Stephanie Dickison's Blog, page 51

Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News January 16-22, 2020

I’ve been doing the Open/Closed for eeeons now and this month marks an unprecedented amount of openings for January - Including today’s mind-blowing 20, I’ve unearthed 53 new eateries, watering holes, and food shops so far, and we’re only halfway though.

The closures are rapid too.

You’ve got your work cut out for you this weekend.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

There’s been so much movement at King and Portland in the last year. The newest occupant, Mexican resto Añejo (600 King St. W.) right on the corner, opened earlier this week.

 On the menu at Gerrard St. Bakery’s new Black Dog Cafe (878 Kingston Rd.): plenty of sweet and savoury options including tarts, cookies, cakes, empanadas, pot pies, sandos, Cliffside Hearth bread, and Hatch Coffee. Doors opened Monday.

Dino’s Wood Burning Pizza (820 The Queensway) - home of thin-crust pizzas, Turkish pides, wings, and salads - launches a second location today (4923 Dundas St. W. *Note: just the pizza section is open for now). A third outpost is set to follow next month.

Japanese soufflé pancake shop Fuwa Fuwa’s third spot at Mississauga’s Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) debuted Sunday. A grand opening is set for Saturday with free signature pancakes for the first 200 people in line. Guests will also receive free bubble tea with the purchase of pancakes for the remainder of the grand opening.

Authentic Middle Eastern spot Ghazale has been a mainstay at Bloor and Bathurst for as long as you can remember. So how nice they’ve added a spot closer to Spadina (4 Walmer Rd.), giving you two options in the ‘hood just one subway stop apart.

Green Haven (3080 Dundas St. W.) offers Junction dwellers “Asian inspired vegan food and drinks in a casual atmosphere.”

Food, but make it fashion. Holt Renfrew Bloor Street (50 Bloor St. W.) gets a swish new Holts Cafe starting Wednesday.

La Cantina del Pueblo takes over from shuttered Captain’s Boil (671 College St.) in Little Italy. The new Mexican resto features an array of tacos with daily housemade corn tortillas, ($8-$10), soups and salads ($10-$14), and house specialties including Barbacoa Hidalgo ($23) - Steamed lamb, consommé and rice; Pescado Sarandeado ($22) – Grilled red snapper, achiote pepper adobo; and Molcajete del Pueblo for Two ($42) – Grilled arrachera steak, pork in adobo, grilled chicken, nopales and guacamole.

The Food Dudes just launched LafLaf, a new Middle Eastern ghost kitchen. The delivery-only biz features build your own and set bowls in almost exclusively compostable packaging.

Bright new Lighthouse 971 (971 Kingston Rd.) is open for breakfast (Lobster Florentine Benedict, French Toast), lunch (Vegan Chopped Cobb Salad, Avocado Toast Sandwich) and dinner (Chicken Xacuti, Wild Mushroom & Cheese Gnocchi, Beer Battered Fish & Chips, Top Sirloin with Blue Cheese or Feta) seven days a week.

My Dosa Place (383 Jane St.) - brought to you by My Roti Place - just moved into Baby Point. Doors opened yesterday,

Late night Extra Burgers and fine wine? Uh hello, THISISWHATDREAMSAREMADEOF. See you at Parkdale’s Nice Nice (269 Dunn Ave.) by Paris Paris (1161 Dundas St. W.).

Oystermine has taken over Grano’s old spot on Yonge between Eglinton and Davisville (2035 Yonge St.). Expect an array of seafood and meat apps and mains ($6-MP), and “significant desserts” ($10-$26.95) coming in at “six inches.”

Pitalite isn’t wasting any time launching new outposts. Check out their latest arrivals downtown (34 King St. E., Unit 102) and in Oakville (230 North Service Rd. W., with more in the works, including College Park.

Pōpa kicked off yesterday at Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave.). The Burmese spot is the newest venture by restaurateurs Hemant Bhagwani (Goa, Good Karma) and Trevor Lui (Yatai Street Food). 

The Annex Food Hall’s (384 Bloor St. W.) newest vendor Ramona’s Kitchen, softly opened this weekend. They’re celebrating with a grand opening this Sunday, complete with free pancakes for the first 100 customers starting at 10am.

Raza (403 Rocesvalles Ave.), “a unique brewery, restaurant, taproom and entertainment space” that “fuses Latin and Canadian culture,” launched on Boxing Day.

Doors open Tuesday for The Junction’s Tâm Vietnamese Street Food and Café (369 Keele St.).

The team behind The Carbon Bar, Union Chicken, and Amano Restaurants unveiled their new concept Uncle Ray’s Food & Liquor in Hamilton on December 11th. The Toronto location (9 Church St.) is set to launch tomorrow, though the website states it’s “Now Open” and the restaurant is already under fire for its “racist” marketing materials.

CLOSED

The Academy of Culinary Arts (1703 Bayview Ave.) – established 1971 - is closing after 49 years at the end of March.

Chabrol is on the move. Last service at their current teeny boite (90 Yorkville Ave.) is February 9th. Don’t worry - they’re moving close by (156 Cumberland Ave.) in March.

The Coffee Lab (141 Spadina Ave.) shuttered their brick-and-mortar shop on Saturday, but will maintain their online shop, with “other new things to come.”

The Library Bar at Fairmont Royal York (100 Front St. W.) is closing January 31st for a “refresh”, reopening Summer 2020.

Pizza Forno has pulled the plug on its 24/7 automated pizza oven at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

After a short postponement, Schnitzel Queen (211 Queen St. E.)I, founded in 1983, is shutting down tomorrow. But not for long – they’re currently on the lookout for a bigger space.

Despite reports it already closed, Tequila Bookworm (512 Queen St. W.) is keeping the kitchen going until Tuesday. The popular haunt of +25 years cites a rent hike for the closure.

