OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News February 2-8, 2023
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
🕘 11 min read
My findings this week - 15 arrivals, 10 closures - are just the latest example of how swiftly the landscape is shifting. On the horizon: Whole cauliflower as entrée renaissance. Details below.
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Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
The Bloom Coffee (3525 Platinum Dr.) arrives in Mississauga with a host of drinks including serious mocktails (hello Purple Death), Lebanese fare ranging from Fatteh Hummus to Deep-Fried Cauliflower, and “premium” hookah.
The Butcher’s Son (195 Geary Ave.) has been in the works for some time now and swiftly follows a beloved closure. Update: Doors opened January 31.
Psst. A new Italian and Spanish destination owned and operated by industry vets just debuted in Little Italy. Casa Paco (50C Clinton St.) is powered by wedded chefs Rob Bragagnolo and Caroline Chinery holding down kitchen duties, with Tommy Conrad and Alva McMahon FOH, in charge of the bar and dining room, respectively. Named after a family friend and inspired by Bragagnolo's heritage and history, the homey feel is further imbued by a wall featuring the foursome's familial photos. Current hours: Thursday-Saturday evenings. (Pro tip 1: Resos recommended or pop in for a spot at the bar Pro tip 2: Subscribe to the TR Newsletter. They knew first.) Fun fact: The whole crew previously came together for acclaimed Spanish restaurant Labora on King West, and the latter pair for 2021's smash hit Flora's Deli. Did you know? Original slated to be the Pinky’s Ca Phe new digs (previously located across the street), it was home to Korean street food focused Boonsik (2019-2021) and elevated Korean fare with French influences at Doma (2016-2019), both by chef Paul Kim, Backwoods Smokehouse & Whiskey Bar, and in 2011, Acadia where chef Matt Blondin (Blondies Pizza,The Food Dudes, Omaw) and a year later chef Patrick Kriss (Alo, Aloette, Alobar Yorkville) , cooked up a Southern storm before it switched over to Italian joint Red Sauce.
Drink options at subway stations are usually pretty limited. Here to change that: CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice inside Dufferin Station (1011 Dufferin St.), currently in soft opening.
Fish & Loaf at Warden and Eglinton (41 Lebovic Ave., Unit A117) may deem itself a seafood restaurant with dishes such as Lobster Bisque ($14), Maritime Lobster Roll ($30), Organic King Salmon Burger ($22) and Hermit Burger ($22) - a crispy soft shell crab sando – on the menu. But the array of carnivore options – Osso Bucco (8oz) with Gremolata ($30), Iberico Pork Steak ($22), 28 Day Dry Aged Tomahawk Berkshire Pork Steak ($40), Australian Grass-Fed Beef Steaks boasting a marble score of 4+ ($42-$60), and Japanese Wagyu A5 selections ($108-$138) - rival some steakhouses.
Grand opening festivities for yogurt beverage chain Hey I Am Yogost’s new digs in Scarborough (3250 Midland Ave., Unit G116) take place February 4-11 with an array of deals and discounts.
Jerk King landed at College and Spadina (455 Spadina Ave.) with its famous lineup of Caribbean fare including jerk chicken, stew beef, goat roti, patties, fried plantains and dumplings.
The Junction is now home to authentic Mediterranean Kurdish eatery, Keko Shawarma (3128 Dundas St. W.).
The third outpost of The Library Specialty Coffee softly opens February 3 in Markham (11 Fairburn Dr., Unit 32).
Miznon Toronto opens to the public February 3 - head to TR’s Insta Stories for a sneak peek. Find the latest outpost of the renowned pita-centric Israeli street food chain founded by chef Eyal Shani and Shachar Segal with 10+ locations worldwide from Israel to Singapore, in addition to a string of “sister” dining destinations, in Yorkville (1235 Bay St.). What to expect - Casual setting and service. On the menu: The “Original, world famous” Roasted Baby Cauliflower (413), “The best Hummus that you will ever eat” ($18) topping with “melting” chickpeas ($18), Folded Cheeseburger ($16.50), Sac de Coq ($21), “Not the British” Fish-n-Chips ($18) and A Bag of Golden Meat ($19) – aka overnight brisket and onions seared on a hot steel, with garlic aioli.
Monte Bianco (1201 Bloor St. W.) debuted in Bloordale last year but relaunched yesterday under new management boasting an array of Italian fare – from homemade pizza and pasta to traditional apps and mains – with prices ranging from $10-$36.
