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🕘 7.5 min read

Think media and culinary cognoscenti have their finger on the pulse of what’s happening? Think again. My discoveries this week are destinations found beyond press releases and Insta announcements, revealing an exhilarating, diverse landscape rapidly on the move. See for yourself.

p.s. Insider tip: Want to be the first to know? Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news and updates.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Psst. Sourdough ‘za has arrived in Brockton Village. The source: Acute Pizzeria (1745 Dundas St. W.) at the corner Dundas and Landsdowne.

From evocative Persian stews to shawarma topped with cheese and mushrooms, Roncy’s latest addition Chelowich (167 Roncesvalles Ave.) is a must. 

Hot tip: Drop everything. The first Miami-style ventanita just landed in the 6ix. Head to Cubano Kings (141 Spadina Ave.) at Queen and Richmond to experience Magic City’s popular takeout window concept - aka the spot for cafécitos, Cubano sandos, and pastelitos.

Pull up to Dejavu Restaurant and Lounge (366 Queen St. E.) at Queen and Parliament to check out an “unforgettable experience.” Dig into Peppered Snails, Catfish Peppersoup, Shrimp Avocado Tacos, Dejvu Burger and Suya, and bump n’ grind your way through the weekend at Ginger Saturday and Sunday School themed nights.

An array of curries, biryani, and tandoori specials just landed at Queen and Bathurst. See: Friends Butter Chicken Indian Cuisine (657 Queen St. W.).

Indonesian street food by way of vegan Mee Goreng (stir-fried noodles with veggie spring rolls), Pulled Beef Rendang Taco (beef, sambal, coco cream, pickled onion), and Ayam Bakar (Indonesian spiced grilled chicken with homemade sauce and sambal) are a welcome change from your usual go-tos. Find Kaki Lima’s roster served tapas style in The Annex at Asian food hall Superfresh (384 Bloor St. W.).

ISO borek and doner? Turkish street fare has arrived at Village By The Grange, courtesy of Kezy Döner (109 McCaul St.).

Kong’s Hot Tacos is anything but traditional. Riffs boasting fried chicken, bulgogi, and salmon tartare by the folks behind Toro Toro (est.2021) and last summer’s arrival Yokai Izakaya, are happening inside a shipping container at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.) for a limited time.

Discover locally-sourced top-notch meat, in addition to pantry essentials, sauces, seasonings and more at O’Connor’s Meat Market (1100 O’Connor Dr., Unit 1104A) in East York.

Lawrence Park’s Otto Trattoria (3441 Yonge St.) just debuted, yet is already earning rave reviews for its Italian cuisine. In addition to the usual pizza/pasta lineup, dig into Branzino, Bone-In Veal Chop, and Chicken Parm. p.s. Save room for dessert. Tiramisu, chocolate cake, and gelato await.

Oyabong Sushi lands in The Beaches (1976 Queen St. E.), in the space formerly occupied by Honey Bee Chinese Restaurant.

So far the popular orders at Pizza North (669 Queen St. W.) are Pepperoni, 3 Mushrooms, and Quatro Stagioni (Four Seasons: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, roasted eggplant, sliced olives, roast beef, mushrooms, baby arugula, Parmigiano).

One of Toronto’s beloved OG Caribbean restos just set down roots in Little Italy (647 College St.). Prediction: The Real Jerk Legacy location will be bangin’ as Gerrard. (Two words: Irie-oke Thursdays.)

After a brief temporary closure, Korean fusion eatery Té is back at it on the Ossington strip (70 Ossington Ave.).

CLOSED

Adda Bistro’s Indian fare, craft cocktails, and Bollywood vibes arrived at Queen and Parliament (366 Queen St. E.) in 2020. For who’s moved in, see above.

May 19 is the last day for Kibo Sushi House at City Hall (123 Queen St. W.), however 30+ locations remain in Toronto/GTA.

The space that was Meat-A-Pita Shawarma (167 Roncesvalles Ave.) is a different concept these days, though shawarmas are still on the agenda. Details above.

With the closure of Naan & Chai’s downtown location (712 Queen St. W.), you’ll have to head to North York and Ajax to get yours hands on their more than 30 varieties of stuffed naan.

After 30 years, Piazzetta Trattoria (3441 Yonge St.) has signed off. The Lawrence Park stalwart opened in 1993 - the year Beanie Babies came onto the scene, the first Jurassic Park flick debuted, and The Bodyguard soundtrack was the best-selling pop album - and went on to have three location throughout its tenure: Bathurst & Eglinton (936 Eglinton Ave. W.) and Yonge & Erskine (2459 Yonge St.).

The Real Jerk’s Upper Beaches destination (1004 Kingston Rd.) has come to an end after nine years. Good news: Check out their new digs in the west end - Address above.

Venezia Bakery Pastries & Deli - home of Portguese natas, breads, and other addictive fare - launched in 1979. After 43 years, Maria and Joāo Caetano are closing their doors (114 Ossington Ave.) for a final time on May 21.

NEWS

According to chef Jef Edwards, founder and executive chef of Ration | Beverly, chef Jordan Van Den Oetelaar was “brutally attacked on Saturday night in Toronto,” sustaining head and neck injuries. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover medical costs and living expenses.

The latest addition to food recalls: Golden Mushroom Enoki Mushrooms recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, PowerXL Stuffed Wafflizer Waffle Maker recalled due to burn hazard, and San Daniele and Mastro Mortadella recalled due to undeclared pistachio.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast - I wrote about 100 arrivals and 53 closures last month alone. 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. 

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