Restaurant Comings & Goings

[AlbertC]

The Rivoli on Queen West is for sale as they look for a new owner to hopefully continue the business:

https://nowtoronto.com/food-and-drink/the-rivoli-is-for-sale/

 

[interchange42]

Gusto 501, a new Italian restaurant in Toronto’s Corktown neighbourhood, was five years in the making. But just over five weeks after it opened, the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down.

https://www.thestar.com/business/20...a&utm_campaign=&utm_campaign_id=&utm_content=

…but not shut down for good. It's open again.

42

 

[AlbertC]

Alleycatz Restaurant and Jazz Bar in the Yonge & Eg area has closed after 19 years:

Midtown live music bar Alleycatz announces permanent closure in Toronto

Rough week for live music as Alleycatz closes and The Rivoli is for sale

trnto.com

 

[AlbertC]

The Beaver at Queen West near Gladstone has closed after 14 years. Although staff hope to reopen somewhere else in the future.

The Beaver to close after 14 years on Queen West - NOW Magazine

Queen West queer bar The Beaver will not reopen in its current location due to the pandemic, but staff hope to open elsewhere eventually

nowtoronto.com

 

[AlbertC]

Live Organic Food Bar at Dupont & Spadina closes after 19 years:

Live Organic Food Bar closes permanently - NOW Magazine

Toronto's first raw vegan restaurant, Live Organic Food Bar, is shutting down its Annex location after 19 years

nowtoronto.com

 

[AlbertC]

True True Diner at King East & Jarvis has closed:

Chef Suzanne Barr announces True True Diner's closure and calls for support for Black-owned businesses

It will not be reopening as planned for post-COVID operations

trnto.com

 

[Jonny5]

True True Diner at King East & Jarvis has closed:

Chef Suzanne Barr announces True True Diner's closure and calls for support for Black-owned businesses

It will not be reopening as planned for post-COVID operations

trnto.com

Wow. That one was only open for a few months.

 

[AlbertC]

Aunty Lucy's will be reopening at a new location in the Annex Hotel, 296 Brunswick Ave just south of Bloor W:

Popular burger joint Aunty Lucy's Burgers has found a new home in the Annex

The takeout spot will open this Wednesday

trnto.com

 

[AlbertC]

Brothers Food & Wine, located right above Bay station, is closing on July 18th:

Critically-acclaimed restaurant Brothers is closing its doors

The Yorkville restaurant's last service will take place on July 18

trnto.com

 

[AlbertC]

Cafe Crepe at Queen West & John, has closed after almost 20 years:

Toronto's most famous crepe restaurant has closed after almost 20 years

There are plenty of places to get crepes in Toronto, but we've just lost one of our oldest and most iconic. Cafe Crepe has added to the colourful s...

www.blogto.com

 

[Towered]

Crepe Cafe at Queen West & John, has closed after almost 20 years:

Toronto's most famous crepe restaurant has closed after almost 20 years

There are plenty of places to get crepes in Toronto, but we've just lost one of our oldest and most iconic. Cafe Crepe has added to the colourful s...

www.blogto.com

I'm kind of amazed it lasted as long as it did (even before the pandemic) - I never knew of a single person that ever ate there, and there was never any online buzz.

 

[AlbertC]

I'm kind of amazed it lasted as long as it did (even before the pandemic) - I never knew of a single person that ever ate there, and there was never any online buzz.

I went there once around 10 years ago. It was alright but not something that I'd go back to or recommend. I believe a large portion of their customer base are tourists or 905'ers who come hang out downtown during the weekend or after a sporting event. So yeah, business definitely taking a major hit from that not happening right now.

 

[bedoozled]

I'm kind of amazed it lasted as long as it did (even before the pandemic) - I never knew of a single person that ever ate there, and there was never any online buzz.

I have to agree. I worked across the street for almost 10 years and never knew a single coworker who who went there, and anytime we had to think of somewhere to have lunch or grab a bite, it was never a consideration!

 

[gabe]

I went there once around 10 years ago. It was alright but not something that I'd go back to or recommend. I believe a large portion of their customer base are tourists or 905'ers who come hang out downtown during the weekend or after a sporting event. So yeah, business definitely taking a major hit from that not happening right now.

I ate there once a few years ago, it was good but i find crepes in general all the same, just overrated pancakes.

I think Covid is going to thin out the restaurant scene, the specialty, gimmicky cafe/restaurants will be the first to go, like Creperie's, cup cake cafes, macaroon cafe's, poutine places, overpriced frozen yogurt places, and even the Poop Cafe! I will be shocked if that place is around a year from now.

 

[AlbertC]

I ate there once a few years ago, it was good but i find crepes in general all the same, just overrated pancakes.

I think Covid is going to thin out the restaurant scene, the specialty, gimmicky cafe/restaurants will be the first to go, like Creperie's, cup cake cafes, macaroon cafe's, poutine places, overpriced frozen yogurt places, and even the Poop Cafe! I will be shocked if that place is around a year from now.

Yeah, the Poop Cafe relies on a lot of families, teens, and groups for hang outs and parties. So with indoor social distance guidelines and outings like this just being a lesser of a priority, places like that are definitely going to suffer. This will be the case for board game cafes as well like the Snakes & Lattes chain.

While the other cafe and bakery places downtown will be affected by the lack of post secondary students around with classes going virtual. Poutini's on Queen West has already closed. They used to be popular late night spot, but not really possible to survive without the usual bar/club crowds.