OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News September 22-28, 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

🕘 9 min read

With the barrage of Michelin announcements last week, there’s a lot to catch up on. This week’s no slouch either: 18 arrivals and slew of fests and events to explore.

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

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN

The second Toronto outpost of Añejo Restaurant debuted earlier this week at CF Shops at Don Mills (1090 Don Mills Rd.). Find an armload of tacos and “Canada’s largest tequila selection” at the Mexican eatery in the middle of the square (formerly Rose Reisman’s Glow Fresh Grill & Wine Bar). Pro tip: Reservations recommended.

Black Pearl Nightclub opens tonight at 5pm, but you’ve got to find it first. (Insider tip: Look for the black dot-marked door at 184 Pearl St.) The bar by Scale Hospitality Group (the folks behind hotspots including Byblos, Lapinou, Toronto Beach Club and new addition Miss Likklemores) ain’t no hole in the wall: there’s capacity for 600 standing (more likely, dancing), 160 seated. As for activities: Grab cocktails and late night eats, play pool, and/or catch a live band or DJ set.

For wagyu and other high-end meat, head to The Butcher Boutique in Markham (33 Bridle Trail, Unit 9B). This marks the third outpost (second in Markham) for the local meat market chain.

Bubble tea has arrived in Regent Park thanks to Chatime (662 Dundas St. E.).

Following the launch of an express location downtown last month, Chicken N’ Dough brings its signature wings, burgers and fire fries to the Forest Hill nabe. Doors open tomorrow at Bathurst and Eglinton (1100 Eglinton St. W.).

Get ready Toronto. Craig Pike’s namesake desserts are coming to a location near you. The Craig’s Cookies Food Truck launches Tuesday. Keep an eye out for the bakery on wheels bathed in the company’s signature pink with a rainbow finish for all your chocolate chip cookie studded with everything from pop tarts to maple bacon needs.

Leslieville’s Little AAA shuttered earlier this year, making way for fried chicken centric Daddy’s Chicken (1276 Queen St. E.). Doors opened earlier today. Fun fact: Fried poultry concept Backdoor Chicken launched at the same address in 2020.

Elisa Cart operates Korean restaurants and Korean/Japanese grocery stores in Ottawa. Find their latest destination for groceries and Korean tapas at Dundas and University (203 Dundas St. W.). Psst. Stay tuned for the opening of their food hall complete with Korean buffet opening soon practically next door (209 Dundas St. W.).

Luis Hernández started El Nahual Tacos back in 2016: first at Keele and Eglinton (1993 Keele St.), most recently as a vendor in The Annex Food Hall until the emporium’s abrupt closure in January. Find his gourmet tacos alongside an array of enchiladas, chailaquiles, fajita burritos, and fajita quesadillas in the heart of Cabbagetown (556 Parliament St.).

I’ve been tracking Gong Cha’s movements across the GTA for years and it’s paid off: their new waterfront cafe is the third to drop in three months. Make that four. Enjoy grand opening BOGO specials on select drinks until Sunday at the Fort York shop (85 Housey St.).

Speaking of boba, whether you prefer the bubble, milk or fruit variety, Richmond Hill’s Hana’s Tea (10096 Yonge St.) has it all, sometimes in a bear-shaped bottle.

I alerted you to Komi Banh Mi Bar’s Vietnamese eats at Bloor and Dufferin back in 2020. Now east-enders can get in the action at the Greektown outpost (467 Danforth Ave.), currently in soft launch.

Mediterranean chain Lazeez Shawarma boasts over 50 locations across the GTA. Find the latest at St. Clair and Weston (573 Rogers Rd.).

The focused menu at Mattarello in Thornhill (230 Commerce Valley Dr. E., Unit 2A) features six apps (Bread & Butter $12, Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio $24), pizzas (Wild Mushroom & Truffle $24, Garlic Shrimp Pesto $26), and pastas (Duck Confit Ravioli, Shrimp & Seafood Bucatini $36), with four sides and three desserts.

After nearly a year of being temporarily closed due to a fire, Rudy’s Queen West location (69 Duncan St.) reopened earlier this week.

TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to learn about Sanagan's Meat Locker opening in Butcher By Nature's previous digs. Doors open tomorrow in in the Junction/Bloor West Village (515 Annette St.).

The journey of bubble tea shop Tru Tea in Toronto goes back a ways. The ride continues with a new store in Markham (3601 Hwy 7 E, Unit 111).

Ed Wong’s eponymous Wong’s Ice Cream & Store shuttered at the end of last year, but news of his addictive confections continuing through Southeast Asian restaurant chain Basil Box kept fans going. Hot tip: Signature flavours Vietnamese Coffee, Korean Banana Milk, and Black Sesame w/ Salted Egg Swirl will be available for pre-order on the BB website until 9pm tonight. Missed the deadline? Don’t panic. All Basil Box and Street Kitchen by Basil Box locations will be selling pints (500ml) for walks-in starting Sunday. Note: As freezer space is limited, stock may be as well, but Ed assures it will be replenished “multiple times a week.”

CLOSED

The lease was up at Cross Cut Coffee (1142 Davenport Rd.) and the “conditions for continuing just aren't right.” Their beans are available online at Velvet Sunrise with delivery to Toronto on Wednesdays and Fridays.

EVENTS

There’s still time to get in on this month’s block parties, art crawls, fall fairs, and other exciting food and drink celebrations happening across Toronto/GTA. For the lip-smacking lineup, get the TR September Fests + Events Calendar now.

NEWS

Peter Oliver, co-founder of Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality (O&B), passed away after battling cancer.

Domeic Treglia, sommelier at Terroni and other Toronto restaurants, passed away after battling cancer.

Attention Industry: Applications for Winterlicious are being accepted until September 29.

New additions to this month’s food recalls: Eden Organic Apple Juice, M&M Food Market Prime Rib Beef Burgers, Viana Veggie Cevapcici, and various brands of salad products.

ICYMI

Michelin Guides have landed in the 6ix. For all the Toronto 2022 selections, check out the complete lineup of Starred Restaurants, Bib Gourmand, Recommended and Hotels.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

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

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