Opening
If you’re one of the thousands milling about the Distillery District’s Christmas market, you’ll see that ramen shop Touhenboku has replaced what was previously Café Uno at 42 Gristmill (at Trinity). This location puts a greater emphasis on sushi and sake, with an affordable $45 omakase tasting menu available as well. Just remember to wash out the taste of hot chocolate or cider before sitting down for a roll or two.
Chef Grant van Gameren has taken over the Teatro spot at the corner of College and Palmerston (505 College) and is turning it into the cocktail- and pinchos-centric Bar Raval. The place is still under construction and in hiring mode, but expect it to be packed to the sidewalks with Instagrammers, critics and regular dining folk when it opens in the new year.
Just south of Dundas on Bathurst is a new little café and bar called Bathurst Local 322 (322 Bathurst, bathurstlocal322.com). During the day there’s hot chocolate and regular coffee, a breakfast sandwich and a green smoothie, and at night cheap beers and wines.
Taking over the recently vacated Ursa spot at 924 Queen West (at Shaw) is Furlough (@FurloughToronto), a cocktail bar and bistro from the owners of BarChef.
Closing
As the year winds down, so do restaurants as they quietly call it quits. In Baldwin Village, Yakitori Bar (1 Baldwin, at McCaul) and adjoining bibimbap takeout spot Seoul Food Co. have closed.
Know of any openings, closings or what will be the new cauliflower of 2015? Email food@nowtoronto.com.
