Friday Restaurant Recap rounds up the week’s Toronto restaurant news. In this edition: a long-awaited Italian restaurant finally opens, a frozen yogurt shop opens in January, an old brunch favourite returns to Dundas West and more.
Opening soon
- Chef Cory Vitiello, owner of The Harbord Room, is slated to open a new restaurant in mid-April. Taking over Messis’ former spot, the restaurant will house 65 seats inside and 60 seats on the outdoor corner patio. Though the name is yet to be announced, Vitello promises an “accessible neighbourhood theme.” We hope that means a delectable brunch. [National Post]
- The Burger’s Priest is going for a hat trick. Owner Shant Mardirosian is opening a third Priest location on Queen Street West, right across from Banh Mi Boys. But there won’t be any turf war here: Mardirosian told Now Magazine that he “asked [Banh Mi Boys] for permission before he signed the lease.” The plan is for a mid-May opening. [Now Magazine]
Newly opened
- After many delays, Porzia has finally opened its doors. Chef Basilio Pesce serves up dishes such as eggplant involtini, capicola cotto and pork belly with cannellini beans. What would Italian cuisine be without a few dishes us commoners can’t pronounce? [Porzia]
- Moving into the former Double Deuce Saloon space on Queen West is Happy Child, a new resto-bar with heavy throwbacks to fast-food culture. Happy Child’s menu should produce happy adults; everything on it is $10. [Read our post here]
- If there was one month when someone shouldn’t open a frozen yogurt shop in Toronto, it was this one, when temperatures dropped to a two-year low. And if frozen yogurt was the Red Bench’s sole M.O., it may have been in trouble. Thankfully, The Red Bench also serves up loose leaf tea and made-to-order cookies in addition to the frozen treat. [BlogTO]
- Replacing Vecchio Frak is Ryoji Ramen and Izakaya. Though the brand already has 11 locations in Okinawa, Japan, Toronto is the first international location. [Read our post here]
- Following in the footsteps of other local breweries, Ossington’s Bellwoods Brewery has opened up its own retail store. The swanky alternative to the LCBO or The Beer Store is open seven days a week, from noon to 11 p.m., except on Sundays (when it closes at 6 p.m.). [Bellwoods Brewery]
Closing
- It’s only been a few short months since its big renovation, but Prague European Kitchen has closed (again). New owners are taking over the place on Feb. 1. [Toronto Life]
Change-ups
- Around The Corner, the sister restaurant to The Village Butcher, is closing for a few weeks due to renovations. Owner Mark Ali says he’s unsure when the quaint organic breakfast spot will reopen its doors.
- Winterlicious isn’t the only thing going on at Kultura. The restaraunt has added 22 new items (15 of them tapas) to the menu. [Kultura]
- The Hoof Café has returned in the form of a “permanent pop-up” at Hoof Raw Bar, much to the delight of anyone visiting the Dundas West area. Sit down for some new concoctions like the octo and grits ($16), but stay for the breakfast cocktails. [Read our story here]