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

🕘 11.5 min read

Think there’s not much going on? Think again.

Keeping a close eye on what’s been transpiring as always, I knew this week’s discoveries would be bustling. What I didn’t expect, was how frenzied it would be. (Things usually ease up a bit at this time of year due to weather, vacations, etc.) And it’s not just arrivals either. As predicted, the closures are coming fast and furious as well: they make up half of this week’s 22 openings.

Events are off the charts too. I’ve made numerous additions and updates to the already jam-packed July Fests + Events Calendar, and have been hard at work on the August edition (dropping soon), which is just as voluminous, if not even more extensive.

And stay tuned – big news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter. 

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Bar 6ix Sports + Wings was all set to launch out front of Square One, (201 City Centre Dr.) a few weeks ago, when life had other plans. Doors opened - for real this time - on Saturday. 

Bubble tea chain Chatime’s rapid expansion continues with an outpost in Richmond Hill (10909 Yonge St.). Bonus: Fri-Sun, enjoy a BOGO of Grass Jelly Roasted Milk Tea, Mango Green Tea, or QQ Lychee at the Upper Yonge location. Conditions apply.

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice is in perpetual motion. The global bubble tea brand with more than 5,000 stores worldwide has softly opened two locations: Dorval Crossing in Oakville (230 N Service Rd. W., Unit 8) and Mississauga (888 Dundas St. E., Unit K3A). At the latter, enjoy 15 per cent off all drinks until August 31. Conditions apply.

With scorching temps like these, ice cream is practically a must. Luckily, Cool Licks D-Lite just opened at King and Niagara (789 King St. W.). Naturally, TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to know.

You’d think a lengthy rest period would be required after launching a diner three months ago, and reopening your beachside location for the season. Scarborough’s Curbside Dogs doesn’t agree. Dog Fish Bar & Grill‘s (7 Brimley Rd. S.) name may remain, but it’s all CD in the kitchen.

There’s no having to choose between burgers and shawarma at Queen and Bathurst’s new Doner Box (669 Queen St. W.). Grand opening festivities took place last week. 

Fern Colavecchia and Tony Visca’s flagship DoughBox Wood Fired Pizza may be located in Hamilton, but the 6ix has been getting in on the fun this last while. Most recently: Port Credit (230 Lakeshore Rd. E.).

TR Newsletter subscribers got advance notice. For those just catching up: From the team behind The Black Pony Cafe (1481 Gerrard St. E.) in 
Gerrard India Bazaar comes The Golden Pigeon Beer Hall (424 Parliament St.).
 Cabbagetown‘s newest occupant delivers fun beer hall vibes via pub classics,
German grub (Schnitzel Dinner, Baked Spaetzel Mac n’ Cheese), a curated
selection of bevvies, and host of games including skee-ball, arcade games,
 darts and shuffleboard. Doors opened Tuesday.  

The croissant craze shows no signs of slowing down. Neither does Hazukido. The chain’s fresh croissants inspired by Europe and Japan and other baked goods have been making their way across the 6ix via new shops throughout the pandemic. Psst. Grand opening for the Yorkville branch at Bay and Bloor (1200 Bay St.) take place Saturday and Sunday starting at 10am. Free Stuff Alert: Box of three croissants (Butter Garlic, Dark Chocolate, Honeycomb), swag bag, and keychain will be given out to the first 30 customers. The next 50 will receive a free drink (Yashima Brown Sugar Bubble Milk Tea or Peach Sparkling Refresher), swag bag, and keychain. Conditions apply.

The fifth Hibachi Teppanyaki & Bar has touched down in Scarborough (430 Progress Ave.).

Jian Bing Club’s Richmond Hill outpost (10650 Leslie St.). This marks the third location in the GTA for the Chinese street food chain and fourth overall (Brisbane, Australia). 

Tuesday was the first day for Jin Shabu Shabu’s new Korean hot pot and iron plate eatery at Markham’s Commerce Gate (505 Highway 7, Unit 98-99). Did you know? The brand began with Jin Korean Noodles in 2020. 

TR Newsletter subscribers got word back in May that Paradise Grapevine was opening a second location. Paradise Grapevine Winery (218 Geary Ave.) debuted earlier this week, boasting all the good stuff that goes into making wine, an onsite bar “that we very proudly built ourselves,” and summer feature: patio restaurant with “wood fired asado-inspired delights”  Thurs-Sun.” They’re in good company with neighbours including Blood Brothers Brewing Co., The Greater Good, and Parallel.

