GQ Magazine published an article this week where David Chang wrote that “every chef is talking about the need to develop lower-cost restaurant concepts that can be replicated in different locations.” Going by the number of new openings this week that are second spots, sometimes of the same or similar concept, it looks like Toronto is right on trend.
Just Opened
- Kwan pared down their menu (all-day dim sum, more or less) for their second location, open this week at York Mills and Leslie.
- Hemant Bhagwani (formerly Amaya, now Indian Street Food Co.) has expanded his tip-free empire to Thornhill with Fat Beet.
- One of the owners of Jatujak has teamed up with a former Khao San Road partner to open Kub Khao, a mainly-takeout Thai spot at Birchmount and Sheppard.
- Dine.to reports that Scarborough joined the boil-seafood-in-a-bag trend when The Boil Bar opened on Silver Star Blvd.
Coming Soon
- Flock, the rotisserie chicken and salad concept by Cory Vitiello, is opening a third location downtown, at 67 Richmond St. W., according to this job ad.
- Chefs Christian Fontolan (Vertical, Romagna Mia) and Edward Furlani (Cafe Bar Pasta) are opening Oretta this spring.
Changes and Other News
- April 5 is the launch date for the Starbucks Evenings concept that we first reported on in December 2015. Stores at 3079 Bloor St. W., 446 Spadina Rd. and 1740 Avenue Rd. will be the first to test the concept that includes wine (some of it VQA), craft beer by Amsterdam and Muskoka and a food menu that includes items like Artichoke and Goat Cheese Flatbread and Truffle Mac and Cheese.
- For the first time in 140 years, U of T students are without a default setting for their Thursday night debauchery. The iconic Brunswick House (or "the Brunny" to just about everyone) held a final farewell party last night.
- Word came by press release that Susur Lee is bringing Iron Chef Bobby Flay to town on April 25 for a special collab dinner at Fring’s.
