OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News June 22-28, 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
🕘 11.5 min read
Having trouble keeping up with what’s new? No wonder. Only three-quarters of the way through June, and thanks to the addition of the activity below, I’ve already uncovered 90 arrivals and over a third of that in closures this month alone. And there’s so much more to come.
For this week’s wild ride - 23 arrivals, 11 closures - read on.
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Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
ISO of smoothies, juices and ice cream that go beyond the usual offerings? Head to the first Canadian and North American outpost of Aseer Time in Mississauga (3470 Platinum Dr., Unit 37). Founded in Kuwait in 2011, the company is on a mission: “We want to give the rest of the world a taste of Arabian cuisine and dining at our restaurants, cafes, and sweet and confectionery outlets.”
With a power packed lineup including green cleanses and immunity boosters, Anthony Pereira’s new smoothie and juice bar in Mississauga A+ Smoodees (1065 Canadian Pl., Unit 124) gets you one step closer to better health.
The name says it all. Café Chai (758 Bathurst St.) offers an array of satisfying sippers from flat whites to chai lattes in the Annex.
Cannabis and coffee? That’s the concept behind local chain CAFE - a weed dispensary with onsite coffee shop. Their latest spot to grab an espresso or affogato while picking up pre-rolls or simply out and about? Chinatown East (350 Broadview Ave.), complete with streetside seating to enjoy your brew.
Roncesvalles Village continues its transformation with the arrival of Cuptrio Coffee (36 Howard Park Ave., Unit R2). Want a change from your usual cuppa? Spanish Coffee, Zesty Shot, Matcha Spritzer, and Shakerato does the trick. Bonus: The cafe is also ice cream-focused (See: TR Ultimate Guide to Ice Cream + Frozen Treats in Toronto/GTA.) Hot tip: East enders, stay tuned. A location is coming to Queen and Broadview this fall.
Daphne Restaurant (67 Richmond St. W.) debuts today in the Financial District. The dramatic shift from the dark interior of the previous establishment to the elevated Santa Fe-meets-Montauk vibes paired with a striking ‘dinner and a show’ open kitchen doling out fire-licked modern American fare, is sure to lure the crowd. Garden terrace, intimate bar area, and enveloping dining room in front are just as enticing. The 8,000+ sq. ft. destination is brought to you by INK Entertainment Group - recent additions to its vast portfolio include Margo (April) and Ultra (June) - and real estate co. Dream Office REIT.
Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto kicked off Tuesday in Etobicoke (555 Rexdale Blvd.). On-site dining options include a steakhouse (Copperhorn Meet House), gastropub (CA.SU.AL), grab-and-go outpost (The Eatery), and fast food selections in The Food Hall, with more establishments to follow.
There’s no having to choose between momos and jerk chicken thanks to Hakka N’ Jerk at the edge of Cabbagetown and Regent Park (296A Gerrard St. E.).
Secret spot alert: Homer’s Chicken & Waffles (425 Jane St.) just landed inside Cafe Santorini in Baby Point, with Cousin Tony’s Pizza on offer.
Grand opening for Kasoori (9600 Islington Ave., Unit E2E) took place Sunday. The Indian restaurant in Woodbridge boasts an extensive menu with selections for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Pro tip: Save room for an assortment of traditional sweets and desserts.
Love fried chicken? Head to Koreatown’s Kimsoonrye Soonsal Chicken (620 Bloor St. W.) to get your hands on their Dakgangjeong - sweet crispy chicken clad in an addictive sauce.
La Nayarita’s new digs (2428 St Clair Ave. W.) are where it’s at for homemade Mexican fare including breakfast (Huevos Campestres, Chilaquiles Rojos), ceviche, camarones, choriqueso mollettes, and tacos.
Tropical fruit lovers unite: Mango Mango (337 College St.) is dishing up sweet treats of every kind. Picada, chamango, waffle, sago, and smoothies are just the beginning.
Say hello to your summer escape in the heart of the Entertainment District. Lean into the tropical vibes of Paradise Grotto (270 Adelaide Ave. W.), officially opening today, with Spam Musubi in one hand, elevated cocktail in the other.
