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🕘 11 min read

Dramatic headlines announcing closures that are t-e-m-p-o-r-a-r-y were the focus for many outlets this week. What a maelstrom. Ever the intrepid reporter, here are all the major arrivals and news they missed.

Insider tip: Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter because you don’t want to miss a thing.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

I’ve been keeping you in the Blondies loop since its 2018 eastside debut. Head’s up: The pink pizza parlour just dropped in Vaughan (201 Millway Ave., Unit 28), marking the eighth location for the chain by Toronto’s own The Food Dudes and chef Matt Blondin.

You’re probably familiar with Brar’s retail products such as ghee, makhani paneer, and Indian sweets and snacks - their samosas are in big stores like Walmart, but did you know they have a branch of vegetarian buffet restaurants in Brampton and Woodbridge? Update: They just added Mississauga (3910 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 37-38) to the roster.

TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to know about chef Sudhanshu Kumar’s latest offering, By Aanch in Little Italy (633 College St.). For those just catching up, quick backstory: It’s the sister concept to his ‘modernistic’ Indian resto Aanch the launched downtown in 2016 and remained largely under the radar – until Michelin came knocking last fall.

I told you all about Café Zuzu’s Regent Park arrival back in Fall ‘22. Gusto 54’s latest addition joins its impressive portfolio in town (Azhar, Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen, Gusto 101, Gusto 501, Gusto 54 Catering & Commissary, Kiin, Pai) and in Los Angeles (Felix). Don’t live nearby? Kitchen Hub’s Castlefield outpost in York (1121 Castlefield Ave.) has you covered.

The 6ix’s newest hotel, Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville by Easton’s Group of Hotels and The Gupta Group, boasts 184 modern rooms just steps from Bloor and Sherbourne (387 Bloor St. E.). That’s not all: It’s the first Canopy by Hilton in Canada. Doors officially open today.

Wine bar and smokehouse Cellar & Smoke in Bloor West Village (2315 Bloor St. W.) smokes everything in-house from nuts and cheese to meat and rice. Think Smoked Duck Salad, Smoked Seafood Pot Pie, Smoked Risotto, and Smoked Chorizo Ragu served over “mushroom and leek beggars pouch pasta,” aka sacchettoni. The space was formerly home to Bloom.

Crown Pastries second destination in Scarborough is finally open at Kennedy and Lawrence (1279 Kennedy Rd.). Go for their renowned kunafa, stay for the Mafrookeh with ashta and nuts and Chocolate Baklava with pistachios.

Egg Club No. 4 touched down in Liberty Village (141 Jefferson Ave., Unit A) with their popular sandos: creamy eggs tucked in between fluffy shokupan.

No need to wait for an event to get in on festive bazaar vibes now that Jokbal Night Market has landed at Yonge and Sheppard (41 Sheppard Ave. E.). Discover an array of Korean and Asian fare including Bossam, Kimchi Pancakes, Hwangtae Tang, Tteokbokki, and Jokbal (pork trotters) served a variety of ways – Spicy BBQ, Bossam combo, accompanied by Jangban Makguksu or Jellyfish Salad.

Saul and David Navarro’s La Gloria Mexican Coffeehouse in Cabbagetown (453 Parliament St.) takes over Spruce’s old digs. “The first Mexican coffee shop in all GTA” debuted this weekend with a lineup of high-altitude and specialty coffees from Oaxaca alongside eggs, waffles and other eats.

Fried chicken spot Love Chix has kept busy these last few years and the journey continues - LC opened another space on Friday in the west end at Keele and St. Clair (150 Symes Rd.) in Woodhouse Brewing and Junction Craft Brewery’s restored heritage building. Fried chicken and local brews - what’s not to seriously love?

Part coffee shop, part art gallery, find Mitfar Boutique Café on the Rosedale strip (1098 Yonge St.).

