OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News October 3-9, 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
🕘 12 min read
Korean fried chicken, pizza ‘n pasta, tacos, momos and other casual eats are the focus of this week’s numerous enterprises, accompanied by a new nightclub and staggering number of 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
Parkdale’s newest arrival Armonia Pasta Bar (1316 Queen St. W.) takes over Then & Now Restaurant’s recently shuttered digs with an assortment of spuntini, antipasti, handmade pasta, risotto, carne, pesce, frutti di mare, and dolce. Coming soon: “Il Chiosco,” the front section suitable for lounging and listening to music.
Azul’s quick serve Mexican fare lands at Union Station (65 Front St. W., Unit 61), mere blocks from the outpost that touched down earlier this year at First Canadian Place (100 King St. W.).
Halal certified Korean fried chicken and other comfort K-foods are the cornerstone of BanBan Korean Fried Chicken from outside the city limits - Pickering, Ajax, Oshawa. Hey Scarborough, it’s your turn. Come through their new location at Finch and Warden (2549 Warden Ave.). Bonus: Get 15 per cent off items until October 8.
I gave you the intel on ChaHalo’s impending opening at ever-changing Yonge and Wellesley (576 Yonge St.) last summer. Update: Doors are now open. That’s not all: The bubble tea shop boasting 1,000 stores worldwide also just added a shop in Scarborough (3262 Midland Ave., Unit E108).
Chamberlains Pony Bar launched at the corner of bustling King and Portland (585 King St. W.). On the agenda: Tex-Mex and drinks ‘til late.
Daimaru Shabu Shabu says it’s “Toronto’s Best Japanese hot pot AYCE.” See for yourself at their new hot pot spot in Markham (Langham Square 8333 Kennedy Rd.).
Membership has its privileges, however it’s no longer required to get in on Forno Cultura’s sweet stuff at shared workspace co. East Room’s Corktown HQ (507 King St. E.) starting Monday.
There’s a new nightclub downtown, at Queen and Bathurst of all places. See: Future (570 Queen St. W.).
Near Woodbine and Danforth? Stop by Headshots Cafe Studio (2186 Danforth Ave.). The cafe and shop are currently in effect, with a creative studio made with actors, musicians, photographers, group meetings, etc., in mind, slated to get underway soon.
Following the recent proliferation of cat cafes in town, dog destinations are the logical next step. “Toronto’s first canine social collective” Hound House (501 Queen St. W.) features a cafe and bar, co-working space, doggy daycare, and indoor dog park. Doors opened yesterday.
International Food Garden (657 Queen St. W.) moves into where Friends Butter Chicken stood for a stint at Queen and Bathurst with a wide-ranging menu - everything from Masala Dosa to Chicken a la King, Popcorn to Banana Milkshakes.
Long story short, I’ve been a fan of Knife Toronto since waaay back, so I’ve been not so patiently waiting for the new store to open near Queen and Shaw (1A Givins St.), down the street from their original place at Queen and Palmerston. Psst. Wait’s over.
Bakery café chain Paris Baguette arrived in the Great White North last year and it’s always been the plan to add on. Introducing Yorkville (110 Bloor St. W.), with grand opening happening tomorrow at 11am.
Public Gardens (577 King St. W.) is ready to welcome you at King and Portland. As the name doesn’t allude to the cuisine, here’s a hint: Think pizza, pasta and copious cocktails. The icing on the cake? A rooftop patio to keep the summertime vibes going. TR Throwback: Do you remember when it was Masseria, Pizza Nova’s attempt at an upscale eatery?
Following last week’s Momo of a different variety, local dumpling chain Momo Loco’s third arrives at Sugar Beach (15 Merchants Wharf) with serious deals for grand opening tomorrow including $4.99 for select momos and combos, ongoing offers for students, faculty, and construction workers, and always a pro move - if you place your order via the website.
I told you Sarang Kitchen was coming to the Danforth. After establishing the “sensory-friendly and inclusive” Korean fried chicken haunt on Bloor (1056 Bloor St. W.) last winter, the follow-up is now open east of Pape (774 Danforth Ave.).
Score on King’s (107 King St. E.) sister sports bar Score on Queen kicks off Monday (TR Intel: And chance of soft opening Sunday) on the west side (298 Queen St. W.) in the historic building that housed The Black Bull Tavern for over three decades continuing SOK’s tradition of popular brunch, Caesars, happy hour, and daily deals.
