Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News August 27-September 2, 2020

🕒 8 min read

If you’re restless and craving something new, this week’s roundup is perfect: 21 destinations with everything from affordable takeout to be consumed right outta the containers while you lose yourself in your latest show, to finer fare (caviar!) that calls for an outfit other than your “house clothes.”

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Two things. First: Tanto’s moved into Carmen’s old digs (922 Queen St. W.)  Next: While they’re working on the interior, roll up to their Basque grill patio pop-up Asador Tantxo (922 Queen St. W.), on until the end of September. Order a variety of seasonal fare and txuleton - Basque rib steak - by chef Julian Iliopoulos and team. 

I told you all about Paramount’s Box’d last month. The Box’d Pop-Up concept just arrived in Yorkville (1250 Bay St.).

Markham’s Japanese soufflé and coffee HQ Café N One (8366 Woodbine Ave.) softly opened March 20, three days before all restaurants in the province were ordered to close due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cha Kee Restaurant in Richmond Hill (280 West Beaver Creek Rd., Unit #30) is mighty popular, so no doubt the Markham location (50 Bur Oak Ave., Unit 9) will do well. The takeout menu lists a cornucopia of dishes, including: Fake Shark Fin Soup with Rice ($12.99), Portuguese Style Chicken on Rice/Spaghetti ($11.99), and Pork Chop with Smooth Scrambled Eggs on Rice with Scallion Sauce ($10.99).

Cocoa Berry has set up shop at Erin Mills Town Centre (5100 Erin Mills Pkwy. B213B). Head to the Mississauga mall for all your cookie, cake, and “cookie cake” (it’s a thing) needs.

Award-winning Canis has been replaced by quick-service Daar Middle Eastern Cuisine (746 Queen St. W.).

ARDO’s Roberto Marotta opens his second Italian dining destination today. Dova Restaurant (229 Carlton St.) in Cabbagetown focuses on flavours and ingredients from Sicily and the Mediterranean.

Happy Burger (76 Lippincott St.) debuted Monday. The menu’s filled with smash burgers, hot dogs, waffle fries, and vegan/vegetarian items throughout.

Hey Noodles has two reasons to celebrate this weekend: the grand opening of their Vaughan location (3175 Rutherford Rd.) and fifth anniversary. Customers can get in on the fun with Chongqing Street Noodles for $1 at all locations from August 29-31, 2020.

You know you want it. Krispy Kreme’s Scarborough Factory location (4411 Kingston Rd.) opened Tuesday.

Chef Craig Wong’s seafood wine bar Mignonette sits atop his wildly successful Caribbean-Asian resto Patois (794 Dundas St. W., 2nd Floor). The focused menu - Daily Ritz Cracker ($8) with caviar, Crumpets ($14), Warm Crab Dip ($18), Clams & Pasta ($19), Lobster ($26/$48) – harkens back to his fine dining days (Michelin starred Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Heston Blumental’s The Fat Duck). 

Head to North Kabob (234 Markham Rd.) in Scarborough for authentic Afghan fare including Mantu, Waziri Kabab, and Qabuli Palaw.

Nothing Fancy (1185 Dundas St. W.). Love the name. Snacks – Chips ($3), Babybel ($2), Cheese String ($1.50), Pepperettes ($1.50), and Rice Krispies ($1.50) – are indeed no frills, but a fun throwback nonetheless.

Omusubi Bar Suzume at Market 707 (707 Dundas St. W.) entered the scene a few weeks back with omusubi, donburi, soba, and sides. Omakase Bento Boxes and Mini Rice Ball Trays are available for pre-order.

Prohibition Social House (696 Queen St. E.) softly opened on Friday. The former Prohibition Gastrohouse, now under new ownership, boasts an extensive menu ranging from $7.99 (Sticky Toffee Pudding) to $54.99 (23oz rib eye with rosemary roasted fingerling potatoes and woodland mushrooms).

That was fast. Punjabi By Nature Bar & Grill rolled out a location in Leslieville last month. Look for their latest outpost in The Beaches (1961 Queen St. E.). Doors opened last week. 

Rosie’s Burgers (61 Lakeshore Rd. E.) just landed in Port Credit, but Toronto folks can get a taste at Cold Tea’s Pop-Up (1186 Queen St. W.) this Sunday. 

The second location of Shinta Japanese BBQ opened at Empress Walk (5095 Yonge St., 2nd Floor) not long before the pandemic hit. 

Starchiva Restaurant (550 Hwy 7 E, Unit 35-36) in Richmond Hill has got you covered when it comes to Chinese noodles, curries, and rice dishes. p.s. Save room for cake. 

Kosher treats by North York’s Surreal Sweets (2831 Bathurst St.) are on the move, thanks to their new food truck, Surreal on Wheels.

If you’re in the mood for a little bit of everything, there’s a long list of maki, sushi, sashimi, and donburi at Yo Sushi (325 Central Pkwy W.) in Mississauga.

CLOSED

Raise your glass for the last time tomorrow at The Beaver (1192 Queen St. W.).

You’ve got until brunch on Sunday to visit Brickyard Bistro (1289 Gerrard St. E.).

Butter Chicken Roti’s Parkdale location (1076 Queen St. W.) has shuttered.

Frankie Tomatto's (7225 Woodbine Ave.) in Markham hung in there for 25 years. They’re holding a “Last Supper” in the parking lot on Saturday 11am to 3pm. There’s free pizza (one per car), and souvenirs while supplies last, with $1 from every car given to Easter Seals. 

Pantheon (407 Danforth Ave.) is not closing, but they have downsized to just one room. The other side has been renovated into a separate space.

Congrats on two decades, Stones Place (1255 Queen St. W.). 

A notice posted on the door of Two Dogs Sports Bar (1620 Bayview Ave.) states the premises has “been retaken by the landlord for none-payment (sic) of Rent, pursuant to the April 2020 Lease.”

EVENTS

Yorkville Mural Fest kicks off tomorrow.

BBQ Eats Festival is the latest instalment in the STC x Street Eats Summer MRKT Series.

Le Burger Week launches Tuesday, with a few Toronto participants.

ICYMI

The CNE is virtual this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in your love of 99¢ spaghetti or Philly cheesesteaks.  Discover what dishes you can replicate in your own kitchen, and how to recreate the feel of the fair at home. 

Chef Rhekia Fahssi of Rosalinda Restaurant is damn inspiring in and out of the kitchen. Find out more in this week’s captivating At The Pass.

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