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. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕘 8.5 min read

There’s a lot to dive into this weekend: Valentine’s and Super Bowl festivities, not to mention the insane amount of arrivals: 26!

And if you haven’t already subscribed to the newsletter, now’s the time. Get The Tip Off, a sneak peek at the upcoming OPEN/CLOSED (because who doesn’t want to be the first to know?), and fab deals and special offers from restaurants and local businesses (because who doesn’t want to save money?), all exclusive to subscribers. 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

The third Arts Market debuts tomorrow in East Danforth between Coxwell and Woodbine (1856 Danforth Ave.). Shop for vintage housewares, locally made treats and products, and stationery made with food lovers in mind.

It’s been a bb.q Chicken whirlwind lately. Find the latest bb.q Chicken & Pub in Mississauga (3038 Hurontario St., Unit G-9). 

Authentic Indian fare by way of omelettes, wraps, app and curries is what’s up at B Town Bar And Grill (6435 Dixie Rd, Unit 8) in Mississauga. Bonus: Guests can enjoy 20 per cent off first visit for a limited time and 10 per cent off for students. 

ISO variety? Black Pepper Indian Kitchen in Oakville (519 Dundas St. W., Unit 1) does a bit of everything - Hakka, Hyderabad and tandoor selections are just the beginning.

While Bonsai Asian Bistro & Bar (60 Lakeshore Rd. E.) in Port Credit  does maki and hand rolls, you’ll find sumptuous fare by way of Udon Carbonera ($18), Roasted Bone Marrow ($24), Sous Vide Duck Don ($32), and Wagyu Shabu Shabu ($56).

The sixth Chick-fil-A outpost in Canada – second downtown – kicks off tomorrow at Queen & Spadina (336 Queen St. W.). Discover the other locations of the iconic American fast food chain. 

Cabbagetown is home to mostly small independent restaurants, however Church’s Chicken has taken over Tim Hortons old spot on the corner of Parliament and Winchester (537 Parliament St.).

Daigyo (4909 Yonge St.) at Yonge and Sheppard is your HQ for all things matcha. Which is helpful for those who used to visit when it was Tsujiri.

Psst. Set your calendar alert: MasterChef Canada Season 7 Winner Chef Christopher Siu’s Daan Go Cake Lab debuts in Mississauga  (4557 Hurontario St., Unit B-9) Saturday 11am. Fun fact: The first 200 customers will receive a “special gift.” And there’s a grand prize: A pair of custom Daan Go Converse!

Evviva unveiled their third brunch destination north of Sheppard (5221 Yonge St.) with grand opening celebrations on Tuesday.  

Middle Eastern eatery and grocer FoodRama has arrived downtown at Yonge and Elm (361 Yonge St.). Select from burritos, burgers, jerk chicken, nuggets, tenders, seafood, pizza, manakish and more.

Frenchie’s Doughnuts (3830 Bloor. St. W.) at Kipling and Bloor in Etobicoke does everything from Margarita (Lime Dip topped with pink sea salt) to decadent indulgences such as Breakfast Of Champions, a Maple Dip topped with bacon and two egg candies.

The second Ghost Chicken has landed on the Ossington strip (74 Ossington Ave.) with Nashville lollipops, fried chicken leg and thigh sammies and cambos.

Did you know hoagie szn started a few weeks ago? The fun continues in The Annex with the arrival authentic Philadelphia steak and chicken hoagies by Hoagie Station (495 Bloor St. W.).

Doors opened for the first Canadian outpost of Korean BBQ chicken joint Hoolala Chicken (in Richmond Hill (1285 Elgin Mills Rd. E.) on Saturday. What makes their chicken distinctive? It’s charcoal-grilled.

Hot tip: Jumi Gozen Bar (56 Forest Manor Rd., Unit 3) in North York is doing omakase takeout.

Koh Samui Thai Kitchen debuted on the Danforth in 2020. Find their second outpost in The Junction (3132 Dundas St. W.).

Fun fact: Little Vietnam Restaurant & Bar at Queen and Portland (500 Queen St. W.) is “committed to using the best quality meat from Costco rare tenderloin beef” for their Beef Pho, the national dish of Vietnam. 

Nascosto Ristorante (688 Chrislea Rd.) in Woodbridge launched at the end of October. Expect sophisticated pastas (Paccheri Guanciale - Pork cheek ragu with fresh basil, spinach, parmigiano, arrabiata sauce $24) and mains (Branzino $36, Filletto Alla Griglia $42).

You may know The Port House Social Bar & Kitchen from their Port Credit and Burlington venues. Check out the latest addition in Etobicoke (3595 Lake Shore Blvd. W.).

Grand opening celebrations for Queens Sri Lankan Takeout & Catering (2150 Morningside Ave., Unit 6) in Scarborough took place January 1. 

Real Empanada Co’s authentic Colombian empanadas have been a  staple in Trinity-Bellwoods for over two years now. If you’re in and around Victoria Park and Kingston Road (281 Scarborough Rd.), you’re in luck. The grand opening’s Saturday.

Modern Indian eatery Rikki Tikki launches in Kensington Market (209 Augusta Ave.) tomorrow where Bonafide used to be.

Shawarma West (746 Queen St. W.) opened January 6 at Queen and Niagara. In addition to shawarma, find döner, falafel, souvlaki and salad.

Find Toronto Fried Chicken’s at a spot (20 Lockport Ave.) popular with other ghost kitchens.

Two Brothers Shawarma has arrived in Etobicoke (2324 Lake Shore Blvd. W.).

CLOSED

Daar (746 Queen St. W.) replaced award-winning Canis in 2020. Foe the latest occupant, see above.

Chef David Adjey’s La Nectarine came on the scene just two months ago, but shuttered last week. Plans to reopen elsewhere are in the works. Stay tuned. 

Maiz Dundas (2901 Dundas St. W.) may have closed but their uptown location (3220 Yonge St.) remains open. For what’s taken over, see last week’s edition.

CHANGES

I told you all about Nomnomnom in November. They’ve rebranded. Say hello to Playground Cafe.

EVENTS

Find local artisans Fleurs D’épargne, HoneyLux Silk, Nuchay, Shop Cins Creations and Blooming Cotton Candy, Chachalate, and The Night Baker at this weekend’s Valentine’s Market at Square One.

You’ve got 10 days to enjoy Stackt Market’s Hot Chocolate Fest.

The Ocean Wise Seafood Festival is on all month long.

You’ve got until Monday to get in on La Poutine Week.

Taste of Oakville kicks off Tuesday.

NEWS

Respected Niagara winemaker Paul Pender passed away.

Industry, find out how to apply for COVID-19 wage and hiring support for businesses.

ICYMI

Head to Toronto Restaurants on Facebook or Instagram and show your favourite Japanese restaurants some love! #ShareTheLoveTO

Stay tuned. New features, collabs and giveaways coming soon!

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in January alone.  

Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook 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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