OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News July 22-28, 2021
Photo courtesy of Bake Shoppe.
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
By this time next week I’ll have written about +100 new establishments in July. Despite this being the ‘norm’ for months now, it’s still shocking. And with a staggering number of establishments set to launch over the next few months, it’s not likely to slow down either.
And as things continue to open up, you’re going to see a lot more closures like the ones below.
In the meantime, sink your teeth into these 25 new spots around town.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Bake Shoppe created ‘Bake Shoppette,’ a vending machine filled with their cookies, bars and other homemade goodies. Go press some buttons at Boxcar Social’s Summerhill Bottleshop (1210 Yonge St.). Bonus: The shop(pe)’s also popping up at Anti Vice Juicery (853A College St.) on Saturday.
Taco Tuesdays will look a little different now that Toronto’s first Brick’N’Cheese is here. This variety, a common street food in France, are more like a burrito – tortilla wrap stuffed with meat, fries, various toppings, avec beaucoup du fromage et cheese sauce. Choose signature items or build-your-own-’bricks.’ The first storefront location for the Vancouver co. opens in Little Italy (678 College St.) on Tuesday. Customers receive 30 per cent off all items on all takeout and delivery orders from July 27 to August 2 .
It’s been a helluva ride trying to keep up with all the CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice spots the last two years. Check out their latest spot at Malvern Town Centre inside Fresh Land Supermarket (31 Tapscott Rd., Unit 99) and enjoy 15 per cent off all drinks until July 31.
Ensanemada has been an virtual venture until now. A IRL storefront (880 Ellesmere Rd., Unit 2) debuts in Scarborough tomorrow with a heady lineup of “Toronto’s first Filipino brioche with a twist” including: Classic Cheese, No Pan-Dan Intended (buko pandan), U-be the Judge (ube), Sticky Situation (cinnamon), Me Want Cookies (cookies n’ cream), and Eclairmadas (ensanemada-meets-eclair).
The Flying Fish (324 Highway 7, Unit 3) touched down in Richmond Hill last month. In addition to sushi, select from an array of enticing dishes including Kanto-style Inari Pocket Sushi ($2.50 ea.), Okinawa Fried NoriTacos ($6.50-$7.50), and umami packed Wafu Pasta ($14.50-$15.50).
Psst. Plant-forward Gia (1214 Dundas St. W.) is the new kid on the Dundas West/Dovercourt block. Stay tuned for a closer look.
Golden Bubbles, home of the “world's first” takoyaki bubble waffle, is known for its mochi waffles, and now Montreal Smoke Meat - available exclusively at the new Vaughan store (3175 Rutherford Rd., Unit 41) for a few weeks before becoming widely available.
JA Sushi just launched at First Markham Place (3255 Highway 7 E, Unit 263).
Jollibee’s iconic grub - Crispy Chicken, Peach Mango Pie, Palabok Fiesta, and spaghetti topped with sweet sauce dotted with ham, ground meat, and hotdog slices - await you at the newest outpost: Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) in Mississauga.
Karat Café & Restaurant (27 Roytec Rd., Unit 8) in Woodbridge offers halal Turkish fare such as pide, lahmajun, and kebabs, with Turkish breakfast available on weekends.
The expansion of Kibo Sushi House across the city these last few years has kept me on my toes: 26 locations between Calgary and the GTA so far. Introducing the latest addition: Centre Park (6123 Yonge St.) in North York, just south of Steeles.
KyKy’s Cookies & Ice Cream, the online bakery by Kyla Ford, daughter of Premier Doug Ford, just got its first permanent brick-and-mortar spot in Etobicoke (195 Norseman St.). Starting this weekend, pop-ups will take place Saturdays and Sundays until the shop’s ready to open fully. On the menu: Signature jumbo stuffed gourmet cookies, cookie ice cream tacos, gooey cookie bars, and more.
Misty Restaurant and Bar (490 Queen St. W.) debuted June 30. The cocktail bar boasts a sophisticated, yet approachable menu including New Zealand Lamb Rack, Seafood Parpadelle, and Seared Duck.
Grand opening celebrations for Monopol Café (706 Pape Ave.) took place Saturday. Stop by the family-owned spot across from Pape Station for fresh coffee and crepes.
The Octopus Garden (1300 Queen St. W.) has taken over the former digs of Cadillac Lounge. Shhh… Reservations for the secret garden patio (while work is still being done indoors) in Parkdale are currently by DM only.
Prohibition Pie came on the scene just a few months ago, but didn’t waste any time expanding. The new spot in Rosedale (14 Dupont St.) officially opens tomorrow.
This just in: Quadro Ristorante (577 College St.) has arrived in Little Italy (where Sidecar remained for years), with your new '“home away from home”- aka patio.
Waffles and ice cream are a pretty compelling reason to visit a place. Add in boozy scoops, and you’ve got yourself a destination. Grand opening festivities for Markham’s Reign Dessert Café (302 Copper Creek Dr.) are Saturday.
Safaska’s Shawarma (179 Parliament St.) at Queen and Parliament is doing much more than Middle Eastern fare. Order everything from Chicken Parmesan and Lasagna to Egg Sando with with fries and coffee, or Cheesecake for dessert.
Served Co.’s dishing up traditional Indian street food at The District Kitchen Pop-Up at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) until Sunday. On the roser: Gol Gappe, Channa Bhatura, Samosa Chat, and get ready for it… Desi Brunch Boxes.
