Posted by Greg Clow in restaurant closings, restaurant news, restaurant openings on November 19, 2007 at 7:34 am
There are lots of changes a-comin' to the Queen West strip between Bathurst and Dufferin, with some empty locations being filled again, and one former hot-spot undergoing a sudden change.
The fun starts a bit west of Bathurst, where Habitat has closed rather suddenly. Signs in the window promise that Satori Supper Club (735 Queen Street West) will soon be rising in its place, with reopening set for either Thursday or Friday of this week depending on which sign you read. The word on the street (or more accurately, ChefDB) says that there's been a change in ownership, and chef Martin Warnick has been replaced by Scott McDonough (ex-The Fifth). But based on the remarkably similar websites, it looks like the menu will be undergoing just a few minor tweaks, and strangely enough, some lowered prices.
Heading west, the large space abandoned by Gypsy Co-Op almost a year ago is finally being cleaned up, and will be reopening at some point as Legends Wine Bar & Grill (815 Queen Street West). Too bad - we were kinda holding out hope that someone might reopen the Squeeze Club.
Out towards Shaw, the sorely missed Sugar Café is about to be replaced by Urbano Tapas Parlour (942 Queen Street West), where they'll be serving "Italian Style Tapas". Tapas will also be the main food focus at The Kitchen (1186 Queen Street West), a restaurant and bar soon to open just east of Dufferin, while nearby café and gallery space Edaas is gone, with cheekily-named pub The Cock & Tail (1168 Queen Street West) soon to take over their spot.
It's only been a few months since they opened their fourth shop, but Tony and Abby Sabherwal are already on their way to opening the fifth location of their gourmet pizza and pasta chain Magic Oven at 6 Wellesley Street West (the home of Mammina's until the owners retired last month after 25 years). An open house for all positions is being held on Wednesday, so the opening is presumably at least a couple of weeks away.
Also opening in a few weeks will be The Beet (2945 Dundas Street West), an organic café and market in the increasingly hip Junction neighbourhood. The café will offer primarily take-out orders (in biodegradable packaging, natch) of healthy local and organic food, with a small seating area for eat-in where organic wine and beer will also be on offer. On the market side, an assortment of local, organic, sustainable and fair trade goods will be available. Watch for the doors to open in December.
As someone who was born in PEI with a wife born in Halifax, I'm especially saddened by this next item: The Duke of Argyle (86 John Street) has closed down after 18 years of serving great pub grub with authentic East Coast style hospitality. We'll especially miss the fried mussels and chips wrapped in pages from the Chronicle-Herald, and the occasional appearance of Propeller beers at the bar. And as if that weren't enough, we've also been informed that The Prince of Egypt (135 Danforth Avenue), a place that we reviewed and enjoyed back in July, has also been shut down. Sigh.
From our "Are you looking for a lawsuit?" department, a place called Pic Nic (747 Queen Street East) - not to be confused with the recently opened Picnic (2411 Yonge Street) - is set to open soon just east of Broadview. The name alone may be enough to bring the lawyers calling, but if Pic Nic also decides to have a menu of adult versions of children's favourites, then they'll really be asking for trouble.
Leasiders who prefer to eat their fancy Indian eats at home will be happy to know that Amaya (1701 Bayview Avenue) have opened a satellite operation, Amaya Express (1574 Bayview Avenue), to handle take out and delivery orders. And those who also have a taste for Southern BBQ will be equally happy to know that a new location of Cluck Grunt & Low will be coming to their neighbourhood soon.
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.
