The hot topic this week is vaccine passports – and whether or not Doug Ford’s government will introduce a system that Toronto restaurants and other non-essential businesses say will keep them afloat during the fourth wave.
This week, the city’s dining scene sees more pandemic-era businesses expanding, a Southern Ontario-based Middle Eastern chain arrive in suburbs, a music events company known for parties opens a dining spot and a massive fixture on Sterling Road closes down.
Here are the Toronto restaurants that opened and closed for the week of August 25-31.
Toronto restaurants that closed
Flora’s Deli
The Italian sandwich shop that popped up inside Dundas West watering hole Mahjong Bar is no more.
Drake Commissary
Drake Hotel Properties has closed its massive Sterling Road restaurant but the space will continue operating as a commissary that supplies the chain’s restaurants and hotels. Read the full story here.
Toronto restaurants that opened
Bar St. Lo
Artist management and creative company Collectif Nude has branched out into the restaurant businesses with Bar St. Lo, which features “Canadian modern cuisine in the form of sharing plates” and specials based on ingredients sourced in the nearby St. Lawrence Market. The patio launched last weekend.
26 Market, instagram.com/bar_stlo
Hunny By The Hogtown Vegan
The owner of Bloorcourt spot Hogtown Vegan has announced the space will come back to life as Hunny by The Hogtown Vegan. The all-new menu will feature pastas, sandwiches, “junky” all-day breakfast and treats, as well as Hogtown’s mac n’ cheese and Caesar salad. It’s not open yet, though. Keep an eye out for the October launch date on Instagram.
1056 Bloor West, instagram.com/hunnytoronto
Tahini’s
London, Ontario shawarmas and falafels restaurant Tahini’s has opened a location in Etobicoke, and future outposts in Scarborough, Oshawa and Oakville are coming soon.
2257 Islington, tahinis.com
Little Sister Baking
Market 707 at Scardding Court is getting a new tenant in September: South Asian baked goods and pastry business Little Sister Baking. Known for their ras malai cakes, siblings Tanvi and Akash Swar have amassed a cult following on Tock.
707 Dundas West, instagram.com/littlesisterbaking
CHICHA
Just in time for the late-summer heat wave, CHICHA joined the bubble tea fray in Chinatown.
341 Spadina, instagram.com/chichatrt
8Mile Detroit Style Pizza
Fans of Detroit-style pizza in the west end take note: Yorkville pizzeria 8Mile has expanded with a second restaurant located in Liberty Village.
122 Atlantic, 8milepizza.com
Chung Chun Rice Dog
Toronto can’t get enough of Korean-style corndogs. The fast-expanding chain has opened yet another location in the Stockyards.
1980 St. Clair West, Unit J104, chungchunricedog.ca
Epoch Bar & Kitchen
The Ritz-Carlton closed down its DEQ Terrace & Lounge this summer, but the Epoch Bar & Kitchen Terrace is opening in its place on September 1.
181 Wellington West, epochtoronto.com
Verace Pizza
The people behind St. Clair West’s Pizza e Pazzi have launched another Neapolitan pizzeria in Oakville.
312 Lakeshore East, veracepizza.ca
