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🕘 13 min read

As I predicted, the frenetic pace of Q4 continues. This week I uncovered a staggering 30 establishments - almost a third in closures. The reigning theme? Enticing international eats that won’t break the bank - perfect for this hectic time of year, and happening all over: Scarborough, Mississauga, Oakville, Vaughan, and neighbourhoods across the 6ix.

Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? Keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start), listen to THE TIP OFF, a supplement to my OPEN/CLOSED featuring breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips + the week’s top stories and events like you’ve never seen - or heard - before in 3 minutes or less on the new TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST, follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates, and subscribe to the TR Newsletter.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Al Taco Kitchen in Scarborough (1275 Morningside Ave., Unit 7) isn’t your typical taco joint. On the menu: Authentic halal Mexican dishes and “exotic fusion tacos.”

Head to Bagan Restaurant at Mississauga’s Applewood Plaza (1077 North Service Rd., Unit 11) for an array of aromatic North Indian, Hakka and Nepalese dishes.

Bom Dia Cafe & Bakery brings Portuguese pastel de nata and other baked goods to Greektown (389 Danforth Ave.). Grand opening is Saturday.

Psst. Cafe Namoo in North York (23 Drewry Ave.) is teeming with goodies - everything from croffles to bingsu.

Chiang Mai set up shop at York Mills and Don Mills (860 York Mills Rd. N.) in Me Va Me’s previous digs, marking the fifth location for the local Thai chain.

Industry vet and longtime F&B Director for hotels and luxury resorts around the world Karim Fahmy launched Crack Burger on Saturday with a “smashingly addictive” lineup is in effect. Find it in Kensington Market (147 Baldwin St.) where Kensington’s Caribbean Meat stood.

I gave you the inside scoop on Gul Gul Lebanese & Turkish Cuisine taking over Goodfella’s palatial plot (4411 Hwy 7) last month. Newsflash: Grand opening is happening Sunday with “live BBQ station” and entertainment. Bonus: Enjoy 15 per cent off December 15-22.

Performance and event venues are on the rise. Introducing the latest: International Palace of Joy (1347 Queen St. E.), a multi-hyphenate space in Leslieville home to: cafe during the day, bar at night, barbershop, motorcycle club, and various events, brought to you by PEC’s Sand & Pearl Oyster Bar. Doors open Saturday.

Kelly’s Bake Shoppe, Burlington’s wildly popular vegan bakery since 2012 by mother-daughter duo Kelly Childs and Erinn Weatherbie, has a new sibling. See: Downtown Oakville (259 Lakeshore Rd. E.). Grand opening is Sunday at 11am with lots of free items on offer.

Kraft Tea (754 Broadview Ave.) specializes in bubble tea, as did its predecessor. Details in closures below.

Le Beau Lab’s second croissanterie at the edge of Canary/Distillery District (405 Cherry St.) softly opens on Saturday at 8:30am. Get to know CEO and Executive Pastry Chef Olga Spivak in my long-running chef series, At The Pass.

Big news for Mother India Roti fans: It’s back on Queen in Little Tibet (1422 Queen St. W.)! And another is up and running on St. Clair between Runnymede and Jane (2542 St Clair Ave. W.) where Roti Time was. Did you know? Both are part of the local Maurya Indian Restaurants group celebrating 25 years.

Beauty Obasuyi expands her Nigerian restaurant chain Naija Jollof to the corner of Queen and Bathurst (592 Queen St. W.), operating 24/7.

Mississauga’s Oklahoma Burgers (10 Kingsbridge Garden Cir.) decided downtown Toronto was the ideal spot for their second patty pit stop. Get in on their fried onion smash burgers in a slip of a place across from Roy Thomson Hall (214 King St. W.).

Grand opening for Pho Anh Vu’s striking new Don Mills destination (900 Don Mills Rd., Unit 9) kicks off today. The authentic Vietnamese chain is celebrating with 10 per cent off your entire meal on opening day.

The latest haunt to arrive on the buzzy Ossington strip as of late: Please & Thank You (108 Ossington Ave.). Previously home to Indian Grill, restaurateur Naveen Chakravarti (quick backstory here) revamped the space - think brick-lined walls, open kitchen with counter seating at the back - and focused the menu on global grub - think fried chicken, lobster ceviche.

Raffaella Pizza is the latest concept to join The Annex Hotel (296 Brunswick Ave.). Expect Italian fare - chicken parm and lasagna, in addition to 48-hour fermented sourdough pies.

Sobr Market’s newest n/a bottle shop touches down in swanky Summerhill (1210 Yonge St.). Stay tuned - SM’s also slated to open at Waterworks (50 Brant St.).

