Open/Closed: week of November 8-14, 2018

With pizzas dispensed all hours by a machine (read: no human interaction required), a hotel without room service, and count ‘em two East Coast spots making a splash, the new offerings below are anything but ordinary. 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN 

Looking for your next staycation destination? New boutique hotel The Annex (296 Brunswick Ave.) is a good call. Featuring 24-light, bright rooms complete with record players and carefully curated artwork by Canadian artists, but without the usual distractions of phones, TVs, and room service, you may never leave. For food and drink head to café by day/wine bar by night The Annex Lobby, and The Commons (set to open at the end of Nov/beginning of Dec) for fast casual fare (think: fried chicken, pizza, and tacos) by Toronto’s own Big Trouble Pizza and Seven Lives Tacos.  

Bar Buca fans can now get their fix up at Yonge-Eg (101 Eglinton Ave. E.). Doors opened Monday.

Today marks the launch for Casa Fuego (230 Adelaide St. W.), an Argentinian steakhouse with “South American Flare [sic],” brought to you by the folks of Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse.

Coffee, cold-pressed juice and smoothies are what’s up at Cozy Coffee Co. (200 Queen St. W.) by Daily Press Juicery.

Head to Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave. E.) for quick service healthy Indian at Good Karma, the latest venture by restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani - formerly of Amaya and Indian Street Food Co, and currently heading up Kolkata Club. Opening soon: Goa Kitchen at Bayview Village. 

Haligonians missing their beloved donairs will be happy by the arrival of Jessy’s Pizza (2200 Dundas St. W.), the largest locally-owned pizza franchise in Nova Scotia. 

Building on the east coast theme, Newfoundland (1537 Queen St. W) debuted yesterday. Get a taste of The Rock via the store’s pantry of salt beef, Birch Beer, caramels, Roast Chicken Lay’s, and more. You’ll find it next to Craig's Cookies (1537A Queen St. W.) by Craig Pike, owner of both shops.  

The future is here. In Corktown, specifically. The Pizza Forno (535 Adelaide St. E.) is an automated oven that serves pizzas made from fresh ingredients 24/7, seven days a week. Just follow the instructions on the touchscreen, and you get a fresh cooked pie in just three minutes. Choose from 4 cooked selections (Margarita, Pepperoni, Chèvre-Miel, and BBQ Chicken) and a “Take and Bake” cold option you cook at home.

North York just got its own Rally Sports Bar & Smokehouse (4950 Yonge St.). You can still visit the original Golden Mile location at 1660 O’Connor Dr. 

CLOSED

Historically-inspired Canadian fare is soon to be history as Boralia Restaurant (59 Ossington Ave.) closes on Saturday.

Maki My Way (293 King St. W.) has shuttered. Was the King St. pilot project to blame?

CHANGE

Sushi Delight (461 Danforth Ave.) has changed its name to Sushi Bistro, though the menu remains the same. 

EVENTS

Tonight’s the night for Evening at the Market at the St. Lawrence Market.

Starting Sunday, the Leslieville Winter Market moves indoors (Redwood Theatre, 1300 Gerrard St. E.).

You don’t want to miss four-day food fest CENTItalia by Centennial College School of Culinary Arts, happening November 13-16.

Get tickets now for Wednesday’s epic My Food Is My Flag: A Conversation with Michael W. Twitty by Community Food Centres Canada. 

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Let me know – writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.