OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News January 27-February 2, 2022

Photo courtesy of Oretta.

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

🕘 11 min read

Indoor dining returns Monday. Or currently, If you’re at the airport. If that’s not enough, I’ve uncovered a staggering 28 arrivals to get you through the rest of the month. Steel yourself for this week’s closures and stay tuned - more news to follow.

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN 

bb.q Chicken arrived in the 6ix last fall and has been on a tear ever since. The momentum continues: Introducing bb.q Chicken & Pub at Yonge and Eglinton (2409 Yonge St., Unit 103) and bb.q Chicken in Markham (8110 Birchmount Rd., Unit 1-2).

Banh mi have arrived in Greektown. Boomerang Sandwich at Pape and Danforth (675 Danforth Ave.) also does chicken wings ($4.99), vegetarian jerky ($4.99) cheese spring rolls ($5.99), egg flower soup ($4.99) and other items.

Ethan Chill Spot (1727 Eglinton Ave. W.) at Dufferin and Eglinton is the spot for homemade Caribbean fare. Think brown stew chicken, authentic jerk chicken and serious seafood.

FLOCK rotisserie + greens left their corner spot in Harbord Village. a few weeks back, but didn’t have to travel far for new beginnings. Find them in Skippa’s recent digs (379 Harbord St.) just down the street. 

Found Coffee is a relative newcomer, but has already expanded into Trinity Bellwoods where The Lucky Penny used to be (189 Shaw St.).

Every day is Taco Tuesday in the Junction Triangle, thanks to the recent arrival of Gus Tacos (1546 Dupont St.). This marks the fourth location for the Toronto chain. 

Milkshake and dessert bar Holy Shakes joins constant companion T.O.'s Kathi Roll Eatery (465 Queen St. W.) at Queen and Spadina. Punjabi tacos and Cheesecake Freakshakes – what’s not to love?

Hotay's Mac & Cheese by Caravan Cafe & Tea House (1165 Bloor St. W.) takes the cheesy comfort food classic to the next level. Take the Lusitania ($13.95), for example. It’s topped with sweet and spicy Portuguese chouriço, grilled up with bell peppers, and tossed in peri peri cheese sauce. Or the Yokohama Hot ($14.95) featuring herb panko fried chicken marinated with Scotch bonnet, garlic, and sesame salt, served with shishito pepper sauce mac, topped with crispy fried onions. And don’t sleep on the rich Hong Kong style baked rice ($14.95-$16.95), Hotay’s Grilled Cheese ($10), Butter Tarts ($3.50), iced teas, smoothies and slush either.

Hot tip: Get in on Kimchi Slap, an “unapologetic” Korean pop-up happening at IKUNE by Après (1166 Queen St. W.) while you can.

Kome Yogurt (10 Stephanie St.) softly opens Friday near Village By The Grange. On the menu: Asian-style yogurt drinks made with  100% Canadian milk and natural, non-GMO ingredients.

KD Pep-Up Shop, Kraft Dinner’s virtual kitchen pop-up, has arrived in Toronto (60 Sudbury St.) and Etobicoke (270 Brown’s Line). 

Kung Fu Tea has been making its way across the GTA for years. Check out their latest shop in Etobicoke (2999 Lake Shore Blvd. W.), softly opened last weekend. Get in on the celebrations and enjoy 20 per cent off all drinks and 38 Milk King (L) for $4.88 at this location until February 6.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day: Swiss chocolate maker Läderach has taken over Godiva’s old spot at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.) near Hudson's Bay.

New patisserie Le Génie Bakery & Espresso at Yonge and College (382 Yonge St.) has it all: Paris Brest, Peach Tart, Vanilla Flan, Chaussons Aux Pommes, and showstopper Galette Des Rois. Are just the beginning. Savoury selections include baguette and assorted danish (Cherry Tomato and Pesto, Ham & Cheese, Prosciutto & Cheese). 

Fried chicken and churros are what’s up at Mero’s Hot Chicken (2183 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) in Etobicoke. 

Mildred’s Temple Kitchen Junction Pantry Pop-Up (3101 Dundas St. W.) has got you covered for pantry essentials, ready-to-bake goodies and schpooples (mini pancake bites) until the end of February. 

