OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News July 27-August 2, 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
🕘 10 min read
As the month draws to a close and vacays ramp up, you might expect the recent resto madness to dwindle. The week’s 20 arrivals and notable closures prove otherwise.
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Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Hot tip: Reservations are required at city’s latest hidden destination, Aitch (461 King St. W.). The subterranean lounge by new kid in the Fashion District Silent H - the Mexican restaurant directly above, is open Fridays and Saturdays.
The menu at Acropolis Gyro Corner (1004 Kingston Rd.) in the Upper Beaches extends beyond the titular item of seasoned meat wrapped in a warm pita, with a selection of souvlaki, burgers, salads, and dips.
Bao and billiards? Bao Babies tucked inside Markham’s Le Cue Lounge (8901 Woodbine Ave.) is one helluva fun concept. Grand opening is tomorrow.
Basil Box brings healthyish Asian bowls and boxes to Toronto General Hospital (200 Elizabeth St.).
The inaugural Crumbl Cookies in the province kicks off at Heartland Town Centre (5985 Rodeo Drive, Unit 1A) tomorrow at 8am. Choose from a weekly rotating menu of “120+ dessert-inspired flavours” (Classic Pink Sugar, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunk, Coconut Lime, Banana Bread, Chocolate Milk) and watch them being made on-site in the open “tech-driven” kitchen. The American chain, founded by cousins Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley, launched in Utah in 2017, growing to over 800 bakeries in 50 states to date. The first Canadian outpost debuted in Edmonton Spring ‘23.
Ehwa Uptown has softly opened at Yonge and Sheppard (4866 Yonge St.) with a ‘Night’ menu dropping soon. Think Fried Chicken Gizzard, Sweet Potato Pizza, and array of tteokbokki and Korean pancakes. For those downtown, the original location of the Korean eatery is just south of Bloor (16 Isabella St.).
Hot appetizers, maki, sashimi, oshizushi, donburi, and lunch specials are just some of the offerings at Leaside’s new Jyugoya Japanese Restaurant (1528 Bayview Ave.). The space was transformed following the recent closure of previous occupant of 35 years, Big Man’s Pizza, and 2020 addition, Kissing Bun.
The Kingston House (676 Kingston Rd.) offers crowd pleasers (KH Burger, Fish N’ Chips, Flat Iron Steak) alongside playful twists on classics (Short Rib Mac & Cheese, Mushroom or Tandoori Fried Chicken, Coconut Onion Rings) in a spacious oasis. It was formerly neighbourhood haunt The Grover Pub, one of the many closures at the end of last year.
In May 2022 I broke the news: After 20+ years, celebrity chef Susur Lee was shuttering his eponymous flagship (601 King St. W.) to relocate to new digs in 2023. Lee Restaurant opened Tuesday in a new standalone space in the Waterworks building (497 Richmond St. W.) with signature dishes including Cheeseburger Spring Rolls and Singapore Style Slaw in tow, as promised. p.s. If you subscribed to the TR Newsletter, you’d already know.
Et voilà. Lucie just launched at Yonge and King (100 Yonge St.). The fine dining restaurant at the edge of the Financial District by veteran restaurateur Yannick Bigourdan (The Carbon Bar, Union Chicken, amongst many) is named in honour of his grandmother. Le menu? Award-winning executive chef Arnaud Bloquel and his team are whipping up French cuisine with a contemporary twist in the space formerly upscale destination, Cru. Naturally, TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop.
Grand opening for West African and continental restaurant and lounge Maison Tribe at Yonge and St. Clair (44 St Clair Ave. E.) takes place tomorrow.
Psst. Maxime’s debuted Monday. The new steak and seafood venture quietly moved into what was very recently Shook Kitchen at King and Portland (77 Portland St.), both by Scale Hospitality Group - the folks behind hotspots such as Toronto Beach Club, and string of new arrivals including AP, Miss Likklemore's, and The Pearl. And yep, TR Newsletter subscribers are already on it.