One of the city’s best restos, Woodlot (293 Palmerston Ave.), is temporarily closed - reopening at the end of the month with… Stay tuned.

EVENTS

The inaugural byMINISTRY secret supper club The Enlightened Dining Club takes place Tuesday.

NEWS

The St. Lawrence Market is FINALLY updating their hours to later during the week, and open on Sundays starting March 15th.

McDonald’s still isn’t accepting reusable cups.

ICYMI

A number of Toronto restaurants, bars, breweries, bakeries + cafes are helping to raise money for those affected by the devastating Australian wildfires.

FYI

Do you have an upcoming food, drink or chef event coming up? List your event in a few seconds for FREE.  

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.

Psst. 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 raising funds for Australian wildfire relief

The devastating bush fires in Australia continue to rage on. Over 20 people and more than a billion animals have died to date.

Toronto restaurants, bars, cafes, and bakeries are raising money to help those in need.

Take a look:

Baddies Toronto
679 Landsdowne Ave.

Both the Aussie brunch spot at Bloor and Landsdowne and sister spot Cops Toronto, donated all coffee sales on Monday January 6th to NSW Rural Fire Service.

Bluestone Lane
Multiple locations

The “Australian-inspired coffee, café and lifestyle brand” with avocado toast, flat whites, and over 45 locations in the U.S., touched down for the first time in Toronto last April, and quickly launched another location in August.

Founder & CEO Nick Stone, grew up in the state of Victoria, so from Wednesday January 8th to Friday January 10th, all profits from all 48 Bluestone Lane locations will be donated to the Red Cross and their Australian Bushfire Emergency Relief Fund. Missed the window? Donations are being accepted all month long in-store and via their mobile app. They’ve also set up a fundraising page to “help with the emergency relief and recovery efforts made possible by the Red Cross.”

And on Sunday January 26th, the company is holding Australian Bushfire Appeal Events at seven locations across North America, including Toronto’s 40 King St. W, with all proceeds from ticket sales and fundraising initiatives being donated.

Hemingway’s
142 Cumberland St.

The Yorkville restaurant celebrating its 39th year is co-hosting an Australian Bushfire Relief Fundraiser on Sunday, January 26th, alongside The Toronto Rebels.

Kanga Aussie Meat Pies
Multiple locations

You have Kanga’s Megan Chan and Erynn Mayes to thanks for bringing a bit of Oz to the 6ix. They introduced their authentic Aussie meat pies to Torontonians back in 2014, and later expanded the menu to include other Down Under delicacies including Lamingtons, and for a too limited time, Chicken Salt.

Currently, they’re donating 50 cents from pie sales (meat and veggie $6.50-$6.85) to the Australian Red Cross, so dig in and do good.

Sanremo Bakery & Café
374 Royal York Rd.

For over fifty years, the Bozzo family has been wowing customers with their delectable savoury fare, drool-inducing fresh baked goods, and warm hospitality.

On Saturday January 11th and Sunday January 12th, the famous Italian bakery in Etobicoke is donating all coffee proceeds to the Australian Red Cross and WIRES, the largest wildlife rescue organization in Australia.

Woodhouse Brewing Co.
303 Lansdowne Ave.

While the Toronto brewery has been slinging suds since 2014, the new Woodhouse Brew Pub just debuted in Brockton Village two months ago.

On Friday January 10th and Saturday January 11th, they’re donating $10 for every pint of their Australian IPA sold to fire relief.

-----

Organizations you can donate to:

- Australian Red Cross

- Red Cross Australia Fires Appeal

- NSW Rural Fire Service

- CFS Foundation Supporting Volunteer Firefighters

- Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES)

- St Vincent de Paul Society

- WIRES

- Koala Hospital Port Macquarie NSW and their GoFundMe page for Thirsty Koalas

- Currimbin Wildlife Hospital and their GoFundMe page to Save Koala Bushfire Victims

----

Stay tuned for updates here, on IG and FB, and in the TR Newsletter. Not signed up yet? It takes just a sec to subscribe.

Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News January 9-15, 2020

Historically, January is the slowest month for restaurants. People are beyond broke and exhausted after the holiday frenzy, and thanks to the blistering cold spells, ordering in takes on greater appeal. Restaurateurs hang on for dear life, hoping their empty dining rooms will see warmer days.

Keep that in mind when I tell you I’ve uncovered 20 new places to eat and drink for this week alone.

And it’s so busy, I’ve already started on next week’s list (If you need me, I’ll be at the bar).

In the meantime, here’s the very latest:

OPEN

From Aburi Restaurants Canada Ltd. (Vancouver’s Miku, Minami, and Gyoza Bar; in Toronto Miku and Aburi Tora) comes Aburi Hana (102 Yorkville Ave., Unit 4, in the alley between Chanel House and Stone Island) a modern kyō-kaiseki restaurant in Yorkville. Two 15-course dinner menus ( Aburi $195, Hana $330) -are available at four seating times (5:30pm, 7pm, 8:30pm, 8:45pm) at the the chef's counter and Kakurega private dining rooms. Despite prices not for the faint of heart (it is steps from Brunello Cucinelli after all), reservations for Day One (Wednesday), are booking swiftly, with just two time slots left at press time.

Bar Biltmore (1006 Bloor St. W.) debuts Saturday with Spritzes, Sours, Negronis and bar bites. That’s what I’m talking about. Find it on the second floor of Paradise On Bloor above Osteria Rialto (Note: Enter on Westmoreland Ave., just north of the patio).

Despite protests, American chicken chain Chick-fil-A debuted the first Toronto outpost in September. The second launched on Tuesday at Yorkdale Mall (3401 Dufferin St.).

