OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News November 9-15, 2023
The 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
🕘 9 min read
This week’s dizzying lineup is full of ups and downs, luxe eats and cheap treats. p.s. There’s so much happening in fact, the arrivals and closures below represent a fraction of my latest findings, so watch this space - there’s plenty more on the way.
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OPEN
Doors open tomorrow for Bar Goa (36 Toronto St.), the Canadian iteration of the recent NYC debut by Toronto restauranteur Hemant Bhagwani, known for countless Indian concepts across the city including Amaya and Mumbai Frankie (formerly Bombay Frankie). On the menu? Modern Indian cuisine, cocktails, and curated wine program.
Dang Smoke BBQ’s food truck has been all over town lately, but no need to check for a location to get Chef Dang Quach’s signature Southern style barbecue - A brick-and-mortar outpost just dropped eastside at Queen and Greenwood (4 Greenwood Ave.), across the street from new arrival, Lambo’s Deli & Grocery (1372 Queen St. E.).
Earls Kitchen + Bar’s sixth resto in the GTA (59th in Canada) kicks off tomorrow in Yorkville (Manulife Centre 55 Bloor St. W., Unit 113), boasting exclusive menu items - Northern Divine Caviar and Conservas, to name a few. This comes on the heels of a launch at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.) earlier this year, with King West on the roster for early 2024.
Ginsoy Canada in Erin Mills Center (3505 Odyssey Dr., Unit 75 ) is all about “Extreme Chinese.” According to GC, that translates to “authentic Pakistani Chinese, not Hakka.” Think Spicy Szechuan Soup, Classic Paneer Chilli (Dry/Gravy), Chicken Manchurian Gravy (Red/White), Crispy Beijing Beef, Honey Garlic Fish (Dry/Glazed), and Kindo Supreme Prawn.
Good Brothers BBQ’s slew of skewers includes but isn’t limited to: Lamb Shoulder, Chicken Skeleton, Beef Breast Oil, Beef Heart Tube, Shanshan Spicy Hairy Tripe, Grilled Meatballs, Gluten Skin, Pork Belly with Cabbage, BBQ Chives, and Roasted Cicada Pupae - in layman’s terms, a type of insect. Find them in the heart of Chinatown (478 Dundas St. W.).
Following the closure of Palmerston last week, those in the mood for Harry’s Charbroiled didn’t have to wait long - the Gerrard India Bazaar destination (255 Coxwell Ave.) opened yesterday.
Haven Brews set up shop at Finch and Bathurst (222 Finch Ave. W., Unit 101) with an array of coffee, hot food, and baked goods in a setting centred around community.
Hong Kong Island Dim Sum (492 Dundas St. W.) takes over what for ages was Hong Kong Island Bakery. If you did a double take, thinking ‘Hong Kong Island’ had closed, you’d be correct, at least at this location. To add to the confusion, there’s a place around the corner (248 Spadina Ave.), also called Hong Kong Island Dim Sum House - aka Hong Kong Island Bakery & Cafe. Check out the latest iteration at the corner of Dundas and Spadina.
Kiss My Pans (713 College St.) has new digs. The city’s sole Singaporean cafe in a cheese shop is mere blocks from the old location (567 College St., Unit 101).
I broke the news of the temporary closure of Patria last winter. Hot tip: The Spanish resto (478 King St. W.) isn’t returning quite yet but pre-bookings are open.
Vietnamese eatery Pho An Vu threw open doors in Scarborough (3280 Midland Ave.) on October 20, roughly one year after its intro to Richmond Hill.
Punjabi Chaap Corner is all about chaaps (vegetarian ‘mock’ meat ) including Afghani, Haryali, Masala, Soya, and Tawa varieties. The GTA chain established in 2020 is swiftly adding to its portfolio. See: Yonge and Gerrard (38 Elm St., Unit 06A).
Sad Songs Cantina (1211 Bloor St. W.) says it’s “Mexican as f*ck.” Also on the premises: Rudy Ritz Hot Sandwiches.
Brunch lovers likely know Sisters & Co’s downtown location. Those looking for that same experience in Markham are in luck (7725 Birchmount Rd., Unit 18).
Psst. Toronto’s newest omakase restaurant has landed. Discover Michelin contender Sushi Yugen (150 York St.) featuring two distinct dining experiences by head chef Kyohei Igarashi: Main sushi counter (12 seats) Lunch $80/pp (45 min.), Dinner $98/pp (1 hr.) opening November 20 and reservations are now open; and Chef’s counter (8 seats) $265/pp (2 hrs.). Fun fact: It’s located across the hall from new arrival Alobar.
Sweet Sunset (567 College St., Unit 101) takes over the former Kiss My Pans space with an assortment of Vietnamese fare - banh mi, summer rolls, beef stew - with desserts and coffee also on offer.
Taisho Japanese Grill (29 Baldwin St.) replaces the first floor of Charidise Bubble Tea and Fusion Restaurant with AYCE fare including hand rolls, udon, poké bowls, tea quail eggs, duck breast, live clams (seasonal), marinated lamb, miso beef brisket. Did you know? The location used to be home to John’s Italian Caffe and a historic Yiddish sign.
CLOSED
Bauzza Bauzza (298 College St.) launched in 2019.
The footprint that was nightclub and event space BOX, aka The Box, [Box] (584 College St.) is about to be La Bella Sangweech.
While Dolce Gelato’s Little Italy location (697 College St.) has come to a close, you can satisfy your sweet tooth at shops in Kensington Market (234 Augusta Ave.) and on the Danforth (414 Danforth Ave.).
Four Zone (713 College St.) arrived in Little Italy in 2022.
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Pizza Bar (760 College St.) shuttered earlier this year however a “new location” is in the works.
There are a ton of businesses currently for sale. Usually, it’s done on the down low, but it’s becoming increasingly more common for people to just come out with it. Take Il Covo (585 College St.), for instance. Quietly on the market for some time, it’s now public. p.s. It’s not marked closed on Google, however passing by on the weekend, the iron gate was drawn closed over the entrance, with tableware stacked near the front window.
Jackson's Burger started out in 2014 at Yonge at Gerrard (374 Yonge St.) before relocating around the corner (38 Elm St.) in 2017 due to rent hikes.
Established in 2022, West African restaurant Jollof King (673 Spadina Ave.) was a recent arrival in The Annex.
Mavericks Burger Co. landed near the water’s edge (15 Merchants' Wharf, Unit 3) Winter ‘21 and announced sudden closure last week.
After two shops and many a pie, Shiela Labao’s current New Pie Co. journey is winding things up at the end of the year.
West Side Kitchen (449 Danforth Ave.) changed its name last year, but that wasn’t enough to keep doors open. Get ready for Wanas Shawarma.
There’s an empty space where Wine in the Market by Wine Rack in Kensington Market (267 Augusta Ave.) used to be.
NEWS
The city eases up on zoning for patios and live music for Summer ‘24.
The latest food recall: Lian Teng Enoki Mushrooms recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.
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