OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News July 4-10, 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

🕘 13 min read

If you thought last month’s activity was unreal, just wait… July is going to be a record breaker. This week’s staggering 30 arrivals? Just a small sampling of what’s to come.

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

Aloette’s takeout concept Aloette Go numéro trois just landed at food hall TABLE Fare + Social (CIBC Square 81 Bay St., 4th Fl.) that debuted in FiDi last summer. On the menu: Elevated burgers, fried chicken and salads.

Banh mi and bao are the name of the game at Chinatown’s new Bảnk Bao (375 Spadina Ave.). Pro tip: Save room for Fried Bao Ice Cream.

With Mississauga and Woodbridge already under its belt, this marks Burger Bloc’s first downtown location (162 McCaul St.) loaded with smashed patties, wraps and shakes.

Cafeteria (1650 Dupont St.), the collab between Juice and Invisible City, boasts dope soundscapes and “social dining experience” by chef Eric McDonald.

Croissants have been hogging the spotlight lately, so this one’s for all the bagel lovers. To satiate your craving, visit Little Italy’s new College Street Bagel Company (697 College St.) in Dolce Gelato’s former digs.

Craig’s Cookies continues to carpet the city with doughy delectables via numerous outposts throughout the GTA. Case in point: Swiftly following last week’s arrival, CC kicked off at Union Station yesterday, with more on deck. Stay tuned.

Indian egg-themed cafe chain The Egg Eatery got its start in India but recently made Scarborough home. To get in on the “eggstremely delicious” lineup including Surti Egg Tikhari, Green Masala Half, and Chef Spl Egg Curry Fry, head to a strip mall at Kennedy and Ellesmere (1348 Kennedy Rd.). Next stop: Sydney, Australia.

Gram’s Pizza is doling out New York-esque slices and pies in the Junction Triangle (1640 Dupont St., Unit 3). Did you know? It’s where Tuckshop Kitchen stood until recently.

Speaking of ‘za, I gave you the head’s up on Insieme (122 Atlantic Ave.) earlier this year. Update: Their pasta and Neapolitan-style pizza just touched down in Liberty Village.

It’s been a workout keeping pace with Isabella's Mochi Donut Boutique openings lately, and it turns out the momentum isn’t letting up one bit. Check out the latest addition in Leaside (1669 Bayview Ave.).

Kata Sushi arrives at Jarvis and Carleton (140 Carlton St., Unit 33) across from Allan Gardens and around the corner from The Phoenix Concert Theatre (for now), replacing recent departure Sopung.

Kinton Express merges Kinton Ramen fare - $12.99 or under so far (more if you get extra toppings, etc.) - with the efficiency of quick service (self-serve digital kiosks), made for your busy lifestyle and never long enough lunch hours. Discover the first at Queen and Richmond (1 Richmond St. W.).

If the trek to Kish’s Roti & Doubles in Mississauga is too far, you’re in luck: A downtown one awaits (344 Queen St. E.), on a corner that’s seen a lot of movement lately.

In a committed relationship with burgers? Kong Burgers tucked inside a Scarborough strip mall (91 Rylander Blvd., Unit 1011) might be for you.

Kwento is back in a new space (formerly a pharmacy) in a new ‘hood (1637 Dundas St W.) accompanied by Nile Coffee Club. Amazing cakes and coffee? A no-brainer.

Working the late/early shift? Mars Village Eatery between Wellesley and College (510 Yonge St.) does breakfast to dinner selections - and everything in between - in both Western and Chinese varieties on offer 24/7.

Mevlana Turkish Restaurant in Mississauga (900 Rathburn Rd. W., Unit D2-D3) has got you for kebabs, pide, lahmacun and more.

In 1979, Michael Bregman and his father Lou opened the first Michel's Baguette at the Eaton Centre. Over the years, it transformed into Michel’s Bakery Café, a fixture in office towers and shopping malls across the GTA. Find the latest at First Canadian Place (130 King St. W., Market Place area). And stay tuned - it’s reopening in a new space at Yorkdale next month. TR Trivia: MBC is one of the longest running tenants at Yorkdale. And you may be familiar with the Michael’s other ventures: Now shuttered mmmuffins (Lou joined in later), Second Cup, and his parent’s restaurant of 28 years, Bregman’s at Yonge and St. Clair that wrapped up service in 2007.

Calling all Portuguese chicken lovers: The province’s first Monteiro Express just landed in Scarborough (1950 Lawrence Ave. E.) complete with $10 menu items.

Peter Pantry (371 Queen St. W.) was a short-lived venture. Or was it? The journey continues in the same space under a different moniker - Neverland - with new additions to the lineup. While the original wine bar/bottle shop concept remains, coffee during the day and curated tomes from bookstore Flying Books are in effect.

Introducing Yorkville’s new Roman-style pizzeria: Pala 148 (148 Cumberland St.).