Cho-kwok-lat (31 Main St. N.) isn’t your average chocolate shop. The new patisserie and  chocolaterie in Markham comes way of Chef Chris Kwok, one of Canada’s most inventive chocolatiers and pastry chefs (i.e. His AI robot with a single-wheel motorcycle on her shoulder showpiece was just one of three items that won him the World Chocolate Masters for Canada in 2017, while he was at Cluny Bistro and Boulangerie in the Distillery District).

Not far from its original location (5 Coady Ave.) comes Completo No. 2 (337 Broadview Ave.). The Latin fast food eatery (think grilled cheese, hot dog or poutine covered in diced tomato, mashed avocado, roasted red pepper sauce, and housemade hot sauce) softly opened yesterday in East Chinatown in the former home of longstanding Chinese housewares store, Mei King Co.

What was once (and seemingly forever) Pan on the Danforth is now District 34 (516 Danforth Ave.), a seafood-ish* restaurant, complete with belly dancing.  *Vegetarians, carnivores and flexitarians have options from Greek mezes Vine Leaves ($7) and Halloumi ($11), to meat-centric starter Beef Liver ( $10) and mains: 8 oz Burger ($16), Chicken Schnitzel ($19), 8oz NY Steak ($24).

Divine Dumplings (478 Dundas St. W.), a “virtual” restaurant by Superfine Food & Entertainment, is serving up an array of meat, seafood and vegetarian options including: Seafood Medley ($10), Mushroom Tahini ($10), Pepper Chicken ($7.50), and Mapo Tofu ($8.75).

Faz’s Burrito (733 Bloor St. W.) has touched down at the corner of Bloor and Christie.

Leslieville’s The Green Wood (1402 Queen St. E.) just got a sibling in the west end (461 King St.). Tuesday marked the first official day for the Fashion District destination. To celebrate, enjoy free coffee and tea until Sunday (any size, at this location only).

Lims Chicken (623 Bloor St. W.) takes over from Do Eat in Koreatown.

Lobster Burger Bar (214 King St. W.) has set up shop across from Roy Thompson Hall. On the dinner menu: apps (Roasted Root Vegetable Salad $15, YYZ Lobster Tacos $12), burgers ($14-$28), lobsters ($42 for 1.5 lb to MP for 2+lb) and desserts ($6-$18).

MIA Brunch Bar (2140 Yonge St.) softly opened just south of Eglinton. The crowd-pleasing menu includes Halloumi Cheese Sliders ($9), Chicken Belgian Waffles ($17), Fluffy Pancake Trio ($16), and Portobello Quinoa Burger ($17).

Japanese-style café Ninetails Coffee Bar (651 Bloor St. W.) just moved into Koreatown.

Osteria Rialto kicks off Tuesday inside Paradise On Bloor (1006 Bloor St. W.). With folks including Executive Chef Basilio Pesce, Chef Ryan Baddeley, and Pastry Chef Jill Barber behind the ingredient-focused, Italian-inspired menu, it’s going to be one of the hottest spots of 2020. (Note: Enter on Westmoreland Ave., just north of the patio). See you there.

Pi Co. (160 Bloor St. E.) is slinging free Margheritas from its new digs at Church and Bloor on Tuesday [Deets: Available Noon to 3:14pm (line cut off at 2:30pm), in store special, limit one per person, no gluten-free].

You can get your hands on Primrose Bagel Company’s (317A Oakwood Ave.), fresh hand-rolled, malt-boiled Toronto-style bagels starting tomorrow at 7am.

Smokeshow BBQ and Brew (744 Mount Pleasant Rd.­) opened earlier this week in the same spot once home to The Mt Pleasant Rose and Chicken ‘N’ Deli. Menu items include BBQ mains, burgers, sandwiches, starters, salads, sides, desserts, shakes and floats.

Bubble tea meets bakery Tea 18 Genuine Tea Store (495 Bloor St. W.) nabbed a spot in the Annex.

World Food Market (335 Yonge St.) near Dundas just added two vendors to its roster:

1. Montreal Smoked Meat with iconic deli sandos.
2. Goup, specializing in Korean BBQ in a cup.

CLOSED

Yesterday the owners of Leslieville’s popular haunt for six years, Brooklyn Tavern (1097 Queen St. E.), announced the restaurant will close after service on Saturday January 25th.

Further east along Queen, Meat on the Beach (1860 Queen St. E.) shuttered Friday after more than 20 years of serving the community.

It’s peace out for Wildfire, the nightclub inside The Thompson Toronto (550 Wellington St. W.).

The first Sukhothai (274 Parliament St.) has closed to the public, and now serves an an expanded kitchen for the brand. Sukothai’s three other locations remain open.

NEWS

Cannabis edibles were supposed to be available December 17, 2019, but the date got pushed to January 6, 2020. This past Monday however, they were hard to come by.

There’s a lot of insane news this week, including: Timbits Cereal, and Martha Stewart X Subway.

Sobeys is getting rid of plastic bags as of January 31st.

Speaking of the environment, in reusable cup news: This, and also this.

If you’re look to start a COR certified food biz, Kosher Tank might be for you.

Machines are replacing humans. For example, Meowing cat robot waiter .

ICYMI

Chef Emma Herrera of top bar, bottle shop + music hall Burdock Brewery, dishes on what’s in her fridge, advice for chefs just starting out, her favourite bars and restaurants in the 6ix, and much more in this month’s At The Pass.

If you haven’t been to Chefs for Change before, this is the year to go. Discover who’s cooking and how to get tickets now.

FYI

Do you have an upcoming food, drink or chef event coming up?. List your event in a few seconds for FREE.  

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 announcements. Big news coming soon!

Chefs for Change: A Mid-Winter’s Feast

Photo credit: Liam Mogan.

