OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News August 5-11, 2021

My iconic OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of restaurant openings (virtual/brick-and-mortar/popups/allll the things) and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕒 14.5 min read

Now that we’re firmly planted in August, you’ve got a lot of catching up to do: I wrote about +110 new arrivals last month alone. How many have you been to so far? You’d better get to work because I’ve found 24 more destinations to add to your list, and there’s all those older establishments to fit in as well. Buh-bye meal planning, hello “I’d like to place an order/make a reservation…”

p.s. Be sure to read all the way to the bottom – there’s ice cream!

p.p.s. If you don’t already know, I drop new arrivals in various articles throughout the week,  as well as in my At The Pass, The Tip Off (available exclusively in the TR Newsletter), and in IG Stories, so make sure you’re reading and following.

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Run, don’t walk to Asé Juicery & Café (982 Bloor St. W.) in Bloorcourt for glass bottled fresh cold-pressed juices, and gear from Nise - a dope Toronto-based premium streetwear brand for all your fresh fit needs. Win-win. 

Certain phrases get tossed around so frequently they lose all credibility. “Craft” is def one of them. But Bubbletease (111 Dundas St. W.), at Dundas and Bay lives up to its “craft tea bar” moniker with deftly constructed creations: Golden Assam Milk Tea (organic golden Assam, fresh milk and cream, housemade brown sugar, fresh tapioca), Mellow Lime Iced Tea (Four Seasons Oolong, Osmanthus, green grape cold-pressed reduction, fresh lime), and I Swear It’s Not Chocolate Smoothie (blueberry, blackberry, fresh milk, coconut milk, espresso), for example.

I was the first to let you in on Biga last week. Psst:The Neapolitan pizzeria and bottle shop debuts today at 5pm at ēst Restaurant (729 Queen St. E.) by Chef Sean MacDonald, aka Hazelnut’s dad on TikTok. Call after 5pm to order, but don’t linger - they’re sure to sell out like that.

Cocktails, oysters, and a raw bar on a boat that you don’t have to pay marina fees for and can get to easily from downtown? The Brass Monkey, a summer pop-up aboard the Empire Sandy by chef Christine Mast (Sofia Yorkville, Two Sisters Vineyards, Canoe) is one of the best summer staycation ideas yet.

Former baristas Fadi Salib and partner Tony Taza combined their love of coffee with their architecture marketing backgrounds to create Būno Coffee Shop (136 Lauder Ave,) at Dufferin and St. Clair. Designed by Atelier Riot (started by Salib and two friends), the modern cheery space with pops of blue and yellow is home to responsibly grown coffee from locally sourced roasters such as Java, Hatch, and Omnia, baked goods from La Bastille and Desmond and Beatrice, and brewing equipment to ensure your cup of joe is ace at home too.

As the name suggests, Café Santorini (425 Jane St.) has Hellenic fare such as gyros and souvlaki, but the Baby Point eatery celebrates the Aegean Sea island’s time ruled by Romans with plenty of pizza and pasta options. 

Burgers and Nashville hot chicken get all the attention these days, so it’s about time hot dogs got some serious love. New ghost kitchen Durty Dawgs (461 Carlaw Ave.) by industry vets is all about Nathan’s Famous beef 12” on a toasted pretzel bun stacked with toppings. Choose from 11 signature concoctions including The Deli Dawg aka Reuben - pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut, gherkin, thousand island dressing; Burger Dawg aka The Banquet - applewood smoked bacon, diced beef burger patty, three cheese blend, diced tomatoes, green onion, BBQ sauce; and Blazzin' Buffalo Cheekdawaga aka The Buffalo featuring a breaded and deep-fried frank topped with buffalo hot sauce, crispy jalapeños, finished with ranch dressing.

The Eats on East food truck just came on the scene a few weeks ago. The four-wheeled Desi fusion kitchen parked in Moss Park at the corner of Queen & Jarvis is your stop for Beef Kebab Rolls, Chicken Desi Rolls, Vada Pav, Samosas, Spring Rolls, Fries, and Kawartha ice cream six days a week.

