OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News May 26-June 1, 2022

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. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕘 11 min read

While this week’s edition is full of exciting arrivals (24) and options (1000s), there are some big closures and shocking news. Brace yourself.

And stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter. Bonus: Check out new feature #Breaking. Last week, subscribers got the scoop on a few things, including a buzzy wine bar’s expansion. Get. On. It.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

The thousands of establishments downtown and the GTA keep me hoppin’, so covering spots outside the city limits is a rarity. Occasionally, people and places merit mention. Muskoka BeerSpa (1006 Clear Lake Rd.) in Torrance, Ontario - not far from Bala and other cottage country in the Muskoka region – makes the cut for its beer garden, cabanas and pool, for starters.

FINALLY. Part art gallery, shop and café, Bevy (738 Dundas St. E.) debuts in Regent Park tomorrow.

It’s been over a year since Brett’s Ice Cream (1698 Queen St. E.) had to shutter due to condo development. Psst. Check out Brett Young’s sweet new destination in Scarborough (3148 Kingston Rd.) at Kingston Road and McCowan. Doors opened yesterday. Bonus: Coffee and pastries to be added to the lineup next week.

Chowpatty Culture (1966 Queen St. E.) just launched in The Beach (in Cinnamon Indian Bistro’s old digs). Tuck in Bombay Special Grilled Cheese served with Masala fries, Chicken Tikka Kathi Roll, Pro Salad Bowl, array of chaats, sides, and more.

Grand opening celebrations for vegan cinnamon roll chain Cinnaholic’s. latest outpost in Oakville (259 Lakeshore Rd. E.) take place tomorrow. Pro tip: Arrive early. Cinnamon rolls are just $1 between 10am-2pm.

Looking for next-level snacks? Fruity Pebbles King Size Birthday Cake Bar? Yup. Korean Hot & Spicy Sun Chips? Sure thing. Fanta Jasmine Peach from China? You’d better believe Dank Mart’s got you. Grand opening for the long-awaited 6ix outpost (399 Queen St. W.) is happening Saturday.

Turkish eatery Doner-Chi Kitchen (750 Spadina Ave., Unit 2) just landed in The Annex at Bloor and Spadina next to Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre.

Dynamite Sushi (1661 Bloor St. W.) has moved into Viajero Cantina‘s former digs in the city’s west end between Dundas and Keele.

Chinatown’s newest addition Eat Yet (409 Spadina Ave.) offers an array of dishes including Basil Eggplant, Bourbon Chicken, BBQ Beef & Kimchi, Red Wine Beef Stew, and Lemongrass Pork Chop accompanied by rice.

GoodGood unveiled its first local convenience store and café concept back in December and has been on a roll ever since. Two more launched today: 1. the OG pop-up location at Spadina and Adelaide is now next door (410 Adelaide St. W.) and permanent. 2. Queen and Tecumseth location (709 Queen St. W.). [UPDATE: 27.05.22 12:47PM - The opening of the Queen location has been delayed. Details to follow.]

I introduced you to Kumain Kitchen last summer. Starting Monday, find the Filipino-inspired fare at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) in The District Kitchen at until June 9. To discover more about twin chefs Jason and Ryan Buising, check out the great interview in At The Pass.

Mira Sake (390 Silver Star Blvd., Unit 163 ) at Midland and McNicoll in Scarborough is serving up a variety of pork bone noodle soup and sushi.

ISO of a unique patio? A glass house coffee bar set in the middle of a garden hits different. Queen Garden Cafe quietly launched inside Riverside's Queen Garden Centre (771 Queen St. E.) over the weekend. Grab some baked goods, De Mello coffee, and enjoy the sights and sounds of an outdoor oasis. #staycationgoals p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers got dibs.

Parkdale folks have a new place to grab a coffee and pick up pantry items thanks to the arrival of Soepa (1540 Queen St. W.), softly opened yesterday.

Soulful Delish (1005 King St. W.) at King and Shaw helps get your healthy eating on track with protein and power bowls, wraps and paninis and juices and smoothies. Did you know? They use biodegradable packaging whenever possible.

