OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News November 28-December 4, 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

🕘 11.5 min read

Long-time TR readers already know: Just because we’re heading into the holidays doesn’t mean things are slowing down any. Not even a little. Which is why the 20 new destinations and whack of big closures below is just the beginning of what I’ve uncovered… Watch this space.

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

This addition to Kensington Market is a big one: Augusta Coffee Bar (229 Augusta Ave.) takes over the corner at Baldwin and Augusta with an array of coffee - natch - and plenty of baked goods, in what Sunwah Fruit Market and El Buen Precio (aka Good Price Grocery) next door (227 Augusta Ave.) called home for what felt like forever.

North York’s Bao House (5336 Yonge St.) just expanded its reach downtown. Head to Dundas east of University (171 Dundas St. W.) for dumplings, dim sum, and noodles.

Chef Matty Matheson’s new restaurant Bar Clams (802 Dundas St. W.) opens tomorrow in Fonda Balam’s former digs at Dundas and Bathurst.* Stay tuned for a closer look. *I gave you the inside track in last week’s OPEN/CLOSED and before that, in an action-packed Instagram post with alllll sorts of intel.

Finer dining in Kensington Market? Head to Casa Morales (152 Augusta Ave.) for elevated Mexican fare in a sleek, spacious setting (Parallel’s brief offshoot Parallel Basta until earlier this year). This marks the most recent venture by the folks behind local chain Gus Tacos and… Wait, there’s one more… Details below…

If you thought the steakhouse trend was over, think again. In fact, the surge downtown is increasing by the day - and in the Financial District in particular. Chop Steakhouse & Bar’s first Toronto location and flagship for the Ontario chain just dropped at the corner of University and Adelaide (181 University Ave.). Promising an “upscale dining experience” and “100 per cent Canadian beef,” the newest steakhouse in FiDi comes complete with two levels, rooftop patio, seating for 430 and much more. Stay tuned for a sneak peek of the 11, 000 sq. ft. space. Doors open to the public Tuesday.

El Gourmet Express (820 Church St.) is serving up a “real taste of Lebanon” until 4am in the heart of downtown. Did you know? The Toronto operation is by way of Pickering’s El Gourmet Lebanese Market (1550 Kingston Rd.).

Greek Street Fusion is happening inside Kitchen Hub’s York site (1121 Castlefield Ave.).

Kensei Bar (1173 Dundas St. W.) has been on my watchlist for a while now. Psst: Grand opening is tonight. What to expect: Japanese tipples and tastes accompanied by soundscapes on vinyl in a retro setting.

A unique fine dining experience inspired by nature awaits you at Yonge and Richmond. See: The Lost Land (146 Yonge St., Unit 101). Keep an eye out for further details. TR Trivia: Do you remember when the addy was home to the Urban Sense store? And waay back in the day - in the early 1900s, in fact - the building held a candy store/ice cream parlour at street level, tea room on the second floor, and dance hall on the third.

La Mooriyya Markette (210 Augusta Ave.) - part grocery store, part pop-up market concept in Kensington Market - welcomed Marry Me Mochi into the fold last month.

Molly Tea’s first store in the 6ix (604 Yonge St.) celebrates grand opening this Saturday and Sunday. The brand specializing in “Oriental jasmine tea” boasts specialty drink series including “snowy whipped” and fresh oat milk.

Mutabak Karak (69 Lebovic Ave.) touched down at a large plaza in Scarborough on Friday with sweet and savoury mutabak, assortment of chapati, karak tea, and desserts - Date Bread Pudding, Yemeni Puffs. This follows MK’s launch in Mississauga (3480 Platinum Dr., Unit 98) last December.

I gave you the inside scoop on Odd Burger’s new joint downtown last month. Update: Doors open today at the corner of Dundas and Church (229 Church St.) with grand opening celebrations happening 12pm-6pm: Ribbon cutting at noon, the first 30 customers receive a swag bag, and soft serve is a buck - with a portion of sales going to Kids Against Hunger, foster-based dog rescue Paws Across the Water, and Plant Based Treaty.

