The traditional January reboot has taken hold of Toronto’s restaurant scene. Caren’s is closing their Yorkville location to focus on Rosedale, where Doria has closed for a concept switch and Blowfish is shut for renovations until spring. In the new column, Ufficio, Mercat del Carmn and Swan Dive Bar have opened and a new Lil’ Baci is on the radar.
Just Opened
- Last week, the doors to the space that was The Grove reopened as Ufficio. The menu, which Campagnolo’s Craig Harding consulted on, will only include pescatarian dishes based on seafood and vegetable ingredients.
- Mercat del Carmen is casual Spanish cafe with breakfast and pintxos. The add-on to Carmen also features an array of imported pantry and locally sourced meats and eggs.
- With the opening of Swan Dive Bar (Alex Trebek would approve of the name), Dundas West has another watering-hole option. This one features beers by Duggan’s Brewery on tap.
Coming Soon
- Lil’ Baci is opening their third location to add to the family that includes ones on Queen East and on Yonge in midtown. This one will be at the corner of Christie and Davenport.
Restaurant Coverage
- For her lunch pick, Karolyne Ellacott went with the Alsatian-style quiche from Patisserie La Cigogne.
- A mixed review from Joanne Kates for Figo: very good food, but the service needs work.
- We got a first look at Magic Noodle on Harbord, the chain’s third noodle dispensary.
Changes and Other News
- After a twelve-year run, Caren’s Wine Bar in Yorkville at 158 Cumberland St. is closing this week. Devotees have until the closing bash on January 16 to say their farewells. After that, focus will shift to the second location, Caren’s Rosedale at 1118 Yonge St., which opened last summer.
- Late last month, GLAS Wine Bar announced that they would be closing after four years in Leslieville. BlogTO reports that a restaurant called Greta Solomon’s Dining Room will be taking over the space.
- Rosedale’s Doria on Yonge has closed for renovations. Adrian Niman of the Food Dudes tells me by email that “our plan was to always close Doria down at the end of the year and bring a new concept to Rosedale.”
- The recorded answering machine message at Blowfish’s King St. location says that they are “closed for reconstruction and will be re-opening in mid-March.” Apparently, the Bay St. location is still open.