German Doner Kebab has been teasing “Coming Soon” to the 6ix since January 1, but the Canadian flagship didn’t arrive until this week, W.). It turns out the third Canadian outpost, where Café Crepe was a fixture (246 Queen St.), is just the beginning - the chain from Glasgow plans on launching 100 locations across the country in the next ten years. Stay tuned.

After months of pop-ups across the city, Good Behaviour Ice Cream finally has a place to permanently call home. Soft opening at Artisan Factory (342 Westmoreland Ave. N.) is happening tomorrow.

Do you remember when cereal-infused gelato makers JAM Cereal popped up a few years ago?* They’re back, this time in Little Italy available through Mrs. Robinson (574 College St.).
*And cereal was everywhere?

Kung Fu Tea’s expansion continues across the GTA. The latest shop debuted yesterday in Mississauga (223 Ceremonial Dr., Unit 10). Enjoy soft opening offers of 20 per cent off all drinks and Large 38 Milk King for $4.88 until August 25. Conditions apply.

HK bun and pastry destination Lucullus Bakery (5200 Yonge St.) just dropped their fourth venue two blocks north of the North York Civic Centre.

Mixed Senses, a café/shop boasting coffee, pastries, home décor, skincare and handmade soap by local artisans, arrived two months ago in The Beaches. Find their second emporium on the Danforth near Pape (592 Danforth Ave).

Have you tried Monasaba’s signature fare: Kibdda Qolaba (Lamb liver sautéed with onions, green onions and tomatoes), Foul Monasaba ​(Mashed fava beans with seasoned tomato sauce), Shakshouka, and Roast Chicken and Lamb Mandis? The traditional Yemeni eatery debuted in Mississauga Fall 2019, followed by the recent outpost in Vaughan (9222 Keele St., Unit 2).

Monkey Hut Cafe (336 Copper Creek Dr.) in Markham features a range of rotating products by small local businesses and makers, ensuring there’s always something new to look forward to. 

Heading to the Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Rd.) with the kiddos this summer? Stop by the Palgong Tea Pop-Up for drinks and dessert outdoors and inside at the restaurant until September 6.

The Point Eatery at Doncrest Marketplace Plaza (420 Highway 7 E, Unit 32) in Richmond Hill specializes in “modern fusion style eats inspired by Hong Kong style cafes.” What does that mean exactly? Everything from Baked Chicken Fillet in Spinach Cream Sauce with Cheese ($14.99)  and Fried Vermicelli with Spicy Seafood Mix ($14.99) to Truffle & Shrimp Fried Rice ($14.99) and Instant Noodles with Egg and Ham or Luncheon Meat ($9.50). Bonus: Enjoy an opening discount of 10 per cent off pickups when paying cash.

An exciting new butcher and deli has arrived on Roncy. Take a peek inside Russell’s Butcher & Deli (401 Roncesvalles Ave.) by Christopher Terpstra and Sarah (Russell) Terpstra, sibling to Alimentari (325 Roncesvalles Ave.) just up the street.

Son of a Bean (508 Danforth Ave.) just landed in Greektown, complete with goodies from The Sovereign, Rahier, and Hatch Coffee.

Stack't Eatery (5150 Dixie Rd., Unit 1A) in Mississauga may be a burger joint, but you’ll also find sandos (chicken, Philly cheesesteak), rice and pasta bowls (Chicken Tikka, Lamb Shank), wraps, salads, shakes, and smoothies. 

In North York? You’ve got your own Super Chicken (4716 Yonge St.) now. The Markham site premiered in January.

Mashud Siddique, owner of Vena’s Roti – est. 2003 (1263 Bloor St. W.) passed away earlier this year. Uncle Sid’s Deli may have taken over the space in Bloordale, but Siddique’s sprit lives on. The logo includes an illustration of the beloved restaurateur and a message on the website reads, “Mr. Sid is our foundation and guiding light; he had been in the restaurant business for most of his life! He was known as a hardworking and generous man in his community. We are here to continue his legacy.” And the food? The menu’s vast: +150 items including classic deli sandwiches, omelettes, bagel platters, salads, and burgers.

