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The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (April 24-April 30)
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!
If you live for the excitement of the greatest two minutes in sports, you'll want to direct yourself, and your most spectacular hat, toward Louix Louis this May 6th. In partnership with Maker's Mark Bourbon, The St. Regis Toronto's poshest gathering spot is hosting A Celebration of Kentucky's Annual Big Race. In honour of the 149th iteration of the event, guests will enjoy a Maker's Mark tasting, requisite Mint Juleps, passed canapés, live jazz, and the chance to win one of several prizes. The dapperest duds will score dinner for two at Louix Louis, afternoon tea at Astor Lounge, or a towering slice of St. Regis' renowned King Cake. Reserve your spot through Opentable.com, then look snappy by 5 p.m., on May 6th.
If you believe in supporting local artists and businesses while celebrating our vibrant city, you'll want to add REN Premium Vodka to your shopping cart, ASAP. Launched April 23rd, REN's newest, limited-edition run features a box designed by Toronto-based Black Power Barbie (aka visual artist Amika Cooper), and the company's refined, velvety, crystal clear ultra premium spirit. Known for her funky, feminist style, and for her love for Toronto and its diversity, Cooper counts Apple Inc., the Toronto Maple Leafs, TIFF, and now REN among her distinguished clientele. With only 500 REN x Black Power Barbie boxes available at LCBO locations across the GTA, act fast to avoid missing out.
Stop Food Waste Day is April 26, and Compass Group is offering Canadians helpful tips from culinary experts, promoting education and awareness to help individuals make small changes to reduce surplus food.
Compass recently published a free, downloadable cookbook with updated recipes that helps Canadians with the mission of reducing food waste. It features 45 recipes from 30 global chefs, including Canadian Chef Kory Dipucchio’s Gourmet Panzanella Salad. New recipes include ingredients like leftover bread, wonky vegetables, and potatoes. Find the cookbook online here.
A new pop up restaurant is coming to Toronto, and kindness is not on the menu. Karen’s Diner is open inside the Shoeless Joe’s at 1980 St. Clair Ave. W. from April 22 to May 14, offering hilariously rude staff and delicious comfort food like burgers and sodas.
The pop-up is part of a global tour that has already stopped across Canada, the UK and even Australia, and each spot offers a customized menu that’s specific to the venue. But, the famously terrible service (something a true Karen would complain about) remains, and the 50s-style backdrop only adds to the fun. Tickets for the event can be purchased online.
For a limited time, Canadians can enjoy A&W’s new Ringer Burger, which is a collaboration between A&W Canada and the legendary baseball father-son duo, Blue Jays', Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his MLB Hall of Fame father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr. Topped with A&W's famous onion rings, a beef patty, smoky BBQ sauce, bacon, provolone cheese, as well as fresh red onion, lettuce, tomato and pickle, this is the fast food chain’s most loaded burger yet. The Ringer Burger can also be ordered as the Ringer Papa Burger, complete with an extra beef patty. The Ringer Burger currently retails for $9.99, or $14.59 as a combo with fries and a drink.
Looking for the perfect thing to pair with your morning Double Double? With the launch of the Everything Croissant Breakfast Sandwich, Canadians everywhere can enjoy their favourite breakfast sandwich, now on a buttery croissant. The sandwich features a freshly-cracked egg, your choice of bacon or sausage, and a slice of sharp cheddar. Of course, the Everything Bagel BELT is still around too, for those looking to add lettuce and tomato to their breakfast sandwich.
Side Launch Brewing Company is showing off a new logo and a revamped brand identity that is more representative of its roots in Collingwood, Ont. Prominently featuring a ship icon, the logo pays homage to Collingwood's rich industrious and shipbuilding heritage, which mandated ships be launched sideways into the harbour due to restrictions. Craft beer lovers can expect to see the updated clean and colourful Side Launch cans rolling onto LCBO, grocery and Beer Store shelves in the coming weeks. Two popular brews, the Hibiscus and Passionate sour, are also making a comeback that coincides with the launch.
Visitors to the LCBO will soon find a new tequila on the shelf. Herradura, one of the oldest tequila labels in the world, recently launched the Herradura Ultra. Made with one of the brand’s finest añejos, this is a silver tequila that’s been aged in American White Oak barrels for 25 months, and then filtered to remove colour and enhance smoothness. The taste evokes subtle notes of cooked agave, caramel, and honey with toasted almonds and a velvety finish. The new, premium tequila will be available at select LCBO stores starting on April 24 for $120 CAD (750 ml).
