The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (May 29-June 4)

Written By

TasteToronto

almost 2 years ago

Check out what's happening in Toronto this week, from highly anticipated openings, closures, events, pop-ups and more -- the round-up is your number one source for staying up to date with Toronto's fast-paced food scene!

1. %Arabica adds matcha ice cream to the cafe menu

Yorkdale is home to Canada’s first %Arabica outpost, and is now launching the Japanese coffee shop’s newest offering: Matcha soft serve ice cream.

Served inside a modern, minimalistic space that’s Japanese-inspired and reminiscent of Kyoto, the matcha ice cream brings a sweet treat to the beloved, global menu, which is brimming with hand-crafted, specialty coffee beverages, including a matcha latte, espresso-based drinks and more. % Arabica’s matcha ice cream is soft serve, and adds to the brand’s one-of-a-kind experience.

2. Sukhothai opening new location in Markham

Sukhothai, a staple in the city for Northern Thai cuisine, is opening a new location in Markham, Ont. Run by husband and wife duo Chef Nuit Regular and Jeff Regular (PAI, Kiin, Selva, Rendezviews), Sukhothai currently has three locations in Toronto. The Markham restaurant will have all of the same menu favourites, like the creamy coconut yellow curry and the famous house pad Thai. As things get rolling, diners can expect spin-off dishes, too. Sukhothai’s newest restaurant is located at 2 Fenton Rd. Markham, Ont. and is open for dine-in as of next week.

3. New online grocery concept, Truffle Kings, launching this month

Missing the true taste of Italy here in Toronto? Truffle Kings is a new online grocery store that carries a collection of Italian luxury olive oils, balsamic vinegars and truffle-infused fine foods, like truffle honey and truffle pearls. The concept was launched by Marco Tallarico, a Canadian-Italian entrepreneur previously behind retailers Appliance Love, Merchant Broker and Sparkle Solutions. Orders can be placed from anywhere, and all Canadian orders are subject to a $10 flat shipping fee.

4. Mandy's and PAI team up for limited-edition Thai salad

Montreal-based salad bar, Mandy’s, and Toronto-based Thai restaurant, PAI, have teamed up for a limited-edition salad bowl that blends the distinct flavours of both restaurants. The Mandy’s x PAI Thai salad is a blend of fresh mixed greens, purple cabbage, red pepper, mango, peanuts and cilantro from Mandy’s, fused with the intense Thai flavours of Chef Nuit Regular’s spicy grilled chicken, crispy fried shallots, pickled onions, Thai basil and a sweet and tangy passion fruit dressing. The salad is available exclusively at PAI’s Castlefield and Liberty Village Kitchen Hub location until June 30.

5. Alobar Downtown is now taking reservations

Alobar Downtown, the latest venture from the Alo Food Group, is now taking reservations. Set to open any week now, Alobar Downtown is located at 150 York St. in the heart of Toronto. Along with its private catering company, the Alo Food Group is behind successful contemporary French restaurant, Alo (2015), as well as Aloette (2017), Alobar Yorkville (2018), Aloette Go (2021) and Alder (2022). With menus by Michelin-starred chefs Patrick Kriss & Rebekah Bruce, expect fine wines, choice seafood, grilled fish and prime chops. The new Alobar Downtown features a sleek and contemporary aesthetic with pale wood accents, tiled floors and plenty of natural light.

6. "Mystery Eats" is a dinner party experience where the restaurant is revealed the night before, and the menu the night of

The brains behind Madras Kaapi launch Mystery Eats: Toronto's first mystery dining experience where the address is revealed a day before the event and the menu once you’re seated at the table. They work with restaurants, culinary school grads, home chefs, and host events in unique places like artisanal grocery stores and coffee houses. Mysterious.

Mystery Eats was started by Shilpa Kotamarthi (founder of Madras Kaapi) and Samihan Sahni (culinary student and food enthusiast); they want to evolutionize dinner parties by bringing a small group of people together in unique places to have a great experience.

You can join the waitlist and learn more about Mystery Eats on their website.

7. MuddyCrops launches tropical delivery, Fruter, to source difficult-to-get fruits in Toronto

The folks behind Muddy Crops, a Toronto-based Ontario fruit and veg sourcing company who find unique, high-quality, Ontario-grown produce, have taken their sourcing talents internationally with Fruter, a tropical produce delivery service.