Chef Benny Cohen’s Mediterranean eatery Plancha returns to the downtown* with organic hummus, fluffy pitas, mains and sides to Financial Distict food hall TABLE Fare + Social (CIBC Square 81 Bay St., 4th Fl.). *The eateries on Victoria St. and at Square One shut down during the pandemic.

Tuck into Princess Kitchen’s Efo-riro, Ewedu, Tilapia Fish Stew, Jollof Spaghetti & Turkey, and other fragrant African fare at Queen and Parliament (366 Queen St. E.).

Etobicoke’s The Queensway Bistro (753 The Queensway) offers everything from omlettes and pancakes to nachos, perogies, “Famous Curry”, and 10oz New York Striploin.

Saigon Pai arrived in Cabbagetown (446 Parliament St.) in 2019, but has been closed for renos for some time. Bulletin: Doors have reopened. TR Trivia: They launched another in East Chinatown in the interim.

Smash burgers, chicken wings, pizza, Cajun corn, parmesan fries… With this lineup, you’re going to need one of everything or to make multiple trips to Scarborough’s West Rouge nabe for Saints Smash Kitchen (515 East Ave.).

I told you to stay tuned for the return Uncle Mikey’s. No matter how much time passes, I’m on the case. Get in yer orders (and hugs) on Saturday at The Annex Hotel (296 Brunswick Ave.) and later in the month in Standard Time’s new kitchen (165 Geary Ave.).

Unholy Donuts came on the scene in 2022 and expanded a year later. Find their third shop stocked with an array of brioche dunkers in Etobicoke’s Alderwood/Long Branch ‘hood (234 Browns Line).

Wild Oregano Mediterranean Grill takes over what was Green Eggplant in The Beaches (2024 Queen St. E.) with an extensive breakfast menu and Greek fare for dinner, with Italian (Penne Arrabiata, Chicken Parm) and North American dishes (burgers, steaks, Reuben) added for good measure.

Hot tip: Love vinyl and coffee? Head to 17 Baldwin - aka Rooms Coffee | 17 Baldwin (17 Baldwin St.) for grand opening festivities on Saturday.

CLOSED

Fuoco Mio’s wood-burning pizzas may have left 100 Symes Ave., but the journey isn’t over- FM is slated to reopen this season, not far south in Espresso Cycle’s stead (521 Annette Ave.).

Ghost Chicken concludes in-person service on the Ossington strip (74 Ossington Ave.). Doors opened Winter ‘22.

You’ve got until Sunday to get in your goodbyes at Chinatown stalwart, Goldstone Noodle Restaurant (266 Spadina Ave.).

Little Vietnam set up shop at Queen and Portland (500 Queen St. W.) in 2022. Psst. Moving in: Pho 90.

Naija Jollof Lounge in Cabbagetown (505 Parliament St.), est. Fall ‘22, is on the move. As of August 30, pay a visit to NJ in Chinatown (409 Spadina Ave.).

After three years, The Queen’s End Cafe & Emporium in Parkdale (1664 Queen St. W.) has come to an end. The good times continue to roll at Alison Barrie’s other spot just down the street - cozy dive bar The Grand Trunk (1718 Queen St. W.).

American Japanese creperie T-Swirl Crêpe materialized downtown at Yonge and Grosvenor (510 Yonge St.) in 2014. For who’s moved in, see above (Note: Crepes are still in effect.) It also had a branch, now shuttered, in Markham (28 S Unionville Ave., Unit 1056).

NEWS

Michelle Davis, a force in the community and at large as Founder of the Caribbean Food Festival, on the board of the Parkdale Village BIA, and one of the fine folks behind Kolors Barbershop & Lounge (1612 Queen St. W.), died. Her daughter has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with costs.

There’s a possible strike at the LCBO starting tomorrow.

Toronto, you can finally recycle your coffee cups.

It’s official: Nobu Toronto is launching next month.

Summerlicious kicks off tomorrow The prix fixe festival put on by the City boasts 222 restaurants participating this year.

Food recalls: Baixiang Instant Noodles recalled due to undeclared peanut, Casablanca Classics Pure Coconut Water with Pulp recalled due to undeclared sulphites, Irresistibles Roasted Garlic - Caesar Aïoli recalled due to possible bursting bottles, Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst recalled due to undeclared gluten, Kirkland Signature Grain + Celery Salad recalled, Panchvati Supermarket Black Pepper Powder Coarse recalled due to presence of sand and dirt, President's Choice Cheddar Jalapeño Smokies recalled due to nitrile glove pieces, Various brands of cheese recalled due to Staphylococcus aureus, Expanded Recall: Vitamix Ascent Series and Venturist Series 8-ounce and 20-ounce Blending Containers and Blade Bases recalled due to laceration hazard. [UPDATE: 05.07.24: True Manufacturing Commercial Refrigerators with Secop Compressors recalled due to potential fire hazard.]

Please support local businesses whenever possible. 

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

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch. 

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