then steamed and served here in the 6ix.

Caribbean restaurant On The Move Fresh Kitchen just landed in Etobicoke (715 The Queensway).

O’SOMAE Cafe at Broadview and Gerrard  (357 Broadview Ave.) specializes in brunch boxes (Avocado Toast $11, Chicken & Waffles $16, Duck Confit Waffles $16) in addition to a smattering of bennies and poutine. Doors opened Tuesday.

Missing Costa Rico? Walter, a cook at a Mexican restaurant, launched Pastry Pura Vida, a Costa Rican stuffed puff pastry biz with wife Raquel, after work slowed due to the pandemic. Choose from savoury selections including Enchilada (spicy potato), Mushroom, Chicken, and Palmito (palm hearts), ready to eat desserts (Tres Leches, Tamal de Maicena), and ready to bake Puff Pastry - available on its own or stuffed with your choice of guava, pineapple, or blueberry.

PicSnic is a timely venture by Eileen Taylor, who went to culinary school in Italy for five years, and partner Giuseppe Langella. Their picnic dining experiences for two includes a 3-course meal (Traditional, Vegetarian or Vegan) prepared in a commercial kitchen and non-alcoholic beverages delivered in a wicker picnic basket with extra-large waterproof blanket at a predetermined date, time and park. You choose your meal duration (up to three hours), and at the end, they come pick up the basket and blanket.

PizzaForno launched long before the pandemic, but the 24/7 contactless automated pizzerias found in gas stations, hospitals, malls, campuses, and on street corners across Canada and now the U.S., fits in with the current landscape. Head to the corner of King and Sherbourne (225 King St. E.) for their newest arrival churning out pies in under three minutes.

Radar alert: Make room in the freezer for Rex’s Premium Ice Cream small batch pints. Orders open up on Saturdays, but flavours sell out quickly. It’s no wonder with concoctions such as Caramel Lotus, Somali Chai, Krispy Kreme, and Blueberry Pancake.

Assaad Elsibai’s Lebanese desserts are a favourite amongst the fooderati, but SweetSado has been years in the making. The self-taught pastry chef came to Canada after working as a nurse in Lebanon for 16 years, to pursue his dream of baking. “I’ve always had a passion for cooking and baking, And loved watching my mom and dad bake delicious Lebanese dishes and desserts from scratch,” he says. “I learned from them, and started experimenting by creating fusion recipes myself either through ingredients or decorating and shaping the desserts, but keeping the taste and flavour as authentic as possible.”Pro tip: Act fast, as these beauts sell out almost immediately. Bonus: Packaging is done by local TV host and designer Steven Sabados.

Trainwreck Burgers is a new popup happening Mondays at Ecuadorian restaurant Cocina de Doña Julia (1545 Dupont St.). The Junction spot by Alex and husband Chris who studied at a culinary school, focuses on classic burgers, and one topped tortilla chips and queso cheese. Up next: a waffle burger and burger in a bag. Currently open on Mondays, plans are to extend to the rest of the week.

Shop a variety of baked goods including pide, simit, and sourdough at Trillium Bakery, operating out of Home Sweet Home (see above) in North York. 

EVENTS

From the folks behind Le Burger Week and La Poutine Week comes La Pizza Week. Choose from 12 pies in the 6ix, as well as from surrounding areas, starting Saturday.

Ration Burger BBQ popups at happening this weekend at  Strange Love Cafe (101 Spadina Ave.) and Mascot Brewery (220 King St.).

Taste of Mississauga continues until May 10.

NEWS

Rocco Mastrangelo Sr., founder of Cafe Diplomatico, passed away on Monday. The restaurant will remain closed until Friday at 3pm.

A number of BIAs have banded together to advocate on behalf of all Toronto small and medium sized businesses to provincial leaders, including Bloorcourt, Leslieville, Riverside, Queen Street West, and West Queen West.

Toronto City Councillor Josh Matlow gave it his all, but his bid to allow alcoholic drinks in parks just for the summer, was shot down.

Great news. After possibly having to close and relocate, the lease for Cici’s Pizza in Parkdale has been extended for two years.

Mayor John Tory confirmed yesterday CaféTO curb lane installations will begin May 8.

Epicurious is done with beef. 

American chain Wingstop is adding 100 restos north of the border.

ICYMI

Get to know Shiela Labao and Miguel Hernandez, the dream team behind the The New Pie Company’s epic desserts (PB&J, Caramel Popcorn, Banana Fosters, Canadian Butter Tart) and feast your eyes on their latest pie! - in this week’s At The Pass.

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

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