Another much-missed Toronto restaurant, Dreyfus, has reopened for takeout, as the hospitality industry continues to adapt to the new normal amid the pandemic. The homey French bistro helmed by an alumnus of Montreal’s famed Joe Beef restaurant had been widely praised since opening in the spring of 2019. The restaurant initially opted not to pivot … Continued
The City of Toronto has announced a program that will make it easier for restaurants and bars to open new outdoor dining spaces, as well as expand their existing ones. Mayor John Tory shared the news of CaféTO‘s launch on Thursday morning. The program will allow businesses to temporarily operate in public spaces that are … Continued
The owner of Pam’s Roti Shop is turning to the community for support to avoid eviction. In a Facebook post earlier this week, Pam Singh shared that her landlord is threatening to close her long-running Bloorcourt restaurant. She writes that her landlord has refused to apply for the federal-provincial rent relief program, which would provide … Continued
Black squares filled our social media feeds yesterday in support of #BlackOutTuesday, but some Toronto businesses want to do more than offer silent solidarity with the movement. Although most are facing financial struggles amid the pandemic, these local establishments are pledging donations to anti-racism initiatives. Extra Burger View this post on Instagram … Continued
The #BlackOutTuesday movement has taken over social media feeds around the world — with people everywhere encouraging supporters to amplify Black voices, support Black businesses, and donate to the cause. For those seeking a small way to make a positive impact here in Toronto, we’ve rounded up some excellent Black-owned restaurants that are currently open … Continued
Tennessee Tavern, Parkdale’s outpost for Eastern European eats, has closed to make way for a new concept. Owner Grant van Gameren has already replaced the restaurant, known for its all-you-can-eat pierogi nights, with a pizza and burger joint called Gianna’s. Launched last Friday, Gianna’s is offering Detroit-style pizza and unfussy burgers for curbside pick-up or … Continued
Toronto’s takeout options keep getting better and better, with Michelin-starred chef Akira Back’s restaurant Dasha launching pick-up and delivery this week. The splashy King West restaurant is known for its inventive Chinese fare and private karaoke rooms. The takeout menu gives diners a bit of the Dasha experience at home (and who’s to say you … Continued
When Lambretta Pizzeria announced its permanent closure at the end of April, it looked like the pandemic had claimed another neighbourhood favourite. Now, largely thanks to community support, the Roncesvalles pizzeria is coming back to life. Owner Celina Blanchard says she felt like she had no choice but to shut down the restaurant after she … Continued
Long-running Toronto bakery Dufflet Pastries is permanently closing its location near Yonge and Eglinton after 18 years. The announcement, which was made on the Facebook pages of both Dufflet and the Uptown Yonge BIA, states that the bakery will not be reopening after the pandemic. Best known for its small rectangular cakelets, the bakery’s original … Continued
It might be one of the most challenging times in memory to take a chance on opening a new restaurant but Pompette, a new French restaurant in Little Italy, is finding a way to make it work. Maxime Hoerth, co-owner of Pompette, says the restaurant, which opened on May 8, had been three years in … Continued
Pivoting to takeout and delivery has been a particular challenge for Toronto’s upscale restaurants, many of which have menus that don’t easily translate from dine-in to take home. While some have overcome the hurdle by introducing meal kits or special set menus, others have focused on warming our hearts with unfussy, comfort food fare. … Continued
A new partnership between the City of Toronto and ordering platform Ritual could be good news for restaurants, as the debate around the steep fees charged by third-party delivery apps continues to heat up. Mayor John Tory announced today that the city is teaming up with Ritual to offer local businesses an affordable solution for … Continued
