Stephanie Dickison's Blog, page 49

COVID-19: Toronto restaurants and bars ordered to close unless offering takeout or delivery

Yesterday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the closure of all restaurants and bars not offering takeout and delivery services.

While many operators of full-service restaurants not previously set up for to-go options quickly pulled together take out and delivery options, others closed down operations entirely. To try and keep businesses afloat during this chaotic and uncertain time, many restaurateurs who were set to launch menus for pickup and delivery, after careful consideration decided not to move forward after all.

Some have cited that it is a public safety issue. Bloordale’s Sugo, a casual Italian restaurant at Bloor and Lansdowne, took to Instagram to share their message: “We Feel that Offering TAKE OUT is SOCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE, UNTIL the VIRUS is UNDER CONTROL, SUGO is CLOSED until FURTHER NOTICE and we HOPE that our PEERS, RESPECT THE COMMUNITY and CLOSE UP SHOP FOR A COUPLE DAYS!!!” Many more took to social media to share they’ve also shut down operations, including Archive 909, The Gaslight, and Poor Romeo. Restaurateurs such as Lester Sabilano, owner of Lamesa Filipino Kitchen; Cory Vitiello, chef and co-founder of rotisserie and greens chain FLOCK; and celebrity chef Lynn Crawford, co-owner of Ruby Watchco, also announced indefinite closures.

Others are trying to stay afloat by offering dishes to go, but it’s increasingly difficult.. Especially as delivery platforms charge restaurants a hefty fee (it varies - usually around 30 per cent). So while American delivery platform Uber Eats promoted free delivery for customers earlier this week, it has yet to waive any fees for businesses using the service.

As diners are likely largely unaware of this (and the slim profit margins restaurants already face), customers should reach out to restaurants directly for the best way to order, to prevent any additional losses. This also applies when placing orders for other items including dairy, bread, beer, wine, liquor, and household items.

To help struggling eateries, Marcel Morgenstern, owner of Burnt Ship Bay Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, launched a petition yesterday afternoon to allow licensed restaurants across the province to include wine and beer with takeout and delivery orders. This small change would make a substantial difference to restaurants trying to survive this crisis - it was sanctioned in New York State as of yesterday. At press time, signatures for the petition had almost doubled since earlier today.

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As the current landscape is changing dramatically and swiftly, follow Toronto Restaurants on Insta and Facebook for breaking news, visit the website for timely updates, and subscribe to the newsletter (so you can stop scrolling and catch up all at once).

Toronto Restaurants Food + Drink Guide: Yonge Lawrence Village

Photo courtesy of Shoushin.

In order to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape at this time, I’m creating a guide of restaurants, bars, breweries, bakeries, cafes, and food shops for every neighbourhood in Toronto/GTA. Use each one to locate nearby shops, discover restaurants offering take out and delivery, and support local businesses.

YONGE LAWRENCE VILLAGE EDITION

This North Toronto community is home to an array of establishments, many of which have been a part of neighbourhood for decades.

Take a look:

