Though news of its imminent launch last week proved a tad premature, the second Guu (559 Bloor West, at Bathurst, 647-343-1101, guu-izakaya.com) is scheduled to open today (Thursday, March 17) at 5 pm. (UPDATE: Guu postponed its anticipated launch till this Sunday, March 20.)
“We have one last inspection on Tuesday afternoon, so we should be open shortly after,” says the Vancouver-based Izakaya’s James Kim. “The weekend at the latest.”
“Actually, the delay has been great. It’s given us time to make sure everything’s perfect. I even gave the chefs a day off.”
Dubbed a “saka bar,” the 125-seat Annex annex features a cheaper tapas-like card than the original – carbonara udon with bacon and partially boiled egg, anyone? – and sports a glassed-in holding pen out front. No more lining up outside in the cold. Sadly, the boozy bistro’s two-hour seating limit is still in effect.
“Some customers stay too long and get really drunk,” laughs Kim.
Salad days
If you’re not into crowd scenes, you might want to avoid Salad King (340 Yonge, at Elm, 416-593-0333, saladking.com) from 5 to 7 pm this afternoon. That’s when the student-friendly Thai trat holds an invitation-only cocktail party to celebrate its recent relaunch. The rejuvenated King has been doing gangbuster business since it reopened last month after the disastrous fire and building collapse that kept the popular Rye High cafeteria closed for almost a year. Co-owner Ernest Liu is already thinking of a second Salad King.
“In about six months, though we’re not sure where,” says Liu.
Might we suggest Bathurst and Bloor?