When one bakery closes… another opens right away, these days anyway. Sticky Bakery (621 St. Clair Ave. W.) moved into recently shuttered Leah’s. The new venture by Jean Blacklock of Prairie Girl Bakery fame (shuttered Jan ‘21) includes cupcakes natch, but the roster’s rounded out by butter tarts, puddings, “fudgies” (personal-size brownies) and namesake sticky buns. Grand opening is tomorrow.

Non-profit fair trade cafe and community hub Studio 89 established in 2014, has a lot to celebrate: A new space in Mississauga (2520 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 1). Grand opening celebrations take place Saturday 2-5pm with light refreshments, games, music, prizes and more.

Chinese bubble tea chain Sun Tea’s been busy lately. The latest Mississauga shop (325 Central Pkwy. W., Unit 2) marks the seventh location in the GTA. Bonus: Grand opening deals are on until tomorrow.

Sharwarma HQ Tahini’s just touched down in Oakville (300 North Service Rd. W., Unit B3A).

The lineup at Scarborough’s Tandoori Feast (670 Coronation Dr., Unit 6) includes curries, karahi, barbecue, comfort foods, snacks and Halwa Puri on the weekends. Looking to dine outside? They claim to have the “largest patio in Scarborough.”

The first brick-and-mortar location of THG’s Hot Chicken by Chef Aleem Syed softly opened in Scarborough last weekend (4830 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 8)., but you’d know that already if you were a TR Newsletter subscriber.

Yumiko Sushi & Poke (200 Marycroft Ave., Unit 22) in Vaughan offers an expansive menu from build-your-own poke bowls to pan-fried udon and chow mein. Psst. Enjoy a grand opening offer of 20 per cent off everything until June 30, 2022 – excluding credit card orders.

Is life cooler by the pool? Absolutely. Lucky for you, 450 Dufferin Café arrived just in time for beach szn. Find them inside Bather (450 Dufferin St.).

CLOSED

Fahmee Bakery is permanently closing the Scarborough location (119 Montezuma Trail) after 40 years due to a fire a few weeks ago. See below for how to get your hands on their beloved patties this weekend.

You’ve got until Sunday to say goodbye to Leaside’s Green Canoe Cafe (900 Millwood Rd.).

Hoagie Station set up shop in the Annex just three months ago, but the business has shut down for good.

Doors have closed at Nama Sushi (750 St. Clair Ave. W.) in Hillcrest Village.

After being temporarily closed for months throughout the pandemic, the space where “Toronto's most accoladed patisserie” The Tempered Room (1374 Queen St. W.) co-owned by business and life partners Humera Ali and executive chef Greg Laird is currently for lease.

EVENTS

Beverly Crandon’s Spring Into Spice - The Social kicks off Saturday at Canada’s largest shipping container market, Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.) with food vendors, wine tent, and pairing seminars.

Henderson Brewery’s Under the Big H Beer Festival and Carnival on Saturday takes place in their parking lot (128A Sterling Rd.). On the lineup: food, brews and ciders, and circus performers.

Street Eats Market is hosting a one-day pop up on Sunday to sell the rest of Fahmee Bakery’s patty stock at the Scarborough Town Centre location (500 Progress Ave.)

NEWS

Earlier today, HotBlack Coffee’s co-founder Momiji Kishi announced the sudden passing of co-founder Jimson Bienenstock last Thursday, May 19. No further details were provided at press time.

The Irv Gastro Pub (195 Carlton St.) in Cabbagetown is throwing a fundraiser for their executive chef Clayton Gilbert who was recently attacked on the street while walking home with his father. Facing a long recovery after “stab wounds clipped his heart and his abdomen,” the pub is hosting ‘Clay Day’ on Sunday May 29. Half of the revenue from the day’s sales will go to help pay his bills. Can’t make the event? Reach out to donate.

Readers of the OPEN/CLOSED will know the insane amount of food recalls lately, from poppyseeds to oysters and Kinder treats. Jif Peanut Butter has been added to the list.

Junction Craft Brewery acquired Woodhouse Brewing Co. through new parent company, Junction Craft Beverage Co.

Local fast food chains have been quick to add Nashville Hot Chicken items to the menu in recent months. Swiss Chalet is the latest to hop on the bandwagon with a roster including a Nashville Hot Crispy Chicken Ice Cream Sandwich, for dine-in only.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in April 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.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

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