OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News July 8-14, 2021

Photo courtesy of Brockton Haunt Skate Shop.

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

🕒 13 min read

After last week’s history making 32 arrivals in a single week, I thought this week would slow down almost to a stop. I should have known better.

Introducing 17 new spots, along with some great events, and not-to-be-missed news.

OPEN

Kerin Chanel, Founder of Black Owned Toronto, opens the first retail branch of her stellar directory and online store at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.) Saturday, featuring +500 products from 130 Black Owned businesses, including handmade vegan cookies from Baked by Té and condiments by Yawdi’s.

In the mood for Jalfrezi or Aloo Gobi curry wrapped in a roti? Head to Butter Chicken Roti latest outpost in Oakville (511 Maple Grove Dr.). Doors opened earlier this week. 

Ross Milne had restaurants, nightclubs, and food trucks in Trinidad and Tobago for the last 15 years before moving back to Toronto in November 2020 (he went to college here) and opening Chadon Beni (936 Queen St. W.) at Queen and Shaw last week. The menu of small plates features his take on local dishes from Trinidad and Tobago and each dish contains the herb chadon beni - also known as shadow beni and culantro, not to be confused with cilantro, though there is a similarity in flavour. His riff on traditional Curry Crab and Dumpling is Coconut Curry Blue Crab Gyoza. You’ll also discover Clam Fritters with tamarind and mango chutney and Tempura Lobster Tacos with chadon beni chipotle aioli and grilled pineapple salsa. Paired with tropical cocktails such as Nylon Pool, named after the bright clear pool in in the middle of the ocean in Tobago, #summergoals are certainly met.

Mochi muffin destination The Good Goods kicks off their pop-up grand opening at Upper East Food Club (5317 Yonge St.) on Friday.

Jenna Stone – “Everyone calls me ‘J’” – was a bartender at “fast-paced clubs many moons ago,” and got back into it when she started up Juicy J’s on April 10. The new venture started just a week after she bagged and handed out drink samples to friends and neighbours. Since then, business has “spiralled” from one drink – Summer Citrus, a signature sangria – to seven: four sangrias (white or rose based), mojitos, Caribbean Sunset, and “Kool J,” her version of a red Kool-Aid for grownups.

The journey of Kiss My Pans began three years ago in Singapore, when the cheese grazing phenomenon was relatively unknown there. Jeanne Chai did “grazing tables of edible art” for big name clients - Visa, Disney, Fox. When the pandemic hit, it affected sales big time. “I had zero business for a whole year.” She and her family returned home to Canada last July. ”I decided to relaunch with smaller boxes and platters in Toronto,” she says. “It was a huge challenge because I had zero supplier contacts, zero market research and didn't understand what consumers here wanted.” That didn't stop the former marketing professional. After viewing a retail spot on College, “I immediately saw the potential to create a mixed retail space for people to gather, experiment and discover their love for cheese, coffee and other gourmet products.” Her husband David, who has +30 years of experience in retail and tourism (in Singapore he helped open Universal Studios, Kidzania - a children's 'edu-tainment' theme park from Mexico, and The Source, an eco-friendly, zero-waste health bulk food store from Australia) joined her full-time for “this new exciting venture in our lives.” The cheese lineup at the new shop (567 College St.) includes alcohol-infused varieties and selections studded with fruit and edible flowers. There’s also butter roasted kopi from Singapore, alongside baked goods and prepared items from local makers.

Itching to be near the waterfront? Head to the Lagom Bakery’s coffee counter pop-up on the patio at The Henley Room, located at the Argonaut Rowing Club (1225 Lakeshore Blvd. W.) to take in the views while grabbing a bite. Just wishing for more locally made Nordic baked goods in your life, but don’t want to trek all that way? Get ‘em delivered. Swedish Cardamom Buns are a must, and depending on your leanings, either Brown Butter Carrot Cake or Lemon Almond Torte. And Morning Buns and Bake-of-the-Day Boxes featuring an assortment of favourites from the day, stave off any potential food ennui - a common occurrence during the pandemic.

I reported on the arrival of Mishwar Restaurant (675 Danforth Ave.) at Danforth and Pape last winter. It seems the neighbourhood is a good fit for the Middle Eastern eatery, as a new location is set to debut just a few blocks west. Grand opening festivities begin Saturday at 5pm, with 50 per cent off all menu items. 

Mofer Coffee at Queen and Ossington (1025 Queen St. W.), the third outpost for the company, has a unique way of transporting their beans across the room. Doors opened Sunday.

