OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News February 24-March 2, 2022
Photo courtesy of Mandy’s.
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
A short workweek is a break for some; for others, it results in more work in less time. Complete disregard of the calendar (and weather for that matter) continues to be a driving theme when it come to hospitality openings. This week’s 23 arrivals and notable closures? Just the latest example.
And stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
New year, new vibe. Bar 244 (244 Adelaide St W.) at Adelaide and Duncan is under new ownership and has been revived and renovated. Doors open Friday at 8pm, with bottle discounts in effect for opening weekend.
Tired of having to make separate trips to shop bubble tea and hoodies? Fashion bubble tea café Benkei Hime from China is about to change all that. Shop everything from hats and mugs to basketballs and skateboard decks while sipping boba in the North America flagship. Doors open Saturday at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St., Unit A004, Lower Level).
Bhojan Alley (1424 Dundas St. W.) takes over Gayley’s Café former spot in Little Portugal that closed in November. On the menu: Ttandoor specialties (Murgh Malai Tikka) traditional fare (Dal Makhani, Chana Masala), and takes on classics such as Koliwada Fish & Chips) and “Alley Eats” – Indian street food inspired small plates such as arancini-eqsue Biriyani Bomb, and Naanza – a pizza-style dish with naan base. Soft launch continues until February 28.
Blondies Pizza (419 Parliament St.) launched Friday, solely on Uber Eats due to oven shortages. Full operations for the Cabbagetown location are expected to follow sometime next month.
Burger Bloc (3870 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 53) in Mississauga has a focused menu with seven burgers, two sandos, nuggets, wings, and slew of sides.
Authentic Indian eatery on the east side Cumin Kitchen (1820 Danforth Ave.) has joined Kitchen Hub East (234 Parliament St.).
Daniel’s Chai Bar by ITEI Certified Tea Master Sommelier Daniel Lewis and wife Renata recently reopened at Bramalea City Centre. Get in on the Famous Lion Chai Latte until Monday at The District Kitchen at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.).
After entering the scene just two months ago, GoodGood launched a second shop (140A The Esplanade) today, the first with café/wine bar and patio. To celebrate, enjoy a free drink and mini doughnut from Tori’s Bakeshop throughout the day, with other promotions to follow through the weekend.
It’s easy to satiate your fish and chip craving in Vaughan now, thanks to Halibut House (1840 Major MacKenzie Dr. W.).
I introduced you to Chef Onur Yilmaz and his stellar ice cream shop almost a year ago. Since then, temporary digs followed last summer, but a permanent home has proved elusive. Until now. Ice Creamonology (250 Queens Quay W.) debuts Saturday at noon at. In the meantime, discover the unique rewards and challenges he and other top Toronto chefs face making this irresistible frozen treat. p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers got word first.
Bubble tea chain Kung Fu Tea is on a mission to bring their signature drinks to wherever you may be. For those in the Dixie & Burnhamthorpe area of Mississauga, you’re in luck. The latest store (4120 Dixie Rd., Unit 6) is celebrating the soft opening with 20 per cent off all drinks 38 Milk King for $4.88 (L) until March 12. This location only. Terms and conditions apply.
Modern Vietnamese bakery LA LA Bakeshop arrived downtown last fall. The #VeryAsian destination filled with full-size cakes (Salted Egg, Durian Supreme), minis (Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu, Matcha Pandan), buns (Lava Cream Cheese, Huế Sausage with Crispy Shallots), croissants (Bánh Mì), and much more launched a second outpost in Scarborough ( 3272 Midland Ave., Unit B127). Doors opened Sunday.
The motto at Mama's Liquor & Lounge (1602 Dundas St. W.) at Dundas and Brock: ‘Good drinks for bad people.’ Bonus: An Insta-worthy backdrop.
Mandy’s is an institution in Montreal. Co-founders and siblings Mandy and Rebecca Wolfe opened Montreal’s first create-your-own-salad bar in the back of a women’s clothing store in 2004 - with no prior food, business, marketing or advertising experience. Fast forward to present day: 8 locations throughout Montreal, a best-selling cookbook, signature dressings in grocery stores across Canada and more restaurants in the works, local and international. The first Toronto outpost kicks off Tuesday on Ossington, just north of Queen (52 Ossington Ave.). Hot Tip: Can’t wait to dig into their vibrant salads, bowls, soups and smoothies? Delivery on DoorDash kicked off yesterday.
Naan Kabob’s signature Afghan cuisine is now available in Woodbridge (7600 Weston Rd.).
TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to know: The secret to locating the city's newest hotspot, sushi takeout/market Oroshi Fish Co.? Head to 962 College St., then down the lane. Psst. Look for the blue door. No password required
Southern Crown Caribbean Smokehouse joins the fab fam at Laird and Eglinton (858 Eglinton Ave. E.) featuring Conspiracy Pizza - the first to arrive in June, ice cream shop Churnt Up joined a week later, followed by Phamilyeats in July and Midnight Cookie in October.
Ta Fresk, home of the Salted Egg Sponge Cake, added a Vaughan shop (7600 Weston Rd.) last month. This marks the second location for the Vietnamese bakery.
Stop by Wild Hearts Café (509 Bloor St. W.) in the Annex for a coffee and fresh baked pastry.
Wow Bao’s signature bao and bowls are now available north of the border. The first Canadian branches of the fast-casual Asian concept established in Chicago in 2003 are available virtually through Ghost Kitchen Brands. There are eight in total in the GTA with four in and area Toronto: Etobicoke (270 Brown's Line), Mississauga (6200 Dixie Rd.), Erin Mills and inside Walmart (3757 Keele St.) at Keele and Downsview.
CLOSED
Chinese eatery Joyful House (543 St Clair Ave. W.) in Hillcrest Village shuttered.
Welp. After over 40 years in business, iconic Randy’s Takeout (1569 Eglinton Ave. W.) is closing Saturday, causing lineups for blocks. You might want to camp out to ensure you get your fill of Randy’s Patties. And Toronto’s own Drake comment on Instagram - “I’ll buy Randy’s right now.” – is attracting press from around the world to the news.
A Notice of Termination is posted on the door of the Sultan of Samosas Dundas/Parliament location (1 Oak St.). Visit the East York location (1677 O’Connor Dr.) for all your samosa needs.
Final service for renowned 7-seater Sushi Nishinokaze (2950 Kennedy Rd.) in Scarborough isn’t until April 30, but tables are already booked. Doors opened October 2020 and temporarily closed last fall due to a medical emergency. Luckily, Chef Vincent Gee recovered and a new location is in the works. Watch this space.
Uncle Mikey's (1597 Dundas St. W.) outgrew the space. Stay tuned.
EVENTS
There’s still time to get in on Richmond Hill’s Winterlicious.
Taste of Oakville is on until March 10.
Get tickets for The Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival.
NEWS
Frito-Lay Canada is holding all the chips.
ICYMI
What does Family Day mean to you?
Follow Toronto Restaurants on Facebook or Instagram and show your favourite patty spots some love! #ShareTheLoveTO
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in January 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.
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