Anterpreet Dhaliwal and Heta Joshi are busy healthcare professionals who met at a wedding last year and instantly bonded over many things, includinga shared love of cocktails. So much so, the dynamic duo dreamed up “Toronto’s first Valentine themed cocktail bar.” Find the Once Upon A Time pop-up at the fab new Society Clubhouse (973 College St.) February 2-20, seven nights a week, no tickets required. On the menu: Drinks created by Dhaliwal and Joshi and assorted snacks. Did you know? Society Clubhouse recently welcomed Bloordale’s epic bottleshop 4th and 7. Naturally, TR Newsletter subscribers are already in the know.
Then & Now Restaurant (1316 Queen St. W.), softly opens tonight. The “Asian fusion bistro” in Parkdale is the latest eatery in town to declare a “no tipping” policy. The addy is formerly home of The Heartbreak Chef, Prohibition Pie, and The Standard Bar.
Unholy Donuts’ artisan brioche confections touched down in The Village (95 Maitland St.) a year ago. This just in: A second shop just dropped near the Eaton Centre at Bay and Dundas (596 Bay St.)
Scarborough’s 4 Seasons Indian Cuisine (1519 Birchmount Rd.) Halal Hyderabadi fare taking over the space recently vacated by Chef George Restaurant.
CLOSED
The Crave 6ix Charcuterie Bistro’s storefront in The Beaches (2220A Queen St. E.) debuted Summer ’21.
The Junction’s Golden Falafel (3128 Dundas St. W.) has been replaced by another concept. See details above.
Good Karma arrived in Riverside (689 Queen St. E.) May 2019. Doors aren’t staying closed long: Chick Wings opens soon.
Hype Food Co.’s ‘Gerrones’ digs (1060 Gerrard St. E.) have come to a close, however their food made with allergies and dietary restrictions in mind will continue, though the “current business model will change significantly.”
Leslieville’s Mira Mira Sandwich & Ice Cream Bar at Queen and Greenwood (1372 Queen St. E.) is on the move. Stay tuned.
Announcement of the sudden closure of People’s Pint Brewing Company (90 Cawthra Ave., Unit 101) yesterday came as a surprise to many. The brewery and taproom debuted in the Junction in 2018.
Southwest cantina Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit! (461 King St. W.) came on the scene Summer ’21. with “hi-fi Tex-Mex” and a patio made for sippin’ and brunchin’ Doors closed last month.
The initial location of Canada’s first robo café RC Coffee Robo Cafe (1255 Bay St.) has closed. Fun fact: The automated barista debuted Fall 2020 at 1235 Bay St. before moving a few doors away around this time last year.
Sonndr Café’s spot at Dovercourt and Bloor (805 Dovercourt Rd.) may have come to an end, but you can get your caffeine fix at Tiny’s General Store (80 Barton Ave., side entrance).
Uncle Tetsu’s last day at Dufferin Mall (900 Dufferin St.) was January 31, however a new location is underway.
EVENTS
La Poutine Week returns to Toronto February 1-14.
Check out 30+ vendors at Sweet Sensations, Butter Tarts & More Market at Oakville Place (240 Leighland Ave., Lower Level) on February 4.
Winterlicious continues until February 9.
NEWS
Firecracker and former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion died. She was 101.
Dora Di Donato of Faema Canada died. She was 89.
The City reconsiders some of the proposed changes to the CafeTO program. Will it be enough for restaurants to continue?
Loblaws price freeze ended January 31.
In addition to celebratory food festivities such as an Alice in Wonderland-esque Tea Party and bagel and cream cheese extravaganza, headline-grabbing immersive events by Hidden include downing toilet-themed fare at The Crappy Experience and donning an orange jumpsuit while sipping three “San Quentin-themed cocktails” showing “life on the inside of Alcatraz” at the “bar behind bars.” This week it was announced Karen's Diner, which has been touring the globe, is coming to Toronto this spring via family-run Italian restaurant Trecce (1792 Danforth Ave.). What to expect? The tag line “Great burgers and very rude service” is just the beginning. According to a release, “Karen is a f*cking busy gal, coming to serve the people what they deserve. Get ready to feel the wrath of the OG Karen as Karen's Diner.”
The food recalls continue with Tohato Potato Ring Seaweed Flavor Snack recalled due to undeclared milk and various Indigo-Branded Ceramic Mugs, Mug Ornaments, and Houseware Products recalled due to mold contamination.
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