A round-up of Toronto’s new restaurants from 2015
2015. It was a good year for Toronto foodies and restaurant entrepreneurs alike. Whether you’re looking for the most buzz-worthy new taco joint, what’s happening on the Parkdale strip, or which seasoned spot has enjoyed a recent makeover, we’ve got the goods. Check out some of the just-born and reinvented spots that have caught our interest this year.
Kanpai Snack Bar
252 Carlton St, Toronto ON M5A 2L1Kanpai Snack Bar brings a bustling cocktail house specializing in Tawainese street food to Cabbagetown. Wash down wok-fried chicken or saucy bao with Asian-inspired drinks like Ooh Long Island iced tea or a local craft beer at this wood-clad tavern. Sleek industrial lighting and communal tables create the casual, amber-hued vibe of the spot, perfect for a cocktail date or a happy-hour snack.
Barque Butcher Bar
287 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto ON M6R 2M3This hybrid project neighbours up to the original Barque Smokehouse, Toronto’s beloved BBQ restaurant on Roncesvalles Avenue. Offering patrons the best of both worlds (and as the name aptly points out), this spot is a butcher and high-end curated grocer by day, and cocktail and snack bar by night. Pick up everything from brisket to bottled bbq sauce to citrus smoked salmon at the butcher and café, or head over for a post-work bevvy and charcuterie board in the evening.
Mymy Chicken
394 Bloor St W, Toronto ON M5S 1X4The Annex has a new teppanyaki spot, and it’s generating quite a buzz. Ingredients come out on a sizzling iron griddle for a DIY approach to the famed Japanese grilling technique. The Supreme Beef and rice dish is a must-try, as is the guilty pleasure selection of desserts (which includes a roasted coffee tiramisu as well as a black sesame parfait). Plus, the sleek spot is oh-so-aesthetic, with modern white booth seating and bright architectural lighting.
Peter Pan Bistro
373 Queen St W, Toronto ON M5V 2A4Toronto’s culinary elite are suckers for a local legacy, and when the newest iteration of the beloved Peter Pan bistro – housed in a decades-old ramshackle low-rise on Queen West – surfaced in early 2015, it garnered instant interest. What can you expect from the updated space and menu? The most unique tapestry-taxidermy hybrids you’ve ever seen (now that’s a phrase I bet you didn’t think you’d read today), an oh-so-romantic parlour interior, and British- and French-inspired dishes like devils on horseback (bacon-wrapped plums!), Welsh rarebit, and shellfish bouillabaisse.
Bar Raval
505 College St, Toronto ON M6G 1A5From the masterminds of Bar Isabel comes this truly unique cocktail and tapas bar, just a hop-skip from College and Bathurst. The entirely wood-clad interior creates the feel of a whimsical tavern, while the cocktail menu brings such intriguingly titled options as the Scottish Hula Dancer (which is described as an intimate meeting between Count Negroni and Chet Baker in the tropics, and features Beefeater, Campari and coconut). Snack on traditional Spanish tapas for a gourmet post-work snack session or stop in during the day for some baked-in-house delicacies from the café (think donuts, croissants and crusty baguettes).
Old School Restaurant
800 Dundas St W, Toronto ON M6J 1V1This Dundas Street eatery joins the ranks of Toronto’s premium 24-hour dining spots, dealing in all-day breakfast, BBQ and other, in their own words, “genuine classics”. With everything from maple-drizzled French toast to pulled pork and waffles, OLD SCHOOL has quickly become the new destination for comfort food in Little Portugal. Dinner-minded? Guilty pleasure options abound at this edgy spot, from fried chicken with Sriracha mayo to blackstrap brisket and beans to a good ol’ bucket-o-shrimp.
Pennies Bar
127 Strachan Ave, Toronto ON M6J 2S7Hungry around Trinity-Niagara? No problem. One of Toronto’s newest snack stops has been serving some of the most capital sliders and mini-sandwiches of the year. The Redneck taco features pulled pork and coleslaw on a corn griddlecake while the Buffalo fried chicken is garnished with pickled celery and blue cheese. If you’re thinking: my goodness that sounds like the tastiest post-bar snack I could possibly imagine, we’re way ahead of ya. Yes, Broncos is open late night, all week ;)
Fring's
455 King St W, Toronto ON M5V 1K4This Drake and Susur Lee collaboration may well go down as the most buzzed-about pre-opening in Toronto restaurant history. The King West spot joins the ranks of the top chef’s other celebrated eateries Bent, Luckee, and Lee. In terms of interior, Fring’s is the definition of chic-meets-casual, with exposed brick and semi-circle booth seating for a cozy parlour-esque vibe. True to form, Lee delivers a menu that has us drooling on our keyboards: think mushroom and winter truffle pappardelle, southern spicy maple-fried chicken, and grilled octopus (served alongside black olive puree and smoked olive oil).
Annette Food Market
240, Annette St., Toronto ON M6P 1R1This Junction hotspot has been drawing the crowds since it opened in early 2015, slinging authentic thin-crust Neapolitan pizza and other updated Italian classics. This is the type of spot for a done-right Negroni, an excellent selection of Italian reds, a hip atmosphere, and a menu of curated classics (beef carpaccio with mushrooms, house-made ravioli and potato croquettes are just a few of the drool-inducers on offer). Hot tip: don’t skip the dessert menu, it is dazzling, and keep AFM in mind for Sunday brunch – the Caesar features a spicy pepperoncini and slice of prosciutto.
Byblos Downtown
11 Duncan St, Toronto ON M5V 3M2Byblos isn’t just the Entertainment District’s new Mediterranean restaurant du jour, it’s conquering Toronto as one of the most buzz-worthy restaurants of the year. The sprawling spot accomplishes a unique vibe that unites high-end dining with an intimate setting, perfect for a one-on-one dinner or large party alike. Warm up with small plates, get cozy with the spicy, duck-egg-accented shakshouka (a chunky tomato soup), or tuck in with the Spanish octopus, served alongside fingerling potatoes.
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