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. See for yourself. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #iykyk

🕘 10 min read

This week I’ve uncovered 19 arrivals, many which are out of your way, don’t take reservations, and probably have lineups. Will they be worth it? There’s only one way to find out. One thing’s for certain: When combined with the fun-filled fests and events happening across the GTA, deft scheduling skills are required.

Stay tuned. More news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter. 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Put Scarborough irie takeout joint Daddy Hinds Patty Zone (2466 Kingston Rd.) on your to-do list for jerk wraps and patties. Grand opening celebrations took place Friday. Note: Current hours are Monday to Saturday 11am-8pm.

One of the most celebrated restaurants in the city, Dandylion, shuttered last spring. Psst. Their new haunt Dotty's (1588 Dupont St.), where Love Chix used to be, boasts mains, sides, snacks and desserts. No resos, no phone, and no signage as of yet. Note: Entrance on Franklin. p.s. If you were a TR Newsletter subscriber, you’d have been and gone already.

Sliced meat handhelds and boxes are at the heart of Döner Gyros in Scarborough’s Golden Mile at Warden and Eglinton (69 Lebovic Ave. Unit D110).

Eggstatic (1568 Bayview Ave.) has been a part of the Leaside strip since Winter ’18. Fast forward to Summer ’22: A second location kicks off Saturday in Mississauga (5019 Spectrum Way).

Four Zone (713 College St.) is an apt moniker for the new eatery in the heart of Little Italy, given the focus here - burger, wings, wraps, calzones – though comfort zone certainly applies.

GoodGood has been on a roll this year. The fifth location launches today in Midtown in a former Starbucks at the corner of Yonge and Davisville (1909 Yonge St.). Pro tip: Get there soon. Deals and freebies are happening throughout opening weekend.

What a feat. Restaurateur Naveen Chakravarti’s The Good Luck Club is the fourth high-energy destination he’s launched in a span of ten months during the pandemic: OddSeoul and Neon Tiger last fall, followed by Recette a few months ago. His latest endeavour, an Asian fusion supper club, is located at Ossington and Bloor (866 Bloor St. W.).

Drinkable yogurt has taken off lately, from yogurt speakeasy to Hey! I Am Yogost’s first Toronto location in Markham (Commerce Gate 505 Hwy 7, Unit A20-21) launching Saturday with an array of grand opening deals. 

Isabella’s landed a permanent spot at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.). Find “Canada’s original mochi doughnuts” on the lower level in the Taste Market.  

Knife (803 Dundas St. W.) is taking their shop and knife sharpening services on the road thanks to Knife Truck. This weekend, find it parked in the east end near Riverdale Park.

Trinidadian restaurant Maracas in Kensington (181 Augusta Ave.) shuttered at the end of 2020, but chef/owner Douglas Ling never gave up on his dream. Psst. Version 2.0 softly opens tonight at 5pm in Cabbagetown (603 Parliament St.).

Old Nassau (2047 Weston Rd.) in York aspires to “create a Bahamian presence in Canada through food.” Think steamed pork chops, chicken “in the bag,” fried snapper, conch burger, wings,  lobster salad, banana pancakes and fried fish. Hot tip: Leave room for dessert and don’t forget the punch.

Chef’s Hall (111 Richmond St. W.) has been expanding its roster lately. Head’s up: Be one of the first 100 people at new Palgong Tea tomorrow at 11am to receive a free Milk Tea and BOGO free August 19-25.

TR Newsletter subscribers are already in the know. The catch-up: ¡Qué Rico! Tapas Bar (720 College St.) debuts in Little Italy tomorrow (where Il Gato Nero used to be). Dig into Latin American fare including $13 tapas, $25 mains, and platters starting at $40.  

Did you know? Thai rolled ice cream chain Rollz Ice Cream started in Scarborough in 2017. For rolls of Maharaja Paan, Bombay Kulfi, Rabdi Falooda, and Biscoff Salted Caramel, head to their latest outpost in Mississauga (280 Derry Rd. W., Unit 101).

