The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (April 24-April 30)

Written By

TasteToronto

over 1 year 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. Celebrate the Kentucky Derby at Louix Louis

If you live for the excitement of the greatest two minutes in sports, you'll want to direct yourself, and your most spectacular hat, toward Louix Louis this May 6th. In partnership with Maker's Mark Bourbon, The St. Regis Toronto's poshest gathering spot is hosting A Celebration of Kentucky's Annual Big Race. In honour of the 149th iteration of the event, guests will enjoy a Maker's Mark tasting, requisite Mint Juleps, passed canapés, live jazz, and the chance to win one of several prizes. The dapperest duds will score dinner for two at Louix Louis, afternoon tea at Astor Lounge, or a towering slice of St. Regis' renowned King Cake. Reserve your spot through Opentable.com, then look snappy by 5 p.m., on May 6th.

2. REN Vodka partners with visual artist Black Power Barbie

If you believe in supporting local artists and businesses while celebrating our vibrant city, you'll want to add REN Premium Vodka to your shopping cart, ASAP. Launched April 23rd, REN's newest, limited-edition run features a box designed by Toronto-based Black Power Barbie (aka visual artist Amika Cooper), and the company's refined, velvety, crystal clear ultra premium spirit. Known for her funky, feminist style, and for her love for Toronto and its diversity, Cooper counts Apple Inc., the Toronto Maple Leafs, TIFF, and now REN among her distinguished clientele. With only 500 REN x Black Power Barbie boxes available at LCBO locations across the GTA, act fast to avoid missing out.

3. Compass Group publishes a free cookbook to help stop food waste

Stop Food Waste Day is April 26, and Compass Group is offering Canadians helpful tips from culinary experts, promoting education and awareness to help individuals make small changes to reduce surplus food.

Compass recently published a free, downloadable cookbook with updated recipes that helps Canadians with the mission of reducing food waste. It features 45 recipes from 30 global chefs, including Canadian Chef Kory Dipucchio’s Gourmet Panzanella Salad. New recipes include ingredients like leftover bread, wonky vegetables, and potatoes. Find the cookbook online here.

4. Karen’s Diner with rude service opening on St. Clair West

A new pop up restaurant is coming to Toronto, and kindness is not on the menu. Karen’s Diner is open inside the Shoeless Joe’s at 1980 St. Clair Ave. W. from April 22 to May 14, offering hilariously rude staff and delicious comfort food like burgers and sodas.

The pop-up is part of a global tour that has already stopped across Canada, the UK and even Australia, and each spot offers a customized menu that’s specific to the venue. But, the famously terrible service (something a true Karen would complain about) remains, and the 50s-style backdrop only adds to the fun. Tickets for the event can be purchased online.

5. Blue Jays player teams up with A&W for limited edition burger

For a limited time, Canadians can enjoy A&W’s new Ringer Burger, which is a collaboration between A&W Canada and the legendary baseball father-son duo, Blue Jays', Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his MLB Hall of Fame father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr. Topped with A&W's famous onion rings, a beef patty, smoky BBQ sauce, bacon, provolone cheese, as well as fresh red onion, lettuce, tomato and pickle, this is the fast food chain’s most loaded burger yet. The Ringer Burger can also be ordered as the Ringer Papa Burger, complete with an extra beef patty. The Ringer Burger currently retails for $9.99, or $14.59 as a combo with fries and a drink.

6. Tim Hortons launches Everything Croissant Breakfast Sandwich

Looking for the perfect thing to pair with your morning Double Double? With the launch of the Everything Croissant Breakfast Sandwich, Canadians everywhere can enjoy their favourite breakfast sandwich, now on a buttery croissant. The sandwich features a freshly-cracked egg, your choice of bacon or sausage, and a slice of sharp cheddar. Of course, the Everything Bagel BELT is still around too, for those looking to add lettuce and tomato to their breakfast sandwich.

7. Side Launch Brewing Co. debuts new look; return of the Hibiscus Sour

Side Launch Brewing Company is showing off a new logo and a revamped brand identity that is more representative of its roots in Collingwood, Ont. Prominently featuring a ship icon, the logo pays homage to Collingwood's rich industrious and shipbuilding heritage, which mandated ships be launched sideways into the harbour due to restrictions. Craft beer lovers can expect to see the updated clean and colourful Side Launch cans rolling onto LCBO, grocery and Beer Store shelves in the coming weeks. Two popular brews, the Hibiscus and Passionate sour, are also making a comeback that coincides with the launch.

8. Premium $120 tequila, Herradura Ultra, launching soon at LCBO

Visitors to the LCBO will soon find a new tequila on the shelf. Herradura, one of the oldest tequila labels in the world, recently launched the Herradura Ultra. Made with one of the brand’s finest añejos, this is a silver tequila that’s been aged in American White Oak barrels for 25 months, and then filtered to remove colour and enhance smoothness. The taste evokes subtle notes of cooked agave, caramel, and honey with toasted almonds and a velvety finish. The new, premium tequila will be available at select LCBO stores starting on April 24 for $120 CAD (750 ml).

9. Dufflet Pastries closing WQW location, focusing on wholesale

After 48 years of serving Toronto some of the sweetest treats in town, Dufflet Pastries is closing the doors of its flagship retail location.

Located at 787 Queen Street West, the café will officially close for business on Saturday, April 29. Instead, Dufflet Pastries is focusing on its wholesale business, which has grown massively in the last few years. "We are incredibly grateful to our loyal customers who have supported us over the years at our Queen Street West location," said Dufflet Pastries' Founder, Dufflet Rosenberg. "This decision is about our future and aligns with our long-term business strategy to focus on our wholesale operations, which have experienced significant growth in recent years.” adds Daniele Bertrand, co-owner, Dufflet Pastries.

Fans can still purchase goods online as well as in retail stores like Loblaws, Metro and Pusateri’s.