One of Greektown’s popular destinations is now bigger and better. The lineups at Mezes (440 Danforth Ave.) were just a part of life, but that should be a thing of the past with the stunning, sweeping new destination a few steps away in what was once Pappas Grill. After a long wait - the project began back in 2021 - the new restaurant, complete with apothiki at front and expansive patio on the side - welcomes guests as of August 1. Bonus: The original location is open takeout.
Fish n’ chip shops are too few and far in between. Oakville Fish & Chips’s new location (1395 Abbeywood Dr., Unit 15) helps close the gap one fish n’ fry at a time.
Flights and falafels? It’s officially a thing, thanks to the addition of Osmow’s at Toronto Pearson Airport (6301 Silver Dart Dr.). Find the Middle Eastern chain in Terminal 1 in the domestic, post-security area.
Simply Social (89 Roncesvalles Ave.) in Roncesvalles Village is part market, kitchen and cafe, and all gluten-free.
ISO of an eatery open around the clock? T.O. Dickens Restaurant in Kensington Market (276 Augusta Ave.) operates 24/7 offering everything from with full breakfast to late night snacks, with options from across the globe. We’re talking poutine, spring rolls, steak, pasta, salads (labelled ‘clutters’), and sandwiches. It replaces a recently vacated comedy club.
Opening night for Trap City Lounge (5235 Steeles Ave. W.) is tomorrow. What to expect at the newly built venue at Weston Rd. and Steeles? According to TCL: “ Nightlife reimagined and redefined.”
Pizza and pasta are the name of the game at Leslieville’s new Tulia Osteria (1402 Queen St. E.), brought you by Aidan Hospitality - the group behind Folly Brewpub, Grace O’Malley’s, and Prohibition Social House in Toronto; Beacon Social House and Ce Soir Brasserie + Bar in Oakville. Did you know? It took over the space of another pizza/pasta joint - Queen Margherita’s first location, shuttered at the end of last year, slated to be relocating in the area.
% Arabica, known for its Kyoto coffee and cool minimalist aesthetic, debuted at Union Station yesterday with a stunning space designed by Tacklebox Architecture and renowned architect Jeremy Barbour. Entering the Canadian market late last year with a flagship at Yorkdale, the Japanese brand boasts 155 stores across the globe.
CLOSED
El Almacen has closed its to-go cafe (1720 Queen St. W.) to focus on their new brunch spot, El Almacen Yerba Mate Cafe (1917 Weston Rd.) that opened in York last year. Insider tip: Stay tuned. The space is set to reopen next monthas the RAID Gallery Cafe, with many of the same favourite offerings as well as number of new menu items.
This is your final chance to get in on schnitzel, cabbage rolls and goulash at Country Style Hungarian Restaurant (450 Bloor St. W.). Doors close on August 1.
You heard it here first: Mandy’s Bistro (123 Danforth Ave.) is transforming once again. Stay tuned for Epochal Imp.
Shook Kitchen (77 Portland St.) started life as Shook Israeli Kitchen in Summer 2019. After temporarily closing due to a kitchen fire that September, the vegetarian Middle Eastern kitchen, café, and marketplace reopened December 2020. For what’s taken it’s place, see above.
You’ve got until Saturday to get in your goodbyes at Scarborough’s Sun Valley Market (468 Danforth Rd.).
Piano lounge/restaurant Wedlocks (1961 Queen St. E.) was a recent addition to The Beaches.
NEWS
Starting Wednesday, alcoholic beverages will be permitted in select parks for a short time.
The short reprieve from food recalls has come to an end: Dried Sweet Potato recalled due to undeclared sulphites and barley, The Village Kitchen Chicken Curry recalled due to undeclared mustard. [UPDATE 28.07.23: Various brands of caffeinated drinks recalled due to various non-compliances related to caffeine content and labelling requirements.]
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