Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News February 20-26, 2020

🕒 5 min read

As you may know, I prefer my Open/Closed to be wild and assorted. Too many of the same dishes and I get bored. So this week’s all-over-the-place findings – 10 spots spread across the GTA offering a little bit of everything – is just what I need come mid-February.

The drama of the first one however, not so much.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Get ready for this doozy: Vegandale Brewery (1346 Queen St. W.) is now Bar Vegandale, which has moved across the street (1265 Queen St. W.) into the previous home of Mythology Diner and the recent revamp, Mythology “elevated.” The new bar is serving food by Doomie’s, a now-shuttered vegan restaurant known for its “Vegan Big Mac” and other plant-based fast food knockoffs, that was next door (1263 Queen St. W.) to Mythology. And they’re all owned by the same Vegandale company, The 5700 Inc.

Cafe Landwer continues its expansion across the GTA. The all-day spot just touched down in Nortown (1912 Avenue Rd.). Next up: North York.

Cheese Garden kicked off their Celebration Pop Up at Saks Fifth Avenue (176 Yonge St., 2nd Fl.) yesterday. On until March 31st, the Japanese cheesecake pop-up won’t be gone long before their permanent spot arrives at the Eaton Centre come April.

Cheers! Cocktail Emporium debuts their third outpost on Wednesday. Check out their new home in Union Station.

Dino’s Wood Burning Pizza just launched a second location (4923 Dundas St. W.) a month ago, but isn’t wasting anytime branching out: Their Etobicoke eatery (820 The Queensway) opened yesterday.

Ghost restaurant Happy Burger (881 Yonge St.) launches today, delivering late night eats (i.e. fast food burgers, hot dogs, waffle fries) Thursday to Saturday 10pm - 2am.

Huevos Gourmet temporarily closed their Mexican/French brunch spot in New Toronto (2888 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) last July. Doors opened for their new digs in Mississauga (241 Lakeshore Rd. E.) yesterday.

Ikkousha Ramen Chicken (257 Queen St. W.) softly opens Saturday with free ramen to the first 50 customers and 50% off all ramen all day. Brought to you by Ikkousha Ramen (249 Queen St. W.) that opened March 2019.

Persian and deep-dish pizza has arrived at Yonge and Davisville, thanks to Pizza Shab (1978 Yonge St.). It’s their fourth location in the GTA.

Wild Chicory (525 Mount Pleasant Rd.) debuted last night with Chef Shawn Limoges (Globe Bistro) at the stove.

CLOSED

Away Kitchen on College (680 College St.) came on the scene last April, but is currently closed for renos for the “next few months.” Stay tuned.

A Notice of Termination was posted on the door of live music venue, The Cut on Queen (1963 Queen St. E.).

Vegandale Brewery (1346 Queen St. W.) is kaput. See above for all the details.

EVENTS

Dope Cocktails is happening tonight in the east end at The Jam Factory.

Tonight is the final Chefs For Change dinner for the year.

Valentine’s Day may be over, but heart-shaped pizzas aren’t. Learn to make your own vegan pie on Sunday.

There are fabulous fundraisers happening across the city this month and next to help those affected by the Australian wildfires. Check out the latest additions.

Over 100 restaurants are participating in Markham’s Asialicious.

NEWS

Despite what you may have heard, Handlebar (159 August Ave.) – sister to eastside’s Farside (600 Gerrard St. E.) - is not closing.

Jason Momoa is in town filming Season 2 of See. He been spotted everywhere (uh, he’s pretty hard to miss), including Ramen Isshin.

Wisebox a reusable takeout container program for Toronto's restaurants and cafes that gives consumers a waste-free option when they do takeaway, launches tomorrow.

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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 get the word out about your business or service to an exclusively food-hungry audience? Shoot me an email -> writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.

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