Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News July 30 – August 5, 2020
🕒 8 min read
In addition to a much-needed long weekend and slew of arrivals, this week is of particular note as Toronto moves to Stage 3 tomorrow. I’ll have a first look at the reopening of dining rooms soon. In the meantime, you’ve got a lot of new destinations to add to your list.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Stop by the Beach Shack Café (2001 Beach, Lake Shore Blvd. W.) at the water’s edge for burgers, fries, salads, gelato and other on-to-go items.
Big Fat Burrito was a mainstay in Kensington for what seems like forever. Luckily, they didn’t move far. Find them across the street from their old location (238 Augusta Ave.), where Hibiscus Café used to be.
Black Fig Coffee just debuted at Octopus Garden Holistic Yoga (967 College St.) near Dovercourt.
Bean-to-bar dark chocolate specialists ChocoSol Traders (1131 St. Clair Ave.) have found a home in the St. Lawrence Market (93 Front St E., Lower Level).
Escape to Flavours: A Caribbean Outdoor MRKT launches at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.) tomorrow. The first in the series by Street Eats Market showcases Black businesses and artisans. Food and drink vendors include The Holy Grill, Jerk Brothers, and Sam’s Juices.
Soft opening celebrations for CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice at Scarborough’s Woodside Square Mall (1571 Sandhurst Cir.) are in effect until tomorrow - enjoy 15 per cent off any purchase.
A second outpost of The Commoner - The Commoner Bar Room (614 College St.).- launched on July 3, with patios in front and out back.
The KissMe Ice Cream Patio & Market pop-up at the Old Football Factory (164 Bathurst St.), here until August 9, kinda has it all. In addition to three patios, two bars and 10-foot BBQ pit, there’s a mad food lineup. We’re talking Hot Cheeto street corn, ginger duck wings, turkey legs, fried chicken and waffles, Korean fried cauliflower, spicy gator bites, mac and cheese, corn dogs, coconut avocado in a coconut, bison bites, buttery beer soft serve, mini doughnuts, churros, and well, you’ll have to go to see the rest. Festivities kick off tomorrow.
Doors opened July 15 for Kitchenette by Fresh Catering Co. (791 Broadview Ave.), just outside Broadview Station. The pretty café is stocked with freshly prepared grab-and-go salads, sandos, hot meals, baked goods, coffee and healthy drinks, so no, you don’t have to cook in this heat.
La Diperie (203 Harbord St.) in Harbord Village has more than 40 ice cream dips to choose from. Decisions, decisions.
Head to Etobicoke’s new Lucky’s Chicken n’ Waffles (2977 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) for buttermilk fried halal chicken and vegetarian poutine.
Marvelous by Fred (224 Queen St. W.) at Queen and McCaul is a mecca of traditional French pastries. Start with the cramik brioches and waffles, and go from there.
Maya Bay (252 Carlton St.) in Cabbagetown is the latest eatery by Eat BKK Thai Kitchen and Koh Lipe. Thai snack bar eats include Spicy Lemongrass Salmon ($10), Chicken Feet Spicy Soup ($14), Masaman Curry with Rice & Scrambled Egg ($17), and Striploin Steak on Rice with Jim Jaew ($24).
Parkdale’s Tiny Café (10 Macdonnell Ave.) is famous for their Tibetan momos and butter tea. Etobicoke residents can save themselves the drive, thanks to new Momo Dumpling Express (156 The Queensway).
Nana Coffee & Tea (198 Jarvis St.) has set up shop at the corner of Jarvis and Dundas.
Tickets for next week’s Bubba’s Fixins by Rhyz Restaurant are sure to sell out fast.
Introducing your latest obsession: Shrimp’s Corner by Donna’s (827 Lansdowne Ave.).
South Indian Dosa Mahal (1285 Bloor St. W.) is back in Bloordale, this time at the corner of Landsdowne and Bloor (where Zocalo and Dolly’s Mojito Bar once stood).
Millie Desserts and Khao San Road have collabed on a dreamy gelato project, Thousand Smiles Pop-Up (161 Baldwin St., Unit 6) in Kensington Market.
The first TP Tea in Toronto (505 Hwy 7, Unit 86) is here. Technically, Richmond Hill, but you get the idea.
New to the College and Spadina ‘hood: Ushi-Tei Japanese BBQ (431 Spadina Ave.).
Vagabondo Italian Restaurant & Lounge has changed. For one, they’re Vagabondo Restobar now. Secondly, they’ve moved from their former digs (32 Wellington St. E.) closer to the lake (310 Front St. W.). Doors opened earlier this week.
Travel plans nixed by Covid? No worries, Venice Beach Bar (1251 Dundas St. W.) is the perfect staycation destination. The beach bar patio is by the fine folks at Bar Mordecai and Unboxed Market.
From Sicilian cannoli to matcha, Your Gelato (3184 Yonge St.) has something for everyone.
CLOSED
Another award-winning restaurant, Canis (746 Queen St. W.), has shuttered.
Moo Frites (178 Baldwin St.) may have closed the Kensington Market location, but you can carry on the name and concept.
A Vietnamese Thai restaurant is moving into Pho Orchid (124 Chestnut St.).
Souvlaki Express (484 Parliament St.) is for lease.
NEWS
This long weekend is different in many ways. Toronto’s entering Stage 3, for one. Discover what’s in store when you step inside bars + restaurants this time ‘round.
Saturday is Food Day Canada. How are you celebrating?
Mariya Russell is the first Black woman to win a Michelin star. The first of many, I hope.
ICYMI
New restaurant, who dis? Meet the chef/owners of Tanuki.
Ice cream. Boozy popsicles. Halo halo. Whatever you’re craving, The Ultimate Guide to Ice Cream + Frozen Treats has def got it.
The Toronto Restaurants #TAKEOUTTORONTO #DELIVERYTORONTO Project was created to help locate and support local restaurants and foodservice businesses offering takeout and delivery. Tag your photos and share your orders!
Have you signed the petition to Cap All Third-Party Delivery App Fees yet? Do it now. It takes just a few seconds and will help restaurants, bars, and other foodservice businesses survive this crisis.
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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