Vegan chain Odd Burger (until recently known as Globally Local) has been busy these last two years – from their announcement of moving to Toronto in August 2019, opening in October, going public last April, then changing their name a few weeks ago. The excitement doesn’t stop there, folks. Check out their new digs in Vaughan (9960 Dufferin St.) starting Saturday.

Parris Food Paradise is serving up authentic Bajan fare at The Big Carrot Community Market (348 Danforth Ave.) starting Saturday, with seating available on the upper deck.

Peter Pham was a professional cook for six years, before taking a hiatus from the industry. “I got burnt out and fell out of love with it,” he says. He switched to construction/demolition to “reset my heart and accidentally fell back in love with cooking for people.” He started making then selling beef patties and savoury pot pies during the pandemic, and now his first brick-and-mortar spot of Phamilyeats debuts Saturday in Leaside at Eglinton and Laird (858 Eglinton Ave. E.), sharing a spot with new arrivals Conspiracy Pizza and Churnt Up. 

Satiate your craving for everything from fast food (Smashburger $16.50), healthy eats (Greek Goddess Salad $13), steak house (NY Striploin $27) or Asian fare (Thai Curry $20) in one place - Qadoura Grill and Bar (127 Queen St. S.) in Mississauga.

R Sushi just touched down at Yonge & Finch (5515 Yonge St.) with an assortment of maki, aburi rolls, oshi sushi, sashimi, combos, and “kitchen” appetizers.

Nicole and Blaire Richie worked in the industry for many years as FOH (front of house) staff, but the sisters were always been interested in cooking and baking. Their reason for recently launching Sticks and Scones? “Because we wanted to give a new identity to the humble scone because we love them and think they deserve a better wrap.” The menu changes every week, save Blueberry and Vegan Coconut Chocolate. This week’s lineup includes Strawberry Rhubarb and Maple Bacon.

Gourmet doughnuts calling your name? Find new Wallflower Doughnuts hidden inside Oakville’s Tribeca Coffee Co. (174 Lakeshore Rd. E.). Choose from dipped, filled, and fritter varieties. Grand opening is Saturday.

Local chain Wimpy’s Diner - famous for its all day breakfast, burgers and other comfort fare - boasts 50 locations across Ontario. The newest landed at Queen and Parliament (372 Queen St. E.) a while back, but doors just opened this week. Tip: Walk-in and phone orders receive a free can of pop with the purchase of any combo.

CLOSED

The John 3 (682/686 Queen St. E.) had ‘For Sale” signs over both spaces, but not for long. The watering hole/s in the east end debuted Summer ’19.

If Berrie-Ana Grandes, Nuthin’ But A Chocolate Thang, and Cereal-Killahs ring a bell, you were a customer of recently shuttered Peace Treats (131 Ossington Ave.) by local apparel brand Peace Collective.

Pinky’s Ca Phe (53 Clinton St.) is saying goodbye to their home of almost five years, but don’t panic, They’re just moving across the street to where Chef Paul Kim’s DOMA, then Boonsik, once stood.

Kensington mainstay Sun Wah Fruit Market (227 Augusta Ave.) is closing at the beginning of next month.

CHANGES

Brockton Haunt (1150 College St.) is now Brockton Haunt Skate Shop. The coffee shop used to have tables in back, where you’ll find the new skate shop. To celebrate, they’re throwing a grand opening bash this Saturday with beers on the patio by neighbours Laylow, DJs B Bad, Secret Agent, and Gil Masuda, and raffle prizes. Come through 1pm to midnight.

EVENTS

Black Restaurant Week Toronto kicks off tomorrow.

The Depanneur + The Bentway Communal Picnic continues this week.

Food Truck’n Friday is happening tomorrow.

Check out the food trucks at Mississauga’s Celebration Square. 

Street Eats Night Market is back at it this weekend at Scarborough Town Centre.

NEWS

Ontario's Hidden Bench Estate Winery wins "Best in Show" at the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards.

ICYMI

It’s rare to find siblings in the industry. And twins who are both chefs? EXTRAORDINARY. Jason and Ryan Buising have spent years working in top Toronto restaurants and recently launched Kumain Kitchen featuring their stellar Filipino Canadian inspired dishes for takeout and delivery. In this week’s fascinating At The Pass, discover their favourite spots around town, fridge essentials (these should be yours too), why you should follow your heart + much more.

ISO a summertime oasis? Queen from Bathurst to Gladstone boasts +40 patios for breakfast eats, late night drinks, and everything in between. Get the complete Patio Guide To West Queen West now.

Despite no official word that indoor dining will resume on July 21, and information regarding capacity limits and other requirements for reopening yet to be provided, some restaurants have started booking tables anyway.

Psst. 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. 

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Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast. (I wrote about +100 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.

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