OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News June 29-July 5, 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 min read
Longtime readers of my weekly reporting here already know: the frenzy of arrivals and closures is neither new, nor waning anytime soon. I uncovered 116 new establishments and 47 businesses that closed this month - and the next is shaping up to be just as frenetic. (Insider tip: Want to be the first to know? Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news and updates.)
Introducing 26 arrivals and 11 closures across Toronto and the GTA, filled with everything from casual eats to fine dining. Pro tip: Save room for ice cream!
Here’s the very latest:
I gave you the scoop on the whereabouts of Barkat (712 Queen St. W.) a few weeks back. Psst. The modern fine dining Indian restaurant at Queen and Manning is serving up fun starters - bao, sliders, tacos, fried chicken - with Indian flair, in tandem with contemporary takes on traditional dishes - Smoked Butter Chicken, Kale Saag.
Quebec’s fast casual Lebanese chain Boustan touched down in the 6ix for the first time last year: Scarborough in January '22, quickly followed by a York Mills & Leslie outpost four months later. Hey Oakville, it’s your turn. Get in on signature shawarmas, falafels and kebabs at Upper Oakville Shopping Centre (1011 Upper Middle Rd. E., Unit E5). Next stop: Mississauga.
After adding a Midtown destination mere months ago, Buca continues its trajectory northward with a sleek new home in Vaughan (Vaughan Metropolitan Centre - 898 Portage Parkway).
Gourmet fine foods are the name of the game at The Chef’s Pantry in Markham (70 Don Park Rd., Unit 1). Shop everything from pantry essentials (coffee, pasta, seasonings) to elevated ingredients (caviar, truffles, Wagyu).
Chiang Mai Thai Kitchen & Bar has softly opened in The Junction (2998 Dundas St. W.). The fourth outpost of the local chain takes over the space that was forever The Purple Onion Restaurant. Hot tip: It’s the sole location offering Thai brunch on weekends.
Donlands burger joint Crazy Burger & Bar (980 Danforth Ave.) has your summer cravings sorted. Dig into patties, hot dogs, chicken sandos, and sides, with beer, wine and cocktails also on offer. Grand opening kicks off Saturday.
Dark Horse Espresso Bar debuted a lakeside location (100 Queens Quay E.) yesterday. This follows the recent launch of a café in Corso Italia and new spot at downtown creative hub 401 Richmond (401 Richmond St. W., Suite 135), complete with bottle shop, market, and grab-and-go items.
Between Keele and Dundas lies Japanese restaurant Dokkaebi (1620 Bloor St. W.), featuring the usual suspects – sushi, udon, katsu – with the added bonus of Korean fare, tacos, and happy hour specials. (“Where the only thing that's sober is the clock!”) Coming soon: “After Dark.”
FAM - Food & Masti at Victoria Park and Danforth (3315 Danforth Ave.) puts its own spin on menu items. Choose from Kolkata Waley Kathi Rolls, Bowls of Karma, Chijji Time, Fam Momos, Straight Outta Tandoor, and “Burp Water.” Grand opening celebrations take place June 30 to July 3, with giveaways, BOGO deals, free drinks and games.
Top sellers so far at Gelato Plus (486 Queen St. W.) between Spadina and Bathurst include Chocolate Hazelnut and Pistachio.
Attention milk tea lovers: Hero Tea has arrived in the GTA - first in Mississauga (719 Central Pkwy W., Unit 212), recently in North York (5285 Yonge St, Unit 4.) and Thornhill/Markham (Commerce Gate 505 Hwy7 W, Unit 65-66) - with a roster of brews including fresh milk kung fu tea, snow-topped sippers, and Yunan cold brew coffee.
Hungree Birdz (360 Lakeshore Rd. W.) in Mississauga is all about fast food faves: burgers, wraps, wings and poutine.
Discover rotating flavours of Ontario’s own Central Smith ice cream at Leslieville’s new The Little Moo Pop-Up (1400 Queen St. E.).
Speaking of ice cream, there’s something for everyone at Mucca Ice Cream (1757 Avenue Rd.) in Bedford Park, from Salty Caramel to Mango Sorbet.
