OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News October 10-16, 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
🕘 8.5 min read
Back in the day, Thanksgiving weekend would indicate a slower pace if not a screeching halt for launches and new ventures. These days of course, it’s full speed ahead. Introducing a whopping20 arrivals and copious closures.
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
Devotees of my OPEN/CLOSED already know - Ossington has been popping off lately (See: Cereal Box Cafe, Fallen Feather - details below, Linny’s). Andrea Mears adds to the excitement with addictive desserts via her eponymous bakery, Andrea’s Cookies, touching down on the strip. The striking second location debuts tomorrow just south of Dundas (166 Ossington Ave.).
Bhoj Indian Cuisine upped sticks from the edge of Yorkville (21 Davenport Rd.) to south of the Annex (673 Spadina Ave.), taking over where Jollof King and Daddy-O’s Pasta previously held court.
Specialty coffee shop Buno Coffee (136 Lauder Ave.) arrived on St. Clair West in 2021. p.s. A second outpost softly opened downtown earlier this week west of Ossington (1048 Queen St. W.).
Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Cherry Street Bar-B-Que has popped up at O&B’s Queen’s Cross Food Hall at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St.) for a limited time.
One of the city’s remaining diners, Chew Chew’s Diner, is now Chew Chew’s Grill (186 Carlton St.), offering everything from breakfast to burgers to fish n’ chips. Doors open Saturday at 8am.
Dessert-centric automats are big news this week, starting with Daan Go Cake Lab’s vending machine dispensing sweet treats at the country’s largest bookstore chain Indigo in Markham’s CF Markville Mall (5000 Hwy 7).
El Puerto Marisqueria lands in York (1727 Eglinton Ave. W.) with authentic Mexican seafood. I’m talking Augachile, Ceviche De Pescado, Shrimp and Octopus Campechana, and other fare inspired by Veracruz cuisine including Chilpachole De Camarón. See you there.
Psst. Fallen Feather (217 Ossington Ave.), the new cocktail bar by the folks behind The Haam and Saku, softly opened last night. TR Intel: I was the first to report Crafty Ramen suddenly shut down here a few weeks ago.
Leave it to NomNomNom Hospitality Group - known for Get Your Own Taters - to bring two phenomenal cuisines together under one roof. To get in on Filipino and Polish grub in on fell swoop, head to Gosia’s, currently happening at Collective Arts Toronto Taproom & Café (777 Dundas St. W.).
I’ve discovered over the years shabu shabu spots often appear in waves. See: Last week’s addition, followed by Haru Shabu Shabu in Mississauga (177 Central Pkwy. W., Unit 1 ), brought to you by by Toronto’s “first wagyu AYCE Japanese BBQ” Shinta Japanese BBQ. Grand opening celebrations continue through to the end of the month.
Craving mochi doughnuts but not personal interactions? Then the dystopian vault that is I’m Mochi at Queen and Bathurst (677 Queen St. W.) is for you. Order selections such as Dark Chocolate Passionfruit, Matcha Genmaicha, Churro, Melona, and Ube Jelly via the on-site digital tools.
Queen’s Cross Food Hall (CF Toronto Eaton Centre 220 Yonge St.) keeps ‘em coming: Local health food chain iQ Food Co. joins the roster.
Little Italy’s movement continues with the arrival of Mexican resto, La Chuperia (635 College St.), moving into Sashimi Island’s previous digs.
Tonight marks the grand opening for Port Credit’s new destination, Lago Pizza & Pasta Bar (167 Lakeshore Rd. W.).
Mehfill Indian Cuisine’s offshoot Mehfill Shawarma & Kathi Roll adds Scarborough to the lineup (4286 Kingston Rd., Unit 1).
The subs and a few of the footlong hot dogs at Substreet Subs & Dogs in Richmond Hill (10457 Yonge St.) are named after local spots such as Mississauga Road Grilled Chicken, The Danforth Oven Roasted Pepperoni, Steeles Ave Smoked Turkey, and QEW Roast Beef.
Midtown’s new supermarket, Super Unique (2085 Yonge St.), specializes in Persian fare and pantry items.
Tahini’s has been on a tear lately, and the action doesn’t let up: The sixth branch currently in soft opening at Church and Bloor (175 Bloor St. E.).
Fun fact: The Village’s new Thong Lor Thai Grilled Bar (555 Church St.) is sister eatery to Si Lom Thai Bistro, conveniently located across the street (534 Church St.).
Korean BBQ in a cup is quickly becoming a thing in the 6ix. Say hello to Tiger’s Cup Bap, in FiDi of all places (Brookfield Place 181 Bay St., Concourse Level).
CLOSED
Bhoj Indian Cuisine left Midtown (21 Davenport Rd.) for downtown. Deets up top.
It appears all the brick-and-mortar outfits of Carlos Bake Shop (aka Carlo's Bakery Canada) around town - Port Credit (167 Lakeshore Rd. W.) and Yorkville (24 Bellair St., Unit 6) - have closed down. Fans of celebrity chef Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro’s confections need not worry: CB’s cake ATMs still linger around various malls in the GTA.
Boxcar Social’s Riverside rendezvous (4 Boulton Ave.) comes to an end on tomorrow, however four locations remain across the city: Summerhill, Laneway, Harbourfront, and just launched Waterworks Food Hall.
There’s a new iteration of Chew Chew Diner (186 Carlton St.). Details above.
Popular live music venue and watering hole The Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington Ave.) is taking a break.
The sign’s been removed and windows are papered over at Kung Fu Beef Chinese BBQ in Chinatown (460 Dundas St. W.).
R&D spinoff Lil Rebel at Queen’s Cross Food Hall (CF Toronto Eaton Centre 220 Yonge St.) was meant to be temporary, You don’t have to wait long for the next concept from chefs Eric Chong and Alvin Leung however - TR Tip Off Flashback: Spring ‘24 - They’re teaming up again for Asian fine dining restaurant aKin opening soon in the St. Lawrence ‘hood (51 Colborne St.).
NEWS
Is scurvy back?
The latest food recalls: Various brands of beef jelly tongue products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes. According to the Ontario Ministry of Health, four people in the province have been “sickened with listeriosis” amid beef tongue recall. [UPDATE: 12.10.24: Rana Tagliatelle Seasoned White Chicken & Mushroom Sauce recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.]
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