If you’ve never been to Chefs for Change, this is the year to start.

The curated dinner series held at the beginning of the year by top Canadian chefs has drawn serious crowds since its inception in 2014. This year’s event features a host of exciting new chefs at the stove.

And as always, it’s all for a very important cause.

Take a look.

Why this event stands out:

1. Canada-wide talent

This year’s lineup is next-level.* In addition to Toronto’s own kitchen mavens, including Chris Brown (Victor Dries Events) - who hatched the idea for the series, Lora Kirk (Ruby Watchco) - who attended the inaugural event six years ago, Doug Penfold (Cava), John Sinopoli (Ascari), Kristin Donovan (Hooked), Alex Tso (Dundas Park Kitchen), Tom Thai (Foxley), Missy Hui (EatKander), and Chantana Srisomphan (Khao San Road), culinarians are traversing the country for the monumental collab.

Look for Calgary chefs Nicole Gomes (Cluck N Cleaver), Connie DeSousa and John Jackson (CHAR|CUT Roast House); Antonio Park (Park) and Fisun Ercan (Su) out of Montreal; and Todd Perrin of Mallard Cottage all the way from Newfoundland.

And while you’ll usually find Alexandra Feswick (The Drake Hotel) and Albert Ponzo (The Royal Hotel) a few hours outside Toronto in Prince Edward County in their respective hotel kitchens, they’re making the drive in for the momentous feasts.

Oh Canada.

*Full chef lineup below.

2. Like no other

One of the reasons the event is so compelling is that every evening, eight to ten chefs from across Canada join forces to create an inimitable meal you’ll share with people who you may know, and whom you might have never met.

Magical is just one way to describe it.

3. Help low-income communities

In addition to a sumptuous four-course repast, you’ll help raise money for those that need it most. Net profits from the events will go to Community Food Centres Canada to “support vibrant, food-focused organizations that bring people in low-income communities together to grow, cook, share, and advocate for healthy food for all.”

———

Start the new year off right and knock a few of your New Year’s Resolutions off your list right now:

Try new things.

Help others.

Get tickets now.

Info

Dates/Times

Four Thursday nights in a row, starting Jan 30th through ‘til Feb 20th - January 30, February 6, February 13, and February 20.

Reception at 6:30 pm, Dinner to follow at 7pm.

Venue

Propeller Coffee, 50 Wade Ave. (Bloor + Landsdowne)

Price

$150 per ticket. Each ticket includes four courses, canapés, and welcome cocktail (Note: A $56 charitable tax receipt will be issued via email post-event for every ticket purchased).

2020 Mid-Winter’s Feast Chef Lineup

Thursday January 30
Suzanne Barr | True True Diner
Renee Bellefeuille | AGO Bistro
Fisun Ercan | Su
Carl Heinrich | Richmond Station
Christinn Hua | Millie Desserts
Charlotte Langley | Scout Canning
Julie Marteleira | Leña
Alex Tso | Dundas Park Kitchen
Anthony Walsh | Oliver & Bonacini
Jesse Vallins | Maple Leaf Tavern

Thursday February 6
Kristin Donovan | Hooked
Miriam Echeverria | Greta Soloman's Dining Room
Noureen Feerasta | Rickshaw Bar
Nicole Gomes | Cluck N Cleaver
Rosalin Keshishian | Babel
Nick Liu | Dailo
Antonio Park | Park
Albert Ponzo | The Royal Hotel
Tom Thai | Foxley
Scott Vivian | Beast

Thursday February 13
Rocco Agostino | Pizzeria Libretto
Ema Costantini | George Brown College
Ksenija Hotic | The Depanneur
Missy Hui | EatKander
Omer Jahangir | Actinolite
Lora Kirk | Ruby Watchco
Doug Penfold | Cava
Joel Rousell | George Brown College
John Sinopoli | Ascari
Rachel Tong | Lunchroom Toronto

Thursday February 20
Chris Brown | Victor Dries Events
Connie DeSousa | CHAR|CUT Roast House
Farzam Fallah | Don Alfonso 1890
Alexandra Feswick | The Drake Hotel
John Jackson | CHAR|CUT Roast House
Samantha Medeiros | La Palma
Todd Perrin | Mallard Cottage
Ivana Raca | Ufficio
Joel Rousell | George Brown College
Chantana Srisomphan | Khao San Road

At The Pass with Chef Emma Herrera

Currently

Chef, Burdock

Formerly

Planta (The Chase, Nota Bene (RIP)

Favourite dish to make right now

Our Spelt Sourdough Pretzels. So fun, so yum.

Last cookbook purchase

Plenty More: Vibrant Vegetable Cooking from London's Ottolenghi by Yottam Ottolenghi.

Have you read it/tried any recipes

Yes! Baigan Choka (p. 281) I love that he highlights non-western fundamental food techniques so thoughtfully.

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

I don’t aim to “cancel” anything in particular (everything has a time and place. Context, personal connection and culture are so crucial)/ BUUUUUTTTT like can we 86 bluefin tuna? Please?!

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

Lentils! I have a deep platonic love for lentils: Unsexy brown ones, fancy French ones, fat black ones, smushy red ones. So good, so delicious!

Your biggest influences

My parents, Chef David Lee, and Chef Amira Becarevic.

If could eat at any restaurant in the world

St. John, London, England for a very long lazy lunch.

Last thing you ate

Salted peanuts and a pilsner.

Three must-have ingredients always in your fridge

Butter, homemade hot pepper sauce, and Kozlik’s Dijon by Anton.

Guilty pleasure 

Nutella!

Top 3 favourite Toronto restaurants

Just one: Mattachioni for divine pizzas.

