Two Toronto institutions are returning after hiatuses from the food scene – and neither are technically restaurants. Good Egg is a Kenisington Market cookbook spot that was a destination for foodie-related gifts when it closed in 2018. This week, it returns in a different location.
Meanwhile, the Gladstone Hotel is officially reopening as Gladstone House, adding another dining spot to the West Queen West strip.
Local and international chains are also continuing expansions. A well-known Taiwanese noodle restaurant has touched down in Markham and a Korean chain makes its GTA debut in North York, adding some competition in the growing market for Korean street food.
Here are the Toronto restaurants that opened and closed for the week of September 15-21.
Toronto restaurants that closed
Wise Bar/Bagel
Wise Bagel, which reinvented as Wise Bar during the pandemic, is calling it quits after eight years. The last day was September 25. “I realized it was time for me to start a new chapter,” Tamara Wise wrote on Instagram. “I’m passing the torch to two new people who I know will bring you something great. (More on that to come).”
Fresh on Eglinton
The vegan restaurant’s midtown outpost has closed temporarily to relocate across the street to 101 Eglinton East, at Dunfield. The new location was formerly home to a Bar Buca outpost that closed last fall.
Toronto restaurants that opened
Gladstone House
The west-end hotel is reopening and rebranding following renovations on September 22. The Bistro + Bar will be back up and running under chef Richard Singh. The Melody Bar will reopen in the coming months and Miss Moco’s Drag Brunch is also coming back.
1214 Queen West, gladstonehouse.ca
Good Egg
Kensington Market cookbook and gift shop Good Egg has returned after closing back in 2018. It has reopened further south on Augusta from its previous location.
156 Augusta, goodegg.ca
The Common
West Queen Westers have a cozy new coffee spot. The Common has opened a third Toronto location south of Queen.
36 Lisgar (on Abell), facebook.com/thecommonespresso
Flora’s Deli
After closing up shop in Mahjong Bar, Jesse Mutch’s Italian sandwich spot Flora’s Deli has reopened nearby inside wine bar and bottle shop Grape Crush. The sandwiches are available 11 am-4 pm, Wednesday through Sunday.
1166 Dundas West, instagram.com/florasdelito
Jollibee
Filipino fast food chain Jollibee has opened another Midtown location at Yonge and Broadway.
2383 Yonge, ca.jollibeefoods.com
Du Hsiao Yueh
The 126-year-old Taiwanese restaurant continues its international expansion with a Markham location. Limited seating is available during the soft opening period, so reservations are recommended. The original Tainan location is considered one of the world’s best traditional restaurants.
7040 Warden, instagram.com/duhsiaoyuehcanada_official
Arirang Hotdog
Korean hot dog (and croquette) chain Airarang has opened its first Toronto location and is serving up decadent creations in North York.
5 Byng, ariranghotdog.ca
Craig’s Cookies
The popular cookie chain has announced a fifth location will open in Yorkdale Mall in November and is hiring for several positions.
3401 Dufferin, craigscookies.com
Piccolo Piano Pizzeria
The team behind Piano Piano have closed the lower-level dining space Piccolo Piano, but are opening Piccolo Piano Pizzeria on September 30 in the space that used to house the pink and pastel Cafe Cancan.
89 Harbord, instagram.com/piccolopianopizzeria
Sake Sushi
There’s another sushi option on Roncey. Sake Sushi has soft launched and is doing 20 per cent off through September 26.
20 Roncesvalles, instagram.com/sakesushi_toronto
