The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (April 10-April 16)

Written By

TasteToronto

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. Gus Tacos opens a new location east of Toronto

Gus Tacos, home of the $5 taco, is opening a new location at 2893 Kingston Rd. Known for its traditional Mexican eats that include cheesy quesadillas, hearty burritos and mouth-watering tacos, the franchise currently has four other locations in the city, serving neighbourhoods like the Junction and Kensington Market. This is the brand’s first venture outside of the GTA. The new Scarborough location is on a busy stretch of Kingston Rd. that includes a mix of commercial buildings and residential homes. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for further updates!

2. Muskoka Spirits unveils new premium cocktails

If you subscribe to the notion that warm weather is best enjoyed with a refreshing, ready-to-drink cocktail at hand, Muskoka Spirits wholeheartedly concurs. Arriving on shelves as the days lengthen, the robins fatten, and your moratorium on outdoor activities lifts, Muskoka Spirits' new premium cocktails will see you through the year's most bearable seasons. In the lineup, find bar-quality Nitro Muskoka Raspberry Gin Fizz, and grapefruit-forward Muskoka Long Drink, in addition to the company's beloved Hard Sparkling Waters, now available in gathering-appropriate mixed packs of 12. Shop online at Muskokabrewery.com, or head to your nearest LCBO to find your fave.

3. Casa Madera launches new Happy Hour menu

Casa Madera, the upscale Mexican restaurant located inside 1 Hotel Toronto, has launched a new happy hour menu. Available as of April 18, Casa Madera’s happy hour menu can be enjoyed from Tuesday to Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. Discounted Casa cocktails, including the favourite Casa Margarita are available, as are select beers and wines. As far as food goes, the happy hour menu includes the duck carnitas and al pastor tacos, as well as a selection of light bites and snacks, like the half-dozen oysters, or the whipped aubergine.

4. Glendalough Distillery reveals new bottle design now available at LCBO

Made from hand-foraged botanicals from County Wicklow, Ireland, Glendalough Wild Botanical Irish Gin is a small-batch spirit that captures the essence of four seasons in one bottle. Now featuring a detailed redesign, that new bottle eloquently hints at the beauty of Wicklow, and the story of Glendalough Distillery and its award-winning gin. Embossed with botanicals, the bottle features a basket weave, to represent forager Geraldine Kavanagh's container of choice. In addition, the new design includes a secret map of Glendalough's seven ancient churches, a label that mirrors a medieval gateway, and the image of Glendalough's founder, St. Kevin himself. Distilled from more than 30 ingredients foraged from Wicklow Mountains — from elderflower, and Douglas fir, to heather, clover, frockens, juniper and more — each drop transports sippers to Ireland's idyllic Wicklow Mountains National Park. Find Glendalough Wild Botanical Irish Gin, in its newly redesigned bottle, at the LCBO.

5. Trinity Market is a new bottle shop/cafe/wine bar that just opened on Queen St. W.

Those looking for a quick after-work glass of wine or light snack will find it at Trinity Market, a hybrid mix of a bottle shop, wine bar and snack bar that recently opened in the heart of Queen West’s Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood. Created by chef Matt Dean Pettit, Trinity Market boasts both a cafe menu and a wine bar menu that feature snacks that transition from day to night. Must-try items include homemade pizza slices and empanadas, and shareable charcuterie and cheese plates, all of which pair perfectly with a glass of vino. Trinity Market is located at 768A Queen St. W. and is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 to 10 p.m., Thursday from 12 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., and Sundays from 12 to 10 p.m.

6. Late-night Nigerian lounge opens in Vaughan

A new Nigerian restaurant in Vaughan that’s open until the wee hours of the morning is attracting plenty of attention with its menu of traditional and elevated Nigerian fare. Founded by former nightclub owner Ibrahim Adekale, Monarch Restaurant & Lounge serves up a selection of main plates and shareable apps. Menu highlights include efo, a traditional Nigerian soup made with bell peppers, onions, spinach, stockfish, dry fish, Scotch bonnet peppers, locust beans and crayfish, assorted meats like goat, chicken and beef, and plenty of sides like fried plantain and poundo. Monarch Restaurant & Lounge is located at 23 McCleary Ct. Unit 5 and is open 1 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

7. Pow Wow Cafe closing soon

After seven years, beloved Pow Wow Cafe is closing its doors. The Kensington Market restaurant was a staple in the community for Indigenous inspired cooking and catering. Their most popular item was an Indigenous take on a taco, using traditional fry bread as the base. Chef Shawn Adler announced on their Instagram the final dates of the 213 Augusta location. In the post he thanks the staff for their work and patrons for the support over the years. The final day to visit Pow Wow Cafe will be Sunday, May 28.

8. Oji Seichi launches a new dinner series

East end ramen shop Oji Seichi has officially launched a new dinner series called Oji + Friends that will see the popular ramen joint partnering up with renowned chefs for exclusive events. Tickets are currently on sale for the first dinner showcasing one of Canada's top chefs Mandel Hitzer. Hosted at Oji on April 24 and 25, tickets are available to purchase on Tock and cost $100 per head. This multi-course tasting menu is not to be missed and will showcase all Japanese cuisine has to offer.

9. Famous Texas Barbecue chain is opening its first Toronto location this month

After years of teasing their opening, Dickey's Barbecue Pit is finally opening its first Toronto brick-and-mortar location at Yonge and Carlton on April 20.

10. Stackt Market welcomes a new ice cream shop just in time for summer

Goog Gang Ice Cream has officially opened at Stackt Market as a permanent shop. The shop utilizes high-quality and seasonal ingredients for their ice cream flavours. Find them at 28 Bathurst Street, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

11. Honour Earth Month with 1 Hotel Toronto

Looking for a swank spot to honour Mother Earth this month? At 1 Hotel Toronto, the city's most sustainable sanctuary, you'll find a number of exciting Earth Month offerings. From the hotel's car service, powered by the fully electric Audi e-tron, to a Fashionably Yours pre-loved pop-up, the hotel is putting its evergreen eco-friendly ethos front and centre for the month of April. At 1 Kitchen, chef de cuisine José Matamoros has added two locally-sourced dishes — Trout Crudo and a 100km Lamb Chop — to the vibrant menu. Also on offer, is the Sapphire Tides, a gin-forward, vegan cocktail created by director of beverage, Clement Bondois. For more information, visit 1hotels.com/torontofor a full list of 1 Hotel's Earth Month happenings.

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