From post-bar comfort food (Smoke’s Burritorie) to elevated bistro fare (Café Boulud) to a glorious array of desserts and coffee (Sweet Jesus) this has been a big week for Toronto restaurant openings. Here are the ones you should be paying attention to.
Just Opened
- Toronto’s most famous poutine chain has expanded considerably over the last few years. They have also diversified and today is opening day for Smoke’s Burritorie at 218 Adelaide St.
- Last Friday was the opening day for the entirely redone Café Boulud. Among the long list of changes are: a menu that is more recognizably rooted in French bistro tradition and a comfortable, cohesive decor.
- House of Chan, that north Forest Hill institution of steak and North Americanized Chinese food has reopened at its new location.
- If you didn't spend the weekend in TIFF rush lines or glued to the Jays-Yankees series, you probably heard that Toronto now has a Harry Potter themed bar. The owners of The Lockhart are being coy about the connection (no doubt for potential legal reasons) except when sharing updates like this one on Facebook.
- The southern-themed restaurant by Matt Blondin and The Food Dudes, called Omaw, has opened at 88 Ossington Ave.
- Sweet Jesus, the sister company to La Carnita, has opened at Adelaide and John. Their menu divides evenly between dessert treats like soft serve ice cream (get it while the weather stays warm) and a rainbow of coffee-based drinks.
Coming Soon
- The latest La Carnita, attached to the just mentioned Sweet Jesus, is set to open any time now.
- Judging on the liquor license application (Play Ping Pong Lounge) Riverside is about to join the games-themed bars craze.
Restaurant Coverage
- At Soi Thai on College, Karolyne Ellacott found real deal Thai food for her lunch pick.
- We broke the news that Kinton is opening their fifth location beside the original Guu on Church.
- Suresh Doss visited the new House of Chan, relocated further east on Eglinton to make way for the Eglinton crosstown LRT.
- We published our list of the best places to find a bowl of ramen. See which of your favourites made the cut.
- I got a first look at the reincarnated Café Boulud in the Four Seasons Hotel.
Changes and Other News
- Piola, the casual Italian joint on the south side of Queen West in Before Parkdale has closed. They were the ones that did all-you-can-eat gnocchi nights — not as delicious as it sounds.
