OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News September 28-October 4, 2023
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🕘 7 min read
From casual eats of fried chicken, pizza, noodles and subs to comforting Indigenous and Laotian fare, this week’s arrivals tick a lot of boxes.
p.s. Added in for good measure: Dessert destinations, because couldn’t you use chocolate and ice cream right about now?
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OPEN
Hot tip: Detroit-style pizza named after iconic Black musicians and entertainers just landed in the Garden District. Grad a slab of The James Brown, Sam Cooke, Davis Jr. and Hendrix Experience at Afro’s Pizza steps away from Jarvis and Dundas (105 Mutual St.).
Speak of ‘za: One of the many pink establishments about town, Blondies Pizza, kicked off a Midtown location yesterday (280 Eglinton Ave. W.). This marks the seventh location for the local pizza chain.
Dear Saigon is in motion. Following a second location, the first downtown branch launched just six months ago, the Vietnamese noodle bar continues to expand across the 6ix - A Scarborough outpost (3720 Midland Ave, Unit 101-103) debuts Saturday.
Doors softly opened Monday for the newest destination for Indigenous-inspired cuisine. Find ‘Dehwigan Cafe in Centennial College’s The School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts new A-Building expansion project (937 Progress Ave., A-Building, Third Floor). The teaching and learning café boasts smoked salmon Bannock sandwich, hot pickerel tacos, pemmican, blueberry muffins, corn cookies, and ‘Dehwigan Breakfast using ingredients and techniques “inspired by Indigenous Peoples across Canada” and highlighting Indigenous suppliers.
Earlier this summer, TR Newsletter subscribers got the exclusive on Lambo’s Deli & Grocery’s (176 Bellwoods Ave.) plans to expand to the east end. Update: Doors open Monday at another corner spot, this time Queen and Greenwood (1372 Queen St. E.), where Mira Mira Sandwich + Ice Cream Bar previously held court.
Lao Food Co., aka Lao Supper Club, was a pop-up adventure for years that gained momentum during the pandemic. Psst. Dao Lao’s Laotian eatery finally has a brick-and-mortar spot to call its own at Davenport and Laughton (1927 Davenport Rd.).
MightyBird touched down Monday at the Foodie Aisle in Union Station. The city’s latest fried chicken joint with an array of sandos, plates, and poutine is backed by resto groups Eat Up Canada (Bombay Frankies) and Open Concept Hospitality (Union Chicken).
Oops Ice Cream softly opened Friday at Coxwell and Gerrard (261 Coxwell Ave.). Enjoy small batch flavours scooped in a bright white space.
ISO snacks and shwarama for a study sesh? Look no further than Osmow’s at University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (1265 Military Tr.).
Expansive Greek resto Paros Yorkville (119 Yorkville Ave.) debuts tomorrow. Did you know? The addy was home to cocktail bar Middle8 as of Summer ‘21 until earlier this year, and most notably Amber that survived for 20 years before shuttering in 2019.
Back in the day, Second Cup was as ubiquitous as Starbucks. Since Foodtastic acquired the Canadian coffee chain in 2021, Second Cup Cafés are back in the swing of things. Find the latest inside Union Station Bus Terminal (81 Bay St.), part of the new CIBC Square. Bonus: The 181st location includes a new Chocolato dessert menu, complete with soft serve and sundaes.
Earlier this summer, Soul Chocolate left its teeny digs in East Chinatown (583 Gerrard St. E.) for a bigger storefront and production space. Grand opening for their new artisanal chocolate shop just west of Greenwood (20 Wagstaff Dr., Unit C) next to Left Field Brewery, is happening Saturday.
CLOSED
Daisy (563 Queen St. W.), a “premium lounge” offering “elevated cocktailing” has been marked permanently closed on Google following a ‘Notice of Violation’ from the city on the door dated September 16.
FishInn (2392 Bloor St. W.) arrived in Bloor West Village during the pandemic. Fun fact: It’s not the first marine-themed concept here. It was previously home to local, now defunct fish chain The One That Got Away.
Friends Burgers (1922 Queen St. E.) landed in the Beaches Summer ‘21 with a lineup of burgers, fresh cut fries, and poutine.
Grill Gate arrived at Jarvis and Dundas (203 Dundas St. E.) last year, with Chef Kareema Inc venturing into the space the year prior.
The announcement of the forthcoming closure of the 6ix’s “first completely vegan Italian restaurant” went out over the weekend. You’ve only got a few days to get in on the final four-course prezzo fisso at Osteria Du (536 Queen St. W.), brought to you by Awai Hospitality Group (Avelo, Pizzeria Du, M!lk Dessert Bar). The reason? “Our rent is going up to pre-pandemic rates, and unfortunately the numbers just don't work out in today's environment.” Last dinner is September 30.
Little Italy’s Quadro Ristorante (577 College St.) temporarily closed due to fire on Tuesday. New next door neighbour Il Padrino (579 College St.) is also shuttered until further notice.
CHANGES
Sophie’s Kitchen in Leaside (1614 Bayview Ave.) continues to serve up breakfast-centric fare under the new moniker, Tiarré's Brunch 'N Cakes.
NEWS
According to news reports, Jubilee Pridham, General Manager of Toronto restaurant chain Piano Piano, her co-worker Gabby Chartier, and Chartier’s mother, visited a wine bar in Bordeaux, France earlier this month, where “at least 15 people were infected with botulism,” including Pridham and her co-worker. A GoFundMe Campaign has been created to help cover Pridham’s numerous costs including travel and medical expenses.
The latest food recall: Ararat Tahina recalled due to Salmonella.
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