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

🕘 12 min read

July is already proving to be one of the busiest months of the year. With last week’s 30 arrivals and the 27 below, not to mention all the festivals and events, the only challenge will be to try and fit it all in.

And stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter. 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN 

If you subscribe to the TR Newsletter, you’ll already know that Affinity Fish (1581 Dundas St. W.), the new shop dedicated to the careful handling and sourcing of Canadian seafood, fish by fish, from lake to restaurant, founded by chefs Jon Klip and Matt Parker Max Taylor, opens Tuesday.

The holy trinity of Paradise on Bloor, Osteria Rialto, and Bar Biltmore, nestled in Bloordale just added a “boutique wine bodega” to the lineup. Bloor Door Wine Shop (
1010 Bloor St. W.) is conveniently open seven days a week.

Campechano's stalwart on Adelaide and taqueria at College and Bathurst that debuted last summer just got a sibling. Campechano Cafe, a snug spot at Dundas and Bathurst, will specialize in your new favourite pastime - Mexican brunch. Doors officially open today. p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers got news last week. 

Candy Cakes Cupcakes just landed in Weston Village (1944 Weston Rd.) with an array of sweet treats, including Japanese cheesecake, snow cones, and smoothies.

In less than a year, Indian street food chain out of the U.K. Chaiiwala touched down in the 6ix and launched three outposts in the GTA – including two in Mississauga, the latest  at Dixie and Eglinton (5150 Dixie Rd.).

A few months back, TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to get deets about award-winning Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto's new digs in the Westin Harbour Castle (1 Harbour Sq., 38th Floor). They got this tidbit before the rest of the crowd too. Doors opened yesterday for dinner service via reservations yesterday. Need a refresher? Check out The Reveal and feast your eyes on the grub from the original location. 

Tired of hopping from resto to club? Empire Supper Club (220 King St. W., Unit 100) in the Entertainment takes you from dinner to DJs in one fell swoop.

TR readers got the scoop on Ernie's Icebox scratch-made ice cream sandos last summer. A shop in Baby Point (403 Jane St.) just debuted.

Mari Palhares and partner in life and work Flor Bortolacci launched their handmade artisanal freezie business Geladona from home two years ago. The exciting lineup of fruity (Cashew Fruit, Cupuaçu, Mulberry, Soursop), creamy (Avocado, Passion Fruit Mousse, Strawberry Cream, Sweet Corn), and specialty selections (Chiabon, Doce de Leite, Nutella & Ninho) including vegan varieties, were so popular they moved to online sales and pop-ups. Their first brick-and-mortar spot debuted in March at St. Clair West, east of Old Weston Rd. (9 Silverthorn Ave.). Consider these frozen Brazilian treats essential to your summer survival kit. 

Can't get enough of Chef Jerome Robinson's scrumptious fare? You're in luck. Starting Friday, dig into select dishes from The Heartbreak Chef (823 Dundas St. W.) at Dundas Video (831 Dundas St. W.), Laylow (1144 College St.), Montauk (765 Dundas St. W.) and Sidestreet (768 Dundas St. W.). Late night only, Fridays to Sundays. p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers got word first.

I’ve been keeping tabs on Holy Shakes’ rapid expansion this year. The journey for the milkshake and dessert destination continues in Mississauga (960 Southdown Rd., Unit C013).

Siblings May and Jeff Dang are on a hot streak. Their local chain of fresh n’ healthy eats imPerfect Fresh Eats continues to grow with an outpost in the west end at Queen and Ossington (1051 Queen St. W.).

Attention boba lovers: Kung Fu Tea softly opened today in North York (52 Orfus Rd), close to Yorkdale.  Bonus: Until July 27 enjoy 20 per cent off all drinks and Large 38 Milk King for $4.88 at this location. Conditions apply.

Psst. Cabbagetown just got a finer dining destination. From décor (the patio alone delivers chic vacay vibes) to menu (St. Tropez Crab Cake $23.95, Foie Gras Terrine $22.95, Truffle Pizza $26.95, Lobster Spaghetti $41.95, Grilled Chilean Sea Bass $52.95, 32oz USDA Bone In Rib Steak $82.95) L’Avenue (583 Parliament St.) is just the latest reason the east end nabe is worth the trek. 

