OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News August 31-September 6, 2023
The 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
🕘 6.5 min read
Every edition of the OPEN/CLOSED is completely unique and this week’s is no exception. From casual fare to high end eats, delve into an array of great grub happening all across the GTA. Insider tip: Want to be the first to know? Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news and updates.
OPEN
Alo Food Group has been swiftly adding to its portfolio recently: A second Alobar on York (TR Newsletter subscribers got the exclusive first look as per usual back in April) and casual burger concept Aloette Go numéro deux is up and running at Yonge and Eg (2362 Yonge St.). Did you know? Alobar Yorkville was awarded a Michelin star this year and last, as was their lauded fine dining destination, Alo.
Psst. The city’s newest listening bar just debuted at Queen and Gladstone. Meet Boogie (1188 Queen St. W.), where vinyl and digital tracks take centre stage, accompanied by bevvies and shareables.
Hot tip: Café Blu Blu (374 Bathurst St.) is the spot for coffee at Bathurst and Dundas, with brunch, dinner and vino on the quick approach.
Calling all milk tea lovers: Cha Miao² continues its journey across the GTA with a branch in Richmond Hill (328 Hwy7 East).
Comma (490 Queen St. W.) is whipping up modern Korean creations on the Queen West strip. Think Soft Tofu Stew, Tuna Mayo Bibimbap, and Jajoladang served alongside crafted cocktails, suds, soju and makgeolli. Fun fact: It’s sibling to Myeongdong Gyoza Kalguksu in Richmond Hill (7117 Bathurst St.).
Find Forget Me Not Café’s second coffeeshop on the Ossington strip smack dab between Queen and Dundas (102 Ossington Ave.).
Crybaby Gallery (1468 Dundas St. W.) should get more love in the press for their stellar exhibitions and cocktails. Is it too far west for you or not downtown enough? Fine, then you’ve got no excuse not to head to their next iteration: Le Tigre, an intimate cocktail bar in Rosedale above Paul Hahn & Co., aka ‘The Piano Store’ (1060 Yonge St., 2nd Fl.). You gucci now. p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to know last spring.
In search of “Toronto's creamiest tori paitan ramen”? Head to any of Midori Ramen’s locations, including the latest in Vaughan (3255 Rutherford Rd., Unit 20).
Chef Masaki Saito of Sushi Masaki Saito (88 Avenue Rd.) - currently the city’s only two Michelin Star restaurant - unveiled his latest concept, MSSM Yorkville (154 Cumberland St, 2nd Fl.) featuring edomae style sushi via omakase menu at $98/pp. Naturally, TR Newsletter subscribers already know.
Pho Hung Phat in Richmond Hill (10620 Yonge St.) offers a host of Vietnamese fare including pho and banh mi.
What a beaut. Porzia’s (319A Oakwood Ave.) opened Friday. Pro tip: While owner/chef Basilio Pesce’s lasagna may be the star of the show, plenty of enticing fare awaits.
Mississauga’s Suya City Express (3419 Fieldgate Dr.) is the spot for authentic Nigerian eats. Check out their new digs in York (1354 Weston Rd.) for rich delicacies such as Gizzdodo, Peppered Croaker Fish, Smoky Jollof Rice, and Ewa Aganyin Combo with your choice of beef, chicken (soft or hard) ponmo, tripe, and for an additional cost: turkey, whiting, croaker, cowfoot, or goat. Grand opening to follow on September 15. Did you know? The space was formerly longtime home to Golden Crisp Fish & Chips.
Celebrate good times with handcrafted custom cakes by Velvet Lane Cakes & Cafe in the St. Lawrence ‘hood (173 King St. E.).
3 Brothers Pizza, the latest concept to land at “Canada’s first virtual food hall” Kitchen Hub, boasts both classic (Cheese, Pepperoni, Margherita) and signature (Funghi Misti, Carne, Diavola) selections.
CLOSED
Dhaba 309 (309 King Street W., 2nd Fl.) was a fixture in the Entertainment District and famed ‘Restaurant Row’ for decades - Chef/owner Prit K “PK” Ahluwalia began the venture in 1998. While the restaurant posted closure last year, the space recently became available.
Following the end of their Downtown East operations (234 Parliament St.), Kitchen Hub Food Hall’s Etobicoke location (935 The Queensway) has also wrapped up.
Misty Restaurant & Bar (490 Queen St. W.) arrived June 2021. For who’s moved in, see above.
North York’s fine dining destination Rossini Restaurant (1988 Avenue Rd., 2nd Floor) for over 50 years has come to an end. To find out what’s replaced it, see above.
Silk Authentic Thai & Asian Cuisine (2907 Dundas St. W.) was rooted in The Junction for years, and went on to open in Cabbagetown (446 Parliament Ave.), now home to another Thai eatery.
NEWS
Mark Wahlberg was at Canadian mall chain Moxies this week promoting his tequila. Funny, the restaurant did the same with Kendall Jenner’s controversial tequila around this time last year.
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