OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News April 27-May 3, 2023
My OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of restaurant openings – virtual, brick-and-mortar, pop-ups, allll the things - and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #iykyk
🕘 12 min read
April’s proved to be a whirlwind of activity and there’s still time left on the meter. Including my discoveries this week - 24 arrivals, 11 closures - I’ve uncovered 100 new destinations and 53 closures this month so far. That’s more than any individual or outlet in the city. Pfft. Where do you think those guys are getting their info from?
No one covers city like this. Insider tip: Want to be the first to know? Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news and updates.
Here’s the very latest:
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Last month I let you in on Bar Habana’s moving plans. Find the “secret” Cuban cocktail and rum bar in the new BackRoom at La Cubana’s Ossington location (92 Ossington Ave.).
Local chain Burrito Boyz kicks off their new Mississauga digs (20 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W.) tomorrow with signature fare including “naked” burritos and “fryz extreme.”
Smash burger co. Burger Factory just can’t get enough of ‘Sauga. The sixth location in the metropolis (4500 Ridgeway Dr.) celebrates grand opening on Saturday. Bonus: Enjoy 50 per cent off a cheeseburger or crispy chicken sando all day.
While CKTL & Co. (330 Bay St.) isn’t the first stock market inspired destination to launch locally (see: last fall’s The Sauga Bar X-Change - “Ontario’s first stock market themed Indian resto-bar”), it is the earliest to touch down in the Financial District. For day trader vibes, keep your eyes on the ticker board and watch the “market” moves as drink prices rise and fall. Put those Succession and Billions acquired skills to good use: Try to buy while numbers are low.
Empire Market Café landed in Etobicoke’s Village of Islington (5126 Dundas St. W.) Winter 2020. By the following summer, EMC won an award for best new business. In late October, the death of beloved employee Ashley Smith, 32 rocked the community and café - so much that chef Robert Falcitelli decided to shutter the restaurant and look for another space. Empire Café debuted earlier this month in Long Branch (3378 Lakeshore Blvd. W.).
Calling all BBTers in Erin Mills: Until May 3, enjoy in-store BOGO drink specials to celebrate Gong Cha’s arrival (3465 Platinum Dr., Unit 101). Conditions apply.
Julian Fullerton introduced the first installation of his fine dining pop-up experience in February, complete with dress code (“Fly shit only.”), hookah and mocktails. His food truck, The Good Eats by Julian, started its engine earlier this month. On the menu: Authentic Jamaican fare.
Following a brief temporary closure, Iki Shokupan is back in business with their soft, pillowy handcrafted Japanese milk bread. Pickup is available at Starchiva Restaurant in Richmond Hill (Times Square Mall 550 Highway 7 E, Unit 35-36) and downtown at Kyoto Katsugyu (134 Dundas St. E.).
After debuting at Yonge and Sheppard earlier this year, Korean eatery Jokbal Night Market adds another destination to one of the longest streets in the world - this time a sister bar concept right downtown. The Bar Jokbal Night Market (639 Yonge St.) softly opened Saturday where Aroma Food Hall stood.
Kiin Café - an extension of Chef Nuit Regular and Jeff Regular’s award-winning Kiin (326 Adelaide St. W.) that reopened last fall - features new hours and menu offerings. Think: Thai brunch boasting traditional Thai breakfast, lunch staples and extremely crushable mini doughnuts. Did you know? The Regulars are part of the team behind Michelin Recommended PAI Northern Thai Kitchen amongst other buzzy eateries across the 6ix.
If you don’t have a Kotn tote or tee, you’ve def seen it everywhere. The Canadian fashion house behind the ‘it’ items has teamed up with Michelin Recommended Maha's Egyptian Brunch for a clothing cafe collab Kotn x Maha's Egyptian Café in Leslieville (978 Queen St. E.).
Joining the throng of higher end, finer dining restos, Laylak Lebanese Cuisine (25 Toronto St.) lands downtown offering a “seasonal menu featuring the finest imported ingredients and aim to provide an authentic taste of Lebanese hospitality.” p.s. Sibling Layl by Laylak is slated to launch later this year in Oakville.
Stop by North York’s Luna Bakery (5376 Yonge St.) for Korean baked goods made with seasonal ingredients.
Also in the north end of the city, Martinee Pocha (28 Finch Ave. W., Unit 116) is the place for steak and pasta according to diners.
Take your snacks to the next level thanks to Munchie World. Want in on exotic finds such as Blueberry Muffin Kit Kat, something fiery like Blue Heat Takis and eye-watering candy including Warheads x Van Holtens Extreme Sour Dill Pickle? Head to Greenwin Square Mall at Bloor and Sherbourne (345 Bloor St. E., Unit 6).