Frankie Solarik's modern cocktail experience has been in effect since waayy before he was a judge on the current Netflix series 'Drink Masters - his BarChef (472 Queen St. W.) debuted in 2008 with innovative, imaginative libations that continue to challenge the status quo - as much works of art as impressive tipples. His latest project, Prequel & Co. Apothecary, an "immersive experiential cocktail bar" inspired by the apothecaries of the Art Nouveau era of Paris (1890-1910), opens February 17 just down the street (1036 Queen St. W.). Expect next level concoctions taken to the next level.

Scarborough’s new Somar Patisserie at Warden and Lawrence (2075 Lawrence Ave. E.) is stocked to the brim with Syrian sweets, fresh nuts, candy, cookies and other irresistible treats. In other words: your new favourite destination.

CLOSED

Bake Shoppe (1414B  Dundas St. W.) is on hiatus. Owner Cindy Coelho announced the decision to “take some time off to recharge mentally, physically and also to refocus the business after an extremely wild three years,” on social. In the meantime, select items are available next door at Kitten and the Bear and stay tuned for fun collabs.  

The space where Flaky Tart stood in Mount Pleasant Village (711 Mount Pleasant Rd.) is still stocked with baked goods – full details in last week’s edition.

A cryptic post does not equal permanent closure. Despite headlines this week reporting otherwise, Lakeview is not closing for good. The iconic diner open nearly 24-hours at Dundas and Ossington (1132 Dundas St. W.) is merely temporarily shuttering for renos - a normal, common occurrence these days more than ever - and needed as its been around since 1932. You’ve got until February 28 to visit the historic spot before the transformation.

You have to look elsewhere for your fill of Pakbet, Adobo, Dinuguan and Halo Halo now that Scarborough’s Philippine Island Cuisine (1071 Danforth Rd., Unit 1E4/2) has shuttered.

More panicky headlines declaring the closure of one of Chinatown’s dim sum stalwarts, Rol San (323 Spadina Ave.) this week, were also unwarranted: While it is closing, it’s temporary as they are merely moving up the street (390 Spadina Ave.).

EVENTS

Taste of Oakville takes place February 15-March 10.

For the last few years Rachelle Cornish, pastry chef (and doughnut whisperer) of east end’s White Lily Diner, has been running home-based bakery Alice Marie. Check out her Family Day pop-up at the diner for an array of baked goods for take out including cookies, cakes, tarts, and more.

NEWS

Founder of “Toronto's largest independently owned grocery store” Fiesta Farms, Joe Virgona, died. He was 80.

Beer Canada is calling on Ottawa to call off the tax hike and freeze beer taxes now and enlisted an iconic brew loving Canuck duo to help.

Today Hudson's Bay announced the launch of Zellers within their stores (25 to start) this spring. To celebrate, food trucks — aka Zellers Diner on wheels – will be offering “time-honoured classics” including the return of Big Hot Chicken Sandwich, Z Burger, Chicken Fingers, Grilled Cheese, and Fries & Gravy, in addition to “brand-new bites.”

Just when you think you’re all caught up on the latest food recalls: Le Fromage au Village and FreshFun Fantastic cheese products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, PC Canadian Cheddar Cheese recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, Shirakiku brand Chili Pepper Powder (Ichimi Togarashi) recalled due to undeclared sesame. [UPDATE: 02.18.23 LCBO recalled Louis Latour Pinot Noir due to possible presence of glass, Maple Dale Cheese Co. 1 year old Cheddar recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, 1001 Fondues cheese fondues recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.]

ICYMI

When chef Haruna Makino isn’t whipping up dreamy plant-based fare at buzzy Tsuchi Cafe in Little Italy, you may find her cooking up a storm at home or with a very relatable late night snack or modern classic cocktail in hand. Discover her (now your) go-to drink and after hours nosh, favourite haunts around town, fridge essentials, advice that applies to anyone in or out of the kitchen + much more In this month’s At The Pass.

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