Sweetie Pie’s second outpost just debuted in Unionville (190 Main St.), complete with signature desserts (vegan pies, ice cream, etc.).
Yakult smoothies, matcha egg waffles, and lychee sago with coconut milk are just the beginning at Chinatown’s newest arrival, Time Sugar (397 Spadina Ave.).
I’ve been chronicling Tru Tea since September 2019. The rapid growth of the local chain largely took place within weeks of one another, but they’re picking up the pace again with a branch in Mississauga (3995 Grand Park Dr.) and more on the way.
The Veggie Thali moved into Beachview Plaza (1712 Queen St. E.) at the corner of Queen and Kingston Rd. in May. Fun fact: The second outpost of the vegan eatery isn’t far from Live Nation and Drake’s upcoming entertainment venue, History (1663 Queen St. E.).
Vereda Central Coffee is clearly at home in Oakville: The Kerr Village cafe (310 Kerr St.) opened September 10, 2018. The grand opening at Upper Oakville Shopping Centre (1011 Upper Middle Rd. E.) , the second location not far away, takes place Tuesday.
CLOSED
You’ve got until Saturday to get in on Don Pollo, the chicken concept inside Quetzal (419 College St.) that debuted almost exactly a year ago.
Krave Coffee (781 St. Clair Ave. W., Unit 2) is temporarily closed due to a flood, followed by a fire a few days later. A Go Fund Me campaign has been set up. At press time, over $13K of its $30K goal has been raised.
Lisbon by Night (802 Dundas St. W.) opened in 1977, the year the first Star Wars film debuted, the TV miniseries "Roots" aired (If you don’t know it, Google it) and French was named the official language of Quebec. The restaurant shuttered after service on February 23 this year. Psst. It’s the new home of Fonda Balam by chefs Matty Matheson, Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo, opening soon.
Last week’s fire shut down Pacific Mall (4300 Steeles Ave. E.), but not for long. They reopen tomorrow, though it was iffy there for a while.
Nepal India Curry House (2014 Queen St. E.) in The Beach has closed up shop.
Shawarma 6ix (179 Parliament St.) arrived not long ago, but has already been replaced by another shawarma spot, different owners.
Ufficio (1214 Dundas St. W.) may be gone, but the new plant-centric concept in its stead will entice you. See above.
Zayka Grill Indian Bistro (516 Danforth Ave.) debuted October 2020.
CHANGES
Lick’s Home Burgers & Ice Cream (900 Warden Ave.) at Warden and Eglinton is now Andy’s Artisan Burgers. Same management and same menu, so… pretty much the same. But do they still sing while making your order and call out your name? You’ll have to go to find out.
Anestis Taverna (526 Danforth Ave.) is now Atlantis Greek Restaurant. Same restaurant and owners, with the addition of a new partner as well as some menu items.
Back in May I told you about Rivertowne Deli’s move. Now it’s the name that’s changed. Say hey to Corktown Kitchen - not to be confused with a restaurant of the same name near King and Parliament (354 King St. E.) that debuted in 2015 and shuttered a few years later. New menu items have been added.
EVENTS
Night Market Toronto is hosting a halal All You Can Eid Market at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) this weekend featuring 16 food vendors: Chachi's Chai, Daddy Browns, Donia's Donair, Funnel Cake Express, Get Your Own Taters, Gourmet Guyz, Heirloom, The Holy Grill, The Mighty Cob, Mobile ICEE, Rick's Good Eats, The Rollin' Rooster, Slow Jams, Toro Grill, Tut's Egyptian Street Food, and Zobo Toronto.
Beer, cocktails, shots, pop-up vintage market, live music, DJ sets - what’s not to seriously love? See you this weekend at Lost Time (6 Noble St.), one block west of Queen and Dufferin.
The City of Richmond Hill Drive-Thru Ribfest is happening this weekend at Elgin Barrow Arena (43 Church St. S.).
NEWS
Fuzen Japanese Fusion Cuisine (132 Front St. E.) is pleading with whomever is breaking their windows to please stop.
A website listing Toronto businesses with vaccinated staff, including local restaurants, has shut down for a number of reasons.
ICYMI
This last year might have been chef Jon Klip’s busiest yet. The CIA grad spent the pandemic launching three ventures: virtual restaurant Toronto Bento, Meatball Thoughts podcast with chef Tomás Sebastián, and Affinity Fish with chef Matt Parker Max Taylor - a Canadian seafood business transforming how fish are caught (sustainable fishing practices from lake to restaurant) and killed (Ikejime to minimize suffering). Discover the last thing Jon ate (you have to read it to believe it), his unusual fridge staple, favourite spots around town, exceptional work habit + much more in this week’s fascinating At The Pass.
Toronto Restaurants has teamed up with two new local dessert spots for an epic pie and ice cream giveaway. Enter to win now.
p.s. Did you know that I often tease openings in my At The Pass column? In the last few weeks, chefs have shared the imminent launches of Affinity Fish and Fonda Balam, and newly opened Mercanti E Vini.
p.p.s. Did you miss this week’s celebrity chef news in ‘The Tip Off,’ available exclusively in the newsletter? Better not miss the next one.
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
Life moves fast - I wrote about +100 new arrivals in June 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 to hire more staff ASAP? Want to promote your menu/bottle shop/patio, but you’re on a budget? Get help now. *Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available.
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