A la Turk
3443 Yonge St.
416-770-1122

Abbot Pub & Fare
3367 Yonge St.
416-544-9074

Alex Convenience
3344 Yonge St.
416-481-2311

Aroma Espresso Bar
3343 Yonge St.
416-488-5219

Belly Buster Submarines
3447 Yonge St.
416-489-6051

Bobbette & Belle
3347 Yonge St.
416-466-8800 

The Burger Cellar
3391 Yonge St.
416-345-0084

The Burger’s Priest
3397 Yonge St.
416-488-3510

Circle K Convenience Store
3211 Yonge St.
416-489-3253

Coppi Ristorante
3363 Yonge St.
416-484-4464

The Friendly Butcher
3269 Yonge St.
416-544-1729

Freshii
3333 Yonge St.
416-440-0009

Gabby's Roadhouse
3263 Yonge St.
416-322-3621 

Gamberoni Ristorante
3238 Yonge St.
416-482-3063

George's Independent City Market
3080 Yonge St.
416-483-6996

Good Fruit Good Life Market
3226 Yonge St.
416-901-8390

Hazels Diner
3401 Yonge St.
416-850-0121

Joy Thai Restaurant
3192 Yonge St.
416-487-5144

Kristapsons Smoked Salmon
3248 Yonge St.
416-489-3474

La Diperie
3264 Yonge St.
647-461-8542

Lime Asian Kitchen
3243 Yonge St.
647-344-5463

Loblaws
3501 Yonge St.
416-481-7753 

Maiz
3220 Yonge St.
647-341-8555

McDonald’s
3400 Yonge St.
416-481-8779

Metro
3142 Yonge St.
416-484-0750 

Monkey Bar & Grill
3353 Yonge St.
416-486-2288

Papabubble
3360 Yonge St.
416-483-3360

Parmigiano Trattoria
3186 Yonge St.
416-489-6668

Pestacio
3322 Yonge St.
647-748-5322

Piazzetta Trattoria
3441 Yonge St.
416-440-1777

Pizza Nova
3205 Yonge St.
416-483-5858

Pizza Pizza
3231 Yonge St.
416-481-1111

Pizzaiola
3365 Yonge St.
416-256-7777

Pizzaville
3308 Yonge St.
416-736-3636

Popeyes Lousianna Chicken
3479 Yonge St.
647-347-5444

Riz on Yonge
3321 Yonge St.
416-322-6789

Saigon House
3393 Yonge St.
416-483-0736

Shichimi Sushi
3233-3257 Yonge St.
416-482-2080

Shinobu Sushi
3403 Yonge St.
416-830-0741

Shoushin
3328 Yonge St.
416-488-9400

Stack Restaurant
3265 Yonge St.
647-346-1416

Starbucks
3250-3252 Yonge St.
416-488-8277

Starbucks Yonge and Lawrence
3050 Yonge St.
416-486-0220

Subway
3295 Yonge St.
416-481-1657

Summer's Best
3229 Yonge St.
416-932-1991

The Sushi Bar
3365 Yonge St.
416-348-3369

T-Buds Tea Lounge & Creperie
3343 Yonge St.
416-352-3624

The Original San Francesco
3233 Yonge St.
416-535-7805

Trio Ristorante Pizzeria
3239 Yonge St.
416-486-5786 

The Uptown Pub House
3185 Yonge St.
416-480-2828

Urban Hakka
3305 Yonge St.
416-481-0101

Yonge Sushi
3421 Yonge St.
416-546-7938

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Please contact establishments directly for more information.

Names, address, phone numbers and websites subject to change.

With thanks to the Yonge Lawrence Village BIA.

COVID-19: Health officials urge Toronto restaurants and bars to cease dine-in service

At a news conference held yesterday afternoon. Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto, implored Toronto restaurants and bars to stop dine-in service to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

By midnight last night, many establishments in Toronto/GTA made the difficult decision to shut down their dining rooms, while other venues closed operations completely, for the foreseeable future.

This follows a wake of closures in cities across the globe, including celebrity chef Daniel Boulud’s empire, chef Eric Ripert’s Le Bernadin, and fine dining mecca Eleven Madison Park in New York.

In Toronto, hospitality workers been working tirelessly to put takeout and contact-free delivery solutions in place, while adhering to strict cleaning regimens, social distancing protocols, etc., to ensure items get to you safely.

As things are changing so quickly, I’m creating food and drink guides for each neighbourhood, so you know what’s available nearest you. These include restaurants, bars, bakeries, breweries, cafes, liquor stores, and food shops including grocers, convenience stores, and specialty shops. 

I’ll have more info in the newsletter, so subscribe to stay up-to-date, and follow Toronto Restaurants on Insta and FB for timely updates. 

In the meantime, please support our local businesses. They need us now more than ever.

Toronto Restaurants Food + Drink Guides by Neighbourhood

The effect of the Coronavirus pandemic on restaurateurs, managers, service staff, kitchen staff, office staff, and anyone in the foodservice industry, is devastating.

Not only have restaurants, bars, breweries, bakeries, cafes and food shops have to quickly pivot to adhere to advisories that are changing by the day – and now, hour – many of them have decided to close for the next two weeks in order to ‘flatten the curve’ and help stop further spread of COVID-19. Others are trying to swiftly set up systems for pickup and delivery, so that they can keep feeding you – and stay in business.

I have been diligently covering the restaurant scene for the last +15 years not because it’s a job, but because I believe the industry is vital to our wellbeing. These places do more than feed us; they nourish our souls, give us a place to look forward to, come together, connect, and celebrate. 

So I’m creating a guide of restaurants, bars, breweries, bakeries, cafes, and food shops by neighbourhood that you can refer to for shopping in person, take out, and delivery. I’ve reached out to every Business Improvement Area (BIA) in Toronto, and with their help, will post the most comprehensive guide I can. This will be a running list that I will update as frequently as possible, but as things are changing so quickly, please check with each establishment for their updated hours and policies.

I’ll be posting as quickly as I can, and I’ll have more info in the newsletter, so subscribe to stay up-to-date, and follow Toronto Restaurants on Insta and FB for timely updates. 

We will get through this. 

In the meantime, please support our local businesses. They need us now more than ever.

 

 

5 Ways to Support Local Restaurants, Bars + Shops Right Now

We are facing challenging times right now, but one thing is certain – Toronto/GTA restaurants are here for you, and they’re eager to feed you.

While grocery stores fill with panicked buyers emptying shelves, local restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries, and food shops are stocked and ready for you - not to mention, a welcome respite from the frenzy. 

