An award-winning Toronto dim sum restaurant is opening a new location at Yonge and Charles later this summer. While this is great news for Yorkville residents who love Pearl Chinese Cuisine, it also could pose as major competition for Dynasty, another high-end dim sum restaurant that’s been in the neighbourhood for over a decade.
Pearl Harbourfront is well-known for both stunning waterfront views, and its extensive menu of Chinese cuisine, including rice noodles, dim sum, cooked meats and fish and stir-fried vegetables. The new space will be the fourth Pearl location in the GTA. In addition to its original location on the Harbourfront, the dim sum hotspot currently has operations in Bayview Village Shopping Centre and Oakville.
Though the restaurant is keeping tight-lipped about details on the Yorkville storefront, they do suggest it will be very similar to the Harbourfront location, both providing an elevated dining experience and a menu that’s focused on authentic Chinese cuisine.
While Pearl’s original location on the Toronto Harbourfront is the only high-end dim sum in the area, the new location will be opening just around the corner of Dynasty Chinese Cuisine, which is open at 69 Yorkville Avenue. Will Pearl be able to compete with Dynasty’s beloved General Tao’s Chicken and popular “har gow” steam buns? Or will Pearl’s signature pan-fried hockey pucks, and special fried rice have the power to woo Dynasty’s even most loyal Yorkville customers?
Dynasty already faced fear in being booted out of the neighbourhood 18 months ago when a proposal was submitted to the city to turn the building into a 29-floor, mixed-use building with 143 units. Though it doesn’t look like the city will be approving the proposal anytime soon, it could mean that Dynasty would have to relocate to accommodate construction.
Is there enough demand in Yorkville for two high-end dim sum restaurants?
Pearl will be opening in early July at 730 Yonge St.
