Stephanie Dickison's Blog, page 21

OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News May 26-June 1, 2022

Photo courtesy of Kumain Kitchen.

My iconic 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. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕘 11 min read

While this week’s edition is full of exciting arrivals (24) and options (1000s), there are some big closures and shocking news. Brace yourself.

And stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter. Bonus: Check out new feature #Breaking. Last week, subscribers got the scoop on a few things, including a buzzy wine bar’s expansion. Get. On. It.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN  

The thousands of establishments downtown and the GTA keep me hoppin’, so covering spots outside the city limits is a rarity. Occasionally, people and places merit mention. Muskoka BeerSpa  (1006 Clear Lake Rd.) in Torrance, Ontario - not far from Bala and other cottage country in the Muskoka region – makes the cut for its beer garden, cabanas and pool, for starters.

FINALLY. Part art gallery, shop and café, Bevy (738 Dundas St. E.) debuts in Regent Park tomorrow.

It’s been over a year since Brett’s Ice Cream (1698 Queen St. E.) had to shutter due to condo development. Psst. Check out Brett Young’s sweet new destination in Scarborough (3148 Kingston Rd.) at Kingston Road and McCowan. Doors opened yesterday. Bonus: Coffee and pastries to be added to the lineup next week.

Chowpatty Culture (1966 Queen St. E.) just launched in The Beach (in Cinnamon Indian Bistro’s old digs). Tuck in Bombay Special Grilled Cheese served with Masala fries, Chicken Tikka Kathi Roll, Pro Salad Bowl, array of chaats, sides, and more. 

Grand opening celebrations for vegan cinnamon roll chain Cinnaholic’s. latest outpost in Oakville  (259 Lakeshore Rd. E.) take place tomorrow. Pro tip: Arrive early. Cinnamon rolls are just $1 between 10am-2pm.

Looking for next-level snacks? Fruity Pebbles King Size Birthday Cake Bar? Yup. Korean Hot & Spicy Sun Chips? Sure thing. Fanta Jasmine Peach from China? You’d better believe Dank Mart’s got you. Grand opening for the long-awaited 6ix outpost (399 Queen St. W.) is happening Saturday.

Turkish eatery Doner-Chi Kitchen (750 Spadina Ave., Unit 2) just landed in The Annex at Bloor and Spadina next to Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre.

Dynamite Sushi (1661 Bloor St. W.) has moved into Viajero Cantina‘s former digs in the city’s west end between Dundas and Keele.

Chinatown’s newest addition Eat Yet (409 Spadina Ave.) offers an array of dishes  including Basil Eggplant,  Bourbon Chicken, BBQ Beef & Kimchi, Red Wine Beef Stew, and Lemongrass Pork Chop  accompanied by rice.

GoodGood unveiled its first local convenience store and café concept back in December and has been on a roll ever since. Two more launched today: 1. the OG pop-up location at Spadina and Adelaide is now next door (410 Adelaide St. W.) and permanent. 2. Queen and Tecumseth location (709 Queen St. W.). [UPDATE: 27.05.22 12:47PM - The opening of the Queen location has been delayed. Details to follow.]

I introduced you to Kumain Kitchen last summer. Starting Monday, find the Filipino-inspired fare at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.)  in The District Kitchen at until June 9.  To discover more about twin chefs Jason and Ryan Buising, check out the great interview in At The Pass.

Mira Sake (390 Silver Star Blvd., Unit 163 ) at Midland and McNicoll in Scarborough is serving up a variety of pork bone noodle soup and sushi.

ISO of a unique patio? A glass house coffee bar set in the middle of a garden hits different. Queen Garden Cafe quietly launched inside Riverside's Queen Garden Centre (771 Queen St. E.) over the weekend. Grab some baked goods, De Mello coffee, and enjoy the sights and sounds of an outdoor oasis. #staycationgoals p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers got dibs.

Parkdale folks have a new place to grab a coffee and pick up pantry items thanks to the arrival of Soepa (1540 Queen St. W.), softly opened yesterday.

Soulful Delish (1005 King St. W.) at King and Shaw helps get your healthy eating on track with protein and power bowls, wraps and paninis and juices and smoothies. Did you know? They use biodegradable packaging whenever possible. 

When one bakery closes… another opens right away, these days anyway. Sticky Bakery (621 St. Clair Ave. W.) moved into recently shuttered Leah’s. The new venture by Jean Blacklock of Prairie Girl Bakery fame (shuttered Jan ‘21) includes cupcakes natch, but the roster’s rounded out by butter tarts, puddings, “fudgies” (personal-size brownies) and namesake sticky buns. Grand opening is tomorrow.

Non-profit fair trade cafe and community hub Studio 89 established in 2014, has a lot to celebrate: A new space in Mississauga (2520 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 1). Grand opening celebrations take place Saturday 2-5pm with light refreshments, games, music, prizes and more.

Chinese bubble tea chain Sun Tea’s been busy lately. The latest Mississauga shop (325 Central Pkwy. W., Unit 2) marks the seventh location in the GTA. Bonus: Grand opening deals are on until tomorrow.

Sharwarma HQ Tahini’s just touched down in Oakville (300 North Service Rd. W., Unit B3A).

The lineup at Scarborough’s Tandoori Feast (670 Coronation Dr., Unit 6) includes curries, karahi, barbecue, comfort foods, snacks and Halwa Puri on the weekends. Looking to dine outside? They claim to have the “largest patio in Scarborough.”

The first brick-and-mortar location of THG’s Hot Chicken by Chef Aleem Syed softly opened in Scarborough last weekend (4830 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 8)., but you’d know that already if you were a TR Newsletter subscriber.

Yumiko Sushi & Poke (200 Marycroft Ave., Unit 22) in Vaughan offers an expansive menu from build-your-own poke  bowls to pan-fried udon and chow mein. Psst. Enjoy a grand opening offer of 20 per cent off everything until June 30, 2022 – excluding credit card orders.

Is life cooler by the pool? Absolutely. Lucky for you, 450 Dufferin Café arrived just in time for beach szn. Find them inside Bather (450 Dufferin St.).

CLOSED 

Fahmee Bakery is permanently closing the Scarborough location (119 Montezuma Trail) after 40 years due to a fire a few weeks ago. See below for how to get your hands on their beloved patties this weekend.

You’ve got until Sunday to say goodbye to Leaside’s Green Canoe Cafe (900 Millwood Rd.).

Hoagie Station set up shop in the Annex just three months ago, but the business has shut down for good.

Doors have closed at Nama Sushi (750 St. Clair Ave. W.) in Hillcrest Village.

After being temporarily closed for months throughout the pandemic, the space where “Toronto's most accoladed patisserie” The Tempered Room (1374 Queen St. W.) co-owned by business and life partners Humera Ali and executive chef Greg Laird is currently for lease.

EVENTS

Beverly Crandon’s Spring Into Spice - The Social kicks off Saturday at Canada’s largest shipping container market, Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.) with food vendors, wine tent, and pairing seminars.

Henderson Brewery’s Under the Big H Beer Festival and Carnival on Saturday takes place in their parking lot (128A Sterling Rd.). On the lineup: food, brews and ciders, and circus performers.

Street Eats Market is hosting a one-day pop up on Sunday to sell the rest of Fahmee Bakery’s patty stock at the Scarborough Town Centre location (500 Progress Ave.)

NEWS 

Earlier today, HotBlack Coffee’s co-founder Momiji Kishi announced the sudden passing of co-founder Jimson Bienenstock last Thursday, May 19. No further details were provided at press time.

The Irv Gastro Pub (195 Carlton St.) in Cabbagetown is throwing a fundraiser for their executive chef Clayton Gilbert who was recently attacked on the street while walking home with his father. Facing a long recovery after “stab wounds clipped his heart and his abdomen,” the pub is hosting ‘Clay Day’ on Sunday May 29. Half of the revenue from the day’s sales will go to help pay his bills. Can’t make the event? Reach out to donate.

Readers of the OPEN/CLOSED will know the insane amount of food recalls lately, from poppyseeds to oysters and Kinder treats.  Jif Peanut Butter has been added to the list.

Junction Craft Brewery acquired Woodhouse Brewing Co. through new parent company, Junction Craft Beverage Co.

Local fast food chains have been quick to add Nashville Hot Chicken items to the menu in recent months. Swiss Chalet is the latest to hop on the bandwagon with a roster including a Nashville Hot Crispy Chicken Ice Cream Sandwich, for dine-in only.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.  

