OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News November 25-December 1, 2021

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

🕒 12.5 min read

With emergency orders extended until March, you’re going to need a lot of comfort fare this season. Luckily, you’ll find heaps in this week’s 25 arrivals. And this Sunday marks the beginning of Hanukkah. Peace and happiness to all.

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Agha Turkish Restaurant & Café (1971 Lakeshore Rd. W.) in Mississauga offers a host of Turkish fare including appetizers, salads, kebabs, doner pide, pasta and casseroles.

Despite reports claiming Bao Sandwich Bar debuted in Mississauga a few weeks ago, doors opened Tuesday (4310 Sherwoodtowne Blvd., Unit 5) . Grand opening specials this week include 15 per cent off orders and $3 off any combos.

It’s been a quick and steady rise for bb.q Chicken. The ascent continues with an outpost at Yonge & Bloor where OJA (689 Yonge St.) stood until recently. Doors are set to open Saturday.

As BEAR Steak Sandwiches was operating out of a backyard this summer, moving indoors became imperative this season - hence a temporary pop-up at Chef’s Hall (111 Richmond St. W.) starting tomorrow. Find them in their new digs Fridays and Saturdays until the end of the year.

Boxcar Social doesn’t waste any time: After unveiling a striking destination at The Waverley last month, another gem - this time in a laneway in Little Italy (298 Markham St.) - softly launches Saturday. It gets better: this location is employee owned and operated.

Spotted: A new Carlo’s Bakery ATM at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St., Level 1, near Steve Madden).

Korean fried chicken (KFC) and soju is what’s up at Richmond Hill’s newest arrival, Chimax Canada (10620 Yonge St.).

TR Newsletter subscribers were the first in on the latest hidden spot in the 6ix. Find top Toronto coffee shop and roaster Sam James Coffee Bar inside the chic new Flower Shop By Wolf & Moon (1134 Yonge St.) in Rosedale. Also on offer: local faves including fresh scones by T he Sovereign and cookies by Lindsey Bakes. Did you know? The new shop is located around the corner from the brand’s equally chic boutique W olf & Moon that debuted last November.

Foodie Aisle features five vendors at Union Station (65 Front St. W., located off the Bay Go Concourse).: Butter Chicken Roti, Grand Tacos Taqueria by Manotas Organics & Latin Fine Foods, Mean Bao, Mikey's Smashburger, and Union Chicken. The concept currently open with an official launch to follow Monday, is according to a spokesperson, around for the “long term.” Deep dive: Open Concept Hospitality (also known as OC Hospitality) a “full service restaurant group” behind Union Chicken - already operating as a large restaurant within Union Station - has Amano Italian Kitchen which opened in Union Station in 2017, and QSR (quick service restaurant) concept Mikey's Smashburger in its portfolio, not to mention The Queenston said to take over approximately 10,000 sq. ft., when it opens on the premises next year.

Four Brothers Pizza adds to its roster with a poppin' bottles debut in the Fashion District (540 King St. W.) on Saturday. The pizzeria known for stuffed pizza skulls and famous guest appearances (a contestant from The Bachelor, Scott Disick from Keeping Up with the Kardashians) has eateries in Mississauga and Oakville, with the King and Brant pop-up set to last at least a year.

ISO Hong Kong fare? Head to Huntingwood Square in Scarborough. The HKG Chinese Cuisine (2598 Birchmount Rd.) boasts a wide-ranging menu, featuring dishes such as Lobster in Garlic, Pea Sprouts with King Mushroom, Double Boiled Chicken with Chinese Herbs, and Braised Ox Tail in Hot Pot. Hot tip: TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop earlier. Don’t get left behind, subscribe now.

The Etobicoke outpost of Holy Cannoli (1 Thirtieth St.) launched Friday.

Chef Faye and husband Chris of Filipino fusion food truck The Hungry Moon debut their first brick-and-mortar eatery in Scarborough (4190 Kingston Rd., Unit 6) this weekend. Grand opening celebrations for the space-themed resto take place Saturday. Enjoy 20 per cent off your order and discount codes for your next visit.