The Mission Eatery (676 Queen St. W.) specializes in “a fusion of tasty Asian and trendy Western foods.” That includes PB&J sando, Steak & Cheese Panini, homemade Chicken Wonton Soup, Beef Udon, and Jumble Cookies. Find them in Soufi’s former digs.

The third  Mogouyan Hand Pulled Noodles just touched down at Yonge and Gerrard (374A Yonge St.), where Hot Star Large Fried Chicken was.

Good news: Toronto's indie comedy club Nothing Fancy found new digs in Kensington Market (276 Augusta Ave.) It gets better: Enjoy the show with Filipino fare by Tito's Barbecue Cookout. Doors open Friday. 

O’Frenchy launched in the 6ix with a ghost kitchen a year ago. Find their first IRL location at Queen and Spadina (141 Spadina Ave.), formerly home to teeny café The Coffee Lab. Next up for the Parisian creperie: The Junction. 

What was a radio station in Kensington is now Pera Café (62 Nassau St.) with coffee, baklava and more. Look for the sleek white building with patio out front.

Pinata Tacos kicks off Saturday at Dundas and Brock (1597 Dundas St. W.), where Uncle Mikey’s used to call home. Dig into tacos and Margaritas served in a pineapple.

Pizzeria Rustico (1430 Kingston Rd.) debuts in Birch Cliff tomorrow at 5pm. The eatery (not to be confused with Pizza Rustica on Blue Jays Way) was established in 2004 and the Scarborough location in the works since 2018.

Tuck into Chinese-style Japanese ramen from Chinatown’s latest arrival, Ramen Station (361 Spadina Ave.).

Did you know? T.O.’s Kathi Roll Eatery and Holy Shakes are constant companions and BFFs. Find their latest side by side venture in Mississauga (960 Southdown Rd., Unit C013). 

Stop by plant-based Trap Juice Bar at Dundas and Jarvis (201 Dundas St. E.) this weekend to get in on soft opening specials: Today: $2 12oz Smoothies, Friday July 8: Five menu items for $5 ea., Saturday July 9: Smoothie Bowls are half off.

The owners of True History Brewing took possession of their space at St. Clair and Dufferin (1154 St. Clair Ave. W.) last June. After a few delays, doors for the bar and taproom have finally opened, with a patio to follow hopefully by the end of the month. A range of brews (including food-centric named suds such as Long Lunch and Whole Menu Twice) pair well with the enticing menu: Dill Pickle Black Peanuts ($4), Beef Patty ($4.50), Totopo’s & Eggplant ($8), Curly Cucumbers ($9), Tiborna Bacalhau ($11), and Cold Water Shrimp ($16), for starters

TWG Tea boasts 1,000 different varieties of single-estate, fine harvest and exclusive tea blends (including iced varieties), alongside tableware, gourmet delicacies and patisseries, and even tea-scented candles. Discover your tea spirit animal at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St., Unit 168).

YGO Juice & Tea Lab just touched down in Richmond Hill (1 Spadina Rd., Unit 17). In addition to fruit and milk teas, the Taiwanese bubble tea shop specializes in panna cotta and cheese crème selections.

CLOSED

Boost Bar Cafe (672 Queen St. E.) in Riverside has shuttered.

Another concept had moved into where Nihao Dumplings (361 Spadina Ave.) was.

All Taverniti restaurants - Trattoria Taverniti, Tav’s Resto Bar, and Ristorante Rosina - and will be closed Wednesday, Sunday and Monday due to the death of Rosina Taverna, matriarch of the group of Toronto establishments, born in 1930 in Monasterace Calabria, Italy.

EVENT

This month is jam-packed with incredible street parties, parades, fairs and markets boasting fabulous food, drinks, games and entertainment for the whole family. Get the complete guide to July’s can’t-miss festivals and events.   

NEWS 

Rosina Taverna of Taverniti restaurants passed away. See above for closure dates. 

So many recalls. There was a late addition to last week’s recalls. Since then, there’s been notifications for coconut water, drinkable yogurt, king oyster mushrooms, dark chocolate fig truffles, and baking dish with lid.

ICYMI 

When Junzhe (Eddie) Ling isn’t working at Toronto’s buzzy new MIMI Chinese,  you’ll find him bookmarking recipes, rendering his own lard, developing photos in an unexpected location, and occasionally indulging in an iconic fast food after midnight. For the captivating interview, get this week’s At The Pass.

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

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