OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News April 28-May 4, 2022

Photo courtesy of Happy Burger.

My iconic OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of 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. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕘 8 min read

My 20 findings this week truly offer something for every budget from cheap eats/drinks to sky high menus/views. And stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter and announcements on new projects coming soon.

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN 

Taiwanese tea shop The Alley has been adding to its roster the last few years. Check out the latest branch in Mississauga at Eglinton and Winston Churchill (2901 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 8B).​

If you’re a “but first boba” kinda person, the new Bobacha Cafe & Snack Bar in Parkdale (1660 Queen St. W.) will excite you. Soft opening is Saturday.

City Cottage Market (1427 Kingston Rd.) brings together a bevy of local everyday essentials under one roof. Doors open Friday at 8:30am.

D Spot Dessert Cafe (6987 Yonge St.) is right at the corner of Yonge & Steeles, making it extremely convenient for North Yorkers to stop for sweet treats on the way home. 

TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop first. For those just catching up, the Toronto outpost of award-winning Italian fine dining restaurant Don Alfonso 1890 at King & Yonge briefly closed in 2020 before transitioning into a 60-seat pop-up at Casa Loma's Conservatory. Psst. Fire up the Ferrari because they've found a permanent home atop The Westin Harbour Castle (formerly Toula Restaurant & Bar) set to launch this summer. In the meantime, take a sneak peek. Pro tip: Reservations are open for June 16 and beyond.

Slinging signature drinks and empanadas at Queen and Ossington for years, El Almacen Yerba Mate Cafe at long last has a second location at Lawrence and Weston (1917 Weston Rd.).

Happy Burger came on the scene as a smash burger ghost kitchen right before the pandemic hit, followed by a brick-and-mortar spot months later. The OG virtual concept is now available IRL (881 Yonge St.), just south of Bloor - previously home to Mykonos Mediterranean Grill. 

Hakka fare is finally starting to make its way downtown. “The House of Chili Chicken,” aka Hakka Heaven, touched down at Dundas and Keele in the Junction (2865 Dundas St. W.). 

Kakushin (Commerce Gate 505 Highway 7, Unit 6) in Thornhill sets its sushi apart from the crowd with menu selections of wagyu beef (U.S. and Australian), poke bowls (including a wagyu benny), a smoked duck roll, and Spam musubi.

Leeko Bistro (685 Lansdowne Ave., Unit 2) shares a space with its original Asian concept in Bloordale, Roll & Bowl, offering grab-and-go Korean brunch and dinner items.

If this week needs anything, it's freshly baked doughnuts. And Machino Donuts is here to help. The second location softly opened at Dundas and Bloor (1556 Bloor St. W.) Wednesday with their signature handmade vegan doughnuts and cronuts. You’re welcome. PSA: If you were a TR Newsletter subscriber, you’d already be in the know. 

ISO Indian street food in Etobicoke? Look no further than Masala Blvd (3260 Lakeshore Blvd. W.).

Mocha Mocha (489 Danforth Ave.) has been a fixture on the Danforth since 1991. After more than thirty years, a second location recently debuted at Dundas and Kingston Road (64 Kingston Rd.), formerly Jody’s Deli.

Monga Fried Chicken’s ginormous Taiwanese fried chicken are now available in Richmond Hill  (550 Highway 7 E, Unit 53).

Ossington Canteen (217 Ossington Ave.) is home to three ventures by local chefs: Gertie’s, Pies by Squires, and Republic of Tacos.  British meat pies, authentic Texas-style breakfast tacos, and peanut butter pies. What’s not to love? 

The new home for Sea-Hi Famous Chinese Restaurant (7000 Bathurst St.) has finally officially launched. Fun fact: The Vaughan outpost is just minutes north of the original spot in North York.

Basque cheesecake HQ Soft Dough Co. has a new home at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.). Doors open Tuesday.

Canada's largest shipping container market Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.) has been partially temporarily closed since the beginning of March. Everything’s back as of Tuesday, including new vendors Toronto-based art duo Broadbent Sisters, vintage clothing store Loose Fade, handmade Mexican accessories shop Mexī-Cool, swimwear brand Mylo Swim, and aforementioned Soft Dough Co.

Union Station has been on a reinvention journey in recent years. Introducing new addition Tao Tea Leaf, specializing in Chinese teas in addition to tea blends and herbs. Find them in the Front Street Promenade.

A few weeks back, I told you about Eadry Foods’ new digs. The Side Kitchen (1093 Queen St. E.) in Leslieville is also home to Uncle Chuck’s Rubs & Sauces by chef Cheryl Torrance.

CLOSED

The Junction location of Amaya ( 2865 Dundas St. W.) has shuttered. For whats in its stead. See above.

Enigma Restaurant (1556 Bloor St. W.) is now a vegan dessert destination. Details above.

Despite being a relative newbie, final service for 7-seater Sushi Nishinokaze (2950 Kennedy Rd.) in Scarborough is Saturday. Don’t bother trying to secure a reservation though - Chef Vincent Gee’s spot has been booked for months. Stay tuned for details on what’s to come.

Though Toula Restaurant & Bar was perched on The Westin Harbour Castle, it was owned /operated by a third party, and shuttered during the pandemic.

EVENTS

It’s your last chance to get in on Filipino Restaurant Month.

La Pizza Week kicks off on Sunday.

Mark your calendar: the next Toronto Queer Wine Night for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is happening Tuesday at Paradise Grapevine (841 Bloor St. W.).

NEWS

No injuries were reported for Thursday’s fire at Portuguese restaurant Churrasqueira Costa Verde (370 Oakwood Ave.).

Attention shoppers: TJX Canada has recalled a brand of vegan truffles.

ICYMI

Pastry chef Roma Sanderson of Noctua Bread Project doesn’t waste time on bad advice, stocks her fridge with fab ingredients, and enjoys an activity that most see as a chore. Discover more in this week’s At The Pass.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in March alone.  Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook 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.

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share with others.

Need staff? Help promoting your menu, bottle shop, heated patio, private event space, but you’re on a budget? We can help. *Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available.

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