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in April alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share using the icons below. #supportlocal

 

OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News May 19-25, 2022

Photo courtesy of Burger Fiancé.

My iconic 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. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕘 9.5 min read

The only way to get through this week’s epic 25 arrivals , and get caught up on last week’s insane edition TOTALLING NEARLY 50 DESTINATIONS COVERED IN A SINGLE WEEK?! Pack in as much as you can this weekend. That extra day’s going to come in handy.

And stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter. 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

From Volcano Cheese Chicken to New Orleans Chicken Leg Bento, Thornhill’s AITaiker Taiwanese Fried Chicken (9200 Bathurst St., Unit 7) has all your chicken cravings covered. A Markham location just debuted (5990 16th Ave., Unit 218). 

The grand opening for Bake Code’s Scarborough outpost (3250 Midland Ave., Unit G108) took place this weekend Scarborough. Good news: Make any purchase at the fifth location of the modern Euro-Asian bakery and café and receive a ten per cent discount voucher for your next visit.

Baomama has a lot to celebrate: The Filipino/Asian-inspired eatery kicks off their grand opening this weekend (4419 Sheppard Ave. E.) and they’re part of a new virtual lineup - see below for details.

Blessinglicious (2849 Kingston Rd.) by Chef Blessing debuts in Scarborough’s Cliffcrest today. The affordably-prices Nigerian restaurant is serving up everything from Peppered Kponmo ($10) and GizDodo -plantain/gizzard sauce (sm $10) to Suya Chicken (3pcs/$10, 8pcs/$20), and Jollof Rice ($15).

Vegan fast food is comin’ in hot, folks. The latest entry in the 6ix: Burger Fiancé at First Canadian Place (100 King St. W., Food Court), complete with “cheeze” burgers, fried “chick-en”, pulled “pork” aka shiitake, kimchi fries, cauliflower bites, and oat shakes.

Leaside just got a Turkish Indian street food eatery. Introducing Charcoal Biryani (1595 Bayview Ave.) replacing Bombay Snack Bar, “An Irani cafe with an Indian heart,” now a ghost kitchen. 

Brick-and-mortar Gohyang Restaurant + Bar (5096 Dundas St. W.) in Etobicoke specializing in sushi and dim sum, is home to five ghost kitchen concepts: Hayasee Hajime (Japanese), Iron Wok (Chinese), Kuro Tsuki (Thai), Whorganic (Vegetarian), and RAD (plants & aupplies). Two new takeout/delivery only just joined the fam: Cha Lau: Dim Sum Emporium and Rakki: The Sushi Experience, bringing the total to ten concepts under one roof.

To celebrate the grand opening of CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice (8601 Warden Ave.) Unionville, enjoy a Large Bubble Gaga and Two Ladies for $3.99 until May 27. Conditions apply.

Cowboy's Grill (85 Kincort Street) at Keele and Eglinton offers a wide variety of comfort food from burgers and sandos to schnitzel and halal fare. The Cowboy’s Grill Smoked Plate ($35 pp) allows you to sample St. Louis pork ribs, beef brisket, chicken wings, and pulled beef, served with your choice of French or Belgium fried, pickles and housemade sauce, in one go.

Cloud kitchen Crave Food Hub (1285 Morningside Ave., Unit 7) at Sheppard and Morningside bills itself as a “New age food court concept,” with three vendors so far: Filipino-Asian-inspired Baomama, Himalayan/Nepalese The Hakka Guy, and Los Vietnamita Taqueria focused on Vietnamese Mexican fusion. 

Psst. Get a sneak peek of Florette (1168 Queen St. W.), popping up at Nuit Social until Saturday, before fully opening this summer.

Four-ounce stuffed cookies are what’s up at Foxies Bakeshop (669 Mount Pleasant Rd.) in Mount Pleasant Village. Doors open Saturday.

IKEA debuts downtown at Yonge & Gerrard on Wednesday. The 66,000 sq. ft. store occupying the first two floors of Aura Shopping Centre (382 Yonge St.) is cashless outfit and will house a new food concept, Swedish Deli, offering “modern, healthy meals and speciality beverages to eat in, along with on-the-go food options and sustainably sourced essentials to cook at home.” Swedish meatballs, however, are still in effect.

Little Kitchen Academy (2052 Queen St. E.) has landed in The Beach. The “first-of-its-kind Montessori-inspired cooking academy” is suitable for three-year-olds to teenagers. 

Opera Caffe (700 Dorval Dr, Unit 100.) launched in Oakville last week. Stop by for authentic Italian eats: pizza, pasta, panini, salads, coffee and pastries.

Speaking of Italian, Penne (2761 Kingston Rd.) kicks off today near the Scarborough Bluffs with an array of pasta, gelato and coffee. 

The stunning Prime Seafood Palace (944 Queen St. W.) by chef/restaurateur Matty Matheson (Cà Phê Rang, Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club, Birria Balam, Maker Pizza, and Matty Mattheson’s Meat + Three in Fort Erie) kicked off last night. Reservations briefly opened up for June, but likely will be gone by the time you read this.

Something in the Water Brewing’s flagship brewery and café has opened in Liberty Village (151 East Liberty St), complete with patio.

Supreme Burgers joined Etobicoke’s Lockport Food Hall (20 Lockport Ave.) in March.

Bubble tea shop TasteT House just launched inside location of Basil Box Oakville (2508 Winston Park Dr.). Enjoy 25% all drinks during the soft opening.

TuckShop Kitchen (1640 Dupont St.) has been a fixture in the city’s west end (Junction Triangle) for 6.5 years. East enders now have an outpost in Leslieville (1022 Queen St. E.) stacked with burgers, sandos, salads and side to call their very own.

Velouté Bistro left The Beaches earlier this year, but had a spot picked out at Palace Pier (2045 Lakeshore Blvd. W.) in Etobicoke. Open to residents re for some time,  the public can now enjoy the new digs at the water’s edge.

CLOSED

The Epicure Shop (473 Parliament St.) in Cabbagetown in temporarily closed due to fire. Details below.

The space formerly home to Italtable (85 Kincort St.) in York is something new.

Nuit Social (1168 Queen St. W.) d  is closing after service on Saturday.  After eight  years on Queen West, they’re transforming their space into something new. Details above. 

EVENTS 

The Northern Heat Rib Series returns to Yonge-Dundas Square this weekend

Street Eats Festival kicks off tomorrow night. 

Fizz Fest, “Canada’s first festival dedicated to premixed cocktails, seltzers, ciders, wine and more” by the folks behind Toronto’s Festival of Beer is happening Saturday and Sunday.

NEWS 

Another fire to report this week.The Epicure Shop (473 Parliament St.) in Cabbagetown in temporarily closed due to fire. The fire occurred in the back of the building. No injuries were reported.

The food recalls keep pouring in. This week includes Life Savers, Skittles and Starburst gummies and Below Zero brand Whole Raspberries IQF.

And recent car crashes include COPS’ Yorkdale location and a Keg in London. 

While City Councillor for Toronto-St. Paul’s Josh Matlow’s push for drinking in parks didn’t pass in time for the long weekend, he has questions about Casa Loma properties, “and a quiet plan to turn a beloved publicly-owned place into a private, ‘Michelin star’ restaurant.” In a post on Facebook, he wrote, “There are questions that merit honest answers.”

Congratulations to all Ontario winners of this year’s Canadian Brewing Awards: Amsterdam Brewing Co., Anderson Craft Ales, Banded Goose Brewing, Boshkung Brewing Co., Burdock Brewery, Cameron's Brewing Company, Cassel Brewery, Clifford Brewing Co., Equals Brewing Company Inc., Farm League Brewing, Fixed Gear Brewing Co., Flora Hall Brewing, Folly Brewpub, Four Father's Brewing, Full Beard Brewing Co. Inc., Kensington Brewing Company, Lake of Bays Brewing Company, Little Beasts Brewing Company, Merit Brewing Co., Old Flame Brewing Co., Rainhard Brewing, Ridge Rock Brewing Company, Shacklands Brewing Co., Sons Of Kent Brewing Co., Spearhead Brewing Company, Stray Dog Brewing Company, Thornbury Craft Co., Walkerville Brewery and Wellington Brewery. 

ICYM

Attention: Sandwich lovers. This IG Giveaway was made for you.

Please support local businesses whenever possible. 

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in April alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share using the icons below. #supportlocal

OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News May 12-18, 2022

Photo courtesy of Auntie’s Supply.

