The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (August 8-August 13)

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. Experience the flavours of the East with Mississauga’s South Asian food festival

For a three-day period this week, your tastebuds will have the chance to be transported thousands of kilometres away from Toronto and experience all the beautiful flavours South Asia has to offer.

Taking place over the weekend at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, the festival is hosted by Night Markt Toronto in conjunction with Tourism Mississauga BMO, Shan and Tesla. The event will be home to about 15 food trucks for the three days, with some of the more popular attendees being Rick’s Good Eats and Chachu’s. Shan, whose primary focus is on spices, will also be giving away full-sized products to guests to take home and make their own South Asian dishes.

As for entertainment, joining in on the celebration will be folklore dancers, bringing popular Bollywood music to the people of Mississauga. The event will take place from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

The all-weekend pass for the festival is available free of charge and can be reserved on Night Market Toronto’s website.

2. Tim Hortons launches smoky honey bacon breakfast sandwiches

Breakfast lovers rejoice! Tim Hortons has added a new signature breakfast sandwich to their menu, and it’s the perfect mix of sweet and savoury. The Smoky Honey Bacon Breakfast Sandwich includes Tims new and improved crispy double smoked bacon, which is topped with a sweet and savoury glaze made with 100 per cent Canadian honey. Guests can enjoy the smoky honey bacon in a classic breakfast sandwich, a BELT, or in a breakfast wrap (prices vary). And of course, don’t forget the Double-Double!

3. Top Chef Canada winner hosts food truck takeover at The Cheese Boutique

On Thursday Aug. 10, Etobicoke’s Cheese Boutique is hosting a Cars and Coffee event from 7 to 10 p.m. Top Chef Canada winner Erica Karbelnik will be on site with her catering company, Karbs Catering, to do a food truck takeover, with a tasty menu that features things like the fried crispy chicken skin sandwich, the falafel smash patty, pomegranate BBQ pork ribs and more! Stop by on Aug. 10 at 29 Ripley Ave. at the Cheese Boutique Bottega.

4. Gen Z wants the environmental impact of eating at a restaurant to be clearer

According to a new study, Gen Z is suffering from an overwhelming case of “restaurant anxiety.”

A survey of 2,000 adults found that 77% of the younger generations “would like restaurants to be clearer about the environmental impact of different foods,” and many respondents noted it would be among the top five factors to consider when selecting a restaurant. Other factors include the time needed for the food to be prepared, how messy the meal would be, taste and cost.

Younger generations were both more inclined to worry about environmental impact and more aware of a menu’s environmental impact, according to the study.

5. There's a 24/7 Italian/Mediterranean restaurant now open in Kensington

T.O. Dickens is a new Italian and Mediterranean restaurant in Kensington that prides itself on offering comfort food to Torontonians 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. On the menu, you’ll find everything from the Early Morning Special (which runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., ironically) to mains like grilled halloumi cheese or the AAA striploin, chicken alfredo, and everything in between. T.O. Dickens is located at 276 Augusta Ave.

6. Bacon Nation bringing back bacon-wrapped wings at CNE

From August 18 to September 4, the CNE touches back down in Toronto, and it will bring back one of the most popular snacks from its last iteration: bacon-wrapped chicken wings.

Bacon Nation’s popular snack returns with the famous combination of crispy bacon and tender chicken wings which hug each other among a carefully curated blend of ingredients, including luscious BBQ sauce, a touch of honey, Mazola Corn Oil and a selection of handpicked spices.

7. Di Mario's Trattoria shows off new menu and patio space

One of Burlington’s best Italian spots, Di Mario’s Trattoria, recently revamped its menu. Led by Claudio Aprile (a celebrated chef with Michelin Star restaurant experience and a former MasterChef Canada judge, the new lunch and dinner menus feature a selection of delicious Italian eats, all of which can be enjoyed on the newly opened patio. Di Mario’s is located at 1455 Lakeshore Rd. in Burlington and is open Tuesday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

8. There's still plenty of time to visit Union Summer

Taking place until August 27th, Union Summer has a fresh lineup of food vendors and musicians, game nights and other outdoor activities to ensure you soak up every last bit of seasonal fun. Located at 65 Front Street West, the annual patio festival is open Mondays to Fridays, from 11:00 a.m. On site, guests will find food from District Clean Eating & Dirty Drinking, Tasty, Tropical South and Tut's Egyptian Street Food, along with pop-ups from Isabella's Donuts, Cannoli Crunch, and more. Lake of the Woods Brewing Company will also be on hand for those wanting to quench their thirst with a refreshing beverage from Ontario’s northernmost brewery. A calendar of events includes concerts by Big Smoke Brass Band and The Rudy Ray Show, with Union Summer Movie Night taking place every Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m. For more details, visit Torontounion.ca.

9. Savour a sweet escape with Holts Cafe's honey afternoon tea

Holt's Café has a new afternoon tea experience designed with sweet satisfaction in mind. Inspired by Guerlain's new Abeille Royale Honey Treatment Day Cream & Night Cream, the midday meal features honey playing a prominent role in a host of savoury and sweet treats. Guests will indulge in honey baked ham on soft white bread, then smoked salmon blini, with fresh baked scones gracing the table alongside clotted cream, and plum, bramble and honey jam. Impeccable desserts include honey and vanilla madeleine and honey panna cotta, served with honey jelly and honeycomb. Honey Afternoon Tea at Holt's Café is available every Saturday and Sunday from now until September 3rd. To reserve your table, visit Holtrenfrew.com.

10. Via Allegro Ristorante reveals new patio and menu items by MasterChef Canada judge

With a stunning new patio and menu items designed by chef Claudio Aprile, Via Allegro Ristorante is where you'll want to savour what remains of the summer season. A space that brings Via Allegro’s opulent Italian atmosphere to the fresh air, the new patio combines botanic finishes and stylish design into an outdoor oasis created with intimate date nights, large parties, and corporate events in mind. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the restaurant's menu of superb Italian cuisine, including new dishes created by executive chef Marco Zandona in partnership with formerMasterChef Canadajudge and celebrated local chef Claudio Aprile. From grilled Lamb Speducci, with salsa verde and roasted eggplant, to Tuna Tartare jazzed up with citrus, ginger, avocado and crispy rice, Aprile's contributions are as dreamy as every dish on the landmark restaurant's menu. To reserve your table, visit Viaallegro-ristorante.ca.

11. Zitto Zitto Taverna hosting Chef's Experience twice a week

Zitto Zitto Taverna, Little Italy’s go-to spot for Sicilian-inspired fare, is now offering a special Chef’s Experience every Wednesday and Thursday evening. Led by chef Alessandro, the six-course set menu costs $85 per person. Wine pairings can be added for an additional $45. Zitto Zitto is known for its creative pasta dishes and seafood. Located at 593 College St., this spot is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.

12. Subway Canada adds birthday cake cookie to the menu

Subway Canada has added a new cookie to its menu. For a limited time only, Subway fans can pair the Birthday Cake Cookie with any sandwich order, or enjoy it on its own. Made with birthday cake-flavoured cookie dough, colourful sprinkles and white chips, the cookie costs just $0.99 and is available across Canada. Of course, all of your favourite Subway cookies, like the White Chip Macadamia Nut and Chocolate Chip with M&Ms are available, too.

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