TR Newsletter subscribers got dibs on this one: Buzzy Italian resto Oretta at King and Bathurst was all set to launch a second outpost midtown (2131 Yonge St.) Summer '21 next to other recent arrivals, but life, it turns out, had other plans. Doors finally opened for delivery on Saturday, with dine-in service to begin February 3. 

Hoagie and cheesesteak destination Shaker’s Club (1261 Bloor St .W.), courtesy of the talented folks behind Hanmoto, Pinky's Ca Phe and Pepper's Food + Drink, kicked off yesterday, next door to Seoulshakers. If you’re a TR Newsletter subscriber, you’re already in the know. If not, there’s an easy fix.

Joining the many chains out of Quebec making the move to the Big Smoke lately, SpiceBros has landed at Bloor and Islington (3355 Bloor St. W.) with their signature “Indian cuisine with a modern twist” including Franky Rolls, Butter Chicken Poutine, and all kinda bros: Bro Bowls, Crunchy Bros, Sloppy Bros, and Bro-Balls. 

Grand opening celebrations for Mediterranean eatery Tahini’s Scarborough location (757 Milner Ave.) takes place Sunday 11am-10pm with 50 per cent off bowls and wraps.

Virtual kitchen TÖKitchens in Scarborough (102 Crockford Blvd.) boasts three concepts: Italian Fusion comfort foods by Aquila Restaurant, slow cooked fare at Bonfire Smokehouse & Grill, and healthier fare by CaliFresh.

Premium fruit tea chain Urban Cova’s rose petal tapioca, taro sago, and Valrhona chocolate chai frappe drinks can be yours at Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave. E.).

Filipino destination Wilsons House of Lechon opened in North York destination (365 Wilson Ave.) in 2017. Psst. A second outpost filled with succulent lechon and BBQ debuted in Scarborough (8 Glen Watford Dr.).

Yaya Greek Bistro (1186 Queen St. E.) has replaced Yaya Farm Fresh. Despite sharing a similar name, the owners and menus are all new.

CLOSED

Elchi Chai Shop (130 Harbord St.) opened in Harbord Village Summer ’17. Stop by to say goodbye before Sunday. Stay tuned, more to come.

FLOCK rotisserie + greens debuted a sleek outpost by Reflect Architecture at Yonge Sheppard Centre (4841 Yonge St)  May 2019.  

Golden Crisp Fish & Chips (1354 Weston Rd.) has shuttered due the death of proprietor Harry Vandekemp from a massive heart attack in November. The beloved restaurant at Jane and Weston Rd. was founded by Harry’s father Jan in 1961 and rebuilt in 1988 after the building burned down. 

KNIFE moved to Leslieville (1112 Queen St. E.) in February 2020. The decision to close for Sunday “wasn't due to restrictions, closures, rent increases or even covid,” but instead “a new chapter.”

NARU Izakaya Toronto (399 Church St.) launched at the corner of Church and Carlton June 2020.

The Yonge & Dundas location of Patties Express (4 Elm St.) is closing Monday due to the building being sold for condos, so stock up now and visit their other locations: Square One in Mississauga, downtown in The PATH (65 Queen St. W.) and Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket.

NEWS

Indoor dining returns at 50 per cent capacity on Monday. Will you be dining out? Take the TR poll on Insta Stories.

ICYMI

Attention Industry: Parlour Salon is offering a “well-deserved pick-me-up for our server and waiter friends. 40% off all and any services.” Email ozinfo@, beachinfo@, or yongeinfo@parloursalon.com for details. 

Parlour Salon’s fabulous offer for industry.

An Tran, chef/owner of micro-bakery/restaurant Ba Noi, shares the struggles of parenting and running a business during the pandemic, his favourite bars and restaurants around town, biggest influences right now, valuable advice (whether you’re industry or not) and much more in this week’s gripping At The Pass.

Show your favourite Filipino restaurants some love in the Toronto Restaurants #ShareTheLoveTO campaign on Facebook or Instagram. 

If you haven’t already subscribed to the newsletter, now’s the time. Get The Tip Off, a sneak peek at the upcoming OPEN/CLOSED (because who doesn’t want to be the first to know?), and fab deals and special offers from restaurants and local businesses (because who doesn’t want to save money?), all exclusive to subscribers. 

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.

Enjoy this?Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share with others. Prefer email? Send a message or testimonial.

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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