My iconic 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. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕘 12.5 min read

Big announcements this week: the end of COVID-19 emergency order in Toronto and MICHELIN is in town. Making it even more eventful, a gobsmacking 24 arrivals, ten closures, and not-to-missed news and events. The landscape has already drastically changed from a few months ago and the sea change is far from over. Stay tuned. And I’ll have more news in The Tip Off, available exclusively in the TR Newsletter.

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN

The grand opening for Parkdale’s Bobacha Bubble Tea & Snack Bar (1660 Queen St. W.) is happening Saturday, complete with 30 per cent off all drinks all day. Pro tip: Get there early: The first 75 guests get free treats from neighbour Craig’s Cookies.

It was just three months ago that chef David Adjey shuttered his last venture. His next incarnation just landed at Dundas and Ossington: Introducing French eatery Bouffe (1173 Dundas St. W.).

Chatime is constantly expanding. Find them at “Canada’s first virtual food hall” Kitchen Hub’s new Dufferin and Eglinton outpost (1121 Castlefield Ave.) that debuted early March.

TR Newsletter subscribers got dibs on this one. For those just catching up: Creamery X has been a virtual venture since its inception last March. Starting Saturday, you can visit Bonnie & Melissa’s fabulous scoop shop at Queen and Jarvis (124 Jarvis St.) across from Moss Park for scoops of frozen custards and vegan ice creams, in addition to coffee, ice cream bars and sandwiches, ice cream cakes, take-home pints and merch. Bonus: To celebrate the launch, enjoy seven days of deals starting Saturday (Mon/Tues skipped) with surprise freebies and discounts every day. Did you know? They continue to offer community support with a portion of sales donated to local charities. This month's Charity Flavour supports Canadian Women's Foundation. 

Danforth & Westlake (2408 Danforth Ave.) had been a fixture at Danforth and Main for years. At the beginning of the pandemic,  alongside takeout, inventory was up for sale “to pay our mounting bills and try to stay alive,” followed by a liquidation sale of contents in October 2020. After operating as Easton’s last summer then closing for some time, the “premium dive bar” softly re-opened last weekend with Quesadilla Cart and Maple Leaf games on the big screen,  back at it this weekend.

Traditional homestyle Nigerian fare such as Eforiro served with Poundo Yam, Smokey Jollof Rice with Grilled Turkey Wings (spicy), Creamy Alfredo served with Butter Garlic Giant Tiger Shrimp, and Beans Pudding with Aganyin Sauce can be yours, thanks to Mississauga’s Fooddelicio Restaurant and Grill (6155 Tomken Rd., Unit 1 ).

Good Good Coffee Co. landed a sweet spot in the city’s west end last fall. Find them in their new digs at Society Club House (967 College St.) starting Wednesday.

This has been in the works for a long time. GLB Brewpub by one of the oldest independent craft breweries in Canada. Great Lakes Brewing Company based in Etobicoke opens by Sugar Beach  (11 Lower Jarvis St., Unit 5-8) Tuesday.

In addition to coffee and tea, The Grind Café (570 St. Clair Ave. W.) at St. Clair and Vaughan offers soup of the day, sandos, panini, sides, smoothies and cold drinks. 

Hijime Japanese (2209 Queen St. E.) kicked off service March 31 in The Beach. Choose from an array of aburi sushi, sashimi, okonomiyaki, noodles, sushi pizza, in addition to the special of the month (May: Pirate of the White Tuna).

The space formerly home to Let’s Be Frank at College & Spadina has been empty for years. Honeymoon Dessert (460 Spadina Ave.) just filled the vacancy. The third branch of the HK dessert chain currently in soft opening, is the first downtown.

The third outpost of The Islands Caribbean Cookshop softly opened in Liberty Village ((171 E Liberty St., Unit 131) last week with jerk chicken,  oxtail, curry goat, king fish, ackee and saltfish and more.

From croissants to baguettes, L'Avenue Bakery (1850 Avenue Rd.) in Bedford Park has all your boulangerie needs covered.

The opening of Mademoiselle Raw Bar & Grill (563 King St. W.) was changed to today.

I’ve been waiting for Beauty Derosa’s next Naija Jollof for years. The day has finally come: the first Toronto outpost of the African/Nigerian restaurant kicks off Saturday at Keele & Finch (1300 Finch Ave. W.) next to Tim Hortons. Head to the opening for African and Caribbean breakfast available 6am-2am.

Nuna Kitchen & Bar (1265 Queen St. W.) debuted yesterday in the space previously home to three vegan concepts - Bar Vegandale, Mythology Diner, and Doomie’s Toronto. The “fusion dishes with Peruvian-influenced cuisine”  featured on a focused menu include Ceviche, NY Strip Steak, Garlic Wine Shrimp Risotto, and Veggie Burger, with Flan and Tres Leches  Cake for dessert. 

Speaking of dessert, Pass the Syrup (60 Fort York Blvd.), in collaboration with Goppion Caffe, does ice cream cones and waffle-on-a-stick AKA waffle pops.

Full-service roastery, wholesaler, and café operator Pilot Coffee Roasters has been a fixture in Toronto since 2009. Having established numerous locations across the 6ix over the years, it appears they’re just getting started. Get ready for three cafes in 30 days, the first which just debuted at Bay Adelaide Centre (333 Bay St.), with grand opening celebrations to follow Monday, with folks handing out coffee vouchers in the area.

Crispy, crunchy poultry is the name of the game at Safa Fried Chicken & Cafe (2929 Danforth Ave.) in Danforth Village.

Part community event space, part café and bottle shop. Society Club House (967 College St.), is  the brainchild of Erica Campbell and Jaimie Dobbs, co-owners of Society of Beer Drinking Ladies. Doors open Wednesday.

I let you in on the Superfresh deets back in March. The new food hall near Bloor & Spadina (384 Bloor St. W.) features Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese,  Korean and Taiwanese chefs, restaurants and shops. Currently on the roster: Auntie’s Supply, Bao Bird, Bar Superfresh, Big Beef Bowl, The Good Goods, Jajan, Katsupan, and Ssam Cha. Doors open to the public Saturday.

All your party essentials (curated party boxes balloons, etc.) can be found at Unbox Your Party’s new home in Mount Pleasant Village (651 Mount Pleasant Rd.), officially opening Saturday.  

Wilma’s Snack Bar (214 Ossington Ave.) has moved into Crosley’s old spot on the strip with a lineup of snacks (Grilled Mortadella, Ducki Liver Crostini, Bombette ‘Pugliese’, Mezze Rigatoni), raw seafood, sliced meat and bevvies for days.

Cairo sandos are the specialty of Zein Egyptian Shawarma (1725 Matheson Blvd., Unit 3). At the ghost kitchen in Mississauga  find Egyptian shawarma dressed with tahini sauce stuffed into fresh buns. 

CLOSED

Long before Tim Hortons came to town, the ruling coffee shop back in the day was Country Style. The Danforth Village mainstay (2929 Danforth Ave.) is now home to a popular fast food. See above for details.

TR Newsletter subscribers got the breaking news first. Award-winning fine dining destination Ēst (729 Queen St. E.) debuted in Riverside pre-pandemic  (September '19) showcasing striking elaborate fare byc o-owner/chef Sean MacDonald and team. Psst. The restaurant has not been in operation for months now. Chefs MacDonald, Reece MacIsaac and Jose Balasico moved on to new projects a while ago, as did FOH staff.  The ‘For Sale' signs in the window mark the end of this chapter for the east end eatery.

The Beach location of Hogtown Smoke (1959 Queen St. E.) the last in Toronto, is for lease. Current operations are out-of-town in Stoney Creek.

Japango in The Beach (2209 Queen St. E.) has been replaced by another Japanese eatery. Details above. Visit Japango’s other location near Dundas and University (122 Elizabeth St.). 

Sunshine Restaurant & Bar’s (2879 Danforth Ave.) time at Dawes Rd. has come to an end.

Tilt Arcade Bar (824 Dundas St. W.) is closed due to fire. See news section below.

Toronto Popcorn Company (1948 Queen St. E.) is now an entirely online enterprise. The second location that opened Summer ‘19 has shuttered. The outfit will continue filling orders out of their our commissary facility in Scarborough. Note: The facility is not open to public.

Williams Landing (120 Lynn Williams St.) in Liberty Village was a popular spot with a great vantage point for years. Psst. It’s about to become NODO any day now.

Yummy Stuff Bakery, established in 2008, closed up shop in Parkdale (1660 Queen St. W.).  For what’s in its stead, see above.

