Chicken and ribs fans rejoice: Paul Boehmer's long-gestating BBQ joint Cluck Grunt & Low (362 Bloor Street West) has finally opened. After months of anticipation, a soft opening took place last night, and the official opening follows tonight. Expect a rush on Wet-Naps at the nearby Shoppers Drug Mart.
Kensington Market's Rice Bar (319 Augusta Avenue) has spawned a sibling in the form of Wich?, a sandwich bar tucked behind the kitchen of the original restaurant. The new spot takes the same mix & match approach to sandwiches as the Rice Bar takes to rice bowls, allowing customers to select from a check list of breads, proteins, veggies, cheese and condiments to build their perfect sarnie. Also inherited from the Rice Bar are such environmentally friendly features as biodegradable take-out containers, energy-efficient lighting, organic cotton & bamboo fiber t-shirts for the staff, and lots of local & organic ingredients on the menu.
Down on Queen West, the former flagship in the floundering Amato chain will soon house the newest location of The Friendly Thai (534 Queen Street West), with the sign in the window promising a "Grand Buffet". And if you think it's strange to have a Friendly Thai opening so close to the existing Queen Street location, you probably haven't noticed that the main sign there now reads "Formerly The Friendly Thai", and you have to get up close to find out that the name has been changed to The Secret of Asia (500 Queen Street West).
Falafel fans in Little Italy are currently doing without their fix as Mona's Shawarma & Falafel (661 College Street) has closed its doors. But a sign in the window shares the good news that it will soon be a new home for the popular Middle Eastern eatery Ghazale. The only question is whether this is a relocation or an off-shoot of the original location next to the Bloor Cinema.
The resto-lounge invasion continues along King West, as Spoon Restaurant has completed its transformation into Libra Lounge (391 King Street West). While food is still being served, it's definitely got more of a bar/lounge vibe than before. They quietly opened the doors a week or so back, but the official opening takes place on July 11th. Also fairly new to the strip is the restaurant & bar add-on at Libra's next door neighbour, Venice Fitness (393 King Street West).
Finally, the Avenue Road and Davenport neighbourhood has recently lost two dining locations, with the closures of veteran bistro Arlequin (134 Avenue Road) and relative newcomer MoDo (122-124 Avenue Road).
If you have a scoop to share about the local food & restaurant scene, please let us know so we can include it in a future edition of T.O. Tidbits.
Oh no! Ghazale in the Annex better not close!
Not more from Rice Bar...have to say I was so excited to try it and it was the single worst meal I have had in the city. Bland, rice and over cooked tough cuts of meat made this a meal I only wish I could forget.
On the positive side, if you are looking for great food in Kensigton Torito, the Tapas place just across the street is absolutely wonderful! The steak melts and the fish was amazing.