OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News December 16-22, 2021

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

🕘  10 min read

This week’s 18 arrivals are from all over the GTA. That goes for cuisines too. Which is ideal for times like these when you crave something specific, yet still want a selection to choose from.                     

As the industry faces another difficult holiday season, whether you choose to dine out, pick up or order in, please support local establishments - both new and time-honoured - whenever possible. Your purchases can make the difference in keeping doors open another month.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN 

Need more birria in your life? Same. Good news: Kensington’s Birria Catrina’s (214 Augusta Ave.) newest development opens Saturday and is right downtown at Yonge & Dundas (World Food Market - 335 Yonge St.). Bonus: A mariachi band will perform 3-5pm.

I’ve been tracking the rapid expansion of Brasa Peruvian Kitchen since earlier this year. The latest spot to get your hands on healthy Peruvian bowls, salads and avo toast? In the heart of the Financial District at First Canadian Place (100 King St. W.).

Hot tip: Café Plenty just landed in Midtown between Eglinton and Davisville (1967 Yonge St.) with a mixture of prepared items and pantry essentials.

Chainsmoker, home of “authentic urban halal BBQ” just launched Carne Cartel (821 Brimley Rd.) in Scarborough. The new concept and menu is also halal.

Can’t stop, won’t stop. Chicken Plus + arrived in Scarborough this summer, followed by softly opening on December 1 in Mississauga (2560 Shepard Ave., Unit 4).

Uni-packed and chirashi stuffed boxes are just a few specialties at the new takeout only Cho San Sushi (8374 Woodbine Ave., Unit 7) in Markham. 

Tomorrow’s grand opening celebrations of Cinnaholic in High Park (2190 Bloor St. W.) includes $1 Cinnamon Rolls from 10am to 2pm (one per customer). If that’s not fab enough, did you know their fresh baked goods are 100 per cent vegan and free of dairy, lactose egg and cholesterol?

Coach House Shortbread Co. is back! At least temporarily - where Gordons Pub Kitchen used to be. Fun fact; The Leslieville digs aren’t far from their old stomping grounds on Carlaw (235 Carlaw Ave.)

Daddyo’s Pasta (673 Spadina Ave.) might have concluded service after 15 years this fall, but it lives on in pop-up form Saturday night at 6pm onwards.

It’s been a banner year for the El Mocambo (464 Spadina Ave.). The revelry continues with their official store, in Yorkville (101 Yorkville Ave.) of all places.

Looking for fab holiday and entertaining gifts from local businesses? Christina and Jon bring farmers’ market feels to Cabbagetown with their shop The Great Mallard (503 Parliament St.) featuring local producers and purveyors.

‘Merica’s iconic fast food chain In-N-Out Burger popped-up at Toronto’s oldest bar, The Wheatsheaf Tavern (667 King St. W.) this afternoon. Of course the lineup was insane.

La Nectarine (1588 Dupont St.) has moved into Love Chix’s old spot in the Junction Triangle. The new French resto helmed by chef David Adjey - Food Network Canada host (recently The Opener series) and restaurateur (recently The Chickery) – offers the classics: Warm Mushroom Salad ($17), Duck Confit ($21), Coq Au Vin Rouge ($25), Steak Frites ($33).

Sam Osmow’s namesake Canadian chain featuring healthy-ish Mediterranean fare has branched out to Leslieville (861 Queen St. E.).

Mini Basque Cheesecakes and rotating daily specials are happening at Patco Cafe’s pop-up in Mississauga. Find them at Square One’s The District Kitchen (100 City Centre Dr.) until January 8. 

Not long ago I uncovered the first TasteT House. The bubble tea shop concept inside The Basil Box can also be found at the Ryerson location (351 Yonge St.). Psst. Enjoy 25 per cent off all drinks from 11am-10pm during their soft opening. 

Trap Mart (702 Queen St. W.) opened earlier this week, claiming to have “Toronto’s largest selection of rare & exotic snacks.” Is that accurate? There’s only one way to find out.

Pork bone soup (aka gamjatang) is just one of the many winter warm-ups on offer at Richmond Hill’s new 88 Palpal Gamjatang (420 Highway 7 E, Unit 26).

CLOSED

Chef Kareema the restaurant debuted at Dundas and Jarvis during the pandemic. Doors closed at the end of September, but Chef Kareeema the powerhouse is still cooking up a storm.

TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to know: Celebrity chef Mark McEwan's grocery store at Yonge & Bloor (1 Bloor St. E.) closed Saturday. Two locations remain open: TD Tower and Shops of Don Mills.

The CN Tower (290 Bremner Blvd.) is temporarily closed due to “falling debris.” *[UPDATE: Dec 17.21 1:14PM It has reopened.]

The Sweet Oven Beaches location (1911 Queen St. E.) may be done, but various locations across the province are ready to serve you.

Note: Select establishments in Toronto/GTA are choosing to temporarily close indoor dining or suspend all operations at this time.

EVENTS 

In search of a holiday market, festive cocktails or winter wonderland? Check out the updated Toronto Restaurants Guide to fun food-filled festivities and holiday happenings in Toronto/GTA.

NEWS

Finally. But is it enough?

As Omicron cases are on the rise, public health units in Ontario have added restrictions for restaurants including: Bars and restos in Windsor have to reduce capacity limits indoors again down to 50 per cent and Kingston limit hours for indoor dining. The Town of Kingsville in Windsor-Essex is asking the government to reconsider. One of the measures added in Peterborough: one table permitted at the buffet at a time.

Buckle up. Food prices are also going to increase.

Congrats to the winners of last week’s Canadian Brewers Choice Awards including Mary Beth Keefe of The Granite Brewery for winning ‘Brewer of the Year.’ 

Speaking of beer, Steam Whistle Brewing and Beau’s Brewing Co. are “stronger together.” 

ICYMI

Know a cook or chef who should be featured in At The Pass? Nominate your favourite.

If you’re a TR Newsletter subscriber, you can skip ahead. Those who aren’t missed out again. (There’s an easy fix for that.). The catch up: Maker Pizza added a location to its roster this summer. It turns out, 2022 will see its fair share of openings as well. The local chain with celebrity chef Matty Matheson is set to launch a spot at Bloor andDovercourt - 995 Bloor St. W., formerly home to the craziness that was GarfieldEats. You know what to do. Watch this space.  

Life moves fast - I wrote about +100 new arrivals in November alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED. 

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook 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.

This is your last chance to promote your menu, private event space, bottle shop, gift cards, but you’re on a tight budget. We can help. *Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available.

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