The openings and closings in this week’s Toronto restaurants roundup are primarily east and west, but the week’s biggest new addition to the dining scene is a downtown craft beer hall.
Most of this week’s openings are of the grab-and-go variety, suggesting the takeout era – just like the pandemic – is continuing to linger. Meanwhile, some buzzy names in the world of wine bars, ice cream and hot dogs are making big moves and a coffee staple of Kensington Market is closing for good after 22 years.
Here are the Toronto restaurants that opened and closed for the week of August 4-10.
Toronto restaurants that closed
I Deal Coffee
After 22 years in Kensington Market, I Deal Coffee is closing up shop on Nassau Street. The location’s last day in business is today (August 10), according to a post on the company’s Instagram account. Owner Julie Galiatsos told NOW that business in the Market hasn’t fully bounced back from COVID, and she’s shifting focus to expanding the other two locations. She’s also preparing to soft launch a new park provisions and sandwich shop business across from Sorauren Park next week. Read the full story here.
Paris Paris
What’s one more buzzy restaurant on Ossington? After three years, wine bar Paris Paris has closed its location at 1161 Dundas West in advance of a move around the corner and down the street to 146 Ossington next week, according to an Instagram post. The warehouse-like space hosted the pop-up patio Taco Beach last summer.
Dandylion
Fine dining spot Dandylion is calling time after six and a half years. Launched by former Centro chef Jay Carter, the cozy restaurant on Queen West just east of Gladstone was known for its eclectic menu and easy atmosphere. “Dandylion was a real labour of love, but it was never meant to be forever. For us the time has come to do something new. And we cannot wait to host you all again once it is ready,” reads a statement on the restaurant’s Instagram.
Toronto restaurants that opened
Beertown Public House
If you’re returning to the office downtown, a new beer hall at Wellington and University is hoping to be your new go-to. Beertown Public House opened its first location in Cambridge in 2012 and has since expanded around Southern Ontario. Several well-known craft brands will be on tap when the hall opens on August 12, including Collective Arts, Blood Brothers, Great Lakes, Godspeed, Bellwoods and Rorschach.
125 Wellington West. beertown.ca
Chungchun Rice Dog
The popular Korean-style hot dog chain has opened new locations in Kensington Market and Etobicoke and has a third on the way in Mississauga. The street food shop’s decadent creations are baked in a sticky rice-like dough and come with chicken, potato, cheese and rice cakes embedded inside (or on top).
181 Augusta and 3075 Bloor West. chungchunricedog.ca
Biga Pies
Chef Sean MacDonald of ēst Restaurant has done the pandemic pivot and launched a pizza place that sells 20 pies per day, Thursday through Saturday after 5 pm. The menu is Neapolitan style, and pizzas are available first come, first served. Same-day orders only.
729 Queen East. bigapies.com
Petit Paris
There’s a new French bakery in the Upper Beaches. Opened on August 9, Petit Paris is serving macrons, baguettes, jams, quiches, salads, prepared meals and Jamaican coffee.
1879 Gerard East. thepetitparis.ca
Asé Juicery
A new cold-press juice place has opened in Bloorcourt. Asé Juicery has moved from Queen and Northcote to Bloor Dovercourt and is teaming up with streetwear brand Nise to expand its retail offerings.
982 Bloor West. instagram.com/ase_juicery
Uncle Sid’s Deli
Bloordale has a new spot for pastrami sandwiches. Uncle Sid’s Deli offers fresh-cut deli sandwiches and other classics in the realm of breakfasts, bagels and briskets. The business is named after the late owner of Vena’s Roti, Mashud Siddique, the space’s previous occupant.
1263 Bloor West, instagram.com/unclesidsdeli
Choi
Vietnamese street food restaurant Choi is now serving up noodle soups, BBQ and an array of summery drinks in Scarborough.
633 Silverstar, instagram.com/choi.toronto
Good Behaviour Ice Cream
Toronto’s summer ice cream options continue to expand. Chefs Michael Lam and Eric Chow’s small batch ice creamery Good Behaviour has soft launched a new home base – and third location – in the Artisan Factory building near Dupont and Davenport.
342 Westmoreland North, gbicecream.ca
