OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News November 3-9, 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. #iykyk

🕘 13.5 min read 

My findings this week – 21 arrivals, 13 closures - are simply the latest in the frenzy of openings and terminations of late. And I’m already hard at work on next week’s edition… Brace yourself.

Pro tip: Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

bb.q Chicken came on the scene during the pandemic and shows no signs of slowing down. Find the latest bb.q Chicken & Pub smackdab in Greektown (497 Danforth Ave.).

From babies to burritos. Spoiled Baby was a fixture at Yonge and Davisville for eons. As of this week, that same addy is your spot for burritos and quesadillas via Burrito Boyz (2A Davisville Ave.). 

Pfft. Rainbow bagels are so 2016. Get in on Taiwanese rainbow chicken at Scarborough’s Chickaron Chicken Cutlets (3250 Midland Ave., Unit G121). ‘Nuff said.

The Food Dudes have been in the game for fifteen years and that time have created some of the city’s top destinations. Their latest venture Chop Hop may be more casual in setting - Commerce Court (199 Bay St.) in the Financial District - however the lineup of salads, soups, and energy balls are in keeping with the Toronto brand’s high standards. Stay tuned: A branch is set to drop in Lawrence Park early next year.

Eagle-eyed readers of last week’s edition will have noticed the Easter egg I dropped alongside the announcement of  the closures of Cops east end pop-up (aka Matilda x East Room Cop-Up) on Sunday. The Insider tip? A new location debuts just down the street (89 Lewis St.) complete with free 6 packs of donuts Friday November 4 from 5pm until sold out. Doors officially open Saturday, p.s. Insta followers got a sneak peek earlier this week.

Cloud Nine Kitchen, the newest addition to ghost kitchen food hall Etobicoke Eats (20 Lockport Ave.), is serving up traditional Italian fare – housemade gnocchi, lasagna, and pizza – for takeout and delivery.

Holy Smoke in Thornhill (8123 Yonge St.), claims to be “legit” “100% authentic Texas style barbecue.”

Secret destinations, whether they’re public or private, are still what the crowd wants. So whether you’re in the mood for live music or bustin’ out your favourite karaoke song, The Jean Darlene Piano Room isn’t out in the open for just anyone to stumble across. You’ve gotta know someone who knows. Psst. Lane behind 1203 Dundas St .W., last door on the left.

I reported on Jjin Toast’s downtown location last fall. Psst. A North York outpost for their Korean street toast creations including Ham Cheese, Wasa Mayo Crab, Snow Kimchi (kimchi, mozzarella cheese, corn, egg, JJin sauce) and Bokko (cabbage, carrot, scallion, onion, egg, ketchup, mustard, sugar) just touched down at Yonge and Finch (7 Byng Ave.). 

J.San Sushi & Market (3365 Steeles Ave. Wm Unit B01) - sibling to J.San Sushi Bar that debuted downtown in 2020 - is in soft opening. Shop Japanese products and customizable chirashi bowls  at Victoria Park and Steeles.

Grand opening celebrations for Midori Ramen’s Scarborough digs at Midland and McNicoll (3700 Midland Ave., Unit 112) take place Saturday. The first 30 people get a free bowl of ramen. For the remainder, BOGO free ramen and prizes to be won. This marks chefs Masaru Ogasawara and Natsuhiko Sugimoto second location in the GTA, with more to follow.

King and Portland is home to a variety of cuisines including Egyptian, Jamaican, and Dutch-Indonesian. PSA: Tibetan and Chinese fare has landed in the ‘hood via Momo Loco Dumplings & Wok (617 King St. W.). On the menu: namesake dumplings available steamed, fried or stir-fried with your choice of flavouring (Schezuan, Manchurian, Red Coco, Buttery). Also on offer: stir-fries, bao, poutine, snacks and desserts.

York University students and employees, your week is looking up: Palgong Tea arrives on campus Tuesday.

The Tibetan fare at Pemako Kitchen (2416 Lakeshore Blvd. W.) in Etobicoke is affordable enough to make it a weekly affair, from Tingmo - steamed bun ($3/2 pcs) to Beef Shapta ($12), served with rice.

Korean pizza and chicken chain Pizza Maru made its Canadian debut last summer and has been a runaway hit. Want to get your hands on their green tea “well-being “crusted ‘za topped with ingredients including sweet potato and “holy” honey? A second spot just opened  in North York. (6048 Yonge St.).

I let you know The Portuguese Chicken Guys were on the move last week. Get your hands on their flame grilled chicken seasoned with 23 herbs and spices at their new Etobicoke digs (16 Newbridge Rd.), opening Monday.

TR Newsletter subscribers already know. Celeb chef and restaurateur Matty Matheson's latest restaurant, Rizzo's House of Parm (2 Ridgeway Rd.) officially premiered Wednesday. While the Italian joint is well outside the city limits - Crystal Beach, Fort Erie – the comforting fare, welcoming vibes, and won’t-break-the-bank prices ($7-$35) make it road trip worthy.

The Spicy Venue (1163 Ellesmere Rd.) in Scarborough offers “a contemporary interpretation of rustic Indian flavours from the culinary traditions that are passed from generations.” Head’s up: The first 88 orders at the grand opening on Saturday will receive a free Chicken Tikka Masala or Paneer Do Pyaza with the purchase of Butter Naan ($3.99). Conditions apply.

