OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News January 30-February 5, 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
🕘 7 min read
After what feels like 78 days of winter packed into 31, the last week of January has finally arrived. So ushering in a new month with plates stacked high with pizza and doughnuts, and digging into winter warmups including hot pot, spit-roasted lamb, and Indian and Sri Lankan fare, is just what the doctor - and meteorologist - ordered.
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
An “elevated” and “fine dining” experience is touching down in Mississauga soon. Andaaz Restaurant (3900 Grand Park Dr., Unit E1), part social kitchen and bar, “brings the vibrant flavours of India to life with a modern twist, offering a dining experience unlike any other.” The new spot is set to debut Tuesday, but you knew that already.
ISO a new dive bar and karaoke spot? Head to Yonge and Bloor and go underground to discover Bar Zunko & Karaoke (675 Yonge St.).
Cafe, wine bar and pizzeria Enoteca 89 (2196 Bloor St. W.) replaces former occupants Halycon Coffee and Bello Pizza. While the name may be new, the owner remains the same.
Flaming Kitchen (472 Yonge St.), home of sizzling plates and cozy hot pots, takes over the gargantuan space that was famously Dickey’s Barbeque Pit,* marking the first downtown location for the chain with outposts in Mississauga, Scarborough and Vaughan. *Stay tuned. DBP’s slated to open in Bloor West Village (2150 Bloor St. W.) “soon.”
Glory Hole Doughnuts (1505 Gerrard St. E.) joins the roster at the Eaton Centre’s new food hall Queen’s Cross by local hospitality group Oliver & Bonacini (220 Yonge St., Lower Level).
Dig into döners, kebabs, pide, shish and more at Thornhill’s new Heaven Turkish Cuisine (7330 Yonge St.). Bonus: Enjoy 10 per cent off all menu items until January 31st.
TR Hot Tip: Spit-roasted lamb is the name of the game at North York’s new Lambo (8 Kingsdale Ave.).
Marry Me Mochi has been all over town lately. Find a new setup at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr., Taste Mrkt - Upper Level). Did you know? Another mochi destination just exited.
Hey Etobicoke, North of Brooklyn Pizzeria is finally within reach (1180 The Queensway). Fun fact: The building was formerly home to a branch of Fat Bastard Burrito Co.
Indian and Sri Lankan takeout restaurant Poopathy Mess (585 Parliament St.) moves into what was previously home to a Sri Lankan eatery in Cabbagetown.
Canadian breakfast/brunch chain Pür & Simple kicks off their 50th resto Monday at Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave.). Spanning 2,500 sq. ft., it seats almost 100 including the patio. TR Trivia: P&S debuted in Laval, Quebec in 2016.
Scarborough’s Shawarma Daddy, “the authentic taste of Dubai,” celebrates grand opening of their first spot downtown on Sunday at Bloor and Christie (729 Bloor St. W.). Busy corner: This addy has been home to a number of ventures this last while including Samosa + Patty and last summer’s wild Al Babino's/Pasta Smart, a riff on the previous Ali Baba’s name with the addition of noods.
CLOSED
O&B’s Curryosity and Garden Variety were part of the original lineup at their food hall at the Eaton Centre (Queen’s Cross 220 Yonge St., Lower Level).
Half of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ’s Ontario sites have closed: North York (now Omiwol) and Richmond Hill (See: Sugar Cafe and Lounge). Two remain in the province (Toronto, Mississauga), with more available across Canada and the U.S.
Saks Food Hall by Pusateri's inside Sak’s Fifth Avenue (176 Yonge St.) came to an abrupt end.
NEWS
Tarrifs on Canadian imports are coming soon.
On Monday, Mayor Olivia Chow declared food insecurity an emergency in the City of Toronto.
A Salmonella outbreak linked to imported pastries has “now sickened 69 people in Canada.”
Premier Ford’s “decision to speed up alcohol sales expansion to cost province $612M.”
Multiple arrests have been made in a Brampton theft investigation. The stolen items? Butter and ghee.
The city’s long-running prix fixe event Winterlicious kicks off tomorrow.
Latest food recalls: Al-Watan Tahini recalled due to Salmonella, Century Flaked Light Tuna Hot & Spicy recalled due to undeclared wheat, D. Effe T. Lemon Delight and Tartlet with Forest Fruits recalled due to Salmonella.
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