After 48 years of serving Toronto some of the sweetest treats in town, Dufflet Pastries is closing the doors of its flagship retail location.
Located at 787 Queen Street West, the café will officially close for business on Saturday, April 29. Instead, Dufflet Pastries is focusing on its wholesale business, which has grown massively in the last few years. "We are incredibly grateful to our loyal customers who have supported us over the years at our Queen Street West location," said Dufflet Pastries' Founder, Dufflet Rosenberg. "This decision is about our future and aligns with our long-term business strategy to focus on our wholesale operations, which have experienced significant growth in recent years.” adds Daniele Bertrand, co-owner, Dufflet Pastries.
Fans can still purchase goods online as well as in retail stores like Loblaws, Metro and Pusateri’s.
Two notorious Tim Hortons donuts – which haven't been available in Tim Hortons restaurants for over 10 years – are returning to the menu for a limited time. With National Donut Day coming up on June 2, Tim Hortons has confirmed that the Walnut Crunch and the Cherry Stick will be available to order Canada-wide, starting May 31. For those who don’t remember, the Cherry Stick is a soft, fluffy donut filled with sweet cherry filling and topped with glaze, while the Walnut Crunch is a chocolate, log-shaped donut with crunchy walnut pieces and a sugary glaze.
Sunny’s Chinese is one of the buzziest restaurants in the city, winning the hearts--and tastebuds--of foodies with its modern take on Chinese fare. And, starting May 1, they’re taking their menu game to the next level.
A three-course plus dessert set menu is coming to Sunny’s Chinese, with rotating off-menu dishes gracing the tables of the Kensington Market eatery. Guests can expect noodles, charcoal grilled meat and tons of veggie options from the beloved restaurant, which is helmed by executive chef David Schwartz. It is the sister restaurant to the uber-popular Mimi Chinese.
Baro is stepping up CincoFest this year, paying homage to the Latin heritage of the holiday with one of the biggest parties in town. Baro was named as one of OpenTable’s 100 Most Beloved Restaurants in Canada last year but, this May 5th, will undergo a complete transformation. To step into the King West spot will be like walking the streets of South America, with immersive cultural experiences alongside a mariachi band and an Asado menu. Each floor of the four-storey space will have a different theme, from First Floor Flavour to Loteria on the fourth floor. The party is sure to bring out everyone’s Mexican spirit.
What's the only thing better than eating dumplings? Enjoying a dumpling masterclass while you indulge might just be it. Debuting on May 10th, Dasha's The Art of the Dumpling is a chef-led experience during which guests will eat, drink, and learn how to craft superlative dumplings of their own. Tickets to each two-hour class include a welcome cocktail, a sampling of dumplings from Dasha's menu, ingredients and a tutorial along with a recipe card sure to come in handy for future dumpling nights at home. As space is limited, you'll want to reserve your spot at Eventbrite.com, today.
Christina Najjar, known online as Tinx, is making her first ever trip to Canada. The celebrity creator is partnering with one of her favourite brands, Chipotle.
Tinx is best known for her disco margarita and her tabasco dressing, as well as her custom bowl from the fast food Mexican spot. And, now, she’s letting fans in on the secret. It’s available on SkipTheDishes from April 28th to April 30th, all to celebrate SkipTheDishes' newest restaurant partner: Chipotle.
The Lakeview Diner reopened its doors on Thursday, April 13 after minor renovations, with a refreshed menu. After closing for about two months, the Lakeview has relaunched with new head chef Jalil Bokhari @j.a.l.i.l at the helm. Menu items include Lakeview Fish Towers, and a bagels with bottomless coffee special. According to a recent Instagram post, the 90-year-old diner is once again serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. While it is no longer open 24 hours, the Lakeview is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
A few dozen caviar connoisseurs came together at the Four Seasons on April 19, 2023, to taste five dishes that bring together some of Chefs Daniel Boulud and Colin Henderson’s most delectable creations and caviar from one of the finest European companies, Maison Kaviari, courtesy of a Canadian importer, Axyon.
Axyon’s Gregoire La Doule brought four different caviars to enjoy across five courses, from starters to dessert. The one-of-a-kind dinner also offered an “educational” aspect, teaching guests about the different flavour profiles of each caviar and how they can best be enjoyed. Roughly 40 guests attended the event, with La Doule offering the education himself.
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