Zyng  (730 Yonge St.) was a fixture at Yonge & Charles forever. It’s now a spot for KFC (Korean Fried Chicken).

CHANGES

Japanese Korean eatery (and one-person operation!) Moong Sushi (570 St. Clair Ave. W. ) has moved. Find the new the digs one block west (627 St Clair Ave. W.), access via rear laneway.

EVENTS

It’s your last chance to get in on La Pizza Week.

Mississauga Ribfest is happening at Erin Mills Town Centre this weekend.

ByBlacks Restaurant Week returns to the 6ix starting Monday.

Night Market’s Halal Tour kicks off tomorrow.

NEWS 

Toronto’s largest retro arcade bar Tilt Arcade Bar (824 Dundas St. W.) has sustained smoke and water damage due to a fire on Saturday. A fundraiser has been launched to help rebuild and reopen. 

The MICHELIN Guide for Toronto was announced on Tuesday. Stay tuned.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in April alone.  Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share with others.

Need staff? Help promoting your menu, bottle shop, patio, private event space, but you’re on a budget? We can help. *Prices have been reduced tfor a limited time o help local businesses during this time.

At The Pass with Carol Thommen

Carol Thommen. Chef de Cuisine, Bar Isabel. Photo by Rick O’Brien.

At The Pass is a weekly series showcasing Toronto’s best chefs. You won’t find any celebrity chefs featured here. Perhaps you already know these fine cooks, but maybe not. They’re not famous - yet. But it’s time these talented, passionate, hard-working chefs got a bit of the spotlight. Meet Carol Thommen.

🕘 6 min read

Currently

Chef de Cuisine, Bar Isabel

Formerly 

Back home (Brazil), since my teenage years I worked in my family’s restaurant. Also did some gigs in catering  and as a  personal chef.  In Toronto, I worked at the former Mata Petisco Bar in the Queen West area.

Favorite dish to make right now

I think one of my favourite things to make will always be braised/stewed dishes. I find that seeing the transformation that heat and time bring to the ingredients is pretty amazing.

Last cookbook purchase

Brazilian Food by Thiago Castanho and Luciana Bianchi

Have you read it/tried any recipes

I did read it. The book is very pretty and explains a lot about the local ingredients. I didn’t try any specific recipe from it, but all the food described is familiar to me and part of my gastronomic memories somehow.

One dish or ingredient you’d like to see gone from menus

I don’t think it would be possible, or fair, to say something must be gone. There are so many ways to use ingredients and recreate dishes.

And one dish or ingredient that you’re excited about right now and would like to see on more menus

With spring around, there are so many beautiful vegetables and other seasonal ingredients that we will start seeing on menus everywhere.

Grilled Mushroom with shaved cured egg yolk. Photo by Rick O’Brien.

Biggest influences

There are so many incredible cooks in my family. Every family gathering was like a banquet with so many delicious dishes. Many of my happiest memories are related to cooking. So they had a big influence on me.

But there are also many professional chefs that I admire. I will name one because otherwise the list would be too long. Chef Paola Carosella. The story of her life is very relatable to me, and particularly the way she connects food and emotions is wholesome and truthful. 

If you could eat at any restaurant in the world

It would be Hisa Franko.  

Last thing you ate 

Late night takeout sushi from Sushi Place.

Three must-have ingredients always in your fridge

Garlic, Onion, and Bay Leaf.

Guilty pleasure

Mildly guilty pleasure - Eat a lot of chocolate.

Chef Carol Thommen at work.

Top 3 favourite Toronto restaurants

I like Aloette. I think Quetzal is amazing. And I think everyone should try Taste of China in their lifetime, it is delicious.

Top 3 favourite Toronto bars 

I don’t drink, so I’m not particularly versed in bars, but I will name a couple based on things that are non-alcohol related.: Bar Raval, Bar Mordecai, and Paris Paris.   

Go-to drink

N/A.

One habit you have in the kitchen that you should lose, but can’t seem to shake

I still find it hard to delegate things.

And one habit you have in the kitchen that will inspire young chefs

To be patient. Believe me, this one is pretty hard to find in kitchens.

Hidden talent 

I’m pretty sure I could be a professional hairdresser. I have many hair-related skills: cutting, colouring, styling, etc.  

Best career advice you ever received

There are many things that I heard during my life and I somehow applied in work related situations. But one particular phrase that I heard at culinary school and I caught myself repeating a lot over the years is: “Everyone has something to teach you. Some people will teach you what to do and others will teach you what you shouldn’t do.”

Worst career advice you ever received

I would not say the worst, because according to my ‘best career advice’, you can learn things from every situation. But one thing that I heard and I wish I didn’t: “Never show your feelings and/or weakness at work.” 

Your advice for a young cook starting out in the business

I don’t want to crush any hearts with this one, but here it goes: Love for food or for hospitality alone won’t make your business succeed. Yes, the passion factor is very important, but make sure your management game is strong as well.  

In order to support chefs during this time, the monthly At The Pass series is now WEEKLY. Know someone in Toronto or GTA who should be featured? Submit their name for consideration. And yes, you can nominate yourself.      

For breaking news, updates, interviews + much more, follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter.   

OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News May 5-11, 2022

Photo courtesy of Marben.

My iconic 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. #ifyouknowyouknow

 🕘 11.5 min read

This week my 24 findings include grand opening specials, mega expansions, serious star chef power, and a flurry of closures - with more to follow. Stay tuned - I’ll have more news for you in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter. In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Afreen Grill (3469 Danforth Ave.) near Warden Is serving up a host of halal Indian and Pakistani fare.

Attention burger lovers: The grand opening of the newest Burger Factory kicks off Saturday in Mississauga (4028 Confederation Pkwy). Why it should make it onto your schedule: The festivities includes half-price cheeseburgers.

Taiwanese tea house Chatime takes expanding seriously. Case in point: the new outposts in Scarborough (5981 Steeles Ave. E.) and Mississauga (Battleford Centre - 6475 Erin Mills Pkwy).

The  Korean-style hot dog trend shows no signs of slowing down thanks to the rise (and expansion) of chains such as Chung Chun Rice Hot Dog. To see what the fuss is all about (two words: Ramen Chip), head to the new shop opening Monday in Vaughan (3175 Rutherford Rd., Unit 16). Tons of specials to be had including $2.99 hot dogs.

Global bubble tea brand CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice softly opened a branch in Scarborough (790 Military Trail, Unit 5) earlier this week. To celebrate, customers receive 15 per cent off all drinks until May 31. Conditions apply.

Currently in soft opening, Essence Bistro at Market Lane Shopping Centre (140 Woodbridge Ave.) in Woodbridge does farm-to-table fare with a “Latin-inspired twist” - Mushrooms Al Ajillo Taco ($6), Chaulafan ($25), Mimosa Springs ($25), PEI Steak (MP), for instance.

Chef Brandon Olsen, founder of Restaurant Le Melon, La Banane  and CXBO Chocolates, has a penchant for crunchy poultry - Brando’s Fried Chicken, his precursor for new venture Grateful Chicken. Psst. GC quietly opened inside Chef’s Hall (111 Richmond St. W.). On the roster: Fried chicken sandos, pieces “Chicken Fried” Mushroom Sammy ($13/$18), and buckets ($21-$95) with champagne ($165-$190). As for what to expect?  According to the CH website: “Imagine The Grateful Dead and Keith Herring sharing a bucket of fried chicken.” 

Éclairs and profiteroles don’t get the attention they deserve in a sea of cheescake and macarons. Luckily, The Happy Chocco feels the same way. Check out the lineup of the halal, kosher, organic, vegetarian choux pastry at The District Kitchen at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) until Sunday.

Speaking of sweets, Honey Honey Cakery (158 Main St.) opened in Unionville at the end of the year with alllll the cakes: roll, chiffon, Basque, and Thousand Layers Crepe.

Koh Samui Thai Kitchen’s debut on the Danforth in 2020 was just the beginning. Two branches followed: 1. Queen West 2. More recently, The Junction in February. Say hello to the latest addition at King and Niagara (791 King St. W.)

The pandemic doesn’t seem to have slowed Kung Fu Tea  down one bit - last week alone ushered in two more stores. And one just touched down in Woodbridge (7777 Weston Rd., Unit 107) Bonus: 20 per cent off all drinks and Large 38 Milk King for $4.88 until May 20. Terms apply.