Fruter delivers premium tree-ripe fruit to homes, restaurants, hotels and small grocers in Southern Ontario. They work closely with farmers abroad to pick #1 grade fruits and veggies, making sure their clients only get the best. They find some really special stuff like Vietnamese purple star apples, Thai red jackfruit, and Indian kaser mangoes. If it’s categorized as a fruit, Fruter will find it.

You can purchase their incredible goods on their website.

8. Savour Summer with PC Insiders Report

Beyond the longer days, sparkling sunshine, packed parks and surplus of scantily-clad citizens, there's another surefire way for Toronto locals to know that summer has landed — the release of the PC Insiders Report Summer Edition. For the season, the team has dreamed up more than 50 new products guaranteed to turn meek hosts into party mavens, ready to entertain at a moment's notice. From freezer essentials to grilling must-haves you'll want on hand all season, the catalogue of new products will delight guests as it ensure you never break a sweat. Start the party with PC 4-Layer Loaded Pierogi Dip, PC Filipino Chicken Adobo Lumpia Spring Rolls and PC Chunky Guacamole. Explore global flavours with a PC Lobster Roll Kit, PC Carolina Gold Sauce Pork Back Ribs and PC Smokin' Stampede Corn Ribs. Then, end on a sweet note with PC Plant-Based Peanut Butter Delights and showstopping PC Ube Boba Cream Pie. Ready for a taste? Visit Loblaw stores and start savouring summer, now.

9. Chotto Matte introduces Fiesta del Sol Brunch

Chotto Matte's Fiesta del Sol brunch is the city's newest way to celebrate sunny Saturdays this summer. Inspired by Peru's famed Festival of Lights, the new brunch concept will be available every Saturday between 12pm and 4pm on Chotto Matte's newly refurbished and expanded patio space. Settle into the electric vibe and tropical flora of the restaurant's urban oasis and indulge in Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei fare, with choices ranging from Chotto Ceviche and King Oyster Mushroom Tostadas to Spicy Chicken Karaage, Charcoal Roasted Sweet Potato and Asado de Tira. With the option to enjoy free-flowing cocktails and wine, you can sample a selection of fruity, tropical sippers as you dine. From the Suika e Hibisco, made with Cazadores Blanco tequila, watermelon, cherry, hibiscus, mirin, rocoto, and lime, to the frothy, pineapple-forward Toropikaru, made with Havana 3 years old rum, there are no wrong choices. To book your table, visit Chottomatte.com.

10. Enjoy The Pint Public House’s latest frozen bar every Friday

With soaring temperatures, few things come close to a cold, crisp drink in beating the sweltering heat. With The Pint’s brand-new frozen bar, the respite you need will be available at a more elevated level.

Every Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Pint’s patio will be transformed into a mini vacation right in the heart of Toronto. Its latest project, Good Friday, will offer guests a brand-new frozen bar and exclusive menu, complete with frozen cocktails, fishbowls and delicious bite-sized snacks.

A few of the menu items can be found below:

Frozen Cocktails:

Peach Bellini (Peach, grenadine, triple sec, prosecco shooter)
Mango Tango (Mango, lime, passionfruit, vodka)
Bahama Mama (Lime, Piña Colada, orange juice, white rum, coconut rum shooter)‌

Frozen Fishbowls:

Beach bowl (Piña Colada, strawberry, coconut rum, triple sec, orange juice)
Hurricane bowl (Lemon, passion fruit, dark rum, white rum, grenadine)
Blue Lagoon (Lime, blue raspberry, white rum, blue curaçao)

Snacks:

Gluten-free guacamole: Made fresh to order, served with house-made tortilla chips and pineapple salsa. Seared spicy tuna is available for an added charge.
Ceviche: Shrimp, scallops, serrano chiles, watermelon radish and aguachile.
Corn ‘Ribs’: Served with a chipotle barbecue sauce and key-lime chilli popcorn

If you’re ever looking to be an ardent follower of the “Thank God It’s Friday” school of thought, The Pint Public House’s latest frozen bar is the place for you this summer.

11. Kasa Moto to kickstart its summer programming with a new Japanese tea ceremony experience, Sunday brunch and rooftop opening

As the summer is on the cusp of being fully underway, Yorkville’s Kasa Moto is putting its name in the mix to be one of THE destinations to visit during the season.

