OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News March 2-8, 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
After last week’s 25 arrivals, you might expect a deep drop off. Think again. Introducing: a staggering 20 new destinations to sink your teeth into. Naturally that means more closures. Fortunately, not all are permanent.
Insider tip: Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter because it’s about to get even busier…
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop: Michelin Recommended Restaurant Pompette and sibling Bar Pompette added a new concept to the mix. Bakery Pompette softly opens today in Little Italy (655 College St.) with a lineup of top-notch French baked goods including Kouign Amann, Pain au Chocolat and much more. Get to know chef/owner Martine Bauer in the acclaimed TR chef series, At The Pass.
Wildly popular casual Italian eatery Sugo (1281 Bloor St. W.) just debuted Bar Sugo next door (1279 Bloor St. W.), replacing their former venture, Conzo's Pizza. While remaining a neighbourhood pizzeria, a heavy dose of Italian American classics are also at the ready including Mozz Sticks ($9), Calamari ($24),and Burrata Caprese ($19) starters, hearty pant-stretching mains of pasta and parm, and tempting desserts of soft serve and housemade tiramisu. p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers got dibs on this one too.
Taiwanese bubble tea chain Chatime boasts over 1000 locations across 26 countries. Two just touched down in Mississauga: 480 Eglinton Ave. W. and 515 Lakeshore Rd. E., Unit 107.
Chick Wings (689 Queen St. E.), “powered by” local eateries Liberty Eats, The Bull BBQ Pit and Royal Bistro, brings drums, flats and more to Queen and Broadview.
Psst. Add Corner Crepe Co. at College and Spadina (267 College St, Unit 5) to your to-do list. While CCC may be one of the tiniest restos and creperies in the GTA, it’s mighty in all other aspects, earning high praise for their jian bing (Chinese crepes), prices and hospitality. Naturally. it’s takeout only.
Traditional Latin pastries from brazo de reina and pan de queso to golfeados and cachitos are the specialty at Dadys Le Patisserie in York (646 Oakwood Ave.).
Daldongnae Korean BBQ’s garnered lots a loyal following over the years, including K-pop’s Jennie Kim from Blackpink who came through before the holidays. Find the latest outpost right downtown near Yonge and Dundas (361 Yonge St., 2nd Fl ), next to adult entertainment club Zanzibar, complete with premium Wagyu beef.
From cheesecakes to waffles and ice cream D Spot Dessert Café is one helluva sweet destination. After a stellar year full of expansion, Richmond Hill (12270 Yonge St., Unit 1) got in on the fun.
Island Oysters landed in Bloorcourt, two blocks east of Dufferin in Spring 2021. Their new dine-in spot is now a few blocks west in Bloordale (1165 Bloor St. W.) with bivalves of the shucked and shuck yourself variety and other delights. Did you know? The space was formerly home to Caravan Café & Tea House (1165 Bloor St. W.), launched during the pandemic with eats by Afrobeat Kitchen. Soon after, Hotay's Mac & Cheese was added to the mix.
Kismet Turkish Restaurant (782 Queen St. E.) opens today in Riverside with an array of kebabs, pide, diner, whole rotisserie chickens, and desserts.
What a journey Koh Samui Thai Kitchen has been on in Greektown: After launching near Pape (588 Danforth Ave.) late 2020, a notice posted on their door last summer confirmed closure. It turns out not for long: The Thai chain just launched a few blocks west (515 Danforth Ave.) in Mishwar’s former digs.
Just in time for March Break, “first of its kind Montessori-inspired cooking academy” Little Kitchen Academy debuts in Vaughan (20 Jacob Keffer Pkwy) on March 6 for ages three to teen.