Osmow’s 150th location opened to the public earlier this week at Square One (100 City Centre Dr., Food Court).
Pauls Coffee Truck, usually found in front of U of T’s Robarts Library a few days a week, is launching a small brick-and-mortar coffee shop in Etobicoke this weekend. Grand opening for Paul’s Coffee (88 Palace Pier Crt.) is July 1.
Check out Phancy’s Bodega’s new digs in The Junction (2473 Dundas St. W.) starting today. The sandwich shop and mini market moved on from their King & Niagara post (848 King St. W.) at the end last month.
Tip off: A focused menu of coffee, waffles and soft serve are happening in a modern boîte tucked down an alley at Yonge & Eglinton. See: Postman Waffles (2409 Yonge St.).
Queen Shawarma at Queen and Ossington (998 Queen St. W.) claims to be “the best shawarma restaurant in Toronto.” What say you?
Mexican sushi concept Sinaloa Factory began in Woodbridge, expanded to the Danforth last year, and continues to extend its footprint in the city with an eatery in Kensington Market (181 Augusta Ave.).
Barbecue and bourbon is what’s up in Baldwin Village. Smoque N’ Bones second spot (30 Baldwin St.), set in a historic house (formerly French resto Bodega) with bourbon bar and wraparound patio, kicks off tomorrow.
Wok Theory (530 Dundas St. W.), Chinatown’s latest addition at Dundas and Spadina, boasts an extensive dim sum menu, à la cart selections, and dinner sets for groups.
Earlier this year, fire shuttered Woofdawg Hotdog and new venture Frank Ranalli's Italian Beef. Not for long. Head to the new HQ in Kensington Market (185 Baldwin St.), where Mare Pizzeria was.
CLOSED
Basil Box at the edge of the Financial District (83 Yonge St.) has closed. Find other locations in the vicinity.
The owners of recent arrival Boomerang Sandwich (675 Danforth Ave.), are taking “a break from the business” to spend more time with family.
Doors opened to The Junction’s Hula Girl Espresso Boutique (2473 Dundas St. W.) in 2010. While the café has come to an end, their signature roasts are available for purchase online. For who’s moved in, see above.
Geste’s home of three years in Trinity Bellwoods (1183 Dundas St. W.), ceased operations Sunday. Thankfully the closure will be short-lived and the new spot isn’t far. Stay tuned.
After setting up shop on Dundas West (1185 Dundas St. W.) in 2020, followed by a move last July to Kensington Market (276 Augusta Ave.), Alberto Richards’ comedy club Nothing Fancy is closing. Soon. According to a post on socials yesterday, the last show in Kensington is tomorrow.
Piatto Bistro (1646 Dundas St. W.) came on the scene 34 years ago. Tomorrow marks the final day for Mississauga’s fine dining Italian restaurant.
The space that was Remembrance Gift & Variety Store (60 Dundas St. E.) for years is about to become a vape shop.
As I reported last week, Sap Restaurant (401 Bay St.) is wrapping things up July 2. Pro tip: Watch this space. One of O&B’s many new establishments in the queue, The Constance Tavern, is launching “soon” across the street.
After six years, Soul Chocolate is moving on from its teeny store in East Chinatown (583 Gerrard St. E.) for bigger and better things - an expansive facility close by (just west of Greenwood). Fun facts: 1. Their new next-door neighbours? Left Field Brewery. Beer and chocolate? Hell yeah. 2. Moving into the Gerrard space - Issho Bakery, slated to open this summer.
Shanghai Shikumen Fine Cuisine’s time in Chinatown (530 Dundas St W.) has come to a close. Visit them in Markham at First Markham Place (3225 Hwy 7, Unit 1A).
After 25 years of service, Yuzu No Hana (236 Adelaide St. W.) has bid farewell. A notice of closure published yesterday by wedded owners Karen and Bruce Bu includes, “Circumstances beyond our control have led us to this difficult decision.” Japango (122 Elizabeth St.), their original sushi spot that launched downtown in 1999, remains open for business.
NEWS
Resos for local prix fixe event Summerlicious are open for July.
Toronto takeout co. Ritual laid off 40 per cent of staff.
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
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