OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News July 20-26, 2023
The 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
🕘 8.5 min read
The summer is whizzing by. Accelerating that feeling - the velocity in which establishments are setting up shop and shutting down. Case in point: This week’s 17 arrivals, featuring a slew of expansions by people and places you know, and fascinating fare that’s sure to blow up on social as soon as word gets out.
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Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
I broke the news Astoria in The Great Hall (1087 Queen St. W.) was in the works months ago.* The wait is finally over. The French American bistro and cocktail bar debuted Tuesday and is sure to be a hotspot - the project is courtesy of Bar Poet across the street. *TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop. Don’t miss out. You won’t believe what’s coming next.
Chinatown’s Banbudian Bistro (261 Spadina Ave.) offers an extensive menu featuring everything from Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Tofu to a range of offal (Stir-Fried Ox Throat with picked pepper and celery, Fried Pig Brain with minced pork and tofu in secret sauce) and even amphibians (Marinated Bullfrog W/ Pickled Pepper in Spicy Soup). Fun fact: The restaurant, a slightly scaled down version of their Richmond Hill location, lies beneath Green Tea Restaurant, the downtown outpost of their eatery in Markham.
Cheesy Place (2940 Bloor St. W.) is a turophile’s dream. The new shop near Royal York claims to have “Canada’s largest selection of artisan cheese online.”
Korean chain Chungchun Rice Dog joins the roster of restos in ghost kitchen food hall Kitchen Hub with their lineup of Korean-style hot dogs.
Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse returns to its former stomping grounds at Yonge & Eglinton (150 Eglinton Ave. E.) after shuttering in 2019 for renovations and launching another concept, La Latina, in its place in 2021.
Geste’s new digs at Queen and Portland (506 Queen St. W.) are filled with all the baked goods you know and love.
After closing their shop on St. Clair back in 2021, Lion Coffee softly opened Monday - just down the street (140 Westmount Ave.).
Grocery shopping has become such a chore. Head to Heather Saunders and Enzo Campisi’s new Italian market Mercato Sociale (257 Lakeshore Rd. E.) in downtown Oakville to liven up mealtime with pantry essentials and prepared meals to go - fresh pasta and gourmet Italian cheese for one night, pizza and calzones another, for example. Did you know? It’s across the road from Borgo Antico Cucina Bar, Enzo’s fist restaurant with partners Aldo Campisi (brother) and Tino Bianchi (cousin and owner of Queen Street’s Nuit Social - est. 2014 and closed during the pandemic in 2022).
New restaurant and sake bar Mhel at Bloor and Dufferin (276 Havelock Ave.) specializes in dishes founded on Korean banchan and Japanese obanzai, made with seasonal and local ingredients, served alongside a selection of Japanese rice wine. It takes over where Orote stood until recently.
OPEN/CLOSED readers got the inside track on Miss Aida’s last month. Doors open today for the Levantine restaurant in Roncy Village in (413 Roncesvalles Ave.) by husband-and-wife Jad Sfeir and chef Tara Tang, owners of J’s Steak Frites (1198 Queen St. W.) that debuted April 2022.
Nani’s Gelato brings its signature Italian and Asian fusion dessert to Markham (86 Copper Creek Dr., Unit 101). Doors open today.
Introducing: Osteria Scossa, the latest addition to Chefs Hall (111 Richmond St. W.), boasting a lineup of fresh pasta and charcuterie boards.
Parkdale Community Foodbank Pantry provides food, free of barriers to access, to more than 6,000 families every month. Drop off donations at their new headquarters at Queen and Dunn (263 Dunn Ave.).
Samba Brazil Eatery’s third store debuts today, bringing its famed Brazilian street food to Midtown (2109 Yonge St.). Savoury and sweet pastel and not-to-missed-desserts including Bolo De Pote Cenoura - carrot cake filled and topped with brigadeiro)? See you there.
Corso Italia might not be the first place you’d expect to find Thai molecular gastronomy, however look no further than Savor Thai (1226 St. Clair Ave. W.). Chef Art (Prasopchok Trakulphat) has created modern interpretations of classic dishes and tasting menu showcasing seasonal cuisines from various Thai regions. The former Iron Chef Thailand calls this way of cooking, “Thai ARTisan’s Gastronomy.” Soft opening takes place tomorrow. Did you know? The space was formerly slated be the new home of The Big Slice.
El Rey Mezcal Bar’s (2A Kensington Ave.) ice cream joint around the corner, Super Serve (562 Dundas St. W.) quietly opened on Friday, just in time for the next heat wave. TR Newsletters subscribers were naturally the first to get the exclusive intel.
TR Insider tip: The go-to order at The Wheel at Harbord and Spadina (656 Spadina Ave.)? Showstopper cheese wheel pasta - made-to-order fresh fettucine in alfredo sauce finished in a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano - natch.
CLOSED
Copacabana’s comeback booted out its other venture La Latina (150 Eglinton Ave. E.), home of tacos, cubanos and all-you-can-eat asado dinners.
Scarborough’s Sun Valley Market (468 Danforth Rd.) is closing at the end of the month.
CHANGES
Renowned Vietnamese restaurant Mi Mi’s in East Chinatown (686A Gerrard St. E.) moved - right next door to their stalwart spot. Just look for the bright blue house (688 Gerrard St. E.).
NEWS
On Tuesday Cold Tea co-owner Stacey Welton shared co-owner Oliver Dimapilis died after battling cancer. Born and raised in North Vancouver, he moved to the city in 2000 and quickly became an important figure on the scene working at The Embassy for a long stretch, and going on to open great haunts with stellar industry folks including Mr. Pong’s Bar, Juanmoto, taking over The Shop which transformed into Sari Not Sari, in addition to CT’s two locations - the OG in Kensington, followed by Queen West in 2019. Memories and messages can be shared on the Cold Tea Kensington Market Insta.
Dennis Fraser, former teacher and professor of Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation at Georgian College for 35 years, died of cancer. Before teaching, he worked in hospitality (Westbury Hotel, Coach ‘N Four Dining Lounge) and hotel management.
Thanks to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, alcoholic beverages will be available as early as 7am during the tournament, running July 20-August 20.
Speaking of drinking, knockin’ back a cold one will be allowed in select parks starting August 2.
Last call for Summerlicious.
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