OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News October 28-November 3, 2021

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 min read

What a week. First, indoor dining is baaaaack in full effect. Now events. And this weekend’s all about candy and costumes. Pretty, pretty, good. It gets better. I’ve got 23 new destinations for you to discover.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Balzac’s Outpost (197 Bartley Dr.) is not like the others – in terms of location and appearance anyway. While coffee and pastries remain true to the brand, the Canadian chain’s first venture in North York is housed in their warehouse, giving it an exclusive, industrial feel.

The Belly Buster Submarines isn’t about mass expansion. Established in 1974 in Lawrence Park (3447 Yonge St.), the second location at King and Spadina (389 King St. W.) followed nearly 40 years later in 2013. The first east side venue debuted yesterday morning. Hot tip: Known for their signature subs - Turkey Bacon, Super Stack (dbl meat: salami, ham, turkey, choice of toppings), Cheese Steak, Meatball – the namesake featuring salami and roast beef topped with mushrooms and gravy, is a must.

Kerin Chanel’s first brick-and-mortar Black Owned Toronto launched at Scarborough Town Centre just three months ago. The excitement continues: The grand opening of the CF Toronto Eaton Centre holiday pop-up store (220 Yonge St.) kicks off Saturday at 11am with giveaways, DJs and much more.

There are a slew of burger joints across the city, but Brazilian Burger Bar (28 Logan Ave.) in the east end differentiates itself with “burgers with a Brazilian twist,” pastels, and traditional Brazilian desserts (flan, brigadeiros, dulce de leche cheesecake). Of particular note, the Big Brazil Burger (X-Tudo Hambúrguer) boasting ten ingredients: Double homemade patty, American cheese, fried egg, bacon, all beef hot dog, potato sticks, tomato, lettuce and herbed mayo, tucked into a toasted brioche bun. Otherwise known as breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Dickens Café started out in Scarborough in the ‘90s, but recently made the move to Markham with new items and a new name to boot. Dickens Restaurant (10 Apple Creek Blvd., Unit B3) offers a wide array of options catering to all ages and palates, from HK style dishes and signature specialty German Pork Hock to a kid’s menu and afternoon.

Established in 1948 and closed since 2014, the legendary El Mocambo (464 Spadina Ave,)officially reopens Saturday in newly renovated, tricked out digs (the state of the art video, audio, lighting, and production capabilities are just the beginning) with Toronto’s own Our Lady Peace. The iconic venue is also bringing Hugh’s Room and Hugh’s Room Live to the stage through monthly events.

Looking for a new backdrop for your takeout? Sustainable tableware from Fable Home’s new shop steps from Trinity Bellwood Park (878 Queen St. W.) oughta do it.

Toronto roastery Hale Coffee arrived at Yonge & Eg in June, and continues to add to it roster. A branch softly opened at Bloor and Church (175 Bloor St. E.) on Monday, complete with selfie-ready peacock mural.

Hey Noodles was all set to launch in the Annex last month, when construction delays got in the way. The location at Bloor and Bathurst (526 Bloor St. W.) debuted earlier this week.

Moving can be such a pain, but luckily Hot Black Coffee didn’t have far to go. Find their midtown pop-up in its permanent slip of a space at Yonge and Davisville (1921 Yonge St.), just blocks from their old stomping grounds (1998 Yonge St.).

The Joy of Pho landed at Upper Yonge Plaza (10909 Yonge St., Unit 16)in Richmond Hill in August. Amongst with the usual array of Vietnamese fare - noodle soups, broken rice, banh mi - discover delicacies such as Malaysian style Curry Crab and French style BBQ Lamb.

Kibo Sushi House has been unstoppable these last two years. Keeping up the momentum, they launched three locations across the GTA earlier this week: Oakville (221 Lakeshore Rd. E.), Etobicoke (4925 Dundas St. W.) and Richmond Hill (9425 Leslie St.), with more on the way.

There’s a new watering hole on the Danforth near Jones. Introducing Lot 774 (774 Danforth Ave.).