Restaurant Row’s famed Kit Kat Italian Bar & Grill (297 King St. W.) shut down after 31 years in 2020 and has been empty ever since. This just in: Local fast food chain Shelby's Shawarma moved in. Question: What happened to the tree in the middle of Kit Kat’s dining room?
Slice of Life at College and Bathurst (409 College St.) is slinging signature cocktails based around two key ingredients - Strawberry and Cacao Nib, Celery and Cucumber, for example. Did you know? The addy has seen a number of food-centric establishments in recent years including Taste Benders, Oniki Donburi, and 32 Chicken St.
Just in time for peak soup season. According to Soma Bone Broth Co. (676 Pape Ave.), they make “The highest quality bone broth in Canada.” Shop for Premium ‘Ultra Collagen’ Beef and Chicken varieties, and Roasted Turkey and Fresh Herbs, Chicken with Turmeric & Black Pepper, Beef with Lion’s Mane and Fresh Herbs, and Mixed Gourmet Mushroom selections.
During the pandemic, people ranted how it was the end of buffets forever, but I knew otherwise - People love variety, a deal, and the two together? Get out of here. See you at the hot table. Like this one: Yue Lai Buffet in Chinatown (492 Dundas St. W.), which I gave you the head’s up on this past summer, offers AYCE options for just $15.99.
CLOSED
I’ve been tracking Basil Box’s movements since Day 1 and the fast casual Southeast Asian chain’s setup at the corner of Queen and Spadina (441 Queen St. W.) has come to an end. Fun fact: It was nestled underneath Michelin-starred resto Alo (163 Spadina Ave., 3rd Fl.).
Homegrown Juice and Ripe Nutrition’s Danforth digs (676 Pape Ave.) have been swapped out for e-commerce ventures.
The Indian Thing (638 Queen St. W.) may have been fleeting, but you don’t have to wait long for another concept - something else is already in the works. Stay tuned.
Chinatown’s Luwei Snack Bar (422 Dundas St. W., Lower Level) has packed it in.
End of an era. Jim and Roula’s palatial Greek restaurant Megas (402 Danforth Ave.) lined in murals and Grecian columns was a place to gather and celebrate, the backdrop for numerous weddings, anniversaries, christenings, and live music nights for decadesm embodying the true meaning of philoxenia, hospitality rooted in ancient Greece where guests are welcomed as friends. It marks another example of the increasing loss of Greek restaurants in what is still deemed ‘Greektown’ on maps, but is dwindling with each passing day: Case in point - Atlantis down the street is about to become the city’s second pizza, pho, beer outfit Sing Sing Restaurant & Beer Bar from the west coast that set down at First Canadian Place in June. p.s. Shoutout to the Greek stalwarts still holding it down in the ‘hood: Alexandros Take-Out, Astoria Shish Kebob House, Athens, Athens Pastries, Christina’s on the Danforth, The Friendly Greek, Kalyvia, Lukumum, Mezes, Messini Authentic Gyros, Pantheon, Soulas Modern Greek Cuisine, and Square Boy.
PizzaForno on King East (225 King St. E.) has closed. The 24/7 automated pizza machine chain’s flagship is relocating.
Speaking of ‘za, Nord Lyon’s (665 Queen St. W.) pizza shop next door Pizza North (669 Queen St. W.) has quietly closed. The French bakery is focusing on expanding this biz - A location recently dropped at The Well.
Signature Fine Dining Restaurant emerged in the Entertainment District (214 King St. W., Unit 101) opposite Roy Thomson Hall last summer.
Slice of Toronto at St. Clair and Oakwood (968 St. Clair Ave. W.) is gone for now, but pizza lovers, hang tight - Revolver Pizza Co. #3 is on the way. And good news: SOT is set to announce a new soon. Stay tuned.
The windows of Urban Thai (640 Queen St. W.) are papered over.
NEWS
Minimum wage in Ontario went up on Tuesday from $16.55/hr to $17.20/hr.
Restaurant company SIR Corp. is investigating a cybersecurity incident. The company is behind new operations including Riverside’s Duke’s Refresher Bar’s and Edna + Vita in FiDi, in addition to other local chains you’re likely familiar with.
The latest food recalls - UPDATE 04.10.24: Summerhill Market deli meat recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes. 05.10.24 Various brands of beef jelly tongue products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.
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