The Roundup: This Week in Toronto (March 27-April 2)

Written By

TasteToronto

2 years 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. Sang-Ji Fried Bao launches downtown Toronto location

For the people living downtown that have a hankering for Chinese street food, look no further than Sang-Ji Fried Bao’s new location in the city. Initially located in North York, the restaurant’s second location will serve the downtown folks through its store at 3 Charles St. E. The joint had a soft open on March 19 and is currently working on finalizing a date for its official launch.

Sang-Ji Bao has gained popularity for its eponymous offering of a Shanghainese-style pan-fried bao. Traditionally called shengjian bao, it’s a soup dumpling traditionally filled with pork. At Sang-Ji, alongside the flavour bomb soup dumpling, one can also get noodles with scallion oil and peanuts, wonton soup and fried pork short ribs. With such sumptuous dishes to offer, we certainly can’t wait for the official opening of the downtown location!

2. Tom’s Dairy Freeze opens up shop for the season

The beloved Toronto institution, Tom’s Dairy Freeze, opened its doors for the season on March 17, ready to once again serve the people of Toronto the delicious soft-serve ice cream it has become famous for. Patrons can find all the indulgent treats available at the store located at 630 The Queensway from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

From soft serve to old-fashioned sundaes, milkshakes, floats, banana splits and even ice cream sandwiches, there is something to be found for everyone at Tom’s Dairy Freeze.

3. White Claw Vodka now available at the LCBO

From the company that brought you the original wave of hard seltzer comes the world's first Triple Wave Filtered vodka. Made using a first-of-its-kind pressure filtration process, White Claw Vodka is "the world's smoothest vodka," according to the company, and is now available at the LCBO.

In Premium, Black Cherry, Mango and Pineapple, White Claw Vodka marks the über-popular brand's entry into a new category. Already known for its slew of hard seltzers — including a range of fruit-flavoured originals, lemonades, iced teas, and higher-ABV Surge offerings — White Claw Vodka is the first spirit made by the company. The new vodka is made from 100 per cent single grain, and distilled, not once or twice, but five times, for a flavour that is clean with a complex aroma and subtle notes of citrus.

4. Shake Shack finally opening in Canada

Toronto's burger arena is about to gain an exciting new player. Shake Shack is finally heading to Canada, with a flagship Toronto location opening in 2024. In partnership with Osmington Inc. and Harlo Entertainment Inc., the company plans to expand with 35 Shacks in Canada by 2035.

Along with ShackBurgers, Shake Stacks, Chicken Stacks and more trademarked items, local Shake Shack locations will serve Canada-exclusive items, according to Chief Global Licensing Officer, Michael Kark. "We can’t wait to be a part of the city’s bustling energy and innovative food scene," said Kark in a press release. Watch Shake Shack's Instagram page for details on locations and opening dates.

5. Earls is opening a flagship location in Yorkdale next month

Earls Restaurant Group is opening a Toronto flagship location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Set to open on April 21, 2023, the new location will be a sophisticated extension of the brand. The menu, created by chef David Wong, was designed specifically with the Yorkdale audience in mind, and includes new dishes such as yuzu tuna tataki, an expansive seafood tower, angry chicken lettuce wraps and a spicy chilli passion fruit margarita, exclusive to Earls Yorkdale. The new location marks the group’s 69th restaurant in North America. Later this year, the brand is set to open Earls Manulife Centre in the fall, and Earls King West early next year.

6. The One of a Kind Spring Show starts this week

If spring has you yearning to refresh your look, your decor, your pantry, or your mood, the One Of A Kind Spring Show is just the spot to do it all. Opening on March 29th, and running for five days, the show brings a wealth of artisans from across the country to Toronto's Enercare Centre. Each will be celebrating the theme of Shining Bright, as they exhibit their creativity and skill at each booth, through workshops, fashion shows, and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Oneofakindshow.com.

7. RPM Maker's Market returns with spring edition

Find yourself in Jordan, Ontario, on April 8th, and experience everything that RPM Maker's Market has to offer. Taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the spring edition of the market includes goods from a host of vendors — from organic floral arrangements by Echo Hall Farms, to plant-dyed textiles from Faded Fields, willow baskets from Willow Bee Weaver, and produce from Garden Pearl Morissette. Offering a menu of buttery pastries, sourdough breads, refined sandwiches, salads, and other light lunch options, RPM Bakehouse's bakery and bistro will be open throughout the event to fuel your day of fun.

8. Fatburger, popular California burger chain, opens first restaurant in Toronto

This popular west coast burger chain has finally made its Toronto debut.

Fatburger is famous for serving up American style burgers along with other popular menu items such as milkshakes, curly fries, chicken tenders and mini doughnuts.

The restaurant has just announced a new limited time offer menu item, the Fat Smash Extreme, which is a burger made with double the meat, double the cheese and double the bacon!

Try out this popular California burger joint at its Toronto location, 565 Bloor St W.

9. Black Pearl launches new collaboration with Beast Pizza

What’s more exciting in this day and age than intriguing new pizza combinations? With the basic structure of a pie providing so much room for your imagination to run wild, we as a society have been privy to some really “out there” flavour combinations — some that work, and others not so much.

Black Pearl, in collaboration with Beast Pizza and chef Scott Vivian, tapped into the market and launched a new pie on St. Patrick’s Day, with very in-your-face Irish flavours.

Dubbed “Luck of the Irish,” the pizza consists of corned beef, braised butter cabbage, fingerling potato, grainy mustard cream sauce and Parmigiano. The limited-time offering will be available till April 15 so grab it while you can!

The pizza is priced at $10 for a slice and $40 for the entire pie.

10. Headpace TO is the latest spot for wine, coffee and snacks

Head on over to 548 Annette Street for natural wine, small snacks and coffee.

11. New Bingz location opens in Toronto

A popular chain from Beijing which specializes in crispy burgers has opened its third location in Toronto at Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Bingz was founded in 2014 by two Chinese programmers and became a hit in the restaurant industry by selling over 200,000 crispy burgers in 100 days.

The burgers, which are popular for their flaky, crispy buns, come with unique flavoured stuffing such as butter chicken and black pepper beef to name just a few.

From March 24 to April 13, take advantage of their opening month promotion of any crispy burger with their signature smoking hot rockin’ fries and a pop for $9.99.

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