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🕘 10 min read

This week’s nearly 20 arrivals across the GTA are of the more casual nature. Translation: Say hellooo to budget-friendlier eats and drinks. Just in the nick of time, no? Take a closer look.

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Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Brazilian truffles are always a good idea. Here to help: Chocollata Brigadeiros debuts store número três on Wednesday May 9 as part of Union Station’s first phase of new Union Market (65 Front St. W.) filled with shops and eateries.

ISO boba in Mississauga? CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in Meadowvale (6986 Financial Dr.) has got you covered.

South Indian fare by way of dosas - traditional and culinary mashups - are at the heart of Dosa Chowk at 401 and Dixie in Mississauga (1475 Aerowood Dr., Unit 1).

Psst. There’s a new hidden destination for Costa Rican fare. Get yourself to El Maé at La Tienda (1165 St. Clair Ave. W.) and dig into Chifrijo, VIgoron, Casado Tico, Gallo Pinto, and Arroz Con Pollo. Grand opening celebrations for took place Saturday.

It’s not just the prices ($2.50-$18) that entice at Scarborough’s Island Junction (3300 McNicoll Ave., Unit 5B). From starters of  Aloo Pie ($4.50) and Saheena ($5) to shareables (Fried Pepper Fish $16.50, Chicken Wings $14), mains served with fried rice, chow mein, lo mein, or canton (Jerk Chicken $15, D’Junction: Chicken, Shrimp & Fried Chicken $17), and rich curries (2 Veg of the Day $12, Duck $18, Goat $18) served with roti or rice, it’s a veritable feast requiring multiple visits.

From cream-filled cube croissants to velvety Viennese style coffee, Kream bakery and café (526 Yonge St.) is here to brighten your day.

Despite recent headlines, the influx of establishments in the Financial District (with heaps more on the way) aren’t all overflowing with champagne and caviar (though plenty of pricey options await). Take Market Eatery at Scotia Plaza (40 King St. W., Concourse Level) boasting 15+ joints and fast food options, for instance. In addition to food court and mall denizens such as Aroma Espresso Bar, Booster Juice, Danish Pastry House, Freshwest Grill, Freshii, Jimmy the Greek, Salus Fresh, Thai Express, Tim Hortons, Villa Madina, and full-service resto Ninki Sushi, discover new outposts of FLOCK Rotisserie, The Indian Canteen, KoHa Pacific Kitchen, Market Street Catch and Mos Mos Coffee, with at least nine more businesses slated to join the roster.

Pasteis de Natas – aka Portuguese custard tarts – the sweet pastry you know and love boasting a creamy custard filling, trademark caramelized top and crunchy finish - are the name of the game at More Natas Please (762 Yonge St.).

In addition to top-shelf EVOO and naturally aged balsamic vinegars, shop hot sauces, rubs, finishing salts, maple syrup, and olive oil-infused chocolate at My Olive’s fourth storefront: Union Market (Union Station - 65 Front St. W.).

Neon Hotpot (43 Baldwin St., Unit 41) moved into Hua Sang Seafood Restaurant’s former addy with, you guessed it, neon signage and the titular dish. Find it tucked beneath new Yunnan Noodle Shack.

In need of a patty fix? Patties Express continues its hot streak of late with an outlet at Union Market inside Union Station (65 Front St. W.).

The expansive building famously home to Rocco's Plum Tomato since 1990* is now 2,800 sq. ft of Republic 23 (1068 Islington Ave.), a new restaurant and lounge featuring “exotic nights from the Middle East.” *Find RPT in cozier quarters at 164 Queensway.

From balayage to baked goods. Etobicoke staple for over two decades, hair salon Studio Charm (621B The Queensway) is changing things up with Studio Charm Café, a cozy on-site spot for tea, coffee and warm croissants.

Hot tip: Caribbean vegan fare has landed in East Chinatown. Vital-Life Vegan Restaurant softly opened Sunday at Broadview and Gerrard (360 Broadview Ave.).

CLOSED

Blackburn Social House arrived in Little Italy (488 College Ave.) November 2021. While doors closed in March, it’s not the end of the road. The team has “exciting plans to continue the Blackburn brand in the future.”

Cha Miao²’s two east end locations - Leslieville (912 Queen St. E.) touched down last summer; East Chinatown inside Dine & Dim (633 Gerrard St. E.) last winter – may not have worked out, but the BBT shop opened just east of University in the Fall, with more on the way.

Known for fresh Mexican fare and jalapeño margaritas, Como En Casa (565 Yonge St.) served the community at large for 12 years. However, due to reasons including changes in the area, owners Carlos and Fer made the difficult decision to close for good. Final day to say adios is tomorrow, cinco de Mayo.

It’s too late to get in one more dance at Parlour (270 Adelaide Ave. W.) - the last hurrah was January 27. Will be boogieing at the new spot? Maybe. TR Tip Off: The space is slated to be Paradise Grotto, an “island getaway” bar and grill.

Smith (553 Church St.), a fixture in the Village since 2011 (and as Straight before that), has come to an end. A post announcing immediate closure on their usually quiet IG came as a shock to many. With three floors, patios, and legendary brunch, despite a lack of social media presence, it remained a staple way beyond the neighbourhood and hung on throughout the pandemic, as did sister spot Wish, which stuck it out 22 years before shuttering in November. Owner Renda Abdo’s 7 West Café, is the longest stalwart of the bunch: another three-floor Victorian transformed into a cozy haunt. [Former spots include exquisitely designed House Maison across the street (like a trip to Nantucket) and Black Skirt on College.] Of particular note: One of the most memorable elements of Smith? The menu. The actual printed menu. (Featured of course in the menu design class I taught at college.) It started out at an albeit unwieldy size, but the newspaper look and feel - featuring stunning black-and-white illustrations that lent dishes such as Berkshire Bacon & Frisee Salad ($19) and Seared Scallops ($24) an encyclopedic feel, and for awhile continued with vivid, drool-inducing colour photos (e.g. bread, bacon) that made you want to devour the page itself - was worth all the folding and finagling. If you’d ever been tempted to stuff a menu into your bag as a keepsake, it was this one.

NEWS

A restaurant manager in North York has been charged after allegedly sexually assaulting two victims.

Add these food recalls to your ever-growing list: M&M Food Market Cheesy Pizza Rolls recalled due to pieces of metal, 5 Sahara Folding Food Dehydrators recalled due to fire hazard [UPDATE 05.05.23: Red Chilli Powder - Extra Hot recalled by Sun Global due to Bacillus cereus.]

ICYMI

Take a sneak peek inside the Financial District’s newest occupant, Black+Blue at First Canadian Place.

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.   

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