The upscale Japanese-inspired restaurant will launch its new Japanese tea ceremony, Sunday brunch and Bento Box lunch program to celebrate the highly-anticipated return of patio season. Beginning Tuesday, Kasa Moto’s summer programming will officially kick off along with the return of its lush patio sanctuary.

Culinary Director Jia Zou’s globally-inspired menu will feature the latest seasonal dishes on offer that combine local ingredients with Japanese techniques and flavours. The bright, shareable fare includes spinach goma-ae with sesame, rayu and black vinegar, a refreshing strawberry tomato salad with Ontario strawberry, heirloom tomato, whipped ricotta and shiso oil, savoury shrimp chilli noodles with tiger shrimp, egg noodles, chilli crunch and bonito flake as well as Inari Maki with house-marinated tofu, cucumber and shaved daikon.

The memorable culinary experiences at Kasa Moto are taken a notch higher by the ambiance of the rooftop terrace. The summer haven features a full-service bar, and this summer, guests can gorge on the Kasa tawa sushi platter and seasonal cocktail offerings. The Bento Box returns showcasing Chef Zou’s seasonal fare and Sunday brunches are getting a revamp with an all-you-can-eat menu.

With breathtaking views, plush cabanas and delectable food, Kasa Moto’s summer offerings make it one of the unmissable attractions during the warmer months.

12. Eva’s Port Credit is reopening June 1 — first 35 customers will get free ice cream

Eva’s Originial’s Port Credit location recently got franchised by a long-standing employee, and the grand re-opening under new ownership will take place on Thursday. To celebrate the occasion, the first 35 customers will get a free ice cream cone.

The store, located at 53 Lakeshore Road E., has plenty to offer beyond its ice cream-filled Chimney Cones (available in Piña Colada, Creamsicle and Raspberry Lemonade flavours and can be made as vegan options too) and classic Chimeny Cakes. It also has a full menu of vegan burgers and tacos from Guerilla Burger and Happy Taco. The restaurant also has plenty of indoor seating, making it the perfect destination for a day out.

The new owner/operator, Jose Zepada, began working at Eva’s in 2017 as a part-time server, and by working up the ladder found himself as the Operations Manager for all locations in 2019. When Eva’s began franchising, he jumped on the opportunity to take over Port Credit.

“I come from an entrepreneurial family and owning and growing my own business has been a dream of mine,” Zepada said. “Eva’s was a natural step due to my familiarity with the team and the amazing opportunities I see in Port Credit.”

Eva’s is in the process of franchising across Canada, with opportunities present in all provinces. Its Bloor and Square One stores will shortly reopen as well with new franchisees.

Head on over to Eva’s Port Credit on Thursday to catch its reopening — and grab a free ice cream cone in the process if you’re lucky!

13. Pucker up for Pride Month with a free sandwich from SkipTheDishes

Get the Pride Month party started with SkipTheDishes, and the new Zestie Bestie Caesar Sub — a zingy sandwich created in collaboration with Grandma Loves You and Lemon, of Canada's Drag Race fame. The edible equivalent of Lemon's vibrant personality, the substantial sub is piled high with creamy avocado, bright lemon Caesar dressing, fresh lettuce, piquant hot peppers, crispy onions and lashings of Parmesan cheese. Available exclusively through Grandma Loves You on Skip during the month of June, the sandwich will also be available to sample for free (while quantities last), at Glad Day Bookshop on June 2nd, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Throughout the month, $2 from every 12-inch and $1 from every 6-inch sub sold will be donated to Friends of Ruby thanks to Grandma Loves You. "This initiative will do so much more than satisfy cravings and will help Friends of Ruby to provide programs and services to youth in need," said Lemon in a press release. Skip will also be donating $20,000 to Friends of Ruby to help vulnerable youth in our communities. "Skip is a long-standing supporter of 2SLGBTQIA+ organisations working to improve inclusion and equality from coast to coast," said Melanie Fatouros-Richardson, Head of Communications at Skip, in a press release. "We're always looking for new and meaningful ways to give back to the communities we serve and are proud to help support the work Friends of Ruby is doing for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in need." This month, be like Lemon and sashay your way to a brighter future for all, and a Zestie Bestie Caesar Sub from Skip.

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