OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News September 2-8, 2021
Photo courtesy of PĂĽr & Simple.
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
đź•’ 11 min read
There’s a lot to dig into this week: Vaccination certificates were announced yesterday, it’s the long weekend and the Jewish New Year, school starts soon, and some of you may be going back into the office, at least part time. This means you need food, drinks, celebrations and distractions ASAP. I’ve got just the thing. Actually, 21 new things, to be exact.
Psst. Did you know? TR Newsletter subscribers get first dibs on the OPEN/CLOSED thx to The Tip Off, exclusively available in the weekly missive dropped Tuesdays. There’s also exclusive deals, contests, and more. You know what to do.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
The first Toronto A-OK Café tucked inside Canadian women’s fit destination Aritzia landed at Yonge and Bloor (50 Bloor St.) back in 2019 with a famous Ontario resident now.* The second spot in the 6ix – and fifth for the brand - debuted earlier this week at CF Sherway Gardens (25 The West Mall). Take a peek at the striking space. *Fun fact: That now famous yellow puffer sold out in mere minutes and set off a domino effect of retailers rushing to sell sunny versions of the winter staple.
The bottle shop, and possibly the patio, portion of Alberta Avenue Provisions (1150 Davenport Rd.) softly opened this afternoon, with tomorrow marking the more official soft opening. Between the three industry vets, there’s three decades of hospitality experience happening here. Expect wine and grub for the patio and provisions to take home. The restaurant portion of the biz will follow next year. Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the pizza pop-up happening Saturday after 3pm.
Mississauga’s Bombay Frankie (285 Enfield Pl., Unit R104) by Toronto restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani (Amaya, Eggbird, Goa, Pōpa) shares the same slogan as his Bom-Bay Snack Bar on Bayview: “An Irani cafe with an Indian heart.”
Chicko Chicken (398 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 9) in Thornhill Is all about KFC - Korean Style Fried Chicken. Which is perfect, because these days, aren’t you too?
ISO Halal Arabic fare? Dewan Restaurant (6355 Kennedy Rd.) in Mississauga has got you covered.
I was excited to discover Ensanemada in July. Find an array of ”Filipino brioche with a twist” at The District Kitchen at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) in Mississauga Saturday and Sunday.
The team behind Inspire Restaurant (144 Main St. N., Unit 1) in Markham just unveiled KKINN down the road (76 Main St. N.), On the menu: Duck Prosciutto Caesar ($19), Tempura Hot Honey Hen ($20), Baked Goat Curry Rotini ($21), and a dish Nicki Minaj, Toronto’s own Drake, and Lil Wayne surely would have an affinity for - Truffle Butter Crustacean ($19).
Despite back-to-back-to-back launches recently, Kung Fu Tea keeps it going with two more satellites this weekend: Grand openings for Rutherford Marketplace (9360 Bathurst St., Unit 4F/106) in Vaughan and Markham (8200 Birchmount Rd, Unit L) include 30 per cent off everything and a BOGO Mix & Match offer Sat-Mon.
There’s never a dull moment when it comes to internet food sensations. This week’s come courtesy of Kurimi’s puddings that look like ramen, a hot trend in Asia right now. They’ve moved in with PannTea (5651 Steeles Ave. E., Unit 26), home of the famous Towel Cakes (aka matcha crepe cakes). With only 20 available day (they’re handmade), it’s best to call ahead.
TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to learn about this week’s hot new bakery alert (last week's was 🔥 too). For those just catching up, modern Vietnamese bakery LA LA Bakeshop (346A Bloor St. W.) softly opened this past weekend only to run out of everything like that. Doors reopen tomorrow. Word of advice: Get there early to avoid disappointment.
If soft vegan cookies are your spirit animal, head to The District Kitchen at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) for a quick Major's Cookies pop-up kicking off Monday.
Puerto Bravo (1425 Gerrard St. E.) brings a strong taco and seafood game to Gerrard India Bazaar.
With the back-to-school/work transition starting next week, breakfast and lunch eatery Pür & Simple’s arrival at Mississauga’s Heartland Town Centre (6045 Mavis Rd.) on Tuesday sure comes in handy.
Soul Provisions has found a home at Queen and Niagara (847 Queen St. W.) - their second so far - packed with signature popsicles and other delights.
Sweetie Pie, home of hand-crafted artisanal pies and vegan baked goods, isn’t wasting time taking over the GTA. A new venue just dropped in July and an outpost is launching this weekend in Greektown (563 Danforth Ave.). p.s. That’s not all. Stay tuned.
Remember when Street Kitchen by Basil Box debuted right before Christmas last year? The sister concept of Southeast Asian chain Basil Box has a sibling. The new bubble tea brand softly opened TasteT inside the Asian resto at College and Bathurst (410 Bathurst St.) with more in the works. In the meantime, enjoy 25 per cent off of all drinks including fruit teas, slushes, and salt clouds.
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 the train keeps on rollin’. Say hello to the newest addition in Etobicoke (2348A Lake Shore Blvd.).
Vera’s Burger Shack of B.C. started out as a pop-up here at the beginning of August. By the following week, they’d made it permanent. This week, they’ve set up shop at Dufferin and Lawrence (700 Lawrence Ave. W.).
East Danforth gem The Wren (1382 Danforth Ave.) added to the fam earlier this week with The Wood Owl (1380 Danforth Ave.) right next door. Recco: You should probably order an extra Za’atar Eggplant Frites with green tahini and onion jam because everyone’s going to want in on this action too.
Peel Public Health closed &Company Resto Bar (295 Enfield Pl,) a few weeks ago due to possible Covid-19 exposure. The venue reopened this past weekend with “strict social distancing guidelines.”
CLOSED
The space formerly home to Chinese Food Gallery (557 Eglinton Ave. W.) has already transformed into a new wing joint.
After 15 years in Markham, the pandemic is to blame for the closure of Lemon Bistro (76 Main St. N.). For what opened in their stead, see above.
Meating on Queen (1160 Queen St. E.) at Queen and Jones has been a part of the east end for what seems like forever. Alas, the family owned and operated butcher has closed, soon to be replaced by Leslieville Meat Market.
Sushi Nishinokaze (2950 Kennedy Rd.) in Scarborough had to temporarily close due to “a medical emergency with the chef.” Luckily, Chef Vincent Gee is “doing fine” and “recovering from surgery.” The restaurant will be “closed indefinitely until further notice.” Here’s to a speedy recovery.
Viajero Cantina (1661 Bloor St. W.) may be leaving their High Park digs, but it’s not the end. Saturday is the last night for now.
EVENTS
Le Burger Week has arrived in Toronto. Check out this year’s participating restaurants.
Aunt Lucy’s is giving away free “Labadi” Burgers at Trailhead Place this weekend.
Kanto Night Food Fest kicks of tomorrow, complete with inihaw and Asukal’s ice cream and cookiewiches.
It’s Hot Grill Summer at Night Market Toronto this weekend.
Get tix now for next week’s one day event Toronto Veg Food Fest Popup 2021 at Locomotive Hall at Steam Whistle Brewery.
NEWS
The province’s vaccination certificates are the big story of the week.
ICYMI
Whether it’s casual coffee, brunch ’n bubbles, or dinner under the stars, Liberty Village patios have got it all. Get the complete guide now.
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
Life moves fast - I wrote about +110 arrivals in August alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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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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