I get it. You’re sick of hearing about TR Newsletter subscribers, but they’ve known for weeks that Yorkville's newest hotspot, cocktail bar Parc Ave (265 Davenport Rd.) opens tonight. And IG followers got a sneak peek earlier today.

Round Table Tavern (2624 Eglinton Ave. E.) arrived at Brimley and Eglinton earlier this month with burgers, wings, fish tacos and other casual fare.

Haute alert: Handcrafted Swiss chocolates are the objects of affection at Swiss Art Chocolatier On Yorkville (70 Yorkville Ave.), nestled in the tony neighbourhood between the Four Seasons Hotel and Chanel.

Tenda Sushi’s extensive menu offers everything from sushi cakes to ramen. Enjoy 10 per cent off for in-store pickup at Dundas and Jarvis (106 Mutual St. Unit 1007A). 

The long-awaited W Toronto (90 Bloor St. E.) officially opens today, with part coffeehouse, kitchen and bar Public School, tapas bar Living Room, and rooftop bar Skylight.

CLOSED 

Black Forest Steakhouse (2624 Eglinton Ave. E.) in Scarborough known for its steak and seafood, has closed. For what’s replaced it, see above.

Tomorrow’s your last chance to visit  Chantecler Boucherie (1320 Queen St. W.). Luckily, this is not the end of restaurateur Jacob Wharton-Shukster’s stellar visions - one of which you can enjoy right now across the street: Restaurant Le Phénix (1263 Queen St .W.).

Established March 1, 2014, Cabbagetown’s The Irv Gastro Pub (195 Carlton St.) has come to an end. Recent trials and tribulations include their executive chef being seriously injured and issues with the landlord regarding the water bill, according to a post on their Instagram last month. Irv At The George in Newmarket’s The George Brewery (236 Main St. S.) remains open.

Kebab Queen (669 Queen St. W.) came and went. 

Kub Khao Thai Eatery (3561 Sheppard Ave. E.) in Scarborough has closed.

The Mission Eatery swapped out their Mississauga digs (5915 Airport Rd., Unit 100) for a coveted spot on Queen West. 

Onnki Donburi (40 Hayden St.) debuted Fall ‘17. Last service is Saturday, but sister brand Onkki B  just landed on College.

106 Mutual St. has been home to a number of ventures including Hurry Curry, Tacarito, and most recently Panga offering an array of pizza, poutine and paratha. For what’s taken over, see above.

Saturday’s the final day to say your goodbyes to the decade-long  Sabai Sabai Kitchen and Bar , the popular Lao and Northern Thai eatery by Jason Jiang, Seng Luong  and owners of Pai and SukhoThai Jeff and Nuit Regular. After changing locations throughout the years , the final resting stop at Bloor and Church (81 Bloor St. E.) has been “expropriated by the city of Toronto for the upcoming TTC expansion project.” 

Simply Frosted (5550 Lawrence Ave.) also got the boot after ten years.  A notice on their website and social media reads in part, “The landlord has made the decision to lease to a new tenant.”

Uncle Tetsu’s To Go - formerly Uncle Tetsu's Angel Café (191 Dundas St. W.) may be gone, but bigger and better things are already underway.

EVENTS

This month is jam-packed with incredible street parties, parades, fairs and markets boasting fabulous food, drinks, games and entertainment for the whole family. Get TR’s Complete Guide To July’s Can’t-Miss Festivals + Events.

NEWS

Jacky Lo, a Toronto chef and long-time employee of O&B, has died.

A man died after a shooting inside a nightclub downtown last weekend.

An incident at a Scarborough restaurant last week has resulted in a death.

Restaurants continue to experience break-ins including Tienda Movil (1237 Woodbine Ave.). A GoFundMe has been launched to help The Grand Trunk after last week’s incident.

As if last week’s recalls weren’t enough. This week’s notifications include: chicken wieners, red Thai curry chicken soup mix, stuffed fish balls, and sweet treats including select soft baked cookies, various brands of chocolate products, and a dark chocolate bar.

ICYMI

Take a peek inside Yorkville's new Parc Ave.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

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

Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

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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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