Ontario reported the lowest number of new COVID-19 cases since October yesterday, which could spell good news for Toronto restaurants rearing to get their patios open.
For now, things are still on track to a June 14 semi-opening of outdoor spaces. Even though the weather’s been a bit touch and go lately (it snowed four days ago), it’s that time of year again when recent openings are heavy on gelato and ice cream shops.
Almost all of the openings on this week’s list are reopenings: gelato shops ready for a new summer season, restaurants returning to an old neighbourhood after condo developers chased them out and those that are back in action after a COVID-related pause or hiatus.
Read on to learn what local spots popped up across the city between May 25 and June 2.
Toronto restaurants that opened
CB Bottega
The team behind Cheese Boutique opened a cafe and gelateria down the street from their renowned cheese shop in Swansea. CB Bottega stocks fresh-baked bread, cannolis, cakes and other pastries as well as Jun kombucha, basil lemonade and coffee.
29 Ripley, instagram.com/cb_bottega
Good Behaviour Ice Cream
We included Good Behaviour on a roundup in February when they first launched and were only available at pop-ups. Now, four months later and they’re set to open their first brick-and-mortar location near Christie Pits on June 4. They’ve expanded their flavour offerings and launched an online shop in the meantime. Each Wednesday a new batch of pints becomes available online, but with the shop they can finally serve scoops of all the flavours including chardonnay with wildflower honey, afternoon tea, honey nut cereal, caramel macchiato and strawberry cheesecake.
146 Christie, gbicecream.ca
Mo Thai
This restaurant is bringing “a new generation of Thai takeout” to Mississauga. Mo Thai‘s zaab chicken wings marinated with chili, lime and lemongrass, crispy fried calamari and innovative tom yum pad thai are a taste of what’s offered at the new spot. It’s the latest endeavour from Chef Mo, whose other restaurant Sala Modern Thai Kitchen is on the other side of town near Danforth and Greenwood. Over the past months she’s been chronicling the hilarity of getting a resto off the ground during the pandemic on the restaurant’s Instagram.
3085 Hurontario, Unit 13, mo-thai.com
Piccolina Gelato E Altra Roba
This slice of Italy at King and Portland reopened for the summer season earlier this month. From the partners behind Nodo, the mini-chain of Italian comfort food restaurants, Piccolina has been around since 2018. The gelato, sorbet and gelato bars are all handmade. Their Queen East location remains closed for the season.
85 Portland, piccolinagelato.com
The Skyline Restaurant
The popular Parkdale diner has reopened after temporarily closing in April in anticipation of patio season. Now that it seems further away than expected, they’ve decided to open on weekends with a grab-and-go menu. Pick up a picnic blanket, hot dogs, potato salad, milkshakes, lemonade or sangria and head to the nearest green space.
1426 Queen West, theskylinetoronto.com
Tacos 101
Chef and owner of Tacos 101 Julio Campos was forced to shut down his restaurant in 2018 when a condo developer bought the property. The original location was on Dundas East, near Yonge-Dundas Square. Now, Campos is reopening Tacos 101 in a new neighbourhood. He’ll be in good company in Kensington Market with all the other Mexican and South American restaurants nearby. People are already anticipating the return of his famous tacos al pastor.
178 Baldwin, instagram.com/tacos101_to
The Lobster Roll
This spot for East Coast-style lobster rolls opened last summer on Baldwin and closed in November. It is now reopening at a new location, just a few doors down. They do one thing well – the only menu item is the lobster roll. You get hefty chunks of New Brunswick lobster tossed with mayo, celery and pepper stuffed into a glossy bun.
160 Baldwin, instagram.com/thelobsterrollto
Rick’s Good Eats
This Punjabi-Canadian food truck is coming to Street Eats Market at Scarborough Town Centre. Chef Rick Matharu is known for his fusion creations like Punjabi cheeseburgers made with tandoori mayo and seasoned with ting tang and masala. The brick-and-mortar restaurant is in Mississauga but starting June 3 fans on the east side can get their hands on it more easily.
520 Progress, ricksgoodeats.ca
Buzzy news
Bar Ape‘s doing walk-ins again for their coveted soft serve gelato. The Rushton spot is now open on Saturday and Sunday and you need to pre-order Friday night for your weekend treats. As always, the flavours change constantly but recently they’ve had Ontario apricot, pomegranate and pistachio soft serve as well as coconut caramel sundaes.
Continuing the ice cream craze, Cabano’s Comfort Food added soft serve to their National Burger Day box last week, but as of June 2 it’s a permanent fixture on their summer menu.
There was a huge fire at Paramount Fine Foods in Mississauga on Monday. Luckily no one was injured, but the three-alarm fire destroyed the entire building, collapsing the roof.
The creators of Street Eats Market announced their Longest Dinner Table, a new dinner series aimed at creating communal outdoor dining spaces to help struggling food businesses and restaurants. The events will run from July to September, from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake to Ottawa.
Christian Hoang launched the Weston Seed Library at the Community Place Hub last month. It’s a food sovereignty and community care project to foster a deeper understanding of our connection to the food we eat. All the seeds are free for the community to take and grow their own food. Beans, zucchinis, broccoli, coriander, Brussels sprouts, tatsoi and more are available.