Coming off the state-of-the-art conveyor belt at Lahmajoun Factory: Fresh n’ hot Armenian pizza. Soft opening kicked off Thursday. Find them in Scarborough at Finch and Pharmacy (2533 Pharmacy Ave.).

In March, I introduced you to the new trio at College and Bathurst (409 College St.). Turkish eatery LokumEats just joined the crew.

Sunday was the first day for Macaronz’s Port Credit pastry shoppe (159 Lakeshore Rd. E.). Get in on everything from mini doughnut cakes to frozen cookie dough, including Mother’s Day Features such as  Marie Antoinette Petits Fours and Classic Afternoon Tea In A Box  Find their tea salon in downtown Brampton (43 Queen St. E.). 

Mademoiselle Raw Bar + Grill (563 King St. W.) should win an award for biggest transformation during the pandemic. After all, the folks behind MARBL down the street (455 King St. W.) took what was formerly a strip club (For Your Eyes Only) and created a high-end destination, complete with caviar and champagne. At the stove: Executive chef Evan Dickinson (MARBL) with sushi chef Daniel Ken (The Hartly, Lobby, Lavelle, Blowfish). Doors officially open to the public tomorrow.

Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) just got a Turkish destination. Visit Mado on Level 2 near Entrance 3.

Marben Restaurant (488 Wellington St. W., Unit 5-104)  found a home for its sustainably sourced, local pantry items at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.). Discover items such as housemade Chili Crisp, IPA Mustard and Kanzuri Sauerkraut at Marben Market. 

Chef Nadège Nourian and Morgan McHugh’s latest Nadège Patisserie debuted in the Annex (494 Bloor St. W.) yesterday. This marks the fourth location in the 6ix for the renowned French bakery.

Head to Naomi Universal Cuisine (900 Don Mills Rd., Unit 12) at Don Mills and Eglinton for an array of Asian fare including dim sum, Cantonese Chow Mein. Grilled Jumbo Tiger Prawn with Diced Beef, and HK Milk Tea. 

ISO Hyderabadi fare? Nawab's Indian Cuisine (1348 Kennedy Rd.) at Kennedy and Ellesmere has your craving for south Indian dishes sorted. 

Princes Pastries (3331 Danforth Ave.) in Scarborough does baklava, maamoul, ashta pastries and other sweet delights  - Aoama, Barazek, Basbousa, Coconut Macaroons, Faysayliya, Ghraybeh, Harissa with Pistachios, Moshabak, and Petits Fours.

Roses Cocina inside Hotel X Toronto (111 Princes' Blvd., 2nd Fl) debuts today. The new waterfront destination by chef/restauranteur Adrian Niman (The Food Dudes, Rasa, Sara, Pantry, Blondies, Sunny’s Chinese and MIMI Chinese) and Brandon Marek and Michael Kimel of Harlo Entertainment boasts modern North American cuisine that “highlights Tex Mex flavours.” Stay tuned for a closer look.

Hamilton’s premium handmade Japanese knife retailer Sharp Knife Shop just opened an outpost in Etobicoke (195 Norseman St., Unit 14), making it easier to your hands on beauts such as a Kajibee Kurouchi Santoku, Makoto Kurosaki Style K Suji, and Kawamura Tsuchime 165 Bunka.  

EVENTS

Canada’s largest food truck park Street Eats Market opens tomorrow at Scarborough Town Centre (500 Progress Ave.).

CLOSED 

The King and Yonge outpost of Bikkuri Japanese Restaurant (36 King St. E.) may have come to an end however the Beaches location (2197 Queen St. E.) remains open.

Chito’s 
Pizza Wilson and Dufferin location (3616 Dufferin St.) is temporarily closed due to fire. Customers can visit their other location at Dufferin and Eglinton (1853 Eglinton Ave. W.).

Congee Star (900 Don Mills Rd., Unit 12) has been replaced by another Asian eatery. Details above.

That’s it for the St. Clair outpost of Dasoni (630 St. Clair Ave. W.). Psst. It’s soon to be home to JABS (Just Another Burger Spot) that I introduced you to last summer. Find out more about owner/chef Janrikk Millan in At The Pass. 

Fahmee Bakery’s Scarborough location (119 Montezuma Trail) is temporarily closed due to a fire earlier this morning. No injuries have been reported.

Wychwood bakery Leah’s (621 St Clair Ave. W.), known for its biscotti and butter tarts, debuted 2011. 

The One Eighty, the restaurant on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre (55 Bloor St. W.) boasting panoramic views of the city, part of Eatertainment Hospitality, closed March 1. Psst. In its place: A new concept in partnership with Scale Hospitality will launch this summer - AP helmed by acclaimed chef Antonio Park of Montreal.

CHANGES

Due to the current conflict in Russia and Ukraine, Moscow Tea Room (161 Yorkville Ave.) is now Joy on Avenue.

NEWS

Fahmee Bakery’s Scarborough location (119 Montezuma Trail) is temporality closed due to a fire earlier this morning. No injuries have been reported.

Michael Armstrong, produce manager of The Sweet Potato (and percussionist for King Cobb Steelie and Change of Heart) passed away. A GoFund Me Memorial Fund has been set up to help his family.

Mayor John Tory officially launched CafeTO patio season in Toronto on Monday.

Attn Industry: The deadline to apply for Summerlicious has been extended to tomorrow.

ICYMI

Take a peek inside The Casa Madera, adjacent to 1 Hotel Toronto (550 Wellington St. W.).

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in April alone.  Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share with others.

Need staff? Help promoting your menu, bottle shop, heated patio, private event space, but you’re on a budget? We can help. *Prices have been reduced tfor a limited time o help local businesses during this time.

OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News April 28-May 4, 2022

Photo courtesy of Happy Burger.

My iconic 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. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕘 8 min read

My 20 findings this week truly offer something for every budget from cheap eats/drinks to sky high menus/views. And stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter and announcements on new projects coming soon.

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN 

Taiwanese tea shop The Alley has been adding to its roster the last few years. Check out the latest branch in Mississauga at Eglinton and Winston Churchill (2901 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 8B).

If you’re a “but first boba” kinda person, the new Bobacha Cafe & Snack Bar in Parkdale (1660 Queen St. W.) will excite you. Soft opening is Saturday.

City Cottage Market (1427 Kingston Rd.) brings together a bevy of local everyday essentials under one roof. Doors open Friday at 8:30am.

D Spot Dessert Cafe (6987 Yonge St.) is right at the corner of Yonge & Steeles, making it extremely convenient for North Yorkers to stop for sweet treats on the way home. 

TR Newsletter subscribers got the scoop first. For those just catching up, the Toronto outpost of award-winning Italian fine dining restaurant Don Alfonso 1890 at King & Yonge briefly closed in 2020 before transitioning into a 60-seat pop-up at Casa Loma's Conservatory. Psst. Fire up the Ferrari because they've found a permanent home atop The Westin Harbour Castle (formerly Toula Restaurant & Bar) set to launch this summer. In the meantime, take a sneak peek. Pro tip: Reservations are open for June 16 and beyond.

Slinging signature drinks and empanadas at Queen and Ossington for years, El Almacen Yerba Mate Cafe at long last has a second location, at Lawrence and Weston (1917 Weston Rd.).

Happy Burger came on the scene as a smash burger ghost kitchen right before the pandemic hit, followed by a brick-and-mortar spot months later. The virtual concept is now available IRL (881 Yonge St.), just south of Bloor - previously home to Mykonos Mediterranean Grill. 

Hakka fare is finally starting to make its way downtown. “The House of Chili Chicken,” aka Hakka Heaven, touched down at Dundas and Keele in the Junction (2865 Dundas St. W.). 

Kakushin (Commerce Gate 505 Highway 7, Unit 6) in Thornhill sets its sushi apart from the crowd with menu selections of wagyu beef (U.S. and Australian), poke bowls (including a wagyu benny), a smoked duck roll, and Spam musubi.

Leeko Bistro (685 Lansdowne Ave., Unit 2) shares a space with its original Asian concept in Bloordale, Roll & Bowl, offering grab-and-go Korean brunch and dinner items.

If this week needs anything, it's freshly baked doughnuts. And Machino Donuts is here to help. The second location softly opened at Dundas and Bloor (1556 Bloor St. W.) Wednesday with their signature handmade vegan doughnuts and cronuts. You’re welcome. PSA: If you were a TR Newsletter subscriber, you’d already be in the know. 

ISO Indian street food in Etobicoke? Look no further than Masala Blvd (3260 Lakeshore Blvd. W.).

