Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News November 21-27, 2019
This week’s incoming restos, cafes, and bars total a mind-blowing 25, bringing this month’s arrivals up to 84 - and it’s not close to over yet.
The city has completely, utterly exploded. See for yourself.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
You won’t go hungry after a visit to modern Italian market Andolini’s (14 Oxford St.), softly opened in Richmond Hill. Dig into an array fresh pastas, wood-fired pizzas, charcuterie, artisan breads, and desserts including cakes, pastries and gelato. Urp.
Mamakas Taverna (80 Ossington Ave.) debuted their modern Hellenic grab-and-go Agora (921 Queen St. W.) early last year. Tuesday, they launch Bar Koukla (88 Ossington Ave.), with meze, cocktails and a whole lotta Greek wine including natural, biodynamic, and organic selections.
Leslieville’s newest coffeeshop Black Rose Café (940 Gerrard St. E.) comes equipped with books, games and “old school” music.
Butter Chicken Roti continues to roll through the GTA with their Indian flatbread dishes, this time setting down roots in Mississauga (213 Queen St. S.)
Cuppa Tea has +600 shops worldwide serving their signature handmade milk tea. Visit their new spot in Markham (28 South Unionville Ave., Unit 1036).
Eat BKK just launched their sixth location, this time in the west end (414 Roncesvalles Ave.).
Looking for a “vibey neighbourhood spot offering natural wine and beer, snacks?” Say hello to Fiz (1265 Dundas St. W.) at Dundas and Dovercourt.
Taquería and tortillería Good Hombres (374 Bathurst St.) by Campechano (504 Adelaide St. W.) has expanded with a sit down space.
Leslieville’s Gordons Pub Kitchen (993 Queen St. E.) is serving up a host of winter warmups such as Beef Pot Pie ($18), Shepard’s Pie ($16) and Maria’s Fried Chicken ($18).
Kung Fu Tea is quickly expanding across the GTA with five more locations in the works. First up: Yorkville (106 Cumberland St.).
Think the matcha ice cream craze was over? Think again. Matcha Cafe Maiko has landed at Markham’s Pacific Mall (4300 Steeles Ave. E.).
Count down the holidays with a drink in hand at Christmas pop-up Miracle Bar (146 Ossington Ave.). Festivities kick off Monday.
Mosaic Kitchen, Bar & Lounge at Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites (5875 Airport Rd.) offers “rustic, comforting dishes with a southern Ontario and global influence.”
Head to Noodle Me (2422 Bloor St. W.) for hand-pulled noodles and Asian fare.
Bubble tea chain OneZo Tapioca has softly opened a shop at Yonge & Wellesley (2 Wellesley St. E.), an area that’s become inundated with boba cafes in recent months.
Brought to you by the folks of kosher smokehouse Que (1100 Eglinton Ave. W.), comes certified COR Qool (1144 Eglinton Ave. W.).
Level up your holiday soirée by booking Salon by Alo, Alo’s private event space next to Yorkville hotspot, Alobar (162 Cumberland St., Unit 57A).
Shawarma Fresh Grill (Village By The Grange -109 McCaul St., Unit 33) specializes in 100 per cent Halal fare including falafels, kebabs, shawarmas and shish tawouk.
Christmas gets a tiki twist at the Sippin’ Santa pop-up, starting Monday at Project Gigglewater (1369 Dundas St. W.).
Despite the name, Sorry, I’ve Got Plants (476 Rocesvalles Ave.) isn’t a plant shop after all, but a plant-based, zero waste meal kit delivery service. All ingredients are 100 per cent vegan, though shhh… omnivores can opt to add meat or cheese.
Grand Electric’s Tacos Rico just moved into Grand Electric Taqueria‘s old spot in Trinity Bellwoods (923 Queen St. W.) On the menu: the millennial trifecta - vegetarian tacos, fresh juice, and natural wine.
After extensive delays, Tastys Chicken & Donuts (357 Spadina Ave.) celebrates their grand opening on Saturday.
Outrageous burgers are the name of the game at Top Gun Burgers. See for yourself at their latest eatery at Queen and Dufferin (1205 Queen St. W.). Doors opened yesterday.
Toronto’s own Woodhouse Brewing Co. has its very own watering hole in Brocktown Village. Introducing: Woodhouse Brew Pub (303 Lansdowne Ave.).
Cheese tea lovers should head to 1011 SIPTEA (635 Bloor St. W.) - they make it fresh in-house.
CLOSED
After extensive renos, The Mt Pleasant Rose (744 Mt Pleasant Rd.) finally launched just over a year ago, but recently shuttered. At press time, the website has a single message: “The venue is closed. Thank you for your patronage.” Smokeshow BBQ and Brew is set to replace it.
Pick 6ix Sports (33 Yonge St.) just can’t catch a break.
The ongoing construction along Eglinton is the reason cited for Prohibition Gastrohouse Midtown’s (40 Eglinton Ave. E.) closure.
Rose and Sons (176 Dupont St.) may be gone, but it won’t be long before The Grand Elvis rises up. Stay tuned.
St Lawrence Market/Old Toronto stalwart Vagabondo Italian Restaurant & Lounge (32 Wellington St. E.) is on the move. Watch for their new digs in the Entertainment District (310 Front St. W.) this winter.
EVENTS
The 24th annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo kicks off tonight.
Get into the holiday spirit at the Veg Holiday Market at Artscape Wychwood Barns this Sunday.
NEWS
Chantecler’s restaurant and butcher shop are closed due to a fire earlier this week. No injuries were reported.
Congrats to Chef Akira Back (Akira Back Toronto, DASHA) on a Michelin star for his Seoul resto Dosa, for a third year in a row.
Are we getting not just one, but two new Silver Dollars?
Controversial fast food chain Chick-fil-A is opening a second Toronto location.
CrunchWrapping Paper is back at Taco Bell. This time, with a scent.
While Americans will soon be able to have their cake and eat it too - in cereal form - thanks to Hostess Twinkies Cereal by Post, the breakfast dessert will not be available in Canada. Instead, the newest Post offering Canucks can look forward to is Honey Bunches of Oats with Apples & Cinnamon Bunches.
ICYMI
Impress yours guests this season. Whip up this enticing cocktail by Aloette at home.
Don’t miss this year’s Socks For Bubbles.
Culinary revelation Alison Roman is coming to Toronto next month!
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