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🕘 8.5 min read

This week’s arrivals lean into the more casual side of things, providing a small respite from the high cost of living and opportunity to tuck into a slew of burgers, noodles, chocolate, doughnuts and other great grub. What’s not to seriously love?

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OPEN

Bar244 (244 Adelaide St. W.), “Toronto's number one party bar” with two floors and $3 drinks, is launching onsite retro-themed restaurant Bar 244 Diner on Friday, with happy hour items starting at, you guessed it, $3.

Fresh, never frozen K-chicken is the name of the game at bb.q Chicken. Since arriving in the 6ix two years ago, the Korean company has been in serious expansion mode. The latest stop: Vaughan (1440 Major MacKenzie Dr., Unit L2).

Pro tip: Chachalate x Bakerrae at Main and Gerrard (149 Main St.) is THE spot for cream puffs, cookies, and chocolate for days. Grand opening festivities for the new chocolate factory and Filipino bakery are happening Saturday and Sunday with giveaways and other treats.

Cafe Tea Era (7710 Kennedy Rd.) in Markham does all the HK cafe classics including baked dishes (Pork Chop with Fried Eggs, Hainanese Chicken Rice) snacks and sandwiches (Hong Kong Style Fish Balls in Curry Sauce, Pineapple Bun with Thick Cut Butter), and array of milk tea, coffee and other beverages. Fun fact: It’s housed in the Benjamin Milliken House, a historic landmark constructed circa 1855.

Following a mall move last month, Donut Hive brings the doughnut party to shoppers at CF Sherway Gardens (25 The West Mall) in Etobicoke.

TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to learn Evviva is adding not one, but two more restos in the T-dot: downtown (56 Wellesley St. W.) and Midtown (39 Eglinton Ave. E.). Update: Doors opened at Bay and Wellesley on Friday. This marks the fifth outpost for the brunch/lunch/vegan destination.

Yonge and Dundas is going through a real change up. A big presence on the strip? The towering Firefly Burger (355 Yonge St.). Founded in Amman, Jordan over a decade ago, the chain with locations spanning the globe (Angola, Australia, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, U.S., and now Canada, to name a few) is widely known for their cheesy creations. See: The Cheese Injection, The Cheese Volcano, and The Smoking Gun.

Speaking of burgers, Grub Shack (675 Danforth Ave.) softly opened in Greektown yesterday. The halal joint is doing an assortment of patties, poutine, wings, waffles and shakes.

Island Foods’ latest location at Queen and Dufferin (8 Gladstone Ave.) is a beaut. The gleaming, spacious tropical oasis will be your new favourite hang. Rec: A Curry Shrimp Roti in one hand, Eggplant Roti in the other, and order of Oxtail Dinner, Plantain Chips, and Ting to go.

Psst. Parkdale’s new Tokyo-style noodle bar Kaminari Ramen Bar (1330 Queen St. W.) softly opened Tuesday. Fun fact: The space was home to Grand Electric from 2011-2022.

Master Cooking House (5555 Eglinton Ave. W.) near Centennial Park in Etobicoke offers a host of authentic Chinese fare. Fried Antler Mushrooms, Crispy Pork Belly, Spicy Squid, Braised Beef Noodle Soup, Stir-Fried Lotus Root with Pickled Pepper, Chef’s Signature Fish, and Yangzhou Fried Rice are just the beginning.

M Chá Bar’s fourth bubble tea shop lands in North York, just south of Finch (5291 Yonge St.).

I was the first to report Korean eatery Namul’s pending arrival in Midtown (2029 Yonge St.) last spring. The bright casual spot festooned with greenery for bibimbap and dupbap bowls, sides (Galbi, Bulgogi, Japche) and grab n’ go kimbap, is now open.

Ramen Isshin kicked off in Vaughan (3175 Rutherford Rd., Unit 47) this weekend, with their lineup of signature appetizers, noods, rice bowls and desserts.

Speaking of ramen, Sansotei Ramen debuted at Yonge and Eglinton (2131 Yonge St., Unit 3) yesterday in the Art Shoppe Lofts + Condos building, joining neighbours Farm Boy, Hale Coffee, Oretta, Staples and West Elm.

The Sonndr Cafe’s fab new digs in a former flower shop (That door! The awning!) is directly across from Trinity Bellwoods Park (1068 Dundas St. W.). Win-win.

Street Sizzlers (1322B Gerrard St. E.) is cooking up shawarma, falafels and burgers in Gerrard India Bazaar.

The Sweet Spot (41 Baldwin St., Upper Level) is all about hearty desserts (Rock Sugar Jelly Soup, Coconut Milk Pudding with Taro and Glutinous Rice Paste) and tea (lemon, milk, and whole leaf varieties available).

It’s been a minute since The Works Craft Burgers & Beer touched down in the Big Smoke. Find the latest branch of the burger chain from Ottawa at Bayview and Eglinton (609 Roehampton Ave., Unit 2) next to Metro and The Beer Store.

Tru By Hilton Toronto Airport West (6905 Dixie Rd.) debuted in Mississauga Friday. The pet-friendly hotel was designed to appeal to travelers looking for a “new, affordable hotel experience.” Notable features include complimentary build-your-own breakfast self-serve bar, gourmet snack and beverage market open 24/7, mobile check-in and digital key, fitness centre and indoor pool, complimentary 24/7 shuttle service to and from Toronto Pearson, and free guest parking and EV chargers.

CLOSED

Today, Akropolis Pastries (708 Danforth Ave.), established in 1979, announced their imminent closure. You’ve got until mid-month to get in on (read: stock up on) their handmade Greek phyllo delicacies including Spanakopita, Tiropita, Baklava, Bougatsa and Galaktoboureko. p.s Don’t forget the Loukoumades.

There’s a new concept where Tosto Quickfire Pizza Pasta (609 Roehampton Ave., Unit 2) used to be.

NEWS

Yesterday, the Michelin Guide revealed 12 new Toronto restaurants.

Just as Summerlicious comes to a close, applications are being accepted for restaurants wanting to participate in Winterlicious ‘24.

Food recalls: Raze Energy caffeinated energy drinks recalled due to caffeine content and labelling issues, Soft Serve on the Go frozen dessert cups recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.

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