Doors opened Tuesday for Bloorcourt’s Mumbaikar Indian Restaurant And Bar (1063 Bloor St. W.). Tuck into specialities such as Anda Todfod, Makhani Mac & Cheese, Jackfruit Masala, Zaffrani Chicken Tikka, and Matunga Fish Curry.

Japanese bento (Butaman, Curry, Tonjiru), curry, soup, snacks and Osaka-style steamed pork buns are the name of the game at MUSU Osaka Buns’ new ghost kitchen in Etobicoke (20 Lockport Ave.).

Naveen Chakravarti spent the pandemic launching new eateries: Station Social House in May 2020, Prohibition Pie in Parkdale in March ’21, followed by a buzzy pop-up in Rosedale (14 Dupont St., former home of Playa Cabana Hacienda) this past summer. After taking over Oddseoul (90 Ossington Ave.) and reopening last month, he’s launching Neon Tiger (14 Dupont St.) tonight. Mover and shaker indeed.

New Yorker Burger & Souvlaki House at Broadview and Danforth (753 Broadview Ave.) has taken over Big Munch Grill’s expansive space that featured 16 virtual concepts and replaced popular neighbourhood haunt New York Café this summer. The new biz (by the same company behind BMG) offers similar fare – souvlaki, gyros, smash burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and nachos - six nights a week until 3am (closed Mondays).

Bubble tea café Now Tea set down roots in Waterloo a year ago, but the brand recently set up shop – make that shops – in Markham: Liberty Square Plaza (3601 Hwy 7, Unit 112) and Commerce Gate - (505 Hwy 7, Unit 61-63).

Last week, Chef Victor Barry (PIANO PIANO, PICCOLO PIANO Pizzeria) launched Victory Food at Kitchen Hub’s Cabbagetown location (234 Parliament). PIANO PIANO joined in on the fun today.

Sambal’s at The District Kitchen at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) starting Monday. The month-long pop-up store features Indonesian fare such as Chicken Satay ($13), Famous Beef Rendang ($17), Nasi Goreng Kampoeng ($14), and Gado-Gado ($12).

CLOSED

It was a short run for Big Munch Grill (753 Broadview Ave.). Details above.

Tapas style bar Kingyo Izakaya in Cabbagetown (51 Winchester St.) is changing things up after Halloween. Owner/chef Koji will be in the kitchen starting tonight for their Arigato event. The restaurant will close after service on Sunday for renos, expected to last a few months. Stay tuned.

Legends Sports Lounge (774 Danforth Ave.) has already been replaced. See above.

A popular sushi chain has taken over where Korean eatery Restaurant Beijing (4925 Dundas St. W.) stood.

Thindi’s run at World Food Market (335 Yonge St.) ended yesterday. Operations are moving to the cafe location on College (400 College St.).

EVENTS

KITKAT Chocolatory’s Made 4 U Creator Studio is on at the at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St., Unit 615) until November 13.

Don’t miss this weekend’s Trick or Treat Food Truck Fest at Variety Village. There’s live music, beer garden, monster jeeps, costume contest, arts & crafts, a contest for pets, and much more.

Buy your tickets now for Street Eats to help raise money for people experiencing poverty and homelessness and support local businesses who have been impacted throughout the pandemic.

NEWS

Capacity limits were lifted for inside bars and restaurants on Monday, and earlier today it was announced limits were also lifted for outdoor events.

The Anita Stewart Memorial Food Laboratory in memory of Anita Stewart, founder of Food Day Canada, launched at the University of Guelph.

Toronto Raptor Yuta Watanabe visited Ramen Isshin’s College outpost.
ICYMI

The province finally lifted capacity limits for bars and restaurants. Discover what that means for both industry and patrons now.

Newsletter subscribers got the full scoop on the Toronto location of Estiatorio Milos. They also got dibs on a pop-up helmed by an outstanding chef and club you should def be a part of. Don’t miss out. Get in on The Tip Off found exclusively in the TR Newsletter > subscribe now. Note: Your personal details will never be sold or shared.

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

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