Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News January 30-February 5, 2020
🕒 10 min read
It’s hard to believe, but last week’s +10 arrivals felt a little sparse compared to weeks past.
So this week’s seismic surge - 20 new destinations - with coffee and bubble tea shops leading the charge, seems strangely about right.
And naturally, there’s a whack of closures, news and events to catch up on, so get comfortable - you’re going to be here awhile.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Despite reports the the zero-waste store opened last month, Annex Market (718 Bathurst St.) actually just launched, with the grand opening taking place this Saturday. The green grocer offers pickup, and delivery, and aims to make “local food and sustainable goods available to all at affordable prices.”
Bar Mordecai (1272 Dundas St. W.) debuted last night. The Dundas West spot by the Mahjong Bar (1276 Dundas St. W.) crew was inspired by “the aesthetics of Wes Anderson’s films” and styled after “hotel lobby bars of yore”, so eye-candy is just the beginning. To find out more, you’ll have to see it for yourself, but keep your eyes locked here. Coming soon: a lounge bar and private dining rooms featuring karaoke on the lower level.
Doors opened Monday for Regent Park’s newest occupant, BLCK. (383 Dundas St. E.), taking over Ontario Restaurant’s former digs, with a “globally- inspired” menu including: Fruity Loop’s Pancakes ($11), Brussels Sprouts Ceasar ($13), Signature Burger ($15), and Mac + Cheese ($12).
It turns out you can go home again. Bulldog Coffee (89 Granby St.), moved back into its original home at Church and Carlton, where it first launched in 2003 (To give you some context: It was the year Apple launched iTunes, Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected Governor of California, and top flicks included Bruce Almighty, The Last Samurai, and Lost in Translation. So yeah, a helluva long time ago).
The latest outpost of rapidly expanding chain Butter Chicken Roti just landed in East York (1041 Coxwell Ave.), with a bunch more in the works – both in Toronto/GTA and further afield. Stay tuned.
Scarborough’s Chicha’s (2300 Lawrence Ave. E.) isn’t your typical Indian resto. The Asli Hyderabadi eatery calls itself “Frivolous. Fearless. Flirty.” On the menu: shawarma, dosa, maggi and samosa.
Also in Scarborough: CoCo FreshTea & Juice just landed at the 402 & Kennedy (8 William Kitchen Rd.).
Love Sugo (1281 Bloor St. W.)? Get yourself to Conzo’s (1279 Bloor St. W.), their new pizzeria a few doors east (where Emerson used to be).
Copper Branch - the plant-based chain with big name ambassadors (Bianca Andreescu, Montreal Canadiens Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Olympic Figure Skater Meagan Duhamel, for starters), just added a Mississauga outpost (3055 Argentia Rd.) to its roster.
Drippin Coffee (5 Kenaston Gardens) at Bayview and Sheppard is about “chef inspired coffee” by Zac Kara, a teen who has appeared on various cooking shows. A focused food menu was just added.
Heyyy fashion set: Holts Café (50 Bloor St. W.) at Holt Renfrew has a new look (Alex Cochrane Architects) and feel (contemporary Canadian menu by executive chef Benjamin Lillico).
When a company rolls out a bunch of spots close together, it can feel like Groundhog Day. Take Kung Fu Tea, who’s expanding across the GTA so quickly, they landed in the Annex in September, Yorkville in November, and on College as recently as last week. While their first Mississauga satellite (285 Enfield Pl.) kicks off Sunday with 25 per cent off all drinks, more locations are to follow soon. Knowing these guys, very soon. Stay tuned.
NaanSpot (310 College St.) offers much more than just naan (though that would be totally fine too). Dig into an array of Indian fare including fish, chicken, and vegetarian selections (chaaps!).
In the St. Clair and Christie ‘hood? Neapolitan-style pies have arrived courtesy of Pi Co. (687 St. Clair Ave. W.). Go on Tuesday for a free Margherita from noon to 3:14pm (line cut off at 2:30pm).
Riverside Burgers (688 Queen St. E.) has taken over from BQM Burgers. While it’s retained the same ownership and menu, you’ll find a few new items including a double patty option and jerk burger.
You know I would normally never include a Starbucks opening here, but the first pickup-only location for the brand in Canada (the world’s first launched on November 5, 2019 in NYC ) kicks off on Tuesday in Commerce Court (25 King St. W.). A trend already in motion by other retailers including PC Express, is one we’ll see increase exponentially in the next few years.
Thirstea (632 Bloor St. W.) arrived in Koreatown last year, but closed shortly after launching, leaving a wake of confusion as to whether it was actually open or not. Doors finally reopened earlier this week.
Find Wallace Espresso inside Ubisoft Toronto, on coincidentally, their namesake street (224 Wallace Ave., Unit 200)
One of the city’s best restos, Woodlot (293 Palmerston Ave) just reopened with a little revamp to the space and menu.
Xing Fu Tang Tea Hall is another bubble tea chain that doesn’t like to be idle. They celebrated their Scarborough (3278 Midland Ave., Unit D11) soft open yesterday, with a grand opening to follow Tuesday. In the meantime, enjoy 20 per cent off all drinks until Saturday.
CLOSED
The Junction’s Bricco Kitchen + Wine Bar (3047 Dundas St. W.), home of one of my all-time favourite dining rooms –a mid-century furniture lover's dream - has shuttered after six years.
B. Good’s location across from The St. Lawrence Market (100 Front St. E.) is papered up and no longer listed on the company’s website.
BQM Burger (688 Queen St. E.) west of Broadview is no more. See above for what’s taken over.
Enoteca Sociale (1288 Dundas St. W.) has temporarily closed for “a full renovation,” with the re-launch to follow next month.
Leslieville’s Hitch (1216 Queen St. E.) on Feb 15th after seven years.
Holy Noir (790 Dundas St. W.) closed this month. Soon to take over - Descendant Pizza’s second location - instead of once-in-the- works Rumble Tang.
The Library Bar at Fairmont Royal York (100 Front St. W.) closes tomorrow for a “refresh”, reopening Summer 2020.
Sobeys Urban Fresh Bay Street (777 Bay St., Unit C209) closes today, reopening this fall as Farm Boy.
EVENTS
If you like Oreos, you’ll want to head to the new Oreo Stuf Shoppe ASAP.
Chefs For Change kicks off tonight.
Winterlicious begins tomorrow.
This weekend, head to the Toronto Reference Library for the Toronto Tea Festival.
Chocoholics unite at Saturday’s Winter Chocolate Show.
Beer-lovers have their own bash happening Saturday at Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival.
IKEA North York celebrates Chinese New Year on Sunday.
Another great food-centric event on Sunday: Super Bowl LIV.
A number of Toronto restaurants, bars, breweries, bakeries + cafes are helping to raise money for those affected by the devastating Australian wildfires. Check out the amazing new events happening around town.
NEWS
DJ Khaled gave big ups to Chubby’s when he visited last week. #BlessUp.
Man Ray Bar À Vin (227A Ossington Ave, Second Floor), a “luxe fondue bar” by Sarah Keenlyside and Brandon Olsen of CXBO Chocolates and La Banane, is launching soon. Stay tuned.
Pizzeria Libretto is adding to its current four locations across Toronto, with a planned expansion set for Spring 2020.
Singer-songwriter Andy Shauf based a whole album around a Toronto restaurant.
Food Network Canada’s new series Wall of Chefs, debuts Monday.
Ben & Jerry’s Netflix and Chill’d Ice Cream is now available in Canada.
A Paul Bocuse resto got a serious Michelin demotion.
The Beyond Meat story continues.
Milk is the latest item to be recalled.
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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