Top 3 fave Toronto bars

I don’t go out much but if I do, it’s close to home in Parkdale:
Pretty Ugly -  For fancy cocktails and positive vibes
The Rhino - For when you don’t want to go home just yet
Tennessee Tavern - Half-price wine night, hello!

Go-to drink

A cold pint, thanks.

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

Eating family meal in a rush, hunched over the garbage like a raccoon. I started setting a ten-minute timer to force myself to sit and enjoy the moment.

One habit you have in the kitchen that will inspire young chefs

I love washing dishes, so fun! I hope my team sees my joy in scrubbing pots and pans, and it inspires them to have fun with it too.

Hidden talent

I’m ambidextrous!

Best career advice you ever received

“Knock them out with a feather” - Pat Bishop, a childhood mentor and absolute force of nature.

She saw that I was quiet and soft spoken but very driven inside. She inspired me to recognize the power and strength I already had in myself and use kindness as a force. 

Worst career advice you ever received 

Oh my, I received so much terrible advice from (mostly) well-intentioned people. I’d rather not repeat and give it the light of day!

Your advice for a young cook starting out in the business

Keep in touch with your family and non-industry friends. We often get so totally absorbed in our passion for our work that we forget about the many joys of life outside the kitchen.

Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News January 2-8, 2020

The new decade is off to a rocky start when it comes to dining out. With 13 arrivals and eight closures, the industry’s instability is hard to miss.

But not all is bleak. There are exciting things to come. See below, for instance.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Aurora isn’t within my usual purview for resto launches, but when it’s authentic Texas BBQ kings Adamson Barbecue (15195 Yonge St.), you make an exception.

Cafe and tea bar Deer Cha (920 Queen St. W.) is located just west of Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Forbidden City (200 Princes' Blvd.), “Toronto’s newest nightlife and entertainment venue” has landed at Exhibition Place.

2019 saw an influx of arcade bar launches. The trend continues with newcomer Freeplay (300 College St.) at College and Spadina.

Indian Spice Room (717 Queen St. E.) at Queen and Broadview (where Animal Liberation Kitchen and Pulp Kitchen used to be), calls itself the “Only authentic Indian vegetarian restaurant in Toronto.”

Stop by Regent Park’s newest arrival, Le Beau Pâtisserie (665 Dundas St. E., Unit 7) by dynamic duo Chef Olga Spivak and Julia Merkulova, for coffee and pastries (Pro tip: Start with the Calamansi -pate sable with calamansi cremeux, vanilla namelaka truffle and tarragon powder - and go from there). Breakfast and lunch items are in the works.

Sansotei Ramen softly opened Sunday Dec 22 at Union Food Court (65 Front St. W.), approximately one month after launching on Adelaide.

Last month, Schnitzel Queen (211 Queen St. E.) announced doors were closing on December 27th, while they search for a larger space. They’ve decided to stick around awhile longer, currently until January 17th.

If you didn’t satiate your sweet tooth over the holidays, Soma Chocolatemaker Factory (77 Brock Ave.) is here for you, with a new spot in the heart of Parkdale - complete with factory tours and chocolate tastings. Happy New Year, indeed.

Also new to the Parkdale ‘hood, speakeasy The Standard Bar (1316 Queen St. W.). Hint: Follow the pink flamingo…

Scarborough just got its very own empanada destination, thanks to Taste of Empanada (3601 Lawrence Ave. E., Unit ).

Yang Teashop adds a third outpost to its roster, this time in Markham (3623 Hwy 7 E., Unit 106).

Psst. Korean finer dining spot Yeon Restaurant (465 Queen St. W.) just landed at Queen and Spadina, with Sinseollo (aka Royal Hotpot) on the menu.

CLOSED

Restaurateur Ed Ho’s “Think global. Eat local.” Globe Bistro (124 Danforth Ave.) closed after service on New Year’s Eve. The Danforth staple for 13 years was one of the first farm-to-table concepts in the city. Ho also opened Rosedale’s Globe Earth in 2009 and Earth Bloor West at Jane and Bloor in 2011 (both have since closed). What’s set to replace it? Stay tuned.

“Toronto's first ever Indian snack bar,” IST Eatery (1263 Queen St. W.) - originally called IST Snack Bar - shuttered New Year’s Eve, despite opening less than a year ago in Doomie’s old spot.

Did the Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction nightmare contribute to Maybes Restaurant (188 Eglinton Ave. E.) being papered up?

After a recent move across the street and shift in focus, vegan retaurant Mythology Diner’s last night was New Year’s Eve.

Authentic New Zealand meat pie HQ, North Shore Pie Co (107 Shorncliffe Rd.) in Etobicoke, closed on Christmas.

Tequila Bookworm (512 Queen St. W.) announced it’s closing at the end of January after 27 years due to a rent hike.

Thompson Diner‘s (51 Bathurst St.) celebration on New Year’s Eve was bittersweet as it marked the last night after nine years of service. The Thompson Hotel eatery was originally known as The Counter, open 24 hours.

Yesterday, one of the city’s oldest restaurants, The Tulip Steakhouse (1606 Queen St. E.), released a statement on Facebook that they have closed. It reads in part, “Unfortunately, business conditions have changed regarding our lease agreement in ways we can no longer accommodate, and we have been left with no choice.” The steakhouse and family restaurant debuted on October 1, 1929.

NEWS

Bold move. A B.C. restaurant reportedly turned away the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, aka Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. 

In other celebrity news, TMZ posted a video of singer/songwriters Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello making out at Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen.

Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse is the first Canadian restaurant to sell Scotch Beef after a 24-year ban. You can also find it at amazing European grocer + eatery Denninger’s five locations.

As of yesterday, dogs may be allowed on bar and restaurant patios.

According to City TV News, arson’s suspected in a Woodbridge restaurant fire. Though the news update doesn’t name the establishment, the address listed is the same for Motorino Vaughan, which closed yesterday for renovations.

