OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News December 30, 2021-January 5, 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

🕘 12 min read

The industry has had to overcome so much throughout the pandemic: lockdowns, reopenings, new restrictions, labour issues, and inflation, for starters. Facing reduced hours, 50 per cent capacity, rise in COVID-19 cases, and a minimum wage increase kicking in Saturday, the holidays have proven extremely challenging, so please support them whenever you can.

This week’s edition is bittersweet - 22 arrivals, accompanied by important news and a staggering number of closures. And so much more to come, so watch this space.

In the meantime, wishing you the very best for 2022.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Note: Numerous establishments have temporarily closed indoor dining or shut down operations completely until the new year, but many are open, so check hours of operation before your visit.

You might know bar and beverage consultant, cocktail and spirits educator Evelyn Chick from her days behind the bar at standout haunts including PrettyUgly and The Harbord Room. Her cocktail kits - Love of Cocktails are available from her new store running out of Ahma (1564 Queen St. W.), her stellar new pop-up and event venue. Also in the shop: vintage home goods by My Goodies Vintage and dried florals by Rikki Marcone.

Stephanie Kaptein’s new Ampersand Bakehouse location lands smack dab between Coxwell and Woodbine (1808 Danforth Ave.).

Beast at Blood Brothers Brewing (165 Geary Ave.) launches January 3 with acclaimed chefs Nathan Middleton and Scott Vivian cooking up a storm. Buffalo Cauliflower, Gnocchi Poutine, and Meatballs are just the beginning.

bb.q Chicken came on the scene just a few months ago, but is quickly taking over the city. The momentum continues with a new eatery at Queen and Spadina (431 Richmond St. W.).

Following a pop-up at Laylow Brewery last month, Dam Sandwiches calls Oakvwood and Rogers Rd. home now (363A Oakwood Ave.) with a focused menu of hot sandos: Choripan ($9), Rib ($10), Brisket ($10).

Desi Mane, a South Indian vegetarian chain by the Sangeetha Group boasts 33 locations in Chennai, India and 22 across the globe. The first Canadian location just landed in the 6ix with a lineup of appetizers, idly, uthappam, rava, and dosas (Chocolate dosa?!) at Sheppard and Brimley (4443-4445 Sheppard Ave. E.) in Scarborough.

eaTO (1960 Lawrence Ave. E.) softly opened in Scarborough on December 15 with modern Indian street eats. Think: Naan Pizza, Desi Mac n Cheese, Butter Chicken Poutine. Bonus: Open ‘til 2am.

ISO of pantry essentials? Ethiopian Spice And Grocery Store (368 Gerrard St. E.) in Regent Park and Cabbagetown is here to help. 

TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop first: Yorkville's newest arrival is Gemma Gelateria (146 Cumberland St.). Frozen treats in December? It's never too cold for gelato.

Good Good Coffee Co. softly opened in The Junction opened September 1. Find the small batch roaster and coffee bar inside Beachman (2879 Dundas St. W.), home of vintage electric bikes.

Hay Sushi launched back in October 2020. Following the success of the Japanese fusion fare - nori tacos, wafu pasta - in North York, a second izakaya has landed in Forest Hill (530 Eglinton Ave. W.).

Hong Shing (195 Dundas St. W.) reopened December 24 after a fire in the kitchen.

It’s been quite a year for imPerfect Fresh Eats. The excitement continues with an outpost kitty-corner to the St. Lawrence Market (100 Front St. E.) .

The Fish Japanese Restaurant (5 Northtown Way) north of the North York Centre takes its name seriously - fish is set on ice in a display case at this seafood-centric sushi joint.

Krystos Modern Greek Taverna just landed in Regent Park (148 Sumach St.) with a selection of souvlaki, burgers, pasta. Did you know? The spot was formerly home to Vicino Italian Kitchen that debuted summer ’19. 

I’ve been covering the swift expansion of Kung Fu Tea since 2019. Find their latest bubble tea shop in Danforth Village at Danforth and Dawes (2740 Danforth Ave.). Psst. Enjoy soft openings deals of 20 per cent off all drinks and 38 Milk King (L) for $4.88 until January 9 (this location only). 

Lakeshore Grocery & Convenience (3391 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) in Long Branch has it all - Caribbean cooking staples (Jamaican Pride Butter Beans, Madras Curry Powder), kitchen utensils, hardware items, lottery tickets and snacks. 

