It wasn’t that long ago that the only people caught dead on Ossington were those outlined in chalk on the sidewalk in front of a karaoke joint. And though there’s been a moratorium of late on new resto-bars on this hippest of strips, they still keep popping up like Whac-a-Moles.
Right on schedule, the folks behind Yours Truly have jumped on the ramen bandwagon with A-OK Foods (930 Queen West, at Ossington, 647-352-2243, @aokfoods). Look for the usual Japanese noodle soups as well as Momofuku-style starters like bacon-seared Brussels sprouts with Kewpie mayo and char siu pork tostados, aka recumbent tacos.
A few blocks north, Watusi has evolved into Rock Lobster (110 Ossington, at Argyle, 416-312-7662, rocklobsterfood.com), a permanent bricks ‘n’ mortar version of the popular food event pop-up. They’re already packing them in for lobster rolls, lobster poutine and lobster Caesars – the cocktail, not the salad.
Business has slowed recently at Mario Cassini’s Caju (922 Queen West, at Shaw, 416-532-2550, caju.ca), so he’s closing his Brazilian bistro after a 10-year run. Last call for caipirinhas is December 22. The space won’t stay empty long on the same block as A-OK Foods, super-hot Ursa and Splendido spinoff County General.
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