For the last seven years, Neapolitan-style pizzeria Pi Co. has been expanding across the GTA. The journey continues at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.). Grand opening celebrations took place Tuesday.
Pigeon Café & Bar has touched down in the Entertainment District (337 King St. W.). The first Toronto satellite of the buzzy Montreal chain arrives with their signature “world’s worst coffee,” cocktails and caviar, and standout menu that takes you from dawn (Brown Butter Asparagus Benedict, White Shakshuka, Larry David) to dusk (Bubblie’s Matzah Ball Soup, Chicken Schnitzel, Shrimp Scampi Tagliatelle, Steak au Poivre). Watch this space: Another downtown location is in the works.
Pita and Grill softly opened in Etobicoke at Lakeshore and Humber Bay (160 Marine Parade Dr.) On the menu: Burgers, shawarma, wraps, salads, and poutine.
Making its debut in Kensington Market today: Sleepy Pete’s (69 Kensington Ave.) with brunch and lunch essentials. Think coffee, sammies and scones.
Take note: Som Tum Jinda, stationed across from Toronto Metropolitan University (76 Gerrard St. E.), is the latest Northeastern Thai kitchen specializing in Som Tum by Chef Jinda - joining locations in Laos and Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded oupost in Thailand.
Order an assortment of sharables and mains including Thai Wings, Massaman Curry, and Kao Soi Noodles to go from Yum Yum Thai’s new spot in North York (4664 Yonge St., Unit 23).
11:59 Bar:Cafe (70 Temperance St., Unit 1) is an all-day affair that transforms from cafe to lounge.
CLOSED
In 2019, Brock Sandwich (1260 Bloor St. W.) made a triumphant return after fire damage the previous year. However, after a decade of sandos and service, the Bloordale stalwart is permanently shutting down on Saturday.
Bad news: Saturday is the last day to visit Clandestino Wine Bar’s Parkdale haunt (1592 Queen St. W.). Good news: CWB is simply upping sticks for another spot in town.
DNDN Asian Eatery launched in Midtown (2109 1/2 Yonge St.) last summer. While this location has ceased operations, it’s not the end.
Jerk Paradise (296A Gerrard St. E.) has come to an end, however you can still dig into Caribbean fare courtesy of its successor. Details above.
After 12+ years in Liberty Village, For the Love of Cake Custom Creations (171 E Liberty St., Unit 117) is closing for good on Sunday.
Lester ‘Les’ Sabilano’s Lamesa Filipino Kitchen (669 Queen St. W.) was a revelation. It’s impossible to grasp in 2023, when food from virtually every corner of the world is readily available, that experiencing traditional, elevated Filipino fare and a Kamayan dinner downtown - on Queen West, no less - a decade ago was remarkable. Luckily, the restaurant lived on in a slightly different form after the move in 2019, taking over his more casual restaurant Lasa (634 St Clair Ave. W.). After an 11-year trek, doors close for a final time on Sunday.
Orote (276 Havelock St.), a modern Korean restaurant known for its prix fixe menus, came on the scene Fall 2021.
The announcement of the forthcoming closure of the city’s “first completely vegan Italian restaurant” went out over the weekend. You’ve got until September to get in on a four-course prezzo fisso at Osteria Du (536 Queen St. W.), brought to you by Awai Hospitality Group (Avelo, Pizzeria Du, M!lk Dessert Bar). The reason? “Our rent is going up to pre-pandemic rates, and unfortunately the numbers just don't work out in today's environment.”
Pelicana Chicken began downtown at Yonge & Bloor (730 Yonge St., Unit 9) in December 2021.
Today Sap Restaurant (401 Bay St. ) - known as Bannock until Winter ’21 - posted next month will be the last. The Oliver & Bonacini (O&B) restaurant that launched at the corner of Queen & Bay in 2011 has been surrounded by construction on and off for years. Final service is July 2.
T. &.C Restaurant (124 Chestnut St.), aka T&C, specialized in Vietnamese and Thai fare.
NEWS
The latest food recalls include: Al Kanater Tahini recalled due to Salmonella, Battaglia's Lorne Park Marketplace Raspberries recalled due to norovirus, 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Blackberries (frozen) recalled due to possible Listeria monocytogenes.]
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