The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (April 3-April 9)

Written By

TasteToronto

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. Neo Coffee Bar adding a third location at King and Spadina

Japanese cafe and bakery, Neo Coffee Bar, is opening a third location at King and Spadina streets. Neo currently has two locations in the city. The original coffee shop, which opened in August 2015, can be found at 770 Bay St. near the St. Lawrence Market. Neo’s second outpost is located at 161 Frederick St. in David Crombie Park. Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, Neo Coffee Bar serves a variety of hot and cold espresso-based drinks as well as Japanese specialty teas and lattes, using ingredients like brown rice, matcha and young flush leaves sourced from Uji, Kyoto. Freshly brewed coffee and a selection of Sloane teas are also available to order. Pastries include gluten-free, vegan mochi, croissants, cookies, muffins, cakes and choux. Neo’s third location can be found at 61 Spadina Ave.

2. Mary Brown Chicken launches a new menu item

Mary Brown’s Chicken, a 100% Canadian-owned and operated fast food chain, is unveiling a new menu item, but they kept it all shrouded in mystery. Instead of revealing the item and all of the ingredients, Mary Brown’s invited guests to every store across Canada to discover the free item, equipped with only a sentence-long clue: "I’m three words, twenty-two letters and almost the height of a popsicle stick."

The unveiling of the item, a grilled chicken sandwich, took place on March 28, 2023, and saw the first 25 guests who visited any Mary Brown’s Chicken location across the country receive the new menu item for free.

Mary Brown's is known for its Big Mary® chicken sandwich, which was named Canada's Best Chicken Sandwich, and its made-fresh menu which uses farm-fresh Canadian ingredients and includes hand-cut and hand-breaded Signature Chicken & Taters.

3. Pizzeria Libretto and Patois reveal limited-time creation

Dreamed up by Pizzeria Libretto chef Rocco Agostino and Patois chef Craig Wong, Jerk Mortadella & Pistachio pizza is the sweet and spicy collab we can't wait to sink our teeth into. Available at all Pizzeria Libretto locations between April 3rd and 30th, the pizza is a tempting combination of jerk cream sauce, jerk mortadella, fior de latte mozzarella, and a garnish of pistachios and pineapple reduction. A fusion dish that showcases Pizzeria Libretto's authentic Neapolitan-style pies and Patois' signature Caribbean flavours, the pie is also a great way to give back. For each collaboration pizza sold, Pizzeria Libretto will donate one of its hand-made frozen pizzas to the Daily Bread Food Bank.

4. Unboxed Market, zero-waste grocery store, is now selling liquor

Unboxed Market, a zero-waste grocery store located in Trinity Bellwoods, recently applied for a liquor licence and will begin selling alcoholic beverages shortly. Currently, the shop only carries an assortment of non-alcoholic spirits, non-alcoholic wines, non-alcoholic canned beers, mocktails and mixers. Owned by Michelle Genttner and Luis Martins, Unboxed Market opened in 2019 with the aim of bringing fresh, organic produce to Toronto using recyclable and reusable packaging methods. Unboxed Market is located at 1263 Dundas St. W. and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

5. Pusateri's celebrates 60th anniversary with 60 days of sales

To celebrate 60 years in business, Pusateri's Fine Foods is rolling out the 60/60 experience; a playful campaign featuring a slew of sales over the course of 60 days. Beginning on April 1st, Pusateri’s will rollback to 1963 pricing on select meats and produce, and offer 60% off Pasta Mancini pastas. In the days that follow, the daily discount will apply to a rotating selection of condiments, seasonings, cocktail mixers, olive oils, and more. For specifics, watch Pusateri's Instagram page or subscribe to the company's weekly newsletter at Pusateris.com. Then, visit one of the company's five locations and join in the fun.

6. Wild Fork is a new protein delivery service that brings high-quality meat and seafood right to your door

Launched earlier this year, Wild Fork is a new Canadian protein delivery service that provides more than 500 blast-frozen, high-quality meat, poultry and seafood to Canadians at competitive, affordable prices. Sourced from some of the best suppliers in Canada and worldwide, items are delivered straight to your door. Customers can shop and place orders seven days a week, with same-day and next day delivery available. All of the proteins are tested and meticulously selected in-house by chefs. From everyday staples like high-quality chicken, sausages, beef cuts and grinds to specialty items including premium cuts of beef, Berkshire pork, bison, elk, boar, duck and venison, Wild Fork has something for everyone, without the price squeeze.

7. Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is hosting several Easter-themed food events until April 10

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is hosting several Easter-themed events at Café Boulud and d|bar by Chef Daniel Boulud. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, through Monday, April 10, at Café Boulud, guests are invited to enjoy a two ($58)- or three ($68)-course Easter Brunch at Café Boulud, where Chef de Cuisine Colin Henderson has prepared a selection of featured menu items, including duck confit hash, Scotch eggs, a lamb burger, a special Easter egg dessert and more. Over at d|bar, guests can enjoy an Easter menu curated by Chef Maru Cacho that features refined dishes that reflect the season, including corn pancakes, a sharable seafood tower, truffle grilled cheese and a lamb and egg skillet. d|bar’s Easter menu will be available beginning Saturday, April 8, to Monday, April 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

8. Sarang Kitchen is a Korean fried chicken joint that's also a social enterprise

Recently opened at 1056 Bloor West, Sarang Kitchen dishes up crunchy Korean fried chicken and soju cocktails along with a heaping dose of inclusivity.

Operated by a chef and an autism expert who fell in love and decided to combine their respective areas of expertise, the restaurant champions neurodiversity via its hiring practices while fostering an environment that caters to the neurodivergent community with calming music, weighted blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, sensory boxes and a multi-sensory room where anxious or overstimulated guests can relax.

Early buzz has praised the compassionate vibe as well as the Sarang Platter, a massive shareable feast featuring two flavours of fried chicken, crispy squid, tornado chips, a quartet of dipping sauces, cabbage slaw and pickled radishes.

Sarang Kitchen is open Mon-Fri, 5-11 p.m. and Sat-Sun, 12-11 p.m. and is part of a growing number of hospitality included (aka no tipping) restaurants that is also Living Wage certified.

9. Enjoy Easter brunch at The Royal Hotel

Give your Easter weekend a glow-up with upgraded accommodations, scenery and, best of all, brunch. New for spring, The Royal Hotel's seasonal brunch menu includes à la carte dishes along with a three-course, prix-fixe option. Begin with Kale Salad or Arancini, move on to Eggs Benny or Stuffed French Toast, then cap things off with Torta al Pistacchio or Seadas. Also on the generous list of choices, find Granola Parfait, The Royal Breakfast, and an array of golden-crusted, chewy, crisp, wood-fired pizzas. To reserve, visit Theroyalhotel.ca.