Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

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Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News August 8-14, 2019

There’s no time to waste. You’ve got 11 new destinations and 13 events to fit into your short week.

Go, go, go!

Here’s the very latest: 

OPEN

Richmond Hill’s Goubuli brings its steamed buns to downtown via Bāo (270 Spadina Ave., Unit 2) in Chinatown.

Can’t make it to the the street markets of Thailand and Vietnam? Head to Basil Box’s newest outpost at King and Yonge (83 Yonge St.) for an array of dishes including: Satay Steak, Lemongrass Chicken, Coconut Curry Tofu, and Chili Lime Shrimp. 

Bluestone Lane debuted in Toronto at King and Yonge just a few months ago - April, to be exact. Earlier this week, the Aussie-style café launched at Queen and Yonge (2 Queen St. E.). Next stop, Yonge and Dundas? 

Beat the heat this summer with popsicles and Fiasco Gelato from Chavo Gelato (235 Queens Quay W.)

Chef Gourmet (542 Church St.) specializes in Halal Turkish street food - shawarmas, doners, and kumpir (loaded baked potatoes with a variety of toppings).

Lanna Cuisine (170 Enterprise Blvd., Unit 145). offers the usual Thai fare (Green Curry Chicken, Pad Thai, Pineapple Fried Rice). However, the new authentic restaurant in Markham also has enticing Sashimi Lobster, Curry Pomelo Salad, Panang Red Curry Pork Neck, and Signature Curry Crab with Cured Egg Sauce, awaiting you.

Montreal’s Pizzeria Moretti launches at the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel (318 Wellington St. W.) today. On the menu: apps ($18-$24) salads ($17-$18) crudos ($19-MP), pizzas and calzones ($17-$29), pastas ($24-MP), meat and fish ($29-MP), and desserts ($7-$15). 

Cupcake mecca Prairie Girl Bakery opened yesterday at Brookfield Place (181 Bay St., Concourse Level), so elastic-waist pants are must.

Pâtisserie Project Glyph (40 Hayden St., Lower Level) has macarons for daaaays, so better get on that pant errand ASAP.

Japanese brand Puebco popped up at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.) Tuesday and is sticking around for just two months. Their home and lifestyle items, made from recycled materials and found objects, include distinctive kitchenware and décor: striking metal trays, lighthouse-shaped salt and pepper mills and metal ice buckets, for example. 

Taiwanese fruit tea giant Yi Fang Tea has landed at First Markham Place (3235 Highway 7 E., Unit 27). 

CLOSED

Coach House Restaurant  (574 Yonge St.) is closed until August 26th for holidays - and renos. Can’t wait to see what they do with the place.

Gerrard Spaghetti & Pizza House (1528 Danforth Ave.) says Arrivederci on Saturday, after 53 years of service.

Kayeon Lee has shuttered Steambox Dumplings (1255 Dundas St. W.) due to health reasons.

Superpoint Express (269 Dunn Ave.) may have served their last slice, but there’s more to the story… Stay tuned.

EVENTS

Cask Days tickets go on sale today for the 15th annual beer fest taking place in October.

Starting tomorrow, head to Roundhouse Park for Roundhouse Craft Beer Fest.

The Feast of St. Lawrence returns to Old Toronto this weekend, with a host of events, including Dinner Under the Stars.

Canada’s largest multicultural food & street festival, Taste of the Danforth, kicks off tomorrow.

Pan-Asian food and craft beer festival Waterfront Night Market celebrates ten years this weekend. 

Three words: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ. ‘Nuff said.

Grace Jerk Fest takes over Centennial Park this weekend. 

Vegandale Food + Drink Festival is happening on Saturday at Fort York.

Sweetery Toronto Food Festival is back at David Pecaut Square this weekend.

Did you know wild blueberries have twice the antioxidant capacity per serving of regular blueberries? Celebrate the juicy fruit Sunday at the Wild Blueberry Celebration at Evergreen Brick Works.

Man’s best friend gets his own fête Sunday with Snoopy Palooza at Black Lab Brewing.

Monday’s Chai on Tap event at Palais Royale celebrates beer, friends, and food under one roof. 

Love Crayfish? Then make a trip to IKEA in Vaughan on Wednesday.

NEWS

Beer Canada has declared the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Canadian Beer Day. Mark your calendars for October 9th this year.

If you run or own a café, you’ll want to get up-to-date on the new city bylaw regarding sidewalk cafés and marketing displays. They go into effect Sunday, September 1st.

Air Canada announced 35 nominees for Canada's Best New Restaurants 2019. Toronto snagged 11 spots. Congrats to  Alobar, Beach Hill Smokehouse, Donna's, Dreyfus, Frilu in Richmond Hill, Grand Cru Deli, Le Swan, Sakai Bar, Seoul Shakers, Ten, and Zuì Là in Markham. The top ten will be announced on October 24th.

ICYMI 

Parkdale’s Superfly may call itself a snack bar, but it’s one of the best new restaurants of 2019. Discover why in The Reveal.

Still eating cereal in a bowl? Pffft. It’s time to level up and get it smothered over chicken, crab cakes, French toast, ice cream, and donuts, for starters. Find out more in The Spotlight.

The Toronto Restaurants Ultimate Cocktail Guide is under way. In the meantime, who’s your favourite bartender?

FYI

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Want to partner with Toronto Restaurants? Send me an email. writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com