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🕘 8 min read

This week’s 17 arrivals demonstrate the dynamic culinary tapestry weaving its way across the city and beyond, while offering a wide array of options for every occasion and budget, from portable provisions for picnics and park hangs to fancier fetes and fare.

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OPEN  

Psst. Bar Bowie is heeere. The latest destination by standout Milou (1375 Dundas St. W.) may be hidden (180 Ossington Ave.), however it’s not a speakeasy. You’ll see.

Boccaccio Ristorante (901 Lawrence Ave. W.) has been a fixture at Columbus Centre - Dufferin and Lawrence’s community centre and Italian cultural hub - for decades. The fine dining restaurant officially shuttered October 30, 2020, though the space was slated to be used by Villa Charities and its affiliate during the closure. While the name remains, the experience is, to a large extent, new - courtesy of a refreshed space and culinary creations by chefs Luciano Schipano and Anthony Sestito. It’s also the latest restaurant to go tip free. Grand opening takes place May 27.

After operating out of a food truck on Ossington and market at Yonge and Dundas for the last few years, Choco Churros finally adds a storefront to the roster. Head to Dufferin and Eglinton (1807 Eglinton Ave. W.) to get in on wands of fried dough shimmering with sugar and cinnamon, and should you choose, drizzled in sauce (chocolate, vanilla, caramel, strawberry, lemon). p.s. That’s not all. The lineup includes fresh empanadas, tamales, obleas and ice cream.

The name says it all. Find Cocky Spicy Fried Chicken’s inaugural roost at Dundas and University (191 Dundas St. W., 2nd Floor), perched above Hong Shing.

In addition to the namesake dish, Fresh Burrito at Queen and Richmond (388 Richmond St. W.) offers an extensive selection including tacos, nachos, quesadillas, Mexican-inspired wings, supreme fries, and desserts.

Nestled in Gerrard India Bazaar for years, Hakka Flame added a location in the west at Keele and St. Clair (545 Keele St.). with Hakka fare such as Crispy Mongolian Beef, General Tao Paneer, American Chopsuey, Kung Pao Shrimp, and Tandoori Chicken Chowmein.

HighMart Specialty Store at Yonge and Dundas (271 Yonge St.) brings imported sweets n’ soda and Asian and Latin pantry staples to the downtown core.

The Kabob Guys have called Scarborough home for sometime now. The Halal Afghan grill finally secured a second spot, this time right downtown. Doors softly opened today at Queen and Richmond (147 Spadina Ave.).

If you reside/work/hang in Mississauga and live by the mantra ‘Eat, sleep, boba, repeat,’ Kung Fu Tea’s new shop at Hurontario and 401 (90 Annagem Blvd., Unit 3) is for you. Enjoy 20 per cent off all drinks and 38 Milk King (L $4.88) at this location until June 1. Conditions apply.

Mezza Notte Trattoria closed its doors (5304 Yonge St.) after 27 years a few months back, yet always planned to reopen. Check out the Italian eatery’s new digs in a former bank at Dufferin and Lawrence (3169 Dufferin St.).

Moonmilk arrives in Brockton Village (1695 Dundas St. W.), just in time for ice cream szn.

Myungrang Hotdog, the “Number 1 hotdog brand from Korea” with 650 stores worldwide, expands the brand, bringing its famed rice battered hotdogs to Scarborough’s Skycity Mall (3262 Midland Ave. E., Unit 106). Doors opened Tuesday. Soft opening offer: Enjoy 15 per cent off until June 6.

Kensington Market’s newest occupant, Parallel Basta (152 Augusta Ave.), brought to you by Toronto’s own Parallel, will have you at its renowned tahini, labneh, hummus, baba ganoush, falafel and pita. Hot dishes though, should not go unnoticed including crispy lamb and beef filled pita quarters ($25/3 pcs, served with tahini, roasted yam, and spicy tomato salad) and fermented lemon marinated chicken thighs ($27, served with fresh tomato salsa, tahini, matbucha, and pita). Pro tip: Get extra schug ($2).

I’ve been tracking RC Coffee Robo Café’s ever-expanding footprint from the get-go.  Swiftly following two launches last month, discover the latest 24/7 automated barista up the street from the latter at Yonge and College (475 Yonge St.).

TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop back in April. For those just catching up: Silent H a "Mexican street cuisine restaurant elevated to a gourmet level” quietly debuted in the Fashion District (461 King St. W.), where hotspot Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit! stood until earlier this year.

Richmond Hill’s TahchinBar (10066 Bayview Ave., Unit 5) offers the titular dish (aka baked rice cake) in ten, soon to be 12 varieties, alongside an assortment of appetizers and beverages. The marks the second branch of the Persian/Iranian chain in the GTA (OG is in Thornhill) - the only ones outside the eight located in Tehran, Iran.

I gave you the heads up on 6ix donutz relocating their Queen West digs (1184 Queen St. W.) a while back. Hot tip: Mini glazed donuts have dropped at King and Portland (83 Portland St.).

CLOSED 

Linda and Ned Spahic’s Italian eatery Balsamico (2029 Yonge St.) debuted at Yonge and Davisville in 2009. The warm neighbourhood restaurant is billed to become Namul, serving “local, authentic” Korean fare.

The last day to pick up seafood and other provisions at De La Mer’s St. Clair and Christie shop (728 St. Clair Ave. W.) is Sunday May 28. Three locations remain: Leaside (1543 Bayview Ave.), Danforth (180 Danforth), and Roncesvalles Village (291 Roncesvalles Ave.)

Masseria, Pizza Nova’s sweeping causal Italian eatery at buzzy King & Portland (577 King St. W.) debuted in 2016. The menu didn’t stray far from PN’s pizza, sando and salad lineup, though the expansive space and wine offered a setting slightly beyond the chain’s mostly takeout centric joints.

NEWS

Alcohol permitted in parks this summer? It could happen.

Food recalls continue to roll in: Nina's Pierogies Vegan Cheddar Pierogies recalled due to undeclared milk, Simply Hot Thai Green Peppers recalled due to Salmonella. [UPDATE 01.06.23: PowerXL Model SHL96 and SHL90-SC Self-Cleaning Juicers recalled due to laceration and ingestion hazards.]

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Life moves fast - I wrote about 100 arrivals and 53 closures last month alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.   

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