OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News December 5-11, 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
As you can see by my extensive coverage lately and continued below, there’s unprecedented movement - often times, within the same block or even the same space. As soon as one biz shutters, another is swiftly taking over. In some cases the old signage is still up. And Google is a mess - the amount of establishments marked ‘Temporarily Closed” that have permanently shuttered and/or already cleared out is astonishing. Thus, reporting has become exceedingly complicated, convoluted, and time-consuming, however I believe it’s the only way to not only get a proper picture of the current landscape, but forecast what’s to come.
NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.
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
Ana’s Hotspot (5928 Finch Ave. E. ) is delivering a “retro vibe” in Scarborough, complete with burgers, wings, fries, and old school arcade game, Ms. Pac Man.
Psst. Badlands (192 Ossington Ave.) by chef Brook Kavanagh and somm Lara Roberts opened Saturday. You might know the couple’s other projects all on and around the Ossington Strip: Season Six next door, down the block from last year’s addition Taqueria El Valiente*, and around the corner on Dundas, Sprezzatura Spaghetti Disco. The new western-themed saloon with crokinole and other games in effect - and southern BBQ coming soon - is part of a new wave of restaurants, cafes, bars and bakeries that recently touched down on Ossington including Andrea’s Cookies, Cereal Box Cafe, Chica San Chen, Fallen Father, Linny’s, (as outlined largely in my Oct 10 OPEN/CLOSED) and No Vacancy just a few weeks ago. *Fun facts: This addy was SSD’s original location aaand where Season Six started out. These guys really love Ossington.
Another wellness cafe has moved into Yorkville, this time with lots of healthy fare by way of wraps, salads and smoothies, and ample seating. Find Better Bar* at Yorkville Village (87 Avenue Rd., Upper Level), where Palm Lane held court for a while. *I broke the story back in August.
Burger Hill in East Danforth (2326 Danforth Ave.) doesn’t stop at its namesake item. On deck: Chicken tenders, meatballs, poutine, desserts and more.
Chaat and chai are the name of the game of Pickering and Scarborough’s Chachee's Chai Cafe. Introducing the newest member of the family: Mississauga (3450 Platinum Dr., Unit 13).
For its third installation in the 6ix, Daldongnae’s signature Korean barbecue lands in Chinatown in longstanding bike shop Uncle Jacob’s former haunt (355 Spadina Ave.) - now relocated up the block (380 Spadina Ave.).
I told you Larry’s wasn’t going far. Larry’s Folly Parkdale started Fall 2020 at 1462 Queen St. W. and is movin’ on up - a few blocks actually - 1390 Queen St. W. - and now goes by Larry’s Place. p.s. Shout out to all the Larry’s in the world. They really are THE BEST.
Grand opening for Bloor West Village’s new healthy dynamic duo, plant-based Lettuce Love Café (Toronto’s first) and Heal Wellness (2241 Bloor St. W.), is happening Saturday. Extra extra: Free açaí bowls for the first 30 guests, free totes, and raffle to win free bowls for a year.
Discover the city’s latest hotspot, Occhiolino, helmed by chef Luke Donato and chef Nick Manzone, tucked away in what was an auto repair shop at the corner of College and Bathurst (499 Bathurst St.). What to expect? Fresh made pasta and other Italian comestibles in a modern minimalist aesthetic. Psst. I got a sneak peek before doors opened - Follow TR on IG for a closer look soon.
Pattaya City Authentic Thai Cuisine brings an array of aromatic Thai fare to Forest Hill Village (1010 Eglinton Ave. W.).
Speaking of Thai food, Leaside’s Pii Nong travels north to set up their second spot, Pii Nong Thai Eatery & Experience (3321 Yonge St.), the company’s flagship boasting 10,000 sq ft for dining, shopping and massage.
Pitstop Burger at the corner of King and Dufferin (1210 King St. W.) has already earned high praise from customers for their crushable halal smash burgers, poutines, and the like.
Super Bowls extends the açaí bowl trend to Roncy (279 Roncesvalles Ave.). Good bones: It lands where healthy eats were front and centre for neighbourhood staple, The Goods, now shuttered.
I told you all about chef Lili Linda ’s exciting venture in 2021 and I’ve been keeping an eye on her talents ever since. TR Hot Tip: Tatin Bakehouse by chef Linda and Sheila Wang debuted yesterday in Oakville (2345 Wyecroft Rd., Unit 20) with exquisite handmade small batch pastries and baked goods.
Brampton’s Tikka Lounge (7985 Financial Dr., Unit 6A) is known for its traditional Indian Chinese tandoori cuisine. Etobicoke, it’s your turn to get in on the action at Albion and Finch (6200 Finch Ave. W.). Bonus: This location also operates 24/7.
CLOSED
Diavola Pizza made a go of it on a side street at Yonge and Davisville (3 Glebe Rd. E.) for a year, replacing My Roti Place/My Dosa Place that wrapped up service last year. Last day for the Roman-style pizzeria brought to you by next door’s Slayer Burger was October 31. TR Intel: Twinning? Venom Coffee - SB’s coffee shop also situated on a side street (91 Lewis St.) behind their burger joint in Riverside, was “temporarily closed” for months, and now is closed closed.
A Thai eatery has moved into the space occupied until very recently by Luna Thai Kitchen (1010 Eglinton Ave. W.). Details above.
Snakes and Lattes’ massive board game cafe, bar and resto at Yonge/Eg (45 Eglinton Ave. E.) has come to an end after seven years. Three others locations remain around town: Annex, Little Italy and The Well. TR Memory Lane: Remember when the space was home to Spring Rolls? Lime Rickey’s? Uh, was it also a Hooters?
Sushi & China Garden (2326 Danforth Ave.) debuted during the pandemic.
Third Wave Coffee stuck it out at the corner of King and Church (42 Church St., Unit 2A) for five years before closing as of Monday due to, according to a notice posted on the front of the cafe, issues renewing the lease. It reads in part: “We decided not to extend the lease and relocate our business, after failing to reach, what we believe is, fair and unbiased renewal terms with the landlord. An unforeseen situation that made such a difficult decision easy to make!” Watch this space.
Five years in, Lauren Bailey and Morgan Clamp’s live music, event space, bar - and for a spell, coffee shop, in Parkdale Tonight Bar (1704 Queen St. W.) - aka Today/Tonight for a time - came to a close at the end of November. Clamp made an extraordinary short film about the journey.
NEWS
Restaurants Canada “welcomes adoption of GST and HST holiday by Parliament,” but not everyone agrees, including the CFIB.
The Canada Post strike that began on November 15 is affecting small businesses. How much? According to this local non-profit, a lot.
Latest food recalls: Baloian Farms of Arizona Co. Inc. recalls whole fresh American cucumbers due to Salmonella, Pamela cucumbers recalled due to Salmonella, SunFed field cucumbers and slicer cucumbers recalled due to Salmonella, Taylor Farms Sweet Kale Chopped Kit recalled due to Salmonella, Various brands of bagels recalled due to pieces of metal. [UPDATE 11.12.24: Elbalad Chickpeas recalled due to container integrity defects and spoilage.]
ICYMI
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