Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News May 9-15, 2019
We’re back to a bustling, diverse list this week – 16 arrivals! - filled with coffee, pizza, award-winning ramen, and local gin, for starters. And serious sandos and numerous expansions.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
At Origin Coffee, a micro-lot roastery with locations in Istanbul and Frankfurt, specializes in single origin coffee beans from Africa through direct Fairtrade. Their first Canadian location has landed in the heart of Mount Pleasant Village (687 Mount Pleasant Rd.)
The fourth outpost of Bespoke Butchers (1164 Queen St. W.) is just steps away from The Drake.
Brock Sandwich (1260 Bloor St. W.) is back! After a fire destroyed the eatery last March, the team’s returned home. Stay tuned for a closer look.
The Burren Pub (1301 Queen St. E.) opened Sunday, taking over the former home of The Ceili Cottage in Leslieville.
Visit the 50th location of Copper Branch - the largest plant-based restaurant chain in the world – at Yonge Sheppard Center (4841 Yonge St.).
Cora Breakfast and Lunch is the largest sit-down breakfast chain in Canada. The Old Town location (106 Front St. E.) - 7th in Toronto, 40th in Ontario – debuted Monday. The grand opening will follow on Wednesday.
Home to some of the city’s best sandos, Gold Standard Sandwiches (1574 Queen St. W.) has moved into Kitten and the Bear’s old spot.
Godavari, a South Indian restaurant from the States, chose Scarborough (795 Markham Rd.) for their first Canadian spot. Further expansion to the U.K., Germany, Australia. and Middle East in the works.
Queen and Bay just got a JJ Bean Coffee Roasters (390 Bay St.).
Lamesa Filipino Kitchen’s last service on Queen West was just a few weeks ago, but they’re open and testing out menu items at their new home (634 St. Clair Ave. W.)., where LASA used to be. The official opening takes place June 1st.
The second North American/GTA outpost of Konjiki Ramen (41 Elm St.) by chef/owner Atsushi Yamamoto of Tokyo Michelin Bib Gourmand recommended Konjikihototogisu - is launching “softly” tomorrow. Better get in line now…
Healthy chain iQ (2 St. Clair Ave. W.) celebrated the opening of their 10th location earlier this week, midtown at Yonge and Clair.
Nomads Resto Bar (703 Queen St. E.) brings their “global inspirations, local creations" offerings to the corner of Queen and Broadview.
Wondering where to get Turkish fusion street food? Oha (21 Ossington Ave.) has got you.
The corner of Broadview and Danforth has three spots for pizza now, thanks to newcomer Pi Co. (102 Danforth Ave.).
Leslieville has cornered the market on breweries, so will distilleries be the next big thing on the east side? Family-run gin joint Reid's Distillery (32 Logan Ave.) may be the sign of more to come. Grand opening is Saturday.
CLOSED
Aegyptus Café & Grill (426 Danforth Ave.) launched at the end of January, but the large corner spot is currently for lease.
EVENTS
Tastemaker Toronto starts tomorrow.
Saturday, go west for Parkdale Night Market.
Mississauga Veg Fest is happening Saturday, and it’s free.
NEWS
Last week, Foodora bike and car couriers announced their plans to unionize with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). A few days later, Uber Eats declared insurance coverage for bike couriers in Ontario.
Canadian Music Week (CMW) means 4am last call at these spots around town: Baby G (May 10 +11), Bovine Club (until May 12), Cherry Cola's Rock 'N' Rolla Cabaret & Lounge (until May 12), The Drake Hotel (until May 11), Early Mercy (until May 11), EFS (until May 11), Everleigh (until May 12), The Garrison (until May 12), Horseshoe Tavern (until May 11), Lee's Palace (May 10 +11), Monarch Tavern (May 9-11), The Painted Lady (until May 12), The Paddock (until May 12), The Rivoli (until May 11), and Rock 'n' Horse Saloon (May 10 +11).
ICYMI
You’ve got to see MARBL to believe it. Find out more in The Reveal.
It’s time to think outside the box. Get Not Your Average Mother’s Day Guide now.
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