Off the Hoof
One of the most significant chapters in Hogtown’s culinary history concludes Monday (February 28) with the closing of the Hoof Café (923 Dundas West, at Gore Vale, 416-792-7511, theblackhoof.com). Famed for its suckling pig eggs Benny and foie-gras-topped French toast, the no-reservations snout-to-tail brunch spot was swamped last weekend. Those who hoped to beat the crowds by showing up promptly for the 10 am opening found a two-hour-plus waiting list.
King rules again
Over by Ryerson, Salad King (340 Yonge, at Elm, 416-971-7041, saladking.com) finally reopened on Tuesday (February 22). The regular NOW Readers Poll topper for best Thai resto was shuttered last spring when the historic building in which it was housed partially collapsed, only to not-so-mysteriously burn to the ground six months later. Here’s hoping the only fires in owners Ernest and Linda Liu’s future are confined to their plates. For more on the opening, see here.
Hot stuff
No relation to U of T vegan student cafeteria Hot Yam, vegan take-away Hot Beans (160 Baldwin, at Spadina, 647-352-7581) opens its doors tomorrow (Friday, February 25). In the location that housed the short-lived Harapeko sandwich shop, the incendiary Kensington Market beanery promises the likes of faux chicken tacos, seitan burritos and coconut-lime donuts.
Khabouth’s kickoffs
Last weekend saw the launch of club kings Charles “Ultra” Khabouth and Toufik “Amber” Sarwa’s fashionista magnet, Briscola (501 College, at Palmerston, 416-964-1555, briscola.ca), in the old Cinq 01/Arthurs next door to equally chi-chi Grace and Teatro. Khabouth is also on track to open a bistro provisionally titled Le Bistro in the space in the Colonnade previously occupied by posh dim sum palace Dynasty, which has relocated two blocks north to Khabouth’s one-time Ivory supper club (69 Yorkville, at Bellair, 416-923-3323).
