The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (June 19-June 25)

Written By

TasteToronto

10 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. Piano Piano and Avalon Lavender Farm come together for unforgettable new summer experiences

This weekend, kick start summer with a delicious escape to Avalon Lavender Farm — a serene spot just over an hour outside of the city. In partnership with Piano Piano, the farm is offering two new experiences designed to give guests the opportunity to sip, savour, and soak in everything that makes the area unique. Taking place on June 25th (and three other dates throughout the season) the farm's High Tea Lavender Garden Picnic and Lavender Sunset Picnic each include a selection of delectable bites, assorted beverages, blankets, pillows, and the breathtaking sight and scent of 30,000 flowering lavender plants. For high tea, picnic baskets are stocked with lemon ricotta and rosemary Parmesan scones, a smoked salmon kit, caviar sandwiches, and lavender panna cotta. Visit later in the day, and indulge in a wealth of sophisticated snacks ranging from chilled pea soup and duck rillettes to lemon lavender cheesecake. To reserve your tickets, visit Avalonlavenderfarm.ca.

2. Susur Lee serving in a food truck downtown to eliminate food waste

It was a typical day on the Harbourfront, with food trucks and a shining sun and passersby. But, one food truck stood out from the rest: Inside the Ziploc truck were celebrity chef Susur Lee and his son, Jet, whipping up recipes for patrons along the water.

Susur and Jet hosted the event with the goal of educating Canadians on food waste hacks, and the duo served an original Chicken Parmentier recipe Susur crafted from a neglected piece of chicken resigned to the back corner of the family freezer. Knowing that almost 2/3 of food waste in Canada could have been eaten, Susur and Jet aim to lower that number.

3. Kissa, a Japanese-inspired listening lounge, opens next month on King West

Opening this July, Kissa is King West's new spot for understated elegance fashioned for a who's who of sophisticated guests. With a name derived from a style of Japanese speakeasy, the newest project from the Soluna team promises to bring Japanese-inspired cuisine, singular cocktails and retro sounds to 619 King Street West. Spread over two levels, the lounge's intimate lower floor houses a vinyl-powered vintage sound system and record wall, along with disco balls, velvet details and the type of lighting that trendsetters demand. Upstairs, a Studio 54 look and member's only room invite guests to revel in the gleeful feeling of transient exclusivity. Small plates, inspired by izakaya-style dining, and a range of inventive cocktails will fuel visitors into the wee hours. Kissa opens this July, with a membership program launching later this summer. Watch @kissatoronto for updates.

4. DASHA reveals remarkable new summer menu

Ignite summer nights with a visit to DASHA to sample dishes and drinks that are as upscale, striking and seductive as the King West spot itself. For the season, executive chef Hans Vogels and his team have stoked the menu with a number of exciting new items, each crafted with the same quality ingredients and flare for dramatic Pan-Asian flavours as the rest of the menu. Anyone with a taste for seafood will thrill at the restaurant's raw bar, where chefs transform an array of ocean-fresh options into stunning bites. Madai Crudo is a zesty starter with smoked jalapeño, avocado and crispy garlic. With yellowfin tuna, West Coast salmon and Hokkaido scallop accompanied by truffle-infused ponzu sauce, the team's new Sashimi Platter is a unique take on the tried-and-true. Also new, is a Wagyu Beef Roll made of premium steak tartare with asparagus and horseradish. Alongside, sip on summer's freshest menu additions, the Sistene Samurai, with Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila, agave and toasted chamomile, or the Chun-Li, a lively refresher with Don Julio Blanco, Lillet Blanc, Green Chartreuse, agave, lime and a hint of Szechuan pepper. To reserve your table — in the swank interior or on the eatery's newly renovated patio — visit Opentable.ca.

5. Sunny's Chinese launches new patio menu and set Monday menu

Sunny’s Chinese is inviting diners to enjoy its patio from 5 p.m. onwards, with an exclusive snack and beverage menu every Thursday to Monday. Sip on Sunnys Slushies (think Strawberry Hawthorne Daiquiri and Jiu Niang Pina Colada), Burdock beers and three new exclusive patio cocktails. Guests can also snack on new dishes like the Strange Flavour Eggplant, chilled mushrooms with garlic, and cult menu classics like the Husband & Wife Beef and Dan Dan Noodle. Sunny’s Chinese is not currently taking reservations for its patio; it is walk-in only. The restaurant also introduced its new Set Monday’s menu—a three-course menu plus dessert with special rotating dishes for $60 per person.

6. Casa Madera launches brunch menu

Casa Madera, the upscale Mexican restaurant located inside 1 Hotel Toronto, has just launched a brunch menu, first unveiled at its West Hollywood location a few weeks ago. Drawing inspiration from the coasts of the Mayan Riviera to the Mediterranean Sea, the brunch menu features several sweet and savoury brunch staples with a twist, like the frittata and the huevos rancheros, as well as more elevated eats like the Casa tomahawk and eggs ($315). There’s also a raw bar serving oysters, ceviche, seafood towers and more. Brunch drinks include a selection of juice-based and coffee-infused cocktails.

7. Matt Basile and friends hosted dinner with only HIV positive chefs for second straight year

Since 2007, Matt Basile, the founder of street food company Fidel Gastro’s, has been working with a cause that aims to raise awareness for those living with HIV. This year, Basile teamed up with a group of HIV-positive chefs to serve a delicious meal to over 300 guests.

Called June’s HIV+ Eatery, the pop-up is designed to smash the stigma associated with those living with HIV/AIDS. It began as a week-long operation and evolved into a one-night-only gala, and 9 HIV+ peer chefs, all of which supports Casey House.

8. Petty Cash adds pizza to menu thanks to psychology major chef

A BA in Psychology for Neurobiology and Behaviour is not necessarily the most traditional path to being a chef, but it worked out exactly the way Umberto Aceto wanted it to. He followed his passion, quickly switching gears to visit George Brown Culinary Management and pursue his culinary dreams. Now, as Petty Cash’s Executive Chef, he’s reimagining the menu at one of the trendiest spots in the city.

His vision includes a carpaccio made with AAA beef tenderloin, a heirloom tomato salad, and a wide selection of pizza options including the Meat Lovers and the Rigatoni, all made New York style.

9. Celebrate VELA's 2nd anniversary with a champagne party

Raise a glass to VELA on June 22nd, at the restaurant's Fête du Champagne party, in honour of its 2nd anniversary. A spot that exudes refinement, it's no wonder that VELA's birthday will be marked with a menu of luxe canapés, music, dancing and a who's who of French Champagne. The full experience includes several glasses of bubbly (including two secret sommelier picks), a caviar tasting, oysters, sparkling cocktails, and an evening replete with sophisticated bites. General admission tickets grant entry to the event and canapés, with beverages available for an additional fee. Already busy that night? Pop by the restaurant on the same date, between 12pm and 4pm, for an effortlessly elegant day tasting. Champagne passport in hand, guests will be invited to explore multiple tasting stations featuring fine bubbles, wines, and light food pairings. For more information, and to reserve your spot for VELA's Fête du Champagne, visit Tock.ca.

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