OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News August 3-9, 2023
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🕘 9.5 min read
The month has only just begun, summer is in full effect, and still, the influx continues in full force. Not just downtown either. Introducing 17 new destinations offering a wide array of enticing options and cuisines across the city and GTA.
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Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
A Lot Coffee (28 South Unionville Ave., Unit 1036), Markham’s new modern coffee shop and patisserie, is the spot for signature lattes (Sea Salt Cheese, Tiramisu, Yuzu Matcha), sparkling americanos (hellooo Lychee), and bevy of baked goods (croffles, croissants, caneles).
Can you keep a secret? The city’s latest speakeasy, Bar 404 kicks off Saturday at King and John (85 John St.).
TR Newsletter subscibers already know: A renowned restaurant established over 40 years ago is making its long-awaited return. Long story short: Founded in ’81, Big Slice doled out ‘za ‘till the wee hours at Yonge and Gerrard until what else, condo development, forced closure May 30, 2016. Their 35+ year outpost in Corso Italia (1154 St. Clair Ave. W.) shuttered in May 2021 and was slated to relocate nearby shortly after. After being inundated with reopening queries, updates were posted to the website. First, “Valued Customers, We are searching diligently for an ideal location where we can resume cooking for you! Thanks for your continued patience,” and later, “to OUR Dear Diners! Covid hit us hard... We're searching diligently for a new, ideal location to start cooking for you again! Thank you for your continued patience and wish us luck!” After a two-year absence, I’m happy to report the beloved pizzeria is finally making a return, this time as Big Slice Kitchen at Dundas and Islington (4748 Dundas St. W.), and doors are now open. On the menu: All the classics including spaghetti and meatballs, personal pizzas, parmigiana suppers, cutlet sandos, salads, and homemade tiramisu.
Black Pot Restaurant and Lounge (804 Danforth Ave.) moved into the recently vacated Green Earth Vegan Cuisine at Pape and Danforth with a melange of Middle Eastern classics (Muhammara, Makanek, Shish Tawouk) and collection of global fare including French (Cordon Bleu, Shrimps ‘Provincial’), Mexican (Tacos al Pastor), Italian (Arrabbiata, Penne Pesto) and American selections (Caesar Salad, Wings, Philly Steak, Cheeseburger).
Richmond Hill’s Chillax & Co. (9580 Yonge St., Unit 101) boasts sophisticated starters (Foie Gras & Chicken Liver Parfait, White Wine PEI Mussels), creamy soups (Wild Mushroom, Clam Chowder), and entrees that run the gamut of Gochujang Fried Chicken Brioche to 10oz New York Striploin for dinner. Brunch offerings include everything from eggs benny and waffles to tacos and salads.
The Chulo (394 Bloor St. W., Unit 102) brings Himalayan fare to The Annex. Think time-honoured Nepali dishes bursting with Indian flavours. Dig into street food faves of Majja Ko Chatpate Chana and Roadside Sausage alongside hearty momos, mains and thalis. As for the name? It refers to the traditional wood-fired mud stove found in rural areas of Nepal.
Hot tip: Head to Thornhill’s new Gyu’s Bake Lab (7181 Yonge St., Unit 300), “Toronto’s first-ever bakery specializing in salted butter bread.”
Pubs are few and far between in sections of the east end. The J Arthur at Gerrard and Jones (1044 Gerrard St. E.) fills the gap with pub grub, bevvies and retro pinball machines.
Just Punjabi and Rollz n Momoz are the latest ghost kitchen concepts at Keele and St. Clair cooked up by chef Aman Khulla out of Junction Food Co. (545 Keele St.).
Seeking an “unparalleled nightlife experience in Canada?” Kings & Queens Resto Lounge (19 Church St.) claims it’s for you. The addy has been home to many bars and lounges over the years including the Foundation Room back in the day, D.W. Alexander for a while, and most recently DSB Bar & Restaurant.
Koi Japan Sushi (281 Augusta Ave.) in the heart of Kensington Market focuses on inari sushi - aka stuffed tofu pockets. À la carte selections include everything from to Cheesy Crab to ‘Stamina Unagi.’ Can’t decide? Try Chef’s Choice (13 pcs/$45, 26 pcs/$88).
Grand opening for Liberty Pizzeria’s new digs in Regent Park (657 Dundas St. E) took place Tuesday.
Mekan Toronto (817 Queen St. W.) is part restaurant, part live music venue. Doors open tomorrow, with festivities happening all weekend long.
From taco kits to churro mix, Mount Pleasant Village’s new Mi Amor - Mexican Store (615 Mt Pleasant Rd.) is your one-stop shop for making superb Mexican meals.
The Monk Café has been in the works for years. The latest project by Garab Serdak, owner of Tibet Kitchen and The MoMo House, launched the Tibetan cafe in his long-running stomping grounds of Little Tibet in Parkdale (1390 Queen St. W.), mere months after The Momo House touched down in the east end.
Head to 3A Noodle’s third outpost in North York (3875 Don Mills Rd.) for an array of lo mein, noodle soup, rice dishes, and “beef internal delicacies.”
CLOSED
Nia Bangala’s Congo Coffee & Toronto Beignets at the edge of Cabbagetown and Regent Park (298 Gerrard St. E.) debuted during the pandemic and quickly became a popular destination, but has been closed due to “renovations” for some time. On Friday, in an emotionally raw post on social, she shared she lost the tiny Congolese coffee house and is facing a legal battle “head-on,” but will be revealing a “new journey” soon. In Summer 2022, she announced the company had raised “$7 million in pre-seed funding from Pittsford, New York Angel investors group.” In 2019, the biz went by the name Congo Coffee and Mikate House and was housed in a teeny haunt (11 Gould St.) across from Toronto Metropolitan University, then known as Ryerson University.
The establishment that moved into Kensington Sushi Market’s spot (281 Augusta Ave.) serves Japanese fare of a particular kind. Details above.
CHANGES
Sarah and Christopher Terpstra’s long-running Alimentari Italian Market moved down the street. Find them in their new set up at 319 Runnymede Ave. Going into their old space? Stay tuned for Arbequina Restaurant (325 Roncevalles Ave.).
NEWS
Merrin McHugh, Manager and Wine Director of Sara Restaurant, suffered a stroke recently. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help raise funds for her recovery.
Yesterday marked the first day of the Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program, permitting people aged 19 and above to drink responsibly in select parks in Toronto for a limited time. For more information and complete list of locations, check out the latest TR article.
Food Day Canada, a day founded by Anita Stewart, to “inspire everyone to shop, cook and dine Canadian,” is Saturday.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is opening two concepts in Vancouver this fall with Great Canadian Entertainment. The serial restaurateur (his restaurant group boasts 34 restaurants and bars in the U.K. alone, including some Michelin-starred destinations) and notoriously cantankerous TV host entered the Canadian market years ago. (See: Montreal restaurant debacle Laurier Gordon Ramsay of 2012. In 2017, he hosted American Express pop-up Cobalt Social in Toronto.) With the recent arrival of GCE’s Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto in the GTA, could his first real foray in the 6ix be on the horizon?
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