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🕘 8 min read

Not that long ago, launching a bar, cafe or restaurant in February would have been an extremely bold move. These days it’s a veritable frenzy of activity. See for yourself: Weeks 1, 2 and 3 offer a wide range of options in all corners of the city and beyond. That streak continues with this week’s arrivals aplenty, and over half in closures.

Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? In addition to subscribing to the TR Newsletter, keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start) and follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates. 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Say hello to North York’s new destination for dim sum, dumplings, and noodles: Bao House (5336 Yonge St.).

BapZip (aka Bap.zip) brings its signature Korean fare - bulgogi, bibimbap, and cold noodles - to Richmond Hill (1285 Elgin Mills Rd. E.). Did you know? BZ is sibling to Korean barbecue joint Piggy’s Island (5 Glen Cameron Rd., Unit 27), located steps from their first location in neighbouring Thornhill (5 Glen Cameron Rd, Unit 7).

BFB Cocktail (238 Augusta Ave.) offers bevvies and snacks Thursday to Saturday, 3pm ‘til late in the space formerly home to Big Fat Burrito. Details below.

Cafes have long been a popular venture in the GTA, but new kosher ones? A rarity. Check out Crema Cafe at the corner of Bathurst and Lawrence (3032 Bathurst St.),

The city’s latest fine dining restaurant Ficoa opens tonight in Il Covo’s former digs (585 College St.). Helming the kitchen: Chef Gerry Quintero (ALMA + GIL). Dig into a $100/pp “neighbourhood” tasting menu (7 plates in 4 courses), regular $250/pp menu (16 plates in 7 courses) for the later dinner (Optional drink pairings: Add $150 for a mix of cocktails, spirits, and wine, +$100 for wine), with other grub available after 10pm. For those wanting to go all in, the Golden Ticket is for you: an “all-inclusive” menu to be enjoyed over three to four hours available for Golden Ticket and Corporate members. For GT members it’s $450/pp, while “occasional, limited-quantity tickets may be released for non-members” at $500 a pop. Keep in mind you’ve got to apply for membership first, setting you back $900 a year for two Golden Tix, $1800 for four, and for Corporate Memberships, fork over $1,350/mth for monthly, $1,300 for annual. On a tighter budget? Look to the “tea tray” menu at the bar and “tapas-style” shared plates on Tuesdays.

Hot dogs and subs are happening at Yonge and St. Clair, courtesy of Grandma Loves You (40 St. Clair Ave. W.). Doors opened yesterday, swiftly following last week’s debut in another part of town.

Grand opening for the city’s 11th Mos Mos Coffee kicked off Monday at Yonge and Bloor (33 Bloor St. E.) Next up: Simcoe Place (200 Front St. W., Unit C014) in April.

Simona, the latest iteration by FAB Restaurant Concepts - the group behind pubs around town including Brazen Head and Pour House - brings Sicilian eats to the water’s edge (59 Merchants' Wharf): Think arancini, meatballs, pizza, pasta, eggplant parm, and branzino. Fun fact: It’s around the corner from last year’s addition, Irene (25 Dockside Dr.).

Pro tip 1: Plans tomorrow? Cancel them. Grand opening for Dufferin Grove/Little Portugal’s Sounds Good (1756 Dundas St. W.) - aka the city’s latest hotspot - kicks off at noon.

Pro tip 2: Head to Scarborough’s Woodside Square (1571 Sandhurst Cir., Unit 105B) to get in on famous Chinese sauerkraut fish at the province’s first Tai Er Suncai & Fish.

Tacos and arroz con leche abound at Etobicoke’s We The Tacos (2765 Lake Shore Blvd. W.). Doors softly opened Thursday.

Zesty Burgers just landed in Bloorcourt (1051 Bloor St. W.), claiming to have the “Juiciest fried chicken in town.”

CLOSED

Toronto coffee roaster Barocco Coffee Company and Nino D'Aversa Bakery came together to create cafe, food hall and training lab Barocco X Nino Cafe (974 College St.) five years ago. While tomorrow marks the last day at this location, it’s not the end for this venture. Watch this space.

Big Fat Burrito (238 Augusta Ave.) was a fixture in Kensington Market for 18 years. The burritos may be gone, but drinks and snacks are flowing. See above for details.

Halal pizzeria DeePizz (384 College St.) touched down in 2019. p.s. Keep your eyes peeled for Mediterranean fare by Zafoon.

Final service was Sunday for east end’s Gare de l'Est Brasserie (1190 Dundas St. E.), Rahil Hoque, Partner & Director Of Operations of Ascari Hospitality Group confirmed with me Tuesday. The team’s Ascari Enoteca (1111 Queen St. E.) and Mercantino e Vini (1091 Queen St. E.) remain a stone’s throw away, with newcomer Abrielle - their joint with Northland Properties at Sutton Place Hotel Toronto - on the west side (355 King St. W.).

Members Only Waffle House (252 Queen St. W.) nabbed headlines with its phallic-shaped baked goods from the get-go. After a two-year stint, MOWH and spin-off (and next door neighbour) Superballs Cafe have closed up shop for now.

17 Steakhouse and Bar (5165 Dixie Rd.) announced closure yesterday. Final day was Sunday. The Mississauga steakhouse debuted in 2015.

NEWS

Another excuse to shop small and local whenever possible: Big grocers continue to flourish, including Loblaws.

The steady stream of food recalls continues: Delizia Vegetarian Beef Ball recalled due to undeclared wheat, Taylor Farms Mexican Style Street Corn Chopped (Salad) Kit recalled due to Salmonella, Uncle Yiannis Roasted Eggplant Puree recalled due to undeclared sulphites.

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