Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News November 7-13, 2019
Grab something to eat and pour yourself a drink, because you’re going to be here awhile.
I don’t know where they all came from, but I’ve got a staggering 24 new eateries and places to get drinks (read: bubble tea) for you this week.
Go ahead and catch up on everything while I lay down for a sec…
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Mount Pleasant is home to a number of Italian restaurants, so why not add another? Balena Ristorante (619 Mount Pleasant Rd.) specializes in regional dishes from the south.
Enjoy +30 varieties of biryani in Scarborough at the newest location of Bawarchi Biryanis (1949 Kennedy Rd.), the “#1 Indian Chain in USA.” Doors opened Friday.
Black Iris Hookah Fruit (1405 Gerrard St. E.) in Gerrard Indian Bazaar is serving up shisha and drinks.
Tuck into Korean fusion fare - KFC (Korean Fried Chicken), Korean Army Stew, Teok-Bokki, Bibimbap - at Burning Fridays (710 Bloor St. W.) in Koreatown.
Carlo’s Bakery, home of American Cake Boss Cakes, has launched three Carlo’s Bake Shop Express cake dispensing machines in The PATH. Other locations coming to the GTA soon. More details on the way. Stay tuned.
With the holidays around the corner, a second location of Craig’s Cookies (438 Church St.) will come in handy. Doors opened Tuesday.
Daldongnae Korean BBQ (658 Bloor St. W.) out of North York says it’s “The best Korean BBQ in Toronto.” Go see for yourself at their new spot in Koreatown.
Chicago-style deep dish pizzeria Double D’s (2888 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) opened in Etobicoke this weekend. This marks the second outpost for the brand.
Eataly Toronto (Manulife Centre – 55 Bloor St. W.) the 40th store for the worldwide chain - officially launches on Wednesday at 5pm. Stay tuned for an extensive sneak peek!
Chef Anthony Rose’s new taco spot at Dundas and Ossington Gordy Smiles (224 Ossington Ave.), debuts today.
Grandmama’s Waffles aren’t just any waffles. These dairy-free concoctions are made with beer and coconut batter (vegan and gluten-free selections also available). Find them at their new home in Koreatown (363 1/2 Clinton St.).
Hershey's Kitchens arrived at Scotiabank Plaza (40 King St. W.) in The PATH on Monday. Create your own customized cookies at the interactive cookie bake shop until Christmas Eve.
Higher (493A Dundas St. W.) has got you for, what else these days - bubble tea and dessert.
There have been a lot of changes for The John Bar recently: Just a few months back, they changed their name from The Jim to The John and soon after, launched The Jim 3 – two bars (3-Peat, 3-Way) side by side at Queen and Broadview. They added The John 2: Electric Boogaloo (488 College St.) at College and Bathurst earlier this week.
Northern Chinese resto Long Time No See - famous for its array of skewers, including insects - has been in Scarborough for some time now. Downtown just got its very own (421 Dundas St. W.), with another landing soon in Richmond Hill. Stay tuned.
Levantine brunch has arrived at the edge of East Chinatown, courtesy of Madame Levant (821 Gerrard St. E.).
Manousha Inc. (6039 Erin Mills Pkwy., Unit 6) softly opened in Mississauga - official launch takes place tomorrow. On the menu: 25 types of Mana’eesh – a Middle Eastern style flatbread.
Doors open tomorrow for Japanese-inspired bakery and café Neo Coffee Bar’s second outpost (770 Bay St., Unit 3).
Stop by for sushi and skewers at Yonge & St. Clair’s On The Stick Sushi + Grill (48 St Clair Ave. E.).
Pio Pio Chicken (3258B Lawrence Ave. E.) in Scarborough puts the spotlight on fried fare including seafood and certified Halal chicken.
The One York St. location of South St. Burger is of note because the building will soon be home to a number of eateries you’ll want to know about. Stay tuned.
Looking for Chinese BBQ and traditional Szechuan style dishes? Look no further than Ten Miles B.B.Q (359 Spadina Ave.) in Chinatown.
The Junction just added another Thai restaurant to the roster: Thai Nyyom (1419 Bloor St. W. - where Nonna’s Place used to be), opened Friday. They feature two small menus: daily fare and specials.
Despite reports that it already opened, vegan spot Vegwood (540 Oakwood Ave.) actually launches Saturday.
CLOSED
Animal Liberation Kitchen (717 1/2 Queen St. E.) in Riverside
shuttered, but is relocating. Stay tuned.
The front of Ozo Bar and Grill (525 Mt Pleasant Rd.) is boarded up.
The Harlem Underground (745 Queen St. W.) closes for good on Monday, two days after celebrating ten years in the biz.
EVENTS
Head to the Afro-Caribbean Vegan Holiday Market on Sunday.
The Leslieville Winter Market returns on Sunday.
Get tickets now for Brando’s Fried Chicken x Don’s Restaurant event on November 14.
NEWS
White Castle has arrived in Toronto! At least their burgers have. White Castle is currently selling frozen 6-pack Original Sliders and 6-pack Cheese Sliders in Canada at Walmart, Food Basics, Metro, and Rabba Fine Foods.
Chinatown’s Mongolian Hot Pot (421 Dundas St. W.) changed its name to Happy Lamb Hot Pot.
Unicorn poutine by a Toronto restaurant is not okay with Montrealers. It turns out, the 6ix isn’t thrilled either.
Paws up for pooches on patios.
Watch Etobicoke’s CakeStar compete on Food Network’s The Big Bake, Monday 10pm.
ICYMI
Eataly Toronto opens Wednesday. Here’s a quick look inside. Stay tuned - a more extensive peek coming soon!
Celebrity chef Lynn Crawford gets social.
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.