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.

🕘 11 min read

Sometimes my weekly findings are a complete smorgasbord of cuisines and neighbourhoods. More often than not, they reveal a bigger picture, an indication of where things are going.

Take this week’s edition, for example: A number of chains from Ottawa and Montreal are setting down roots in the 6ix, poké bowls remain a strong contender in the comfort food realm, and no matter how popular an establishment is, it is not impervious to the crushing blows dealt by both the global crisis and local government.

Stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter. In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN

The majority of authentic Lebanese chain Boustan’s 20+ locations are in Quebec. If you’re in Scarborough however, you’re in luck: The first outpost in the 6ix just dropped (2074 Lawrence Ave. E., Unit 2074), with an array of pita, kabob, shawarma, platters, and more.

Persian style sandos are the name of the game at Chic Pick Sandwiches by Chic Pick Catering (9218 Yonge St.) in Richmond Hill. On the focused menu: Veal Tongue, Bandari (spicy sausage), Steak, Chicken & Mushroom, Cold Cut, and Falafel, alongside burgers, hot dog, soup, salad, and fries. 

ELM - Ethical Local Market (1628 Queen St. E.)  in The Beach Triangle last month features local, eco businesses under one roof. Shop select food and houseware items, in addition to clothing, body care products, and other fab finds. 

Figaro Coffee House’s signature Arabica beans and brews have arrived in Oakville (350 Lakeshore Rd. E.) The cafe from Ottawa also offers desserts and snacks. 

Montreal and Laval had dibs on Grillado's Portuguese organic halal chicken with a South African twist until Mississauga got in on the fun (5165 Dixie Rd., Unit 2B). 

Hana Don Japanese Cuisine & Bar landed at Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave. E.) with premium seafood donburi, sashimi, sushi, katsu alongside heavy hitters of uni, lobster, king crab, and seared wagyu.

No need to choose between Vietnamese and Thai, thanks to The Lime Viet & Thai Cuisine (562 Kipling Ave.) in Etobicoke.

If you've spent time in and around the Ottawa Valley, you might know Negi's two spots in Arnprior. Their third outpost Negi’s Bistro + Pub, just debuted at Queen and Richmond (147 Spadina Ave., Unit 105). The extension of the brand offers traditional pub fare (burgers, poutine, nachos) and brews, alongside Indian apps, curries, and sides. 

‘Ono Poké Bar is on a roll: First Mississauga in September, followed by a group joint at Yonge & Eglinton in December. Psst. If you’re in the Etobicoke Humber Bay ‘hood, head to the new lakeside spot (58 Marine Parade Dr., Unit 116) softly opening on Saturday.

Chef Jess Maiorano was working at Paris Paris when COVID hit. Thinking the restaurant would be closed for just a few weeks, she posted casually on IG that she’d bring food/make pasta/do a virtual pasta class/whatever, to anyone quarantined, sick, or even just bored. The post blew up, and like that, a handmade pasta biz was born. One glance at her striking Insta and site Pasta Forever, and you too will be drooling all over your phone/keyboard: toothsome Capunti with Puttanesca, delicate Corn-Filled Fiori with Salt Baked Tomatoes and Pea Shoots, Ricotta Ravioli, Tagliatelle, Onion & Butter Tomato Sauce, Sourdough Focaccia. Check out her new brick-and-mortar destination at Dundas and Landsdowne (1693 Dundas St. W.) and be sure to check out her stellar interview in At The Pass. (TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to get the scoop back in September. You know what to do.)

Peter&Pauls Hospitality Group, the folks behind David Duncan House in North York, just launched Pétros82 (299 Adelaide St. W.), “downtown’s newest upscale, casual authentic Greek dining experience” in the ginormous space (12,000 sq. ft. over two storeys) that Montecito Restaurant held court until November 2020.

Poke Poke (3262 Midland Ave., Unit E105) in Scarborough does both build-your-own and signature Hawaiian poké bowls. Fun fact: They’re just a few doors down from Katsupan Japanese Sandwich that debuted in April.

Pro tip: Get out of the city and head to award-winning Restaurant Pearl Morissette’s stunning new bakery RPM Bakehouse (3839 Main St.) in Jordan Village, Ontario.

A few weeks back, I discovered Royal Caribbean Café (1127 St. Clair Ave. W. ) temporarily closed due to Chef Ainsley’s  knee replacement surgery, hopefully to be open early February. Great news: Doors reopened yesterday.

The Three Crowns Pub (9724 Yonge St.) in Richmond Hill specializes in “UK gastro pub style food.” While it replaces another British pub (see below), the lineup - owner, management, menu – is all new. 

From dessert waffle-o’s and crepes to shakes and cakes, Waffle-O is all about decadent sweets and treats. Indulge your cravings at one of the three new branches in the GTA: two in Mississauga (5200 Dixie Rd. and 731 Central Pkwy W.) and one in Oakville (2379 Trafalgar Rd., Unit C5).

CLOSED

Crosley’s popped up at Bar Piquette (1084 Queen St. W.) in December 2020 before launching a thoughtful destination weeks later at Dundas and Ossington (214 Ossington Ave.). Chef Joachim (Joe) Hayward, Myles Harrison, J.P. Adamo, and Laura Adamo created a memorable, award-winning establishment during a pandemic. On Tuesday the owners posted a message on social media that due to the impact of COVID, ”Our financial partners have decided not to continue to finance the operation.” Stay tuned for what's to come from this talented team. In the meantime, read Joe’s compelling interview in At The Pass.

Etobicoke’s Kumo Sushi (562 Kipling Ave.) has shuttered. For what took over the space, see above.

Richmond Hill’s London Pub & Grill (9724 Yonge St.) debuted in 1999.

Queen West fixture New York Subs & Burritos (520 Queen St. W.) had phenomenal fare. RIP those stellar Cauliflower Burritos.

Chris Klugman, Founder/Owner of Paintbox Bistro, sent a message to customers and partners on Tuesday (currently posted on the Paintbox website) of the immediate closure of the social enterprise that he opened in 2012. It reads in part, “I am writing this letter with a heavy heart to inform you Paintbox is closing effective immediately – and to apologize for any inconvenience or challenges this may cause anyone. This was not an easy decision to make. However, like many companies and organizations, this 22-month long pandemic with no end in sight has simply been too much to manage. With a new surge and other variants on the horizon, with a renewed government lockdown and cancelled catering, Paintbox is out of financial resources and no longer tenable.”

Skippa (379 Harbord St.), another award-winning restaurant, has come to an end.

The 6ix Sport's Bar (147 Spadina Ave.) at Queen and Richmond has already transformed into a new concept. See above for details.

NEWS

The Federal Government has extended the CEBA Repayment deadline: Read the announcement, get the details.

ICYMI

I launched an new campaign to support local hospitality businesses facing new COVID-19 restrictions. So far I've covered bars, bakeries, Chinese restaurants, coffee shops, burger joints, Italian restaurants, bottle shops, seafood restaurants, doughnut shops, Indian restaurants, bubble tea shops, brunch spots, and Korean restaurants on Instagram and Facebook.  Get in on the fun and tag your favourite businesses in Toronto and the GTA in the comments section of each #ShareTheLoveTO post and help small businesses keep doors open.

Looking for more ways to help? Head to TR’s Instagram for details.

WHO WANTS 4 MONTHS OF FREE COFFEE?! Enter Toronto Restaurants and HotBlack Coffee's exciting giveaway on Instagram.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast - I wrote about +100 new arrivals in December  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.

With the closure of indoor dining, takeout and delivery is paramount. Promote your menus to an exclusive foodie audience now. *Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available.

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