My iconic 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

🕘 7 min read

Big launches and more closures are just part of this week’s surprising lineup.

Pro tip: Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news and announcements. You won’t believe what’s up next.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

% Arabica Coffee debuts at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.) Saturday. Bonus: The first 100 customers will receive a complimentary canelé pastry and bag of % Arabica coffee with the purchase of any size coffee, while supplies last. The long-awaited first location of the world-renowned, design-forward brand from Kyoto, Japan to enter the Canadian market will be followed by an outpost at Union Station.

Delly Belly (638 Queen St. W.) offers “the imperial taste of old Delhi,” by way of Dal Makhni, Malai Chaap, Chicken 65 and other fare. Fun fact: Before the building was recently home to 6ix Pizzas, Smoke Bar & Kitchen, and Lisa Marie, it was The Prague for decades.

The first fast casual salad-centric Forest Hill Farmhouse (2 Lola Rd.) debuts Monday in Midtown. Insider tip: Go early. The first 100 customers receive a free tote bag with purchase.

Heavenly Desserts founded in in 2008 in the UK has gone on to be an international brand. The first Canadian branch kicks off Saturday in Mississauga (5840 Mavis Rd.) with a lineup of signature eats (‘three milk’ cakes, cookie dough, ‘Grow Up’ dessert made to look like a potted plant) and drinks (mojitos, martinis, milkshakes). 

Psst. Mirage Mediterranean Restaurant (1620 Bayview Ave.) softly opened a two-storey, richly designed destination in Leaside with an array of Persian & Mediterranean fare. 

Attention KFC lovers: The first North American outpost of NeNe Chicken, South Korea’s authentic fried chicken chain founded in 1999, opens Saturday in North York. Grand opening of NeNe Chicken (4891 Yonge St.) takes place Saturday and Sunday starting at 2pm, with the first 50 customers receiving a free tasting box. Conditions apply.

From Pancit Bihon to Lechon Kawali, Pampanguena has been cooking up a dizzying array of traditional Pampanguena-style Filipino dishes for over 25 years. Check out their new digs at Bathurst and Wilson (373 Wilson Ave.). 

Patties Express has had one helluva busy year. Following a launch at the Eaton Centre in October, another downtown destination debuted Monday, this time in the Financial District (Commerce Court: 199 Bay St.).

The Piano Piano fam continues to grow. TR Newsletter subscribers got dibs this summer on Chef Victor Barry s (Piano Piano, Piccolo Piano) new Brooklyn-style ‘za spot  Piano Piano The Pizzeria at Chef’s Hall (111 Richmond St. W.) and the fun continues with Piano Piano numero quattro comin’ in hot to the St. Lawrence ‘nabe (55 Colborne St.).

Rochelle Desouza’s Pretty Little Layers first pop-up launches this weekend. Stock up on mini entremets and other French confections at Square One’s The District Kitchen (100 City Centre Dr.) December 11-18.

Discover a wide variety of fresh fruit and veg, groceries and flowers at Cabbagetown’s Star Fruit Market (523 Parliament St.).

If you love Korean tofu pockets, this one’s for you: Head to YUBU at the edge of U of T’s downtown campus (364 Huron St.) to satiate your cravings.

CLOSED

After 47 years, Saturday was the final hurrah for Centro Trattoria & Formaggi (1224 St Clair Ave. W.).

Customers were shocked to discover the sudden closure of Da Best Filipino Bakery and Eatery (373 Wilson Ave.). Announcement of the closure was made June 16.

Kew Garden Variety (1973 Queen St. E.) has been a mainstay in The Beach since the early 2000s. A handwritten note from Peter & Veronica posted on the door notifying customers and neighbours doors have closed “due to personal reasons. It reads, “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us. We wish all the best for you.”

Isaan Der has been making its way across the city since its launch in The Junction in 2017. The Midtown location ((2013 Yonge St.) arrived mid-2020 but closed recently. Did you know? A location landed in the east end early last year in the space where Ruby Watchco stood for a decade . Next up: Richmond Hill.

Proving yet again that striking interiors and popular dishes does not ensure success, the first Toronto LOV at King and Portland (620 King St. W., Suite 102) a fermé. The plant-based eatery from Montreal arrived in the 6ix Fall '19. Doors closed at the end of November. 

6ix Pizzas (638 Queen St. W.) may have closed, check out the Beaches location (2070 Queen St. E.) that opened earlier this year.

The U Kitchen (364 Huron St.) is on the move.

CHANGES

Tosho Knife Arts (934 Bathurst St.) moved across the street. Find them in their new digs at 913 Bathurst St.

NEWS

Attn hospitality workers: Nonprofit organization The Full Plate, in partnership with FoodShare Toronto, is offering free organic produce box delivered to your door at no cost.

After last week’s roster of recalls, another slew’s rolled in, this time: Igor Gorgonzola mild ripened blue-veined cheese recalled due to listeria, Pinty's Eatwell Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets recalled due to pieces of rubber, and an Ikea Metallisk Espresso maker recalled due to burn and injury hazards.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about 100+ new arrivals in November alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

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