This week in food: Toronto restaurant openings, closings, and our top picks

This round-up spotlights Toronto’s newest restaurant openings, bar openings, upcoming closings, and some special spots that should be on your radar.

Here’s what’s up in the city’s food scene right now.

Just Opened

• Blondies Pizza is now open at 88 Ossington Avenue. Pair it with Superpoint for an excellent, glutenous night.
• The St. Lawrence Market location of Jack Astor’s has officially been replaced. By the same parent company, Service Inspired Restaurants (SIR) has swapped the eatery out with Duke’s Refresher.
• YGO Lab is now soft-open and serving milk tea at 100B Harbord Street.
• You can fill up on seasonal treats and sammies at Belle’s Bakery, open at 262 Dupont Street.

Opening Soon

• After being closed for less than a week, Queen West eatery Soufi’s is set to re-open, under the management of Paramount Fine Foods’ CEO but the ownership of the Alsoufis, on Friday morning.
• The Momo House will open its doors in Parkdale on Thursday, October 17.
• DUNK Burgers and Chocolate is opening at 696 Queen Street West, with 50% off eats from October 11 to 25.
• One of the city’s best bagel pop-ups, Primrose Bagel, has announced that it’ll soon be opening a storefront in the St. Clair West neighbourhood.
• Madame Levant is gearing up to open its doors at 821 Gerrard Street East, with “true Levantine cuisine” on offer.

Our Top Picks

Blondies on Ossington

Blondies has opened a new location on the Ossington Strip, which means that if you’re a west-ender, the classic pink-and-white polka-dot box is calling your name. Take a load off on Friday night and indulge in one (or more) of these mouthwatering ‘zas in red or blonde, with all the toppings.

Address: 88 Ossington Avenue

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• See also:
  • Soufi’s restaurant to reopen after death threats prompted closure
  • Paramount Fine Foods CEO offers to help reopen Soufi’s

Duke’s Refresher

Now open at 73 Front Street East, the new restaurant is poised to offer a wide range of options for dining, drinking, and, believe it or not, playing. In addition to food and beverage, the spot is equipped with retro arcade games including Taxi Pinball, Galaxian, Area 51, Buck Hunter, and more. If you’d prefer to get a little active, you can hit the mini basketball court, shuffleboard, pool, and ping pong tables.

Address: 73 Front Street East

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Belle’s Bakery

‘Tis the season for filling up on flaky pastries and other doughy delights. Which means it’s the perfect time of year to stop by newly-opened Belle’s Bakery. Serving up bagel sandwiches, baked goods and cozy caffeinated bevvies, it’s the perfect place to laze away your Saturday afternoon.

Address: 262 Dupont Street

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Last Call

It’s coming up to closing time on these establishments. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.

• Known across the city for attracting both Tom Hanks and Ryan Gosling during consecutive TIFF runs, Grinder Coffee is gearing up to close its doors on October 27.
• Grand Electric’s Trinity Bellwoods location is set to shutter in November, but the owners have something new in-store.
• “After 18 years of business it is time for change,” chef Anthony Rose wrote in an Instagram post, announcing that restaurants Rose and Sons and Big Crow are closing.
• Dundas West’s lovable Unlovable has announced that it’ll be closing its doors after a final service (read: party) on October 31.