OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News February 13-19, 2025
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
🕘 10.5 min read
I’ve been warning you an onslaught of closures like nothing before was on the approach. This week is just a small sampling of what’s to come. Which is why I’ve documented fewer arrivals than usual. There are a lot of important stories to tell.
That’s not all: I uncovered a record number of breaking and exclusive news stories - I reported 10 in the span of four days this week in addition to the many items below. And I’ve got way more to share, so make sure to follow (links below). You don’t want to miss a thing.
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
Last week’s activity in Scarborough continues with grand opening for Aaha Truly South (1177 Brimley Rd.) taking place today. The South Indian eatery specializes in authentic delicacies from Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana including tiffins and snacks.
Introducing your new destination for schiacciata firenze / aka Florentine flatbread - Ariete E Toro debuted its signature sandos in Midtown (12 Keewatin Ave.) yesterday.
Wine bar/bottle shop mashups continue to expand throughout the 6ix. The latest to drop: Beach Hill Wines by Archives Wine & Spirit Merchants (1879 Gerrard St. E.), the second oenophile destination from the biz out of Niagara.
I’ve been all over town lately with Marry Me Mochi. And the journey continues to Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill (9350 Yonge St.). The Japanese mochi doughnut shop also known for its Vietnamese iced coffee and viral Dubai chocolates kicks off its 13th location Saturday with deals to be had including 50 per cent off doughnuts and the chance to win an iPhone.
Harbord Village has been bustling recently with new arrivals including Maven, Kokoro Japanese Sushi House, and now, Musoshin Ramen (130 Harbord Ave.), the Michelin-Recommended restaurant from Kyoto known for their award-winning vegan vegetable-based ramen broth and signature Japanese desserts. Did you know? The strip is home to a number of Michelins including Dreyfus (Recommended), Parquet (Recommended), and Rasa (Bib Gourmand). And my prediction? Maven will be high on the 2025 lineup.
CLOSED
I’ve been uncovering a slew of Mexican eateries lately. If you missed last week’s breaking news, here’s a quick catch up: Casa Mezcal on King West (291 King St. W.) has permanently shuttered. The resto launched their three-floor expansive venture in the heart of the Entertainment District at King and John (291 King St. W.) Summer 2020, serving up tacos, Mexican-style sushi, and margaritas. They launched a similar iteration with the bonus of Mexican brunch at their second location in the heart of The Village (553 Church St.) in Smith’s former stomping grounds. I reported that closure last fall.
I broke the news earlier this week: District Eatery (303 King St. W.), aka District Restaurant and Bar, has closed. The sprawling establishment on Restaurant Row is just doors away from recently shuttered Casa Mezcal (291 King St. W.) that I broke the story on last week.
Dedicated listeners already know - There was one place you could get pad thai and schnitzel, tom yum and goulash under one roof. Hungary Thai Bar & Eatery has been a part of Kensington Market (196 Augusta Ave.) since 2001 in a house that was built in 1888. An auction of the restaurant’s furniture and equipment has been posted. The news comes just days after the announcement of Amadeu’s closure a few doors over (184 Augusta Ave.). The Portuguese restaurant opened in 1989.
Leaf Doner was a fairly recent addition to Kensington Market (180 Baldwin St.), located around the corner from Hungary Thai.
I let you in on operations winding up for Oliver & Bonacini’s Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brewery in Liberty Village (42 Liberty St.) last month. Reminder: Doors close Sunday.
King & Portland is switching up shawarma shops. Liberty Shawarma (565 King St. W.) has exited the buzzy nabe. Comin’ in hot: Alpha’s Shawarma. Psst. In addition, the certified halal eatery is setting up “soon” at Yonge and Dundas (245 Yonge St.), in what was a Vans store. TR Trivia: AS also has a spot close by at Queen and Bathurst (598 Queen St. W.).
Le Petit Paris (1879 Gerrard St. E.) in the Upper Beaches was more than a patisserie and boulangerie. It was a one-stop shop for everything from prepared meals and baked goods to pantry items and decadent desserts. After 18 years, LPP temporarily closed last May and as per their current Instagram bio, “unfortunately is permanently closed. We are unable to make the financials work. Thank you for all your support.” To discover who moved into the space, pop up top.
Music lovers will have to look to nearby establishments for suds and grub now that The Opera House’s The Opera House Grill & Patio (737 Queen St. E.) has come to an end.
Yesterday, Parkdale’s Sari Not Sari (1566 Queen St. W.), formerly The Shop, the dance destination and community by Michelin Bib Gourmand BB’s (5 Brock Ave.), posted doors are set to close. Stay tuned for details.
Last month, Trinity-Bellwoods stalwart Saving Grace (907 Dundas St. W.) shared last day is Saturday. The brunch haunt was a mainstay in for 25 years.
The Sweet Potato (1678 Bayview Ave.) arrived in Leaside Summer ‘23. Owners Digs Dorfman and CJ Chiddy took to socials Tuesday to announce permanent closure tomorrow. Their long-running health food store in The Junction (108 Vine Ave.) remains open to serve you.
Earlier this week, Etobicoke’s The Tale Indian Cuisine and Bar (3747 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Unit 1) notified the public the establishment comes to an end on February 28.
Taverna Yiannis Greek Grill and Pub’s stay at Yonge and Lawrence (3185 Yonge St.) was short-lived.
Mere blocks from The Sweet Potato, The Works Craft Burgers & Beer next to Metro at Bayview and Eglinton (609 Roehampton Ave., Unit 2) is also a thing of the past. ISO of their burgers? The website states 27 outposts remain throughout the city and province.
NEWS
Head’s up: The GST/HST tax ‘holiday’ ends Saturday at midnight.
Yesterday, Food Banks Mississauga announced the charity had to reduce their paid workforce and cancel programs. This comes at a time when “food bank usage is at an all-time high with 1 in 13 Mississauga residents relying on a food bank.”
Attention Industry: Applications for new CaféTO Curb Lane Cafés or renewal permits close Wednesday at 11:59 pm.
Reuters reports the Dave’s Hot Chicken chain is “exploring a potential sale.” The American chicken brand has a number of Toronto locations including a recent addition downtown in the Financial District (The PATH 181 Bay St., Unit C350).
Latest food recalls: Christie Original Mini Ritz Crackers recalled due to undeclared milk, Igloo 90-Quart Flip & Tow Rolling Coolers recalled due to fingertip amputation and crushing hazards, Solo stove Smokeless Gel Fuel recalled due to improper labelling.
ICYMI
THIS JUST IN: A renowned Toronto clothier adds to the lineup, changes to dining at a historic music venue, update on one of the city’s swankiest steakhouses, tracking closures includes temporary shut downs, and speaking of closures - BREAKING NEWS about another big one in the heart of downtown.
Annnnd there’s more: Big changes at “Canada’s first Detroit style pizzeria,” news about one of the city’s most unique restaurants, another closure on King West, a local hospitality group adds to the roster, and a fine dining destination in a location that’s developing into a hotspot for haute cuisine. Listen to the latest edition of 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. p.s. While some items may appear in the OPEN/CLOSED, others will be reported here exclusively for the first time.
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