OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News October 7-13, 2021

My 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 GTA. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕒 11 min read

The days of a long weekend or national holiday impacting arrivals are long over, as my weekly findings both prior to and throughout the pandemic, confirm. This week is no different, as evidenced by the 17 arrivals below. And stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR newsletter. In the meantime, happy Thanksgiving.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

bb.q Chicken brought its signature fried chicken to the downtown core just two weeks ago, quickly followed by a spot on Elm (43 Elm St.). Doors quietly opened Friday. 

Love tonkatsu? Korean tonkatsu house Brown Donkatsu And Ramen has been a fixture in Markham for some time now, and now North York (6024 Yonge St.) is getting it’s very own outpost. Doors open Tuesday with a host of deals for the grand opening.

TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to get the heads-up about about Deccan’s Delight (1960 Lawrence Ave. E., Unit 18B). The new Indian restaurant at Victoria Park and Lawrence in Scarborough is notable for its Hyderabadi fare including Bagare Baigan (sautéed eggplant in spicy sweet curry  made with peanuts, sesame seeds, coconut, and cashews), Dum ka Kheema (slow-cooked minced mutton), and Goat Paya Nihari (goat feet cooked in an array of spices).

Eisenbergs (4580 Dufferin St.) at Finch and Dufferin is brought  to you by Montrealers who have made Toronto home. The family owned and operated deli-esque eatery is doing their own Jerusalem bagels in-house, alongside paninis, pastries, salads, and smoothies, all inspired by traditional family recipes.

Fall N' Leaves Pop-Up (164 Bathurst St.) - complete with pumpkin patch, partially heated patio, food and wine - is delivering seriously cozy vibes until next Thursday.

Fresh on Eglinton temporarily closed a few weeks back while they prepared to move. Find the healthy chain in their new digs right across the street (101 Eglinton Ave E.).  

If you’re not already a regular at Grape Witches (1247 Dundas St. W.), you should be. Hot tip: Check out the new Salon upstairs.

Holy Cookie has been serving up “Toronto’s finest soft baked cookies” in Kensington all summer. Check out their pop-up this weekend in the same nabe at 4Life Natural Foods (210 Augusta Ave.). Fun Fact: The Crumbs Gourmet Patties Pop-Up at the same location got extended to November. Win-win.

One area that has really transformed in the last few years: Yonge and St. Clair. The latest arrival: Istanbul Doner Wrap (1404 Yonge St.).

Jimmy’s Coffee new Riverside location at Queen and Degrassi (806 Queen St. E.) was formerly home to M'Eat Resto Butcher, which shuttered Fall ’19. Doors open for the local chain on Friday.

Tired of having to fold or roll your own pizza slice? Konz Pizza does heavy lifting with their cone option while also offering pressed and flat varieties, in addition to pastas, poutines and salads. Find the first of three GTA locations at King and Shaw (1029 King St. W.).

China's “biggest halal hand-pulled noodle brand” has landed at Yonge Sheppard Centre (4841 Yonge St,). This marks the third location in the GTA for Omni Palace Noodle House.

Pür & Simple’s expansion has been on a steady climb throughout the pandemic with two in February and one earlier this month. It continues with an outpost opening in Woodbridge (130 Windflower Gate) Tuesday.

I heard about Strange Love Cafe’s plans to open at the base of University (1 University Ave.) years ago. Back when they were Strange Love Coffee. And way before any new mood-enhancing wellness bars adaptogenic mushroom powered drinks were on the scene. Psst. The space finally welcomed guests last week. It turns out they’re just getting started. In the works: NY and LA for 2022.

Super Chicken is adding to the evergrowing fam. Grand opening celebrations for the  new downtown venue (995 Bay St.) include 50 Free Spicy Chicken Sandwiches on Sat and Sun at 2pm (one per person), and a giveaway of  $50 Cash and 1 Free Spicy Sandwich for one lucky winner.