Here are five ways you can support food and drink businesses right now:

1. Dine out 

Restaurants, bars, and cafes are taking every precaution to keep diners safe by observing preventative health protocols and following the advise of the Ontario Ministry of Health & Safety including: vigilant hand washing, diligently cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, door handles, menus, devices, washrooms; allowing only a certain number of guests in at a time; seating tables at a distance from one another.

They want make your experience a welcoming one, so dine out if you’re able.

2. Order pick up 

If you’re not comfortable dining out right now, call ahead and place your order for pick up.

Bonus: Your pantry stays stocked one more day.

3. Get it delivered

Don’t want to leave the house? Have food sent right to your front door. 

Consider this your excuse to indulge in your love of Thai, Indian, pizza, sushi, burgers, salad … you name it. You can even have your favourite chips and ice cream delivered.

4. Shop local 

While you may be tempted to shop at bigger chain stores, there’s much to be gained by shopping at local food stores and grocers: You can purchase everything from daily essentials and pantry items to prepared foods, without the lineups, stress, and/or lack of inventory.

You also help a small business stay in business.

5. Purchase gift certificates

A restaurant gift card/certificate is a fantastic gift at any time of year (who doesn’t want a night off cooking?), but especially right now.

You not only help support a restaurant during this difficult time; whomever you gift it to will be so glad to be out dining again when all this is over, you’ll be a goddamn hero.

Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News March 12-18, 2020

Pandemic schemic. Restaurateurs continue to launch eateries across the GTA with aplomb. Case in point: I’ve got 17 arrivals for you this week, which of course is a crazy amount at any time of year, but especially right now.

Once you’ve dug your way through all that, keep reading for surprising closures, food + drink news, and events.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Boccone Deli & Pizza Bar (1384 Yonge St.) closed last month to undergo a “facelift,” but got back to business as of yesterday.

Tired of traditional round doughnuts? The Box Donut specializes in the square variety. Find them at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.) starting Saturday.

Chatime launched their latest bubble tea shop in the St. Lawrence ‘hood (163 King St. E.) earlier today.

Mississauga just got a new destination for vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, and plant-based lovers. Say hello to Copper Branch at Sussex Centre (90 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W.).

Chinatown’s former Provo FoodBar (and short-lived Lucca) transforms into Dzo Viet Eatery (308 Dundas St. W.) Wednesday.

Fatteh and Snobar Restaurant (4665 Central Pkwy E.) opened earlier this week in Mississauga. Expect an array of Middle Eastern fare including falafels, manakish, and omelette pies.

Cantonese restaurant Flavourful House (280 West Beaver Creek Rd.) celebrates its grand opening today. The Richmond Hill eatery offers an extensive menu including delicacies of Curry Dungeness Crab, Salted Egg Yolk Fried Tiger Shrimp with Pumpkin, Hakka Style Steamed Duck, and Soy Sauce Squabs.

In the mood for roti, curry goat, or jerk chicken? Head to The Islands Caribbean Cookshop at Yonge-Sheppard Centre (4841 Yonge St.).

Jacobs Deli & Smokehouse (1100 Eglinton Ave. W.) took over former barbecue spot, Que. A notable item on the menu: Jacobs Ultimate Platter ($195, for 3-4ppl) Miami ribs, sticky burnt ends, wings, southern fried chicken, fire roasted corn, fries, baked beans, coleslaw, biscuits and gravy.

As you know, I’ve been trying to keep up with all the Kung Fu Tea openings happening across the GTA in close succession. The latest arrival for the Taiwanese bubble tea chain is Kung Fu Tea On Bayview (9665 Bayview Ave., Unit11) in Richmond Hill. Their soft launch on Saturday includes 20 per cent off all drinks.

Assembly Chef’s Food Hall (111 Richmond St. W.) has a new occupant: Oye Indian, a sit-down full-service resto by Hemant  Bhagwani (Amaya, Goa, Good Karma, Pōpa).

North Yorkers can get their hands on dishes including Durian Kingdom ($22), Japanese Souffle Pancake ($24), and Edible Bird’s Nest ($31), thanks Petit Potato’s extensive menu at Empress Walk (5095 Yonge St., Unit A13 & B10).

Don’t want to interact with humans rn? The Pizza Forno automated pizza oven has landed at Sunnybrook Hospital (2075 Bayview Ave.) of all places, though you may want to wear gloves while operating the touchscreen.

I informed you of Rollian’s closure at Sunnybrook Plaza last week, but they didn’t waste any time reopening. Their new spot uptown (2584 Yonge St.) launched Sunday. 

Scarlett (571 Queen St. W.) cocktail bar at Queen and Portland took over where Bar Altura used to be.

While technically not a new arrival, I think it’s important to note Tom’s Dairy Freeze (630 The Queensway) opens on Wednesday. If that’s not a sign of good things to come, I don’t know what is.

The city’s oldest bar, The Wheatsheaf Tavern (667 King St. W.) kicks off their freshly reno’d digs on Tuesday, which just happens to be St. Patrick’s Day.

