OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News August 29-September 4, 2024
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
🕘 8.5 min read
The frenzy continues with a whopping 30 establishments to add and subtract from your roster. What’s on deck? New indies and expansions galore, largely of a casual nature, and closures pick up speed, equaling the number of arrivals this week.
Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? In addition to subscribing to the TR Newsletter, keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start) and follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Bar Burrito lands at Coxwell and Danforth (1684 Danforth Ave.) in Retro Burger’s old stomping grounds.
Cafe, shop, and event venue Bevy arrived in Regent Park (738 Dundas St. E.) in 2022, then expanded downtown to The Combine (225 Wellington St. W.) last year. The triple threat continues its winning streak with a third outpost - second in the east end. Doors opened Monday near Dundas and Carlaw (401 Logan Ave.).
Launches by local hospitality group O&B has been relentless this last while. And the hits keep on coming: Ceci Bar (33 Yonge St., Unit 101). a spin-off of their South American resto Leña, officially opened last night, taking over the company’s footprint at the corner of Yonge and Front, formerly held by O&B Café Grill. Dishes run the gamut from Spicy Plancha Red Prawns ($30) to Whole Peruvian Chicken Rice ($59) and Bistecca for Two ($155).
Doner Palace joins Gerrard India Bazaar (1322B Gerrard St. E.) with Turkish specialties such as kebabs, pides, shish, and lahmacun on offer.
I’ve been tracking Egg Club’s movements since they started back in 2020. And the family continues to grow: Find their latest addition at Union Station’s Union Market (65 Front St. W.). Psst, stay tuned. There’s many more on the way.
El Hijo de Tizoc is serving up tequila and Mexican eats in Lower Riverdale/East Chinatown (797 Gerrard St. E.). Did you know? The addy was Simon's Wok Vegetarian Kitchen for years. followed by recent occupants KK Eatery and Ona Noodle.
Earlier this week, local Japanese chain Kinton Ramen debuted in the east end near Parliament (The Globe and Mail Centre 351 King St. E., Unit 40).
Waterloo’s Meetpoint claims to be “the best Turkish restaurant.” See for yourself at their Toronto digs in Roncesvalles Village (89 Roncesvalles Ave.). Prior to showcasing kebabs, kofte, pide, the sizeable space was Simply Social and preceding that, Lambretta Pizzeria.
The name of the game at Mississauga’s NaanSense Bistro (980 Pacific Gate, Unit 4-5)? “Italian with an Indian style twist.” Grand opening celebrations took place Monday.
Shahi Manjil is doing certified halal Indian grub at Victoria Park and Pharmacy (3820 Victoria Park Ave.).
Secret stash? Bloorcourt’s new Shrinking Violet Bar (828 Bloor St. W.) features previous occupant Praise Bottle Shop inside.
For sips, snacks and shisha in North York, head to Taxim Lounge (562 Wilson Heights Ave.).
Grand opening for North York’s new Persian eatery Tehranto Restaurant (5625 Yonge St.) is happening this weekend.
Welcome back, Thirsty & Miserable. The watering hole and Kensington Market stalwart (2012-2021) can now be found at Dundas and Roncy (2102 Dundas Ave. W.).
4Ever Sushi is doing maki, sashimi, bento boxes, et al. at Queen and University (225 Queen St. W.).
CLOSED
ARA Japanese Restaurant (225 Queen St. W.) may be gone, but Japanese fare remains in its stead. Pop up top for details. TR Flashback: The building has been home to Hakata Shoryuken Ramen, Wild Wing Queen, and back in the day, Jeremiah Bullfrog. For who’s moved in, see above.
BIG 3 Detroit Style Pizza opened in The Village (555 Church St.) in 2021.
Boom Breakfast at St. Clair and Oakwood has come to a close (1036 St Clair Ave. W.), however plans to reopen in the ‘hood are underway and with two locations around town ready to serve you.
The Burger’s Priest in Lawrence Park (3397 Yonge St.) ended as of May 13, but burger lovers need not worry: It’s about to become the eighth Rudy, rapidly following Rudy 7.
Cereal Box Cafe stuck it out for three years in Chinatown (186 Spadina Ave.) before having to move on. Last day is August 31. Good news: Find them tucked inside Lucky’s Exotic Bodega (213 Ossington Ave.) sooon.
TR Newsletter subscribers were the first to get the scoop on Donna's (827 Landsdowne Ave.) destination The Golden Peacock (2102 Dundas St. W.), back in ‘22. It’s been temporarily closed for months and now someone else has moved in. Details above.
The MoMo House (1422 Queen St. W.) is on the move.
Like many establishments these days, Mr. Pide (800 Danforth Ave.) was on the market for a lengthy period before the ‘For Sale’ sign appeared in the window.
Simply Social turned up in Roncesvalles Village (89 Roncesvalles Ave.) last year.
Street Sizzlers (1322B Gerrard St. E.) also launched in 2023.
The folks behind Taxim Kitchen & Bar (566 Queen St. W.) and now shuttered cafe and hookah lounge By Leon at a tiny strip mall in Scarborough (3454 Kingston Rd.) appear to to have launched a new shisha spot in North York. See above.
East end pub Thirsty Loon (1489 Gerrard St. E.) landed in Gerrard India Bazaar in 2020.
It’s too late to grab a bite at WeFusion Grill & Music Bar (3820 Victoria Park Ave.).
Ed Wong’s eponymous Wong’s Ice Cream threw open doors in 2017 and was a sensation from the get-go. Earlier today he shared it’s come to an end.
NEWS
Paul Walker, formerly a partner of Unionville’s Blacksmith’s Bistro, and recently an owner of The Cornerhouse Restaurant in Stoufville that closed earlier this year due to his health issues, died.
Global Greek brand Estiatorio Milos dropped word on Monday: The Toronto location (330 Bay St.) is now taking resos starting September 26.
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