Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News August 3-9, 2017

This week’s 11 openings might be the most diverse list ever.

Here’s the very latest:

OPENINGS

Beroea Box (Market 707, 707 Dundas St. W.) specializes in Aleppo (northern Syria) street food such as ouzi (lamb and rice in phyllo pastry) and man’oushe (za’atar flatbread). Stay tuned.

Foodbenders’ (1162 Bloor Street W.) popular locally sourced, healthy fare is ready to grab and go at Bloor and Dufferin.

The first Galleria Express (351 Bloor St. W.) is now open. Soon to follow for the popular Korean grocery chain is a location at Yonge and Wellesley.

Yesterday was the grand opening for J’s Apron Brunch Cafe (96 Harbord St.). On the menu? Italian-Japanese fusion with a ton of desserts.

In addition to their eponymous James Cheese Back Ribs (409 Spadina Ave.), dig into signature Fried Corn Squid, and Pan-Seared Pork Belly at this Chinatown spot.

Kasthamandap Nepalese Cuisine (1500 Queen St. W.) used to be Ama Kitchen. Now they’ve got a new name and new menu.

Roncy just got its own Mean Bao (2210 Dundas St. W.). It’s the fourth location for the bao and dim sum destination.

If you didn’t already have Taiwanese thick cut fried chicken and fluffy Taiwanese bao buns in your life, you do now, thanks to Monga Fried Chicken (692 Yonge St.).

Pie Bar (207 Queens Quay W., Suite 155) specializes in pizza, pasta, salad and gelato. The ’za most likely to succeed? Short Rib & Gorgonzola ($23) with crushed San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, roasted cipollini onions, and kale.

Reliable Fish & Chips (954 Queen St. E.) closed back in March, but didn’t tell anyone the closure was for renovations. They’re back – phew! – this time with a more modern look and a few menu additions, including burgers (1/4 lb $5.49, lamb ¼ lb. $7.99).

In the mood for Argentinian fare? Head to Vos Restaurante Argentino (847 College St.).

NEWS

The Toronto Islands are open again, including The Island Café and The Rectory Café.

Tinder Tuesday is now a thing. The first round of drinks is on Levetto if you come in and prove you swiped right and met your match on Tinder. The offer excludes bottles of vino and takes place Tuesdays at Liberty Village and College Street locations.

Mill Street Brewery just released its own Small Batch Gin, distilled at the The Beer Hall - Mill Street by Martha Lowry. The gin “uses Citra hops, usually only found in small-batch IPAs, to give the gin a tangy, citrus flavour and floral undertone perfect for your summer gin and tonic.” It’s available for purchase at the Beer Hall Distillery District retail store. It’s also in their new gin and tonic at Mill St. Brew Pub - Toronto and The Beer Hall- Mill Street.



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Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

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