OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News January 5-11, 2023
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
🕘 12.5 min read
After a record-breaking edition before the holiday break, quickly followed by a NYE first, more closures, and new Michelin intel in the latest TR Newsletter (subscribe now so you don’t miss the next one), my findings this week - 20 arrivals, with nearly half of that big closures – are just the latest example of the tumultuous road ahead.
Pro tip: With so much happening across the industry at lightning speed, make sure to follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook because big things are underway.
In the meantime, here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Blue Ice Bar & Restaurant (2416 Lakeshore Rd. W.) in Oakville offers a wide-ranging menu from fish tacos to steak dinner. There are even options for the kiddos. Address sound familiar? It was Harbourside Artisan Kitchen & Bar until last year.
Set meals boasting General Tso’s Chicken and Sweet & Sour Garlic Ribs are the name of the game at Koreatown’s C-Block Taiwanese Street Bento (690 Bloor St. W.). TR Intel: The former home of NishDish and Tacos El Asador was slated to be an eatery dubbed Cretaceous up until recently.
The Cottage Cheese softly launched in Kensington Market 64 Oxford St.) where Urban Herbivore stood until recently. Head chef Dinesh Sharma (Marigold Indian Bistro) is serving up “classic Indian flavours served with elegance and assimilation of modern Indian cuisine.” Think Pepper Corn Prawns and Minty Beef Kebabs alongside classics such as Butter Chicken and Paneer Saawwaala.
Filipino destinations The Crane Kitchen Grill House (850 Sheppard Ave. W.) and The Crane Express Dessert & Bar next door (846 Sheppard Ave. W.) have star power: They’re backed by pro b-baller Andrew Nicholson.
Whether you actually need to pick up prepared foods or groceries or not, Etobicoke’s striking new Freebird Market (232 Norseman St.) is worth the trip.
Fuwa Fuwa, home of Japanese soufflé pancakes, calls Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 1093, Lowerl Level) home now. Find them on the west side near Entrance 2.
Psst. Korean bistro Horangee Sikdang (431 Yonge St.) softly opened in Wild Wings former digs. Tuck into winter warmups of Korean style donkatsu, beef belly tteokbokki, and mala army soup paired with Korean rice wine, soju, and yuza highballs.
Attention: Mochi donut lovers. Head to Oakville’s The Mochi Girls (335 Lakeshore Rd. E.) to get your fix. Soft opening flavours include Churro, Cookies & Cream, Earl Grey, Matcha, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Taro.
Cabbagetown’s Tabi Ramen (568 Parliament St., Lower Level) was short-lived, but Tibetan momos have arrived via their latest concept Momo Ghar.
Naan Kabob has been expanding across the GTA since 2018. Find the newest outpost of the local Afghan restaurant chain In Mississauga near the airport (5042 Satellite Dr., Unit F3).
I told you Neon Tiger was on the move. The year-old hotspot by restaurateur Naveen Chakravarti swapped out Rosedale (14 Dupont St.) for Queen and Dufferin (1166 Queen St. W.) this week.
North of Brooklyn Pizzeria’s sixth location debuted just north of Lawrence in Bedford Park (1728 Avenue Rd.) on Tuesday. Of course, if you’re a TR Newsletter subscriber, you’re likely already digging into a Killer Bee, Vodka Verde or Kale & Bacon.
Is there a better way to start the day than Karaage & Waffles? Ohiru Café near Kensington (370 College St.) is all about Japanese inspired brunch.
Host of numerous popular TV shows in Pakistan, Aftab Iqbal started Open Mic Café & Cuisine to establish “quality food outlets that will be true representatives of culture, taste, and hygienic cuisines. From the best junk food to the taste of slushes and shakes Open Mic Café is filling all the new horizons of taste in Lahore.” Grand opening festivities for the first Canadian location in Mississauga (1310 Dundas St. E., Unit 3) took place last week.
Yorkdale’s food options continue to expand with the latest addition, local Mediterranean chain Osmow’s (3401 Dufferin St., Unit FC08, Dine On 3 Foodcourt).
TR Newsletter subscribers got the jump on this: Paradise Grapevine's new winery on Geary that launched Summer '22 just added a new restaurant featuring a focused menu of "modern takes on classic Canadian comfort foods" by chef Kaitlyn Lasagna and co. The main event: Chalet-esque Rotisserie Chicken served half, whole and by way of a "messy" sandwich. Also on deck: Porchetta, cozy sides such as Creamed Corn and Celeriac Mash, and indulgences of Bone Marrow and White Chocolate Pannacotta to get you through the rest of the season.
