It’s a good news week for empanada lovers – a long-running Kensington Market restaurant has risen from the ashes of a fire, and a new Venezuelan street food spot is setting up in the World Food Market.
Ontario’s new stay-at-home order enters week two, continuing to limit restaurants to takeout and delivery only. Given the circumstances, some restaurateurs are opting to temporarily close to ride out the third wave and give staff a break.
But as familiar places close – like well-reviewed Queen West farm-to-table restaurant Montgomery’s – pop-ups, expansions and new places continue. Here are the Toronto restaurants that opened and close for the week of April 7-13.
Toronto restaurants that closed
Montgomery’s
After five years, Guy Rawlings and Kim Montgomery are shutting Montgomery’s (996 Queen West), their acclaimed restaurant serving dishes with only Canadian-sourced ingredients. In an Instagram post, the owners said they aren’t ruling out opening another restaurant “when the time’s right.”
“We were flip-flopping back and forth debating whether to stay for another 5. But considering the times, we’ve decided to take a break, spend time as a family, and make plans for our next chapter,” they wrote on Instagram, adding they are selling off the goods in their walk-in fridge and will remain open until it’s empty.
Hikari Sushi Bar
Japanese spot Hikari (873 Pape) is closing after a year. In an Instagram post, the owner said new management and an new chef with a new concept will be taking over the space.
SARA & RASA
Sister restaurants SARA (24 Carlaw) and RASA (196 Robert) are temporarily closing due to the latest stay-at-home order. The Food Dudes-run establishments are giving staff “28 days of rest,” according to statements posted on Instagram.
“We are not prepared to put our staff under further mental or physical strain due to the sporadic nature in which the government makes their decisions and more importantly relays those decisions,” the statements read.
New Toronto restaurants
COPS Doughnuts
The minimalist, old-school coffee-and-doughnuts brand is expanding its coverage in the city again with a new pop-up in the coworking space East Room (4 Matilda).
Jumbo Empanadas
The Kensington Market staple has reopened after a three-alarm fire forced the restaurant to temporarily shutter last October. The restaurant posted on Instagram that the interior has been freshened up and now has a “traffic light” system to maintain reduced capacity limits during the pandemic.
Canaima Cafe
The World Food Market (335 Yonge) just north of Yonge-Dundas Square has a new vendor: Venezuelan street food spot Canaima Cafe. The menu includes arepas and empanadas, and includes vegetarian and vegan options.
Mira Mira
The much-loved sandwich spot has opened a diner in the Beaches (1963 Queen East). This location offers takeout lunch and dinner menus, as well as a patio menu (when patios are allowed again).
Buzzy news
Bellwoods Brewery is getting bigger. The Ossington brewery is expanding with a full kitchen/restaurant after taking over the corner location next door at 120 Ossington (at Argyle). Renovations are slated to begin in July with an eye to opening in the fall.
Beloved Filipino restaurant Tala closed on March 22 after a condo developer bought the building. In the meantime, they’re moving in with sister restaurant Tinuno (31 Howard) while searching for a new home. They’ll continue doing group deliveries to North York and the 905.
With files from Kelsey Adams