Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News October 24-30, 2019

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This week’s 11 openings are all over the place food-wise – wings, Uzbek dishes, crazy Korean hotdogs – while bubble tea continues to reign.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN 

O&B’s new Mediterranean eatery Babel (305 York Mills Rd.) doesn’t officially open until November 1st. However, early access to Babel reservations, “insider draft” of the final menu, and 25 per cent off food until November 17 was just released to email subscribers. Psst! insider tip: Reservations open to the public on Tuesday.

North York is the lucky recipient of international chain Chung Chun Rice Dog (11 Byng Ave.), famous for its Korean-style hotdogs wrapped in fermented sticky rice dough, resulting in a chewy, crispy coating. They sold out at yesterday’s grand opening, so Saturday’s buy-one-get-one-free event is likely to as well. 

To celebrate their soft opening, Edomae Kiyomi at Church and Gerrard (76 Gerrard St.E.) is offering a 20 per cent discount until the end of November.

Ivan Sushi & Tea (1033 Kingston Rd.) just landed across from other newcomer Somun Superstar. On the menu: sushi and bubble tea.

Speaking of bubble tea, Chinatown’s newest arrival Lait Night Café (81 Huron St.), is open 24/7. Currently in soft opening, LNC’s commemorating Saturday’s grand opening with free drinks for the first 50 guests, and 50 per cent off drinks all day – 12pm to 12am.

And by now, it’s no great surprise that the boba inundation doesn’t stop there. The Krys Milk Tea Bar (150 King St. W.) has touched down in the downtown core with drinks made with powder-free local milk. 

Masalawala Indian Canteen (617 College St.), situated across from The Royal Cinema, specializes in build your own curry bowls. In the works: biryani bowls, Ayurvedic teas, tonics, and cookies.

If éclairs are your jam, head to the latest outpost of Nügateau Patisserie at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) in Mississauga. This marks the third location for the éclairs-only pastry shop.

Riz on St. Clair (760 St. Clair Ave. W.) has taken over the old Ji space, continuing the Asian-fusion tradition carried out at their Riz on Yonge in Lawrence Park, and recently shuttered Riz on Bayview.

Looking to explore Uzbek cuisine? Head to Taste of Uzbekistan  (3249 Yonge St.) in Lawrence Park for an array of noodles, dumplings, and other dishes. Perhaps while belly dancers undulate nearby.

After closing for renovations, Wild Wing’s Bayview location (666 Millwood Rd.) is open again – this time under new management. 

CLOSED 

Grinder Coffee (1021 Gerrard St. E.) will serve its last cuppa joe on Sunday. 

On the move. Etobicoke’s Huevos Gourmet (2888 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) is relocating. Stay tuned. 

EVENTS

The Matty Boy BBQ Cajun-style Pop-Up at Adamson Barbecue on Monday will likely sell out by the time I finish writing this sentence, but I’m posting it anyway on the off chance you can get in. Fingers crossed. 

Head to the Gardiner Museum tonight for Empty Bowls.

Celebrate Diwali in Gerrard India Bazaar on Saturday.

Halloween arrives early this year, thanks to Saturday’s Scream Whistle by Steam Whistle.

NEWS

Air Canada's Top 10 Best New Restaurants 2019 were announced late last night, and only three Toronto eateries made the cut: Donna's (No. 3), Dreyfus (No. 6), and Ten (No. 10).

The Village Idiot (126 McCaul St.) has changed its name to The Village Genius. 

Alaa Al Soufi of Soufi’s has been charged in relation to a protest in Hamilton last month. 

There’s an update to the beef and veal recall due to E. coli.

There’s a new scholarship in honour of Anthony Bourdain: “Les Halles d’Anthony Bourdain”

Sobey’s is seriously upping their shopping cart game.

ICYMI

Eataly just announced the date for the Toronto store opening. Find out all the details now!

FYI  

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Want to partner with Toronto Restaurants? Send me an email. writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com. 

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