Posted by Greg Clow in restaurant closings, restaurant news, restaurant openings on May 5, 2008 at 8:18 am

It's not often that a critic shows up at a particular address to review a restaurant, only to find a different restaurant in its place. But that's exactly what happened to our own Amy Grigg recently, as she arrived at 11 Jarvis Street to dine on the dishes of chef Brad Moore at Eleven, only to find that it had suddenly become The Garden @ Eleven, with Moore replaced by chef Pat Riley (ex-Perigee). There's no word on why Moore left so suddenly only a few months into his stint there (which followed an equally sudden exit from Xacutti), but at least the quality of the food seems to have remained high with Riley at the helm.

As for both chefs' previous stomping grounds, Perigee has been getting renewed attention and positive reviews under former sous chef and now head chef Chris Brown. And over where Xacutti used to be, owner Leslie Gibson has returned from LA to relaunch the space this Tuesday, May 6th as Grace (503 College Street). To oversee a menu focused on "traditional flavours inspired by family gatherings and Sunday dinners", she's plucked 26 year-old chef Dustin Gallagher from Susur, where he's been sous chef for 6 years.

Down in the neighbourhood that Susur is soon to vacate, Crush Wine Bar (455 King Street West) has just reopened after a month of renovations with a new look and a new menu. Formerly specialising in nouveau bistro fare, the card now features upscale pub grub such as Ploughman's lunch, steak & chips, and London Particular. What hasn't changed, however, is Crush's extensive and eclectic wine list.

A block or so west, the long-planned restaurant-lounge Spice Route (499 King Street West) finally opened its doors this past week. The second project to come from the partnership of Nick Di Donato's Liberty Group and Charles Khabouth's Ink (the first being Tattoo Rock Parlour), the large space will undoubtedly attract the nightclub set out to see and be soon, so unless you have an early reservation, plan to eat the Asian fusion creations of chef Winlai Wong (ex-Monsoon) quickly before electro-house DJ Julien Nolan takes the decks and the place starts pumping.

Those looking for a more serene Asian experience may want to wait until the summer, when the former bar area of Rain is set to re-open in a renovated form as a sushi restaurant named Ushi Oni (19 Mercer Street). While Rain chef Guy Rubino will be overseeing the new place as well, it will feature a separate entrance and kitchen, and brother Michael Rubino promises it will have a very Japanese look and atmosphere, not to mention an extensive drinks list - beer, wine and sake - to pair with Guy's seafood delights.

The summer will also see the opening of the latest outpost in the rapidly expanding Magic Oven empire at 360 Queen Street East, formerly the location of Only In Paradise Cafe. This full-service location will feature the usual line-up of pizzas, pastas and sandwiches and a well-selected beer and wine list, all with a strong local and organic theme.

Finally, a couple of closures to report: Chocolatier Jenn Stone has closed her chocolate shop and school js bonbons (163 Dupont Street) for family reasons; Queen West neighbours The Legend Grill & Wine Bar (815 Queen Street West) and Butler's Pantry (813 Queen Street West) are both gone (although the Mirvish Village and Roncesvalles locations of Butler's remain); and Yu Shan Dumpling Cuisine (771 Dundas Street West) has shut down and been replaced by Eastern Legend.

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.