Mocha Mocha (489 Danforth Ave.) has been a fixture on the Danforth since 1991. After more than thirty years, a second location recently debuted at Dundas and Kingston Road (64 Kingston Rd.), formerly Jody’s Deli.

Monga Fried Chicken’s ginormous Taiwanese fried chicken are now available in Richmond Hill  (550 Highway 7 E, Unit 53).

Ossington Canteen (217 Ossington Ave.) is home to three ventures by local chefs: Gertie’s, Pies by Squires, and Republic Tacos.  British meat pies, authentic Texas-style breakfast tacos, and peanut butter pies. What’s not to love? 

The new home for Sea-Hi Famous Chinese Restaurant (7000 Bathurst St.) has finally officially launched. Fun fact: The Vaughan outpost is just minutes north of the original spot in Thornhill.

Basque cheesecake HQ Soft Dough Co. has a new home at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.).

Canada's largest shipping container market, Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.), has been partially temporarily closed since the beginning of March. Everything’s back as of Tuesday, including new vendors Toronto-based art duo Broadbent Sisters, vintage clothing store Loose Fade, handmade Mexican accessories shop Mexī-Cool, swimwear brand Mylo Swim, and aforementioned Soft Dough Co.

Union Station has been on a reinvention journey in recent years. Introducing new addition Tao Tea Leaf, specializing in Chinese teas in addition to tea blends and herbs. Find them in the Front Street Promenade.

A few weeks back, I told you about Eadry Foods’ new digs. The Side Kitchen (1093 Queen St. E.) in Leslieville is also home to Uncle Chuck’s Rubs & Sauces by chef Cheryl Torrance.

CLOSED

The Junction location of Amaya ( 2865 Dundas St. W.) has shuttered. For whats in its stead. See above.

Enigma Restaurant (1556 Bloor St. W.) is now a vegan dessert destination. Details above.

Despite being a relative newbie, final service for 7-seater Sushi Nishinokaze (2950 Kennedy Rd.) in Scarborough is Saturday. Don’t bother trying to secure a reservation though - Chef Vincent Gee’s spot has been booked for months. Stay tuned for details on what’s to come.

Though Toula Restaurant & Bar was perched on The Westin Harbour Castle, it was owned and operated by a third party, closing  during the pandemic.

EVENTS

It’s your last chance to get in on Filipino Restaurant Month.

La Pizza Week kicks off on Sunday.

Mark your calendar: the next Toronto Queer Wine Night for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is happening Tuesday at Paradise Grapevine (841 Bloor St. W.).

NEWS

No injuries were reported for Thursday’s fire at Portuguese restaurant Churrasqueira Costa Verde (370 Oakwood Ave.).

Attention shoppers: TJX Canada has recalled a brand of vegan truffles.

ICYMI

Pastry chef Roma Sanderson of Noctua Bread Project doesn’t waste time on bad advice, stocks her fridge with fab ingredients, and enjoys an activity that most see as a chore. Discover more in this week’s At The Pass.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in March alone.  Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share with others.

Need staff? Help promoting your menu, bottle shop, heated patio, private event space, but you’re on a budget? We can help. *Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available.

At The Pass with Roma Sanderson

At The Pass is a weekly series showcasing Toronto’s best chefs. You won’t find any celebrity chefs featured here. Perhaps you already know these fine cooks, but maybe not. They’re not famous - yet. But it’s time these talented, passionate, hard-working chefs got a bit of the spotlight. Meet Roma Sanderson .

🕘 4 min read

Currently

Pastry Chef, Noctua Bread Project

Formerly

Drake Commissary, Ascari Catering, Mattachioni

Favourite dish to make right now

Anything laminated.

Last cookbook purchase

Jam Bake: Inspired Recipes for Creating and Baking with Preserves  by Camilla Wynne

Have you read it/tried any recipes

I have read the book and absolutely love it. I especially love making the Rhubarb Lemonade Jam with Elderflower.

One dish or ingredient you’d like to see gone from menus

I don’t go out much so I don’t know.   

And one dish or ingredient that you’re excited about right now and would like to see on more menus 

I can really appreciate anything fresh right now. Super excited about the forced rhubarb.

Biggest influences

My husband Chris Sanderson.  

If you could eat at any restaurant in the world

Honestly, take me anywhere in the world where my friends and family are and that is where I want to eat. 

Last thing you ate 

I went to MIMI Chinese Restaurant. OMG you need to go.  

Three  must-have ingredients always in your fridge

Kimchi, sour cream and pierogies.

A sampling of chef Sanderson’s creations at Noctua Bakery.

Guilty pleasure

Vacuuming. I would rather stay in with my Dyson than go out sometimes.  

Top 3 favourite Toronto restaurants 

I don’t go out much, but When The Pig Came Home, The Haifa Room, and Tutti Matti.

Top 3 favourite Toronto bars

I honestly haven’t been out in so long. 

Go-to drink  

Negroni.

One habit you have in the kitchen that you should lose, but can’t seem to shake 

I talk a lot. I love sharing stories and life.  

And one habit you have in the kitchen that will inspire young chefs

Always keep your work station clean. Nobody likes working beside a pig.

Hidden talent

I love to sing and dance when I work.  

Best career advice you ever received

A chef from college said to me, “This is a small industry - Be nice.” 

Worst career advice you ever received 

I don’t listen to bad advice. Too negative.

Your advice for a young cook starting out in the business

Find balance between work and life. Drink water. Always carry extra Sharpies. Stretch.

In order to support chefs during this time, the monthly At The Pass series is now WEEKLY. Know someone in Toronto or GTA who should be featured? Submit their name for consideration. And yes, you can nominate yourself.      

For breaking news, updates, interviews + much more, follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter.  

OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News April 21-27, 2022

My iconic 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. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕘 11 min read

Prior to the pandemic, the industry comings and goings were rampant, then reached record numbers during the global crisis. These days (aka the Sixth Wave) they’re off the rails. There’s so much happening, I’m topping breaking news with breaking news. See for yourself. My astonishing findings this week: 24 arrivals and 11 closures.

Stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter, and exciting announcements and partnerships coming soon.

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN

The Yorkville outpost of contemporary Adrak Indian Restaurant & Bar (15 Wertheim Ct.) in Richmond Hill has been under construction for some time. Adrak Yorkville (138 Avenue Rd.) opens Friday where EVOO Ristorante was.

Arsenio’s Kitchen (2889 St. Clair Ave. E., Unit 1) by chef/owner Arsenio Carino boasts an all-day Silog menu featuring 10 items ($12 ea.). In addition to Filipino breakfast, find an array of dishes including deep fried squid, shrimp sinigang, and beef pares.

Basil Box and I go back a long way – 2016, to be exact. The latest addition is a virtual one in Midtown. The vessel at Yonge & Davisville (1941 Yonge St.) offers both the healthier Southeast Asian fare of Basil Box alongside comfort foods of sister biz, Street Kitchen by Basil Box. 

Beacon Social House (305 Lakeshore Rd. E.) brings American tavern vibes to downtown Oakville.

There’s more to Scarborough’s Boxy's Burrito (4286 Kingston Rd.) than its namesake. Dig into quesadillas, tostadas, nachos, churros, bowls and burritos near Lawrence and Morningside.

Chaiiwala of London’s launch in Mississauga (6435 Erin Mills Pkwy.) last month quickly follows the brand’s Ontario debut last fall. On the menu: Desi street food, snacks and chai.

In the mood for burgers and Philly cheesesteaks? Head to Grill Gate’s newest branch at Jarvis and Dundas (203 Dundas St. E.).

Hana Sushi (1049 Bloor St. W.) at Bloor and Dufferin offers a bevvy of options including special rolls, bento boxes, sushi pizza and noodle soups.

Following last summer’s pop-up, the first permanent location of Hielito Bits just launched in Roncesvalles Village (478 Roncesvalles Ave.). In addition to frozen treats such as paletas, they are the first Marquesitas shop in Toronto featuring the authentic dessert from Yucatan, Mexico: a variation on a rolled crepe stuffed with queso bola, with your choice of toppings - dulce de leche, condensed milk, walnuts, fruit, and more.

J’s Steak Frites (1198 Queen St. W.) moved into award-winning Dandylion’s old digs with a very specific menu: Steak Frites ($49 pp). That’s it. Her’s the breakdown: Every order comes with housemade bread, butter, unlimited frites and butter sauce. Drinks and desserts are extra, with desserts by chef/co-owner Tara Tang, a Le Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef, showcased on a cart in the middle of the space.