CLOSED

Chabrol’s last day at 90 Yorkville Ave. is Sunday. Don’t worry, they’re not going far. They hope to be open in their new space one street over (156 Cumberland Ave.) next week. Stay tuned. I’ll have the details for you then.

Estia (90 Avenue Rd.) announced their sudden closure over the weekend. No doubt hospitality group ICONINK (Akira Back, Byblos, Figo, French Made, Kōst, Mira, Mister C., Patria, Weslodge, The Storys Building) will replace it with another concept shortly.

The blinds are drawn at one of Cabbagetown’s healthy venues Freshed Right Salad and Juice Bar (298 Gerrard St. E.).

Queen City Pizza (1086 Queen St. E.) is papered up, but not for long – they’re closed for renos until April.

The website and phone number are unavailable for sushi eatery Salmon Lovers (294 Dundas St. W.).

Korean finer dining resto Yeon (465 Queen St. W.) debuted just two months ago, but announced their closure last week.

EVENTS

The fifth annual Sugar Shack takes over Sugar Beach this weekend.

The  St. Lawrence Market will finally be open on Sundays, starting this week. 

NEWS 

Reusable cup programs have been suspended across the city due to COVID-19.

Speaking of Coronavirus, stop using vodka as sanitizer. 

While the States deals with an enoki mushroom recall, we’ve got our own problems to worry about – this week, it’s bean sprouts.

There’s a new connect between The Broadview Hotel and Gladstone Hotel.

Restaurant robots are becoming more prevalent (i.e. last week’s Robot Boil House). Keep an eye out for Geoffrey, the new pink delivery robot by Tiny Miles, in partnership with online food delivery platform, Foodora.

ICYMI 

Discover why “sober curious” and “mindful drinking” movements are on the rise in this week’s article.

Perhaps you didn’t know.

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Want to get the word out about your business or service to an exclusively food-hungry audience? Shoot me an email -> writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to the fab Toronto Restaurants Newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest resto news + events, receive exclusive content, get in on contests, giveaways, etc., and follow Toronto Restaurants on Insta and FB for exciting announcements!

Drinking Less or Not at All – The Current Sober Movement

January used to be just another month, a time to reset, to reflect, to recover from the festivities of the holidays just a few nights and weeks before.

In the past few years however, there’s been a movement that’s taken hold: Dry January. Started in the U.K. in 2013, the practice commonly known as “Drynuary” with but one rule: “No alcohol from when you wake up on New Year's Day until 1 February,” has become so popular in North America, many believe it actually started here.

Mark the calendar

The idea of forgoing booze for the month to “reset your relationship with alcohol,” has since broadened to include other months. 

In Canada we have Dry February, which pairs non-drinking with raising money for cancer research.

It doesn’t stop there. Dry July, Sober for September and Go Sober in October (aka “Mocktober”) have since gained serious traction.

By the book

Laying off the sauce for a month isn’t a novel notion, but it certainly appears that way by the titles cramming store shelves these days, including  2018’s The 28 Day Alcohol-Free Challenge: Sleep Better, Lose Weight, Boost Energy, Beat Anxiety by Andy Ramage and Ruari Fairbairns - authors of the One Year No Beer blog - and The Alcohol Experiment: A 30-day, Alcohol-Free Challenge to Interrupt Your Habits and Help You Take Control by Annie Grace released on New Year’s Eve 2018.

While it has been called into question whether a month-long abstinence has long-term effects, the momentum of the sober movement hasn’t slowed an inch.

In The Unexpected Joys of Being Sober by Catherine Gray, published December 2017, chapters include “Nature, Rather Than Nightclubs,” “Being Nicer,” and “Unplugging From the Alcohol Matrix.” There’s even a Teetotal Power Playlist (‘Hold On’ Wilson Phillips and ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by Nina Simone, for instance). At a time where health and wellness concerns are leading the charge, eating less meat and meditation apps are on the rise, dialing back your alcohol consumption fits right in.

But when Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol by Ruby Warrington was released on December 31, 2018, it unleashed the notion that you didn’t have to completely stop drinking to enjoy the benefits. You could just dip a toe in and experiment. Like being a ‘Flexitarian,’ but with booze. It’s no wonder it became a bestseller - and now common catchphrase to refer to sometime imbibers.

Lest you think this is all a new thing, Joseph Bohling’s The Sober Revolution: Appellation Wine and the Transformation of France illustrates what occurred post-World War II. More recently, Sarah Turner and Lucy Rocca released their similarly titled tome, The Sober Revolution: Women Calling Time on Wine O'Clock in April 2014.

But “mindful drinking” has exploded (a Google search of the term garnered 24,600,000 results) like so many other wellness movements right now (mindful eating, CBD, cannabis, adaptogens, plant-based foods, gut health), so what better time to create non-alcoholic beers and spirits that evoke the same tastes and textures as the real thing, without any of the negative side effects? 