Just prior to Christmas day, a Burlington restaurant was raided and shut down.

The bread price-fixing saga continues.

ICYMI

If you make any cookies this month, make these: Tiny, Salty, Chocolatey Cookies from Alison Roman’s bestselling cookbook, ‪Nothing Fancy. You’ll see.

It turns out you don’t need a reso at Alo Restaurant to enjoy one of their top cocktails. Get the full recipe for Robin Kaufman’s ‘Threefold’ in the Toronto Restaurants Ultimate Cocktail Guide now.

FYI

Do you have an upcoming food, drink or chef event coming up? Get the word out to the right audience. List your event in a few seconds for FREE.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Want to partner with Toronto Restaurants? 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 upcoming announcements.

Toronto Restaurants Ultimate Cocktail Guide - Alo's Threefold

Trying to score a reso at award-winning restaurant Alo ain’t easy. It takes a combination of patience, persistence, and willingness to plan dinner months in advance.

One of their stellar cocktails, however, is thankfully much easier to come by.

Alo Food Group’s Corporate Bar Manager Robin Kaufman hatched Threefold, a magical li’l number you can now recreate at home. You’ll need some elevated ingredients and a little of that patience and persistence, but the rewards (1. A sophisticated cocktail well worth your time and effort; 2. Knowing how to make clarified buttermilk syrup like a boss; 3. A levelled-up home bar) are mighty. And just in time to ring in the new year.

Threefold

Recipe:

1oz Martell VS Cognac
1oz Pisco Gobernador
0.75oz Clarified Buttermilk Syrup (see recipe below)
0.75oz fresh Lemon and Lime juice (50:50 blend)
2 Dashes Amargo Chuncho Peruvian Bitters

Garnish:

Grated Nutmeg
Skewered Sliced Grapes (3 slices)

Method:

1. Add all ingredients except nutmeg and grapes to shaker.
2. Add ice and shake.
3. Fine strain into coupe with ice chunk.
4. Grate nutmeg over top.
5. Garnish with sliced grapes.

Clarified Buttermilk Syrup:

1. Heat 500ml of Buttermilk until it visibly splits (about 5 minutes).
2. Allow split buttermilk to chill (this will help it stay separated).
3. Filter through cheesecloth carefully not squeezing too hard.
4. Liquid will be almost translucent.
5. Mix equal parts sugar to clarified milk and blend in Vitamix until sugar is dissolved.
6. Store in refrigerator.

--- 

Alo Restaurant
163 Spadina Ave., 3rd Floor
(416) 260-2222

Hours

The Dining Room
Tuesday-Saturday
5:15pm – 10:00pm

The Cocktail Bar
Tuesday-Saturday
5pm – 1am

For more cocktail recipes, visit Toronto Restaurants Ultimate Cocktail Guide.

Alison Roman's Tiny, Salty, Chocolatey Cookies Recipe

There are so many reasons to make these cookies.

First, as Alison notes below, they’re not overly sweet, so they’re ideal for this time of year when you’re inundated with confections, and even savoury dishes are skewing on the sweeter side (I’m looking at you marshmallows, maple syrup, and sweet potato casserole). Second, they’re are as good as #TheCookies. Maybe even better. There, I said it. Don’t @ me. And finally, scientific studies* show cookies are immeasurably more delectable when shared (*okay, it was me), so whip up a batch (or three) to distribute amongst fam and friends this season, because: 1. You’re less likely to eat them all on your own (trust me you’ll be tempted, especially since they’re small - no one will notice if five are missing, right?), and 2. Gifts from the heart are truly the best gifts of all.

———

Tiny, Salty, Chocolatey Cookies

makes 24 cookies

6 tablespoons (3⁄4 stick) unsalted butter

21⁄2 cups confectioners’ sugar


3⁄4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (see Note)


1 teaspoon kosher salt


2 large egg whites


1 large egg


8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (at least 67% cacao), chopped

1⁄2 cup finely chopped hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, or walnuts (optional)


Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon or Jacobsen

NOTE This is the time to invest in some high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder, since that’s mostly what you’ll be tasting here (that, and browned butter).

I am not a chocolate person, but there are some occasions when I want a lightly sweet, definitely salty, chocolatey little something. In those moments, there is nothing better than this something, which I can best describe as the edges of a chewy brownie but in cookie form.

No special equipment, fancy techniques, or chilling time are needed, which means that even if you only bake cookies once a year, you can still make these. Perfect for the end of a meal, when you, too, have decided you’ve just got to have a chocolatey little something.

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment.

2 Melt the butter in a small pot over medium heat, swirling, until starting to foam and brown, 3 to 4 minutes (whisk the butter from time to time so that the solids don’t stick to the bottom of the pot). Let cool.

3 Whisk the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium bowl, ridding it of as many lumps as possible (if you really want to, feel free to sift everything).

4 Using a spatula, mix in the egg whites, whole egg, and browned butter, stirring until you’ve got a good, smooth-
ish mixture (any small lumps will take care of themselves), followed by the chocolate and any nuts you may want to add.

5 Using a spoon, drop quarter-sized blobs of dough (the texture is really somewhere between a dough and a batter), spacing about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet (they spread a lot). Sprinkle with flaky salt and bake until the cookies have flattened considerably and look baked through and a little wrinkled, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool before eating so they can firm up.

DO AHEAD Cookies can be baked up to 2 days ahead, wrapped tightly, and stored at room temperature.

Alison Roman’s Tiny, Salty, Chocolatey Cookie is excerpted from NOTHING FANCY: UNFUSSY FOOD FOR HAVING PEOPLE OVER © 2019 by Alison Roman. Photography © 2019 by Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott. Reproduced by permission of Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. All rights reserved.

Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News December 19-31, 2019

As predicted, this week’s Open/Closed doesn’t disappoint with a whopping 15 arrivals, and almost as many closures and announcements of pending closures. And then alllll the holiday events. Oof.

This year I wrote about thousands of restaurants and I expect to cover even more in 2020. I know, right?

While there will be no Open/Closed on Thursday December 26 (the next one drops Thursday January 2), stay tuned for exciting new features and coverage before year’s end.

In the meantime, 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, and more, and be sure to follow Toronto Restaurants on Insta and FB for big announcements in the new year.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Taiwanese tea chain The Alley nabbed a spot on the PATH (120 Adelaide St. W., Unit R3 ). To celebrate, enjoy 10 per cent off all drinks at this location until December 31st.

Aunty Lucy’s Burger Shop (96 Ossington Ave.) by Undisposable and Extra Burger softly opens their gourmet take on the In-N-Out Burger experience happening this weekend.

Bone Soup Malatang (522 Yonge St.) specializes in individual hot pots. Huh. That happens to be a part of the new concept next door that debuted just a month ago, too.

Dine and Dim (633 Gerrard St. E.) has taken over where Pearl Court Restaurant reigned in East Chinatown. The menu is relatively the same downstairs - sushi will be served upstairs at a later date. 

Introducing Gatsby (82 Bathurst St.),“Toronto’s first duelling piano bar.” Uh, okay.

Healthy Indian chain Good Karma has landed at Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.).

Jollibee debuts tomorrow at Vaughan’s Promenade Mall (1 Promenade Circle). If you’re not already in line, better hurry.

The Leslie/Lakeshore ‘hood has changed considerably in recent months. First Farm Boy, now a big LCBO (1015 Lakeshore Blvd. E.), just in time for the holidays.

Libertad Mexicana (133 Jefferson Ave.) in Liberty Village uses local meat, sustainable fish, and boasts a zero food waste kitchen. They also happen to have Braised Duck ($6), Fried Cauliflower ($5), and Braised Beef Tongue ($6) tacos, Spicy Braised Beef Cheek Quesadillas ($9), and Orange Duck Egg Flan ($6) for dessert.

Little Caesars (457 Carlaw Ave.) of all places (they’re still around?), has cropped up next to a No Frills in Leslieville.

Masala Guys is the newest tenant of The Annex Food Hall (384 Bloor St. W.).

OV Sweets (542 Oakwood Ave.) opened earlier this week. The Oakwood-Vaughan shop offers vegan sweets including cakes, cookies and candy.

Gluten-free Colombian-style empanadas Real Empanada Co (825 Dundas St. W.) have arrived in Trinity Bellwoods. Doors officially open Saturday.

Find That Freakin Greek (291 Harbord St.) in the colossal space once home to Smoke Bourbon BBQ (the private event space alone accommodates 100 guests). Their “authentic Greek cuisine” includes an array of starters and sides (Feta Block $11.95, Hot Dog Poutine $8.95), alongside traditional souvlaki, gyros, rotisserie chicken, and hearty mains (Moussaka $16.95, Pastistsio $15.95, Kokkinisto Beef Stew $16.45).

Doors opened Monday for Unicorn Café (561 Bloor St. W.) at Bloor and Bathurst. The unicorn-themed spot courtesy of the folks behind “Toronto's first toilet-themed dessert bar” Poop Café , offers sweet and savoury options against a pastel backdrop awash in unicorns and other “cute” items. There’s also an option to eat a “potted plant” while wearing “a nice and cozy unicorn outfit.” Jesus.

CLOSED

Bean and Baker (326 Harbord St.), “Toronto’s only soda fountain malt shop,” is shutting down after five years. You’ve got until December 24th to visit.

Canoe (66 Wellington St. W.) will be closing for renovations after service on December 31st. They will resume service in March 2020.

Java Joe’s (180 Dundas St. W.) at Dundas and University is currently undergoing renovations.

L’Unità’s (134 Avenue Rd.) last hurrah takes place New Year’s Eve. The new concept by David Minicucci and Chef Rob Rossi (also of award-winning Giulietta) is set to debut Spring 2020.

After eight years, La Société at The Colonnade (131 Bloor St. W.) takes its final bow on December  31st. INK Entertainment will replace it will another resto concept “in the near future.”

On the move for a bigger space, Schnitzel Queen (211 Queen St. E.) says “Auf Wiedersehen” to its Moss Park digs on December 27th. 

The Spoke Club (600 King St W.) is temporarily closing January 1st for “a full venue renovation.”

Earlier this week, Tequila Bookworm (512 Queen St. W.) announced it’s closing at the end of January due to a “recent rent hike.”

T&T Supermarket (222 Cherry St.) is also set to close in January.

Due to “restructuring in Canada.” Four 3 Brewers Canada locations are ceasing service, effective December 31st: Adelaide (120 Adelaide St. W.), Richmond Hill (125 York Blvd., Unit 135), Mavis (5860 Mavis Dr.), and Liberty Village (2 Liberty St.). The remaining GTA locations – Yonge (275 Yonge St.) and Oakville (2041 Winston Park Dr.) - will continue to operate.

EVENTS

Nog Your Socks Off, Toronto. Like you mean it, this time.

Do yourself a favour and don’t miss the Bar Ape Holiday Pop-Up tomorrow and Saturday. Droooool (and I don’t even like gelato).

Head to the Village tomorrow for a Vegan Holiday Party.

Hurry, The Thirsty Elf Pop-Up Bar at Fairmont Royal York wraps up Saturday.

Countdown the holidays with 12 Beers of Christmas at The Gladstone Hotel on Sunday

Toronto Christmas Market continues until Sunday.

The Holiday Market at Evergreen’s Winter Village takes places all weekend.