Rumi Turkish Restaurant (1 Old Mill Dr.) does everything from grilled meat and kebabs to pide and kunefe. And surprise: Italian dishes abound including Fettuccine Alfredo and Spaghetti and Meatballs and pizza - Vegetarian, Pepperoni, Margherita, and “White Life” - thanks to Goodfellas’ previous setup.

San Wich (616 Gladstone Ave.), the second concept of late by the people behind Gus Tacos is lot more casual than Casa Morales (Details above.) - This one’s all about comforting Mexican handhelds. Think tortas, tacquitos and… croissandwiches?? For real.

Shake Shack’s first Canadian branch debuted at Yonge and Dundas this past summer, swiftly followed by Union Station (65 Front St. W., Lower Bay St. Corridor), this time with a full bar. Doors open Wednesday at 11am. Stick around for an inside look. Fun fact: There’s an American counterpart to Shake Shack Union Station in Washington, D.C.

Marhkam’s Sushi Umi Omakase Japanese Fine Dining (3621 Highway 7 East, Unit 104-105) launched in 2020. TR Bulletin: The restaurant known for its wagyu and foie gras sushi selections just added a destination downtown (41 Charles St. W.). Doors open tomorrow with Hokkaido Uni Sushi for “only $98!” this weekend.

I brought you news of ”Toronto’s first tanghulu shop” back in April and it appears the candy-coated fruit skewer co. was just getting started: Grand opening for Tanghulu Tanghulu’s second shop at The Well’s food court (486 Front St. W. Lower Level) is happening this weekend - The first 20 ppl in line Friday to Sunday receive a free tanghulu. (Conditions apply). Aaand Mississauga, you’re in luck: Find TT’s sweet stuff at Square One (100 City Centre Dr., Level 2) starting tomorrow. Bonus: Free gift with purchase for the first 20 customers.

Waterworks Food Hall (50 Brant St.) has been non-stop since day one. Newsflash: Argentinean Tantxo Steak Bar kicks off Sunday.

CLOSED

That’s a wrap for Beaches stalwart Beach Fish House (1963A Queen St. E.).

Over the years “Canada's first official waffle house” The Dirty Bird Chicken + Waffles included outposts in The Annex (527 Bloor St. W.), North York (York University Student Centre 94 York Blvd., Unit 107A), and Mississauga (6415 Erin Mills Pkwy, Unit B5) until recently. The OG in Kensington Market (79 Kensington Ave.) since 2015 has come to an end. One remains - an Express model at Pearson Airport since 2022.

Ernie’s Ice Box is closing up shop - the brick-and-mortar version at 403 Jane St. - at the end of the month, but luckily it’s not goodbye forever.

Blink and you might have missed it: Turkish eatery Gold Bingol opened in Kensington Market (198 Augusta Ave.) little over three months ago.

Larry’s Folly last day at Queen and Landsdowne (1462 Queen St. W.) is Saturday, but don’t panic - it’s not moving far or for long.

Reliable Fish & Chips has been off and on a few times at Queen and Carlaw (954 Queen St. E.) since 1930, but as most of the furniture has been cleared out, could this be the final FINAL end?

Sushi Club (41 Charles St. W.) was a fixture at the edge of Yonge & Bloor/Yorkville since forever ago. To discover who’s moved in, pop up top.

Vera Vera (1166 Queen St. W.) was always meant to temporary. As I reported back in July, Bar Antonii is slated to take its place.

NEWS

Putting GST break into effect for two months is “proving to be a ‘nightmare’ for businesses.”

Speaking of the “GST holiday,” is the province eliminating other taxes as well?

The latest food recalls: O'Ya hoho Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, SunFed Produce, LLC recalls whole fresh American cucumbers due to Salmonella. [UPDATE 29.11.24: Island City Baking bread products recalled due to pieces of metal, President's Choice Tellicherry Black Peppercorns recalled due to pieces of plastic. 02.12.24: Choco Max Granola brand Coated Chewy Bars - Chocolate Chip recalled due to undeclared peanut.]

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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