Despite launching an Etobicoke outpost days ago, Shawarma Royale’s Syrian fare can now be found in the south end (5415 Dundas St. W., Unit B) as well.

Sunnys Chinese wildly popular pandemic pop-up is now a Kensington landmark (60 Kensington Ave.). Doors officially open today, after resos started August 5. Like sister resto and recent arrival MIMI Chinese (265 Davenport Rd.), securing a table is a hot commodity.

Tempura Keisuke founded by Jason Matsubara, part of the team behind Toronto’s acclaimed Ramen Isshin chain, just landed at Chef’s Hall (111 Richmond St. W.). The speciality here? Tempura, of course, but largely unlike what you’ve had before. Think: Wagyu strip loin shabushabu served  with,prawn, lotus root, eggplant, yam, and onsen (poached) egg; Chirashi (Salmon Ikura )Tendon; and Keisuke Tendon, the signature dish boasting sashimi grade scallops from Japan, prawns, and vegetables with housemade signature sauce (choose original or spicy).

I’ve been trackingToronto bubble tea chain's Tru Tea’s movements since 2019. The journey continues with a new Markham location (3601 Hwy 7 E, Unit 111). Psst. During soft opening, enjoy BOGO 50 per cent off until Sunday.

CLOSED

The Auld Spot Pub (347 Danforth Ave.) quietly shuttered a few months ago, however it’s returning this fall under new ownership, Jaspal Singh, long-time resident and business owner in the area: His restaurant Sher-E-Punjab is right next door (351 Danforth Ave.).

After 22+ years at the corner of King and Dufferin, the historic Banknote Bar (663 King St. W.) is permanently closing due to the METROLINX Ontario line. A "final farewell salute" will be held this Sunday August 21. The Corktown location (474 Adelaide St. E.) however, isn’t going anywhere. Naturally, newsletter subscribers got the jump.

Drake Hotel’s Drake One Fifty made it nine years in the Financial District (150 York St.).

TR Newsletter subscribers got word first: Grape Crush (1166 Dundas St. W.) at Dundas and Ossington is closing at the end of the month. In the meantime, everything is on sale.

Ian McGrenaghan and Colin Tooke’s Grand Electric (1330 Queen St. W.) has been a part of the Parkdale community for more than a decade. Doors close at the end of the month. Luckily Manita, their cafe/grocer/bar on Ossington (210 Ossington Ave.), is here for you.

Modern tableware and home goods boutique Hopson Grace  is on the move. Andrea Hopson and Martha Grace McKimm’s Summerhill location (1120 Yonge St.) is being swapped out for a chic spot on Dupont (200 Dupont St.), opening soon.

Tomorrow is the last day to see Mercado Negro (1370 St Clair Ave. W.) in their current location, however it’s not forever. Coming soon: Mercado Takeout (682 Caledonia Rd.).

It’s too late to say goodbye to Original’s Ale House (1660 Bayview Ave.), a Leaside fixture for 39 years. Doors closed Saturday night.

Just up the street, Taste of Persia Restaurant (1574 Bayview Ave.) will soon be home to HindusThalli, a vegan eatery from Montreal.

EVENTS

Don’t miss out. The month’s only halfway started and already the TR August Fests + Events Calendar has blown up to 40+ parades, parties, picnics, fairs, markets and dining experiences happening across the GTA.

NEWS

TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to know: MICHELIN Guide’s "big reveal" is happening at Evergreen Brick Works September 13. Starred restaurants, Bib Gourmands and other awards to be announced.

In addition to last week’s food recalls, be on the lookout for Best Buy brand Chicken Tournedos with Bacon, Sher the Love brand Fruit and Veggie Squares, and Supherb Farms brand IQF Dill. [UPDATE Aug 21: Mastro San Daniele brand Charcuterie Trio]

ICYMI

Nominate your favourite chef, bartender +/or waitstaff for a well-deserved day at the spa in this week’s amazing spa giveaway on Instagram!

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in July alone. 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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