Better brewskies

Options have greatly improved in the non-alcohol suds department of the grocery store. While “near beers” by Budweiser, Coors, Labbatt, and Molson have long reigned the shelves, over the years, Krombacher, Bavaria, Grolsch, Hoegaarden, and Erdinger edged their way in.

Canadian indie Partake Brewing came onto the scene a few years ago, with their 0.3% alcohol iterations – Pale, IPA, Blonde and Stout - the first non-alcoholic craft brews available for in-store purchase that resembled real beer. Since then, innovators have created non-alcoholic brews that are winning over both non-imbibers and beer lovers alike.

Big Drop Brewing Co. out of the UK, landed in Toronto in October with Dark Noir (Stout) and Pale Blanche (Ale) that are reasonable facsimiles despite their 0.4% ABV. Ironically, here in Canada, they’re currently only available at the LBCO.

Also new to the scene, Grüvi just launched their 0% alcohol craft brewed IPA, Stout, and Sour, which arrive on your doorstep via Uber Eats. They’ve also created a zero-proof Prosecco, also available for purchase in-store at The Cocktail Emporium.

Buzz-free booze

As boozeless brew sales have continued to surge, so has the popularity of cocktail alternatives. Notice the absence of the word mocktail here. A few years ago, “mocktail” and “virgin” were emphatically stricken from the lexicon, and replaced with terms such as “low ABV” and “zero-proof” (The LCBO however, still uses the outdated term to denote their alcohol-free section). 

The new sans alcohol selections were a much-needed reboot of the sad, Shirley Temple-esque offerings that designated drivers, pregnant women, and non-drinkers have had to endure for decades. 

Seedlip took the industry by storm a few years ago by being the “world’s first distilled non-alcoholic sprit” on the market. UK Founder Ben Branson harvested natural and wild ingredients, then individually cold macerated, distilled, and blended them in a copper still, using a copy of The Art of Distillation as his guide.

It was the first time a commercially made product delivered the depth and complexity of a spirit, without a stitch of alcohol. That, combined with striking packaging, slick marketing (‘What to drink when you’re not drinking’® tagline), and partnerships with some of the top bars and mixologists across the globe, secured them as leaders in the field.

While they continue to nab much for the spotlight, at $50 a bottle, the price remains prohibitive (almost double the cost of actual booze), and in the meantime other faux spirits have since joined the ranks and upped the game.

Audra Williams and Haritha Gnanaratna, co-founders Temperance Cocktails, have turned out evocative concentrates ($35 ea.) that once mixed with sparkling water, will please anyone on alcoholic furlough. Made locally in Roncesvalles, they currently offer four varieties, including Fortitude (lychee shrub, jasmine tea, lemon oil) and The Tower (tamarind, smoked tea, cinnamon, cardamom, lime, tonic). Each four-ounce bottle contains enough mix for two drinks.   

And Canada just got its first non-alcoholic distilled spirit, Lumette! ($30.48) - an alt-gin coming in at zero percent alcohol – and non-alcoholic gin, Sobrii 0 Gin ($35), created by Bob Huitema of DistillX Beverages Inc., with the help from experts at Niagara College’s Canadian Food & Wine Institute (CFWI) Innovation Centre, launched a few months ago.

Boozeless bevvies

Robin Goodfellow of the city’s top bars PrettyUgly and Bar Raval has led the charge with thoughtful, innovative “placebo” cocktails. At PrettyUgly, the current selections are showcased alongside their regular alcoholic lineup, using either Seedlip or housemade “Nomaro Classico” as the base.

Nomaro, according to Goodfellow is, “Basically a non-alcoholic reduction of dried and fresh herbs, and dried and fresh fruit, and spices created with a specific flavour profile in mind. We extract all flavours fully and then reduce the liquid to a third the original volume. It's basically a unique condensed tea that makes our Placebo drinks more complex than those with just juice, sugar and soda.” Enjoy it in luscious concoctions such as PrettyUgly’s Dark Dawn ($8) with horgeat and ginger, and The Bitty ($9) at Bar Raval, which combines Nomaro Classico with a herb “redux,” yuzu, bergamot, soda and Raval salt.

Other establishments around town offer non-tipsy tipples, including Project Gigglewater’s Rated PG trio ($8-$11) and even mainstream chains including The Keg, Earls King Street, and FAB Concepts who owns nine local pubs and taverns (i.e.  Dominion, Pogue Mahone and Pour House).

Sober bars and bartenders

Naturally, this lead to sober bars, which sounds like an oxymoron, but are definitely real, and are definitely on the rise. Just think how quickly natural wine bars popped up last year. Like that.

Montreal’s Mindfulbar is the first Canadian watering hole to be free of booze while promoting “non-alcoholic entertainment,” and Getaway, a booze-free bar opened in Brooklyn, New York earlier this year. And while Abandon Toronto isn’t a brick-and-mortar establishment yet, the monthly “non-alcoholic happy hour gatherings” has already garnered great interest. 

