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

🕘 9.5. min read

Every edition of my iconic OPEN/CLOSED is a unique, intricate, up-to-the-minute, exclusive snapshot of the current culinary landscape. This week’s collection - an impressive 18 arrivals - reveals a concentration of stellar ingredients and imaginative menus, resulting in strong contenders for your dining dollars.

p.s. Stay tuned. More news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter. 

Here’s the very latest: 

OPEN

New music venue (and according to the sign outside, “most authentic” dive bar) Bar Orwell (1595 Dundas St. W.) at Dundas and Brock does $6 shots, $5 drafts/bottles, and offers a lineup of live music and comedy jams. Doors opened in March. Pro tip: For  upcoming events, check the calendar posted to the front door.

Despite the name, virtual kitchen Beta Burgers (268 Dundas St. E.) at Dundas and Sherbourne isn’t all about patties after all. Fried cod, haddock, tempura shrimp, and mozzarella sticks are what’s what via their seafood-centric concept, Atlantic Fish & Chips.

Grand opening celebrations for Roncy’s newest arrival, Birria Catrina (131 Roncesvalles Ave.), take place tomorrow. This marks the third location for the “first and only birria-specialized eatery in Toronto.”

Chef Miheer Shete has 20+ years of experience in the industry, spending much of the time since 2016 at fine dining destination Jump. Laid off during the pandemic, he launched Curryish, a pop-up of culinary creations via delivery. Just over two years later, Curryish Tavern (783 Queen St. W.) debuts with an exhilarating menu of Indian fare highlighted with Canadian ingredients. I’m talking “Montreal Style Bagel” ($6), Aloo Gnocchi + Roasted Cauliflower Curry ($26), Smashed Lamb Bhuna Burger ($25), Green Tomato Butter Chicken ($26), Lamb + Pineapple Upside-Down Biryani ($29), and Ghee Confit Duck Leg + Foie Grass Curry ($39). Save room for Screech Rum Soaked Stuffed Gulab Jamun ($14) and Bubble Chai Ricotta Rasmalai ($13). Doors opened yesterday.

Psst. The space formerly home to Pretty Ugly Bar (RIP) is now Danu Social House (1237 Queen St. W.). Grand opening festivities took place Saturday.

Accomplished chefs Sungwook (Ed) Kim (Nomé Izakaya) and Dogeol (DG) Youn (Noma) have created an array of items including sandos, salad rolls and onigiri featuring Asian flavours - kimchi tuna, wasabi crab, beef Bulgogi - at their new Asian deli and grocery store, DNDN Asian Eatery (2109 1/2 Yonge St.) nestled between Eglinton and Davisville. 

The Donlands Diner has been a fixture in East York since 1955. The retro eatery features all the diner classics including all-day breakfast and daily specials. Say hello to the new addition to the fam, The Broadview Diner (757 Broadview Ave.) opening tomorrow.

Dual Citizen kicked off in March in the lobby of the recently renovated Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel (123 Queen St. W.) across from City Hall. Find everything from build-your-own omelets to “rooster size” chicken drumettes. They take their coffee seriously too: an extensive café menu (have you met the Lazy Eye, Black Tie, or Dead Eye?) and roster of java-based cocktails is just the kickstart your day/night needs.

Maestra Gelatera Kiren Miret’s scratch-made gelato using only locally sourced and natural ingredients has touched down in Oakville. Visit Gelateria Morgana (92 Thomas St.) to indulge in Fior Di Latte Cherry, Toffee, Peanut Marzipan, Cinnamon, and other sumptuous flavours.

Boba lovers in Scarborough, you’re in luck: Gong Cha just debuted a new outpost in the Golden Mile at Victoria Park and Warden (816 Warden Ave., Unit 3).

The Hamptons (53 Clinton St.) quietly debuted last Monday in Pinky's Ca Phe’s former digs, boasting a seasonal menu, chef’s counter, and secret garden patio outfitted with a fire pit. The focused menu features oysters, snacks, Butter Three Ways ($15) and a handful of “coastal entrees” including Bay Scallop Crudo ($23), and New Zealand Venison Tartar ($23), delivering vacay vibes in the heart of Little Italy. 

Shawarma’s the name of the game for Mr Zagros (700 King St. W., Unit 105) at King and Bathurst.

Leslieville’s new party supply shop Party et Cie (1112 Queen St. E.) makes any function (including not having to do the dishes) all the prettier.

Paulo’s Cake Shop (1255 St. Clair Ave. W.) in Corso Italia near Dufferin claims to be “the first roll cake store in Canada.”  

Spaccio West (128 Sterling Rd.) is the latest addition to the extensive Gruppo Terroni [Terroni (Adelaide, Price, Queen, L.A.) Bar Centrale, La Bettola Di Terroni, Stock T.C, Sud Forno (Queen, Temperance), Terroni Sud Forno Produzione E Spaccio (Spaccio East]. The west-side cousin to the Corktown outpost is housed in one of the oldest factories in the city, former home of Drake Commissary, complete with kitchen, caffè, Italian grocery stocked with Terroni and imported Italian products, dining space with views of the kitchen, and patio.

The speciality at the Waffle Room (2 Sammon Ave.) in Pape Village: Kawartha ice cream with your choice of bubble or Belgian waffle.

ISO Ethiopian ingredients? Yohana Convenience (898 Bloor St. W.) in Bloorcourt has you covered.

43 Down, the second new dining venue at Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel (123 Queen St. W.), is the latest go-to for wild game and offal such as Roasted Bone Marrow ($22), Pulled Beef Tongue Tacos ($15), Crispy Pig Ears ($14), Duck Two Ways ($20), and Wild Boar Croquettes ($22). 

CLOSED

Big Munch Grill (757 Broadview Ave.) was just one of many concepts that took over Danforth neighbourhood stalwart New York Café last year. An east end eatery is taking over. See above.

Drink for cheap at what’s replaced Four Aces Snack Bar (1595 Dundas St. W.). Details above.

Yaksha South East Asian Eatery (2109 1/2 Yonge St.) launched in Midtown last year. Catering services remain.

CHANGES 

Leslieville’s Juzz Sushi (912 Queen St. E.) moved a few doors west into Core’s recently vacated spot.                              

EVENTS

Get the complete guide to July’s can’t-miss festivals and events.

NEWS

The latest establishment to be broken into: Parkdale’s The Grand Trunk  (1718 Queen St. W.). Owner of the cozy watering hole and The Queen's End Cafe & Emporium (1664 Queen St. W.) Alison Barrie  set up a GoFundMe campaign for a neighbour who was broken into last month. [UPDATE: One has been set up to help her.]

The recalls continue to grow, with recent additions of enoki mushrooms and fig truffles.

Canada placed fifth in the Americas Pastry Cup 2022.

ICYMI

Get a glimpse of the new lakeside location of Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto.

Miss the sneak peek of new arrival Affinity Fish on Instagram earlier this week? There’s a quick fix for that.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in June alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

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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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