The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (July 31-August 6)

Written By

TasteToronto

9 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. JunePlum partners up with Adidas for a pop-up event

To celebrate the Toronto Caribbean Festival, the brand with the three stripes is coming together with the patty with the four corners for a special collaborative pop-up that highlights the taste of the islands with a unique sportswear spin.

The three-day celebration will take place from Friday to Sunday at the JunePlum by Patois store located at 796 Dundas St. W.

Guests will get to savour an exclusive patty box featuring limited-edition flavours crafted especially for the event. Each box will contain two of each flavour for a total of four, creating a wonderful medley of flavours that will leave your palate yearning for more.

The two flavours are as follows:

Three Stripes Patty - A delectable blend of crab meat, corn and coconut rundown, marked with a dot for easy identification.
Oxtail Originals Patty - JunePlum’s signature smoked brisket patty with the unique addition of cheese, complete with oxtail gravy.

The Adidas x JunePlum patty box will be exclusively available for purchase in-store throughout the event, with limited pre-orders open via the JunePlum website - http://juneplumtoronto.com. Each patty box is priced at $39.00 plus tax, making it a must-have for all food enthusiasts and Caribbean culture aficionados.

2. Pink Sky debuts High Tide happy hour specials

You're bound to get on swimmingly with Pink Sky's new High Tide happy hour. Available daily, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., the delightful cinque a sept promises charming martini flights, seafood and drink specials. Guests can select from somm's choice by the glass options and daily beer specials in addition to signature cocktails and novel martini flights, in "Sweet & Fruity" or "Classic & Spirit Forward." A bevy of snacks, from oyster and shrimp cocktail trios to crab cakes, ensure every sip finds a proper companion. To book your table, visit Opentable.com.

3. KFC launches new seasoned fries

KFC recently launched its new seasoned fries, after receiving criticism from Canadians over the old recipe. This is the first time the brand has ever revamped its original French fry recipe. Crispy on the outside, the new fries are just $1 for a limited time at KFC restaurants, on http://KFC.ca and on the KFC App.

4. Sample an abundance of alcohol-removed wines this week at Lavelle

This Thursday, August 3rd, spend a splendid evening sampling an abundance of wines, sans ill effects, on Lavelle's glorious rooftop. Presented by Sansorium, a marketplace for non-alcoholic beverages, the event will highlight award-winning, non-alcoholic wines from Edenvale. Founded in Australia in 2006, Edenvale produces a range of premium, alcohol-removed wines. The tasting, with winemaker Michael Bright, will take place at Lavelle between 6pm and 9pm and includes multiple food and wine pairings. For tickets, visit eventbrite.ca.

5. Welcome August with National Spritz Day

As July melts into August, grab summer's most popular refresher and raise a glass to National Spritz Day. An event you've trained for all season long, National Spritz Day is the perfect excuse to mix up your favourite take on one of the world's coolest cocktails. With St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur — made with up to 1,000 fresh, handpicked and wild elderflower blossoms — prosecco, soda water, lime and mint, the Hugo Spritz is a light and lively (TikTok famous) take. Iconic, pleasantly bitter and just the thing to awaken your appetite, the sunset-hued Aperol Spritz is another marvellous way to commemorate the day. Choose one (choose both!) and toast to the aperitif that has kept you company all summer long.

6. Daily Blends giving away free food at these three locations

Daily Blends will be unlocking their smart fridges at three locations in the GTA during National Farmers' Market Week (Aug.6 to Aug. 12), offering Torontonians the opportunity to savour high quality, healthy food for free. Developed by sisters Shriya and Purva Gupta, Daily Blends smart fridges are high-end mobile cafes stocked with chef-crafted grab-and-go meals made with the highest quality natural ingredients from local farmers at an average price of $6. On Aug. 9, the fridges will be unlocked from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Union Station Bus Terminal, Hwy. 407 Go Station and Bramalea Go Station.

7. Eataly hosting build your own antipasto bouquet class

Sure, flowers are nice, but what if you were given a bouquet of antipasto instead? Eataly Toronto is hosting a build-your-own edible antipasto bouquet. Filled with a selection of Eataly’s salumi and formaggi (cheese), the hands-on class will show you how to make an impressive spread for your upcoming party. Upcoming classes include July 29 at 2 p.m. and Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $73.45 per person and can be purchased here.

8. More Natas Please follows 18th century recipe for exceptional Portuguese treats

Looking for a taste of Portugal? More Natas Please is a new bakery serving authentic Portuguese pastéis de nata at 762 Yonge St. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., this spot sells five variations of the traditional custard tart, including a Nutella, raspberry, almond and vegan option. The pastéis de nata are sold by the half dozen for $25 and follow a recipe that was used by monks in the 18th century.

9. New Basil Box location opens inside Toronto General Hospital

Basil Box, a familiar brand for build-your-own healthy Thai-inspired bowls and salads, has opened a new location inside the Toronto General Hospital. Found in the food court of the hospital at 200 Elizabeth St., the new location is offering 20 per cent off of all boxes until July 28 to mark the grand opening. The addition of Basil Box adds another healthier option for those who work or visit the hospital.