Sober bartenders are thus becoming more and more popular. And should you find yourself at a “regular” bar while steering clear of alcohol, there even sober pins you can purchase such as this one, to indicate that you’re not currently imbibing. Because awkward convos are so 2016.

Sober-ish 

Articles have been touting that millennials aren’t drinking - or at least not as much as previous generations - but in the last few years, people of all ages are cutting back or eradicating alcohol consumption altogether.

Whatever the reason [Take your pick: better sleep, switched to weed (smoking marijuana but abstaining from booze is called cali-sober), lose weight, improve mood, no hangovers, etc.], it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can dabble in drinking less, or opt out for awhile – or for longer. The good thing is, you’ve got options. Pretty delicious ones, in fact.

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Resources:
Online shops for non-alcoholic beer and sprits: 

Premiumnearbeer.com launched in 2015 Canada's largest selection of premium non-alcoholic beer, wine, cider, and spirits. 
Arkaybeverages.ca has been offering zero-proof sprits since 2011.

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You may also like: Elevated Zero-Proof Cocktails by Toronto’s Top Mixologists.

Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News March 5-11, 2020

Whoa. This week’s 17 arrivals breaks the all-time record for this time of year.

You’d better settle in. With snacks, of course.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Doors opened Friday for Hungarian restaurant Black Tulip Restaurant and Bar in Hillcrest Village (807 St Clair Ave. W.).

Blackbird Baking Co.’s Kensington location (172 Baldwin St.) has reopened the retail portion post-renos. Next up: a pastry lab.

From chocolate roll cakes to croissant sandos, Trinity Bellwoods newcomer Fantastic, Baby! (1193 Dundas St. W.) offers an array of food (and drinks) to enjoy while shopping K-beauty products, stationary, and the like.

Fresh Queensway kicks off their takeout and delivery only concept today through Kitchen Hub, “Canada's first virtual food hall.” A brick-and-mortar outpost of the vegan chain is set to follow at Sherway Gardens (25 The West Mall) in June. 

From the folks of Bathurst Local (322 Bathurst St.) comes hidden haunt Grape Juice Wine Bar (320 Bathurst St.).

The Heartbreak Chef (1316 Queen St. W.) launches tomorrow in Parkdale. On Saturday from noon til 10pm, the first 75 folks get a free hat with food purchase. 

La Canasta Tortas (1006B Dundas St. W.) in Trinity Bellwoods offers both plant-based and meat tortas – Mexican sandwiches- starting at $7.89, side salads ($2.89-$3.89), and Conchitas ($2.89 ea.) for dessert.

Mississauga’s Little Rose Cookie Co. is pulling out all the stops for the grand opening (13 Main St.) on Saturday.

London Fried Chicken out of the U.K. made its Canadian debut  September 2018 in Etobicoke. Grand opening celebrations for the Scarborough satellite (1071 Danforth Rd.) take place Saturday.

Speaking of chicken, vegan fried “chicken” is the name of the game at Parkdale’s Lovebird (1277 Queen St. W.). They make their own plant-based, gluten-free version (“chickun”) with “organic non-GMO soy, pea protein and spices.”

New fusion concept Naan & Chai (712 Queen St. W.) in Trinity Bellwoods offering “strikingly creative fusion dishes” (Margarita Naan $12, Smoked Brisket Naan $14) alongside “traditional Pakistani cuisine favourites” (Tandoori Chicken $15, Black Pepper Chicken Karahi $16). 

Ozzy’s Burgers “High Level” burgers and lifestyle expanded to ‘Sauga (325 Central Parkway W., Unit 10) on Monday.

Pilot Coffee Roasters  (439 Richmond St. W.) launched at Richmond and Spadina yesterday.

Tired of having your lobster and crab brought to you by just humans? Robot Boil House (895 Yonge St.) north of Bloor solves the issue by having your food brought out by robots with serving tray torsos that glide across the room like Roombas. Since they don’t have arms – yet - a server places your food on the table before sending the robots away.

The whole Eglinton Crosstown LRT nightmare has got ppl shook, but Salus Fresh Foods (8 Eglinton Ave. E.) is relatively easy to get to, right at the NE corner Yonge and Eg. 

Since bubble tea shop Song Tea is all about “a young lifestyle,” it makes sense they’d land downtown (422 Spadina Ave.). 

Terroni and Sud Forno’s central production kitchen, caffè and storefront Terroni Sud Forno Produzione e Spaccio (22 Sackville Ave.) debuted Monday.

CLOSED

Bellwoods Coffee and Gelato (1006 Dundas St. W.) shut down their Trinity Bellwoods shop, but is rebuilding a new business. Stay tuned.

Rollian Sushi vacated their Bayview & Eglinton spot in the soon-to-be demolished Sunnybrook Plaza (660 Eglinton Ave. E.) – and the Eglinton Crosstown LRT nightmare - but are set to reopen this month further east  on Eglinton Brimley (2584 Eglinton Ave. E.),  in Scarborough between Midland and Brimley.

