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

The beginning of the year can feel a bit all over the place. Luckily this week that translates to a wide range of places and experiences to get you back in the swing of things. Bonus: All are of a casual nature, matching your mood, budget and attire. (Hard pants are so 2024.)

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

Blanco Cantina (384 Bloor St. W.) opens Monday. But you knew that already.

Brampton’s B-Town Pizza arrives downtown (13 Elm St.), giving new meaning to Indian takeout and “Want fries with that?“ For further details, tune in to THE TIP OFF.

In addition to an influx of Thai eateries lately, seafood restos are also on the rise. Bringing the two together under one roof in Corso Italia: Chao Lay Thai Seafood (809 St Clair Ave. W.).

Egg Club claims to have “the best egg sandwich in Toronto” and has been expanding all over to prove it. The latest addition: Mississauga’s Square One (100 City Centre Dr., Unit FM01B).

Ice cream and vegan burgers are coming to Yonge and St. Clair, courtesy of Eva’s Original x Guerrilla Burger (55 St. Clair Ave. W., Unit 101). Doors open Tuesday and the first 50 customers receive a free OG burger, and everything on the Guerrilla Burger menu will be half price. Did you know? This marks Eva’s seventh store and Guerrilla Burger’s third in the Great White North.

TR Hot Tip: Little Italy’s new oenophile destination, Garrafeira Bottle Shop (966 College St.), offers exclusive selections from Portugal including pantry essentials such as olive oil and tinned fish.

Halal Pakistani and Indian chain Karahi Point kicked off grand opening celebrations for an Express version at College and Bay (736 Bay St.) over the weekend.

Los Gyros debuted yesterday in an unexpected location (500 Queen St. E.). Listen to THE TIP OFF for details.

New year’s resolutions be damned. Dig into crepes, waffles, Belgian chocolate and other goodies at Vaughan’s new Melt n Dip (2701 Rutherford Rd., Unit B6). TR Trivia: In addition to eateries throughout the province, the dessert chain boasts locations in the U.S. and Lebanon.

Psst. Hainanese chicken has landed at Bay and Wellesley. See: Nanyang Fusion (895 Bay St.).

Art and java go hand in hand at coffee shop Office by Space Unltd at Davenport and Bathurst (1211 Bathurst St.). Doors opened Monday.

St. Louis Bar & Grill brings its signature chicken and pub fare lineup to Thonhill via Promenade Mall (1 Promenade Circle). p.s. Experiencing déjà va? If it seems like I was just talking about the chicken chain, I was.

ISO Halal Mexican fare? Head to Mississauga’s new Vamos Por Tacos (5023 Spectrum Way, Building B - Unit B1) for “the best halal tacos in the GTA.”

CLOSED

Chai Pochana (809 St Clair Ave. W.) arrived on St. Clair in 2019. While doors have closed, Thai fare is still on offer at that addy. Details above.

On Friday The Craft Brasserie & Grille (107 Atlantic Ave,), a fixture in Liberty Village for nearly a decade, shared the last day for the sprawling subterranean watering hole is January 17.

Flavurger’s stay on Elm (13 Elm St.) was brief. Venture above to see who’s taken over the space

On Friday local chain Fox & FIddle posted the CItyPlace site (17 Fort York Blvd.) would be shutting down Sunday. Six remain across the city.

Her Father's Cider Bar + Kitchen (119 Harbord St.) debuted in 2016. Today the Harbord Village eatery disclosed operations will cease January 19.

On Monday, Chefs Hall (111 Richmond St. W.), took to socials to announce the closure of one its vendors, Oswald’s Pizza. The Detroit-style pizzeris joined the downtown food hall in 2023 following a launch on Dufferin in 2021.

Speaking of ‘za, I introduced you to Otherside Pizza in The Beaches (1911 Queen St. E). back in 2022. The popular New York style pizza place closed months back, reportedly for renovations. Update: The phone number is no longer in service.

Overpressure Club (815 Bloor St. W.) came on the scene at the end of 2023 and suddenly shuttered. Not to worry: Proprietor Alfred Siu, also of Project Gigglewater, has another concept up his sleeve set to take over. Watch this space.

For who’s up and running at where Halal Afghan restaurant Silk Road Kabob House (736 Bay St.) stood until recently, pop up top.

NEWS

On Monday, Justin Trudeau announced he will resign as Prime Minister and leader of Liberal Party of Canada.

Update on a plant milk packaging co. that made recent headlines.

ICYMI

THIS JUST IN: A new pizzeria downtown gives new meaning to Indian takeout and “Want fries with that?“ FYI: You’re too late for parfaits. Parkdale’s about to welcome… A Michelin-listed resto temporarily shutters. And BREAKING NEWS about another fine dining destination. 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. 

This is a story about food, culture, music, love, finding your people and passions, and following your dreams no matter what. Ashley McKay and Aldo Camarena are two of the most inspiring chefs and people I’ve ever met. I interviewed them from afar for my chef series ‘At The Pass’ during the pandemic and have wanted to sit down with them in person to hear more ever since. I’m honoured and thrilled to have them as my first guests for Episode 1 of my new TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST. This exhilarating tale about their culinary journey extends beyond the plate. Filmed on the second last day of their XOLO pop-up at Standard Time on Geary, the wildly accomplished couple share their experiences working in some of the city’s top restaurants, launching one of the most exhilarating pop-ups, adding DJing to the mix, and other stories, resulting in a captivating, mouth-watering, (we almost short-circuit the mics!) and heartfelt interview that delves deep into art, history, culture, ingredients, local farmers and producers, with lots of great vinyl along the way. And if that’s not enough, they share an EXCLUSIVE ANNOUNCEMENT! Psst. You heard it here if you weren’t at Standard Time for their last night. SOO EXCITED!! I def recommend watching it on YouTube. Prefer audio only? Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen to podcasts. p.s. Shout out to BOH, FOH, all the producers, farmers, makers, builders, suppliers, and everyone that makes this industry so incredible. You’re why I do this job, why I launched Toronto Restaurants, and now this podcast. Industry forever and always.

Please support local businesses whenever possible. 

Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.   

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