OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News August 17-23, 2023

The 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. #iykyk

🕘 9 min read

Not that long ago, opening a restaurant in the middle of August was a bonkers proposition. These days, it’s standard practice. Comin’ in hot, this week’s nearly 20 arrivals accompanied by notable closures.

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OPEN

Carrying on the tradition. In the wake of De La Mer’s sudden closure, former employees Andrijana and James are continuing the journey. Check out their new venture Anchor Fresh Seafood, focusing on sustainable, locally sourced seafood, opening Saturday in the former DLM Roncesvalles location (291 Roncesvalles Ave.).

Bomba Toronto brings Muskoka vibes to the St. Lawrence Market’s South Market (92 Front St. E., Lower Level) with gourmet gelato and other Italian sweet treats by Huntsville’s Affogato Cafe + Gelato.

Fast casual Lebanese chain Boustan arrived in Ontario in last year and has been in expansion mode ever since. After a recent launch in Oakville, Mississauga got in on the fun (4040 Creditview Rd., Unit 5).

Chaiyo by PAI opened Tuesday in CIBC Square’s new food hall, TABLE Fare + Social (81 Bay St., 4th Floor). The latest Thai eatery by husband-wife duo Chef Nuit Regular and Jeff Regular of Pai, Sukhothai, and 2023 Michelin addition Kiin, focuses on Thai street market staples Khao Mun Gai (Thai-style Hainanese Chicken Rice) and Khao Kha Moo (Braised Pork Hock on Rice), alongside a selection of rotating features, curries, and Pad Thai.

Chicha San Chen isn’t wasting any time now that it’s touched down in the Great White North: Following the debut of the Canadian flagship earlier this year in Burnaby, British Columbia, the Taiwanese tea brand set up shop downtown (60 Huron St.). Next stop: CF Markville.

Chilliy Pepper Tacos (176 Dupont St.) does more than its eponymous dish, including burritos, tortas, bowls and quesadillas with your choice of meat (chicken, pork, beef, lamb), fish, veg (nopal, mushroom), or beans and cheese. Drinks by way of cocktails, cervezas and non-alcoholic sippers (Tamarindo, Horchata, Mexican Coke) and cake slices (Tres Leches, Napolitano, Chocolate) round out the meal. Did you know? CPT moved into the former stomping grounds of chef Anthony Rose - aka a portion of his empire on Dupont: Rose and Sons, Big Crow BBQ and The Grand Elvis. Luckily Fet Zun, Bib Gourmand listed Fat Pasha and Schmaltz Appetizing, remain within walking distance.

Head to The Citrus Espresso Bar at College and Dufferin (1104 College St.) for coffee, pastries and breakfast sandos.

Richmond Hill’s newest resto, The Finger Food Factory (636 Edward Ave., Unit 9), claims to have the city’s first Dizi Boxes. Designed to make crafting the hearty Persian meat stew at home a breeze, contents include: bowl, metal spoon, masher (for meat), tablecloth (recyclable), Persian torshi, onions, salt, pepper, sangak bread, and dumba (optional). Grand opening festivities kick off this weekend.

Friday Burger Company, a new burger n’ chicken joint by chef Joe Friday, has joined the lineup at TABLE Fare + Social at CIBC Square (81 Bay St., 4th Fl.). Stay tuned: An east end location is set to follow next month.

The city’s lastest hidden destination: Hector’s Taverna tucked inside Kensington Market’s Supermarket (268 Augusta Ave.). On the menu: An array of grab-and-go Greek fare - dips, salads, pita wraps, rice bowls, platters, and baklava.

I reported Hugh’s Room Live's plans to move to the east end back in March ‘22. (TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop.) Update: Doors have softly opened in a heritage church in East Chinatown (296 Broadview Ave.), designed by renowned Toronto architect Edward James Lennox (Old City Hall, Casa Loma).

IKEA launches at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.) Wednesday. The store’s thousands of household items and furnishings will come in handy, sure, but the Swedish Deli’s signature fare - meatballs, hot dogs, cinnamon buns, ice cream - may be a contributing factor to your next visit.

Corktown is compact, but the close-knit haunts along King east of Parliament, is part of its unique charm. (See: Henrietta Lane, Old Town Bodega, Reyna on King, Roselle Desserts, Tandem Coffee, and soon The Rosebud, for starters.) Joining the crew: Ladybug Wine Bar (514 King St. E.), in what was previously Nava Social and Odin Coffee Roasters’ OG cafe.

Link Haus, industry vet David Neiman’s sausage project born out of the pandemic, has been a popular sight at local markets and fests this last while. Great news: A brick-and-mortar store debuts Tuesday at Donlands and O'Connor (423 Donlands Ave.). Fun fact: The new sausage shop and production space in the heart of East York was home to Steven's Custom Tailor for half a century.

Sushi Baked and Tahanan Filipino Cuisine come together under one roof in North York. Doors softly open on Bathurst south of Sheppard (4130 Bathurst St.) this weekend with Pinoy Waffles, Sago Gulaman, Kikiam, and trays of warm baked crabmeat and salmon ‘sushi’.

Whiskful Thinking Bakery’s storefront in Church-Wellesley Village has been in the works for some time now. (At one point during the build, the biz reached out to the public to help obtain a zoning variance from the city.) The queer-owned bakery is now open at the corner of Church and Wellesley (72 Wellesley St. E.), stocked full of bread, scones, cakes, and seasonal chocolates.

In addition to wings, ribs, wraps, burgers and fries, Wild Wing’s Scarborough digs just south of Steeles (825 Passmore  Ave.) boasts big screen HD TVs, free parking and wi-fi.

Yummy Momo (1439 Queen St W.) is serving up similar fare to its predecessor (see below) with the added bonus of signature dishes including breakfast (eggs, chole bhature/roti, saag) and Makhani, Manchurian and Afghani Malai momos.

CLOSED

Black Cat Espresso (1104 College St.) served the community for nine years before closing for greener pastures.

Om Restaurant (1439 Queen St. W.), known for its curries and momos, debuted in Parkdale’s Little Tibet in 2010. For what’s replaced it, see above.

Sushi Rin’s sole location in Richmond Hill (360 Hwy 7) has come to a close, however another remains a possibility.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

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