OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News August 4-10, 2022
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. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #ifyouknowyouknow
🕘 7.5 min read
As in recent issues, this week’s edition is a wild ride filled with highs and lows, bursting with everything from buzzy openings to cheap eats, and again features a sobering number of closures - almost half the number of arrivals.
Stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Eagle-eyed readers of last week’s edition will have noted the advanced notice about Alder’s unveiling this Tuesday. (p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop back in March.) The main attraction of the signature restaurant at the newly opened Ace Hotel (51 Camden St.) helmed by chef Patrick Kriss (Alo Restaurant, Aloette, Alobar Yorkville, Salon)? Wood-fired seasonal fare.
Alimentari Italian Grocery (325 Roncesvalles Ave.) had to shut down operations last month. They’re back to business as usual on Saturday. [UPDATE 06.08.22: Reopening has been delayed. Currently scheduled for Tuesday August 9.]
Previously known as South Asian vegan eatery TVX (The Vegan Extremist), Hawker (291 Augusta Ave.) focuses on “small plate plant-based naturalist cuisine” with evocatively named dishes including Bushfire (eggplant, rosemary smoke, roti), God's Work (romano beans, pepper paste, pine nut), and Starry Night (biryani, smoked poblano, lavender).
Hidden inside Markam’s HeyKee (8360 Kennedy Rd., Unit 81) is The Basil King. It’s the first venture for the new Indonesian biz offering takeout through a ghost kitchen. On the menu during soft launch: Singkong Goreng ($8), Rendang ($15), Satay Babi ($15/7 pcs), Satay Ayaym ($17/7 pcs). Dishes are available vacuum sealed and frozen for pick up, with freshly prepared cooked meals available with minimum order.
First Lawyers & Lattes, now real estate cafes are a thing. Grand opening for Brewing Brokers (3153 Yonge St.) at Yonge & Lawrence takes place tomorrow.
I’ve been tracking Burger Factory’s movements across the GTA for years. Grand opening for their latest joint (511 Maple Grove Dr.) in Oakville is happening Saturday with 50 per cent off cheeseburgers all day.
TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to know: Congee Queen just debuted Yonge & Dundas (360 Yonge St.), where Swiss Chalet held court for decades. This marks the introduction of the famed Chinese chain to the downtown core.
North York is brimming with bubble tea shops. Happy Rock N Road Joy Tea (5379 Yonge St.) however, may be the only one serving their creations topped with daisies.
Il Padrino (579 College St.) debuts in Little Italy tomorrow with a lineup of rustic Italian fare.
The extensive menu at Linh Anh Vietnamese Cuisine in Scarboro Village Mall (3290 Midland Ave., Unit 1) includes lemongrass-scented beef stew, house specialty of braised duck, sizzling crispy crepes, banh mi, broken rice dishes, pho, and much more.
Mr Coco (3360 Yonge St.) quietly opened with an array of coconut treats served in a hollowed out coconut including matcha, mixed fruit, and cocoa ($15.99 ea), alongside beverages featuring the fibrous one-seeded drupe such as a latte ($7.99) or charcoal coco milk ($7.99).
Shawarma Royale’s new Mississauga outpost (3960 Eglinton Ave. W.) debuted over the weekend.
Due to world events, Sunnys Chinese became a wildly successful pandemic pop-up. But it was always meant to be a brick-and-mortar. Doors to their new digs in Kensington Market (60 Kensington Ave.) open Thursday August 18, with resos accepted starting Friday August 5.
Local bakery chain Sweetie Pie continues its expansion across the 6ix. Find their signature freshly baked pies, cakes, and cookies in the Lawrence Park 'hood at Yonge & Fairlawn (3308 Yonge St.). Of course if you’re a TR Newsletter subscriber, you already know this and the aforementioned opening, as well.
CLOSED
Last service for Bloom Restaurant (2315 Bloor St. W.) was Saturday. The Bloor West Village stalwart specializing in “nuevo Latino” cuisine was established by Guglielmo (Bill) luele in 2004, who passed away during the pandemic. A post on the restaurant’s website by Franca Iuele reads in part that his passing “has had huge emotional impact on is. For our family it is time to move on.”
Jason Rees, owner of Earlscourt BBQ (1278 St Clair Ave. W.), announced the sudden closure of the southern style BBQ restaurant in the heart of Corsa Italia earlier today. Prior to the pandemic, the eatery was forced to shutter at the end of 2019 due to fire. It was nearly 17 months before they reopened for pre-order pickups.
A staple in Bloor-Yorkville since 1991, Bill luele’s Focaccia Restaurant (17 Hayden St.) has closed for good.
Where will you get your handmade hard candy now that Papabubble (3360 Yonge St.) has shuttered?
Pho Q left its post in Scarborough (3290 Midland Ave., Unit 1) but is relocating. Stay tuned.
East end haunt Sarah’s Cafe and Bar (1426 Danforth Ave.) closed last week after nearly 28 years, as owners Sheila Nolan and Asim Ozses are retiring.
EVENTS
If you thought July was busy, wait ’til you see this month’s lineup: 35 exciting fests + events dedicated to your favourite foods, drinks and entertainment. Get the complete lineup of stellar street parties, parades, markets and fairs in the TR August Fests + Events Calendar.
NEWS
Nightclub EFS (647 King St. W.) had its liquor licence suspended after a fatal shooting in July.
There’s no end in sight to the weekly food recalls: Vodka and more chocolate bars have been added to the list.
It’s not even Labour Day and yet Halloween candy is already a concern.
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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*Prices reduced to help local businesses during this time. Offer ending August 31/22.