OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News December 19-25, 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

🕘 10 min read

The race to open in time for the holidays and/or by year’s end is fierce, as outlined below. Even more bracing: This ain’t the half of it. You’ll see.

p.s. Due to the frenzy of arrivals, closures and breaking news, the OPEN/CLOSED and TORONTO RESTAURANTS will continue throughout the holidays.

NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.

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

Modern Asian fusion cuisine is at the heart of North York’s new Baili Eatery & Lounge (6114 Yonge St.). Think Beef Tartar, Guizhou Style Grilled Chicken Thigh, Mapo Tofu Pasta, and Lobster Fried Rice with Black Truffle.

On the hunt for a new birria taco joint? I’ve got just the place: Birrieria El Viejon in North York (9 Milvan Dr., Unit 7).

Bakery, bar, and cafe Dacasto Gran Pasticceria has got you for Italian sweets and eats near King & Yonge (37 King St. E.) from early morn to aperitivo.

Leaside’s Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen just added a second location on Roncy (413 Roncesvalles Ave.) where Miss Aida made a brief appearance.

The Dopamine Lounge (2415 Yonge St.) brings ”Toronto vibes,” “spicy eats,” “killer cocktails,” and “beats that move you” under one roof at Yonge & Eg.

Gigli Caffe (399 Jane St.) is still relatively new in Baby Point - doors opened early last year - but hospitality vet Marco Gigli’s second eponymous coffeeshop, wine bar and live music haunt just dropped nearby in The Junction (3042 Dundas St. W.), formerly home to Junction Fromagerie.

Grandma Loves You has been in expansion mode lately: In Q1 2024 new shops filled with their signature subs and dawgs debuted in North York and a week later at Yonge & St. Clair. Squeezing in one more before year’s end, grand opening celebrations for the latest addition downtown (42 Wellington St. E.) take place Saturday.

TR Hot Tip: Stellar plant-based ice cream has arrived in Leslieville. See: Honey’s Ice Cream second shop (1026 Queen St. E.). p.s. Discover why owner Ashley Wittig and others pursued careers in ice cream.

Le Bisou Cafe, chef Anna Kang’s authentic French patisserie, lands in Forest Hill (866 Eglinton Ave. W.), just in time for this holidays.

Molly Tea premiered in Toronto mere days ago, and now also calls Markham/Thornhill home (Commerce Gate Plaza 505 Hwy 7, Unit 18). Grand opening festivities kick off Saturday.

Psst. Victoria Park and Sheppard just got a Korean BBQ destination with a twist - triple aged meat. To get in on dry, wet and ice aged meat, Kalguksu, seasonal sides, wine pairings and more, head to Omiwol K BBQ & Noodles (153 Yorkland Blvd.) celebrating grand opening today.

Bowling, arcade, and game central, Playdium joins CF Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit Y007) with “next-level bites” - burgers, pizza, milkshakes and other fast food faves.

Riz (760 St Clair Ave. W.) has been a fixture on St. Clair since 2019. (Locations on Yonge and Bayview preceded it.) Recently, the gluten-free Asian restaurant changed things up a bit. Meet Pho Concept 100% GF by Riz.

From barbershop to bar. TR Trivia: East Danforth’s sleek new cocktail bar Privilege T.O. (1395 Danforth Ave.) was formerly a salon and barbershop.

ISO Indian and Bangladeshi fare in the east end? Shaad Restaurant, nestled inside a plaza at the corner of Victoria Park and Danforth (Shoppers World Danforth 3003 Danforth Ave., Unit 22), is celebrating its new digs and the holidays big time - with grand opening on Christmas and Boxing Day and specials, to boot: Enjoy 50 per cent off select appetizers and mains.

Shazzy's Fried Chicken in Oakville (2501 Third Line, Unit 21) is doing “100 per cent hand-slaughtered halal chicken” in a variety of ways - pieces, tenders, burgers, wings, wrap, sandwich, nuggets - along with a range of other items including Jalapeño Cheese Poppers, Fish & Chips, milkshakes, abd desserts. Not-to-missed: $5 Value Meals.

Newsflash: Yunnan and Thai dishes are happening at the Dundas and Bay, courtesy of Small Pot Restaurant (115 Dundas St. W.). Winter warmups include Old Kunming Style Tofu Rice Noodles, Creamy Salted Egg Yolk Crab, and Dali Style Fish with Sichuan Pepper. Did you know? This marks the second location for the North York eatery.

Sugar Cafe and Lounge opened earlier this week in Richmond Hill’s Times Square Plaza (550 Hwy 7 - Building E, Unit 281, 2nd Fl.). Grand opening special : Enjoy 20 per cent off all food until December 22. TR Hot Tip: Looking for a fun activity for the crew? The cafe by day, bar/lounge by night hosts ‘Nintendo Switch Night’ on Thursdays including tonight.

Want Japanese fare in a modern setting festooned with flowers? Head to Mississauga’s Insta-ready Sushiya Bloom (4555 Hurontario St., Unit C6).

The Wedge (1627 Dupont St.) takes over the footprint that was long-running Farmhouse Tavern with a completely different vibe and setup: The new sports bar comes equipped with TVs to catch the game, paired with pub-style grub.

CLOSED

On Friday, Early Mercy (540 King St. W.) shared that after nine years, the last day at King and Brant is December 31. For those who don’t want it all to end, good news - a new project is in the works. Stay tuned.

Sunday is the final day to get in your goodbyes at Fet Zun (252 Dupont St.).

Michelin Recommended 156 Cumberland (156 Cumberland Ave.) is moving. (Wanna know where?) Last day at the Yorkville addy is Tuesday.

Dessert shop One Pound Cake (1960 Yonge St., 2nd Fl.) announced today the current location will close April 2025. Luckily, another location is in the works. Watch this space.

CHANGES

After being closed for renos for some time, Aviator (1458 Danforth Ave.) is back and has switched from restaurant to cafe bakery concept.

NEWS

The latest food recalls UPDATE 20.12.24: 8 Cakes Pistachio Knafeh recalled due to undeclared wheat. 21.12.24: Certain Taylor Shellfish Canada ULC brand Oysters recalled due to norovirus. 23.12.24: Heavenfull Brownie Skillet with Vanilla Ice Cream recalled due to pieces of plastic (nitrile), Sweet Fix Chocolate Bars recalled due to undeclared wheat, sesame seeds and milk. 24.12.24: Certain Fromagerie des Grondines cheeses recalled due to possible presence of generic E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

ICYMI

In addition to rigorously reporting around town, I’ve been to some new spots lately: No Vacancy, for one. Stay tuned, lots more to tell you about.

Have you listened to TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST yet? You should. It’s intel central over there.

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