What started as a single deli counter on Leslie Street in Toronto has grown to become one of the city’s most significant landmark restaurants. The Pickle Barrel opened its doors in 1971 to a lineup of curious patrons ready to try the classic deli sandwich. Now as its 50th anniversary approaches, the restaurant is celebrating … Continued
Galya Loves Food grew out of what is becoming a familiar pandemic pivot story — one in which a long-time personal passion transforms into a successful business. Born in Jerusalem, Galya Sarner developed an interest in food at a young age when she began learning to cook from her mother. “Since I learned how to … Continued
Toronto restaurants that closed this week After temporarily shutting down in November, Toronto’s last remaining Apiecalypse Now! location has permanently closed. The beloved vegan pizza joint proclaimed “we are not a building though, and we are not done” in their farewell Instagram post and has promised something new in the next few months. Benihana at Fairmont … Continued
We don’t know about you but another lockdown and stay-at-home orders have us reaching for comfort food. When dry noodles and jarred sauces aren’t cutting it, chefs across the city are here to rescue you with their incredible pasta dishes. With both indoor and outdoor dining closed, some restaurants are even selling pasta meal kits … Continued
Golosita is bringing a new kind of Italian cuisine to the Yonge and Lawrence neighbourhood. Born in Naples, Italy, owner Davide Napoli spent several years travelling to different countries and working in Italian restaurants before settling in Toronto. He says travelling allowed him to see the various ways Italian cuisine is interpreted around the world. … Continued
For nearly a month, Canadian star chef (and all-around delight) Matty Matheson has been teasing something food-related and mouth-watering coming to Toronto over social media. Having finally opened on April 1, we now know that special something is Birria Balam (“balam” meaning jaguar), a pop-up at 147 Spadina Ave. dedicated to what else but birria, … Continued
Mohamed Haddis opened Ethiopian House, one of the first places to serve Ethiopian cuisine in Toronto, in 1996. He has worked nearly every day to keep it open since then and, for the restaurant’s 25th anniversary this year, Haddis was anticipating hosting a huge customer appreciation day. Instead, Ethiopian House has been closed since February, … Continued
Less than two weeks after giving restaurants the green light to reopen patios, the provincial government pulled the emergency brake last week due to rising COVID-19 case counts, meaning restaurants would need to close once again. After surprising Toronto restaurants with the news that outdoor dining could reopen on March 22, the new measures came … Continued
Summerhill Market’s new outpost in Forest Hill is its largest location yet, totalling 7,200 square feet and spanning two floors. Located on Eglinton just west of Avenue Road, the high-end grocery store has an intimate, inviting ambiance in spite of its significant size. There’s a massive parking lot found at the rear entrance, and the … Continued
Toronto restaurants that closed this week Café Plenty’s King West location has closed after 7 years, but you can still get takeout from their 250 Dundas Street outpost or their new pop-up at 138 Danforth. Another King West staple, the Citizen, is temporarily closing, promising a “brand new concept” for summer 2021. No further details … Continued
Soft-shell or hard-shell, with cilantro or without— whichever way you prefer them, tacos are the handheld favourite that’s always worth the mess. These are our picks for some of the best tacos in Toronto. Tres Compadres View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tres Compadres (@tres_compadres.to) Located inside the Folly … Continued
By Ron Johnson
It’s been a long winter but spring, it seems, is finally here. With the warmer weather comes the much-anticipated re-opening of restaurant patios just in time for Easter weekend. Few things will feel better than sitting on a patio eating food you didn’t have to cook, and these restaurants are topping off the warm weather … Continued
