Yorkdale Shopping Centre is getting a huge expansion this year that will see 145,000 square feet added to the already immense shopping giant. Yet while the addition of 40 new stores is sure to get our retail juices flowing, we’re more excited about the plans for a brand new food court — or rather, a “food collection,” as the mall’s media reps would have you call it — which will provide a much needed revamp of the mall’s dining options.
The new dining area on the third level of the mall — inventively titled Dine on 3 — will have double the seating capacity of the old food court, as well as a host of fancy flourishes such as skylights and a seasonal patio.
Artistic renderings released on the Yorkdale website depict a modern space, with the various food retailers “collected” around the periphery (we think we’re getting the hang of this!), with enough exposed wood and strategically-placed pillars to please any aesthetically-minded consumer.
Taking a page out of the Eaton Centre’s book, the new dining area will include reusable plates and cutlery designed to reduce waste by 85 per cent — which is all well and good, but what we really want to know is what we’re going to be satisfying our taste buds with after a long day of retail therapy.
According to media representative Adrienne Simic, Dine on 3 will contain a wide selection of vendors — 19 in total. Some, including New York Fries, Subway, Teriyaki Experience, KFC, A&W, Manchu Wok, Thai Express and Jimmy the Greek, will have relocated from the former food court (while others that used to call Yorkdale home — Bourbon Street Grill, Arby’s, Taco Villa, Cultures and Mrs. Vanellies — have got the axe).
But while the loss of Arby’s may pain some fast food diehards, there are going to be a number of exciting new additions to the dining roster. We’re especially excited about the new Big Smoke Burger, and we’ll also be sure to hit up the burritos at Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Other new options include smoothie favourite Booster Juice, Chinese restaurant Shanghai 360, Italian-style gelateria La Paloma, Villa Madina and many more (the full roster of vendors will be revealed in June).
There will also be three larger restaurants: a new Amaya location, Su&Shi — which will provide diners with a sit-down sushi experience — and Famoso, a popular Neapolitan pizza chain from Alberta that’s making inroads into Ontario.
Hungry yet? Have no fear — while the new retail space isn’t set to open until late 2012, the food collection is scheduled to open on June 2.
Now the hard part will be deciding what to get. Personally, we’re leaning towards Chipotle, with a Booster Juice on the side. And maybe some New York Fries for dessert.
