THE TIP OFF - EDITION 15
🎧 Listen to THE TIP OFF, a supplement to my OPEN/CLOSED featuring breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips + the week’s top stories and events like you’ve never seen - or heard - before in 3 minutes or less on TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST.
This week’s 5 exclusive and breaking news stories include some big surprises.
THIS JUST IN:
A boutique hotel is about to launch directly across from Trinity Bellwoods Park, but you won’t have to be a tourist to reap the benefits. Coming soon: Plush Cafe & Bar (897 Queen St. W.), accompanied by selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Go ahead, call it a comeback. Squirly’s Bar & Grill (807 Queen St. W.), the Queen West watering hole est. in 1988, closed for what seemed for good back in November. Newsflash: The neighbourhood haunt is back in business with new ownership, interior, food and vibe.
Another Yorkville resto has shuttered, but not for long. After more than 17 years in the neighbourhood in two locations ( 17A Yorkville Ave., 90 Avenue Rd.) Blu Ristorante has upped sticks. The fine dining Italian eatery Is setting up shop in the Entertainment/Theatre District. Doors are slated to open across from Roy Thomson Hall in early June (214 King St. W.).
Also set to arrive in the Entertainment District, stay tuned for Blessing In Disguise Bistro & Bar, dropping shortly at the corner of John and Richmond (150 John St.).
BREAKING NEWS: A restaurant with Michelin ties and a ton of buzz has come and gone in a flash. I Am Doner, the U.K. chain of “award-winning crafted kebabs and bowls” made its debut in the North American market here in the 6ix a few months ago. Founder chef Paul Baron nabbed headlines both here in the Great White North and abroad, with the first site at Queen and Spadina (433 Queen St W.) pushed to the front of the news cycle - the term “Michelin-trained” chef was everywhere - however if you read my OPEN/CLOSED, you know the market is crowded with places vying for your attention and hard-earned dollars, awards or not. The last post on social was March 11, but the location has already shuttered and is up for lease. A kiosk in the Yonge & Sheppard Centre (4841 Yonge St.) and a Pickering location were also originally scheduled to open. As per the website, North York is “coming soon.” Note: It opened three months ago.
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