You’ll have to travel to Double D’s Pizza new Etobicoke location to dig into their Chicago-style deep dish, now that their Leslieville outpost (1020 Gerrard St. E.) is kaput.

On Tuesday Hawthorne Food and Drink (60 Richmond St. E.) announced they’re closing March 31st after eight years. 

The Entertainment District outpost (106 John St.) of Su& Bu has closed due to non-payment of rent. 

EVENTS

On Sunday, head to Bluebird Bar (2072 Dundas St. W.) for a fabulous event raising money for Australian wildfire relief.

NEWS

 First sanitizers and masks, then Costco apocalypse shopping, and now thanks to The New Yorker of all people, quarantine cooking.

Wendy's introduced their plant-based burger, "The Plantiful" nationwide last week. The burger, boasting a patty containing pea-based protein, is being promoted as “It’s beyond impossible.”

This year’s digital component to Tim’s ‘Roll Up The Rim’ campaign is so convoluted, Chatelaine Magazine published an entire article about it.

Subway, pay up.

Head’s up: Pusateri’s recalled their spring rolls.

ICYMI

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Want to get the word out about your business or service to an exclusively food-hungry audience? Shoot me an email -> writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to the fab Toronto Restaurants Newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest resto news + events, receive exclusive content, get in on contests, giveaways, etc., and follow Toronto Restaurants on Insta and FB for exciting announcements!

Toronto Restaurants Ultimate Cocktail Guide - Flor de Caña Rum

Just before Christmas, an exceedingly opulent rum was unveiled in front of a select crowd in a secluded space at a restaurant in Yorkville.

 Flor de Caña, home to one of the largest aged rum reserves in the world - and one of the first global spirits to be Fair Trade certified and sustainably sourced - introduced V Generaciones.

Released just ahead of their 130th anniversary this year, the luxe spirit aged in a single barrel since 1988 by Nicaragua’s award-winning producer is only available in select markets worldwide in very limited supply.

Enriched by the tallest active volcano San Cristóbal, naturally aged without sugar, and distilled completely with renewable energy, this trailblazing distillery awarded Canada almost 50 bottles of their oldest release available for purchase.

Treat yo’ self

At a staggering $1,600 each, this deep amber tipple isn’t for everyone.  Despite the steep price tag, the bottle detailing however, is next level: Thanks to deep angles, wide shoulders, and thick glass base, it looks more prestigious award than bar cart staple.

Embellished with signatures of five generations of family distillers, replica postage stamp depicting the historic Nicaragua volcano of 1902, and finished with a colossal piece of actual black volcanic rock on top, this major home bar upgrade deserves a place front and centre for all to see.  

Whether you choose to display the accompanying certificate of authenticity and sleek black leather case, is up to you.

Priced for the rest of us

While an individually numbered bottle of will set you back almost $2K, there are more accessibly-priced selections. And almost as tantalizing, especially the 18 Year ($64.95), boasting enticing complexity and depth; intoxicating aromas of vanilla, oak, and butterscotch; and bold, yet delightfully smooth finish.

Each unadulterated selection - including younger expressions 12 Year ($41.95), 7 Year ($34.95) aged in Jack Daniels barrels, and 5 Year ($29.45) - boasts distinct flavour profiles (including butter, coffee, chocolate, spice, and brown sugar), so explore their diverse portfolio to discover what speaks to you – and your wallet.

Let it shine

Because there’s great complexity here, there’s no need to cloak it in a myriad of ingredients. The best way to enjoy it, especially for the older expressions, is simply - neat, on the rocks, or with a twist.

Should you wish to make a cocktail, this one is uncomplicated and allows the depth of the spirit to shine through.

Smoked Old Fashioned

Ingredients
1 ½ parts Flor de Caña 12 Year
4 dashes of Angostura Bitters
1 tbs of sugar
Splash of premium mineral water

Glassware
Old Fashioned Glass

Preparation
Smoke the glass with herbs and citrus skins, then add the ice cubes and pour the ingredients in the order indicated by the recipe. Decorate with orange peel and a red cherry.

Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News February 27-March 4, 2020

It’s been a hectic month, to say the least. Knee-deep in the onslaught of newcomers and departures (still reeling from all these and these), it’s difficult to get anything else done.

Areas are transforming in a matter of weeks now. Consider what’s just cropped up in The Junction lately, and all the closures of long-standing businesses this month alone. 

There is a light at the end of this frenzied tunnel, though: White Claaaaaaaaw!

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

In search of authentic Italian fare? Little Italy’s Ballaro Italian Fine Dining (633 College St.) has a sister resto in Rome. And Pescatarians, take note: it also happens to be seafood-centric. Buon appetito.

