Open/Closed: week of June 8-14, 2017
Your weekend plans just got way better: Introducing 13 new dining destinations to add to your already crowded list.
Here’s the very latest:
OPENINGS
Café Cancan (89 Harbord St.) opened softly on Friday, officially on Tuesday. Brought to you by the Piano Piano team – Chef Victor Barry, his wife Nikki Leigh McKean, Brendan Piunno, and designed by Tiffany Pratt – the pretty in pink French bistro is set right across the street from Piano Piano. We’ll have a closer look for you soon.
Chocolates By Brandon Olsen (193 Baldwin St.) is relocating. The tiny shop on College has been left behind for a bigger venue in Kensington Market. Doors open Saturday.
Drake’s Commissary Kitchen (1136 Queen St W.) debuts on Monday. In addition to a 5,000 square feet production kitchen, the space boasts 140-person seated dining area, 40-seat patio, 40-foot-long marble display counter showcasing baked and prepared foods, coffee and cocktail bar, and walk-in charcuterie fridge. We’ll have a closer look for you soon.
After a lengthy wait, Elchi Chai Shop (130 Harbord St.) is finally open. Sip on chai and lassi while nibbling on made in-house paratha – soft, flaky flatbread with your choice of sweet and savoury toppings.
Game of Cheese (505 Hwy 7) has opened in Thornhill. The restaurant is by Chef Frank of KaKa All You Can Eat – Toronto’s first AYCE torched sushi restaurant. Menu items include cheese pizzas, pastas, appetizers and desserts. P.S. Get ready for more Asian-cheese themed spots to soon crop up across the city.
Have a hankering for shawarma, kababs and shisa? Head to Godfather Shawarma (531 Yonge St).
Brunch in The Junction is easy at The House of Common (3109 Dundas St. W.). Selections include Eggs Benny on Rosti ($14), Frittata ($14) and Flank Steak Tortilla ($13).
Grab a smoothie, salad, sandwich, fresh juice, bento box and more at Picnic Food’s (120 Bloor St. E.) newest location near Church.
Rikkochez Kitchen (341 Danforth Ave.) offers locally inspired Levantine-Eastern Mediterranean dishes, made with sustainable farmed and locally sourced ingredients. Tuck into Moroccan Meatball Soup ($14), Mushroom & Chickpea Stew ($14) and all-day weekend brunch items of Smoked Salmon & Latkes ($16), Kedgeree ($16) and Shakshuka ($15).
T-swirl Crêpe (510 Yonge St.) isn’t your typical French crepery. This new spot specializes in gluten-free Japanese crêpes with a “Tokyo twist and NYC kick.”
Chef Grant van Gameren’s Tennessee Tavern (1554 Queen St. W.) opens tomorrow. Expect Eastern European fare (cabbage rolls made with sour cabbage) and lots of quality drinks natch. Stay tuned.
True True Pizza (456 Queen St. W.) opened a second location on Monday.
Thankfully, Wong’s Ice Cream & Store (617 Gerrard St. E.) isn’t another insta-only extreme ice cream shop. Instead, enthralling Asian-themed ice cream flavours await you – Wasabi Honey! Vegan Lemongrass Lime Sorbet! Chocolate Yuzu! Chinese Tiger Tail (black sesame with salted duck egg)! Other treats include “misfortune” cookies and gourmet organic freeze-dried ice cream. Grand opening takes place Wednesday.
CLOSINGS
Chef Rob Rossi’s Bestellen (972 College St.) is closing June 30, so make reservations while you can.
Rundles in Stratford is closing September 23, after 41 seasons.
That was fast. Piccadilly Delicatessen (547 Danforth Ave.) was open just a few weeks before “Store for Rent” signs were posted.
Another quick closing: Al Amana Meat Market (155 Dundas St. E.) is papered up soon after launching.
NEWS
Si Lom Thai Bistro (534 Church St.) is temporarily closed due to a fire earlier this week.
Wishbone Café, Toronto’s soon-to-be first dog café, has launched a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo.
Yorkville Village’s Summer Mrkt (136 Yorkville Ave.) launched yesterday. The artisanal market features an array of food and drink vendors every Wednesday (11 am to 3 pm) until August 30.
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