Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News September 26 – October 2, 2019
As you’ll see from this week’s 18 arrivals, it’s not so much about independents launching; lately it’s all about the expansion of established eateries.
And oh, the closures. Get ready. It’s a doozy this week.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Doors opened Saturday for Boba Boy (368 Broadview Ave.) in East Chinatown. Currently serving up bubble tea and desserts (tiramisu, macarons), expect swish coffees and Asian fusion fare to be ready for service by next week.
Ciao Ciccio (259 Lakeshore Ave. E.) by Ascari in partnership with Toronto Biennial of Art, kicked off earlier this week. On the menu: coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.
The Combine Eatery on Danforth debuted in 2011 and shuttered Q1 of last year. The Combine Reboot (162 Danforth Ave.) is baaaaack, as its name denotes. This time ‘round, expect dinner items such as Fried Chicken Sandwich ($18), Beyond Meat Bolognese ($16), Shrimp and Salami Malfada ($18), and Classic 6oz Burger ($20), with brunch on Sundays.
Cocktail bar Daisy (563 Queen St. W.) has taken over what was once popular watering hole, Rush Lane & Co.
The Good Fork (1550 Dundas St. W.) recently relocated, leaving behind Bloor West for Dundas West. The new digs in Brockton Village comes with drool-inducing brunch and dinner items: Stuffed Eggplant ($12), Lemon Fried Chicken ($15), and Crispy Lamb Nuggets ($14), for instance.
Grillies (149 Dundas St. E.) commences service in the Garden District (Dundas & Jarvis) today.
AYCE Japanese BBQ just landed at Dundas & Bay, by way of restaurant group Gyubee Japanese Grill (157 Dundas St. W.).
Mississauga will soon have a contemporary pub, thanks to Jester's Gastropub (1107 Lorne Park Rd.). Doors open Tuesday.
Snack bar Kintori Yakitori (668 Bloor St. W., 2nd Floor) has returned to its previous digs, this time with Chef Masanori Miura at the charcoal grill. The newest addition to the Kinka Family restaurant group comes with an array of authentic bamboo skewers, premium tapas [Yaki Onigri (grilled rice ball), Asari (clam) Ramen], Japanese cocktails, and selection of rotating local craft beer. Doors open Saturday.
Longslice Brewery (484 Front St. E.) celebrates its grand opening Monday at 5pm. The facility is located in the Canary District at The Aviary brew pub, which launched last summer.
Uptowners have a new place to shop for meat and fine foods, thanks to Mason’s Fine Foods (692 Mount Pleasant Rd.) by the folks behind finer dining restos Chabrol, Cava, and Tanto.
Raw fish lovers have a new destination: North Poké at Richmond Adelaide Centre’s (120 Adelaide St. W.) food court.
Pilot Coffee Roasters moved into the Manulife Centre (55 Bloor St. W.), with Eataly likely not far behind.
Walkers Line and Dundas just got a Pita Boss (1566 Bloor St. W.).
The sixth location of Pizzeria Via Mercanti (2075 Yonge St.) lands where Coquine Restaurant used to be.
Somun Superstar (998 Kingston Rd.) may be a bit off the beaten path, but something tells me this Bosnian bread, baked fresh daily in wood-fired oven, will be worth the trip. Enjoy it on its own, stuffed with sandwich fixins (i.e. fried eggs & kale salad, ćevapčići sausages) or cut into wedges served with crème fraîche with plum butter. Doors open today.
Tru Bubble Tea just launched their Yonge & College outpost less than three weeks ago, but that’s not slowing them down. A new Richmond Hill shop (330 Hwy 7, Unit 101) is currently in soft opening.
True True Italian Diner (169 King St. E.), the new concept taking over from True True Pizza, features a “culinary exploration of Italy and beyond,” with Chef Suzanne Barr (Avling Brewery, Saturday Dinette) crafting the menu.
CLOSED
Amber (119 Yorkville Ave.) nightclub is calling it quits this weekend, after a staggering 20 years.
Bar Altura (571 Queen St. W.) says “Arrivederci” to their Italian vision, soon to be replaced with “a new snack bar concept with dishes from Kay Pacha,” their Peruvian outpost on St. Clair West.
After 30 years, Broadview Bakery and Deli (728 Queen St. E.) has shuttered. They thanked the neighbourhood for its support with messages of gratitude written by hand on the windows.
Grand Electric announced yesterday they’re swapping out Grand Electric Taqueria (923 Queen St. W.) in November, for Tacos Rico - a “vegetarian taco and juice concept.” Stay tuned.
Queen Street West has been the home of La Hacienda (640 Queen St. W.) for over 30 years. They close for good at the end of the month.
There’s a bailiff’s business card stuffed into the door jam at M’Eat Resto Butcher (806 Queen St. E.).
The last day of service for Porchetta & Co.’s first location (825 Dundas St. W.) is Saturday. The remaining three locations remain open.
Portland Variety (587 King St. W.) concludes service after five-and-a-half years this Saturday.
Suki Japanese Restaurant (48 St Clair Ave. E.) is all papered up, with new concept On The Stick soon to take over.
EVENTS
Toronto Oktoberfest takes over Ontario Place this weekend.
How much fried chicken can you eat at once? You’re about to find out at The Fried Chicken Fest this weekend.
The Society of Beer Drinking Ladies celebrate Lady Beer Fest on Saturday.
NEWS
Chef Marc Veyrat of France is suing Michelin Guide over a cheese discrepancy and the removal of two stars. #Cheddargate
According to New Food Magazine, “Canada’s largest kosher meat plants, Ryding-Regency Meat Packers, a Toronto-based company, have had their licenses suspended.”
There have been a rash of restaurant break-ins this summer, with a recent surge in The Junction.
Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC) launched The Big Social, a new national fundraising campaign, on Tuesday.
If you’re old enough to have watched The Beachcombers, you might be interested in purchase this restaurant.
After reading this, maybe tortilla throwing is in your future.
Meat-lovers rejoice: The Telegraph reports that based on research by Johns Hopkins University (JHU), consuming some meat is better than being full-on vegetarian.
SPAM’s Limited-Edition Pumpkin Spice sold out in a matter of hours.
McDonald’s is getting in on the Beyond Meat game.
Canada is getting Postmates. Stay tuned…
ICYMI
Did you know Canis Restaurant is Feast On Certified?
Get a sneak peek of new tasting restaurant Ést.
Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski is coming to Toronto next month, and we’re celebrating with his luscious cheese dip recipe.
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