Introducing your new destination for pizza and cocktails in the west end: Botham's (2869 Dundas St. W.), by the fab folks of The Junction’s The Hole in the Wall (2867A Dundas St. W.).

O&B’s Canoe Restaurant & Bar (66 Wellington St. W., 54th Floor) celebrated their 25th year with an extensive 8-week reno to revamp the space. New dinner items have been also added, including Tamarack Farms Lamb ($50), Baffin Island Turbot ($46), and Ontario Pigeon Pithivier ($70), alongside an eight-course tasting menu ($120).

Carmelita’s (2982 Dundas St. W.) in The Junction specializes in Mexican and Salvadoran delicacies such as Tamales ($4.50), Pupusas ($3.25-$4.75), Cow Leg Soup (lg/$15), and Acapulco Fish ($16), in addition to offering all-day breakfast items ($12-$14) and selections ($7 ea.) for niños.

Chinese chain Dagu Rice Noodle just launched at Empress Walk in North York, but wasted no time in setting up shop at CF Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave. E.). Stay tuned: A Scarborough location is up next.

Food With A Difference (3315 Danforth Ave.) has got you covered for Caribbean fare in in Scarborough.

New café and event space Junction Yacht Club (2880 Dundas St. W.) joins newcomers Carmelita’s and Botham’s to the area.

Kaboom Chicken in Riverside shuttered last May, but recently resurrected as Kaboom Kitchen. Dig into their Korean street food at Parkdale’s Superfly (5 Brock Ave.) starting Wednesday.

Kung Fu Tea does not know the meaning of slow your roll. In addition to completely renovating a shop, they’ve been pumping out locations left and right With more to come, no less. Their newest outpost (285 Enfield Pl., R102) in Mississauga kicks off Sunday at 2pm. Grand opening celebrations include a free pearl latte with brown sugar for the first 100 guests, and 50 per cent off all drinks all day.

Speaking of bubble tea (this is how I start all sentences now), College Park Food Court (444 Yonge St.) just got its own Royal Tea to Go.

Yin Ji Chang Fen (369 Spadina Ave.), known for its rice noodle rolls and congee, debuted its fourth location earlier this week. The Chinatown spot is also their first right downtown.

The third branch of Euro-Asian bakery 7Baker just landed on the upper level of Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.). 

CLOSED

Big Fat Burrito says goodbye to their long-running Kensington Market eatery (285 Augusta Ave.) on Sunday.

Clinton’s (693 Bloor St. W.) closed suddenly on Friday, after a whopping 83 years. To help staff, there’s a fundraiser at Lee’s Palace.

The last day to dine at Sea-Hi Famous Chinese Food (3645 Bathurst St.) is Saturday. They served Toronto and the GTA for almost 60 years.

Westown Chinese Food (2710 Dundas St. W.) in The Junction is all papered up, with condos appearing to soon to take over. Coincidentally, Peking Express (217 Parliament St.) in Regent Park just released a new Westown Chinese takeout and delivery menu.

Strange Love Coffee near Bathurst (627 Queen W.) is done, but head a bit further east to land at their newest spot inside The Beverley Hotel (335 Queen St. West).

EVENTS 

White Claw is coming to Canada! To be one of the folks clamouring to get their hands on this iconic American hard seltzer, head to the Front & Spadina LCBO Saturday at 9am. 

Robin Goodfellow (Bar Raval, PrettyUgly, and soon VELA) and Iain Griffiths (Supernova Ballroom) are whipping up low-waste cocktails in support of Second Harvest at Monday’s Bar Fight at Death & Taxes Free House.

A number of Toronto restaurants, bars, breweries, bakeries + cafes are helping to raise money for those affected by the devastating Australian wildfires. Check out the amazing new events happening around town.

And you’ve  got until tomorrow to feast at +100 participating in Markham’s Asialicious.

NEWS

Chef Michael Potters died Friday at age 59.

Long-time food writer and cookbook author Norene Gilletz, 79, passed away Sunday.

Le Sélect Bistro has posted a petition as their property tax has gone up 551 per cent since doors opened in 2005.

Uncle Tony’s on Wellington is under new management, with a revamped menu to go along with it.

Beyond Meat continues to nab the headlines. While it’s bounced from Tim’s, Starbucks will have it next. And Golden Krust just added it to their iconic Jamaican Patty lineup.

Good news for Foodora couriers.

Head’s up Diet Coke and Coke Zero guzzlers. Now might be the time to stock up.

Would you eat cricket bread?

ICYMI

It turns out rappers/siblings Eboshi and Contra of Cartel Madras are just as passionate about food as they are about music. Read the riveting interview now in this month’s At The Table.

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Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Want to get the word out about your business or service to an exclusively food-hungry audience? Shoot me an email -> writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to the fab Toronto Restaurants Newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest resto news + events, receive exclusive content, get in on contests, giveaways, etc., and follow Toronto Restaurants on Insta and FB for exciting announcements!