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🕘 12 min read 

Despite the summer winding down, openings are in full force, confirmed by this week’s nearly 20 arrivals and and plethora of food-centric events. And if the next few weeks are any indication, things are ramping up, so consider this your final reminder to get caught up before the fall frenzy.

And stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter. 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Blooming Garden Chinese Cuisine has landed at Scarborough’s Woodside Square (1571 Sandhurst Cir., Unit 106A) with a vast menu including everything from Vegetable with Preserved Eggs ($12.25) and Beef Offal Lo Mein ($9.75) to Salted Egg Sauce Squid ($16.99) and Steamed Lobster and Vermicelli with Garlic Sauce ($55).

For those headed to York University this fall, you’re in luck: Find Chaska’s signature Indian street fare at York Lanes, the school’s own shopping mall (!) located in the heart of the Keele campus. Doors open Monday.

D Spot Dessert Cafe’s new Markham eatery (3000 Hwy 7 E, Unit A14) satiates your cravings for all things sweet, as well as savoury.

Decoy Bar has been on my radar since 2019, back when it was set to launch Spring 2020. Patience prevailed, as doors finally opened earlier this week at Queen and Parliament (370 Queen St. E.), with a lineup of local brews in a smartly outfitted space.

Eggtart Queen in Markham (4981 Highway 7 E, Unit 3) is currently in soft opening, with grand opening festivities to follow on Wednesday. In addition to tarts (Malaysian Coconut, Molten Cheese, Durian & Milk, and Edible Bird’s Nest), discover an array of mochi (Cheung Chau Style Mango, Sesame Peanut, Japanese Style Seaweed Floss).

Epic Wings kicked off grand opening celebrations of their new Mississauga digs at Creditview and Britannia (1474 Pickwick Dr., Unit 4A) on Sunday.

While chef Jordan Diniz may be young, he’s already racked up a ton of kitchen experience in local chains (Lone Star Texas Grill, Moxies), craft brewery resto (Amsterdam BrewHouse), and finer dining at hotels downtown (Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, Shangri-La Toronto), in addition to his own fine dining private catering co. These skills will come in handy as the new owner of ēst Restaurant (729 Queen St. E.), origInally chef Sean MacDonald‘s award-winning destination that debuted September '19 in Riverside showcasing striking elaborate fare before shuttering earlier this year. His new fine dining concept with Andre Harricharan, and CDC Dominic Fidilio (Canoe) at the stove, zeroes in on Italian-French fare served alongside “captivating cocktails and wine.” The opening menu includes Oysters (6/$25, 12/$49), Steak Tartare ($27), Mushroom Truffle Fettuccini ($39), Roasted Chicken ($37) and Charred Salmon ($43). Inside tip: Doors open tonight. p.s. Wondering how they amassed such a giant Instagram following  (21.1K at press time) prior to opening? The purchase of the business included ēst’s handle.

Vegan Indian restauant HindusThali (1574 Bayview Ave.) quietly opened on the Leaside strip Tuesday night. This marks their foray into the 6ix following the closure of a Montreal location last spring.

Psst. Inmigrante (1959 Queen St. E.) has quietly opened in The Beaches, complete with Latin botanas, desserts, drinks and patio out back.

Just in time for back-to-school, Kibo Sushi House touched down across from Humber College (106 Humber College Blvd., Unit 18). Bonus: Etobicoke General Hospital is right next door.

Mississauga, Kunafa’s third location is all yours (3058A Hurontario St.). Pro tip: Visit the west side outpost for the grand opening tomorrow for free kunafa - no purchase necessary, your choice of soft or crispy, limit one per person.

Throughout the last few years, Machi Machi’s been making its way across the GTA. The bubble tea shop with a decidedly modern aesthetic just landed at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St., Unit H021B).

Marble Slab Creamery is all about options. Their freshly made ice cream is available in 50+ flavours (vegan and dairy selections available) with unlimited “mixins,” blended together on a frozen slab. Find the latest shop in the heart of North York at Empress Walk (5095 Yonge St.).