Greek barbecue and street food pop-up kitchen Souvla by Mamakas (80 Ossington Ave.) has arrived in Yorkville (105 Scollard St.) for the szn with Hellenic fare including Chicken Plates, Halloumi BLTs, Feta Fries, and Lemon Potato Wedges.
Find Little Italy’s Tsuchi Cafe (688 College St.) in the Entertainment District for a limited time. The plant-based Japanese eatery launched a pop-up yesterday brimming with baked goods, bread and coffee at King Blue Hotel (355 King St. W.), set to stick around for “a few months.”
Wedlocks Piano Jazz Lounge’s arrival in The Beach (1961 Queen St. E.) coincides with the city’s recent piano bar renaissance. The former home to Whitlock’s, The Yard by Hogtown Smoke, and PBN Bar & Grill is now a destination for food and music lovers alike.
CLOSED
Babel made the Michelin Recommended list just two months prior to shuttering on New Year’s Eve. The Mediterranean destination by local restaurant group Oliver & Bonacini (O&B) at Bayview and York Mills (305 York Mills Rd., Unit 19) debuted in 2019.
Bar Fancy (1070 Queen St. W.) may have left their perch at Queen and Dovercourt, but it’s not the end. Stay tuned.
I broke the news last week of Marben and The Cloak Bar's impending closure, so maybe you’ve been already. If not, you’ve got until January 29 to say your goodbyes.
The Beaches community has lost another neighbourhood standby: Green Basil (2120 Queen St. E.). Sibling Basil Express on the Danforth closed in 2021.
I gave you the head’s up last month: The last night of Leslie Jones Restaurant (1182 Queen. St. E.) is Saturday.
After having to shut down Merchants’ Restoration Café (2 Matilda St.) in November 2021 due to building redevelopment, the following year Merchants of Green Coffee CEO and Co-Founder Señor Derek Zavislake was diagnosed with Stage 4 SCL Cancer. Thus, the company’s booth at the St. Lawrence Market (93 Front St. E.) is temporarily closed until further notice. In the meantime, the company is “desperately seeking” a green investment to “keep our sustainable coffee mission and program alive.”
I gave you the inside scoop on Recette’s (1166 Queen St. W.) arrival back in April. Fun fact: The concept that’s taken over is by the same owner. Details above.
Scollard Variety & Deli (105 Scollard St.) may have been off the main Yorkville strip, but was a neighbourhood staple for years and the only licensed restaurant in what’s known as the “Dry Zone.” For who’s moved in temporarily, see above.
EVENTS
The city’s prix fixe menu event Winterlicious returns January 27- February 9.
NEWS
Don Alfonso 1890’s newly Michelin anointed Toronto outpost was named the second best Italian restaurant in the world, beating out its OG Michelin-starred location in Napoli.
The Real McCoy (1033 Markham Rd.) was all set to close at the end of the year, however may reopen at its original location of 53 years after all.
TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop on more Michelin news: Eastside’s 35-seater Wynona earned a Bib Gourmand by the tire man himself recently. Prior to the festivities, owners chef Jeff Bovis and Jackie Lee bought Riverside’s The Comrade after Nikki Andriet and Dean Fletcher (also of Goods & Provisions in Leslieville) put it up for sale after a decade. Didn’t notice the changeover? That's the point. The buzzy haunt has kept the look and feel, cocktails and burger are still on point, and as most of the staff stayed on, its indie charm remains. Additions include some new menu items and resos.
Always dreamed of feeding frequent fliers? Peterborough Airport is looking for a terminal restaurant operator.
Food recalls haven’t eased up in 2023. In addition to last month’s roster: The Chocolate Lab Chocolate Coffee Beans recalled due to undeclared milk, Feast by Circles & Squares sandwiches recalled due to undeclared egg, Olivia & Leo Gourmet Treats Dark 55% Cacao Almond Bark recalled due to undeclared milk, and Sanders Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels recalled due to pieces of plastic.
ICYMI
Prior to the pandemic a large part of Toronto Restaurants included offering an array of solutions to help local businesses grow and promote their menus, products and services. Due to the current landscape, the demand for its return has been overwhelming, s TR Consulting & Services has official relaunched with a fresh new look, package options, and pricing. Check out the full lineup of services and book now. Space is limited. **Need help but you’re on a budget? Prices have been reduced during this time to help small local establishments grow their business.
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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