OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News August 8-14, 2024
The OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of the latest restaurant openings – virtual, brick-and-mortar, pop-ups, allll the things - and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #iykyk
🕘 8.5 min read
The summer is whipping by, and as I’ve been rigorously documenting, so are businesses. This week features some exciting arrivals - largely of the more casual nature, in both offerings and budget - along with the steady increase of chains and expansions. Naturally, that means closures you need to take note of.
Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? In addition to subscribing to the TR Newsletter, keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start) and follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Bossnova Bottle Shop’s new destination next door, Bar Bossanova (101 Roncesvalles Ave.), has been at the top of my watchlist for some time now. Newsflash: Doors are finally open. See you there.
Food halls have been hogging the spotlight lately, so it’s nice to be back in the food court. BHK Roll - Biryani House Original Kathi Roll - at College Park (444 Yonge St.) is the latest venture by chef Debu Saha (The Biryani House, Debu's Nouvelle Indian Cuisine). Pro tip: In addition to kathi rolls, look to selections such as sandos, biryani, and aromatic mains including Yellow Peas Potato Coconut Ghugni with Puri (2 pcs), Chicken Keema Kaleji (Dhaba Style) with Paratha, and Slow Cooked Lamb Trotters with Yellow Peas and Nihari.
In need of a caffeine fix downtown? Grand opening for Fahrenheit’s fifth coffee shop took place yesterday at Adelaide and University (181 University Ave.).
Ward’s Island Association Clubhouse and accompanying Island Cafe (20 Withrow St.) were destroyed by fire earlier this year, but happily the story doesn’t end there: Soft opening kicks off tomorrow with coffee, ice cream, and apparently martinis all-day.
For Hyderabadi grub, head to Scarborough’s new Janatha Bar and Restaurant (18 Lebovic Ave.). On the menu: Biryanis, pulavs, vegetarian and meat-centric fare. Think Butter Chicken, Palak Paneer, Rogan Josh.
I told you Kababi Persian Cuisine (341 Danforth Ave.) was on the way. Kebabs, sandwiches, rice dishes and the like on now on offer.
Health goals on your to-do list? Grand opening for megaformer studio and aesthetic coffee/smoothie haunt Lagree Plus and Organic Cafe at Adelaide and Spadina (410 Adelaide St. W.) is happening Monday.
Local chain Mad Radish exteds its lineup of healthy bowls and wraps to an outdoor mall in Leaside (45 Wicksteed Ave.). Doors opened earlier this week.
Miznon, Chef Eyal Shani’s popular take on Mediterranean street food with locations across the globe, debuted in Canada on Bay Street last year. The second outpost just landed inside York food hall Kitchen Hub Castlefield (1121 Castlefield Ave.).
ISO Korean style buns and bread? Look no further than On Bake in North York (5 Northtown Way, Unit 14). The extensive offerings run the gamut from Milk Bread to Red Bean Peanut Biscuit Buns.
Poulet Rouge, the grilled chicken bowl fast food chain out of Quebec, has been making the rounds at malls around town lately - Mississauga: Erin Mills Town Centre (5100 Erin Mills Pkwy), CF Sherway Gardens (25 The West Mall), and Square One (100 City Centre Dr.). Markham: CF Markville (5000 Hwy 7), with heaps more outside the GTA. Stay tuned: CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St.) is in the works.
Rudy claims to have the best smash burgers in Toronto. See for yourself at the newest branch (#7) in Vaughan at Major Mac and Dufferin (9960 Dufferin St.).
From the resto group behind bars and pubs including Brazen Head and The Goodman Pub and Kitchen, comes a pizza/pasta joint. FAB Restaurant Concepts has been rebranding and unveiling various spots lately, all boasting women’s names - first Simona, then Irene, and now Stella’s Kitchen (182 Dupont St.) replacing their Dupont fixture, The Pour House Pub And Kitchen.
Turquoise Grill House in Woodbridge (9200 Weston Rd., Unit 25-27) is known for everything from starters of Istanbul Mezze Platter and Acili Ezme to Sucuklu Pide and Caucasian Chicken. In the downtown core? Get in on their Turkish fare at their new digs at Spadina and Richmond (431 Richmond St. W.).
Bolton and Vaughan eatery Urban Maharajas lands near Meridian Hall (22 The Esplanade) with all-day Indian eats (Masala Dosa, Kashmiri Lamb Chops), international selections (Avocado Toast, Shakshuka), and array of coffee, cocktails and wine.
I told you something new was in the works. Restaurant Pompette’s new Vinoteca Pompette debuted yesterday. What to expect: Deftly crafted French-Italian accompanied by a big ol’ wine list. p.s. Want more intel? Check this out. And if you’re not already following Toronto Restaurants on Instagram, get on it: Randy’s Patties, OssFest, Mott 32, Nobu… you don’t want to miss out.
100 Days pop-up moves into MARBL’s former digs (455 King St. W.) for just over three months with an “upscale sports bar/dive bar” vibe.
CLOSED
bbq Chicken - aka bb.q Chicken - has been in major expansion mode these last few years, however the Queen and Spadina shop (431 Richmond St. W.) has already been replaced. Details above.
I gave you advance notice of Fantastic Baby Cafe’s (1193 Dundas St. W.) closure this weekend. Last call is Saturday.
Peter Girges’ MARBL (455 King St. W.) is on the move from King and Spadina. But first, a pop-up (see above). The finer dining resto debuted in December 2018 with champagne lounge Mademoiselle tucked underneath. Stay tuned for MARBL’s expansive new spot opening soon in the Financial District (40 Temperance St.).
The MoMo House (1422 Queen St. W.) is moving to a larger space just a few doors down (1416 Queen St. W.) August 31. The goal is to have doors reopened by October 1 in partnership with their other venture slated to return/relocate, Tibet Kitchen.
Long-standing Duponter The Pour House Pub And Kitchen (182 Dupont St.) is now home to a different kinda joint. More info up top.
That was fast. Rua De Macau Restaurant (492 Dundas St. W.) came and went like a flash. Stay tuned: Yue Lai Buffet is moving in.
NEWS
The latest food recall: Gerber Oat Banana & Mango Baby Cereal recalled due to Cronobacter spp.
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