Thai Barn Na Kitchen + Bar has softly opened in Etobicoke (256 Brown’s Line) with vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and certified halal options, house-infused spirits, and not-to-be-missed dishes including Curry Fish Fries.

Tom Yum Restaurant And Wine Bar (21 Grenville St.) is currently in soft opening. On the menu: Asian inspired tapas such as Little Bird's Nest ($16) inspired by Pad Krapow Moo with ground pork, house made purple rice and “pink running egg.” There’s also Roasted Cornish Hen ($28) marinated in house red curry sauce, and a seafood dish that shares its name with Netflix’s fastest growing show ever, Squid Game ($18). 

CLOSED 

Sunday may be the last day for Kekou Gelato’s Queen and Spadina outpost (394 Queen St. W.), but  the North York shop (5359 Yonge St.) will keep you stocked in their signature gelato and bubble tea.

Tapas style bar Kingyo Izakaya in Cabbagetown (51 Winchester St.) is changing things up after Halloween. Will November 1st reveal sister concept plant-based Tsuchi Café, in its stead?  Stay tuned.

The Simple Kitchen’s last day in Roncy (73 Roncesvalles Ave.) is Saturday, but they’re staying put in Oakville.

Curtain call for Two Hot Babes Coffee Co., that opened inside Wenona Craft Beer Lodge (1069 Bloor St. W.) during the pandemic, is Monday. Owner Nancy hopes her ‘covid survival project’  inspires others to “do the thing.”

EVENTS        

Tomorrow’s the last night for Night Market Toronto’s Harvest Festival at Square One (Lot P6).

Between the midway, inflatable corn maze, and mini putt, kiddos will lose their minds at this weekend’s PumpkinFest Toronto at Downsview Park. 

If you’re of the mind ‘chicken is a bird; fried chicken is a way of life,’ this weekend’s Fried Chicken Fest by Street Eats Market x Scarborough Town Centre, is for you.

Psst. Make sure to follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram for pop-up news and exclusive events coverage.

NEWS

Celebrity chef Mark McEwan and his many restaurants and businesses made headlines this week after filing for creditor protection last month.

Fahrenheit Coffee posted a ‘Public Service Announcement’ in light of “recent altercations.”

Convenience stores want to sell local beer, wine and coolers. What say you?

The legendary El Mocambo is finally set to officially reopen on October 30 in its new digs (464 Spadina Ave,) with Toronto’s own Our Lady Peace.

ICYMI

Transgender rights do not get much, if any coverage in mainstream media these days, and zero when it comes to hospitality, so it’s up to individuals to document their experiences. Dento Lam has been chronicling his long and tireless journey on social media for years. A passionate, hard-working baker at top establishments across the city for over a decade including a high-end hotel, buzzy French restaurant, and collaborating with an award-winning patisserie and chocolatier, it’s not until now, at his new place of work Forno Cultura, benefits cover his testosterone injections - an important part of his transition. Prior to this, he paid out of pocket for 9.5 years. Get to know Dento in this week’s captivating At The Pass. Discover the incredible dish he’s making right now, his favourite restaurants (and bakery!) around town, the advice he thankfully didn’t take, and much more in this compelling interview, complete with transgender resources.

Thanksgiving is quickly on the approach. Feeling unprepared? Overwhelmed? Help is here, courtesy of top Toronto chefs, restaurants and shops with tantalizing recipes all week long to get you on track. Kicking things off: Sanagan's Meat Locker Roast Turkey with Stuffing, and Chef Lynn’s Harvest Apple Pie. Stay tuned - exciting new recipes dropping this weekend.

AndIf 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 because you missed what’s replacing an iconic ), and fab deals and special offers from restaurants and local businesses (because who doesn’t want to save money?), all exclusive to subscribers. 

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Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast - I wrote about +110 new arrivals in September 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. 

Need help promoting your menu/cocktail kits/new location, but you’re on a budget? We can help. *Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available. BOOK NOW.