OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News October 24-30, 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

🕘 10.5 min read

I love an OPEN/CLOSED that takes you all over the map - both geographically and gastronomically - and this week’s arrivals allow you to fully indulge in every craving, in all corners of the city and beyond. Unfortunately, that means more 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

I gave you the scoop on Agave Restaurante (636 Queen St. W.) last month. p.s. The wait for tacos and other Mexican grub at Queen and Bathurst is over.

Aisle 3 Bar (2535 Dundas St. W.) brings Vietnamese tapas (Fish Sauce Wings, Shrimp Toast, Smashed Cucumber Salad, Crab Fried Rice) and cocktails to the Junction Triangle. TR Trivia: The addy was RaviSoups’ headquarters for what felt like forever back in the day.

Aromatic Balkan and Mediterranean fare are at the focus of Mississauga’s Ballkan Grill (Fieldgate Plaza 3443 Fieldgate Dr.). Think Qofte, Lamb Chops, Sea Bream, Shopska Salad, and Sheqerpare.

Dear Saigon adds to the roster again, this time in North York. Grand opening for the fourth outpost made with “phoholics” in mind takes place Monday at Yonge and Finch (5588 Yonge St.), in the space previously home to Pyung Won House.

TR Hot tip: Burlington’s El Inka Peruvian Cuisine has set down roots in the Big Smoke. EIPC’s second destination lands at Yonge and St. Clair (21 St. Clair Ave. E.) with an extensive menu boasting an array authentic entradas, ensaladas, sopas, ceviche, platos de fondo, Pisco-based libations, and much more. Did you know? It’s where Playa Cabana’s Taqueria Norte stood until recently.

The Food Alley means never having to choose between your favourite fast foods including burgers, pizza, tacos, and desserts, as vendors gather together outside in a lot at Queen and Portland (615 Queen St. W.).

Gluten-free ingredients don’t always result in great sandwiches, never mind hotcakes and/or desserts including sundaes. Etobicoke’s new Gud Daae Sandwich Shop (2461 Lakeshore Blvd. W.) is here to change that. TR Flashback: The location was once Sidenote Cafe.

B.C.’s Hello Nori makes its Toronto debut at King and Bathurst (648 King St W.), in Brioche Dorée’s previous digs. On the menu: Hand roll sushi, aburi oshi, and sake. Watch this space: Two more are slated to touch down in the 6ix by the end of next year.

ISO healthy eats in Midtown? Doors open Tuesday for Impact Kitchen’s new stomping grounds at Yonge and Sherwood (2555 Yonge St.), swiftly following a launch in FiDi a few weeks ago.

Chinatown’s landscape continues to shift with the addition of Korean Grill House (431 Spadina Ave.). This marks the fifth location for the local K-bbq chain.

Beaches mainstay La Sala (1975A Queen St. E.) is back. The Italian restaurant has reopened after shutting down due to fire earlier this year.

Japanese parfaits have arrived at Queen and Augusta, courtesy of Lost in Tokyo Parfait Shop (511 Queen St. W.). TR Insider Tip: If the desserts and setting weren’t Instagrammable enough, a fish tank table is available exclusively by reservation.

Marry Me Mochi is on a roll. After setting up shop in Kensington Market last week, the local mochi doughnut outfit’s first franchisee luxe cafe is coming to Port Credit (129 Lakeshore Rd. E.). Grand opening is Saturday with 50 per cent off items all day. Fun fact: The company is owned and run by five siblings: Elisa, Salena, Sofia, Tommy, and Tuyen.

Mississauga’s An Ngon Vietnamese Cuisine (780 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W.) extends its reach to Richmond Hill with Ngon Corner Vietnamese Cuisine (9021 Leslie St. Unit 1-3).

Region Food Wine Bar premieres in the Canary District (475 Front St. E.) and is about to become a small chain with two more on the way: Downtown at the water’s edge (80 Merchants’ Wharf) and Etobicoke (4216 Dundas St. W.).

The Royal King Pub at Dupont and Christie (641 Dupont St.) is your new go-to for cozy pub classics, local craft brews, and live entertainment.

Ruchy (1370 St Clair Ave. W.) moves into Corso Italia with chefs Sudhan Natarajan and Devindra Radyal at the helm, and Michelin Bib Gourmands under their belts. What to expect? “Authentic Indian cuisine meets innovative culinary artistry.”

TR Pro tip for East enders: Authentic Okinawan noodle shop Tondou Ramen’s lineup is on offer in East Chinatown (637 Gerrard St. E.) Note: Available solely for takeout/pickup at the moment.

CLOSED

Asian restaurant and bar Bitter Melon made a splash when it touched down in Chinatown (431 Spadina Ave.) at the end of 2022. For what’s there now, see above.

Blue Banana Market (250 Augusta Ave.), a staple in Kensington Market since 2007, has come to a sudden end. The gift, souvenir, and foodie destination was filled with countless concepts and vendors - according to their Facebook profile, they were “supporting over 70 local producers and artists under one roof.” And the outpost at The Well (486 Front St. W.) from earlier this year? The pop-up ended last summer.

Last day to get in your goodbyes at Creamery X is Monday. For what it’s about to become, see last week’s edition.

The first Toronto location on Hong Kong chain The Dessert Kitchen opened in Harbord Village (73 Harbord St.) in 2018. Psst. It’s about to become KOKORO Japanese Sushi House.

The windows of Gardel Wine Bar (1020 Gerrard St. E.) are papered over. The east end haunt kicked off Fall 2020 and was a part of one of the best outdoor concepts of the pandemic (and should be brought back citywide), Gerrard East Market (GEM) in 2021.

Madras Kaapi came on the scene strong in 2021. Earlier today, Shilpa Kotamarthi and Aditya Srivathsan’s announced the brick-and-mortar (870 College St.) portion of their beloved business has come to an end, however their products will still be available online and through events, etc. The couple also mentioned they have no affiliation with incoming Mayil Coffee House.

Queer-friendly Peaches Sports Bar (1554 Queen St. W.) debuted in Parkdale two years ago. Earlier this week, a GoFundMe campaign was launched. UPDATE 25.10.24: Owner Veronica Saye posted a message on IG addressing the closure.

That’s a wrap for Thai Mango on Dupont (641 Dupont St.), known for its Chicken Devil, Thai Crispy Beef, and other house specialities. Pop up top for details on the new venture in its place.

NEWS

Attention business owners: Ontario Small Business Community shared a CRA refund scam currently making the rounds.

Michelin Recommended Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse (12 Brant St.) announced it’s on the move - to CIBC Square (81 Bay St.) as of “early 2025.” Stay tuned for more details.

Remember when I told you fine dining aKin was on the way? Resos starting on November 19 are now open.

The first Canadian Shake Shack kicked off in Toronto this past summer. This week the U.S. company shared plans for joining Union Station (which has been adding a ton of new spots to its extended footprint lately) and Yorkdale.

Food recalls: Various brands of frozen waffles recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, Haribo Tangfastics (Gummy Candies) recalled due to pieces of wood. [UPDATE 25.10.24: 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Waffles (frozen) recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.]

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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