OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News March 16-22, 2023
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. #iykyk
🕘 10 min read
I told you this week was going to be a lot: 20 arrivals and almost half that in closures means you’ve got serious catching up to do. (Pro tip: Start here and work your way back. And make sure to follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news and updates.) You’re in luck as your ‘homework’ involves digging into burgers, tacos, noodles, momos, and the like.
For industry, this steady influx means increased competition and continued upheaval, so all pricing has been reduced for TR advertising and consulting services.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Alforat Iraqi Street Food follows last year’s debut in Scarborough with an outpost in Mississauga (3460 Platinum Dr.).
BBQ @ Bloor’s motto? We grill, you chill.” In addition to smoked barbecue chicken, “famous” smoked BBQ ribs, and “fire tossed” burgers, the Bloor and Ossington eatery (914 Bloor St. W.) boasts authentic French crêpes and Belgian waffles.
Discover a “fusion of traditional Vietnamese culture and the modern Canadian lifestyle” via pho, banh mi, Viet coffee and bubble tea at Beyond Fusion (369 Church St.), softly launched earlier this week.
Psst. Bloordale’s Burdock Brewery (1184 Bloor St. W.) has expanded. Introducing BB’s stunning new retail shop and production brewery now open in Kensington Market (6 Denison Sq.). Sneak peek: Check out behind-the-scenes photos of the reimagination of the old SASMART building.
Local cheeseburger chain The Burger's Priest builds on more than 25 locations across Ontario with a Scarborough joint at Warden and Eglinton (900 Warden Ave.).
Calabria Bakery just added Unionville (206 Main St., Unit 1) to the mix, marking the third bakeshop for the the family owned and operated destination for baked goods for over 30 years.
Meal kit co. Crafty Ramen debuts its first brick-and-mortar outpost in Toronto today on the Ossington strip (217 Ossington Ave.) with Japanese inspired fare including a medley of snacks (karaage, fried brussel sprouts, gyoza) and distinctively dubbed noods (Tokyo Salary Man, Civil Servant, The Seeker).
Beast Burgers, Fire Fried Chicken, and Monster Potatoes are just part of the ‘madness’ at Crazy Burger (980 Danforth Ave.).
Coffee, wine and snacks are what’s up at Headspace (548 Annette St.).
Farm-style cold brew yogurt chain Hi Yogurt never stops. The proof? Numerous stores launched in under two years. Status update: A store softly opened in Etobicoke (58 Marine Parade Dr., Unit 116) this weekend.
International tapas has arrived in Koreatown, courtesy of Industry Snack Bar (594 Bloor St. W.), with endless tacos and tequila on Tuesdays, brunch and bottomless Mimosas on weekends.
Speaking of brunch, Me.n.u Cafe (3380 Midland Ave., Unit 20) - the coming together of Me.n.u Food Truck and chef Christopher Siu’s Daan Go Cake Lab under one roof, taking over former Daan Go Cafe - is serving the usually-reserved-for-weekends-meal Wednesdays through Sundays.
The MoMo House brings its renowned Himalayan cuisine and Tibetan dumplings to Greektown at Pape and Danforth (679 Danforth Ave.).
Part Korean fried chicken and soju destination, part social enterprise, Sarang Kitchen (1056 Bloor St. W.) is on a mission to “break down the employment barriers faced by the neurodivergent community.” The setting include sensory boxes and multi-sensory room to “allow guests to dine in our restaurant at ease knowing that there are fidgets, weighted blankets, and noise-cancelling headphones they can use, and a sensory room they can relax in if they are feeling overstimulated or anxious.” The establishment is also the latest to join the ‘hospitality included’ no tipping movement.
Stuu Stuu arrived on the scene in North York last fall. Hot tip: To get your fix of their signature Japanese curries and stews downtown, head to Torch Pressed Sushi (507 Church St.) in The Village at Church and Wellesley.
Tomar’s Doner opened Friday in Port Credit (94 Lakeshore Rd. E.) with an array of Turkish dishes including authentic rotisserie-style halal doner boxes, bowls, and plates.
Stellar Argentinean resto Vos Restaurante Argentino (847 College St.) has extended its reach to west end. Find the second location at the lake’s edge in Humber Bay (2083 Lake Shore Blvd. W.).
Calling all AYCE fans: You can get in on the boba action now, thanks to all-you-can-drink bubble tea shop XOXO Tea (393 Spadina Ave.).
Closely following a downtown addition, Korean tofu pocket focused Yubu is introducing a third location, this time in Scarborough at Sky City Mall (3262 Midland Ave. Unit E109). Doors open March 20.
CLOSED
Formally Lick's Home Burgers & Ice Cream, Andy's Artisan Burgers (900 Warden Ave.) tried to keep the Lick’s vibes going despite the name change. p.s. You can still grab burgers at that address. Details above.
Bubblelicious brought bubble tea, ice cream rolls, and bubble waffles to Queen and Portland (514 Queen St. W.) Summer 2020.
The Burger's Priest held court at Queen and Spadina (463 Queen St. W.) for forever. As the lease was coming to an end, the chain’s third store closed for good as of December 31, 2022. (Two remain close by: King West and Adelaide.) With the recent closure of neighbouring Fancy Franks (453 Queen St. W.), the fairground/ballpark vibes of the block have greatly diminished.
Fleets Food (369 Church St.) arrived late 2018 with gourmet prepared food for “urban dwellers and workers.”
The Hogtown Vegan’s lively bar Hunny (1056 Bloor St. W.) kicked off service during the pandemic, temporarily closing last June “til who-knows-when.” A post on social concluded,” Inflation, Covid, food shortages and staffing has made it impossible to operate two businesses. We are focusing on Hogtown Vegan to survive through these tough times.” Find out who the new occupant is above.
Halal meat source Mesale Meat Market at Donlands (980 Danforth Ave.) has shuttered.
Pho 88’s downtown location in Koreatown (594 Bloor St. W.) has transformed into something completely new. See openings for details.
Rustic Social House (2083 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) arrived in Humber Bay Fall 2018. Discover what’s in its stead above.
The space formerly home to Japanese and Korean eatery Varsity (914 Bloor St. W.) is all about barbecue now.
ICYMI
Now that spring has officially arrived and temperatures are finally on the rise, ice cream shops are opening back up for business. To explore alll your options, you need the Ultimate Guide to Ice Cream + Frozen Treats in Toronto/GTA featuring a whopping 200+ destinations (and growing!) from local restaurants, bars, parlours, shops and markets to contactless delivery options dispensing every kind of icy confection. To add more ice cream, ‘nice’ cream, gelato, fro yo, frozen custard, sherbet, bingsu, milkshakes, paletas, shaved ice, ice pops, freezies and halo halo to your life, get the guide now.
NEWS
Loyalist College unveiled a new state-of-the-art culinary lab at the Belleville campus this week.
Grocery earnings continue to pour in: Empire Co. reports $125.7M net earnings.
Food recalls continue: The Chocolate Lab brand Signature Chocolate Almonds recalled due to undeclared milk, and Salento Organics Dark Chocolate Products recalled due to undeclared milk. [UPDATE 17.03.23: Bindle Bottles recalled due to the presence of lead, Nestlé Good Start - Soothe infant formula recalled due to possible presence of Cronobacter sakazakii.]
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