The OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of the latest restaurant openings – virtual, brick-and-mortar, pop-ups, allll the things - and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #iykyk

🕘 8 min read

Chains have always been a part of the city’s landscape but did you know this about them? And indies bring the heat with novel concepts, secret sips, and shops and eateries made for life on the go.

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Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Bridgette Bar debuts at The Well (423 Wellington St. W.) tomorrow. This marks the second concept out of the west coast hospitality firm Concorde Entertainment Group to settle down at the mixed-use complex (See: Q1, Lulu Bar). What to expect: A miscellany of options from Eggplant Fries ($10) and Mortadella Sando ($18) to Five Cheese Pizza ($22) and Roasted Half Duck ($50). TR Trivia: Concorde Entertainment Group is part of a strategic partnership with one of Canada’s largest resto groups, Toronto’s own Oliver & Bonacini, thus creating “one of the largest independently held hospitality groups in North America” and giving O&B the lion’s share of standalone restaurants by one group situated in the new downtown development including: Aera that touched down at the end of 2023, La Plume and its cocktail counterpart Bonne Nuit that landed last month, swiftly followed by The Dorset.

Cafe Alba arrives in South Mississauga (2225 Erin Mills Pkwy) with an array of coffee and baked foods. p.s. Stay tuned: Il Fornello Sherwood Village is about to drop at the new design-centric district. Design and coffee? Very much a thing these days.

Hot tip: In addition to its titular dish, West Queen West’s DoDoner (1132 Queen St. W.) does Aussie halal snack packs.

Duke’s Refresher Bar’s second outpost launched yesterday in Riverside (709 Queen St. E.). The whimsical watering hole by a group with a number of local chains under its belt comes hot on the heels of the launch of their Italian eatery downtown, Edna + Vita. Did you know? Speaking of chains, the group’s former concept, Italian joint Alice Fazooli’s, makes an appearance on DRB’s pizza menu. SIR Corp closed its last Alice Fazooli's in Vaughan June 2017, replacing it with their other Italian chain, Scaddabush.

Ethereal Lounge (3105 Winston Churchill Blvd., Unit 9), Mississauga’s latest halal resto-lounge, “where luxury and elegance meet,” offers Halal fusion fare including Gol Gappay Shots ($13.99), TikTok Nachos ($14.99), and Gulab Jamun Cheesecake ($11.99), in addition to Mocktails ($10.99-$14.99).

J Mart | Japanese Market (399 Church St.) packs a lot into its compact footprint at Church and Carlton. Choose from a roster of ramen (self serve ramen bar included), drinks, snacks, hot prepared meals to go, and even skincare items. Note: Enter on Carlton.

NeuLokal Social House (3047 Dundas St. W.) just opened in Atai’s former digs with international inspired dishes and libations.

Psst. Can you keep a secret? Shuckit & Sea Oysters Raw Bar is the newest undisclosed destination in the city. Discover sake and sustainable seafood out of a red shipping container behind a hair salon in Riverside (639 Queen St. E.). Amongst the latest menu offerings? Oysters (6/$18, 12/$34), Shrimp Cocktail ($24), Scallop Crudo ($28), and Rockfish Ceviche ($22).

Also hush-hush: Missing speakeasy Suite 114 (116 Dundas St. W.)? You’re in luck. Grand opening for Suite 115 (532 College St.) carries through ‘til Saturday. To get in on craft cocktails and small plates, look for the red circle.

Taiwan Railway Bento Box just opened in North York (5455 Yonge St.) with a lineup of train bentos, ideal for the commuter lifestyle.

Wellington Market (486 Front St. W., Lower Ground Level) is the latest food hall to hit the 6ix. Doors open Monday for The Well’s new food emporium. Stay tuned for the full lineup and inside look.

Forget croffles, crookies, and craigels. A talented duo has dreamt up a lineup of croissant sandwiches that should be at the top of your to-do list. Zontwiches - the brainchild of Lucy Kirby (aka Breadhead Bakery) and chef Taryn Casey - opens Saturday inside Collective Arts Taproom & Café (1265 Dundas St. W.).

CLOSED

On Saturday, Fonda Balam (802 Dundas St. W.) posted an announcement doors will be imminently closing. Today they announced June 8 will be the final day. The venture that began as pop-up Birria Balam in 2021 followed by the dine-in iteration months later, was helmed by chefs Matty Matheson, Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo and went on to earn Michelin Bib Gourmand awards in 2022 and 2023.

Shannon Nocos’ Filipino bakery Kwento (1105 College St.) is on the move. Last day for right now is May 26.

Oakville Village stalwart The Oakwood Hardware (337 Oakwood Ave.) shuts down Saturday.

NEWS

After 20 years, Midtown’s go-to gourmet kitchenware store Peppermills (2098 Yonge St.) was about to wrap up service. Great news. The business is not going anywhere after all. Bonus: Sale pricing to continue throughout the summer.

While American seafood chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it appears Toronto and GTA locations remain open amid the turmoil.

Spirits Canada, a national trade association representing distilled spirits, sounds off about the LCBO, saying its “tax bill threatens consumers' favourite brands.”

The latest food recalls: Meta Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, Nova Pharma Ice Clear Protein (dairy-free) recalled due to undeclared milk. [UPDATE: 05.24.24 - NÜTRL Tumbler Cup recalled due to potential chemical and ingestion hazards.]

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