After flames engulfed Fahmee Bakery’s Montezuma Trail location last spring, owner Faiz Abdella has been on a mission to continue his beloved business no matter how difficult the road ahead. Take one of FB’s former locations, for instance - he's made it home for local food folks: Thursdays to Sundays, 1971 Weston Road transforms into Carol’s, where chefs are “bringing an old school Grenadian pot to a modern world.” Think Curry Duck, Mannish Water, Rock Buns, Cheesecake, and all-important Patties. Mondays to Wednesdays, it’s now Mateo’s Munchies & Mocktails, pop-up resto of Shannae Rowe’s luxury catering business named after her son, boasting deluxe platters of comfort foods galore - creamy mac 'n cheese, crispy Cajun fries topped with chicken wings, signature sweet & spicy chicken paired with cookies and cream waffles. These and Carol's creations are just what this weather calls for. p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers are already on it.
Head to Monarch Restaurant & Lounge (23 McCleary Crt.) in Vaughan for an array of African fare including Jollof Spaghetti, Whitening Fish, Ayamase, Pounded Yam & Efo Riro.
Grand opening for coffee shop and art studio and gallery Nabulu Coffee Bar and Typist Studios (390 Dupont St.) takes place March 4.
If you’re of the mind that variety is the spice of life, Spicy 6ix Wings (813 St Clair Ave. W.) in Hillcrest Village is for you, with over 125 flavours on offer.
Pastry chef Engin Tiryaki’s sweet and savoury selections are the specialty at his new halal cake and pastry shop, Sweet Addictions (462 Sherbourne St.). Tiryaki knows his way around baked goods: In addition to his role of Professor of Baking and Pastry Arts at Centennial College School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts, he has decades of industry experience including five-star luxury hotels in Istanbul and here at home in the 6ix.
Oakwood’s Dam Sandwiches expands on their handheld offerings at The 1211 (1211 Bloor St. W.) in Bloordale. Expect Korean Mexican tapas, tacos, alongside cocktails and assorted bevvies, with sandos still in effect.
CLOSED
La Cubana‘s Bar Habana on Gerrard (1030 Gerrard St. E.) has come to an end. Psst. Not for long. It will soon be a “secret” Cuban cocktail and rum bar in the new BackRoom at the Cuban eatery’s Ossington location (92 Ossington Ave.).
Island Oysters hasn’t moved far from its previous spot (3 Bartlett Ave.). Details above.
O'Frenchy’s Queen and Richmond outpost (141 Spadina Ave.) opened last summer, claiming to be “officially the smallest store in the world.” ISO another microscopic creperie? See arrivals.
‘Za is still very much a part of what’s taken over Conzo's Pizza (1279 Bloor St. W.). More info up top.
Hillcrest Village has lost another gem. Kizoku Sushi (813 St Clair Ave. W.) did fresh fare at reasonable prices. For what’s replaced it, see arrivals.
Myth Restaurant (522 King St. W.) is temporarily closed due to fire that caused “significant damage” Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported. Police are investigating and officials say it’s “suspicious.” Cibo Wine Bar King West, sharing the same address, is also currently closed.
Chinatown East constant Sing Sing Barbeque House* (351 Broadview Ave.) has closed. The addy has long been a barbecue joint: Sung Sung Barbecue House Ltd. in the early 90s, and in the mid-to-late 2000s licenced to Sang Sang BBQ House Ltd. Psst. Good news. It will continue to be an Asian ‘cue spot - word is, helmed by a “famous” Toronto chef. Doors are set to open at the end of the March. *Licenced to Cheng Gong BBQ House.
Yang Teashop’s Gerrard and Bay outpost (700 Bay St., Unit 106) that softly opened November 26, 2021 has shuttered. Pro tip: The Dundas location (183 Dundas St. W.) is just five minutes away.
NEWS
George Weston reports big gains - $369 million in profit for Q4, up 6.3 per cent from previous year, with revenue for the quarter totaling $14.1 billion.
Another busy section of the city will be inaccessible by TTC this summer.
In addition to last week’s food recalls, Deep Recipes of South India Sambhar Soup recalled due to undeclared milk. [UPDATE: 03.03.23 Various Global Choice Falooda Drink products recalled due to undeclared milk.]
Attn Industry: The City of Toronto is now accepting applications for 2023 Summerlicious Program. Reminder: Businesses have until Tuesday, March 28 to apply for CaféTO curb lane cafés.
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