The growth of Kung Fu Tea in recent years is staggering. The Taiwanese tea chain continues to expand with new branches on the Danforth (315 Danforth Ave.) and North York (1881 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 15A).

Leonidas Chocolate Café arrived in Mississauga (54 Lakeshore Rd. E.
) just in time for Easter.

Martin Espresso Bar (1421 Bloor St. W.) debuts Friday, in the former home of Noble Coffee. #dontblocktheintersection

The Momozone (979 O’ Connor Dr.) launched January 1. The family-owned biz boasts homemade Nepalese, Indian and Hakka fare including Tandoori Soya Chaap, Chili Momos, and Lamb Chow Mein.

Head to Mr Kebab Time (217 Roncesvalles Ave.) on Roncy for Mediterranean Turkish fare.

Psst. No Pain Gimbap is the new spot for takeout and snacks in back of Grape Crush (1166 Dundas St. W.). by the fine folks of Donna’s (827 Lansdowne Ave.).

Up until pretty recently, Onyx Chocolates was operating out of beloved Wong’s Ice Cream (617 Gerrard St. E.) in Chinatown East. After the shop closed, OC had to find new digs. Luckily, they didn’t have to go far. Find them a few doors west in iconic Rose's Vietnamese Sandwiches former digs (601 Gerrard St. E.). Doors open Saturday 11am.

There’s a new destination for Cheese Mousse Tea in North York. Head to Royaltea (5418 Yonge St., Unit 16) just south of Finch.

Tony and Nadia Soranno’s new restaurant in Port Credit Soranno’s (341 Lakeshore Rd. E.) does Italian classics [Mozzarella Sticks ($10.99), Fried Calamari ($14.99), Veal Sandwich ($18.99), Pasta Bolognese ($20.99)] in addition to pub fare [Burgers ($14.99-$18.99), Chicken Wings ($12.99/$16.99), Chicken Fingers & Fries ($17.99)]. 

Chef's Hall (111 Richmond St. W.) latest addition, The Red Eye specializes in dishes inspired by the American diner. Think: smash burgers, chicken fried steak, disco fries and floats. Behind the new venture: Chef Adam Ryan (The Coup | Calgary, Spirit Tree Estate Cidery | Caledon) and Josh Mott, owner of Her Fathers Cider Bar (119 Harbord St.).

In a rush? Tired of waiting around for your sushi to be prepared? The majority of Tobiko Sushi’s (67 Roncesvalles Ave.) menu is available ready-to-go using fresh ingredients.

It’s been quite a week for Tut’s Egyptian Street Food - see news section below. Check out the new spot in Mississauga at Square One (100 City Centre Dr., Food Court).

I’ve been chronicling the growth of Vivo Pizza+Pasta since 2016. Cut to present day: The Canadian chain boasts over ten locations. The latest just landed in Woodbridge (7540 Weston Rd.). Did you know? It’s the second outpost serving traditional Italian pizza and pasta in the Vaughan community. 

CLOSED

Alchemy Restaurant & Bar (890 College St.) - aka Alchemy Food + Drink - debuted July 2017. Doors closed mid-March, but another location is in the works. Stay tuned.

Boland’s Open Kitchen (575 Mount Pleasant Rd.) was a fixture on the Mount Pleasant strip since May 2010.

Chacho’s Fine Dining Mexican Restaurant (234 Merton St.)

The Bloor & Dufferin location of COO Café Bread Or Rice (1049 Bloor St. W.) may have come to end, but there’s more to come. 

A four-alarm fire Friday displaced 20 residents and affected the spaces of recently closed Hotmess Tex Mex, La Forchetta, Rudy, and Tut’s Egyptian Street Food. No injuries were reported. Rudy and Tut’s reopened, while La Forchetta (613 College St.) remains closed. See the News section below for ways to help.

That’s it for the Toronto outpost of “the largest locally-owned pizza franchise operating in Nova Scotia” Jessy’s Pizza (2200 Dundas St. W.).

You can order burgers at what replaced Jumbo Hamburger (629 Pharmacy Ave.).

After 23 years in Oakvwood Village, the original New Casa Abril Restaurant (475 Oakwood Ave.) has come to an end. The name however, lives on thanks to a successor. 

Shawarma's King (60 Queen St. E.) and neighbour TCJ Restaurant (64 Queen St. E.) at the corner of Queen and Church for forever, are being replaced by 57-storey condos by Bazis Inc. and Tridel.

After six years, Uncle Smoke BBQ (2285 Dundas St. W.) - originally Uncle Smoke Cookhouse – has concluded service

CHANGE 

Madame Levant (821 Gerrard St. E.)  is now Falafel Bar by Madame Levant.

EVENTS 

TO Food and Drink Fest takes place this weekend.

Canada’s first Filipino Restaurant Month is underway. Discover where to dine and dig in at restaurants across Toronto/GTA.

NEWS 

A four-alarm fire Friday displaced 20 residents and affected the spaces of recently closed Hotmess Tex Mex, La Forchetta, Rudy, and Tut’s Egyptian Street Food. No injuries were reported. Rudy and Tut’s reopened, while La Forchetta (613 College St.) remains closed. A GoFund Me campaign has launched to support the residents, and Bar Volo is donating $1 for every pint sold this week to help their neighbours.

After all of the recalls lately, you’d think it would be over. Nuh uh. Check your bagels honey.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

 Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in March alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.  

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook, forward and share with others.

Need staff? Help promoting your menu, bottle shop, patio, private event space, gift cards but you’re on a budget? We can help. *Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available.

OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News April 14-20, 2022

My iconic 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. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕘 9.5 min read

Between the long weekend and various holidays and weather systems rolling in, a selection of dining options are in order. You’re in luck - my findings this week - nearly 20 arrivals - offer a little bit of this, that and the other. And stay tuned – more news ahead in The Tip Off, available exclusively in the TR Newsletter. 

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Ali Baba's Middle Eastern Cuisine (682 Queen St. E.) just touched down in Riverside at Queen and Broadview. 

Blended For You (393 Danforth Ave.) in Greektown boasts a lineup of curated  vitamin-rich, frozen plant-based packs for smoothies, soups, chia bowls, and cleanses.

After expanding last fall, Brown Donkatsu And Ramen continues to grow across the GTA. Grand opening festivities for the Richmond Hill branch (9580 Yonge St.) take place this weekend. The “original Korean tonkatsu house”  is offering a walk-in special Saturday and Sunday of  BOGO Brown Katsu. Walk-in only, while quantities last, limit one promo per customer.

Also new to Richmond Hill, Café Broadway (9021 Leslie St., Unit 1). The HK style restaurant offers a host of soups, rice, pasta, hot pot and much more.

Local Indian street food chain Chaska (16 Richardson St., Unit 2) opened Tuesday just north of Sugar Beach.

Frosted Flavors (2198 Queen St. E.) in The Beach softly opens today, with a grand opening to follow Monday. On the menu: Sandwiches, desserts, custom cakes, coffee and other beverages, with more items to roll out. 

TR Newsletter subscribers got dibs. For those catching up: Good Behaviour's second outpost (874 Yonge St., just north of Bloor) kicks off tomorrow with subs, ice cream, and wait for it - ice cream doughnut sandos.

Find Hakka Bistro (398 Parliament St. just debuted at the edge of Cabbagetown and Regent Park with an extensive menu. Think: Singapore Noodles, Manchurian Fish (dry or gravy), and Tandoori Chicken Chowmein.

Jeon Ju Hyang Korean Restaurant (5694 Highway 7, Unit 14) in Markham’s Sherwood Plaza has all your Korean cravings covered: KFC, Bibimbab, Bulgogi, Soon Tofu, Hot Pot, and Budae Jjigae for two, for instance.

North York’s Joong Hwa Ban Jum (5308 Yonge St.) offers both Korean and Chinese fare.

Jumbo Lobster Restaurant (7501 Woodbine Ave) in Markham softly opened Monday. The expansive Chinese eatery (13,000 sq. ft.) is currently open 10am-11pm seven days a week. Psst. It’s by the folks behind Fishman Lobster Clubhouse (4020 Finch Ave. E.). In addition to dim sum, pork items are available for dinner service, including BBQ pig.

Major’s Cookies is popping up at Square One’s The District Kitchen (100 City Centre Dr.) with vegan chocolate chip cookies until May 8.

