OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News March 28-April 3, 2024
The OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of the latest 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
🕘 8 min read
As Q1 winds up, the industry’s comings and goings continue at an exhaustive pace. And it’s only going to get more frenetic. Featuring large this week, expansions - all local brands, not global chains for a change - and more businesses on the move, with some gone for good.
Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? In addition to subscribing to the TR Newsletter, keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start) and follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Aamara (1224 St. Clair Ave. W.) moved into Centro Trattoria & Formaggio’s former digs at Dufferin and St. Clair with an array of modern Indian fare.
Banh Mi Boys has held court at Yonge and Gerrard (329 Yonge St.) since 2013, however due to incoming high-rises, was forced to up sticks. Find their new setup a few blocks south nestled above Five Guys (329 Yonge St.) at Yonge and Dundas.
The Depanneur is back and better than ever with a new cookbook and digs (CSI Spadina 192 Spadina Ave., Suite 501). A sneak peek of the new dining and events space, created in collaboration with the Centre for Social Innovation, took place last night. According to Dep Owner/Founder Len Senater, it seeks to “combine purposeful gathering with thoughtful culinary experiences to use the power of food to help connect people and enrich conversations.”
Indian boutique grocer #DESI is “a way of life.” The newest retailer at Union Station (65 Front St. W., Bay Concourse, Lower Level), is stocked with pantry items, grab and go dishes, drinks and snacks. TR Insider: Concepts coming to “Canada's busiest transport hub” soon include: Cinnaholic, Purpel, and Venezolano.
Just in time for ultimate riding weather, Fix Coffee + Bikes expands with a second location at The Well (486 Front St. W., Unit UG28). In addition to a slew of thoughtfully-designed new wheels and accessories, experts are on hand for advice and repairs, and a lineup of coffee and snacks await.
Found Coffee’s third outpost lands in Roncy on Dundas (2088 Dundas St. W.) replete with coffee, toasts, oats, and gear.
Fusion Factory (1056 Gerrard St. E.) keeps the burgers and fries flowing in the space of just shuttered Great Burger Kitchen. Also on offer: Wraps, bowls, shakes, smoothies, sides and something called 3J’s.
Latin World adds to their portfolio with another Mexican destination on Bloor West.* The latest concept in Bloorcourt (823 Bloor St. W.), not far from their Bloordale spots, is crammed with Mexican snacks and goodies. *TR Trivia: LW’s first and third eateries at Landsdowne and Bloor are across the street from one another, with the second on St. Clair , and a fourth was added at Dufferin and Eglinton last year.
Ocha’s Restaurant softly opened on Monday in Leslieville (1022 Queen St. E.) in the teeny spot where TuckShop Kitchen stood until recently. This marks the second Jamaican fusion for the Woodbridge joint (7700 Pine Valley Dr., Unit 2A). known for their jerk chicken, curry goat and other delicacies.
Sava Crepes & Coffee’s second branch just touched down in Roncy (221 Roncesvalles Ave.). Did you know? The French-inspired creperie owned and run by Sofia Reshetnikova and husband Sergei Timshin debuted Uptown (2674 Yonge St.) late ‘21.
Wings N Dip (813 St Clair Ave. W.) replaces Spicy 6ix Wings, which replaced beloved Hillcrest Village stalwart Kizoku Sushi last year.
Oakville’s 3 Heures Bakery (481 North Service Rd. W.) does croissants, danishes, canelés, rum-soaked cinnamon raisin rolls, and other baked goods, for both retail and wholesale.
CLOSED
Banh Mi Boys long-standing Yonge and Gerrard location (399 Yonge St.) may have come to an end, but luckily their new digs are just steps away. More info above.
Head’s up: Beast Pizza’s last day at Blood Brothers Brewing (165 Geary Ave.) is March 31.
The Black Horse (928 Bloor St. W.), a fixture in Blorocurt since 1996 (According to its signage, established in 1892), has permanently closed.
Another concept has moved into Great Burger Kitchen’s digs at Gerrard and Jones (1056 Gerrard St. E.). Details up top.
Hillcrest Market at St. Clair and Wychwood (632 St Clair Ave. W.) was a great place to get fresh produce, pantry items and owner Lisa’s delish prepared items.
Island Hot & Spicy made a home at Bloor and Landsdowne (1334 Bloor St. W.) for a stint. Incoming: 9 Mile.
Bayview Village restaurant closures continue with Pearl Bayview Chinese Cuisine (2901 Bayview Ave., Unit 108). March 31 marks Pearl’s last day at the mall, but luckily they’re not going far: Find them up-and-running at Bayview and York Mills (291 York Mills Rd.) as of April 5.
Spicy 6ix Wings set up shop on St. Clair (813 St Clair Ave. W.) just last year. Another location in the works.
Sri Lankan restaurant Suruthi Take Out And Catering (585 Parliament St.) was a Cabbagetown staple.
NEWS
Carbon tax increase goes into effect April 1.
Head’s up: Ontario’s minimum wage is increasing from $16.55 per hour to $17.20 as of October 1, 2024.
Food recalls continue to rack up: Adonis Classic Hummus recalled due to yeast, Eat Sum More Beef Biltong - Original recalled due to Salmonella, Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.
Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.
Need help promoting your business? Get started now.
Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share using the icons below. #supportlocal
