OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News November 21-27, 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
🕘 9 min read
The themes of this week’s edition - international comfort foods and sweet treats galore - couldn’t come at a better time as holiday events and deadlines approach. Options for fine dining, dancing, and even bowling, round things out.
And don’t let the few closures below lead you to believe they’re slowing down. In fact, just the opposite - You’ll see. Closures are convoluted these days and fact-checking takes time - especially when the end of businesses aren’t publicly announced. The more closures, the more stories to tell, the more people to honour.
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
For European-style pastries - think St. Honore, mille feuille, macarons, lemon yuzu tarts - head to Yorkville’s latest dessert destination, Amadeus Patisserie opening today at the corner of Bay and Cumberland (1235 Bay St.), where Calii Love previously called home. p.s. You’re not going to believe where CL’’s setting up shop next.
Craig's Cookies keeps the serious momentum going with grand opening at Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.) happening Saturday. Bonus: The first 100 customers receive a free classic cookie.
What does “authentic Vietnamese with a twist” look like? See for yourself at Scarborough’s new Đi Ăn - Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine (2361 Brimley Rd., Unit 5), softly opening tomorrow.
Enchanted Poutinerie - home of Unicorn Poutine topped with “multi-coloured gravy” - is back after wrapping up the previous North York location on August 14. Check out the new addy at Sheppard and Weston Road (45 Abraham Welsh Rd., Unit 7B).
Hawa Beirut Restaurant & Lounge (466 Adelaide St. E.) just landed in the east end near King and Sherbourne (466 Adelaide St. E.), a surprising location for a spot outfitted with DJs, dancing, live entertainment including belly dancing, and definite nightlife vibes. For an “unforgettable experience with shish, cocktails, and the true spirit of Beirut vibes,” head east of Yonge to where Motorino Citta stood until recently.
Honestly Good Chicken Fingers is making its way across the GTA. Following a debut this past summer at The Well’s food court (Wellington Market 486 Front St. W., Lower Ground Level), the chicken co. joins Etobicoke’s biggest mall, CF Sherway Gardens (25 The West Mall) with a sizeable location outside Entrance 7.
ISO soft, pillowy doughnuts in the downtown core? Look no further than Krispy Kreme’s new crib at Church and Dundas (105 Dundas St. E.). Doors open Tuesday.
Little Pebbles Cafe moves into Nu Bügel’s former stomping grounds (240 Augusta Ave.), continuing the tradition of wood-fired bagels alongside their popular - and often viral - Japanese-inspired French baked goods. This marks their third bakery downtown, second in Kensington Market.
Louf (501 Davenport Rd.) launches today. The new venture by chef Fadi Kattan - chef/co-founder of Akub Restaurant in London England and Kassa Hotel in Bethlehem, and author of new cookbook Bethlehem: A Celebration of Palestinian Food - and Nicole Mankinen, celebrates “Palestinian cooking, community, and wine.” TR Brief History: The detached house converted to commercial property long ago made way for Flor De Sal Restaurant in 2014 and prior to that, The Corner House.
National kicks off today at The Well (486 Front St W.), complete with food, bowling, arcade and other activities the whole family can enjoy. The new venue is brought to you by Concorde Entertainment Group, the west coast Canadian group behind some other new restos at the outdoor complex also popular in Calgary.
Leslieville’s new Nola Eatery and Bar (1163 Queen St. E.) specializes in North American fusion fare. Find it in CrowdedHouse’s previous set up.
Asian fusion Petit Potato boasts two outposts in North York. And now, one in a colossal space right downtown at Bay and Wellesley (1033 Bay St., Unit 1). TR Trivia: 1) Petit Potato debuted in 2016 and 2020 - Days prior to Premier Doug Ford declaring a state of emergency due to COVID-19. 2) The Bay St. footprint was Crown Princess Fine Dining for eons before it relocated to North York as Crown Prince Fine Dining and Banquet a few years ago.
I told you it was on the way. Renowned wood-fired ‘za from Etobicoke and Woodbridge lands on St. Clair: Revolver Pizza Co. (968 St. Clair Ave. W.) opens tomorrow.
Rick’s Good Eats (6660 Kennedy Rd., Unit 1) by chef Rick Matharu and his mom Manjeet Matharu (aka ‘Momma Manjeet’) brings their signature “Punjabi-Canadian comfort food” to Scarborough (3155 Markham Rd., Unit 2).
The name of Mississauga’s new RK Sweets (755 Dundas St. W.) doesn’t do it justice - a bevy of à la carte items and entire buffet are also on offer.
After a long build up, The Secret Kitchen, a modern Indian fine dining experience by chef Aanal Korak, will be unveiled Saturday in Vaughan (16 Famous Ave., Unit 142). Fun facts: 1) The restaurant boasts locations in India and Australia. 2) Chef Korak’s resume also includes another restaurant in India - Akshada - The Gujarati Kitchen - and line of Indian “ready-to-make” mixes and Indian spices.
CLOSED
Flor De Sal Restaurant (501 Davenport Rd.) had a long run. Details above.
Kensington Market staple Nu Bügel (240 Augusta Ave.) may be gone, but wood-fired bagels are very much a part of the new business that’s moved in. Pop up top for details.
NEWS
Today, Restaurants Canada praised the federal government for the GST holiday for restaurant meals. Also receiving a tax break: Other food and drink items.
Speaking of costs affecting hospitality, Ontario’s Living Wage rates have increased.
Canada Post goes on strike right before the holidays.
On Friday Wanda Beaver of her eponymous dessert shop in Kensington Market, Wanda’s Pie in the Sky (287 Augusta Ave.), launched an online petition to help save the addition.
Chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, cooking series host, actor and producer of award-winning series The Bear, and internet sensation Matty Matheson announced his newest restaurant, Bar Clams earlier this week. Psst: Of course if you followed TR on IG, you’d already been in the know.
Latest food recalls: Winkler's Breakfast Sausage and Smoked Turkey Thighs recalled due to pieces of metal. [UPDATE 22.11.24: Stuyver's bread products recalled due to pieces of metal, 365 Whole Foods Market organic carrots recalled due to E. coli O121. 25.11.24: McCain potato products recalled due to pieces of metal.]
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