OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News March 9-15, 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
🕘 11.5 min read
It’s not even midway through the month and already between last week’s 20 arrivals and this week’s 25, I’ve uncovered 45 destinations in March alone - an astonishing result, particularly at this time of year - demonstrating the ongoing shakeup across the industry, with the following months likely to be just as frenetic.
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Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
In addition to the usual cuppa, coffee and wellness bar Annex Espresso Bar (718 Bathurst St.) offers serious sippers boasting medicinal mushrooms for increased energy, focus and other benefits. Doors open Friday.
Hot tip: One of the many reasons to check out Cat’s Eye Coffee’s new spot at top dance studio City Dance Corps (950 Dupont St.)? The Japanese inspired Peaches & Cream Croissant. Signing up for Dancehall, House, Hip Hop, Waacking or Ballet Boot Camp classes while sipping a cortado? #Goals.
Crepes and galettes are a stone’s throw from Trinity Bellwoods Park with the arrival of Chez Paul Crêperie (833 Queen St. W.), taking over Dlish Cupcakes’ former stomping grounds.
Dear Saigon just landed across from U of T’s St. George Campus (185 College St.), marking the second location for the Vietnamese noodle bar formerly known as Little Saigon, the first in the downtown core.
Award-winning firm Studio Munge, known for its transformative hospitality properties across the globe including T.O. (Akira Back, Amal, Bisha Hotel, Kōst, Sofia Yorkville), worked their magic on Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville (387 Bloor St. E.), which burst on the scene last month. The sleek, modern, playful designs are on full display throughout the hotel’s restaurant Dia, featuring a fab bar and lounge area in front (Prediction: Most Instagrammed barstools of ‘23) with dining by fireplace in back, delivering a laidback yet sophisticated vibe. The kitchen, led by executive chef Justin Raponi, offers shareables such as Duck Confit Sliders ($20) and Sage Brown Butter Gnocchi ($16), Charcuterie Service ($25-$28), salads, Roman-style pizzas, entrees including Mushroom Garganelli ($24), Chicken Ras El Hanout ($36) and Alberta Steak Frites ($44), and desserts. Coming this spring: all day café Virtu Café & Provisions.
The first Toronto Fatburger launches today at Bloor and Bathurst (565 Bloor St. W.). The Cali chain’s claim to fame? “The biggest, juiciest burgers you'll ever taste” made with fresh, never frozen, Alberta Angus beef. Founded in 1947 and originated in Los Angeles in 1952, the fast food joint debuted north of the border in 2005. in Vancouver.
After a successful pop-up last May, The Happy Chocco secured permanent digs at Square One’s The Food District (100 City Centre Dr.) to showcase their signature éclairs and profiteroles.
“Chicken wing aficionados” Keep W!ngin It set up shop in Markham (226 Esna Park Dr.) after launching a year ago in the city’s east end.
Kinton Ramen has kept the party going in Toronto since 2012, rapidly expanding throughout the GTA in recent years. Find the latest outpost in Oakville (2501 Hampshire Gate, Unit 1 A-2) starting March 11.
Your commute just got a lot sweeter: American donut shop Krispy Kreme debuted the sixth location in the 6ix. Get your fix of fritters, filled and iced selections in Bloor West Village, right next to Jane Station (2424 Bloor St. W.).
Quebec chain L’ Afghan Grillade has arrived in Ontario. For grand opening celebrations and Afghan fare, head to Mississauga (3970 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 3) March 11.
Chef Martial Ribreau’s popular wholesale French bakery has added a storefront to the roster: La Bastille French Bakery debuted March 1 in Scarborough (760 Birchmount Rd., Unit 33) with beaucoup de French pastries, artisan breads and croissants.
King and Portland’s Ruby Soho (587 King St. W.) is perpetually overflowing with crowds. No doubt their Liberty Village venture Liberty Soho (139 East Liberty St.) will be as in demand.
Cupcakes have been hogging the spotlight long enough - a muffin renaissance is long overdue. Kicking things off, Mary’s Muffins in downtown Oakville (326 Kerr St.) with handcrafted selections made with various lifestyles and dietary needs in mind (vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, keto), complete with a money back guarantee.
