News   Dec 05, 2025
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News   Dec 05, 2025
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News   Dec 05, 2025
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Restaurant Comings & Goings

I just found this!

This looks really good might have to stop by!




"Named after the Thai word for coconut, we are a delicious expansion of Koh Lipe, Toronto's Michelin Guide gem. What started as a dessert passion has blossomed into a vibrant menu of snacks, toasts, and adventurous Thai-inspired gelato.

We're not just serving gelato—we're pushing flavour boundaries! Proudly the first to offer savoury Thai ice cream, we elevate Thailand's wild flavours with delightful surprises.

Join us for authentic Thai flavours in a fun, welcoming space that you'll keep coming back for more!"
 

"It all started with baguettes and foie gras. When Arnaud Presti first opened La Boulangerie Dundas, it was a polished little pantry selling Petite Thuet sourdough, fancy dijon, cheese, sausage and French bonbons to go. Presti launched the shop in the wake of the pandemic, after Covid wiped out his event business and left him with a stockpile of gourmet goods and nowhere to serve them. The pantry model worked—at first. But, as inflation kicked in and the cost of foie gras skyrocketed, demand dipped."

website is this: https://laboulangeriedundas.com/

Art's opinion: Look cool! but still tryna figure out if the menu is shareable or grab and go coffee! is this another faux paux french food idk maybe Im not getting the culinary scene!

@Northern Light @AlbertC you have any opinion on this?
 
Art's opinion: Look cool! but still tryna figure out if the menu is shareable or grab and go coffee! is this another faux paux french food idk maybe Im not getting the culinary scene!

@Northern Light @AlbertC you have any opinion on this?

So its eclectic and transitional. The space functions as bakery/cafe - Coffee, Pastries, light food, provisions during the day, transitions to full-on Bistro at night.

Okay. Interesting model. Good on them if they are making it work. Its not the first place to do this, we've got a few Coffee Shop by day, Wine bar by night spots around town.

I think its a tough model in that you typically need to carry a larger inventory for different menu positioning and you may need to close mid to late after noon to shuffle the layout of things and transition the kitchen for night service.
* They close from 3-5:30 W, and 4-5:30 Th,F

But its certainly interesting.

Only doing dinner service 3 nights a week.

Bistro is not shareable.

The Bistro menu, given the ingredient quality and chef pedigree is value-priced:

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The Wine List has some generally good values, most glasses at 14, Bottles 50-55.

Markups are in the 150-200% range, which is typical (vs retail), I'd like to see the industry dialing those back a bit with the licensee discounts. Ford has said he'll increase those to 15% Still inadequate (Wholesale should not exceed 60% of retail). But I think seeing the markups come down to 125% of retail, or less is where the industry needs to be.
 

The idea for Taqueria Vegana was technically born when Karla Hernández, a vegan, started dating Abel Páez, a chef. But we have to backtrack a bit first. The two met in 2013, in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where they’re both from, but their relationship then was a platonic one. When Páez moved to Toronto in 2015, they stayed in touch and eventually started a long-distance relationship. Hernández came to visit in March of 2020, right before the first of many Covid lockdowns. Five years later, she’s still here and they’re still together.

Art: looks interesting, open to trying it!
 

"Inspired by that liminal space, this spot is less about serving textbook recipes and more about recreating the experience of Thailand: markets, mingling and meals with a strong sense of place and memory. Jeff met Nuit while he was backpacking in Thailand, so hubs like Tha Phae hold extra significance for the couple."

Lol why is toronto going thru an explosive growth of thai restaurants!
 

Amelia’s Market, housed in the former Tulip Variety space just off of Geary, is a one-stop shop, offering local and Canadian goods as well as a selection of lunch plates to stay or go. Partners Aaron Brandolino (La Palma, Archive) and Andrea Thomas opened the casual 18-seat space last August, with a goal to build something they felt the neighbourhood was missing. “Andrea and I have lived in the area since 2017, and it’s amazing to see Geary bubbling with amazing new places,” says Brandolino. “But we wanted to open a place we needed—somewhere to buy great produce and a hunk of good cheese.” And since opening, they’ve added more than just fresh veggies and cheese.
 

"Toronto’s newest champagne lounge — hidden in plain sight located at 455 King St W., Toronto, Ontario M5V1K4"

At Discreta, every element is considered. Every experience, intentionally curated.
Whether you’re unwinding in the privacy of our VIP lounge or moving with the rhythm of our live DJ on the floor, Discreta is the kind of place you arrive at with intention—and leave wanting more

Art's thoughts: Does toronto really need a discreet champagne lounge?
 

"Sammarco is an interpretation of a classic Italian steakhouse by Michelin-starred chef Rob Rossi and David Minicucci, the founders that brought the city Giulietta and Osteria Giulia. "

Art's thoughts: this looks pretty good and seems legit!
 

"Building permits from late 2023 and a signage permit application from mid-April unearthed by blogTO reveal that Jacobs, along with bistro-diner Aloette, will soon take up commercial spaces within the 2022-completed office tower located directly across Bay Street from the Scotiabank Arena."
 
Two more steakhouses right in the financial district. The expense accounts must be coming back in a big way! I'll have to get a lunch invite to try out the Rob Rossi place.

I have to admit, I had read about both of these separately, but I think I thought they were the same place.

Also in the financial district, I walked by 120 Adelaide on my way to Assembly Chef's Hall for lunch. There are signs up for a place called Every Side Brewery, looks like it's going to be pretty large. Possibly reusing equipment from the old 3 Brasseurs which was there?

www.drinkeveryside.com
 

"Building permits from late 2023 and a signage permit application from mid-April unearthed by blogTO reveal that Jacobs, along with bistro-diner Aloette, will soon take up commercial spaces within the 2022-completed office tower located directly across Bay Street from the Scotiabank Arena."
I hope that Aloette isn’t moving from Queen-Spadina.
 
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Toronto Life's list of top 20 new restaurants for 2025.

Not that I've been to any of these yet (lol), but a notable snub that comes to mind would be Eric Chong's high end dining concept, AKin restaurant.



1 General Public
2 Yan Dining Room
3 Stop Restaurant
4 Maven
5 Jamil’s Chaat House
6 Linny’s
7 Louf
8 Martine’s Wine Bar
9 LSL
10 Arbequina
11 Dopamina
12 Occhiolino
13 Pii Nong Thai
14 Ayla
15 Bonito’s
16 Casa Morales
17 Bar Clams
18 Amber Kitchen
19 Belle Isle
20 Ariete e Toro
 
Toronto Life's list of top 20 new restaurants for 2025.

Not that I've been to any of these yet (lol), but a notable snub that comes to mind would be Eric Chong's high end dining concept, AKin restaurant.



1 General Public
2 Yan Dining Room
3 Stop Restaurant
4 Maven
5 Jamil’s Chaat House
6 Linny’s
7 Louf
8 Martine’s Wine Bar
9 LSL
10 Arbequina
11 Dopamina
12 Occhiolino
13 Pii Nong Thai
14 Ayla
15 Bonito’s
16 Casa Morales
17 Bar Clams
18 Amber Kitchen
19 Belle Isle
20 Ariete e Toro
And I've heard of exactly none of these!
 

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