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

🕘 10.5 min read

My findings this week are plentiful -16 arrivals, 8 closures - and all over the map - geographically and gastronomically - ensuring culinary boredom doesn’t set in.

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

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN  

Amato Pizza was a fixture in the city for decades. One of the longest-running locations has transformed into two concepts under one roof: Amato Gyro and Indian Studio Kitchen (429-429A Yonge St.). While pizza is still on offer, falafel, shawarma, gyro, kebab, souvlaki poutine and “gourmet Indian food” have been added to the mix. Bonus: As per the sign in the window, “Students get 10 percent off! every items [sic].”

Grand opening festivities for Bowl and Snacks (1 Oak St., Unit 4) took place September 12. The new spot at Dundas and Parliament features customizable meals including sushi bowls and noodle stir-fries, Also on the menu: maki, momos, sandos, samosas, and items for the kiddos.

Psst. Just a few blocks east, Toronto restaurateur Janet Zuccarini’s “lively & nostalgic nod to 1950s Italy” Café Zuzu (555 Dundas St. E.) softly debuts Wednesday, officially launching Friday. I broke the news about the dawn-to-dusk venture (aka all-day café and bistro, wine bar at night) in a TR Newsletter last summer. For those just catching up: The CEO and Founder of Gusto 54 Restaurant Group debuted Azhar Kitchen & Bar (96 Ossington Ave.), a new collab with Chef Stuart Cameron (Mira, Patria, Byblos), just before Christmas last year, following the arrival of east side destination Gusto 501 early 2020. Adding to the impressive portfolio (Toronto: Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen, Gusto 54 Catering & Commissary, Gusto 101, Trattoria Nervosa, partnership with Pai. LA: Felix, Gusto Green) Café Zuzu takes over the space formerly home to Paintbox Bistro in Regent Park. The “multifaceted concept” will service their downtown restaurants, offer prepared foods, and be home to Gusto 54 Catering.  

Coach House Shortbread Co.’s temporary digs in Leslieville (993 Queen St. E.) have come to an end, but their new set up isn’t far. Find them in East Chinatown (246 Boulton St.), usually until early to mid-afternoon. Pro tip: Call before you head out.

TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to know: Evangeline debuts tomorrow, Friday October 21. The new rooftop bar at the Ace Hotel Toronto (51 Camden St,) boasts an indoor lounge, two fireplaces and wrap-around terrace. Choose from a focused selection of cocktails ($14-$22), wine ($17-$88), brews ($10-$18), and bubbles ($90-$150), alongside a few nighttime snacks and shareables including Halloumi & ‘Nduja Stuffed Olives ($14), Brie on Toast ($18), and Tuna Tartare ($20).

In addition to power-packed smoothies and bowls, Heal Blend Bar (705 College St.) does vegan, gluten-free toasted waffles finished with vegan chocolate drizzle. The new Heal Wellness store – the first in Toronto, third in the province - shares a “co-location space” with plant-based butcher, market and restaurant YamChops in Little Italy. Both are part of the portfolio by Happy Belly Food Group Inc., a “quick serve restaurant and consumer packaged goods wellness company.”

Thornhill finally met its Maker on Sunday. Find the latest outpost of the local pizza chain at Bathurst and Centre St. (8020 Bathurst St Building B, Unit 4B).

Scarborough’s frozen halal butcher The Meathead Store (1210 Markham Rd., Unit 9) now has a west end counterpart. Find their latest shop in Mississauga’s Heartland Town Centre (6045 Mavis Rd.).

Naomi Store (296 Gerrard St. E.) in Cabbagetown boasts a wide variety of African and Sudanese products include tea, coffee and organic ingredients in a bright space lined with large windows and brick walls.

Smash burgers have arrived in Mississauga at Hurontario and Eglinton, courtesy of Oklahoma Burgers (10 Kingsbridge Garden Cir), currently in soft launch. The classic handhelds can be accompanied by panko crusted onion rings, crinkle spicy fries, and if you still have room, deep-fried peanut butter jelly donut.

UK chain Pret A Manger debuted downtown last month. For those in the Keele and Wilson area, this one’s for you. Find them inside burger joint A&W at Downsview Plaza (1010 Wilson Ave.).

