🕒 6.5 min read

With emergency orders extended until January 20 (for now), and the holidays pretty well a wash, you’re going to need a whole lot of new takeout and delivery options to get you through this mess.

Lucky for you, this two-parter boasts +30 destinations to discover. And if you haven’t dug into it already, check out the +30 spots from my last never-ending Open/Closed: Part 1 | Part 2.  

And for all those celebrating this year, Happy Hanukkah. I’m not Jewish but I wish we could all be together stuffing our faces full of sufganiyot rn.

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN 

The croissant boom is in full effect. And doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon either. Case in point: Bake Code Croissanterie (626 Yonge St.) at Yonge and Gloucester. 

Barber Shop Patisserie (859 College St.) by pastry chef extraordinaire Jill Barber is one of the best things to happen to your week.

Bar’kada (745 Queen St. W.) in the old Harlem Underground  spot near Tecumseth, has got you covered from dawn (Breakfast Sandwich $7) ‘til dusk (Steak $22), and everything in between (Lola’s Lumpia $7, Cheeseburger $10, Subic Salad $10, Charcuterie $15).

Pink pizzeria Blondies set up shop – the fourth, to be exact - in the Town of Oakville (499 Cornwall Rd.).

Bom Dia Cafe & Bakery (1205 Queen St. W., Unit 3) at Queen and Dufferin offers an array of freshly baked authentic Portuguese goodies, including the iconic custard tarts, Bolo-Rei, Bolo de Arroz, and Bola de Berlim.

Stocking up on Breadhead Bakery treats - available for pickup from Leslieville’s The Vatican Gift Shop (1047 Gerrard St East) - is one helluva smart move.

Multiple trips to Chef Kareema (203 Dundas St. E.) at Dundas and Jarvis are required. I mean, is it Beef Ribs ($18) with garlic herb mashed potatoes, cornbread & coleslaw; Escovitch Snapper ($18) topped with pickled carrots, onions, sweet peppers, and scotch bonnet pepper, with choice of side & plantain; or Curry Goat ($16) with white rice and coleslaw tonight? Pro tip: Get one of each. p.s. I’m equally excited about the fresh drinks and gourmet spring rolls. Grand opening was Saturday.

There’s not much going on at malls these days, but there is a new CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.).

Dil Se Indian Restaurant & Bar (335 Roncesvalles Ave.) moved into the former digs of Domani Restaurant & Wine Bar. Grand opening celebrations took place December 3.

Duck, duck… and more duck. In addition to tacos and mac and cheese featuring the delectable waterfowl, Dope As Duck (125A Twenty Seventh St.) in Etobicoke serves up chicken, pork, beef, and vegetarian fare, with churro donuts for dessert. 

Korean eatery Duckees Kitchen just secured at spot The Annex Food Hall (384 Bloor St. W.). Their specialty? KFC - aka Korean fried chicken.

The phrase “weekend brunch residency,” while not common, elicits immense excitement, especially these days. Fattoush recently landed this prime gig at The Depanneur (1033 College St.) between Rushholme and Gladstone. 

Harlem Bodega has popped up in North York with vegan delicacies including "Puerto Rican Style" spaghetti, “picadillo beef” pastelillos, and “beef” lasagna layered with vegan ricotta, “cheese,” and marinara sauce.

It’s been a long and arduous road, but Sandi Stoyan had a dream and made it into a reality: for a decade in Clarkson with Mickey's Pizza, and now The Hungry Dragon (1911 Ironoak Way) in Oakville that debuted on Tuesday. On the menu: deep-dish ‘za (signature selections and build-your-own), dips, burgers, salads, and sides (Cheesy Garlic Bowl!). Coming soon: chicken wings.

The enticing yet affordable fare at J.San Sushi Bar (186 Jarvis St.) just south of Dundas includes budget friendly lunch deals.

Jaclyn’s (1588 Queen St. E.) near Coxwell boasts Caribbean fusion meals (reg$10-$15.50, lg $12-$17.50) with veg, shrimp & fish, oxtail, curry goat, stew beef, and chicken, alongside a variety of roti roti ($10-$14), sides ($1.75-$14), and drinks. Cool fact: Most dishes are gluten-free. 

CLOSED 

You’ve got until December 20 to visit Mississauga’s vegan café The Cold Pressery (4310 Sherwoodtowne Blvd., Unit 5).

Being next door to Adamson Barbecue, Conspiracy Pizza (176 Wicksteed Ave.) has temporarily shut down.

Controversial Foodbenders (1162 Bloor St. W.), the “little store against racism and the police” in Bloordale, has shut down for now.

Rikkochez (341 Danforth Ave.) debuted back in May 2017. The  Levantine-Eastern Mediterranean restaurant focused on organic/sustainable farming, and sourcing quality local ingredients is the latest eatery to close down on the Danforth. 

The Trinity Bellwoods outpost of Sam James Coffee Bar (917 Queen St. W.) is closing on Christmas Eve. 

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Stay tuned. The rest of the arrivals, along with a slew news + events, are on the way in Part 2.

Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the Open/Closed. 

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Need help to spread the word about your business without spending $$$? Get in touch.   

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