By Nikki Gill
The Hudson’s Bay company announced this morning on its Instagram page that it has taken the Fifteen Percent Pledge. The pledge is an initiative started by Aurora James — Toronto-born and U.S.-based fashion designer behind Brother Vellies — last year as an initiative combat the effects of systemic racism in both the U.S. and Canada. … Continued
Toronto chef Rachel Adjei is bringing traditional African cuisine to Sara restaurant this weekend. The limited-time menu is part of the restaurant’s You + Me + Sara series, a bi-weekly pop-up dedicated to highlighting Toronto’s lesser-known culinary talents. This week’s pop-up introduces diners to Adjei’s not-for-profit food initiative the Abibiman Project, which aims to celebrate … Continued
By lindsaylow
We round up some of the go-to comfort foods that have been getting us through the ongoing lockdown. BEST ‘ZA AMBASSADOR PIZZA CO. Ambassador Pizza Co. has introduced Toronto to the unusual but much-loved Windsor-style pie. Signature toppings in the Rose City include canned mushrooms and lots of shredded pepperoni. GHOST PIZZA A pivot by … Continued
By lindsaylow
THE FOOD ADVOCATES We highlight some of the local figures who helped support important Toronto restaurant industry causes this year. JEN AGG The always-outspoken restaurateur has garnered support via social media for industry issues, ranging from paid sick days for hospitality workers to the negative impacts of SkipTheDishes partnership with the LCBO. VICTOR BARRY The … Continued
By lindsaylow
The past year has brought a never-ending series of challenges for Toronto’s restaurant industry. The ongoing strife, however, has driven innovation. Looking back at the past year, it’s truly amazing that restaurants have been able to stay open at all, let alone manage to delight and surprise us with multi-course takeout tasting menus, thoughtful cocktail … Continued
For years, For Your Eyes Only held the space at 536 King Street West and stood ground as one of Toronto’s last remaining strip clubs. When it shuttered in August 2020 after the owners sold the building that housed it, the vacant space raised a lot of questions. What would take over the massive space … Continued
Why open a restaurant during a pandemic? It was actually the perfect opportunity, says Thanawat Khamchum (T), co-owner of Yaksha South East Asian Eatery. The exodus of restaurants from midtown helped T and his wife, Sue, secure their new space at 2109 Yonge Street, as many landlords reduced prices to try and attract new tenants. … Continued
Toronto restaurants that closed this week Maiz Arepa’s Queen West location has permanently closed. In what has become a sadly familiar type of Instagram post, chef Fernando Sequeda shared “unfortunately, our restaurant has not been approved for many of the government support[s] and it’s almost impossible to keep running out of our pocket with all … Continued
The staff of Tondou Ramen have been staying positive and working together to keep their spirits afloat since early Tuesday morning, when the beloved College Street restaurant was broken into. Although no one was injured, a stranger did smash through the restaurant’s front door and emptied the register. In an Instagram post, which included security … Continued
By Ron Johnson
It’s hard enough running one restaurant kitchen during the pandemic. Try three. That’s exactly what the staff at Flor Mexicana are doing with three different businesses with three different menus operating out of Lula Lounge at Dundas and Brock. Chef Javier Romero and his team run Pizza Azul, fried chicken sandwich shop Bird Box along … Continued
By Nikki Gill
It may be a gloomy day in May, but there is still reason to celebrate — it’s Cinco de Mayo. So we looked back at our Taste Test with chef Mark McEwan where he sampled the city’s best-known purveyors of Mexican street corn — or elotes. Whose kernels rule supreme? Read on to find out. … Continued
Toronto will soon have a new destination for summer’s best comfort food. Coco Market founder Orlee Wertheim says that opening a vegan, sugar-free ice cream shop has been a long-time goal. “The best summer activity is going for a walk and getting an ice cream,” she says. “I always thought that option was missing for … Continued