Holiday Fair in the Square is on until Monday.

Drink all the way to Boxing Day at Miracle Toronto.

Sippin’ Santa at Project Gigglewater goes until the end of the year.

You’ve got until January 5 to enjoy the Aurora Winter Festival at Ontario Place.

NEWS

InterContinental Toronto Centre has a new exec chef, Tim Dunnill, whose last post was at Pusateri’s.

Select Beer Store locations will be open on Boxing Day.

Winterlicious announced their events and restaurants for January, but isn’t it time for something new and more inclusive? Stay tuned.

A perfume e-tailer launched Christmas “bespoke fragrances” including: Scent of Stilton “with notes of buttermilk, cheese and phenols,” Eau Christmas Pudding, and Pigs in Blanket Parfum. P.U.

ICYMI

If you love bubble tea, cheese, being the best gift giver EVER, Nashville Hot Chicken, Popeyes, and Migos, you're going to love this month's issue of The Feed.

----

Do you have an upcoming food, drink or chef event coming up? Get the word out to the right audience. List your event in a few seconds for FREE.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Want to partner with Toronto Restaurants? Send me an email -> writerscramp@stephaniedickison.com.

The Feed Vol. 05 – Migos x Popeyes, boba blood bags, cheesy cakes, and more

These restaurant discoveries may not always make the headlines, but they’re fascinating nonetheless. 

Check out this month’s unique food and drink news you likely won’t see anywhere else:

1. If you’ve been reading my Open/Closed this last while, you’ll know bubble tea shops, once relegated to the outer edges of the city, have quickly taken over much of the real estate downtown. You may not be aware however, of new trends emerging: from the truly bizarre (DNA Blood Bags and squishy gasoline tanks, for starters) to evolutionary (new arrival The Krys Milktea Bar prides itself on being powder-free, using local milk, and this just in – internet-breaking oat milk). Stay tuned.

2. Cheese cakes. No, not cheesecakes, but cheese cakes. Whether you’re following a Paleo/Keto/Zero Carbs diet, prefer savoury over sweet, or consider yourself a true turophile, wedding cheese cakes might be the best thing to happen to you this year.

Since trying to Google the phrase yields results for mostly the cream cheese and Japanese varieties, start here: Leslieville Cheese Market, Cheese Boutique, and The Pantry Fine Cheese are a few spots around town to place your special order.

And no, you don’t have to be getting hitched to enjoy these cheese towers.

3. Since it’s the holiday season, no doubt you’re looking for great gift ideas for the food-lover on your list. One that’s truly original – and sure to be talked about at family gatherings for years to come -  is a gift certificate from Rodney’s Oyster House.

Not just because Rodney’s is a goddamn institution - around since ye ol’ 1987. Or that you can dig into Oyster Slap Jack Chowder ($11), Adobo Shrimp ($26) or seasonal Periwinkles By The Bowl ($10,) alongside more classic fare of fish and chips, oysters, lobster rolls, etc.

Because they hand draw their gift certificates for any denomination, with even a message if you like, on the inside of oyster shells.

No, you’re crying.

4. Nashville Hot Chicken is fairly easy to come by in the city. In fact, we’ve got actual restaurants dedicated to it (i.e. Chen Chen’s Nashville Hot Chicken, Chica’s Nashville Hot Chicken, Five Points Nashville Hot Chicken, Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken). Even non-poultry-centric eateries offer their take on the spicy sando from Tennessee, including unexpected ones such as: bocce HQ Lob on the eastside, and Earl’s King Street downtown.

Antler’s riff on the traditional preparation, however - Antler Toronto Hot Rabbit ($32) boasting buttermilk fried rabbit dressed with maple syrup and hot sauce, fried nappa cabbage and sliced pickles atop a slab of pullman loaf – might just be the sexiest iteration yet.

5. Speaking of fried chicken, trap trio Migos just partnered with Popeyes and Uber Eats to bring you their favourite menu items.

The holy trinity from Atlanta that brought us the Dab, love the chicken chain so much, they’ve rapped about it (“Stir Fry”), included it in their tour rider (a document outlining items you require backstage and/or in your dressing room), and one member recently tried to sell Popeyes famous sando for a grand a pop.

So the Migos Menu curated by Quavious Keyate Marshall (aka Quavo), Kirshnik Khari Ball (aka Takeoff), and Kiari Kendrell Cephus (aka Offset) isn’t the usual celeb cash grab - they genuinely love the stuff.

Check out the limited-time lineup:

The Takeoff ($14.99)
5 tenders, 2 sauces, 1 regular mashed potatoes, 2 biscuits, 1 apple pie.
The Quavo ($23.99)
10 tenders, 3 sauces, 1 large red beans and rice, 3 biscuits.
The Offset ($29.99)
8 pieces BIC chicken meal, 1 large fries, 1 large mashed potatoes with gravy, 4 biscuits.
Tour Rider ($54.99)
20 tenders, 8 sauces, 1 large mashed potatoes with gravy, 2 large fries, 5 biscuits, 2L drink (Coke).

You’ve got until January 2 to enjoy delivery of these meal options exclusively on Uber Eats Canada in Toronto (including GTA), Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara Region, London, Ottawa, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, and Windsor (Prices and offers vary by location).

Cool fact: Betcha didn’t know the fellas were not only raised together, but are related - It turns out Offset is Quavo's cousin, and Takeoff can legit call Quavo, “Uncle.” Good luck trying to figure out that family tree branch.

p.s. Think you’re above fast food and Popeyes? Chef, TV host, writer, icon, the one and only Anthony Bourdain, who criss-crossed the globe in search of great food, was a devoted fan (to the spicy chicken and mac & cheese, in particular).

---- 

New to The Feed? Catch up on previous issues: Vol. 01, 02, 03, and 04.