This week brings an abundance of cafes, Indian and Mexican street food, pizza, and a finer dining spot right at King and Yonge, taking care of the bulk of your current winter cravings.

Here’s the very latest:

 OPEN

Earlier this week, Hailey Baldwin Bieber helped launch newly the newly expanded Aritzia Toronto Flagship (50 Bloor St.). The over 10,700 sq. ft. upscale store features the first A-OK Café, a full service coffee bar with beans by Toronto-based micro roaster De Mello, loose leaf tea by Genuine Tea Co., food and pastries by Butter Baker, with vegan options provided by Tori’s Bakeshop.  

Naveen Seth’s Mississauga Indian street food restaurant Chaska (2325 Matheson Blvd. E.) with kathi rolls, salad and rice bowls, samosa chaat and pac bhaji, is vibrantly decorated, finished with industrial details including the façade of a truck’s front bumper. The second location at Atrium on Bay (595 Bay St.) debuted Tuesday, complete with full-frontal truck counter and aromatic street eats.

Cru Restaurant (100 Yonge St., Suite 100) has moved into the former Lbs. spot. The modern fine dining restaurant and bar features a bold black mural throughout the space. Choose a la carte options for lunch (Burger $23, Brown Butter Gnocchi $24) and dinner (Caviar Donuts $16, Braised Artichokes $26, Wagyu Beef $10-$18 oz, min 3 oz,), in addition to five-course ($70) and seven-course ($85) menus.

Authentic Mexican street food eatery La Chingada (1242 Dundas St. W.) opens Friday, with the grand opening to follow on March 1st.

On the menu at Maderas Café (456 Ossington Ave.): supreme Colombian coffee, pastries (Asiago Scallion Scones $4,50, Sticky Toffee Pudding $4.50), cookies and more. 

Leslieville just got an express location of My Roti Place (948 Queen St. E.).

For those in the King and Church area, made-to-order, Neapolitan-style pizzas have arrived via Pi Co. (60 Colborne St.)

Wilder Food (382 Keele St.) in The Junction has reopened, with a bevy of muffins, coffee, and board games.

CLOSED

The downtown location of Hopscotch (224 Queen St. W.) is for lease.

Sidecar (577 College St.) in Little Italy has shuttered after a decade.

While Sweet Addictions Candy Co. has closed its Trinity-Bellwoods shop (1134 Dundas St. W.), you can satisfy your sweet tooth at their Mississauga store (1400 Aimco Blvd, Unit 1). 

EVENTS

‘Le Afternoon Breakfast’ complete with celery juice cocktails, takes place on Sunday at Convenience (1184 Queen St. W.) with the one and only Chef Grant Soto (aka Taylor Clarke) and dog Ruby.

ICYMI

Looking for a new destination for drinks + delectable fare (i.e. lobster rolls, swordfish carpaccio, and a celery dish that beats the juice any day)? Look no further than Casa La Palma located above La Palma. Find out more in The Arrival.

Live every day like it’s Taco Tuesday, thanks to The Dish.

Heated patios are great, but did you know winter domes have arrived?

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

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