Mini doughnuts, cookies, and ice cream are at the heart of World Peace Donuts (993 Bloor St. W.) in Bloorcourt. But wait, there’s more. First: The company started as a clothing brand, so you can simultaneously rep the co. and get cozy. Second: WPD raises money for various causes every month. Third/TR Hot Tip: “Globally-inspired” ice cream flavours include Butter Chicken, Ramen Noodle, Peri Peri, Oxtail, Shawarma, and Canadian classic - Ketchup Chips.

Ever since Clinton’s closed in 2020, it’s been home to ventures including night club, live music venue and event space Club 693, and Korean restaurant and watering hole Bar 693. Say hello to “cyberpunk-inspired bar” Zui Beer Bar (693 Bloor St. W.). p.s. Back in Summer ‘23, I told you about their North York outpost, also outfitted head-to-toe in neon.

% Arabica’s been adding to its Great White North roster this last while. The fourth Canuck coffee shop of the world-renowned brand founded in Kyoto lands right downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St.). Grand opening is Saturday. Bonus; Be one of the first 100 guests in line and receive a free pastry.

CLOSED

I told you big things were happening on Ossington. Chef Paul Boehmer’s eponymous Boehmer (93 Ossington Ave.) has quietly closed its doors. The expansive restaurant debuted in what was a garage in 2010 - long before the street was the bustling strip it is today.

Chatime arrived at Broadview and Danforth (754 Broadview Ave.) in 2019. Weeks ago, the windows were papered over as the space underwent “renovations,” but as it turns out, it’s another similar style biz. See who’s moved in up top.

Today Marlene Thorne, owner of literary bar Famous Last Words (392 Pacific Ave.) in the Junction shared doors are closing for good January 4, 2025. The unique cocktail bar launched eight years ago. 

On Friday Chef Anthony Rose announced last day of service at Fet Zun (252 Dupont St.) is December 22nd. Psst. You’d already be up to speed If you listened to The Tip Off.

That was fast. I just passed by Foodrama Taqueria Bar (592 Queen St. W.) a few weeks ago. The sign still being up is confusing for sure. The one at Queen and University (232A Queen St. W.) was also brief.

The MoMo House expanded to the Danforth (679 Danforth Ave.) last year. As of Sunday December 8, an undated letter posted on the door stated the property “has been secured by Apex Property Management on behalf of the landlord.” The small brand boasting Tibetan and Himalayan restaurants around town by Garab Serdok, also included a branch at Queen and Bathurst (685 Queen St. W.), now closed. With the Parkdale location on the move, that leaves only one MoMo House remaining: Yorkville (1240 Bay St., Unit 107). Over the years, the group of eateries has included similar ventures The Monk Café (now closed) and Tibet Kitchen which is relocating.

I was first to report Italian resto Noce temporarily closed back in October. Their longtime stomping grounds at Queen and Niagara (875 Queen St. W.) have come to an end, while they relocate “nearby soon.” In the meantime, catering services are available and some items are up for sale - a list has been posted to the front window.

Soul Cafe in North York (23 Drewry Ave.) is now home to another coffee concept. Pop up top for details.

NEWS

The GST/HST holiday commences this week. What does that mean for businesses and consumers? A local organization calls it “an administrative nightmare.”

Usually establishments up for sale do whatever they can to keep it on the down low. The Aviary and Longslice Brewery however, took it to the streets on Friday to seek the public’s help. This is just the latest example of how challenging the landscape for hospitality is right now.

Latest food recalls: Choco Max Granola Coated Chewy Bars - Chocolate Chip recalled due to undeclared peanut, MadeGood Granola Bars recalled due to pieces of metal, Certain Oasis Treasures Pistachio Dubai Chocolate recalled due to Salmonella, Consumption of Sareks Bitter Apricot Kernels may cause cyanide poisoning, Stanley Switchback and Trigger Action Travel Mugs recalled due to burn hazard, Various brands of bread and buns recalled due to pieces of metal. [UPDATE: 13.12.24 SunFed field cucumbers and slicer cucumbers recalled due to Salmonella.]

ICYMI

The inaugural edition of THE TIP OFF starts off with a bang: The influx of Ossington arrivals continues - this time with a themed bar, an exciting new bakery debuts in Oakville, Dundas West’s latest destination is inspired by Japanese ‘kissaten’, and the announcement of another long-standing restaurant closing before year’s end. THE TIP OFF, a supplement to the OPEN/CLOSED features breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips + the week’s top stories and events like you’ve never seen - or heard - before in 3 minutes or less. p.s. While some items may appear in the OPEN/CLOSED, others will be reported there exclusively for the first time. Take a listen, subscribe to TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST and stay tuned.

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