Vera’s Burger Shack has ten locations across B.C. and one in Bells Corners, Ottawa. Made fresh daily with Canadian beef and proprietary spice mix, their patties come in at 6 ounces. And they are not smash burgers. See for yourself at their new takeout/delivery pop-up (950 King St. W.)
*Fun fact: The same address was used for the MrBeast Burger Pop-Up in February.

CLOSED

Newsletter subscribers were the first to know one of the city's top restaurants, Dandylion, just shuttered. Thankfully, the resto’s working on something new. Watch this space.

The Detroit Eatery (389 Danforth Ave.) was ravaged by fire in January 2019 and the sign removed in 2020. Yet many continued to hold out hope it would return. Not in the same space apparently, as it’s currently for lease.

Don Chingon took the city by storm this spring - first with a brunch residency at The Depanneur in May, followed by a stop at Wasted Youth Bar in June. The project came to an end last week.

Mum’s The Word (567 College St.) has shuttered after three years. There’s a heartbreaking goodbye post.

Sisters are doin' it for themselves. Or at least trying to. The Neighbourhood Scoop (102 Hallam St.) run by two tween sisters (and help from Mom) opened in April, but had to temporarily close last week due to “constant complaints to the City of Toronto by a local resident.” Stay tuned.  

EVENTS

Chef Keanu Francisco of SARA Restaurant launched Kusinera in January. The pop-ups have been such a success, starting Monday, it’s now a bi-weekly event.

Plans on Saturday? Yep. Sherm’s Bagels x Flora’s Deli Pop-Up at Flora’s (1276 Dundas St. W.) 11am ‘til sold out. Pro tip: Come thru early to avoid disappointment.

NEWS

New York City will require proof of  vaccinations for indoor dining starting August 16 - the first city in the U.S. to do so, while Quebec will be the first Canadian province.

New Raptors Scottie Barnes and Dalano Banton and Toronto rapper Kardinal Offishall stopped by The Real Jerk this week.

Cooking with Paris debuted on Netflix yesterday. Some critics say she’s in on the joke, others think it’s lame. What do you think?

ICYMI

Did you know? In addition to the spectacular small, locally-owned shops and boutiques, Roncesvalles Village boasts +30 patios.Get the complete guide now.

The smash burger craze has exploded in recent years. During the pandemic, many jumped on the trend. Some however, take them very seriously. Janrikk Millan, a Red Seal chef who pulls double duty as head chef at Grazie Vaughan, launched his bi-weekly pop-up burger shop in April, but dreamed of having his own spot long before. His obsession with burgers helps. “We've done a lot of work to get our meat ratio, buns, produce, cheese, and JABS sauce just right. We use fresh ingredients and real cheddar cheese, no processed ingredients. We pickle our own sweet onions and we've created our own green papaya relish.” His initial home-based venture has quickly evolved into wildly popular pop-ups in Vaughan and Scarborough. See for yourself this weekend at EATS Night Market at Scarborough Town Centre by Street Eats Market, and check out the stellar interview (and peep some drool-inducing photos) in this week’s At The Pass.

If you haven’t already subscribed to the newsletter, now’s the time. Get The Tip Off, a sneak peek at the upcoming Open/Closed (because who doesn’t want to be the first to know?), and fab deals and special offers from restaurants and local businesses (because who doesn’t want to save money?), all exclusive to subscribers. 

Please support local businesses whenever possible. Remember: call first. Getting it delivered? Do this if available to help our beloved locals keep as much of their hard-earned money as possible.

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Life moves fast - I wrote about +110 new arrivals in July alone! Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.

Things change quickly - Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.   

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

Need staff or help promoting your menu/bottle shop/patio, but you’re on a budget? I can help. *Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available.

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