As predicted, Susur Lee finally opened the doors of his new-concept Lee Lounge (601 King West, at Portland, 416-504-7867, susur.com) in time for Valentine’s Day. “Two celebrations at once brings double happiness,” says the Top Chef judge of the not so secret launch.
Over at Lee’s old stomping ground, Lotus, the Beast‘s (96 Tecumseth, at Whitaker, 647-352-6000, thebeastrestaurant.com), Scott Vivian and Rachelle Vivian are offering $4 happy hour tapas Wednesdays to Fridays from 4 to 6 pm. The couple’s former employer, Hank’s (aka the north half of Jamie Kennedy’s ex-Wine Bar), has morphed into a second Great Burger Kitchen (9½ Church, at Front West, 416-504-2657, greatburger.ca).
Oh Boy (571 Queen West, at Portland) has flipped its last burger. Co-owner Paul Boehmer blames the closing last weekend on an over-saturated market and will replace the Craft clone with a brasserie more along the lines of his eponymous Ossington boîte (93 Ossington, at Argyle, 416-531-3800, boehmer.ca) – comforting news, we’re sure, to the nearby Epicure, La Palette and Le Sélect.
A few blocks west, newly minted Parkette (874 Queen West, at Crawford, 416-536-3883, parkette.ca) promises yet more rustic Italiana in the old Tern Art Supplies next to Oyster Boy. And in Little India, Lahore Tikka (1365 Gerrard East, at Highfield, 416-406-1668, lahoretikkahouse.com) is still under construction.
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