OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News: January 4-10, 2024

The OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of 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

🕘 10.5 min read

First things first: If you haven’t already, take a gander at the last edition of 2023 - it’s a doozie. And as predicted, the wild ride of the last few years continues with 2024 starting off with a bang: a whopping 30 establishments that came and went.

Also of note: The Toronto Restaurants website has a new look and feel, and new services and articles have been added, with lots more to come. Stay tuned.

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

Ama Kitchen (1544 Queen St. W.) moved into Tibet Kitchen’s former digs in Parkdale with an array of Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan fare. Discover Tibetan delicacies such as Gya-Thuk (noodle soup), Dropa Khatsa (beef tripe) and Tingmo (steamed bun), alongside a host of momos, biryani, tandoori sizzlers, and other enticing selections.

Making resolutions this year? Eating more kunafa should definitely be on your list. Start with Baba’s Kunafa in Mississauga (247 Queen St. S.).

Claypot rice is the name of the game at Richmond Hill’s The Big Casserole (1480 Major Mackenzie Dr. E., Unit C2-1).

Crispy Clucks at Keele and Finch (45 Four Winds Dr., Unit C3) is cooking up a storm of comfort food. See: Nashville chicken sandos, shawarma, and poutine.

Aromatic Afghani Momos, Pishori Chicken Seekh Roll, Veg Manchurian, and assorted biryanis and curry bowls are at the heart of Riverside’s Delhiites Indian Street Food (717 Queen St. E., Unit 1/2) in the space recently vacated by Indian Spice Room.

Multi-hyphenate artist and performer Jayson Green’s new cocktail bar in The Junction, Doc’s Green Door Lounge (3106 Dundas St. W.), is a beaut. Insider tip: Head to the back. (Deep End Bottle Shop)

It’s been a minute since local Thai chain EAT BKK expanded. Find their newest addition at Centre Street and Bathurst (10 Disera Dr., Unit 130) in Thornhill.

Forest Hill Farmhouse just dropped in Parkdale (1130 Queen St. E.). This marks the third location next to BFF Dave’s Hot Chicken for the salad-centric brand from the 6ix. Next up: The PATH.

Korean specialties are the focus at JouMak at Yonge and Charles (11 Charles St. W.), previously home to Wow Sushi.

There are four Midori Ramen‘s across the GTA to get your creamy tori paitan on. Make that five: 5313 Yonge St. in North York.

Mr. Puffs has been on a roll lately. Head to Stock Yards Village (45 Gunns Rd., Unit L102) to check out their new pâtisserie and café loaded with loukoumades. Grand opening celebrations to follow January 13.

Ho Chi Minh City’s Phở Lệ has been in the game since 1970, but it wasn’t until last year the eatery finally nabbed a spot on Vietnam’s Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand roster for its authentic southern Vietnamese beef noodle soup. Hot tip: The lauded restaurant’s first North American destination just landed in Richmond Hill (324 Highway 7, Unit 7).

Psst. Rhapsody Bar (214 Ossington Ave.), the latest project by chef Elias Salazar (Waska Peruvian Chicken, Kay Pacha), promises to be “a playground for taste and sound.” Space feel familiar? It was Wilma Snack Bar for a short stint, and prior to that, award-winning Crosley’s.

From the folks behind nearby Latin fusion taco bar Atomic 10 (145 Lauder Ave.) comes Rosa’s (1067 St Clair Ave W.), Doors opened January 1 with modern Latin fare and curated cocktails in a completely transformed space. (Previously Vivid Bar & Lounge.)

Shawarma enthusiasts have a saying: “Don’t look for love. Look for shawarma.” Peep Shelby’s most recent resto at Bloor and Bathurst (551 Bloor St. W.).

Brunch spotting: Pancakes, peameal sandys, eggs benny, and other breakfast fare are happening at Stacks in Etobicoke (5415 Dundas St. W., Unit 5).