Toronto’s home to numerous styles of pizza. Adding to the local canon offering Detroit style: Oswald’s Pizza newly arrived at Chefs Hall (111 Richmond St. W.). I introduced you to the outpost serving Vaughan and North York in 2021.
Canada’s first robotic café RC Coffee Robo Café launched Fall 2020 and has been expanding its footprint across the 6ix ever since. Discover the latest in the main cafeteria at at York University School of Continuing Studies Building (68 The Pond Rd.), and Tuesday marked the grand opening at Dundas Station on Line 1 Yonge–University.
You might know chef Tomer Markovitz from his time at Parallel. Hailing from Tel Aviv, Israel, he developed everything on the menu save the tahini. Since then he's been "A bit off the grid... all over the place..." he told TR in an exclusive phone interview. In the best possible way: hosting private chef dinners, consulting, and working on a very special project. Romi's, his boutique bakery named after his daughter, featuring mostly Israeli/Jewish fare - one of his many specialities - by way of baked goods, prepared salads, sauces, dips and other grab-and-go items. Find it in the stunning space (744 St Clair Ave.W.) once home to Kay Pacha and most recently Nava Social, complete with indoor and outdoor seating. Doors open May 3. Psst. TR Newsletter subscribers got the intel first.
This weather is calling for Spanish tapas and tipples. Here to help make that happen: Santa Marta Bar y Tapas in Trinity Bellwood (869 Dundas St. W.). Doors opened Saturday.
Coffee and brunch in a casual setting is at the heart of Solkatt Cafe (679 Lansdowne Ave.). Space look familiar? It was Baddies until last year.
Thornhill’s Super Parsian downtown branch has arrived in Moss Park (125 Queen St. E.), offering an array of Persian and Iranian grocery items.
Yummy House, a staple at the corner of Gerrard and Jones (234 Jones Ave.) for years, permanently shuttered May 2020 due to the pandemic. Great news: YH is baaaack, with rave reviews from customers - just like the old days.
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While The Bullger Burger & Steak in Trinity Bellwoods (869 Dundas St. W.) has ceased operations (see above for who’s moved in), three locations remain to serve you.
Leaside stalwart California Roll (1634 Bayview Ave.) came through Fall 2011. In addition to an extensive à la carte menu offering Japanese, Thai and Chinese fare, they were well-known for their AYCE sushi.
Mirto Fresh aka Mirto Italian Restaurant & Bar (25 Toronto St.) was a mainstay in the downtown core. For what’s there now, check arrivals up top.
Award-winning bar/cafe Northwood (815 Bloor St. W.) at Bloor and Crawford made it to the ten year mark before shuttering due to the pandemic, but their adventure is far from over - Fans can follow their adventures in Tulum, Mexico. Pro tip: For those hankering for a cocktail, hang tight - another acclaimed watering hole is moving in. Stay tuned for Project Gigglewater Vol. 2.
Pizzeria Libretto’s King & Portland (545 King St. W.) may be closed, but it’s about to become Enoteca Sociale’s more formal sister delivers a “dinner party vibe” late evening. Ristorante Sociale is slated to drop early next month. Naturally, TR Newsletter subscribers got word about the expansion of the Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded eatery first.
Playa Cabana debuted Barrio Coreano in their new location (690 Euclid Ave.) around the corner from their previous spot in Koreatown (642 Bloor St. W.) this time last year. Did you know? A PC opened in the St. Lawrence Market hood last fall.
Rougamo & Xi'an Style Noodles (4905A Yonge St.) in North York closed on Sunday.
The owner of Midtown’s Sip Wine Bar (2 Broadway Ave.) launched Italian-style bar and coffee shop Saporito Caffe nearby (2389 Yonge St.) in Summer ‘21.
Speaking of coffee, Tucana Coffee’s storefront in Little Portugal (1413 Dundas St. W.) may be closed but owner Daniel Kailan assured customers online operations will continue virtually until another space is acquired. TR Inside Tip: Steve Schweighardt of Larry’s Folly is launching Larry’s Back Pocket soon. Shout out to all the Larry’s in the world!
Waska Peruvian Chicken has exited Dovercourt House (805 Dovercourt Rd.) however chef Elias Salazar shared he’s launching a “beautiful, elevated modern Peruvian concept” on Ossington, followed by Waska Chicken in Hillcrest Village. Fun fact: The last time Ossington had a Peruvian restaurant? Ardor Bistro that landed in 2013.
It’s been a slice, Yummy Pizza & Shawarma (1745 Dundas St. W.) at the corner of Dundas and Landsdowne.
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