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. #iykyk 

This week’s 15 arrivals offer a wide range of comfort foods to suit any mood or craving - essential at this time of year, and much needed as the loss of neighbourhood haunts continue.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

BarBurrito just landed in Scarborough’s Cliffside Village (2435 Kingston Rd., Unit 101). Pull up for burritos, bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and new addition to the menu. Crunchy Chicken Sando.

Psst. Baby Point has a new plant-based Italian destination. Bellona Kitchen (276 Jane St.), by husband-and-wife team Aggie and Johnnie Fusco focuses on pizza, pasta, salad and starters,  with some vegan selections, including Spiced Tofu, Roasted Garlic & Artichoke Pizza ($22), Rosé Cassercce ($24), and Spaghetti with “Meatballs” ($22). Did you know? The space was formerly home to Colombian restaurant Los Arrieros.

Ballpark franks are a part of many sporting events and entertainment experiences. Find the Korean variety courtesy of Chungchun Rice Hot Dog at Scotiabank Arena (40 Bay St.).

El Sazón Mexicano has added to the fam. Their new restaurant and bar has landed in Earlscourt BBQ ‘s recent digs (1278 St. Clair Ave. W.) and features a Mexican buffet on Sundays 12-5pm. ESM’s original concept of café, bar and bakery remains nearby (1284 St. Clair Ave. W.).

This job sparks a lot of déjà vu, a lot of ‘Didn’t I just write about that?’ In the case of Hattendo’s Japanese Cream Buns, yes I did. Find the latest outpost softly open at Richmond Hill’s Hillcrest Mall (9350 Yonge St., Unit E018).  

Taiwanese bubble tea chain Kung Fu Tea has expanded again, this time east of Yonge at Adelaide and Ontario (442 Adelaide St. E.). To celebrate the soft opening, enjoy 20 per cent off all drinks and 38 Milk King for $4.88 (L) from Jan 20-Feb 9, this location only.

Crispy coated halal chicken – aka al baik style - is at the center of Scarborough’s Magic Chicken Restaurant at Victoria Park and Lawrence (1758 Lawrence Ave. E.).

‘Ono Poké Bar has been on a roll lately. Get your hands on Hawaiian Asian-inspired poke bowls and sushi burritos at their latest addition in Etobicoke (58 Marine Parade Dr., Unit 116).

Quebec chain Pacini has locations across the country. The first Ontario location of the Italian-style family restaurant has been in the works for years, originally set to launch January 2017. Fast forward to 2023: The Mississauga location boasting the chain’s famed pizza, pasta, and all-you-can-eat grilled bread, is now open (290 Derry Rd. W.), next to Courtyard by Marriott Toronto.

Head to Jong Won Paik’s new eatery, Paik’s Noodle (1549 Steeles Ave. E.) in North York for Korean eats such as Jjamppong, Tangsuyuk and Gochu Yuringi.

Halal falafels, shawarma and meat platters have landed near Kipling and Bloor at Pita & Hummus (5280 Dundas St. W., Unit B) in Etobicoke.

What’s on the menu at Little Italy’s newest addition QueenBee (680 College St.)? All Day Breakfast, Sunshine Chicken Wings with caramelized fish sauce, Crispy Pho Fries, Traditional Saigon Dry Pho tossed in crab sauce, Shaking Beef served with baguette, and much more.

Forest Hill’s new fine dining destination Rimini Rimini Restaurant (453 Eglinton Ave. W.) features Italian fare – think handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and a 12oz Australian Wagyu striploin ($125) served with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables  - from a couple of industry vets.

You may know Sebastian Galvez’s previous incarnations behind the bar and managing hotspots across the city including Patois, Lake Inez, Eulalie's Corner Store, and Bodega Henriette King, before he turned his attention to crafting sandwiches, salads and snacks at Sandwichito in Hillcrest Village (930 St Clair Ave. W.)  Tuck into delights such as Carne Mechada (beef chuck braised in a tomato, onion and mushroom jus, roasted garlic aioli and cilantro onion slaw on a toasted spaccatelli roll, with a side of jus), Papas Fritas (griddled potato slices, double mozzarella, tomato, arugula, pickled red onions and a smoky pimento mayo on a pressed spaccatelli roll), and Kale Salad (shredded kale, fennel and radish, charred scallion vinaigrette, golden raisins, crunchy spiced puffed wild rice and breadcrumbs).

Uncle Sal's Hot Chicken at Warden and Lawrence (1960 Lawrence Ave. E.), formerly Sam's Ribs and Hot Chicken, is under new management and features a reworked menu. Dig into Nashville Hot Chicken Sando, Japanese Chicken Nanban, Rib Experience, Dirty Fries, and save room for the eats-like-a-meal-dessert, Purple Sweet Potato Pie Milkshake.

CLOSED

Five Doors North (2088 Yonge St.) debuted in 1997. While the OG location has closed for good, their second The Butcher’s Son is opening soon. Stay tuned.

Eastern European restaurant Izba (648 The Queensway) was a fixture on the Etobicoke strip since the ‘80s. The distinctive building was reportedly built in 1950.

Another neighbourhood stalwart has shuttered. Little Italy’s Kalendar (546 College St.) launched in 1995.

Forest Hill’s Hungarian fine dining restaurant The Nomad Steakhouse (453 Eglinton Ave. W.) debuted in May 2019. For what’s in its place, see above.

EVENTS

Winterlicious returns January 27- February 9.

Taste of Oakville, another culinary event offering prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus for a limited time, takes place February 15 to March 10.

NEWS

After last week’s food recalls, this week’s notifications do no let up: Fresh Prep Nutty Kale Salad with Goat Cheese and Creamy Maple Dressing recalled due to undeclared sesame, Kirkland Signature Four Cheese and Spinach Manicotti Marinara recalled due to pieces of metal, Punjab King Pure Honey recalled due to presence of metronidazole, St-Hubert and Cavalier Chicken Breast Nuggets recalled due to pieces of wood, Summer Fresh and Compliments Naturally Simple hummus recalled due to pieces of plastic, Surface-ripened soft and semi-soft cheeses recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, and Williams-Sonoma Hot Chocolate Pots recalled due to fire hazard.

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.  

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