After being a part of Roncesvalles Village for 24 years, Sweet Thrills was forced to close in 2022 due to a sudden rent increase, however the plan was always to “be back soon.” Great news: The candy, game, and party supply shop has returned, just a few doors away from the original (367 Roncesvalles Ave.).

If St. Louis Bar & Grill is your jam, you’re going to love Wing City by St. Louis (1154 St Clair Ave. W., Unit B). St. Louis’ new quick service concept features the resto’s fan faves alongside new concoctions. Think wings, sandos, and chicken fried ribs.

CLOSED

Bake Code announced immediate closure at Hillcrest Mall (9350 Yonge St.) on December 27. For croissants and other goodies, bakeries remain in Woodbridge, North York, Markham and Scarborough.

Brickworks Ciderhouse spent five years at the corner of Queen and Broadview (709 Queen St. E.) before doors permanently shut on January 1. Did you know? The sprawling space was previously home to An Sibin Pub and The Real Jerk.

Craig’s Cookies Yorkdale shop (3401 Dufferin St.) came to an abrupt end on December 27. Locations remain across the country.

Daniel and Renata Lewis’ Daniel’s Chai Bar (formerly T by Daniel), known for its Famous Lion Chai Latte (the couple served ot to Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall in 2017), had a spot at Brampton’s Bramalea City Centre (25 Peel Centre Dr.) until Sept 2022, and is no longer a part of Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.). The company is now House of Lewis, a creative agency specializing in storytelling and team-building.

Founder (1282 Dundas St. W.) arrived at Dundas and Dovercourt five years back. On December 27, co-founder and head chef Kendall Collingridge shared service was winding down for a final time December 29.

Headspace (548 Annette St.) arrived earlier this year and closed before Christmas.

After coming on the scene in 2022, Judaline (162 Danforth Ave.) shuttered without fanfare. It’s being reimagined into a Mediterranean eatery. Get ready for Azura, promising to “redefine Toronto's culinary scene with its vibrant Mediterranean flavors and contemporary ambiance.”

Le Papillon On Front (69 Front St. E.) shut down without warning last week. The French restaurant was a fixture of the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood in a few locations for 50 years. The city’s first crêperie debuted in 1974 and went on to open Le Papillon on the Park (1001 Eastern Ave.) in 2009. Doors closed in 2015.

At the end of 2023, O&B Café Grill wrapped things up at Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave.), its home for 20 years. Its counterpart at Yonge and Front (33 Yonge St,) that debuted in 2010 permanently closed as of January 1 as well, however as per usual, the large resto group will be launching something else in its place. In the meantime, the company’s unveiled new destinations left and right, with more to be revealed soon. Watch this space.

There’s still time to shop Dayna Van Harten’s amazing store The Tulip Variety (340 Westmoreland Ave. N.) before closure this month. The space is also home to Rose Ceremony (new location coming 2024) and Tulip Florals.

NEWS

Attention business owners: President of Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Dan Kelly shared an update and recommendations regarding the recent CEBA changes.

Food recalls continue at a rapid rate: Chatman's Bakery Peanut Butter Balls and Date Squares recalled due to undeclared wheat and peanut, Enfamil Nutramigen A+ LGG Hypoallergenic (infant formula) recalled due to possible presence of Cronobacter sakazakii, Factor Parmesan Pesto Chicken with Steamed Spinach, Roasted Green Beans & Grape Tomatoes recalled - may be unsafe due to undercooking, Nestlé KitKat Scary Friends Mini-Bars recalled due to pieces of rubber, Various brands of caffeinated energy drinks may be unsafe due to caffeine content and labelling issues, Yoso Unsweetened Coconut Plant-Based Yogurt recalled due to mould, BlendJet 2 Portable Blenders recalled due to fire and laceration hazards, Fondussimo Evolution Fondue Set recalled due to burn hazard [UPDATE 05.01.24: Dalkoku Tonkotsu Ramen Noodles recalled due to improperly declared milk.]

ICYMI

It’s never too late to get someone a great gift. Check out the latest TR Gift Guides for inspo.

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Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.   

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