The Annex is home to many a sushi restaurant. Chinese takeaway is made easier with the arrival of So Famous (366 Bloor St. W.), opening today in the space formerly home to Stacked by Haven Plant Based Eatery (and previously Haven Plant Based Eatery). fThe specialty here? “Authentic flavoured wok meals” including Potstickers, Shanghai Street Noodles, and Original General Tso.

Mediterranean fusion cuisine has landed in Bloor West Village, courtesy of Ontario chain Tahini's Restaurant (2434 Bloor St. W.), in Bloor Jane Restaurant’s former digs. For those north in the city, find a new outpost in Richmond Hill’s South Hill Shopping Centre at Yonge & 16th Ave. (9325 Yonge St., Unit 4-5).

Psst. There’s a new private club in town. Partners Harry Butterfield, Yossi Lallouz, and Cameron Wilson of secret garden patio The Octopus Garden, just launched Three Hearts Club at the historic Cadillac Lounge (1300 Queen St. W.) in Parkdale. The exclusive spot which requires a membership card for entry, features a host of libations and American contemporary snacks and shareables by chef Dan Poljak (MARBL) including Hummus ($12), Cavatelli ($12), Foie Gras ($16), and Surf & Turf ($26). Why the vetting process, you ask? To create a safe, curated environment for all genders and races, Wilson shares. As for who's made the list so far, that's top secret, but I can tell you Toronto's own Drake came through last week for a private event. p.s. If you were a TR Newsletter subscriber, you’d have had an exclusive peek inside already…

CLOSED

Coach House Shortbread  has moved on from its spot at Queen and Pape spot (993 Queen St. E.). Details above.

Early Bird (613 Queen St. W.) has been a fixture on the Queen West strip for close to a decade, but will be packing up soon. The last day is November 6, but it’s not all bad news. A “new adventure” is in the works. Stay tuned.

Stacked by Haven Plant Based Eatery (previously Haven Plant Based Eatery) in the Annex (366 Bloor St. W.) had been boarded up for months before the arrival of an Asian concept. See above for details.

Mishwar Restaurant debuted late 2020 (675 Danforth Ave.), then upped sticks Summer ‘21 (513 Danforth Ave.). The latter is currently is for sale. 

Greektown stalwart Fruitland Market became Pappa’s Market (466 Danforth Ave.) during the pandemic. 

The space formerly home to Oakville’s Pizza Nest (152 Lakeshore Rd. E.) became Cafe Panchita last month.          

The last day to say farewell to the folks of Shunoko (1201 St Clair Ave. W.) is Saturday.

102 locations across the country and 101 flavours wasn’t enough to sustain the Wild Wing at Yonge and College (431 Yonge St.) through a global crisis.

CHANGES

West Side Burger (449 Danforth Ave.) in Greektown is now Westside Kitchen.

EVENTS

From fall fairs to Halloween haunts, the TR October Fests + Events Calendar is your one-stop-shop for food and drink fetes in Toronto and across the GTA. Get the complete lineup now. Pro tip: Be sure to check back often as new events are added weekly.

NEWS

Tomato soup made a splash at a famous gallery, but not in the usual Warhol fashion.

Self-described “deadbeat New York restauranteur” Keith McNally called out Late Late Show host James Corden on social media this week for being “the most abusive customer to my Balthazar servers since the restaurant opened 25 years ago.”  All was briefly forgiven, but at press time, the media maelstrom continues. 

Everyone has salad dressing on the mind, thanks to actor/director Olivia Wilde.

The recalls continue to roll in: Abbott brand Similac Sterilized Water recalled due to spoilage and Aman's brand Mango Chutney recalled due to pieces of glass. 

ICYMI 

When Sreekar Kapuganti isn’t whipping up evocative fare at one of the city’s top restaurants Côte de Bœuf, you’ll find him at his other impressive gig: cooking up a storm at the official residence of diplomats representing Canada. How does he do it? He shares his biggest influences, top eateries and watering holes around town, favourite pastime (aka relatable hidden talent), advice for cooks just starting out + much more in the latest instalment of At The Pass.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

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

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