OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News July 18-24, 2024
The OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of the latest 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. #iykyk
🕘 8 min read
Last week, the city was on the hunt for alcohol and/or plant-based milks. This week, epic flooding and power outages took their toll. Despite all the setbacks and havoc, the comings and goings continue to keep pace.
Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? In addition to subscribing to the TR Newsletter, keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start) and follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Texas ‘cue HQ Beach Hill Smokehouse debuts its third destination - the first downtown - tomorrow near Wellesley (620 Yonge St., Entrance on St. Joseph St.). Pro tip: Go early. Lineups are guaranteed.
Turkish chain Bursa Kebab Evi claims to have “the most branches in the world” - 150 across ten countries. Head to Oakville’s Glen Abbey nabe (1540 North Service Rd. W.) to check out their 100 per cent halal certified grub,
Chaska Indian Street Food also arrives in Oakville (2481 Taunton Rd.) with their signature fusion lineup. Think Butter Chicken Poutine, Samosa Sliders, and naan pizzas.
Craving Korean street fare in North York? The crew at Gimbap Shop are whipping up seaweed rice rolls, bowls, tteokbokki, soondae, jeon, noodles and the like at Yonge and Sheppard (11 Spring Garden Ave.).
Hector's Taverna set out as a Greek grab-and-go downtown last year, but changed things up as of late by switching out the concept and neighbourhood while retaining the name. Head to Leaside food hall East York Eats (858 Eglinton Ave. E.) for made from scratch focaccia and pasta.
HolmPei Cafe Bistro is doing alll the things - brunch, dinner, coffee and cocktails - at Dundas and Bay (122 Dundas St. W.) in the space where Artisan Plus stood until earlier this year.
Holi Taco (1636 Queen St. E.) offers more than its namesake handheld. Discover an array of homemade Mexican street food in a slip of a place just east of Coxwell. Pro tip for concert goers and music lovers: HT is across the street from History.
Etobicoke’s new pool and billiard hall, House of Snooker (2789 Lakeshore Blvd. W.), boasts tables in different hues and Toronto-themed graffiti wall.
Kalyug Cocktail Bar moves into Trinity-Bellwoods (885 Dundas St. W.) with Indian and Hakka provisions. TR Trivia: While the corner spot was home to Bonnick's Jerk for a split second following Cabano’s in 2022, it was forever home to vegetarian eatery Cafe 668.
Chef Donovan Smith’s first brick-and-mortar Kitchen King premieres at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.) on Saturday. The new venture in partnership with Roywoods, features signatures from both legends, so go get your chicken (fried, jerk), oxtail, and curry goat on.
Hookah lounges proceed to proliferate across the GTA. The latest, Moda Lounge, lands in Scarborough at Markham and McNicoll (2855 Markham Rd.).
Mott 32’s (190 University Ave.) soft launch is happening until July 24, complete with luxe eats (abalone and duck galore) and dress code (business casual) in effect.
Gulab Jamun, Rasmalai Atrangi, and KitKat Krunch milkshakes are happening right now at Mr. Shakes inside Sarvi Indian Cuisine (464 Sherbourne St.) that just debuted, and at the new branch in Scarborough inside Mumbai Express at Sheppard near McCowan (4800 Sheppard Ave. E.).
Sankalp Vaughan (3255 Rutherford Rd., Unit 14) is all about vegan and vegetarian Hakka and Indian comestibles.
Shelby's Shawarma adds to the fam with a Scarborough outpost at Warden and Lawrence (2074 Lawrence Ave. E.).
Déjà vu: Didn’t Simit & Chai recently expand with a second location? Yes! Is that it? Not by a long shot. Find the third S&C stationed in the Entertainment District (19 Duncan St.). TR Hot Tip: From the folks who also brought you Pasaj, Barba is on the quick approach, at 19 Duncan as well.
Union Station just added Sugar Daddy Doughnuts to its roster (65 Front St. W., Unit 436). Did you know? Their first shop filled with made-to-order hot minis kicked off downtown last year.
Tang’s Lamb & Beef (449 Dundas St. W.) lands in Chinatown, taking over where Hey Sugar held court, with what else: beef and lamb-centric dishes.
American wing chain Wingstop continues to branch out across the 6ix, this time close to York Mills (3479 Yonge St.).
CLOSED
Next door neighbours Aji Sai (467 Queen St. W.), Oishi Tea (467 Queen St. W.), and T.O.’s Kathi Roll Eatery (465 Queen St. W.) at Queen and Spadina have all closed up shop. Oishi Tea, for instance, officially closed June 1. The reason? “Due to circumstances beyond our control, namely the sale of the property, we are unable to continue normal operation.” Good news: Another OT is in the works, you can visit Aji Sai on the Danforth, and TOKRE has multiple spots scattered throughout the GTA.
Despite the rise of immersive experiences and piano bars (See: Last week’s arrival The Berczy Tavern) Capone's Cocktail Lounge, est. 2022 at Lithuanian House (1573 Bloor St. W.) announced permanent closure earlier this week.
You’ve got a limited time to get in one the cute cakes and desserts at Fantastic Baby Cafe (1193 Dundas St. W.) Doors close August 10.
NEWS
There have been two deaths in Ontario in listeriosis outbreak linked to the recent plant-based milk recall. [UPDATE 19.07.24: Other food recall news: WeCook Swiss cheese meatballs, creamy mustard sauce recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes. 20.07.24: Baby Gourmet Organic Banana raisin oatmeal organic whole grain baby cereal recalled due to Cronobacter spp.]
The five big grocers have finally all signed on to the grocery code of conduct.
Speaking of grocery stores, booze is coming to one near you, sooner rather than later.
The North York Harvest Food Bank needs your help.
You heard it here first: Randy’s Patties is coming back.
And Bisteccheria Sammarco is on the way.
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
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