OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto/GTA Restaurant News June 6-12, 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
🕘 7.5 min read
This week’s edition delivers a ‘choose-your-own adventure’ vibe thanks to the myriad of concepts and cuisines on offer. And still reeling from last week’s insanity? Brace yourself. The sudden closures of heavy hitters below are just the tip of the iceberg.
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
Ami-No just touched down at Bathurst and Dundas (755B Dundas St. W.) with Japanese takeout by way of snacks, sashimi, maki, and kaisen donburi. TR Trivia: I’ve covered every eatery that’s landed in this boîte over the years including Bao Box earlier this year and predecessors Cool Cats, Hot Dogs and Oniguy. Prior to the various takeout joints of late, the former house converted into a commercial unit was once a convenience store and Guardian Pharmacy.
Blondies Pizza brings its New York style ‘za near the water’s edge in Etobicoke (160 Marine Parade Dr., Unit 8).
Grand opening for Kingsway’s new aesthetic cafe and patisserie Cafe De Flore (2989 Bloor St. W.) is today, complete with 15 per cent off all items.
Grande Cheese adds to its ever-expanding family with a new grocery store in Vaughan (9222 Keele St., Unit 11).
Hazukido continues its evolution across the 6ix with Hazukido Lite Cafe at Atrium on Bay (595 Bay St., Unit E-01). Grand opening celebrations for their new bakery cafe is Saturday. p.s. The Japanese croissanterie is offering guests the new Butterfly Dream Drink for $1 in exchange for a post on social.
Persian ice cream parlour and pastry shop Ice In Paradise has new digs in Thornhill (8147 Yonge St.). Find it in TR’s Ultimate Guide to Ice Cream + Frozen Treats.
Kibo Cafe joins U of T: Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus at College and University (108 College St.). The coffee shop and market marks the latest venture from Kibo Sushi House.
“Cheesetrons” are the specialty at North York’s Lipar Box (15 Northtown Way, Unit 20). What to expect: Cheesy handhelds stuffed with beef, chicken, pepperoni, and veg.
Swiftly following the closure of an express location, Mediterranean chain Me Va Me emerges downtown in a new build just north of College (2 Alexander St.).
The Hilton Garden Inn (92 Peter St.) got a glow up this week, courtesy of Hilton, Easton's Group of Hotels and The Gupta Group. The longstanding hotel in the Entertainment District goes by Revery Toronto Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton now, accompanied by Muse Lobby Bar and “French-inspired” Deauville Club Restaurant, the latter offering a melange of selections from Watermelon Salad ($20) and Summer Roll ($19) to Bamboo Curry ($32), Brome Lake Quebec Duck ($48), and Paella ($48).
After being in the works for years, Sing Sing Beer Bar Toronto - sibling to the west-coast concept centred around pizza, pho and craft brews - just landed in the Financial District (First Canadian Place 77 Adelaide St. W.) Did you know? Vancouver-based Freehouse Collective (formerly The Donnelly Group) hasn’t added to the Big Smoke since Isabelle’s in 2022, but their other outfits - Belfast Love, Death & Taxes, GIft Shop, Walrus Pub & Beer Hall - have been fixtures here, starting back in 2016.
CHANGES
Thornhill’s Sojubang has a new look and feel. Introducing: Seoul House BBQ Sojubang (180 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 24) equipped with karaoke and party room.
CLOSED
Ever since Extra Burger (1265 Dundas St. W.) came on the scene in 2017, it drew a crowd. Yesterday it came to a sudden halt.
On Saturday, Fonda Balam (802 Dundas St. W.) posted on social that doors will be imminently closing. Today they shared June 8 will be the final day. The eatery that began as pop-up Birria Balam in 2021 followed by the dine-in iteration months later. The buzzy resto helmed by chefs Matty Matheson, Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo went on to earn Michelin Bib Gourmand awards in 2022 and 2023.
The Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne St.) announced yesterday it will be on the move as of January 2025.
Since last fall, Little Italy’s Quadro Ristorante (577 College St.) has been temporarily closed due to fire. It appears it’s permanent now that J's Steak Frites is moving in.
Ristorante Sociale (545 King St. W.) came in hot last summer, promising to deliver a dinner party vibe late evening. Touted as Enoteca Sociale’s more formal sibling, it launched with a bang* and marked the first expansion for the Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded eatery. *Literally. At the grand opening event, women in thong bodysuits, aprons and chef hats danced around banging mixing bowls.
NEWS
Local Japanese chain Ramen Isshin launched a GoFundMe Campaign for Masumi Okabayashi, a mother of three battling Stage 4 Cancer.
Earlier this week, the owners of Ossington restaurant, cafe and bar Manita called out actor Zachary Quinto for being a “terrible customer” during a recent visit. The Instagram post, claiming in part that he “yelled at our staff like an entitled child,” went viral, nabbing headlines everywhere from Vulture to TMZ.
The latest recalls: Casablanca Classics Pure Coconut Water with Pulp recalled due to undeclared sulphites.
ICYMI
Check out TR’s comprehensive guide to farmers’ markets in Toronto and GTA.
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