The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (May 29-June 4)

Written By

TasteToronto

11 months 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. %Arabica adds matcha ice cream to the cafe menu

Yorkdale is home to Canada’s first %Arabica outpost, and is now launching the Japanese coffee shop’s newest offering: Matcha soft serve ice cream.

Served inside a modern, minimalistic space that’s Japanese-inspired and reminiscent of Kyoto, the matcha ice cream brings a sweet treat to the beloved, global menu, which is brimming with hand-crafted, specialty coffee beverages, including a matcha latte, espresso-based drinks and more. % Arabica’s matcha ice cream is soft serve, and adds to the brand’s one-of-a-kind experience.

2. Sukhothai opening new location in Markham

Sukhothai, a staple in the city for Northern Thai cuisine, is opening a new location in Markham, Ont. Run by husband and wife duo Chef Nuit Regular and Jeff Regular (PAI, Kiin, Selva, Rendezviews), Sukhothai currently has three locations in Toronto. The Markham restaurant will have all of the same menu favourites, like the creamy coconut yellow curry and the famous house pad Thai. As things get rolling, diners can expect spin-off dishes, too. Sukhothai’s newest restaurant is located at 2 Fenton Rd. Markham, Ont. and is open for dine-in as of next week.

3. New online grocery concept, Truffle Kings, launching this month

Missing the true taste of Italy here in Toronto? Truffle Kings is a new online grocery store that carries a collection of Italian luxury olive oils, balsamic vinegars and truffle-infused fine foods, like truffle honey and truffle pearls. The concept was launched by Marco Tallarico, a Canadian-Italian entrepreneur previously behind retailers Appliance Love, Merchant Broker and Sparkle Solutions. Orders can be placed from anywhere, and all Canadian orders are subject to a $10 flat shipping fee.

4. Mandy's and PAI team up for limited-edition Thai salad

Montreal-based salad bar, Mandy’s, and Toronto-based Thai restaurant, PAI, have teamed up for a limited-edition salad bowl that blends the distinct flavours of both restaurants. The Mandy’s x PAI Thai salad is a blend of fresh mixed greens, purple cabbage, red pepper, mango, peanuts and cilantro from Mandy’s, fused with the intense Thai flavours of Chef Nuit Regular’s spicy grilled chicken, crispy fried shallots, pickled onions, Thai basil and a sweet and tangy passion fruit dressing. The salad is available exclusively at PAI’s Castlefield and Liberty Village Kitchen Hub location until June 30.

5. Alobar Downtown is now taking reservations

Alobar Downtown, the latest venture from the Alo Food Group, is now taking reservations. Set to open any week now, Alobar Downtown is located at 150 York St. in the heart of Toronto. Along with its private catering company, the Alo Food Group is behind successful contemporary French restaurant, Alo (2015), as well as Aloette (2017), Alobar Yorkville (2018), Aloette Go (2021) and Alder (2022). With menus by Michelin-starred chefs Patrick Kriss & Rebekah Bruce, expect fine wines, choice seafood, grilled fish and prime chops. The new Alobar Downtown features a sleek and contemporary aesthetic with pale wood accents, tiled floors and plenty of natural light.

6. "Mystery Eats" is a dinner party experience where the restaurant is revealed the night before, and the menu the night of

The brains behind Madras Kaapi launch Mystery Eats: Toronto's first mystery dining experience where the address is revealed a day before the event and the menu once you’re seated at the table. They work with restaurants, culinary school grads, home chefs, and host events in unique places like artisanal grocery stores and coffee houses. Mysterious.

Mystery Eats was started by Shilpa Kotamarthi (founder of Madras Kaapi) and Samihan Sahni (culinary student and food enthusiast); they want to evolutionize dinner parties by bringing a small group of people together in unique places to have a great experience.

You can join the waitlist and learn more about Mystery Eats on their website.

7. MuddyCrops launches tropical delivery, Fruter, to source difficult-to-get fruits in Toronto

The folks behind Muddy Crops, a Toronto-based Ontario fruit and veg sourcing company who find unique, high-quality, Ontario-grown produce, have taken their sourcing talents internationally with Fruter, a tropical produce delivery service.

Fruter delivers premium tree-ripe fruit to homes, restaurants, hotels and small grocers in Southern Ontario. They work closely with farmers abroad to pick #1 grade fruits and veggies, making sure their clients only get the best. They find some really special stuff like Vietnamese purple star apples, Thai red jackfruit, and Indian kaser mangoes. If it’s categorized as a fruit, Fruter will find it.

You can purchase their incredible goods on their website.

8. Savour Summer with PC Insiders Report

Beyond the longer days, sparkling sunshine, packed parks and surplus of scantily-clad citizens, there's another surefire way for Toronto locals to know that summer has landed — the release of the PC Insiders Report Summer Edition. For the season, the team has dreamed up more than 50 new products guaranteed to turn meek hosts into party mavens, ready to entertain at a moment's notice. From freezer essentials to grilling must-haves you'll want on hand all season, the catalogue of new products will delight guests as it ensure you never break a sweat. Start the party with PC 4-Layer Loaded Pierogi Dip, PC Filipino Chicken Adobo Lumpia Spring Rolls and PC Chunky Guacamole. Explore global flavours with a PC Lobster Roll Kit, PC Carolina Gold Sauce Pork Back Ribs and PC Smokin' Stampede Corn Ribs. Then, end on a sweet note with PC Plant-Based Peanut Butter Delights and showstopping PC Ube Boba Cream Pie. Ready for a taste? Visit Loblaw stores and start savouring summer, now.

9. Chotto Matte introduces Fiesta del Sol Brunch

Chotto Matte's Fiesta del Sol brunch is the city's newest way to celebrate sunny Saturdays this summer. Inspired by Peru's famed Festival of Lights, the new brunch concept will be available every Saturday between 12pm and 4pm on Chotto Matte's newly refurbished and expanded patio space. Settle into the electric vibe and tropical flora of the restaurant's urban oasis and indulge in Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei fare, with choices ranging from Chotto Ceviche and King Oyster Mushroom Tostadas to Spicy Chicken Karaage, Charcoal Roasted Sweet Potato and Asado de Tira. With the option to enjoy free-flowing cocktails and wine, you can sample a selection of fruity, tropical sippers as you dine. From the Suika e Hibisco, made with Cazadores Blanco tequila, watermelon, cherry, hibiscus, mirin, rocoto, and lime, to the frothy, pineapple-forward Toropikaru, made with Havana 3 years old rum, there are no wrong choices. To book your table, visit Chottomatte.com.