Dig into fried skewers (Electric Grilled Lamb, Chicken Joints, Sweet Sausage, Eggplant) at Perfect Meat Bowl (512 Yonge St.) south of Wellesley. And while the new resto takes over from previous occupant, Diyijia’s moniker is part of the new signage.
The 100th Real Fruit Bubble Tea debuted at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St,) with their tallest storefront to date (35 ft.) and the “biggest LED screen in North America” according to the designer.
Rol San opened Monday in their new Chinatown digs (388 Spadina Ave.) across the street from their long-running spot (323 Spadina Ave.).
Dinner and a show is very much on the agenda now that Japanese noodle bar Sanuki Udon* (20 Carlton St.) has opened next to Carlton Cinema. *Not to be confused with Zen Sanuki Udon in Markham by Zen Japanese Restaurant - different owners.
Sorry I’ve Got Plants launched on Roncy in 2019 with vegan and low-waste meal kits, produce and plant-based items. Find the second outpost in Trinity Bellwoods (1171 Dundas St. W.) kitted out with mealtime savers such as Bacon Cheese & Egg Sandos, Taco Bowl, Black Pepper Tempeh, Irish Smokey Mash, and Mushroom Stroganoff.
Kensington Market is teeming with taco joints, but can you ever have enough tacos? The latest addition, Tacos 477 (55 Kensington Ave.), offers an assortment to satisfy carnivores, pescatarians and vegetarians alike.
Chef DK’s Taste Bender has been on the go this last while. Find TB’s own dedicated space (316 College St.) down the street from the plot previously shared with Turkish eatery Lokum Eats, with signature fare of Bendwiches, Biscones, and Ben.To.Pan Loaf and other baked goods.
Toro Toro Sushi’s carefully curated, aesthetically pleasing premium boxes took Vaughan (3175 Rutherford Rd.) by storm just over a year ago. Psst. Toro Toro Sushi + Poke softly opens Saturday in Mississauga (4052 Brickstone Mews).
Wingzilla (1129 Queen St. E.) kicked off service with what else - drums n’ flats.
YOGO! Yogurt new store in Chinatown (385 Spadina Ave.) features yogurt made with “a natural milk source from New Zealand.” Drinkable versions include purple rice, oats, millet, and brown sugar boba, with frozen varieties (Rum Grape, Oreo Matcha, Black Swan Chocolate, Cheesy Snow Mountain) served in bite-size shape-of-the-moment cubes.
The new it spot? Dupont and Ossington, thanks to the arrival of Asian high fidelity café and bar 915 DuPont (915 Dupont St.) complete with music and events, rounded out with coffee, cocktails and Japanese whiskey. Doors officially opened yesterday.
CLOSED
Back in May, I broke the news of celebrity chef Susur Lee’s restaurant closing on King West at the end of 2022. Last service for Lee Restaurant (601 King St. W.) was scheduled to be December 31, but as TR Newsletter subscribers already know, it was extended to March 11, before moving to the new Waterworks building (505 Richmond St. W). As I reported last summer, chain restaurant Earls is set to take over the King & Portland space. Originally slated to launch this year, it's now projected to open closer to 2024.
Pizza in a cone concept Konz Pizza came and left King West (1029 King St. W., Unit 25). A Mississauga outpost was slated to launch last fall.
Ciao for now. Italian American joint Sienna's (403 Roncesvalles Ave.) announced closure on social last week, however indicated, “We’re hoping to share and even better Sienna’s with you all again in the future.” Luckily their other establishments - The Commoner (2067 Dundas St. W.) and The Commoner Bar Room (614 College St.) - are still in effect.
Looking to get in on Taste of Guang Xi’s signature noodles now that the downtown location (388 Spadina Ave.) has been replaced (see above)? Visit their location at First Markham Place (3235 Hwy 7, Unit 19-20).
Wallace Espresso at St. Clair and Dufferin (140 Westmount Ave.) has come to a close, however two Junction Triangle locations and an outpost at King and Niagara remain.
Mini glazed doughnut shop 6ix Donutz is relocating their Queen West digs (1184 Queen St. W.). In the meantime, head to North York (45 Four Winds Dr.) to put a ring on it.
NEWS
Restaurants Canada is asking for an extension on CEBA loans for businesses and Canadian Federation of Independent Business launched a petition, calling on the government to extend and expand CEBA loans for small businesses.
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