Psst. Liberty Village has a new hidden bakery created with celebrations in mind. Find T. O. Bakes inside T.O. Balloons (51 Jefferson Ave.) with cakes, candles, Prosecco, and gold confetti cannons to make any occasion go off with a bang.

Shop the mall with a tea in hand thanks to the arrival of Urban Cova at Mississauga’s Square One (100 City Centre Dr.),

CLOSED

Brasa Peruvian Kitchen’s Junction location (297 Campbell Ave.) has become a commissary kitchen, thus no longer accepts customer orders. Luckily, two locations are ready to serve you: First Canadian Place and Bloor West. 

Mexican brunch spot Campechano Café arrived at Dundas and Bathurst (374 Bathurst St.) this summer but the location wasn’t meant to be. All is not lost: Mexican brunch items are available at their outpost in Little Italy (460 College St.).

Danforth and Westlake (2408 Danforth Ave.) would still be up and running but like many places right now, staffing’s is an issue. It’s currently available for pop-ups.

Reminder: Early Bird’s last day at Queen and Bathurst (613 Queen St. W).)  is Sunday.

Harbourside Artisan Kitchen & Bar  (2400 Lakeshore Rd. W.) in Oakville has closed while Chef Frank and Wilma Ward “take a well-deserved break.”

The space that was forever Old Bleu Café (73 Queen St. E.) was briefly Mr Eater before being replaced by Ali Baba's Middle Eastern Cuisine.

Pandoughra’s Box pop-up at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.) lasted a solid two years. You can still pick up  stuffed cookies, ready-to-eat cookie dough and ice cream from their commercial kitchen in Etobicoke and order online for delivery, while Soumini Agate and sister Rujuta search for a permanent home.

Authentic Spanish tapas destination Patria (478 King St. W.) has been a part of the Fashion District for a decade. Due to “unforeseen circumstances,” it’s closed for “the near future,” however opening plans are in the works.

College St. stalwart Prairie Boy Bakery (970 College St.) kicked off on Geary (201 Geary Ave.) last summer, followed by a sleek, modern shop at Yonge and St. Clair (1 St Clair Ave. E.) a month later. Earlier today, a ‘Fire Sale’ post went up on Instagram, but the one on Facebook while still cryptic, included: “Too complicated to explain. Too sad to talk.” Head to Geary tomorrow 12-7pm and Saturday 12-5pm to shop the store’s discounted items – cash or debit preferred. All proceeds are going to staff and tipping is encouraged.

Viking Fish & Chips started in 1952. The space (2416 Lakeshore Blvd. W.) is now home to an entirely different concept. Details above.

Wish Restaurant (3 Charles St. E.) announced permanent closure earlier this week. The popular brunch, lunch and dinner spot shuttered after 22 years in Midtown just south of Yonge and Bloor.

CHANGES

Creamery X is moving. Find Bonnie & Melissa in a larger space just a few doors away at the corner of Queen and Jarvis (114 Queen St. E.), outfitted with an expanded menu. Soft opening is Wednesday.

End of an era.  Not that long ago Chase Hospitality Group's portfolio boasted some of the city's reigning destinations including award-winners The Chase, Kasa Moto, and Colette Grand Café. Founder and CEO Steven Salm launched plant-based eatery Planta with Co-founder and Executive Chef David Lee in 2016. The brand grew to include an outpost on Queen West, in addition to offshoots Planta Burger and Planta Cocina (2020). The pair have been focusing on the expansion of the successful chain in the U.S since 2018, which now includes New York, Chicago and Florida, with five more in the works. UPDATE: CHG's last non-plant based resto, award-winning rooftop destination The Chase, has been sold to LFG Growth Partners. [President & CEO Richard Jaffray is co-founder (and until recently was president) of Canadian chain Cactus Club Cafe.] That's not all: CHG's finer dining Japanese destination in Yorkville Kasa Moto was recently sold to Harlo Entertainment, who debuted Roses Cocina at Hotel X Toronto this past spring, and includes movers and shakers Planta, Ace Hill and local restaurant group The Food Dudes on their roster. With CHG all wrapped up, Planta’s launched its own hospitality collective, PLANTA Group, to “focus exclusively on elevated plant-based dining experiences.” Did you know? CHG also spawned seafood-centric concepts The Chase Fish and Oyster Bar and Little Fin, and in 2017 opened salad-heavy Palm Lane, all now shuttered. {UPDATE 11.06.22.: CHG’s portfolio also included Arthur’s Restaurant which debuted at Yonge & St. Clair January 2019 and closed during the pandemic.]

p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop.

NEWS

Renowned restaurant critic Gael Greene died of cancer at age 88. 

Adding to the latest food recalls, Thermomix TM6 Measuring Cup Instructions has been recalled due to potential burn hazard. [UPDATES: 05.11.22 Cappola brand Genoa Salami recalled due to undeclared milk and wheat. 07.11.22 Seed Ranch Flavor Co. brand Umami Everyday Sauce recalled due to undeclared soy.]

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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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