After a debut in 2018, Miss Likklemores popped up briefly on Queen West in August 2020. It was a resounding success, but gone too soon. Luckily, it’s found a permanent home at King and Spadina (433 King St. W.). Founders Darren Hinds (The Good Son) and chef Lonie Murdock (CEO of Eat Train Live, CIO of Meels) joined forces with Scale Hospitality Group (roster includes Byblos, Lapinou, Patria and Toronto Beach Club) to bring the Caribbean destination back into the heart of downtown for good. The menu, developed by head chef and partner Murdock with corporate executive chef Ted Corrado and corporate chef Zach Albertsen, includes shareable appetizers (Doubles $14, Likkle Patties $16, Sea Bream Crudo $21, Nuff Nuff Slaw $21) family-style plates (Tofu Curry $24, Crab XO $65, Braised Oxtail $65) and sides. The space was designed by Block Plan Studios, a SHG frequent collaborator: They did Miller Tavern, Shook, and new bar Chica, to name a few. Doors opened Tuesday. 

Souperlicious is on a roll. Just two months after launching at Brimley and Eglinton, another Scarborough spot is about to debut. Head to Finch and Warden (3245 Finch Ave. E.) Saturday for the grand opening. Doors open at 11am. Purchase any large soup or porridge for $5 all day.

After prolonged periods of not being able to dine indoors and gather with friends and family throughout the pandemic, many establishments are growing their spaces. (See: Bellwoods Brewpub’s recent transformation.). Terroni’s flagship on Queen (720 Queen St. W.) has remained “largely untouched” since its debut in ’92. Say hello to a revamped kitchen, expanded dining room, and other features in the new space.

Vereda Central Coffee’s second post in Oakville launched last summer. For those looking for a Colombian caffeine fix closer to downtown head to their new shop in the Financial District at Scotia Plaza (40 King St. W., Main Level). Doors opened May 18.

Wingstop arrived in Canada just two months ago, the first stop on their journey across the Great White North. Find them at Kitchen Hub Castlefield (1121 Castlefield Ave.). Deal alert: Use promo code CFWINGS5 on KH’s website to receive $5 off any order over $15 for a limited time.

Yums Kitchen (4040 Creditview Rd.) in Mississauga offers a plethora of Vietnamese banh mi, vermicelli, fresh rolls, desserts and drinks, in addition to bao, chicken wings and poutine. Grand opening special begins tomorrow: Enjoy 15 per cent off orders until September 11.

CLOSED

The last day to get in your goodbyes to Grand Electric  (1330 Queen St. W.) is Saturday.

Qi Sushi (358 Gerrard St. E.) had a good run. After officially opening in Cabbagetown/Regent Park December 8th, 2011, the business shut down May ‘21.  It re-emerged under the same name with new ownership a few months later. More changes followed earlier this year.

CHANGES

GTA health food store Noah’s Natural Foods is now a part of Ontario natural food market chain Goodness Me!

EVENTS

With 50+ events, the TR Guide to August Fests + Events is your go to for all things food and drink. For those interested, many of this weekend’s events will feature pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics by Toronto Public Health.

NEWS

Karen Fullerton-O’Brien, owner of Courage Foods (976 Kingston Rd.) died suddenly last month. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to funds for a tree to be planted in her honour. A Celebration of Life Ceremony is being held at Kingston Road United Church (975 Kingston Rd.) Saturday at 2pm. 

This week’s recalls - Delizia Vegetarian Ham and Mrakovic Fine Foods Natural Chicken Burger – aren’t quite as numerous as last week’s.

Big things are coming to Union Station. Blue Bovine, a luxe 10,000 sq. ft. steak and seafood resto by Liberty Entertainment Group located the main level in the East Wing, to be exact, while The Queenston by Open Concept Hospitality - announced last fall - will be on the on the lower level in the Bay Retail area.

Hey Chef: Recipe For Disaster, a “fun, lighthearted new cooking competition series” to air in the States is filming in Toronto and currently casting chefs of all levels, all culinary backgrounds (requiring only one day of commitment for filming). Apply here.

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.   

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