OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News September 21-27, 2023
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🕘 8 min read
My findings this week lean heavy on casual eats and comfort food. I’m talking burgers, tacos, noodles, shawarma, sticky buns, soft serve, and donuts with a good dose of cocktails, wine and other bevvies. In other words, exactly what days like these call for.
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OPEN
Pancho Y Emiliano just dropped a Mexican resto and tapas bar in Greektown. Cameleon (463 Danforth Ave.) features tapas selections (Gordita, Empanada Atrevida, Tostada de Fish Ceviche, Camarones Diablos) alongside ‘dine-in’ fare (vegan guac, Sopa Azteca, crunchy tacos filled with mashed potatoes, Mole Con Pollo, Mixiote de Lamb) by co-owner/executive chef Serena Prontack, with an abundance of Margaritas and cervesa in effect. Did you know? The Danforth addy was home to Fiorentina until the end of last year.
From Vanilla Cheese Foam Americano to Pampas Blue Coco Frappé, Cotti Coffee drinks hit different. The Chinese chain’s first Canadian location lands in the heart of downtown at Yonge and Gerrard (374 Yonge St.), with more scheduled to follow.
After launching in the city’s new food hall last month, chef Joe Friday’s latest concept, Friday Burger Company, kicks off eastside tomorrow at Woodbine and Danforth (2162 Danforth Ave.) in what was previously Anly, also a burger joint.
Habibz Corner (578 Queen St. W.) at the corner of Bathurst and Queen offers a bit of everything. Discover an assortment of global fare including American, Canadian, Afghan, Greek, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. Think Brisket Platter, Shawarma Poutine, Turkey Club, and Jamaican Beef Patty.
Introducing: Jo-Jo Bar (2408 Danforth Ave.), Main and Danforth’s new premium dive bar. Doors softly opened Tuesday. Find it where Easton’s once stood and home to Danforth and Westlake for a short time during the pandemic.
Krispy Kreme Café touched down on the Danforth just east of Broadview (236 Danforth Ave.). The American doughnut chain has been making moves all over town, including Bloor West Village earlier this year.
There’s no having to choose between Persian and Italian food at North York’s Loveis Restaurant (5295 Yonge St.). Dig into Chelo Gosht and Zereshk Polo with Chicken Leg alongside Pesto or Alfredo Pasta.
Up the street, Moerae's Tea (5279 Yonge St.) offers signature selections including Daifuku Mochi, Snow Cap, Taro Milk, and according to the menu: Marasmo Golden Wire Seed, Strawberry Taro Pooping Pearls, and Black Gold Duck Dung Incense.
Want in on the latest hidden destination? Discover Nox Wine Bar in the historic Mabel Graydon House tucked behind Mississauga’s Skintricate Tattoo Company (151 Queen St. S.).
Rush on College (546 College St.), Little Italy’s latest sports bar, moved into Kalendar’s former stomping grounds.
Doors open tomorrow at 11am for Toronto’s inaugural Sadelle's at Kith (78 Yorkville Ave., 2nd Fl.). The first Canadian branch and now Toronto flagship of iconic fashion brand Kith and NYC’s famed brunch destination Sadelle’s, is sure to be one of the hottest spots in the city. Shopping for apparel and accessories while diving into bagels, sticky buns and Kith Treats Cereal Soft Serve Bar? Giddy up. Brace yourself, the prices are in keeping with the neighbourhood. See: Avocado Toast ($30), French Toast ($36), and Cobb Salad ($41).
Shelby's Shawarma, home of the world’s longest shawarma, has landed at Queen and Spadina (416 Queen St. W.). Fun fact: The chain started in London Ontario in 2015 and has been debuting eateries all over the GTA lately.
Slurp N’ Bite Hand Pulled Noodle (209 Dundas St.W.) takes over an ever-changing space at Dundas and University (Yeondon Ball Katsu, Maizuo Noodle and Crepe).
Get in on ice cream sliders, pints and “pimped out” soft serve at Sweet Jesus’ new digs in Thornhill at Promenade Shopping Centre (1 Promenade Cir.).
Tacos Moras (523 Danforth Ave.) is the latest Mexican concept to land in Greektown, joining Cameleon above, El Charro, and Sinaloa Factory. In addition to tacos, chow down on burritos, tortas, quesadillas, guac and chips, and churros.
Don’t consider yourself a sports bar kinda person? Hot tip: Tebasaki Wing House (638 College St.) is for you. It’s from the folks behind Yuugi Izakaya and 915 Dupont.
CLOSED
After reporting the closure of Akropolis Pastries last month due to Metrolinx, it turns out the bulk of businesses on the north side of the block between Pape and Eaton Avenue are kaput as well: Home Hardware, The Tibet Shoppe, hair salon, barber, optician, cell phone repair shop, and other merchants along the strip. It brings an end to local eateries as well, including the historic Eton House Tavern (710 Danforth Ave.) housed in a building completed in 1939, Hunters on Danforth* (674 Danforth Ave.), and Stop Variety (868 Danforth Ave.). A&W on the corner of Pape and Danforth (654 Danforth Ave.) continues to operate. Note: *Hunter’s Scarborough location, Hunter’s Family Restaurant, recently renamed Hunter’s Hut, is still up and running, and neighbourhood stalwart The Tibet Shoppe’s items are available on their online store after “recently expropriated by the Metrolinx for construction of a new subway line, sadly our showroom at 700 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario has been forced to close permanently after 30 years.”
York Region Police released video footage regarding arson at two Richmond Hill restaurants: Richmond Court Restaurant and Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in Times Square of Richmond Hill (550 Hwy 7 East), the latter of which is temporarily closed.
Indian Grill debuted on the Ossington strip (108 Ossington Ave.) back in 2015. The restaurant is slated to reopen elsewhere.
Pat’s Homestyle Jamaican Restaurant (558 Queen St. W.), a Toronto fixture for 23 years, is closing Saturday.
Wild Wing boasts 100+ locations across the country, many located in Toronto and GTA. The one at Richmond and Church (107 Church St.) has come to an end.
NEWS
Founder of Hemingway’s Restaurant and Bar in Yorkville, Martin McSkimming died after a sudden illness. He was 79 years old.
Dan Kelly, President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) broke down the federal governments’s recent announcement regarding the CEBA loan. The gist? Business owners have until January 18, 2024 to repay and keep the forgivable portion, an extension of 18 days from the original deadline date.
Food recalls continue to pile up: CUPKIN Double-Walled Stainless Steel Children's Cups recalled due to the presence of lead, Various caffeinated energy drinks recalled due to caffeine content and labelling issues, and LittleOak infant formula products not approved for sale in Canada.
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