The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (July 17-July 23)

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. Shake Shake Fries now on the menu at Hong Shing

Colin Li, owner of Hong Shing, has teamed up with the renowned hosts of the The Raptors Show, Will Lou and Alex Wong to add a new menu item, Shake Shake Fries ($8). A tasty snack Li recalls eating in Hong Kong, it's a bag full of hot, crispy fries served with a container of Hong Shing’s new ginger scallion seasoning that you can sprinkle in the bag and shake the bag to coat the fries. The dish is available for just three weeks, from July 21 to Aug. 11, and is available for takeout only via the restaurant.

2. Tim Hortons adds donut-flavoured coffee creamers to grocery shelves

Ever wished that your morning coffee could taste like your favourite donut? Tim Hortons Coffee Creamers, made with 100 per cent real Canadian dairy, are now available at your local grocery store in three iconic Tims flavours: Double Double, Vanilla Dip Donut and Chocolate Dip Donut. All three flavours in the Tim Hortons Coffee Creamer lineup are made with 100 per cent real Canadian dairy and do not contain artificial preservatives or added vegetable oils.

3. New coffee and ice cream cafe in Roncy

Roncesvalles just got a new café for coffee and ice cream! Cuptrio is a simple, chic café located at 36 Howard Park Ave., serving up specialty, certified fair-trade coffee from Ethiopia, and local ice cream and pastries. While guests will find staples like lattes and matcha on the menu, unique items such as the Zesty Shot – made with espresso and orange juice – take Cuptrio to the next level. Vegan ice cream and more substantial breakfast and lunch items are in the works for the near future.

4. New Italian bread and pastry shop opening on west end

gMercato is a new Italian bread and pastry shop coming to the Dufferin and Queen area, located at the base of The Brixton condos at 400 Dufferin St. The new shop will include two spaces: a dedicated café serving Lavazza coffee (from Torino, Italy), tea, locally sourced baked goods, in-house baked goods, and artisanal gelato; and a boutique, Italian-focused food market. The food market will carry produce, imported Italian goods, and curated local Italian products, such as fresh pasta from Famiglia Baldassarre and items from Spaccio and Terroni. The team behind gMercato tells TasteToronto that the chef behind the space, Lorenzo, was born and raised in Italy, where he studied Food Science and Nutrition, and has since garnered over 19 years of experience in the industry in Italy and Canada. Chef-to-table prepared foods will include a hot table, pizza, panini, and pre-packaged meals. gMercato is slated to soft launch sometime in July and host a grand opening in August.

5. Garden Garden summer patio dance party is back on Ossington

Following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, GardenGarden’s late-night patio dance parties are back for the summer, packed with plenty of delicious food and drinks, eclectic rotating DJs and all-around good vibes. Every Sunday weather permitting, visitors can enjoy the outdoor space at 248 Ossington Ave. from 3 until 10 p.m. There is no cover charge to attend, and guests are asked to enter via Dundas St. W. For the latest information, including DJ line ups or food partners, visit their official Instagram page!

6. Alimentari Italian Grocer is moving to a bigger space

Alimentari Italian Grocery, your neighbourhood staple for fresh pastas and Italian delicacies, is moving to a larger location. Currently located at 325 Roncesvalles Ave., the new location is at 319 Roncesvalles Ave.—just two doors down! Alimentari will continue to offer its hands-on workshops, including pasta-making classes, as well as offer a wider product selection. Owners Christopher and Sarah aim to have the new space ready by July 21.

7. Midori Ramen launches Ramenlicious

Midori Ramen is bringing back its popular Ramenlicious event this summer. As a Tori Paitan (chicken broth) ramen restaurant, the chain opened its first location on Queen West at the beginning of 2021 after pandemic delays, and is rapidly growing.

The summer campaign features four new limited-time offer ramens, available for two weeks at a time. This year’s version includes the Wagyu-Uni (topped with torched wagyu + fresh uni), the Tori-Buta Paitan (a blend of chicken and pork broth), the Icy Spicy (a super spicy x ice cream ramen) and the Enoki Tsukemen (a dipping ramen).

8. SCHOOL extending brunch hours until 9 p.m.

Craving brunch for dinner? School restaurant, a popular Liberty Village spot, recently announced that it’s extending its brunch hours. Every Tuesday to Saturday, you can enjoy all your favourite brunch classics until 9 p.m., which means you can have your buttermilk fried chicken and waffles and a glass of wine for dinner with no judgement. School is currently open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

9. Clandestino Wine Bar leaves Queen St. W.

Clandestino Wine Bar is getting ready to welcome guests in mid-September. Following its last day of service two weeks ago at 1592 Queen St. W., the restaurant has relocated to Ossington Ave. at Dundas St. W. The official address will be announced via Instagram in the coming weeks. Most of the characteristics of Clandestino will remain the same, with features like the date night menu package continuing to be $100 per couple. Hours are to be extended, and Clandestino says it plans to offer late-night menu and bar specials on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

10. Rosalinda Restaurant celebrates 5 years of vibrant vegan cuisine

If ever there was a time to discover Rosalinda Restaurant, it's as the team celebrates 5 years of vegan excellence. With a parade of lively Mexican dishes, each crafted from a cornucopia of vegan ingredients, Rosalinda makes eating (plant-based or not), as riveting as can be. Enjoyed in the restaurant's lush indoor oasis, Rosalinda's various offerings — including vegan cocktails and a new placebo menu that paints abstinence in the sultry light you crave — are just what summer temps ordered. Enjoy a sampling of stellar dishes during Summerlicious, on until July 23rd, or visit any time a fiesta is in order. Rosalinda Restaurant is located at 133 Richmond Street West.

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