Keto and paleo essentials HQ The Simple Kitchen launched in Oakville in March, then had to shutter the Roncy shop in October. In the downtown core? Find protein-packed snacks, nut mylks, and other groceries at the new shop and cafe in the Financial District in First Canadian Place (100 King St. W.).

The Source Bulk Foods brought its successful zero waste shop all the way from Australia to Canada this year - first in Roncy in July, followed by Leslieville in October. Check out the latest store at Upper Oakville Shopping Centre (1011 Upper Middle Rd. E.).

I discovered SuLee Kimchi back in the spring. On Sunday (aka Boxing Day), the siblings unveiled  SuLee Dosirak at Market 707 (707 Dundas St. W.). On the menu: braised meats and fresh banchan. Psst: TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to know, so get in on it if you haven’t already.

Bring on the bubbly - the non-alcoholic bubble tea variety - at Suntea’s newest branch in Mississauga (325 Central Pkwy W., Unit 2).

If you like Tommy’s Wine Bar (1977 Dundas St. W.), check out sister spot Tammy’s Wine Bar in Parkdale, complete with coffee and bottle shop.

CLOSED

The last day for the Harbord FLOCK rotisserie + greens (97 Harbord St.) is January 1. The location, second for the healthyish chain, was previously home to award-winning THR & Co., both restaurants by chef Cory Vitiello. More locations are in the works, including one just down the street. Stay tuned.

Hi-Lo (753 Queen St. E.) launched in Riverside in 2013. The dive bar by Ascari Hospitality Group (Ascari Enoteca, Ascari King Street, Gare De L’est Brasserie, Mercatino E Vini) closed up shop last night.

East York’s Imlil Moroccan Cuisine (979 O’Connor Dr.) has closed for now but may relocate. Stay tuned.

Punto Gelato in Yorkville (146 Cumberland St.) has already been replaced. Their two other shops remain: 2076 Yonge St. and 1070 St Clair Ave. W.

The principal location of Canada’s first robotic café is on the move. In the meantime RC Coffee Robo Cafe (1235 Bay St.) has powered down.

Rose Pham is retiring, thus Rose’s Vietnamese Sandwiches (601 Gerrard St. E.) in East Chinatown has come to an end. Hands up if you remember the original location on Broadview.

Co-owners Sean Gayland and Tiffany Smith created a welcoming neighbourhood hub at The Tilted Dog Pub & Kitchen - formerly The Local GEST (424 Parliament St.). The Cabbagetown haunt shuts down after service tomorrow.

It's too late to grab a burger, nachos, fish and chips, or curry at The Wallace Gastropub (1954 Yonge St.) at Yonge & Davisville.

It’s the end of the road for Len Senater’s renowned The Depanneur (1033 College St.) – at least this iteration. Stay tuned.

The Lucky Penny (189 Shaw St.) permanently shutters tomorrow.

Royal Caribbean Café (1127 St. Clair Ave. W. ) has temporarily closed while Chef Ainsley undergoes knee replacement surgery. Finger’s crossed everything goes well and doors reopen early February.

Ed Wong’s eponymous shop, Wong’s Ice Cream & Store (617 Gerrard St. E.), debuted in 2017 and Changed. The. Game. Ice cream scoop drop.

CHANGES 

955 Chinese Food moved from their Kingston Rd. and Victoria Park digs (955 Kingston Rd.) to a beautiful new spot in The Beaches (2252 Queen St. E.), steps from Fox Theatre.

EVENTS

There’s still time to get in on holiday events. Check out the Toronto Restaurants Guide for the complete lineup. 

Back in session: virtual fireworks.

NEWS

The government released updated public health measures and guidance in response to Omicron today, which includes when kids return to school and new seating capacities for movie theatres and concert venues. There are also new supports for businesses courtesy of the province.

Starting Tuesday, you’re going to need to show a QR code for proof of vaccination to be seated inside bars, restaurants and other establishments. 

ICYMI 

Tomás Sebastián of White Lily Diner share his thoughts on tomatoes, emotional honesty, gloves in the kitchen, and much more in this week’s must-read At The Pass.

Check out the new #ShareTheLoveTO campaign to support local hospitality businesses facing new COVID-19 restrictions.

If you haven’t already subscribed to the newsletter, now’s the time. You get The Tip Off, a sneak peek at the upcoming Open/Closed (because who doesn’t want to be the first to know?), and fab deals and special offers from restaurants and local businesses (because who doesn’t want to save money?), all exclusive to subscribers. 

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Please support local businesses whenever possible.

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.

Did you know? Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available. Click image above to book your spot now.