Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News July 11-17, 2019
Your weekend just got a serious upgrade. I’ve got 18 arrivals for you this week, with everything from fast casual pizza and Japanese cheesecake to a new butcher in Parkdale and hotel wine bar right downtown.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Doors opened Tuesday for Annex Wine Bar, tucked inside the Annex Hotel (296 Brunswick Ave.). Expect natural and biodynamic wines available by glass and bottle, and engaging fare infused with Korean and Japanese influences by Chef de Cuisine Hoon Ji (formerly Food & Liquor). See. You. There.
Bergham (482B Queen St. W.) was all set to open last Saturday, but was postponed due to a water leak and damage. Thus, they’ll celebrate their grand opening this Saturday with free sandos from 3pm-11pm.
Blaze Pizza debuts at Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Drive) today. Visit the new location tomorrow from 11am-9pm, download their app, and receive a free signature or build-you-own pie.
Fresh artisanal pastas and authentic piadina (thin Italian flatbread) are the specialties at Buono (354 Queen. W.), brought to you by Stelvio in their old stomping grounds.
Carbonic Coffee (37 Baldwin St.) is serving up kombucha on tap and local coffee in Baldwin Village.
Chantecler (1320 Queen St W.) launched an exciting new venture on Monday – a boucherie (butcher) and retail shop right next door. Allons-y!
If Japanese cheesecake is your thing, head to Cheese Garden on the lower level of Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.) for slices of rich Double Fromage and Matcha Double Fromage.
Doodle’s Market has landed in Gerrard India Bazaar (1324A Gerrard St. E.), with fresh produce, breads, and array of pantry and household items.
The first Toronto location of Firehouse Subs premieres Sunday at Stockyards (1970 St. Clair Ave. W., Unit 103). The American chain founded by firefighters boasts subs with “premium meats and cheeses steamed and piled high on a toasted sub roll, served with fresh produce and condiments.”
A trend trifecta collides at Yonge and Isabella: Liquid nitrogen ice cream, Japanese souffé cake, and fusion tea are what’s up at Gazo (674 Yonge St.). This marks the first Toronto outpost for the Montreal biz.
Hearth Market Kitchen by celebrity chef Lynn Crawford (Ruby Watchco) opened earlier this morning at Toronto Pearson Airport (Terminal 1), joining her award-winning restaurant The Hearth.
Tuck into extreme perogies - Truffled Mushrooms ($12.99), Sausage Bacon Kraut ($12.99), Coconut Curry ($11.99) or Spicy Jerk ($11.99) - and pelmeni at Etobicoke’s Holy Perogy! (777 The Queensway). More locations are in the works, with grand opening celebrations to follow next week.
Shanghai’s Iron Rooster has +1K locations worldwide, but no need to pack your bags - their famous famous fried chicken is now available in Chinatown (373 Spadina Ave.).
Maiz adds a fourth spot to their roster with Maiz Arepa Bar (490 Queen St. W.). Doors opened Monday.
Phil’s Place on the lower level of St Lawrence Market (93 Front St. E., Unit B10) is known for their exceptional produce. New add-on Phil’s Snowfruit offers shaved ice treats and iced fruit salads to help beat the heat.
Relish Bar & Grill is launching Relish 2.0 on Saturday at their new home just slightly west of their old location (511 Danforth Ave.).
You no longer have to travel all the way to Barrie for The Sweet Oven’s famous butter tarts – simply head east to The Beaches (1911 Queen St. E.).
A fourth Whale Juice & Blends (375 Spadina Ave.) has opened, just steps away from Iron Rooster.
CLOSED
Relish Bar & Grill (2152 Danforth Ave). held onto their spot at Woodbine for 14 years. But they’re back, as you’ll see in the openings above.
Vegetarian Haven’s (17 Baldwin St.) final service is Saturday, after +15 years.
Sunday is the last day for Parkdale stalwart Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen St. W.).
EVENTS
Markham’s night market Night It Up! gets underway tomorrow.
Saturday, take in Bloor West Street Fest.
Vaughan Pizza Fest is happening all weekend long.
Mark your calendar for Gerrard India Bazaar BIA’s 17th Annual TD Festival Of South Asia Saturday and Sunday.
ICYMI
Stranger Things has arrived IRL.
Kelis gets saucy in the 6ix.
Introducing Toronto’s first Caribbean Restaurant Week.
FYI
Toronto Restaurants fab newsletter is here! Sign up now to receive your weekly update, get in on giveaways, contests, and much more, delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.
Do you have an upcoming food, drink or chef event coming up? Get the word out to the right audience. List your event in a few seconds for FREE.
Want to reach one of the largest audiences of food-lovers and diners in the GTA? Toronto Restaurants - one of the city's leading sources for food, restaurant, and chef news + events with +56K followers - is THE place to be. Contact torontorestaurantsco@gmail.com to work together.
----
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.