Chef Aaron Julien is cooking up a storm at Bloordale’s new Monte Bianco Italian Cuisine (1201A Bloor St. W.): Antipasto Platter ($26), Trentino Goulasch ($19), Monte Bianco Burger ($16), Airline Chicken ($22), Lamb Risotto ($24), Lobster Pappardelle ($22) represents just a fraction of the menu, not to mention all the brunch offerings.

New Casa Abril Restaurant (475 Oakwood Ave.) at Oakwood and Vaughan is the new old Kapital Restaurant & Grill (1500 St. Clair Ave. W.). Customers can enjoy not only a larger space, there’s more parking to boot. Win-win.

A new hotspot debuted last night. Recette (1166 Queen St. W.) by restaurateur Naveen Chakravarti (Prohibition Pie, OddSeoul, Neon Tiger) boasts hip-hop and R&B and “new forward French cuisine” by Chef Milo Beaubien-Wright (Origin North Restaurant & Bar, Actinolite). p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers got the lowdown first, so get on it.

River 16 Restaurant and Lounge (234 Lakeshore Rd.) opened in downtown Oakville in mid-February with a variety of entrees, incuding Veggie Meatballs ($23), Maple Glazed Salmon ($39), and Filet Mignon 8oz. ($59).

Rize Custom Cakes (682 Oakwood Ave.) at Oakwood and Eglinton is brimming with cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, cookies and other sweet treats.  

Sansotei Ramen gets it – if you’re at the mall for a certain amount of time, hunger’s going to set in. After launching at the Eaton Centre in February,  Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.) was next on the agenda. In the works for a while now, the soft opening takes place Monday 11am-8pm. 

Slowsouth Pizza (1588 Dundas St. W.) in Brockton Village specializes in the wood-fired variety.       

CLOSED

Up until very recently, 1166 Queen St. W. was home to Après Wine Bar – which evolved into Ikune by Après and other pop-ups throughout the pandemic .(And prior to that, award-winning Canis.) For what took its place, see above.

Black Jack BBQ (1044 Gerrard St. E.) served up BBQ fusion in Leslieville for four years. An outpost at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) remains open.

Cafe Naturalis (2198 Queen St. E.) in The Beach was known for its soups, sandwiches, Montreal bagels, vegan and gluten-free baked goods.

Fat Lamb Kouzina’s storefront at Yonge & Bloor (874 Yonge St.) is home to something completely different.

Kapital Restaurant & Grill (1500 St. Clair Ave. W.) embarked on a new journey after closing February 24. Details outlined above. 

Pho U (398 Parliament St.) may be gone, but some familiar dishes remain at the restaurant in its stead. See above.

On Thursday, owners Josh and Eric announced the closure of Riverside Kitchen (862 Danforth Ave.) after debuting last summer. Insider tip: Visit Josh at his other restaurant, The Riviera (102 Lakeshore Ave.) on Toronto’s Wards Island.

CHANGES

Eadry Foods (11129 Queen St. E.) moved a few doors west, merging with Leslieville’s pantry boutique The Side Kitchen (1093 Queen St. E.). The new digs went into effect Friday.

EVENTS

Canada’s first Filipino Restaurant Month is underway. Discover where to dine and dig in at restaurants across Toronto/GTA.

NEWS

Last week’s Kinder recall was just the beginning.

Select oysters were recalled this week.

Summerlicious is back on the books.

ICYMI

From creamy mushroom pasta and fluffy doughnuts to carefully crafted martinis and beer, local businesses have dreamed up mouth-watering ways to help Ukraine.

While Junelle Casalan’s resume boasts fine dining establishments in Canada (Scaramouche) and Michelin-starred restaurants abroad (Eleven Madison Park, Per Se, Le Bernadin in New York, Marcus at The Berkeley in London), it’s the desserts and pastries at her baked goods shop Castle & Coal - kouign amann, cannelé, tiramisu - that are truly swoon-worthy. Discover her biggest influences, must-have ingredients, favourite haunts around town and much more in this week’s At The Pass.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in March alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.    

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share with others.

Need staff? Help promoting your menu, bottle shop, patio, private event space, gift cards but you’re on a budget? We can help. *Prices have been reduced to help local businesses during this time. Limited space available.

At The Pass with Junelle Casalan

At The Pass is a weekly series showcasing Toronto’s best chefs. You won’t find any celebrity chefs featured here. Perhaps you already know these fine cooks, but maybe not. They’re not famous - yet. But it’s time these talented, passionate, hard-working chefs got a bit of the spotlight. Meet Junelle Casalan .

🕘 6.5 min read

Currently

Pastry Chef/Co-Owner, Castle & Coal

Formerly

England: Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa in Helmsley North Yorkshire, Marcus at The Berkeley in London. New York: Eleven Madison Park. Toronto: Scaramouche.

Favourite dish to make right now

Short ribs with mash.

Last cookbook purchase

The Pie Room: 80 achievable and show-stopping pies and sides for pie lovers everywhere by Calum Franklin

Have you read it/tried any recipes

Yes, I’ve been wanting to try his savoury pies, specifically the Beef, Stilton & Onion Pie, since I love cooking at home. Maybe a few vegetarian savouries for the shop such as the Tomato, Goat’s Cheese & Onion Lattice for this summer.

Oe dish or ingredient you’d like to see gone from menus

Capers and olives.

Strawberry & Elderflower Shortcake. Angel food cake, elderflower pastry cream, macerated and dried strawberries.

And one dish or ingredient that you’re excited about right now and would like to see on more menus

Ramps. I got into foraging last spring and there were so many ramps around my neighbourhood park. I picked two to three stems since I didn’t want to disturb the area, and made a simple omelette with that, a little bit of parm and butter, and it was amazing.

Elderflower. Tasted my first elderflower dessert in London, and I try to put it on everything during the summer months, though I mostly pair it with strawberries.

Biggest influences

Ghaya Oliveira – The story of how she became DANIEL’s Executive Pastry Chef and her pastries are truly inspiring and astonishing.

Clare Smyth - Her presence and drive in the kitchen is why I think women in this industry are pushing boundaries. She’s an example in our time that women are just as capable as men when it comes to striving and succeeding in their careers.

If you could eat at any restaurant in the world

Restaurant Story, London England. I came across the restaurant when I was living in London when they only had one Michelin star, and I fell very much in love with their food and the fairytale-esque menu they were serving.

I still dream about one of their courses called “Bread & Dripping” and it’s not what I would’ve imagined: A candle that was made out of beef dripping was brought to the table and lit by the waiter. As the dripping melted, I was told to dip their housemade bread into it. They also served pickled celery on the side that complimented the beef dripping well.

London’s Tiramisu. Valrhona dark chocolate espresso mousse, mascarpone Marsala mousse, Genoise soaked in Hatch’s Blackout espresso.

Last thing you ate

Kensington Sourdough from Blackbird Baking Co. with confit cherry tomatoes, garlic and burrata.

Three must-have ingredients always in your fridge

Milk, eggs, and a cold Riesling.

Guilty pleasure

Crème brûlée.

Top 3 favourite Toronto restaurants

Bar Isabel, Sukhothai, Famiglia Baldassarre

Top 3 favourite Toronto bars

Bar Raval, Civil Liberties, Cocktail Bar

Go-to drink

Amaretto Sour, Pimm’s Cup.

One habit you have in the kitchen that you should lose, but can’t seem to shake

I sometimes don’t try my desserts before putting them up to see how it tastes like as a whole. I mentally taste things and I taste individual components, but I somehow always forget to taste the end product until the end of the day when we’ve already sold the desserts.

And one habit you have in the kitchen that will inspire young chefs

Cleaning as you go and owning up to your mistakes.

Hidden talent

Snowboarding.

Cannelé.

Best career advice you ever received

If they treat you bad, they’re not worth your time” – Head chef, Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa.

My head chef told me that advice before on my last day in his kitchen before starting my job in my first Michelin restaurant. “It’s rough out there, and your goal is to find a kitchen that treats you with respect as a person, because you don’t want to be miserable 16 hours a day, five days a week.” Fortunately, the kitchens I worked at were very professional, but I always kept that at the back of my mind whenever I start a new job.

Worst career advice you ever received

“You can’t make mistakes.” By being afraid to make mistakes, you won’t learn to be creative and open-minded. A lot of great inventions in life were mistakes.

Your advice for a young cook starting out in the business

Have humility, learn as much as you can, and always be humble.

In order to support chefs during this time, the monthly At The Pass series is now WEEKLY. Know someone in Toronto or GTA who should be featured? Submit their name for consideration. And yes, you can nominate yourself.      

For breaking news, updates, interviews + much more, follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter.