OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News August 26-September 1, 2021
Photo courtesy of Drake Commissary.
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. #ifyouknowyouknow
🕒 14 min read
I really thought this week would be slow. It’s too hot to do anything, let alone open a restaurant. But thanks my deep dives, relentless research, and pounding the pavement, I’ve uncovered so many establishments I couldn’t include them all below in the time allowed. So I’ll leave these 30 arrivals and helluva lot of closures here for you to go through.
This brings my findings for incoming businesses to +110 in August alone. If you don’t know what the numbers should be per month, know this: This is not normal. It’s insanity. Though it’s been this way for months and with all the ‘coming soon’s,’ not likely to change for some time.
And if you can believe it, I’ve got more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR newsletter.
In the meantime, here’s the very latest:
OPEN
African Food And Products (430 Dundas St. E.) at Dundas and Parliament carries a range of meat and poultry, frozen fish, vegetables and spices
Opening weekend for the much anticipated Bar St. Lo (26 Market St.) by Collectif Nude has arrived. Replacing Barsa Taberna that shuttered last month, the new spot is open for patio resos this weekend and next, with expanded hours to follow.
The third branch of Bobacha Bubble Tea & Snack Bar (106 Reynolds St.) is celebrating big time this weekend. Enjoy 50 per cent off all drink at their grand opening on Saturday. Bonus: Be one of the first customers in line and receive a free treat.
I discovered Boréal Gâteau’s intergalactic ice cream cakes back in April. IRL storefront Boreal Gateau & Creamery (205 Main St., Unit 2) softly launched in Unionville yesterday. It’s just ice cream scoops for now, with cakes available next week.
Maria Strazzanti’s Morso Me (850 King St. W.) premiered four years ago, almost to the day. Sister company Cannoli Crunch debuted last month.
Beat the heat this weekend with a Golden Ice Shake, Milk Shake with Jelly Ball, or Fruit Frosty with Cheese Foam from Chinatown’s newest occupant, bubble tea shop Chicha (341 Spadina Ave.).
Chung Chun Rice Hot Dog just opened five locations a few weeks ago, so the debut of yet another – this time in Stockyards Village (1980 St, Clair Ave. W., Unit J104) - is staggering. And the Korean hot dog chain’s far from done. Stay tuned.
CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice has kept me hopping lately. And apparently yhere’s no rest for the wicked, with a soft opening in Etobicoke (4868 Dundas St. W.) earlier this week.
Satiate your wing cravings at Forest Hill’s new Crave Wings (557 Eglinton Ave. W.) with +150 flavours to choose from. French fry choices are no slouch either – it’s the biggest fry menu in recent memory. In the mood for something else? Choose from an array of appetizers, quesadillas, wraps, burgers and salads.
The Ritz-Carlton’s all out with the old (DEQ Terrace & Lounge); in with the new. EPOCH Bar & Kitchen Terrace (181 Wellington St. W.) debuts Wednesday. The new concept in the chic hotel downtown “re-defines pub culture and pays homage to traditional British dining,” with a new team in place, including Chef Jeff Crump (ex-Earth to Table Bread Bar) and award-winning bartender Jason Griffin (Toronto: Bacchanal, Byblos; Montreal: Maison William Gray Hotel, Maison Boulud, Ritz-Carlton Hotel) as Bar Manager. Cocktails are divided into retrospective, contemporary, and prospective options ($17-$25). For grub, there are “Snacketizers” ($16-$29) includes Devil’s on Horseback ($15), Duck Fat Potatoes ($16), Mushrooms on Toast ($19) and Fish & Chips ($29); three salads, three focaccia “deluxe”, mains ($19-$53), and five desserts.
Hands up if you could use some mini donuts and ice cream in your life rn! Psst. Find Fugo Desserts tucked away inside Asian bao and bowl eatery Makan (265 Queen St. W.) at Queen and Duncan.
The fellas behind Good Behaviour Ice Cream have not slowed down one ioata since launching in February. Grand opening festivities for Good Behaviour Submarine at their new shop (342 Westmoreland Ave.) took place yesterday.
After the closure of neighbourhood stalwart Pan on the Danforth, 516 Danforth Avenue has been home to District 34 and Zayka Grill Indian Bistro in the last year. Gorkha Durbar softly opened in that very spot on Monday. On the menu: Authentic Nepali and Hakka fare.
Last week I informed you that Toronto Public Health temporarily shut down luxe steakhouse Harbour 60 (60 Harbour St.) due to staff testing positive for COVID-19. Update: Doors reopened ten day later on Monday August 23.
BBQ joint Hogtown Smoke (249 Augusta Ave.) moved into Bacon Nation’s old digs in Kensington Market.
Lobster Port has a new home (8432 Leslie St., Unit 110), not far from its former building (9021 Leslie St., Unit 9-13) in Markham.
Moss Park just got a new butcher and grocer. Introducing: Lucy Grocery and Meat Store (213 Queen St. E.).
Readers of last week’s OPEN/CLOSED got the head’s up about Maker Pizza’s plans in the east end. Official word came late last week. Since then, pick up became available at 388 Carlaw Ave.
Cookie lovers in the east end are also in luck. The Night Baker’s second outpost just landed in Greektown (405 Danforth Ave.), complete with monthly cookie menu, currently featuring Mistachio, Campfire S’Mores, Thai Milk Tea, and Cinnamon Bun.
Newsletter subscribers were the first to get in on the excitement this week about epic bakery Noctua Bread’s move into The Junction. In beloved Vesuvio's former digs, to be exact. Online pre-orders softly launched yesterday.
Weslodge in the Fashion District is now Pink Sky (480 King St. W.) by hospitality dynamic duo Hanif Harji and Charles Khabouth, with a seafood-focused menu is courtesy of Corporate Head Chef Zach Albertsen (Weslodge, Drake Hotel, Wheat Sheaf Tavern, Shook Kitchen) and Restaurant Head Chef Michali Eleftheroglou (Bar Raval, Tennessee Tavern, Boehmer). Doors open Tuesday.
The closure of Qi Sushi (358 Gerrard St. E.) at the end of May garnered a lot of media attention. Funnily enough, no one noticed not only had another restaurant taken over the space, it shares the same name with the previous business. And while sushi is still on offer, the new owners have added a selection of Korean fare as well.
Jamaican restaurant R&T Eat Nice (477 Oakwood Ave.) at Oakwood and Vaughan has a stellar focused menu: Chicken (fried, jerk, curried) , Curried Goat, Jerk Pork, Oxtail, Steamed Fish, Soup, and Stew Peas.
It’s Taco Tuesday every day in Kensington, thanks to the recent arrival TacoTaco (319 Augusta Ave.). Specialities include Canadian game, California style, vegan selections, and pizzadillas, which are exactly what they sound like.
T. Kettle opened at Royal Bank Plaza (200 Bay St., Unit 134) in Toronto’s PATH.
Authentic Neapolitan pizza can be yours starting tomorrow at Oakville’s Verace Pizza (312 Lakeshore Rd. E.) from the folks behind Toronto Neapolitan pizzeria Pizza e Pazzi (1182 St. Clair Ave. W.).
Bubble tea shop YO!Tea softly opens at Centerpoint Mall (6212 Yonge St.) Saturday.
Last month I reported on the opening of 1 Hotel Toronto (550 Wellington St. W.) and 1Kitchen Toronto. In addition to the zero-waste, local, and sustainably sourced farm-to-table restaurant, Flora Lounge and 1 Hotel Garden Pavilion have opened, with more on the way. Read about the new executive chef below.
I was the first to tell you about 8Mile Pizza at Yonge and Bloor back in October. Check out the Detroit style pizzeria’s second location in Liberty Village (122 Atlantic Ave.).
CLOSED
Bean There Café (106 Reynolds St.) in Oakville celebrated 25 years in 2020 before being replaced by another café concept. See above.
The Yonge & College branch (27 Carlton St.) of breakfast chain Cora is no more, but another eggcentric spot – Eggspectation – is just steps away (45 Carlton St.)
Bakery, bar and larder Drake Commissary (128 Sterling Rd.), part of the Drake Hotel portfolio, used a ‘multi-concepts in one space’ model over four years ago, adopted by many since.
Flora’s Deli at Mahjong Bar (1276 Dundas St. W.) has come to a close.
Fugo Desserts (205 Dundas St W.) left Dundas and University to move a bit further west. See above.
Bubble tea lovers, don’t despair. A new boba destination has moved into Tru Tea’s old digs (341 Spadina Ave.) in Chinatown. See above for details.
Weslodge (480 King St. W.) may have turned into something new, but is that it for the brand in Toronto? Stay tuned.
EVENTS
Small batch tamales pop-up Mamey out of Hamilton is stopping by Henderson Brewing (128A Sterling Rd.) tomorrow.
Don’t sleep on Saturday’s Bawang x Islas Pop-Up.
The CNE goes virtual this year with free and paid events.
Get tix for this weekend’s Tamil Fest before they sell out.
NEWS
Canada’s vaccination passports for international travel are underway, Quebec’s introducing vaccine passports on September 1, and British Columbia has seen a big jump in vaccine appointments after their vaccine card program was announced, but it’s still unclear what Ontario will do. On Monday, the Canadian Federation Of Independent Business (CFIB) urged caution on mandatory vaccine policies or passports, while Ontario’s Chamber of Commerce released a proof-of-vaccination framework Tuesday to help businesses, and co-chairs of Canada’s Innovation Corridor Business Council are advocating for a COVID safe pass for the entire province. Meanwhile, restaurateurs are left to police their businesses themselves, including Jen Agg, whose businesses have been targeted by anti-vaxxers for weeks.
Restaurants continue to experience break-ins, including ’ONO Poké Bar on Bay and Playa Cabana Taqueria at Yonge & St. Clair this week.
ICYMI
From secret beer garden to Greek street food pop-up, Ossington patios offer an exciting array of diverse food + drink experiences. Get the complete guide now!
There’s an exciting new hotel in town. Helming the kitchen, a talented chef who’s cooked in places as far and wide as the Bahamas and Saudi Arabia, and dining destinations in Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Chef Derek Powers Jr. leads 1 Hotel Toronto’s zero-waste, local + sustainably sourced farm-to-table restaurant 1 Kitchen Toronto, Flora Lounge, 1 Hotel Garden Pavilion (complete with bee hotel!), and Harriet's Rooftop (opening soon). Having just moved north of the border, he shares his favourite Toronto restaurants so far, the Canadian dessert he can’t get enough of, advice for cooks just starting out + much more in this week’s At The Pass.
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