Open/Closed for the week of July 25-31, 2016
I’ve got 10 new spots for you to try and a host of enticing events this long weekend.
Here’s the very latest:
Open:
Banknote Bar
474 Adelaide St. E.
If you're a fan of longstanding Banknote Bar at King and Bathurst, introducing your home away from home eastside. Doors open Monday.
Goldstruck Coffee
130 Cumberland Ave.
Yorkville just got itself a new coffee shop. This one comes with freshly roasted coffee - they don't serve it unless it was roasted less than 72 hours ago – and Halva & Ginger Snap Lattes.
JJ Bean
197 Bartley Dr.
North York also gets a serious dose of caffeine with JJ Bean Coffee Roasters’ first east end café, attached to their roastery, commissary bakery, and cupping room. Baked items are also available in addition to coffee and other beverages.
Lasa
634 St. Clair Ave. W.
Brought to you by Lamesa Filipino Kitchen, Lasa is scheduled to open Tuesday. The quick service restaurant will serve traditional Filipino fare, all made fresh to order. Expect classic dishes (Kare Kare, Caldereta, and Sinigang) as well as traditional snacks as (Lumpia Shanghai and BBQ skewers). Stay tuned for a closer look.
Ricarda’s Restaurant
134 Peter St.
The expansive space at Peter and Richmond is the new destination for tapas-style French, Greek. Italian and Mediterranean dare. Doors open Sunday.
Shawarma Frenzy
1011 Pape Ave.
Shawarmas and now in effect in Pape Village, with grand opening on Saturday 4-10pm with specials and free items.
Sweet Jesus
130 Eglinton Ave. E,
Ice cream and espresso can now be yours at Yonge and Eglinton.
Umi’s Kitchen
346 Dundas St. E.
The new Caribbean takeout spot in Regent Park features Oxtail (sm $9/lg $11.50), Curry Goat (sm $8/lg $9), and Jerk Chicken as a dinner (sm $8/lg $9), wrap ($6) and salad ($7). Daily specials, patties and drinks are also on offer. Note: Cash only.
Vivo Pizza + Pasta
9301 Bathurst St.
Chef Antonio Pirone’s new Italian restaurant in Richmond Hill kicked off Monday. Finger’s crossed the liquor license arrived by tomorrow. The first of six locations, Vivo’s menu offers one price for each course, no matter which dish you select – antipasti $9, pasta $13, pizza $13, secondi $17, and dessert $6.
When The Pig Came Home
3035 Dundas St. W.
The new pork-centric deli opened Saturday in The Junction with an array of peameal, bacon and porchetta options as well as dry-aged, potato finished ribeye.
Closed:
Mother’s Dumplings on Danforth has closed. Thankfully you can still visit their Chinatown location.
Cabbagetown’s Little Shmiddy’s Hot Meat House has also shuttered.
After 20 years, Lolita’s Lust has closed their doors. You can read owner Sam Scanga’s farewell letter, and visit him at his new restaurant Braised in Leslieville.
And just up the street from Braised, Jim’s Restaurant, famous for their westerns, breakfasts, burgers, and liver and onions is closing up for good on Sunday. The owners are said to be opening a spot at St. Clair and Victoria Park.
Events:
Visit The 15th annual Scarborough Ribfest starting tomorrow and going until Monday.
Food Truck Festival returns this weekend to Woodbine Park.
This Saturday, celebrate Canadian ingredients and recipes for Food Day Canada.
Mississauga is host to Fiesta ng Kalayaan, a celebration of Philippine culture, on Saturday.
Head to Harbourfront this Saturday and Sunday for the Island Soul Festival.
Sunday's Jambana One World Festival in Markham comes with its own Food Village.
Starting Monday, the Pan American Food Festival takes over Yonge & Dundas Square until Wednesday.
Drake One Fifty returns with their Twilight Tuesdays Night Market. It takes place every Tuesday night in August from 5-9pm in the York Street Parkette. In addition to food (which also includes other Financial District restaurants), there's music, art and booze, making Tuesdays the new Thursdays.
Summer goes by quickly, so start planning your August eating now with this jam-packed event calendar.
News:
You can now shop for booze at the LCBO’s new online shop.
And lastly:
This week’s Reveal takes you inside Bolan Thai Cuisine, one of the best new restaurants of the year.
Chef Corbin proves when it comes to melons, there’s more to life than watermelons and fruit salad.
Campo de Fiori Ristorante serves authentic Italian fare with "a very Roman touch."
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