Mango Like Desserts, a café inspired by the sweet stone fruit, softly opened a third location at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) on Monday.

Holiday-themed pop-up bar Miracle on Bloor St. (875 Bloor St. W.) kicks off today.

The name says it all: Port Credit Pizza e Dolci (252 Lakeshore Rd. E.).

Southwest cantina Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit! (461 King St. W.) popped up in patio format this summer, but has found a permanent home right next door, where The Green Wood once stood (before shutting down both locations earlier this year).

The first RC Coffee Robo Cafe landed at Bay and Bloor last September. Since then, there’s been a frenzy of “robot baristas” in the downtown core. Find the latest machine pumping out coffee 24/7 at Toronto General Hospital (200 Elizabeth St., Food Court).

Pancakes usual hog the spotlight, but it’s the thinner iteration stealing the show thanks to Sava Crepes & Coffee at Yonge and Blythwood (2674 Yonge St.) boasting sweet and savoury selections.

Tiki Christmas bar Sippin' Santa (866 Bloor St. W.), sibling to holiday watering hole Miracle on Bloor St. across the street, launches today.

Need a boba fix? Head to Suntea (29 St Joseph St.) at Bay & Wellesley.

CLOSED

Monday is the final day for burgers, fried chicken and poutine at Billy’s Burgers (99 Pape Ave.) in Leslieville

Bonafide, a “Mediterranean influenced” tapas and cocktail bar, has shuttered in Kensington (209 Augusta Ave.).

You’ve got until Tuesday to say farewell to everyone at Boutique Bar (506 Church St.), a fixture in the Village for 11 years.

Pho King Fabulous held a spot at Yonge & Eglinton (2409 Yonge St.) for seven years before calling it quits.

According to the folks behind Queen West’s 817 Sports Bar & Grill (817 Queen St. W.), the pandemic is to blame for the closure.

EVENTS

Celebrating American Thanksgiving this weekend? Hemingway’s and House on Parliament are serving up turkey with all the fixins.

Looking for holiday events? Explore an array of magical winter wonderlands, curated artisan markets, spirited pop-up bars, and other sensational celebrations in this must-have one-stop guide of fun food-filled festivities and holiday happenings in Toronto/GTA.

NEWS

Brett Diederichs, 36, a Toronto hospitality veteran who worked at establishments including Rodney’s Oyster House, was reported missing after a devastating mudslide on Highway 99 in British Columbia. A Go Fund Me campaign has been launched to “Bring Brett Home.”

David Owen, president of local seafood market chain De La Mer, announced he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer via video.

According to Restaurants Canada, “Eighty per cent of restaurants no longer qualify for wage and rent subsidies and many might have to consider closing without better access to support.” The organization is urging Parliament to expand federal support programs.

As of January 2022, Restaurant 20 Victoria will “no longer participate in the act of gratuity.” “Prices will be increased to reflect the true cost of labour.” The fine dining establishment that debuted this summer is the latest in Toronto to join the movement to end tipping.

Renowned Canadian chef and restaurateur David McMillan (Joe Beef, Liverpool House, McKiernan, Vin Papillon, Vinette) has quit the biz at the age of 50.

Prefer your beverages in old school powder form? There’s been a recall on two OGs.

ICYMI

The holidays are just around the corner (four weeks, to be exact), so it's time to start thinking about all the people on your list, if you haven't already. Searching for superb gifts for the food-lovers in your life, entertaining ideas, or perhaps just a little pick-me-up for yourself, you'll find it all in this comprehensive guide compiled last season. Peruse outstanding gifts for everyone on your list from 50 Toronto chefs, restaurants, bars, cafés, bakeries and breweries. Supporting local AND nailing your holiday list? Win-win. Get the gift guide.

And stay tuned – more ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR newsletter.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast - I wrote about 100+ new arrivals in October alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.

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

Holiday season has arrived. Don't miss your chance to promote your festive fare, welcoming dining room, event spaces and the ultimate stocking stuffer - gift cards. Act now. Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available.