OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News March 7-13, 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
🕘 10 min read
After a string of finer dining destinations, this week’s roster takes a more casual approach. Boasting cuisines from around the globe, it’s anything but a bore. Bonus: It’s also wallet-friendly. The frenetic movement across the GTA continues with 22 arrivals and closures continuing to rack up.
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
Bloor and Sherbourne’s new Bobaholic (345 Bloor St. E.) is the spot for everything from bubble tea and coffee to slushes and smoothies.
The slogan at Blomboon Restaurant & Bar (550 Queens Quay W., Unit 12): “Eat local. Taste global.” Tuck into dishes ranging from Ratatouille ($22.98) to Sutte ($25.98).
Meet Bready Cafe (15 Connie Cres.,Unit 27), Vaughan’s new all-day bakery cafe - aka your new favourite brunch rendezvous.
The latest establishment from a hospitality/real estate collab (See: Daphne, Libson Hotel, 10 Dean) lands in DW Building 5 of the famed Designers Walk at Ave and Dav. Talk about aesthetic. Built by Elviano and outfitted with modern decor by Atriani, Cafe X Bica (160 Pears Ave.) was made for your feed/reels. Click click.
ISO Hong Kong style barbecue? Head to Cantonese Law BBQ in Markham (11 Fairburn Dr., Unit 19). Grand opening is tomorrow.
Turkish restaurant Champion Döner adds to its lineup with an outpost in Erin Mills (1925 Fowler Dr.), bringing the total to four locations in the GTA.
The Corner Convenience in Corktown (393 King St. E.) takes its name seriously. Whaddya need? Water? Check. Bananas? Got it. Eggs? You betcha. Slushie? What colour? An extra USB Power Adapter to Lightning Cable? TCC’s got you. And you don’t even have to leave the house.
A fixture in city since 1992, Persian eatery Darband Restaurant (879 York Mills Rd.) has a new express outlet in Richmond Hill (13130 Yonge St.).
Say hello to Daymi, offering Arabian fare in a modern setting. Doors opened Tuesday in Parkdale (1376 Queen St. W.) Fun fact: It’s where My Roti Place once stood.
Chef Vikas Wankhade’s resume is heavy on fine dining. For starters, there’s his high-end catering and event management outfit, 2K Elite Dining Solutions, not to mention time spent in the kitchens of The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, Shangri-La Toronto, and The St. Regis Toronto. His new passion project, Dre & Co. Burgers | Bites, skewing much less formal, just dropped in North York (1000 Finch Ave. W., Suite 100) and Midtown (15 St Clair Ave. W.).
Authentic Kavkazi kosher fare has been at the heart of Thornhill’s La Briut Cafe (1118 Centre St., Unit 1) for years. Check out their new meat location at Dufferin and Steeles (913 Alness St.).
After some closures, bowl burrito chain Mad Radish is back in action. Yonge and King (4 King St. W.) kicked off yesterday in the addy previously home to Box’d by Paramount.
From curlers to coffee. Trinity-Bellwoods Saul's Beauty Shop has been transformed into Moments cafe (904 Dundas St. W.) filled with treats both sweet and savoury.
Saturday’s grand opening for Muay Thai Bar & Restaurant (325 Queen St. W.) includes free pad thai, discounts and other offers. Did you know? The location was the home Sushi Time forever and the owners are behind local Thai joints Thai House Cuisine, Thay Thai Bar, and Chill Thai Bar that debuted on Ossington last summer.
Japanese tapas bar Nomé Izakaya’s first downtown destination just landed in CityPlace (92 Fort York Blvd.). TR Trivia: Different ventures at this address over the years include Fort York Tavern, Macho Tex Mex Radio Bar and Città.
Jamaican patties are in full effect now that Patties Express has landed at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.).
Pisac Peruvian Bistro moved their Toronto operations from Dupont to Cabbagetown into what was most recently Revelstoke (195 Carlton St.).
Pizza Karachi, known for its deep-dish pizzas, creamy pastas and cheese-stuffed naan, has a new HQ for Desi pizza at SunCity Plaza in Scarborough (2761 Markham Rd.).
Scotty Bons Caribbean Grill adds to the fam with an Etobicoke outpost (8 Rexdale Blvd.). Grand opening is happening Saturday starting at 9am. Bonus: The first 50 customers to receive a free jerk, bbq, or veggie sandwich, with BOGO jerk, bbq, or veggie bowls happening the rest of the day.
Simit & Chai has been a staple at King and Bathurst (787 King St. W.) for eons. Now east enders can get in on the action thanks to a second location in Leslieville (1114 Queen St. E.), just steps away from their buzzy Turkish brunch and baked goods destination, Pasaj (1100 Queen St. E.).
Introducing “Mississauga’s gateway to Caribbean delight,” Top Jerk Caribbean in Streetsville (180 Queen St. S.).
CLOSED
I broke the news earlier today: One of the last Greek restaurants on the Danforth has shuttered. Debuting at 526 Danforth Ave. as Anestis Taverna in 2016, later renamed Atlantis Authentic Greek Cuisine in 2021, the space has been home to Hellenic eats for decades: They replaced Mr. Greek that opened here in the aughts after it moved from its original digs down the street at 568. This leaves just a handful of Greek eateries in ‘GreekTown’ - “the largest Greek neighbourhood in North America,” according to the BIA.
Head’s up: Beast Pizza’s last day at Blood Brothers Brewing (165 Geary Ave.) is March 31.
Wellness cafe and “Toronto's first non-alcoholic bottle shop” Beatrice Society is moving on from Richmond and Portland (511 Richmond St. W.). N/A bevvies remain the focus at incoming The Sobr Market, slated to open soon.
Calii Love’s smoothie bowls debuted on King West in Fall 2016 and closed Summer 2021. Across the street from the soon-to-shutter Pusateri’s in Yorkville, Calii Love has suddenly packed it in (1235 Bay St.) and at Union Station (65 Front St W.), following a brief stint at Yonge & Eglinton (2131 Yonge St.) The inaugural location kicked off in Fall 2016. shuttering Summer 2021. One location remains: First Canadian Place (PATH:100 King St. W.)
Flo’s Diner announced their impending closure in Yorkville (70 Yorkville Ave., 2nd Fl.) is on the approach. You’ve got until March 24 to get in on the iconic diner’s fare.
Last day for Toronto’s sole Les Moulins La Fayette (689 St. Clair Ave. W.) was February 29. Locations remain throughout Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, and Florida, of all places. It arrived in 2019.
The space that was Me Love Pho (15 St. Clair Ave. W.) is now home to a burger joint.
Mexico Lindo (1618 Bayview Ave.) is closed due to a fire Saturday morning. No injuries have been reported.
Pisac Peruvian Bistro left Avenue and Dupont (16 Dupont St.) for another neighbourhood. Details above.
That’s it for Liberty Village’s Detroit-style 8Mile Pizza (122 Atlantic Ave.). Stay tuned: Insieme Restaurant is on the way,
NEWS
Food recalls continue. Alumauy Hot Pepper recalled due to undeclared gluten and non-permitted colours, Brancott Estate Marlborough 2023 Sauvignon Blanc recalled due to undeclared sulphite, Jeden Tag Remoulade recalled due to mould. [UPDATE 08.03.24: Star Fresh frozen fish ball recalled due to undeclared egg.]
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
