Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News April 18-24, 2019

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This week’s 11 arrivals offer an overwhelming amount of noodles and kebabs.

Never a bad thing.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

North York’s Artisan Noodle (5421 Yonge St.) lands downtown with Artisan Plus (122 Dundas St. W.). Yes, that still means lots of noodles.

Afghani Balena Restaurant & Karahi House (5618 Tenth Line W., Unit 4) in Mississauga celebrates their grand opening on Wednesday.

Not far from Harry-Potter inspired bar The Lockhart in the city’s west end comes Banners and Royals (1602 Dundas St. W.), a Game of Thrones-inspired watering hole. I dunno. Swords and stuff, I guess.

Bauzza Bauzza’s (298 College St.) menu includes an assortment of bao, soup, curry, and Fresh Tofu Pudding for dessert.

Garden Gangsters debuted at Commerce Court (199 Bay St.) Monday.

The Good Neighbour Espresso Bar has added a third venue to their roster, this time in Beaconsfield Village (181 Dovercourt Rd.).

There’s more to Mississauga’s authentic Afghan grill The Kebab Bistro (6085 Creditview Unit 16) than kebabs. Qabuli Pullao, Aushak, burgers, and grilled items, for example.

Tuck into Southern Thai fare such as Gaeng Ka Ti Sa Tor Nua (coconut red curry beef with plantain and stink bean | $18.95), Gaeng Som Tai (sour curry - no coconut milk - pineapple and bean sprouts |shrimp $17.95, Fish Eggs $18.95), and Kha Moo Tod (fried pork knuckle with tamarind and spicy sauces | $25.95) at Koh Lipe Thai Kitchen in Baldwin Village (35 Baldwin St.).

Lahore Kabab House in Scarborough (3867 Lawrence Ave. E.) offers an array of dishes, including Butter Chicken, Chicken Karahi, and Seekh Kabab Roll.

Three monks walks into a bar… Three Monks and a Duck (811 Queen St. W.) identifies as a “micro bar” with vegan, vegetarian, and meat options. With no reservations, it’s first come, first served, so go early to dig into What’s the Story, Morning Glory ($10), Tito Frankie and Achara ($15), and Crack Snack ($8).

Satisfying your egg cravings on holidays isn’t a problem at Mississauga’s The Western Breakfast and Lunch (6435 Erin Mills Pkwy). They’re open every day of the year.

CLOSED 

Co-owners Chef Craig Harding and Alexandra Hutchison announced Campagnolo (832 Dundas St. W.) will close June 1st after ten years.

Cabbagetown’s location of Hey Lucy (227 Carlton St.) has shuttered due to operational costs. The King West outpost remains open.

Lamesa Filipino Kitchen (669 Queen St. W.) is on the move. The last service at the downtown location is Sunday. Stay tuned. I’ll have details of their launch on St. Clair West soon. 

Apparently, Torontonians weren’t that into Korean-style churros and gigantic cotton candy. Thus, Mr. Chu has “permanently closed.”  

Potbelly Sandwiches launched three eateries in Toronto, starting back in 2016. The closure of the second location (180 Bloor St. W.) has concluded their presence in the 6ix.

Saturday is the last day to raise a glass at Leslieville’s The Thirsty Duck (972 Queen St. E.), but you can head to their sister spot Eastside Social (1008 Queen St. E.) just a few doors down.

EVENTS

Brewers Backyard takes place tomorrow at Evergreen Brick Works.

NEWS 

Pretty Ugly Bar now has food by Vit Beo.

A car narrowly missed smashing into Uncle Smoke Cookhouse this week.

Manulife Centre says Eataly is opening late this year.

Station Cold Brew Coffee Company, leaders in cold brew coffee in Canada, announced they’re introducing a line of “CBD-infused beverages in partnership with Canada's largest craft cannabis organization, Pasha Brands Ltd.”

Speaking of weed, edibles and teas made with premium cannabis by Toronto-based Olli are in the works, thanks to Executive Chef Adrian Niman of The Food Dudes and world-renowned tea sommelier Richard Guzauskas

Peace Collective, the clothing brand behind “Home is Canada” and “Home is Toronto,” has partnered with McDonald’s with a McHappy Day collection of limited-edition t-shirts, socks, mugs and tote bags. 

Yeeeears after Crack Pie launched, the name was changed a few days ago due to backlash.

Global News asks, “Should restaurants be allowed to ban teens?

Controversial Chick-fil-A is launching its first Canadian location at 1 Bloor St. E.

ICYMI 

Monday evening, Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants were announced. How many Toronto restaurants made the list? The top ten? And how did we fare across the country? Read on.

This Easter, brunch is king. Find out where to dine, pick up dessert + hunt for eggs this holiday weekend.


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